bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemotherapy of experimental streptococcal endocarditis
Authors: Southwick Frederick S. , Durack David T.
Published: June 2007

Bacteriostatic agents are frequently recommended as alternatives to penicillin for prophylaxis of bacterial endocarditis. To test the efficacy of this group of antimicrobials, prophylaxis of experimental streptococcal endocarditis was attempted with tetracycline. The number of streptococci colonizing the aortic valves of rabbits was not affected by inhibitory levels of tetracycline, but multiplication was checked. Streptococcis urvived in vegetations for seven days despite the continuous presence of tetracycline, and multiplied when the drug was withdrawn. It is therefore suggested that bacteriostatic agents may be valueless for prophylaxis of bacterial endocarditis.
A comparative study of viruses associated with acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis
Authors: Higgins P. G. , Scott R. J. , Davies Patricia M. , Gamble D. R.
Published: June 2007

Seven representative isolates from six outbreaks of acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis were shown to have the characteristics of enteroviruses. Two viruses differed from the remaining five isolates in producing paralysis in suckling mice and being resistant to 2-hydroxybenzyl-benzimidazole. These two viruses were also closely related antigenically and distinct from the other five viruses which were serologically similar to each other.

Neither group of viruses was inhibited by antisera to the known enteroviruses and they probably represent two new enterovirus types one related to the Coxsackie A viruses and the other to the echoviruses.
Disseminated histoplasmosis successfully treated with amphotericin B
Authors: Edmonson R. P. S. , Eykyn Susannah , Davies D. R. , Fawcett I. W. , Phillips Ian
Published: June 2007

A 61-year-old woman presented with malaise, intermittent fever, weight loss, and epigastric pain.Histoplasma capsulatumwas eventually isolated from a liver biopsy and from the bone marrow and the patient was successfully treated with amphotericin B.
Antibody to hepatitis B antigen in haemophiliacs and their household contacts
Authors: Burrell C. J. , Parker A. C. , Ramsay D. M. , Proudfoot Elaine
Published: June 2007

The prevalence of antibody to hepatitis B antigen, detectable by radioimmunoassay, was found to be no higher among 58 long-term household contacts of multiply transfused haemophiliacs than among 100 randomly chosen blood donors. This suggested that such contacts do not have greater exposure to serum hepatitis virus than that occurring through natural means. Among those persons possessing antibody, the multiply transfused haemophiliacs showed a marked tendency for higher antibody titres than their contacts, implying differences in pathogenesis between infection acquired through multiple transfusion and infection acquired naturally.
Asymptomatic liver disease in hepatitis B antigen carriers
Authors: Woolf I. L. , Boyes B. E. , Jones D. M. , Whittaker J. S. , Tapp E. , MacSween R. N. M. , Renton P. H. , Stratton F. , Dymock I. W.
Published: June 2007

Thirty-four healthy blood donors, found to be persistent HBAg carriers, have been investigated by means of serial liver function tests, bromsulphthalein (BSP) retention, and liver biopsy. Thirty-one of the donors had histological abnormalities including one with cirrhosis, three with chronic aggressive hepatitis, and 11 with chronic persistent hepatitis. In 13 biopsies there were focal areas of necrosis in the liver parenchyma. Serial liver function tests revealed abnormalities in each of the donors with cirrhosis or with chronic aggressive hepatitis, in seven of the 11 donors with chronic persistent hepatitis, and in seven of the 13 with focal parenchymal necrosis. The degree of BSP retention was greatest (>11%) in the donors with chronic aggressive hepatitis. The severity of the histological changes was related neither to the titre of the antigen in the serum nor to the presence of autoantibodies.
Increased incidence of HL-A 1 and 8 in patients showing IgG or complement coating on their red cells
Authors: Da Costa J. A. G. , White A. G. , Parker A. C. , Grigor G. B.
Published: June 2007

The incidence of HL-A antigens in patients having a variety of medical conditions, but sharing the common feature of a positive antiglobulin test of the red cells, was determined. There was a significant increase in the antigens HL-A 1 and HL-A 8 and of the 1 and 8 combination when compared with a control group. It is suggested that the presence of these antigens may predispose to autoallergy.
The nature of the serum alkaline phosphatases in liver diseases
Authors: Price C. P. , Sammons H. G.
Published: June 2007

The two main alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes in serum from patients with extrahepatic biliary obstruction have been purified. Properties of these isoenzymes, such as electrophoretic mobility, separation on gel filtration, ultracentrifugation characteristics, Michaelis constants, and sensitivity to neuraminidase have been studied and compared with the isoenzymes of liver and bile. The results show that there is an abnormal isoenzyme in the serum from these patients and that this isoenzyme is similar but not identical with the main bile isoenzyme. It is suggested that it may be associated with a lipoprotein carrier.
Automated technique for the estimation of fetal haemoglobin
Authors: Brook S. R. , Crane R. S. , Huntsman R. G. , Marshall T. D. De C. , McLellan D. S. , Semple M. J.
Published: June 2007

An automated alkali denaturation technique which measures fetal haemoglobin is described. This method offers greater speed and a lower standard deviation than comparable manual methods.
Sensitivity of some smooth strains ofEscherichia colito the bactericidal action of normal human serum
Authors: Taylor P. W.
Published: June 2007

