All 45 microscopically motile urinary isolates tested here (37 Escherichia coli, two Enterobacter cloacae, two Citrobacter freundii, three Proteus mirabilis and one Proteus morganii) were strongly attracted to fresh human urine in a capillary chemotaxis assay. This observation suggested that urine taxis of gram-negative bacteria promotes their invasion of the human lower urinary tract and their ascension to the kidney(s). However, the incidence of motile isolates and their activity in urine taxis assays were similar for fecal E. coli isolates, for isolates from patients with recurrent cystitis and from patients with presumed pyelonephritis (E. coli blood isolates with concomitant E. coli bacteriuria). Thus, the present study of E. coli did not support the hypothesis that bacterial motility is a virulence factor in urinary tract infection.

Bacteriuria↗

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Reconstruction of a historical genealogy by means of STR analysis and Y-haplotyping of ancient DNA.

Archaeological excavations in St Margaretha's church at Reichersdorf, Germany, in 1993 led to the discovery of eight skeletons, so far assumed to be of the Earls of Königsfeld, who used the church as a family sepulchre over a period of seven generations from 1546 to 1749. DNA-based sex testing and analysis of autosomal short tandem repeat systems (STR) was carried out to confirm the assumption of kinship. Since five of the individuals were determined as males, analysis of Y-specific STRs seemed feasible. A comparison of Y-haplotypes revealed that one individual could not be linked to the Königsfeld patrilineage, an observation supported by autosomal STR evidence. Two individuals typed as females posed an identification problem, since supposedly only male members of the family were buried in St Margaretha's. Nevertheless, these individuals could tentatively be identified as members of the House of Königsfeld through genetic fingerprinting.

Burial↗

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[Intrathecal interferon therapy in chronic echovirus meningoencephalitis in Bruton type agammaglobulinemia].

A 9-year-old body with X-linked agammaglobulinemia developed chronic enteroviral meningoencephalitis (CEMA) caused by echovirus type 6. Intravenous treatment with selected immunoglobulin charges containing high titers against echovirus type 6 or combination with beta-interferon did not result in improvement. After implantation of a Rickham reservoir and periodical administration of intraventricular and intravenous immunoglobulin the virus recurred rapidly each time treatment was stopped. After 20 months of treatment the patient received a combined therapy with beta-interferon and selected immunoglobulin. Both drugs were given by lumbar puncture, intravenously and via Rickham reservoir. Subsequently echovirus type 6 could not be isolated in culture or PCR. Cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis disappeared. The remission is lasting for more than three years. Intrathecal and intraventricular beta-interferon therapy for CEMA is being reported for the first time. Facing the unfavourable prognosis of the disease this mode of treatment is a new therapeutic approach following failure of other therapies.

Agammaglobulinemia↗

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Genital Chlamydia trachomatis infections in Uppsala County, Sweden, 1985-1993: declining rates for how much longer?

BACKGROUND: In Uppsala County, between 1985 and 1993, examinations for Chlamydia trachomatis were being performed in a central laboratory. A change in national sexually transmitted disease legislation in 1988 encouraged screening. GOALS OF THIS STUDY: To analyze trends in detection rates of genital chlamydial infections by age, sex, and clinic type, and to assess the influence of the legislation change. STUDY DESIGN: This was an analysis of 119,892 tests, representing 95.4% of all specimens sampled. Eighty-six percent of the samples were cultured, 14% were examined by enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: Seventy-nine percent of specimens came from women. 7,989 positive samples were identified. Detection rates declined from 107.2 per 1,000 in 1985 to 32.3 in 1993 in women and from 183.3 to 70.7 in men. Positivity rates were highest in sexually transmitted disease and youth clinics and lowest in private practices. Among female youths, rates leveled off in later years, but the rates increased in male youths. The legislation change reduced the probability of a positive test in men but not in women. CONCLUSIONS: Genital chlamydial infection generally declined. However, among youths, an increase has occurred in recent years. Continued screening and the introduction of noninvasive diagnostic methods for males is warranted, particularly in youth clinics. Selective screening may be more cost-effective in other age groups.

