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Biomedical subjects

H Dowda

Publications and source records attributed to H Dowda.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Bat rabies in South Carolina, 1970-90.

This retrospective study examines the geographic and temporal distribution of bat species submitted for rabies testing in South Carolina (USA) from 1970 to 1990. Histories of human or animal exposures to rabid and nonrabid bats submitted during this time period were compared. Two hundred and thirty-one bats were found to be rabid from the 2,657 bats submitted over this 20 yr period. The two species most frequently submitted for testing were Lasiurus borealis with 785 specimens (30% of the total) and Nycticeius humeralis with 607 specimens (22% of the total). Lasiurus borealis also had the highest prevalence of rabies (18%) while N. humeralis had the lowest prevalence (3%). Fifty-one percent (1,259) of the bats received for testing were submitted from June through August. The majority (54%) of rabid bats were received from August through October.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Correlates of hepatotoxicity and antituberculosis therapy in South Carolina.

This study revealed that 20-30 percent of TB patients who were taking antituberculosis therapy developed elevated liver function tests. Half of the elevation in liver enzyme values occurred within the first two months of treatment. No statistically significant differences between sex, race and liver toxicity was found in this study. The time from initiation of treatment for TB to development of hepatotoxicity was shorter for females and whites. Physicians and public health workers should monitor the liver function tests of TB patients who are taking antituberculosis treatment. Recommendations for monitoring hepatotoxicity vary depending on the age of the patients. For patients less than 35 years old, monthly symptom review for jaundice, acholic stools, fever, anorexia, nausea and vomiting, may be adequate. For older patients, liver function tests are recommended monthly or every one to two months.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Comparison of individuals receiving anonymous and confidential testing for HIV.

We assessed the magnitude, demographics, seroprevalence, and reasons for site selection among South Carolina residents who chose to be tested in bordering states offering anonymous testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Residents tested from July 1990 through July 1991 at selected HIV testing sites in bordering states were surveyed and HIV test results were recorded. Of the 75 residents tested at these sites, 66 (88%) were white, 44 (59%) were male, and 9 (12.3%) of the 73 whose test results were recorded were HIV infected. During the same period, 57,137 individuals were HIV tested in-state by the state health department, of which 1,752 (3.1%) were positive. Residents tested outside the state were more likely to be HIV infected, male, and white than individuals tested within the state. Our findings suggest that although large numbers of South Carolinians are not HIV tested anonymously in other states, those tested anonymously out of state have a different demographic and risk profile than those tested confidentially in state.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

A large outbreak of gastroenteritis caused by diarrheal toxin-producing Bacillus cereus.

An outbreak of diarrhea occurred after a university field day. Of 643 attendees who returned mailed questionnaires, 139 (22%) reported illness. Persons who ate barbecued pork, which was unrefrigerated for 18 h after cooking, were five times more likely to become ill than those who did not eat pork (26% vs. 5%; relative risk, 5.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-20.9). A leftover pork sample grew a Bacillus cereus isolate, > 10(5) cfu/g, that produced diarrheal toxin. Thirty-four percent of ill persons noted onset of illness outside the 6- to 24-h incubation period traditionally ascribed to B. cereus-mediated diarrhea, and an unusually high percentage (23%) noted fever. B. cereus may cause a wider spectrum of disease than previously described.

Bacillus cereus↗
PubMed1990

Disseminated Dactylaria gallopava infection in a diabetic patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia of the T-cell type.

A 62-year-old male with a 20-year history of diabetes and three-year history of adult T-cell lymphocytic leukemia developed a systemic infection with Dactylaria gallopava. At autopsy the fungus was found in the brain, lungs, liver, spleen, and kidney. The organism has caused disease in chickens and turkey poults and has been found in chicken litter, hot springs, and the effluent of a thermonuclear reactor. This report documents the second human infection and the first case of disseminated human dactylariosis.

Diabetes Complications↗
PubMed1990

Human immunodeficiency virus: seroprevalence in parturients in rural South Carolina.

To establish the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the population of childbearing women in a rural South Carolina community, a blinded seroprevalence survey was conducted using all cord blood samples collected during a one-year period at a signal hospital. There were 1,811 live births (57% white, 43% black) during that period. Of the 1,365 samples collected and tested, six (0.44%) were HIV-positive by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and three (0.22%) were confirmed by Western blot analysis. Based on these percentages, we estimate that there are approximately 80 HIV-infected women of childbearing age among the 180,000 residents of our health district. Although the seroprevalence of HIV in our parturients is low, it is somewhat higher than that reported from other rural areas. We therefore recommend counseling and voluntary blood testing for HIV antibodies, with informed consent, for all pregnant women living within our health district.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Influenza A/Philippines/2/82 outbreak in a nursing home: limitations of influenza vaccination in the aged.

The failure of the 1982-1983 influenza vaccine to protect elderly NHCU residents from clinical infection with influenza A/Philippines/2/82 resulted primarily from antigenic drift of the epidemic strain, inasmuch as the attack rates in the vaccinated and nonvaccinated patients were not significantly different. This experience supports the decision to replace A/Bangkok/1/79 with A/Philippines/2/82 virus antigen in the 1983-1984 influenza vaccine.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Evaluation of two transport systems for gonorrhea cultures.

The ability of the Transgrow and JEMBEC systems to yield positive cultures when transported to a central laboratory was compared. There were no significant differences in the recovery rates of the two systems. Statistically significant decreases in recovery rate were noted when each system was compared with the traditional plate-candle jar technique.

Culture Media↗