We describe and evaluate a new telemetry system based on GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) mobile phone technology that may provide mark‐recapture data for single year survivorship studies. These phone‐tags automatically attempt to send an SMS text message once every two days. The successful receipt of a text message ashore constitutes a resighting event within the coastal zone of GSM coverage. Haul‐out data and coastal location data are incorporated into the messages. Data are presented for a three‐month period (January‐March) following tag deployment on 59 gray seal (Halichoerus grypus) pups at the Isle of May (Scotland). An average of 15.5, 4.1, and 8.2 seals succeeded in registering within each three‐day period in January, February, and March, respectively. Tags registered with a wide geographical range of GSM radio cells on the Scottish and English east coasts, and also from Norway and Germany. Haulout records covering 54% of the animals' time were received. With future modifications to the tags, this figure should approach 100%. The median delay to network registration was 9.6 sec from a seal in the sea (not hauled out). These data show that GSM mobile phone telemetry is a useful technique to obtain haul‐out and mark‐recapture data.

We describe a death associated with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis and HIV infection outside Africa that can be linked to Tugela Ferry (KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa), the town most closely associated with the regional epidemic of drug-resistant tuberculosis. This case underscores the international relevance of this regional epidemic, particularly among health care workers.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major cause of mortality in the HIV-infected population, with growing concern about increasing incidence in extensively drug-resistant (XDR) TB worldwide. We describe the first published case of XDR TB and HIV co-infection in the UK. The case describes a patient newly diagnosed with smear-positive pulmonary TB and HIV. The isolate was found to be XDR TB, requiring use of third-line TB drugs alongside antiretroviral medication, causing multiple complications due to drug toxicity and interactions. After culture conversion was achieved directly observed treatment with close community support was organized for the patient. Despite these arrangements the patient required readmission for new-onset headaches after poor adherence to treatment. Investigations confirmed lymphocytic meningitis. The patient eventually deteriorated and died from acute cerebral infarction. This case highlights the complexity of managing drug-resistant TB in HIV-infected individuals, due to difficult adherence, drug toxicity and potential public health risks.

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