bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antibody levels for cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, and rubella in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome
Authors: Halbert S P , Kiefer D J , Friedman-Kien A E , Poiesz B
Published: January 2020

Significantly higher proportions of patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or lymphadenopathy syndrome (LAS) were positive for antibodies to cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV) compared with control groups of commercial blood donors. In contrast, no differences were found in the incidence of individuals positive for antibodies to rubella in these groups of subjects. Of those positive for antibodies to CMV and HSV in each group, the mean antibody levels were significantly higher in AIDS-LAS patients compared with the controls. The entire distribution of antibody concentrations to CMV and HSV in AIDS patients was shifted upward, so that significantly more patients showed high values and significantly fewer showed low values, indicating hyperactive humoral immune responses to these viruses. In sharp contrast, the AIDS patients with antibody levels for rubella showed the same distribution of antibody levels as did two groups of controls. No correlation was found between concentrations of CMV and HSV antibodies in individual AIDS-LAS patients.
Serovar determination of Chlamydia trachomatis isolates by using type-specific monoclonal antibodies
Authors: Newhall W J , Terho P , Wilde C E , Batteiger B E , Jones R B
Published: January 2020

A panel of 15 monoclonal antibodies was prepared that could distinguish among the 15 serovars of Chlamydia trachomatis. Twelve of these antibodies were specific for a single serovar (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L1, and L2) and three were specific for two serovars (B/Ba, C/J, and C/L3). Ten of the serovar-specific and two of the bispecific antibodies were shown by immunoblotting to recognize epitopes on the major outer membrane protein. These data provide evidence that such epitopes are closely correlated with and may be partly responsible for the antigenic variations detected by microimmunofluorescence that distinguish the currently recognized serovars. When used in a radioimmunoassay, these antibodies correctly identified the serovar of 17 strains that had been serotyped by the microimmunofluorescence test. In addition, we found that the chlamydial antigen derived from 1.0 cm2 of an infected HeLa cell monolayer was sufficient to allow serotyping with these antibodies. Thus, these monoclonal antibodies may provide a rapid and reliable alternative to mouse immunization and microimmunofluorescence for serotyping of clinical isolates.
Addi-Chek filtration, BACTEC, and 10-ml culture methods for recovery of microorganisms from dialysis effluent during episodes of peritonitis
Authors: Males B M , Walshe J J , Garringer L , Koscinski D , Amsterdam D
Published: January 2020

The Addi-Chek (filtration; Millipore Corp., Bedford, Mass.) and BACTEC (radiometric detection of growth in culture media; Johnston Laboratories, Inc., Towson, Md.) systems were compared with the 10-ml culture (centrifugation) method for the recovery of microorganisms from peritoneal dialysate collected from patients with clinical evidence of peritonitis and containing greater than or equal to 200 leukocytes per mm3. Both alternate methods were comparable, and results were not significantly different from those of the conventional 10-ml culture method. All systems were adversely affected in their capacity to recover organisms when dialysates had been collected during periods of antimicrobial therapy.
Plasmid profile analysis in epidemiological studies of animal Salmonella typhimurium infection in Japan
Authors: Nakamura M , Sato S , Ohya T , Suzuki S , Ikeda S
Published: January 2020

Plasmid profiles were investigated in 65 isolates of Salmonella typhimurium derived from animal outbreaks during the period of 1978 through 1983 in Japan. Incidence of plasmids, drug-resistance, and conjugative R plasmids were extraordinarily high in these isolates. This high incidence reflects the prophylactic and therapeutic use of antibiotics. Most isolates from diseased animals, cohabiting animals, and each farm showed the same or similar plasmid patterns. However, there was a difference in plasmid patterns within strains isolated from each of several animals. It may be that one or two plasmids were introduced or deleted in these strains, leading to the difference discerned in strains isolated from the same animal. It was also shown that during one epidemic, two strains of S. typhimurium were involved that could be distinguished by plasmid profile analysis. Our conclusion is that when S. typhimurium strains isolated from animals reared in limited areas exhibit identical or similar plasmid patterns, they are derived from the same source and that when strains isolated in a limited area exhibit quite a different plasmid pattern, these strains are derived from independent sources.
Specificity of immunoglobulin M and G antibody responses in humans infected with eastern and western equine encephalitis viruses: application to rapid serodiagnosis
Authors: Calisher C H , Berardi V P , Muth D J , Buff E E
Published: January 2020

Paired sera from 20 humans with eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus infections and from 17 humans with western equine encephalitis (WEE) virus infections, all with previously demonstrated fourfold or greater rises or falls in hemagglutination-inhibiting, complement-fixing, or neutralizing antibody titers, were tested for immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG antibodies by an enzyme immunoassay. All individuals with EEE and 14 of 17 individuals with WEE had IgM antibody, some as early as 1 day after onset. Two of the three persons with WEE who did not develop IgM antibody died. IgM antibody declined but persisted for at least 3 months after the onset of illness in one individual each with EEE and WEE. IgG antibody was not detected until the middle of week 2 after onset. The sensitivity of the IgM antibody capture enzyme immunoassay described and the specificity, as shown by the absence of heterologous alphavirus reactivity, indicate that this is the test of choice for the rapid diagnosis of human infections caused by EEE and WEE viruses.
Isolation of Corynebacterium aquaticum from spinal fluid of an infant with meningitis
Authors: Beckwith D G , Jahre J A , Haggerty S
Published: January 2020

