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Biomedical subjects

W R Bartholomew

Publications and source records attributed to W R Bartholomew.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Leukocyte esterase-nitrite and bioluminescence assays as urine screens.

The 1-min leukocyte esterase (LE)-nitrite test (Chemstrip 9; Biodynamics, Division of Boehringer Mannheim Biochemicals, Indianapolis, Ind.) and a bioluminescence assay (Monolight centrifugation method; Analytical Luminescence Laboratory, Inc., San Diego, Calif.) were tested for their efficacy as urine screens among 453 patients at a tertiary-care teaching hospital. Both methods had the capacity to exclude significant bacteriuria (greater than or equal to 10(5) CFU/ml) when compared with the results of conventional culture methods, with predictive values of 99 and 93%, respectively, for a negative test. Bioluminescence was the more accurate nonculture method used. Sensitivity and specificity values were 97 and 71%, respectively, for bioluminescence, 82 and 60%, respectively, for LE with nitrite, and 72 and 64%, respectively, for LE without nitrite. At reduced levels of bacteriuria less than 10(5) CFU/ml), the sensitivities of LE-nitrite and bioluminescence were decreased but comparable. The addition of protein and blood test results in the Chemstrip 9, along with LE-nitrite as bacteriuria indicators, were unsatisfactory because of the large numbers of false-positive results attributed to protein and blood determinations. LE activity as detected by the LE test was a poor predictor of significant bacteriuria in both male and female patients. The sensitivity (71%) and specificity (57%) of the LE test in male patients were significantly lower than those previously reported and varied with the patient population studied.

Bacteriuria↗

Validity of an enzyme immunoassay for detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae antigens.

An enzyme immunoassay (EIA; Gonozyme, Abbott Laboratories) for the antigenic detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in endocervical or urethral specimens was evaluated. EIA results were compared with results of conventional culture tests for N. gonorrhoeae. Specimens from 208 males (113 culture positive) and 252 females (72 culture positive) were tested. The sensitivity and specificity of EIA for specimens from males were 97.3 and 95.8%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of EIA for specimens from females were 79.2 and 87.2%, respectively.

Antigens, Bacterial↗

Recovery of Salmonella group B from blood and Salmonella group C2 from feces and serological evidence of dual infection in one patient.

A patient with a dual Salmonella infection is described. Salmonella group B was recovered from three blood culture sets but was not detected in seven stool cultures. Salmonella group C2 was isolated from three of seven stool cultures but was not recovered from blood cultures. Specific, non-cross-reactive antibodies to Salmonella groups B and C2 were detected in the sera of the patient by passive hemagglutination assays.

Adult↗

Modified enzyme immunoassay for detecting Neisseria gonorrhoeae antigens.

A commercial modification of an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) (Gonozyme; Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, Ill.) for detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae antigens was compared with conventional culturing. Specimens from males and females were collected at a sexually transmitted disease clinic; additional female specimens were collected at an obstetrics and gynecology clinic. EIA sensitivity and specificity for males were 100 and 98.6%, respectively (68 negative, 34 positive, 1 false-positive, and 0 false-negative). EIA sensitivity and specificity for female sexually transmitted disease clinic patients were 74.4 and 95.7%, respectively (66 negative, 29 positive, 3 false-positive, and 10 false-negative) EIA sensitivity and specificity for obstetrics and gynecology clinic patients were 100 and 99.2%, respectively (6 positive, 119 negative, 1 false-positive, and 0 false-negative). In female patients from whom multiple swab specimens were collected, the sequence of specimen collection and subsequent EIA analysis affected sensitivity.

Antigens, Bacterial↗

Comparison of a fluorometric method with radial immunodiffusion assays for determination of complement components C3 and C4.

Measurements of patient serum complement components C3 and C4 are useful indicators of complement consumption in immune complex diseases. A fluorometric quantitative immunofluorescence system was evaluated in terms of measuring these complement components, and the results were compared with those of radial immunodiffusion assays. For comparison of the two systems, 232 patient sera were evaluated for C3, and 202 specimens were tested for C4. Analysis of the data by linear regression indicated a proportional difference between the methods. C3 and C4 concentrations measured by the fluorometric method were lower than those measured by radial immunodiffusion, especially concentrations exceeding the normal ranges. In detecting lower concentrations (less than 120 mg/dl for C3 and less than 25 mg/dl for C4), the two methods showed better agreement. Each assay system was reproducible and could be used to evaluate changes that occur in concentrations of complement components during therapeutic treatment. However, the ease in processing a large volume of specimens and the short time needed to complete the assay are advantages that make the fluorometric method more suitable than radial immunodiffusion for use in a large clinical laboratory.

