bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Use of a phycoerythrin‐conjugated anti‐glycophorin A monoclonal antibody as a double label to improve the accuracy of FMH quantification by flow cytometry
Authors: Lloyd‐Evans  , Guest  , Austin  , Scott  
Published: March 2003

The use of flow cytometry for quantifying fetomaternal haemorrhage is increasing, and has been shown to be more accurate than the Kleihauer–Betke test for evaluating larger bleeds of over 4 mL in volume. Red cells are stained with fluorescently labelled monoclonal anti‐D. Cells for analysis are normally gated manually on the basis of forward and side scatter. We investigated whether the use of an antiglycophorin A monoclonal antibody conjugate (red cell specific) in a dual labelling technique would improve the gating of RBC and FMH quantification.Mixes of adult rr and cord R1r RBC were prepared to simulate 1, 0.5, 0.25, 0.12 and 0.06% fetal bleeds. Phycoerythrin‐conjugated BRIC 256 (mouse monoclonal antiglycophorin A) was used to label all RBC, and FITC‐BRAD‐3 monoclonal anti‐D was used to determine the proportion of D‐positive cells. Results from the dual labelling experiments were compared to those from single labelling of the same mixtures with FITC‐BRAD‐3 alone, using gated and ungated data. The results showed that single labelling with manual gating gave falsely low FMH estimates.We conclude that use of a fluorescently labelled antiglycophorin A antibody improves the accuracy of the FMH measurement by flow cytometry, as manual subjective gating of RBC excludes a higher proportion of fetal than of adult RBC.
Endogenous glutathione and platelet function in platelet concentrates stored in plasma or platelet additive solution
Authors: Hervig T. , Mansoor M. A. , Farstad M. 
Published: March 2003

Platelet function was studied in platelet concentrates by assay of the thrombin‐induced release of endogenous serotonin and presence of the swirling phenomenon in relation to endogenous glutathione (GSH) and cysteine.In platelets stored in plasma, addition of cysteamine resulted in only a moderate fall in GSH after 5 days of storage, from an average of 14·91 to 11·46 nmol per 109 platelets. Exogenously added GSH had no effect, and addition of buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) resulted in almost complete depletion of GSH, to an average of 0·65 nmol per 109 platelets. Addition of cysteamine or GSH resulted in increased endogenous cysteine whereas BSO had no effect.In platelets stored in a platelet additive solution (T‐sol®), complete depletion of GSH was found in the presence of cysteamine, GSH and BSO.Endogenous serotonin was unchanged during storage both in plasma and in additive solution (2·8 nmol per 109 platelets). Despite almost total depletion of endogenous GSH, the thrombin‐induced release of serotonin after 5 days' storage was significantly affected only in the presence of BSO in platelets stored in additive solution (mean values 72·3% vs. 63·3% of endogeneous serotonin, P < 0·05).Similarly, addition of cysteamine or GSH had no significant effect on swirling but BSO reduced the swirling score after 5 days' storage in platelet additive solution compared with plasma. After 10 days' storage, there was a significant reduction in swirling in the concentrates where BSO was added (P < 0·05).
Improved platelet compatiblity of water vapour glow discharge treated non‐woven poly(ethylene terephthalate) leukocyte‐reduction filters for different types of platelet concentrates
Authors: Kostelijk E. H. , Klomp A. J. A. , Engbers G. H. M. , Gouwerok C. W. N. , Verhoeven A. J. , Van Aken W. G. , Feijen J. , De Korte D. 
Published: March 2003

