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Biomedical subjects

S A Waitkins

Publications and source records attributed to S A Waitkins.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Impaired bacteriological responses in babies after maternal iron dextran infusion.

The effect of a total dose infusion of iron dextran in pregnancy on 15 mothers and their babies was compared with 19 controls. The bacteriostatic effect and opsonising ability of the sera, of babies born to the treated mothers, were considerably impaired. This was associated with a significantly lower transferrin concentration in these mothers. Although these in vitro tests were not associated with an increase in overt infection during the perinatal period, they suggest the need for caution in the use of total dose infusions in pregnancy.

Blood Bactericidal Activity↗

A shortened scheme for the identification of indifferent streptococci.

A shortened biochemical scheme was devised for the reliable identification of the 'viridans' streptococci. It compared favourably with the classical identification system of Colman and could be recommended for use in the busy routine laboratory to investigate streptococcal isolates from clinical sources.

Bacteriological Techniques↗

Use of the API-ZYM system in rapid identification of alpha and non-haemolytic streptococci.

The API-ZYM method of detecting enzymes was tested using 99 streptococci isolated from clinical material and 14 type species obtained from the National Collection of Type Cultures. We found the method easy and reliable. The results obtained indicate that this method could be a useful identification system in busy routine clinical laboratories.

Bacteriological Techniques↗

Evaluation of rapid methods of identifying group B streptococci.

Rapid methods of identifying Lancefield group B streptococci were compared to the standard Fuller's extraction method. Such tests as sodium hippurate hydrolysis, bile tolerance, aesculin hydrolysis, pyruvate fermentation, Camp factor, pigmentation, and bacitracin haemolysis were tested on both routine clinical specimens and National Collection of Type Culture strains. The results show that pigmentation on Islams's medium was the most definitive test available rapidly to identify group B streptococci.

Bacteriological Techniques↗

Grouping of streptococci by Streptex.

Streptex was compared to routine laboratory identification methods available. The results from Streptex sometimes required several attempts before final identification could be achieved. In the main, group D streptococci other than Strep. faecalis failed to group with the Streptex antisera, and this method cannot therefore be used exclusively as a means of identifying this group of streptococci.

Immune Sera↗

Use of pyruvate fermentation compared with tetrazolium reduction in the differentiation of group D streptococci.

The reduction of 2, 3, 5 triphenyltetrazolium chloride in the original medium of Barnes (Journal of General Microbiology, 14, 57, 1956), and in a modified medium, was compared with the ability to ferment pyruvate as a means of separating Streptococcus faecalis from all other group D streptococci. The tetrazolium reduction test gave an occasional negative reaction with Str. faecalis strains. In addition, a number of strains gave a weakly positive reaction in the test, as did some strains of Str. faecium and Str. bovis. With some batches of tetrazolium, these weak reactions with Str. faecalis were so frequent that interpretation of the results was difficult. On the other hand, all Str. faecalis strains, and no other group D streptococci, gave a positive pyruvate-fermentation reaction in 48 hours.

Bacteriological Techniques↗

Detection and identification of gonococcal L-Forms using a direct immunofluorescence test.

A fluorescent antibody test was used to identify L-Forms of N. gonorrhoeae induced in vitro. It was possible to differentiate the Large Bodies of the L-Forms from parent gonococci and the fluorescent reaction remained specific in the presence of tissue culture cells. A possible method to identify L-Forms of gonococci from patients presenting with postgonococcal urethritis is described.

Culture Media↗

Clostridium defficiel in the urogenital tract of males and females.

A study of the occurrence of Clostridium difficile in the urogenital tract of males and females revealed higher isolation-rates in patients attending the special (venereal-disease) clinic than in patients attending family-planning and urological clinics. The presence of Cl. difficile in patients with venereal diseases is being investigated to see if the organism is simply an opportunist infecting a urethra disturbed by some antecedent disease, or if it is perhaps a primary cuase of disease.

Adult↗

Effect of tissue culture cells in promoting prolonged survival of N. Gonorrhoeae in artificial subcutaneous cavities of mice.

Both tissue culture cells and human epithelial cells ingest gonococci, and subsequently protect them from the lethal action of various bactericidal agents. Using the convenient chamber produced by the subcutaneous insertion of a polyvinyl ring, the fate of the gonococci in mice was studied in vivo. Both humoral and cellular factors have free access to the organisms, and under normal circumstances these do not survive longer than 3 days. However, when gonococci were protected within tissue culture cells, their survival was prolonged. Only eventual graft rejection caused the death of the tissue culture cells and gonococci contained within them.

Animals↗