The sensitivity to normal human serum of 144 smooth strains ofEscherichia coliisolated from cases of urinary tract infection was determined. It was found that serum-sensitive and serum-resistant strains were not randomly distributed throughout the 10 O serogroups commonly associated with urinary infection. A similar distribution was observed when a group of strains isolated from rectal swabs was studied. The results indicate that serum resistance may be related to qualitative characteristics of the O antigen.
Further isolations of non-flagellatePseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Lee F. W.
Published: June 2007

Three strains of non-flagellatePs. aeruginosaisolated from pathological specimens have already been described. The purpose of this paper is to report further isolates. All strains have been shown to be different types isolated from a variety of infections.
Sporicidal activity of hospital disinfectants
Authors: Kelsey J. C. , Mackinnon I. H. , Maurer Isobel M.
Published: June 2007

The sporicidal activity of hospital disinfectants was tested using two methods of test and two species of spores. Alcoholic hypochlorite and glutaraldehyde (Cidex) showed some sporicidal activity; the first was the more effective. Iodophors, formalin, and phenolics were less effective, in descending order. Chlorhexidine showed no activity.

A freshly prepared solution containing 50% methanol and sufficient sodium hypochlorite to provide 2000 parts per million available chlorine in distilled water, with a contact time of 15 minutes, is suggested for the decontamination of clean, heat-sensitive instruments except those of plated metal. It must be understood that no such method can be depended upon to sterilize.

The instruments should be rinsed in sterile water before use after decontamination.
Amyloid in normal and pathological parathyroid glands
Authors: Anderson T. J. , Ewen S. W. B.
Published: June 2007

Two groups of parathyroid glands have been examined for intrafollicular amyloid. In glands removed surgically it was found in nine cases (16%); in glands removed at necropsy it was found in 23 cases (46%). Also, two postmortem cases of systemic amyloidosis showed involvement of parathyroid glands with an entirely different distribution of amyloid. Compared with other amyloids the tinctorial properties of the intrafollicular amyloid were uniform in reactions with Congo red and Thioflavin T, but the intensity of the staining reaction for amino acids tryptophan and tyrosine was not constant for the follicle amyloid. This variation may be a feature of a maturation process but the derivation of this amyloid remains uncertain.
Comparison of the diagnostic value of bone marrow biopsy and bone marrow aspiration in neoplastic disease
Authors: Bearden James D. , Ratkin Gary A. , Coltman Charles A.
Published: June 2007

The Jamshidi-Swaim biopsy needle was utilized to perform 205 bone marrow biopsies, accompanied by simultaneous bone marrow aspirates, on patients with lymphoma, leukaemia, and a variety of solid tumours. There was no significant morbidity. There were 67 positive findings with biopsy and 42 with aspiration. The two techniques were complementary in Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, breast carcinoma, bronchogenic carcinoma, malignant melanoma, and in leukaemia. We have examined the bone marrow biopsies and aspirates with respect to the adequacy of the bone marrow biopsy specimen, the number of positive biopsies in the various categories of neoplasia, and the disparity of biopsy and aspirate, finding that 28 of the 67 positive biopsies (41·8%) had negative aspirates. These data and specimens obtained compared quite favourably with other series in which a modification of the Vim-Silverman needle was used.
The influence of extraneous factors on Coulter S measurement of the mean corpuscular volume.
Authors: Young M , Lawrence A C
Published: June 2007

Alteration in the temperature of the Isoton diluent in a Coulter model S counter over a range of possible laboratory working temperatures produced a change in the mean corpuscular volume using EDTA and dipotassium acid citrate dextrose blood and a commercial control, 4C. Contamination of the Isoton diluent with hypochlorite solution, used to clean the Coulter model S, may increase the mean corpuscular volume of EDTA blood without altering other measured parameters. Attention to both these points is required in assessing quality and calibrating the machine.
Orcein staining of hepatitis B antigen in paraffin sections of liver biopsies.
Authors: Deodhar K P , Tapp E , Scheuer P J
Published: June 2007

Liver biopsies from 97 hepatitis B antigen (HBsAG)-positive patients were stained by a modified orcein method described by Shikata et al (1974) in order to detect the antigen in liver tissue. The results were consitently negative in acute hepatitis, but positive in nearly two-thirds of biopsies from 53 patients with chronic liver disease. The distribution of positive staining was frequently irregular so that there is a problem of sampling error in needle biopsies. The deposits were seen in the cytoplasm of liver cells and occasionally in Kupffer cells, but never in nuclei. There was an inverse relationship between staining and parenchymal necrosis. Biopsies from asymptomatic HB(s)Ag carriers were often strongly positive, as were "ground-glass" hepatocytes in carriers and patients with chronic liver disease. The mechanism of staining is unclear but may be related to the presence of disulphide bonds in (HBsAG. The technique is simple and of use both in fresh and stored material.
A membrane filter technique for testing disinfectants.
Authors: Prince J , Deverill C E , Ayliffe G A
Published: June 2007

A membrane filter was used for assessing the surface disinfecting activity of phenolic disinfectants and a chloroxylenol disinfectant. The influence of the type of organism, inoculum size, and hardness of water was investigated. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was chosen for the standardized test. Disinfectant solutions were prepared in water of 300 ppm hardness and applied for two and a half minutes and eight minutes to the bacteria deposited from filtration of 1 ml of a suspension containing 10-6 bacteria. The membrane filter test has certain advantages over many tests, eg, all organisms surviving after treatment can be counted and residual disinfectant is easily removed.
Indexing and filing of pathological illustrations.
Authors: Brown R A , Fawkes R S , Beck J S
Published: June 2007

