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Biomedical subjects

F A Stuart

Publications and source records attributed to F A Stuart.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Adverse psychological effects of corticosteroids in children and adolescents.

Children and adolescents treated with oral, inhaled, and intravenous corticosteroids (CS) may experience adverse psychological side effects (APSE), including psychotic symptoms. These can occur at any point during treatment, including withdrawal. In this paper the literature on these effects in children and adults is reviewed. From the evidence available, it is not possible to give reliable estimates for incidence or prevalence of APSE, nor clear risk factors. Some evidence is reported to suggest that oral dexamethasone treatment may carry a higher risk of APSE than other CS, but this requires further investigation. There is evidence from the adult literature that higher CS doses increase the risk of APSE. However, the dose response effect is not straightforward or predictable for individuals or groups. This is likely to be a reflection of the complex effects of CS on the central nervous system and the probable interplay between individual susceptibility, disease factors, and external environmental stressors in the emergence of APSE. More research is required to further our understanding of the adverse effects of these clinically valuable agents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Serodiagnosis of Mycobacterium bovis infection in badgers: development of an indirect ELISA using a 25 kDa antigen.

A 25 kDa antigen of Mycobacterium bovis has previously been identified as immunodominant during badger infections. This 25 kDa antigen was partially purified from sonicated M bovis bacilli by using water precipitation and ion exchange chromatography, and its purification was monitored with a mouse monoclonal antibody, MBS43, which was specific for the antigen. The partly purified antigen was used to develop an ELISA for the assay of badger sera for the presence of specific antibodies. A presumed negative badger population was used to calculate the assay's threshold of seropositivity and using this value, its sensitivity (37 percent) and specificity (98 percent) were determined in a second population of known culture status. The results indicate that it may be possible to develop a specific and cost effective serological field assay for the diagnosis of M bovis infection in living badgers.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Mycobacterium bovis in the European badger (Meles meles): epidemiological findings in tuberculous badgers from a naturally infected population.

This study investigates the course of tuberculosis in a naturally infected badger population, its impact on the population and the risk of spread to other species in the light of capture data and post-mortem findings from 47 tuberculous badgers, stratified by age group and sex, accrued since 1975. The findings are compared with those for 260 badgers from the same population in whom no evidence of infection was detected. Detailed estimates of seasonal variations in bodyweight for uninfected male and female cub, yearling and adult badgers are presented and compared to the weights at post-mortem examination of the tuberculous badgers, in whom poor condition and weight loss were the principal presenting signs. Lesions were seen especially in the lungs and associated lymph nodes, and in the kidneys. Organisms were detected intermittently in faeces, urine, sputum and discharging bite wounds. Infected animals could survive for nearly 2 years and produce cubs successfully.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Tuberculosis: the disease and its epidemiology in the badger, a review.

The data accumulated from 1972 to 1987 on the distribution and prevalence of tuberculosis in the badger population in Great Britain is reviewed. The current information on the influence of Mycobacterium bovis infection on badger population dynamics and its clinical effect on badgers is also summarized. The results of these reviews indicate that M. bovis is endemic in the British badger population and that the badger is an ideal maintenance host for M. bovis. The studies in progress to obtain a fuller understanding of the epidemiology of tuberculosis in badgers are also described.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Tuberculosis in imported red deer (Cervus elaphus).

An outbreak of tuberculosis due to Mycobacterium bovis in farmed red deer imported from an eastern European country is described. Twenty-six of the 106 deer examined at autopsy were found to be infected and 19 had visible lesions of tuberculosis. Single comparative intradermal tuberculin tests on 51 deer showed that the test had a specificity of 61.3 per cent and a sensitivity of 80 per cent relative to subsequent biological and cultural tests on tissues taken at autopsy. Three hundred and seventy eight culled fallow and sika deer which had been running in a park in contact with some of the infected animals were found to be free of tuberculosis.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

The haematological values of European badgers (Meles meles) in health and in the course of tuberculosis infection.

Captive, healthy, adult badgers have blood containing haemoglobin at 13.3 g/dl, and 8.4 x 10(12)/l red cells with an MCV of 46.2 fl and an MCH of 15.6 pg. They have 5.1 x 10(9) white cells/l of which 3.29 x 10(9) are polymorphs, 1.49 x 10(9) are lymphocytes, 0.26 x 10(9) are monocytes, 0.07 x 10(9) are eosinophils and 0.01 x 10(9) are basophils. These values are somewhat less in adult animals just trapped from the wild, and are lower still in wild cubs. Changes associated with tuberculosis are a rise, and then a fall in red blood count and white blood count, an increase in the proportion of polymorphs and monocytes and a fall in lymphocytes late in the disease. This picture is similar to that seen in widespread, disseminated, tuberculin negative, tuberculosis in humans, a type of disease similar to that occurring in many badgers. BCG vaccination of badgers did not produce any measurable change in the blood picture.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

The immune response in two populations of wild badgers naturally infected with bovine tubercle bacilli.

