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Biomedical subjects

D L Huxsoll

Publications and source records attributed to D L Huxsoll.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The longevity of antibody to Rickettsia tsutsugamushi in patients with confirmed scrub typhus.

Serological surveillance for up to two years of 114 patients with laboratory confirmed scrub typhus showed that antibody to Rickettsia tsutsugamushi as demonstrated by the indirect fluorescent antibody test is short-lived. The mean reversion time from mean peak titre (1:499) was 48.9 weeks and the calculated annual reversion rate to a titre less than 1:50 was 61%. This can be used to estimate attack rates based on point prevalence of antibody. The relationship between antibody prevalence and attack rates observed by other workers was confirmed using this model. The possible uses of the finding and its implications in Malaysia are briefly discussed.

Adult↗

Variation in populations of chigger vectors of scrub typhus in developing oil palm areas of different ages.

The populations of scrub typhus vector chiggers were compared in two developing oil palm areas, one 5 years old and the other 7 years old at the inception of the study. Both areas were located within the same oil palm scheme in central Peninsular Malaysia. Leptotrombidium (L.) deliense, a principal vector of scrub typhus in Malaysia, was found in reduced numbers in the older oil palm habitat. This reduction is attributed to changes in the microhabitat, specifically the elimination of grasses between the oil palm trees due to canopy shading and to cultural practices.

Animals↗

Cell-mediated and humoral immune responses of German Shepherd Dogs and Beagles to experimental infection with Ehrlichia canis.

The cell-mediated and the humoral immune responses of 12 German Shepherd Dogs and 5 Beagles inoculated with Ehrlichia canis were evaluated. Results indicated that specific and nonspecific immunosuppression due to E canis occurred in the German Shepherd Dogs. Canine leukocyte migration-inhibition factor was successfully isolated and shown to be physically and functionally similar to human and guinea pig migration inhibition factor. Of the German Shepherd Dogs, 58% developed positive cell-mediated responses; 80% of the Beagles became positive. German Shepherd Dogs that developed severe chronic ehrlichiosis did not respond to as great a degree as did the German Shepherd Dogs and Beagles with mild chronic disease. The cell-mediated responses decreased with time and disappeared by 147 days after inoculation. Humoral antibody titers in all inoculated dogs increased with time and remained at increased concentrations. Treatment of four inoculated dogs with antilymphocyte serum did not modify the course of the disease. The findings indicated that cell-mediated immunity may have a significant role in determining the course of disease in dogs infected with E canis.

Animals↗

Serial propagation of Ehrlichia canis in primary canine peripheral blood monocyte cultures.

Cultures of primary canine monocytes were prepared from blood to which dextran (3%) had been added to enhance sedimentation of the erythrocytes. Homogeneous populations of monocytes were observed by 5 days after seeding, and some cultures were maintained as long as 30 days. The monocyte cultures were used successfully for the serial passage of Ehrlichia canis. After the 3rd passage, small intracytoplasmic inclusions of E canis were detected by 60 hrs after inoculation and greater than 90% of the monocytes were infected by 7 days. In vitro propagated ehrlichiae were preserved at -80 C for at least 31 months with minimal loss of infectivity. Following 125 in vitro passages E canis induced signs of ehrlichiosis in experimentally infected dogs.

Animals↗

An epizootic of measles in captive silvered leaf-monkeys (Presbytis cristatus) in Malaysia.

An epizootic of measles occurred in a group of 31 silvered leaf-monkeys (Presbytis cristatus) that had been in captivity for 4-12 months. Twenty-four of the monkeys exhibited a maculopapular rash that persisted for 6-9 days. A serous to mucopurulent nasal discharge and conjunctivitis were seen in some animals. Eight monkeys died during the epizootic; however, their deaths could not be directly attributed to measles. Serum samples from the surviving monkeys collected 1-2 months prior to, and 5 weeks after, the epizootic were examined by the complement-fixation and hemagglutination-inhibition tests for antibodies to measles virus. The preepizootic complement-fixation titers were all less than 1:4 and hemagglutination-inhibition titers, less than 1:10. The postepizootic complement-fixation titers in 21 of 23 surviving monkeys ranged from 1:8 to 1:128, and hemagglutination-inhibition titers in 22 of 23 monkeys ranged from 1:40 to 1:80 or greater.

Animals↗

Establishment of a cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis) breeding colony in Malaysia: a feasibility study.

A breeding colony utilizing a harem mating system was established to study the feasibility of breeding cynomoglus monkeys, Macaca fascicularis, in Malaysia. Two groups consisting of 10 females and one male each were evaluated over a 3 period. Forty births were recorded; one was stillborn, 11 died while nursing, and 28 were weaned. The average time to wean offspring was 230 days with an average weight at weaning of 0.858 kg. The average time for conception to take place after weaning was 50 days. Of the 20 breeder females, six produced three offspring each, nine produced two offspring each, four produced one offspring each and one remained barren throughout the project. Three different weaning systems were evaluated. The best method was caging the mother-infant pair within or adjacent to the breeding room followed by a two-part cage system which allowed the infant to continue nursing and also obtain solid food inaccessible to the mother.

