Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. quinckeanum as a cause of zoophilic dermatomycosis in a human family.

Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. quinckeanum is a zoophilic form of T. mentagrophytes. It induces murine favus in the form of coarse yellow scutules bigger than 1 cm in diameter. In March, 2002, a 52-year-old male patient was examined at the Dermatology Clinic of the Medical Faculty in Kosice with a 1-week anamnesis of a solitary, oval, annular focus, 3 cm in diameter, on the right side of his face, located subauricularly. When providing the history, he has mentioned that his 12-year-old son has a ,,similar skin disease". Clinical examination of the son showed similar annular oval lesion, size about 2 x 3 cm, located in the right chest region. Since January 2002 the family has kept a guinea pig. They have obtained it through a mediator from the Kosice ZOO. The material for mycological examination was taken from peripheral parts of the foci or desquamating lesions from the father, son, and the guinea pig. Scales were examined microscopically in 20 % KOH solution with Parker's blue-black ink. The findings proved the presence of septal hyphae and formation of arthrospores. Thus, dermatomycosis was confirmed in the father and son, caused by T. mentagrophytes var. quinckeanum, the source of which was a pet guinea pig (Fig. 3, Ref. 17).

Study of the dermatophytes in dogs and the risk of human infection.

BACKGROUND: The infiltrative growth of fungi that multiplies in the tissues (dermatophytes, candida, agents of visceral mycoses) is the generally known proof of "active" functioning of these organisms. The relative importance of fungi as inducers of human and animal diseases grows constantly. METHODS: The study was carried out on dogs that showed skin changes. The frequency of examinations was determined on the basis of anamneses. Skin scrapings and affected fragile or dull hair and skin swabs were subject to Laboratory diagnostic examinations based on cultivation and microscopical examination. Our evaluations were focused on the type of parasite--ecothrix, endothrix, neoendothrix, and the size of arthrospores. RESULTS: The results of our study are presented as the incidence of dermatophytes and other micromycetes in 100 samples of skin scrapings and swabs from 100 dogs of both sexes, different breeds and age categories that had exhibited skin problems. We isolated 12 species. Malassezia pachydermatis was the most frequently detected species and was isolated from 31 cases. Trichophyton mentagrophytes was isolated from 2 samples, species Microsporum canis was isolated only from one case, Candida albicans was isolated from 3 samples. The agent Candida krusei was isolated from 5 samples, Candida pulcherrima a relatively rare candidal species, was isolated from skin of an 8-year old Dalmatian bitch, Candida sp. in 5 cases. Trichosporon cutaneum was isolated from a 3-year old Laika etc. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the need of constant research in this area. This indicates that the incidence of mycoses in dogs and other pets is of importance in the exposure of people to the risk of acquiring mycotic infections. (Tab. 1, Fig. 5, Ref. 57).

Do dogs and cats present a risk of transmission of salmonellosis to humans?

Examination of rectal swabs from 187 dogs and 13 cats showed that Salmonella spp. was present in only one dog, a 4-month old mongrel puppy, weighing 3.5 kg. It was identified as S. dublin, a species specific serovar of cattle. The animal exhibited no signs of disease during clinical examination. Of the total number of examined animals this positive dog represents only 0.5%. Within the group of patients included in our monitoring in none of those with gastrointestinal problems it was possible to isolate Salmonella spp. This indicates that the risk of transmission of salmonellosis from dogs and cats in the region of Kosice seems to be rather low. On the basis of literature and our own observations we identified the potential sources and the possible ways of the transfer of this disease. The most common appears to be the oral infection by infected feed of various types, particularly by direct contamination of feed with either animal or human contaminants. In dogs and cats salmonellosis occurs most frequently in a latent form. The clinical findings vary with regard to the number of pathogens, immune status of the host, occurrence of health complications and the form of associated disease units. There are suitable isolation and diagnostic methods for diagnostics of salmonellosis. Due to the need for continuous protection of health of humans and animals, screening of occurrence of zoonotic pathogens appears topical. (Tab. 3, Fig. 1, Ref. 35.).

[Injuries of extremity blood vessels, personal experience and results]. / Poranení koncetinových cév, nase zkusenosti a výsledky.

