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Biomedical subjects

M C Steinhoff

Publications and source records attributed to M C Steinhoff.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Comparison of techniques for the estimation of the prevalence of poliomyelitis in developing countries.

Although reliable data on the prevalence and trends of paralytic poliomyelitis are necessary for health planning, they are often difficult to obtain in developing countries. Comparisons were made of the cost and the time taken to obtain prevalence rates of residual poliomyelitis paralysis in a single community by (1) a surveillance and reporting system using physicians and other practitioners, (2) a school survey covering grades 1 to 12, (3) annual surveys of grade 1 schoolchildren, and (4) a house-to-house questionnaire survey. These techniques gave poliomyelitis prevalence rates of 3-5 per 1000 school-age children, and poliomyelitis incidence rates of 12-29 per 100 000 population per year. The annual grade 1 school survey was the cheapest and easiest to carry out and appears reliable in areas with a high rate of school enrolment.

Adolescent↗

Review of coccidioidomycosis in immunocompromised children.

Only 13 cases of coccidioidomycosis in immunocompromised children have been previously reported. Of the reported cases, seven children had extrapulmonary involvement and died, while the six children with disease limited to the lungs survived the infection. A leukemic child who was treated for disseminated coccidioidomycosis and survived is described. Reviews of immunocompromised adult patients with coccidioidomycosis suggest factors that might be related to dissemination. Similar factors for immunocompromised children could not be defined, thus suggesting the need for more information regarding coccidioidomycosis.

Child, Preschool↗

Group C Neisseria meningitidis variant polysaccharide vaccines in children.

The currently United States-licensed group C Neisseria meningitidis vaccine, composed of the O-acetyl-positive capsular polysaccharide, is poorly immunogenic and does not afford protection from disease to infants and young children. Group C N. meningitidis O-acetyl-negative polysaccharide vaccine induces higher titers in adults than does the O-acetyl-positive vaccine. We compared the immunogenicity of these vaccines in 2-year-old children. Reactions were minimal and did not differ between the two vaccines. The postvaccination geometric mean titer was twofold greater in the O-acetyl-negative group (1.58 versus 0.73 micrograms of antibody per ml). The rates of decline in titer were similar in both groups. Further study regarding immunogenicity of and the anamnestic response to the O-acetyl-negative vaccine is warranted in the age group (less than 18 months) at highest risk for invasive meningococcal disease.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗

Breast milk antibody to the capsular polysaccharide of Haemophilus influenzae type b.

Breast milk has a high concentration of secretory immunoglobulin and potentially could serve as a source of passive antibody protection of infants against systemic invasion by Haemophilus influenzae type b. Specific antibody to the capsular polysaccharide of this organism was detected in the colostrum and all subsequent milk samples in 11 of 12 women with a radioactive antigen binding assay. The geometric mean concentrations of antibody were 1.99 microgram/ml in colostrum and 0.18 microgram/ml in breast milk at six weeks and after four and one-half to six months of lactation. Antibody levels in colostrum correlated positively with those in subsequent milk samples; levels after six weeks of lactation correlated highly with those present after four and one-half to six months of lactation. IgA was the predominant immunoglobulin class of anticapsular antibody in the colostrum and milk samples as detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Adult↗

Respiratory syncytial virus serology by a simplified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

A simplified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) which utilized commercially available reagents was developed for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-specific immunoglobulin G. An analysis of the inherent variation of the assay allowed the setting of strict criteria for determining a significant change in RSV antibodies. The ELISA was more sensitive than the standard complement fixation or microneutralization tests in a carefully studied group of 32 RSV-infected adults. The ELISA correlated closely with complement fixation serological testing in 25 patients. The use of purified antigens might allow the development of a more sensitive ELISA.

Adult↗

Bismuth subsalicylate therapy of viral gastroenteritis.

The therapeutic efficacy of bismuth subsalicylate was examined in a randomized double-blind fashion in 59 volunteers who were inoculated with Norwalk agent. Sixty-eight percent of the volunteers demonstrated seroconversion; 57% became ill. The severity and duration of the illness in 32 volunteers in the treatment and placebo groups were compared. Significant reduction in the severity and duration of abdominal cramps (P less than 0.01) and in the median duration of GI symptoms (P less than 0.05) was noted in the treatment group. There was no difference in the number, weight, or water content of stools, or in the rate of viral excretion between the two groups. The median duration of illness was 20 hr in the treatment group and 27 hr in the placebo group (0.1 greater than P greater than 0.05).

Adolescent↗

RNA polymerase associated with human rotaviruses in diarrhea stools.

RNA polymerase activity was detected in six stools which were partially purified by high-speed centrifugation from infants with rotavirus gastroenteritis, but was not detected in five stools which were negative for rotavirus by counterimmunoelectrophoresis and radioimmunoassay. The polymerase activity was associated with the 1.38-g/ml rotavirus band after purification in a CsCl gradient.

Centrifugation, Density Gradient↗

Viruses and diarrhea--a review.

A critical analysis of the literature shows that only a few viral agents have been proved by accepted criteria to cause acute gastroenteritis. Rotavirus, of the RNA family reoviridae, is the cause of most childhood gastroenteritis. The parvovirus-like agents (Norwalk, Hawaii, MC, and W) are proved agents of epidemic gastroenteritis. There is good evidence that the Marcy, FS, and Niigata agents were the causes of gastroenteritis outbreaks. Thirty percent of all acute gastroenteritis episodes in large investigations are still etiologically unaccounted for. Much work remains to be done on define the pathogenesis and immunology of viral gastroenteritides.

Diarrhea↗