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Water Quality and Quantity Issues, News and Updates
Water, water everywhere --- and not a drop to drink..."
(from The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge)
Water – Quality & Quantity – A Very Hot Topic
Updated January 2011
"Demand for water is projected to outstrip supply by a staggering 40 percent by 2030, and an estimated half the world's population are likely to live in areas of high water stress by the same year" -- so states Paul Dickinson, Executive Chairman of the Carbon Disclosure Project in the CDP Water Disclosure 2010 Global Report. The situation is getting worse rather than getting better. The pressures of over-population, climate change and increased use per capita are all causing water stresses, although unevenly, throughout the globe.
Current impacted areas in the news include the Southwestern and Southeastern regions of the United States; China; India; Ireland; the Middle East region; Australia; and many countries in Africa. The threat has been recognized and throughout the globe and governments, corporations and activists groups are bringing the problem to the forefront and helping to craft and influence both short and long term solutions.
Since this section was first created in 1998, the editors have screened tens of thousands of articles and posted almost 1,000 stories, commentaries and reports. Water – quality and quantity is continuing to be a Hot Topic for AC readers. As many pundits are saying…water is becoming the new carbon.
In 2006 the United Nations World Water Development Report described the state of water on our planet as a "crisis of governance." While the world appears to have enough fresh water supply today, the issue is one of governance, as in water distribution, management and quality control practices. Water quality appears to be degrading in many areas, our monitoring tells us, and water quantity (supply) is a huge issue in many of the world's regions.
Due to a number of factors -- mismanagement, limited area resources, and environmental changes, some caused by climate change -- almost one-fifth of the planet's population still lacks access to safe drinking water and 40 per cent of the world's population lacks access to basic sanitation. Access to water is further restricted by national and governmental entities that regulate where the water flows, who has access and for what purpose the water is used.
Water is also used as an economic, health and environmental weapon by the "haves" over the "have-nots." Governments "determine who gets what water, when and how, and decide who has the right to water and related services," said the report authors. Water availability is also related to a range of issues intimately connected to water, from health and food security to economic development, land use, and the preservation of the natural ecosystems on which the water resources depend.
Water quality is declining in most regions of the Earth. Regional over- population, increased industrialization, absence of proper waste water treatment -- are all contributing to the emerging crisis. Poor water quality is a key cause of poor livelihood and health. An estimated 1.6 million lives (directly or indirectly connected to water quality issues and their related diseases) could be saved each year by providing more access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene to the world's poorest regions.
Access to water is not only a Third World or emerging nations' issue -- droughts in the U.S. Southeast and quantity issues in the Southwest and in California have brought conservation, control and distribution issues to the public's attention in the past few years. Water in the United States is a key factor to residential and commercial development, economic stability and job growth – all issues which effect local and regional communities' economic well-being. Water in the USA is critical to the health of agriculture and related industries. Corporations are in the spotlight for their use of water – advocates and third party researchers are developing "water footprints" (similar to "carbon footprints") for leading companies, such as Coca Cola, Nestle and other water-intensive industries and sectors.
The Editors of Accountability Central work to bring the many facets of Water issues -- especially quality and quantity -- into focus with news, commentary and research. Education on the issues, public discussion and rising concern can help to bring about real and positive changes and sensible and fair solutions to the problems at hand. Perhaps this public forum can help in some small way. The Institute maintains a robust focus on water issues and the key players in its subscription Web-accessed knowledge management platform Sustainability HQ – click here for more information:www.sustainabilityhq.com.
Latest on Water - Quality & Quantity
July 22, 2016 Evidence Of THC': Town Says Don't Drink The WaterSource: CBS
The town of Hugo's public works department said Thursday afternoon the municipal water supply has been found to contain THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana
July 15, 2016 BP says total Gulf spill bill $61.6bnSource: BBC
BP said the final bill for the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill will be $61.6bn (£46.2bn). The company believes that any further claims related to the spill will "not have a material impact".
July 11, 2016 EPA urges states to publish lead water samplesSource: Monroe News
States have taken steps to address the risk of lead in drinking water after the crisis in Flint, Mich., but more needs to be done to share key information with the public, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Thursday.
July 8, 2016 Double shock of El Nino, La Nina could affect more than 100 mln people – UNSource: Reuters
The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimates that more than 60 million people, two thirds of them in east and southern Africa, are facing food shortages because of droughts linked to El Nino, a climate phenomenon...
July 7, 2016 Members of Congress offered blood tests after lead contamination found in waterSource: Telegraph (UK)
Members of Congress and their staffs underwent blood testing on Wednesday after the water in a Congressional office building was found to have unsafe levels of lead.
June 30, 2016 Millions exposed to dangerous lead levels in US drinking water, report findsSource: The Guardian
New report says Flint water crisis is not an anomaly, as analysis reveals 5,363 water systems – providing drinking water to 18 million – breached federal laws
June 29, 2016 Beijing is sinking at an alarming rate, research showsSource: LA Times
The land under Beijing is sinking by as much as four inches per year because of the overconsumption of groundwater, according to research published in the journal Remote Sensing this month.
June 27, 2016 EPA says filtered Flint, Michigan drinking water safe to drinkSource: Reuters
Federal officials said on Thursday it is safe for anyone to drink properly filtered water in Flint, Michigan, where a public health crisis erupted after residents were exposed to dangerously high levels of lead.
June 22, 2016 Will Water Sector Help or Hurt on Climate Change'
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June 20, 2016 The media may have stopped talking about it, but the Flint water crisis is far from overSource: Salon
After becoming the face of a national movement, Hanna-Attisha, the pediatrician who helped unmask the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, knows all too well - for herself and the residents of Flint - the disaster which almost...


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tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796281929771777047.comments2016-04-09T19:13:05.602+03:00Tanda of the WeekAntti firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796281929771777047.post-88406108651028755202016-04-09T19:13:05.602+03:002016-04-09T19:13:05.602+03:00Great tanda! If someone's looking to fill out...Great tanda! If someone's looking to fill out the tanda with Charlo, I find that "Donde esta corazon" (1929) fits nicely in the second slot, moving "Misa de Once" to the opening track. Enjoy!Unknownhttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796281929771777047.post-69626046118080960212016-04-04T23:25:04.263+03:002016-04-04T23:25:04.263+03:00Cards blogs as good a greeting from Tango in Gran...Cards blogs as good a greeting from  Tango in Granada
SpainRosa Graciahttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796281929771777047.post-54050270210248584832016-03-31T00:56:34.047+03:002016-03-31T00:56:34.047+03:00Another version of this tanda with just the instru...Another version of this tanda with just the instrumentals https://archive.is/Z1hv9#selection-3977.0-4141.4

I could find only one D'Arienzo 50s vocals (poor imo) on TOTW and no post 55 D'Arienzo instrumental tanda that I could see. There's a need for at least one of those I think.

I listened to tracks from the (more or less random) Album La punalada on Spotify, which sounded like a lot of late D'Arienzo. From there I know and like e.g. Canaro en Paris, La punalada, Paciencia, Independencia, El internado, Felicia, Jueves.

Others like El Marne and Tucuman, maybe are good but I just don't know well enough to say for sure.

Of the songs maybe El vino triste. Maybe others but I don't know them well enough and I'm much more sceptical about the songs from that era. Felicityhttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796281929771777047.post-86563778040155609412016-03-29T16:52:02.799+03:002016-03-29T16:52:02.799+03:00Absolutely and when I get to be as patient as that...Absolutely and when I get to be as patient as that I'll probably just think to myself: I can't be fucking asked! ... but for now I'm happy to give you lot a prod every now and again with a piece of my mind *LOL*

Heaven knows what they must think when they hear someone say "Mi dolor" is undanceable. Let's just hope they don't injury themselves falling of a chair in stitches!Ivan Vickosishttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796281929771777047.post-16985532525251399372016-03-29T15:47:48.636+03:002016-03-29T15:47:48.636+03:00I'm not sure what invisible "us" you...I'm not sure what invisible "us" you're claiming to your cause - never a good sign, that. Not, presumably, those dancers who leave London to dance outside it.

Interesting that many great Argentinian social dancers know, love and have been dancing that "same old same old" for fifty, sixty years or more. They know the orchestras, they know the tracks that DJs play, they know the words and their tolerance for all of us so comparatively new is a good deal quieter than yours.Felicityhttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796281929771777047.post-43580587381214400172016-03-29T03:45:39.031+03:002016-03-29T03:45:39.031+03:00First some bloke doesn't like a guest Tanda on...First some bloke doesn't like a guest Tanda on here and feels so strongly about it that he has to write a completely pointless negative comment and now someone else doesn't like my choice of words *LOL* suggesting I'm implying some form of intolerance or something other. What's up with all this?

You don't know jack. We're extremely tolerant over her all right, in fact we'll put up with pretty much most things including all the plinkety-plonkety stuff, but you know what, that's generally not what we're about. If we were, we'd probably go seek out places like that, but we don't. Instead we look for DJ who set the night on fire, who wow us with their Tandas and know how to play for and please the crowd, who are not afraid to chuck in something a little different every now and again if it feels right and who don't limit themselves to the same old same old. We want to experience all that Tango has to offer, sophistication, elegance, drama, passion, we want it all and anything less just doesn't cut it.

I expect to leave the Milonga at the end of the night feeling I've just stepped off a roller-coaster, adrenalin still pumping through my veins long after I left the place, thinking to myself: Wow, what a ride! In fact I want every Tanda to feel like this. That's generally how we roll over here in London and any DJ who make us feel like this has our respect and almost certainly makes the list of "renowned" ones.