Adult↗

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Tumor-specific apoptosis induced by the human monoclonal antibody SC-1: a new therapeutical approach for stomach cancer.

Stomach cancer is one of the most frequently occurring cancers worldwide, with a very poor prognosis, even after complete gastrectomy. We describe here an alternative therapeutical approach using a human monoclonal antibody (SC-1), which was isolated from a patient with diffuse-type gastric adenocarcinoma. We demonstrate that the antibody significantly reduces stomach cancer growth in vivo, by inducing tumor-specific apoptosis and that the antibody, even delivered in high doses, shows no toxic crossreactivity to other organs or tissues. The data presented here show that tumor-specific apoptosis can be induced and they give rise to the hope that human monoclonal antibodies with biological activity might present a completely new type of adjuvant cancer therapy.

Adenocarcinoma↗

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[Variations in the NP protein of the influenza virus detected by peptide mapping and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis].

NP proteins of 19 reference and 42 epidemic strains of influenza A virus were analysed for their mobility in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and distribution of tryptic peptides. The strains could be divided into 4 groups by differences in their electrophoretic mobility, and into 9 groups according to reproducible differences of several hydrophilic peptides determined by peptide mapping.

Animals↗

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[Isolation of a mutant of influenza virus A/PR8/34 (H1N1) and its properties].

A mutant causing small plaques in chick embryo cells was isolated from influenza virus A/PR8/34 (H1N1). The diameter of the plaques remained constant over 39 passages. Virus titers in 8-11-day-old chick embryos were so low, that positive hemagglutination results could be recorded only in 35% of the inoculated eggs. There was no increase in virus titer after repeated passages in chick embryos. The sensitivity of the mutant to nonspecific serum and tissue inhibitors was higher than that of the initial strain. Mice survived intranasal inoculation with the mutant. The immunofluorescent antibody technique allowed the visualization of virus antigen in the lung of infected mice.

Animals↗

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[Isolation of spontaneous mutants from influenza A virus recombinants after several plaque passages in embryonic chicken cells].

Clones with larger plaques (2.5-4 mm in diameter) could be isolated after sequential passages of influenza virus recombinants A/Greifswald 6/74 X A/PR8/34 (H3N1) and A/Bangkok 1/79 X A/PR8/34 (H3N1 and H3N2) in chick embryo cells. In addition to the large plaques, very small ones (1-1.5 mm in diameter) could be regularly observed in a proportion of about 10% at subsequent passages of these variants. The clones exhibited a constant size of the plaques, and there were no large-plaque forming revertants. In most of the cases cultivation of these mutants in embryonated chicken eggs (ECE) did not lead to positive HA titers. PFU titers in the infected allantoic fluid were usually lower than 10(-5). One virus clone with large plaques (3.8 mm) lacked the capacity of multiplication in ECE. This appears to be a host-range mutant. Revertants occurred with a frequency of less than 1%; they could multiply normally in ECE.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Production and properties of inhibitor-resistant mutants of influenza A virus recombinants].

Inhibitor-resistant (Ir) mutants could be selected from recombinants between influenza virus A/PR8/34 (H1N1) and A/Greifswald 6/74, A/Greifswald, 1/76, A/Erfurt 8/77 (all (H3N2)). Spontaneous mutants were selected by cultivation on chorioallantoic membrane fragments in roller tubes, in the presence of 10% inactivated rabbit serum. The Ir-mutants thus obtained were cloned during two successive plaque-to-plaque passages. The appearance of resistance to heat-stable rabbit serum inhibitors was concomitant with the development of resistance to inhibitors contained in guinea pig, horse and human sera. There was, however, no significant change in the resistance to calf serum inhibitors. Ir-mutants caused larger plaques in primary chick embryo fibroblasts, as compared with the initial inhibitor-sensitive (Is) recombinants. The yield in the infected chick embryo allantoic fluid (established by the hemagglutination test) was significantly higher in 2 out of 8 Ir-strains, as against the initial Is-strains. Hemagglutinins from three Ir/Is pairs were investigated by a bidimensional peptide-mapping technique. In one case there was a difference in the tryptic peptides of the Ir-mutant in comparison with those of the Is parental strain.

Animals↗