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At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Considerations in the laboratory diagnosis of antibiotic-associated gastroenteritis.

Clostridium difficile has been shown to be the major cause of antibiotic-associated gastroenteritis in both humans and experimental animals. During the past few years an increasing number of laboratories have attempted to detect, isolate, and identify this organism and its toxin from clinical samples. Direct visualization of C. difficile in patient specimens using immunofluorescent microscopy has been proposed. The major disadvantage of this method was its lack of specificity due to crossreaction with other clostridial species. Attempts to absorb the antisera with crossreacting strains also failed. Laboratory diagnosis of C. difficile in clinical specimens has relied on either culture using one or more selective media or on the detection of specific cytotoxin in stool filtrates. Until recently the cytotoxicity assay was the only procedure available for the routine detection of cytotoxin and, as a result, has limited this test to laboratories with access to tissue culture facilities. As a result, there has been much interest in the development of immunochemical methods for the detection of C. difficile toxins. We originally reported on the detection of C. difficile toxin in stool filtrates using counterimmunoelectrophoresis. We examined 140 fecal specimens submitted for C. difficile toxin assay by counterimmunoelectrophoresis, using both unabsorbed and absorbed antitoxin, tissue culture, and bacterial culture. Using tissue culture assay as the reference method, the sensitivity of counterimmunoelectrophoresis and counterimmunoelectrophoresis-absorbed was 100% and the specificity 63.0% and 77.5%, respectively. Enzyme immunosorbent assays for the detection of toxin A from C. difficile have also been reported, however, at the present time they do not appear to be as sensitive as the cytotoxicity assay for toxin B (cytotoxin).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Laboratory diagnosis of chronic forms of ophthalmic herpes].

The duration and pattern of the course of herpes virus infection of the eye and the method used were shown to influence the effectiveness of the laboratory diagnosis. In the first two weeks of the disease conjunctival scrappings should be examined by immunofluorescence and virus isolation by intracerebral inoculation of mice, at later periods by immunofluorescence of conjunctival scrappings or infected cell cultures. Isolated herpes uveitis should be diagnosed by demonstration of viremia. In surgical treatment of herpetic eye diseases virus should be demasked from the cornea by cocultivation of its fragments with human embryo fibroblast culture.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

A comparative evaluation of dot immunobinding assay (Dot-Iba) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the laboratory diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis.

The results of a Dot immunobinding assay (Dot Iba) for the detection of mycobacterial antigen in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 45 patients with tuberculous meningitis (TBM) were compared with the results of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In eight patients with culture proven TBM, Dot-Iba gave positive results, while PCR yielded positive results only in six patients. The overall sensitivities of Dot-Iba and PCR in 37 patients with culture negative (probable) TBM were 75.67% and 40.5% respectively. Dot-Iba, in contrast to PCR is a rapid and relatively easier method. More importantly, Dot-Iba is suitable for the routine application for the laboratory diagnosis of TBM and therefore best suited to laboratories in the developing world.

Antigens, Bacterial↗
PubMed2002

[Laboratory diagnosis of Q-fever with the indirect immunofluorescence test].

Q-Fever nowadays presents the most diffuse disease in the world, caused by the microorganisms from the family Risckettiacae. This disease is Coxiellae burnetii. The laboratory diagnosis of the Q-Fever can be stated either by the isolation of the causer from the patient material, either by the proving of the specifically antibodies. The serologic diagnostics presents the choile method in Q-Fever. The aim of this work is to illustrate the results of the detection of the serum in patients with the clinical symptoms at the infeçtion Coxiellom burnetii. We tested the sera of the patient from the region of the Federation Bosnia and Herzegovina, which arrived in our laboratory in the period of November 2000 till May 2001. From the total 174 prepared sera specific IgM of the antibodies we found in cases, and the specific IgG of the antibodies in 54 sera.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Laboratory diagnosis of gonorrhea by a simple transformation test with a temperature-sensitive mutant of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

A temperature-sensitive mutant of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strain tsA-1 was used in a transformation test for the laboratory diagnosis of gonorrhea. This transformation test (C test) is based on a spotting of a DNA lysate, obtained through simple base-acid extraction of a cervical-swab specimen, onto a lawn of tsA-1, which is then incubated for one to two days at 37 C. Of 1,053 cervical-swab specimens tested, 52 contained the gonococcal DNA necessary for restoring the ability of tsA-1 to grow well at 37 C; 49 of the 52 specimens were identified as N. gonorrhoeae by routine diagnostic laboratory procedures. The time required for the C test is two to three days, which is shorter than that required for routine diagnostic laboratory tests, and the C test involves a minimum of common laboratory supplies and expertise. The discrepancies between results of the C test and routine procedures are explained as follows. In one case an isolate suspected to be N. gonorrhoeae was nonreactive in the sugar fermentation test, and in two cases the agar plates were overgrown with yeasts; neither situation affected the C test.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Laboratory diagnosis of parasitic and fungal diseases of the central nervous system.

