Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0023380 (lethargy)
 5,697 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Rift Valley fever virus is a significant human and veterinary pathogen responsible for explosive outbreaks throughout Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Severe acute disease in humans includes rapid onset hepatic disease and hemorrhagic fever or delayed onset encephalitis. A highly efficient reverse genetics system was developed which allowed generation of recombinant RVF viruses to assess the role of NSm protein in virulence in a rat model in which wild-type RVF virus strain ZH501 (wt-ZH501) results in 100% lethal hepatic disease 2-3 days post infection. While extensive genomic analysis indicates conservation of the NSm coding capability of diverse RVF viruses, and viruses deficient in NSs proteins are completely attenuated in vivo, comparison of wt-ZH501, a reverse genetics generated wt-ZH501 virus (R-ZH501), and R-ZH501 virus lacking the NSm proteins (R-DeltaNSm-ZH501) demonstrated that the NSm proteins were nonessential for in vivo virulence and lethality. Surprisingly, while 44% of R-DeltaNSm-ZH501 infected animals quickly developed lethal hepatic disease similar to wt- and R-ZH501, 17% developed delayed onset neurologic disease (lethargy, head tremors, and ataxia) at 13 days post infection. Such infections may provide the basis for study of both RVF acute hepatic disease and delayed onset encephalitic disease in humans.
 ...
PMID:Rift Valley fever virus lacking NSm proteins retains high virulence in vivo and may provide a model of human delayed onset neurologic disease. 1741 86

Constricitve pericarditis is an uncommon condition, often of unknown etiology but can be caused by infections, such as tuberculosis, inflammation of the pericardium, radiation therapy or asbestos exposure. Constrictive pericarditis is characterized by fibrosis and often severe calcifications of the pericardial sac which eventually restricts normal diastolic filling of the heart. This consequently leads to a combination of left and right heart failure, often with prominent jugular venous distentsion, liver enlargement, peripheral edema and lethargy. Diagnosis can be difficult and is often delayed. Surgery, involving partial removal of the pericardial sac, usually leads to relief of symptoms. Here we report a case from Landspitali together with a review of the literature.
 ...
PMID:[Constrictive pericarditis with severe heart failure - a case report and review of the literature]. 2060 48

A 19-year-old male African penguin ( Spheniscus demersus ) was presented with coelomic distention after a 6-week history of lethargy and decreased appetite. Results of radiographs showed loss of coelomic detail, and ultrasound and computed tomography results revealed coelomic fluid and dilated hepatic veins. Echocardiography revealed moderate right atrial enlargement. Findings were consistent with right-sided cardiac disease. Treatment with furosemide initially reduced ascites, but the clinical condition worsened weeks later and enalapril, pimobendan, and sildenafil were added to the medical therapy. At 12 weeks after presentation, results of an echocardiogram revealed persistent right atrioventricular valve regurgitation, moderate ascites, and dilation of hepatic veins. Clinical signs of right heart failure were managed through adjustments in medical therapy and coelomic fluid aspiration, but the bird died 18 weeks after initial presentation. Gross and microscopic findings were consistent with valvular insufficiency and right-sided heart failure. To our knowledge, this case is the first documented report of cardiac disease in an African penguin.
 ...
PMID:Right Heart Failure in an African Penguin ( Spheniscus demersus ). 2773 23