Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to B L Rayner.
Lactrodectus indistinctus (button spider) is widely distributed in South Africa. However, the incidence of lactrodectism is unknown and no case reports have appeared recently. The importance of the recognition of this syndrome is stressed since a history or evidence of the spider bite may be absent or overlooked.
The progression from the early pre-pulseless to the pulseless state in an unusual case of Takayasu's arteritis is presented. Several uncommon associated features are also described. The importance of the findings is briefly discussed.
Four athletes developed water intoxication (hyponatremia) during endurance events lasting more than 7 h. The etiology of the condition appears to be voluntary hyperhydration with hypotonic solutions combined with moderate sweat sodium chloride losses. The reason why the fluid excess in these runners was not corrected by increased urinary losses is unknown. When advised to drink less during prolonged exercise, three of the athletes have subsequently completed prolonged endurance events uneventfully.
Benign recurrent aseptic meningitis is a rare disorder described by Mollaret in 1944. Since then cases have been reported in the European and American literature, and the first report on a case in South Africa appeared recently. In this article a case seen in Durban is reported and the characteristic manifestations and differential diagnosis are briefly reviewed.
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