This review is presented to bring attention to those fungal and parasitic organisms that have been associated with central nervous system (CNS) infection and to offer an approach for handling their laboratory diagnosis. Treatment of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to yeild best results on direct smear examination and culture are discussed. Culture procedures and staining methods to be done are given in chart form. Those immunologic tests useful in supporting the diagnosis of fungal or parasitic CNS infections are also included.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[Intravital laboratory diagnosis of human subacute spongioid encephalopathies (Creutzfeldt-Jakob syndrome and amyotrophic leukospongiosis)].

Methods aimed at the detection of causative agents in the CSF and peripheral blood lymphocytes are recommended for the use in intravital laboratory diagnosis of slow infections of the central nervous system. The results obtained enable recommending the biotest on guinea-pigs or indication of the causative agent of amyotrophic leukospongiosis (AL) in cell culture coupled with the punctate immunoenzyme assay for the diagnosis of AL. As to the diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease, it is suggested that the biotest on guinea-pigs and the punctate immunoenzyme assay may be used.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Early clinical and laboratory diagnosis of pseudotuberculosis].

As shown by the examination of 188 patients with suspected pseudotuberculosis, the latter produces a greater total of clinical manifestations than any other nosological entities differentiated from it. Conventional (retrospective) techniques of laboratory diagnosis (bacteriological ones, indirect hemagglutination) confirmed the diagnosis in 76.1% of the cases against 93.1% under new rapid techniques of seroindication (enzyme immunoassay and antibody neutralization). Moreover, the diagnosis with new techniques can be managed earlier. The overall assessment of clinical symptoms and techniques of seroindication allow early administration of valid treatment thus avoiding recurrences and complications of pseudotuberculosis.

Humans↗
PubMed1996

Clinical and laboratory diagnosis of invasive candida infection in neutropenic patients.

Cancer patients, especially those with acute leukaemia, represent a group that has the greatest risk for deep fungal infection. Almost no cases were seen before the advent of modern chemotherapy, and prior to the availability of antibacterial agents, less than 5% of patients with acute leukaemia died of fungal infection. These infections are now responsible for 40% or more of the deaths at some institutions. Candida species continues to be the most common fungal pathogen. Rapid and specific diagnosis of invasive candiosis enabling early effective therapy is therefore an important measure for reducing mortality in patients. Here the current status of clinical and laboratory diagnosis of invasive candida infection in neutropenic patients is discussed and recommendations made as to future development programmes.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1988

Laboratory diagnosis of systemic fungal diseases.

The increase in the number of fungal infections seen in debilitated and immunocompromised patients in the last several years makes it necessary to consider all fungi as potential pathogens. Clinical microbiology laboratories are playing increasingly important roles in the recovery, isolation, and identification of these fungi. This article contains specific recommendations and references concerning a practical approach to the laboratory identification of systemic fungi. The proper and timely selection, collection, and transport of specimens is imperative, and clinicians are responsible for appropriate specimen selection to ensure optimal chances of recovery of pathogens. Respiratory tract secretions and blood are excellent sources for detection of disseminated fungal infection. Specimens should be placed into transport media if the sample size is small or if only a small number of organisms are thought to be present. Direct microscopic examination of specimens can provide valuable information, often allowing a clinician to initiate immediate therapy. Specimens that are more likely than others to contain systemic fungi and that should be examined routinely include the following: pulmonary biopsy material, bronchial washes and lavages, specimens from immunocompromised patients, purulent specimens, and specimens suspected of containing a specific fungus. Valuable methods of examining specimens directly include treatment with KOH and calcofluor white. Use of media to recover fungi is the basis of making a laboratory diagnosis of a fungal disease, and the use of proper recovery and subculture media is imperative. Noninhibitory media allow contaminants to grow readily and should be used only to recover fungi from normally sterile body sites or for subculture. Blood-enriched media allow almost all pathogenic and saprophytic fungi to flourish. Therefore, such media, unless they contain antibiotics, should not be used as primary recovery media. Media that contain antibiotics should be used as primary recovery media to prevent overgrowth of pathogenic fungi by contaminants. Yeasts recovered from clinical specimens can be identified by a combination of tests, which include direct microscopic examination, germ tube formation, microscopic morphology of growth on corn meal agar, and ability to utilize certain carbohydrates. Molds recovered from clinical specimens are identified by a combination of growth rate, colonial characteristics, size and shape of hyphae, and microscopic examination of reproductive structures and other fungal elements.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Culture Media↗
PubMed1990

[The laboratory diagnosis of Borrelia burgdorferi infection].

