bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ELISA for toxoplasma antibody detection: a comparison with other serodiagnostic tests.
Authors: Balsari A , Poli G , Molina V , Dovis M , Petruzzelli E , Boniolo A , Rolleri E
Published: June 2007

An ELISA method was developed for the measurement of toxoplasma IgG antibodies in human serum using antigen-coated polystyrene beads as a solid phase and anti human IgG-horse radish peroxidase conjugate as an enzymatic tracer. In order to assess ELISA sensitivity and specificity, a between methods comparison was made using 'conventional' serological tests as reference (dye-test, crossover-linked immunoassay, passive haemagglutination, indirect immunofluorescence). From an analysis of the group classifications obtained some considerations emerged: the ELISA specificity looks comparable with that of the 'reference' tests, as no sample classified as negative by all these tests was ELISA-positive, and vice versa; ELISA appears to correlate better with haemagglutination and immunofluorescence, on the basis of the respective class frequencies; in particular, the number of positives, which is much lower for the dye-test and crossover-linked immunoassay, suggests that a higher sensitivity is reached in the former cases.
Use of the Streptosec test for grouping beta-haemolytic streptococci.
Authors: Ross P W , Nicoll A , Cumming C G
Published: June 2007

The Streptosec test, which embodies the coagglutination principle for grouping beta-haemolytic streptococci, was used against 72 streptococci previously grouped by precipitin methods. Only two of the 72 strains failed to react. The test is easy to manipulate, represents a considerable saving in time and effort, and produces results with an acceptable degree of accuracy.
Dipslide cultures in the investigation of suprapubic urinary bladder aspirates of infants and children.
Authors: Kostiala A A , Pylkkänen J
Published: June 2007

Suprapubic aspirates (SPAs) of the urinary bladder obtained from 793 infants and children with suspected urinary tract infection were grown on dipslides inoculated at the bedside as well as being cultured aerobically and anaerobically. In general, the findings on dipslides were in good agreement with those in the other culture media. The majority of the 403 dipslide-positive samples contained 10(5) or more bacteria/ml; only in 2% was bacterial density less than 10(3)/ml. There were five specimens with no growth on dipslides; however, an organism considered to be significant for the patient was isolated in the other cultures. Thus dipslides proved to be adequate for the culture of most SPAs, but samples from patients with urological problems should be studied by more complete methods.
Marrow hypoplasia with splenomegaly in adolescence.
Authors: Robertson J H , Burnside P , Salmon D C
Published: June 2007

Four adolescents presented with leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, and splenomegaly; three had associated congenital abnormalities and two had a cirrhosis. They provide further evidence of an association between hepatic disease and bone marrow dysfunction. It is considered that these patients suffer from a genetic or constitutional disorder which may result in a susceptibility of their bone marrow to hypoplasia following viral hepatitis or other infections.
Human pulmonary macrophages: the relationship of smoking to the presence of sea blue granules and surfactant turnover.
Authors: Plowman P N , Flemans R J
Published: June 2007

Human pulmonary macrophages from heavy smokers usually (17/21 cases) contain sea blue inclusion material in the cytoplasm. In non-smokers, sea blue material is rarely evident (1/21 cases). The sea blue material observed has the same properties as sea blue material identified in other conditions (viz, Sudan black and PAS positivity and autofluorescence). Evidence is presented which suggests that pulmonary macrophages from smokers contain extra surfactant and that it is this phospholipid complex that accounts for the sea blue reaction observed.
A new selective medium for Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Authors: Nichols T , Freeman R
Published: June 2007

The development and evaluation of a new selective medium for Streptococcus pneumoniae is described. It is shown that the new medium (crystal violet-nalidixic acid-gentamicin agar:CVNG) is highly selective for Strep. pneumoniae in sputum specimens containing other organisms and is also sensitive, being only marginally inhibitory when compared to Columbia blood agar. The advantages of the medium in routine use are presented, based on 206 consecutive sputum specimens. It is concluded that CVNG medum is a useful adjunct to sputum bacteriology, especially in combination with digestion of the sputum samples by Cleland's reagent.
Clinical applications of immunofixation: detection and quantitation of complement activation.
Authors: Whicher J T , Higginson J , Riches P G , Radford S
Published: June 2007

The methods currently in use for the detection and quantitation of complement activation products are slow and time consuming. We describe a method utilising immunofixation after agarose or cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis which allows large batches of samples to be screened rapidly for the presence of activation products of C3 and factor B. Further, after immunofixation on agarose the conversion product may be quantitated by densitometry. This method gives similar results to those obtained by crossed immunoelectrophoresis. Using both this technique and crossed immunoelectrophoresis we have been able to confirm that C4 activation occurs during electrophoresis in the absence of EDTA and that in the presence of EDTA it is not demonstrable even in patients with active immune complex disease.
A new cryopathic syndrome.
Authors: Caudron M , Bieva C , Laurent E , De Meuter F , Feremans W W , Lebas P , Malmendier C L
Published: June 2007