If this is not your cup of tea, well tough! By all means go find somewhere you feel comfortable, safe or whatever. Where you like the music "actually" played, whatever that may be, but please don't tell us what we can and can't dance to or who and what we like to listen to. We know what we like and who makes us tick and for sure we are not shy to tell it like it is.Ivan Vickosishttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796281929771777047.post-86487496357633002612016-03-28T16:48:23.780+03:002016-03-28T16:48:23.780+03:00Re "sacrilege": I suppose not all of us ...Re "sacrilege": I suppose not all of us have that focused religious zeal about these tracks. I'm surprised by the implicit intolerance there since you apparently share the view ("Tango can be like marmite") that it's different strokes for different folks. I've no problem with the idea that taste, like the herd-like pursuit of religion is probably irrational.

While we're on the topic of blind pursuit I for one don't rate a DJ based on their "renown", preferring other things on which to base such conclusions - like the music they actually play. Felicityhttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796281929771777047.post-88484311203585461822016-03-28T15:33:12.351+03:002016-03-28T15:33:12.351+03:00You clearly don't like this Tanda, so BIG fuck...You clearly don't like this Tanda, so BIG fucking deal. Tango can be like Marmite sometimes and clearly there's no pleasing some.

I don't know where you've been dancing in London over the years, but judging from your comment about the discos it sure doesn't sound like the more traditional Milonga. Could this explains why I don't believe we've met (ever?) in all the years I myself have been dancing here?

Out of all the songs I would say the first one is probably the more unusual one and even so I recall dancing to it on many happy occasions. There was even a phase not so long ago when some of our more renowned DJ used to play this a lot, but I guess you wouldn't know this.

In any case your comment about this not being danceable is utter rubbish. "Este es El Rey" would certainly get me and many fine dancers on the floor straight away and even if I somehow missed this and the next two tunes, I would certainly get up to dance "Mi Dolor" alone. It would be sacrilege not to!Ivan Vickosishttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796281929771777047.post-68158790111851294262016-03-28T15:18:08.056+03:002016-03-28T15:18:08.056+03:00If I'm thinking about travelling to hear a DJ,...If I'm thinking about travelling to hear a DJ, I'll look for trusted recommendation because it's depressing going to a milonga that has music one dislikes. I'll also check to see what if anything the DJ has put on TOTW.

This tanda isn't my thing at all. But I have heard Francesco DJ several times in Berlin, albeit a year ago now. It's true my judgement has clarified and changed since then and perhaps what Francesco plays has too. But then at least I liked most of his music. There was a tendency towards some of what I call drama but I found that across a lot of the Berlin scene. What I'm trying to say it wasn't by any means all like this tanda. There were many, a majority of good trad tandas for me. So if one was to draw conclusions - say before committing to travel - about *most* of what a DJ plays based on what they post on TOTW, those conclusions might be fairly off the mark. But in the absence of any better method what else can one do?

Still, submitted tandas by other DJs are very useful but because you can look at say the submitted Fresedo tandas of Dj Sevin Egemen: http://tandaoftheweek.blogspot.co.uk/2011/02/tanda-of-week-07-2011-osvaldo-fresedo.html

versus DJ Goran http://tandaoftheweek.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/tanda-of-week-27-2013-osvaldo-fresedo.html and even though I have heard nothing else by these two DJs I would immediately want to hear the former DJ play over the latter.Felicityhttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796281929771777047.post-21011964784782589002016-03-28T13:51:28.210+03:002016-03-28T13:51:28.210+03:00Ivan Vickosis wrote "I can also reassure you ...Ivan Vickosis wrote "I can also reassure you these songs get plenty of airtime, over here in London"

I think you're mistaken Ivan. Over the 15 years in which I've danced in milongas (and even a few tango discos) in London, I've very rarely heard these songs played.
Chrishttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796281929771777047.post-80317592541310877742016-03-28T05:25:37.322+03:002016-03-28T05:25:37.322+03:00Lovely Tanda Francesco! I can also reassure you th...Lovely Tanda Francesco! I can also reassure you these songs get plenty of airtime, over here in London and most other places I've been to.

I wouldn't exactly call "Este es El Rey" a shock, more of an absolute delight that's simply impossible to sit out. "Sentimiento Gaucho" another classic, "Inspiración" not my favourite but that's just being a little picky *LOL* Still probably good to catch some breath before going off with a real bang in "Mi dolor" and I totally agree with you it's right up there with all the other greats.

Superb Tanda dude, I look forward to dancing to this one of these days. In the mean time, rock on : )Ivan Vickosishttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796281929771777047.post-11915347348112820162016-03-19T14:18:41.366+02:002016-03-19T14:18:41.366+02:00Wow! One could say: "I don't like his voi...Wow! One could say: "I don't like his voice", or "I don't like the late tangos", or "I prefer to dance the piano solo of por que razon like it were just compas, cos it's easier". Fair enough. And yes, there is a lot of great D'Arienzo's, maybe even better ones, whatever that means. But saying something like "It's not danceable" (non-dance music?), if it's what you meant ... wow!
And the sentence: "No milonga DJ should have to resort to ...". Apart from the fact that I heard those songs all over the world: Paris, Moscow, Zurich, Buenos Aires, Istanbul, name one capital of Tango. Also, last time I checked there was no Bible of the DJ. What you need to resort to depends on the people you got on the dancefloor, not on what you like. I see putting on music like a service to the people, not to me :)Francesco Cieschihttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796281929771777047.post-58058026665951392662016-03-19T13:00:08.077+02:002016-03-19T13:00:08.077+02:00This gets my vote as possibly the worst tanda on T...This gets my vote as possibly the worst tanda on Tanda of the Week. With so much great D'Arienzo dance music available, no milonga DJ should have to resort to non-dance music such as these Ramos songs.Chrishttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796281929771777047.post-56629200977664136322016-03-15T14:10:29.096+02:002016-03-15T14:10:29.096+02:00tips for DJ: Programming Writing computer program...tips for DJ:
Programming
Writing computer programs is presumably the most critical part of a DJ's set. A flawless specialized blend with no spirit is never tantamount to a less-specialized blend with loads of vibe. The music is the thing that moves your crowd, and the stream of music starting with one track then onto the next can really make an excursion on the off chance that you take an ideal opportunity to arrange for that adventure. Numerous DJs dismiss this when the fervor of group reaction is going on, and they disappear from the voyage and into moment musical delight. A prepared DJ will never go the course of moment delight since it's a fleeting fix, and a group will wear out rapidly on this vibe. best dj in bangaloreCraft Wedhttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796281929771777047.post-69221662855870500592016-01-04T06:06:06.266+02:002016-01-04T06:06:06.266+02:00I've been to events at other places, but this ...I've been to events at other places, but this was my first time in here. Great venues Los Angeles. Food was good and seating was very comfortable. Also, very good view from where I sat. This is such a cool venue and the atmosphere was equally amazing.Robertohttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796281929771777047.post-35422821805302618262015-12-05T21:52:21.219+02:002015-12-05T21:52:21.219+02:00Dear Antti Suniala, would you please share your ex...Dear Antti Suniala,
would you please share your experience of how you use Traktor Pro filters to manage noise at the 8khz to 16khz band? I am facing the problem of dealing occasionally with pretty noisy files, but without a proper hardware EQ on location and the Traktor EQ is just unsuitable for fine tuning.
Thank youMarvin Hansenhttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796281929771777047.post-88062562991822603002015-11-25T19:17:55.063+02:002015-11-25T19:17:55.063+02:00Such a great site! I still remember when you were ...Such a great site! I still remember when you were djing in Bem Rakpart in Budapest!Endrehttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796281929771777047.post-43336049684677075192015-10-13T12:33:13.905+03:002015-10-13T12:33:13.905+03:00I'd guess what gets this authentic sound is no...I'd guess what gets this authentic sound is not equipment, but the absence of a studio producer and the presence of an audience of dancers. Chrishttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796281929771777047.post-89761572709994048432015-10-13T12:23:30.566+03:002015-10-13T12:23:30.566+03:00You're most welcome! It's true that the CD...You're most welcome! It's true that the CD tracks are far from the mood and energy of their live performance. A lot of the new soul jazz bands are using 50's studio equipment to get the "authentic sound". Maybe the tango orchestras of today should do the same! ;)Antti Sunialahttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796281929771777047.post-40950297781167914932015-10-13T03:42:26.132+03:002015-10-13T03:42:26.132+03:00> 1. Héctor Varela / Rodolfo Lesica - "His...> 1. Héctor Varela / Rodolfo Lesica - "Historia de un amor" 1956

I much prefer this version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-boT1yHWy4M&t=33s :)Chrishttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796281929771777047.post-77359354676701968112015-10-13T03:36:50.375+03:002015-10-13T03:36:50.375+03:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Chrishttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796281929771777047.post-92100987926422107132015-10-13T03:36:11.041+03:002015-10-13T03:36:11.041+03:00Thanks for your review, Antti. Those CD tracks did...Thanks for your review, Antti. Those CD tracks did not impress me at all, but on the strength of your review of the live performance, I went to hear them in London last weekend. They blew the roof off. The best tango for dance that I've heard.Chrishttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796281929771777047.post-71108506918337356432015-10-12T06:49:38.631+03:002015-10-12T06:49:38.631+03:00One of those singers of the "golden" tim...One of those singers of the "golden" times reminding me to a billy goat. hariboldhttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796281929771777047.post-23465742379323407132015-10-12T06:34:35.240+03:002015-10-12T06:34:35.240+03:00Pedro Laurenz's Flores del Alma is available o...Pedro Laurenz's Flores del Alma is available on Spotify as of 2015-1012
spotify:track:07qaGoD9GVcAvkathT7hF8
http://open.spotify.com/track/07qaGoD9GVcAvkathT7hF8Jari Aaltohttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-6796281929771777047.post-3093084178579119862015-10-12T06:32:38.396+03:002015-10-12T06:32:38.396+03:00This comment has been removed by the author.Jari Aaltohttp://firstname.lastname@example.com

