Salmonellae in gulls and other free-living birds in the Czech Republic

Cloacal swabs, collected from 756 wild synanthropic and exoanthropic birds of 57 species in the Czech Republic, yielded 32 strains of Salmonella typhimurium [phage types (PT) 141, 104 and 41], six isolates of S. enteritidis (PT 8, 4 and 6e), and one each of S. panama and S. anatum. Except for one S. enteritidis isolate from a grey-lag goose (Anser anser) and one S. typhimurium isolate from a coot (Fulica atra), all of the other strains were derived from black-headed gulls (Larus ridibundus), of which 24.7% were found to be infected. The black-headed gull might play a role in the dispersal of pathogenic salmonellae.

High PAI activity with correlation to triglyceride and HDL cholesterol values in patients with coronary artery disease with no difference in survivors of myocardial infarction

The fibrinolytic capacity of blood depends mainly on the amount of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) activity and plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) activity. Previous studies linked high PAI activity or low t-PA activity with the development of atherosclerosis and thromboembolic diseases. Yet, there are conflicting reports in the literature as to whether there is higher PAI activity in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) than in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) without previous MI. In this retrospective study, t-PA activity, t-PA antigen, and PAI activity before and after a venous occlusion test (VOT) of 10 min were assessed in 109 patients with angiographically documented CAD, in two subgroups of CAD patients with (n = 66) or without (n = 43) previous MI, and in subgroups of CAD patients according to their triglyceride levels and other risk factors. The mean values of t-PA activity in the whole patient group showed a 100-fold increase and a 3.1-fold increase in t-PA antigen after VOT (0.03 +/- 0.03 to 3.0 +/- 6.8 U/ml and 16.5 +/- 6.9 to 51.0 +/- 25.4 ng/ml, p < 0.05). PAI activity was 24.4 +/- 11.0 before and 19.6 +/- 13.2 U/ml after VOT. Within the CAD group, no difference was found between patients without MI and survivors of previous MI in PAI activity before VOT (24.6 +/- 10.7 vs. 24.3 +/- 11.3 U/ml) and after VOT (19.0 +/- 12.1 vs 20.0 +/- 14.0 U/ml), or t-PA activity before (0.03 +/- 0.01 vs. 0.04 +/- 0.04 U/ml) and after VOT (2.8 +/- 7.0 vs. 3.2 +/- 6.7 U/ml). In 39.4% of CAD patients elevated plasma PAI activity before VOT (> 25 U/ml) was found. This subgroup of patients represented the highest PAI activity after VOT (p < 0.05), the lowest t-PA activity after VOT (p < 0.001), and the highest triglyceride levels (p < 0.05). In 11% of the patients, a small increase in t-PA activity (less than 0.5 U/ml) after VOT was seen. This group showed the lowest t-PA antigen after VOT (p < 0.001) and the highest fibrinogen level (p < 0.05). Both subgroups showed the same distribution among patients with and without MI. CAD patients with triglyceride levels over 200 mg/dl had the highest PAI activity values before VOT (28.3 +/- 11.8 U/ml; p < 0.01) and after VOT (24.9 +/- 13.2 U/ml; p < 0.01), resulting in low t-PA activity after VOT (p < 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

[Case reports of hemorrhagic diathesis in calves with bovine diarrhea virus infection]

Clinical and pathological findings in six veal calves suffering from haemorrhagic diathesis are reported. Further pathological and virological results were highly suggestive of mucosal disease (BVD). No virus isolation or classification was possible. The post mortem results indicated that the virus might have been cytopathogenic. The cases are discussed and compared with similar field and experimental publications dealing with thrombocytopenia in veal calves in the USA. These are the first reports of cases published in Germany.

[The preservation of the whole corpse with natural color]

An especially low-odor embalming technique was developed over a 30-years-period using a total of 977 complete cadavers, numerous cadavers after autopsy, and in vitro series of fresh beef. The color, consistency, and transparency of the tissue were very well preserved. The technique met high standards of preservation without releasing harmful substances into the environment. Concentrations of formaldehyde in room air remained under the limit of detection by Dräger capillaries. The efficacy for disinfection of the method was confirmed by bacteriologic tests. None of the cadavers or samples developed molds.

