PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

T H Matthews

Publications and source records attributed to T H Matthews.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Serum interferon assay as a possible test for virus infections of man.

Acute phase serum gave positive results in an interferon assay when collected from 17 out of 45 (38 per cent) patients with proven virus infection, and from none of 43 patients with other disease and none of 61 healthy subjects. Sera from 11 of 43 (26 per cent) patients with suspected virus infection were also positive. Interferon was detected in the sera of volunteers infected with respiratory viruses in strict isolation. It is suggested that the test might be used to supplement conventional tests for virus infections, and with modification may provide a useful diagnostic aid.

Adult

Comparison of oral sucrose and glucose electrolyte solutions in the out-patient management of acute gastroenteritis in infancy.

Seventy-three children under the age of 18 months presenting with acute gastroenteritis were given an electrolyte mixture with added sucrose or glucose in a randomized double-blind trial. The time taken to recovery in those sucessfully treated as out-patients was identical. However, of the 34 who received glucose, 11 (32%) required admission compared with 7 (18%) of the 39 who received sucrose. There was a wide range of osmolality of the made-up feeds, indicating inaccuracy in diluting the solutions as prescribed, but this did not in general correlate with need for admission. Sucrose-electrolyte solution is at least as effective as a glucose-electrolyte solution for the out-patient management of acute gastroenteritis in infancy. The cheapness and easy availability of sucrose commends its use in developed and developing countries.

Acute Disease

Antiviral activity in milk of possible clinical importance.

In human and in cow's milk an antiviral activity has been detected which does not seem to be related to antibodies or other known virus inhibitors. The antiviral activity lay in a relatively heat-stable macromolecule belonging to the non-fatty part of milk.

Animals