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Biomedical subjects

P Prociv

Publications and source records attributed to P Prociv.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Eosinophilic enteritis presenting as surgical emergencies: a report of six cases.

Eosinophilic enteritis is now commonly diagnosed in northern Queensland, and cases have been seen elsewhere. The patients present with acute abdominal symptoms, which may mimic appendicitis, and many cases are managed by surgery. To facilitate the diagnosis of this unusual syndrome, six surgically treated cases are reported here. Blood eosinophilia may be a helpful diagnostic feature, but in some cases it does not develop until after the acute abdominal episode. Most cases resolve satisfactorily with conservative management.

Abdomen, Acute↗

Human eosinophilic enteritis caused by dog hookworm Ancylostoma caninum.

An epidemic of eosinophilic enteritis (93 cases) has occurred in Townsville, northern Queensland, Australia. A hookworm was found attached to a resected, inflamed ileal segment from 1 patient but the species could not be identified. An adult hookworm of species Ancylostoma caninum was recovered at colonoscopy from the terminal ileum of a later patient. All of 38 patients interviewed in an epidemiological survey described behaviour which could have exposed them to infective larvae of this widespread dog parasite.

Adolescent↗

First record of human acanthocephalan infections in Australia.

Two cases of asymptomatic acanthocephalan infections in infants are described. We believe this is the first report from Australia of infection with these parasites in humans. Their clinical, epidemiological and biological significance is discussed.

Acanthocephala↗

Observations on the morphology of Toxocara pteropodis eggs.

Fertile eggs of Toxocara pteropodis, passed in the faeces of juvenile flying-foxes, were ovoid to spheroid in shape with a diameter range of 80-110 microns. The shell was often seen to comprise 4 layers: a fine inner lipid layer, a thicker clear chitinous layer, an equally thick outer vitelline layer and a pitted outermost, proteinaceous uterine layer of variable thickness. Infertile eggs were less uniform in shape and generally did not have well-defined shell layers, the formation of which is triggered by sperm penetration of the oocyte. The eggs of this species are bulkier than those of related ascaridoids, apparently because of a thicker external coat which, while not providing mechanical strength, is thought to protect against desiccation. Scanning electron microscopical findings suggest that the outer layer is not applied directly by uterine cells, but forms by the gradual deposition of secretions in the uterine lumen, regardless of whether the oocyte has been fertilized.

Animals↗

Aberrant migration by Toxocara pteropodis in flying-foxes--two case reports.

Adults of the large nematode, Toxocara pteropodis, have not previously been reported from extra-intestinal sites in their hosts, juvenile flying-foxes (fruit-bats of the genus Pteropus). In one captive bat which died unexpectedly, a nematode was found coiled within the gall bladder and common bile duct; in another a nematode was in the esophagus and protruded into the laryngopharynx. Like other ascaridoids, this species is capable of aberrant migration.

Animals↗

Intraovular development and moulting of Toxocara pteropodis.

Observations of Toxocara pteropodis eggs removed from an adult worm and embryonated in 0.05 M-sulphuric acid showed the first moult to occur on the sixth day followed by the second moult over days 8-11, as indicated by the finding of a transient, loose, double-layered sheath over the definitive cuticle. Infectivity to mice first developed on day 11, reached a maximum at 36 days and then waned over the next 6 months. Details of larval development are described and the significance of loose sheaths on larvae recovered from tissues is discussed.

Animals↗

Observations on egg production by Toxocara pteropodis.

Studies in juvenile Pteropus poliocephalus showed an average daily egg production by Toxocara pteropodis of 25,000 per female, with concentrations of up to 16,000 epg. regardless of whether eggs were fertile or infertile. Production commenced as early as 35 and as late as 48 days post-partum and rose to plateau average levels over about 10 days. For 23 days one bat passed infertile eggs which, over 2 days, were then replaced completely by fertile eggs. The implicit delay in maturation of a male nematode suggests that transmammary passage of larvae to suckling bats may persist for at least 3 weeks. Patency was terminated by the spontaneous expulsion of worms. If male worms were lost first, the egg output converted from fertile to 100% infertile within 48 h and the females were devoid of spermatozoa, suggesting that T. pteropodis copulate at least once daily. In prolonged infections, worm fecundity and egg fertility diminished, so that females with stored spermatozoa were producing mixtures of fertile and infertile eggs.

Animals↗

Larval migration in oral and parenteral Toxocara pteropodis infections and a comparison with T. canis dispersal in the flying fox, Pteropus poliocephalus.

When eggs of T. pteropodis were fed in large doses to juveniles of a definitive host, Pteropus poliocephalus, larvae hatched throughout the gastrointestinal tract. The majority penetrated the mucosa of the distal half of the intestine, to reach the liver via the portal circulation. A few entered the lymphatics to eventually reach the liver by passing through the lungs and migrating tracheally or continuing in the systemic circulation. Patent infections did not develop. Eggs inoculated subcutaneously also hatched and larvae again reached the liver, travelling via the circulation through the lungs and often other tissues; again, some underwent tracheal migration. Infective larvae of T. canis, identical in size with T. pteropodis, passed through the liver and lungs and dispersed mainly to skeletal muscles, but with time gradually accumulated in the brain. These findings indicate that Toxocara larval distribution is not primarily influenced by larval dimensions but reflects goal-directed behaviour.

Animals↗

Toxocara pteropodis and visceral Larva migrans.

The life cycle of Toxocara pteropodis is only the second in the genus to have been elucidated in detail as a result of its suspected role in an epidemic of human disease. Transmission of this species of nematode is not only faecal but also tronsmommory, and the third-stage larvae demonstrate a remarkable affinity for the host's liver. Experimental infections in primates indicate it is not likely to be a human pathogen, and a reappraisal of the original epidemic has provided an unusual alternative explanation.

Journal Article↗

Observations on the post-mortem migration of nematode larvae and its role in tissue digestion techniques.

The importance of larval viability in relation to the success of recovery techniques and to the interpretation of histological and migration studies was tested using mice infected with Toxocara pteropodis, T. canis and T. cati. Little difference was found in total numbers of viable larvae recovered from tissues incubated for 18 hours in 0.85% saline, 2% trypsin or 1% pepsin, but the rates of larval egress did vary. The recovery of dead larvae by digestion techniques was much lower. Larvae migrated in tissues undergoing fixation, which influenced histological findings. Larvae of T. canis did not undergo significant peritoneal migration in acutely-infected mice, but did penetrate their intestinal walls in large numbers within 4 hours of death. The implications of these findings in experimental studies are discussed.

Analysis of Variance↗

Copper toxicity.

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Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury↗