Apoptosis in lymph node granulomas from white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) experimentally infected with Mycobacterium bovis

Apoptosis is a morphologically and biochemically distinct mechanism of cell death seen in many physiological conditions as well as in various infectious diseases. To examine apoptosis in tuberculous white-tailed deer, 32 deer were each given an intra-tonsillar injection of 300 colony-forming units of Mycobacterium bovis. Medial retropharyngeal lymph nodes were collected at 15, 28, 42, 56, 89, 180, 262 and 328 days after inoculation. Microscopical sections of lymph nodes were labelled for apoptotic cells by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase nick end labelling (TUNEL) method. TUNEL, and other morphological changes within developing granulomas, were analysed and quantified by computerized image analysis. TUNEL within granulomas was greatest 28 days after inoculation and had declined to negligible levels by 328 days. Granuloma enlargement was due primarily to an increase in size of the caseo-necrotic core of the granuloma and not to increased inflammatory cellular infiltrate. These findings suggested that cell death within M. bovis -induced granulomas in white-tailed deer was due mainly to mechanisms other than apoptosis.

[Detection of abnormalities in Magdeburg according to the Mainz model]

Between 09/01/92 and 08/31/95 the Mainz model to register birth defects had been tested in the city of Magdeburg at the same time when the regional register instituted in 1980 was continued. The aim of this hospital-based model for the thorough registry of malformations in neonates is to examine all newborns born in hospitals using clinical and sonographical methods by experienced physicians according to a standardized scheme. Additional medical and social data were recorded. Data on live-and stillborn as well as spontaneous abortions older than the 16th gestational week and induced abortions following prenatal diagnosis were included. During the survey 5255 neonates were examined. The calculated percentage of major birth defects (by definition) was 7.8% and therefore higher than reported before. The experience with the Mainz model in the city of Magdeburg demonstrates, that this model is basically applicable to other centres. It is possible to obtain valid data on malformation frequencies in a defined population. Special attention has to be paid to certain conditions in the composition of hospital populations.

[Perinatal herpes infection. Clinical aspects--therapy--follow-up]

Herpes simplex virus may cause serious infections in neonates. In case of foetal infection in the first trimenon, abortions, stillbirth, prematurity, intrauterine growth retardation (not obligatory) and various malformations may result. Neonatal HSV infection is mostly the consequence of intrapartum virus acquisition during passage through the birth canal. The infection is mostly localised on the skin, at the eyes or the mouth or disseminated with or without HSV meningoencephalitis. It is difficult to establish the diagnosis, because neonatal herpes disease in the early stage is not easy to distinguish from other diseases in the newborn such as RDS, NEC or ICH. Antiviral therapy with aciclovir is the treatment of choice and seems to improve the outcome of neonatal herpes. Prognosis depends on early therapy. Treatment should be initiated in relation to clinical findings, because available diagnostic techniques do not always permit an early detection of the disease.