Biomedical subjects
J Goddard
Publications and source records attributed to J Goddard.
Frequent recovery of HIV-1 from genital herpes simplex virus lesions in HIV-1-infected men.
CONTEXT: Genital ulcer disease has been epidemiologically linked as a risk factor in the transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1). While herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) is the most common cause of genital ulcers, no study has systematically evaluated the frequency or titer of HIV-1 virus in HSV-2 lesions. OBJECTIVE: To compare lesional HIV-1 RNA levels during and after genital HSV-2 reactivation and to evaluate the frequency, titer, and duration of HIV-1 RNA shedding in lesions due to HSV-2. DESIGN: Convenience sample. SETTING: Sexually transmitted disease research clinic at the University of Washington, Seattle. PATIENTS: Twelve HIV-infected men with a history of symptomatic HSV-2 infection who underwent daily sampling of genital lesions for HIV-1 RNA by polymerase chain reaction assay and HSV-2 by culture. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Detection of lesional HIV RNA and HSV-2. RESULTS: HIV-1 RNA was detected from lesional swabs in 25 of 26 consecutively studied HSV-2 episodes and on 67% of days in which genital lesions were noted. The HIV-1 RNA titers in lesional swabs exceeded 10000 copies/mL of swab sample in 75% of samples (range, 2.2-3.2 x 10(5) copies/mL of swab sample). HIV-1 RNA in genital lesion swabs was seen in persons with high and low titers of plasma HIV-1 RNA and was not associated with plasma HIV-1 RNA levels. CONCLUSIONS: HIV-1 virions can consistently be detected in genital ulcers caused by HSV-2, which suggests that genital herpes infection likely increases the efficiency of the sexual transmission of HIV-1.
The effect of acupuncture on nonallergic rhinitis: a controlled pilot study.
The purpose of this pilot project was to evaluate the immediate effects of real acupuncture compared with two placebo controls (sham acupuncture and mock transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) in the treatment of nonallergic rhinitis patients. These three treatments were given in a nonrandomized order to the same patients at weekly intervals. Real acupuncture showed an improvement in nasal airways resistance after treatment in 9 of 13 patients, sham acupuncture in 2 of 9, and mock transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in 3 of 10 patients. With the exception of improvement in a minimal cross-sectional area (measured by acoustic rhinometry) in the real acupuncture group following treatment, the outcome was not statistically significant. This pilot study raised a number of issues related to the effects of acupuncture in nonallergic rhinitis that must be addressed by a study involving more patients in which the order of treatment is randomized and the two placebo control treatments are evaluated in relation to their credibility.
Human infestation with rodent botfly larvae: a new route of entry?
A 3-year-old child was infested with two larvae of the rodent botfly (insect order Diptera, genus Cuterebra), one on the back and one on the neck. Both larvae produced tracklike lesions in the skin. After week 1, the back lesion did not develop further, but the neck lesion continued to enlarge and formed a boil-like lesion. Despite examination by several physicians, the case was not recognized as myiasis for more than 3 weeks. Details of the case are presented and discussed, including the possibility that infestation resulted from direct deposition of eggs or larvae on the patient.
Seasonal activity and relative abundance of Amblyomma americanum in Mississippi.
Ecological investigations of the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (L.), were conducted in 3 adjacent 60-m2 plots, located in Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, Noxubee County, Mississippi. Ticks were collected weekly from July 1992 to July 1993 by flagging randomly selected lanes. During the year, larval ticks were collected first in early July, with peak numbers in September, and they were collected no later than late October. Nymphal ticks were collected from mid-March to late October, with peak numbers occurring in mid-May and early August. Adult ticks were found initially in early March, with peak numbers from mid-May to mid-June and were no longer collected by late August. Analyses of meteorological data indicated that the most influential parameter on tick activity was humidity.
Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) enhances monocyte- and lymphocyte-mediated bladder tumour cell killing.
A cytotoxicity assay was used to study the action of bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) and cytokines on four human bladder cancer cell lines. Monocytes and lymphocytes from peripheral blood were incubated with or without BCG or cytokines for 24 h, after which [3H]thymidine-labelled target cells were added and the 72 h percentage specific release determined. BCG had a direct cytotoxic effect against tumour cells and significantly enhanced monocyte/macrophage and enhanced lymphocyte cytotoxicity against one cell line (UCRU-BL-17). Supernatants (SNs) from BCG-activated monocytes/macrophages and lymphocytes increased the percentage specific release of [3H]thymidine from UCRU-BL-17 cells. Interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) and interleukin 2 (IL-2) were cytotoxic towards UCRU-BL-17. No synergy occurred between BCG and cytokines at the concentrations tested. The results suggest that BCG is superior to IFN-alpha, interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) and IL-2 in enhancing cell-mediated cytotoxicity.
