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Biomedical subjects

E Bäck

Publications and source records attributed to E Bäck.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Seasonal fluctuations in the occurrence of enterotoxigenic bacteria and rotavirus in paediatric diarrhoea in Addis Ababa.

This study (March 1977-February 1978) was performed at the Ethio-Swedish Pediatric Clinic, Addis Ababa, to determine whether there were any seasonal fluctuations in the occurrence of diarrhoea associated with enterotoxigenic enterobacteria (ETEB), rotavirus and two parasites (Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica).A total of 1161 children (962 patients and 199 controls) were investigated. ETEB were isolated in 12.2% of the patients and 4.5% of the controls, rotavirus in 27.8% and 8%, and parasites in 6.8% and 1%, respectively. There is a statistically significant difference in the isolation rates between patients and controls (P<0.001 for rotavirus, P<0.01 for ETEB and parasites). Rotavirus was most prevalent in the 7-12 months age group and ETEB during the second year of life, while parasites showed a continuous increase with age.Two peaks in the occurrence of ETEB were found during the year, the first in August (32.6%), the second in January (19.2%). Two peaks for rotavirus though not as distinct as for ETEB, were seen in June (42.7%) and November (36.4%). The isolation rate of parasites showed no consistent pattern during the year.This study suggests a seasonal occurrence of ETEB and rotavirus but with no apparent correlation to climatological factors.

Child↗

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and other gram-negative bacteria of infantile diarrhea: surface antigens, hemagglutinins, colonization factor antigen, and loss of enterotoxigenicity.

Heat-labile enterotoxin (LT)-producing Escherichia coli and other enteric bacteria isolated from diarrheal Ethiopian children were studied for O and K antigen, production of heat-stable enterotoxin (ST), stability of LT production, properties of mannose-resistant hemagglutination (MRHA) (indicative of adhesive properties), and colonization factor antigen (CFA). Of the E. coli strains, 33% possessed O6, O8, or O78; 93% of these were stable producers of LT, and 86% produced both Lt and ST. O78 strains possessed CFA/I, whereas O6 and O8 strains possessed CFA/II. The E. coli with O antigens other than O6, O8, or O78, as well as the non-E. coli bacteria tended to lose their ability to produce LT; only 16% produced ST, and they only occasionally showed MRHA properties. The former group of E. coli strains might be considered as true enteropathogenic bacteria (enterovirulent E. coli), which may be identified serologically, while the pathogenic significance of the diversified latter group remains less certain.

Agglutination Tests↗

Immunoglobulin prophylaxis against hepatitis A among Swedish UN soldiers in an endemic region.

Six hundred and fifteen Swedish soldiers (X = 24.9 years) serving with the UN forces in Cyprus were tested for antibody against hepatitis A (anti-HAV) before and after six months' service. Before the service, a high susceptibility to hepatitis A was found, as only 2.3% (14/615) had anti-HAV. In comparison, the prevalence of anti-HAV among 124 native Cypriots (X = 23.9 years) was 97% (120/124), which showed Cyprus to be a region where hepatitis A is endemic. The soliders were given immunoglobulin (IG) prophylaxis (2 ml of 16.5% IG) against hepatitis A very third month. The incidence of subclinical seroconversion against hepatitis A among the Swedish soliders was 0.2% (1/615). It was concluded that the IG-prophylaxis scheme used seems to be highly effective and probably completely prevents even subclinical seroconversion against hepatitis A in non-immune persons in regions where hepatitis A is endemic.

Adolescent↗

Evaluation of a ganglioside immunosorbent assay for detection of Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin.