A 4-week-old female was hospitalized because of vomiting, irritability, and nuchal rigidity. A spinal fluid culture yielded Corynebacterium aquaticum. The diagnosis of C. aquaticum meningitis in this infant was supported by the following cerebrospinal fluid findings: Gram stain, elevated protein, hypoglycorrhachia, positive C-reactive protein, and polymorphonuclear leukocytosis. Antigen studies for common bacterial causes of meningitis were negative. C. aquaticum is a rare cause of human disease and may be initially confused with Listeria monocytogenes, which is a more common gram-positive, motile rod associated with meningitis in infants.
Evaluation of the newly modified AutoMicrobic system gram-positive susceptibility-MIC card for detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Lally R T , Ederer M N , Woolfrey B F
Published: January 2020

AutoMicrobic system (Vitek Systems, Inc., Hazelwood, Mo.) gram-positive susceptibility-MIC (GPS-MIC) cards and GPS cards were compared for their ability to detect methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in two groups of isolates. MRSA isolates from the first group were detected at rates of 23 and 85%, and MRSA isolates from the second group were detected at rates of 95 and 88% for GPS and GPS-MIC cards, respectively. Detection of MRSA by the AutoMicrobic system lacks sensitivity and remains unsatisfactory unless accompanied by supplemental testing.
Immunoblot analysis of the serological response in invasive Trichosporon beigelii and Blastoschizomyces capitatus infections
Authors: Matthews R C , Burnie J P , Fox A , Woods M , Tabaqchali S
Published: January 2020

The serological response to Trichosporon sp. was examined by the immunoblot technique. Antibodies to a range of antigens (200 to 16 kilodaltons) were detectable in three patients with invasive Trichosporon beigelii or Blastoschizomyces capitatus infections and 10 uninfected controls. High levels of preexisting antibodies may contribute to the rarity of systemic infections.
Studies on fastidious adenoviruses in Ontario: a distinct strain associated with gastroenteritis
Authors: Bishai F R , Yolken R H , Chernesky M A , Johnston S , Rossier E
Published: January 2020

From 100 cases of gastroenteritis among children caused by adenovirus infection in Ontario, 33 virus isolates were divided into three categories according to their biological behavior in tissue cultures. So far, the results of neutralization tests, structural protein analysis, and DNA restriction patterns showed that the virus of category 1 was similar to adenovirus type 40. However, the adenovirus of category 2 was a distinct adenovirus which shared some similarities with adenovirus type 5. Viruses of category 3 are still under investigation.
Radiometric method for the rapid detection of Leptospira organisms
Authors: Manca N , Verardi R , Colombrita D , Ravizzola G , Savoldi E , Turano A
Published: January 2020

A rapid and sensitive radiometric method for detection of Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona and Leptospira interrogans serovar copenhageni is described. Stuart's medium and Middlebrook TB (12A) medium supplemented with bovine serum albumin, catalase, and casein hydrolysate and labeled with 14C-fatty acids were used. The radioactivity was measured in a BACTEC 460 (Johnston Laboratories). With this system, Leptospira organisms were detected in human blood in 2 to 5 days, a notably shorter time period than that required for the majority of detection techniques.
Occurrence and pathogenic role of Morganella-Proteus-Providencia group bacteria in human feces
Authors: Müller H E
Published: January 2020

A total of 2,693 fecal specimens, with 1,422 from healthy persons and 1,271 from patients suffering from enteric diseases, was investigated to isolate species of the Morganella-Proteus-Providencia group and to evaluate the role of these bacteria in intestinal disorders. Most strains were isolated from two media, i.e., blood agar and tryptophan agar. Two of the species were more frequently found in diarrheal cases than in healthy controls. These species were Morganella morganii and Proteus mirabilis. Two new species of Enterobacteriaceae, i.e., Proteus penneri and Providencia rustigianii, were found in 33 and 5 people, respectively. However, these two species were not found more frequently in the diarrheal cases.
Utilization of exogenous siderophores by Campylobacter species
Authors: Baig B H , Wachsmuth I K , Morris G K
Published: January 2020

The availability of iron to potentially pathogenic bacterial strains is restricted by the iron-binding proteins of the host. In this study, we examined 40 strains of Campylobacter species grown under iron-limiting conditions. While the strains produced no detectable siderophores, all the isolates freely utilized exogenous siderophores produced by other organisms as iron carriers. These data suggest that the use of an exogenous siderophore (either purified or present in a coinfecting microorganism) may be important in developing a suitable laboratory model for campylobacteriosis.
Selective medium for the isolation of Bacteroides gingivalis
Authors: Hunt D E , Jones J V , Dowell V R
Published: January 2020

Bacteroides gingivalis has been implicated in various forms of periodontal disease and may be responsible for other diseases in humans. The role of B. gingivalis in disease has been difficult to assess, because it is inhibited by most selective media commonly used by clinical laboratories to aid in isolating gram-negative, nonsporeforming anaerobes. We have developed a new medium, Bacteroides gingivalis agar, which contains bacitracin, colistin, and nalidixic acid as selective agents. This medium allowed B. gingivalis to be isolated from oral specimens with little difficulty and also allowed B. gingivalis to be isolated from phenotypically similar Bacteroides species, such as B. asaccharolyticus and B. endodontalis, with which it can easily be confused.
Evaluation of a blood-free, charcoal-based, selective medium for the isolation of Campylobacter organisms from feces
Authors: Karmali M A , Simor A E , Roscoe M , Fleming P C , Smith S S , Lane J
Published: January 2020

