Role of the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries' Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) in the 2007 equine influenza emergency animal disease response

A Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) was used to manage the laboratory data and support planning and field activities as part of the response to the equine influenza outbreak in Australia in 2007. The database structure of the LIMS and the system configurations that were made to best handle the laboratory implications of the disease response are discussed. The operational aspects of the LIMS and the related procedures used at the laboratory to process the increased sample throughput are reviewed, as is the interaction of the LIMS with other corporate systems used in the management of the response. Outcomes from this tailored configuration and operation of the LIMS resulted in effective provision and control of the laboratory and laboratory information aspects of the response. The extent and immediate availability of the information provided from the LIMS was critical to some of the activities of key operatives involved in controlling the response.

Dermatitis, branchitis and mortality in empire gudgeon Hypseleotris compressa exposed naturally to runoff from acid sulfate soils

Severe dermatitis and branchitis are described in a wild population of empire gudgeon Hypseleotris compressa, an Australian eleotrid, exposed naturally to runoff from acid sulfate soils (ASS) in a drained estuarine embayment in eastern Australia. After at least 2 d exposure to pH < 4, and up to 7 d exposure to pH < 6, approximately 50% of the fish sampled had moderate to severe diffuse epidermal hyperplasia, usually at scale margins, and scattered areas of moderate to severe, focal to locally extensive, subacute, necrotising dermatitis. Saprolegnia spp. had invaded epidermis in some inflamed areas. In gills, there was moderate to severe hyperplasia and necrosis of secondary lamellar epithelium, with fusion of adjacent secondary lamellae. Inorganic monomeric aluminium and calcium concentrations in water at the site during the event were 27.7 and 16.6 mg l(-1), respectively. Large numbers of empire gudgeons at the study site had died after at least 8 d exposure to pH < 4, and up to 13 d exposure to pH < 6. These findings provide clear evidence that acidification of estuarine systems by runoff from ASS has deleterious effects on aquatic biota. Furthermore, study findings suggest a mechanism whereby lesions of epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS) may be initiated in estuarine fishes by a combination of sublethal exposure to ASS runoff and Aphanomyces invadans infection, a suggestion consistent with the geographic and temporal distribution of EUS outbreaks in Australian estuaries.

Histopathology and immunohistochemistry of bats infected by Australian bat lyssavirus

OBJECTIVE

To describe the lesions and distribution of viral antigens in bats infected by Australian bat lyssavirus.

DESIGN

A retrospective histopathological and immunohistochemical study of bats naturally infected with the virus.

PROCEDURE

Tissues from 37 infected bats were examined. Nineteen flying foxes (fruit bats) and two insectivorous bats were examined in detail. Brains of another 16 flying foxes were poorly fixed and were examined less fully.

RESULT

Lesions varied considerably between individuals and, where present, were mostly those of nonsuppurative meningoencephalomyelitis and ganglioneuritis similar to lesions seen in rabies and rabies-like diseases. The number of cells with intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies (Negri bodies) was variable; none were seen in some bats. Intracytoplasmic vacuolation of neurons was a common finding. Lesions occurred throughout the central nervous system but were most frequent and severe in the hippocampus, thalamus and midbrain, and medulla oblongata and pons. Indirect immunoperoxidase tests for lyssavirus antigen reactions varied in intensity and distribution, but also occurred mostly in the hippocampus, thalamus and midbrain, and medulla oblongata and pons. In peripheral tissues, reactions were seen in autonomic ganglia, in nerve plexuses of the gastrointestinal tract, in nervous tissues within muscles and immediately adjacent to individual muscle fibres, in an adrenal medulla, and in epithelial tissues in one of eight salivary glands examined.

CONCLUSION

The main lesion in Australian bat lyssavirus infection is nonsuppurative inflammation similar to that seen in rabies and other rabies-like diseases, except that the number of Negri bodies is more variable. Reactions to immunoperoxidase tests for lyssavirus vary in intensity and distribution and may occur in both central and peripheral nervous systems. These reactions do not always occur in the salivary glands, even if brain infection is present.

Responses in milk production to control of gastrointestinal nematode and paramphistome parasites in dairy cattle

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of treating naturally acquired gastrointestinal nematode and paramphistome infections on milk production in dairy cattle.

DESIGN

A field trial.

ANIMALS

One thousand two hundred and thirty nine dairy cows.

PROCEDURE

Cows were either not treated or treated with 4.5 mg/kg oxfendazole, 16.6 mg/kg oxyclozanide or 4.5 mg/kg oxfendazole and 16.6 mg/kg oxyclozanide in March, May and August.

RESULTS

A significant increase in milk production, averaging 0.4 L (SE 0.2) per day, was seen when dairy cows infected with gastrointestinal nematodes and paramphistomes were treated with oxfendazole or oxfendazole and oxyclozanide in March, May and August. Cows treated with oxyclozanide alone at these times produced no more milk than untreated cows. Faecal egg counts confirmed that oxyclozanide treatment reduced paramphistome populations and oxfendazole treatment reduced nematode populations in cows over the 7-month monitoring period.

CONCLUSION

When dairy cows infested with gastrointestinal nematodes and paramphistomes were treated with oxfendazole alone or oxfendazole and oxyclozanide in March, May and August milk production increased.

Internal sphincterotomy in post-pull-through Hirschsprung's disease

Despite proper technique, pull-through operations for Hirschsprung's disease sometimes fail to deliver normal or effective bowel evacuation. Ten patients, described herein, had had a pull-through procedures. The procedures had been performed by various pediatric surgeons. Five cases had been diagnosed in the newborn period and had undergone colostomies. The remainder had been diagnosed later (at 2 months to 2 years of age). They too had undergone colostomy initially, and all had an elective pull-through procedure. The techniques varied; two had Soave procedures, seven had Duhamel procedures, and one had a Kimura-Soave procedure (the only case of total colonic Hirschsprung's disease in the series). All the patients had manifested difficulty in passing stools after the pull-throughs. The problem was described as "severe constipation," "obstipation," or "fecal retention." Four patients had been treated with many laxatives, suppositories, enema routines, and diet regimens for years, with no success. All had been examined radiographically to detect megarectum or megacolon. All had additional biopsies to confirm the presence of ganglia in the pulled-through segments. At 21 months to 12 years of age, these patients underwent full posterior internal sphincterotomies. Nine of the 10 had a good or excellent outcome, with resolution of the megarectum or megacolon. Three patients still require small doses of senna compound, which are being decreased continuously. Therapy failed for a patient with Down's syndrome and a, Duhamel pull-through, and a stoma was required.

Splanchnic artery pseudo-aneurysms secondary to blunt abdominal trauma in children

Traumatic splanchnic artery pseudo-aneurysms are uncommon; only two cases have been reported among the pediatric population. The authors describe their experience with four patients in whom splanchnic artery pseudoaneurysms developed after blunt abdominal trauma. Splenic artery pseudo-aneurysms were found in a 6-year-old boy and an 8-year-old girl after blunt splenic injuries. In both cases, spontaneous thrombosis of the pseudo-aneurysms occurred after a period of observation. Hepatic artery pseudoaneurysms were found in a 7-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl after major liver lacerations. The boy had successful angiographic embolization of the lesion, but the girl required direct ligation of the pseudo-aneurysm after nearly exsanguinating from acute hemorrhage. All four children have recovered completely, with no long-term sequelae. Traumatic splanchnic artery pseudo-aneurysms are potentially life-threatening complications that can occur after blunt abdominal trauma. The investigation and management of these lesions must be individualized according to the clinical scenario.

'Pilonidal appendicitis' or 'the hair of the dog': an unusual case of foreign body perforation of the appendix

Perforation is common in the young preschool child who has appendicitis, and can occur as the result of an ingested foreign body. A variety of objects have been incriminated. The present report describes a case in which the appendiceal wall was pierced by a stiff canine hair.