One case of a syndrome simulating a systemic disease is reported. An HLA-B, patient presented with apparent toxoplasmosis, retinal vein occlusion, autoantibodies against cephalin, contact factors and lipoproteins, immune complexes, rheumatoid factor, and cryoprecipitate. A representation of the immunological mechanisms involved is proposed.
Perineal rhabdomyosarcoma in a newborn child: pathological and biochemical studies with emphasis on contractile proteins.
Authors: Hildebrand H F , Krivosic I , Grandier-Vazeille X , Tetaert D , Biserte G
Published: June 2007

Histological and ultrastructural studies have been undertaken on a perineal rhabdomyosarcoma from a newborn child. The spontaneous tumour has the typical feature of mesenchymoma. The recurrent tumour, however, displays some rhabdopoietic characteristics. The myosin of the recurrent tumour has been extracted and compared with human fetal myosin. These two myosins are identical in their synthetic filaments and their light-chain composition. Nevertheless, whereas the ATPase activity of fetal myosin can be stimulated considerably by increasing the ca2+ concentration, that of tumoral myosin remains very low. These results show that there are isoenzymes of myosins and there must be differences in the myosin heavy chains, particularly in the active sites. These findings are identical with those seen in experimental rhabdomyosarcoma.
Reporting practices of microbiology laboratories.
Authors: Ackerman V P , Pritchard R C , Groot Obbink D J , Bradbury R , Lee A
Published: June 2007

Results of investigations on typical specimens were circulated to Australian microbiologists, who were asked to draft reports on the basis of the data provided. Many laboratories were found simply to report the results of their activities without explanations. This was true whether the finding was that of a Gram-negative rod in a postoperative sputum or an anaerobic diphtheroid in a blood culture. There was diversity of views as to what constituted probable contamination in a urine specimen. Often no clearcut verdict was given, nor did the report indicate when no conclusion was possible. Remedial measures are discussed.
Hepatitis B carrier state produced by a blood transfusion.
Authors: Nagington J , Wreghitt T G , Tedder R S , Dane D S
Published: June 2007

A renal transplant patient was infected by a transfusion of blood from a chronic carrier of hepatitis B and he also became a symptomless carrier. Stored sera enabled detailed retrospective measurement of the rate of decline of passively transferred HBsAg, anti-HBc, and anti-HBe. Active HBsAg production was detected after two months and anti-HBc after six months; neither HBe nor anti-HBe was actively produced although there were many 42 nm HBV particles in the patient's serum.
Antibiotic sensitivities of urinary pathogens, 1971-8.
Authors: Grüneberg R N
Published: June 2007

The sensitivites of urinary pathogens from general practice and from hospital to a range of antimicrobial drugs have been recorded for the period 1971-8. There have been changes in the proportions of the different bacterial species and in their sensitivites to antibiotics. In particular, the position of ampicillin/amoxycillin and cephalosporins has deteriorated, partly because more resistant species have somewhat increased in prevalence and partly because the usually sensitive species, such as Escherichia coli, have become more resistant. Over the period 1971-8 the sensitivity of urinary pathogens, whether in general practice or in hospital, to co-trimoxazole and to trimethoprim has been maintained at a high level.
Hyperthyroidism with normal serum total T4, T3, and thyroid binding protein concentration.
Authors: Caro J F , Sloane N G , Glennon J A
Published: June 2007

A 60-year-old woman, free of other disease, with severe clinical hyperthyroidism had normal total serum T4 with elevated free T4 concentration and T3 resin uptake characteristic of hyperthyroidism, with thyroid binding globulin (TBG) deficiency. However, serum TBG concentration as determined by immunoassay was normal, suggesting that the biochemical defect affecting the T4 binding sites did not affect is antigenicity. Her total and free serum T3 levels were low-normal with a markedly elevated reverse T3 concentration. These findings, in the presence of clinical hyperthyroidism, are consistent with an impairment in peripheral conversion of T4 to T3, apparently, in this case, due only to long-standing severe hyperthyroidism.
Liver function in Edinburgh haemophiliacs: a five-year follow-up.
Authors: Stirling M L , Beckett G J , Percy-Robb I W
Published: June 2007

Liver function was assessed in 38 Edinburgh haemophiliacs. Results before the introduction of NHS intermediate factor VIII concentrate from 1974 onwards were compared with values in 1979. Measurements of serum bile salts in 16 patients as well as conventional liver function tests gave useful evidence of deranged liver function. Deterioration over the five-year follow-up period was seen only in patients on home treatment using large amounts of factor VIII concentrate, and there was no association between cryoprecipitate usage and derangement of liver function.
Relative importance of renal failure and increased bone resorption in the hypercalcaemia of myelomatosis.
Authors: Heyburn P J , Child J A , Peacock M
Published: June 2007

In order to define the relative importance of renal failure and increased bone resorption in the hypercalcaemia of myelomatosis 22 untreated patients were studied, of whom 12 were hypercalcaemic. Most patients had malabsorption of radiocalcium from the gastrointestinal tract and evidence of increased bone resorption as assessed by fasting urinary hydroxyproline/creatinine ratio. The mean OHPr/Cr ratio, however, was similar in patients with and without hypercalcaemia. Renal failure and Bence Jones proteinuria occurred more frequently in the hypercalcaemic patients. In four patients with hypercalcaemia there was an increase in OHPr/Cr after saline infusion accompanied by an improvement in renal function and hypercalcaemia. Mithramycin given to the same patients further reduced hypercalcaemia, presumably by inhibiting bone resorption. It was concluded that the hypercalcaemia of myelomatosis is due to the combination of renal failure and increased bone resorption, but that the OHPr/Cr ratio in the untreated state is a poor indicator of the degree of bone resorption in hypercalcaemic patients.
Primary carrier sites of group B streptococci in pregnant women correlated with serotype distributions and maternal parity.
Authors: Islam A K
Published: June 2007

