To assess objectively the sensitivity and specificity of low-field-strength (0.064 T) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, a prospective blind study of 280 examinations was performed to compare low-field-strength MR imaging with computed tomography (CT) and with high-field-strength (1.5-T) MR imaging of the cranium. The sensitivity (defined as the true-positive rate) with high-field MR imaging was superior to that with low-field MR imaging and CT in helping detect overall abnormalities. Sensitivities were generally similar over a broad range of specific cranial central nervous system diseases. Low-field and high-field MR imaging were equivalent in the blind diagnoses of neoplasms and white matter disease, whereas low-field MR and CT were equivalent in the blind diagnoses of contusion, subdural and epidural hematoma, sinus disease, normality, and abnormality. The specificities with low-field MR imaging and CT were substantially better than those with high-field MR imaging.
The experimental field trial with an immunostimulating complex (ISCOM) vaccine has been an occasion to explore the role of a Th1 response in the pathogenesis caused by Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides small colony (MmmSC) and in immune protection. The ISCOM complex is known to promote Th1 response. Antibodies to MmmSC were detected by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the vaccinated cattle, although the levels were lower than in a previous study. No antibodies were detected by complement fixation test (CF). After the challenge infection, vaccinated animals developed CF antibody response. They showed significantly reduced mortality compared with controls. However, gross pathological and histopathological score for vaccinated animals was as high as for the non-vaccinated, characterized by a high inflammatory reaction with histopathology dominated by interlobular pneumonia with vasculitis.
BackgroundA panel of 37 rabies virus isolates were collected and studied, originating mainly from the northern and central regions of Namibia, between 1980 and 2003.ResultsThese virus isolates demonstrated a high degree of genetic similarity with respect to a 400 bp region of the nucleoprotein gene, with the virus isolates originating from kudu antelope (n = 10) sharing 97.2–100% similarity with jackal isolates, and 97–100% similarity with those isolated from domestic dogs. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that these viruses were all of the canid rabies biotype of southern Africa. The viruses from kudu were closely associated with jackal isolates (n = 6), bat-eared fox isolates (n = 2) and domestic dog isolates (n = 2) at the genetic level and identical at the amino acid level, irrespective of the year of isolation.ConclusionThese data suggest that jackal and kudu may form part of the same epidemiological cycle of rabies in Namibian wildlife, and might demonstrate the close-relationship between rabies virus strains that circulate within Namibia and those that circulate between Namibia and its neighbouring countries such as Botswana and South Africa.
The radiographic findings in 42 proved cases of plague are examined. There was a high association between bilateral alveolar infiltrates and secondary pneumonic plague; however, these findings were not completely specific, as they were also seen in some patients who had disseminated intravascular coagulation or shock lung, In an endemic area and in the proper clinical setting, any patient with bilateral alveolar infiltrates should be considered to have secondary pneumonic plague until proved otherwise.
The radiographic detectability of occult breast cancer has been difficult to determine. A prospective study of breast disease was carried out that involved the performance of subcutaneous mastectomies in 519 consecutive cases of traumatic or initially unexplained death in New Mexico. Routine mammograms and radiographs of 1-cm specimens were obtained. At least 18 biopsies were performed in each subject. Carcinoma was identified in ten subjects; one subject had metastatic carcinoma from the lung, and two subjects had bilateral breast cancer, for a total of 11 breast cancers identified with microscopic examination. Two of the cancers were seen on whole-breast mammograms, and six were seen on radiographs of thin-section specimens. Four of the 11 breast cancers were apparent only on histologic study of breast tissue that was not suggestive of malignancy. No cancer was found in subjects under the age of 39 years. Five carcinomas were found in the 40-69-year age group; six were found in the 70-year and over age group. No correlation was noted between the radiographic Wolfe parenchymal patterns and the prevalence of breast cancer.
Adenocarcinoma of the endometrium commonly presents at an early stage and is readily diagnosed by dilatation and curettage. Ultrasound has not bee accurate in differentiating this malignant neoplasm from benign causes of uterine enlargement such as leiomyoma. In this study, the sonographic findings in 21 patients with adenocarcinoma of the endometrium were compared with the clinical and pathological findings. Although no ultrasound criteria were diagnostic of carcinoma, there were statistically significant differences in uterine shape and echo pattern between Stage I-II and Stage III-IV disease: 94% of patients with Stage I-II disease had a normal or bulbous uterus and a normal or hypoechoic parenchymal pattern, while patients with a lobular uterus and/or mixed echo pattern had Stage III-IV. The only clinical errors in staging were in cases of Stage II or III disease. Ultrasound may be helpful in pretreatment staging of more difficult cases.
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