Faecal samples were collected from 324 pet reptiles showing no clinical signs, including 28 saurian species (n=192), three ophidian species (n=74) and three chelonian species (n=58). Samples were examined for the presence of intestinal parasites by direct smear and faecal flotation, while direct immunofluorescence assays were used to reveal the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts. Overall, 57.4 per cent of the reptiles were harbouring intestinal parasites. These included oxyurids (16 per cent), coccidia (12.3 per cent), flagellates (9.3 per cent), strongyles (6.8 per cent), coccidia plus oxyurids (4.9 per cent), coccidia plus flagellates (1.8 per cent), coccidia plus strongyles (1.8 per cent), oxyurids plus strongyles (1.2 per cent), oxyurids plus flagellates (1.2 per cent), Cryptosporidium species (1.2 per cent) and strongyles plus flagellates (0.6 per cent). Intestinal parasites were more prevalent in saurians than in ophidians and chelonians, in insectivores than in carnivores, omnivores and herbivores, and in wild-caught than in captive-born reptiles. A highly significant difference was observed for saurians versus chelonians (odds ratio [OR]=2.20, 95 per cent confidence interval [CI] 1.21 to 3.99), insectivores versus herbivores (OR=2.38, 95 per cent CI 1.26 to 4.49) and in wild-caught versus captive-born pet reptiles (OR=2.36, 95 per cent CI 1.27 to 4.40).

The efficacy of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in reducing the healing time of the cornea after an epikeratoplasty has been evaluated in an open study in two groups of patients. The time required for complete reepithelialization of the cornea was recorded, and the data obtained were analyzed statistically. In the EGF group the reepithelialization was significantly faster than in the control group. These results indicate that EGF is effective in reducing the reepithelialization time of the cornea after an epikeratoplasty.

Although novel therapies for chronic lymphocytic leukemia have resulted in higher hematologic response rates, the complete eradication of disease rarely occurs. Alemtuzumab (Campath-1H) seems to be extremely effective in this role in pretreated patients. The authors used a molecular semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method to assess the ability of alemtuzumab to induce PCR negativity in eight patients pretreated with fludarabine. IgH rearrangement was coamplified with a housekeeping gene and fluorescent PCR products were analyzed on a DNA automatic sequencer. Each patient was evaluated at diagnosis, after fludarabine, and after Campath-1H. The median interval between the last therapy course with fludarabine and the start of Campath-1H was 14 weeks. Patients received subcutaneous doses up to 10 mg, three times a week, for 12 weeks, with a median dose of 190 mg. After six cycles with fludarabine, only one patient (12.5%) achieved molecular remission, and in three other patients IgH levels decreased by 0.5 to 1 log. At the beginning of Campath-1H administration, all patients were PCR positive, including the one previously found to be negative. At the end of treatment, five patients achieved molecular remission (62.5%), four of them within 1 month after the end of therapy. Seventy-two percent of responses, with 43% of complete responses, were documented on bone marrow smears. A significant reduction of lymph node and spleen diameters was noted in 50% and 33% of patients, respectively. Four patients showed grade 2 skin reaction at the site of the subcutaneous injection and grade 1 or 2 fever. Two patients developed neutropenia (grade 2 and 3) and two hemolytic episodes. Three patients showed cytomegalovirus and one herpes zoster and Epstein-Barr virus reactivation. These results show that Campath-1H represents an efficacious in vivo purging tool with a safe profile.

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, et al.. Areas with high soil percolation by herbicides have higher incidence of low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphomas.