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Biomedical subjects

F J Smit

Publications and source records attributed to F J Smit.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Acaricide efficiency of amitraz/cypermethrin and abamectin pour-on preparations in game.

The efficacy of an amitraz/cypermethrin pour-on preparation (1% w/v each) was tested against natural tick infestations of buffaloes, eland and blesbok in three separate trials. The eland were also treated with a 0.02% abamectin (w/v) acaricidal pour-on preparation. The amitraz/cypermethrin pour-on was effective against Amblyomma hebraeum, Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and Hyalomma marginatum rufipes on the buffaloes. Both acaricides were effective against R. appendiculatus and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus in the eland. The amitraz/cypermethrin acaricide was effective against R. (Boophilus) decoloratus in the blesbok. Ticks can cause damage to the skins, secondary infections, abscesses, anaemia, loss of condition, tick toxicosis and act as vectors of infectious diseases. Introduction of hosts and/or ticks from endemic to non-endemic areas because of translocation of game, may lead to severe losses. The pouron acaricides tested were effective against natural tick infestations and should always be used according to the manufacturer's instructions and efficacy claims.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

A high prevalence of culture-positive extrapulmonary tuberculosis in a large Dutch teaching hospital.

BACKGROUND: In the Netherlands the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) has increased during the last decade. Growing immigration and international travel were important determining factors. To determine if this has resulted in altered clinical manifestations of the disease, we assessed the clinical spectrum of all TB cases diagnosed at our hospital in the period 1994 to 2000. METHODS: All culture-proven TB cases during the study period were retrospectively reviewed for clinical and demographic data. RESULTS: Sixty-five patients were identified. Solitary pulmonary TB was diagnosed in 33.9%, extrapulmonary TB in 51.8% and combined pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB in 14.3% of all cases. Patients were of foreign descent in 78.6% of all cases. Incidence peaked between 15 to 45 years. Decreased immunity was an important determining factor in the older patients. Presenting symptoms were mostly aspecific causing an important doctor's delay in establishing the diagnosis in 25%. Mortality was 3.6% and isoniazid resistance 3.6% CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest an increase in the percentage of extrapulmonary TB concomitantly with an increasing percentage of patients of foreign descent. Because of aspecific presenting symptoms, TB was often diagnosed late. Treatment is mainly hindered by non-compliance and a high index of suspicion is necessary in making the diagnosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Comparison of handling and acceptability of two spacer devices in young children with asthma.

UNLABELLED: This study compared parents' preference for two spacer devices, NebuChamber and Babyhaler for the treatment of young children with asthma. In this open, cross-over study 141 patients (aged 5-57 mo) who used inhaled steroids via a spacer device were randomized to budesonide via NebuChamber or beclomethasone dipropionate via Babyhaler. Both treatments were given by the parents twice daily for 2 wk. At the final visit parents completed a questionnaire on preference in general and for a given set of features. Acceptability and handling were scored in a diary. Diary scores on acceptability by the child and handling of both spacer devices were comparable. In the preference questionnaire, 68% of parents preferred NebuChamber [95% confidence interval (CI) 60-76] and 25% Babyhaler (95% CI 18-33). The preference was independent of the type of spacer used before the study and was also apparent in the different features: acceptability by child, carrying around, cleaning, close fitting of face mask, assembling and disassembling, damage resistance and size. These differences were statistically significant for all features, except for acceptability by the child. CONCLUSION: Two-thirds of parents prefer NebuChamber over Babyhaler for the treatment of their young asthmatic children.

Aerosols↗
PubMed1997

Diagnostic delay in neurofibromatosis type 1.

UNLABELLED: Since 1985 a multidisciplinary team in the Sophia Children's University Hospital in Rotterdam provides diagnostic follow up and genetic counseling services for neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) patients and their families. Parents of 68 affected children as well as 24 affected parents were interviewed. Of the affected children, 50% and 33% of the affected adults were treated for symptoms related to NF1 before a specific diagnosis was made. Although the disease is fully penetrant by the age of 5 years, 35% of the affected children had not been diagnosed by this age. Parents stated a preference for early diagnosis of NF1. Diagnosis of NF1 did not seem to be a reason to refrain from having children. The general attitude towards prenatal diagnosis was positive; however few parents would actually terminate an affected pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Overall delay in diagnosis of NF1 is significant. Knowledge of symptoms should make an early diagnosis possible with beneficial effects for the patient and family members.

Adolescent↗