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Biomedical subjects

C G Cumming

Publications and source records attributed to C G Cumming.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Relationship of oral disease to the presence of cytomegalovirus DNA in the saliva of AIDS patients.

Cytomegalovirus is an important pathogen in persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus. In this study a thorough oral examination was done and blood and urine cultures for cytomegalovirus were obtained from a group of 31 patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome with CD4 lymphocyte counts less than 150 cells/mm3. Whole saliva was also collected for detection of cytomegalovirus deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) via the polymerase chain reaction. The presence of cytomegalovirus DNA in the saliva specimens was not related to the presence of cytomegalovirus in the urine, which suggests a local source of cytomegalovirus from salivary gland and kidney parenchyma. There was also a strong statistical relationship between salivary cytomegalovirus DNA and xerostomia (p = 0.0004), which suggests that cytomegalovirus may be a cause of salivary gland dysfunction in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome with low CD4 counts.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1992

Quantitative evaluation of Langerhans cells in median rhomboid glossitis.

Langerhans cells (LC) serve as antigen presenting cells and provide immune surveillance within epithelia. Since depression of LC number and/or function may allow tolerance to antigens, we evaluated LC in median rhomboid glossitis (MRG), a condition linked to persistent candidal infection of lingual mucosa. Material included a total of 36 cases of MRG (7 of which did not show PAS + fungi) and 6 controls. LC were identified by their expression of S-100 and HLA-DR antigens and quantified using image analysis. Equal numbers of LC were identified using S-100 + and HLA-DR + markers. The density of LC (cells/mm of basement membrane, mean +/- SD) in both PAS + MRG (2.6 +/- 1.3) and PAS-MRG (3.0 +/- 1.7) was markedly depressed compared with controls (17.2 +/- 6.4), (P less than 0.001). These findings indicate that the LC network is perturbed in MRG, and are consistent with the view that of localized defect in immune surveillance may contribute to persistent fungal infection of the oral mucosa.

Candidiasis, Oral↗
PubMed1991

Chronic atrophic oral candidiasis among patients with diabetes mellitus--role of secretor status.

Non-diabetic individuals who are non-secretors of blood group antigens are prone to superficial infections by Candida albicans. In this study, 216 patients with diabetes mellitus who were denture wearers were examined for the presence or absence of denture stomatitis. There was an overall trend for non-secretors to be prone to denture stomatitis compared with secretors. Stepwise linear discriminant analysis was used to dissect the contribution of secretor status and other variables to the development of the disease. Secretor status was found to be a contributory factor among patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes but not among those with insulin-dependent diabetes. The possible reasons for this are discussed.

ABO Blood-Group System↗
PubMed1990

Alteration of humoral responses to Candida in HIV infection.

The objectives of this preliminary study were to determine the prevalence of oral candidal carriage and infection in a group of HIV-positive individuals and compare the humoral immune responses in serum and saliva in this group with a control group of HIV-negative subjects. Patients were examined clinically with particular reference to the presence of candidal lesions and oral swabs taken to identify carriers. Venous blood and whole saliva were obtained for estimation of total and anti-Candida antibody levels. Pseudomembranous candidiasis was the commonest clinical variant in HIV-positive individuals. Candida albicans was the commonest species isolated in both groups. Increased levels of anti-Candida IgG were found in both serum and saliva of HIV-negative individuals who were either carriers of Candida species or had clinical candidiasis. This was associated with a reciprocal fall in anti-Candida IgA. Similar trends were seen in HIV-positive individuals in association with candidal carriage and infection, although the changes were more marked.

Antibodies, Fungal↗
PubMed1990

Denture stomatitis in the elderly.

A study was carried out of 121 elderly edentulous individuals living in institutionalised homes in the Lothian Region, Scotland to determine the prevalence of yeasts and associated oral disease. Clinical examinations found that 65(54%) of the individuals suffered from denture stomatitis, and yeasts were recovered from 51(78%) of these individuals. The main yeasts isolated were Torulopsis glabrata and Candida albicans. Culture of saliva samples produced a slightly higher recovery rate of yeasts compared with swabbing of the floor of mouth and palate. The number of cigarettes smoked per day had a significant positive effect on the presence of denture stomatitis. No difference in disease state was shown between secretors and non-secretors of blood group antigens in saliva. This study demonstrates a significant level of oral mucosal infection in an institutionalised elderly population.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Blood group, secretor status and oral carriage of yeasts among patients with diabetes mellitus.

The inability to secrete the water-soluble glycoprotein form of the ABO blood group antigens is a genetic characteristic associated with susceptibility to superficial fungal infections and also insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). As oral carriage of Candida albicans in healthy adults is associated with non-secretion, we examined oral carriage of yeasts among 275 patients attending diabetic outpatient clinics, 137 with IDDM and 138 with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) with reference to ABO blood group, secretor status and yeast species. Of the 166 yeast isolates, 109 (66.7%) were C. albicans, a lower proportion compared with 94% reported for healthy individuals. There was no association between ABO blood group and carriage. There was no increase in the proportion of non-secretor carriers of C. albicans among patients with IDDM; but among those with NIDDM, 44% of non-secretors were carriers compared with 21% who were non-carriers (p less than 0.01). The results are discussed in the context of host-parasite interactions influencing colonization.

