bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selection of a reference lot of Mueller-Hinton agar
Authors: Pollock H M , Barry A L , Gavan T L , Fuchs P C , Hansen S , Thornsberry C L , Frankel H , Forsythe S B
Published: January 2020

A collaborative study was undertaken to evaluate the performance of currently marketed Mueller-Hinton agars from seven manufacturers by replicate disk diffusion tests with standard quality control strains. Identification of the manufacturers was concealed, and the resulting data were evaluated for the selection of a physical reagent standard against which the performance of future production lots would be tested and made to conform. A medium was selected which was sufficiently close to existing National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards quality control limits that current interpretive criteria would require minimum modification. Two of the seven lots were eliminated from further consideration because the final pHs were outside acceptable limits. The remaining four lots had 96% of mean zone diameters less than or equal to 2 mm from those of the chosen lot and 65% of the means were less than or equal to 1 mm from those of the chosen lot for all 28 antimicrobial agent-organism combinations. Manufacturers then attempted to produce new lots of Mueller-Hinton agar which performed within the prescribed limits of the chosen lot. One lot performed in close conformity with the selected standard, but the overall performance of the media was essentially the same as that of the randomly chosen lots in the initial study. It was concluded that one of the original seven lots demonstrated properties which made it a tentative candidate for a physical reagent standard and that the use of a physical reagent standard in evaluating production lots might aid in stabilizing the performance of Mueller-Hinton agar.
Monoclonal antibodies for serotyping the P fimbriae of uropathogenic Escherichia coli
Authors: de Ree J M , Schwillens P , van den Bosch J F
Published: January 2020

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against seven serologically different P fimbriae (F7(1), F7(2), F8, F9, F11, F12, and F13) of uropathogenic Escherichia coli were tested for their ability to detect the P fimbriae on wild-type strains. In a plate agglutination test the MABs could detect the fimbriae on strains which expressed cloned fimbriae but not on wild-type strains. In a coagglutination test and in a whole-bacterium enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay the MAbs recognized the fimbriae on strains with cloned fimbriae and on wild-type strains. However, the coagglutination test has some disadvantages: only immunoglobulin G MAbs can be used, and the results cannot be read in an objective way. From these results, we concluded that the whole-bacterium enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is the most convenient method for the determination of P fimbriae on wild-type E. coli strains. With this fast and easy method it is possible to do epidemiological studies on the distribution of P fimbriae among clinical isolates of uropathogenic E. coli and to extend the O:K:H serotype with the F serotype.
Direct examination of unstained smears for the evaluation of sputum specimens
Authors: Wetterau L M , Zeimis R T , Hollick G E
Published: January 2020

We compared examination of unstained and Gram-stained smears as methods of evaluating sputum quality. Of 100 slides examined, 96 (96%) were graded identically. Each discrepancy between methods was near the cutoff for specimen acceptability. We concluded that examination of unstained smears can provide an accurate, cost-effective sputum screening method.
Serological classification of Pseudomonas cepacia by somatic antigen
Authors: Nakamura Y , Hyodo S , Chonan E , Shigeta S , Yabuuchi E
Published: January 2020

Ten samples of antiserum against Pseudomonas cepacia were prepared by the intravenous immunization of rabbits with heat-killed organisms. Ten P. cepacia strains used for immunization were proven unique antigenic strains. Using these antisera, we serogrouped 127 strains of P. cepacia, and 114 strains (89.8%) fell under one of the ten serogroup. The most prevalent serogroup was C (26.8), the second most prevalent being D (18.1%). When we compared our serogroups with the serogroups of Monteil et al. (H. Monteil, C. Richard, and A. Heidt, Med. Mal. Infect. 11:544-547, 1981) and Heidt et al. (A. Heidt, H. Monteil, and C. Richard, J. Clin. Microbiol. 18:738-740, 1983), five out of seven of their serogroups were represented by our antisera.
Evaluation of a commercially available direct immunofluorescent staining reagent for the detection of respiratory syncytial virus in respiratory secretions
Authors: Cheeseman S H , Pierik L T , Leombruno D , Spinos K E , McIntosh K
Published: January 2020

A commercially-available direct immunofluorescence (IF) reagent (Imagen; Boots-Celltech, Slough, Berkshire, United Kingdom) was similar in sensitivity and specificity to the conventional indirect IF test for the detection of respiratory syncytial virus in respiratory secretions. Both IF tests were more sensitive than culture, particularly for specimens transported from outside the institution.
Serum and nasal wash antibodies associated with resistance to experimental challenge with influenza A wild-type virus
Authors: Clements M L , Betts R F , Tierney E L , Murphy B R
Published: January 2020

To identify immunological predictors of resistance to influenza A infection and illness, the immunological status of live and inactivated virus vaccines subsequently challenged with H1N1 or H3N2 wild-type virus was examined. We refer to prechallenge antibodies of vaccinees receiving live attenuated virus as infection induced and those receiving inactivated virus as inactivated vaccine induced. Inactivated vaccine-induced protection against wild-type virus infection or illness correlated with the level of neuraminidase-inhibiting antibody in serum, local hemagglutinin immunoglobulin G (IgG) (but not IgA) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay antibody, and hemagglutination-inhibiting antibody in serum. In contrast, infection-induced resistance to wild-type virus infection correlated with local hemagglutinin IgA antibody and neuraminidase-inhibiting antibody in serum, but not with hemagglutination-inhibiting antibody in serum. These observations suggest that live vaccine virus infection-induced and inactivated vaccine-induced immunity may involve different compartments of the immune system; sufficient antibody in either serum or nasal secretions is capable of conferring resistance.
Mediastinal abscess with Capnocytophaga spp. in a competent host
Authors: Mosher C B , Corp R
Published: January 2020

