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Biomedical subjects

K M Oxley

Publications and source records attributed to K M Oxley.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Functional mapping of Toll/interleukin-1 signalling networks by expression cloning.

Multiple cellular proteins have been identified as participating in Toll/interleukin-1 receptor-mediated inflammatory gene expression. The continuing isolation of novel components, based on sequence similarities, protein-protein interactions and protein purification, suggests that many elements of this signalling network remain to be identified. We report here the development of a high-throughput functional screening platform and its application for the identification of components of inflammatory signalling networks. Our results enable us to estimate that 100-150 gene products are involved in controlling the transcription of the human interleukin 8 gene. The approach, which is simple and robust, constitutes a general method for mapping signal transduction systems and for rapid isolation of a large number of signalling components based on the control of pathways leading to regulation of gene expression.

Cloning, Molecular↗
PubMed1999

Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Chlamydia trachomatis using a reverse transcriptase PCR-based method.

The conventional method for antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Chlamydia trachomatis is subjective and potentially misleading. We have developed a reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR)-based method which is more sensitive and less subjective than the conventional method. Using 16 strains of C. trachomatis in triplicate assays, we found the RT-PCR method consistently more sensitive than the conventional technique for all eight antimicrobials tested, with resultant MICs determined by RT-PCR ranging from 1.6-fold higher (erythromycin) to >/=195-fold higher (amoxicillin).

Amoxicillin↗
PubMed1992

Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis by the polymerase chain reaction in young patients with acute epididymitis.

Specimens from 11 patients presenting with acute epididymitis were tested for the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis by an enzyme immunoassay (EIA), growth in McCoy cells and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and for other microorganisms by standard laboratory techniques. Chlamydia trachomatis urethral infection was detected in four patients by tissue culture, in three patients by EIA and in nine patients by PCR. These findings confirm the usually low detection rate of Chlamydia trachomatis by conventional tissue culture and EIA. Detection by PCR indicated both the diagnostic value of this technique and the importance of this organism in epididymitis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1989

Opsonophagocytosis of bacteria studied by chemiluminescence in microtitre plates.

A protocol for polymorphonuclear leukocyte chemiluminescence (PMN CL) assays of opsonophagocytosis was developed for a microtitre-plate luminometer. The complete procedure was performed in a single microtitre plate and was simpler and more efficient than previous protocols. The kinetics of the PMN CL response were best when microtitre plates were incubated on a shaking incubator between readings. The new protocol was used in a study of the pathogenicity of Corynebacterium jeikeium, an organism found in association with infection in the immunocompromised. No differences were found when PMN CL induction by 15 strains of C. jeikeium were compared with 15 isolates of other corynebacteria. Both groups of organisms required complement for efficient opsonophagocytosis; C. jeikeium strains showed no requirement for specific antibody. Resistance to opsonophagocytosis does not appear to be an explanation for the increased pathogenicity of C. jeikeium. Microtitre-plate luminometers are particularly well suited to bacterial opsonization studies where large numbers of strains often need to be assessed.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1989

Effect of influenza A on phagocytic cell function.

The effect of various strains of influenza virus on polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMNL) function were studied by chemiluminescence (CL) and bacterial killing assays. All virus strains induced PMNL CL and peak CL correlated with haemagglutination (HA) but not neuraminidase (NA) activity of virus pools. Heat-treatment of virus pools generally had little effect on HA activity or ability to generate a PMN CL response but almost completely destroyed NA activity. Exposure of PMNL to each of the six virus strains resulted in loss of surface-associated sialic acid and a marked depression in both zymosan-induced PMNL CL and PMNL bactericidal capacity. However, there was no correlation between the degree of PMNL functional impairment and virus NA activity and, furthermore, heat treatment of virus pools removed NA activity but generally had little effect on their ability to reduce PMNL function. NA does not appear to play a primary role in impairment of PMNL function by influenza virus.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Patterns of carriage of group B streptococci in genitourinary medicine clinic patients.

Anogenital carriage of group B streptococci was found in 46% (57/125) of men and 38% (68/179) of women attending a genitourinary medicine clinic. Colonisation with group B streptococci was more common in patients who had a history of more than one sexual partner in the preceding three months, but was not related to any previous sexually transmitted infection. Group B streptococci were isolated from either one or both partners of 28 couples, in 12 of which both partners yielded isolates that were indistinguishable by serotyping and phage typing. Colonisation with matching isolates of group B streptococci was more common in couples who had relatively stable relationships.

Adult↗