The authors evaluated the results achieved in 47 patients with injuries of the acral vesels where they performed a total of 50 vascular operations during the five-year period from 1998-2001. 21.3% injuries were part of multiple injuries. The mean period of hospitalization was 14.7 days. The 30-day mortality was 6.4% and the morbidity 12.8%. The upper extremity was saved in all instances (100%), the lower extremity in 77.3% of the injured. The reason for high amputations of the lower extremity were most frequently injuries of the popliteal artery associated with skeletal injury and extensive contusion of the soft tissues of the extremity. The authors discuss the optimal diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in injuries of the acral vessels. They emphasize a multidisciplinary approach without delay with early, frequently during the primary operation indicated fasciotomy, to prevent the development of compartment syndrome. The order of operations in concurrent injuries of the acral skeleton depends on the stage of ischaemia, type of injury and solution of the skeletal fractures. This type of injury frequently calls for repeated redressing in the operation theatre with repeated necrectomies of soft tissues to prevent infection which may prove fatal for the extremity. Injuries of the acral vessels should be nowadays treated in specialized departments with a 24-hour diagnostic and therapeutic traumatological service which comprises a highly specialized team of vascular surgeons.

Study of the content of heavy metals related to environmental load in urban areas in Slovakia.

UNLABELLED: It is natural for the man to take care of his environment so the negative influences of intensification of industrial and agricultural production and the entire process of pollution are kept at minimum or eliminated as early as possible. However, they must first be identified. BACKGROUND: companion animals, for example dogs, are a very good indicator of the pollution load on the environment. They inhabit the same space as humans and are exposed to the action of the same pollutants. The most important role in contamination of the environment with heavy metals is played by emissions of different origin. For that reason it is appropriate and advantageous to evaluate the load on the man by parallel evaluation of the heavy metal load on dogs, particularly in large town agglomerations. MAIN PURPOSE: the aim of the study was to compare and evaluate the content of three heavy metals, cadmium, arsenic and lead, in the hair of dogs from two largest town agglomerations of Slovakia, Bratislava and Kosice. In addition to that, an effort was made to compare the environmental load in Bratislava and Kosice by using the dog as a bioindicator of environmental pollution with heavy metals and to quantify the content of heavy metals in dog' hair. METHODS: The generally low level of heavy metals in biological material makes it impossible to use common analytical methods. In our study the samples of dog hair were analysed using the method of atomic absorption spectrometry. The measurements were carried out on a Perkin-Elmer spectrometer, model 5000, using the following wavelengths: 228.8 nm for Cd, 193.7 nm for As and 283.3 nm for Pb. The results of analyses are presented as means. The concentrations of Cd, As and Pb are expressed in microg/kg dog hair. Statistical evaluation of results was carried out by means of Student's t-test. RESULTS: The mean values of heavy metals in the set of dogs from Bratislava reached the following levels: 38.09 microg/kg for Cd, 111.07 microg/kg for As, and 729.59 microg/kg for Pb. The set of dogs from Kosice allowed us to detect the following mean values: 22.21 microg/kg for Cd, 79.87 microg/kg for As, and 542.49 microg/kg for Pb. The mean values for the entire Slovak territory reached 27.39 microg/kg for Cd, 90.06 microg/kg for As, and 601.96 microg/kg for Pb. The comparison of the first two experimental sets of data with the Slovak mean values showed highly significant differences in arithmetic means (p < 0.01) for Cd and significant (p < 0.05) for As with the Bratislava set reaching higher values. No statistically significant differences were observed with regard to Pb. CONCLUSION: The study confirms the need for further research in this area with the dog as a bioindicator involving also other environmental loads not only that resulting from heavy metals. It indicates the importance of risk assessment in relation to environmental pollution. As the studies on animals are applicable also to the human population it appears very appropriate to use also this indirect way to point out to the negative impact of the polluted environment. Lead, cadmium and arsenic are the heavy metals that raise particular concern because of their wide-spectrum negative influences on live organisms. (Tab. 4, Fig. 5, Ref 28.)

[Aneurysms of the abdominal aorta]. / Aneuryzma abdominální aorty.

The authors present the experience of the Plzen department with treatment of aneurysms of the abdominal aorta (AAA) during the last five-year period (1992-1996) when they operated a total of 111 AAA in patients with an average age of 67.9 years (44-91 years). The number of symptomatic AAA was 15 (13.5%), 36 ruptures (32.4%). The most frequent risk factor was ischemic heart disease (IHD) in 74 (66.7%) and hypertension in 47 (42.3%) of the patients. Within 30 days after surgery two asymptomatic patients died (3.9%) and three (20%) with symptomatic AAA. The most frequent cause of death was acute myocardial infarction (AIM) in four (80%). Of 36 patients with rupture of AAA 17 (47.2%) died. A statistically significant factor for death of patients with rupture of the AAA was sever shock (blood pressure < 40 mm Hg) before surgery (p < 0.01), blood in the abdominal cavity (p < 0.01) and hypertension in the patient's case history (p < 0.05). Aimed screening of AAA in patients of risk groups and early elective surgery are important for reducing the incidence of ruptures of AAA. A patient with rupture of the AAA needs surgery urgently and unnecessary examination (CT, USG) frequently causes delay and reduces the patient's chance of survival.