A 51-year-old woman presented with a rapidly evolving pneumonitis complicated by the development of an anterior mediastinal abscess. Upon surgical drainage, Capnocytophaga spp. was the sole organism identified. This organism has been implicated in sepsis among immunocompromised hosts but has not previously been reported in this clinical setting.
Indirect immunofluorescence assay for the detection of hepatitis A virus-specific serum immunoglobulins
Authors: Anderson D A , Coulepis A G , Chenoweth M P , Gust I D
Published: January 2020

Hepatitis A virus-specific BSC-1 cells were used for the detection of serum immunoglobulins to hepatitis A virus by indirect immunofluorescence. Of 150 serum samples tested, specific immunoglobulin M was detected only in patients with serologically confirmed acute hepatitis A, while specific immunoglobulin G was detected in patients with acute or past clinical hepatitis A as well as many patients with no known history of hepatitis.
Two outbreaks of herpes simplex virus type 1 nosocomial infection among newborns
Authors: Sakaoka H , Saheki Y , Uzuki K , Nakakita T , Saito H , Sekine K , Fujinaga K
Published: January 2020

Two outbreaks of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection occurred in three newborns at each of two hospitals, and two of the infants in each case died of disseminated HSV-1 infection. Restriction endonuclease profiles of HSV-1 DNAs isolated from the three in each instance were essentially identical, indicating that they were epidemiologically related. In the first instance, each of three infants born in the same hospital at intervals of approximately 2 years or 1 year was infected with HSV-1. In this case, it was suggested that periodically reactivated HSV-1 strains from hospital personnel had been transmitted to three newborns. In the second instance (infants G-36, G-37, and G-38), the radiant warmer that had been occupied by infant G-36, who was infected with HSV-1, was used for infant G-37. Infant G-38 was in another radiant warmer 2 m from the radiant warmer occupied by infant G-37. Therefore, it was suggested that the virus had possibly been transmitted via radiant warmer and by hospital personnel in the two instances.
Demonstration of antibodies against Brucella melitensis 16M lipopolysaccharide and native hapten in human sera by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
Authors: Fernandex-Lago L , Diaz R
Published: January 2020

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection and quantification of human immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgA, and IgM antibodies against Brucella melitensis 16M by using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and native hapten (NH) as antigens is described. The results obtained with the LPS ELISA were compared with the results of the NH ELISA. A good statistically significant correlation was established between the antibody titers of the IgG class against both antigens. A total of 104 (99%) of the 105 serum samples of patients with brucellosis exhibited specific anti-NH antibodies by the ELISA technique. In 52 (50%) of these positive samples, antibodies against NH were detected by radial immunodiffusion (RID). In 100% of these RID-positive sera, the antibody titers of the IgG class with ELISA-determined anti-NH specificity were equal to or greater than 160. These results point to a higher sensitivity of the ELISA technique as compared with RID. Inhibition experiments revealed that the assay was specific for LPS and NH from B. melitensis 16M.
Antigenic characteristics and serological identification of 10 black-pigmented Bacteroides species
Authors: Okuda K , Ohta K , Kato T , Takazoe I , Slots J
Published: January 2020

Strains of 10 black-pigmented Bacteroides species were serologically characterized using absorbed and unabsorbed rabbit antisera. An agglutination test using intact cells or heated cells (100 degrees C for 60 min) from each species and unabsorbed antisera revealed only homologous reactions with little or no reactivity in heterologous assays. Immunodiffusion tests using sonicated antigen demonstrated that Bacteroides gingivalis, B. endodontalis, B. asaccharolyticus, B. macacae, and B. levii are antigenically distinct. Strains of B. gingivalis, B. endodontalis, and B. asaccharolyticus were also clearly identified by the indirect immunofluorescent antibody method. B. intermedius, B. corporis, B. loescheii, B. melaninogenicus, and B. denticola possessed common antigens; however, species-specific antigens detectable with immunoabsorbed antisera were also demonstrated. B. intermedius strains isolated from the human oral cavity included at least two serogroups. In each black-pigmented Bacteroides species, lipopolysaccharide constituted one of the species-specific antigens.
Microplate technique to determine hemolytic activity for routine typing of Listeria strains
Authors: Dominguez Rodriguez L , Vazquez Boland J A , Fernandez Garayzabal J F , Echalecu Tranchant P , Gomez-Lucia E , Rodriguez Ferri E F , Suarez Fernandez G
Published: January 2020

