The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene - Volume 28, Issue 6, November 1979

During August 1977 two of 975 Culex (Melanoconion) opisthopus collected from an enzootic marsh habitat on the Pacific coast of Guatemala transmitted VE virus to hamsters. Eight VE strains were isolated from Cu. opisthopus. The minimal level of VE infection in this species during July-August 1977 at La Avellana, Guatemala was 1/128 (8/1,021), and the prevalence of Cu. (Mel.) opisthopus transmitting VE virus was 1/487 (2/975). This mosquito was the predominant species attacking humans at that time, suggesting that Cu. opisthopus is a vector of VE virus to man as well as a vector in enzootic cycles in Guatemala. These studies establish Cu. opisthopus as the third proven enzootic vector of VE virus.

The La Crosse (LAC) virus infection rate of Aedes triseriatus larvae that ingest LAC virus does not appear to be increased by concomitant infection of larvae by the gregarine parasite, Ascocystis barretti. Infection rates ranged only from 0–2.6% in adult Ae. triseriatus reared from groups of A. barretti-infected larvae that had ingested LAC virus (California encephalitis group) at dosages of 2.0–7.7 log10 SMICLD50/ml. Females resulting from orally infected larvae transmitted LAC virus to suckling mice. Larvae that were infected with A. barretti and deveoured carcasses of adult mosquitoes containing 4.7 log10 SMICLD50/ml failed to become infected. A. barretti spores developing in transovarially infected mosquitoes did not harbor LAC virus; thus, A. barretti does not appear to be a mechanism for virus dispersal.

Clinical observations on ciguatera were collected between 1964 and 1977 on 3,009 patients from several South Pacific island groups. Patients generally presented with neurologic symptoms such as parasthesia, vertigo, and ataxia, in addition to gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Patients with this illness usually became symptomatic less than 24 hours after ingestion of the fish and most patients (76.8%) developed symptoms in less than 12 hours. Significant differences in certain symptoms were noted between Melanesian and Polynesian ethnic groups, suggesting a susceptibility difference, or a difference in the nature of the toxin found in different areas of the Pacific. Being poisoned multiple times appeared to result in a clinically more severe illness than disease observed in patients experiencing ciguatera for the first time.

A 42-year-old hospital worker had a recrudescence of falciparum malaria after chloroquine therapy. Further adequate treatment with chloroquine given orally did not clear the infection. He was then given a combination of sulphadiazine and pyrimethamine, which produced a radical cure. This points to the possibility of chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum in Nigeria, an African country where this has been thought to be unlikely. Because of this and earlier reports, clincians should be on the alert to the possibility of chloroquineresistant P. falciparum in this area, and efforts should be made to establish or reject the presence of malarial parasites resistant to chloroquine in Africa.

This book, an amplification of invited lectures given at Carleton College and the University of Minnesota in 1977, is really three-books-in-one (in five chapters). The first section describes the historic and anthropologic character of mankind's (continuing) relationship with symbiotic, and later domesticated, herd-animals; the second part traces “comparative healing” (the technical and religio-philosophical interdependance of animal and human medicine) from pre-dynastic, nilotic Egypt, Mesoptamia, Iran and India through the classic Egyptian period to the Greeks, Arabs, the Salerno School, the Renaissance and the foundation of both modern veterinary and human medicine. The final segment concerns itself with veterinary contributions (often unrecognized or neglected) to human medicine and welfare combined with the author's concept of a synergistic educational blend, a truly “Comparative Medicine,” and how it could be applied to the problem of biomedical research-training.

Readers who liked “King Tut” will be enchanted by the treasure-trove of the first and second sections (three chapters), which are based both upon a review and interpretation of published works and in part on the author's travels.

Biochemistry and Physiology of Endoparasites, by Theodor von Brand. xv + 447 pages, illustrated. Elsevier North-Holland, Inc., 52 Vanderbilt Avenue, New York, New York 10017. 1979. $87.75.

Tuberculous Meningitis: A Handbook for Clinicians, by Malcolm Parsons. x + 83 pages, illustrated. Oxford University Press, 200 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10016. 1979. $12.95.

It is at the risk of being trite to observe that health is very much an interdisciplinary enterprise and nowhere moreso than in health care planning. It is however one thing to call an enterprise interdisciplinary and quite another to achieve it. In the present volume the authors have attempted to construct a paradigm that will facilitate and promote communication between the actors who usually comprise the health care planning team.

One of the dangers of writing a book by committee is that the result will be to literature what the Duckbilled Platypus is to the animal kingdom. Happily the present volume turns out to be a surprisingly smooth, well integrated, and non-repetitious little volume for a team of 27 authors from 15 countries. The principal editors, sponsored by the International Epidemiological Association and the World Health Organization, have done a yeoman, successful, and altogether useful job in selecting, editing, and puting together this handbook from what must have been a mountain of material.

The authors are acknowledged leaders nationally in air science. The balance of the presentation of materials in the book should leave little doubt to the reader of their background. Presented in the book are their perspectives on chemical contaminants found in the environment with a focus on the potential of these contaminants for effects on human health and welfare.

This book was written as a text for an introductory graduate course in environmental science for students of the Graduate School of Arts and Science of New York University. The level of the subjects covered makes this book also suitable for advanced undergraduate students.

The meat of the book starts with the third chapter. It is preceded by a very broad treatment of a historical perspective and the authors' characterization of contaminants, environments and health, disease and disability. Pollutants in air and their control are expertly treated, and in considerable detail.

To the Officers and Councilors of The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene:

We have examined the statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth (prepared on a cash basis with the exceptions noted below) of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and of the Tropical Medicine and Hygiene News as of December 31, 1978, and the related statements of cash receipts and disbursements for the year then ended. Our examination was made in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and accordingly included such tests of the accounting records and such other auditing procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances.

The records of the Society consistently have been maintained, and its financial statements prepared, on the cash basis, with the exception of the investment in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene News and an allowance for depreciation. The current financial statements have been prepared on the same basis.

In our opinion the accompanying financial statements summarize fairly the cash position, with the exceptions noted above, at December 31, 1978, and the cash transactions for the year then ended.