Abstract

Nodular bone lesions were identified in three species of fruit bat in the Metropolitan Toronto Zoo collection: 25 of 43 Indian fruit bats (Pteropus giganteus), eight of eight grey-headed flying foxes (P. poliocephalus), and seven of 45 Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus). The condition was investigated by retrospective study of clinical and necropsy records, by regular physical examination, radiography, and blood sampling of bats currently in the collection, and by postmortem examination. Bone from necropsy specimens had markedly raised fluoride levels (3,300 ± 1,100 ppm) compared with similar bone samples from another collection (300 ± 50 ppm). Samples of the fruit bat diet contained fluoride at levels higher than the recommended dietary intake. Consequently, the osteoproliferation was attributed to fluorosis.

• Related Studies :

  • Why did the ancient inhabitants of Palmyra suffer fluorosis?

    The skeletal remains uncovered from the 2nd and 3rd century underground tombs of Palmyra, Syria, retain traces of arthritis and mottled enamel. A brown discoloration was also observed in the teeth. In order to clarify that these facts can be related to fluorosis, the teeth excavated from Tomb C and

  • Industrial skeletal fluorosis: preliminary report on 61 cases from aluminum smelter

    SchIegel presented data on 61 cases of skeletal f1uorosis among workers of a Swiss aluminum factory. Of 350 cases ofìndustrial fluorosis reported in the world's literature, approximately 20 occcured in the smelting area of the aluminum industry. For processing aluminum from clay, cryolite (NaAlF6) is used as a fluxing agent.

  • Industrial fluorosis [Boillat et al.]

    43 potroom workers (aluminium industry) with fluorosis have been compared with 18 foundry workers of the same age, but who had never been exposed to fluorides. Clinical examination revealed a higher incidence of articular pain and limitation of motion in the exposed group. The diagnosis of fluorosis is not only

  • [Two cases of skeletal fluorosis in the hand].

    Skeletal fluorosis is well known, particularly in the spine, pelvis and forearm. However, the hand may also be involved. The authors report two cases of this site in endemic areas in Senegal, after ingestion of large amounts of fluoride in the water. Fluorosis consisted of deforming metacarpal and phalangeal osteoperiotitis in one case

  • An uncommon presentation of fluorosis

    A 70 years old farmer from Yemen was referred as a case of osteoarthritis of both knees for preoperative rehabilitation procedures. Six years before he developed progressive skeletal stiffness. By 70 years he became dependent for ambulation and many other self-care activities. He showed quadriparesis resulting from compression of spinal cord

• Related FAN Content :

  • Skeletal Fluorosis: The Misdiagnosis Problem

    It is a virtual certainty that there are individuals in the general population unknowingly suffering from some form of skeletal fluorosis as a result of a doctor's failure to consider fluoride as a cause of their symptoms. Proof that this is the case can be found in the following case reports of skeletal fluorosis written by doctors in the U.S. and other western countries. As can be seen, a consistent feature of these reports is that fluorosis patients--even those with crippling skeletal fluorosis--are misdiagnosed for years by multiple teams of doctors who routinely fail to consider fluoride as a possible cause of their disease.

  • "Pre-Skeletal" Fluorosis

    As demonstrated by the studies below, skeletal fluorosis may produce adverse symptoms, including arthritic pains, clinical osteoarthritis, gastrointestinal disturbances, and bone fragility, before the classic bone change of fluorosis (i.e., osteosclerosis in the spine and pelvis) is detectable by x-ray. Relying on x-rays, therefore, to diagnosis skeletal fluorosis will invariably fail to protect those individuals who are suffering from the pre-skeletal phase of the disease. Moreover, some individuals with clinical skeletal fluorosis will not develop an increase in bone density, let alone osteosclerosis, of the spine. Thus, relying on unusual increases in spinal bone density will under-detect the rate of skeletal fluoride poisoning in a population.

  • Fluoride & Osteoarthritis

    While the osteoarthritic effects that occurred from fluoride exposure were once considered to be limited to those with skeletal fluorosis, recent research shows that fluoride can cause osteoarthritis in the absence of traditionally defined fluorosis. Conventional methods used for detecting skeletal fluorosis, therefore, will fail to detect the full range of people suffering from fluoride-induced osteoarthritis.

  • Fluoride & Arthritis

    The doses that American adults now routinely ingest overlap the doses that may cause chronic joint pain.

  • Kidney Patients Are at Increased Risk of Fluoride Poisoning

    It is well established that individuals with kidney disease are susceptible to suffering bone damage and other ill effects from low levels of fluoride exposure. Kidney patients are at elevated risk because when kidneys are damaged they are unable to efficiently excrete fluoride from the body. As a result, kidney patients