Perianal, perineal, vulval, and vaginal swabs from women attending an antenatal clinic were quantitatively cultured for group B streptococci using Islam's medium. The isolation rates from the four sites were very similar with an overall carriage rate of 21%. The findings suggest that the type II strains, a faecal flora, probably colonise the perianal site from a faecal source, and that the type III strains colonise primarily the genital site and then spread to the perineoperianal region. The type I strains did not conform to any pattern, suggesting a possible secondary involvement of these sites from another source. The types I, R, X, and non-typable isolates were almost exclusively isolated from primigravidae and second gravidae; the type III strains were conspicuously absent in 47 primigravidae. The primigravidae and second gravidae women consistently had high colony counts.
Bacteraemia due to a rifampicin-resistant strain of Bacteroides fragilis.
Authors: Bullock D W , Webb A J , Duerden B I , Rotimi V O
Published: June 2007

A strain of Bacteroides fragilis with high-level chromosomal resistance to rifampicin was isolated by blood culture from a patient with bacteraemia after gastrointestinal surgery. He had been receiving antituberculous therapy with rifampicin for nine months. This resistance led to some difficulty in the recognition and identification of the isolate by methods that depended upon antibiotic sensitivity patterns.
Comparison of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and haemagglutination inhibition test for the detection of Newcastle disease virus antibodies in human sera.
Authors: Charan S , Rai A , Mahajan V M
Published: June 2007

A comparison of haemagglutination inhibition (HI) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques for the detection of antibodies against Newcastle disease virus in sera from persons working in poultry farms and veterinary vaccine institutes and from the general population revealed that 22% more sera were positive by ELISA compared to HI. No samples were negative by ELISA but positive by HI. While HI titres of positive sera were found in the range 8-64, ELISA titres were between 16 and 512. It was interesting that though 78% sera had concordant results by the two tests, titres obtained by ELISA were nearly six times higher than those by HI.
Is copper hepatotoxic in primary biliary cirrhosis?
Authors: Epstein O , Arborgh B , Sagiv M , Wroblewski R , Scheuer P J , Sherlock S
Published: June 2007

In primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) liver copper retention occurs as a complication of cholestasis. By analogy with Wilson's disease, it has been suggested that copper retention is hepatotoxic in PBC, and this has been the rationale for the use of D-penicillamine in this disease. The hypothesis that copper is hepatotoxic in PBC has not been tested and in this study we have evaluated the role of liver copper retention in the pathogenesis of PBC. Sixty-four patients with PBC have been studied. Fifty-four had increased liver copper concentrations. Liver cell synthetic function was well preserved. All the patients had normal prothrombin times, and only two had subnormal serum albumin concentrations. There was no correlation between liver copper concentrations and the degree of liver cell damage assessed biochemically (aspartate transaminase), and histologically. Electron microscopy was performed on liver biopsies from five patients with markedly increased liver copper concentrations. The liver cell ultrastructure was compatible with cholestasis. Liver cells contained electron dense lysosomes, which were shown to contain copper and sulphur by x-ray probe microanalysis. The characteristic organelle changes associated with copper toxicity in Wilson's disease were not observed. The biochemical, histological, and histochemical differences between PBC complicated by liver copper retention, and Wilson's disease, indicates that there are differences in the handling of copper in these disease. In this study we could find no evidence to suggest that copper plays an important role in the pathogenesis of liver dysfunction in PBC.
Quantitative study of the immunoglobulin-containing cells in trephine samples of bone marrow
Authors: Crocker J , Curran RC
Published: June 2007

Immunoglobulin (Ig) was demonstrated in paraffin sections of 12 trephine bone marrow biopsies by means of the unlabelled antibody peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) method. The Ig-containing cells, which were counted with the Reichert-Jung (Kontron) MOP-AMO3user-controlled image-analyser, were found to constitute approximately 4·2% of all the nucleated cells in the marrow, a figure significantly higher than those reported by previous workers.
Appraisal in the diagnostic laboratory of three commercially available anaerobic cabinets
Authors: Phillips KD , Willis AT
Published: June 2007

Three commercially available anaerobic cabinets are described and their performance in relation to one another and to a standard anaerobic jar technique are reported upon from a clinical laboratory.
An on-line computer system for hospital bacteriology: description of its development and comments after five years' use
Authors: Blair JN , Brown PP
Published: June 2007

The development over several years of a computer system for hospital bacteriology reporting is described. The system was developed from a manual method to a punch-card batch processing system and finally to a real-time on-line system. The value of the system to the clinical departments and laboratory is discussed.