A blood-free, charcoal-based selective medium (CSM) consisting of a Columbia agar base, activated charcoal (4 g/liter), hematin (0.032 g/liter), sodium pyruvate (0.1 g/liter), cefoperazone (32 mg/liter), vancomycin (20 mg/liter), and cycloheximide (100 mg/liter) supported the growth of Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli with colony counts equivalent to those obtained on antibiotic-free horse blood agar. CSM was compared to Skirrow medium (SKM) for the recovery of C. jejuni and C. coli from stools of patients with diarrhea, the media being incubated for 2 days under reduced oxygen tension at 43 degrees C. These campylobacters were isolated from 35 (2.9%) of 1,227 stools tested (29 on both media, 5 on CSM alone, and one on SKM alone). Whenever C. jejuni and C. coli were recovered, growth was pure on 29 CSM cultures (85%), but on only 11 SKM cultures (37%). Complete suppression of "contaminating" flora occurred in 704 CSM cultures (57%) compared with 426 SKM cultures (35%). CSM more effectively suppressed contaminating pseudomonads, gram-positive organisms, and yeasts than did SKM; both media failed to suppress members of the family Enterobacteriaceae in about a quarter of the samples. Studies on 20 representative Enterobacteriaceae contaminants showed that susceptibility to cefoperazone and growth on CSM were markedly dependent on inoculum size; 12 strains were inhibited by cefoperazone (32 mg/liter) at inoculum sizes of 5 X 10(2) and 5 X 10(4) but not 5 X 10(6) organisms, indicating that the frequency of contaminants on CSM could probably be reduced further by ensuring that stools were not inoculated too heavily on CSM. Our findings confirm that charcoal is an effective substitute for blood in media for growing campylobacters, and that CSM is a highly effective blood-free selective medium for isolating C. jejuni and C. coli from stools.
Evaluation of the Gen-Probe DNA probe for the detection of legionellae in culture
Authors: Edelstein P H
Published: January 2020

A commercial DNA probe kit designed to detect rRNA from legionellae was evaluated for its ability to correctly discriminate between legionellae and non-legionellae taken from culture plates. The probe kit, made by the Gen-Probe Corp. (San Diego, Calif.), was radiolabeled with 125I, and probe bacterial RNA hybridization, detected in a simple one-tube system hybridization assay, was quantitated with a gamma counter. A total of 156 Legionella sp. strains were tested, of which 125 were Legionella pneumophila and the remainder were strains from 21 other Legionella spp. A total of 106 gram-negative non-legionellae, isolated from human respiratory tract (81%) and other body site (19%) specimens, were also tested; 14 genera and 28 species were represented. The probe easily distinguished all of the legionellae from the non-legionellae. The average legionellae/non-legionellae hybridization ratio was 42:1, and the lowest ratio was 2:1; a minor modification in the procedure increased the lowest ratio to 5:1. In addition to correctly identifying all Legionella species, the probe was able to separate some of the various species of Legionella. L. pneumophila strains hybridized more completely to the probe than did the other Legionella spp.; L. wadsworthii and L. oakridgensis hybridized only about 25% of the probe relative to L. pneumophila. Some strains of phenotypically identified L. pneumophila had much lower hybridization to the probe than other members of the species and may represent a new Legionella species. The simplicity of the technique and specificity of the probe make it a good candidate for confirming the identity of legionellae in culture.
Evaluation of cross-reactions in Histoplasma capsulatum serologic tests
Authors: Wheat J , French M L , Kamel S , Tewari R P
Published: January 2020

Cross-reactivity in Histoplasma serologic tests was evaluated by using sera from patients with histoplasmosis and other infections. Serum samples from 127 of 134 (95%) patients with histoplasmosis were judged positive by complement fixation tests, and 121 (90%) showed H bands, M bands, or both by immunodiffusion. Of these 134 patients, cross-reactions were seen to Blastomyces dermatitidis in 53 patients (40%), to Coccidioides immitis in 20 patients (16%), and to Aspergillus fumigatus in 3 patients (2%) by complement fixation. Serum samples from 5 of 99 patients (5%) with other fungal infections and from 5 of 46 patients (11%) with tuberculosis had M precipitin bands by the Histoplasma immunodiffusion test, whereas none of the 123 sera from patients with other bacterial, Mycoplasma, or viral infections showed H or M precipitin bands. In the complement fixation test, positive reactions were observed in 16 of 90 patients (18%) with other fungal infections, in 14 of 41 patients (34%) with tuberculosis, and in 18 of 105 patients (17%) with other bacterial, Mycoplasma, or viral infections. Positive reactions were seen by radioimmunoassay in 54 of 110 patients (49%) with other fungal infections, in 23 of 46 patients (50%) with tuberculosis, and in 35 of 123 patients (28%) with with other bacterial, Mycoplasma, or viral infections. These results demonstrate a wider range of cross-reactions in Histoplasma serology than has been previously recognized, and the cross-reactivity was greatest when observed by radioimmunoassay. Caution should be exercised in the interpretation of serologic data from patients with suspected fungal infections.
Gellan gum as a substitute for agar in leptospiral media
Authors: Rule P L , Alexander A D
Published: January 2020