Because the hemolysis produced by Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria seeligeri on blood agar is frequently difficult to interpret, we developed a microplate technique for the routine determination of hemolytic activity with erythrocyte suspensions. This microtechnique is a simple and reliable test for distinguishing clearly between hemolytic and nonhemolytic strains and could be used instead of the CAMP (Christie-Atkins-Munch-Petersen) test with Staphylococcus aureus in the routine typing of Listeria strains. Furthermore, our results suggest that the quantitation of the hemolytic activity of the Listeria strains, along with the D-xylose, L-rhamnose, and alpha-methyl-D-mannoside acidification tests, allows the differentiation of L. monocytogenes, L. seeligeri, and Listeria ivanovii. We also observed that the treatment of erythrocytes with crude exosubstances of rhodococcus equi, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, and S. aureus enhanced the hemolytic activity of all Listeria strains with this characteristic.
Saliva, breast milk, and serum antibody responses as indirect measures of intestinal immunity after oral cholera vaccination or natural disease
Authors: Jertborn M , Svennerholm A M , Holmgren J
Published: January 2020

The possibility that antibody responses in serum, saliva, or breast milk samples to oral vaccines or enteric infections may reflect the intestinal immune response was evaluated in Bangladeshi volunteers orally immunized with a cholera B subunit-whole-cell vaccine (B + WCV) and in patients convalescing from enterotoxin-induced diarrheal disease. Two peroral doses of B + WCV induced antitoxin and antibacterial antibody responses in the intestinal fluids of 76 and 92%, respectively, of the volunteers and in serum samples in 90 and 69% of those tested. These responses were comparable to those obtained after cholera or enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli disease. Whereas immunoglobulin A (IgA) antitoxin titer increases in saliva (44%) and breast milk (29%) specimens after vaccination were less frequent than in intestinal fluid (76%), antitoxin responses in saliva and breast milk occurred in 80 to 90% of the patients after disease. Also, antilipopolysaccharide (anti-LPS) titer increases in extraintestinal body fluids were found more frequently after disease than after vaccination. A comparison of the frequency and magnitude of antibody response in different body fluids with those in intestinal lavage fluid revealed no extraintestinal antibody that directly reflected the intestinal immunity. However, comparison of vibriocidal and IgG antitoxin antibodies in serum specimens with antitoxin and anti-LPS IgA responses in intestinal fluids after the vaccination of volunteers showed a sensitivity of 70 to 90% and a predictive accuracy of about 80% for the serum analyses reflecting the intestinal immune responses. Furthermore, antitoxin and anti-LPS antibody responses in saliva and breast milk samples seemed to be useful proxy indicators of a gut mucosal response of these antibodies after enterotoxin-induced diarrheal disease showing sensitivity vales of 70 to 90% and predictive accuracy vales of 70 to 100%.
Oral succession of gram-negative bacilli in myelosuppressed cancer patients
Authors: Minah G E , Rednor J L , Peterson D E , Overholser C D , Depaola L G , Suzuki J B
Published: January 2020

Aerobic and facultative gram-negative bacilli (GNB) have been reported to increase on various body surfaces in the seriously ill and debilitated patient. This study examined quantitative aspects of GNB succession at five oral sites in cancer patients before and during myelosuppressive chemotherapy. GNB concentrations increased sharply during chemotherapy at 25 to 50% of the oral sites in both acute nonlymphocytic leukemia and small-cell lung carcinoma patients. Most sites did not exhibit shifts of GNB to levels higher than 0.1% of the cultivable flora. When shifts occurred, all sites sampled in the mouth were usually affected and GNB usually represented more than 10% of the cultivable flora. Low levels of indigenous microflora were observed in most sites exhibiting GNB shifts. None of the subjects harboring high levels of GNB developed the symptoms of acute infection which are commonly observed in myelosuppressed patients. Although Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae were recovered from some sites, most GNB were nonpathogenic species of Pseudomonas; Pseudomonas pickettii was the most frequently recovered.
Use of the Bac-T-Screen to predict bacteriuria from urine specimens held at room temperature
Authors: Wright D N , Saxon B , Matsen J M
Published: January 2020

Results from the Bac-T-Screen (BTS) of fresh urine specimens were compared with the BTS results obtained when the same urine specimens had been held at room temperature for 24 h. Of the 246 specimens studied, 43 were initially BTS positive, 11 were false-negative, and 39 had greater than or equal to 10(5) CFU/ml. After 24 h at room temperature an additional 60 specimens had greater than or equal to 10(5) CFU/ml, of which only 16 were BTS positive; 10 specimens still gave false-negative results, and the number of false-positive specimens increased by only 6.5% of all specimens. For significant specimens (containing greater than or equal to 10(5) CFU of probable pathogens per ml), the predictive value of a negative test changed by only 0.1% (99.5 to 99.4%), whereas the sensitivity of the test remained at 96.4% for incubated specimens. Of those specimens that developed greater than or equal to 10(5) CFU/ml in vitro, 85% contained gram-negative bacilli. Neither bacteria grown in vitro nor urine specimens from normal females containing greater than or equal to 10(5) CFU/ml were positive with the BTS. For reasons not entirely understood, the BTS system may be unique in its ability to discriminate between bacteria which represent true bacteriuria and those which are present because of contamination, possibly due to other cellular elements present in infection-related bacteriuria, namely leukocytes and sloughed bladder epithelial cells.
Lipopolysaccharide gel profiles of Haemophilus influenzae type b are not stable epidemiologic markers
Authors: Tolan R W , Munson R S , Granoff D M
Published: January 2020

Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was performed to assess the usefulness of this technique for the epidemiologic analysis of Haemophilus influenzae type b isolates. LPS samples were prepared from isolates which had been passaged either in vitro or in infant rats. Preparations from paired isolates from a number of epidemiologically related clinical situations also were examined. The gel patterns of LPS prepared on different occasions from an individual isolate were stable. However, the LPS gel patterns changed in 5 of 14 (36%) of the passaged isolates, and differences in gel patterns also were observed among epidemiologically related isolates. The variability in LPS electrophoretic patterns of individual isolates indicated that this technique is not useful for the epidemiologic analysis of H. influenzae type b disease.
Levels of interferon in blood serum and toxicity studies of bacteria-derived bovine alpha I1 interferon in dairy calves
Authors: Gillespie J H , Scott F W , Geissinger C M , Czarniecki C W , Scialli V T
Published: January 2020

This paper reports information on the levels of interferon (IFN) in the blood serum of dairy calves given 10(6) U of bacteria-derived bovine alpha I1 interferon per kg of body weight by intravenous (i.v.), intramuscular (i.m.), subcutaneous (s.c.), and intranasal (i.n.) routes. Highest levels (10,000 U/ml) in the vesicular stomatitis viral assay system were obtained after i.v. administration and occurred within 30 min of a dose; levels rapidly declined thereafter to a low of 200 to 300 U/ml by 24 h. Serum inhibitory activity against vesicular stomatitis virus in this range is sometimes found in normal dairy calves. Levels after i.m. and s.c. administration were similar: a plateau of 1,000 to 2,000 U/ml between 2 and 8 h after a treatment with a decline to 200 to 300 U/ml by 24 h. Serum IFN was not detected after i.n. dosing or in the control group given physiological buffered saline by the i.m. route. A transitory moderate febrile response, but no other clinical adverse effects, was noted after the first intramuscular dose of IFN, but not after subsequent i.m. doses. No clinical signs were noted after i.v., s.c., or i.n. dosing or in the control calves given physiological buffered saline intramuscularly. After i.v., s.c., and i.m. administration of IFN, leukopenia, neutropenia, and lymphocytopenia were observed; these were most prominent within the first 24 h after the initial dose of IFN.
Influence of culture medium on susceptibility testing with BAY n 7133 and ketoconazole
Authors: Hoeprich P D , Merry J M
Published: January 2020

The effect of four culture media (two complex and undefined [Sabouraud glucose and Kimmig] and two synthetic and defined [synthetic amino acid medium, fungal, and modified yeast nitrogen base]) on the activity in vitro of two newer azole compounds (BAY n 7133 and ketoconazole) was assessed with five strains each of Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis, and Cryptococcus neoformans. Also, the nutritional adequacy of the four media was evaluated with the same 15 strains of yeastlike fungi. While the MICs of BAY n 7133 were higher in the complex media, the activity of ketoconazole was little affected. The Candida spp. grew least well and the C. neoformans grew best in yeast nitrogen base.
Identification of Yersinia enterocolitica O15 lipopolysaccharide as a rough antigen
Authors: Kawaoka Y , Wauters G , Otsuki K , Tsubokura M
Published: January 2020

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of a reference strain of Yersinia enterocolitica serovar O15, Ye614, was examined for its chemical structure and antigenicity. The O15 LPS was partially hydrolyzed with diluted acetic acid and fractionated on a Sephadex G-50 column. Only one peak was detected at fractions where the R-core oligosaccharide of a Y. enterocolitica rough strain was eluted. The chemical compositions of this oligosaccharide and the O15 LPS were similar to those of the R-core oligosaccharide and the rough LPS, respectively. The O15 LPS was antigenically identical to the rough LPS in immunodiffusion tests. These results indicate that the O15 LPS of Y. enterocolitica is rough LPS and that antigenic factor O15 is a rough antigen.
Cytotoxic and cytotonic factors produced by Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, and Campylobacter laridis
Authors: Johnson W M , Lior H
Published: January 2020

Complete toxigenicity studies were performed on 341 strains of Campylobacter spp., including 23 nonhuman isolates. Toxin profiles based on both cytotonic and cytotoxic factors were determined after analyzing responses in Vero, HeLa, CHO and Y-1 cells. Suckling mouse assays were consistently negative for all culture filtrates tested. Toxin-producing strains were frequently encountered among both the human and nonhuman strains of Campylobacter jejuni, C. coli, and C. laridis investigated. Strains isolated from outbreaks demonstrated parallels in serotype, biotype, and toxigenicity profile, although no clear association could be demonstrated. Biphasic culture conditions conducive to the production of both toxic factors were delineated for the propagation of test Campylobacter strains. Cytotonic effects of Campylobacter culture filtrates were determined in Vero and CHO cells, and cyclic AMP accumulation in cells exposed to these culture filtrates was compared with that in cells exposed to reference toxigenic strains of Vibrio cholerae and Escherichia coli. Partial neutralization of C. jejuni enterotoxin was demonstrated by using antitoxins to cholera toxin and E. coli heat-labile enterotoxin. No neutralization of C. jejuni cytotoxin could be achieved by using antitoxins to either Clostridium difficile cytotoxin or E. coli Verotoxin (0157:H7).
Graft infection and bacteremia with a tolerant L-form of Streptococcus sanguis in a patient receiving hemodialysis
Authors: Chmel H
Published: January 2020

