A diagnostic PCR assay was designed based on conserved regions of previously sequenced densovirus genomic DNA isolated from mosquitoes. Application of this assay to different insect cell lines resulted in a number of cases of consistent positive amplification of the predicted size fragment. Positive PCR results were subsequently confirmed to correlate with densovirus infection by both electron microscopy and indirect fluorescent antibody test. In each case the nucleotide sequence of the amplified PCR fragments showed high identity to previously reported densoviruses isolated from mosquitoes. Phylogenetic analysis based on these sequences showed that two of these isolates were examples of new densoviruses. These viruses could infect and replicate in mosquitoes when administered orally or parenterally and these infections were largely avirulent. In one virus/mosquito combination vertical transmission to progeny was observed. The frequency with which these viruses were detected would suggest that they may be quite common in insect cell lines.The family Parvoviridae is currently split into two subfamilies, the Parvorininae and the Densovirinae. Members of the first subfamily infect a wide range of vertebrates and are well characterized; in contrast, members of the genus Densovirus (DNV), subfamily Densovirinae, infect only arthropods and relatively little is known of their biology. DNVs are typically small autonomous DNA viruses characterized by the presence of inverted terminal repeat sequences and the separate encapsidation of complementary single-stranded DNA. Two subgroups (I and II) of the insect DNVs have been proposed recently, based primarily on information obtained from lepidopteran isolates (Tijssen & Arella, 1991). According to this classification, Group I DNVs are characterized by a 6 kb genome and code their structural and non-structural proteins from separate strands; they infect all cells of the insect except those of the midgut. Group II DNVs are smaller, 4.9 kb, are thought to code all their proteins from one strand and, in contrast to their Group I counterparts, only infect insect midgut cells. All described DNVs have narrow host ranges, infecting only closely related insects (Buchatsky, 1989).

Congenital imperforate hymen is probably the most common obstructive anomaly of the female reproductive tract. The accumulation of fluid in the genital tract leads to a distended uterus and vagina, causing hydrometrocolpos. Prenatal diagnosis of fetal hydrometrocolpos is uncommon, with only 22 cases reported in the literature and only a few cases of prenatal imaging of this condition available to date. The main ultrasound finding is a fetal pelvic mass posterior to the bladder and anterior to the rectum. We present the case of a 37-week female fetus with a fetal pelvic mass detected in a routine obstetric ultrasound examination, and the correlation between the prenatal and postnatal findings.

Management of paracetamol overdose (POD) is common in the emergency department (ED) and forms part of the clinical effectiveness audit programme of the British Association for Emergency Medicine. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) infusion regimens for the treatment of POD are complicated and prescribing and administration errors have been well documented. This study assessed the ability of doctors and nurses to calculate correct doses using manual calculation skills and a weightbased NAC dosing chart when prescribing and preparing NAC infusions. With manual calculations, errors were made by doctors and nurses in 26% of cases collectively. No errors were made using the dosing chart. The dosing chart ensured 100% accuracy in dose calculations, which may translate into improved patient safety.T reatment of paracetamol overdose (POD) with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) prevents hepatic failure. Suboptimal treatment may adversely affect patient outcome. NAC infusion regimens require complex calculations to be made by both prescribers and nurses preparing infusions. 1Errors with intravenous medicines requiring multiple step preparation or complex calculations have been highlighted.2 3 The use of dosing charts to prevent medication errors associated with complex calculations has been proposed by the Department of Health as a risk reduction strategy. 4 Typically, doses of NAC, diluent fluids and their volumes and durations of infusions are prescribed by doctors on intravenous infusion charts. In the UK, the preparation and administration of parenteral treatment is usually performed by trained nurses who calculate volumes of a 20% NAC solution (ParvolexH) required to prepare infusions based on doctors' prescriptions. When preparing NAC infusions, calculation errors have resulted in doses varying by more than 50% from the intended dose. 4 In 2005, there were 112 000 attendances to our emergency department (ED). Approximately 80 patients per month presented with a POD and 25% of these were treated with NAC. The infrequency with which NAC dose and volume calculations are performed in our department may increase the risk of medication errors. Most NAC prescribing for POD is initiated in EDs where pharmacists do not routinely check prescriptions or drug administration to ensure safe medicine use. Incorrect prescriptions for NAC infusions initiated in the ED have been identified and corrected by pharmacists when patients have been reviewed following admission to wards.The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of doses and volumes calculated manually by ED staff when prescribing and preparing NAC infusion regimens with those derived from a weight-based NAC dosing chart. METHODSA weight-based NAC dosing chart (fig 1), based on the standard treatment regimen for POD in adults (http:// www.spib.axl.co.uk; http://emc.medicines.org.uk/emc/industry/ default.asp?page = displaydoc.asp&documentid = 1127), 5 was designed by pharmacists in conjunction with ED practitioners. Doctors and nurses of all grades involved in NAC prescribing and administrat...

The subgroups and serotypes of 178 strains of rotavirus isolated from diarrheic and healthy children in Bangui, Central African Republic, during a 27-month period were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The subgroup was determined for 152 of the viral strains, 18.4% being subgroup I and 81.6% being subgroup Il. Of the 143 strains which could be serotyped, 71.3% were serotype 1, 15.4% were serotype 2, and 13.3% were serotype 3. Serotypes 1 and 3 were detected throughout the study, while serotype 2 was detected only during 8 months. No serotype exhibited any special epidemiological properties. The serotypes were found to consist of three different electrophoretypes, two long ones (A and B) and a short one (C). All subgroup 1, serotype 2 strains presented short electrophoretypes. Strains with identical long electrophoretypes A were either serotype 1 or serotype 3.

The gross and histopathologic lesions observed in a case of spontaneous proximal aortic dissection (dissecting aortic aneurysm) in a mature ostrich are reported. At necropsy, a dissecting intramural hematoma was seen in the proximal aorta, extended about 12 cm distally from the aortic valves. Histopathologic changes in aortic dissection included fragmentation and disruption of elastic laminae, presence of cystic extracellular spaces, and pooling of ground substance in the tunica media. Hepatic copper levels were measured, and the low concentration found suggested that a copper deficiency together with other risk factors such as the elevation of blood pressure may have been implicated in the development of the aortic dissection seen in this ostrich.