PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

O Simonsen

Publications and source records attributed to O Simonsen.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

ELISA for the routine determination of antitoxic immunity to tetanus.

Serum samples from 727 persons with different vaccination histories were assessed for tetanus antitoxin content in an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and tested for tetanus toxin neutralization activity in mice in order to compare the results obtained by the two methods. Neutralizing antibody activities in sera from individuals previously completely vaccinated correlated well with results obtained by ELISA and the accuracy increased with increasing antitoxin concentration in serum. This correlation was observed in sera from persons vaccinated recently as well as in sera from persons vaccinated many years ago. In sera from persons with an incomplete vaccination history ELISA was found to be an unreliable tool for the prediction of in vivo results. Many of these sera had antitoxin levels by ELISA far above the in vivo values, probably due to the presence of non specific or low avidity antitoxin which is detected in ELISA. The lowest ELISA value reliably predictive of protective antibody activity in serum irrespective of vaccination history was found to be 0.16 IU/ml. It was concluded that ELISA is useful for larger population studies as an initial test, but sera with an antitoxin content below 0.16 IU/ml should also be assessed in a neutralization system.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

The fall-off in serum concentration of tetanus antitoxin after primary and booster vaccination.

In 196 randomly selected persons with documented complete primary vaccination against tetanus 12-30 years earlier, antitoxin concentration in serum relative to time since last vaccination was studied. In the group of non-revaccinated persons an exponential decrease in antitoxin concentration with time since primary vaccination was found. 25-30 years after primary vaccination, 28% were unprotected (antitoxin concentration in serum below 0.01 IU/ml). In the group that received a single revaccination earlier, a similar exponential fall in antitoxin concentration was found, but all those revaccinated up to 23 years earlier were still protected. 82 persons who had not been revaccinated earlier were revaccinated. All those revaccinated less than 20 years after primary vaccination attained very high antitoxin concentrations (above 6 IU/ml) corresponding to a duration of immunity of at least 20 years. It was suggested that a revaccination program consisting of a single revaccination in childhood and thereafter every 20 years is sufficient to maintain immunity.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Revaccination of adults against diphtheria. I: Responses and reactions to different doses of diphtheria toxoid in 30-70-year-old persons with low serum antitoxin levels.

Studies of diphtheria antitoxin levels in serum from adult populations have indicated high frequencies of unprotected subjects. Serum from 351 randomly selected Danes between 30 and 70 years old has been assessed for antitoxin concentration; 123 persons among these, who had low antibody levels, received one vaccination with 2 Lf, 5 Lf or 12 Lf diphtheria toxoid. Side-reactions were recorded, and antibody levels were studied 4 weeks later. Antitoxin concentration following vaccination increased markedly to above protective level in 83% of those vaccinated. Of subjects, who could document a complete primary vaccination series, only one receiving 2 Lf 31 years after primary vaccination did not attain protective antitoxin level. Minor local reactions only were recorded among subjects who did not respond serologically to vaccination. Frequencies of more pronounced reactions experienced by serologically responding subjects depended on dose and were 15%, 14% and 23% respectively. It was concluded that a single vaccination of the present adult Danish population will induce protective antibody levels so frequently that the effect of herd immunity will secure against epidemics if future diphtheria outbreaks are experienced. To secure individual protection, vaccination history and/or serological assessments have to be explored in order to decide whether a single vaccination is sufficient.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Revaccination of adults against diphtheria. II: Combined diphtheria and tetanus revaccination with different doses of diphtheria toxoid 20 years after primary vaccination.

Immunity following diphtheria vaccination in childhood is temporary, and recent outbreaks of diphtheria in adult populations evoked interest in the effect of and side-reactions to revaccination of adults. 237 military recruits were randomly allocated to revaccination with 6 Lf tetanus toxoid or 6 Lf tetanus toxoid combined with 2 Lf or 5 Lf diphtheria toxoid. Side-reactions were recorded one week later, and antitoxin response was assessed after 4 weeks. Protective serum diphtheria antitoxin levels were attained by all subjects receiving diphtheria toxoid containing vaccines. Antibody response was related to dose, indicating a safer long-term protection by revaccination with 5 Lf diphtheria toxoid. All vaccinees, except one without documentation for primary vaccination, attained high tetanus antitoxin levels. Interference phenomena between toxoids were insignificant. Mild local reactions were reported by 22% of the vaccinees. More pronounced local reactions were experienced by 5% and systemic reactions by 3%, independent of vaccine. No serious reactions were observed. Reactions were significantly related to tetanus antitoxin response only. It was concluded that combined revaccination of adults, primary vaccinated around 20 years previously, may be performed without immune assessments.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Arthroscopy in acute knee injuries.