I report a case of a tolerant L-form Streptococcus sanguis infection involving an artificial vascular access site that was probably acquired from a nonhuman source; this is the first report of such an infection in a human. Gram stains from the infected access site and blood cultures revealed an aberrant form which could only be recovered by passage through hypertonic sucrose media before being reisolated and subsequently identified as S. sanguis. The same organism was isolated from a pet dog of the patient. The organism was also felt to be tolerant to penicillin. The patient was successfully treated by removal of the artificial graft and intravenous erythromycin therapy. Microorganisms acquired from nonhuman sources are potential pathogens in the immunocompromised patient.
Evaluation of spot CAMP test for identification of group B streptococci
Authors: Ratner H B , Weeks L S , Stratton C W
Published: January 2020

The CAMP (Christie-Atkins-Munch-Petersen) test is commonly used for the presumptive identification of Streptococcus agalactiae (Lancefield group B). Using 350 clinical isolates of beta-hemolytic streptococci, we compared a 30-min spot CAMP test with the standard overnight CAMP test and the Lancefield precipitin test. We found 99% agreement among all three tests for all streptococci tested. The spot CAMP test is a rapid, inexpensive, and accurate method for identifying group B streptococci.
Effect of amino acids on luminol-dependent chemiluminescence generated by peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes
Authors: Minuk G Y , Rascanin N , Woods D E
Published: January 2020

Individual amino acids and amino acid mixtures caused a dose-dependent increase in chemiluminescence generated by peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes. A visual assay for opsonophagocytosis, however, failed to identify any quantitative differences between leukocytes incubated with amino acids and those incubated in amino-acid-free solutions. The results of this study suggest that the presence of amino acids may interfere with the proper interpretation of luminol-dependent chemiluminescence curves.
Yield of bone marrow culture in the diagnosis of infectious diseases in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
Authors: Bishburg E , Eng R H , Smith S M , Kapila R
Published: January 2020

The yield in cultures of bone marrow aspirations or biopsies was determined in 50 patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Most patients were febrile and had no identifiable source of infection. Concurrent stool, urine, and blood samples were also cultured. The bone marrow aspiration and biopsy procedures produced no complications and enabled a microbiological diagnosis to be made in 42% of the cases. Granuloma formation was not seen in any of the infected bone marrow specimens despite the fact that mycobacteria were seen in abundance in some. Bone marrow culture is a valuable low-morbidity invasive procedure in the evaluation of febrile patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
Western blot analyses of measles virus antibody in normal persons and in patients with multiple sclerosis, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, or atypical measles
Authors: Hankins R W , Black F L
Published: January 2020

A version of the Western blot was developed to detect serum antibodies against measles virus polypeptides. With this technique, a seroepidemiological survey of antibodies to the several measles virus proteins in diverse measles-related conditions was conducted. The sera were obtained from individuals with a recent or long-past history of natural measles, from persons with a history of immunization with live attenuated measles vaccine, and from patients with multiple sclerosis, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, or atypical measles. The findings indicated that live attenuated measles vaccine elicits an antibody response qualitatively resembling that of a natural infection. In addition, multiple sclerosis patients made less antibody to the measles virus M protein than did individuals with a long-past history of natural measles. Thus, the immunological reaction of multiple sclerosis patients to measles virus is qualitatively, as well as quantitatively, different from that of normal persons. Finally, persons with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis and atypical measles mounted abnormally high antibody responses to measles virus polypeptides, in particular the P protein.
Safety of and serum antibody response to cold-recombinant influenza A and inactivated trivalent influenza virus vaccines in older adults with chronic diseases
Authors: Gorse G J , Belshe R B , Munn N J
Published: January 2020

Forty older adults with chronic diseases were vaccinated intranasally with either influenza A/California/10/78 (H1N1) (CR37) or influenza A/Washington/897/80 (H3N2) (CR48) virus. No clinically significant morbidity or decrement in pulmonary function occurred postvaccination. Two (15%) recipients of CR37 virus and twelve (44%) recipients of CR48 virus became infected with vaccine virus, as indicated by a fourfold rise in serum hemagglutination inhibition antibody titer; a fourfold rise in serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) or IgA antibody titer, indicated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; isolation of vaccine virus from nasal washings; or all of these. Within 1 year after cold-recombinant vaccine virus vaccination, 18 vaccines received inactivated trivalent influenza virus vaccine parenterally. Of the vaccinees, 13 (72%) developed a fourfold rise in serum antibody titer to H1N1 antigen and 16 (89%) developed a fourfold rise in serum antibody titer to H3N2 antigen. We conclude that administration of these cold-recombinant vaccine viruses to older adults with chronic diseases was safe, but that serum antibody response rates were lower than those achieved with subsequently administered inactivated influenza virus vaccine given parenterally. However, the higher seroconversion rates attained by using the inactivated trivalent influenza virus vaccine do not necessarily mean that it is more efficacious in preventing infection or severe illness or both due to natural wild-type influenza A virus.
Detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis
Authors: Woods G L , Hall G S , Rutherford I , Pratt K J , Knapp C C
Published: January 2020