Encephalitis caused by a Lyssavirus in fruit bats in Australia

This report describes the first pathologic and immunohistochemical recognition in Australia of a rabies-like disease in a native mammal, a fruit bat, the black flying fox (Pteropus alecto). A virus with close serologic and genetic relationships to members of the Lyssavirus genus of the family Rhabdoviridae was isolated in mice from the tissue homogenates of a sick juvenile animal.

Necrotizing fasciitis in childhood

Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare entity in the pediatric population. Five cases of this soft tissue infection were treated at the authors' institution between January and December 1993. Three of the children were profoundly neutropenic secondary to chemotherapy. All five were treated with aggressive surgical debridement, frequent dressing changes, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and nutritional support. In addition, the patients with neutropenia received a combination of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor and granulocyte transfusions. One child died of overwhelming sepsis and bone marrow graft failure. The others eventually made a complete recovery. Necrotizing fasciitis may be becoming a more common problem in children. Aggressive chemotherapeutic regimens and more frequent use of bone marrow transplantation could be a factor in this. Early diagnosis and aggressive surgical therapy is critical. However, mortality may be significant, especially in patients with neutropenia. Leukocyte response to the infection may be a prognostic marker. Pseudomonas and enteric gram-negative organisms are seen frequently in immunocompromised children with necrotizing fasciitis. Antimicrobial selection should supply adequate coverage of these organisms.

Morbidity in neurologically impaired children after percutaneous endoscopic versus Stamm gastrostomy

Neurologically impaired children frequently require a feeding gastrostomy. Few reports are available comparing the incidence of postoperative complications and symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux after endoscopic versus operative Stamm gastrostomy in this group of children. We undertook a retrospective study of 63 consecutive neurologically impaired children requiring a feeding gastrostomy, with an average of 23 months of follow-up. No child had symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux. Thirty children had a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy and 33 had a Stamm gastrostomy, depending on the preference of the surgeon. The two groups were comparable in age range, cause of neurologic impairment, and indication for gastrostomy. Minor complications occurred in 30%. All three major complications occurred after Stamm gastrostomy, including two postoperative deaths. Symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux developed in 60%. The incidence of fundoplication after gastrostomy was 10% in the percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy group and 39% after Stamm gastrostomy (p < .025). Morbidity was lower after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy than after Stamm gastrostomy in this group of neurologically impaired children. Fundoplication for symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux was infrequent after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy and significantly more common after Stamm gastrostomy. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is recommended as the initial procedure in neurologically impaired children without symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux who require a feeding gastrostomy.

Obstructive jaundice caused by neuroblastoma managed with temporary cholecystostomy tube

Neuroblastoma presenting as obstructive jaundice is very rare. The authors present two cases of neuroblastoma, one primary and one recurrent, manifesting as a malignant obstruction of the extrahepatic biliary system. Various methods of biliary decompression were considered in these children including transhepatic or retrograde biliary stenting and internal cholecystoenteric bypass. An attempt at percutaneous transhepatic stent placement failed in one case. In each patient, a simple insertion of a cholecystostomy tube proved effective. Immediately postoperatively, both patients had rapid resolution in symptoms and a decrease in bilirubin levels. Transient mild cholangitis in both children was successfully treated with antibiotics. Chemotherapy reduced the tumor size in each case, and the cholecystostomy tubes were removed within 3 weeks, after cholangiography showed patency of the distal common bile ducts. Temporary cholecystostomy tube drainage and systemic chemotherapy proved to be a safe, simple, and effective method for managing obstructive jaundice caused by neuroblastoma in these two cases.

Children with acute abdominal pain. Taking a reasonable approach

Dealing with children with acute abdominal pain is often difficult for family physicians. This article attempts to set out a reasonable, step-progressive, and logical approach to this clinical situation. Emphasis is placed on the practical aspects of the situation and the need for the child to be involved in the examination.