. Non‐woven poly[ethylene terephthalate] (NW‐PET) filter fabric, usually used for leucocyte removal of red cells, was modified by water vapour glow discharge (WVGD) treatment to improve platelet compatibility.Modified filter material was evaluated with different kinds of platelet concentrates (PCs). In addition, modified filter materials were γ‐sterilized and tested after different time intervals at different storage conditions.Modification of the filter material resulted in an improved platelet recovery after filtration of PC from 57 to about 80%. No significant difference in platelet recovery was observed when filtering either freshly prepared (79 ± 3·5%, mean ± SD), overnight‐stored single BC‐PC (78 ± 3·3%), overnight‐stored single PRP‐PC (75 ± 8·8%) or overnight‐stored pooled BC‐PC (79 ± 8·9%). However, freshly prepared pooled BC‐PC gave a significantly higher platelet recovery (84 ± 3·5%). Leukocyte depletion did not differ significantly between the different types of PC. γ‐Sterilization and subsequent storage of the modified filter material for 5, 14 and 26 weeks at 20 °C or 37 °C had no significant influence on the filtration results of overnight‐stored pooled BC‐PC.The results of the present study show that WVGD‐treated NW‐PET is platelet compatible and can be used for leucocyte removal from preferably BC‐PC. It can be γ‐sterilized and stored for at least 6 months prior to filtration without affecting the platelet recovery and leucocyte removal.
Evaluation of the 3D BacT/ALERT automated culture system for the detection of microbial contamination of platelet concentrates
Authors: McDonald C. P. , Rogers A. , Cox M. , Smith R. , Roy A. , Robbins S. , Hartley S. , Barbara J. A. J. , Rothenberg S. , Stutzman L. , Widders G. 
Published: March 2003

Summary Bacterial transmission remains the major component of morbidity and mortality associated with transfusion‐transmitted infections. Platelet concentrates are the most common cause of bacterial transmission.The BacT/ALERT 3D automated blood culture system has the potential to screen platelet concentrates for the presence of bacteria. Evaluation of this system was performed by spiking day 2 apheresis platelet units with individual bacterial isolates at final concentrations of 10 and 100 colony‐forming units (cfu) mL−1. Fifteen organisms were used which had been cited in platelet transmission and monitoring studies. BacT/ALERT times to detection were compared with thioglycollate broth cultures, and the performance of five types of BacT/ALERT culture bottles was evaluated. Sampling was performed immediately after the inoculation of the units, and 10 replicates were performed per organism concentration for each of the five types of BacT/ALERT bottles.The mean times for the detection of these 15 organisms by BacT/ALERT, with the exception of Propionibacterium acnes, ranged from 9·1 to 48·1 h (all 10 replicates were positive). In comparison, the time range found using thioglycollate was 12·0–32·3 h (all 10 replicates were positive). P. acnes' BacT/ALERT mean detection times ranged from 89·0 to 177·6 h compared with 75·6–86·4 h for the thioglycollate broth.BacT/ALERT, with the exception of P. acnes, which has dubious clinical significance, gave equivalent or shorter detection times when compared with the thioglycollate broth system. The BacT/ALERT system detected a range of organisms at levels of 10 and 100 cfu mL−1. This study validates the BacT/ALERT microbial detection system for screening platelets. Currently, the system is the only practically viable option available for routinely screening platelet concentrates to prevent bacterial transmission.
Feasibility of a rapid dipstick antigen‐capture assay for self‐testing of travellers' malaria
Authors: Trachsler Matthias , Schlagenhauf Patricia , Steffen Robert 
Published: March 2003

SummaryThis open comparative study sought to determine whether, and with what level of instruction, travellers can successfully use and interpret the rapid whole blood malaria diagnostic test, ParaSight F. 160 visitors to the Zürich University Travel Clinic took part in the study. One group received written instructions only, while another group was given combined oral and written instructions on how to test their own blood for malaria infection and interpret a series of 5 prepared test strips. Each volunteer also completed a questionnaire targeted at assessing performance in using the diagnostic, interpretation of the results and acceptability of the concept of self‐testing for malaria infection. The main outcome measures were successful performance of the test, correct interpretation of prepared test strips and acceptability of the test. In the group which received only written instructions, 60/80 (75%) were successful, whilst in the group which received written and oral instructions, 72/80 (90%) successfully performed the test (P < 0.02). Overall, 565 (70.6%) test strips were correctly and 165 (20.6%) incorrectly interpreted with 113 (14.1%) false negative interpretations. No prepared test strip was interpreted as false positive. Seventy (8.8%) test strips were not interpreted. Some 91.9% of all candidates would use such a test if it were available. While it is possible for lay persons to successfully perform the test, interpretation of results poses a problem. In particular, the proportion of false negative interpretations is unacceptable. A combination of written and oral instructions leads to a significantly higher level of successful test performance. If such a test is to be made available to the general public, written instructions must be made concise and foolproof and the test endpoint clearly defined, as the currently available test is more suitable for trained laboratory personnel. In the meantime other candidate diagnostics have become available and these should now be assessed for their suitability in the context of travellers' malaria.
Dogmas and misunderstandings in East Coast fever
Authors: Dolan Thomas T. 
Published: March 2003

