Ocean water and tissue samples were obtained from a variety of sources with phylogenetic and geographic diversity. Purified bacterial colonies were isolated and identification procedures were performed. A total of 67 isolates were recovered. Thirty-eight isolates belonged to the genus Vibrio and included six species. Twenty-four non-fermentative bacteria and four Gram-positive isolates were recovered. Antibiotic susceptibility testing showed that while the non-fermentative marine bacteria generally were susceptible to the antibiotics tested, marine Vibrio species were relatively resistant to a wide variety of antimicrobials. Antibiotics effective against all species included imipenem, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, and chloramphenicol. Further recommendations for treatment are based on sensitivity in culture. Some isolates failed to grow in the medium used for susceptibility testing. Because commercial test kits may not yield accurate identifications of bacteria, the acquisition of antimicrobial susceptibility data gains added importance.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Dysbaric cerebral air embolism in Hawaii.

Cerebral air embolism is a major cause of death and disability among sport scuba divers. To better define the epidemiologic and clinical manifestations of this infrequently encountered disorder, the records of all recompression treatments in Hawaii from 1976 through 1979 were reviewed. Forty-two cases of dysbaric air embolism (DAE) were identified on the basis of clinical criteria, accounting for 18% of the patients undergoing recompression treatment for diving-related disorders during this four-year period. In 22 patients (52%), DAE was part of a dysbarism syndrome that involved one or more forms of decompression sickness and/or in which DAE could not be differentiated from neurologic decompression sickness. The presenting signs and symptoms varied, with asymmetric multiplegia being the most common finding. Two patients died, giving a case fatality rate of 5% for those who survived until reaching the recompression chamber. Overall, 78% of the cases manifested either complete (61%) or substantial (17%) recovery with recompression and adjunctive medical measures. Traditional concepts of dysbaric cerebral air embolism are not adequate to explain the spectrum of clinical manifestations encountered in this condition.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1987

Bacteriology of the freshwater environment: implications for clinical therapy.

Water and animal tissue samples were obtained from sources in Tennessee, California, and Florida. Purified bacterial colonies were isolated and organisms identified. Fifty-eight isolates were recovered. Twenty-seven Gram-negative isolates were identified. Gram-positive organisms were of the coryneform group or Bacillus species. Antibiotic susceptibility testing showed that Aeromonas species were relatively resistant to a wide variety of antimicrobials, which included trimethoprim, cefazolin, and ampicillin. Antibiotics effective against more than 90% of Gram-negative isolates included ciprofloxacin, imipenem, ceftazidime, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Freshwater Gram-positive organisms did not display any unexpected susceptibility features. Recommendation for treatment are based on sensitivity in culture and the potentially serious nature of infections caused by Aeromonas species.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Exposure to aerial malathion application and the occurrence of congenital anomalies and low birthweight.

The association between exposure to low dose malathion, after its aerial application to 13,000 square miles in the San Francisco Bay area, and the occurrence of birth defects and low birthweight was examined using newborn hospital discharge data and vital records. No biologically plausible pattern of association was found. Limitations in the data and analysis are discussed.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗

PubMed1987

Medical problems in whitewater sports.

Overall, whitewater sports are relatively free of serious medical problems, with submersion accidents, trauma, and overuse syndromes being the most commonly encountered afflictions. Various infectious diseases and environmental exposure problems may occur, but serious illness or injury from such causes is infrequent. Nonetheless, the growing popularity of whitewater sports, along with increasing attempts by less experienced persons to navigate more difficult rivers, underscores the need for physicians to be aware of the medical problems likely to be encountered in these activities so that they may appropriately counsel and prepare persons for these invigorating yet potentially dangerous pastimes.

Athletic Injuries↗

PubMed1987

Preventive dentistry update--dental sealants.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1987

Lipoid pneumonitis in a commercial abalone diver.

This report describes the clinical and pulmonary function manifestations found in a 37-yr-old commercial abalone diver who developed diffuse lipoid pneumonitis due to inhalation of aerosolized mineral oil contained in the unfiltered air generated from his surface air compressor. Four years later, the patient continued to be symptomatic with shortness of breath and dyspnea during exertion, and repeat physiologic evaluation continued to demonstrate findings of a restrictive ventilatory defect.

Adult↗

PubMed1986

Efficacy of gastric emptying: gastric lavage versus emesis induced with ipecac.

A prospective study was done to compare the efficacy of gastric emptying achieved by gastric lavage (GL) with that of ipecac-induced emesis (IE) in victims of drug overdose. Thiamine was used as a marker of recovery in gastric samples, as measured by ion exchange/ion pair high-performance liquid chromatography. There were 51 patients in the IE group and 37 in the GL group. GL produced a higher mean per cent recovery of thiamine than did IE (90% +/- 34% compared with 50% +/- 35%). There was a significant difference between the two groups (P less than .001). Recovery of thiamine was more than 70% in 28% of the IE patients, and exceeded 70% in 75% of GL patients. When gastric emptying is desired for management of the adult overdose victim, the use of GL maximizes the chance of recovering unabsorbed liquid drugs from the stomach.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

Scorpaenidae envenomation. A five-year poison center experience.

This article describes 51 cases of Scorpaenidae envenomation, 45 of which were lionfish stings to aquarists or fish handlers. The primary manifestation of envenomation in all victims was intense local pain. Various other local and systemic symptoms were also noted. Immersion in hot water produced either complete (80%) or moderate (14%) symptomatic relief in 94% of the victims. This simple and effective treatment was generally unknown to emergency personnel treating these patients.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1985