An inexpensive feature card retrieval system has been combined with the Systematised Nomenclature of Pathology (SNOP) to provide simple but efficient means of indexing and filing 2 in. x 2 in. transparencies within a department of pathology. Using this system 2400 transparencies and the associated index cards can be conveniently stored in one drawer of a standard filing cabinet.
A comparison of the in vitro activity of metronidazole, tinidazole, and nimorazole against Gram-negative anaerobic bacilli.
Authors: Reynolds A V , Hamilton-Miller J M , Brumfitt W
Published: June 2007

The in vitro activities of metronidazole, nimorazole, and tinidazole were compared against 69 strains of obligately anaerobic Gram-negative bacilli. Geometric mean MICs were 0-34, 1-05, and 0-28 mug/ml respectively. Thirty-six strains were also tested by the disk method. Correlation between MIC and diameter of the zones of inhibition was poor.
Lability of human creatine kinase isoenzymes at 37 degrees C: a complication of electrophoretic separation.
Authors: Nealon D A , Henderson A R
Published: June 2007

The activity of the brain specific isoenzyme of creatine kinase is shown to fall off rapidly at 37 degrees C, particularly in the presence of albumin. Dithiothreitol cannot reverse this lability. The implications of this finding suggest that electrophoretic techniques which use incubation methods to detect the brain specific isoenzyme of creatine kinase may underestimate the true activity.
A serodiagnostic test for tuberculosis.
Authors: Nicholls A C
Published: June 2007

This study describes a simple whole cell agglutination test for tuberculosis in which phenol-killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra is used as the antigen. The test gave positive results in 59 of 63 culture-positive cases of tuberculosis due to M. tuberculosis, and in 4 of 11 culture-positive cases due to other mycobacteria. Negative results were recorded in 168 of 171 control subjects. A positive result was one in which a titre of 1/125 or more was recorded.
Mechanized blood grouping: a hospital trial using an 8-channel grouping machine.
Authors: Jenkins G C , Fewell R G , Lloyd M J , Brown J , Judd J , Lane R S , Jenkins W J
Published: June 2007

ABO and Rh (D) groups of 6403 blood samples were assessed on an 8/9-channel autoanalyser in the Serology Department of the London Hospital; the results were independently checked at the Regional Blood Transfusion Centre, Brentwood, using the routine methods for grouping donor blood. Results of this comparative study are given and instances are described in which anomalous results or incorrect groupings occurred; the possible causes are discussed. The 8/9-channel automated blood group analyser is evaluated in terms of routine hospital laboratory practice.
Variations in the level of a pregnancy-associated alpha-macroglobulin in patients with cancer.
Authors: Stimson W H
Published: June 2007

The concentration of a pregnancy-associated alpha-macroglobulin (PAM) was determined in the blood of patients with various cancers. PAM was detectable in subjects with all types of malignant disease studied, and the level of the serum protein correlated well with the course of the disease: the concentration increased before clinical recognition of metastases and decreased significantly on successful treatment. Periodic PAM determinations may allow detection of tumour recurrence while it is still at a treatable stage and could aid in the evaluation of therapy.
Interpretation of respiratory tract histology in cot deaths.
Authors: Tapp E , Jones D M , Tobin J O
Published: June 2007

The degree of inflammation in the trachea, bronchi, and lungs of 139 cot deaths has been analysed and each case allocated to one of four groups. In group I the changes were considered to be serious enough to have caused death, while group II cases showed similar abnormalities but of a less severe nature, and in this group there was some doubt as to whether they were a significant cause of death. Group III lesions were very minor in type and were not considered to be serious enough to have resulted in the death of the child. There was a good correlation between the degree of inflammation in the respiratory tract, and whether or not bacteria of any type were grown. The great majority of the bacterial pathogens were isolated from the first two groups. Respiratory viruses were isolated from three of the four cases of acute bronchiolitis included in group I, and also from a group II case which showed considerable bronchiolar inflammation. One-third of the cases with minor inflammation in the lung parenchyma (group III) showed some evidence of recent virus infection.
Use of a serologically distinct strain of Thermoactinomyces vulgaris in the diagnosis of farmer's lung disease.
Authors: Greatorex F B , Pether J V
Published: June 2007

During investigations into farmer's lung disease it was noticed that Micropolyspora faeni (MF) was isolated and identified with ease, but difficulty was encountered in the identification of Thermoactinomyces vulgaris (TV), although an organism resembling TV was frequently isolated. Extracts prepared from the isolates resembling TV (called Thermoactinomyces vulgaris variant, TVV) when tested against the standard TV antiserum by double diffusion, did not produce any precipitin lines. When TVV extracts were tested against the serum of a patient from whom TVV had been isolated from the sputum, +++ precipitin lines were observed. With the TVV extracts the authors have demonstrated the existence of a serologically distinct strain of TV, and also that it would be a useful addition to the routine testing of antibodies to farmer's lung disease.
Intracellular mucous inclusions. A feature of malignant cells in effusions in the serous cavities, particularly due to carcinoma of the breast.
Authors: Spriggs A I , Jerrome D W
Published: June 2007

