Onchocerciasis in Canada

The first two cases of onchocerciasis seen in Canada are reported. The patients had come from West Africa to study in Canada several months prior to admission to hospital. The presenting symptom in each case was intense pruritus. One of the patients had early ocular involvement. The diagnosis was made by means of microscopic examination of a skin snip. The subcutaneous nodule excised from one of the patients showed the adult Onchocerca volvulus. Both patients also had urinary schistosomiasis. The clinical features, laboratory findings, treatment and public health aspects of onchocerciasis are discussed.     

Active abdominal tuberculosis in Canada in 1970-81.

We reviewed all 341 cases of abdominal tuberculosis reported in Canada between 1970 and 1981. Over the study period abdominal tuberculosis accounted for a stable proportion (0.8%) of all reported cases of tuberculosis in Canada. Its incidence declined steadily. It was more common in women, in native Indians and in people born in Asia. Detailed records of the 55 cases reported to Statistics Canada from British Columbia and of an additional 31 cases not reported to Statistics Canada (usually because they involved concomitant disease elsewhere, notably the lungs) were studied. Five of the 55 cases reported to Statistics Canada had been reported incorrectly. Of the 81 cases in British Columbia 51% involved peritonitis, 21% ileocecal disease, 20% anorectal disease, 10% mesenteric lymphadenitis, 1% disease of the sigmoid colon and 1% disease of the liver. The rate of bacteriologic confirmation was low (51%).     

Orientational relaxation time of bottom-heavy squirmers in a semi-dilute suspension

One of the important quantities to characterize unsteady behaviour of a cell suspension is the orientational relaxation time, which is the time scale for a micro-organism to re-orientate to its preferred direction from disorientated conditions. In this paper, a swimming micro-organism is modelled as a squirming sphere with prescribed tangential surface velocity, in which the centre of mass of the sphere is displaced from the geometric centre (bottom-heaviness). The orientational relaxation time of bottom-heavy squirmers in a suspension is investigated both analytically and numerically. The three-dimensional movement of 64 identical squirmers in a fluid otherwise at rest, contained in a cube with periodic boundary conditions, is dynamically computed, for random initial positions and orientations. The effects of volume fraction of squirmers, the bottom-heaviness and the squirming mode on the relaxation time are discussed. The results for a semi-dilute suspension show that both the mean stresslet strength and the orientational relaxation time decrease from those for a dilute suspension. We also observe a stress overshoot in some cases. The mechanism for this is different from that for a visco-elastic fluid, and is explained by the change with time of the orientation of squirmers.     

Origin and Migration of Huntington's Chorea in Canada: Preliminary Report

This preliminary report is part of a fullscale investigation of Huntington''s chorea throughout the world. Data were obtained on some 820 possible cases of Huntington''s chorea in Canada, and they were of sufficient quality in 633 cases to enable pedigrees to be drawn up of 104 families. The origin of 75 of these families was traced outside Canada. It was found that 55 of these kinships originally came from the British Isles, contrary to the prevalent feeling that incriminated United States sources. Only 57 of the 633 cases had moved from their first province of residence at the time of reporting. Thus, large and frequent migrations are not the rule, in the Canadian group, as had been previously reported by other authors.     

The Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome: current status

A recently recognized syndrome of acquired immunodeficiency (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome-AIDS) has arisen since June 1981. It has received international attention. The clinical spectrum consists of repeated opportunistic infections, rare malignancies, and autoimmune phenomena, occurring in previously healthy adults with no history of an immunologic disorder. The population subset at risk for this syndrome appears to be predominantly homosexual American males and intravenous drug abusers with rare cases being reported in heterosexuals, hemophiliacs, and foreign patients, especially Haitians. The immunologic aberrancy in all patients described appears limited to T-lymphocyte hyporesponsiveness and imbalance of T-helper and suppressor cells. This disordered immunoregulation is a consistent finding in all reported cases and appears to predispose to the opportunistic infections and malignancies which have been associated with a 40 percent mortality. The underlying factor responsible for the immunoregulatory defect is unknown but possible etiologies include a transmissible infectious agent, drug use, chronic antigen stimulation, and spermatozoa exposure. Treatment of the associated infections and malignancies has been a frustrating endeavor as many patients respond incompletely or relapse soon after successful treatment course. Preventive measures, including patient education, physician awareness, and immunomodulating agents, are discussed.     

