Induction of host resistance to Brugia pahangi in jirds (Meriones unguiculatus) protected by chemoprophylaxis

Jirds were given a chemoprophylactic inoculation of flubendazole (FMBZ) and then five injections of infective larvae of Brugia pahangi whilst still protected by the FMBZ. When the drug was thought to be non-effective the jirds (and controls) were given a challenge infection of B. pahangi larvae. By comparison with control jirds the treated-infected-challenged jirds had 40% fewer adult worms. The control treated-challenged jirds contained mostly sterile female worms showing that they were still partially protected by FMBZ but worms numbers were not significantly reduced as compared with untreated controls.     

The anthelmintic activity of a novel organic arsenical, R7/45, upon Brugia pahangi in Meriones unguiculatus

The new organic arsenical R7/45 is a rapidly acting and very potent anthelmintic against adult Brugia pahangi in jirds. Against adult worms implanted into the peritoneal cavity 5 subcutaneous (SC) injections at 2.5 mg/kg of R7/45 killed 100% of adult worms. A single dose SC of 20 mg/kg was 100% effective and 10 mg/kg 76% effective against adult worms. When jirds were autopsied at different times after treatment at 20 mg/kg SC 89% of worms were dead within three days. R7/45 was not active when given by stomach intubation. Pretreatment of jirds with R7/45 had no effect on adult worms subsequently implanted into jirds. R7/45 was highly active against third and fourth stage larvae of B. pahangi in jirds.     

Detection of antibodies in Brugia pahangi-infected cats by counter immunoelectrophoresis, indirect fluorescent antibody test and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

In cats infected with Brugia pahangi, antibodies first appeared against the larvae (L3), then against the adults (L5) and the microfilariae (mf). Homologous antigens were better than antigens prepared from heterologous species (Dirofilaria immitis, Dipetalonema viteae, Litomosoides carinii and Onchocerca gutturosa) in detecting antibodies to B. pahangi in the infected cats by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Metabolic products of L5, but not L3 or mf, of B. pahangi were antigenic and were used in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of antibodies. Using various homologous antigens, IFAT was found to be more sensitive than counter immunoelectrophoresis and ELISA in the detection of antibodies in the infected cats. The best antigen was cryosections of L3, with a positivity rate of 81%. However, using L3, L5 and mf antigens in IFAT, a total positivity of 97% was obtained.     

Clonality disguises the vulnerability of a threatened arid zone Acacia

Long‐lived, widespread plant species are expected to be genetically diverse, reflecting the interaction between large population sizes, overlapping generations, and gene flow. Such species are thought to be resilient to disturbance, but may carry an extinction debt due to reproductive failure. Genetic studies of Australian arid zone plant species suggest an unusually high frequency of asexuality, polyploidy, or both. A preliminary AFLP genetic study implied that the naturally fragmented arid zone tree, Acacia carneorum, is almost entirely dependent on asexual reproduction through suckering, and stands may have lacked genetic diversity and interconnection even prior to the onset of European pastoralism. Here we surveyed microsatellite genetic variation in 20 stands to test for variation in life histories and further assessed the conservation status of the species by comparing genetic diversity within protected stands in National Parks and disturbed range lands. Using herbarium records, we estimate that 219 stands are extant, all of which occur in the arid zone, west of the Darling River in southeastern Australia. With two exceptions, all surveyed stands comprised only one multilocus genet and at least eight were putatively polyploid. Although some stands comprise thousands of stems, our findings imply that the species as a whole may represent ~240 distinct genetic individuals, many of which are polyploid, and most are separated by >10 km of unsuitable habitat. With only 34% of stands (and therefore genets) occurring within conservation reserves, A. carneorum may be at much greater risk of extinction than inferred from on‐ground census data. Land managers should prioritize on‐ground preservation of the genotypes within existing reserves, protecting both vegetative suckers and seedlings from herbivory. Importantly, three stands are known to set viable seed and should be used to generate genetically diverse germ‐plasm for ex situ conservation, population augmentation, or translocation.     

Long-term platinum retention after treatment with cisplatin and oxaliplatin

Background  

The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term platinum retention in patients treated with cisplatin and oxaliplatin.