[Considerations and recommondations for species-appropriate and welfare friendly keeping of ratitae in Germany]. / Betrachtungen und Empfehlungen zur artgemäßen und tierschutzgerechten Haltung von Straußenvögeln in Deutschland.

Ostrich farming and keeping in Germany is of increasing interest. Ostrich farming includes keeping the animals as agricultural livestock (production of meat, leather, eggs), for display, hobby farming and keeping in zoological collections. Based on scientific research there is a steady increase in knowledge of keeping ratites according to sophisticated standards in terms of animal welfare legislation. Legislation and recommondations for keeping of ratitae are described.

Recombinant interferon beta gel as an adjuvant in the treatment of recurrent genital warts: results of a placebo-controlled double-blind study in 120 patients.

BACKGROUND: Pilot studies of adjuvant therapy with topically applied interferons (IFN) have shown promising results in reducing the recurrence of condylomata acuminata (CA). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this multicenter placebo-controlled, double-blind study was to confirm the efficacy and safety of topically applied IFN in a large sample of patients. METHODS: After removal of CA by CO2 laser surgery, electrocautery or cryosurgery, 120 patients applied either recombinant IFN-beta (0.15 or 1.0 x 10(6) IU/g) or placebo gel to the affected areas 5 times daily for 4 weeks. The patients were followed for a total of 24 weeks or until recurrence of CA was observed, respectively. RESULTS: In the 105 patients evaluated for efficacy after 24 weeks, recurrence rates were 75% (27/36 patients) in the placebo group, 62% (21/34) in the 1.0 x 10(6) IU/g group (n.s.) and 54% (19/35) in the 0.15 x 10(6) IU/g group (p = 0.034). Only few mild adverse events were noted, which were almost limited to the application site. CONCLUSION: Topical application of gel containing 0.15 x 10(6) IU/g recombinant IFN-beta is safe and appears to reduce the recurrence of CA after surgical treatment.