Guillain-Barré syndrome after rubella

A case of polyneuropathy (Guillain--Barré syndrome) developing only 6 days after rubella infection in a 26-year-old woman is described. Serological confirmation of the viral infection by detecting the specific IgM antibody has not been previously reported in any of the rubella cases associated with the syndrome.

[A comparison of the pathogenicity of two strains of Schistosoma mansoni in Cercopithecus aethiops monkeys in the Sudan]

A comparative study on the pathogenicity of two strains of Schistosoma mansoni one from Bor District and the other from the Gezira in the Sudan, using Cercopithecus aethiops monkeys as experimental hosts. The results, which were based on the assessment of various clinical, parasitological and pathological parameters, indicated that Bor strain was responsible for a more severe type of disease than its Gezira counterpart. Monkeys infected with Bor parasite generally revealed higher worm and egg loads, more marked changes in Hb content and body weight gain and more extensive lesions in the liver and two monkeys died.

In the Sudan, it has often been noted that the disease produced by Schistosoma mansoni, as observed among patients from Bor District in the Southern Region, is far more severe than that usually encountered in those from the Gezira in the northern part of the country. These two areas which are about 500 miles apart differ widely in their climate, indigenous population, and social and economic status. It has been suspected that differences in the pathogenicity of the local S. mansoni strains may be one of the important factors determining the clinical presentation of the disease. Accordingly, a comparison of these two strains was undertaken, using the green monkey, Cercopithecus aethiops, as an experimental model. These animals varied in their response to the schistosomal infection, irrespective of the strain used, but the group infected with the Bor strain generally suffered from a more severe illness than their counterparts infected with the Gezira form of the parasite. This was evidenced by the higher worm and egg loads, and consequently the more severe clinical and pathological effects shown by the former group.

Studies on heterologous immunity in schistosomiasis. 5. Heterologous schistosome immunity in sheep

Previous studies have shown that when cattle are exposed to cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni they develop considerable resistance to subsequent challenge with S. mattheei. The present study showed that when sheep are immunized with S. mansoni cercariae they too develop a marked resistance to subsequent challenge with S. mattheei. A small proportion of the immunizing cercariae reached maturity and a few viable S. mansoni eggs were found in the faeces of the sheep. The results of this experiment provide further evidence that heterologous immunity may be of significance in limiting the severity of schistosomiasis in both man and domestic animals in areas where animal and human schistosomes occur together.

Studies on heterologous immunity in schistosomiasis. 4. Heterologous schistosome immunity in cattle

Previous studies have shown that when mice and monkeys are infected with bovine schistosomes they develop a considerable degree of heterologous immunity against subsequent challenge with Schistosoma mansoni. The present report describes a study on the reverse effect in which calves were first exposed to cercariae of S. mansoni and then challenged with cercariae of S. mattheei. The calves developed patent infections with S. mansoni, excreting viable eggs in the faeces, and it is suggested that cattle may be a source of infection to man under natural conditions. The immunizing effect of exposure to S. mansoni was demonstrated by a reduction in the S. mattheei egg load and adult worm burden in the immunized, as compared with the control, animals. The results suggest that previous exposure of cattle to S. mansoni may reduce the severity of bovine schistosomiasis in endemic areas.