The significance of micro-organisms in the stomach of non-human primates.
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An epidemic of yellow fever (YF) occurred in the Gambia between May 1978 and January 1979. Retrospective case-finding methods and active surveillance led to the identification of 271 clinically suspected cases. A confirmatory or presumptive laboratory diagnosis was established in 94 cases. The earliest serologically documented case occurred in June 1978, at the extreme east of the Gambia. Small numbers of cases occurred in August and September. The epidemic peaked in October, and cases continued to occur at a diminishing rate through January, when a mass vaccination campaign was completed. The outbreak was largely confined to the eastern half of the country (MacCarthy Island and Upper River Divisions). In nine survey villages in this area (total population 1,531) the attack rate was 2.6--4.4%, with a mortality rate of 0.8%, and a case fatality rate of 19.4%. If these villages are representative of the total affected region, there may have been as many as 8,400 cases and 1,600 deaths during the outbreak. The disease incidence was highest in the 0- to 9-year age group (6.7%) and decreased with advancing age to 1.7% in persons over 40 years. Overall, 32.6% of survey village inhabitants had YF complement-fixing (CF) antibodies. The prevalence of antibody patterns indicating primary YF infection decreased with age, in concert with disease incidence. The overall inapparent:apparent infection ratio was 12:1. In persons with serological responses indicating flaviviral superinfection, the inapparent:apparent infection ratio was 10 times higher than in persons with primary YF infection. Sylvatic vectors of YF virus, principally Aedes furcifer-taylori and Ae. luteocephalus are believed to have been responsible for transmission, at least at the beginning of the outbreak. Eighty-four percent of wild monkeys shot in January 1979 had YF neutralizing antibodies, and 32% had CF antibodies. Domestic Aedes aegypti were absent or present at very low indices in many severely affected villages (see companion paper). In January, however, aegypti-borne YF 2.5 months into the dry season was documented by isolation of YF virus from a sick man and from this vector species in the absence of sylvatic vectors. Thus, in villages where the classical urban vector was abundant, interhuman transmission by Ae. aegypti occurred and continued into the dry season. A mass vaccination campaign, begun in December, was completed on 25 January, with over 95% coverage of the Gambian population. A seroconversion rate of 93% was determined in a group of vaccinees. This outbreak emphasizes the continuing public health importance of YF in West Africa and points out the need for inclusion of 17D YF vaccination in future programs of multiple immunication.
During the course of the recently concluded smallpox eradication program, a new human orthopoxvirus infection was discovered which is caused by monkeypox virus. The disease occurs sporadically in remote villages within tropical rain forests of West and Central Africa. The disease is rare; only 155 cases having been reported from 1970 to 1983. The symptoms and signs of human monkeypox resemble those of smallpox, differing significantly only in the occurrence of lymphadenopathy with human monkeypox disease. Of 155 cases, some 80% are believed to have resulted from infection from an as yet unknown animal reservoir; the rest occurred among unvaccinated close contacts among whom a secondary attack rate of 15% was observed. Although person-to-person spread appears to have occurred in some instances, few cases were observed in the third or fourth generation of transmission and none thereafter. Since 1982, the incidence of human monkeypox infections in Zaire has increased concomitant with an intensified surveillance program. Additional reasons which might explain the increased incidence are discussed. Further surveillance and research of this primarily zoonotic infection are warranted and are in progress.
Pseudoaneurysm formation as a complication of routine blood collection was diagnosed in a monkey. Damage to the femoral artery resulted in hematoma formation with secondary organization, encapsulation, and vascular communication. Progressive lameness and muscular atrophy were the primary clinical signs. Surgical correction of the artery defect helped resolve the monkey's lameness and muscle atrophy.
Ten species of nonhuman primates in West African habitat were analysed for variolavaccinia subgroup haemagglutination-inhibition (HI) and neutralization antibodies. The animals were taken in 27 different sampling zones in parts of the Ivory Coast, Mali, and Upper Volta. Of the 195 tested, 15 (8%) had elevated HI antibodies after nonspecific reactions were reduced with potassium periodate pretreatment. Positive neutralization antibodies were found in 21% (44 of 206). Antibodies were detected in serum from monkeys living near two areas where monkeypox cases in humans had occurred. Four samples were tested for monkeypox specific antibodies using an indirect immunofluorescent test; 3 were positive. Despite the prevalence of poxvirus antibodies in monkeys (and other animals) in West Africa, smallpox eradication has been maintained in the area since 1970; thus, animal reservoirs of poxvirus appear to pose no threat to the worldwide smallpox eradication programme.
One year after surgical section of the optical tract, the degenerative changes were found in the deafferented lateral geniculate bodies (LGB). The changes were species-dependent. In cats, the cytoarchitectonics was preserved, local neuronal losses and layers thinning absent. In night-active apes, with cytoarchitectonic image preserved and focal neuron necrosis absent, the layers were more substantially thinned. In apes with a primate-like LGB structure pattern, the extended zones of neurons degeneration were found in the layers. The most prominent deafferentation-induced structural LGB alterations were shown in the central vision projection zones.
1) There are a variety of foraging and dietary patterns among primates; different species have generally obligate food habits. 2) There are a number of convergent dietary patterns among primates that are not taxonomically dependent; closely related species may have very different food habits, while the diets of unrelated forms may be quite similar. 3) At least at a general level, relationships exist between dietary patterns and alimentary tract adaptations. Further comparative studies of the histology of the gut tract of primates in conjunction with detailed and quantitative studies of the food habits of natural populations are needed to determine if more precise dietary/digestive tract relationships exist. Studies of this type should lead to a better understanding of digestive physiology. However, whether we can ever determine the "natural diet" of man by such comparisons, of course, still remains an unanswered question.
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After comparison of the chromosomes of 42 species or subspecies belonging to Cercopithecinae, Papioninae and Colobidae, a phylogeny based on the sequence of chromosomal rearrangements is proposed for Cercopithecoidea. From their last common ancestor, which possessed 46 chromosomes, a trifurcation gave 3 branches, very unequal as regards chromosomal rearrangements. One, very short, leads to Papioninae. Another, still poorly known, leads to Colobidae. The last branch leads to a further bifurcation, separating 2 groups of Cercopithecinae, with underwent the most active chromosomal evolution. A tentative to reconcile chromosomal, biochemical and morphological data is presented for Papioninae, for which chromosome study alone is not sufficient to construct a cladogram.
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1. ALPHA-Chlorohydrin, an inhibitor of spermatogenesis in langur (Presbytis entellus entellus) has been studied to ascertain whether any disturbance of liver function occurred in long term treatment with this compound. 2. Serum aminotransferase remained within normal limits while oral administration of alpha-chlorohydrin (13 mg/kg) were being taken. In subcutaneous treatment, the serum-aminotransferases were being raised during the period of administration, but returned to normal after cessation of drug administration. 3. The alkaline phosphatase levels were in normal range. 4. alpha-Chlorohydrin administration elevated the liver and plasma cholesterol levels. 5. The compound is a hypoglycaemic agent. A "sweet contraceptive" is an attractive proposition.
A photogrammetric computer analysis of 88 endocasts, representing 8 genera of Old World monkeys, reveals cortical asymmetry in lengths of the Sylvian fissure, superior temporal sulcus, lateral edge of the orbit and distance separating rectus and arcuate sulci. Hypothetical expansion of left prefrontal and parietal integration cortices explains these asymmetries.
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