Summary East Coast fever (ECF) is the most important tick‐borne disease in eastern, central and southern Africa and caused an estimated loss of US $186 million in 1989 in the 11 countries where it occurs. It was brought to southern Africa with cattle from Tanzania in 1901 and, over the next 3 years, devastated the cattle that had survived the rinderpest pandemic of the 1890s. Chemical control of ticks using arsenical compounds was introduced in the early 1900s and became the main control measure for both ticks and the diseases they transmit. This method of control has become less reliable over the last 30 years for many reasons, including reduced government spending on livestock and extension, the cost of acaricides, acaricide resistance, poor management of dips and spray races, and poor application of cattle movement control and quarantine. Significant advances in immunization and treatment have been made in the last 30 years, and more robust integrated strategies combining immunization, reduced frequency of chemical control and treatment are being adopted or considered. Throughout its history, ECF has been a source of great anxiety and cost to farmers, and of intense interest to research workers. Many dogmas and misconceptions have become established, some of which still flourish while others took years to demolish. This paper briefly reviews these as well as the history of the disease and explores recent epidemiological findings and their relevance to applying effective control.
Decline of mortality in children in rural Gambia: the influence of village‐level Primary Health Care
Authors: Hill A. G. , MacLeod W. B. , Joof D. , Gomez P. , Walraven G. 
Published: March 2003

Summary Using data from a longitudinal study conducted in 40 villages by the UK MRC in the North Bank Division of The Gambia beginning in late 1981, we examined infant and child mortality over a 15‐year period for a population of about 17 000 people. Comparisons are drawn between villages with and without PHC. The extra facilities in the PHC villages include: a paid Community Health Nurse for about every 5 villages, a Village Health Worker and a trained Traditional Birth Attendant. Maternal and child health services with a vaccination programme are accessible to residents in both PHC and non‐PHC villages. The data indicate that there has been a marked improvement in infant and under‐five mortality in both sets of villages. Following the establishment of the PHC system in 1983, infant mortality dropped from 134/1000 in 1982–83 to 69/1000 in 1992–94 in the PHC villages and from 155/1000 to 91/1000 in the non‐PHC villages over the same period. Between 1982 and 83 and 1992–94, the death rates for children aged 1–4 fell from 42/1000 to 28/1000 in the PHC villages and from 45/1000 to 38/1000 in the non‐PHC villages. Since 1994, when supervision of the PHC system has weakened, infant mortality rates in the PHC villages have risen to 89/1000 in 1994–96. The rates in the non‐PHC villages fell to 78/1000 for this period. The under‐five mortality rates in both sets of villages have converged to 34/1000 for 1994–96. When the PHC programme was well supported in the 1980s, we saw significantly lower mortality rates for the 1–4‐year‐olds. These differences disappeared when support for PHC was reduced after 1994. The differential effects on infant mortality are less clear cut.
Recent urban growth and urinary schistosomiasis in Niamey, Niger
Authors: Ernould J. C. , Kaman Kaman A. , Labbo R. , Couret D. , Chippaux J. P. 
Published: March 2003

Summary A cluster sample survey was conducted in 1998 in 30 schools to assess the effect of the growth of Niamey during the last decade on a urinary schistosomiasis urban focus described in 1989. Two thousand and forty‐two children (11.0 + 0.1 years old) had a urine filtration test and answered a behavioural questionnaire. Snail populations of the sites used by schoolchildren were followed up in 1999. The global prevalence was 15.7% in 1998, as opposed to 23.7% in 1989. The prevalence was very low in schools far from the river and higher in those along the Niger banks, particularly in villages on the periphery of the urban area. Geographical factors were more important than socio‐economic ones in explaining the distribution of the disease. Only 46% of the children in Niamey reported water contact; mainly in the river, rarely in pools and the canal. The infection risk was low in pools (RR = 1.6), high in the river (RR = 3.5) and very high in the canal (RR = 12.5). Malacological studies confirmed the location of transmission sites obtained through parasitological studies and the questionnaire. Sixty‐one per cent of the children travelled outside Niamey to the hyperendemic surrounding areas. However, these movements did not increase their infection level. The results are discussed in relation to water contact behaviour and Schistosoma haematobium transmission features.
Specificity of circulating antigen detection for schistosomiasis mansoni in Senegal and Burundi
Authors: Polman Katja , Diakhate Meremarie M. , Engels Dirk , Nahimana Samuel , Van Dam Govert J. , Falcão Ferreira Sonja T. M. , Deelder Andre M. , Gryseels Bruno 
Published: March 2003

SummaryThe specificity of schistosome circulating antigen detection was determined in negative individuals from two S. mansoni‐ endemic countries, Senegal and Burundi, and compared with results from Dutch control individuals. A nearly absolute specificity was achieved for circulating anodic antigen (CAA) detection in serum, irrespective of the target population or sample pretreatment method. Circulating cathodic antigen (CCA) detection in serum and urine resulted in a lower specificity than serum CAA detection. Apparent large differences in specificity of CCA detection between countries were mainly due to pretreatment methods. Apparently, the alkaline/heating pretreatment method is not as effective as trichloroacetic acid (TCA) ‐pretreatment in removing (certain) interfering components, which may vary between populations. In view of the development of the urine CCA assay into a noninvasive screening test, a slightly lower specificity may still be acceptable. For precise epidemiological analyses the highly specific serum CAA assay remains the method of choice.
Should trichiasis surgery be offered in the village? A community randomised trial of village vs. health centre‐based surgery
Authors: Bowman R. J. C. , Sey Soma O. , Alexander N. , Milligan P. , Rowley J. , Faal H. , Foster A. , Bailey R. L. , Johnson G. J. 
Published: March 2003

Summary introduction  Surgery for trachomatous trichiasis prevents blindness and is advocated by the WHO as part of the SAFE strategy for the global elimination of trachoma. We conducted a randomised community trial to investigate the effect of providing surgery in villages on surgical uptake in The Gambia. methods  56 villages from two divisions were assigned to eight pairs of clusters matched by geographical division and proximity. One cluster from each pair was randomly assigned to receive village‐based surgery and the other cluster health centre‐based surgery. Outcome measures were uptake rates and surgical results after 1 week and 3 months. The paired t‐test was used to analyse the results. results  Overall uptake was 66% in the village‐based clusters and 44% in the health centre‐based clusters. Subjects in the village‐based surgery arm had significantly shorter journey times (P = 0.01) and lower costs (P = 0.002). The mean difference in absolute acceptance rates of surgery was 20% better in village‐based clusters (95% CI –9 to + 49%, P = 0.15), which would equate to an improvement of 45% (95% CI −20% to 120%) on the average acceptance rates of 44% in the health centre‐based group. conclusion  These results strongly suggest better surgical uptake when surgery is provided in patients' villages due to lower cost to the patient, time saved and less fear of the operation.
Malaria control in complex emergencies: the example of East Timor
Authors: Kolaczinski Jan , Webster Jayne 
Published: March 2003