Three cases of carcinoma of the breast are described, in which similar tumour cells were found in pleural or peritoneal fluid. The cells were characterized by the frequent presence of 'bull's-eye' vacuoles, in which a central spot was deeply stained by Giemsa, eosin or periodic acid-Schiff (PAS). In one of these it was shown by electron microscopy that the vacuoles are lined by microvilli, and that their mucinous content is condensed in the central area, presumably as a result of failure to discharge the secretion.
Detection and quantitation of tetanus antitoxin in blood donations.
Authors: Barr A , Dow B C , Watson W C , Hunter E
Published: June 2007

Passive haemagglutination and IEOP have been used both to detect and to measure tetanus antitoxin in human donor sera. Forty percent of blood donors had detectable antitoxin but only 9% had levels suitable for production of human antitetanus immuoglobulin (larger than or equal to 2 IU/ml). The incidence of high titre antitoxin was significantly greater in men and was unrelated to the ABO blood group system. The prevalence of antitoxin in selected donor groups and immunized staff is shown.
Laboratory contamination of blood cultures.
Authors: Spencer R C , Savage M A
Published: June 2007

A prospective study of the use of a laminar flow cabinet, an exhaust-ventilated safety hood, and the open bench for the microbiological examination of blood is described. Blood samples from 1600 patients were subcultured on the open bench, 2700 in a safety hood, and 2607 in a laminar flow cabinet. Use of the laminar flow cabinet produced a significantly greater level of contamination than the other methods, and it is concluded that the exhaust-ventilated safety hood should be used for this procedure.
Pneumococcal antigen in lobar pneumonia.
Authors: Tugwell P , Greenwood B M
Published: June 2007

This paper describes the value in diagnosis and the clinical implications of the detection of pneumococcal antigen in patients with lobar pneumonia. Ninety-eight patients with lobar pneumonia were investigated. Pneumococcal antigen was detected by counter-current immunoelectrophoresis in the sputum of 79% of patients with purulent sputum, in the serum of 29% of the patients, and in the urine of 54% of the patients. The diagnostic value of counter-current immunoelectrophoresis was not affected by prior antibiotic therapy. Patients with antigenaemia had a higher incidence of complications than those without as shown by an association between antigenaemia and jaundice, diarrhoea, and persistent pyrexia. Antigen persisted in the circulation for at least seven days in half the patients studied, possibly indicating the development of immunological tolerance to the polysaccharide antigen.
Reevaluation of bacteriocinogeny in Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Authors: Knapp J S , Falkow S , Holmes K K
Published: June 2007

Bacteriocin typing has been described previously and proposed for typing gonococci. A survey has been made of 150 strains of N. gonorrhoeae from various places to determine the feasibility of a gonocin typing system. All strains were found to produce an inhibitory substance which inhibited all strains of gonococci tested, one strain of Neisseria flavescens, two strains of Neisseria meningitidis, as well as the producing strain itself. The inhibitory activity was enhanced by supplementary glucose, reduced by supplementary serum, and unaffected by the addition of HEPES buffer, by the temperature of incubation, or by the exposure of potential producer strains to sublethal concentrations of mitomycin C. This nonspecific inhibitory activity differed from that of a putative bacteriocin produced by a strain of N. meningitidis, in that the latter inhibited most other meningococci but not the producer strain itself. Bacteriocinogeny has not yet been convincingly demonstrated in N. gonorrhoeae, and gonocin typing has not yet been shown to be feasible. Production of the nonspecific inhibitor may have obscured past attempts to demonstrate type-specific gonococcal bacteriocin.
Agglutinin response to bacterial infection in acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis.
Authors: Nicholls A C , Pease P E , Green I D
Published: June 2007

Agglutinin titres to Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Proteus vulgaris in the serum of patients with acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, patients producing mucoid sputum, and healthy controls were determined. Serological evidence of infection with H. influenzae was found in 38 of 57 patients with acute exacerbations, and Str. pneumoniae infection in 10 of the 57 patients, but was generally absent from healthy control subjects and from patiens producing mucoid sputum. No serological evidence of infection with other organisms named above was found to be associated with exacerbations of chronic bronchitis. Ten patients with acute exacerbations were without serological evidence of infection by any of the bacteria tested.
Bilateral adrenal medullary hyperplasia: a clinicopathological entity.
Authors: Visser J W , Axt R
Published: June 2007

A 36-year-old white patient is described. He received treatment for hypertension and showed slightly increased excretion of 17-OHCS- and 17-ketosteroids but no increase in values for 3-methoxy-4-hydroxymandelic acid in the urine. He was admitted to hospital for a myocardial infarction, which was found to be situated in the anterior wall. During his stay in hospital a sudden increase in blood pressure occurred, together with a typical attach of perspiration, loss of consciousness, and ventricular fibrillation. The assay by 3-methoxy-4-hydroxymandelic acid now showed markedly increased amounts. A phaeochromocytoma was thought to be the most probably diagnosis, but now withstanding therapy the patient died from cerebral lesions. At necropsy a recent anteroseptal myocardial infarction and some minor lesions were found but no tumour and notably no phaechromocytoma, neither in the adrenals nor elsewhere. Using Dobbie's morphometric technique, as described by Munro Neville (1969), changes in the adrenals were demonstrated, which were considered to represent primary adrenal medullary hyperplasia. Criteria for the diagnosis of this syndrome are discussed. Until now it had been presumed to be present in a number of cases but never convincingly demonstrated.
Detection of heterozygotes in both parents of homozygous patients with Von Willebrand's disease.
Authors: Sultan Y , Simeon J , Caen J P
Published: June 2007