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By demonstrating best practice and giving practical advice, the event aimed to empower Faculty staff to use new and innovative communication methods to deliver their key messages and connect with audiences. UCL News Kate Faxen 2016-07-06T08:31:32Z SLMS Researcher wins Rogue Resolutions Challenge http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/slms/slms-news/slms/rogue Dr Helen Nuttall (UCL Psychology and Language Sciences) was one of the winners of the inaugural international competition. UCL News Morgan Williams 2016-07-01T09:26:02Z Our ancestors evolved faster after dinosaur extinction http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-articles/0616/290616-ancestor-evolution-post-dinosaurs Our ancestors evolved three times faster in the 10 million years after the extinction of the dinosaurs than in the previous 80 million years, according to UCL researchers. RSS Feed Rebecca L Caygill 2016-06-29T06:36:14Z SLMS Education Showcase http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/slms/slms-news/slms/showcase The SLMS Education Showcase was organized by the SLMS Education Network and hosted by UCL School of Pharmacy on Friday June 17th. UCL News Morgan Williams 2016-06-27T15:32:47Z New appointees - NIHR Research Professorships 2016 http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/slms/slms-news/slms/nihr2016 Of four prestigious NIHR research professorships in 2016, two have gone to UCL researchers who are also UCLH consultants; Professor Rachel Batterham (obesity) and Dr Alexander Leff (neurology). UCL News Morgan Williams 2016-06-27T12:15:04Z Simple reward-based learning suits adolescents best http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-articles/0616/200616-reward-based-learning-suits-adolescrents-best Adolescents focus on rewards and are less able to learn to avoid punishment or consider the consequences of alternative actions, finds a new UCL-led study. 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UCL News Morgan Williams 2016-06-14T09:05:39Z Predicting disease outbreaks using environmental changes http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-articles/0616/130616-predicting-virus-outbreaks A model that predicts outbreaks of zoonotic diseases – those originating in livestock or wildlife such as Ebola and Zika – based on changes in climate, population growth and land use has been developed by a UCL-led team of researchers. RSS Feed Rebecca L Caygill 2016-06-13T09:37:54Z Cancer drugs could target autoimmune diseases http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-articles/0616/100616-cancer-drugs-autoimmune-uveitis Drugs currently being trialled in cancer patients have been used to successfully target an autoimmune condition in mice at UCL and King's College London. RSS Feed Harry C Dayantis 2016-06-10T15:18:28Z Professor Mark Lythgoe appointed Chair of the Times Cheltenham Science Festival http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-articles/0616/030616-mark-lythgoe-cheltenham Professor Mark Lythgoe (UCL Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging) has been announced as the new Chair of the Times Cheltenham Science Festival. RSS Feed Siobhan Pipa 2016-06-03T15:45:22Z Declining dopamine may explain why older people take fewer risks http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-articles/0616/030616-dopamine-older-risks Older people are less willing to take risks for potential rewards and this may be due to declining levels of dopamine in the brain, finds a new UCL study of over 25,000 people funded by Wellcome. RSS Feed Harry C Dayantis 2016-06-03T09:04:12Z Brain structure that tracks negative events backfires in depression http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-articles/0616/020616-brain-structure-backfires-depression A region of the brain that responds to bad experiences has the opposite reaction to expectations of aversive events in people with depression compared to healthy adults, finds a new UCL study funded by the Medical Research Council. RSS Feed Harry C Dayantis 2016-06-02T12:40:14Z Four SLMS researchers elected to the Fellowship of the Academy of Medical Sciences http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/slms/slms-news/slms/medsci Four members of our community have been elected to the (clockwise from top left) Professor Arne Akbar, Professor Christopher Brewin, Professor Mark Emberton and Professor Mala Maini UCL News Morgan Williams 2016-06-01T15:26:26Z Junk food causes similar high blood sugar levels as type 2 diabetes http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/slms/slms-news/slms/diabetes A junk food diet can cause as much damage to the kidney as diabetes, according to a new study published in the journal Experimental Physiology. UCL News Morgan Williams 2016-05-20T14:28:43Z Genes for nose shape found http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-articles/0516/190516-nose-shape Genes that drive the shape of human noses have been identified by a UCL-led study. RSS Feed Siobhan Pipa 2016-05-19T10:17:48Z


text:
....they wear dogtags. A huge thanks to all our vets. :waveflag::soldiers:
Real heroes don't wear capes...
5 posts / 0 new
Fri, 11/11/2011 - 10:34#1
Real heroes don't wear capes...
Fri, 11/11/2011 - 11:03#2
Agreed! A very special thank you to all that have served (or actively serving now!) AND their families. You are very much appreciated!
All the best,
Fri, 11/11/2011 - 14:36#3
In honor of those who have served, are serving, and will serve... on Veteran's Day!!
Fri, 11/11/2011 - 14:47#4
Emily - perfectly said!
Thank you so much to all the men and women that serve and protect us - as well as their families that have to pick up the slack at home when they are gone.
You guys get my biggest, heartfelt thanks and love ever! We honor you!
Fri, 11/11/2011 - 15:37#5
Happy Veteran's Day everyone.


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Human Alveolar Echinococcosis in Poland: 1990–2011
Nahorski, Wacław L.
Knap, Józef P.
Pawłowski, Zbigniew S.
Krawczyk, Marek
Polański, Jerzy
Stefaniak, Jerzy
Patkowski, Waldemar
Szostakowska, Beata
Pietkiewicz, Halina
Grzeszczuk, Anna
Felczak-Korzybska, Iwona
Gołąb, Elżbieta
Wnukowska, Natalia
Paul, Małgorzata
Kacprzak, Elżbieta
Sokolewicz-Bobrowska, Elżbieta
Niścigorska-Olsen, Jolanta
Czyrznikowska, Aleksandra
Chomicz, Lidia
Cielecka, Danuta
Myjak, Przemysław
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) caused by Echinococcus multilocularis infections is a dangerous old disease in the Northern Hemisphere. The aim of the paper was to collect and analyze data on human AE in Poland in the last two decades.
Methodology/Principal Findings
The sources of data were both the cases officially registered and detected by an active field and laboratory surveillance. The cases were verified by clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory criteria. Altogether 121 human cases of AE were detected. Among these 83 (68,6%) cases were classified as confirmed, 16 as probable and 22 as possible. During the two decades a continuous increase in detection rate was noticed. The cases were 6–82 years old at the time of diagnosis (mean - 47.7 years). Sex ratio M/F was 0.86/1.0. The AE was fatal in 23 (19%) patients (mean age at death - 54.1 years). Family agglomeration of AE was found in 4 foci, involving 9 patients. Seventy six of the cases were diagnosed in an advanced stage of disease. In all cases the liver was the primary location of AE. In 30 (24.8%) patients a spread to other organs was observed. Ninety four of the patients were treated with albendazole. In 73 (60%) patients a surgical operation was performed, including 15 liver transplantations.
The studies confirmed that AE is an emerging disease in Poland, which is the fourth country in Europe with over 120 cases detected. The results also indicate the need of a wider national programme for implementation of screening in the highest AE risk areas (north-eastern Poland) with an effort to increase the public awareness of the possibility of contracting E. multilocularis, and above all, training of the primary care physicians in the recognition of the risk of AE to allow for an early detection of this dangerous disease.
Author Summary
Human alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a consequence of accidental ingestion of the eggs of the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis. AE constitutes a serious and increasing medical and epidemiological problem in many countries including Poland. The natural environments with a high AE prevalence are the areas where the definitive hosts (foxes, raccoons) and the intermediate hosts (rodents) live. The increasing population of infected foxes that penetrate nearby the village and urban buildings and infected dogs poses a certain risk to human health. This report is a joint clinical and epidemiological analysis of 121 AE cases recorded in the years 1990–2011 in Poland. The highest percentage of E. multilocularis infected foxes in the north-eastern regions of Poland (about 40% of the examined population infected) bears a clear-cut relation to the highest incidence of detected AE human cases in those areas. An epidemiological and clinical survey of the local population conducted for over a dozen years has contributed to the discovery of several new AE cases. Alveolar echinococcosis in humans caused by Echinococcus multilocularis infection belongs to the emerging diseases in Poland where a continuous increase in the detection rate was noticed during the last two decades.
Related Articles
Dynamics of the Force of Infection: Insights from Echinococcus multilocularis Infection in Foxes
Lewis, Fraser I.
Otero-Abad, Belen
Hegglin, Daniel
Deplazes, Peter
Torgerson, Paul R.
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Characterizing the force of infection (FOI) is an essential part of planning cost effective control strategies for zoonotic diseases. Echinococcus multilocularis is the causative agent of alveolar echinococcosis in humans, a serious disease with a high fatality rate and an increasing global spread. Red foxes are high prevalence hosts of E. multilocularis. Through a mathematical modelling approach, using field data collected from in and around the city of Zurich, Switzerland, we find compelling evidence that the FOI is periodic with highly variable amplitude, and, while this amplitude is similar across habitat types, the mean FOI differs markedly between urban and periurban habitats suggesting a considerable risk differential. The FOI, during an annual cycle, ranges from (0.1,0.8) insults (95% CI) in urban habitat in the summer to (9.4, 9.7) (95% CI) in periurban (rural) habitat in winter. Such large temporal and spatial variations in FOI suggest that control strategies are optimal when tailored to local FOI dynamics.
Author Summary
Human alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is caused by the fox tapeworm E. multilocularis and has a high fatality rate if untreated. The frequency of the tapeworm in foxes can be reduced through the regular distribution of anthelmintic baits and thus decrease the risk of zoonotic transmission. Here, we estimate the force of infection to foxes using a mathematical model and data from necropsied foxes. The results suggest that the frequency of anthelmintic baiting of foxes can be optimised to local variations in transmission that depend upon season and type of fox habitat.
Related Articles
A Systematic Review of the Epidemiology of Echinococcosis in Domestic and Wild Animals
Otero-Abad, Belen
Torgerson, Paul R.
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Human echinococcosis is a neglected zoonosis caused by parasites of the genus Echinococcus. The most frequent clinical forms of echinococcosis, cystic echinococcosis (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE), are responsible for a substantial health and economic burden, particularly to low-income societies. Quantitative epidemiology can provide important information to improve the understanding of parasite transmission and hence is an important part of efforts to control this disease. The purpose of this review is to give an insight on factors associated with echinococcosis in animal hosts by summarising significant results reported from epidemiological studies identified through a systematic search.
Methodology and Principal Findings
The systematic search was conducted mainly in electronic databases but a few additional records were obtained from other sources. Retrieved entries were examined in order to identify available peer-reviewed epidemiological studies that found significant risk factors for infection using associative statistical methods. One hundred studies met the eligibility criteria and were suitable for data extraction. Epidemiological factors associated with increased risk of E. granulosus infection in dogs included feeding with raw viscera, possibility of scavenging dead animals, lack of anthelmintic treatment and owners' poor health education and indicators of poverty. Key factors associated with E. granulosus infection in intermediate hosts were related to the hosts' age and the intensity of environmental contamination with parasite eggs. E. multilocularis transmission dynamics in animal hosts depended on the interaction of several ecological factors, such as hosts' population densities, host-prey interactions, landscape characteristics, climate conditions and human-related activities.
Results derived from epidemiological studies provide a better understanding of the behavioural, biological and ecological factors involved in the transmission of this parasite and hence can aid in the design of more effective control strategies.
Author Summary
Echinococcosis is considered a neglected zoonotic disease caused by the larval form of Echinococcus spp. tapeworms. Humans become infected through the accidental intake of parasitic eggs excreted by the faeces of definitive hosts (dogs, foxes and other canids). Infection involves the development of cysts, primarily in the lungs and liver, causing damage as they enlarge like a slowly growing tumor. Transmission is facilitated by the general lack of awareness of infection factors and epidemiological models can identify them. Nevertheless, there has never been a systematic review summarizing the significant determinants for echinococcosis in animals. One hundred publications were included in the results after evaluating 1,935 entries and screening the references lists of the eligible papers. Principal factors associated with canine infection included the access of dogs to infected offal, allowing dogs to roam free, being a young and/or male dog and social behaviours linked with poor health conditions and poor living environments of dog owners. Ecological factors influencing E. multilocularis transmission encompassed population densities of foxes and rodents, predator-prey relationships, geographical characteristics, climate conditions and the movement of foxes towards urban areas. These findings are important, as intervention to control echinococcosis requires intervention in animal populations.
Related Articles
Survey of public knowledge about Echinococcus multilocularis in four European countries: Need for proactive information
Hegglin, Daniel
Bontadina, Fabio
Gloor, Sandra
Romig, Thomas
Deplazes, Peter
Kern, Peter
BMC Public Health
Public information about prevention of zoonoses should be based on the perceived problem by the public and should be adapted to regional circumstances. Growing fox populations have led to increasing concern about human alveolar echinococcosis, which is caused by the fox tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis. In order to plan information campaigns, public knowledge about this zoonotic tapeworm was assessed.
By means of representative telephone interviews (N = 2041), a survey of public knowledge about the risk and the prevention of alveolar echinococcosis was carried out in the Czech Republic, France, Germany and Switzerland in 2004.
For all five questions, significant country-specific differences were found. Fewer people had heard of E. multilocularis in the Czech Republic (14%) and France (18%) compared to Germany (63%) and Switzerland (70%). The same effect has been observed when only high endemic regions were considered (Czech Republic: 20%, France: 17%, Germany: 77%, Switzerland: 61%). In France 17% of people who knew the parasite felt themselves reasonably informed. In the other countries, the majority felt themselves reasonably informed (54–60%). The percentage that perceived E. multilocularis as a high risk ranged from 12% (Switzerland) to 43% (France). In some countries promising measures as deworming dogs (Czech Republic, Switzerland) were not recognized as prevention options.
Our results and the actual epidemiological circumstances of AE call for proactive information programs. This communication should enable the public to achieve realistic risk perception, give clear information on how people can minimize their infection risk, and prevent exaggerated reactions and anxiety.
Related Articles
Biological, Epidemiological, and Clinical Aspects of Echinococcosis, a Zoonosis of Increasing Concern
Eckert, Johannes
Deplazes, Peter
Clinical Microbiology Reviews
Echinococcosis in humans is a zoonotic infection caused by larval stages (metacestodes) of cestode species of the genus Echinococcus. Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is caused by Echinococcus granulosus, alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is caused by E. multilocularis, and polycystic forms are caused by either E. vogeli or E. oligarthrus. In untreated cases, AE has a high mortality rate. Although control is essentially feasible, CE remains a considerable health problem in many regions of the northern and southern hemispheres. AE is restricted to the northern hemisphere regions of North America and Eurasia. Recent studies have shown that E. multilocularis, the causative agent of AE, is more widely distributed than previously thought. There are also some hints of an increasing significance of polycystic forms of the disease, which are restricted to Central and South America. Various aspects of human echinococcosis are discussed in this review, including data on the infectivity of genetic variants of E. granulosus to humans, the increasing invasion of cities in Europe and Japan by red foxes, the main definitive hosts of E. multilocularis, and the first demonstration of urban cycles of the parasite. Examples of emergence or reemergence of CE are presented, and the question of potential spreading of E. multilocularis is critically assessed. Furthermore, information is presented on new and improved tools for diagnosing the infection in final hosts (dogs, foxes, and cats) by coproantigen or DNA detection and the application of molecular techniques to epidemiological studies. In the clinical field, the available methods for diagnosing human CE and AE are described and the treatment options are summarized. The development of new chemotherapeutic options for all forms of human echinococcosis remains an urgent requirement. A new option for the control of E. granulosus in the intermediate host population (mainly sheep and cattle) is vaccination. Attempts are made to reduce the prevalence of E. multilocualaris in fox populations by regular baiting with an anthelmintic (praziquantel). Recent data have shown that this control option may be used in restricted areas, for example in cities, with the aim of reducing the infection risk for humans.
Related Articles
Rapid Urbanization of Red Foxes in Estonia: Distribution, Behaviour, Attacks on Domestic Animals, and Health-Risks Related to Zoonotic Diseases
Plumer, Liivi
Davison, John
Saarma, Urmas
PLoS ONE
