Perinatal management of harlequin ichthyosis: a case report and literature review.

Harlequin ichthyosis (HI) is a rare and severe form of congenital ichthyosis. Linked to deletion and truncation mutations of a keratinocyte lipid transporter, HI is characterized by diffuse epidermal hyperkeratinization and defective desquamation. At birth, the HI phenotype is striking with thick hyperkeratotic plate-like scales with deep dermal fissures, severe ectropion and eclabium, among other findings. Over the first months of life, the hyperkeratotic covering is shed, revealing a diffusely erythematous, scaly epidermis, which persists for the remainder of the patient's life. Although HI infants have historically succumbed in the perinatal period related to their profound epidermal compromise, the prognosis of HI infants has vastly improved over the past 20 years. Here, we report a case of HI treated with acitretin, focusing on the multi-faceted management of the disease in the inpatient setting. A review of the literature of the management of HI during the perinatal period is also presented.

Bluetongue and epizootic hemorrhagic disease in white-tailed deer from Oklahoma: serologic evaluation and virus isolation.

Blood samples were collected from 194 white-tailed deer from 27 locations in Oklahoma from 1977 through 1984. Sixty-eight (35%) of the deer had antibody against bluetongue virus (BTV) and 78 (40%) had antibody against epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus. Seropositive deer were detected in each of the 4 geographic quadrants of the state. Virus isolation was attempted in 40 deer from the northeast quadrant of Oklahoma (1983 through 1984); BTV was isolated from 11 deer, but epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus was not isolated. The isolation of BTV serotype 11 from these deer from 1983 through 1984 coincided with reported isolations of this serotype in other ruminants in Oklahoma during this time.

Distribution of Parelaphostrongylus tenuis (Nematoda: Metastrongyloidea) in white-tailed deer from Oklahoma.

The meningeal worm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis) was found in 75 of 190 (39%) white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) examined in Oklahoma from 1977-81. Infections were found in deer from southeastern mixed forest, oak-hickory forest, oak-bluestem parkland and oak-hickory parkland, and not in deer from western bluestem prairie, bluestem-grama prairie and grama-buffalo grass ecoregions. Factors which may influence the distribution of meningeal worm in Oklahoma include distribution and densities of suitable snail hosts and deer feeding habits.

Heavy metal concentrations in the kidneys of white-tailed deer in Oklahoma.

Concentrations of renal lead, arsenic, mercury and cadmium from 64 free-ranging adult white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were determined. The mean concentrations in ppm wet weight and standard deviations for the metals were: lead, 0.574 +/- 0.646; arsenic, 0.189 +/- 0.320; mercury, 0.176 +/- 0.114; and cadmium, 6.698 +/- 9.215. Variations in heavy metal concentrations in deer collected from differing ecoregions within Oklahoma are discussed.

Helminth fauna of waterfowl in central Oklahoma.

Free-ranging waterfowl wintering in and migrating through central Oklahoma were collected and examined for intestinal helminths. Seventy-one ducks, including mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), American widgeons (Anas americana), blue-winged teal (Anas discors), and green-winged teal (Anas crecca) were examined; 64 (90.1%) harbored one or more species of metazoa. Six cestodes, 6 trematodes, 6 nematodes, and 1 acanthocephalan were identified, An experimental, non-flying population of ducks was established and monitored to determine the extent of helminth transmission in central Oklahoma. Seven species of helminths were acquired by the sentinel birds during the study. The significance of the parasites recovered and variations in prevalence and species composition of the infections are discussed as they relate to the life cycles of the parasites and the ecology of the hosts.

Some parasitic and infectious diseases in waterfowl in Oklahoma.

Blood films and serum samples from free-ranging waterfowl wintering in and migrating through Oklahoma were examined for hematozoa and tested for antibody responses to Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and type-A influenza. One-hundred-eleven of 728 birds (15.24%) were positive for 1 or more hematozoa. Serologic testing revealed 11 of 280 (3.93%) positive for antibody to NDV and 5 of 171 (2.95%) positive for antibody to type-A influenza.