An albumin polysorbate semisolid medium (Ellinghausen McCullough Johnson Harris medium) gelled with gellan gum (Gelrite; Kelco Div., Merck & Co., Inc.) compared favorably with conventional agar media for the cultivation of both pathogenic and saprophytic leptospires. The gellan gum medium supported the growth of all 18 leptospiral strains studied which included an array of serovars with various fastidious growth characteristics. Gellan gum medium was also used advantageously as a long-term maintenance medium; 9- to 12-month-old cultures still contained viable organisms. The colonial growth in gellan gum plating medium of six representative strains was consistent with previously described colonial growth on agar plating media. In addition, gellan gum medium appeared to be an excellent medium for the recovery of leptospires from the blood, liver, and kidneys of hamsters experimentally infected with a virulent Leptospira interrogans serovar bataviae strain. As few as 1 to 10 organisms in the infective tissue could be recovered in semisolid Ellinghausen McCullough Johnson Harris-gellan gum medium. The antigenicity did not appear to be affected by growth in gellan gum medium. The hamster-virulent strain of L. interrogans serovar bataviae isolated from a moribund hamster maintained its virulence after 10 sequential passages in gellan gum medium. Gellan gum medium can be a valuable adjunct to currently used cultural procedures.
Production of monoclonal antibody against Pneumocystis carinii by using a hybrid of rat spleen and mouse myeloma cells
Authors: Lee C H , Bolinger C D , Bartlett M S , Kohler R B , Wilde C E , Smith J W
Published: January 2020

It has been difficult to obtain pure Pneumocystis carinii antigen either from cultures or from infected lungs for use in producing a specific antibody against P. carinii. This report describes an approach toward producing a monoclonal antibody that bypasses the antigen purification steps. P. carinii infection was developed in Sprague-Dawley rats by the method of immunosuppression with cortisone. The infected lungs were homogenized, and the homogenate was used to immunize Sprague-Dawley rats. Rat spleen cells were then fused with SP2/0 mouse myeloma cells. Hybridoma clones were screened for antibody production against P. carinii by immunoperoxidase staining techniques and by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, using as antigens homogenates of normal rat lung, homogenates of P. carinii-infected rat lung, and harvests of P. carinii grown with WI-38 cells. Out of six hybridoma clones obtained that produced antibodies against P. carinii, one was able to produce ascitic fluid. This monoclonal antibody reacted with two P. carinii antigens with masses of about 35,000 and 65,000 daltons in P. carinii-infected lungs and three proteins with masses of about 35,000, 65,000, and 110,000 daltons in P. carinii that was harvested from a WI-38 cell culture.
Association with phagocytic inhibition of anti-Pseudomonas aeruginosa immunoglobulin G antibody subclass levels in serum from patients with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Shryock T R , Mollé J S , Klinger J D , Thomassen M J
Published: January 2020

Serum from cystic fibrosis patients colonized with Pseudomonas aeruginosa specifically inhibits phagocytosis of P. aeruginosa by alveolar macrophages. Serum was examined for P. aeruginosa lipopolysaccharide-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclass levels (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and for the effect on macrophage phagocytosis (by radiolabeled P. aeruginosa uptake). Sera from cystic fibrosis patients with no known P. aeruginosa colonization history had negligible amounts of lipopolysaccharide-specific IgG and a mean phagocytic enhancement of 5%. The sera of normal volunteers also had negligible amounts of lipopolysaccharide-specific IgG. Serum from cystic fibrosis patients with P. aeruginosa respiratory tract infections had substantial titers (range, 1:20 to 1:1,280) of lipopolysaccharide-specific IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4 and a mean phagocytic inhibition of 56%. However, these patients had low or absent titers of lipopolysaccharide-specific IgG1. No consistent variation in the level of individual IgG subclasses in the sera of colonized patients was observed, as determined by radial immunodiffusion. The results suggest that during P. aeruginosa infection phagocytosis-inhibitory activity develops coincident with production of lipopolysaccharide-specific IgG subclasses.
Latex agglutination test for detecting feline panleukopenia virus, canine parvovirus, and parvoviruses of fur animals
Authors: Veijalainen P M , Neuvonen E , Niskanen A , Juokslahti T
Published: January 2020

A latex agglutination (LA) test for the detection of parvoviruses of fur animals, cats, and dogs was developed, and its sensitivity and specificity were compared with those of hemagglutination (HA) and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Tissue culture isolation was used to confirm the specificity results. Fecal samples from various sources were tested, including specimens from raccoon dogs and mink which were experimentally infected with parvoviruses by oral exposure. LA compared favorably with the other tests. The ELISA was the most sensitive. When it was considered as a reference test, the corresponding sensitivities for HA and LA were 96 and 91%, respectively. The specificities were 93% for the ELISA, 95% for the HA test, and 92% for the LA test. LA seems to be a suitable technique for screening animals in the field and in laboratories in which sophisticated techniques are not available.
Dot-enzyme immunoassay for visual detection of antibodies to pseudorabies virus in swine serum
Authors: Afshar A , Wright P F , Dulac G C
Published: January 2020

