PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Pirie

Publications and source records attributed to A Pirie.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Natural paratuberculosis infection in rabbits in Scotland.

Natural paratuberculosis infection of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was recently diagnosed in Scotland, and an investigation into the pathology of the disease in wild rabbits is reported in this paper. Evidence of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (M.a. paratuberculosis) infection was detected in 22% of 110 rabbits; the organism was cultured from 17 of 110 rabbits, and histopathological lesions consistent with M.a. paratuberculosis infection were noted in 18 of 98 rabbits examined. No macroscopical lesions suggestive of M.a. paratuberculosis infection were observed. The histopathological lesions were either severe or mild. Severe lesions consisted of extensive macrophage granulomata and numerous giant cells, with many intracellular acid-fast bacteria in the small intestine. For the examination of formalin-fixed, paraffin wax-embedded tissues, neither immunohistochemistry nor the polymerase chain reaction was as sensitive a method of diagnosis as histopathology.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Paratuberculosis infection of nonruminant wildlife in Scotland.

Recent reports of natural paratuberculosis (or Johne's disease) in rabbits, foxes, and stoats has focused debate on the presence and importance of wildlife reservoirs in the epidemiology of this disease. This paper describes an extensive study investigating 18 nonruminant wildlife species for evidence of paratuberculosis. Using both culture and histopathological analysis, fox, stoat, weasel, crow, rook, jackdaw, rat, wood mouse, hare, and badger were found to harbor Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis, the causative organism of paratuberculosis, suggesting that the epidemiology of this disease is more complex than previously realized.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Experimental paratuberculosis in calves following inoculation with a rabbit isolate of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis.

The role of wildlife species in the epidemiology of paratuberculosis has been the subject of increased research efforts following the discovery of natural paratuberculosis in free-living rabbits from farms in east Scotland. This paper describes the experimental inoculation of young calves with an isolate of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis recovered from a free-living rabbit. After a 6-month incubation period, all eight calves inoculated with the rabbit isolate had developed histopathological and/or microbiological evidence of M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis infection. Similar results were obtained from a group of calves infected with a bovine isolate of M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis. The virulence of the rabbit isolate for calves demonstrated in this study suggests that rabbits are capable of passing paratuberculosis to domestic ruminants and that wildlife reservoirs of M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis should therefore be considered when formulating control plans for the disease.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Changing relation between home and clinic blood-pressure measurements: do home measurements predict clinic hypertension?

Blood-pressure screening in a family health centre identified 114 patients (53 male, 61 female) with diastolic pressures of 95 mm Hg and greater after three readings in the seated position (mean 163 [SEM 2]/104 mm Hg). All were instructed in the use of the 'Copal UA 231/251' electronic sphygmomanometer and produced a series of readings taken at home over 3 days. They were recalled after 2 weeks and 4 weeks for repeat clinic measurements of blood pressure. Blood pressure fell on successive clinic visits; at the final visit only 59 patients (31 male, 28 female) had diastolic pressures of 95 mm Hg or greater. Average day-time home blood-pressure measurements (155/94 mm Hg) were significantly lower than the screening blood-pressure measurements but were not significantly different from those at the third clinic visit (154/97 mm Hg). Home blood-pressure measurements were successful in predicting outcome at the third clinic visit in 90 (79%) patients; home-monitored pressures suggested normotension when the final clinic visit diastolic blood pressure was still above 95 mm Hg in only 16 (14%) patients. Only 2 of these had a final clinic diastolic pressure above 105 mm Hg. Home monitoring represents a practicable and acceptable alternative to repeated clinic measurements in the initial assessment of hypertensive patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Possible cataractogenic effect of radionuclides deposited within the eye from the blood stream.

The clinical and histological examination of a cataract in a man of 47 is described together with a review of the deposition of radionuclides in the eye. It is suggested that the cataract was possibly due, at least in part, to irradiation of the sensitive cells in the germinative zone of the lens epithelium by alpha particles deposited in the pigmented tissues of the eye from the 239Pu circulating in the blood.

Alpha Particles↗
PubMed1981

Early serum changes in severely malnourished children with corneal xerophthalmia after injection of water-miscible vitamin A.

We have studied the response of malnourished, xerophthalmic children to injections of water-miscible vitamin A to assess the most effective dose. Total dose injected was either greater than 100,000, 100,000, or 50,000 IU. Serum levels of retinol-binding protein, prealbumin, retinyl esters, and retinol were estimated. More than half the children given the largest does had exceptionally high serum retinyl esters and a high molar ratio of retinol and retinyl esters to retinol-binding protein. In no group did retinol-binding protein or prealbumin reach normal levels 24 h after dose. Eye recovery and weight gain was so good after 50,000 IU as after higher doses. The possible toxicity of retinyl esters and free retinol in serum is discussed and the level of vitamin A in normal liver is considered in relation to therapeutic doses. The role of protein deficiency in influencing response to dose is reviewed.

Child↗
PubMed1979

Rehabilitation of xeropthalmic children. A follow-up study in southern India.

Two hundred and seventy-five children were admitted to the Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre (NRC), Madurai in 1975; 213 had xeropthalmia and 62 showed no eye signs. All were malnourished, the largest single group being less than half their expected weight for age. A follow-up study was made both by means of recall to the NRC and by means of house visits to children of Madurai town. Less than half the total, but 55% of town children were found. The distribution of eye signs on admission in those who were later followed-up, corresponded with that in the total. Weight improved while at the NRC and also after return home. All existing cases of corneal xerosis healed but conjunctival xerosis remained in some. Major corneal damage through ulceration, keratomalacia and scars was present in 94 children at admission, 34 of these were followed-up. Four were blind and five had severely limited vision in both eyes, but useful vision was present in one or both eyes of the other 25 (73%) children. For example, of 15 children found blind in one eye, 13 had good vision in their other. The mortality among xerophthalmic children children while at the NRC was 6.6%, and among those visited later at home was 20%. Almost all mothers questioned, said they gave their children green vegetables, but apart from this very important precept, few other dietary suggestions were followed.

Body Weight↗
PubMed1978

Xerophthalmia.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Child↗