Three patients with severe Von Willebrand's disease are shown to be homozygotes. They were born from unaffected parents. New techniques using a factor-VIII-related antigen assay by the Laurell method and a ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation assay demonstrated abnormalities in these two tests in both parents of the probands. Factor-VIII-related of heterogotes could not be differentiated from normal factor-VIII-related antigen by the immunodiffusion technique, crossed immunoelectrophoresis, and filtration on a sepharose 4b column.
Unusual megaloblastic anaemia wiht multinucleate erythroblasts: two cases with septicaemia and acute renal failure.
Authors: Saary M , Sissons J G , Davies W A , Hoffbrand A V
Published: June 2007

The case histories and blood pictures of two patients who had cardiac lesions, septicaemia, and renal failure and terminally developed a leucoerythroblastic anaemia with megloblastic features associated with multinucleate erythroblasts, are described. Though folate deficiency may have made a minor contribution to the blood abnormalities, it is considered that some other disturbance in erythropoiesis was responsible for the bizarre blood and bone marrow changes in these patients. Similar cases reported in the earlier literature are reviewed.
The detection of specific IgM antibodies following infection with rubella virus.
Authors: Pattison J R , Mace J E
Published: June 2007

A gel filtration technique using Sephadex G-200 has been used for the detection of specific IgM in sera from (a) 45 cases of clinical rubella in which diagnostic rises of rubella haemagglutination-inhibiting (HAI) antibody could be demonstrated; (b) 70 cases with clinical evidence of rubella in which a rising titre could not be demonstrated because the first serum sample already had high titre HAI antibodies; and (c) 100 patients in whom rubella was not suspected. The results indicate that the high specificity and sensitivity of the method described make it an appropriate technique for use in the routine diagnosis of acquired rubella.
Comparison of the sensitivity of human embryo kidney cells, HeLa cells, and WI38 cells for the primary isolation of viruses from the eye.
Authors: McSwiggan D A , Darougar S , Rahman A F , Gibson J A
Published: June 2007

A comparison has been made of the efficiency of human embryo kidney (HEK) cills, HeLa cells, and WI38 cells for the isolation of viruses from the eyes of patients suffering from acute conjunctivitis or keratoconjunctivitis. From a total of 99 specimens 21 adenoviruses (serotypes 3, 4, 7, 8, and 13) were isolated in HEK cells, eight (serotypes 3 and 8) in HeLa cells, and four (serotype 3) in WI38 cells. Of the ten herpes simplex viruses isolated nine were recovered in HEK cells, seven in WI38 cells, and none in HeLa cells. The combination of HeLa cells and WI38 cells is not considered an adequate alternative to the difficult-to-obtain HEK cells for the isolation of viruses from the eye.
Simple screening tests for the diagnosis of isolated clotting factor defects. With special reference to 'contact factor' defects.
Authors: Ingram G I , Knights S F , Arocha-Piñango C L , Shepperd J P , Pérez-Requejo J L , Mills D K
Published: June 2007

Reagents may be prepared from normal plasma and used with the prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time tests to distinguish isolated defects of factors I, II, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, or XII.
Sensitivity of some human pathogenic yeasts and systemic fungi to myxin.
Authors: Sekhon A S , Hargesheimer E
Published: June 2007

Myxin, a relatively new antibacterial and antifungal antibiotic, produced by a species of Sorangium, was used to investigate its effectiveness against some yeasts and dimorphic fungi associated with human diseases. Results indicated that the minimal fungicidal concentrations (MFC) of myxin for Candida albicans, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, and Torulopsis glabrata were 0.39-6.25 mug/ml, and for C. guilliermondii and C. tropicalis 12.5-25 mug/ml. The MFC for Blastomyces dermatitidis and Sporothrix schenckii was 0.195 and 6.25 mug/ml, respectively. The MFC for these two systemic fungi for amphotericin B (fungizone) was 0.39-0.78 and 6.25 mug/ml. It seems that myxin is more effective against B. dermatitidis than amphotericin B. The isolate of Coccidioides immitis was found to be very sensitive to myxin (MFC, 0.78-1.56 mug/ml).
Differentiation of porphyria cutanea tarda symptomatica from other types of porphyria by measurement of isocoproporphyrin in faeces.
Authors: Elder G H
Published: June 2007

The faecal porphyrin patterns of 24 patients with porphyria cutanea tarda symptomatica (PCTS), eight patients with variegate porphyria, three patients with other types of porphyria, and 20 non-porphyrics subjects have been compared using a two-demensional thin layer chromatographic technique that separates porphyrins of the isocoproporphyrin series from other faecal porphyrins. The 'isocoproporphyrin': coproporphyrin ratio ranged from 0-1 to 5-6 for patients with PCTS, whereas in other types of porphyria and non-porphyric subjects it was 0-05 or less.
Elution patterns of rubella IgM, IgA, and IgG antibodies from a dextran and an agarose gel.
Authors: Pattison J R , Mace J E
Published: June 2007

The elution pattern of serum proteins and the distribution of rubella HAI activity in 95 sera from 65 cases were determined after gel filtration with (a) Sephadex G-200 and (b) Bio-Gel A-5M. Rubella HAI antibody in peak 1 after Sephadex G-200 fractionation of early convalescent sera consists of both IgM and high molecular weight IgA. However, these two classes of antibody can be distinguished by gel filtration with Bio-Gel A-5M. Bearing these differences in mind, the results of fractionation with the two gels correlate very well although the use of Bio-Gel A-5M gives a slightly less sensitive technique for the diagnosis of recent infection.
Morphological features in a neutral lipid storage disease.
Authors: Slavin G , Wills E J , Richmond J E , Chanarin I , Andrews T , Stewart G
Published: June 2007

The morphological changes in a patient with a generalized storage disease characterized by the intracellular deposition of neutral lipid are described. There is widespread accumulation of lipid in the cytoplasm of many cells and in occasional nuclei. Diagnosis may be facilitated by the recognition of clear vacuoles in the cytoplasm of granulocytes in blood films. In jejunal biopsies vacuolation of the epithelial cells may simulate the appearances of a-betalipoproteinaemia. The lipid inclusions consist largely of normal triglycerides and are free in the cytoplasm, unassociated with any organelle. The biochemical basis of the lesions is uncertain. Although there are lipoprotein abnormalities the primary defect appears to be intrinsic to the cell and may involve either a defective cytoplasmic lipase or an impaired uptake and utilization of fatty acids by mitochondria.
Serum antibodies and jejunal histology in giardiasis associated with malabsorption.
Authors: Ridley M J , Ridley D S
Published: June 2007

An immunofluorescent test, using Giardia lamblia cysts as antigen, gave positive results in 32/36 cases of giardiasis with malabsorption, 0/2 cases of giardiasis without malabsorption, and 0/17 control patients without giardiasis or malabsorption. The test was positive in 10/34 patients with malabsorption in whom G. lamblia could not be detected by stool examination or biopsy; some of these cases were presumed to be cryptic giardiasis. There was a crude correlation between antibody titre and the severity of the histological lesion in the jejunum. The finding of a reliable source of antigen remains a problem.
EB virus antibody and infectious mononucleosis in a boarding school for boys.
Authors: Hoskins T W , Fletcher W B , Blake J M , Pereira M S , Edwards J M
Published: June 2007

A study of EB virus antibody was undertaken in a boarding school for boys between 11 and 18 years of age; 35% of boys had EBV antibody when first sampled and a small number acquired antibody each year. Some of these boys had had no recorded illness during the period before the first positive sample and some developed classic infectious mononucleosis which was accompainied by a positive heterophil antibody test and detection of EB virus specific IgM. In a school of 800 boys there were 13 cases of infectious mononucleosis in four years.
Urinary cyclic adenosine monophosphate in young adults and elderly subjects.
Authors: Gennari C , Galli M , Montagnani M
Published: June 2007

The 24-hour urinary excretion of cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) was measured by a protein-binding assay in 55 healthy volunteers (aged 20-35 yr) and in 30 hospitalized elderly subjects (aged 70-93 yr). In the older subjects the mean 24-hour cAMP excretion was significantly lower; the correlation between cAMP excretion and age demonstrated a progressive decrease from the age of 70 to the tenth decade. Many different factors could account for the reduced urinary cAMP excretion in elderly subjects: a decline in the reactivity of the adenyl cyclase-cAMP system related to physiological ageing; reduced physical activity; a reduction in the glomerular filtration rate or decreased production of cAMP by tubular cells in the senile kidney.
Isolation of L-forms by blood culture.
Authors: Brogan O
Published: June 2007

Culture media for the isolation of bacterial L-forms from the blood were studied. The most successful media had an osmolality of more than 1100 mosm/kg and this appeared to be a critical factor in determining success.
An interpretation of the serum alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme patterns in patients with obstructive liver disease.
Authors: Price C P , Sammons H G
Published: June 2007

Earlier studies have identified two main isoenzymes of alkaline phosphatase in the sera of patients with obstructive liver disease. This paper reports on a study of these isoenzymes in specific types of liver disease where the pathology in relation to bile duct obstruction is known. The results have been used to support the theory that in biliary obstruction the increase in serum alkaline phosphatase is in part due to regurgitation of the biliary isoenzymes.
Clinical and immunochemical study of the serum IgG fraction not precipitated in a zinc-sodium salicylate reagent.
Authors: Badin J , Denne M A
Published: June 2007

A reagent made of zinc sulphate (0-08 M) in a 0-4 M sodium salicylate solution at pH 7-3 precipitated most of the IgG when a small volume of human serum was added. Sera with normal IgG levels or polyclonal hyperglobulinaemia showed a close correlation between total IgG and zinc-precipitated IgG (r = + 0-95). In clinical material, not including IgG myeloma, zinc-soluble IgG varied between 0 and 6 mg/ml and was independent of the IgG serum concentration. In 31 normal subjects the average IgG concentration, as determined by the Technicon immunonephelometric method, was 10-2 +/- 1-7 mg/ml for total IgG and 2-2 +/- 1-0 mg/ml for the soluble fraction. Among 173 sera, including 24 from cord blood, 16 from pregnant women, and 133 from patients with miscellaneous diseases, no pathological conditions except three cases of IgG myeloma were found with a zinc-soluble IgG definitely above the normal values; zinc-soluble IgG levels were often low in patients with hyperglobulinaemia, and the difference was highly significant in liver disease. kappa and gamma light chains as well as the four IgG-Hp chain subclasses were found in both zinc-soluble fractions of normal IgG. A study of myeloma monoclonal IgG showed that globulins of classes 1, 3, and 4 could be either soluble or insoluble in the zinc reagent. One, G2, was mainly insoluble. Hexose and antistreptolysin contents per milligram normal IgG were not significantly different in either fraction. It is suggested that zinc-soluble IgG consists of the recently synthesized molecules, the zinc-solubility of which has not yet been decreased by protein association, lipid interaction, antigen binding, or enzymatic denaturation. Within this hypothesis, a low level of soluble IgG would mean either an increased precatabolic protein or a decreased synthesis.
Removal of non-specific serum inhibitors of haemagglutination of rubella virus by treatment with dodecylamine-gel.
Authors: Ho W K , Shortridge K F
Published: June 2007

The suitability of using dodecylamine-gel for removing the serum non-antibody-like inhibitors of haemagglutination by rubella was studied. Compared with kaolin and MnCl2/heparin treatment this new procedure appears to have a higher specificity since it removes the non-antibody-like inhibitors from serum without affecting the immunoglobulin level significantly. The potential application of this procedure in routine serological analysis for rubella virus infection is discussed.
Attracting and training more chemical pathologists in the United Kingdom.
Authors: Calvert G D
Published: June 2007

I have attempted to define the function of the medical graduate in the clinical biochemistry laboratory and have examined data on recrutiment in the United Kingdom into clinical biochemistry. If trainee pathologists were encouraged to become proficient in both a branch of clinical medicine and in research techniques, the resulting chemical pathologists should be able to improve the consultative and investigative functions of the laboratory. To this end I have suggested some changes in the training regulations and in the role of the chemical pathologists.
Grouping of beta-haemolytic streptococci with group-specific antibodies absorbed to staphylococcal protein A.
Authors: Tebbutt G M , Coleman D J , McGhie D
Published: June 2007

A total of 245 isolates of beta-haemolytic streptococci was grouped by the counter current immunoelectrophoresis method and by co-agglutination with antibody-coated staphylococci. Co-agglutination was found to be simple and accurate, and many commercially available grouping sera were suitable for use in this test, though some of them had to be absorbed to remove cross-reactions.
Citrobacter koseri meningitis in a special care baby unit.
Authors: Ribeiro C D , Davis P , Jones D M
Published: June 2007

An outbreak of meningitis due to Citrobacter koseri in a special care baby unit is described. The organism showed a high capacity for spread among the babies on the unit and although the intestinal carriage rate was high, the clinical case:carrier ratio was low.
Sensitivity of Brucella spp to tetracycline and its analogues.
Authors: Farrell I D , Hinchliffe P M , Robertson L
Published: June 2007

The sensitivity to eight tetracyclines of 100 strains of brucellae, comprising strains of Brucella abortus, Br. melitensis, and Br. suis, was determined. Demethylchlortetracycline was the most effecitve against all the groups of brucellae, whereas oxytetracycline and chlortetracycline were the least effective. The mean MIC value for demethylchlortetracycline, doxycycline, lymecycline, and tetracycline was less than or equal to 1 mug/ml. Strains of Br. abortus biotype 2 and Br. suis were the most sensitive strains examined.
A modified rubella HI test using prestandardized reagents.
Authors: Urquhart G E , Worswick D A , Grist N R
Published: June 2007

A modified haemagglutination inhibition test for rubella antibodies using prestandardized freeze-dried reagents was compared to a "standard" method. Tests of 707 serum samples showed that the modified test was sensitive and reliable by both macrotitration and microtitration techniques. The minor disadvantages of some reduction in antibody level when rubella sera were tested within one week of the rash and of spontaneous sheep erythrocyte agglutination in 0-7% of sera were out-weighed by the increased speed of the new test and the fact that it was carried out at room temperature.
Incidence of sperm antibodies before and after vasectomy.
Authors: Hunter J , Logan H , Greer G
Published: June 2007

Sperm-agglutinating antibodies were present in three (2-6%) of 117 fertile men and in 19 (33-9%) of 56 men who had been vasectomized. Twenty-four of the 56 vasectomized men had been studied before vasectomy; sperm-agglutinating antibodies were present in one (4-3%) compared with eight (33-3%) after vasectomy. No sperm-immobilizing antibodies were detected before vasectomy but were present in 10 (17-9%) of the 56 men after vasectomy.
Significance of subnormal red-cell folate in thalassaemia.
Authors: Tso S C
Published: June 2007

Subnormal red-cell folate values were encountered in 20 of 63 thalassaemic subjects in a population with a low incidence of megaloblastosis. The abnormality was not associated with haematological changes of megaloblastosis and could not be explained on the basis of incomplete liberation of intra-erythrocytic folates, serum conjugase deficiency of vitamin B12 deficiency. Evidence is presented to indicate that it is unlikely to represent a state of subclinical folate deficiency. The exact cause of the abnormality is unknown.
A comparison of two commerical methods for the identification of the Enterobacteriaceae--API 20E and the Enterotube--with conventional methods.
Authors: Hayek L J , Willis G W
Published: June 2007