The diagnostic value of arthroscopy was evaluated in 148 patients with acute hemarthrosis and/or instability of the knee. The treatment planned after clinical examination was compared with the treatment given after arthroscopy. Seventy-nine per cent of the patients had ligamentous injuries; 59 per cent of tears were combined with other injuries, and 71 per cent were complete ruptures. Stability testing under anesthesia was most inaccurate for the anterior cruciate ligament, with 13 per cent false positive and 30 per cent false negative results. The planned treatment was altered as a consequence of arthroscopy in 31 per cent of cases. Without arthroscopy, the preoperative diagnoses would have been seriously wrong in 15 per cent of the patients. Twenty per cent of total anterior cruciate ligament ruptures would have been overlooked.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Immunity against diphtheria 25-30 years after primary vaccination in childhood.

In Denmark primary vaccination against diphtheria is offered in the 5th, 6th, and 15th month of life with doses of 50 Lf. Only those doing military service are routinely revaccinated (with 12 1/2 Lf, given once). 403 persons offered primary vaccination 25-30 years ago were screened for diphtheria antitoxin titres by the use of neutralisation and haemagglutination tests. 19% of these (10% of the males and 26% of the females) were unprotected (less than 0.01 IU/ml). Among those not revaccinated 22% had antitoxin titres below protective level. This accords with the continuing decline of diphtheria antitoxin titre after vaccination. Among those revaccinated against diphtheria in adolescence 5% became unprotected. Thus, persons who were offered primary vaccination against diphtheria 25-30 years ago may be susceptible to diphtheria and its toxic complications. So may those revaccinated more than 10 years ago. Should diphtheria emerge in a community those who received their primary vaccination more than 2 years ago or revaccination more than 10 years ago ought to be revaccinated. Revaccination is also advisable for those travelling to countries with endemic diphtheria. Moreover, since 10% of the present population were unprotected against tetanus it seems advisable to increase the immunity against diphtheria and tetanus by routine revaccination with a combined diphtheria-tetanus vaccine. Only a documented history of vaccinations should be relied on when a decision is being made as to whether to carry out primary vaccination or revaccination.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Vancomycin and netilmicin as first line treatment of peritonitis in CAPD patients.

The first line treatment of peritonitis in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) in our hospital was recently altered from a combination of gentamicin and clindamycin, given as continuous peritoneal lavage, to one of vancomycin and netilmicin given in peritoneal dialysis fluid with prolonged dwell time (4-6 h). The change was prompted by the emergence of multiply resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis among CAPD patients and nursing staff. In 9 of 19 episodes of peritonitis treated with gentamicin/clindamycin, the infecting organism could still be isolated from peritoneal fluid 5-15 days after commencement of therapy. All of 35 culture verified episodes treated with vancomycin/netilmicin were cleared bacteriologically within 3 days (P less than 0.0005). The vancomycin and netilmicin serum levels achieved were 6.5-37.0 mg/l and 1.0-8.1 mg/l, respectively. Apart from an asthmatic reaction, possibly triggered by vancomycin, no side effects were seen. However, audiometry was not performed regularly and the possible effect of netilmicin on the residual renal function was not systematically investigated.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Serum concentration of cystatin C, factor D and beta 2-microglobulin as a measure of glomerular filtration rate.

Serum concentrations of creatinine and of the three low molecular weight (LMW) proteins cystatin C, factor D of the complement system and beta 2-microglobulin were measured in 135 consecutive patients, whose glomerular filtration rates (GFR) were determined by Cr-EDTA. In the total patient series, the reciprocals of S-creatinine and S-cystatin C were numerically and, in males, significantly more closely correlated to GFR than the reciprocals of S-factor D. The reciprocals of beta 2-microglobulin showed a weaker correlation to GFR than those of the other three substances. The calculated glomerular elimination rates of creatinine, cystatin C and factor D were normally distributed, in contrast to those of beta 2-microglobulin. According to data presented so far, cystatin C seems to be the LMW protein of first choice when GFR is to be estimated by measuring the plasma concentration of a LMW protein.

Adolescent↗