PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Votava

Publications and source records attributed to M Votava.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Preservation of Haemophilus influenzae and Haemophilus parainfluenzae at -70 degrees C.

We have studied the viability of Haemophilus spp. preserved for 5 to 12 months at -70 degrees C. The following media were used: Laboratoire de Santé Publique du Québec (LSPQ) preservation medium, trypticase soy broth with 10 degrees C (vol/vol) glycerol and 40 degrees C (vol/vol) horse serum (TSBG), and Levinthal's broth (LB) medium. Three clinical isolates of both H. influenzae and H. parainfluenzae were used. After 5 months no differences in viability were observed between strains preserved in TSBG and strains preserved in LB, but a significant loss of viability was observed in strains preserved in LSPQ medium. No significant changes in antimicrobial susceptibility were observed after 5-month storage in any medium. After 12 months, TSBG appeared to be the most suitable cryopreservation medium for the six strains tested. We conclude that TSBG represents a good medium for the maintenance of Haemophilus spp. at -70 degrees C for up to 1 year.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Alprazolam withdrawal and tolerance measured in the social conflict test in mice.

RATIONALE: It is difficult to assess withdrawal from benzodiazepines, and preclinical assessment of behaviour during social conflict offers the opportunity to quantify tolerance and withdrawal by measuring aggressive, defensive and social behaviour. The relationship between benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms and the development of tolerance is not well understood. Are withdrawal symptoms dependent on the development of tolerance? OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to compare the development of tolerance to alprazolam effects on the behavioural repertoire during the social conflict test in mice, and to determine whether or not behavioural changes during alprazolam withdrawal are correlated with the development of tolerance. METHODS: An experimental model consisting of interactions of pairs of singly housed male mice with non-aggressive group-housed male mice was used. Alprazolam (1 mg/kg) was given orally once or repeatedly (twice daily) for 8 or 21 days. Behaviour was measured, based on videoanalysis, in aggressive mice before treatment, 30 min or 3 days after the last dose, respectively. RESULTS: A single administration of alprazolam significantly reduced aggressive activities and increased social investigation without changing locomotion or other behaviour. Tolerance developed to the inhibitory effects of alprazolam on aggressive behaviour but not to the effects of alprazolam to increase social investigation. When withdrawn from alprazolam, mice exhibited less social investigation and locomotion while aggression tended to be increased. CONCLUSIONS: Tolerance to the alprazolam effects on aggressive and social behaviour developed at different rates suggesting that they are differentially regulated. Furthermore, the evidence of withdrawal responses appearing in a behaviour to which tolerance had not developed does suggest that tolerance and withdrawal phenomena are dissociated in benzodiazepines.

Alprazolam↗
PubMed2001

Use of GBS media for rapid detection of group B streptococci in vaginal and rectal swabs from women in labor.

In order to evaluate the differences in efficacy, three methods were used to detect group B streptococci (GBS) in women in labor. The recommended method for detecting GBS carriage in pregnant women is to culture vaginal and anorectal swabs in a selective broth medium and to subculture them onto blood agar. This method was compared with the use of GBS agar and GBS broth, both of which produce an orange pigment in response to GBS strains. A total of 319 women in labor were screened. Among the 638 specimens tested, 134 (21%) were positive in the selective Todd-Hewitt broth subcultured onto sheep blood agar, 133 (20.8%) were positive on the GBS agar and 126 (19.7%) were positive in the GBS broth. Altogether, 89 (27.9%) women in labor were found to be colonized with GBS; 87 (97.8%) of them were identified as carriers using the Todd-Hewitt broth, 87 (97.8%) with the GBS agar and 86 (96.6%) with the GBS broth. These results indicate that both GBS agar and GBS broth are reliable methods that can be used to screen for maternal and neonatal GBS colonization.

Carrier State↗
PubMed2001

[Detection of Arcanobacterium haemolyticum in primoculture using the reverse CAMP test].

