Organic amendments and control of foot rot of Piper betle caused by Phytophthora parasitica var. piperina.

Experiments have been performed to control foot rot of Piper betle by organic amendments and antagonists in soil. Soil amended with corn straw gave best control. Corn straw supplemented with nitrogen (NH4NO3) gave still better control. The effect of different antagonists growing on corn-straw and til (Sesamum indicum) oil cake amendments showed that Trichoderma viride gave best control. Aspergillus terreus failed to control the disease although it showed great antifungal activity under controlled condition in Petri dishes.


Natural resistance of an African rodent Praomys (Mastomys) natalensis to rabies infection.

Praomys (Mastomys) natalensis, the multimammate mouse, proved resistant to the intracerebral and peripheral infection with rabies virus of serotype 1, which is found world-wide. It is, however, fully susceptible to the other serotypes of this virus group, which to-date have only been found on the African continent. Resistance develops between the third and twenty-first day after birth. In the brain of the resistant animal the inoculated virus multiplies to a low degree and the animal does not develop a fatal disease.


[The dehydrogenation of butandiol by "vibrio parahaemolyticus" and other vibrios (author's transl)].

The butandiol dehydrogenase was examined in 64 vibrios isolated in Togo 1970/71. This enzyme was found in all of the not halophilic strains and in the species Vibrio alginolyticus, whereas the species V. parahaemolyticus exhibited as well dehydrating as not dehydrating strains. The butandiol dehydrogenase could be a good marker for epidemiologic analysis in characterizing V. parahaemolyticus strains isolated from different sources, especially if no antisera are available.


[Sclerosis of esophageal varices. Results of 10 years experience].

Before they give their results, the authors, whose experience of sclerosis of oesophageal varices under the oesophagoscope has so far involved 157 patients, deal specifically with the problems facing the anaesthetist and resuscitator when this technique is used, tolerance of the product injected and possible accidents. Firstly, they point out the unsuitability of the patients referred to them by their medical or surgical colleagues. By implication therefore, treatment should only be undertaken with the assistance of a team of experienced resuscitators and every precaution taken to mitigate the effects of possible accidents to these patients who are particularly at risk. These cases are mainly characterized by serious haemorrhages (seven cases described, one resulting in death). Oesophageal injury is, on the other hand, the exception where trained personnel are involved (2 minor mucosal tears out of more than 800 oesophagoscopies). Finally, secondary parietal oesophageal necrosis occurs. Quininaemia assessment after injection of quinine-urea confirms that the product is being efficiently eliminated. Overall results reveal a survival rate of 61 p. 100 after more than a year and 20 p. 100 after more than than three years. These figures underline the limitations of therapeutic possibilities and the serious prognosis for this result of portal hypertension. This leads the authors to express a wish that the procedure should be used as a measure to prevent haemorrhage as soon as the presence of varices is realized. On the other hand, they reject on practical grounds emergency sclerosis of oesophageal varices, as a direct heamostatic method, since, according to their statistics, this almost invariably results in failure.


[Cranio-mandibular eosinophilic granuloma starting in the lung].

The authors describe the case of a young man with a worsening general condition who was found to be suffering from bilateral pulmonary infiltration. Pulmonary tuberculosis was diagnosed after clinical and radiological investigation and specific antituberculous treatment was instituted. When the patient later complained of headaches, he was found to have cranial and mandibular lacunae which were treated surgically. Pathological examination showed this to be a case of eosinophilic granuloma.