Suspected clinical toxoplasmosis in a 12-week-old puppy in Singapore

Abstract Background Toxoplasma gondii is traditionally known as a parasite of felids, with possible infection in intermediate hosts such as dogs and humans, and thus a disease of public health significance. Published data on the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in dogs and cats in Singapore is scanty, and this paper documents a suspect clinical case of toxoplasmosis in a free-roaming puppy trapped from an offshore island of Singapore. Case presentation A 12-week-old puppy presented with hindlimb weakness and sarcopenia, with rapidly progressing ascending paralysis and respiratory distress, one week after trapping. Toxoplasmosis was suspected after indirect fluorescence antibody testing (IFAT) revealed anti-T. gondii antibodies. The puppy responded quickly to clindamycin treatment and was discharged from hospital after 10 days. Conclusion While rare and undocumented, veterinary clinicians in Singapore are advised to also include toxoplasmosis infection as a differential diagnosis in dogs presenting with similar clinical signs. This is especially so for dogs which have access to the outdoors

Cervical spine motion during transfer and stabilization techniques

Objectives: To compare paramedics’ ability to minimize cervical spine motion during patient transfer onto a vacuum mattress with two stabilization techniques (Head Squeeze vs. Trap Squeeze) and two transfer methods (log roll with one assistant (LR2) vs. 3 assistants (LR4)). Methods: We used a cross-over design to minimize bias. Each lead paramedic performed 10 LR2 transfers and 10 LR4 transfers. For each of the 10 LR2 and 10 LR4 transfers, the lead paramedic stabilized the cervical spine using the Head Squeeze technique five times and the Trap Squeeze technique five times. We randomized the order of the stabilization techniques and LR2 / LR4 across lead paramedics to avoid a practice or fatigue effect with repeated trials. We measured relative cervical spine motion between the head and trunk using Inertial Measurement Units placed on the forehead and sternum. Results: On average, total motion was 3.9° less with three assistants compared to one assistant (p=0.0002), and 2.8° less with the Trap Squeeze compared to the Head Squeeze (p=0.002). There was no interaction between the transfer method and stabilization technique. When examining specific motions in the six directions, the Trap Squeeze generally produced less lateral flexion and rotation motion but allowed more extension. Examining within paramedic differences, some paramedics were clearly more proficient with the Trap Squeeze technique and others were clearly more proficient with the Head Squeeze technique. Conclusion: Paramedics performing a log roll with three assistants created less motion compared to a log roll with only one assistant, and using the Trap Squeeze stabilization technique resulted in less motion than the Head Squeeze technique. However, the clinical relevance of the magnitude remains unclear. However, large individual differences suggest future paramedic training should incorporate both best evidence practice as well as recognition that there may be individual differences between paramedics

Atypical thrombosis associated with VaxZevria (R) (AstraZeneca) vaccine: Data from the French Network of Regional Pharmacovigilance Centres

International audienceNo abstract availabl