The API 20E, the Enterotube, and routine methods of Cowan and Steel were used in parallel to identify 245 members of the Enterobacteriaceae. The API 20E and conventional methods gave the same identification in all but 2 (0-8%) of the 245 organisms tested. The Enterotube correctly identified 85% of these organisms on the first testing. On re-testing those organisms incorrectly identified the Enterotube results agreed with the conventional ones in a further 20 (8%). There was no change in the identification obtained by the API or conventional methods. Further conventional sugar tests were necessary before final identification was available by the API system in 7 (3%) against 106 (47%) of the 226 organisms correctly identified by the Enterotube. The Enterotube relied on serological testing alone to distinguish between alternatives in 17 (7%) isolates. Other advantages and disadvantages of these systems are discussed.
Dependability of sensitivity tests in primary culture.
Authors: Waterworth P M , Del Piano M
Published: June 2007

Primary sensitivity tests were done on 90 specimens of infected urine, and the results were compared with those of secondary tests on pure cultures done by three diffusion methods. There was good correlation between the four methods. In a second study, the reliability of primary tests prepared in the clinical laboratory on specimens of pus was assessed, and the frequency with which a definitive result was obtained with different types of specimen was determined. Recommendations are made for the economic use of these tests.
Significance of the isolation of Clostridium welchii from routine blood cultures.
Authors: Ahmad F J , Darrell J H
Published: June 2007

Clostridium welchii has been demonstrated in approximately 20% of contact plates taken from the antecubital fossa of 185 inpatients and outpatients and healthy staff. The highest incidence was in a group of 40 very ill patients. The isolation of the organism from blood cultures is not always of clinical significance. Skin preparation as at present practised is often inadequate to remove the spores when contamination is relatively heavy, for example, in bedridden patients.
Use of Counter and rocket immunoelectrophoresis in acute respiratory infections due to Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Authors: Spencer R C , Savage M A
Published: June 2007

The use of Counter immunoelectrophoresis (CIE) for the detection of pneumococcal capsular antigen in the sputum and serum of patients suffering from acute respiratory infections is described. The CIE of sputum gave positive results in 224 (99%) out of 225 samples in which Streptococcus pneumoniae was isolated by cultural techniques, and in 23 (9%) out of 262 samples in which no or other potential pathogens had been isolated. In the detection of capsular antigen in serum, CIE was positive in 32 (35%) out of 92 pneumonia cases and was associated with an increase in mortality.
Recruitment and plasmapheresis of donors to provide human antitetanus immunoglobulin.
Authors: Cook I A , Ross D W , Gordon I
Published: June 2007

A method is described whereby about 100 litres of plasma containing 10-50 IU/ml tetanus antitixin was obtained, from which were prepared 5000 X 250 IU doses of human antitetanus immunoglobulin. Of 40 blood donors who received a booster injection of tetanus vaccine BP, 33 were plasmapheresed each week over a 10-12 week period starting three weeks after the injection. Twenty-two of these donors provided 90% of the total plasma, the antitoxin content of which averaged 23.6 IU/ml over the 10-12 week period.
Idiopathic non-syphilitic paroxysmal cold haemoglobinuria in children.
Authors: Bird G W , Wingham J , Martin A J , Richardson S G , Cole A P , Payne R W , Savage B F
Published: June 2007

Three examples of non-syphilitic paroxysmal cold haemoglobinuria (PCH) in children are described which occurred, within a period of 16 days, in association with a febrile illness. No definite viral aetiology or obvious epidemiological association could be established. A Donath-Landsteiner antibody of anti-P specificity was demonstrated in all three patients. The serological aspects of PCH are critically discussed.
Lymphoid tissue and lymphoid-glandular complexes of the colon: relation to diverticulosis.
Authors: Kealy W F
Published: June 2007

The lymphoid tissue of the normal colon is compared with that of colons with diverticular disease. Colons with diverticular disease show a significant increase in the number of lymphoid nodules in areas not containing diverticula. Lymphoid-glandular complexes of the colon were studied in relation to diverticular disease. It is suggested that the lymphoid nodules and the lymphoid-glandular complexes of the colon constitute weak points in the bowel wall and may play a part in the pathogenesis of diverticula.
A new serotyping method for Klebsiella species: development of the technique.
Authors: Riser E , Noone P , Poulton T A
Published: June 2007

A new serotyping method for Klebsiella species using indirect immunofluorescence is described. Nonspecific fluorescence has been minimized by carrying out the capsular antigen-antibody reaction at pH 9.0. Commercial antisera have been tested with the 72 antigenic types of Klebsiella, and appropriate dilutions of each pool and specific antisera have been proposed for use in routine typing. Dilutions were chosen to allow strong fluorescence with each type and its specific antiserum and minimal fluorescence with cross reacting antisera. Where the pool antisera gave a weak reaction for one or more of the component types, it is recommended that the specific antisera for these types be added to the pool dilution. The few remaining cross reactions, with the pool and specific antisera in test dilution, are listed in a table. The unique cross reacting patterns of particular types have been found to be useful in identification. Typing Klebsiella by the fluorescent antibody technique is easy to perform and interpret; the results are reproducible, and it is less expensive than the existing capsular swelling method as it is more sensitive and requires less concentrated antisera. This new method of typing should facilitate detailed epidemiological studies of the mode of transmission of Klebsiella species in hospitals and thus allow more effective infection control measures to be instituted.