[Arterial "crossover" reconstruction in ischemic disease of the lower extremities]. / Tepenné rekonstrukce typu "crossover" u ischemické choroby dolních koncetin.

The authors present a group of 20 patients where in the course of a 15-year period (1978-1992) a crossover bypass was made to save a lower extremity with advanced ischaemia. Based on their own experience which they compare with results of physicians abroad they submit an analysis of indications for this type of extra-anatomical reconstruction. In the authors' opinion crossover bypasses have their place in reconstruction surgery of the arteries of the lower extremities if they are perceived as extra-anatomical reconstructions and thus are subjects to strict criteria for indication.

[Arterial injuries of the upper extremities]. / Poranení tepen horních koncetin.

At the Department of Surgery in Pilsen in 1982-1991 a total of 26 patients with upper extremity vascular injuries was treated. Brachial artery was injured most commonly (50%). The direct trauma was responsible for 88.5% injuries, indirect injury was recorded in 11.5% cases only. The incidence of concomitant injuries of the vein, nerve or bone was 73.1%. Approximately one third of arterial injuries was caused by criminal offences. The vascular reconstruction was performed in all 26 patients. The overall patency rate was 84.6%, the amputation rate was 3.8%. One patient with polytrauma died of sepsis (3.8%). The authors give a comprehensive review of the causes, diagnosis and treatment of vascular injuries of the upper extremities.

[Extra-anatomic bypasses in reconstructive vascular surgery in the lower extremities]. / Extraanatomické bypassy v rekonstrukcní chirurgii tepen dolních koncetin.

Extra-anatomic Bypass was used in 36 patients for limb salvage at the Department of Surgery, University Hospital in Pilsen in a period of almost eleven years (1th January 1981-1th November 1991) constituting 8.2% of all vascular reconstructions. Amputation rate was 22.2% and mortality rate 8.3% (without direct connection with reconstruction). Extra-anatomic reconstruction was used in such cases only where the anatomic bypass was excluded for general or local causes.

[Aneurysms of the peripheral arteries]. / Aneurysmata periferních tepen.

The authors discuss the problem of the right peripheral arterial aneurysm. In 1985-1989, five patients with peripheral arterial aneurysm were operated on at the surgical department, teaching hospital. Plzen. The paper gives an account of each case pointing to the specific features of this particular part of vascular surgery. Further, the authors describe the etiology, diagnostics and treatment of the disease.

[Secondary access routes for hemodialysis]. / Sekundární prístupové cesty pro hemodialýzu.

During the period of 1970-1985 375 arteriovenous fistulae were constructed in 248 dialyzed patients. The number of fistulae needed for long-term dialysis was significantly higher in women. Five-year cumulative patency rates were significantly better in the first fistulae than in the second, third or following fistulae. The best long-term patency rates were achieved in radiocephalic fistulae. Of all secondary vascular access procedures saphenous vein grafts proved to be the most reliable.

[Symptomatic aneurysms of the abdominal aorta]. / Symptomatická aneurysmata brisní aorty.

In the years 1981-1985 21 patients were operated upon for symptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysms. Atypical symptoms such as acute pancreatitis, weight loss, blood in the stool or urine, incorrect interpretation of abdominal pain and physical examination findings caused erroneous initial diagnosis and delay in referring the patient to surgical treatment in nine cases. Long history prior to admission was noted even in patients with ruptured aneurysms; mortality in these patients was high, 66%. Best results were achieved with aneurysm resection; indirect aneurysm occlusion in combination with axillofemoral bypass attempted in two patients was not successful.

[Methods of diagnosing subclinical mastitis in dairy cow mastitis control programs]. / Metody diagnostiky subklinických mastitid v programu tlumení mastitid dojnic.