Apart from minor defects the system has been of immense advantage to all who make use of its facilities.
Ectopic vestigial lesions of the neck and shoulders
Authors: Shareef DS , Salm R
Published: June 2007

A series of five vestigial lesions of the shoulder and back is reported. Their derivation is discussed and in four cases a branchial rather than a bronchial origin is favoured. The fifth case is held to represent skin involvement by thyroglossal duct elements.
Autoantibody to nerve tissue in a patient with a peripheral neuropathy and an IgG paraprotein.
Authors: Sewell H F , Matthews J B , Gooch E , Millac P , Willox A , Stern M A , Walker F
Published: June 2007

The antibody activity of a benign IgG lambda paraprotein to nerve tissue in a case of peripheral neuropathy has been investigated using immunohistochemical methods on tyrpsin-treated, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue. IgG lambda was found in th sural nerve biopsy of the patient. Specific binding of the purified IgG lambda paraprotein and its isolated F(ab')2 fragment to homologous nerve and brain tissue was demonstrated. Similar activity was not demonstrable on fresh frozen cryostat sections. The results suggest that tests for autoantibodies to nerve tissue in neuropathological disorders should not be confined to fresh frozen tissue substrates.
Cytological diagnosis of lymphoma in serous effusions.
Authors: Spriggs A I , Vanhegan R I
Published: June 2007

A consecutive series is presented of 100 cases of malignant lymphoma in which a correlation could be made between the histological findings and the cytology of pleural or peritoneal fluid or both. Using the Kiel classification, 80 cases could be given a histological label, while 20 remain unclassified. In those cases in which lymphoma cells were identifiable in the serous fluid, their morphology was studied and was found in general to correlate well with the cell-type expected from the histology. It is not claimed that the type of lymphoma can be reliably diagnosed from the cytology of pleural or peritoneal fluid, but an opinion can be provided as to the grade (high or low), and in some cases it is also possible to give an indication of the cell-type involved.
Use of antisera to epithelial membrane antigen for the cytodiagnosis of malignancy in serous effusions.
Authors: To A , Coleman D V , Dearnaley D P , Ormerod M G , Steele K , Neville A M
Published: June 2007

A new human antigen, designated epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), has recently been described on surface membranes of a wide variety of normal epithelium but not on connective tissue cells. The antigen is only weakly expressed on normal or reactive mesothelium. Increased expression of the antigen has been observed in most neoplasms of epithelial origin and in malignant mesothelioma. We have investigated the possibility of using this difference in the expression of the antigen to distinguish between mesothelial cells and malignant cells in cytological smears of serous effusions. This distinction cannot always be made on morphological grounds alone and problems of differential diagnosis are encountered in about 15% of all specimens of serous effusions sent for cytological examination. Using antisera to EMA we have applied an indirect immunoalkaline phosphatase technique to alcohol-fixed smears prepared from serous effusions and have found that intense staining of the antigen is confined to effusions from patients in whom there is either clinical or cytological evidence of malignancy. The technique proved to be especially useful in cytologically equivocal cases, where there were problems of differential diagnosis.
Serum lysozyme activity in coeliac disease: a possible aid to athe diagnosis of malignant change.
Authors: Cooper B T , Ukabam S O , Barry R E , Read A E
Published: June 2007

Serum lysozyme activities were measured in 34 control subjects, 13 untreated adult coeliac patients, 21 adult coeliac patients on gluten-free diet, and eight coeliac patients with a histiocytic lymphoma. Serum lysozyme activities were raised in three untreated patients, three patients treated with a gluten-free diet, and in only two patients with coeliac disease and lymphoma. Serum lysozyme estimations cannot be recommended as an aid to the diagnosis of lymphoma in patients with coeliac disease.
Evaluation of buffy-coat microscopy for the early diagnosis of bacteraemia.
Authors: Coppen M J , Noble C J , Aubrey C
Published: June 2007

Three hundred and sixty samples of blood from 230 hospital patients were examined and compared with the results of simultaneous blood culture to determine the value of buffy-coat microscopy in detecting bacteraemia. One observer found 86 positive smears, 12 of which were from patients with positive blood cultures and 74 from patients with negative blood cultures. The buffy-coat smear was negative in 274 specimens, 8 of which yielded positive blood cultures. A second observer considered that only 34 of the buffy coats were positive. Only six of these were associated with positive blood cultures. Although there was a statistically significant association between positive smears and positive blood cultures, the procedure has little practical value because of the high incidence of false positives and negatives.
Evaluation of a new enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test for rotavirus antigen in faeces
Authors: Beards GM , Bryden AS
Published: June 2007

A new commercial test for the diagnosis of rotavirus gastroenteritis was assessed. With some modifications it compared favourably with electron microscopy and immunofluorescence.
Comparison of a modified microagglutination technique for HBsAg with the standard technique and a new RIA system.
Authors: Supran E M , Gardner P S , Cayzer I , Court G , Chalmers S
Published: June 2007

A further modification of the standard RPHA technique (Hepatest, Wellcome Reagents) for the detection of HBsAg is described. This modification does not require a centrifugation step which is required by the other modifications that have been described previously and consequently takes a little longer to perform. It does, however, retain the advantages of increased sensitivity and decreased costs which are also features of the other modifications. A series of 939 routine clinical specimens were used to evaluate the method described and to evaluate a new RIA kit for the detection of HBsAg (Hepatube, Wellcome Reagents). Of 53 specimens found to be positive for HBsAg by RIA, 50 (94% were detected by the modified Hepatest RPHA as opposed to 47 (89%) by the standard technique.
Interrelationship of chronic eosinophilic pneumonia, bronchiolitis obliterans, and rheumatoid disease: a hypothesis.
Authors: Cooney T P
Published: June 2007

Three patients with histologically proven bronchiolitis obliterans are presented, two of whom had rheumatoid disease. All three patients had, in addition, clinical and radiological evidence of chronic eosinophilic pneumonia; open lung biopsy in two showed coexistent features of chronic eosinophilic pneumonia and bronchiolitis obliterans. The association of both rheumatoid disease are chronic eosinophilic pneumonia with bronchiolitis obliterans in these patients may simply be coincidental, but the striking similarities between the cases suggest that a real interrelationship of these disease entities may exist.
Long-term morphological and immunohistochemical observations on biopsy specimens of small intestine from children with gluten-sensitive enteropathy.
Authors: Rosekrans P C , Meijer C J , Polanco I , Mearin M L , van der Wal A M , Lindeman J
Published: June 2007

Jejunal biopsy specimens from nine Spanish children with gluten-sensitive enteropathy were studied with morphometric and immunohistochemical techniques in three stages of the diseases: the first biopsy was taken for diagnosis, when the child had a gluten-containing diet, the second after gluten withdrawal, and the third biopsy after gluten-provocation. The findings were compared with those in 10 healthy adults. The villous:crypt ratio and the length of the surface epithelium per stretched millimetre muscularis mucosae were decreased, whereas the number of interepithelial lymphocytes per millimetre surface epithelium was increased when the child had a gluten-containing diet. Although these parameters improved after withdrawal of gluten for at least seven months, they never reached the values of the healthy control group. With the indirect immunoperoxidase technique it was shown that the numbers of IgA-, IgG-, and IgM-containing cells, expressed per "mucosal tissue unit" of 4 micrometer thick and 1 mm wide, were significantly increased during the active phases of the disease. This increase was most striking for the IgM-containing cells. The most sensitive parameters for the histological diagnosis of gluten-sensitive enteropathy are the villous:crypt ratio or the length of the surface epithelium per millimetre muscularis mucosae, the number of interepithelial lymphocytes per millimetre surface epithelium, and the number of IgM-containing cells per millimetre muscularis mucosae.
Comparative studies of spermatogenesis in fertile and subfertile men.
Authors: Lamont M A , Faed M J , Baxby K
Published: June 2007

Testicular biopsy specimens from 16 fertile and 10 subfertile men with normal male karyotype were studied quantitatively to provide histological and cytogenetic data for a basis of reference in assessing abnormalities of spermatogenesis. Histological studies included estimation of the proportion and activity of germinal epithelium and an assessment of tubular morphology. In cytogenetic preparations, counts were made of cells at different stages of meiosis. Studies of cells at diakinesis included chiasma counts and percentage of cells with dissociated sex chromosomes. One fertile and six subfertile men showed decreased germinal activity; the six subfertile men also had decreased MII/MI ratios. Other findings were similar in the two groups.
Significance of Phi bodies in acute leukaemia.
Authors: Cardullo L de S , Morilla R , Catovsky D
Published: June 2007

Material from 39 patients with acute leukaemia was investigated with the peroxidase cytochemical reaction using 3,3'diaminobenzidine (DAB) and other substrates in order to test their sensitivity in detecting myeloid differentiation. The proportion of positive blasts and of cases with Auer rods in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) was significantly greater with DAB than with benzidine. In addition, Phi bodies were demonstrated in AML blasts only when DAB was used; Phi bodies were also observed in two out of seven cases of chronic granulocytic leukaemia in "myeloid" blast crisis but were not seen in any case of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Phi bodies were more numerous when the reaction was carried out at pH 9.7, and their number was significantly reduced in the presence of 3-amino 1,2,4-triazole. Both findings suggest that the Phi bodies derive from catalase-containing granules (microperoxisomes) and are distinct from Auer rods, which derive from peroxidase-containing (primary) granules. Like Auer rods, Phi bodies appear to be characteristics of immature myeloid cells in leukaemia but are seen with a higher frequency than Auer rods in acute myeloid leukemia.
Use of whole blood in the measurement of neutrophil migration.
Authors: Al-Hadithy H , Addison I E , Goldstone A H
Published: June 2007

A whole-blood method was used for measuring neutrophil migration in micropore membrane. The method is reproducible (coefficient of variation (CV) 10.3% and 9.8% in two normal individuals tested repeatedly) and can be performed on an 0.25 ml lithium heparin blood sample. Migration is independent of leucocyte and erythrocyte counts and is comparable with that obtained for separated cells. As in separated cell techniques, cytochalasin and casein respectively inhibit and stimulate neutrophil migration. The technique is of value when testing large numbers of samples and when only small volumes of blood can be obtained, for example, in neonates.
Human bronchoalveolar lavage cells and luminol-dependent chemiluminescence.
Authors: Williams A J , Cole P J
Published: June 2007

Human bronchoalveolar lavage cells from several different disease states were examined by the technique of zymosan-stimulated, luminol-dependent chemiluminescence. Light production correlated well with polymorphonuclear leucocyte contamination of the alveolar macrophage suspension but not with lymphocyte contamination. Regression analysis indicated that human alveolar macrophages produce little if any luminol-dependent chemiluminescence. Further investigation of metabolic activity, using measurements of superoxide release, oxygen consumption, and lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence, showed that "respiratory burst" activity in alveolar macrophages was stimulated by opsonised zymosan.
Distribution of non-plasma protein components in meconium from healthy and cystic fibrosis neonates.
Authors: Ryley H C
Published: June 2007

The distribution of four antigens of alimentary tract origin was studied in meconium collected from healthy and cystic fibrosis (CF) neonates. Two antigens, carcinoembryonic antigen and a beta glycoprotein designated Mec 6, had significantly lower concentrations in the meconium from CF neonates compared with that from healthy full-term infants. As their concentrations were unrelated to whether or not the infants had had pancreatic insufficiency at birth, their measurement may be of value for screening. Their concentrations also depended on the gestational age of the newborn, and it is speculated that the CF lesion may affect the maturation of intestinal secretions.
Fluctuations of serum bile acid concentrations during the menstrual cycle.
Authors: Pennington C R , Ross P E , Murison J , Bouchier I A
Published: June 2007

Fasting primary bile acid conjugates were measured in 44 women by radioimmunoassay methods. Bile acid values were significantly greater in the 21 women who were in the first half of the menstrual cycle than in the 23 women in whom blood was sampled during the second half of the cycle. Similar measurements were made at weekly intervals after menstruation in five subjects; increased values were observed in the first week. It is concluded that serum bile acid values fluctuate during the menstrual cycle.
Gas-liquid chromatography in routine processing of blood cultures for detecting anaerobic bacteraemia.
Authors: Reig M , Molina D , Loza E , Ledesma M A , Meseguer M A
Published: June 2007

Gas-liquid chromatography was performed on 233 positive blood cultures and findings were compared with culture results. Obligate anaerobic bacteria were recovered from 78 out of 79 blood cultures containing butyric or iso-valeric acids, or both; from 28 out of 69 blood cultures containing succinic acid; and from only one out of 41 blood cultures containing succinic but not butyric or iso-valeric acid. Good correlations (88%) were found for the recovery of anaerobic bacteria and the detection of butyric and/or iso-valeric acids. Detecting volatile fatty acids by gas-liquid chromatography performed on blood cultures at the first signs of growth can therefore provide an early and reliable indication of the presence of anaerobic bacteria.
In vitro growth of some fastidious adenoviruses from stool specimens.
Authors: Kidd A H , Madeley C R
Published: June 2007

Sixty-seven stool specimens from 51 children, positive for adenoviruses by electron microscopy and negative for growth in human-embryo kidney cells, were tested for growth in Chang conjunctiva cells. Twenty-eight specimens caused a cytopathic effect over more than one passage in these cultures, and several adenovirus strains grew better at 33 degree C than at 37 degree C. Most of the culture-positive specimens also induced the development of adenovirus antigens in KB cells detectable by a group-specific indirect immunofluorescence test. Twenty-four of the 25 fastidious strains tested were antigenically related and were distinct from the established serotypes commonly isolated from stools.
Enzyme and membrane markers in leukaemia: recent developments.
Authors: Hoffbrand A V , Janossy G
Published: June 2007

Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) assay has proved a valuable test for distinguishing lymphoblastic from myeloblastic leukaemias, particularly in adults whose blast cells are often negative for the c-ALL antigen. The immunofluorescence assay, particularly when used in combination with antisera to surface membrane antigens, has proved a sensitive technique for detecting small numbers of lymphoblasts in extramedullary sites, for example, testis or cerebrospinal fluid, or of residual Thy-ALL blasts in the marrow, which might otherwise be difficult to recognise. Differences in concentration of several enzymes concerned in purine metabolism have been detected between the blast cells in the various acute leukaemias. Adenosine deaminase (ADA) concentrations tend to be higher in Thy-ALL than in other forms of leukaemia, but the wide overlap reduces the diagnostic value of this assay. Thy-ALL blasts, however, appear to be selectively and exquisitely susceptible to inhibition of ADA by the drug deoxycoformycin, which has now been used sucessfully in a number of other wise resistant patients with Thy-ALL to obtain a complete remission. The recently introduced technique for the production of monoclonal antibodies has substantially widened the reagents available for analysing the membrane characteristics of bone marrow stem cells and of cell lineages derived from them. These have revealed previously unsuspected heterogeneity among different cases of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, for example, among Thy-ALL blasts from different patients, and they have also delineated minor populations of immature thymocytes from which these leukaemic cells are derived. The potential use of these antibodies to prevent graft-versus-host disease by selective removal of T-lymphocytes from donor bone marrow before allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, or to prevent recurrence of Thy-ALL and other lymphoblastic leukaemias or lymphomas by selective removal of leukaemic or lymphoma malignant cells before autologous transplantation, is reviewed.
An unexpected fungal infection in a patient with leukaemia.
Authors: Jameson B , Carter R L , Watson J G , Hay R J
Published: June 2007

A 58-year-old man, who was entering remission from acute monocytic leukaemia, died unexpectedly after five days of fever. Cultures of necropsy material grew the yeast Trichosporon beigelii, and subsequent histological examination showed a widely disseminated infection. This fungus usually causes a localised lesion of the hair shaft (piedra). Deep-seated infections due to Trichosporon spp. have been recorded infrequently and disseminated infections on only five previous occasions. None of these has been from the United Kingdom. This case report describes some of the difficulties of diagnosis.
Immunoperoxidase localisation of human placental lactogen: a marker for the placental origin of the giant cells in 'syncytial endometritis' of pregnancy.
Authors: Heyderman E , Gibbons A R , Rosen S W
Published: June 2007

One hundred endometrial biopsies of various histological patterns, and material from 10 tubal pregnancies together with their associated uterine decidua, were examined for the presence of human placental lactogen using affinity-purified first and second antibodies and an indirect immunoperoxidase technique. Positive cells in endometrial curettings were seen only in association with an intrauterine pregnancy and morphologically resembled syncytiotrophoblast. Decidua associated with tubal pregnancy, pseudodecidua in progestogen-treated patients, and proliferative, secretory, and basal endometria were all negative. An immunoperoxidase stain for human placental lactogen is a useful marker for intrauterine pregnancy and supports the placental origin of the syncytial giant cells in so-called 'syncytial endometritis'. The technique is of potential value in those endometrial biopsies where pregnancy is suspected but no villi are seen.
Surface topography of the female bladder trigone.
Authors: Davies R , Hunt A C
Published: June 2007

Cystoscopic biopsy specimens of the bladder trigone of young women with recurrent urinary infections were examined by scanning electron microscopy. The superficial cells of the thickened squamous epithelium of the trigone have either a microridged, microvillous, or mixed pattern. In one case, bacteria were found adherent to all these types of surface. Some cells have a microvillous surface and a cobblestone pattern with long, clubbed microvilli and resemble the cells found in malignant and premalignant states.
Chemotherapy sensitivity testing in human tumours.
Authors: Richmond H G , Billington R W
Published: June 2007

We have attempted to establish in vitro growth in a consecutive series of 245 malignant tumours submitted for routine histopathology. Initially, three disaggregation procedures were used: mechanical separation, digestion by trypsin, and digestion by collagenase. The resulting cell fractions had varying success rates in establishing growth. Abundant epithelial cell growth was achieved in monolayer culture in 63 tumours, and the sensitivity of the cells to cytotoxic agents was tested. There was no indiscriminate cytotoxic effect, and each tumour type varied in its sensitivity from one patient's lesion to another. While testing of all solid tumours is not possible with present-day techniques, we believe that the employment of in vitro sensitivity testing as a routine procedure may be possible in the future if a suitable system giving correlation between in vitro and in vivo sensitivity can be developed.
Extrapulmonary tuberculosis: a potential source of laboratory-acquired infection.
Authors: Allen B W , Darrell J H
Published: June 2007

A three-year retrospective study has demonstrated the effect of extrapulmonary tuberculosis on safety within a routine bacteriology laboratory. The investigation showed that, from 112 patients, 162 specimens considered to present a risk to laboratory staff were processed outside of the B1 protective area. However, it was estimated that only 51 of those specimens were heavily positive. Of these 57% were sputum 30% pus, and 10% urine. Specimens of pus and urine account for 50% of specimens received for non-tuberculosis investigations, and it would be impossible to process all specimens that might present a risk in B1 accommodation and still maintain a high degree of safety. It is recommended that request forms which accompany specimens should clearly indicate potential high-risk specimens.
Observations on 10 years' HBs antigenaemia after renal transplantation.
Authors: Nagington J
Published: June 2007

A renal transplant patient became a carrier of HBs Ag within four weeks of a successful transplant. The level of antigenaemia was extremely high, and approximately 3% of the particles were 42 nm Dane particles, although the anti-HBe was present from at least 20 months after transplant. After four years the antigenaemia declined to a low level, and five years later HBs Ag became undetectable for the first time. During the past 18 months, no antigen has been detected although immunosuppression continues and the original kidney is still functional.
Role of laboratory chemosensitivity testing in the selection of cancer chemotherapy for individual patients.
Authors: Selby P J , Raghavan D
Published: June 2007

Recently several assays have been developed which allow the growth of colonies from cell suspensions prepared from human tumour biopsy specimens. It has been suggested that such assays will provide a reliable means of measuring the chemosensitivity of human tumours for predicting the response to treatment in patients. We have briefly reviewed the previous, largely unsuccessful, attempts at chemosensitivity testing and the potential place of the new assays. The measurement of the survival of clonogenic tumour cells after cytotoxic treatment probably reflects to some extent the survival of cells which in vivo are capable of proliferating to repopulate and regrow the tumour. This endpoint therefore has advantages over alternatives that do not directly measure reproductive cell death, and the assays also have the advantage of suppressing the growth of many non-malignant cells found in tumours. However, technical problems such as the preparation of cell suspensions and the artificial nature of the drug exposure phase of the assays have not been completely overcome and the plating efficiencies remain low in most systems. Work with model systems such as human tumour xenografts tends to support the usefulness of the assays but also highlights some difficulties. Clinical studies of chemosensitivity testing are in progress and initial results are encouraging but inconclusive.
Clinical significance of "circulating fibrin monomers'.
Authors: Haselager E M , Vreeken J
Published: June 2007