ABO Blood-Group System↗
PubMed1986

The prevalence of hepatitis B serological markers in dental personnel.

There is a need to assess the risk to members of the dental profession in the U.K. of acquiring hepatitis B from patients. Towards this end a study was performed in order to determine the degree of carriage of serological markers of hepatitis B in a sample of dental workers in and around Edinburgh. Of a total of 88 persons tested only one, a dental assistant, was positive. She had evidence of past infection but did not give a history of previous jaundice. We conclude that in the Edinburgh area the risk of dental personnel acquiring hepatitis B from patients is very small and that routine active immunisation is not necessary. Those who volunteer to treat known hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers should be offered immunisation and the recommendations of the expert group of the Health Departments of Great Britain on the treatment of HBV carriers should be implemented.

Carrier State↗
PubMed1986

Immunochemical characterization of the cell surface carbohydrate antigens of Peptostreptococcus anaerobius.

Two carbohydrate antigens were isolated from the cell surface of Peptostreptococcus anaerobius. One, extracted from purified cell walls with NaOH, contained glucose and phosphorus, with traces of galactosamine and glucosamine. Serological activity was detected by a 'dot blot' procedure. The second antigen, extracted from cell membranes with phenol and purified by chromatography on Sepharose 6B and an immunoadsorbent column, contained glucose, glycerol phosphate, phosphorus and fatty acids. Antigenicity of this extract could also be demonstrated by an ELISA technique.

Antigens, Surface↗
PubMed1986

Analysis of EDTA-soluble cell surface components of gram-positive anaerobic cocci.

The protein content of EDTA extracts from 76 strains of Gram-positive anaerobic cocci was examined using SDS-PAGE. Strains of Peptostreptococcus anaerobius produced almost identical profiles; greater heterogeneity was observed within the species Peptococcus magnus, Peptococcus prevotii and Peptococcus asaccharolyticus, but several strains within each biotype produced similar patterns. Serological investigation of these extracts by ELISA revealed numerous cross-reactions among the different biotypes. Immunoblot transfers from polyacrylamide gels demonstrated two common antigens within strains of the species, Ps. anaerobius, but these were not species-specific.

Antigens, Bacterial↗
PubMed1986

Survival of gram positive anaerobic cocci on swabs and their isolation from the mouth and vagina.

The survival of Gram positive anaerobic cocci on plain cotton wool and albumin coated swabs held in various transport media was investigated. Results suggested that in most cases Amies', Stuart's and VMGII media do not offer any more protection to the bacteria than storing swabs dry in their containers. A technique was developed for the isolation and identification of Gram positive anaerobic cocci from the mouth and vagina, incorporating bicozamycin in the medium as a selective agent. Few strains were recovered from the oral cavity, but larger numbers were isolated from the vagina. Using a minimum number of antibiotic sensitivity and biochemical tests, including analysis of end products by gas-liquid chromatography, most isolates were identified to species level.

Albumins↗
PubMed1983

The isolation and immunochemical characterisation of a cell-wall carbohydrate and a membrane lipocarbohydrate antigen of group B streptococcus, type II.

Two distinct carbohydrate antigens were isolated from the cell surface of group B streptococcus, type II. One antigen was extracted from SDS-purified cell walls by cold trichloroacetic acid and contained galactose, glucose, rhamnose, glucosamine and sialic acid in the approximate molar proportions 1.7:1.0:3.4:0.9:0.21 respectively. The serological activity of this polymer indicated that it is the group-specific antigen common to all group B streptococci. The second antigen was extracted by phenol from cell membranes and contained galactose, glucose, glucosamine, phosphorus and fatty acid in a molar ratio of 1.6:1.0:0.35:2.6:0.016 respectively. This antigen was shown to be specific for type II, group B streptococcus.

Antigens, Bacterial↗
PubMed1982

Swabs and swab-transport media kits in the isolation of upper respiratory bacteria.

The recovery of upper respiratory tract bacteria on laboratory media from a variety of swabs and swab-transport media kits was examined. Organisms studied included strains of Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Neisseria meningitidis and Haemophilus influenzae. Although a wide range of results was obtained with regard to variables such as the type of swab or swab-transport media kit used, the time of plating, the temperature of storage of swab-transport media kits, and the nature of the suspension of the organisms, it was generally noted that recovery of organisms was better from swabs held in their plastic containers prior to plating than from swabs held in transport medium.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1982

Interaction between human neutrophils and group B streptococci (GBS) and group antigens, monitored by Luminol-dependent chemiluminescence.

Interaction between the five serotypes of GBS and human neutrophils was investigated using Luminol-dependent chemiluminescence. A considerable variation in response, and a variable dependence pre-opsonisation was demonstrated both for while bacteria and HCl-extracts. These preliminary results may have relevance to clinical infection with GBS and demonstrate hitherto unrecognised differences in the nature of "group-specific" antigen extracts from GBS serotypes.

Antigens, Bacterial↗