To determine whether methods suggested for detecting methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus apply equally to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis, 135 S. epidermidis isolates were tested by the Vitek AMS gram-positive susceptibility card (Vitek Systems, Inc., Hazelwood, Mo.) and by modifications of agar screen, disk diffusion, and microdilution methods. Modifications included 24- versus 48-h incubation, unsupplemented versus 2% NaCl-supplemented broth, and standard versus direct inoculum. At 24 h, the highest number of resistant strains, 59, was detected by oxacillin (1 microgram) disk diffusion. At 48 h, three additional strains were judged resistant. With one exception, results for oxacillin disk diffusion and agar screen were equivalent at 24 and 48 h. Vitek detected 50 resistant strains. Significantly fewer resistant strains were detected at 24 h by methicillin disk diffusion (5 micrograms) and methicillin microdilution with 2% NaCl. For oxacillin microdilution, neither 2% NaCl supplementation nor the method of inoculum preparation significantly affected the results. Oxacillin microdilution with cation- rather than non-cation-supplemented broth detected significantly fewer (n = 33) resistant strains at 24 h; 51 were resistant at 48 h. To detect methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis, a direct inoculum with either 24-h oxacillin disk diffusion and reincubation of intermediate strains for an additional 24 h or 24-h oxacillin agar screen and reincubation of strains with no growth for a total of 48 h is recommended.
Antibiograms, serotypes, and plasmid profiles of Pseudomonas aeruginosa associated with corneal ulcers and contact lens wear
Authors: Mayo M S , Cook W L , Schlitzer R L , Ward M A , Wilson L A , Ahearn D G
Published: January 2020

Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from the corneal scrapings of 11 of 14 patients with gram-negative corneal ulcers and from salt tablet-prepared saline solutions from 6 of these patients wearing soft contact lenses. Comparison of physiological properties, antibiograms, serotypes, and plasmid profiles for five of the patients indicated that the isolates from the ulcer and the saline solution of a given patients were of the same strain. Improper hygienic practices of contact lens wearers appeared to be a major factor in the epidemiology of pseudomonad corneal ulcers.
Evaluation of blood clot cultures for isolation of Salmonella typhi, Salmonella paratyphi-A, and Brucella melitensis
Authors: Escamilla J , Florez-Ugarte H , Kilpatrick M E
Published: January 2020

Two types of clot culture, one with taurocholate-streptokinase and the other with bile as a culture medium, and two conventional cultures of whole blood were evaluated in parallel in an area where typhoid fever and brucellosis are endemic. Each of the four systems contained 5 ml of blood or the clot derived from 5 ml of blood and sufficient broth to yield a 1:11 dilution of the specimen. Of 542 patients studied, Salmonella paratyphi-A was isolated from 61, S. typhi from 46, and Brucella melitensis from 30. The two clot cultures yielded the salmonellae equally well; both were superior to whole blood cultured in Trypticase soy broth (P less than 0.02) but not to whole blood cultured in bile (P greater than 0.05). Only two systems were successful for isolation of B. melitensis. Blood-Trypticase soy broth identified 28 (93%), and clot-streptokinase cultures identified 21 (70%) (P greater than 0.05). The data indicate that use of clots per se offers no advantage in sensitivity over procedures which use whole blood. Nonetheless, they are excellent for isolation of enteric fever salmonellae and can be performed with clots left over after serum is removed for serological, biochemical, or other tests.
Identification of Campylobacter pyloridis isolates by restriction endonuclease DNA analysis
Authors: Langenberg W , Rauws E A , Widjojokusumo A , Tytgat G N , Zanen H C
Published: January 2020

Campylobacter pyloridis isolates recovered from gastric biopsy specimens of 16 patients were examined by restriction endonuclease DNA analysis with HindIII. For 8 of these 16 patients two different isolates were compared to study the persistence of the colonizing strains and the stability of their DNA digest patterns during a period of 2 years (two patients), the identity or nonidentity of different colony types within one culture (two patients), and the nature of the relapses after apparently successful antibacterial therapy (four patients). The isolates from the 16 patients all produced different DNA digest patterns. Comparison of the two different isolates recovered from the same patients showed that these isolates were identical in all eight cases. Laboratory subculturing of a C. pyloridis strain (10 times) did not change its DNA digest pattern. These results indicate the stability of the DNA digest patterns and a marked variability of these patterns among isolates from different patients. Using restriction endonuclease DNA analysis, we found the persistence in the stomach of the same C. pyloridis strain during a period of 2 years and the identity of different colony types within one culture. The relapses after apparently successful antibacterial treatment could be attributed to recrudescence rather than reinfection. Restriction endonuclease DNA analysis is a sensitive and useful method for identifying C. pyloridis isolates.
Immunoglobulin G subclasses of fluorescent anti-Treponema pallidum antibodies: evidence for sequential development of specific anti-T. pallidum immunoglobulin G responses in patients with early syphilis
Authors: van der Sluis J J , van Reede E C , Boer M
Published: January 2020