SummaryMalaria control in complex emergencies forms part of the World Health Organization's Roll Back Malaria (RBM) initiative. The underlying principle is a partnership with other UN agencies and non‐governmental organizations, with the RBM programme providing support to its implementing partners through a Technical Support Network. This innovative approach was applied for the first time in 1999–2000, following the return of stability and security to East Timor. The RBM programme assessed the malaria situation during the acute emergency phase and identified programme priorities. Two non‐governmental organizations were subsequently invited to operate as implementing partners. Individual proposals were developed and funding obtained, but no overall organizational and planning framework was established. Implementation commenced quickly, addressing aspects of prevention, diagnosis and treatment. As East Timor progressed into the transitional phase towards independence, the programme was not realigned to the changing context. Absence of monitoring and evaluation was a significant factor contributing to the resulting continuation of emergency malaria control activities well into the transitional phase. East Timor's example of malaria control in complex emergencies provides important lessons: (i) partnership roles and responsibilities should be clearly defined from the beginning of the programme, (ii) planning, monitoring and evaluation should be instigated from the start with the aim to develop long‐term strategies and policies, (iii) expert support is necessary to guide implementation at all stages, (iv) the flexibility to react to changing priorities should be ensured as the context of the emergency and the available health structure changes, and (v) the implementation process, and alternatives for continuation of activities once the RBM complex emergency partnership has terminated, should be clarified to all partners involved.
Measuring morbidity in schistosomiasis mansoni: relationship between image pattern, portal vein diameter and portal branch thickness in large‐scale surveys using new WHO coding guidelines for ultrasound in schistosomiasis
Authors: King Charles H. , Magak Philip , Salam Ekram Abdel , Ouma John H. , Kariuki H. Curtis , Blanton Ronald E. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryObjective  World Health Organization consensus meetings on ‘Ultrasound in Schistosomiasis’ in 1996 and 1997 anticipated further challenges in the global implementation of a standardized protocol for morbidity assessment in schistosomiasis mansoni. We evaluated the performance of the qualitative and quantitative components of the new Niamey criteria.Method  Use of the Niamey protocol among 3954 subjects in two linked, cross‐sectional ultrasound surveys of Schistosoma mansoni‐endemic populations in Egypt and Kenya.Results  There were significant differences between Egyptian and Kenyan sites in prevalence and age distribution of S. mansoni‐related hepatic fibrosis (36%vs. 3%, P < 0.001). Protocol image pattern scoring could be performed quickly and was stable to interobserver variation. However, there were unintended but systematic differences between study sites in the measurement of portal vein diameter (PVD) and wall thickness. By Niamey criteria, a high prevalence of portal dilation was scored for normal Egyptian subjects, which reduced the predictive value of image pattern for portal hypertension. Using alternative height‐indexing of PVD, image pattern plus PVD findings predicted 15% of Egyptians and 2.5% of Kenyans were at risk for variceal bleeding, whereas locally derived PVD norms estimated 25% of Egyptians and 12% of Kenyans to be at possible risk.Conclusion  Niamey scoring criteria performed acceptably as a relative grading system for disease in schistosomiasis mansoni, but failed to account fully for site‐to‐site variation in test performance and morbidity prevalence. Consequently, standardized image pattern scoring appears to provide the most useful tool for detection and comparison of S. mansoni‐associated morbidity in large‐scale surveys.
Hepatozoon canis, a fortuitous or pathogenic agent in canine dermatology: a review of three cases
Authors: Hubert B. , Beaufils J. P. , Fabbrini F. , Magnol J. P. 
Published: March 2003

The role played by Hepatozoon canis is subject to considerable discussion, as its presence does not consistently appear to be pathogenic. Should the pathology be severe, blood samples or medullary specimens enable the parasite to be isolated, either on its own or associated with other parasitic agents such as Ehrlichia canis. To identify it in a dermatological context is a much rarer occurrence. A description is provided of three cases in which the search for an underlying cause of disease revealed the presence of the parasite; the role of the parasite in the process was unclear. A 9‐year‐old Beauceron dog did not recover from a case of oral papillomatosis. A loss of weight, generalized adenomegaly and splenomegaly completed the clinical picture. The myelogram showed that H. canis gametocytes were present. Therapy with imidocarb and toltrazuril neither improved the dog’s general condition nor did it have a clinical impact on the oral papillomatosis. An 11‐year‐old Beauceron bitch was examined for pyoderma on the foreleg and a hind limb digit. Antibiotic treatment did not produce a clinical cure. Two weeks later, cytological examination of exudates revealed the presence of two H. canis gametocytes. The patient’s condition was improved by the administration of imidocarb and doxycycline. A 10‐year‐old poodle dog exhibited numerous ulcers, and on histological examination of tissue biopsies and the cutaneous slides, Leishmania canis and H. canis were identified. There was no clinical response to treatment. H. canis should be considered where there are unusual manifestations of skin diseases and lack of response to appropriate therapy.