Arcanobacterium haemolyticum was isolated from 8,641 throat swabs in 49 cases (0.56%), from patients aged 16 to 24 years only, twice more often from men than from women. The isolation was achieved on sheep blood agar supplemented with streak with Staphylococcus aureus strain producing beta-lysine. In all cases the presence of A. haemolyticum colonies was disclosed by the irregular periphery of haemolysis around the staphylococcal streak after the 48-hour incubation. The technique described should be used as a standard procedure for examining throat swabs.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2001

[Detection of Arcanobacterium haemolyticum phospholipase D neutralizing antibodies in patients with acute tonsillitis].

Neutralization test carried on a non-nutrient blood agar prepared from sheep erythrocytes sensibilized with equi factor of Rhodococcus equi was used for the detection of antibodies against phospholipase D (PLD) of Arcanobacterium haemolyticum. Altogether, 433 sera from 404 patients aged 1 to 25 years with the signs of acute tonsillitis were examined. Antibodies against PLD were found in 28 patients (6.9%). In 116 sera from persons without the signs of tonsillitis the antibodies against PLD were detected in one case (0.9%). The titres reached the values from 4 to 64. Out of 84 paired sera, the significant change of the titre, i.e. at least the four-fold one, was observed five times: three times as the seroconversions, twice as the declines of the titre. The antibodies were found most often in children aged 11 to 15 years, 10 times out of 97 (10.3%). In 253 patients with the tonsillitis, the result of the parallel bacteriologic examinations of throat swabs was at the disposal. A. haemolyticum was successfully isolated in 3 cases, but only owing to the inhibition of staphylococcal hemolysis around its colonies. All three cases were also serologically positive. Consequently, our results show that neutralizing antibodies against PLD of A. haemolyticum can be detected in patients with tonsillitis.

Actinomycetales↗
PubMed2001

[Experimental pharmacotherapy in sensitization to the effects of opioids].

Sensitization is a phenomenon which might contribute to addiction and psychic dependence. Contrary to tolerance, sensitization is characterized by increased behavioural response after repeated administration of a drug. This article reviews findings on experimental treatment of sensitization to opioids measured mostly by changes of locomotion in mice and rats and considers possible neurobiological mechanisms of sensitization to opioids. A number of drugs affecting opioid, dopaminergic, glutamatergic, gabaergic and serotoninergic systems have been tested in experimental therapy and prevention of sensitization to opioids. However, none of the substances tested until now has proved to be perfect in this respect. On the other hand, there are substances that seem to be promising for treatment or prevention of sensitization to opioids, but have not been tested as yet.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

[Chlamydia pneumoniae and myocardial infarct? (Serologic study)].

At disposal for tests were 156 blood sera collected from patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI samples) and 67 blood sera collected from control persons. The sera were tested by the following reactions: complement fixation test (CFT) with genus-specific antigen (C. psittaci, Bioveta, Ivanovice na Hané), ELISA in the immunoglobulin classes IgG and IgA using the MOMP (Vircell, Spain) and LPS (MEDAC, Hamburg, BRD) Chlamydia pneumoniae (C. p.) antigens, and indirect immunofluorescence test with MOMP C. p. antigen (MRL Diagnostics, USA). Eight AMI samples were not tested by CFT owing to haemolyis or lipaemia. CFT titres ranging from 1:4 to 1:16 were found in 28 of the 148 AMI samples (18.9%) and 3 of the 67 control samples (4.5%). The between-group difference was highly significant (chi 2 = 7.795 at 0.01). Positive by rELISA anti LPS C. p. were 89 of the 155 AMI samples (57%) and 22 of the 62 control samples (35%). Also this difference was highly significant (chi 2 = 8.528; alpha = 1%). The following conclusions can be drawn from the results: 1. Chlamydia pneumoniae can play an important role in the aetiology of atherosclerosis leading to AMI. 2. rELISA anti-LPS can be recommended for routine serological diagnostics of C. pneumoniae and studies of its role in the aetiology of atherosclerosis. 3. The complement fixation test is still suitable for the screening of human chlamydiosis.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed2000

Production of slime by staphylococcal isolates from blood cultures.

