[Toxoplasmosis. Recommendations for treatment of primary toxoplasma infection in pregnancy and congenital toxoplasmosis].
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Coccidiostats↗
Biomedical subjects
J R Möse
Publications and source records attributed to J R Möse.
Prevalence of antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi flagellin in Styrian blood donors.
Lyme borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) are the most common diseases in Austria caused by tick bites. TBE endemic areas are well defined. It seemed to be of interest to compare prevalence data of antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi (B.b.) to TBE endemic and non endemic areas. Blood samples (n = 1162) were obtained from healthy blood donors in combination with a standardized questionnaire during 21 excursions to 7 selected regions of Styria, Austria. Serum samples were screened for IgG antibodies against B.b. by a commercial flagellum ELISA. None of the tested persons showed symptoms of active Lyme borreliosis. A higher prevalence of antibodies against B.b. could be found in TBE endemic areas (7.7%) compared to TBE nonendemic areas (3.8%). There was a significant increase in positive antibodies against B.b. with age, exposure and number of tick bites remembered by test persons. The antibody prevalence to B.b. flagellin antigen is significantly higher in TBE endemic areas than in non-endemic comparative regions.
Adolescent↗
AIDS and Austrian physicians.
Physicians have key roles both in treating disease and educating their patients about health and disease-related issues. To assess which factors correlate with Austrian physician's willingness to treat and educate patients about HIV-related risk behaviors and deal with AIDS issues, we conducted a survey of general practitioners, internists, and dermatologists in Graz, Austria. We report on some aspects of the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of these physicians. Factor analysis revealed two attitudinal components significantly associated with HIV-related practices of the respondents. We labeled these components Reluctance and Infection. "Reluctance" reflected discomfort with sex-related matters and was associated with less HIV counseling and less interest in HIV-related continuing medical education. "Infection" reflected a fear of contracting HIV disease and was positively associated with an increased assessment of different risk factors and a tendency to refer HIV-infected patients for all further treatment. Results suggest that physicians need further training in their ability to deal with HIV issues. Fortunately they seem willing to improve and take further training to do so. Patients, physicians, and the public would all benefit from acknowledging and dealing with the attitudes and needs of physicians toward HIV-related issues.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
Cancer mortality from 1978 to 1987 in smaller regions of Styria, Austria, with different environmental conditions.
In 1984 we have shown in a study, that regions with high air pollution have a higher respiratory cancer rate than regions without substantial air pollution. In this study 45 small regions of Styria, which can be considered homogenous from an environmental viewpoint, have been studied with respect to age standardized respiratory cancer mortality. These small regions have been classified into regions without substantial air pollution, with substantial air and substantial water pollution. Between 1978 and 1987 we have found that small regions with substantial air or water pollution show an increased age standardized respiratory cancer mortality than small regions with "good" environmental conditions. In some regions the rate was twice as high compared to regions without substantial environmental problems. The main difference was found for the age group between 60 and 75 years. Generally between 1978 and 1987 no trend has been observed, only within age groups a shift can be seen.
Adult↗
Hygienic investigation of coastal waters of the upper Adriatic Sea.
In the course of the bathing season of 1989, investigations of bathing waters were carried out in two-week intervals. From the point of view of public health, the chemical-physical and microbiological results do not suggest objections against bathing at the beach areas investigated (Grado, Lignano). However, these favorable results do not imply intact ecological conditions. National and international standards are designed for humans and allow only very limited conclusions about the living conditions of the marine ecosystem. This also means that ecological investigations are not sufficient to permit conclusions about hygienic conditions. In spite of this seeming contradiction, hygienic and ecological concerns are clearly identical. Hygienic measures must not be limited to local "cosmetic" corrections but must target foremost unfavorable basic conditions.
Enterobacteriaceae↗
[Public health measures in AIDS].
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Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
[Air pollution emissions and changes in lung function].
