Table of Content

31 May 1983, Volume 1 Issue 2

Previous Issue    Next Issue

ADVANCES IN INVESTIGATIONS AND STUDIES ON KALA AZAR IN CHINA SINCE 1960

1983, 1(2):  65-73. 

Asbtract ( )   PDF (769KB) ( )  

Related Articles | Metrics

The paper includes a comprehensive review of the present status of kala-azar in China and the advances in relevant investigations and studies since I960. The disease was practically eradicated in most of the endemic areas in 1958 by means of mass treatment, sandfly control and destruction of infected dogs in areas with prevalence of canine leishma-niasis. Through relentless and sustained efforts in the control of the disease, no more fresh cases of kala-azar occurred in the provinces of Shandong, Jiangsu, Anhui, Henan, Hebei and Eastern Shaanxi over the past decade. In the meantime, the density of sandfly vector, Phlebotomus chinensis was greatly reduced, and in many villages completely eliminated. The results of leishmanin dermal test are all negative among the people under 15 years of age. During the last three years, only a few sporadic cases have been reported from the mountainous and desert areas in the northwest, including Xinjiang, Gansu, northern Shaanxi, Nei Mongol, Shanxi and Sichuan. Since 1964, epidemiological investigations have suggested the existence of natural nidus of visceral leishmaniasis in the deserts of Xinjiang and Nei Mongol, with Phlebotomus major wui as the vector. A large number of wild animals have been examined, but so far the reservoir hosts have net yet been ascertained. In addition, studies on epidemiology, sandfly vectors, special clinical manifestations and immunodiagnosis of kala-azar have been made with much progress. For ultimate control of kala-azar in China, suggestions are put forward on further control measures and research work.

A RETROSPECTIVE SURVEY ON COMPARATIVELY SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS OF PYQUITON AMONG 25, 693 CASES OF SCHISTOSOMIASIS JAPONICA

1983, 1(2):  74-77. 

Asbtract ( )   PDF (317KB) ( )  

Related Articles | Metrics

A retrospective survey on side-effects for pyquiton was made among 25,693 cases of schistosomiasis japonica treated in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangxi Provinces and Shanghai Municipality. Teams were sent separately to the fields for on-the-spot investigation which included briefings and meetings with local medical workers responsible for pyquiton treatment, reviewing of case records, visiting to the patients when necessary and filling of a unified survey questionnaire prepared beforehand.Apart from 500 acute cases, 1,175 advanced cases and 10 cases of cerebral schistosomiasis, the majority were chronic cases. The main dose-schedule used was the 2-day pyquiton regime with a total dose of 60mg/kg (70mg/kg for children).It was supported by findings during the field survey, and agreed upon unanimously by all medical workers that pyquiton was definitely the drug of the first choice in treating schistosomiasis on account of its high efficacy and low toxicity. However, some comparatively serious side-effects did happen though with very low incidence, which included syncope (14 cases), psychotic disorder (5), relapse of schizophrenia (6), hysteria (3), epileptic s izures (8), flaccid paralysis in lower limbs (2), ataxia (1), frequent premature beats (22), auricular fibrillation (3), heart rate below 50 per minute (4), supraventricular paroxysmal tachycardia (2), first degree atrioventricular block (5), attacks of angina pectoris (1), jaundice (2), hepatic coma in advanced cases with ascites (2), serious skin rashes (18) and some delayed reactions (29). However, most of the side-effects were transient and reversible and no fatality was directly associated with the drug.

DETERMINATION OF SPECIFIC ANTIBODIES IgG, IgM AND IgE IN SCHISTOSOMIASIS JAPONICA BY ELISA AND ITS CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

1983, 1(2):  78-82. 

Asbtract ( )   PDF (380KB) ( )  

Related Articles | Metrics

This article deals with the determination of specific IgG, IgM and IgE to soluble egg antigen in schistosomiasis japonica to assess the therapeutic efficacy of antischistosomal drugs. It was found that 97.6% of the proved cases were positive by ELISA, while all of the sixty-five patients other than schistosomiasis were negative. Follow-up stool examinations of 131 patients for 6-8 months showed that 117 cases (89.3%) turned negative after pyquiton treatment, and 80.3% of the cases also revealed IgM negative. In this context, IgM negatives following chemotherapy of schistosomiasis meant an effective treatment. 48 out of 50 cases showed comparable results after simultaneous capillary and venous blood samples, so capillary method turned out to be one of the choices in field studies.

