An outbreak of an atypical form of ovine dermatophilosis affecting the lips and muzzle with a very high morbidity in weaners and hoggets in Kenya is reported. Clinical diagnosis of ovine dermatophilosis was made and confirmed by direct microscopic examination as well as isolation and identification of Dermatophilus congolensis from scab material from the affected sheep. The morbidity rate within the flock was 31.8 % (237 / 745) with 98.3 % (233 / 237) of the affected sheep being weaners and hoggets. No fatalities were recorded. The lesions, confined in the lips and the muzzle, were swelling of both the upper and lower lips, circumscribed lumps in the skin of both the upper and lower lips, oedema of the head and the submandibular area and scabs and crusts on the lips and muzzle. Within 1 week following treatment with long acting oxytetracycline (20 %) at a rate of 20 mg/kg body weight, intramuscularly and a topical application of oxytetracycline spray, lumps regressed in size and were covered by dark-brown scabs. Removal of the dark-brown scabs revealed erythematous areas covered with purulent material and horny erythematous projections (papillae) projecting from the surfaces. Within the 2nd week, the horny erythematous projections formed greyish scabs, which later peeled off leaving alopaecic areas around the lips. The paper highlights atypical dermatophilosis of sheep and we believe that this is the first published report of an outbreak of ovine dermatophilosis in Kenya

The aim of the investigation was to determine the cause of infertility in 7 previously fertile bitches referred to the Small Animal Clinic University of Nairobi. Clinical, vaginal cytology and bacteriological evaluation of the bitches were performed during proestrus. Based on vaginal cytology, four of the bitches presented with prolonged proestral bleeding and were found to be in the fertile period of the oestrous cycle (80% "superficial" cells) although clinically presenting as being in proestrus based on the nature of vulval discharge. These bitches had been presented for breeding based on vulval discharge and were infertile due to improper timing of mating. Infertility in two other bitches was associated with Brucella canis primarily, and probably betahemolytic Streptococci super-infections. Infertility in the remaining bitch was due to the stud dog owner's assumption that mating had occurred after the stud dog and the aggressive bitch were put in the same kennel for the duration of the bitch's fertile period. The authors recognized that most breeders and some veterinarians did not understand the physiology of the canine oestrous cycle resulting in the misdiagnosis of causes of infertility in healthy bitches. This article highlights the challenges met when investigating infertility and the importance of vaginal cytology in breeding of bitches in Kenya.

Dermatophilosis, caused by Dermatophilus congo/ensis, is a disease that affects mainly cattle, sheep, camels, horses and goats and occurs as an acute or chronic exudative skin disease 1. Injury of the skin by insect and tick bites and thorny bushes accompanied by prolonged wetting are thought to be important predisposing factors 1 ,2. Affected animals initially develop moist, round, circumscribed papules that later turn to scabs and crusts whose location is highly variable 3 ,4.

Introduction: Antipsychotic medication is a commonly prescribed drug class in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).However, the safety and tolerability of these agents have not been fully assessed, with only limited long-term safety studies in the ASD population. The aim of this study is to review the safety and tolerability profile of antipsychotic medication in individuals with ASD. Methods: This study is a systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies on the safety of antipsychotic medication in patients diagnosed with ASD. The Cochrane Library, Medline, Embase, and PsycINFO databases were searched up to January 2018, using appropriate MeSH terms and keywords. Studies included patients of any age, taking any antipsychotic medication (1st or 2nd generation) and that reported any adverse events (AEs) in individuals with ASD. The primary outcome of this review was AEs of any severity reported with antipsychotics.Meta-analysis was performed to estimate the pooled prevalence of the overall adverse events using a random effect model. Results: A total of 2805 records were identified. Fifty-three citations fulfilled the inclusion criteria, of which 39 were RCTs and 14 were observational studies. Most of the studies were based on 2nd generation antipsychotics, specifically risperidone and aripiprazole. Seven observational studies were included in the meta-analysis to estimate the pooled prevalence of AEs which was 50.5% (95% CI: 33-67). Antipsychotic treatment increased the risk of developing AEs by 22% compared to placebo (RR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.11-1.34, I 2 = 30.6%, p = 0.184). A wide range of AEs was identified. The most commonly reported AEs were increased appetite and weight gain, which were associated with discontinuation in many participants. Other AEs that were reported included extrapyramidal side effects, prolonged QT interval, seizures, and hyperprolactinemia. Conclusion: Antipsychotic-related AEs among patients with ASD were common. Further studies to investigate the implications of antipsychotic-related AEs on health and medication adherence are warranted.