Urban areas are becoming increasingly important for wildlife as diminishing natural habitats no longer represent a suitable environment for many species. Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) are nowadays common in many cities worldwide, and in recent years they have colonized urban areas in Estonia. We used a public web-based questionnaire approach to evaluate the distribution and behaviour of Estonian urban foxes, to detect related problems and to assess health risks to humans and domestic animals. In total, 1205 responses were collected throughout the country. Foxes have colonized the majority of Estonian towns (33 out of 47) in a relatively short period of time, and have already established breeding dens in several towns. Despite their recent arrival, the behaviour of Estonian urban foxes is similar to that reported in longer-established urban fox populations: they are mostly active during night-time, often visit city centres and some also have dens in such locations. Certain characteristics of urban foxes serve as a basis for conflict with humans: foxes have entered houses and attacked domestic animals, killing cats and poultry. About 8% of reported foxes exhibited symptoms of sarcoptic mange, a disease that also infects domestic animals, especially dogs. The proportion of mange-infected foxes was higher in large urban areas. In addition to mange, a substantial fraction of red foxes in Estonia are known to be infected with the life-threatening tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis, the causative agent of alveolar echinococcosis. Therefore, urban foxes may represent a source of serious infectious disease for pets and humans.
Related Articles
Genetic Diversity of the Cestode Echinococcus multilocularis in Red Foxes at a Continental Scale in Europe
Knapp, Jenny
Bart, Jean-Mathieu
Giraudoux, Patrick
Glowatzki, Marie-Louise
Breyer, Isabelle
Raoul, Francis
Deplazes, Peter
Duscher, Georg
Martinek, Karel
Dubinsky, Pavol
Guislain, Marie-Hélène
Cliquet, Florence
Romig, Thomas
Malczewski, Andrzej
Gottstein, Bruno
Piarroux, Renaud
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a severe helminth disease affecting humans, which is caused by the fox tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis. AE represents a serious public health issue in larger regions of China, Siberia, and other regions in Asia. In Europe, a significant increase in prevalence since the 1990s is not only affecting the historically documented endemic area north of the Alps but more recently also neighbouring regions previously not known to be endemic. The genetic diversity of the parasite population and respective distribution in Europe have now been investigated in view of generating a fine-tuned map of parasite variants occurring in Europe. This approach may serve as a model to study the parasite at a worldwide level.
Methodology/Principal Findings
The genetic diversity of E. multilocularis was assessed based upon the tandemly repeated microsatellite marker EmsB in association with matching fox host geographical positions. Our study demonstrated a higher genetic diversity in the endemic areas north of the Alps when compared to other areas.
The study of the spatial distribution of E. multilocularis in Europe, based on 32 genetic clusters, suggests that Europe can be considered as a unique global focus of E. multilocularis, which can be schematically drawn as a central core located in Switzerland and Jura Swabe flanked by neighbouring regions where the parasite exhibits a lower genetic diversity. The transmission of the parasite into peripheral regions is governed by a "mainland–island" system. Moreover, the presence of similar genetic profiles in both zones indicated a founder event.
Author Summary
Echinococcus multilocularis is a tapeworm of the red fox, which represents a considerable health threat to respectively infected humans. Main endemic areas are located in China, Siberia, and central Europe. Alarmed by an emerging or reemerging situation in Europe, the question of how the parasite gets spatially and temporally spread and transmitted becomes essential to prepare appropriate control programs. The question was tackled by using genetic data on a large sample size of E. multilocularis adult stage tapeworms, combined with geographical site location data input. The historically documented endemic area, represented by the northern Alpine arch, was shown to harbour the highest genetic richness and diversity, as compared to surrounding areas in northern and eastern Europe. The spatial and temporal spread of different E. multilocularis genotypes in Europe seems to be ruled by a founder event, linked to exportation of parasites from the central core to newly identified (western and eastern) areas or subregions, where these parasites could subsequently disseminate under geographical separation from the original foci.
Related Articles
Anthelmintic Baiting of Foxes against Urban Contamination with Echinococcus multilocularis
Hegglin, Daniel
Ward, Paul I.
Deplazes, Peter
Emerging Infectious Diseases
In recent years, increases in the urban fox population have been observed in many countries of the Northern Hemisphere. As a result, Echinococcus multilocularis has entered the urban environment. Because of a possible increased risk for alveolar echinococcosis, intervention strategies need to be evaluated. In Zürich, Switzerland, 50 praziquantel-containing baits per km2 were distributed monthly in six 1-km2 bait areas and one 6-km2 bait area from April 2000 through October 2001. The proportion of E. multilocularis coproantigen–positive fox fecal samples collected remained unchanged in six control areas but decreased significantly in the 1-km2 bait areas (from 38.6% to 5.5%) and in the 6-km2 bait area (from 66.7% to 1.8%). E. multilocularis prevalence in the intermediate host Arvicola terrestris also decreased significantly in baited areas. This controlled baiting study shows that a pronounced reduction of E. multilocularis egg contamination is feasible in urban areas where the organism is highly endemic.
Related Articles
Subcutaneous Infection Model Facilitates Treatment Assessment of Secondary Alveolar Echinococcosis in Mice
Küster, Tatiana
Hermann, Corina
Hemphill, Andrew
Gottstein, Bruno
Spiliotis, Markus
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) in humans is a parasitic disease characterized by severe damage to the liver and occasionally other organs. AE is caused by infection with the metacestode (larval) stage of the fox tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis, usually infecting small rodents as natural intermediate hosts. Conventionally, human AE is chemotherapeutically treated with mebendazole or albendazole. There is, however still the need for improved chemotherapeutical options. Primary in vivo studies on drugs of interest are commonly performed in small laboratory animals such as mice and Mongolian jirds, and in most cases, a secondary infection model is used, whereby E. multilocularis metacestodes are directly injected into the peritoneal cavity or into the liver. Disadvantages of this methodological approach include risk of injury to organs during the inoculation and, most notably, a limitation in the macroscopic (visible) assessment of treatment efficacy. Thus, in order to monitor the efficacy of chemotherapeutical treatment, animals have to be euthanized and the parasite tissue dissected. In the present study, mice were infected with E. multilocularis metacestodes through the subcutaneous route and were then subjected to chemotherapy employing albendazole. Serological responses to infection were comparatively assessed in mice infected by the conventional intraperitoneal route. We demonstrate that the subcutaneous infection model for secondary AE facilitates the assessment of the progress of infection and drug treatment in the live animal.
Author Summary
Alveolar echinococcosis is a disease which affects humans and inflicts severe damage to the liver and other organs. It is caused by a parasite whose definitive host is the fox. Despite being a relatively rare disease, an increasing number of new cases has been reported in central and eastern European countries more recently. The current therapy in human AE patients consists of benzimidazoles. The treatment has to be taken on a daily basis for very long periods of time, or even lifelong. New options are currently being searched for, mainly based on compounds that show efficacy in experimental animal infection models. The infection is commonly done by injecting parasites directly into the peritoneal cavity of the animals, with risk of damage to the surrounding organs. The efficacy of applied treatments can only be evaluated at the end of the studies by dissection of the animals. In this study we show that the subcutaneous infection model can be applied for drug treatment trials and enables the direct monitoring of treatment effects during the entire study period.
Related Articles
European Echinococcosis Registry: Human Alveolar Echinococcosis, Europe, 1982–2000
Kern, Petra
Bardonnet, Karine
Renner, Elisabeth
Auer, Herbert
Pawlowski, Zbigniew
Ammann, Rudolf W.
Vuitton, Dominique A.
Kern, Peter
Emerging Infectious Diseases
Surveillance for alveolar echinococcosis in central Europe was initiated in 1998. On a voluntary basis, 559 patients were reported to the registry. Most cases originated from rural communities in regions from eastern France to western Austria; single cases were reported far away from the disease-"endemic" zone throughout central Europe. Of 210 patients, 61.4% were involved in vocational or part-time farming, gardening, forestry, or hunting. Patients were diagnosed at a mean age of 52.5 years; 78% had symptoms. Alveolar echinococcosis primarily manifested as a liver disease. Of the 559 patients, 190 (34%) were already affected by spread of the parasitic larval tissue. Of 408 (73%) patients alive in 2000, 4.9% were cured. The increasing prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis in foxes in rural and urban areas of central Europe and the occurrence of cases outside the alveolar echinococcosis–endemic regions suggest that this disease deserves increased attention.
alveolar echinococcosis; alveolar hydatid disease; Echinococcus multilocularis; epidemiology; geographic distribution; risk factors; clinical characteristics; case registry; research
Related Articles
Detection of Echinococcus multilocularis in Carnivores in Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran Using Mitochondrial DNA
Beiromvand, Molouk
Akhlaghi, Lame
Fattahi Massom, Seyed Hossein
Mobedi, Iraj
Meamar, Ahmad Reza
Oormazdi, Hormozd
Motevalian, Abbas
Razmjou, Elham
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Echinococcus multilocularis is the source of alveolar echinococcosis, a potentially fatal zoonotic disease. This investigation assessed the presence of E. multilocularis infection in definitive hosts in the Chenaran region of Razavi Khorasan Province, northeastern Iran.
Methodology/Principal Findings
Fecal samples from 77 domestic and stray dogs and 14 wild carnivores were examined using the flotation/sieving method followed by multiplex PCR of mitochondrial genes. The intestinal scraping technique (IST) and the sedimentation and counting technique (SCT) revealed adult Echinococcus in the intestines of five of 10 jackals and of the single wolf examined. Three jackals were infected only with E. multilocularis but two, and the wolf, were infected with both E. multilocularis and E. granulosus. Multiplex PCR revealed E. multilocularis, E. granulosus, and Taenia spp. in 19, 24, and 28 fecal samples, respectively. Echinococcus multilocularis infection was detected in the feces of all wild carnivores sampled including nine jackals, three foxes, one wolf, one hyena, and five dogs (6.5%). Echinococcus granulosus was found in the fecal samples of 16.9% of dogs, 66.7% of jackals, and all of the foxes, the wolf, and the hyena. The feces of 16 (21.8%) dogs, 7 of 9 (77.8%) jackals, and all three foxes, one wolf and one hyena were infected with Taenia spp.
The prevalence of E. multilocularis in wild carnivores of rural areas of the Chenaran region is high, indicating that the life cycle is being maintained in northeastern Iran with the red fox, jackal, wolf, hyena, and dog as definitive hosts.
Author Summary
Echinococcus multilocularis causes alveolar echinococcosis, a serious zoonotic disease present in many areas of the world. The parasite is maintained in nature through a life cycle in which adult worms in the intestine of carnivores transmit infection to small mammals, predominantly rodents, via eggs in the feces. Humans may accidentally ingest eggs of E. multilocularis through contact with the definitive host or by direct ingestion of contaminated water or foods, causing development of a multivesicular cyst in the viscera, especially liver and lung. We found adult E. multilocularis in the intestine and/or eggs in feces of all wild carnivores examined and in some stray and domestic dogs in villages of Chenaran region, northeastern Iran. The life cycle of E. multilocularis is being maintained in this area by wild carnivores, and the local population and visitors are at risk of infection with alveolar echinococcosis. Intensive health initiatives for control of the parasite and diagnosis of this potentially fatal disease in humans, in this area of Iran, are needed.
Related Articles
Detection of Echinococcus multilocularis in the Definitive Host: Coprodiagnosis by PCR as an Alternative to Necropsy
Dinkel, Anke
von Nickisch-Rosenegk, Markus
Bilger, Birgit
Merli, Michael
Lucius, Richard
Romig, Thomas
Journal of Clinical Microbiology
Recently, extensions of the range of Echinococcus multilocularis in Europe and North America and drastic increases in fox populations in Europe put an increasing proportion of the human population at risk of alveolar echinococcosis. To obtain data on the local infection pressure, studies of the prevalence of the parasite in the animals that transmit the parasite, foxes, dogs, and cats, are urgently required. Such investigations, however, have been hampered by the need for necropsy of the host animal to specifically diagnose infection with the parasite. In this study, a nested PCR and an improved method for DNA extraction were developed to allow the sensitive and specific diagnosis of E. multilocularis infections directly from diluted fecal samples from foxes. The target sequence for amplification is part of the E. multilocularis mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene. The specificity of the method was 100% when it was tested against 18 isolates (metacestodes and adult worms) of 11 cestode species, including E. granulosus. The sensitivity of the method was evaluated by adding egg suspensions and individual eggs to samples of diluted feces from uninfected foxes. The presence of one egg was sufficient to give a specific signal. To confirm the PCR results, an internal probe which hybridized only with E. multilocularis amplification products but not with the DNA of other cestodes was constructed. In order to investigate the applicability of this method for epidemiological studies, 250 wild foxes from a area in southern Germany where echinococcosis is highly endemic were examined by both necropsy and PCR of rectal contents. The sensitivity correlated with the parasites' number and stage of maturity. It ranged from 100% (>1,000 gravid worms) to 70% (<10 nongravid worms). On the basis of positive PCR results for 165 foxes, the sensitivity of the traditional and widely used necropsy method was found to be not higher than 76%. We therefore present this PCR system as an alternative method for the routine diagnosis of E. multilocularis in carnivores.