[An arterial substance for subsequent injection during the preservation of the whole corpse]

Masses for arterial injection were evaluated in 360 whole cadavers that had been injected with preservation fluid. A mass consisting of dextrin, latex, and lead tetroxide produced the best results. This mass provided high radiopacity at large distances from the injection site and ideal firmness for dissection. The easy application of the mass makes it suitable for research purposes as well as for teaching dissections.

Reduction of colonization and infection rate during pediatric intensive care by selective decontamination of the digestive tract

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effects of two different antibiotic regimes on the colonization and infection rates of critically ill pediatric patients.

DESIGN

A prospective randomized trial.

SETTING

A pediatric ICU in a university hospital.

PATIENTS

Fifty critically ill pediatric patients who required intensive care for at least 4 days were randomly allocated to either the selective parenteral and enteral antisepsis regimen (treatment group, n = 25) or the control group (n = 25).

INTERVENTIONS

The treatment group received oral nonabsorbable antimicrobial agents (polymyxin E, gentamicin, and amphotericin B) and parenteral cefotaxime, whereas the control group received either perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis or antibiotic therapy according to clinical or microbiological evidence of infection.

RESULTS

Both groups were comparable for age, body weight, sex, and severity of illness. Colonization with Gram-negative microorganisms and yeasts in the oropharynx, and digestive and respiratory tracts increased rapidly up to 52% in the control group, whereas there was no colonization with these microorganisms in the treatment group. The occurrence rates of acquired secondary infections in the control and treatment groups were 36% and 8%, respectively (p less than .025). There were no differences between groups in the duration of intensive care or mortality rate.

CONCLUSION

Selective oropharyngeal and gastrointestinal decontamination combined with systemic cefotaxime application allows for a significant reduction of the colonization rate with Gram-negative bacteria and yeasts in critically ill pediatric patients undergoing prolonged intensive care. In addition, it significantly reduces the Gram-negative infection rate of the respiratory system. However, this therapeutic approach does not alter ICU length of stay or mortality rate.

[Keratosis palmoplantaris with clubbed fingers, hypotrichosis, hypohidrosis and dental dysplasia]

A case of keratosis palmoplantaris with drumstick fingers, hypotrichosis, hypohidrosis and dental dysplasia is presented. Classification of this case among the more familiar syndromes of palmoplantar keratoderma is problematic.

Resistance of gram-negative bacilli and staphylococci from blood cultures to aminoglycoside antibiotics. Comparison of 3 in vitro investigations from Austria 1982-1988

A total of 790 blood culture isolates was collected during 3 study periods in 1982/83, 1984/85 and 1987/88. Staphylococci were the most frequent bacteria in the first two periods (56.5% and 63%, respectively). During the last period, E. coli was the most frequent of all species (27%). Differences in the distribution of bacteria between the laboratories were considerable. In one laboratory in Vienna, coagulase-negative staphylococci dominated in all 3 study periods (32%, 33% and 47%). Susceptibility against gentamicin, tobramycin and netilmicin (MIC less than or equal to 4 mg/l), as well as against amikacin (MIC less than or equal to 8 mg/l) were determined by a microdilution method. The resistance rates against gentamicin (G) were 25%, 21% and 25%, against tobramycin (T) 27%, 19% and 25%, against netilmicin (N) 6%, 4% and 19%, and against amikacin (A), 5%, 2% and 19%. Most resistant strains were staphylococci (G 26%-41%, T 26%-46%, N 3%-31%, A 3%-36%), whereas gram-negative bacilli were more susceptible (G 12%-14%, T 7%-11%, N 7%-9%, A 1%-7.5%). The increase of resistance against netilmicin and amikacin in staphylococci was most striking. Nearly all those strain could be attributed to one laboratory in Vienna. Most of them were coagulase-negative staphylococci. In the first study period, the most frequent pattern was resistance against gentamicin and tobramycin, whereas in the last period resistance to all 4 aminoglycosides dominated. The study demonstrates considerable local differences in antibiotic resistance. Monitoring of antibiotic resistance in collaborative studies using standardized methods should be a valuable tool in planning strategies for controlling an epidemic spread of resistance.