The GM1 ganglioside enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (GM1-ELISA), an immunological method for detection of Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin (LT), was quantitatively and qualitatively compared with the conventional adrenal cell test for the identification of LT-producing strains. A micromodification model of the assay was developed. Enterotoxin preparations from 120 E. coli isolates from individuals with diarrhea, which had been previously shown to be enterotoxigenic by the adrenal cell test, and from 44 control strains of E. coli were compared in parallel by the two methods. Quantitatively the covariation of the enterotoxin titers was highly significant (RS = 0.98, P less than 0.001), the GM1-ELISA being somewhat more sensitive than the adrenal cell test. The methodological error was less than 5% in both tests. Qualitatively the overall agreement for positive and negative reactions for the two methods was 89%. The GM1-ELISA is practical for routine use in the diagnosis of enterotoxigenic E. coli, especially in laboratories without facilities for cell culture.

Adrenal Glands↗

Enterotoxin-producing bacteria stools from Swedish United Nations soldiers in Cyprus.

A study was designed to establish the role of heat-labile enterotoxin producing Escherichia coli and other intestinal pathogens in diarrhoeal disease in Swedish soldiers of the United Nations' Force in Cyprus. Before leaving Sweden for Cyprus, no enteropathogens were isolated from the soldiers. The study was performed from October 1975 through January 1976 and in August 1976. Enterotoxigenic strains of E. coli, Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter cloacae and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the intestinal pathogens most frequently isolated from the cases of diarrhoea. Such strains were found in 14 of 79 diarrhoeal cases (18%) but also in 6 of 66 (9%) of next-bed-fellow controls and in 7 of 139 (5%) of healthy Cypriotic civilians. Few other pathogens were identified in the soldiers, but 9 of 139 (6%) of the Cypriots were carriers of cysts of Giardia lamblia. The results indicate that enterotoxigenic bacteria were probably the most important cause of diarrhoea of those agents identified among the Swedish UN soldiers on Cyprus. Several soldiers were colonized with these strains without contracting diarrhoea.

Bacteria↗

Metronidazole treatment of liver abscess due to bacteroides fragilis.

A 67-year-old woman with a liver abscess due to Bacteroides fragilis was treated with metronidazole 0.4 g orally every 8 h for 6 weeks. There was a rapid clinical improvement even though no surgical drainage was performed. By the indirect immunofluorescence technique using the patient's own strain as an antigen the antibody titer declined from 5120 to 80 in 6 months, suggesting eradication of the infecting agent.

Administration, Oral↗

Cytomegalovirus infection associated with severe encephalitis.

A previously healthy 37-year-old woman had a 5-week febrile disease starting 10 days after delivery, which was complicated by disseminated intravascular coagulation and treated with fresh blood transfusions. She developed severe encephalitis with coma. She also had signs of perimyocarditis and enlargement of liver and lymph nodes. The encephalitis was completely reversible. There was a 16-fold rise in complement-fixing antibodies against cytomegalovirus.

Adult↗

An epidemic of Salmonella typhimurium infection among aircraft passengers.

In February 1976 an outbreak of gastroenteritis occurred among 819 aircraft passengers to and from Gran Canaria. 360 of them had gastroenteritis and 88 were hospitalized. Fecal specimens were collected from 710 of the passengers and 344 of them were positive for Salmonella typhimurium phage type 15. Food served on the flight was the source of infection. The repeated incidences of this kind support the necessity of laying down rules and recommendations for the control of air catering services.

Aircraft↗

Enterotoxin antibodies in relation to diarrhoea in Swedish soldiers in Cyprus.

The development of antibodies to Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) and its relationship to diarrhoea was studied in two Swedish battalions (one in the winter, WB, and one in the summer, SB) of the United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus. Whereas only 6-15% of the soldiers had detectable levels of anti-LT antibodies in their sera before leaving Sweden, as many as 69% of the SB and 43% of the WB soldiers who developed diarrhoea in Cyprus acquired significant titres of enterotoxin antibodies in their sera (acute phase serum). During the summer, many soldiers without diarrhoea also obtained anti-LT antibodies, whereas no such response was observed in healthy soldiers during the winter. Civilian Turkish Cypriots had positive sera in high frequency (60-66%) during both study periods. Parallel titration of positive sera against E. coli LT and cholera toxin indicated that the enterotoxin-neutralizing antibodies registered were induced by bacteria producing enterotoxin identical or closely related to LT.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