Apmis

MADELEY, DICK

doi: 10.1111/j.1699-0463.1993.tb00139.xpmid: 8398090

Viruses are important causes of diarrhoea, with the major mortality occurring in the poor tropical overcrowded parts of the world. A successful vaccine, to rotavirus at least, may be developed, but how widely it would be used is uncertain. Even if successful, it would not remove all virus‐associated diarrhoea and vomiting any more than a successful influenza vaccine would remove all viral respiratory disease. Perhaps the one aspect that needs most attention is the host. It is evident that not all infections lead to disease and that this is not simply related to the amount of virus in the faeces. This could be an indicator of the amount of damage ‐ more virus coming from more infected cells ‐ but there appear to be similar amounts of virus in “normal” stools as in diarrhoeal ones. Why is it then that some hosts, some babies, and not others have diarrhoea and vomiting? Is there an important, and as yet unrecognized, difference? If there is and it can be identified, then finding how to induce it or increase it in young babies could be as effective as a vaccine.

JENSEN, H. E.; AALBÆK, B.; LIND, P.; FRANDSEN, P. L.; KROGH, H. V.; STYNEN, D.

doi: 10.1111/j.1699-0463.1993.tb00140.xpmid: 8398091

To improve the immunohistopathological diagnosis of systemic bovine mycoses we have evaluated the utility of antifungal polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies, and peroxidase and alkaline phosphatase staining techniques. A rabbit polyclonal antibody to mannan from Candida albicans was specific for candidosis. The diagnosis of aspergillosis was accomplished using a rat monoclonal antibody to the galactofuran side chains of Aspergillus galactomannan. A murine monoclonal antibody reacting with weakly Con‐A binding 41 and 46 kDa somatic antigens from Absidia corymbifera was used for immunostaining of zygomycetic hyphae. Peroxidase antiperoxidase (PAP) and alkaline phosphatase antialkaline phosphatase (APAAP) complexes were visualized using aminoethylcarbazole and fast red substrates. A green staining of PAP reactions with dioctyl sulfosuccinate sodium and 3,3′,5,5′‐tetramethylbenzidine (DONS/TMB) was effective for the demonstration of fungi in dual and triple infections. Tissue sections of experimentally infected mice were used to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the antibodies. Tisssues obtained from 161 bovine mycotic lesions previously studied by indirect immunofluorescence staining were further evaluated using the three antibodies. In all of 45 lesions solely affected by aspergillosis and in three solely affected by candidosis the diagnoses were confirmed by the new evaluation. In 85 of 96 cases of single infections with zygomycetes the diagnosis was confirmed, while none of the antibodies reacted with fungal elements in the remaining 11 lesions. Aspergillus hyphae were detected in all three lesions with dual aspergillosis and zygomycosis, whereas zygomycetic material was confirmed in only two of these cases. A mixed infection of candidosis and zygomycosis in a lymph node was confirmed too. In 13 cases in which a diagnosis had not hitherto been obtained, aspergillosis and zygomycosis were recorded each in three cases.

AUVINEN, PETRI; MÄKELÄ, MIKA J.; ROIVAINEN, MERJA; KALLAJOKI, MARKKU; VAINIONPÄÄ, RAIJA; HYYPIÄ, TIMO

doi: 10.1111/j.1699-0463.1993.tb00141.xpmid: 7691097

Peptides presenting predicted antigenic sites of CBV3 capsid proteins and peptide sequences from conserved regions of the nonstructural proteins were synthesized, and rabbit antipeptide sera were tested for their immunoreactivity. Peptides derived from different capsid regions were able to induce production of neutralizing antibodies in rabbits. As measured by EIA, all peptides representing four different proposed antigenic sites were immunogenic, inducing an antibody response against the homologous peptide and purified CBV3 as measured by EIA. Immunization with inactivated CBV3 induced a secondary response especially in rabbits primed with peptides representing polypeptide VP2. Antisera against the nonstructural protein sequences were highly cross‐reactive with other enteroviruses, while the capsid peptide antisera were mainly type‐specific when tested by immuno‐blotting against a panel of enteroviruses. Four of the capsid region peptides also exhibited distinct T‐cell reactivity in a mouse T‐cell proliferation assay.