The development of immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclass-specific anti-Treponema pallidum antibodies during the course of syphilis in humans was studied with sera from 50 untreated male patients. The patients were divided into five diagnosis groups. In the fluorescent treponemal antibody test, which delineates the presence of cross-reacting antibodies, as well as specific antitreponema antibodies, IgG1, IgG2, and IgG3 subclass antibodies were already present during the seronegative primary stage. Specific antibodies, which were detected by the fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test, were first present during the serotype-variable primary stage. These antibodies were almost exclusively of the IgG1 and IgG3 subclasses. In later stages, antibodies of other subclasses were detectable. Titration of IgG1 antitreponema antibodies in three electrophoretically different IgG fractions revealed an asymmetric distribution in these fractions during primary syphilis. The antibodies were largely confined to the most basic fraction during primary syphilis. A sudden change in the distribution was noted between the end of the primary stage and the secondary stage; an even distribution of IgG1 antitreponema antibodies existed in the late latent stage. These findings confirm and extend previous results from our laboratory. The development of antibodies detected by both tests is discussed in terms of a sequential stimulation of the immune system due to the presence of an extracellular layer covering the treponemas or, alternatively, in terms of a suppression of the immune response during early syphilis.
Detection and differentiation by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type III/lymphadenopathy-associated virus- and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-associated retroviruslike clinical isolates
Authors: Higgins J R , Pedersen N C , Carlson J R
Published: January 2020

Monoclonal antibodies can be used in sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to measure viral antigens. Such an assay was developed to detect the core protein, p24, of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type III and lymphadenopathy-associated virus, etiologic agents of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Another AIDS-associated virus, AIDS-associated retrovirus type 2 (ARV-2) could not be detected in this assay because of the low affinity of one of the monoclonal antibodies to ARV-2 p24. Detection of ARV-2 was accomplished with a monoclonal antibody-rabbit polyclonal antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. These two assays were used to efficiently detect AIDS-related viruses in lymphocyte cell cultures and to distinguish strains of the viruses.
Tentative disk diffusion susceptibility interpretive criteria for pefloxacin
Authors: Fuchs P C , Barry A L , Jones R N , Thornsberry C
Published: January 2020

Standardized broth microdilution and disk diffusion susceptibility tests for pefloxacin were performed on 585 clinical isolates. The 5-micrograms pefloxacin disk is recommended, and the following breakpoints are proposed: susceptible, greater than or equal to 19 mm (MIC, less than or equal to 2.0 micrograms/ml); resistant, less than or equal to 15 mm (MIC, greater than 4.0 micrograms/ml); and intermediate, 16 to 18 mm.
Comparison by studies in squirrel monkeys, chimpanzees, and adult humans of avian-human influenza A virus reassortants derived from different avian influenza virus donors
Authors: Snyder M H , Clements M L , Herrington D , London W T , Tierney E L , Murphy B R
Published: January 2020

We evaluated the abilities of three different avian influenza A viruses to attenuate the wild-type human influenza A/Korea/1/82 (H3N2) virus in squirrel monkeys, chimpanzees, and adult seronegative human volunteers. Two of these, avian influenza A/Mallard/NY/78 and A/Mallard/Alberta/76 viruses, appeared to be satisfactory donors of attenuating genes for the production of live influenza A reassortant virus vaccines for human use because the reassortants exhibited an acceptable balance between attenuation and immunogenicity.
Reduction of nonspecific fluorescence in respiratory specimens by pretreatment with N-acetylcysteine
Authors: Miller H R , Phipps P H , Rossier E
Published: January 2020

Treatment of nasopharyngeal specimens with 0.25% N-acetylcysteine for 20 min at room temperature effectively reduced the nonspecific fluorescence encountered during direct examination of the specimens by immunofluorescence. The treatment did not affect specific antigen staining or the viability of several common respiratory viruses.
Bacteroides fragilis meningitis successfully treated with metronidazole after a previous failure with thiamphenicol
Authors: Soriano F , Aguado J M , Tornero J , Fernandez-Guerrero M L , Gómez-Garcés J L
Published: January 2020

A case of pyogenic meningitis caused by Bacteroides fragilis in a 72-year-old woman is reported. Although the isolate was susceptible to thiamphenicol, the patient did not respond to this drug. Metronidazole, which showed high bactericidal activity, was administered and achieved sterilization of the cerebrospinal fluid and complete clinical response.
Confirmation of human cytomegalovirus by reverse passive hemagglutination with monoclonal antibodies reactive to the major glycosylated peptide (GP-66)
Authors: Kim K S , Sapienza V , Chen C M
Published: January 2020

Sheep erythrocytes coated with three monoclonal antibodies, each reactive to a different epitope of the 66-kilodalton cytomegalovirus (CMV) matrix protein, were used in a reverse passive hemagglutination test with CMV-infected cell lysate to identify and confirm the CMV. The test is specific only for CMV, since 5 laboratory strains of CMV (AD169, Davis, Espilat, C-87, and Towne) and 10 clinical isolates reacted well, but uninfected MRC-5 cell lysate, lysates of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, varicella-zoster virus, and adenoviruses did not react. The reactive CMV lysate was confirmed by the pretreatment of CMV lysate with the three monoclonal antibodies followed by the addition of antibody-coated erythrocytes. The reverse passive hemagglutination test and the confirmatory blocking test are performed at the same time, requiring 2 h to complete. Since V-bottom microtiter 96-well plates and a 25-microliter pipette can be used to perform the test, it is ideal for CMV confirmation, especially when the equipment to read the fluorescent-antibody test or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is not available.
Detection of elevated levels of 2-5A synthetase in serum from children with various infectious diseases
Authors: Sugino H , Mitani I , Koike M , Kodama T , Sokawa J , Sawai H , Ishibashi K , Itoh M , Watanabe S , Sokawa Y
Published: January 2020

