1/9. Risk to tourists posed by wild mammals in south africa.BACKGROUND: One of south africa's principal tourist attractions is the opportunity to encounter Africa's large mammals in the wild. Attacks by these mammals can be exceptionally newsworthy with potentially deleterious effects on tourism. Little is known about the risk of injury and death caused by wild mammals to visitors to south africa's nature reserves. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of fatal and nonfatal attacks on tourists by wild mammals in south africa and to ascertain avoidable factors, if any. methods: Commercial press records covering all South African newspapers archived at the Independent newspapers' central library were systematically reviewed for a 10-year period, January 1988 to December 1997 inclusive, to identify all deaths and injuries to domestic and international tourists resulting from encounters with wild mammals in south africa. All of these incidents were analyzed to ascertain avoidable factors. RESULTS: During the review period seven tourists, including two students from thailand and a German traveler, were killed by wild mammals in south africa. Three of the four deaths ascribed to lions resulted from tourists carelessly approaching prides on foot in lion reserves. A judicial inquiry found that the management of a KwaZulu-Natal Reserve was culpable for the remaining death. Tourist ignorance of animal behavior and flagrant disregard of rules contributed to the two fatalities involving hippopotami. The unusual behavior manifested by the bull elephant responsible for the final death, resulted from discomfort caused by a dental problem to this pachyderm. During the same period there were 14 nonfatal attacks on tourists, including five by hippo, three by buffalo, two by rhino, and one each by a lion, leopard, zebra and musth elephant. Only the latter occurred while the visitor was in a motor vehicle. Tourist ethological naivete and failure to determine the experience of trail guides prior to travel, resulted in inadvertent agonistic behavior, unnecessary risk-taking and avoidable injury. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study has shown that attacks on tourists by wild mammals in south africa are an uncommon cause of injury and death. Sensible precautions to minimize this risk include remaining in a secure motor vehicle or adequately fenced precincts while in the vicinity of large mammals, rigidly observing nature reserve instructions, never approaching animals that appear ill, malnourished, displaying aggressive behavior traits or female wild mammals with young, and demanding adequately trained and experienced game rangers when embarking on walking trails. Any behavior that might be construed as antagonistic and which could provoke an attack by large mammals should be avoided (e.g., driving directly at a lion). Visitors need to be informed of classic signs of aggression, in particular in elephants, which will allow timely avoidance measures to be taken. The risk-enhancing effect of excessive alcohol intake is undesirable in the game reserve setting, as is driving at high speed after dusk in areas where hippos graze. Local advice on personal safety in wildlife reserves and the credentials of trail guides should be obtained from lodge or reserve management, tourism authorities or the travel industry prior to travel to game reserves.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/9. Injuries to avian researchers at Palmer Station, Antarctica from penguins, giant petrels, and skuas.This paper describes 5 cases of injury to seabird researchers between 1996 and 1999 at Palmer Station, Antarctica. The injuries were inflicted by 3 seabird species: the Adelie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae); the southern giant petrel (Macronectes giganteus); and the brown skua (Catharacta lonnbergi). All injured parties were biologic researchers with previous field experience working under National science Foundation research grants; all sought medical evaluation and treatment voluntarily. The nature and frequency of such injuries seems not to have been greatly reported in the medical literature. Although these cases were largely soft tissue injuries that healed without serious complications, the possibility of exotic infections is considered. We have dubbed this constellation of injuries AVES (Antarctic Vogel [German for bird] Encounter syndrome).- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/9. Psuedoaneurysm of the superficial femoral artery resulting from stingray envenomation.Stingray envenomations usually result in minor injuries with localized symptoms. In some cases the injury incurred is more serious, resulting in significant morbidity if not adequately treated. We report a case of pseudoaneurysm of the superficial femoral artery resulting from a stingray envenomation in a young female. Stingray venom is known to have necrosing properties in human tissues and in this case this led to graft failure requiring surgical repair. This case emphasizes the insidious nature of stingray venom and the necessity of extensive surgical debridement for more significant envenomations.