PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F W Tiller

Publications and source records attributed to F W Tiller.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Occupational risk for hepatitis A and hepatitis E among health care professionals?

BACKGROUND: Since transmission routes of hepatitis E virus (HEV) and hepatitis A virus (HAV) are believed to be similar, comparable risk factors and a correlation between the two seroprevalence rates may be assumed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anti-HAV and anti-HEV serology was assessed in 511 German subjects from nursing, pediatric nursing and administration groups, none of whom had been vaccinated against HAV. At the same time a standardized questionnaire on occupational and individual parameters was completed. RESULTS: Overall seroprevalence for anti-HEV was 3.9%, for anti-HAV 28%. Multivariate analysis revealed that anti-HEV seroprevalence was significantLy higher in persons working in emergency admission or in surgery, while persons working in children's psychiatry were more likely to be anti-HAV positive. Comparing the two serological resulLts, no contingency difference was found (chi2 = 0.42 (df = 1), p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Specific departments of health care show higher prevalence of anti-HAV or anti-HEV. In the case of HEV further studies in the exposed working field are needed. Since no connection between the two serological results was found, transmission mechanisms might be (partly) different.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Evaluation of a second-generation nucleic acid sequence-based amplification assay for quantification of HIV type 1 RNA and the use of ultrasensitive protocol adaptations.

Accurate assessment of plasma HIV RNA levels at low concentrations is clinically important. We evaluated a second-generation quantitative HIV RNA assay (NucliSens HIV-1 QT), and three simple adaptations of the NucliSens standard protocol to lower the lower cutoff level. The assays were evaluated in constructed panels with known HIV RNA concentrations and in clinical samples. Results were compared with those obtained with the first generation (NASBA HIV-1 QT) and with two other commercially available assays: the Amplicor HIV Monitor test and the Quantiplex assay. In a constructed panel, results obtained by NASBA QT were on average 0.13 log(10) copies/ml (SD 0.15) higher than those of NucliSens. The NucliSens assay could quantify HIV RNA in at least 50% of the samples down to 518 (2.71 log(10)) copies/ml and NASBA QT to 5.80 x 10(3) (3.76 log(10)) copies/ml). Both assays correlated well with the known input (R NucliSens = 0.99; R NASBA QT = 0.996), but results were more variable at lower input levels. With the three different ultrasensitive NucliSens adaptations, HIV RNA could be quantified in at least 50% of the samples down to 100 (2.00 log(10)), 46 (1.66 log(10)), and 10 (1.00 log(10)) copies/ml, respectively. In patient samples, Amplicor results were on average 0.11 (SD 0.20) log(10) copies/ml above, NucliSens 0.02 (SD 0.29) copies/ml above, and Quantiplex 0.13 (SD 0.19) copies/ml below the mean of the three assay results per sample. The variation remained the same over the range of RNA levels with all three assays. The NucliSens assay can quantify HIV RNA at lower levels than the NASBA QT and is comparable to other commercially available assays. The lower cutoff of the NucliSens can be lowered down to 10 copies/ml.

Clinical Protocols↗
PubMed1998

Factors influencing immunity against diphtheria in adults.

In about 50% of all adult Germans, serological immunity to diphtheria is lacking even though a vaccination history exists in most cases. In this study, the factors contributing to diphtheria immunity, up to 43 years after the last diphtheria vaccination, were analysed. Serum samples were taken from 287 adults whose complete vaccination history was available, and who had received a standard primary vaccination. The sera were tested by tissue culture neutralization assay for diphtheria antitoxin levels. The time lapse since the last diphtheria vaccination proved to be the most important factor influencing the protection rate. Secondly, the factor last vaccination within the first 3 years of life and, finally, female gender were found to correlate significantly with a low protection rate. No direct effect could be established for age, number of previous vaccinations, occupational contact with patients or travel within any endemic region during the last 10 years. Since diphtheritic infection can occur among previously vaccinated persons, the immunity gap observed among adults should be closed by regular diphtheria boosters. Special attention should be paid to the three groups mentioned. Further investigation is required to determine whether or not a single booster vaccination is sufficient to provide long-term protection for those in the risk groups indicated above.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[Tick-borne encephalitis transmitted by raw milk--what is the significance of this route of infection? Studies in the epidemic region of South-West Germany].

Despite the observation of TBE cases after consumption of raw milk from cows or goats, so far the proof of the alimentary route of human infection has not been possible. In the regions of southwestern Germany, where TBE is known to be endemic, milk-borne TBE infections have not yet been observed. To assess the significance of raw milk consumption for viral transmission, a cross-sectional study (114 forestry workers, 177 individuals exposed during their leisure-time activities, 170 non-exposed individuals) and a case-control study (50 TBE patients, 150 controls) were carried out. The results of the study show that both the time spent in the endemic region and also the professional exposure to ticks do influence TBE seroprevalence, whereas the consumption of raw milk (milk directly from the farmer) is no major risk factor for TBE infection or disease. Among leisure-time activities, only hunting has an effect comparable to the one of the professional exposure to ticks. Besides epidemiological data obtained in humans, serological investigations of cows were performed. Here it is shown that milk-producing animals are involved in the natural transmission of TBE virus. Since former studies had shown that TBE-viremic animals excrete the virus with the milk--although over a short period and in low concentrations--the occurrence of milk-borne TBE infections cannot be excluded in the endemic regions of south-western Germany. However, from the epidemiological point of view, their significance may be neglected. Vaccination has proven the most reliable means of TBE prevention, irrespective of the route of infection.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

[Diphtheria booster immunization for adults].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Nearly 50% of adults in Germany have no measurable antibody protection against diphtheria, even though most of them will have been vaccinated against it in their childhood. We investigated how vaccination should be performed in this situation to provide lasting protection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 100 adults (53 men, 47 women; mean age 27.7 [19-54] years) whose last diphtheria vaccination had been at least 10 years previously, were injected up to three times with customary commercial monovalent diphtheria vaccine for adults (5 IU toxoid/0.5 ml), at intervals of 4-8 weeks. Each time, before and 4-8 weeks after the latest injection, the antitoxin level was determined by cell-culture neutralization test. RESULTS: Before the vaccination 30 of the 100 subjects had protection against diphtheria (antitoxin level > 0.1 IU/ml), 24 had "basic immunity" (0.01 to < 0.1 IU/ml), and 46 no measurable protection (< 0.01 IU/ml). After the first booster the protection threshold had not been reached in seven of the 100, all of them women. The main determinant for the pre- and post-vaccination antitoxin level was the interval since the last vaccination. In addition, women had significantly lower pre- and postvaccination levels than men. But after the second and third booster the antitoxin level of the seven women had risen to above the protection threshold, while the geometric mean of the whole collective had fallen, despite further boosters. It was 0.015 IU/ml before vaccination, 1.156 IU/ml after the first booster, 0.924 IU/ml after the second, and 0.952 after the third. CONCLUSION: Those adults who were last vaccinated against diphtheria more than 20 years ago should have two booster shots, more than 8 weeks apart, so that the highest possible and most lasting antitoxin level can be achieved. Women in particular should have at least two booster shots, as their antitoxin response tends to be less than that of men.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Humoral immune response to membrane components of Chlamydia trachomatis and expression of human 60 kDa heat shock protein in follicular fluid of in-vitro fertilization patients.

Recent evidence suggests that Chlamydia trachomatis can persist in the female upper genital tract in an unculturable state. Since unsuspected C. trachomatis infection has been associated with adverse in-vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome we sought to detect further evidence of C. trachomatis in the genital tracts of women undergoing IVF. The prevalence and distribution of antibodies to the major structural proteins of C. trachomatis in paired follicular fluid and sera of women undergoing IVF were examined. Sera and follicular fluid samples from 149 women were assayed for immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgA antibodies to two C. trachomatis antigens, the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) and a recombinant lipopolysaccharide (rLPS) fragment. Additionally, the expression of human 60 kDa heat shock protein (hsp 60) in follicular fluid was determined. All cervical and follicular fluid samples were negative for C. trachomatis by polymerase chain reaction, ligase chain reaction and DNA probe. Sera from 60% of the subjects were positive for antichlamydial rLPS IgG; 36% were positive for anti-MOMP IgG. Similarly, rLPS-directed and MOMP-directed IgA were detected in sera of 34 and 14% of the subjects respectively. IgG antibodies to MOMP and rLPS were detected in 42 and 41% of the follicular fluid examined respectively. Anti-MOMP IgA was identified in 8.7% of the follicular fluid while 27.5% were positive for anti-rLPS IgA. Human hsp 60 expression was documented in 11.6% of the follicular fluid tested. IgA antibodies to both MOMP (P = 0.03) and rLPS (P = 0.02) in follicular fluid were associated with a failure to become pregnant after embryo transfer. IgG antibodies in sera and follicular fluid and IgA antibodies in sera were unrelated to IVF outcome. Similarly only anti-MOMP IgA (P = 0.02) and anti-rLPS IgA (P = 0.04) in follicular fluid were correlated with human hsp 60 expression in follicular fluid. The unique association between IgA antibodies to two chlamydial antigens in follicular fluid and both hsp 60 expression and IVF failure provides further support for the possibility that a persistent upper genital tract chlamydial infection contributes to IVF failure in some women.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed1990

[Parvovirus B19 infections in Germany 1987-1988].

3289 sera of patients were tested for Parvovirus B19 specific antibodies (IgM/IgG) by ELISA for routine virological diagnostics in 1987/1988. Acute B19 infection could be confirmed in 14.5%, while 24.4% were already immune and in 61.1% antibodies could not be detected. Only 0.12% of all sera were B19-DNA positive by nucleic acid hybridisation. The highest rate of acute B19 infections could be detected in the age-group of the 6-15 year old. Infections occurred above all in the period of January to July resp. August. The most frequent clinical manifestation of acute B19 infection was exanthema (54.4%) and arthritis/arthralgia (6.5%).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Beta-lactamase producing Haemophili occurrence in clinical materials and carriage in healthy children.

Beta-lactamase production was investigated in 126 H. influenzae and 15 H. parainfluenzae strains isolated in various infections. In H. influenzae the rate of beta-lactamase positive strains was 5.6%, in non-encapsulated strains it was higher (9.7%) than in capsule bearing strains (3.1%). Among beta-lactamase producing H. influenzae strains biotype II was predominant, whereas biotype I prevailed in beta-lactamase positive strains of H. parainfluenzae. A study undertaken in 101 children of a day-care nursery revealed 16.8% carriers of beta-lactamase producing Haemophili. Among the isolated strains we found the double number of H. parainfluenzae than H. influenzae strains showing beta-lactamase activity. This result supports the hypothesis of H. parainfluenzae being the reservoir of resistances plasmids in Haemophili.

Carrier State↗
PubMed1984

Bacteriuria screening and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of aerobic bacteria by an electrochemical method.

A method is described for detecting significant bacteriuria and determination of minimal inhibition concentrations (MIC's) of aerobically growing bacteria by using electrochemical electrodes to measure changes of oxygen tensions in liquid nutrient media resulting from bacterial growth. Urine specimens (n = 577) were screened electrochemically, parallel investigations were performed by standard culture methods and by photometrical measurements. All the specimens showing significant bacteriuria in standard culture were selected within 3.5 h by the electrochemical technique. An oxygen index OI was introduced which quantitatively reflects changes in oxygen tension of nutrient media during growth. OI shows good agreement with extinction and light scattering indices, respectively. On the basis of OI as a parameter of inhibited and uninhibited growth a correlation between OI and MIC's of aerobically growing bacteria was found. The electrochemical method provides an useful aid for rapid, preliminary antimicrobial susceptibility testing and definite bacteriuria screening. The application of this method in bacteriological urine diagnostics significantly reduces laboratory work and costs, and can be recommended for the screening of urine specimens to exclude negative specimens from further processing.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1984

Quantitation of Haemophilus influenzae serotype b capsular polysaccharide antigen in body fluids by enzyme immunoassay.

A heterogeneous enzyme immunoassay (EIA) has been developed to quantify capsular polysaccharide antigen of Haemophilus influenzae serotype b (Hib) polyribosyl - polyribitol -phosphate (PRP) in body fluids. Anti-Hib immunoglobulin G form rabbit adsorbed to the solid phase reacts with PRP existing in free soluble form in cerebrospinal fluid, serum or urine during Hib infection. IgG-anti-Hib labelled with horseradish peroxidase then links to PRP; the enzyme activity is measured by oxidation of the chromogenic substrate o-phenylenediamine. PRP concentrations ranged between 2 micrograms/1 to 21 mg/1 detected in acute Hib disease. The applicability of the EIA as a diagnostic aid is limited by cross-reaction of other bacterial antigens. However, quantitative measurements of PRP by enzyme immunoassay should improve studies on Hib disease.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

[Fast physiochemical methods for the detection of bacteria in the urine].

Physiochemical methods permit quantitative determinations of bacteria within 3 to 6 hrs and offer possibilities of automation in clinical bacteriology. The results photometrical bacteriuria-screening and electrochemical rapid method of oxygen partial pressure measurements in culture medium in comparison with conventional culture urine processing are presented. The method of impedance measurements is introduced in brief. At present time, electrochemical measurement of oxygen partial pressure is recommended for rapid bacteriuria screening.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed1982

Biochemical differentiation of Haemophilus influenzae. Additional characterization of biotypes by carbohydrate fermentation patterns.

A total of 295 strains of H. influenzae was characterized by serotyping and biochemotyping following the scheme of Kilian. Biotype II was the biotype most frequently seen (41.4% of the strains). The strong correlation of serotype b with biotype I was confirmed. Carbohydrate degradation was evaluated as a possible aid for further characterization of biotypes. Differing results were obtained concerning the fermentation of fructose, maltose and xylose which were classified into five carbohydrate fermentation patterns A-E. To a certain degree the carbohydrate fermentation patterns of the strains could be associated with biotypes. No conclusion could be drawn, however, from carbohydrate fermentation patterns regarding sites of isolation and probable virulence of H. influenzae strains. The results of serotyping, biochemotyping according to Kilian and carbohydrate fermentation pattern analysis were correlated with clinical syndromes associated with isolation of the strains. Carbohydrate fermentation patterns permit a further differentiation of the serotype b/biotype I strains which can cause meningitis and other severe H. influenzae infections. A far more heterogeneous distribution of biochemical characteristics in strains isolated from the respiratory tract might facilitate epidemiological studies on respiratory diseases due to H. influenzae.

Bronchitis↗