Congenital hydrocephalus in suckling hamsters caused by transplacental infection with parainfluenza virus type 3

Electroencephalography in the diagnosis of hydrocephalus in golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)

Summary

The golden hamster ( Mesocricetus auratus) is a popular laboratory animal and is used in a multitude of behavioural studies. However, it has been shown that it suffers from different forms of hereditary hydrocephalus, which may result in behavioural changes. This prospective study was designed to look into the usefulness of electroencephalography (EEG) measurements in the diagnosis of hydrocephalus in hamsters. The EEGs of the hydrocephalic hamsters were evaluated double-blind and showed a high-voltage slow wave activity, with a fast activity superimposed onto it. This pattern has already been well described in other hydrocephalic species and differed significantly from the EEGs that were obtained from the normal hamsters. It was concluded from our study that a background activity with an amplitude over 50 µV in combination with a frequency of <5 Hz was highly indicative of hydrocephalus in young hamsters. We believe that the EEG could be a very useful diagnostic tool in the screening for hydrocephalus in hamsters.

Parainfluenza viruses

Human parainfluenza viruses (HPIV) were first discovered in the late 1950s. Over the last decade, considerable knowledge about their molecular structure and function has been accumulated. This has led to significant changes in both the nomenclature and taxonomic relationships of these viruses. HPIV is genetically and antigenically divided into types 1 to 4. Further major subtypes of HPIV-4 (A and B) and subgroups/genotypes of HPIV-1 and HPIV-3 have been described. HPIV-1 to HPIV-3 are major causes of lower respiratory infections in infants, young children, the immunocompromised, the chronically ill, and the elderly. Each subtype can cause somewhat unique clinical diseases in different hosts. HPIV are enveloped and of medium size (150 to 250 nm), and their RNA genome is in the negative sense. These viruses belong to the Paramyxoviridae family, one of the largest and most rapidly growing groups of viruses causing significant human and veterinary disease. HPIV are closely related to recently discovered megamyxoviruses (Hendra and Nipah viruses) and metapneumovirus.

Tibial hemimelia and tetralogy of Fallot associated with first trimester exposure to amantadine

Although amantadine hydrochloride has been extensively used for the prevention of influenza A2, few data exist regarding its safety in pregnancy. We report the outcome of a pregnancy during which the mother was treated with amantadine in the first trimester. The infant, born at 29 weeks gestation, has tetralogy of Fallot and tibial hemimelia. Follow-up of the four prospective cases known to date to the Motherisk Program in Toronto did not identify any abnormalities.