Serosurvey for canine distemper virus exposure in dogs in communal lands in Zimbabwe

Sera from 173 apparently healthy, unvaccinated dogs from 4 widely separated communal lands in Zimbabwe were tested by ELISA for antibodies against canine distemper virus. Overall, 82% were positive with high prevalences found in each communal land. The highest seroprevalence was in dogs between 1 and 2 years of age (91%; 49/54). These results show dogs in the communal lands of Zimbabwe are commonly exposed to canine distemper virus and that a substantial number survive infection. The role that the virus might play in the high mortality rate of the dog population on communal land warrants further investigation.     

The effect of dorzolamide 2% on circadian intraocular pressure in cats with primary congenital glaucoma

Objective To determine the extent of fluctuation in circadian intraocular pressure (IOP) and the efficacy of topical dorzolamide 2% q 8 h in lowering IOP and blunting circadian fluctuation in IOP in glaucomatous cats. Animals studied Seven adult cats with primary congenital glaucoma (PCG). Procedures Measurements of IOP and pupil diameter were obtained for both eyes (OU) of each cat q 4 h for 12 days. Cats were housed in a laboratory animal facility with a 12‐h light:dark cycle. Baseline values were established for 2 days. For the next 5 days, placebo (1.4% polyvinyl alcohol) was administered OU q 8 h. Dorzolamide 2% was then administered OU q 8 h for a further 5 days. A multivariate mixed linear model was fitted to the data, with parameters estimated from a Bayesian perspective. The 4 am time point was selected as the reference for the purposes of comparisons. Results Estimated mean IOP for the reference time point pre‐treatment was symmetric (about 33 mmHg OU). In all cats, IOP was significantly lower during the diurnal phase, relative to the 4 am measurements, with highest IOP observed 2–6 h after the onset of the dark phase. Circadian fluctuations in IOP were dampened during the treatment period. There was a significant decrease in IOP in all cats during the dorzolamide treatment period (estimated mean for the treatment period reference = 17.9 mmHg OU). Conclusions Topical dorzolamide 2% q 8 h is effective in reducing IOP and IOP fluctuation in cats with PCG.     

Yamamoto New Scalp Acupuncture for postoperative pain management in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy

Objective

To evaluate the analgesic efficacy of Yamamoto New Scalp Acupuncture (YNSA) as an adjuvant for postoperative pain management in cats.

Food poverty and health among schoolchildren in Ireland: findings from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationships between food poverty and food consumption, health and life satisfaction among schoolchildren. DESIGN: Analysis of the 2002 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, a cross-sectional survey that employs a self-completion questionnaire in a nationally representative random sample of school classrooms in the Republic of Ireland. SUBJECTS: A total of 8424 schoolchildren (aged 10-17 years) from 176 schools, with an 83% response rate from children. RESULTS: Food poverty was found to be similarly distributed among the three social classes (15.3% in the lower social classes, 15.9% in the middle social classes and 14.8% in the higher social classes). It was also found that schoolchildren reporting food poverty are less likely to eat fruits, vegetables and brown bread, odds ratio (OR) from 0.66 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.45-0.87) to 0.81 (95% CI 0.63-0.99); more likely to eat crisps, fried potatoes and hamburgers, OR from 1.20 (95% CI 1.00-1.40) to 1.62 (95% CI 1.39-1.85); and more likely to miss breakfast on weekdays, OR from 1.29 (95% CI 0.33-1.59) to 1.72 (95% CI 1.50-1.95). The risk of somatic and mental symptoms is also increased, OR from 1.48 (95% CI 1.18-1.78) to 2.57 (95% CI 2.33-2.81); as are negative health perceptions, OR from 0.63 (95% CI 0.43-0.83) to 0.52 (95% CI 0.28-0.76) and measures of life dissatisfaction, OR from 1.88 (95% CI 1.64-2.12) to 2.25 (95% CI 2.05-2.45). Similar results were found for life dissatisfaction in an international comparison of 32 countries. All analyses were adjusted for age and social class. CONCLUSIONS: Food poverty in schoolchildren is not restricted to those from lower social class families, is associated with a substantial risk to physical and mental health and well-being, and requires the increased attention of policy makers and practitioners.     

The precision and robustness of published protocols for disc diffusion assays of antimicrobial agent susceptibility: an inter-laboratory study

The precision of the disc diffusion protocols previously published by Alderman and Smith (Aquaculture 196 (2002) 211) was analysed in a seven-laboratory trial using Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 as the test strain. Discs containing seven antimicrobial agents were employed and 2899 zone size measurements were generated. The total data generated in the trial was used to quantify the intra- and inter-laboratory precisions. The study design also facilitated the investigation of the influence of the source of media and the source of discs on zone sizes. A smaller two-laboratory trial was employed to investigate the influence of incubation time of zone size.

The intra-laboratory precision was relatively high with the mean of the coefficients of variation calculated for each laboratory and each agent being 4.7%. In contrast, the inter-laboratory precision was very much lower with the mean of the values for each agent being 11.1%. Significant influences on zone size were detected for all three parameters of the protocol. Media source effects were particularly notable with respect to oxytetracycline and oxolinic acid discs, disc source effects with respect to ampicillin and sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim discs and incubation times with the ampicillin and amoxycillin discs. ANOVA analysis of the total data set confirmed that inter-laboratory variation was the major factor influencing the low precision of the protocol.

The overall precision of the protocols used here was found to be significantly lower than that implied by the control limits associated with the same bacterium in other validated disc diffusion protocols. The implications of these results, for the further development of the protocols under investigation, are discussed.