Further studies of the clinical pathology of sweating sickness in cattle.

Experimentally-induced cases of sweating sickness in calves were used in an effort to correlate the blood chemistry with some of the known pathological changes. Results showed that the "sweating" associated with necrotic dermatitis did not alter blood electrolyte levels. Laboratory evidence of a disseminated intravascular coagulopathy was found which correlated with the microthrombi described in cases of sweating sickness. A high blood cortisol level was found in one of the animals that died from the disease and could possibly be used as a prognostic indicator in clinical cases. Recommendations are made with regard to the supportive treatment based on the clinical pathological findings.

Sweating sickness in adult cattle.

A Kenyan strain of Hyalomma truncatum was shown to cause sweating sickness in adult cattle in the laboratory. The typical lesions of moist eczema and mucous membrane changes were accompanied by a marked fall in circulating leucocytes with a severe neutropenia. Although all cattle recovered, some suffered a severe clinical disease and recovery was slow. Recovered cattle were immune to toxicosis 1 year later.

Creatine phosphokinase elevation in a case of tick paralysis.

The results of studies on a case of tick paralysis in a female child are described. The patient was paralysed by a single female specimen of Dermacentor andersoni Stiles attached to the left temporal area of the scalp. Paralysis of the lower limbs, incoordinate respiration and weakness of the arms were evident.The findings on physical examination and the results of diagnostic laboratory procedures are reported and the possible significance of the results is discussed. The only abnormal laboratory finding was an elevated level of plasma creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activity occurring during the paralytic phase and persisting for 10 days.