Chronic toxic neuropathy after organophosphorus poisoning in quails (Coturnix coturnix japponica).

Peripheral neuropathy was induced by the long-term administration of organo-phosphorus compounds (phtalimid/phosmet) in quails (Coturnix coturnix japponica). After 4 weeks, the first symptoms of organophosphorus (OPC) poisoning (apathy, diarrhea) were present. During the second month of a daily administration of the toxic substance using the probe, an apparent clinical autonomic and peripheral neuropathy with ataxia had developed. Toxic disturbance of the nervous system was confirmed by the examination of spinal and cortical somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) after tibial nerve stimulation. The prolongation of the peripheral conduction time (wave P6 and N9 represent the response from the ischiadic nerve and the entry of the stimulus to spinal cord, respectively) confirmed a peripheral nerve lesion. We suggest that these clinical and electrophysiological changes, displayed by the disturbed nervous system, are caused by either slowing or stoppage of the axonal flow, transport of proteins and other substances, as well as by axon demyelination (Tab. 1, Fig. 1, Ref. 22).

Significance of specific antibody determination in Lyme borreliosis diagnosis.

The diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis, except in cases characterised by pathognomonic clinical manifestation, usually requires confirmation by means of microbiological diagnostic assay, mainly by antibody detection methods. In our study antibodies to B. burgdorferi were tested in neurological patients with suspected Lyme borreliosis, depending on syndrome and clinical diagnosis. Antibodies were tested with IFT, ELISA and immunoblot. Blood samples of patients tested with IFT and ELISA tests were positive in 88 patients. Positive indirect immunofluorescence tests were found in 83 patients; in 5 patients the antibody level was borderline. Of these, 40 were positive also in ELISA but a correlation between IF titers and ELISA-positivity was not established. The immunoblot method confirmed specific antibody positivity in 36 of 88 patients (45.45%) who were positive (or borderline positive) in the indirect IF test, and in 28 of 40 (70%) ELISA-positive patients. Antibody specificity was found in 8 indirect IF-positive patients who were ELISA negative. This may be explained by the higher immunoblot sensitivity in comparison with ELISA. The Lyme borreliosis diagnosis was clinically established in 19 patients; antibodies to B. burgdorferi were only found in 13 patients in all three tests, and in 4 patients only in the indirect IF test. The results of serological tests for antibodies to B. burgdorferi should be interpreted with caution, as the tests are not standardized and may show false positive or false negative results. A two-step serological examination with the immunoblot test is recommended, whereby some nonspecific reactions may be eliminated. The results of serological tests have only supportive value and cannot be deemed conclusive when establishing an etiological diagnosis.

[Vascular headache. Changes in visual evoked potentials]. / Vaskulárna cefalea. Zmeny zrakových evokovaných potenciálov.

The authors examined visual evoked potentials using the method of the visual full field stimulation hemi-field, using a check-board patterned structural stimulus in 69 patients with the diagnosis of vascular headache. The peak latencies of the waves did not differ significantly in the group of patients with vascular cephalea, as compared with the control group; this applies to both ways of stimulation. The es amplitudes of waves (P1 = P100 and N2) were significantly higher in the group with vascular cephalea after stimulation by the visual field. Of half the visual field stimulation did not reveal statistically significant differences in the latencies waves. The results may indicate an increased electrophysiological activity of the visual system in the interparoxysmal period in patients with vascular cephalea.

[Vascular headache: circulatory, hemorrheologic, electrophysiologic and psychological aspects]. / Vaskulárna cefalea: cirkulacné, hemorheologické, elektrofyziologické a psychologické aspekty.

The aim of the work was to analyze circulatory, rheological, electrophysiological and psychological characteristics of patients with vascular headache, mostly migraine and vasomotor cephalea. The group was formed by 69 patients, mean age 40.4 +/- 9.0 years. It was revealed that: 1. there were no significant changes in rheological properties of blood in the following six parameters: coagulation, viscosity of plasma and blood, platelzo aggregation, of circulating aggregates, 2. there were no significant changes in rCBF (FF,SF,AF and ISI) parameters in the group of patients with bilateral headache but a rising rCBF in unilateral headache, 3. there was a significant reduction of the "peak frequency" in supratrochlear arteries and a significant increase of the flow rate in the intracerebral arteries (a.cerebralis media, a.cerebralis anterior), 42.4% of the patients displayed abnormal but non-specific EEg changes, 5. there was a significant increase of the amplitude of P1 and N2 waves of visual evoked potentials and a non-significant shortening of the latency of wave N1, 6. significant changes were recorded in some psychological parameters, in particular an increase of the score of depressivity, anxiety and neuroticism.