Among the environmental hazards in a modern industrial society, air pollutants are of major significance. They can directly affect the cells of the bronchopulmonary system and lead to an irritation of the epithelial and immunocompetent cells. This results in a decreased secretion of immunoglobulin A, and, consequently, a decreased resistance against infections. Thereby pathogens, especially bacteria, may lead to an inflammation of the respiratory tract. Apart from the direct toxic effect of their pollutants, recurrent inflammations eventually lead to small airway obstruction. The spirometric parameters FVC, FEV1 and MEF50 were reduced. IgA concentration in the saliva was determined by means of immunodiffusion and was found to be reduced when compared to a less exposed group. A series of pathogenic germs were isolated from various mucous membranes (conjunctiva, nose/throat). The median immissions for the children examined were 1.345 mg/m3 SO2 and 0.189 mg/m3 HCl.
Air Pollutants↗
Toxicokinetics of chlorinated hydrocarbons.
Substitution of ethylene with halogen atoms leads to a highly effective compound with a strongly lipophilic character. The most important solvent in the dry cleaning process is tetrachloroethylene (PER). Owing to its physical-chemical properties, it has become a ubiquitous environmental pollutant. The uptake of small amounts of PER through polluted drinking water does not lead to liver damage as originally suspected. On the one hand, PER is taken up by erythrocyte membranes, on the other, it interacts with chylomicrons. Thereby two transportmechanisms are provided by for PER. Consequently, various physiological functions of both transport systems are disturbed. The erythrocytes increasingly disintegrate and are broken down in the spleen. Of all organs, the spleen shows the highest concentration of PER. Also, disturbances in the lipid metabolism occur because chylomicrons are broken down at a slower rate. Thereby, serum triglyceride concentration increases. These lipids are increasingly stored in the fatty tissue leading to the high accumulation of PER. A toxicological evaluation of chlorinated hydrocarbons should therefore take into account the changes in the blood system and in the lipoprotein metabolism.
Animals↗
[Studies on bronchopulmonary lesions caused by formaldehyde in homes].
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Air Pollutants↗
Lead, cadmium, mercury and insecticide residue control of fresh vegetables.
Comparative investigations were carried out for heavy metals and heptenophos the sole used insecticide in used water, soil samples and harvest vegetables of a fresh cultivation region and of supplies of large plants. If one compares the recommended levels given with the levels found in the different types of vegetables investigated (cucumber, green pepper, tomatoes) then the values found lie far below the recommended levels.
Cadmium↗
[Risk of AIDS and prevention in the hospital and general practice].
Following an explanation of the most important routes of infection, there are general recommendations for protection against HIV-infection. Part 2 discusses AIDS risks and prophylaxis in the hospitals and in the offices of physicians. This discussion includes both, general aspects and specific medical questions. Both among medical workers and among the general population, HIV-infection can be prevented by adequate measures, sufficient knowledge and determination.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
Sialic acid as a marker for differentiation between benign and malignant intracranial tumors.
One of the characteristics of malignant tumor cells is the production of glycocompounds with a high content of N-acetylneuraminic acid (sialic acid). Total sialic acid concentration was determined in the serum of 136 patients with an intracranial tumor. The concentration was determined enzymatically and using HPLC. Both methods had a relatively high specificity (90%), provided an inflammatory process due to an infection could be excluded. Sensitivity was 72.6%; the cut-off level of sialic acid concentration was determined to be 2.75 mumol/ml. There was a significant difference in the average sialic acid concentration of benign and malignant tumors. The test was least reliable in determining whether the growth of an astrocytoma is malignant.
Adolescent↗
[Aircraft noise: changes in biochemical parameters].
The effect of stress caused by aircraft noise was studied on 14 female and 11 male volunteers, who were of a age ranging from 21 to 42 years and of a mean age of 25 years. The volunteers were exposed to an aircraft simulator that stimulated the low level flight of an air force plane and produced a maximum noise level of 105 dB(A) for 3 sec. in a short time. Before and immediately after the exposure, the concentration of ACTH was measured by means of a radioimmunoassay. The ACTH is a hormone, responsible for initiating a chain reaction that is characteristic for a stress reaction. In 100% of the cases the concentration of this hormone increased. It reached a pathological level in 28% of the cases. The effect on the lipid metabolism was expressed by an increase of total cholesterol and a decrease of the triglycerides in the serum. A slight increase in blood sugar which, together with the free fatty acids, is relatively quickly reduced to energy, could be determined. The aircraft noise did not influence the activity of the liver transaminases in any way. A short-term exposure to aircraft noise is able to stimulate a stress reaction, whereby, the determination of the ACTH offers valuable informations.
