This analysis demonstrates for the first time that, used in a stepwise fashion, ciprofloxacin and leflunomide are effective and safe treatments for BK viremia in PRTR.

The gastrointestinal tracts, lungs, urinary bladders, and body cavities of Rana catesbeiana (n = 25), Rana chiricahuensis (n = 25), and Rana yavapaiensis (N = 37) from Arizona were examined for helminths. Helminths representing 9 species of trematodes: Cephalogonimus brevicirrus, Glypthelmins quieta, Gorgoderina attenuata, Haematoloechus complexus, Haematoloechus langiplexus, Megalodiscus temperatus, Alaria sp., Clinostomum sp., and an unidentified strigeid; and 4 species of nematodes: Falcaustra catesbeianae, Rhabdias ranae, Physaloptera sp., and an unidentified ascarid were found. The helminth fauna of introduced R. catesbeiana differed markedly from that of native ranids. Helminths of R. chiricahuensis and R. yavapaiensis represent new host records. Arizona is a new locality record for C. brevicirrus, G. attenuata, H. complexus, H. longiplexus, M. temperatus, and R. ranae.

Allergic reactions to steroids are rare, but are becoming more commonly recognized by clinicians. Although many reactions are thought to be IgE mediated, most are adverse drug reactions caused by nonallergic mechanisms, some related to additives in the steroid preparation being administered. Provocative challenge with the suspected offending agent, serologic tests for allergen-specific IgE, and skin testing are the most reliable methods for assessing hypersensitivity to steroids, although none is infallible. Therapeutic options for patients with documented steroid allergy include the use of alternative steroid preparations, desensitization, and, possibly, the use of monoclonal anti-IgE antibodies.

The gastrointestinal tracts of gekkonid lizards from Guam (Gehyra mutilata [n = 4], Gehyra oceanica [n = 11], Hemidactylus frenatus [n = 43], and Lepidodactylus lugubris [n = 38]) and Rota (Gehyra oceanica [n = 2], Hemidactylus frenatus [n = 13], and Lepidodactylus lugubris [N = 20] were examined for helminths. Found were 2 species of cestodes, Cylindrotaenia allisonae, Oochoristica javaensis, 1 species of trematode, Allopharynx macallisteri, and 5 species of nematodes, Pharyngodon lepidodactylus, Spauligodon gehyrae, Spauligodon hemidactylus, Skrjabinelazia machidai, Oswaldocruzia sp. New host records included Gehyra mutilata for Spauligodon hemidactylus, Gehyra oceanica for Oochoristica javaensis, Hemidactylus frenatus for Skrjabinelazia machidai, and Lepidodactylus lugubris for Cylindrotaenia allisonae and Oswaldocruzia sp. These helminths are known only from Pacific Islands and the Australian biogeographic realm.

From Hispaniola, an island in the West Indies, 6 species of anoles, Anolis cristatellus, Anolis etheridgei, Anolis eugenegrahami, Anolis hendersoni, Anolis monticola, and Anolis olssoni were examined for helminths. Helminths representing 2 species of trematodes, Mesocoelium monas and Urotrema scabridum; 1 species of cestode, Oochoristica maccoyi; 11 species of nematodes, Atractis scelopori, Oswaldocruzia lenteixeirai, Parapharyngodon cubensis, Skrjabinoptera leiocephalorum, Trichospirura teixeirai, Ascarops sp., Physocephalus sp., Porrocaecum sp., Rhabdias sp., Acuariidae gen. sp. and Cosmocercidae gen. sp.; and 1 species of acanthocephalan, Centrorhynchus sp., were found. Skrjabinoptera leiocephalorum, Ascarops sp., and Physocephalus sp. from A. cristatellus and all helminths recovered from the other 5 anole species represent new host records.

Component helminth communities of Aneides lugubris (N=31), Batrachoseps nigriventris (N=63), Ensatina eschscholtzii (N=30), and Taricha torosa (N=68) from California were determined. The compound helminth community consisted of 1 species of cestode, Bitegmen gerrhonoti and 6 species of nematodes, Batracholandros salamandrae, Cosmocercoides variabilis, Falcaustra pretiosa, Megalobatrachonema gigantica, Oswaldocruzia pipiens, and Rhabdias joaquinensis. The least diverse infracommunities were associated with Batrachoseps nigriventris while T. torosa had the most diverse fauna. Only B. salamandrae occurred in each of the 4 component communities. Each of the other helminth species was harbored by a single host species. New host records for B. salamandrae in B. nigriventris and T. torosa; O. pipiens in A. lugubris; C. variabilis in E. eschscholtzii; F. pretiosa and M. gigantica in T. torosa are established.

Four hundred and fifteen Anolis acutus from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands were examined for helminths. Three nematodes, Ascarops sp. (larvae), Parapharyngodon cubensis, and Spauligodon caymanensis, and 2 acanthocephalans, Centrorhynchus sp. and Oligacanthorhynchus sp. (cystacanths), were found. The highest prevalence (47%) and mean intensity (21.3) were recorded for S. caymanensis. Anolis acutus is a new host record for each of these helminth species.

No abstract