A modified solid-phase enzyme immunoassay (EIA) is described for the visual detection of anti-pseudorabies virus (anti-PRV) antibody in porcine serum. Dots of PRV antigens were adsorbed to nitrocellulose paper (hence the name dot-EIA), and the remaining nonspecifically reactive sites were blocked with bovine serum albumin or skim milk powder. After immersion in test serum, bound antibodies were reacted with a peroxidase-conjugated anti-porcine immunoglobulin G (H & L). Positive reactions were easily visualized as brown dots after enzyme degradation of a substrate containing hydrogen peroxide and diaminobenzidine. The dot-EIA was comparable to the serum neutralization test and the standard microtiter EIA in its ability to detect antibody in the sera of pigs 9 days after experimental infection and 12 days after contact with infected pigs. The sensitivity and specificity of the dot-EIA relative to the serum neutralization test and the standard EIA were determined from the testing of 856 field sera from the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada. In all comparisons, both the relative sensitivity and specificity of the dot-EIA were in the order of 98 to 99%. The dot EIA appears to have potential application as a rapid and economical field test in the diagnosis of PRV infection.
Comparison of methods for detection of colonization factor antigens on enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli
Authors: Ahrén C M , Gothefors L , Stoll B J , Salek M A , Svennerholm A M
Published: January 2020

Fecal Escherichia coli isolates from 196 patients with watery diarrhea and 68 healthy individuals (controls) were analyzed in Bangladesh immediately after isolation for the presence of colonization factor antigen (CFA) I or II (CFA/I or CFA/II, respectively) by a mannose-resistant hemagglutination (MRHA) test with six species of erythrocytes and by a slide agglutination test with absorbed CFA/I or CFA/II antisera. The presence of CFAs was confirmed by immunodiffusion analyses done in Sweden. By these methods, it was found that 49 of 69 enterotoxin-producing E. coli strains isolated from patients carried CFA/I or CFA/II, whereas none of the nonenterotoxigenic E. coli isolates or the three toxin-positive strains isolated from healthy individuals carried these adhesins. All E. coli strains retained their MRHA ability after transportation to Sweden followed by one subculture and after storage at -70 degrees C (but not at room temperature) for 1 to 2 years without further subculturing. After 5 to 10 subcultures of the fresh isolates, however, 70% of the initially CFA/I- and 80% of the initially CFA/II-carrying strains analyzed did not hemagglutinate. The efficacy of different methods for detecting CFAs on the fresh isolates was compared with that of immunodiffusion. The sensitivity of MRHA with human blood group A erythrocytes for the detection of CFA/I was high (97%), but the specificity was only 69%. The sensitivity of MRHA with bovine erythrocytes for the detection of CFA/II in Bangladesh was very low but increased considerably when chicken erythrocytes were also used. Whereas both false-positive and false-negative reactions were obtained when absorbed CFA antisera were used for agglutination, antisera against purified CFAs were equally effective as immunodiffusion in identifying CFA/I and CFA/II-carrying strains.
Distribution and serotypes of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli in enteric Campylobacter strains isolated from children in the Central African Republic
Authors: Georges-Courbot M C , Baya C , Beraud A M , Meunier D M , Georges A J
Published: January 2020

One hundred eighty-five enteric Campylobacter strains isolated from diarrheic or healthy children in Bangui (Central African Republic) were studied to determine their species and serotypes. C. coli was identified in 38.9% of all strains and in 43.9% of strains from diarrheic children. By the hemagglutination technique for heat-stable antigens, 73.5% of the strains could be serotyped. Of the typeable strains, 75% were distributed among 13 more frequent serotypes. C. coli serotype Pen 37,56 was the most common serotype from diarrheic children.
Identification and serotyping of Microsporum canis isolates by monoclonal antibodies
Authors: Polonelli L , Castagnola M , Morace G
Published: January 2020

Hybridoma cells were produced by fusing mouse myeloma cells with spleen cells from mice primed with an exoantigen of Microsporum canis. Three clones produced antibodies which were examined by the Western blot technique for their potential usefulness in the identification of M. canis isolates and differentiation of strains within the species. Based on reactions with immunological determinants, all of the M. canis isolates tested presented either species- or strain-specific domains. Monoclonal antibodies proved to be useful reagents for the identification of M. canis isolates and for the differentiation of strains within the species. A purified antigen depleted of common antigenic determinants was obtained in affinity chromatography by using monoclonal antibody.
Evaluation of the 10-micrograms clindamycin disk for susceptibility testing of anaerobes by the aerobically incubated thioglycolate broth disk method
Authors: Toohey K L , Kurzynski T A , Schell R F , Birk R J , Zabransky R J
Published: January 2020

The reliability of the 10-micrograms clindamycin disk was evaluated for susceptibility testing of anaerobes by the aerobic thioglycolate broth disk method. A good correlation between the aerobic thioglycolate broth disk method and the reference agar dilution procedure of the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards was obtained by using a 4-microgram/ml breakpoint. Improved correlation was obtained when the medium of the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards was buffered.
Persistence of cholera in the United States: isolation of Vibrio cholerae O1 from a patient with diarrhea in Maryland
Authors: Lin F Y , Morris J G , Kaper J B , Gross T , Michalski J , Morrison C , Libonati J P , Israel E
Published: January 2020

A case of cholera was identified in Baltimore County, Md., in October 1984. The Vibrio cholerae O1 isolate from the patient was hemolytic, biotype El Tor, serotype Inaba, and was toxigenic by the Y-1 adrenal cell assay; on Southern blot analysis, the strain had a unique HindIII restriction site in the cholera toxin gene identical to that of other U.S. V. cholerae O1 isolates. Two days before he became ill, the patient had eaten meat from crabs harvested along the Texas coast.
DF-2 septicemia following whirlpool spa immersion
Authors: Holmes R L , Kozinn W P
Published: January 2020

