The pathogenesis of benzimidazole-resistant and benzimidazole-susceptible strains of Trichostrongylus colubriformis in the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus)

Mongolian gerbils were infected with either a benzimidazole-susceptible or a benzimidazole-resistant strain of Trichostrongylus colubriformis larvae. The comparative pathogenesis of both strains of T. colubriformis was investigated for 50 days post-infection. The gerbils infected with the drug-susceptible strain of the parasite showed lower survival rates, reduced body weights, higher parasite egg output and higher worm burdens than animals infected with the drug-resistant strain of parasite. There was also evidence of an enhanced hypoalbuminaemia and a more marked gastrointestinal plasma leak in the gerbils infected with the drug-susceptible strain of parasite. Scanning electron microscope examination of the small intestine showed signs of villus atrophy in both groups of infected gerbils.     

Patterns of transgene inheritance in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

There have been very few studies of the inheritance of introduced genes (transgenes) in fish. We have followed the inheritance of the mammalian fusion gene MTrGH from founder generation transgenics (originating from eggs microinjected with the MTrGH DNA) to offspring in crosses with control fish. Initial screening of the founder generation transgenics was by analysing DNA from blood samples. Only three out of six fish which carried the novel gene in blood DNA transmitted it to their offspring, despite the presence of the gene in DNA extracted from the sperm of all four male fish in this group. The frequency of transgenics in the progeny groups from the three fish which transmitted the gene varied widely: in one of these groups more than one type of MTrGH restriction pattern was found. These results suggest widespread mosaicism in founder generation transgenics.     

Psychological disturbance in children with haemophilia.

OBJECTIVE--To assess the need for formal psychotherapeutic intervention in children attending a children''s haemophilia clinic after some of them had been diagnosed as positive for HIV. DESIGN--Comparison of haemophiliac children with matched control groups of diabetic and healthy children. SETTING--The West of Scotland Children''s Haemophilia Centre, Glasgow. PATIENTS--43 Children aged 3 to 16 years with mild, moderate, and severe clotting disorders were matched with control groups of 46 diabetic children and 42 physically healthy children. INTERVENTIONS--Parents of children aged 3-5 years were interviewed with the behaviour screening questionnaire. Children aged 6 to 16 were assessed by parental and teacher report using standardised questionnaires and self report using a computerised depression inventory. All were scored numerically according to the presence of symptoms of emotional and behavioural problems. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--The groups were compared for mean scores on each rating device and for number of children achieving scores within the pathological range. RESULTS--In the 6-16 age group five haemophiliac children, five diabetic children, and three healthy children scored in the pathological range on the parent questionnaire, as did two, three, and five respectively on the teacher questionnaire and four, four, and eight on the depression inventory. There was no significant difference across the three groups. Analysis of mean scores similarly showed no significant difference across groups. In contrast, the single measure used for younger children showed an increase in behavioural difficulties among the diabetic children. CONCLUSION--Haemophiliac children attending the West of Scotland Centre were no more disturbed than their diabetic or healthy peers despite the identification of HIV infection within the clinic and the widespread adverse publicity associated with AIDS and HIV infection.