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Biomedical subjects

D M Jones

Publications and source records attributed to D M Jones.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

Haematological findings in healthy and sick African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus).

Full blood counts and fibrinogen estimations were carried out on 11 clinically normal, adult African grey parrots. Reference values derived from these tests were used to identify abnormalities in the blood counts of 11 sick parrots thought to be suffering from bacterial infections. All sick birds showed higher than normal heterophil counts, paralleled in some cases by lymphocytosis, monocytosis, thrombocytosis and increased fibrinogen levels. Anaemia was present in two birds and several others showed minor red cell abnormalities. The findings indicate that clinical haematology can make a useful contribution to the differential diagnosis of infection in African grey parrots. The findings also suggest that the development of anaemia can be a significant complicating factor in infectious conditions in these birds.

Animals↗

Cimetidine, posttransplant peptic ulcer complications, and renal allograft survival: a clinical and investigational perspective.

Upper gastrointestinal (G) tract complications have been a substantial cause of death following renal transplantation. Cimetidine, an H2 receptor antagonist, has been used in the posttransplant period to decrease this hazard. However, H2 receptor antagonists may enhance the immune response and be deleterious for the graft. The magnitude of the hazard of upper GI tract complications after renal transplantation was determined by reviewing 200 renal transplants. The effect of cimetidine treatment on the survival of canine renal allografts was investigated. The upper GI tract complication rate was 1.5% with one related death (0.5%). Treatment of dogs with cimetidine shortened the survival time of renal allografts (18.2 +/- 5.5 [SE] days to 12.5 +/- 2.2 days). Because upper GI tract complications are not a major hazard and H2 receptor antagonist therapy may decrease the survival of dog renal allografts, we believe prophylactic use of cimetidine is not indicated.

Animals↗

Analysis of hepatitis virus DNA in the liver and serum of HBe antigen positive chimpanzee carriers.

Hepatitis B viral DNA present in the liver of HBe antigen positive chimpanzee carriers is in the form of viral molecules (3.2 Kb) and no integration into host DNA was observed. The 3.2 Kb form was not detected in the serum. Other discrete HBV DNA species with faster mobilities than the major 3.2 Kb were consistently detected both in the liver and in the serum and their possible significance is discussed.

Animals↗

An outbreak of cowpox in captive cheetahs: virological and epidemiological studies.

This paper describes virological and epidemiological features of an infection which killed two of three affected cheetahs at Whipsnade Park in 1977. Two animals had profuse skin lesions and the third had an acute haemorrhagic pneumonia. The outbreak was shown to be caused by cowpox virus. Cowpox virus is believed to circulate in small wild animals, but the source of infection was not traced despite virological and serological tests on 93 captive and 102 wild animals. Sub-clinical infections did not occur in susceptible contact cheetahs. Immune globulin did not influence the outcome and smallpox vaccine does not take in cheetahs. Management of any future outbreak will rely on prompt diagnosis and segregation of infected animals.

Acinonyx↗

Electrophoretic isoenzyme patterns of Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba chattoni in a primate survey.

Stocks of Entamoeba histolytica grown in a monoxenic culture system from the feces of nonhuman primates are compared with the eleven zymodemes of E. histolytica so far demonstrated from man. In a similar fashion, Entamoeba chattoni has also been grown and identified. Both E. histolytica and E. chattoni have been demonstrated in keepers of the primate collections. Comparisons have been made using the electrophoretic patterns of three enzymes: glucosephosphate isomerase [(GPI) E.C.5.3.1.9], phosphoglucomutase [(PGM) E.C.2.7.5.1], and L-malate--NADP+ oxidoreductase (oxaloacetate-decarboxylating) [(ME) E.C.1.1.1.40]. Enzyme patterns of E. histolytica from the apes were found to be identical with three of those already demonstrated from man. The enzyme pattern of E. chattoni was distinctly different from that of any of the E. histolytica zymodemes. Other protozoa found in the single fecal sample examined from each subject are also listed.

Animals↗

Pulmonary circulation of the llama at high and low altitudes.

We have studied the pulmonary circulation of three closely related animals, the llama, alpaca, and guanaco. The mean pulmonary arterial pressure of 12 llamas and one alpaca indigenous to high altitude in the Andes was found to be slightly but significantly higher than that of three llamas and three guanacos born and bred at low altitude in England. On the other hand, the medial thickness of the muscular pulmonary arteries and the relative weights of the two ventricles were the same in three llamas and one alpaca at high altitude as they were in one llama and two guanacos at low altitude. It is concluded that the pulmonary vasoconstrictive response to hypoxia, while present, is greatly reduced in this species and it is suggested that this may have taken place by evolutionary adaptation.

Altitude↗

Haematological findings in red-necked wallabies (Protemnodon rufogrisea) with necrobacillosis.

Results of blood counts on 17 red-necked wallabies (Protemnodon rufogrisea) with confirmed necrobacillosis have been compared with those of 36 clinically normal animals. The most common abnormality in infected animals was a raised fibrinogen level, found in all of the cases tested. Neutrophilia occurred in 10 individuals and neutrophil morphology was abnormal in 15. Some infected animals showed monocytosis, raised erythrocyte sedimentation rates, high platelet counts and changes in their red cells. The findings provide useful information about the response of the blood to severe bacterial infections in red-necked wallabies and demonstrate the potential diagnostic use of clinical haematology in this species.

Animals↗

Milk-borne campylobacter infection.

The common factor in 13 recent outbreaks of Campylobacter jejuni enteritis was the consumption of unpasteurised or incompletely pasteurised milk. C jejuni is a common commensal in the alimentary tract of milking cows, but it is not clear how the milk becomes contaminated with the organism. Pasteurisation will readily eliminate the organism from milk. In England and Wales 3% of milk retailed is still unpasteurised, and in the light of these findings it is suggested that only pasteurised milk should be sold to the public.

Adolescent↗

Acute pancreatitis associated with campylobacter infection.

We report a case of acute pancreatitis associated with campylobacter infection. The patient presented with clinical symptoms and signs which suggested acute appendicitis. However, she was found to have acute pancreatitis with an acute campylobacter infection. Recent reports have shown that campylobacter is pathogenic in the biliary tract, and we suggest that it may also be responsible for some cases of acute pancreatitis in the absence of biliary disease.

Acute Disease↗