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON THE SUSCEPTIBILITY OF ANOPHELES MINIMUS AND ANOPHELES DIRUS TO PLASMODIUM VIVAX AND PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM

1983, 1(2):  83-87. 

Asbtract ( )   PDF (353KB) ( )  

Related Articles | Metrics

The present paper reports on the result of an experimental study on the susceptibility of A. minimus and A. dims to two human Plasmodia: P. vivax and P. falciparum. 11 lots of A. minimus and A. dims were allowed to feed in vitro on the blood from 11 vivax malaria patients, and the feeding of the two species of mosquitoes was carried out simultaneously on one sample of blood. 10 lots of A. minimus became infected, the average gut and gland infection rate being 83.5% and 81.3% respectively, and the positive gland index 3.70. 11 lots of A. dims were all found infected, with an average gut infection rate of 88.2%, gland infection rate of 81.6% and a positive gland index of 2.98. Both species of the anophelines were shown to be highly susceptible to P vivax. So far as the gut and the gland infection rate was concerned, there was no significant difference in susceptibility between them. Although in most cases the number of oocysts on the stomach wall of A. dints apparently exceeded that of A. minimus, the mean diameter of differentiated oocysts of the latter was markedly larger and the intensity of the gland infection much higher. This probably indicated that A. minimus was a more appropriate host than A. dirus for the completion of the development of sporogonic cycle of P. vivax.Four lots of A. minimus and A. dirus were allowed to feed on the blood from 4 falciparum malaria patients. Three were successfully infected. The average gut infection rate of A. minimus and A. dirus was 65.8% and 66.2%, the oocyst index being 8.8 and 10.3 respectively; the average gland infection rate was 49.0% and 53.9%, and the positive gland index 2.31 and 2.46 respectively. These results showed high susceptibility to P. falciparum of the two anopheline species without any significant difference.The present study has experimently proved the high susceptibility of A. minimus to P. vivax and confirmed that in the mountainous areas of south China A. minimus is an important vector of the tertian malaria as well.

EFFCT OF PIPERAQUINE AND HYDROXYPIPERAQUINE ON CHLOROQUINE-RESISTANT STRAIN OF PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM

1983, 1(2):  88-90. 

Asbtract ( )   PDF (216KB) ( )  

Related Articles | Metrics

This report presents the effect of three antimalarial agents-chloroquine, piperaquine and hydroxypiperaquine-upon asexual erythrocytic forms of Plasmodium falciparum. An in vitro microtechnique was employed to assess the effect exerted on a strain of chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum (Cambodian I strain) compared with that on a strain of chloroquine sensitive P. falciparum (FCC-l/HN strain). The ED50 of chloroquine, piperaquine and hydroxypiperaquine against sensitive strain were 81, 59 and 56nM respectively after 48 hours cultivation, while the ED50 of these drugs against resistant strain were 563, 61 and 60nM respectively. The results obtained showed that the Cambodian strain was a 7-fold chloroquine-resistant strain and hadn't any significant cross resistance to piperaquine or hydroxypiperaquine. However, the resistance of this strain was unstable. Following in vitro cultivation without stimulation of chloroquine for 17 days, the degree of resistance decreased from 7 to 3.4 fold.

COMPARATIVE OBSERVATIONS ON THE SALIVARY GLAND CHROMOSOMES OF THE FOURTH INSTAR LARVAE OFANOPHELES SINENSIS IN DIFFERENT DISTRICTS

1983, 1(2):  91-94. 

Asbtract ( )   PDF (1116KB) ( )  

Related Articles | Metrics

The chromosomes of salivary glands of Anopheles sinensis from Zhengzhou (Henan), Shanghai and Youxi (Fujian) districts were studied in 1979-1982 to detect their subspecies classification.The main differences among the gland chromosomes of the 4th instar larvae in these three districts were on the free ends of 2R besides tiny changes on each arm.The characteristics of chromosomes in Youxi was more identical with those in Shanghai than in Zhengzhou. It is seemingly due to the geographical variation.X chromosomes of Anopheles sinensis in these three districts were basically similar one to another, but they vary in position, size and component, especially in the puff position.Compared with Anopheles sinensis from Nanjing, the variance among salivary gland chromosomes of Anopheles sinensis 4th instar larvae renders another evidence of chromosomal polymorphism in the biological world as a whole.

SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY OF THE SENSORY PAPILLAE OF ASCARIS LUMBRICOIDES

1983, 1(2):  95-98. 

Asbtract ( )   PDF (1364KB) ( )  

Related Articles | Metrics

The papillae of the head and tail of Ascoris lumbricoides were viewed by scanning electron microscope.En face view of the head shows three lips, one dorsal and two subventral lips. There are six internal labial papillae near the top of three lips, forming an inner labial papillar circle. Two dorsal, one ventral and one lateral papillae together with an amphid form the outer labial papillar circle.The dorsal papillae, are mounded elliptic elevations, showing a wide ventral and narrow dorsal side in shape. The ventral papillae have nearly the same size and shape as the dorsal papillae except that they show a wider dorsal and narrower ventral side. In the anterior dorsal region of the ventral papilla there is a lateral papilla and an amphid on the subventral lips. The ratio of distance between ventral papilla to lateral papilla and that between lateral papilla to amphid is 2-3:1.Precloacal papillae are arranged into two lines situated at each side before the cloaca. On one side, the beginning has 4-5 papillae arranged in a line, bifurcating later into two irregular lines. All of them appear to be a single elevation which has a mammilliform process located at the top of these papillae. There is a precloacal central papilla just at the anterior end of the cloacal lip. It is a typical double papilla.Postcloacaly, at one side, the anterior two form a pair of double papillae, the second one being smaller than the first. A round phasmidial pore is just located at the lateral side behind the second double one.It is suggested that the lips are joined two by two, i.e, the two original dorsal ones make up the dorsal lip, the four original lateral and ventral ones make up the two subventrai lips. The ventral papillae are two stalked structures, each original ventral cephalic papilla migrates anteriorly to the labial region and combines with the original outer labial papillae to form the ventral papillae. Similarly, the original outer labial and cephalic papilla at the dorsal side combine with each other to form the dorsal papilla.No obvious difference in shape and distribution of the labial papillae is found between the two species of Ascaris from man and pigs, except that the beginning of precloacal papillae arranged in a line is different. The number of these papillae in Ascaris suum is 6-7 usually, whereas that in Ascaris lumbricoides is 4-5.

A MOUSE MODEL OP PRIMARY AMOEBIC(NAEGLERIA FOWLERI) MENINQOENCEPHALITIS

1983, 1(2):  99-101. 

Asbtract ( )   PDF (2359KB) ( )  

Related Articles | Metrics

A strain of axenic Naegleria fowleri was proliferated massively in Chang's medium and was introduced 'intranasally into 3 mice which were closely observed for 2-3 weeks. On the 13th day mouse 1 developed primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAME) symptoms, but mouse 2 had no signs of PAME at all at that time. On the 19th day, mouse 3 developed the same symptoms as mouse 1. Mice 1,2 and 4 were killed and autopsied for pathological examination. Mouse 3 was fixed in toto to keep the spasmodic posture.According to the typical manifestation, pathological findings and etiological characteristics, these mice were proved to be suitable models of Naegleria fowleri PAME.

STUDIES ON THE CORRELATION BETWEEN ONCOMELANIA SNAIL POPULATION AND THE QUANTITY OF THE SNAIL DETECTED

1983, 1(2):  102-105. 

Asbtract ( )   PDF (292KB) ( )  

Related Articles | Metrics

Studies were undertaken in 32 Oncomelania Snail-infected canal sections in Lumu Commune of Wuxian County in 1980. The results showed that the snail density in each canal section determined in the first survey was parallel to the total population of that section. There was a linear positive correlation between the snail density detected in the first survey and the density of the total snail population. However in low snail popular tion (below 0.7/square Chinese foot) area, snails may not be detected in the first survey. Results also showed that a linear positive correlation existed between the density of the snail eggs and the density of the total snail population.

STUDIES ON THE INDIRECT CARBON AGGLUTINATION TEST (ICAT) FOR DIAGNOSIS OF PARAGONIMIASIS

1983, 1(2):  106-109. 