Ultrastructure of the endosymbionts of the whitefly,Bemisia tabaci andTrialeurodes vaporariorum

Summary The ultrastructure of the mycetocytes and mycetome micro-organisms of the sweetpotato whitefly,Bemisia tabaci Genn. andTrialeurodes vaporariorum West are described. InB. tabaci, two morphologically distinct types of micro-organisms were observed in mycetocytes. The predominant type lacked a distinct cell wall, was pleomorphic in shape with a surrounding vacuole. The second type was a coccoid organism, with inner and outer cell membranes. The coccoid organism was often found in groups of varying number within vacuoles, and in many cases appeared to be undergoing degradation. InT. vaporariorum mycetocytes, pleomorphic and coccoid organisms were found, although the coccoid micro-organism inT. vaporariorum, had a thicker cell wall than the coccoid micro-organism inB. tabaci.Abbreviations C coccoid micro-organism - P pleomorphic micro-organism     

A fatal syndrome associating a micromelic dwarfism, an ichthyosiform skin disorder and a severe combined immunologic deficiency. Report of a case and survey of the literature (author's transl)]

Congenital immunologic deficiencies and congenital dwarfisms represent two seemingly unrelated disorders. Here is reported the tenth case of a definite congenital and fatal syndrome associating a severe combined immunologic deficiency and a micromelic dwarfism, affecting mainly the proximal limbs, as well as an ichtyosiform and furrowed skin disorder. Although the adenosine deaminase activity has not been determined in this patient, a 4-month old boy, this syndrome seems to be different from cases of ADA negative SCID. The associated impairment of growth and immunity emphasizes once more the close genetic linkage existing between the development of the skeleton and the lymphoid tissue.     

Toxic shock syndrome in Canada.

Since 1976, 53 confirmed or suspected cases of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) have been reported in Canada. Twenty-two cases occurred in 1980, and by October 1981 another 21 had been reported. In Canada, like the United States, where nearly 1200 cases have been recorded, TSS appears to be associated with tampon use, although a few cases have occurred in males and in nonmenstruating women. Of the 53 patients 3 died. The enterotoxin produced by Staphylococcus aureus is probably responsible for TSS. Manufacturers of tampons have now placed warning labels on tampon boxes and information on TSS in the instruction inserts. Women should select tampons of appropriate absorbency for the various stages of menstruation.     

Carcinocythemia. Report of two cases, one simulating a Burkitt lymphoma

Carcinocythemia is a rare complication of metastatic carcinoma, characterized by the presence of carcinoma cells in the peripheral blood, which may mimic acute leukemia. Two cases are reported in which the patients developed carcinocythemia several years after being treated for carcinoma of the breast. Cytologic examination of peripheral blood smears in both cases showed the presence of numerous large abnormal cells; in one case the cells simulated those of a Burkitt lymphoma. Cytochemical and/or immunologic marker studies ruled out a hematopoietic origin of the malignant cells in both cases and confirmed a diagnosis of carcinocythemia. The rapidly fatal outcome observed in these two cases was in accordance with the poor prognosis usually encountered with this rare phenomenon.     

Brucellosis in a Veterans' Hospital, 1963

In Canada, about 100 sporadically occurring cases of brucellosis are reported yearly. Three patients were admitted to one Montreal hospital in the first seven months of 1963; all were employed in or around a packing plant. One had pain and electrocardiographic changes suggestive of Brucella myocarditis; he recovered promptly. Symptoms of neurasthenia and anxiety are common and were observed in two of these three cases. Two had positive blood cultures; the third showed conclusive agglutination to Br. abortus (1:10,240). In some patients with frequent previous exposures to infection the agglutination response may be equivocal and difficult to interpret. All three patients responded well to tetracycline; streptomycin and corticosteroids also have a role in the therapy of some cases. There may also be some place for combined antibiotic and vaccine therapy. The program of control of the disease in cattle in Canada is aimed at eradication by 1967.     

Lung disease in farmers.

Lung diseases in farmers attributable to their occupation include (a) farmer''s lung, caused by exposure to mouldy hay, (b) the asthma caused by exposure to grain dust and (c) silo-filler''s disease. Their prevalence in Canada is unknown. Farmer''s lung results from inhalation of mould spores in hay; the mechanism is immunologic. The exact cause and mechanism of grain dust asthma are unknown but may be immunologic. Silo-filler''s disease is caused by the toxic effects of inhaled nitrogen dioxide.     

Clinical Surveillance After Feeding Oral Attenuated Live Polio Vaccine

During widespread administration of oral poliomyelitis vaccine in the United States and Canada, a number of neurological conditions occurring within 30 days of vaccine administration were reported. After careful investigation, 11 cases of paralytic poliomyelitis in the United States and four cases in Canada have been accepted as being most probably vaccine-associated.The case of a 35-year-old man who developed paralytic poliomyelitis 17 days after taking oral vaccine is reported. Type III Poliovirus was isolated from his stools, and subsequent virological investigation of this virus strain suggested that it most likely was the attenuated strain. The McBride test gave an NK value of 90 and the rct/40 marker was positive. A rise in Type III antibodies was found in the patient''s serum, and increased neurovirulence was demonstrated by intracerebral inoculation of monkeys.Since many cases of neurological involvement have not been accepted as vaccine-associated because of the lack of adequate early investigations, active clinical surveillance after oral polio vaccine administration is urged, and appropriate studies should be carried out in suspect neurological complications.     