By a sensitive radioimmunoassay method, (2'-5')oligoadenylate synthetase was detected in serum from patients with viral, bacterial, or mycoplasmal infections at elevated levels compared with enzyme levels in serum from healthy individuals and patients suffering from noninfectious diseases.
Medium dependence for rapid detection of thermonuclease activity in blood culture broths
Authors: Faruki H , Murray P
Published: January 2020

The thermonuclease test for rapid identification of Staphylococcus aureus in blood cultures was evaluated by using 16 different blood culture media and 4 DNase agar media. The reliability of this test was profoundly medium dependent, and the source of the DNase agar was particularly important.
Failure of rapid agglutination methods to detect oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Ruane P J , Morgan M A , Citron D M , Mulligan M E
Published: January 2020

Although a latex agglutination test (StaphAurex) and a hemagglutination test (Staphyloslide) correctly identified all strains of Staphylococcus aureus that were susceptible or had intermediate susceptibility to oxacillin, 17 of 73 (23%) and 18 of 73 (25%) strains of oxacillin-resistant S. aureus were not identified by StaphAurex and Staphyloslide, respectively. All strains not detected were resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and rifampin.
Detection of antibodies and antigens of human parvovirus B19 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
Authors: Anderson L J , Tsou C , Parker R A , Chorba T L , Wulff H , Tattersall P , Mortimer P P
Published: January 2020

Acute-phase serum from a patient with aplastic crisis provided sufficient human parvovirus B19 to make a monoclonal antibody against B19 and to develop antigen and immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG antibody detection enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). The indirect capture antibody method was used for all three assays. Antigen was detected in 8 of 29 sera drawn within 2 days of onset of illness from patients with aplastic crisis. These sera had high titers of virus by electron microscopy and DNA hybridization and had no detectable B19 antibody. Antigen was not detected in serum specimens that had low titers of B19 DNA and had B19 antibody. With the IgM ELISA, we detected B19 IgM in over 85% of clinical cases of aplastic crisis and fifth disease and less than 2% of controls. The prevalence of B19 IgG antibodies increased with age. Approximately 2% of children less than 5 years of age and 49% of adults greater than 20 years of age had B19 IgG antibodies. The B19 antibody ELISAs are sensitive and specific tests to detect B19 infections.
Association of Blastocystis hominis with signs and symptoms of human disease
Authors: Sheehan D J , Raucher B G , McKitrick J C
Published: January 2020

Purged stools from 389 patients were evaluated microscopically for the presence of Blastocystis hominis. A total of five or more B. hominis cells per 40X field were observed in 43 patients (11%), and B. hominis was the only intestinal parasite present in 23 (6%) of these patients. Of the 23 patients, 19 had symptoms which included abdominal discomfort (15 patients), anorexia (10 patients), diarrhea (9 patients), and flatus (9 patients). The remaining four patients were asymptomatic. The proportion of eosinophils in the peripheral blood ranged from 4 to 12% in 11 (58%) of the symptomatic patients. Absolute eosinophil counts were greater than 250/microliter in 8 patients and greater than 400/microliter in 5 patients. Eosinophilia was not observed in the remaining symptomatic or asymptomatic patients. This study supports the emerging concept of the role of B. hominis as an intestinal parasite causative of human disease.
Rapid assay for immunological detection of Trichomonas vaginalis
Authors: Watt R M , Philip A , Wos S M , Sam G J
Published: January 2020

Trichomoniasis is a common sexually transmitted disease with an estimated incidence of 4 million to 8 million cases a year in the United States. The most commonly used method of diagnosis is a direct microscopic observation (wet mount) of vaginal secretions and, although both rapid and inexpensive, the sensitivity of this technique is generally 50 to 70%. We developed an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of Trichomonas vaginalis which is both rapid and sensitive (detection limit of approximately 100 trichomonads per ml). This assay, which employs affinity-purified rabbit anti-T. vaginalis antibodies in a "sandwich" configuration, is simple to perform and is neither interfered with nor appears to cross-react with other microorganisms which are common inhabitants of the urogenital tract. One hundred and seventy-seven consecutive unselected patients attending a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases were evaluated for trichomoniasis by a broth culture technique monitored for up to 7 days (and considered here to be the standard for positivity), the conventional wet mount method, a solid culture procedure, and the ELISA. Of these, 84 were positive by culture; 33 were positive by the wet mount; and despite the fact that the vaginal specimens were diluted 20-fold during the culture procedures prior to testing in the ELISA, 65 were positive by ELISA. In addition to exhibiting a sensitivity of 77%, the specificity of the ELISA was 100%. These results demonstrate that the ELISA is a significant improvement over the wet mount method for the diagnosis of trichomoniasis.