Vetch toxicosis in cattle grazing Vicia villosa ssp dasycarpa and V benghalensis

The epidemiological, clinical and pathological features of a disease syndrome in adult cattle grazing woolly-pod vetch (Vicia villosa ssp dasycarpa) or popany vetch (V benghalensis) are reported. Outbreaks of toxicosis occurred between midwinter and midsummer in 3 dairy and 6 beef herds on the north coast of New South Wales, between 1982 and 1992. Friesian, Angus, Murray Grey, Guernsey and Hereford breeds were affected. Mean morbidity and case fatality rates in affected herds were 7% (65 of 889) and 69%, respectively. Signs of pruritic dermatitis, illthrift and death were associated with an eosinophilic granulomatous inflammation of many organs, particularly involving the renal cortex, dermis, myocardium, adrenal glands, lymph nodes and hepatic portal triads.

Long term survival of an infant with sirenomelia

We report on a 3-month-old infant whose sirenomelia was diagnosed prenatally. The infant is neurologically normal and has "fusion" of the lower limbs with associated renal dysplasia, imperforate anus, pelvic and sacral "dysplasia," and genital abnormalities. In addition she has a preauricular skin tag and rib fusion. The infant's anomalies are compatible with life and surgical separation of the lower limbs is planned.

Rhabdomyosarcoma arising within congenital pulmonary cysts: report of three cases

Over the past 9 months, three cases of primary pulmonary rhabdomyosarcoma have been treated at British Columbia Children's Hospital. Two patients (aged 24 and 37 months) presented with spontaneous pneumothoraces and had cystic changes in the affected lung on chest radiograph. The third patient (aged 42 months) was evaluated for chronic cough, fever, and failure to thrive. Chest x-ray showed a large mass in the left lower lobe as well as mediastinal adenopathy. All three of these lesions originated within congenital lung cysts, one a peripheral bronchogenic cyst and the others cystic adenomatoid malformations. This report suggests that there is a significant risk for the development of rhabdomyosarcoma within malformed pulmonary tissue.

The bowel management tube: an effective means for controlling fecal incontinence

Regular bowel washout enemas have been used as a method of management of fecal incontinence. The effective administration of a washout enema to a child with weak anal sphincters is often a problem. Using a new silastic balloon-tipped enema catheter (bowel management tube [BMT]) of our design, we prospectively studied its effectiveness in a group of children who suffered fecal incontinence. Thirty-one children were studied over a 1-year period. Their diagnoses included meningomyelocele (19), postoperative Hirschsprung's disease or imperforate anus (10), and other (2). Before and after starting the BMT enema system, clinical assessment and a diary, which graded the degree of fecal incontinence and satisfaction with the system, were completed. Five patients failed to benefit because of noncompliance (3) or balloon extrusion (2). Three more patients discontinued the use of the tube system. Twenty-three patients achieved successful results with this system as evidenced by a significant amelioration in their fecal incontinence and their unwillingness to give up the use of the BMT. We conclude that the use of a regular washout enemas with BMT can be an effective method for control of fecal incontinence in children.

The treatment of simultaneous choriocarcinoma in mother and baby

Simultaneous occurrence of choriocarcinoma in mother and child is rare. Such a case is described in which a massive intrahepatic tumor in the infant led to its treatment and that of the mother who showed evidence of the same tumor. Both are alive and well 1 year after treatment, the longest recorded infant survival.

Sirenomelia: case of the surviving mermaid

This report describes a neonate with sirenomelia who was recently treated at British Columbia Children's Hospital. Prenatal diagnosis was made at 29 weeks' gestation. Survival was not anticipated. Cesarean-section at term showed a live 2,375-g infant with excellent Apgar scores. Anomalies noted were fused lower extremities, imperforate anus, colon atresia, bilateral fused pelvic kidneys with renal dysplasia, pelvic and sacral dysplasia, and genital abnormalities. Laparotomy and colostomy were performed. All other anomalies are compatible with life and she is neurologically normal. Eventual separation of the lower extremities is planned. This is the second reported case of survival in a patient born with sirenomelia.

