Problems and prospects of bovine tuberculosis serological diagnosis

For the purposes of tuberculosis eradication on any tuberculosis-infected farm, it is necessary to identify tuberculin anergic animals, being a potential source of the infection. The purpose of this study was to analyze the role of complement fixing and haemagglutinating antibodies for the detection cattle infected with bovine tuberculosis (TB). 977 cattle of different sex and age groups on two tuberculosis-infected farms were tested thrice over time. After 35 days all tuberculin reactive cattle (132 animals; 13.5%) were subjected to complex testing using allergy and serology methods. After 40 days, (Stage 3) animals demonstrating apparent specific antibody activity and low cell immunity were tested. Allergy tests were proved to be non-informative to diagnose tuberculosis on infected farms. Complement fixing and haemagglutinating antibodies were found to be active in tuberculin anergic animals. A higher antigenicity of Ukrainian RIEVM TB antigen complex as compared to Siberian RVI one was revealed by complement fixation test as well as by indirect haemagglutination test using VIEV polysaccharide antigen; the detection rate was 68 (7.0%), 28 (2.9%) and 299 (30.6%) respectively. The correlation between seropositivity and immunoreactivity was not established. Animals, positive in complement fixation and indirect haemagglutination tests, did not react to tuberculin. Nineteen out of twenty tuberculin reactive animals showed post mortem lesions, consistent with their seropositivity during post-mortem inspection; moreover, the postmortem lesions of animals, positive in complement fixation test using Siberian RVI antigen, were consistent in all cases. The results obtained suggest a high performance of allergy test and serological test combination and a promising potential of their complex use for tuberculosis diagnosis in cattle.

A Patient with Chronic Lumbar Pain Diagnosed as Giant Calcified Splenic Hydatid Cyst

Hydatid cyst is a zoonotic disease, caused by Echinococcus Granulosus, mostly found in sheep rearing area of the world but not commonly found in our country. Hydatid disease commonly affects the liver and less frequently the lungs and other organs. Among them splenic hydatid disease has been reported to be 0.5-4%. Here we report a case of a giant calcified splenic hydatid cyst presented with only chronic lumbar pain. A 45 year old female presented with left lumbar pain for the last 1 year. She had no other complaint. She had no pet dog or sheep at home. Physical examination showed no abnormality. A computerized scan revealed a mass in the spleen with round calcification at its margin measuring 7.56×7.96 cm in diameters. Indirect haemagglutination (IHA) for hydatid disease test was negative. Complete blood count, renal and liver function tests were within the normal limit. The patient was clinically diagnosed as splenic hydatid disease and managed by splenectomy after proper immunization. There was a hard calcified mass involving almost whole of the spleen, only thin rim of splenic tissue was present in superior surface. The rest of the abdominal organs including the liver were normal. Total splenectomy was done. Post operative period was uneventful and the patient was discharged on 12th post operative day. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of hydatid disease. The patient was followed up for two years without any further development of hydatosis in any organ. Faridpur Med. Coll. J. Jan 2020;15(1): 46-49

Culture Based Evaluation of Microbiota in Children with Acute Appendicitis

Treatment strategies for acute uncomplicated appendicitis have evolved and now conservative antibacterial treatment is recommended over surgical treatment, especially for paediatric patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate microbiota in paediatric patients with acute uncomplicated and complicated appendicitis, and antibacterial susceptibility of the causative microorganisms. Bacteriological identification was conducted using the VITEK2 analyser. Antibacterial susceptibility tests were performed and the results were evaluated in accordance with the recommendations of the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) “Clinical breakpoints and dosing of antibiotics” (Version 7.0, January 2019). Serodiagnosis of Yersinia enterocolitica was performed using indirect haemagglutination. The results revealed differences in microbiota in cases of acute complicated and acute uncomplicated appendicitis. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was identified more frequently in cases of acute complicated appendicitis. Mixed culture was prevalent in cases of both acute complicated and acute uncomplicated appendicitis. Very few positive extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) Escherichia coli cultures were identified. Most of strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were resistant to amoxicillin with clavulanic acid, ertapenem, ampicillin and cefotaxime. Some of E. coli isolates were resistant to ampicillin and to amoxicillin with clavulanic acid.

SEROPREVALENCE OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII IN DOGS AND CATS DOMICILED IN THE WEST OF SANTA CATARINA, BRAZIL

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan with worldwide distribution, responsible for causing toxoplasmosis, a disease that affects mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds. The objective of this study was to evaluate T. gondii seroprevalence in dogs and cats domiciled in cities from West and Serrana mesoregions of Santa Catarina. A total of 338 blood samples, 211 from dogs and 127 from cats were collected and submitted to the indirect haemagglutination technique (IHT) for the detection of anti-T. gondii antibodies. Epidemiological questionnaire asking for information related to gender, breed, temperament, behavior, immunity, body index, diet, ectoparasites, access to the streets, hunting habit was applied to the animals owners. The results were 71.89% (243/338) of seropositive animals, being 69.19% (146/211) dogs and 76.38% (97/127) cats. The variable that presented statistical significance was commercial ration for dogs as protection factor. The present study demonstrates a high prevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies in dogs and cats domiciled in West and Serrana mesoregions of Santa Catarina state, Brazil. Through the obtained results we can reinforce the importance of feeding dogs with commercial food, rather than home-made food, avoiding the consumption of raw or undercooked meat by the animals.

Clinical presentation and treatment of melioidosis in the head and neck region

BackgroundAlthough melioidosis in the head and neck region is uncommon, it is a potentially life-threatening infection. Thus, early diagnosis and proper management are very important.ObjectivesTo report the clinical presentation and management of melioidosis in the head and neck.MethodA retrospective study was conducted from 1 January 2013 to 31 October 2016 in Mukdahan Hospital, Thailand. Case records of patients who had presented with culture-positive melioidosis were analysed.ResultsMedical records of 49 patients (23 males and 26 females) were analysed. Patients ranged in age from 1 to 75 years. Clinical presentations included 22 parotid abscesses, 16 neck abscesses and 11 suppurative lymphadenitis cases. Only 35 patients (71 per cent) had high indirect haemagglutination assay titres of ≥ 1:160 (95 per cent confidence interval = 45.35–88.28). Almost half of the patients received intravenous ceftazidime and subsequently oral co-trimoxazole. Oral antibiotic regimens were prescribed for mild localised melioidosis. Overall, 95.65 per cent of patients were in remission and no relapses were observed (95 per cent confidence interval = 85.47–98.80).ConclusionCareful clinical correlation and proper investigation are required to establish an early diagnosis of melioidosis and to initiate appropriate treatment.