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
Oncolysis by Clostridium oncolyticum M55 and subsequent enzymatic determination of sialic acid in serum.
Since the discovery of the "Clostridium tetani phenomenon", various apathogenic clostridia have been used for tumour lysis. Experiments have been conducted to achieve a tumour diagnosis using radiolabelled antibodies to clostridia. In addition, a method has been described that distinguishes, with variable success, between healthy and tumour-carrying animals by means of hemagglutination. The method outlined here uses the fact that malignant cells produce a multitude of sialic acid compounds which lie on the cell membrane and are also connected to the lipid layer of the tumour cell membrane. The apathogenic Clostridium oncolyticum M55 only germinates and multiplies in the malignant tumour tissue. Thus; bacterial hydrolases can enter the tumour tissue and lead to oncolysis. Subsequently the glycocompounds which can be detected by means of an enzymatic determination of the concentration of neuraminic acid (one of the sialic acids) in the serum are washed out into the peripheral blood. We observed these processes in mice in the Ehrlich ascites solid carcinoma and in the Lewis lung carcinoma. Using this method it was possible to detect tumour growth at an early stage with impressive accuracy. The Lewis lung carcinoma which secretes only small amounts of sialic acid glycocompounds cannot be distinguished from the control group by determination of sialic acid concentration. It was possible to detect a 52% increase in the amount of sialic acid after administration of spores of clostridia. This method makes it possible to increase the tumour marker sialic acid through manipulation of the tumour, using apathogenic clostridia, and to measure of sialic acid concentration as an indicator of the metabolic products of the tumour.
Animals↗
[Identification of health endangering substances in air pollution].
In a health-related evaluation of the environment, timely recognition of possible health hazards is of much greater significance than describing health injuries that have already occurred. The following model has been found to be workable: The entire study consists of 4 parts which are quite significant when compared with each other and analyzed statistically. (1) Detailed interviews with physicians in practice in the area examined (2) Spirometric tests among school children in third and fourth grades (elementary school) (3) Questionnaires to be completed by the parents of the school children examined, in which the questions implied in (1) are also included. (4) The results obtained are compared to the available data pertaining to the air quality in the region. Possible exposure to adverse indoor conditions in schools and homes are also taken into consideration.
Adolescent↗
Serological examinations of HIV-I virus in Sudan.
1614 blood samples from men and women in the Upper Nile region, Melut district (southern Sudan) were examined for HIV-antibodies. 109 samples were positive twice in the ELISA test, and 18 (1.1%) were confirmed by the IFT and Western Blot test.
Antibodies, Viral↗
Serological examination for HIV-I antibodies in Nicaragua, Columbia and El Salvador.
22 of 182 sera samples from Nicaragua, 6 of 111 samples from Columbia, and 25 of 388 samples from El Salvador were positive in the ELISA test. 37 of the 53 positive sera samples were positive again in a further ELISA test, and 1 of them was positive in the IFT and Western Blot test.
Colombia↗
[Antibodies to Yersinia enterocolitica in immunogenic thyroid diseases].
In 1976 Shenkman et al. revealed that in patients with thyroid disorders antibodies against Yersinia enterocolitica could be demonstrated in increased frequency. In 1983 Ingbar et al. first established that the gram-negative bacterium Yersinia enterocolitica shows on its surface saturable binding sites for thyrotropin (TSH). If such binding sites resemble immunologically human TSH receptors this would indicate that TSH receptor antibodies could be produced in selected individuals having been infected with bacteria showing TSH receptors. The aim of our study was to compare the incidence of antibodies against Yersinia enterocolitica in two groups of thyroid disorders which are either immunogenic (Graves' disease and Hashimoto thyroiditis) or non-immunogenic (toxic adenomas, endemic goitre). In our series of 111 patients antibodies against Yersinia enterocolitica were demonstrated in a significantly higher percentage (36.3%) in patients suffering from immunogenic than in patients with non-immunogenic thyroid disorders (19.6%). The antibody titres were mainly directed towards Yersinia subtypes 8 and 3. It may, therefore, be assumed that the gram-negative bacterium Yersinia enterocolitica may have an active part in triggering immunogenic thyroid diseases such as Graves' disease or Hashimoto thyroiditis.
Adolescent↗