Endozoochory of Chrysobalanus icaco (Cocoplum) by Gopherus polyphemus (Gopher Tortoise) facilitates rapid germination and colonization in a suburban nature preserve

Abstract Some large-seeded plants lack effective seed dispersal agents when they are introduced as ornamental plants to new areas, but can rapidly colonize a landscape if seed dispersal functions are restored. We examined whether Gopherus polyphemus (Gopher Tortoise) facilitated the spread of Chrysobalanus icaco (Cocoplum; Chrysobalanaceae) over a 14-year period in a suburban nature preserve (in Jupiter, FL, USA) by: (i) comparing germination patterns among gut-passed, hand-depulped and whole fruit treatments, and (ii) testing hypotheses about environmental predictors of the spatial distribution of C. icaco, including information about G. polyphemus movement pathways and burrow locations. While we did not find a significant difference in the total proportion of C. icaco seeds that germinated in each treatment, time to event analysis revealed that seeds that were found in faeces germinated significantly earlier than seeds that were hand-depulped or that were planted as whole fruits, supporting a lone scarification effect. Point process modeling revealed that the density of C. icaco bushes was higher near G. polyphemus movement pathways and was lower inside Serenoa repens (Saw Palmetto) patches, supporting a positive effect of tortoise movement patterns on plant distributions. The density of C. icaco increased from west to east, consistent with westward dispersal from the four founder bushes on the east side of the study area. After removal of outliers, we also detected a negative association between C. icaco spatial density and G. polyphemus burrow density that was presumably explained by the fact that seeds defecated deep within burrows were unlikely to germinate and establish without secondary movement. The results suggest that G. polyphemus contributed to the rapid dispersal of C. icaco by scatter dispersal of seeds (via faeces) in areas where tortoises were active and that movement pathways provided suitable conditions for colonization. The spread of C. icaco by G. polyphemus over a relatively short period of time provides a valuable window into the earliest stages of the colonization process and further supports the role of Chelonians as effective seed dispersal agents for large-seeded plants.

Download Full-text

Supercooling Points of Adult Dermacentor variabilis (Acari: Ixodidae) From a Population Near the Northern Distribution Limit

Journal of Medical Entomology ◽

10.1093/jme/tjaa223 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Matthew E M Yunik ◽

Neil B Chilton

Keyword(s):

Cold Hardiness ◽

Dermacentor Variabilis ◽

Subzero Temperatures ◽

Host Seeking ◽

Short Period ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Northern Distribution ◽

Dog Tick ◽

Provincial Park ◽

Established Population

Abstract The northern distributional limit of Dermacentor variabilis Say, the American dog tick, is expanding in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (western Canada). The ability of D. variabilis to continue to expand its range northwards will depend upon the ability of individuals within populations at the species distributional edge to withstand very low temperatures during winter. One component of cold hardiness is the supercooling point (SCP), the temperature below 0°C at which an individual freezes. In this study, the SCP was determined for 94 questing D. variabilis adults (44 females and 50 males) from an established population near Blackstrap Provincial Park in Saskatchewan. SCP values ranged from −18.2 to −6.7°C, with a median of −13.3°C. This suggests that host-seeking D. variabilis adults differ in their ability to survive exposure to subzero temperatures, for at least a short period of time, without freezing. The distribution of SCPs was bimodal, but there was no significant difference in SCP values between female and male ticks, and no relationship between SCP and tick body weight. It remains to be determined what factors contribute to the variation in SCP values among questing D. variabilis adults.