The number of somatic cells and the isolation of the causative agents of mastitis in quarter, composite, bucket, and bulk tank samples of cow's milk was determined four times during a six-month period. The number of somatic cells in milk samples indicated a degree of mastitis infection and was influenced neither by the year season nor by the length of lactation. At a repeated examination of 28 dairy cows an increased number of somatic cells in milk was found once in 68 udder quarters and with three successive samplings only in 21 quarters. The etiological agents of mastitis were detected once in 31 quarters and three times in succession only in five quarters. The number of cows positive by the number of cells in quarter samples of milk increased from 52.9-58.8% at a single examination to as much as 100% at four examinations. The etiological agents of mastitis were isolated in a single examination in 17.6% of cows and at four examinations in 58.8% of cows. The composite and bucket samples of milk containing 200 to 300 thousand cells per ml are recommended to be considered as mastitis-positive: in 68 to 78% they came from cows having more than 500 thousand cells per ml at least in one quarter sample. The number of cells in a bulk sample was in correlation with the percentage of cows having a positive NK-test (similar to CMT) and positive isolation of S. agalactiae from quarter milk samples.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The proportion of fatty acids in mammary secretion of cows lactating after calving and hormonal induction of lactation.

The changes in the proportion of fatty acids in lacteal fat of cows induced into lactation by 7-day treatment with oestradiol and progesterone were characterized by an increases in the proportion of fatty acids C6--C13: the proportions of C14, C15, C17, C19 fatty acids changed slightly if at all; the proportions of C16, C20 and C22 fatty acids decreased during the first 28 days of lactation. Similar changes in fatty acid composition were found in lacteal fat of cows lactating after calving. These results demonstrated that the hormonal induction of lactation in nonpregnant cows initiates mammary secretion similar to the fatty acid composition in normal cow milk.

Hormonal control of casein synthesis in mammary explants from pregnant goats.

The effects of insulin, cortisol, prolactin, 3,3',5-triiodo-L-thyronine (L-T3) and progesterone on the synthesis of total protein and casein in mammary explants from pregnant goats were studied. In the absence of hormones and in the presence of insulin plus cortisol the rate of incorporation of 14C-leucine into proteins that were precipitated with the anti-casein antibody decreased during culture. The addition of prolactin to hormonal combination of insulin and cortisol caused large stimulation of rates of casein synthesis. Maximum incorporation of leucine was attained between 3 and 5 days of culture in the presence of 0.5 microgram ml-1 of prolactin. Prolactin stimulated-casein and total protein synthesis were not consistently affected by the addition of L-T3 or progesterone. The inhibition of DNA synthesis by hydroxyurea or cytosine-arabinofuranoside had no effect on casein synthesis in mammary explants from pregnant goats.

Effect of progesterone, triiodothyronine and metabolic inhibitors on prolactin stimulated lipid synthesis in goat mammary explants.

The effect of progesterone, 3,3',5-triiodo-L-thyronine (L-T3) and of inhibitors of DNA, RNA and protein synthesis on prolactin stimulated total lipid synthesis in goat mammary explants were studied. Prolactin stimulated lipid synthesis was not affected by the addition of progesterone. The synthesis of lipids in the presence of insulin, cortisol and prolactin was not stimulated by L-T3 (10(-9) mol 1(-1)) added at start of culture. However, when the addition of L-T3 was delayed by 48 h following culture with insulin, cortisol and prolactin, the synthesis of lipids was increased between 96--99 h of culture by 48%. This effect of L-T3 was blocked by the inhibition of RNA synthesis with actinomycin D. The inhibition of DNA synthesis by hydroxyurea or cytosine-arabinofuranoside had no effect on prolactin stimulated lipid synthesis in goat mammary explants. Actinomycin D, cycloheximide and puromycin completely blocked prolactin stimulated lipid synthesis when added to culture medium simultaneously with prolactin.

Effect of bovine growth hormone on development of goat mammary tissue in organ culture.

The effect of bovine growth hormone (bGH) on DNA, protein and casein synthesis in goat mammary explants was studied. Growth hormone was unable to stimulate DNA synthesis or potentiate insulin-stimulated DNA synthesis either in high or low oxygen concentrations. In the presence of insulin and cortisol bGH had no effect on the synthesis of explant cytosol proteins. Two preparations of bGH were tested for their effect on casein synthesis. The preparation NIH-GH-B17 at concentration 50 micrograms ml-1 increased casein synthesis similarly as about 0.5 micrograms ml-1 of prolactin. Our preparation, prepared by the method of Prusík and Braun [1967], at concentration 50 micrograms ml-1 had effect lower than 0.05 micrograms ml-1 of prolactin. The lactogenic activity of NIH-GH-B17 was decreased by treatment with specific antisera to bovine prolactin. When submaximum concentration of prolactin (0.05 microgram ml-1) was added, bGH at concentration as low as 0.5 microgram ml-1 had synergistic effect on prolactin stimulated casein synthesis.