The multiplicity of the clinical appearance of Lyme disease makes it necessary to confirm the diagnosis by detecting the pathogen or specific antibodies. Isolation of the pathogen from infected tissue or body fluids is difficult, so that, to date, only serology is feasible for routine diagnosis. In view of a lack of standardisation of borrelia serology, the clinician must expect false negative, and--even more so--false-positive, results. Future laboratory diagnosis should be markedly improved by nucleic acid hybridisation for the detection of the pathogen, and the use of specific immunodominant antigens for antibody detection.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed2002

[The laboratory diagnosis of multiple sclerosis].

The importance of laboratory methods for multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis and differential diagnosis is often overestimated now. The role of several methods including MRI, evoked potentials, examination of the cerebrospinal fluid and some others methods are discussed in this review. Several conditions may in some patients mimick the appearance of MS and it is easy to understand why there is a tendency among many clinicians to embark on extensive- and expensive-laboratory investigations to establish the correct diagnosis at early stages of the disease. Disorders like cerebrovascular diseases, vasculitis, Lyme disease, neurosarcoidosis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, HIV-associated encephalitis may cause very close changes of the results of these examinations. A detailed, exhaustive history and the neurological examination, along with a careful scrutiny of the actual MRI films by the neurologist experienced in the diagnosis of MS, will obviate the need for additional tests in the overwhelming majority of cases. So, the MS diagnosis and differential diagnosis is still based mainly of the data of clinical observation.

Brain↗
PubMed1994

[Application of a human immortalized fibroblast cell line in laboratory diagnosis of autoimmune diseases].

Many autoantibodies reacting with cellular and nuclear components have been described in sera of patients with autoimmune diseases. The most important diagnostic markers for those diseases are antinuclear antibodies (ANA). The first choice for laboratory diagnosis of autoimmune diseases is to use cultured monolayer cells as a nuclear substrate. Up to now the HEp-2 cell line derived from a human carcinoma of the larynx, appears to be the most sensitive and specific nuclear substrate. The cultured fibroblast monolayer cells have also been applied to detect the ANA, although the application was not recommended by one study. Thus to evaluate the applicability of our immortalized human fibroblast cell line (CCFS-1/KMC) as a nuclear substrate, commercial HEp-2 MBL monolayer cells was used as the standard substrate. The results of this report showed the applicability of the CCFS-1/KMC cell line as a nuclear substrate to detect the ANA of autoimmune diseases. The sensitivity of this fibroblast cell line was the same as both of the HEp-2 nuclear substrates (HEp-2 and HEp-2 MBL). The specificity of the CCFS-1/KMC cell line was similar to the HEp-2 substrate. Since the specificity of both of the above substrates were lower than the standard nuclear substrate HEp-2 MBL, therefore, if the specificity can be improved by changing the protocols of the substrate preparation, the CCFS-1/KMC cell line will be a good nuclear substrate for detecting the ANA of autoimmune diseases.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Laboratory diagnosis of anaemia in dialysis patients: use of common laboratory tests.

Almost all patients with end-stage renal disease suffer from renal anaemia of multifactorial pathogenesis. The use of recombinant human erythropoietin to raise the haematocrit has been a major advance in the care of patients with end-stage renal disease. The majority of these patients develop absolute or functional iron deficiency. However, the diagnosis of iron deficiency is hindered by the inaccuracy of commonly used tests. Serum ferritin and transferrin saturations are frequently used, but limitations with both parameters in end-stage renal disease patients have resulted in the development of new tests to assess iron sufficiency. The percentage of hypochromic red blood cells and particularly reticulocyte haemoglobin content are new measures of iron status in end-stage renal disease patients. An enhanced knowledge of the interpretation of available laboratory parameters will ensure that the patients receive the full benefit from their treatment with recombinant human erythropoietin and iron.

Anemia↗
PubMed1998

Current status on the laboratory diagnosis of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale "ORT" in poultry.

Respiratory disease conditions are one of the most serious groups of diseases affecting poultry. Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale by has recently been recognized in many countries. Clinical signs and lesions are of little value in diagnosis. Accurate diagnosis must be substantiated by isolation and identification of the causative bacteria and/or detection of antibodies using serological examination. In the present paper a review on the current status of ORT laboratory diagnosis, results of serotyping of field isolates, serological surveillance in poultry flocks as well as the role of other avian pathogens in course of ORT infection will be given.

Animals↗