Complement C3↗

Relative values of laboratory assays in systemic lupus erythematosus.

The sensitivities and the specificities of Crithidia luciliae immunofluorescence, (CL-IF), counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as aids to the clinical diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were compared to determine which was the single most useful test in the management of this disease. The patients who had SLE were further divided into those with active or inactive disease and those with and without nephritis in an attempt to determine whether any of these tests could reliably differentiate these groups. Results obtained by these tests, together with those of a nonspecific antinuclear antibody assay used as a screening test, were compared with results for other autoimmune diseases. Although the ELISA was more often positive than CIE and CL-IF in cases of SLE, CL-IF had the highest specificity for SLE, giving no positives in any of the other autoimmune diseases examined. None of the tests satisfactorily differentiated active from inactive SLE or consistently detected the presence or absence of nephritis in SLE.

Adolescent↗

Antigenic homology of feline and human beta-hexosaminidase.

The immunological characteristics of feline beta-hexosaminidase (beta-D-N-acetylglucosaminidase, EC 3.2.1.30) isoenzymes, Hex A and Hex B, were studied. Immunization of rabbits and goats with either cat Hex A or Hex B produced antibodies which reacted with a common antigenic marker shared by both Hex A and Hex B. With properly absorbed antisera, a unique antigenic marker was demonstrated on cat Hex A, but not on Hex B. This antigenic profile is comparable to that of the human beta-hexosaminidase isozymes, in which both Hex A and Hex B share the antigenic determinant, beta, while only Hex A possesses the antigenic determinant, alpha. Ho cross-reactivity between the two species could be demonstrated using goat or rabbit antisera to either feline of human beta-hexosaminidase. These immunological data validate feline Gm2 gangliosidosis as a model for human Gm2 gangliosidosis type II, and facilitate the investigation of enzyme replacement therapy.

Animals↗

Enzymatic and immunological characterization of the Mycobacterium fortuitum complex.

The arylsulfatase isozymes of Mycobacterium fortuitum, M. peregrinum, M. chelonei subsp. chelonei, and M. chelonei subsp. abscessus were examined to determine the isozymal and immunological relationship among the members of the M. fortuitum complex. Cell extracts were subjected to electrophoresis on agarose and polyacrylamide gel, and arylsulfatase activity was localized using beta-naphthyl sulfate as substrate. Unique zymograms were produced for M. fortuitum, M. peregrinum, and M. chelonei which were characteristic for each species. The immunological relationship among the sulfatases was assayed by using immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis followed by sulfatase staining for the enzyme. One of the isozymes of M. fortuitum and M. peregrinum cross-reacted, showing immunological identity. Antisera to sulfatases of M. fortuitum and M. peregrinum did not react with sulfatases of M. chelonei. The characterization of sulfatase isozymes in extracts of organisms in the M. fortuitum complex suggests the division of the M. fortuitum complex into two species, M. fortuitum and M. chelonei, with subspecies designations.

Antigens, Bacterial↗

Complement activity in middle ear effusions.

Evidence for complement utilization in middle ear fluids (MEF) from patients with otitis media with effusion was sought. It was found that cleavage products of C3, C4 and Factor B could be demonstrated immunochemically in MEF, and that native C3 was present in much lower concentrations than other proteins, relative to their serum concentrations. Haemolytic assays for C1-C5 showed that early complement components are inactivated in MEF. Potential mechanisms for complement utilization in MEF are discussed.

Child↗

Discussion paper: loss of cellular antigens during malignant transformation.

Normal human diploid cells, such as WE-38, transformed by an oncogenic virus, SV40, are greatly depleted of a cathodal esterase isozyme using both immunological and enzymatic criteria. This cathodal esterase is primate-specific and associated with lysosomes of many different tissue cells. It provides a clear example of antigenic loss associated with malignant change.

Antigens↗