Catchment-scale rapid transfer of livestock pharmaceuticals under Mediterranean climate

Various pharmaceuticals are essential for livestock farming, but some are highly toxic to aquatic life if they reach surface water bodies. Mediterranean Climate is characterized by dry summers followed by intense autumn storms. We studied the effect of these climatic conditions on the risk of pharmaceutical residues transfer to streams at the catchment-scale. Pharmaceutical products routinely used in the study area, as well as their application frequency and season, were identified through interviews with farmers. As a proof a concept, three veterinary pharmaceuticals (Fenbendazole (FBZ), Mebendazole (MBZ) and Ivermectin (IVM)) were chosen as model chemicals based on their relatively high usage, their specificity to represent different types of livestock (swine, sheep and cattle), and their ability to be analyzed using the same analytical method. Stream water was analyzed during low flow periods and at high frequency (up to 2 h-1) during flood events. The selected veterinary pharmaceuticals were not detected during low flow, but FBZ and MBZ reached high concentrations for short periods during floods. Due to the event-driven nature of their transfer, a significant load of veterinary pharmaceuticals can reach the river and cause temporary but significant degradation of water quality (e.g. for FBZ, the water concentration reached up to 355 times the predicted no effect concentration (PNEC)). This indicates that special care should be taken to avoid keeping freshly treated livestock on pastures that may become hydrologically connected under wet conditions. In addition, it suggests that low-frequency monitoring is not sufficient to detect those high concentration levels that exist during very short periods.

Chlamydia psittaci endocarditis: a case report and literature review

OBJECTIVES

Blood-culture-negative infective endocarditis (BCNE) is found in 2 to 48% of cases of infective endocarditis (IE) [1].IE and vertebral osteomyelitis due to Chlamydia sp. are difficult to diagnose.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A case report of Chlamydia psittaci IE is provided, associated with a literature review.

RESULTS

We report the first case of Chlamydia psittaci IE, revealed by a spondylodiscitis. Questioning of the patient, imaging, serologies and PCR techniques on valves confirmed the diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

C. psittaci IE is rare but probably underdiagnosed. In case of negative blood cultures, questioning patients with IE about their contacts with animals is relevant. PCR techniques are reference tools for diagnosis confirmation when valve or vertebral samples are available.

Variations in the composition of low- and high-density lipoproteins during the acute phase of myocardial infarction

We analyzed correlations between apolipoprotein B (apo B), cholesterol and phospholipids (preponderant lipids) in low-density lipoproteins (LDL) as well as between apolipoprotein A1 (apo A1) and these same lipids in high-density lipoproteins (HDL), during the acute phase of myocardial infarction. In LDL, a very elevated and stable correlation (r) was observed between these parameters, and the coefficients of regression (b) did not differ significantly during the period studied. In HDL, there was a decrease in r and b values from day 1 to day 2, then an increase after day 2. We hypothesize that these disturbances in HDL composition may be due to a greater endocytosis of LDL at day 2, leading to intracellular increase in cholesterol and phospholipids. Part of these lipids could be taken up by HDL molecules, causing a transient overload.

Variations in the composition of low- and high-density lipoproteins during the acute phase of myocardial infarction

We analyzed correlations between apolipoprotein B (apo B), cholesterol and phospholipids (preponderant lipids) in low-density lipoproteins (LDL) as well as between apolipoprotein A1 (apo A1) and these same lipids in high-density lipoproteins (HDL), during the acute phase of myocardial infarction. In LDL, a very elevated and stable correlation (r) was observed between these parameters, and the coefficients of regression (b) did not differ significantly during the period studied. In HDL, there was a decrease in r and b values from day 1 to day 2, then an increase after day 2. We hypothesize that these disturbances in HDL composition may be due to a greater endocytosis of LDL at day 2, leading to intracellular increase in cholesterol and phospholipids. Part of these lipids could be taken up by HDL molecules, causing a transient overload.

Changes in magnesium, zinc and calcium in men and women after an acute myocardial infarction

The relations between different elements in acute myocardial infarction (MI) led us to determine erythrocyte (Erc) and/or plasma (Pl) concentrations of magnesium (Erc-Mg; Pl-Mg), zinc (Erc-Zn; Pl-Zn) and calcium (Pl-Ca) in 34 men and 8 women upon admission to hospital and then on days 2, 3, 6, 10 and 12. On day 1, these two groups were compared with 58 reference men or 53 reference women. The changes in the different variables from day 1 to day 12 were analyzed by one-way ANOVA. In MI men, from day 1 to day 12, all cations were significantly modified. In MI women, only Erc-Zn and Pl-Ca remained unchanged. In both populations, Pl-Mg, Erc-Mg and Pl-Zn increased significantly between day 1 and day 12.

Se, Zn, Mg, Ca, K, cholesterol, and creatine kinase concentrations in men during the 12 days after an acute myocardial infarction

We determined concentrations of selenium, zinc, magnesium, calcium, potassium, total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and total creatine kinase (EC 2.7.3.2) in plasma (P) and (or) erythrocytes (E) of 32 men at the time of hospital admission for acute myocardial infarction and then on subsequent days 2, 3, 6, 10, and 12. During these 12 days, only P-selenium and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations remained unchanged. For the other variables, individual comparison of means indicated the dates of significant changes in concentration (p less than 0.05).

Se, Zn, Mg, Ca, K, cholesterol, and creatine kinase concentrations in men during the 12 days after an acute myocardial infarction

We determined concentrations of selenium, zinc, magnesium, calcium, potassium, total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and total creatine kinase (EC 2.7.3.2) in plasma (P) and (or) erythrocytes (E) of 32 men at the time of hospital admission for acute myocardial infarction and then on subsequent days 2, 3, 6, 10, and 12. During these 12 days, only P-selenium and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations remained unchanged. For the other variables, individual comparison of means indicated the dates of significant changes in concentration (p less than 0.05).