We describe the case of a 31-year-old asplenic man who developed DF-2 bacteremia, septic shock, and pneumonia after recreational immersion in a whirlpool spa. The patient did not have a history of dog bite or contact with canine secretions, although he owned two dogs. DF-2 could not be isolated from the whirlpool spa.
Proteolytic activity of a clinical isolate of Cryptococcus neoformans
Authors: Brueske C H
Published: January 2020

A clinical isolate of Cryptococcus neoformans was grown on essential salts medium without (NH4)2SO4 and supplemented with bovine serum albumin as the sole carbon and nitrogen source. Growth on this medium resulted in secretion of proteolytic enzymes by the organism. The secretion of protease enzymes was inhibited by (NH4)2SO4 and glucose. Proteolytic activity may be a factor in virulence and pathogenicity of C. neoformans.
Molecular epidemiology of non-O1 Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio mimicus in the U.S. Gulf Coast region
Authors: Kaper J B , Nataro J P , Roberts N C , Siebeling R J , Bradford H B
Published: January 2020

Ten toxigenic Vibrio cholerae non-O1 and V. mimicus strains isolated from clinical and environmental sources in the U.S. Gulf Coast region were examined for genetic relatedness. Restriction digest patterns of chromosomal DNA and Southern blot analysis with a cholera toxin gene probe revealed that the strains exhibited greater genetic divergence than the highly conserved V. cholerae O1 strains isolated from clinical and sewage samples in this region.
Whirlpool-associated folliculitis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa: report of an outbreak and review
Authors: Ratnam S , Hogan K , March S B , Butler R W
Published: January 2020

An outbreak of folliculitis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa serotype O:7 occurred among the guests of a hotel in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada, and the source of the infection was traced to the hotel whirlpool. Of 36 persons who used the whirlpool, 26 (72%) developed folliculitis within 1 to 5 days after exposure; the attack rate was significantly higher for children (90%) than for adults (50%). The rash characteristics were consistent with those of Pseudomonas folliculitis previously described (T. L. Gustafson, J. D. Band, R. H. Hutcheson, Jr., and W. Schaffner, Rev. Infect. Dis. 5:1-8, 1983). This is considered to be the first outbreak in which P. aeruginosa serotype O:7 has been incriminated. Published reports to date of outbreaks of Pseudomonas folliculitis associated with the use of whirlpools, hot tubs, swimming pools, etc., were reviewed.
Comparison of immune electron microscopy and genome electropherotyping techniques for detection of turkey rotaviruses and rotaviruslike viruses in intestinal contents
Authors: Theil K W , Reynolds D L , Saif Y M
Published: January 2020

Seventy-nine intestinal contents specimens from 65 turkey flocks were examined for rotavirus and rotaviruslike virus (RVLV) by immune electron microscopy (IEM) and genome electropherotyping. The IEM procedure was slightly more sensitive in detecting these viruses; 7 of 48 specimens (14.6%) positive for virus by IEM were negative by the genome electropherotyping technique. The genome electropherotyping technique more readily differentiated the rotaviruses and RVLVs than did the IEM procedure; 15 of 48 specimens (31%) positive for virus by IEM could not be differentiated into rotavirus of RVLV, whereas only 4 of the 41 specimens (9.7%) positive by genome electropherotyping produced incomplete genome electropherotypes and could not be differentiated. Thirty-one specimens negative by IEM were also negative by genome electropherotyping. Specimens determined to contain only rotavirus by IEM produced only rotavirus genome electropherotypes. Likewise, specimens determined to contain RVLV alone by IEM produced only RVLV genome electropherotypes. Three specimens contained viruses morphologically resembling rotaviruses that were not aggregated by either the anti-turkey rotavirus serum or the anti-turkey RVLV serum and possessed genome electropherotypes distinct from those of the turkey rotavirus and RVLV. These rotaviruses may represent a third, previously unrecognized serogroup of turkey rotaviruses.
Analysis of mycolic acid cleavage products and cellular fatty acids of Mycobacterium species by capillary gas chromatography
Authors: Lambert M A , Moss C W , Silcox V A , Good R C
Published: January 2020

After growth and experimental conditions were established, the mycolic acid cleavage products, constituent fatty acids, and alcohols of representative strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, M. smegmatis, M. fortuitum complex, M. kansasii, M. gordonae, and M. avium complex were determined by capillary gas chromatography. Reproducible cleavage of mycolic acid methyl esters to tetracosanoic (24:0) or hexacosanoic (26:0) acid methyl esters was achieved by heating the sample in a high-temperature muffle furnace. The major constituent fatty acids in all species were hexadecanoic (16:0) and octadecenoic (18:1 omega 9-c, oleic) acids. With the exception of M. gordonae, 10-methyloctadecanoic acid was found in all species; moreover, M. gordonae was the only species tested which contained 2-methyltetradecanoic acid. M. kansasii was characterized by the presence of 2,4-dimethyltetradecanoic acid, M. avium complex by 2-eicosanol, and M. tuberculosis by 26:0 mycolic acid cleavage product. The mycolic acid cleavage product in the other five species tested was 24:0. Although a limited number of strains and species were tested, preliminary results indicate that this gas chromatographic method can be used to characterize mycobacterial cultures by their mycolic acid cleavage products and constituent fatty acid and alcohol content.
Continuous production of a cytopathic human T-lymphotropic virus in a permissive neoplastic T-cell line
Authors: Getchell J P , Heath J L , Hicks D R , Sporborg C , McGrath C R , Kalyanaraman V S
Published: January 2020

