Tactical treatment with copper oxide wire particles and symptomatic levamisole treatment using the FAMACHA(©) system in indigenous goats in South Africa.

Haemonchosis is considered to be the most economically important gastrointestinal disease of small ruminants in the tropics and subtropics. However, chemical anthelmintics, which were the mainstay of control, have been compromised by a high prevalence of resistance worldwide. Copper oxide wire particles (COWP) have been shown to have anthelmintic effects, but few studies have examined their use under field conditions. The use of COWP was therefore evaluated as a tactical anthelmintic treatment in indigenous goats raised under communal farming conditions in Bergville, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. At the beginning of the summer rainfall season (October 2007), the faecal egg counts of 172 female goats belonging to 15 farmers were determined and this sampling continued every four weeks until the second week of January 2008. The goats within each of the 15 herds were ranked according to their faecal egg counts for this week. The goats were sequentially paired off within each ranking starting with those goats with the highest counts. One goat from each pair was randomly allocated to a treated or control group. Two weeks later, a 4 g COWP bolus was randomly administered to each goat in the treated group. Faecal egg counts were carried out on the goats two weeks following treatment, and the sampling of the goats then proceeded every four weeks until October 2008. Except for the six-week period prior to the administration of the COWP, the goats were examined according to the FAMACHA(©) system and symptomatically treated with 12 mg/kg levamisole when anaemic. The percentage reduction in faecal egg count due to the COWP treatment was 89.0%. Mean pre- and post-treatment faecal egg counts for the COWP-treated group (n=73) were 2347 eggs per gram of faeces (epg) and 264 epg, respectively. The corresponding values for the untreated controls (n=66) were 2652 epg and 2709 epg. The prevalence of Haemonchus spp. larvae in pre- and post-treatment faecal cultures was 72% and 46%, respectively. Symptomatic anthelmintic treatments in combination with mid-summer tactical treatments with COWP appear to be useful strategies for the control of Haemonchus contortus in indigenous goats in this farming system and this approach could have application in other similar agro-ecological zones.

Schizophrenia among Sesotho speakers in South Africa.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical presentation of schizophrenia among Sesotho speakers. METHOD: A sample of 100 participants diagnosed with schizophrenia was evaluated using the Psychiatric Interview Questionnaire. RESULTS: Core symptoms of schizophrenia among Sesotho speakers do not differ significantly from other cultures. However, the content of psychological symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations is strongly affected by cultural variables. Somatic symptoms such as headaches, palpitations, dizziness and excessive sweating were prevalent among the Sesotho-speaking participants suffering from schizophrenia. CONCLUSION: In South Africa, as is the case throughout the African continent, health professionals are still trained in Western models, especially DSM-IV-TR and ICD-10. Certain changes should be made to these models to account for cultural differences that were found in this research.

Fusarium graminearum Species Complex Associated with Maize Crowns and Roots in the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa.

Thirty-three isolates of the Fusarium graminearum species complex obtained from diseased maize (Zea mays) crowns and roots in the Winterton district, KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa were identified to species level. Their pathogenicity and virulence to maize 'PHI 32D96B' seedlings were determined under glasshouse conditions, with seedling survival and growth and crown and root rot as criteria. Phylogenetic analyses using the 3-O-acetyltransferase (Tri101) gene region sequences revealed the presence of F. boothii (2 isolates), F. graminearum sensu stricto (26 isolates), and F. meridionale (5 isolates) in the F. graminearum species complex associated with diseased maize crowns and roots. Pathogenicity results showed that F. boothii was the most and F. meridionale the least virulent of the three species. F. boothii and F. graminearum sensu stricto significantly reduced survival of seedlings and all three species caused significant reduction in growth and significantly more crown and root rot than the control (uninoculated). This is the first report of F. boothii, F. graminearum sensu stricto, and F. meridionale associated with diseased maize crowns and roots and their pathogenicity and virulence as soilborne pathogens on maize seedlings in South Africa.

Schizophrenia among Sesotho speakers in South Africa

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical presentation of schizophrenia among Sesotho speakers. Method: A sample of 100 participants diagnosed with schizophrenia was evaluated using the Psychiatric Interview Questionnaire. Results: Core symptoms of schizophrenia among Sesotho speakers do not differ significantly from other cultures. However; the content of psychological symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations is strongly affected by cultural variables. Somatic symptoms such as headaches; palpitations; dizziness and excessive sweating were prevalent among the Sesothospeaking participants suffering from schizophrenia. Conclusion: In South Africa; as is the case throughout the African continent; health professionals are still trained in Western models; especially DSM-IV-TR and ICD-10. Certain changes should be made to these models to account for cultural differences that were found in this research

Clinical manifestations of mental disorders among Sesotho speakers.

Objective. The goal of this study was to compare four Sesotho-speaking clinical groups in South Africa concerning the manifestation of mental disorders. Methods. The participants were Sesotho speakers suffering from major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders and substance abuse. The participants (N=407) were assessed and diagnosed by a multi-professional team. A clinical interview was then conducted with each participant and the symptomatology compared with the DSM-IV-TR criteria. Results. Differences among the four clinical groups were found regarding age, gender, marital status, substance abuse and aggressive behavior. Although the symptomatology of all four groups overlapped with that of their counterparts in Western cultures, some differences were noted. For example, delusions and hallucinations seem to be more prevalent in the Sesotho speakers with major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders than in Westernized groups. Traditional medicine remains the first treatment of choice for a significant number of the participants. It is recommended that traditional medicine should be incorporated into the national health system. Conclusion. In multicultural societies such as South Africa, further research regarding cultural differences in the clinical manifestation of mental disorders is urgently needed in order to make the necessary provision for cultural uniqueness.

