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Biomedical subjects

T G Murrell

Publications and source records attributed to T G Murrell.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

A review of the sheep-multiple sclerosis connection.

This paper reviews a notion that the prevalence of multiple sclerosis is high in global areas where sheep populations are concentrated. Pilot studies are reported to serum antibodies in humans to three sheep diseases; focal symmetrical encephalomalacia (FSE), maedi visna and sarcocystis. In MS patients and controls antibodies were not found to the epsilon neurotoxin of the FSE organism, Clostridium welchii type D and to a caprine retrovirus that is closely related to maedi-visna virus. However, 34% of MS and control patients had antibodies to the protozoan parasite Sarcocystis spp., tissue cysts of which contain a powerful neurotoxin, sarcocystin. It is suggested that epidemiological MS prevalence rates for country areas of southern Australia require further study along with an examination for the prevalence of MS in vegetarians.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Pigbel in Papua New Guinea: an ancient disease rediscovered.

A hypothesis suggested in this paper is that pigbel, or enteritis necroticans was a common disease in mediaeval Europe when human habitats, food hygiene, protein deficiency and periodic meat feasting formed the basics of village life as they do in many Third World cultures today. Based on the Papua New Guinea experience with pigbel, it is suggested that health authorities should look closely at the epidemiology of the acute surgical abdomen in such communities. Enteritis necroticans may be the important predisposing lesion to mid-gut volvulus, jejunal and ileal ileus and other forms of small bowel strangulation in communities where protein deprivation, poor food hygiene, epochal meat feasting and staple diets containing trypsin inhibitors co-exist. Such human habitats occur in Central South America, Western Pacific, Asian and South-East Asian cultures. Isolated outbreaks of necrotising enteritis have been reported from Uganda, Malaysia and Indonesia but as yet no systematic epidemiological studies of the prevalence of small bowel strangulations have been described in the surgical literature of Third World countries. Now that enteritis necroticans is preventable by vaccination such studies should be undertaken.

Abdomen, Acute↗
PubMed1980

Scanning electronmicroscopy of the jejunum in enteritis necroticans.

Intestinal tissue resected at laparotomy from patients in Papua New Guinea at various clinical stages of enteritis necroticans, locally known as pig-bel, has been examined under the scanning electronmicroscope. Evidence obtained from parallel studies of experimental infection in pigs is presented. Progressive destruction of the intestinal mucosa was seen during the course of the disease in man. Numerous filamentous rods morphologically consistent with the appearance of Clostridium perfringens type C, were seen to be attached the affected areas of gut and were associated with the necrotic tissue. The mechanism of pathogenicity includes a stage of attachment to the surfaces of jejunal villi, local multiplication, and the production of beta toxin which may be protected from tryptic digestion by the inadequacy of pancreatic protease production in susceptible subjects and by the ingestion of a trypsin inhibitor. The association of the condition with pork feasting is discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Pigbel.

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Clostridium Infections↗
PubMed1978

Pig-bel--a zoonosis?

It is postulated that the combination of a very low protein diet, with low pancreatic tryptic activity, plus the continual consumption of sweet potato trypsin inhibitors leads to inadequate proteolysis when a meal containing meat contaminated with C. perfringens type C and its beta toxin is consumed. The necrotizing pathogenic process concluding as segmental gangrene is set in motion by toxin produced under altered dietary conditions first by motor paralysis via beta toxin, followed by villous attachment and colonisation by ingested or resident C. perfringens type C in the gut. Necrobiosis is maintained by further toxin production which may be blocked in immune individuals. The endemicity of the disease is governed by the amount of C. perfringens type C in both the general and gut environments, the latter determined by dietary influences and the protein nutrition of the host. A hypothesis put forward is that the organism is carried and dispersed by the domestic pig and man becomes an incidental host. Infectivity only occurs when critical ecological factors exist in the small gut of humans. Prevention in the short term is possible with a toxoided vaccine using three injections given at one month and twelve month intervals.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

St. Agnes: a study of a health centre in evolution.

The growth of St Agnes Health Centre is described, with its transition from simple group practice to a comprehensive health centre over a five-year period. Its position in a rapidly growing suburb is analysed and illustrated by usage and referral patterns. The sucessful integration of general practice, sessional specialists and allied health workers under one roof makes it unique as a primary health care project in Australia.

Australia↗
PubMed1976

The mouth in health and disease.

Medical, dental and psychiatric conditions may cause dysfunction of the mouth in health and disease. The principle of clinical assessment of the patient, which includes a thorough assessment of the physical, social and psychological factors, is of paramount importance. This paper has attempted to describe some of the more common conditions affecting the mouth in general practice, and to underline important causes of pain which can occur in the face arising from conditions in the mouth.

Candidiasis, Cutaneous↗