Download Full-text

457 The Impact of PAP Therapy on Hematocrit in OSA and Polycythemia: A Pilot Study

SLEEP ◽

10.1093/sleep/zsab072.456 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. A180-A181

Author(s):

Mustafa Jafri ◽

Gabrielle Rosa-Acosta ◽

Jose Flores Martinez ◽

Elizabeth Schofield ◽

Cy Wilkins ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intervention Group ◽

Smoking History ◽

Event Analysis ◽

Control Groups ◽

Testosterone Therapy ◽

Obstructive Sleep ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Testosterone Administration ◽

And Control ◽

The Impact

Abstract Introduction Untreated polycythemia leads to complications including thrombosis. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is commonly associated with secondary erythrocytosis, which testosterone therapy can perpetuate. Effects of positive airway pressure (PAP) on elevated hematocrit (HCT) is unknown. We hypothesize PAP adherence can reduce HCT in men with OSA and polycythemia. Methods Retrospective chart review of male outpatients with newly diagnosed OSA and HCT≥45% at or 3 months before polysomnography (PSG) was conducted. Intervention group consisted of patients initiating PAP for OSA. HCT within 6 months of PAP initiation and PSG were recorded for intervention and control groups, respectively. Primary endpoint was time-to-HCT reduction of HCT<50% plus 3% decrease. Cox proportional-hazards analysis was used to assess time-to-HCT response. Demographics, smoking history, testosterone administration, STOP-Bang score, AHI, and PAP compliance data were obtained. Patients excluded if PAP not indicated, or if PSG, PAP compliance, or repeat HCT were unavailable. Results 41 men with OSA had HCT≥45%, of which 16 had HCT≥50%. Median age was 60 years and median BMI was 32 kg/m2. 28 started PAP. 21 met definition for PAP compliance within 6 months. Median AHI of intervention and control groups were 23 and 19 events/hr, respectively. Mean baseline HCT of both groups were 49 and 50, respectively. No significant difference in age, BMI, smoking history, testosterone therapy, and baseline HCT between both groups noted. 39% of intervention group exhibited HCT response at 1 or more longitudinal assessments, versus 38% of control. Intervention group had higher mean STOP-Bang than control (mean 5.9 vs. 4.6, p=0.01) and trended towards higher mean baseline AHI (27.4 vs. 19.0, p= 0.06). Time-to-event analysis controlling for STOP-Bang and AHI demonstrated PAP was not associated with time-to-HCT response (HR = 1.3, 95% CI = 0.4–4.4). In moderate-severe OSA patients, 40% of intervention group had HCT response compared to 14% of control, though difference was not significant (HR = 2.5, 95% CI = 0.3–20.0). Conclusion Moderate-severe OSA patients trended towards reduction in HCT with PAP, although not statistically significant. Testosterone administration did not affect HCT response to PAP in this cohort. Larger studies are required to determine HCT response to PAP in these patients. Support (if any):

Download Full-text

Comprehensive health assessment and blood analyte reference intervals of gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) in southeastern FL, USA

Conservation Physiology ◽

10.1093/conphys/coab015 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Annie Page-Karjian ◽

Kathleen Rafferty ◽

Clerson Xavier ◽

Nicole I Stacy ◽

Jon A Moore ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plasma Protein ◽

Health Assessment ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Keystone Species ◽

Reference Intervals ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Gopher Tortoise ◽

Gopherus Polyphemus ◽

Baseline Information ◽

Mycoplasma Spp

Abstract The gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), a keystone species, is declining throughout its geographic range. Lack of knowledge with respect to the potential infectious diseases present within wild populations creates a dilemma for wildlife biologists, conservationists and public policy makers. The objective of this study was to conduct a health assessment of two previously unstudied gopher tortoise aggregations located at two sites in southeastern FL. Samples were collected from 91 tortoises (48 adults, 35 juveniles, 8 hatchlings) captured at Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, in Fort Pierce, FL, USA in 2019, and Loggerhead Park in Juno Beach, FL, USA, during 2018–2019. Samples of blood, nasal swabs and oral/cloacal swabs were analyzed for hematology, plasma protein electrophoretic profiles and infectious disease testing including Mycoplasma spp. serology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for Ranavirus, Herpesvirus and Anaplasma spp. Hematological and plasma protein electrophoresis reference intervals are presented for adult and juvenile tortoises from both sites combined. Clinical signs consistent with upper respiratory tract disease (URTD) were observed in 18/91 (20%) tortoises, and antibodies to Mycoplasma agassizii were detected in 33/77 (42.9%) tortoises. Adult tortoises were significantly more likely than juveniles to have URTD clinical signs, and statistically significant, positive relationships were observed between the presence of antibodies to Mycoplasma spp. and carapace length, packed cell volume and plasma globulin concentrations. Anaplasma spp. inclusions were observed in 8/82 (10%) tortoises, but PCR detected Anaplasma sp. in 21/83 (25%) tortoises. Herpesvirus and Ranavirus were not detected in any blood or swab samples. This work contributes important baseline information on the health of gopher tortoises toward the southern end of the species’ range.