We developed cloned populations from the commonly available, well-characterized cell line HUT-78. These cloned cells grow permanently after infection with isolates of human T-lymphotropic virus type III, also called lymphadenopathy virus (HTLV-III/LAV), from patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome and related syndromes. In contrast, activated human T cells are lysed after HTLV-III/LAV infection. The infected cloned cells have been in culture continuously for 6 months and have produced high levels of extracellular reverse transcriptase (400,000 cpm/ml). This level is comparable to that of similarly infected normal human T cells. Three weeks after infection with HTLV-III/LAV, more than 90% of the cloned HUT-78 cells lysed; the remaining cells continued to grow. Approximately 80% of these cells expressed HTLV-III/LAV antigens by immunofluorescence. The extracellular virus of the chronically infected cell line was shown to be similar to other HTLV-III/LAV isolates by competition radioimmunoassay, by reactivity with human serum, and by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This HTLV-III/LAV-infected immortalized cell line enables the continuous production of large amounts of virus.
Diagnostic importance of Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin analysis in recurring enteritis among elderly, chronic care psychiatric patients
Authors: Jackson S G , Yip-Chuck D A , Clark J B , Brodsky M H
Published: January 2020

A series of Clostridium perfringens-related gastrointestinal outbreaks occurred over a period of several months among elderly, chronic care patients in a psychiatric hospital. Several serotypes of C. perfringens and many nontypeable isolates were found. The distribution of certain serotypes and the incidence of detection of enterotoxin in fecal extracts were related to wards on which patients were resident (six wards were involved). Several patients were reported to have chronic or recurring fecal incontinence or diarrhea or both. With a background of elevated spore counts of several serotypes and chronic diarrhea, only detection of enterotoxin could provide definitive evidence of C. perfringens etiology in gastoenteritis cases.
Effect of inoculum size on ampicillin and amoxycillin susceptibility determined by gas-liquid chromatography for members of the family Enterobacteriaceae
Authors: Hayward N J
Published: January 2020

Inoculum size had only a small effect on the results for ampicillin and amoxycillin susceptibility testing of Escherichia coli. In contrast, a difference in inoculum size from 10(6) to 10(8) CFU/ml profoundly affected the results for ampicillin and amoxycillin susceptibility testing of Proteus mirabilis, causing a change from susceptibility to complete resistance. These different effects of inoculum size were observed both when susceptibility was determined by the suppression of a characteristic metabolic product analyzed by head-space gas-liquid chromatography (HS-GLC) and when it was determined by MIC testing in broth. Inoculum size affected the results for ampicillin susceptibility of P. mirabilis determined concurrently with the rapid HS-GLC urine test, because 10(8) CFU/ml may occur in urine specimens. In the rapid test, significant numbers of Escherichia, Klebsiella, Citrobacter, Proteus, Morganella, and Providencia spp. in urine specimens are detected within 4 h by HS-GLC analysis for characteristic metabolic products in cultures. Most P. mirabilis in urine specimens appeared to be ampicillin resistant in the rapid HS-GLC test but were reported to be ampicillin susceptible in hospital laboratory agar dilution tests 2 days later. However, ampicillin susceptibility results for Escherichia, Klebsiella, and Citrobacter spp. agreed with hospital laboratory reports. It was concluded that reports of ampicillin susceptibility or resistance for the commonest cause of urinary tract infections, E. coli, within 4 h of receipt of the specimen would be clinically valuable and that a provisional report of ampicillin resistance for P. mirabilis would not lead to ineffective therapy.
Identification of mycoplasma colonies by immunobinding
Authors: Kotani H , McGarrity G J
Published: January 2020

An immunobinding assay was developed to identify mycoplasma colonies on agar in pure and mixed cultures. Mycoplasma colonies on agar were transferred to nitrocellulose. The nitrocellulose was treated with specific rabbit antisera against mycoplasmas, peroxidase-conjugated goat anti-rabbit immunoglobulin G, 4-chloro-1-naphthol, and H2O2. Purple developed in the presence of specific reactions. The procedure was superior to epifluorescence.
Mycobacterium fortuitum peritonitis associated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis
Authors: Woods G L , Hall G S , Schreiber M J
Published: January 2020

Mycobacterium fortuitum has been isolated from skin and soft tissue lesions with increasing frequency. Rarely, however, has it been a documented cause of peritonitis in patients receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. We report here the second such case and discuss both the possibility of M. fortuitum or similar organisms as one cause of "sterile" peritonitis in this patient population and the in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility testing of such isolates.
Quantitative aspects of fecal Rhodococcus (Corynebacterium) equi in foals
Authors: Takai S , Ohkura H , Watanabe Y , Tsubaki S
Published: January 2020

Quantitative aspects of fecal Rhodococcus (Corynebacterium) equi in newborn foals for 12 weeks after birth were investigated on two horse breeding farms. R. equi was found in the feces of foals during week 1 of life. The greatest numbers of R. equi were present in the feces of foals during the first 8 weeks of their lives, which coincides with the age when foals are most liable to be exposed to R. equi.
Septicemia caused by the gram-negative bacterium CDC IV c-2 in an immunocompromised human
Authors: Dan M , Berger S A , Aderka D , Levo Y
Published: January 2020

