The "Uroscreen" test for significant bacteriuria in pregnancy

The "Uroscreen" as a screening test for significant bacteriuria has been assessed and shown to have an accuracy of 88.3 percent: there is a false positive rate of 56.6 percent of positive tests, or 14.4 percent of all tests, when compared with single plate cultures. All cases of significant bacteriuria associated with E.coli were detected by the "Uroscreen". It is recommended that the routine described be used. A urine screening test for significant bacteriuria has for the second time been assessed against the standard of significant bacteriuria; which in this series has been shown to have a confidence of 96 percent. It has been confirmed that routine screening for significant bacteriuria post partum is necessary, and appears most important in the primigravida. Post partum infection offers an explanation for the increase in prevalence of significant bacteriuria with parity. The figures confirm those of the University of the West Indies and indicate the prevalence of significant bacteriuria in the general pregnant population of Jamaica and the Caribbean may be similar to or higher than that found in series from other countries (AU)

A case of phycomycosis observed in Jamaica: infection with Entomophthora coronata

A nasal granuloma caused by Entomophthora coronata is reported from an 11-year old boy residing on Grand Cayman, an island near Jamaica. This is the first case of phycomycosis reported from Jamaica. It is also the first report of a human infection caused by E. coronata (Summary)

Experimental yaws - abstract

This paper outlines some experimental studies on the pathogenesis of the granulomatous inflammation produced by the treponoma. Lesions clinically and histologically similar to human yaws have been induced in the Golden Hamster (Cricetus auratus) by inoculation with Treponema pertenue from human cases. The disease is localised affecting the skin tissues only; there appears to be no serological response and no systemic dissemination to viscera or bones. One interesting features has been the exacerbation and remission of the lesions at the site of inoculation; evidence is produced which suggests that during a remission there is a residual, latent, infection at the roots of the hair follicles. This may explain the exacerbation of the disease at the site of an old scar in human cases (AU)

Yaws: clinical aspects - abstract

Detail and long term observations in the field of a small, closed community suggest that: 1. Serological reactions are of little assistance in the control of framboesia in the community; 2. Approved medical methods of control are often both impractical and unsuccessful; 3. A large proportion of framboesial lesions are not recognised as such (AU)

Recurrence of experimental yaws (framboessial) infection in the hamster

Relapsing framboesial infection in the infra-nasal region of the hamster has been observed clinically, by dark field examination, and histo-logically. From histological observations it is suggested that the relapsing infection is caused by the organism lying dormant at the roots of the hair follicles during remissions (AU)

A preliminary survey of fungus infections in Jamaica

A preliminary survey of fungus infections in Jamaica is presented. No organisms of serious pathogenic significance have been isolated from sputum submitted for tuberculosis examination. Coccidioides immitis and Blastomyces dermatitidis however, have been isolated from sputum that were received for fungus examination. Dermatophytosis is the most common clinical condition, while the incidence of serious systemic infections appear to be rare. Microsporum audouini is the organism most frequently isolated in cases of Tinea capitis. Tinea corporis and Tinea pedis are relatively common and there has been three cases of chromoblastomycosis. Aspergillus fumigatus associated with otomycosis and Cryptococcus neoformans in a case of meningitis have been isolated from pus (AU)

Chromoblastomycosis in Jamaica: a case report

A case of chromoblastomycomis is described occuring in a male patient aged thirty-six years. So far as is known this is the first substantiated case to be reported from Jamaica B.W.I. Most cases have been described as occuring in Caucasians of North America, Central and South America and Europe. In the present case the patient is a Negro. Penicillin and aureomycin therapy has proved to be valueless despite the substantial dosage used (AU)