Bronchopulmonary infection due to Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis at Qatif Central Hospital.

Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis is now recognized as an important cause of respiratory tract infections. Over a two year period, Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis was isolated in pure culture from 3.4% of the sputums collected from patients with symptoms of acute respiratory tract infections. It was the third most important pathogen isolated after Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae; 77% of the patients had an underlying chronic pulmonary condition. Prevalence, antibiotic sensitivity, and treatment options, will be discussed.

Plasma and histological changes in furazolidone treated chickens.

Chickens were treated orally with furazolidone at dose rates of 40 or 80 mg kg-1 for five days or fed the drug at concentrations of 0.04 per cent w/w or 0.08 per cent w/w for 10 days. Plasma constituents, liver, heart, kidney, cerebrum, cerebellum and testes were examined. Furazolidone at the recommended therapeutic dose rate of 0.04 per cent w/w for 10 days or at a dose rate of 40 mg kg-1 for five days produced no significant changes in morphology or plasma parameters measured. At a dose rate of 0.08 per cent w/w for 10 days or 80 mg kg-1 for five days, furazolidone produced significant decreases in the concentrations of total protein and cholesterol and tended to increase the activity of cholinesterase. In the plasma, concentrations of potassium increased and concentrations of sodium decreased. Histologically, congestion and some degenerative changes were observed in the tissues examined.

The nutritional status of the Fur people of Jabel Marra.

The nutritional status of the adult Fur people of Jabel Marra of Western Sudan was assessed by means of physical anthropometry, haematologic and serum protein measurements. The results of the anthropometric survey show a high incidence of low weight for height in comparison with caucasean standards. The muscle mass as indicated by the upper arm circumference is also smaller than expected by European standards. The upper arm muscle circumference, however, is only marginally lower than the above standards. Subcutaneous adipose tissue is found to fall within the lower range of normal in comparison to available standards. The results are discussed in the light of findings in other African countries with similar ecology and socio-economic conditions. The haematological and serum proteins results reveal a high incidence of anaemia especially in women. As the R.B.C. count was not done in this work the type of the anaemia cannot be ascertained. The value of cross-sectional nutritional surveys for the establishment of baseline data for future assessment of development is indicated.