Animals↗

Experimental Rickettsia tsutsugamushi infections in dogs.

Dogs were infected intravenously and intradermally with the Gilliam and Karp strains of R. tsutsugamushi. Although the development of clinical signs was related to the dose of the organism, Gilliam-infected dogs developed severer infections than those infected with Karp. Specific antibodies were demonstrated in sera of experimentally infected dogs.

Animals↗

Antigenic analysis by direct immunofluorescence of 114 isolates of Rickettsia tsutsugamushi recovered from febrile patients in rural Malaysia.

One hundred and fourteen Rickettsia tsutsugamushi isolates, recovered from febrile patients in central Peninsular Malaysia, were antigenically analyzed by direct immunofluorescence using eight prototype strains. Twenty-nine antigenic types were detected. The TA763, TA716, Karp and TA686 strains were the most common and occurred singly or in combination with each other or other strains in 86% of the isolates.

Antigens, Bacterial↗

Comparison of experimental Rickettsia tsutsugamushi infections in silvered leaf (Presbytis cristatus) and cynomolgus (Macaca fascicularis) monkeys.

Both silvered leaf and cynomolgus monkeys were infected with the Gilliam, Karp and Kato strains of Rickettsia tsutsugamushi. The two species developed similar clinical syndromes, but the antibody responses were greater in cynomolgus monkeys. In both species of monkeys, the Gilliam strain induced more severe clinical manifestations. At 10 months post-infection, silvered leaf monkeys were immune to homologous intradermal (id) challenge. Cynomolgus monkeys, at 15 months post-infection, were relatively resistant to homologous intravenous challenge, but not to a homologous or heterologous id challenge.

Animals↗

Vectors of scrub typhus and their hosts on a mature oil palm estate.

L. (L.) deliense was the predominant vector of scrub typhus in a mature oil palm estate, but a small number of L. (L.) fletcheri (0.1% from rodents) and L. (L.) vivericola (0.02% from rodents and 8.0% from black plates) was also collected. Although good correlation between L. (L.) deliense collected from rodents and from black plates was not established, either method may serve as a general indicator of population fluctuations over a period of time. For the most part, the vectors of scrub typhus were limited to litter piles, and thus, the possibility of contracting scrub typhus within this type of habitat was minimal.

Animals↗

Single dose doxycycline therapy for scrub typhus.

A single dose of 200 mg of doxycycline was shown to be as effective as a seven day course of tetracycline, in patients suspected of having scrub typhus. 65 (44%) of the 149 patients studied fulfilled the criteria for definite diagnosis of scrub typhus; 10 had an additional diagnosis. Rickettsia tsutsugamushi was isolated from 49 (75%) patients. There was no difference between the two treatment groups in time to defervescence, abolition of cough and headache, or in the time taken to recover well-being. There were no relapses in either group. Of the remaining 84 patients, a causal diagnosis was achieved in 52. Irrespective of a diagnosis there was no difference in apparent response to either doxycycline or tetracycline.

Adolescent↗

Platelet migration inhibtion as an indicator of immunologically mediated target cell injury in canine ehrlichiosis.

A platelet migration inhibition test was devised to determine the presence of antiplatelet activity in serum collected from experimentally produced and natural cases of canine ehrlichiosis. The maximum platelet migration inhibition effect was observed during the acute phase of the disease and before the appearance of specific humoral antibody, measured by the indirect fluorescent-antibody test. Platelet migration inhibition may be one of the earliest events leading to pancytopenia. In most cases, sera positive for humoral antibodies also were positive for platelet migration inhibition, although no direct correlation was evident between the serological titer and the degree of platelet migration inhibition. Inoculation of dogs with uninfected canine blood did not induce the production of inhibition factor or antibody activity, which precluded a histocompatibility response to the cellular elements in the inoculum. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that the platelet inhibition factor interfered with platelet migration by inhibiting pseudopod formation. Affected platelets became rounded and showed evidence of clumping and leakage.

Animals↗

Serological evidence for a high incidence of transmission of Rickettsia tsutsugamushi in two Orang Asli settlements in Peninsular Malaysia.

Two communities of Orang Asli (aborigines) in Peninsular Malaysia were observed for evidence of Rickettsia tsutsugamushi infection over periods of 1-8 mo. Sequential sera were examined for antibody by the indirect immunofluorescence test. The incidence of infection in the two self-selected populations in the two communities was calculated to be 3.9% per month and 3.2% per month.

Adolescent↗

Identification and antigenic typing of Rickettsia tsutsugamushi in naturally infected chiggers (Acarina: Trombiculidae) by direct immunofluorescence.

Rickettsia tsutsugamushi organisms were detected and typed antigenically by direct immunofluorescence in mites from laboratory-maintained infected colonies of Leptotrombidium (Leptotrombidium) fletcheri and L. (L.) arenicola. Rickettsiae were identified most readily in unengorged larvae, but were also discernable in engorged larvae and all post-larval stages of the vectors.

Antigens↗