During the decade 1970-9 we investigated circulating fibrin monomers in 3293 patients. Fibrinaemia was determined by means of the ethanol gelation test (EGT). This was positive in 149 patients (4.5%) and was highly correlated with fibrogenal fibrin products. In many diseases the test was only transiently positive (1 or 2 days). However in patients with circulating fibrin monomers, demonstrable for more than 5 days (chronic fibrinaemia) malignant disease was associated in 63%. Chronic fibrinaemia occasionally preceded overt malignancy by a long period. Overall, only 10.8% of patients with malignant disease showed chronic fibrinaemia. The clinical symptoms most often associated with chronic fibrinaemia were those of venous thrombosis (42.8%) and abnormal bleeding (10.7%). Thromboembolism in the absence of malignant disease only occasionally showed short-term positive EGT and chronic fibrinaemia was never seen. Almost half (46.5%) of patients with chronic fibrinaemia had neither thromboembolic disease nor a haemorrhagic diathesis.
Immunoglobulin concentrations in children receiving treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Authors: Reid M M , Craft A W , Cox J R
Published: June 2007

As part of a wider survey of infections and defence mechanisms, concentrations of serum immunoglobulins IgG, IgA, and IgM were measured regularly by single radial immunodiffusion in a group of children receiving treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia while in their first remission. IgM concentrations were often markedly raised at diagnosis, and IgG and IgA concentrations both began falling within one month of diagnosis. Four months after diagnosis all three had fallen significantly, but this tendency stopped after six months. Only IgG partially recovered, and non returned to pretreatment concentrations even in children followed for two years. The results suggest that vincristine and prednisone are the major factors that initiated the fall in IgG and IgA. Lowered IgM concentrations may have been due to cranial irradiation or continuous maintenance treatment, or both.
Rapidly fatal respiratory failure and angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy: possible contributions of immunoblastic leukaemia, chemotherapy, and multiple antibodies directed against mature blood cells.
Authors: Trenchard P M , Whittaker J A , Gough J , Parry H
Published: June 2007

A patient with angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy, immunoblastic leukaemia, pulmonary immunoblastic infiltration, and multiple antihaemocytic antibodies in his serum deteriorated rapidly after chemotherapy due to severe progressive respiratory of dysfunction. The haematological and immunological changes that accompanied this are described and discussed in the light of the pulmonary changes observed at necropsy of pulmonary oedema, fibrinous thrombi within venules, and immunoblastic infiltration of these thrombi and the venule walls. A pathophysiological mechanism is postulated in an attempt to rationalise these findings, and to act as a guide for the future assessment and management of similar cases.
Klebsiella capsular type versus site of isolation.
Authors: Riser E , Noone P
Published: June 2007

More than 1750 clinical isolates of klebsiella were collected over a period of six years from two different hospitals and capsular typed by the fluorescent antibody technique. A correlation was made between type and site of isolation. Many types were found to be associated more frequently with one site, which suggested a predilection of some capsular types for certain sites of infection. The site may also be a factor contributing to the virulence of a particular type. A greater antibiotic resistance was often noted in types isolated from their predominant sites; however, antibiograms were not consistent for a type from a given site. The combination of site specificity, resistance, and another 'virulence factor' may all be involved in the determination of a pathogenic strain.
Malakoplakia of the adrenal gland.
Authors: Benjamin E , Fox H
Published: June 2007

The clinical and pathological features of a case of malakoplakia of the adrenal gland occurring in a woman with Escherichia coli infection are described. This lesion mimicked a neoplasm, the true diagnosis only being revealed by histological examination. The light and electron microscopic features are described and it is suggested that malakoplakia is due to an abnormal macrophage response to E coli infection.
Morphometric differences between urothelial cells in voided urine of patients with grade I and grade II bladder tumours.
Authors: Boon M E , Kurver P H , Baak J P , Ooms E C
Published: June 2007

The morphometric differences between the urothelial cells in the voided urine of 24 patients with grade I and grade II bladder tumours were measured. In both wet-fixed Papanicolaou-stained smears as in air-dried Giemsa-stained preparations, the cells in the grade I tumours are larger and have more pronounced anisocytosis and a smaller nucleus to cytoplasm area (N/C) ratio. Although absolute dimensions of cells and nuclei in the two preparatory technique differ significantly, the average N/C ratios are similar. In both methods almost all grade I tumours have average N/C cell size ratios of less than 0.6 and grade II tumours more than 0.6. Morphometrically urothelial cells could not be distinguished from cells exfoliated from grade I bladder tumours. The results indicate that it is feasible to classify bladder tumours using the morphometric values of the exfoliated urothelial cells alone.