Molecular epidemiology of adenovirus type 21 in the Netherlands and the Federal Republic of Germany from 1960 to 1985.
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After a period of high prevalence in the early 1960s, adenovirus serotype 21 (Ad21) was identified in The Netherlands only very sporadically for more than 20 years. From December 1984 to July 1985, Ad21 was isolated relatively often from hospitalized children living in different parts of The Netherlands. The patients in question suffered from respiratory, gastrointestinal, meningeal, or ocular disorders. An increase in the incidence of Ad21 infections was also observed in the Federal Republic of Germany during this period. The DNAs of 93 isolates of Ad21 were subjected to restriction enzyme analysis with eight endonucleases. All 50 strains isolated in The Netherlands between 1960 and 1963 proved to be DNA variant Ad21/D2/20655/Netherlands/60. This variant has already been described (T. Adrian, R. Wigand, and J. C. Hierholzer, Arch. Virol. 84:79-89, 1985) as typical for the Ad21 strains circulating since 1960. Analysis of the DNAs of the 28 Ad21 strains isolated in The Netherlands or in the Federal Republic of Germany in 1984 and 1985 showed them to belong to two new, closely related DNA variants designated Ad21/D7/1857/Netherlands/84 and Ad21/D8/5398/Netherlands/85. The BglI and KpnI restriction profiles were characteristic for these recent DNA variants. (+info)
Epidemiological analysis of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in the Federal Republic of Germany by auxotyping and serological classification using monoclonal antibodies.
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We evaluated a new serological classification system for Neisseria gonorrhoeae based on monoclonal antibodies directed against epitopes on the outer membrane protein I, in conjunction with auxotyping, to analyse gonococci from two cities in the Federal Republic of Germany. Isolates of N gonorrhoeae were collected during 1976-8 and 1980-2 in Lubeck, and during 1980-2 in Heidelberg. Between the two study periods in Lubeck, we observed an appreciable decrease in strains of the auxotype that requires arginine, hypoxanthine, and uracil (AHU-) and with serovar class PrIA-1 and the emergence of strains with the proline requiring auxotype and PrIB-1 serovar class. Serovar PrIA-1 accounted for 89 (97%) of 92 strains with the AHU- auxotype as opposed to 12 (4%) of 297 strains with other auxotypes (p less than 0.0001). Disseminated gonococcal infection was associated with AHU-/PrIA-1 strains. Penicillinase producing N gonorrhoeae (PPNG) strains belonged to eight different auxotype and serovar classes, which indicated that different strains had been imported. Classification of strains of N gonorrhoeae by auxotype and serovar class permits analysis of temporal changes in gonococcal populations, and of migrations of gonococci between different geographical areas. Typing N gonorrhoeae, together with assessing antibiotic susceptibilities, may prove useful for further studies of the epidemiology and control of gonorrhoea. (+info)
Pattern analysis in the study of infantile diarrhoea and other epidemiological problems.
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The patterns imposed on records of epidemiological variables by spatial, temporal, and other factors demand a special approach for their identification, characterization, and interpretation. Over the last 10 years, a methodology based on pattern analysis has been developed and put to the test in elucidating selected epidemiological problems. The aim of this approach is to link the pattern or its detailed features to factors likely to be important in understanding the origins of the disease and the mechanisms underlying its occurrence; such knowledge may in turn suggest methods that can be used to control the disease. Pattern analysis provides a battery of techniques that can greatly enhance the cost-effectiveness of epidemiological investigations. To exemplify these techniques, the applications of pattern analysis in the study of the infantile diarrhoeal complex and in elucidating the epidemic spread of wildlife rabies are described. Some other examples are mentioned briefly and comments are made on the more important techniques available. (+info)
Plasmid content and protein I serovar of non-penicillinase-producing gonococci isolated in Munich.
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One hundred and twenty-four strains of non-penicillinase-producing gonococci isolated in Munich in 1986 were characterized in terms of their plasmid content and protein I serovar. Eighty-two per cent of the strains belonged to serogroup 1-B with over half belonging to either serovar 1B-2 or 1B-3. Half of the 22 serogroup 1A strains belonged to serovar 1A-2. Nineteen strains (15.3%) were found to lack the 2.6 Md cryptic plasmid although seven of these strains contained the 24.4 Md conjugative plasmid. Nine of the 105 strains which harboured the cryptic plasmid also contained the conjugative plasmid. The 19 strains which lacked the cryptic plasmid comprised 10 different serovars, indicating the heterogeneous nature of this group of organisms. (+info)
Sexually transmitted diseases in a British military force in peacetime Europe, 1970-83.
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A retrospective analysis was performed to identify the incidence and pattern of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) affecting a modern British peacetime military force in 1970-83. Relative risk factors for a comparable UK civilian population were assessed and showed a slightly greater risk or the military only in 1974-81. The development of incidence and pattern of STD affecting the military force was shown to be broadly similar to trends in the UK. (+info)
Immunohistochemical identification of generalized AA-amyloidosis in a mountain gazelle (Gazella gazella).
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Generalized amyloidosis was diagnosed post-mortem in a mountain gazelle (Gazella gazella). To test whether the amyloid deposits consisted of amyloid-A fibril protein a series of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies directed against amyloid-A fibril protein of different species was applied to formalin-fixed paraffin sections using the indirect immunoperoxidase technique. The immunohistochemical results showed a moderate cross-reaction of gazelle amyloid with human, murine, hamster, and canine amyloid-A fibril protein. A strong cross-reaction, however, was found with one of two monoclonal anti-human amyloid-A antibodies and with an antiserum against bovine amyloid-A fibril protein, the amyloid fibril protein of another ungulate. These results demonstrate the presence of amyloid-A fibril protein in the gazelle amyloid and illustrate the diagnostic value of cross-reacting anti-amyloid-A antibodies for the identification of amyloid-A-amyloidosis in species and in individuals in which amyloid has not yet been examined. (+info)
Mass-spectrometric determination of serum cortisol: comparison of data from two independent laboratories.
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Isotope dilution and mass spectrometry were used in two independent laboratories to determine cortisol in 15 plasma and serum pools used in the British and German national schemes for the external quality assessment of routine assays. For the concentration range 240-700 nmol/L, differences between the data obtained by the two laboratories were generally less than 4% but were approximately 7% in two instances. The discrepancies are nevertheless small in comparison with the bias observed for many routine assays. (+info)
Occurrence and pathogenic role of Morganella-Proteus-Providencia group bacteria in human feces.
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A total of 2,693 fecal specimens, with 1,422 from healthy persons and 1,271 from patients suffering from enteric diseases, was investigated to isolate species of the Morganella-Proteus-Providencia group and to evaluate the role of these bacteria in intestinal disorders. Most strains were isolated from two media, i.e., blood agar and tryptophan agar. Two of the species were more frequently found in diarrheal cases than in healthy controls. These species were Morganella morganii and Proteus mirabilis. Two new species of Enterobacteriaceae, i.e., Proteus penneri and Providencia rustigianii, were found in 33 and 5 people, respectively. However, these two species were not found more frequently in the diarrheal cases. (+info)