PETERSEN, BODIL LAUB; PETERSEN, CLAUS LETH; BRÆNDSTRUP, OTTO; MOURITSEN, SØREN; ENGEL, ANNE MARIE; SVANE, INGE MARIE; WERDELIN, OLE

doi: 10.1111/j.1699-0463.1993.tb00142.xpmid: 8398092

Many human tumors express low amounts of HLA class I molecules relative to the normal cells from which they are derived. From experimental work it is clear that the malignant behavior of a tumor cell may depend on its MHC class I expression. Therefore, it is of obvious interest to study the HLA class I expression of human tumors in their various stages. We have studied the HLA class I expression by the cells in premalignant epithelial lesions and invasive carcinoma of the bladder and uterine cervix using immunoperoxidase staining for β2‐microglobulin of paraffin‐embedded tissue. We here assume that β2‐microglobulin expression by malignant and premalignant cells equals HLA class I expression. Thirty‐two of the 36 invasive tumors expressed less overall β2‐microglobulin than cells from the normal epithelium. In contrast, approximately two‐thirds of 34 premalignant bladder epithelia and 47 premalignant cervix epithelia displayed higher overall β2‐microglobulin expression than the normal epithelium. Thus, a systematic large‐scale elimination of HLA class I high‐expressing tumor cell variants may take place only after the tumor penetrates the basement membrane.

KOJIMA, MASARU; TAMAKI, YOSHIO; NAKAMURA, SHIGEO; HOSOMURA, YASUO; KURABAYASHI, YOSHIYUKI; ITOH, HIDEAKI; YOSHIDA, KATSUE; NIIBE, HIDEO; SUCHI, TAIZAN; JOHSHITA, TAKASHI

doi: 10.1111/j.1699-0463.1993.tb00143.xpmid: 8398093

ARPI, MAGNUS; BREMMELGAARD, ANNIE

doi: 10.1111/j.1699-0463.1993.tb00144.xpmid: 8398094

Detection speed and yield were compared between BACTEC NR‐860® and Roche BCB® blood culture systems. From a total of 1,550 paired blood cultures inoculated with the same volume of blood, 161 (10.4%) grew 180 organisms from 140 adult patients. Sixty‐six percent of the isolates were clinically significant. The BACTEC® system detected more clinically significant isolates than the BCB® system, 91% vs 76% (p < 0.01), especially Enterobacteriaceae. In 39 paired blood cultures, 42 significant organisms were detected at different times in the two systems. The vast majority (93%) were detected first (on average 1 day faster) by the BACTEC® system (p < 0.05), especially Escherichia coli and streptococci. Generally, detection times were shorter in the BACTEC® system. Three fourths (76%) of all significant organisms were detected within the first incubation day as compared to less than half (42%) in the BCB® system (p < 0.001). Generally, the agitated aerobic resin medium BACTEC 26 Plus® had the fastest detection and highest yield in our study. The contamination rate, below 2% in both systems, was acceptable. The BACTEC NR‐860® system with resin‐containing media proved to be a reliable, sensitive and fast blood culture system, which deserves further investigation.

HEMLIN, CLAES; CARENFELT, CHRISTER; HALLDÉN, GUNILLA; HED, JAN; SCHEYNIUS, ANNIKA

doi: 10.1111/j.1699-0463.1993.tb00145.xpmid: 8398095

Secretory otitis media (SOM) is a common childhood disease without a completely clarified etiology. A chronic inflammatory condition in the nasopharynx, presumably caused by an increased bacterial load, is one factor of probable etiological importance. In the present study a flow cytometric method for analysis of adenoid lymphoid cell populations was developed to facilitate quantitative comparisons between children with SOM and children without ear disease. Adenoids removed from 18 children due to adenoid hyperplasia and obstructive symptoms were studied. Results of the flow cytometric analysis correlated well with the findings from immunohistological studies of five of the adenoids. PCA‐1 and CD25 were found to be good markers of increased cellular activity after non‐specific stimulation in cell culture. It is concluded that the flow cytometric method is suitable for further quantitative analysis of adenoid tissue.

