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ABSTRACTS

HEI-FRICH, P. H . and BANIVFR, A. H. (Hawaii Marine Lab., Univ . of Hawaii, Honolulu,Hawaii). Experimental induction of ciguatera toxicity in fish through diet . Nature, Lond.,

197, 1025, 1963 .

THE cause of ciguatera fish poisoning has been believed by many to originate through the diet of the fish .The authors utilized two specimens of the Hawaiian surgeon fish, Acanthurus xanthopterus Cuvier andValenciennes, a reputedly non-toxic species, to determine the possibility oftoxin uptake by feeding them thetoxic flesh of Lutjanus bohar (Forskal), a known toxic species . Two control specimens ofA . xanthoprerrrswere fed non-toxic Katsuwonus pelamis (Linnaeus) . Subsequent bioassays on mongoose indicated that thefish fed on toxic flesh became toxic. The controls were not tested for toxicity. The authors conclude thatthe toxin causing ciguatera may be passed through the food chain without apparent change in the toxinand without harm to the carier .

B.W.H .

Herrrotv, A. W., MORSE, R. A. and KOSIKOWSKt, F. V. (Dept. of Entomol. Cornell University,Ithaca, New York). Bioassay and standardization of venom of the honey bee. Nature, Lond.,

198, 295, 1963 .

THE authors describe a microbiological method for assay of honey bee and other Hymenoptera venoms .These venoms have an antibacterial effect best demonstrated when nutrient discs saturated with venomdilutions are placed on seeded plates of non-nutrient agar. The inhibition curve obtained is similar to thatobtained with penicillin . Autoclaving the venom solutions at 15 lb for 15 min does not affect the anti-bacterial activity. The Cornell venom unit is defined as : "That amount of sterilized venom contained inI ml which will cause a clear zone of inhibition 8-Of0~3 mm in diameter around a 635 mm nutrient discwhen placed on a reverse-phase assay plate pre-warmed at 36° and containing 10 ml of non-nutrient agarseeded with spores of Bacillus subtilis at a concentration of about l m per ml and incubated for5 hr at 36-37°".

S.A.M .

TSUDA, K., SUSUMU, L, KAWAMURA, M., TACHIKAWA, R. and MIYADERA, T. C. (YayiUC110,Bunkioku, Tokyo) . On tetrodotoxin. V. Synethesis of C9- bases methylethers. Chem . Pharnr.

Bull. (Tokyo), 10, 865, 1962 .

THE total synthesis of the C,-base-methylether is described. Through the partial reduction of (4-amino-5-methoxy-iso-phtalaldehyde) by (lithium-tri-tert-buthoxyaluminum hydride) (2-amino-5-hydroxymethyl-31 methoxybenzaldehyde) is prepared ; by the action of guanidine this is converted into the (2-amino-ó-hydroxymethyl-8-methozyquinazoline which is identical with the C,-base-methylether .

J.F.G .

EPHRATr, P. (Kaplan Hosp . for Negev. Rehovoth, Israel) . Observations on 125 cases ofviper bite . Harefuah, 63, 315, 1962 .

OF THE 125 cases of viper bite reviewed by the author 3 are described in detail . One of these presented theclassical course of envenomation ; cerebral edema as a manifestation of Quincke's allergic edema developedin the second one, and prolonged hypotension, probably as the result of damage to the adrenal medulla,was observed in the third one. Jaundice (hepatocellular), fever, and melena were observed in other patients .Of the total number, 77 were mild cases, 26 moderately severe, 13 severe, 6 very severe, and 3 fatal . Shockdeveloped in 27 of the patients . A totviquet was applied in 33 patients, but its therapeutic eflîcacy cannot bedefinitely estimated. 1n 24 cases the tourniquet was suddenyl released ; in 6 of these rapid progtrssion ofthe local lesions took place, and in 12 manifestations of the general envenomization ensued. Nonspecifictreatment in the form of fluids, blood, or norepinephrine did not noticeably change to the course of thesevere cases . Antivenin serum was given to 46 patients, but only 14 received it in adequate quantities (40ml or more). Early treatment with antivenin serum shortened the period ofhospitalization in the severe cases .When the administration of serum was delayed, hospitalization was prolonged. In patients in whom signsof general envenomization appear early, the author recommends the intravenous administration of from50 to 80 ml of serum. However, the use of large doses of antivenom serum involves dangers ; a case ofneuritis of the brachial plexus is described.

J.F.G .