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/9. risk factors associated with travel to rabies endemic countries.Increased travel to exotic destinations around the world is escalating the risk that an emerging virus may be imported into the UK. Rabies should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any encephalitic illness presenting in an appropriate epidemiological context. Molecular diagnostic tests that can rapidly discriminate rabies from other suspected infections will influence the use of anti-rabies prophylaxis for potential contacts with the victim. In 2001, the UK had two confirmed human rabies cases, imported from the philippines and nigeria, respectively. In case one, hemi-nested reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (hn-RT-PCR) and automated sequencing confirmed the presence of rabies virus (RABV) within both the saliva and skin specimens within 36 h of sample submission. Subsequent phylogenetic analysis using a partial sequence of the nucleoprotein (N-) gene segment demonstrated that the virus was closely related to that of canine variants currently circulating in the philippines. In the second case, the fluorescent antibody test and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) confirmed the diagnosis on post-mortem tissue. Phylogenetic analysis of two genomic segments of this isolate confirmed that it was a classical RABV (genotype 1) of the Africa 2 subgroup. These cases have highlighted the capability of molecular diagnostic tests for the rapid identification and subsequent genotyping of RABV to host and geographical location. In the first instance, rabies diagnosis often rests on clinical and epidemiological grounds. Negative tests, even late in the illness, do not exclude the diagnosis as these tests are never optimal and are entirely dependent on the nature and quality of the sample supplied. For this reason, rapid molecular detection and virus typing will be essential in considering the appropriate medical treatment regimen for a patient. In addition, an early diagnosis may decrease the number of unnecessary contacts with the patient and reduce the requirement for invasive and costly interventions. Rabies should form part of a differential diagnosis for any patient presenting with a history of travel to a rabies endemic country and displaying an undiagnosed encephalopathy.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/9. anaphylaxis after hamster bites--identification of a novel allergen.BACKGROUND: Hamsters are popular household pets and anaphylaxis after their bites have described. However, the putative allergen has not been identified. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to identify the allergen causing dwarf hamster (phodopus sungoris) bite-induced anaphylaxis. methods: Two children with hamster bite-induced anaphylaxis were enrolled. They both had negative results to skin testing and specific IgE to hamster epithelium. However, they were both allergic to dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p). Identification of the putative IgE-binding allergens from the hamster saliva was performed using immunoblot analysis. RESULTS: A specific IgE-binding component at 21 kD in the hamster saliva was identified. ELISA inhibition tests showed partial inhibition with Der p. CONCLUSIONS: The putative allergen from the hamster saliva causing dwarf hamster-induced anaphylaxis was identified. Possible cross-reactivity with Der p was demonstrated. Further studies will be needed to identify the exact nature and function of this allergen.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/9. Implications of trombiculid mite bites: report of a case and submission of evidence in a murder trial.Bites of Trombiculid mites implicated a suspect during a homicide investigation. Clinical documentation of the bites, correlation with entomological studies, and submission of evidence at trial are reported. insects that have a discrete geographic distribution and leave bites of a characteristic nature may have important forensic science implications.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/9. Oral inflammatory response to a sting from a Portuguese man-of-war.A careful history was taken in an attempt to document an unusual delayed inflammatory reaction involving the ears and oral cavity. Severe oral and auricular inflammations have been described as apparent reactions to stings on the patient's foot by a Portuguese man-of-war (P physalia). Toxin was injected into the right foot and resulted in a delayed type of severe swellings and inflammation. The soft palate, cheek, periodontal tissues, and lower lip were primarily involved. Oral inflammations coincided with massive, acute, inflammatory lesions behind the ears. Delayed oral and ear inflammations suggest an unusual reaction to the toxin of the sting of P physalia; it was possibly hypersensitive in nature. The described pathology seems unique to medical reports concerning the Portuguese man-of-war. The foot responded rapidly to topical application of ammonia solution. Antibiotic therapy taken orally apparently helped resolve the oral and ear lesions in approximately 11 days.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/9. salmonella typhi facial infection. Report of case.The following case report describes the evaluation, assessment, and treatment of a facial infection due to salmonella typhi, caused by bites from the family's pet dog. The causative agent and the mode of transmission are unique in that there are no reported cases of this nature in the literature at this time.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/9. Bite mark evidence: a case report using accepted and new techniques.A case report of murder involving bite marks on the victim is presented. The bite mark examination procedures are outlined. Microbiologic and histologic/histochemical techniques are used to further delineate the nature of the bite marks and to aid in the identification of the murderer. Preparation and presentation of evidence are discussed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |