Geography of intestinal permeability and absorption.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal morphology and function vary geographically. AIMS: These functions were assessed in asymptomatic volunteers in European, North American, Middle Eastern, Asian, African, and Caribbean countries. METHODS: Five hour urine collections were obtained from each subject following ingestion of a 100 ml iso-osmolar test solution containing 3-0-methyl-D-glucose, D-xylose, L-rhamnose, and lactulose after an overnight fast, to assess active (3-0-methyl-D-glucose) and passive (D-xylose) carrier mediated, and non-mediated (L-rhamnose) absorption capacity, as well as intestinal permeability (lactulose:rhamnose ratio). RESULTS: A comparison of results for subjects from tropical countries (n=218) with those resident in the combined temperate and subtropical region (Europe, United States, Qatar) (n=224) showed significant differences. Residents in tropical areas had a higher mean lactulose:rhamnose ratio and lower mean five hour recoveries of 3-0-methyl-D-glucose, D-xylose, and L-rhamnose, indicating higher intestinal permeability and lower absorptive capacity. Investigation of visiting residents suggested that differences in intestinal permeability and absorptive capacity were related to the area of residence. Subjects from Texas and Qatar, although comprised of several ethnic groups and resident in a subtropical area, showed no significant difference from European subjects. CONCLUSIONS: There are clearly demarcated variations in intestinal permeability and absorptive capacity affecting asymptomatic residents of different geographical areas which correspond with the condition described as tropical enteropathy. Results suggest the importance of environmental factors. The parameters investigated may be relevant to the predisposition of the indigenous population and travellers to diarrhoeal illness and malnutrition. Intestinal function in patients from the tropics may be difficult to interpret, but should take into account the range of values found in the asymptomatic normal population.

Organophosphorus residues in wool grease resulting from specified on-farm lice and flystrike control treatments.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate wool organophosphorus concentrations resulting from a range of farm pesticide application methods. DESIGN: Random sampling of wool for pesticide residues and on-farm interviews to determine associated treatments. PROCEDURE: Tasmanian fleece wool lots were sampled at random and tested for organophosphorus residues. The grower was identified and the pesticide treatments applied to the sheep were ascertained by on-farm interview. RESULTS: The residue concentrations showed a large variation that was not accounted for by differences in treatments by growers. Organophosphorus concentrations were proportional to the number of treatments applied, and inversely related to the time between pesticide application and the subsequent shearing, and were significantly influenced by the method of application. After allowing for the time of application, plunge dipping resulted in pesticide residue concentrations 2 to 2.5 times greater than shower dipping, using spray races or hand jetting, and the use of these methods caused larger residues than the use of jetting races. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend that plunge or shower dipping should not be used more than 7 weeks after shearing, nor at higher concentration than the standard dose rate used for lice control, whereas jetting may be satisfactory for up to 7 months after shearing, provided only one application is administered.

Health-care-seeking behaviors related to bowel complaints. Hispanics versus non-Hispanic whites.

Health-care-seeking behaviors related to bowel complaints may vary between ethnic groups. A survey of a nonpatient population in El Paso, Texas, was conducted in order to examine differences in health care behavior related to bowel dysfunction, and in the perception of health and bowel function, in Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites. Data from 905 subjects who were either Hispanic (580) or non-Hispanic white (325) given a forced-choice, self-report questionnaire were used for analysis. Data on health care behavior variables were studied using logistic regression, in ethnic and gender groups, controlling for age and socioeconomic status. A log-linear analysis was applied to health perception variables in ethnic and gender groups. Hispanics were less likely than non-Hispanic whites to have seen a physician for bowel symptoms (P < 0.02). Of the subjects with symptoms compatible with irritable bowel syndrome, Hispanics were less likely to have seen a physician (P < 0.05). More Hispanics reported buying folk remedies (P < 0.001), and herbal teas were taken more often to maintain good bowel function (P < 0.02) and to treat bowel problems (P < 0.005). Additionally, Hispanics had a poorer perception of their health in general (P < 0.001), reported more concern about their health (P < 0.02), more concern about bowel function (P < 0.001), and more time spent attending to bowel function (P < 0.001). Therefore, data on health-care-seeking behaviors related to bowel dysfunction showed that Hispanics were less likely than non-Hispanic whites to seek health care for bowel complaints and that Hispanics were more likely to self-medicate with folk remedies to maintain good bowel function. The perception of health and bowel function is in part determined by ethnic differences.

Comparison of bowel patterns in Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites.

Survey questionnaires can be used to characterize normal bowel habits and the prevalence of bowel dysfunction. To determine whether ethnic and sex-related differences in bowel patterns exist between Hispanics and non-Hispanics whites, we conducted a survey of a nonpatient population in El Paso, on the U.S.-Mexico border. A forced-choice, self-report questionnaire was distributed to 1014 subjects and returned by 1000. Data from the 905 Hispanic and non-Hispanic white subjects were compared. Stool frequency was analyzed by multiple linear regression, and bowel dysfunction variables were analyzed by stepwise logistic regression, in ethnic and sex groups. Data were also analyzed controlling for age, socioeconomic status, dietary factors, and use of laxatives. There was a significant sex difference in mean number of stools per week reported (P < 0.0001): Hispanic males greater than Hispanic females (8.6 vs 7.5) and non-Hispanic white males greater than non-Hispanic white females (9.3 vs 7.2). The frequency of irritable bowel syndrome-type symptoms was greater in females than in males (23.4% vs 9.6%, P < 0.001) and was less in Hispanics than non-Hispanic whites (16.9% vs 21.8%, P < 0.05), but a significant ethnic difference was not found after controlling for covariates. Additionally, females reported more alternating bowel pattern (44.0% vs 28.5%, P < 0.001) and constipation (25.5% vs 12.4%, P < 0.01) than males, and non-Hispanic white females more abdominal pain than the other subgroups (P < 0.05). Ethnic differences in dietary factors that may be relevant to bowel function were identified.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The toxicity and efficiency of arecoline hydrobromide in the Tasmanian hydatid control program.

Results on the efficiency and toxicity of arecoline hydrobromide during the first 11 years of the hydatid limitation program in Tasmania are presented. A satisfactory mucous purge was obtained from about 80% of dogs when arecoline was used at 3.25 mg/kg and from about 75% when the dose rate was reduced to 1.62 mg/kg of body weight. Arecoline is considered to have a low efficiency in detecting tapeworm infection in individual dogs, but is valuable as a diagnostic aid in groups of dogs. Toxicity was seen as acute cardiac collapse in about 5 dogs per 1000 dosed. Deaths followed in 1 dog in about 9,500.

The prevalence of tapeworms in dogs during the Hydatid Limitation program in Tasmania.

The hydatid Limitation Program in Tasmania began in 1965 with the annual purging of dogs to identify areas of high prevalence of Echinococcus granulosus combined with a strong educational program aimed at preventing access to offal by dogs. From 1969 to 1975 aenia spp detected in dog purges were submitted for identification and changes in annual prevalences analysed for each species. Despite a significant reduction in the prevalence of E. granulosus since the beginning of the program, the control measures involved have apparently not predisposed to any significant change in the prevalence of T. ovis and T. hydatigena during the period of this survey.

The role of the Tasmanian devil in the epizootiology of ovine cysticercosis and echinococcosis.

Tasmanian devils were fed infective cystic material of Taenia ovis, T. hydatigena and Echinococcus granulosus and later killed and examined for adult tapeworms. No infections with T. ovis were found after feeding 23 cysts to 8 devils. T. hydatigena were recovered from 5 to 41 devils and 10 worms established after feeding 417 cysticerci. No E. granulosus were recovered from any of 3 devils. Specimens of T. hydatigena appeared to develop as well in devils as in dogs. From these and previous results devils could be successful hosts to T. hydatigena and T. ovis. A survey of 320 devils failed to detect any natural infections with any of these 3 species.

The identification of Taenia species from Australian carnivores.

An investigation into the reliability of various morphological criteria in differentiating species of Taenia in Australia showed that both the anatomy of the mature proglottis and the gross morphology of the worms were reliable methods if suitably relaxed anf fixed specimens were available. Measurements of rostellar hoods were useful but did not provide unequivocal identification due to overlap in sizes; urine branch numbers were found to be of little use.

Internal parasites of feral cats from the Tasmanian Midlands and King Island.

Eighty-six feral cats from a sheep grazing area in the Tasmanian Midlands and 21 from King Island were examined for internal parasites. Major food items in order of decreasing prevalence in stomach contents were insects, lizards, birds, rodents and frogs in the Midlands, and rodents, birds, insects, and lizards on King Island. Feral cats from the Midlands had 4 cestode, 7 nematode, 2 trematode and 3 protozoan parasites as follows: Spirometra erinacei (66.3%), Taenia taeniaeformis (2.3%), Dipylidium caninum (1.2%), Toxocara cati (86.0%), spiruroid nodules containing Cylicospirura felineus and Cyathospirura dasyuridis (57.0%), Ollulanus tricuspis (11.4%), Uncinaria stenocephala (2.3%), Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (39.2%), Capillaris aerophila (30.0%), Echinoparyphium sp (27.1%), Fibricola minor (6.8%), Isospora felis (12.7%), I. rivolta (5.4%), and Sarcocystis sp (1.8%). Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii were found in 51 of 53 serums. Three cestode and 5 nematode parasites were found in cats from King Island: T. taeniaeformis (49.2%), D. caninum (23.8%), S. erinacei (19.0%), T. cati (90.5%), C. felineus (42.9%), C dasyuridis (9.5%), O. tricuspis (4.8%) and C. aerophila (9.5%). This is the first record of Cylicospirura felineus, Fibricola minor and Echinoparyphium sp in cats in Australia.

Fecundity and proglottid release of Taenia ovis and T. hydatigena.

The rate of release of proglottids was examined in 19 dogs infected with Taenia ovis and 16 infected with T. hydatigena. Faeces were examined for proglottids daily until the apparent death of the worms. Autopsies were then performed and surviving worms recovered. The number of eggs per proglottid was estimated in 12 T. ovis and 12 T. hydatigena from natural infections. In dogs infected with T ovis the time of first recovery of proglottids after infection varied from 44 days to more than 126 days. Up to 3 proglottids per worm per day might be released, each containing about 88,000 eggs. Infection can persist longer than 5 years. Dogs infected with T. hydatigena released their first proglottid from 48 to 65 days after infection. Each worm could produce 2 proglottids per day, each containing about 53,000 eggs. Although each T. ovis may produce over 250,000 and each T hydatigena over 100,000 eggs per day, it is probable that many of them hatch in the small intestine and are rendered inactive.