Publications by authors named "Paul M Southern"

Conventional microscopy is the gold standard for malaria diagnosis. The CellaVision DM96 is a digital hematology analyzer that utilizes neural networks to locate, digitize, and preclassify leukocytes and characterize red blood cell morphology. This study compared the detection rates of Plasmodium and Babesia species on peripheral blood smears utilizing the CellaVision DM96 with the rates for a routine red blood cell morphology scan.

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Background: Chagas disease constitutes an important public health threat in terms of morbidity and mortality in the areas in the United States where immigrant populations from Latin America are conspicuous. We conducted a survey to assess the prevalence of anti-T. cruzi antibody in Hispanic-surnamed patients seen at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, Texas.

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Background: Between 1989 and 1996, an epidemic of histoplasmosis occurred on a medical school campus. There had been numerous construction projects on the campus that involved previously wooded land and were adjacent to a large bird sanctuary.

Methods: We investigated the epidemic with active surveillance to detect cases, a histoplasmin skin-test survey, inspection of the air-filtration systems of the involved buildings, and cultures of soil samples.

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A 68-year-old man with adult-onset diabetes mellitus suffered an accidental puncture wound to the palm of his hand while playing with his pet dog. He received cephalosporin prophylaxis for 1 week. No inflammation occurred.

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Granulomatous amebic encephalitis is an uncommon central nervous system (CNS) infection, usually caused by Acanthamoeba spp., which generally occurs in immunocompromised individuals. Balamuthia mandrillaris is a recently described free-living ameba that occasionally causes fatal CNS disease.

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Ophthalmomyiasis externa is an uncommon condition in North America. If not recognized and managed accordingly, it can be complicated by the potentially fatal condition ophthalmomyiasis interna. Ophthalmomyiasis externa is mainly caused by the sheep bot fly Oestrus ovis; thus, it is more common in farming communities.

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A 77-year-old man presented to our hospital with a clinical scenario suspicious for endocarditis with septic emboli to the lungs and splenic abscess. Vibrio cholerae was isolated from purulent material aspirated from the abscess. Medical therapy and percutaneous drainage of the abscess were unsuccessful.

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