Coagulopathy associated with large sacrococcygeal teratomas

Twelve neonates with sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) have been treated at British Columbia Children's Hospital over the past 5 years. Clinically significant coagulopathy developed in four of these neonates and two died, one before surgical intervention could be undertaken. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) was found in one patient and thrombocytopenia in another on preoperative laboratory studies. Etiology of the coagulopathy is unclear, but appears to be multifactorial. Although several clinical reviews have noted mortalities due to exsanguinating hemorrhage, no study has focused solely on this issue. The diagnosis of SCT in the neonate at high risk for development of coagulopathy is usually made prenatally. Premature labor is often precipitated by associated polyhydramnios and large tumor size. Fetal distress, prematurity, and low birth weight are common. Presence of placentamegaly, hydrops fetalis, and congestive heart failure are ominous prognostic signs. Early identification of patients at increased risk for development of hemorrhagic complications may allow optimization of their management. Cesarean section should minimize trauma to the SCT during delivery. Expeditious resection of the lesion may improve survival.

Production responses to internal parasite control in dairy cattle

A significant increase in milk production, averaging 164 litres per cow per lactation (a 4.8% increase), was seen after cows infected with gastrointestinal nematodes, paramphistomes and Fasciola hepatica were treated with broad-spectrum anthelmintics. Three hundred and ninety pairs of cows from eight herds with year-round calving were studied. One cow in each matched pair was given 7.5 mg/kg fenbendazole, 7.5 mg/kg levamisole hydrochloride and 15 mg/kg oxyclozanide in March, May and August of one year; the other cow in the pair received no anthelmintic. The number of nematode and trematode eggs was significantly decreased in the faeces of treated cows.

The use of cardiopulmonary bypass and circulatory arrest in the resection of massive tumors

This report describes our experience in five cases, removing a massive soft tissue tumor by means of placing the patient on cardiopulmonary bypass, with profound hypothermia and circulatory arrest. This technique allowed consideration to be given to the resection of tumors previously adjudged "inoperable."

Enterocolitis in cattle associated with Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection

A syndrome in cattle of diarrhoea and death associated with enteric Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection is described. Outbreaks occurred during winter and early spring in adult cattle grazing pastures waterlogged by recent flooding or persistent heavy rain. Antibiotic therapy was effective early in the course of the syndrome. At necropsy there was severe acute enterocolitis, and bacteria consistent with Y. pseudotuberculosis were observed in the lesions. This organism could usually be isolated from the intestines of affected animals but was recovered less often from other organs. Representative isolates were identified as Y. pseudotuberculosis serotype III. The association of this syndrome with waterlogged pastures and low temperatures suggests that these conditions favour transmission of Y. pseudotuberculosis infection in cattle. The role of Y. pseudotuberculosis as primary pathogen requires confirmation.

Fundoplication and pediatric esophageal manometry: actuarial analysis over 7 years

Sixty-one children and infants who had significant gastroesophageal reflux and associated complications underwent 73 surgical procedures to control the reflux. In order to evaluate the procedure, several esophageal manograms were obtained from each patient, before, during, and after the operation. Delayed follow-up reports were also obtained from follow-up visits, letter and telephone contact, in order to assess how the patient had progressed. The results were evaluated by actuarial analytic methods. Ninety-four percent of the patients remained alive over the 7-year follow-up period. At the completion of the seventh year, 62% of these patients (actuarially calculated) remained event free. All events occurred within 18 months of surgery. One patient could not be traced at long-term follow-up, which was therefore 92% complete. The 7-year actuarial probability of failure of the fundoplication at this institution is 24% when performed using this technique in these patients. These findings support that manometric calibration of the antireflux procedure tends to give uniform results in pediatric patients, but, compared with other published series has not proved to be superior to procedures that employ only a rubber bougie in the esophagus as an obdurator to prevent a repair that will be too tight.

The emerging pattern of pediatric day-care surgery

The utilization of short stay surgical facilities is increasing and indications for day-care surgery for children are becoming more diverse. These trends were observed in a review of day-care surgery performed at British Columbia Children's Hospital during the years 1982 to 1986. During 1984 and 1985, 688 hernia repairs were undertaken, as were 76 anorectal procedures such as anal fistulotomy, drainage of abscesses, etc. In addition, 127 orchidopexies were performed, which indicated a 40% increase when compared with earlier years. Further procedures included the excision of 38 branchial cleft anomalies and 17 salivary gland lesions, as well as the performance of 95 tracheobronchial endoscopies including the removal of 25 foreign bodies. Head and neck and endoscopic procedures now represent 21% of all general surgery day care cases, and have increased by 50% since 1982. Thirty-six children (1.6%) initially brought in for day care surgery required actual admission to the hospital for such reasons as (1) the procedure being more complex than initially anticipated (15 patients); (2) hemorrhage (5 patients); or (3) postanesthetic concern (11 patients). Two thirds of the anesthetic complications were in infants less than 3 months of age. A special subgroup of high-risk infants were identified--the previous premature less than 52 weeks conceptual age. In our opinion, infants who are less than 3 months of age, especially if born prematurely, should be admitted to the hospital for surgery.

Perianal rhabdomyosarcoma: report of a case in an infant

Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common childhood sarcoma, whereas, primary pararectal rhabdomyosarcoma is very rare. To date, four pediatric and eight adult cases have been reported. In children, the tumor presents as a perianal polypoid mass, often initially misdiagnosed. Formerly a very lethal sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma is now treated with combined surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, with encouraging results.

The occurrence of the snail Lymnaea columella on grazing areas in New South Wales and studies on its susceptibility to Fasciola hepatica

Field surveys were carried out in the Lismore and Casino area for the presence of fresh water snails potentially responsible for the transmission of trematodes in ruminants. Although the North American snail, Lymnaea columella has previously only been reported from metropolitan areas, large populations of the snail were found east of Lismore. Natural infection with F. hepatica was detected in some of the snails and laboratory studies showed that this snail species was highly susceptible to infection with miracidia of F. hepatica and produced viable metacercariae. Three species of planorbid snails, Helicorbis australiensis, Pygmanisus pelorius and Gyraulus gilberti were also found. The first 2 planorbid species were infected with paramphistomid cercariae.

Sudden cerebral death in malignant presacral teratoma

A three-year-old girl with disseminated malignant teratoma was treated by palliative radiotherapy to her pulmonary metastases. She developed seizure followed by absence of cerebral function and death ensued in 36 hours. Computerized scan of brain was negative prior to death. The main finding at autopsy was occlusion of the carotid and cerebral arteries by necrotic tumour. Widespread cerebral tumour embolization may be an unusual terminal event in cancer patients with pulmonary metastases.

Seasonal availability of nematode larvae on pastures grazed by cattle in New South Wales

Trends in the numbers of infective menatode larvae on pasture plots contaminated by cattle at different seasons of the year were defined in 3 different climatic regions. The main nematodes were Ostertagia ostertagi, Trichostrongylus spp, Haemonchus spp and Cooperia spp. On the North Coast of New South Wales with a sub-tropical climate, the numbers of infective larvae of all 4 nematodes rose rapidly to peak levels soon after each seasonal period of contamination began, then fell quickly within a few months. On the Central Coast of New South Wales, the trends were similar to those on the North Coast, except that the larvae persisted on the pasture for a much longer time. On the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, where temperatures were much colder than on the coast, larval development was slower and major peaks of larval availability did not occur until early spring. These different seasonal trends in each region were considered to be related to the climatic differences between the regions. On pastures which were contaminated continuously, larval numbers reached maximum levels in mid-winter on the Central Coast and in early spring on the Northern Tablelands. It was concluded that the majority of these larvae were derived from the contamination of pastures in autumn and winter. Subsequently in summer, a rapid dying out of larvae was observed in all the regions, probably due to the effect of hotter weather. The studies suggest that a reduction in the contamination of pasture with nematode eggs in autumn and winter could result in pastures carrying fewer larvae and thus form the basis of effective worm control programs for cattle.