The aim was to examine the ability of staphylococci isolated from blood cultures to produce slime and to compare the slime production of strains considered clinically significant and of strains considered mere contaminants. The ability to produce slime was examined in 359 staphylococcal isolates from blood cultures by the congo red agar method. The clinical significance of an isolate was estimated according to the frequency of its occurrence in a series of blood cultures. Only strains isolated at least twice from the series of two or more blood cultures were considered significant. The slime production was detected in 18 of 32 strains (56.2%) of Staphylococcus aureus, in 61 of 231 strains (26.4%) of S. epidermidis and in 14 of 101 strains (14.6%) of the remaining seven species. Out of 80 strains considered significant, 33 strains (41.2%) produced slime, out of 132 strains considered contaminants, 24 strains (18.2%) were slime producers. The significance of the remaining isolates was non-evaluable. We conclude that the staphylococcal isolates from blood cultures considered clinically significant produced slime more often than the isolates considered mere contaminants.

Biofilms↗
PubMed2000

[A diagnostic medium for Arcanobacterium haemolyticum and other bacterial species reacting with hemolytic synergism to the equi-factor of Rhodococcus equi].

Colonies of Arcanobacterium haemolyticum on common blood agar can be easily overlooked. Therefore a diagnostic medium was developed, on which A. haemolyticum colonies produce a conspicuous zone of complete hemolysis. The medium under question is blood agar prepared from the Columbia Blood Agar Base and 5% washed sheep erythrocytes sensitised with equi factor (EF) of Rhodococcus equi. Optimally, 10 activity units (AU) of EF per 1 ml were used. EF was titrated on a non-nutrient medium consisting of agar Purified (Difco) and 5% washed sheep erythrocytes sensitized with beta-haemolysin (BL) of Staphylococcus aureus, 10 AU/ml. On the same medium, staphylococcal BL was titrated on the basis of its direct haemolytic effect. Despite the very distinct haemolytic reaction of the control strains evident on the diagnostic medium with EF, A. haemolyticum failed to grow from 2.597 throat swabs examined especially for the particular microbe during the a period of two years. However, A. haemolyticum was isolated on this medium twice from 223 swabs from wounds and skin lesions. The proposed medium makes also the rapid diagnosis of species Corynebacterium ulcerans, Dermatophilus congolensis and Listeria monocytogenes on the basis of haemolytic synergism possible.

Actinomycetales↗
PubMed1998

Inhibition of bacterial pathogens by lactobacilli.

Lactobacilli produce many antimicrobial substances including organic acids, hydrogen peroxide and bacteriocins. Antagonistic activity of lactobacilli is an important factor in the protection of the vagina of fertile women against infection by certain pathogens. In the present study, we investigated 17 strains of lactobacilli, including 11 strains of vaginal origin. The aim was to investigate in more detail the antibacterial activity of lactobacilli and to attempt to assess substances responsible for inhibition. The investigated lactobacilli inhibited some strains of Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, Shigella boydii, Listeria monocytogenes, Listeria ivanovii, Listeria innocua and Staphylococcus aureus. We have provided evidence that inhibition is due mainly to organic acids and to a lesser extent, to bacteriocins.

Agar↗
PubMed1998

Phospholipase D-neutralization in serodiagnosis of Arcanobacterium haemolyticum and Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infections.

Phospholipase D (PLD) neutralization was used to examine sera of humans (n = 40) with a spontaneous infection by Arcanobacterium haemolyticum, sheep and goats (n = 76 and 79 respectively) with a spontaneous infection by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, mice (n = 26) experimentally immunized with PLD from A. haemolyticum (PLD-A) and mice (n = 28) experimentally immunized with PLD from C. pseudotuberculosis (PLD-C). PLD-A and PLD-C were also used as neutralizing antigens. A positive result of neutralization was due to an inhibition of the haemolytic synergism with the equi factor from Rhodococcus equi. The titres of sera neutralizing the homologous PLD were always significantly higher than those neutralizing the heterologous PLD. The proportion of sera that were able to neutralize the homologous PLD in sheep, goats and mice immunized with PLD-A significantly exceeded the proportion of sera that neutralized the heterologous PLD. The antigenic properties of PLD-A and PLD-C were similar but not identical.