This study describes the immune responses of two defined badger populations; one from East Sussex and another from Staffordshire. The mean in vitro lymphoproliferative response, of all infected badgers from both areas, to Glaxo BCG, was significantly greater than that of healthy animals. The infected badgers had significantly higher antibody levels against mycobacterial antigens, especially New Tuberculin, than did the healthy animals. All the healthy and tuberculous badgers from the Staffordshire area were invariably unreactive to the various preparations used for skin-testing. However, in the East Sussex area, positive reactions were obtained in 10 out of 37 healthy and 7 out of 10 infected animals. This is the first account of positive skin tests in free living badgers. These results support the concept that badgers infected with bovine tubercle bacilli pass through an immunological spectrum throughout much of which they are unlikely to be important sources of infection. In the early stages, tubercle bacilli are excreted from infected wounds, whereas in the later stages, failure of cell-mediated immunity results in excretion of tubercle bacilli from other sites and the badger becomes a potent source of infection.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Experimental Brucella abortus infection in pigs.

Sixteen pigs inoculated by the intra-conjunctival, intravenous or subcutaneous routes with Brucella abortus Strain 544 developed a short-lived infection usually accompanied by conjunctival and vaginal excretion of the organism for up to 99 days post-inoculation. Serological tests performed by the agglutination, complement fixation, Rose Bengal plate, antiglobulin, immunodiffusion or ELISA procedures with B. abortus antigens disclosed wide variations in the antibody responses of individual animals. In some cases the serological tests were negative even though the animal was shown to be excreting B. abortus. The intradermal test for delayed hypersensitivity to Brucella antigens gave more consistent results, especially when supported by histological evaluation of the skin reactions.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Experimental infection of badgers (Meles meles) with Mycobacterium bovis.

The intradermal inoculation of four badgers with small numbers of Mycobacterium bovis resulted in localized lesions with ulceration which slowly healed by 5 months after inoculation. Lesions of generalized tuberculosis were seen in three badgers, one of which died at 17 months post-inoculation and in the remaining two killed 22 months post-inoculation. In the fourth badger lesions were confined to the draining lymph node of the inoculation site but M. bovis was isolated from the liver. Monthly clinical sampling of faeces, urine, tracheal aspirate and inoculation site exudates detected only the excretion of M. bovis from the inoculation site of one badger. There were marked seasonal variations in body weight but significant weight loss was observed during the second year in all four badgers, particularly prior to death. Four badgers inoculated intratracheally with a similar inoculum of M. bovis and another two control badgers showed no evidence of infection with M. bovis.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

The immunological consequences of challenge with bovine tubercle bacilli in badgers (Meles meles).

Optimal conditions were determined for performing antibody measurements (ELISA), lymphocyte transformation tests and, to some extent, skin tests in badgers. These parameters, together with the bacteriological and pathological studies reported previously (Pritchard et al. 1987), were used to follow the course of intradermal and intratracheal challenge of badgers with bovine tubercle bacilli. Two challenge doses were used for each route of infection and two animals received each dose. None of the four animals challenged by the intratracheal method showed any evidence of infection, suggesting that adult badgers may have some resistance to challenge by this method. All four animals challenged intradermally developed lesion of tuberculosis. Immunologically the disease passed through three phases. There was an early phase in which lymphocyte transformation to whole BCG steadily and significantly increased, and skin tests to tuberculin became positive but there was little change in antibody levels. This was followed by an intermediate phase of variable skin responses, fluctuating lymphocyte transformation and significant increase in antibody levels. The final phase, which was only seen in two animals with extensive disease, was associated with changing skin reactions and falling lymphocyte responses, together with a sudden increase in antibody levels. This paper presents the first formal evidence of cell-mediated immunity to tuberculosis in the badger, which may delay onset and prolong the survival of challenged animals.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Tuberculosis in East Sussex. I. Outbreaks of tuberculosis in cattle herds (1964-1984).

The history and epidemiology of bovine tuberculosis in cattle herds in East Sussex are described. Since 1960, following the compulsory eradication scheme for tuberculosis, the incidence of herd infection has been low. The epidemiological features of herd infection have been sporadic incidents, with only small numbers of cattle becoming infected in the majority of incidents. There was no evidence of endemic Mycobacterium bovis infection in the cattle population in East Sussex in recent years, but a low risk of infection for cattle on the South Downs, from badgers, was apparent.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Tuberculosis in East Sussex. II. Aspects of badger ecology and surveillance for tuberculosis in badger populations (1976-1984).