Seasonal changes in the structure of nematode populations of cattle in New South Wales in relation to inhibited larval development

Pasture plots in 3 climatic regions were contaminated with worm eggs of Ostertagia ostertagi, Trichostrongylus axei, Haemonchus spp and Cooperia spp in the autumn, winter and spring. Successive pairs of parasite-free calves were grazed on the plots for 7 to 10 days at 4-week intervals and then killed for worm counts 14 days after their removal from pasture. On the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, irrespective of the season of pasture contamination, the degree of inhibition of O. ostertagi was low in winter and highest in spring. T. axei showed similar trends while Cooperia spp showed negligible inhibition. On the North Coast of New South Wales, inhibited larvae accounted for a very small proportion of the O. ostertagi burdens, while in comparison T. axei showed a much greater degree of inhibition. Larval inhibition of Haemonchus spp occurred in autumn and early winter after which it did not occur. There was negliglible inhibition in Cooperia spp. On the Central Coast of New South Wales, there was little inhibition of O. ostertagi and none in T. axei. For Haemonchus spp, inhibited larvae were found mainly in autumn and winter. The numbers of inhibited Cooperia larvae were also highest in autumn and winter and were associated with large worm burdens. The marked difference between the tablelands and coastal regions in the seasonal trends of inhibition of O. ostertagi was considered to be due to a difference in strains between the geographical regions. The possible effect of climatic factors on the inhibition-proneness of infective larvae on pasture is discussed for Ostertagia and other nematodes. The roles of host resistance and density-dependence are also discussed.

Evaluation of an indirect fluorescent antibody test to diagnose Babesia equi infection in horses

An indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test for the diagnosis of Babesia equi infections was evaluated. Antigen prepared by conventional methods was of high quality in one instance and of lesser quality in a second when possible autofluorescence of the horse blood caused inconvenience in reading tests. Tests on 14 horses shown by parasitological means to be either infected (9) or uninfected (5) produced reactions at dilutions of 1/270 to 1/7290 for infected and at 1/10 to 1/90 for uninfected animals. The accuracy of the test was further demonstrated during investigations of 701 horses in 3 states of Australia. The 30 horses reacting at 1/270 to 1/2430 were from 33 imported to 3 different farms in Australia from a common source. Investigations of crossreactivity between B. equi and B. bovis of cattle suggested that B. bovis would not interfere with the test for B. equi, but that the reverse was possible.

Surgical treatment of congenital defects in the abdominal wall

A series of 28 patients is presented with the two conditions of omphalocoele and gastroschisis treated over a five-year period . Improved survival can be obtained by the use of staged procedures with a silastic prosthesis plus intravenous alimentation with later definitive operation. If peripheral veins are used, serious complications are almost totally avoided. This combined form of therapy is the treatment of choice in infants with massive defects in the abdominal wall.

The use of supplementary tests in the serological diagnosis of bovine brucellosis

Comparative tests were carried out on serum samples using the Rose Bengal test (RBT), the complement fixation test (CFT), the antibovine globulin test (ABGT) by tube, plate and rapid variants, the mercaptoethanol test (MET) and the dithiothreitol test (DTT). Forty cows, from which Br. abortus had been recovered, gave strong reactions in all tests except for 2 cows in the SAT and 3 cows in the DTT Another group of 405 cows had not yielded Br. abortus on limited bacteriological examination. There was good correlation between the results of the CFT, RBT, tube ABGT, rapid ABGT and, to a lesser extent, the MET in cows with a CF titre greater than or equal to 16 or less than 4. In cows with CF titres of 8 the correlation was not as good while cows with a CF titre of 4 gave a wide range of reactions in these supplementary tests. A plate variant of the ABGT gave titres which were generally lower, by about 1 dilution, than those in the tube procedure. The results of the rapid ABGT correlated well with the results of the tube ABGT and the CFT in samples of high and low titre but not as well in samples of intermediate titre. The DTT gave titres which were usually lower than the corresponding MET titre. On the basis of the results obtained, tentative standards for the interpretation of the ABGT (tube) and MET were defined. It was concluded that these tests could be used to elucidate the status of a proportion of the cows which gave inconclusive results in the CFT.