Actinomycetales↗
PubMed1998

[Antibacterial activity of lactobacilli].

The antagonistic action of lactobacilli is an important factor in the protection of the vagina of fertile women from infection by other microorganisms. In the present study the authors investigated 17 strains of lactobacilli, incl. 11 of vaginal origin. The objective was to investigate in more detail the antibacterial activity of lactobacilli and to attempt to assess substances responsible for inhibition. The investigated lactobacilli inhibited some strains of Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, Shigella boydii, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Listeria innocua and Listeria ivanovii with different intensity. The authors provided evidence that inhibition is due mainly to organic acids and to a lesser extent to bacteriocins. The authors assessed also the effect of enterobacteria on lactobacilli but did not observe any inhibition of lactobacilli.

Antibiosis↗
PubMed1997

[Review of 105 cases of isolation of Rhodococcus equi in humans].

BACKGROUND: Rhodococcus equi (formerly Corynebacterium) has been long considered an exclusively zoopathogenic microbe causing mainly granulomatous pneumonias and lung abscesses in young foals. The aim of this paper was to analyse substantial features of R, equi infections hitherto reported in man. METHODS AND RESULTS: MEDLINE database was searched for relevant reports. When the original source was not obtained the data from reviews were employed. Together, 105 cases of R, equi infection in man were reported. Median age was 35 years with a range from 9 months to 83 years. The male: female ratio was 3.3. Lungs were involved in 72 cases (69%), extrapulmonary abscesses as the only symptom of infection were described in 9 cases, septic state in 7 cases. Clinical outcome was known in 98 cases, being fatal in 41 (42%). Therapy was mentioned in 70 reports, the most often used drugs being erythromycin (30 cases, 12 deaths), rifampicin (19 cases, 7 deaths) and vancomycin (18 cases, 6 deaths). R. equi was isolated from the sputum of 69% patients with the pulmonary involvement. Blood cultures were positive in 35% of cases. Out of total, 49% persons were HIV positive. Median age for HIV positive patients was 32 years with a range from 18 to 71 years, for HIV negative patients 52 years with a range from 9 months to 83 years. There were 97% males in the HIV positive group in contrast to 59% in the HIV negative group (p < 0.01). Lungs were involved in 90% of HIV positive and 48% of HIV negative cases (p < 0.01). Extrapulmonary abscesses as the only sign of infection were seen in 2% of HIV positive persons and in 15% of HIV negative ones (p < 0.05). Outcome was fatal for 60% of the HIV positive hosts and for 28% of the HIV negative individuals (p < 0.01). R. equi was isolated from the sputum of 80% pneumonic HIV positive patients and of 50% of pneumonic patients without HIV infection (p < 0.05). R. equi was detected in the blood of 67% of HIV positive patients and of 33% of HIV negative ones (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of published reports shows that whereas R. equi causes mainly pneumonia in persons with HIV infection, in HIV negative individuals extrapulmonary manifestations slightly prevail, most often abscesses, sepsis, eye involvement and wound infections.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1997

[Detection of DNA specific for Mycobacterium tuberculosis in archeological material using the polymerase chain reaction].