Following the disclosure of Mycobacterium bovis infection in badgers in East Sussex in 1976, badgers have been examined from and around farms on which cattle have become infected, but with no other attributable source of infection. These farms are confined to the downland of the south-west of the county and M. bovis has been confirmed in badger populations utilising their land. The available evidence indicates that M. bovis infection in badgers is also confined to this area. A detailed study in one area on the South Downs suggested that M. bovis is endemic in the badger population and therefore presents a continued risk for cattle occupying the area.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Tuberculosis in East Sussex. III. Comparison of post-mortem and clinical methods for the diagnosis of tuberculosis in badgers.

Following epidemiological and ecological studies of a defined badger population in an area of East Sussex, removal of all badgers by cage trapping was attempted. Trapping was incomplete due to the activities of protesters. Forty-seven badgers were caught from the eight social groups. All badgers were examined clinically and samples of faeces, urine and tracheal aspirate were taken, together with swabs from any bite wounds, for bacteriological examinations. Forty-five animals were skin tested using whole killed cells of Mycobacterium bovis strain AN5, bovine PPD Weybridge and new human tuberculin. Skin test results were recorded after 24 and 72 h. All badgers were killed and subjected to a post-mortem and bacteriological examination. M. bovis was detected in 10 (21.3%) badgers at post-mortem and in 2 badgers from clinical samples. Four social groups were infected. Positive skin test results were recorded at 72 h with bovine PPD (2 micrograms and 20 micrograms/ml), strain AN5 (1 mg/ml) and human tuberculin (2 micrograms/ml), but not with human tuberculin at 20 micrograms/ml. Histological sections of the skin test reactions showed the cellular types typical of delayed-type hypersensitivity. The skin test reactions observed were neither sensitive nor specific enough to be of practical value.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1986

Tuberculosis in East Sussex. IV. A systematic examination of wild mammals other than badgers for tuberculosis.

A detailed investigation of the possible role of wild mammals, other than badgers, in the maintenance of Mycobacterium bovis in an area on the South Downs of East Sussex was carried out over 3 years. Estimates of population sizes were made where possible and minimum sample sizes were selected to be 95% certain of including at least one infected animal if the prevalence was at least 5%. Samples of wild mammals were taken from populations which had the highest potential direct or indirect contact rate with known infected badgers. M. bovis was not isolated from any of the 15 species of wild mammals. It was concluded that badgers are able to maintain M. bovis in an area independently of other species, and that in the area studied other species were not a source of infection for the cattle herds.

Animal Population Groups↗
PubMed1985

Development of improved methods for the transport and isolation of Haemophilus somnus.

The survival of several strains of Haemophilus somnus under various simulated transport conditions was investigated. Recovery of H somnus from alginate swabs kept at room temperature was possible for up to 27 hours after sampling, but this period could be extended to 72 hours if the swabs were refrigerated. Storage of swabs in transport media did not prolong survival time significantly but did increase the number of bacterial contaminants, thus making recovery of H somnus less likely. The sensitivity of several strains of H somnus to a number of dyes, antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents was determined and a selective isolation medium then formulated. This medium which consisted of brain heart infusion agar supplemented with 5 per cent ovine blood, 5 per cent equine serum, 0.5 per cent yeast extract, cycloheximide (100 micrograms ml-1) and lincomycin (3 micrograms ml-1), facilitated the isolation of H somnus from contaminated material. However, while this medium was effective against many contaminants, it did not prevent swarming by Proteus species.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1984

Observations on serological cross-reactions between smooth Brucella species and organisms of other genera.

Serological cross-reactions have been demonstrated between smooth Brucella species and Escherichia coli 0:116 and 0:157, Salmonella serotypes of Kauffmann-White group N, Pseudomonas maltophilia and Yersinia enterocolitica 0:9 and 0:16. All of these organisms may evoke significant titres of cross-reacting antibodies in cattle and pigs inoculated by parenteral routes. E. coli 0:157, Salmonella urbana and Y. enterocolitica 0:9 evoked substantial titres of cross-reacting antibodies in cattle inoculated by the oral route with live organisms. Only Y. enterocolitica 0:9 was effective in evoking cross-reacting antibodies to Brucella in pigs inoculated by the same route. Differentiation of cross-reacting and homologous antibodies to Brucella was difficult and was not accomplished consistently by any single test.

Animals↗