Download Full-text

Heterogeneity and effectiveness analysis of COVID-19 prevention and control in major cities in China through time-varying reproduction number estimation

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-79063-x ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Qing Cheng ◽

Zeyi Liu ◽

Guangquan Cheng ◽

Jincai Huang

Keyword(s):

Prevention And Control ◽

Large Scale ◽

Reproduction Number ◽

Correlation Method ◽

Control Measures ◽

Time Varying ◽

Short Period ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Prevention And Control Measures ◽

And Control

AbstractBeginning on December 31, 2019, the large-scale novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged in China. Tracking and analysing the heterogeneity and effectiveness of cities’ prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic is essential to design and adjust epidemic prevention and control measures. The number of newly confirmed cases in 25 of China’s most-affected cities for the COVID-19 epidemic from January 11 to February 10 was collected. The heterogeneity and effectiveness of these 25 cities’ prevention and control measures for COVID-19 were analysed by using an estimated time-varying reproduction number method and a serial correlation method. The results showed that the effective reproduction number (R) in 25 cities showed a downward trend overall, but there was a significant difference in the R change trends among cities, indicating that there was heterogeneity in the spread and control of COVID-19 in cities. Moreover, the COVID-19 control in 21 of 25 cities was effective, and the risk of infection decreased because their R had dropped below 1 by February 10, 2020. In contrast, the cities of Wuhan, Tianmen, Ezhou and Enshi still had difficulty effectively controlling the COVID-19 epidemic in a short period of time because their R was greater than 1.

Download Full-text

Comparative study to evaluate dosimetric differences in patients of locally advanced carcinoma cervix undergoing intracavitary brachytherapy under two different anaesthesia techniques: an audit from a tertiary cancer centre in India

Journal of the Egyptian National Cancer Institute ◽

10.1186/s43046-019-0003-2 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Divyesh Kumar ◽

G. Y. Srinivasa ◽

Ankita Gupta ◽

Bhavana Rai ◽

Arun S. Oinam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Day Care ◽

Treatment Time ◽

Locally Advanced ◽

Effective Alternative ◽

External Beam Radiation ◽

Intracavitary Brachytherapy ◽

High Dose ◽

Carcinoma Cervix ◽

Beam Radiation ◽

Significant Difference

Abstract Background Carcinoma cervix is amongst the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in women population worldwide. High-dose-rate intracavitary brachytherapy (HDR-ICBT) post external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) is the standard of care in managing locally advanced stage cervical cancer patients. HDR-ICBT is generally performed under general anaesthesia (GA) in operation theatre (OT), but due to logistic reasons, sometimes, it becomes difficult to accommodate all patients under GA. Since prolonged overall treatment time (OTT) makes the results inferior, taking patients in day care setup under procedural sedation (PS) can be an effective alternative. In this audit, we tried to retrospectively analyse the dosimetric difference, if any, in patients who underwent ICBT at our centre, under either GA in OT or PS in day care. Results Thirty five patients were analysed 16/35 (45.71%) patients underwent HDR-ICBT under GA while 19/35 (54.28%) patients under PS. In both groups, a statistically significant difference was observed between the dose received by 0.1 cc as well as 2 cc of rectum (p < 0.05), while the bladder and sigmoid colon had comparable dosages. Conclusion Though our dosimetric analysis highlighted better rectal sparing in patients undergoing HDR-ICBT under GA when compared to patients under PS, PS can still be considered an effective alternative, especially in centres dealing with significant patient load. Further studies are required for firm conclusion.