Related Articles
The Global Burden of Alveolar Echinococcosis
Torgerson, Paul R.
Keller, Krista
Magnotta, Mellissa
Ragland, Natalie
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Human alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is known to be common in certain rural communities in China whilst it is generally rare and sporadic elsewhere. The objective of this study was to provide a first estimate of the global incidence of this disease by country. The second objective was to estimate the global disease burden using age and gender stratified incidences and estimated life expectancy with the disease from previous results of survival analysis. Disability weights were suggested from previous burden studies on echinococcosis.
Methodology/Principal Findings
We undertook a detailed review of published literature and data from other sources. We were unable to make a standardised systematic review as the quality of the data was highly variable from different countries and hence if we had used uniform inclusion criteria many endemic areas lacking data would not have been included. Therefore we used evidence based stochastic techniques to model uncertainty and other modelling and estimating techniques, particularly in regions where data quality was poor. We were able to make an estimate of the annual global incidence of disease and annual disease burden using standard techniques for calculation of DALYs. Our studies suggest that there are approximately 18,235 (CIs 11,900–28,200) new cases of AE per annum globally with 16,629 (91%) occurring in China and 1,606 outside China. Most of these cases are in regions where there is little treatment available and therefore will be fatal cases. Based on using disability weights for hepatic carcinoma and estimated age and gender specific incidence we were able to calculate that AE results in a median of 666,434 DALYs per annum (CIs 331,000-1.3 million).
The global burden of AE is comparable to several diseases in the neglected tropical disease cluster and is likely to be one of the most important diseases in certain communities in rural China on the Tibetan plateau.
Author Summary
Human alveolar echinococcosis (AE), caused by the larval stage of the fox tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis, is amongst the world's most dangerous zoonoses. Transmission to humans is by consumption of parasite eggs which are excreted in the faeces of the definitive hosts: foxes and, increasingly, dogs. Transmission can be through contact with the definitive host or indirectly through contamination of food or possibly water with parasite eggs. We made an intensive search of English, Russian, Chinese and other language databases. We targeted data which could give country specific incidence or prevalence of disease and searched for data from every country we believed to be endemic for AE. We also used data from other sources (often unpublished). From this information we were able to make an estimate of the annual global incidence of disease and disease burden using standard techniques for calculation of DALYs. Our studies suggest that AE results in a median of 18,235 cases globally with a burden of 666,433 DALYs per annum. This is the first estimate of the global burden of AE both in terms of global incidence and DALYs and demonstrates the burden of AE is comparable to several diseases in the neglected tropical disease cluster.
Related Articles
Human Echinococcosis Mortality in the United States, 1990–2007
Bristow, Benjamin N.
Lee, Sun
Shafir, Shira
Sorvillo, Frank
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Despite the endemic nature of Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus multilocularis infection in regions of the United States (US), there is a lack of data on echinococcosis-related mortality. To measure echinococcosis-associated mortality in the US and assess possible racial/ethnic disparities, we reviewed national-death certificate data for an 18-year period.
Methodology/Principal Findings
Echinococcosis-associated deaths from 1990 through 2007 were identified from multiple-cause-coded death records and were combined with US census data to calculate mortality rates. A total of 41 echinococcosis-associated deaths occurred over the 18-year study period. Mortality rates were highest in males, Native Americans, Asians/Pacific Islanders, Hispanics and persons 75 years of age and older. Almost a quarter of fatal echinococcosis-related cases occurred in residents of California. Foreign-born persons accounted for the majority of echinococcosis-related deaths; however, both of the fatalities in Native Americans and almost half of the deaths in whites were among US-born individuals.
Although uncommon, echinococcosis-related deaths occur in the US. Clinicians should be aware of the diagnosis, particularly in foreign-born patients from Echinococcus endemic areas, and should consider tropical infectious disease consultation early.
Author Summary
Human echinococcosis is a parasitic disease that affects an estimated 2–3 million people and results in an annual monetary loss of over $750,000,000 worldwide. It results in the development of life threatening tissue cysts, primarily in the liver and lung, following accidental ingestion of eggs in infected dog, fox or wild canine feces. Echinococcus parasites have a complex, two-host lifecycle (such as in dogs and sheep) in which humans are an aberrant, dead-end host. The vast majority of cases of human echinococcosis occur outside of the United States (US); however, cases within the US do occur. In this study, the authors examined death certificate data of US residents from 1990–2007 in which echinococcosis was listed as one of the diagnoses at death. The analysis demonstrated 41 echinococcosis-related deaths over the 18-year study period with foreign-born persons accounting for the majority of the deaths. This study helps quantify echinococcosis deaths among US residents and adds further support to the importance of funding echinococcosis prevention research.
Related Articles
Echinococcus multilocularis: An Emerging Pathogen in Hungary and Central Eastern Europe?
Sréter, Tamás
Széll, Zoltán
Egyed, Zsuzsa
Varga, István
Emerging Infectious Diseases
Echinococcus multilocularis, the causative agent of human alveolar echinococcosis, is reported for the first time in Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Hungary. This parasite may be spreading eastward because the population of foxes has increased because of human interventions, and this spread may result in the emergence of alveolar echinococcosis in Central Eastern Europe.
Echinococcus multilocularis; red fox; Hungary; Central Eastern Europe; alveolar echinococcosis; emerging zoonosis; dispatch
Related Articles
Rudolf Virchow and the Recognition of Alveolar Echinococcosis, 1850s
Tappe, Dennis
Frosch, Matthias
Emerging Infectious Diseases
Virchow proved that the disease "alveolar colloid" was caused by an Echinococcus sp.
Alveolar echinococcosis, which is caused by the larval stage of the fox tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis, is one of the most dangerous parasitic diseases. It is endemic in many parts of the Northern Hemisphere and an emerging health problem in the People's Republic of China. In Europe and North America, human cases are rare, but concomitant with an increase in the population of the final host, the red fox, an increase of human infections is expected. Rudolf Virchow, the father of the concept of cellular pathology, determined in the 1850s that an Echinococcus sp. was the causative agent of this enigmatic emerging disease. In his famous publication in 1855, he described the clinical course of the disease, its macroscopic aspects, and histopathologic findings in detail. He also identified the disease formerly known as alveolar colloid of the liver to be an infection with the larval stage of an Echinococcus sp.
Rudolf Virchow; alveolar echinococcosis; Echinococcus multilocularis; pathology; infectious diseases; historical review
Related Articles
Effect of Amphotericin B on Larval Growth of Echinococcus multilocularis
Reuter, Stefan
Merkle, Marion
Brehm, Klaus
Kern, Peter
Manfras, Burkhard
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
Alveolar echinococcosis is caused by the parasitic cestode Echinococcus multilocularis. Benzimidazoles, namely, mebendazole and albendazole, are the only drugs available for the treatment of inoperable alveolar echinococcosis. At present, no therapeutic alternative is available for patients with progressive disease under treatment or for patients who are unable to tolerate the side effects of the benzimidazoles. In addition, benzimidazoles are only parasitostatic for E. multilocularis. Thus, new therapeutic options are of paramount importance. In the present study we examined the in vitro effect of amphotericin B on E. multilocularis larvae. E. multilocularis metacestodes grown in the peritoneal cavities of Mongolian gerbils were transferred into a culture system. Vesicles budded from the tissue blocks and increased in number and size during the first 5 weeks. After 6 weeks drugs were added and deleterious effects on the vesicles were observed macroscopically and microscopically. By use of this in vitro tissue culture model we demonstrated that amphotericin B effectively inhibits the growth of E. multilocularis metacestodes. This destructive effect was significantly more rapid with amphotericin B than with the benzimidazoles. Cyclic treatment was effective in suppressing parasite growth. However, amphotericin B appears to be parasitostatic for E. multilocularis larvae, and regrowth occurs even after extended periods. In summary, amphotericin B constitutes the first promising alternative for the treatment of alveolar echinococcosis in cases of intolerance or resistance to benzimidazoles. It holds promise as an effective treatment option for otherwise fatal courses of disease.
Related Articles
Landscape Composition and Spatial Prediction of Alveolar Echinococcosis in Southern Ningxia, China
Pleydell, David R. J.
Yang, Yu Rong
Danson, F. Mark
Raoul, Francis
Craig, Philip S.
McManus, Donald P.
Vuitton, Dominique A.
Wang, Qian
Giraudoux, Patrick
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) presents a serious public health challenge within China. Mass screening ultrasound surveys can detect pre-symptomatic AE, but targeting areas identified from hospital records is inefficient regarding AE. Prediction of undetected or emerging hotspots would increase detection rates. Voles and lemmings of the subfamily Arvicolinae are important intermediate hosts in sylvatic transmission systems. Their populations reach high densities in productive grasslands where food and cover are abundant. Habitat availability is thought to affect arvicoline population dynamic patterns and definitive host–intermediate host interactions. Arvicoline habitat correlates with AE prevalence in Western Europe and southern Gansu Province, China.
Methods and Findings
Xiji County, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, borders southern Gansu. The aims of this study were to map AE prevalence across Xiji and test arvicoline habitat as a predictor. Land cover was mapped using remotely sensed (Landsat) imagery. Infection status of 3,205 individuals screened in 2002–2003 was related, using generalised additive mixed models, to covariates: gender; farming; ethnicity; dog ownership; water source; and areal cover of mountain pasture and lowland pasture. A Markov random field modelled additional spatial variation and uncertainty. Mountain pasture and lowland pasture were associated with below and above average AE prevalence, respectively.
Low values of the normalised difference vegetation index indicated sub-optimality of lowland pasture for grassland arvicolines. Unlike other known endemic areas, grassland arvicolines probably did not provide the principal reservoir for Echinococcus multilocularis in Xiji. This result is consistent with recent small mammal surveys reporting low arvicoline densities and high densities of hamsters, pikas and jerboas, all suitable intermediate hosts for E. multilocularis, in reforested lowland pasture. The risk of re-emergence is discussed. We recommend extending monitoring to: southern Haiyuan County, where predicted prevalence was high; southern Xiji County, where prediction uncertainty was high; and monitoring small mammal community dynamics and the infection status of dogs.
Author Summary
In humans, larvae of the fox tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis typically infect the liver where metastasis, calcification and necrosis cause the zoonotic disease alveolar echinococcosis (AE). Treatment is difficult. Early detection greatly increases patient life expectancy but under-detection is a problem. Understanding the ecological conditions that elevate AE risk would help identify at-risk communities. Voles and lemmings of the subfamily Arvicolinae are important intermediate hosts in most AE endemic areas, and arvicoline habitat has been proposed as a predictor of AE risk. Using a model of spatial autocorrelation with land cover identified from satellite remote sensing imagery, we identified AE hotspots in southern Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (NHAR), China. Hotspots were not located near optimal arvicoline habitats. Thus, non-arvicolines provide principal reservoirs in NHAR and the range of ecological conditions sustaining E. multilocularis transmission in China is greater than previously thought. We also show: social factors explain higher prevalence in females than males; dogs increase infection risk; and we argue that water source quality is important via interaction with other environmental variables. Our map of AE prevalence represents the current state-of-the-art regarding the spatial distribution of AE in southern NHAR and provides an important baseline for future monitoring programs there.
Related Articles
Alveolar Echinococcosis Infection in a Monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) In Mashhad, Iran
Borji, H
Emami, MR
Maleki, M
Razmi, GH
Mehrjerdi, H Kazemi
Moghaddas, E
Iranian Journal of Public Health
Alveolar echinococcosis (AE), which is caused by ingestion of eggs of the fox tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis, is the most potentially lethal parasitic infection because of its tendency to invade and proliferate in the liver and the difficulty in treatment. This article describes a case of alveolar echinococcosis found in Ateles geoffroyi in Mashhad, Iran. The cysts were characterized as an alveolar structure, composed of numerous small vesicles in liver, abdominal cavity, retroperitoneum and lungs. A characteristic feature of these vesicles was its exogenous tumor-like proliferation. These cysts were filled with numerous protoscoleces suggesting a potential role of this monkey in cycle of transmission. Up to now, this is probably the first report of alveolar echinococcosis in A. geoffroyi in the world.
Alveolar echinococcosis; Ateles geoffroyi; Iran
Related Articles
Natural Infection of the Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus spp.) with Echinococcus granulosus in China
Yang, Yu Rong
Liu, Tianxi
Bai, Xueli
Boufana, Belgees
Craig, Philip S.
Nakao, Minoru
Ito, Akira
Zhang, Jan Zhong
Giraudoux, Patrick
McManus, Donald P.
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Echinococcus granulosus is usually transmitted between canid definitive hosts and ungulate intermediate hosts.
Methodology/Principal Findings
Lesions found in the livers of ground squirrels, Spermophilus dauricus/alashanicus, trapped in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, an area in China co-endemic for both E. granulosus and E. multilocularis, were subjected to molecular genotyping for Echinococcus spp. DNA. One of the lesions was shown to be caused by E. granulosus and subsequently by histology to contain viable protoscoleces.
This is the first report of a natural infection of the ground squirrel with E. granulosus. This does not provide definitive proof of a cycle involving ground squirrels and dogs or foxes, but it is clear that there is active E. granulosus transmission occurring in this area, despite a recent past decline in the dog population in southern Ningxia.
Author Summary
Echinococcus granulosus and E. multilocularis are important zoonotic pathogens that cause serious disease in humans. E. granulosus can be transmitted through sylvatic cycles, involving wild carnivores and ungulates; or via domestic cycles, usually involving dogs and farm livestock. E. multilocularis is primarily maintained in a sylvatic life-cycle between foxes and rodents. As part of extensive investigations that we undertook to update available epidemiological data and to monitor the transmission patterns of both E. granulosus and E. mulilocularis in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (NHAR) in northwest China, we captured small mammals on the southern slopes of Yueliang Mountain, Xiji, an area co-endemic for human alveolar echinococcosis and cystic echinococcosis. Of 500 trapped small mammals (mainly ground squirrels; Spermophilus dauricus/alashanicus), macroscopic cyst-like lesions (size range 1–10 mm) were found on the liver surface of approximately 10% animals. One of the lesions was shown by DNA analysis to be caused by E. granulosus and by histology to contain viable protoscoleces. This is the first report of a natural infection of the ground squirrel with E. granulosus. We have no definitive proof of a cycle involving ground squirrels and dogs/foxes but it is evident that there is active E. granulosus transmission occurring in this area.
Related Articles
Age, season and spatio-temporal factors affecting the prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis and Taenia taeniaeformis in Arvicola terrestris
Burlet, Pierre
Deplazes, Peter
Hegglin, Daniel
Parasites & Vectors
Taenia taeniaeformis and the related zoonotic cestode Echinococcus multilocularis both infect the water vole Arvicola terrestris. We investigated the effect of age, spatio-temporal and season-related factors on the prevalence of these parasites in their shared intermediate host. The absolute age of the voles was calculated based on their eye lens weights, and we included the mean day temperature and mean precipitation experienced by each individual as independent factors.
Overall prevalences of E. multilocularis and T. taeniaeformis were 15.1% and 23.4%, respectively, in 856 A. terrestris trapped in the canton Zürich, Switzerland. Prevalences were lower in young (≤ 3 months: E. multilocularis 7.6%, T. taeniaeformis 17.9%) than in older animals (>7 months: 32.6% and 34.8%). Only 12 of 129 E. multilocularis-infected voles harboured protoscoleces. Similar proportions of animals with several strobilocerci were found in T. taeniaeformis infected voles of <5 months and ≥5 months of age (12.8% and 11.9%). Multivariate analyses revealed strong spatio-temporal variations in prevalences of E. multilocularis. In one trapping area, prevalences varied on an exceptional high level of 40.6-78.5% during the whole study period. Low temperatures significantly correlated with the infection rate whereas precipitation was of lower importance. Significant spatial variations in prevalences were also identified for Taenia taeniaeformis. Although the trapping period and the meteorological factors temperature and precipitation were included in the best models for explaining the infection risk, their effects were not significant for this parasite.
Our results demonstrate that, besides temporal and spatial factors, low temperatures contribute to the risk of infection with E. multilocularis. This suggests that the enhanced survival of E. multilocularis eggs under cold weather conditions determines the level of infection pressure on the intermediate hosts and possibly also the infection risk for human alveolar echincoccosis (AE). Therefore, interventions against the zoonotic cestode E. multilocularis by deworming foxes may be most efficient if conducted just before and during winter.
Related Articles
Interleukin-5 is the predominant cytokine produced by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in alveolar echinococcosis.
Sturm, D
Menzel, J
Gottstein, B
Kern, P
Infection and Immunity
An involvement of cellular immunity in alveolar echinococcosis is strongly suggested by the intense granulomatous infiltrations observed around the hepatic parasite lesions. However, the basis of cellular immunoregulation in patient with alveolar echinococcosis is poorly understood. The present report shows a comparative analysis of lymphoid cell function in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of 16 patients with alveolar echinococcosis and of healthy individuals. Our in vitro restimulation studies with crude Echinococcus multilocularis antigen demonstrated that PBMC from patients with alveolar echinococcosis were responsive to challenge with parasitic antigen as measured by lymphoid cell proliferation. In this system, we also evaluated cytokine expression at the gene and protein levels after stimulation with E. multilocularis antigen. Analysis of cytokine mRNA expression revealed distinct patterns of cytokine expression in patients and normal donors. By using reverse transcriptase PCR, we could demonstrate that the TH1 cytokine transcripts interleukin-2 (IL-2) and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) are present in PBMC from patients with alveolar echinococcosis. Moreover, it was found that stimulation with E. multilocularis antigen induced or enhanced the expression of the TH2 cytokine IL-3, IL-4, IL-10, and especially IL-5 mRNAs in PBMC from 13 of 16 patients with alveolar echinococcosis. Two patients who were examined after radical surgery, as well as another patient with a stable course of the disease under continuous chemotherapy, were not able to generate the same pattern of cytokine response and had no evidence of IL-5 mRNA synthesis. In contrast to the frequent expression of TH2 cytokine mRNAs observed in patients with alveolar echinococcosis, PBMC cultures from normal donors showed prominent IL-2 and IFN-gamma mRNA expression but weak IL-3, IL-4, and IL-10 mRNA expression. Most interestingly, IL-5 mRNA was substantially absent in PBMC from healthy individuals. In accordance with the mRNA studies, it was found that E. multilocularis antigen induced the secretion of large amounts of IL-5 and intermediate amounts of IFN-gamma in patients with alveolar echinococcosis, whereas large amounts of IFN-gamma and no or threshold amounts of IL-5 were detected in supernatants from healthy individuals. Collectively, the present study provides the first evidence that a TH2 immune response is gradually activated during the course of E. multilocularis infection, indicating a critical role for IL-5 in the manifestation of human alveolar echinococcosis.
Related Articles
Frequency distribution of Echinococcus multilocularis and other helminths of foxes in Kyrgyzstan
I., Ziadinov
P., Deplazes
A., Mathis
B., Mutunova
K., Abdykerimov
R., Nurgaziev
P.R, Torgerson
Veterinary parasitology
Echinococcosis is a major emerging zoonosis in central Asia. A study of the helminth fauna of foxes from Naryn Oblast in central Kyrgyzstan was undertaken to investigate the abundance of Echinococcus multilocularis in a district where a high prevalence of this parasite had previously been detected in dogs. A total of 151 foxes (Vulpes vulpes) were investigated in a necropsy study. Of these 96 (64%) were infected with E. multilocularis with a mean abundance of 8669 parasites per fox. This indicates that red foxes are a major definitive host of E. multilocularis in this country. This also demonstrates that the abundance and prevalence of E. multilocularis in the natural definitive host are likely to be high in geographical regions where there is a concomitant high prevalence in alternative definitive hosts such as dogs. In addition Mesocestoides spp., Dipylidium caninum, Taenia spp., Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina, Capillaria and Acanthocephala spp. were found in 99 (66%), 50 (33%), 48 (32%), 46 (30%), 9 (6%), 34 (23%) and 2 (1%) of foxes, respectively. The prevalence but not the abundance of E. multilocularis decreased with age. The abundance of Dipylidium caninum also decreased with age. The frequency distribution of E. multilocularis and Mesocestoides spp. followed a zero inflated negative binomial distribution, whilst all other helminths had a negative binomial distribution. This demonstrates that the frequency distribution of positive counts and not just the frequency of zeros in the data set can determine if a zero inflated or non-zero inflated model is more appropriate. This is because the prevalences of E. multolocularis and Mesocestoides spp. were the highest (and hence had fewest zero counts) yet the parasite distribution nevertheless gave a better fit to the zero inflated models.
Fox; intestinal helminths; Echinococcus multilocularis; Kyrgyzstan; epidemiology; zero inflated; negative binomial
Related Articles
Echinococcus multilocularis Alkaline Phosphatase as a Marker for Metacestode Damage Induced by In Vitro Drug Treatment with Albendazole Sulfoxide and Albendazole Sulfone
Stettler, Marianne
Siles-Lucas, Mar
Sarciron, Elisabeth
Lawton, Philippe
Gottstein, Bruno
Hemphill, Andrew
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is caused by the metacestode stage of the fox tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis. The disease affects the human liver and occasionally other organs and is fatal if treatment is unsuccessful. The present chemotherapy of AE is based on the administration of benzimidazole carbamate derivatives, such as mebendazole and albendazole. Albendazole treatment has been found to be ineffective in some cases, parasitostatic rather than parasiticidal, and the recurrence rate is rather high. Therefore, chemotherapy usually involves the lifelong uptake of massive doses of albendazole and new treatment options are urgently needed. In order to avoid costly and time-consuming animal experimentation, a first step in searching for novel parasiticidal compounds could be the in vitro drug screening of novel compounds by employing metacestode cultivation. However, presently used techniques (e.g., transmission electron microscopy) for determination of parasite viability involve costly equipment and time-consuming preparation of rather large amounts of parasite material. We therefore searched for a parasite marker which can be easily traced and the presence or absence of which is indicative of parasite viability. In this study we show that the increase of E. multilocularis alkaline phosphatase activity in culture supernatants during in vitro drug treatment with albendazole derivatives correlates with the progressive degeneration and destruction of the metacestode tissue. The inexpensive and rapid assay presented here will serve as an ideal tool for performing first-round in vitro tests on the efficacy of a large number of antiparasitic compounds.
Related Articles
Alveolar hydatid cyst mimicking cerebellar metastatic tumor
Ozdol, Cagatay
Yildirim, Ali Erden
Daglioglu, Ergun
Divanlioglu, Denizhan
Erdem, Esra
Belen, Deniz
Surgical Neurology International
Echinococcus multilocularis is a rare infestation in the world with a particularly increased incidence mainly in South America, Central Europe and Asia. Progression of alveolar Echinococcosis is more aggressive that can metastasize to lungs, brain and bones however brain involvement is usually rare with an incidence about 1%.
Case Description:
We report a 23-year-old man with a cerebellar Echinococcosis multilocularis mimicking a metastatic cerebellar tumor. Suboccipital craniotomy was performed for gross total removal of the tumor. Histopathological specimens confirmed the diagnosis of Echinococcosis multilocularis.
Radical surgical excision should be recommended for single Echinococcosis multilocularis lesions particularly at infratentorial localization.
Alveolar hydatid cysts; cerebellum; echinococcus; surgery; tumor
Related Articles
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text:
The glLoadIdentity function replaces the current matrix with the identity matrix.
void glLoadIdentity( void );
The glLoadIdentity function replaces the current matrix with the identity matrix. It is semantically equivalent to calling glLoadMatrix with the identity matrix
but in some cases it is more efficient.
The following functions retrieve information related to glLoadIdentity:
glGet with argument GL_MATRIX_MODE
glGet with argument GL_MODELVIEW_MATRIX
glGet with argument GL_PROJECTION_MATRIX
glGet with argument GL_TEXTURE_MATRIX
Error Codes
The following is the error code and its condition.
|Error code
|glLoadIdentity was called between a call to glBegin and the corresponding call to glEnd.
Windows NT/2000: Requires Windows NT 3.5 or later.
Windows 95/98: Requires Windows 95 or later. Available as a redistributable for Windows 95.
Header: Declared in Gl.h.
Library: Use Opengl32.lib.
See Also
glBegin, glEnd, glLoadMatrix, glMatrixMode, glMultMatrix, glPushMatrix


text:
Canon EOS Rebel Xti100-300mm zoom lens
Exclusive membership to this party, and I was invited : )))
Featured in:Everyday WomenThe world and how we see it, or how we missed itBeautiful
A whole gaggle of beauty!!! Bill
Aww, thanks so very much Bill!!! : ))) xoxoxoxoxxooxxo
trouble trouble trouble touble
Beautiful Song by 10,000 Maniacs
Trouble Me
Ohhhh wow. Thank you so much for that beautiful video!!! Gave me chills. Something tells me you are so very sweet. And yes, trouble is right!! : )))) Warm hugs and big thanks! xoxoxoxoxoxxoxox
Awww, Shar!!!! This is just precious as can be!!!!! I love it!!!! :))))xoxoxoxox
Aww, thank you so much sweet Laurie!! These girls together are seriously wild! I can just imagine them years from now …look out! lol : )))) Hugs, shar xoxoxoxxoxoox
Adorable!! What a wonderful photo and collection of cuties.
Thanks so much Greg!! Yes they really are cutie pies and I absolutely adore their playing! I need to secretly record a conversation between them …would so crack everyone up with the trying to be adult like things they say!!! So sweet of you to stop by my friend, always appreciate your thoughtfulness and support so very much!! Warm hugs, shar xoxoxoxoxoxooxo
Oh my ! The queen was invited to the princess party :)Fruit tart galore for all :) nice capture dear Shar :)…Brit…
Hahaha!! Good one Brit!! And yes, of course, the Queen rules!!! We decided on cupcakes for this one!LOL Just as good as yummy tarts as far as I'm concerned!!! : ))) Hugs! xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
grogeous capture each of them so very beautiful
that is so sweet of you!! thanks for your lovely comment and compliment! they are a joy, but I must admit very difficult to capture when there are more than a few … it is usually a blur that comes out of my camera! lol appreciate your kindness so very much. : ))) xoxoxooxxoxo
They are all so cute. Fantastic photography…… and photographer!!!!! xoxo
Ohh Barb, thank you so much!! Such a lovely and thoughtful comment, so appreciated sweet friend!Warm hugs, shar xoxoxoxxooxxoxo
Aww,what a Quartet of Cuties! Great Capture,Shar:-)
Thank you so very much Robyn!!! Amazing they stood still for a few seconds! LOLHugs, shar xoxoxoxxoxoxoxo
How absolutely adorable!!! Great capture and wonderful smiles of mischief!
Haha!! You can say that again (mischief!) thank you so very much Angie!!! So glad you like!Warm hugs, shar xoxoxoxoxoxo
What a bunch of cuties here…Great shot …Bet that night was full of laughter and fun
Thanks so very much Jean! Let me say, they are incredibly entertaining but definitely need watching especially when playing dress up and trying to go down the stairs with princess heels on!! LOLSo appreciated dear friend! Hugs, shar xoxoxoxoxoxxo
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text:
Red Wings-Coyotes Sum
Updated: March 26, 2013, 1:20 AM ETAssociated Press
Detroit 1 1 1-3
Phoenix 2 0 0-2
First Period-1, Detroit, White 2 (Kindl, Cleary), 4:01. 2, Phoenix, Hanzal 8 (Vrbata, Ekman-Larsson), 7:56 (pp). 3, Phoenix, Klinkhammer 3 (Moss, Yandle), 12:17.
Second Period-4, Detroit, Franzen 7 (Kronwall, Datsyuk), 19:21 (pp).
Third Period-5, Detroit, Datsyuk 11 (Zetterberg, Kronwall), 6:12 (pp).
Missed Penalty Shot-Korpikoski, Pho, 15:48 third.
Shots on Goal-Detroit 14-12-9-35. Phoenix 15-6-10-31.
Goalies-Detroit, Gustavsson. Phoenix, LaBarbera. A-17,428 (17,125). T-2:16.
Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press
This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index
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