Depression among Sesotho speakers in Mangaung, South Africa.

OBJECTIVE: Depression will be the most common mental disorder by 2020, and it is also expected to be the second leading cause of disability, after cardiac diseases. Moreover, depression is likely to be a major public health burden in the future. This study evaluates the influences of culture on the symptoms of depression among Sesotho speakers. METHOD: An evaluation of a sample of 100 participants diagnosed with depression was conducted, using the Psychiatric Interview Questionnaire. RESULTS: It was found that depression among Sesotho speakers is manifested in three areas: somatic symptoms, perceptual disturbances and disturbances of the thought processes. CONCLUSION: Since it has become clear, on the basis of the investigation, that depression is a culturally diverse phenomenon, the authors also recommend that research in this regard should be conducted from a multidisciplinary perspective, so that other paradigms, including those of sociology and anthropology, can also be included.

The profile analysis of attempted-suicide patients referred to Pelonomi Hospital for psychological evaluation and treatment from 1 May 2005 to 30 April 2006

Background. Suicide is an increasing phenomenon worldwide. A suicide occurs every 40 seconds; and there is 1 attempt every 1 to 3 seconds. By 2020; these figures may have doubled. No accurate statistics regarding the occurrence of attempted suicide (or non-fatal suicidal behaviour) in South Africa exist; because there has been no systematic data collection. Aim. The aim of the study was to determine the profile of patients who had attempted suicide and were referred to Pelonomi Hospital; Bloemfontein; for psychologicalevaluation and treatment during the period 1 May 2005 to 30 April 2006. Method. A descriptive; retrospective study was conducted. The study population comprised 258 attempted-suicide patients referred to Pelonomi Hospital for psychological evaluation and treatment. A data form was compiled to transfer the relevant information from patients' clinical files. Results. The majority of patients were female (68.9). The median age was 22 years. The most common method used in suicide attempts was drug overdose (66) - mostly antidepressants (19.7)) and analgesics (8.2). More females than males overdosed on drugs (p=0.0103). The main precipitating factors included problematic relationships (55.4); financial problems (22.9); psychiatric problems (22.1); arguments (19.8); abuse (emotional; sexual; physical - 18.2); low self-esteem/ worthlessness/hopelessness/humiliation (16.7); and recent life changes (13.2). Conclusion. The aim of the study was to determine the profile of patients who had attempted suicide. Possible factors associated with suicide attempts in our sample were identified and summarised in the form of a screening checklist. The value of the checklist is that it can be used as a screening method to identify possible suicide risk in patients

Criteria for fitness to stand criminal trial.

OBJECTIVE: To identify criteria whereby triability can be determined. DESIGN: Questionnaire survey. The final rating was decided on the basis of a structured psychiatric interview. SETTING: Oranje Hospital, Bloemfonteln. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 736 questionnaires was sent to 176 judges of the Supreme Court, 480 magistrates and 32 attorneys-general and state advocates in South Africa and Namibia, and 33 psychiatrists and 15 clinical psychologists working in forensic psychiatric units in South Africa. With the information from the completed questionnaires, rating criteria were compiled. The rating criteria were applied by means of a structured interview to 100 persons referred in terms of section 77(1) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977. A multiprofessional psychiatric team was requested to evaluate the same 100 observandi independently. RESULTS: A total of 298 (40.5%) of the questionnaires were returned. From the data of the completed questionnaires, 19 legal items, 17 psychiatric items, 2 special laboratory tests and 2 psychosocial items were identified as the most important and clear diagnostic indications for the evaluation of triability. The similarity between the findings of the researchers and those of the multiprofessional psychiatric team was meaningful to 1% of significance. For the proper application of the criteria a cut-off point of 31 was determined. A score of 31 or higher therefore indicates that a patient is unfit to stand trial, while a score of less than 31 indicates triability. CONCLUSIONS: The application of the proposed final rating criteria as a single method of rating is at the very least just as reliable as the multiprofessional team in evaluating fitness to stand trial. The proposed criteria, used as a single rating instrument, are cost-effective in terms of time and staff, avoid unnecessary hospitalisation and ensure that mentally ill accused will have a fair trial.

Desiccation as the active principle in heat-stimulated seed germination of Leucospermum R. Br. (Proteaceae) in fynbos.

A new seed biological phenomenon in the myrmecochorous, fire-recruiting fynbos species Leucospermum cordifolium (Salisb. ex Knight) Fourcade is reported. This is the extensive breaking, following desiccation treatment, of the seed testa which in intact, soil-stored seeds imposes dormancy on the embryo by means of oxygen exclusion. In this study the pericarps of L. cordifolium seeds were removed and seeds with intact exotestas were selected stereomicroscopically. Samples of seeds were placed in nylon bags and suspended over (cone.) H2 SO4 or dried silica gel. A third series of seeds were exposed for varying periods to 40 °C, cooled and immersed in water before performing breakage tests on both the exo- and endotesta. All treatments resulted in extensive breaking of the exo- as well as the endotesta of seeds. The two 'cool' desiccating treatments both caused more effective breaking than heat treatments. This indicates strongly that the breakage phenomena are desiccation effects and not caused directly by heat intensity. Rehydration in air before wetting seeds completely prevented breakage effects in all treatments in the endotesta, but not in the exotesta. This further supports the conclusion that endotesta breakage is a function of desiccation plus wetting and not of heat per se. The results suggest that in nature desiccation by fire could break the exotesta and the endotesta as well, if fire is followed soon by rain. These effects amount to effective scarification of the seed and thus suggest a positive correlation, in nature, between heat intensity of fire and emergent seedling numbers.