Download Full-text

Potency of Three Botanical Oils Against the Aphis Craccivora Koch (Homoptera: Aphididae) Nymphs Under Laboratory Conditions

SAARC Journal of Agriculture ◽

10.3329/sja.v19i1.54785 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 139-154

Author(s):

MA Hossain ◽

MS Yasmin ◽

MAA Bachchu ◽

MA Alim

Keyword(s):

Treatment Time ◽

Probit Analysis ◽

Aphis Craccivora ◽

Tween 20 ◽

Laboratory Conditions ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Aphis Craccivora Koch ◽

Insect Mortality ◽

Oil Repellent ◽

Swietenia Mahagoni

Botanicals are promising and attractive alternatives for pest management. In the present study, three botanical oils namely neem (Azadirachta indica), karanja (Pongamia pinnata) and mehogony (Swietenia mahagoni) were tested against the nymphs of Aphis craccivora Koch to evaluate the toxic and repellent effects under laboratory conditions (25 ± 5oC, 65-75% RH). Four concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0%) along with control were maintained with distilled water and tween-20 was used as emulsifier. Leaf dipped method were used for insect bioassay. Insect mortality was recorded at 24, 48 and 72 hours after intervals while repellency was carried out at 2 hours after intervals upto 10th hours and the collected data were analyzed through MSTAT-C program. Results indicated that all the tested oils had toxic and repellent effects against the A. craccivora nymphs. Among the tested botanical oils, no significant difference was observed in terms of mortality over treatment time. But significant difference was noticed over level of concentrations exerted by the botanical oils. The average highest mortality (28.62%) was recorded by the application of mehogony oil whereas neem oil showed the lowest mortality (27.21%) against the A. craccivora and the mortality was directly proportional to the level of concentrations and hour after treatment (HAT). Probit analysis showed the lowest LD50 values of mehogony oil which revealed the highest toxic effect against the nymph of bean aphid. The highest repellent effect (77.33%) was found in mehogony oil (repellent class IV) among all the botanical oils applied. On the contrary, neem (57.33%) and karanja (55.00%) oils belonged to the same repellent class that is repellent class II. Although all the tested botanical oils evaluated showed toxic and repellent effects but mehogony oil performed as the best potent oil against the nymphs. We therefore suggested using the mehogony oil for the management of bean aphid. SAARC J. Agric., 19(1): 139-154 (2021)

Download Full-text

Treatment time, outcome, and anchorage loss comparisons of self-ligating and conventional brackets

The Angle Orthodontist ◽

10.2319/041912-326.1 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 83 (2) ◽

pp. 280-285 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Ferdinand M. Machibya ◽

Xingfu Bao ◽

Lihua Zhao ◽

Min Hu

Keyword(s):

Treatment Time ◽

Peer Assessment ◽

Steel Wire ◽

Skeletal Changes ◽

Lateral Cephalograms ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Conventional Brackets ◽

Orthodontic Patients ◽

Anchorage Loss ◽

Mandibular Incisors

ABSTRACT Objective: To compare the treatment time, outcome, and anchorage loss among orthodontic patients treated by self-ligating brackets (SLBs) and conventional brackets (CBs). Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study compared 34 patients (SLB group) treated by SmartClip brackets (3M Unitek, Monrovia, Calif) to 35 patients (CB group) treated by conventional preadjusted Victory series brackets (3M Unitek) and ligated by stainless steel wire ligatures. Pretreatment (T1) and posttreatment (T2) lateral cephalograms were traced and analyzed using Pancherz sagittal-occlusion analysis to obtain skeletal and dental changes in the maxilla and the mandible. The dental cast models were assessed by the Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) Index for the treatment outcomes. Results: The mean treatment time for SLBs (19.19 months) did not show a statistically significant difference from 21.25 months of CBs; the treatment time and pretreatment PAR scores were strongly correlated. There was no difference in anchorage loss between the SLB and CB groups. There were significant dental and skeletal changes among adolescent orthodontic patients regardless of the bracket used. The lingual inclination of the mandibular incisors in the CB group was 3.62° more than in the SLB group (P < .01). Conclusions: The treatment time and anchorage loss are not influenced by the type of bracket used. There are significant dental and skeletal changes among adolescent orthodontic patients regardless of the bracket used. There is significantly greater lingual inclination of mandibular incisors in the CB group than in the SLB group.