Analysis of 11 cases of delusions of parasitosis reported to the Mississippi Department of Health.
Delusions of parasitosis (DOP) is a psychiatric disorder in which people have an unshakable false belief that they are infested with arthropod parasites. To rid themselves of the "bugs" patients with DOP may become desperate and quit their jobs, burn furniture, abandon homes, and use pesticides dangerously and repeatedly. Data from 11 cases of DOP, reported to the Mississippi Department of Health between 1989 and 1993, are presented in an attempt to identify common factors among the cases. Seven of the 11 patients (64%) were elderly white women. Five patients complained of "mites," 3 of "insects," and 3 of "bugs"; and all characteristically offered "proof" of their infestation such as bits of debris or skin scrapings wrapped in paper or in tiny jars. Only one complained of itching. Six patients reported extensive use of pesticides. These results elucidate the clinical presentation of DOP cases, thus aiding in diagnosis of the disorder.
Stings from puss caterpillars.
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Ecological studies of Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) in central Mississippi: lateral movement of adult ticks.
Lateral movement by adult Ixodes scapularis Say was measured by two mark-release-recapture studies in which ticks were collected by flagging, marked with tiny drops of model paint, released at predetermined spots within the study site, and subsequently recaptured during weekly sampling by flagging. In the first mark-release-recapture experiment, 10/23 ticks were recaptured; all but 3 (2 collected at 3 m and 1 at 1 m) were collected at the release point. In the second experiment, 43/82 ticks were recaptured and all but 1 (which was collected 1 m from the release point) were collected within 0.5 m of their release point. Results of this study indicate that lateral movement by questing adult I. scapularis is minimal.
Ecological studies of adult Ixodes scapularis in central Mississippi: questing activity in relation to time of year, vegetation type, and meteorologic conditions.
Adult Ixodes scapularis Say were collected weekly during two fall-winter-spring seasons from 1989 to 1991 to assess their temporal and spatial distribution as well as the effects of several meteorologic parameters on questing activity. Collections were made in three 0.4-ha sites in central Mississippi by flagging vegetation with a white flannel cloth. Adult I. scapularis were collected from 25 October through 11 April during the 1989-1990 season and 24 October-1 April in the 1990-1991 season. Peak I. scapularis questing activity occurred on 5 February and 4 February during the two seasons, respectively. Ticks were collected most often at approximately 20 degrees C but seven were collected on a day when the temperature was 6.9 degrees C. Ticks were clustered within the study sites and not evenly distributed. Most I. scapularis were collected from Ligustrum sinense and Chasmanthium sessiliflorum at a height of 31-40 cm. Statistical analyses of the meteorologic factors that affect questing activity are presented and discussed.
Impact of a severe tick infestation at Little Rock AFB, Arkansas on volant scorpion military training.
Over 950 students attending Volant Scorpion training during March-August 1988 reported the number and impact of tick bites and the personal protective measures used during their training at Little Rock Air Force Base. In some classes, as many as 50% of the students reported 10 or more tick bites. Approximately one third of all students said that ticks had a significant or very significant impact on duty performance. The use of a repellent applied to clothing had no significant effect on the number of tick bites received.
Focus of human parasitism by the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Acari: Ixodidae).
Throughout most of its range, the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille), prefers dogs as a host, but human bites occasionally occur in the Mediterranean region and Central America; historically, this species has rarely bitten humans in the United States. A focus of 15 human bite cases by this tick is reported from four Air Force bases located within 200 miles of each other in north central Texas and southwestern Oklahoma. The sudden appearance of numerous documented bite cases indicates that either the species is becoming more anthropophilic in this area or than an introduction of a more human adapted population of R. sanguineus has occurred. The species is a known reservoir and vector of Ehrlichia canis, the causative agent of canine ehrlichiosis in dogs. The presence of an anthropophilic strain of R. sanguineus in the United States may lead to increased exposure to E. canis and thus an increase in the incidence of human ehrlichiosis.
The many manifestations and implications of herpes virus infections.
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The many manifestations and implications of HSV I and HSV II infections. 2. Herpes labialis.
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AIDS--a current overview of AIDS and its impact on society.
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Was Bullis fever actually ehrlichiosis?
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Hepatitis B infection in the South African context.
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