Recovery of the germfree status of rats and mice monocontaminated with Aspergillus species

The decontamination of monocontaminated rats and mice is reported in this paper. The monocontaminant micro-organism was an Aspergillus species, and the decontamination was applied with success using nystatin and phenol solutions for animals and materials respectively.     

Hydrocarbon degradation and protease production by Nocardiopsis sp. NCIM 5124

An actinomycete isolated from an oil-contaminated marine environment and identified as Nocardiopsis sp. degraded hydrocarbons and also produced extracellular protease. Conditions for crude oil degradation and simultaneous production of extracellular protease were studied. An alternative approach for bio-augmented clean-up of oil spills using a micro-organism capable of degrading hydrocarbons and recruiting organic nitrogen by producing proteases is reported.     

Perforated Peptic Ulcer

Because no large series of perforated peptic ulcers has been reported from Canada, 402 cases from the Ottawa Civic Hospital were reviewed to study this dramatic disorder.The incidence was 15 per 100,000 population annually, or one in every 1000 hospital admissions.The incidence in females and the elderly in this series was higher than reported elsewhere. The risk of perforation increased with age, being greatest after 55; this was not due to an excess of chronic ulcers in older patients, indicating that ageing is an etiological factor.As the mortality of perforated peptic ulcer—20%—had remained unchanged over the years, fatal cases were studied to see if changes should be made in the management of this condition. The mortality for patients undergoing operation was 7.5%. Patients treated conservatively because their general condition was poor, died. Fifteen patients, in whom an incorrect diagnosis was made, died. More aggressive therapy and greater efforts at diagnosis might have saved some of these patients.     

The effects of controlled exposure to formaldehyde vapour on spores of Bacillus globigii NCTC 10073

The effects of exposure of spores of Bacillus globigii NCTC 10073 to controlled levels of formaldehyde vapour under varying environmental conditions are reported. The death rate of the micro-organism varies with the humidity and formaldehyde concentration and can be predicted for conditions within the limits of the information available. A mathematical model for the effects of formaldehyde is proposed which can be used to calculate the effects of known conditions and as the basis of a controlled formaldehyde fumigation process. Results of practical tests of such a process are described.     

The effects of controlled exposure to formaldehyde vapour on spores of Bacillus globigii NCTC 10073

The effects of exposure of spores of Bacillus globigii NCTC 10073 to controlled levels of formaldehyde vapour under varying environmental conditions are reported. The death rate of the micro-organism varies with the humidity and formaldehyde concentration and can be predicted for conditions within the limits of the information available. A mathematical model for the effects of formaldehyde is proposed which can be used to calculate the effects of known conditions and as the basis of a controlled formaldehyde fumigation process. Results of practical tests of such a process are described.     

Medical examination of torture victims applying for refugee status.

Torture is being increasingly reported. Canada provides a refuge for some of the victims. The medical evidence may be sufficient to give an applicant refugee status. Protocols are presented for the use of physicians in examining applicants for refugee status, and a series of cases is reported in which these protocols were followed.     

Treatment of head and neck cancers with BRMs

It has been reported that immunologic function is deteriorated in head and neck cancer patients by primary therapies such as surgery, irradiation and chemotherapy or tumor itself. As previously described by us, immunologic dysfunction in such patients may be recovered by treatment with BRMs. In the present study, we investigated the effects of BRMs on survival of patients who had primarily been treated in our clinic. Fifty-one patients (23 patients; Stage I or Stage II, 28 patients; Stage III or Stage IV) were treated with BRMs (BRM group), and 49 patients (22 patients; Stage I or Stage II, 27 patients; Stage III or Stage IV) were employed as controls (Control group). The results obtained were as follows: (1) In patients of all Stages, the survival period was significantly (p<0.05) longer in BRM group than in Control group; (2) The survival periods of patients of Stage I or Stage II were not different between the groups; and (3) The survival period of BRM group was significantly (p<0.05) longer than that of Control group in patients of Stage III or Stage IV. There were observed more patients in BRM group who survived for a prolonged period. These results suggest that BRMs may be useful for recovering immunologic function in head and neck cancer patients particularly of Stage III or Stage IV who usually receive multimodality therapy.     

Preliminary characterization of an organism isolated from a case of Viluy encephalomyelitis indicates a protozoal, rather than viral, aetiology

A microbial agent was isolated previously from a case of Viluy encephalomyelitis and named the 'KPN agent' after the initials of the patient. Here a detailed characterization of nucleic acids extracted from the purified KPN agent is presented. The agent contains both DNA and RNA, and has its own tRNAs and some other low-Mr RNAs, including 5S RNA. These findings, and the isolation of eukaryotic-type ribosomes, suggest that the KPN agent is not a virus, as believed before, but a more complex micro-organism, with protein-synthesizing capacity. The nucleotide sequence of the 5S RNA in the ribosomes of the KPN agent is identical with the sequence of 5S RNA of Acanthamoeba castellanii. The novel protozoan nature of the KPN agent is discussed in relation to other unusual properties of this micro-organism. Some implications of these results for the aetiology of Viluy encephalomyelitis are also discussed.