Asbtract ( )   PDF (307KB) ( )  

Related Articles | Metrics

A serological method for the diagnosis of paragonimiasis was introduced; The carbon antigen was prepared with carbon particles sensitized by sonicated Porogonimus antigen (100mg carbon: 10-12mg antigen). Sera of 64 patients of paragonimiasis were tested and all of them showed positive reactions (≥1:32), while 374 sera of normal human and other patients gave 2.4% false positive only. Four other serological test were run simultaneously with this method, the positive rate of ELISA and ICAT were 100% (64 cases), IHA 96.9%, CIE 84.1% and AGD was 73.4%. Thus the ICAT is a specific, sensitive, simple and rapid diagnostic tool for paragonimiasis.

SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY OF CLONORCHIS SINENSIS

1983, 1(2):  110-112. 

Asbtract ( )   PDF (1211KB) ( )  

Related Articles | Metrics

The tegumental structure of adult Clonorchis sinensis was studied with scanning electron microscopy. At low magnifications, the body surface was seen to be marked with numerous irregular ridges encircling the body. At high magnifications, the surface of the tegument was observed to consist of knoblike protuberances. The oral sucker was larger than the ventral one and formed an angle of 110° with the ventral surface. The excretory pore was situated at the most posterior point of the body.Presumed sensory papillae were seen on the lips of the oral and ventral suckers, on the body surface surrounding the suckers and on the body surface around the excretory pore. Papillae found on the lip of the ventral sucker and on the body surface encircling both the oral and ventral suckers were densely distributed and rather randomly scattered over the remainder of the body. The papillae were divided into five types: 1. Ciliated rosette-form papillae on the body surface around the oral sucker; 2. Ciliated spiral papillae on the body surface surrounding the excretory pore; 3. Round swellings of nonciliated papillae on the lips of the oral and ventral suckers; 4. Nonciliated spiral papillae on the body surface around the oral sucker; 5. Nonciliated buttonlike papillae on the body surface encircling the oral sucker.

LONGITUDINAL SURVEY OF SCHISTOSOMIASIS CONTROL IN NANZHANG PROJECT AREA, SHANGHAI

1983, 1(2):  113-117. 

Asbtract ( )   PDF (385KB) ( )  

Related Articles | Metrics

A systematic report on the course of schistosomiasis control in Nanzhang project area is presented. The authors pointed out that at the beginning of the campaign there was heavy infestation of snail in the area, there were large number of patients, feces was not properly disposed of, exposure was heavy and infections and superinfections were the chief menace to the population. The chief emphasis was therefore laid on snail eradication and curing of patients, supplemented by other measures such as sanitary disposal of feces, etc. After the snail density and the number of patients had decreased to a certain point, snail survey and case finding were stressed and treatment of the snail-lafested area and patients repeated as often as necessary. The process was carried on until complete eradication of the vector snail and cure of all infected individuals were achieved* At the same time surveillance measures were instituted to detect possible spread of the snail vector and/or "migration of infected individuals from other endemic areas.The antischistosomiasis work had gone through three phases in its course of fight against the disease, namely: the phase of preparation; the phase of combat and the phase of consolidation and winding-up.Evaluation of the results of control should be made from epidemiological point of view; the individual and population morbidity should serve as criteria for assessing the success of control of transmission. Information on the interrelationship between population morbidity and snail dynamics is also indispensable.Still, several years' surveillance would be required after the eradication of schisto-somiasis, to ensure and to verify that schistosomiasis in the area has been completely eliminated.

DOMINANT LETHAL TEST WITH PYRONARIDINE ON MALE MICE

1983, 1(2):  121-123. 

Asbtract ( )   PDF (241KB) ( )  

Related Articles | Metrics

Groups of 10 male mice were administered orally with pyronaridine phosphate at 3 dose regimes; 343 mg (base)/kg/d (1/4LD50 in mice, 30 times the clinical daily dose)x 3, 171.5 mg/kg/d x 3 and 86 mg/kg/d x 3. After the withdrawal of pyronaridine, each male mouse was caged together with 2 female mice for 1 week, then mated with another 2 females for 1 week until 5 matings were conducted. All the female mice were sacrificed and examined on the 15th day from the beginning of mating for viable fetuses, dead fetuses, implantations and early resolved embryoes. Of the 10 male mice treated with 343 mg/kg/d x 3 pyronaridine, one died of marked intoxication. In comparison with the control, the percentage of females with implantation (gestation rate), average implants, average live fetuses and fetus death rate showed no apparent effect of pyronaridine on male's gametogenesis or fertilization.