The paleopathological diagnosis of bone tuberculosis in archeological findings may be confirmed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). If the M. tuberculosis-specific DNA fragment is amplified, then the presence of this microorganism in the sample is demonstrated. The pilot study presented investigated whether our molecular biology laboratory can collaborate with anthropologists in paleopathological analyses and to verify the use of the commercial diagnostic kit Cleanmix (Talent, Italy), for DNA isolation from archeological samples. The results were compared with the conclusions of anthropologists. Successful amplification of specific DNA fragments was achieved in a specimen from the period of the 13th to 15th century. The specimen consists of four thoracic vertebrae modified by osseous tuberculosis (gibbus). The PCR result was also positive in a five-year-old femur sample of a patient with chronic pulmonary tuberculosis. All other specimens of various ages but without macroscopic symptoms of osseous tuberculosis, were PCR negative. These results suggest that it is possible to detect former infections with pathogenic microorganisms in archeological bones find.

DNA, Bacterial↗
PubMed1997

[Rhodococcus equi--a newly recognized opportunistic pathogen in man].

The review informs about substantial features of Rhodococcus equi with emphasis on the analysis of 115 as yet published and still expanding reports on the isolation of this zoopathogenic nocardioform actinomycete from man. Microbiological laboratories of human medicine have to learn not only how to identify R. equi but also recognize it as an opportunistic pathogen in particular in persons with the deficient immunity. R. equi is a gram-positive, encapsulated diphtheroid coccobacillus, partially acid fast. It grows well on common media, its colonies being after 48 hours characteristically mucoid, coalescing, irregular and mostly lightly pinkish. Biochemically it is little active, nevertheless it causes typical synergic haemolysis of erythrocytes influenced by staphylococcal beta-toxin. R. equi is found in soil and manure, especially in horse manure. It causes above all granulomatous pneumonia in young foals. In humans, it causes mostly pneumonia and lung abscess, more frequently in persons with immunity deficiency incl. AIDS, less often extrapulmonary abscesses, sepsis and wound infections. The disease are commonly chronic and recurrent. The ability of R. equi to persist in macrophages and destroy them is important in the pathogenesis of infection. In resistance to infection the cell-mediated immunity seems to be of major importance. The port of entry are the lungs, less often the alimentary tract or injured skin. About a third of the persons gives a history of contact with animals, manure or soil. The standard treatment is prolonged administration of a combination of rifampin and erythromycin. The isolation of R. equi is easy and if a laboratory suspects the presence of this microorganism, its identification is not difficult.

Actinomycetales Infections↗
PubMed1997

[Hemolysis and hemolytic interactions of bacteria].

The review contains data on haemolytically active bacteria important in medical microbiology, human or veterinary. Attention is paid to haemolytically active bacterial metabolites, especially those which produce synergistic or antagonistic haemolytic reactions above all with staphylococcal haemolysins alpha, beta and delta, with corynebacterial phospholipase D, with rhodococcal equi factor and with the haemolysin of Dermatophilus congolensis. The general usage of the term "CAMP factor" for all manifestations of haemolytic interactions is criticized. Descriptions of haemolytic activities are supplemented by a synoptical table and most of them are documented by photographs.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1996

Diagnostic importance of heterophile antibodies and immunoglobulins IgA, IgE, IgM and low-avidity IgG against Epstein-Barr virus capsid antigen in children.

The use of several serological markers in diagnostics of acute Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection in children and adolescents is recommended. We investigated the sera of 299 individuals with clinically suspect infectious mononucleosis for heterophile antibodies and EBV viral capsid antigen (VCA)-specific immunoglobulins IgA, IgE, IgM and low-avidity IgG. Heterophile antibodies were positive in 26%, VCA-specific IgA in 30%, IgE in 35%, IgM in 32% and low-avidity IgG in 37% of cases. The acute EBV infection defined as a case having either positive IgM or heterophile antibodies was present in 40% of persons. Compared with regard to this criterion the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of individual tests were as follows: heterophile antibodies-66, 100, 100 and 82%; IgA-53, 84, 69 and 73%; IgE-54, 78, 62 and 72%; IgM-81, 100, 100 and 89% low-avidity IgG-66, 82, 71 and 78%. All markers except heterophile antibodies were positive even infants aged below 2 years. We consider the detection of low-avidity IgG and VCA-specific IgE an useful adjunct for the diagnostics of acute EBV infection in children.

Adolescent↗