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Biomedical subjects

W W Emmons

Publications and source records attributed to W W Emmons.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

A modified ELISA and western blot accurately determine anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 antibodies in oral fluids obtained with a special collecting device.

Serum and saliva from 195 known human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seropositive patients and 198 military personnel undergoing annual HIV serologic testing were evaluated in a prospective, blinded fashion for anti-HIV-1 antibodies. Oral specimens, collected with a device designed to concentrate oral mucosal transudate from whole saliva, were tested by a modified ELISA and by Western blot. Serum was tested in a standard manner. All 195 HIV-1-seropositive subjects had detectable anti-HIV-1 antibodies in their saliva by ELISA; 190 saliva samples were positive by Western blot and 5 were indeterminate. None of the 198 military personnel were positive by ELISA of serum or oral fluid. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for ELISA of saliva were each 100%. The serologic testing of oral mucosal transudate appears to be a simple, safe, sensitive, and specific method for detecting anti-HIV-1 antibodies.

Adult

Progressive pulmonary cryptococcosis in a patient who is immunocompetent.

Pulmonary cryptococcal disease can have variable clinical and roentgenographic presentations. Symptoms and radiographic abnormalities can resolve prior to therapy, even in a patient who is immunocompromised. Antifungal therapy is generally not recommended for a patient who is immunocompetent with nonprogressive, nondisseminated pulmonary cryptococcosis. We present a case of pulmonary cryptococcosis that progressed despite fluconazole therapy in a patient who was immunocompetent. This appears to be the second reported case of a discrete endobronchial cryptococcoma.

Cryptococcosis

Antibacterial prophylaxis.

Bacteremias of dental origin have been implicated as sources of infection in specific cardiac conditions, diabetes, neutropenia, kidney disease, splenectomy, and patients with prosthetic joints. This article reviews the relative risks of dental bacteremias in these patients, discusses the merits of various regimens, and presents current prophylactic antibiotic recommendations.

Anti-Bacterial Agents

Immediate and delayed reactions to cosmetic ingredients.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence and etiology of cutaneous reactions caused by cosmetics, with an emphasis on perfume sensitivity. 19 control subjects and 31 patch test clinic patients (16 with a history of adverse cosmetic reactions) were examined for sensitivity by history, open and patch testing using the North American Contact Dermatitis Group (NACDG) fragrance screening series and 11 other common allergens found in cosmetics. Contact urticaria was very frequent to certain chemicals; however, patients with a history of cosmetic sensitivity were not found to have a significant increase in positive reactions when compared to controls or patients with eczematous skin. 12 subjects had positive patch test reactions, most of which were not clinically relevant. 3 patients with a history of cosmetic sensitivity had positive reactions, only 1 of which was in the fragrance screening series (cinnamic alcohol). There were 6 reactions in patients with eczematous skin, 4 of which were to preservatives. 3 controls had positive reactions, each to thimerosal. A history of cosmetic sensitivity was not confirmed by open and closed skin testing in our subjects.

Cosmetics