JENSEN, LARS THORBJ0RN; GARBARSCH, CHARLY; HØRSLEV‐PETERSEN, KIM; SCHUPPAN, DETLEF; KIM, KY; LORENZEN, IB

doi: 10.1111/j.1699-0463.1993.tb00146.xpmid: 8398096

The aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP) in serum has been shown to correlate with fibrillogenesis, and thus to be a potential direct marker of type III collagen deposition. The aim of the study was to investigate the correlation between changes in serum PIIINP and formation of granulation tissue during pharmacological suppression. Granulation tissue was induced in rats by the implantation of viscose cellulose sponges. Pharmacological suppression was achieved by cyclophosphamide treatment. To distinguish between the isolated effect of cyclophosphamide and the influence of the weight loss caused by treatment, weight loss caused by starvation was investigated. In untreated rats, serum PIIINP and wound fluid PIIINP were related to formation of granulation tissue (serum: r = 0.58, p < 0.05; wound fluid: r = 0.56, p < 0.05). In rats treated with cyclophosphamide, collagen deposition and formation of granulation tissue were markedly reduced, as compared within the untreated rats (6%vs 33%, p = 0.01). Wound fluid PIIINP reflected the sparse collagen deposition (r = 0.48, p < 0.05), whereas serum PIIINP decreased (‐ 35%, p < 0.01) and was not correlated with the formation of granulation tissue. In starved rats, with a weight loss of 8%, formation of granulation tissue, vascular density, and collagen deposition were not reduced. Wound fluid PIIINP reflected the formation of granulation tissue (r = 0.52, p < 0.05), whereas serum PIIINP remained unchanged despite normal formation of granulation tissue. Starvation of rats without implants caused a decrease in serum PIIINP (‐ 33%—48%, p < 0.01). We conclude that during cyclophosphamide treatment and after a moderate weight loss, serum PIIINP is not a valid marker of fibrillogenesis. However, in normal rats with free access to food, changes in serum PIIINP mirror fibrillogenesis. Furthermore, our study provides experimental evidence consistent with the hypothesis that wound fluid PIIINP directly mirrors the local formation of granulation tissue, independent of weight loss and cyclophosphamide treatment.

WICKBOM, GUNNAR; DANIELSSON, DAN; CHA, SOON‐OK; ALRIKSSON, INGEGERD; JÄRNEROT, GUNNAR; KJELLANDER, JAN

doi: 10.1111/j.1699-0463.1993.tb00147.xpmid: 8398097

We earlier described an experimental model to create recurring chronic ileal inflammation with ulceration in the rat. A 2 cm segment of the distal ileum is excised but left attached to its intact mesentery; the ileum is reanastomosed. The ileal segment will seal off its open ends and a cyst‐like structure of varying size will be formed, containing mucus, cell debris and bacteria. Approximately two thirds of the animals develop chronic inflammation with ulceration proximal to the ileal anastomosis. The ileal cyst and the surgical procedure on the distal ileum were shown to be prerequisites of the rat model for the development of lesions. We recently described that, in contrast to rats fed a standard diet, rats fed a hydrolyzed formula diet never developed inflammation or ulceration when subjected to the experimental procedure. In the present study we confirmed these observations and showed that the normal ileal flora (NIF) and the ileal cyst flora (ICF) were significantly influenced by the diets. The bacterial counts of both the aerobic and anaerobic NIF were 2 10log lower, i.e. ≥ 99%, in rats fed the formula diet as compared to in those fed standard rat pellets. The NIF of the former group was represented by more aerobic species than the NIF of rats on the standard diet. Compared to the NIF there was a parallel increase in the bacterial counts of the ICF by approximately 2 10log CFU values in both groups of rats. The mean number of anaerobic species, mainly Gram‐negative rods of the ICF, increased by approximately 70% in the rats on the standard diet that developed ileal ulceration, whereas identified aerobic species of the ICF decreased by 61% in rats on the formula diet and by 46% in those on the standard diet that did not develop ileal ulceration. The number of anaerobes in those groups of rats remained unchanged. The signficant bacteriological differences between the rats that developed ileal ulcers and those which did not indicate that bacteria may be involved, directly or indirectly, in the development of chronic ileal ulceration.

PEDERSEN, GITTE; SCHØNHEYDER, HENRIK C.; NIELSEN, LEIF CORY

doi: 10.1111/j.1699-0463.1993.tb00148.xpmid: 8398098

The observation of bacteria in a peripheral blood smear was conducive to the diagnosis of Capnocytophaga canimorsus septicaemia in a patient with no definite record of animal bites. Multiple rods were seen extracellularly and within the cytoplasm of neutrophils. The blood culture became positive after 18 h of incubation. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) was manifest and infarction of the spleen was suspected. Direct examination of peripheral blood smears could be a valuable adjunct in the diagnosis of overwhelming bacteraemia.