A differential diagnostic criterion for Babesia major and Babesia bigemina vermicules from tick haemolymph

Babesia major mature and immature vermicules in the haemolymph of Haemaphysalis punctata were measured and found to be significantly larger than vermicules of Babesia bigemina. Mature B. major vermicules had a mean length of 15.53 micrometer and mature B. bigemina vermicules had a mean length of 11.79 micrometer. This difference provides a new criterion for the differentiation of the two species.     

Increased nerve-growth-factor beta-chain cross-reacting material in familial dysautonomia

To determine whether dysautonomia arises from alteration in nerve-growth factor (NGF), we measured serum levels of NGF subunits in normal and dysautonomic subjects using a biologic assay based on neurite outgrowth from chick ganglions, a binding assay based on displacement of radiolabeled betaNGF from rabbit-ganglion microsomes, and radioimmunoassays of chi, gamma and betaNGF subunits via antiserum to mouse NGF polypeptides. A threefold increase (P less than 0.001) in serum antigen levels of the biologically active subunit (betaNGF) was found for dysautonomic as compared with normal subjects. By all other assays, the groups were alike. The marked discrepancy in betaNGF levels between antigenic and functional (biologic and binding) measurements suggests a qualitative abnormaltiy of betaNGF in dysautonomia. Alternatively, elevation of betaNGF antigen can be regarded as secondary to disease. This alternative seems less likely since we must then suppose that the normalcy of functional assays in spurious.     

Immunization against East Coast fever (Theileria parva infection of cattle) by infection and treatment: chemoprophylaxis with N-pyrrolidinomethyl tetracycline

Cattle were immunized against East Coast fever by the inoculation of a tick-derived stabilate of Theileria parva infective particles and the intramuscular injection, at daily intervals, of n-pyrrolidinomethyl tetracycline at a dose level of 5 mg/kg. Four doses of the tetracycline, starting on the day of inoculation of the infective stabilate, minimised the ECF reactions in the cattle during immunization. Immunity to homologous T. parva stabilate challenge was demonstrated in 27 out of 27 cattle infected and treated in this manner.     

Ultra-violet absorption characteristics of waters in an industrialized estuary

Analysis of the u.-v. absorption spectra of waters in the Milford Haven estuary indicates that the impact of recent industrialisation upon the organic loadings of the waters in the estuary has so far been minimal. High absorptions in waters at the head of the estuary were quickly dissipated seawards. No large or persistent concentrations of u.-v. absorbing organic matter were encountered in the central section of the estuary. The influences of industrial and domestic effluents upon the magnitude of the u.-v. absorptions were of less significance than in situ biological activity.     

Dialysis in the treatment of renal failure in patients with liver disease

The value and effects of treating renal failure by dialysis are analyzed in a series of 84 patients with various types of liver disease. Although none of the 25 patients with cirrhosis survived, six of 50 with fulminant hepatic failure recovered completely as did seven of nine patients with renal failure secondary to extrahepatic biliary tract obstruction or with liver and renal damage following episodes of severe hypotension. Dialysis was required for seven weeks before diuresis occurred in one patient in the latter group. Both peritoneal and hemodialysis satisfactorily controlled plasma urea and creatinine levels, except in patients with fulminant hepatic failure in whom this was only achieved by hemodialysis. Complications of dialysis were most common in patients with cirrhosis and fulminant hepatic failure and included hypotension, gastrointestinal bleeding, and intraperitoneal sepsis. Overall, the results show that dialysis is only worth attempting in those patients in whom recovery of the underlying liver lesion is possible, and even then treatment for prolonged periods may be necessary.