Download Full-text

Laccase-catalyzed functionalization with 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylurea significantly improves internal bond of particle boards

Holzforschung ◽

10.1515/hf.2008.045 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 62 (2) ◽

pp. 223-229 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Karin Fackler ◽

Thomas Kuncinger ◽

Thomas Ters ◽

Ewald Srebotnik

Keyword(s):

Internal Bond ◽

Treatment Time ◽

Urea Formaldehyde ◽

Treated Wood ◽

Untreated Wood ◽

Strength Properties ◽

Positive Interactions ◽

Formaldehyde Resin ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Wood Particles

Abstract Enzymatic functionalization is an attractive tool to provide a reactive interface for further processing of lignocellulosic materials, such as wood particles and fibers. Here, spruce wood particles have been functionalized by fungal laccase combined with 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzylamine (HMBA) or 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylurea (HMBU). The expectation was crosslinking with resins in subsequent glueing processes, which should improve strength properties of particle boards. Essential process parameters, such as liquid to solid mass ratio and treatment time, were optimized on a laboratory scale resulting in HMBA and HMBU binding yields of 90% and above as determined by radiochemical mass balance analysis. We employed a multifactorial experimental design for board production from treated wood particles and urea/formaldehyde resin. Mechanical testing and multivariate data analysis revealed, for the first time, an increase of internal bond (IB) as a result of functionalization with HMBU. HMBA was not successful. Variance analysis of relevant parameters and their interactions demonstrated a highly significant difference (P>99.99%) between boards treated with laccase/HMBU versus untreated wood particles. Due to positive interactions, functionalization was most effective at high bulk density (750 kg m-3) and high resin content (10%) resulting in a calculated IB improvement of 0.12 N m-2 (21%).

Download Full-text

Brood stock formation of the hermaphrodite finfish species Pagellus erythrinus (common Pandora) from fish reared in captivity

Mediterranean Marine Science ◽

10.12681/mms.224 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 187 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

S.D. KLAOUDATOS ◽

D.S. KLAOUDATOS

Keyword(s):

Hormonal Treatment ◽

Sex Reversal ◽

Reproductive Period ◽

Brood Stock ◽

Pagellus Erythrinus ◽

Short Period ◽

Significant Difference ◽

In Captivity ◽

Fish Group ◽

Common Pandora

Formation of brood stock is considered to be one of the most important operations in order to acquire eggs and fry from any promising candidate finfish species for aquaculture production. The sex reversal observed in hermaphrodite species adds to confusion and creates additional complications in forming a brood stock. The present study describes the efforts and the results of the brood stock formation of the hermaphrodite finfish species Pagellus erythrinus (common Pandora) from individuals aged between 4 and 5 years (TL>300mm) reared in floating cages. Six groups were formed (50 fish/group) in all of which females were present comprising 20 to 40% of the population. The presence of females was in contrast to the literature, which reported that sex reversal of the common Pandora is complete in naturally occurring populations with the absence of females in sizes of a total length greater than 220mm, indicating that in captivity sex reversal is not complete for this species. Four of the groups formed spawned under natural environmental conditions without hormonal treatment and the other two groups were administered a different dosage (250 and 500 IU/kg) of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) to induce spawning. The reproductive period started in the middle of May and ended at the beginning of July and spontaneous spawning occurred in all groups. Egg release lasted for a mean period of one month for the groups that spawned without hormonal treatment with no significant difference in the number of viable eggs between groups. The groups that spawned under hormonal treatment released eggs for a period of six and seven days, for the group that spawned under the high and low hormonal treatment, respectively, with no significant difference in the number of viable eggs between them. The hormonal induced spawning resulted in egg release within a short period of time ideal for a hatchery. However, the number of viable eggs produced was significantly lower compared to the number of viable eggs produced from groups that spawned without hormonal treatment.