A 37-year-old man with plasma cell leukemia developed nonfatal septicemia caused by the gram-negative bacterium CDC IV c-2. Recovery followed appropriate treatment with antibiotics. The biochemical features of this organism are reviewed.
Determination of mycobacterial antigens in sputum by enzyme immunoassay
Authors: Yáñez M A , Coppola M P , Russo D A , Delaha E , Chaparas S D , Yeager H
Published: January 2020

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was examined for its usefulness in detecting mycobacterial antigens in sputum. A double-antibody sandwich procedure was set up by using a commercially available hyperimmune serum directed against Mycobacterium bovis, BCG. The ELISA was able to detect 10 ng of protein per ml of BCG sonic extract. The system also clearly distinguished Mycobacterium tuberculosis organisms from Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium kansasii organisms. A total of 68 unknown sputum specimens submitted to the clinical laboratories for examination for tuberculosis were tested by ELISA. Of the 20 specimens that were smear positive and culture positive, 12 (60%) were positive by ELISA; 6 of the 11 (55%) smear-positive culture-negative samples were positive by ELISA; 1 of 2 (50%) of the smear-negative culture-positive samples was positive by ELISA; and only 3 of 35 (9%) of the smear-negative culture-negative samples were positive by ELISA. This approach offers promise as an aid in the presumptive differentiation of nontuberculous mycobacteria from the M. tuberculosis complex.
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of antibody to Gnathostoma antigen in patients with intermittent cutaneous migratory swelling
Authors: Dharmkrong-at A , Migasena S , Suntharasamai P , Bunnag D , Priwan R , Sirisinha S
Published: January 2020

A sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is described for the detection of immunoglobulin G antibody to Gnathostoma antigen in the sera of patients with intermittent cutaneous migratory swelling who were suspected of being infected by the tissue nematode Gnathostoma spinigerum. The antigen used was a crude somatic aqueous extract of the third larval stage obtained from naturally infected eels. The 1:320 dilution of all sera from 46 patients gave enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay values above the mean (+2 standard deviations) of normal healthy controls, which was arbitrarily used as a cutoff point. The sera from patients suspected of being infected by another tissue nematode, Angiostrongylus cantonensis, as well as from patients with intestinal roundworm infections, also reacted weakly in the test system used in this study. Nonetheless, when the assay was carried out using both Gnathostoma and Angiostrongylus antigens simultaneously, it appeared to be a reliable laboratory test that can be used to support a clinical diagnosis of gnathostomiasis in patients with intermittent cutaneous migratory swelling.
Relationships between rotavirus diarrhea and intestinal microflora establishment in conventional and gnotobiotic mice
Authors: Moreau M C , Corthier G , Muller M C , Dubos F , Raibaud P
Published: January 2020

Intestinal microflora did not play a role in the intensity or course of EDIM rotavirus-induced diarrhea, since similar results were observed in axenic and conventional mice. In conventional mice, rotavirus-induced diarrhea did not modify the establishment of Lactobacillus spp. and Escherichia coli before weaning. The consequences of diarrhea on the establishment of strictly anaerobic bacteria after weaning were studied through the measurement of two bacterial functions, the microbial barrier effect against E. coli and the development of the immunoglobulin A intestinal immune system. These two bacterial functions were expressed in a similar way in diarrheic and control mice. In young gnotobiotic mice inoculated with Clostridium perfringens or C. difficile, rotavirus infection led to an earlier development of both strains, as compared with controls. This effect was more pronounced with C. difficile. These results suggest that rotavirus infections might enhance opportunistic bacterial infections.
Isolation and identification of a Giardia lamblia-specific stool antigen (GSA 65) useful in coprodiagnosis of giardiasis
Authors: Rosoff J D , Stibbs H H
Published: January 2020

A Giardia lamblia-specific antigen (GSA 65) was isolated from stools of G. lamblia-positive patients by crossed- and line-immunoelectrophoresis and counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE) in agarose by using rabbit antiserum prepared against G. lamblia cysts. CIE with rabbit anti-GSA 65 monospecific antiserum revealed that GSA 65 was present in aqueous stool eluates of giardiasis patients and in cysts and trophozoites of the parasite. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of immunoaffinity-purified antigen followed by Western blotting showed that the molecular weight of this molecule was about 65,000. GSA 65 was detectable by CIE in stool eluates of 36 of 40 giardiasis patients but not in eluates of 10 G. lamblia-negative asymptomatic controls. GSA 65 was detected in stool eluates of 2 of 18 individuals with chronic diarrhea who were negative for parasites by microscopic examination. Cross-specificity studies with other genera of parasitic protozoa performed by using CIE and immunofluorescence indicated that GSA 65 was present only in strains of G. lamblia. Based on these findings, GSA 65 may prove to have an important application in the design of sensitive diagnostic tests for giardiasis.
Identification of oxidase-positive, glucose-negative, motile species of nonfermentative bacilli
Authors: Pickett M J , Greenwood J R
Published: January 2020

Motile and glucose-negative nonfermentative bacilli are difficult to identify by commonly used procedures. We found eight features (reduction of nitrate and nitrite, acidification of fructose, and alkalinization of acetamide, arginine, histidine, saccharate, and urea) that identified 83% of 143 strains. These, along with additional biochemical tests, effected identification of 93% of the strains. Hence, only a minority of these strains required examination by microscopy (for type of flagellation and presence of inclusion bodies) for complete identification.