Workload management system highlights staffing needs.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to D A Morton.
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We have utilized monoclonal antibodies in immune affinity chromatography to purify each of the 3 major glycoproteins of varicella-zoster virus (VZV), gpI, gpII, and gpIII, in immunologically active form. Upon injection into guinea pigs, each preparation elicited the production of specific antibodies capable of immunoprecipitating the homologous glycoprotein and of neutralizing VZV infectivity in vitro. Also, total glycoproteins from VZV-infected cells have been purified by lectin affinity chromatography. Each of the individual purified glycoproteins, as well as total VZV glycoproteins and appropriate uninfected cell protein controls, have been employed as solid-phase reagents in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of antibodies directed against specific VZV glycoproteins. The specificity of the purified glycoproteins as ELISA reagents was verified by the ability of individual monoclonal antibodies to bind specifically to individual glycoprotein preparations. We have demonstrated the utility of the glycoprotein-specific ELISA by detecting antibodies in sera from post-zoster and post-varicella patients. The assay detects antibodies directed against each of the 3 major glycoproteins and is sensitive enough to detect antibodies in a 1:320 000 dilution of some sera. This assay, as well as the purified individual glycoproteins per se, should prove to be very useful reagents in understanding the role of each of gpI, gpII, and gpIII in immunity to VZV.
A child with Down's syndrome (DS) and associated hyperthyroidism is described and studies pertinent to DS and thyroid function are discussed. A majority of data supports a hypothesis of immunological abnormalities in DS, with resultant thyroid dysfunction. It is puzzling that overt disease is not more common in DS, since the incidence of thyroid autoantibodies is high and autoimmunity and Hashimoto's thyroiditis are often associated with clinical thyroid disease. A physician who cares for children should consider thyroid disease in any child with DS who manifests a single compatible symptom. Palpation of the thyroid gland is essential during each physical examination.