Download Full-text

Therapeutical aspect of trichomoniasis

Srpski arhiv za celokupno lekarstvo ◽

10.2298/sarh0304156v ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 131 (3-4) ◽

pp. 156-162 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jelica Vukicevic ◽

Jasmina Jankicevic

Keyword(s):

Trichomonas Vaginalis ◽

Communicable Disease ◽

Repeated Administration ◽

Transmitted Infection ◽

Microbiological Test ◽

Clinical Forms ◽

Short Period ◽

Significant Difference

Trichomoniasis is frequent, parasitic and sexually transmitted infection of genitourinary tract. It is treated by metronidazole (5-nitroimidazole) according to protocol recommended by Center for Disease Control (CDC formerly called: Communicable Disease Center) [19]. The resistance of Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) strains to metronidazole (MND) was described in USA in 1960, and later on in many European countries [8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13]. In these cases, due to persistent trichomonas infection, it is necessary to repeat MND treatment with moderate modification of dose and/or length of its application. Nevertheless, oncogenic and toxic effects of MND have to be taken into consideration. OBJECT The aim of this study was to investigate and analyze the incidence of TV in STD and lower susceptibility of certain TV strains to MND were analyzed. MATERIAL AND METHODS In three-year period (1999-2001) 612 patients (244 females and 368 males) suspected of STD were examined clinically and microbiologically at the Institute of Dermatovenereology in Belgrade. The patients detected for TV were treated according to CDC protocol. The affected were considered cured if there was no manifest clinical infection, and no TV verified by microbiological test. Results TV was isolated in 216 patients (35.29 % of all subjects). Trichomonas infection was found in 90 (36.88 %) out of 244 tested females and in 126 (32.34 %) of 368 males. Clinically manifested infection, with extensive urethral and vaginal secretion, was recorded in 161 patients, while the asymptomatic form was found in 55 subjects. This result indicates the predominance of manifested trichomonas infections (75.54 % of cases). The difference of distribution of clinical forms of trichomoniasis, in relation to sex, was not statistically significant (c2=0.854; p>0.05). The patients with verified trichomonas infection were treated by metronidazole according to CDC protocol. The recommended therapeutical scheme consisted of three phases proceeding in succession, in so far TV had not been eliminated by previous one. The number of cured patients, according to therapeutical phases, was shown in Table 4. Three patients (1.39 %, 2 males and 1 female) were not cured in spite of all three completed phases of therapeutical protocol. In all three cases, TV was eliminated by MND application in dose of 3 g/daily, during two days. The failure of minute MND treatment was analyzed in relation to clinical forms of the infection (manifested or asymptomatic), as well as in relation to types of infection (single- or associated infection). The incidence of refractory trichomoniasis treated by a single metronidazole dose of 2 g was significantly higher in the group of patients with polyinfection (c2=18.270 p<0.01). There was no significant difference of resistance to a single MND dose between the groups with manifested and asymptomatic trichomoniasis (c2=0.321; p<0.01). The prevalence of TV in vaginal and urethral smears indicates the significant incidence of trichomoniasis in STD. TV was more frequently isolated in patients with clinically manifested infection. TV susceptibility to MND was tested in vitro in aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The resistance of strains under in vitro conditions did not correlate with refractory feature of trichomoniasis to MND application [7 17, 18]. The success of trichomoniasis treatment depends upon multiple factors, including: a) TV susceptibility to drug, b) intravaginal redox potential, c) drug concentration in situ, d) associated microorganisms that may modify the amount of the drug available in situ [7, 18, 21]. The results of our investigation argue for the latter item, verifying that TV resistance to MND is higher in patients with polyinfection in relation to those with monoinfection (significant difference, c2=18.270; p<0.01). Repeated administration of low metronidazole doses may prolong the therapy of trichomonas infections, while application of high doses (over 3 g/day) may result in undesired complications. Given the well-known fact that repeated sublethal doses induce the resistance, would it be more beneficial to begin with slightly higher metronidazole dose (3 g/day) during short period of time (3-5 days)? This will be the subject of our further investigation.

Download Full-text