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The possibility of lice allergy among Egyptian patients with asthmatic bronchitis.

The aim of this work was to study the possibility of lice allergy among Egyptian asthmatic patients. Sixty asthmatic patients were examined by prick skin tests as compared to ten normal subjects as controls using HD, CD, MP, MM, CH, DH, F, W, and two lice extracts: one was prepared from head and salivary glands and the second was prepared from the abdomen. Precipitin tests with the 2 lice extracts were done using the double immunodiffusion test for both patients and controls. Out of the sixty asthmatic patients only six gave positive skin reactions to both lice extracts. All the controls gave negative skin reactions. There was statistically insignificant difference between both groups and there was no difference between reactivity to different parts of lice body used as skin test antigens at the dilutions 1/10 and 1/100. On the other hand, 25 reacted to H.D., of whom two patients gave positive skin reactions to lice extracts. Twelve asthmatic patients (20%) gave positive skin reactions to M.M. of whom 2 patients (16.7%) gave positive skin reactions to lice extracts. Thirteen asthmatic patients reacted to C.D. of whom 3 cases gave positive skin reactions to lice extracts. These results were statistically insignificant. The precipitin tests were negative in both asthmatic and control groups. It was concluded that the lice allergens have insignificant role in asthmatic bronchitis.

Adolescent↗

Evaluation of some laboratory procedures in diagnosing infections with Schistosoma mansoni.

THIS PAPER REPORTS ON A COMPARATIVE EVALUATION CARRIED OUT IN PUERTO RICO ON THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES USED IN DIAGNOSING BILHARZIASIS: recovery of S. mansoni ova from stools; serological tests (complement-fixation tests with adult worm and cercarial antigens, slide flocculation test with cercarial antigens, cercarial agglutination test, and circumoval precipitin test) and intradermal tests with adult worm, cercarial and egg antigens.Stool examinations revealed infections in only 74% of 485 patients hospitalized for bilharziasis, but most of the serological and intradermal tests gave results which, when corrected for false negative reactions, suggested infections in 89%-94% of patients. Cercarial agglutination results were discounted because of weak reactions and low specificity; the intradermal test with egg antigen lacked specificity.From the results of their comparative studies, the authors suggest particular uses for the various serological and stool tests, but consider that the intradermal tests do not appear to have a definable role in the diagnosis or detection of bilharziasis.

Adult↗

Relationship between schistosomiasis and arthropathy.

This study was carried out to suggest criteria for diagnosing arthritis associated with schistosomiasis. 180 cases were classified into three clinical groups, 120 schistosomal arthritic group (I), 20 schistosomal non-arthritic (II), 20 arthritic non-schistosomal (III) and 20 controls (IV). Four tests were done to exclude other causes of arthritis namely, Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), Rose-Waaler test (RW) for rheumatoid factor (RF), antinuclear antibody test (ANA) and determination of serum uric acid (SUA) level. A history, clinical examination, urine and stool examination, intradermal test (IDT), indirect haemagglutination test (IHAT), circumoval precipitin test (COPT) and complete blood picture, were performed for all groups. 20 patients were selected randomly from group I and received praziquantel to be followed up 6 months later. Bilharzial ova were found in the excreta of group I and II. The percentage of positive IDT, IHAT and COPT in I & II was 90.8%, 90%, 88.3% and 85% respectively. Blood picture showed mild anaemia and from low to moderate eosinophilia. ESR was moderately raised. RF positivity was 6.6%, 10%, 65% and 5% in the four groups respectively. ANA positivity was 1.6%, 0%, 50% and 0% respectively. There was a marked improvement of arthritic manifestations after praziquantel in 90% of cases.

Arthritis, Infectious↗

A review of laboratory methods for identification of group B streptococci (Streptococcus agalactiae).

A selected review is presented of the history of Group B streptococcal infections and the laboratory tests used to identify Group B streptococcus (Streptococcus agalactiae), an opportunistic pathogen which causes serious infections in newborn infants and compromised patients in other age groups. Its isolation may be increased by growth in a selective medium. The methods for Group B streptococci identification include the hydrolysis of sodium hippurate, the CAMP reaction, pigment production, and antibiotic disk susceptibility. Also, immunological tests, such as Lancefield's classical precipitin test, immunofluorescence staining, counterimmunoelectrophoresis, and coagglutination are available.

Bacteriological Techniques↗

Host-feeding patterns and behaviour of 4 Culex species in an endemic area of Japanese encephalitis.

Studies were made on the host-feeding patterns and behaviour of 4 Culex species in China (Province of Taiwan) to further assess their importance as vectors of Japanese encephalitis. A relatively unbiased, non-attractant technique (vacuum sweep-net) was used for collecting mosquitos resting outdoors on rural premises; blood meals from engorged specimens were identified by precipitin tests. Additional information was obtained by analysing data from related studies. Precipitin-test results indicated that C. annulus, C. tritaeniorhynchus, and C. fuscocephalus feed principally on mammals, the first species mainly on swine and the latter two largely on bovine hosts. Mosquito forage ratios suggested that the apparent preference of C. annulus for swine over bovine hosts might be a function of host density. C. annulus was found to be zoophilic, exophilic, and exophagic; however, in view of its abundance during the JE epidemic season, contact with human hosts may reach a significant level, even indoors. The other 3 species of Culex were considered to be of lesser importance as JE vectors during the 1971 epidemic season because of their host-feeding patterns and/or population densities.

Animals↗

[Trichinosis outbreak in Purranque County, X Region, Chile. October-November, 1992].

An outbreak of trichinosis occurred in Purranque County, X Region, Chile, between october and november of 1992, which involved 36 persons. The incubation period, determined by the clinical picture and laboratory assays, fluctuated between 10 and 12 days. Myalgias (88.9%) and palpebral oedema (86.1%), were the most important symptoms, followed by fever (44.4%) and headache (33.3%). Eosinophils count ranged from two to 42% the first week, and this value raised to 55% the second week of the outbreak. Anti-Trichinella spiralis antibodies were determined by some serological tests such as: precipitin test (PT), bentonite flocculation test (BFT) and indirect hemagglutination test (IHAT) in sera from 28 patients at the beginning of the outbreak. PT was positive in 46.4% of the cases, followed by IHAT (21.4%) and BFT (3.6%). After 15 days, the three tests were performed in sera from 12 patients. At that time, the positivity was elevated in all of them: PT (100.0%), BFT (66.7%) and IHAT (91.7%). It is believed that the outbreak had its origin in infected pork meat that was consumed raw or insufficiently cooked without a previous veterinary inspection.

Adolescent↗

Evaluation of serological methods for determination of specific IgE in diagnosis of aspergillus lung disease.

Forty six patients clinically suspected to have aspergillus lung disease [bronchial asthma 17, allergic broncho-pulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) 22, aspergilloma 7] were evaluated by Phadebas RAST, Phadezym RAST (ELISA) and avidin-biotin ELISA for determination of specific IgE. Smear, culture, skin test against aspergillin, precipitin test and Enzygnost (total IgE) confirmed the diagnosis in 7 patients of extrinsic asthma due to conidia of Aspergillus spp., 17 for ABPA and 7 for aspergilloma among the clinically suspected patients. Specific IgE against Aspergillus fumigatus antigen was detected in 100 per cent patients of extrinsic asthma and 64.7 per cent of ABPA patients. No specific IgE could be detected in patients with aspergilloma. In patients other than those with, aspergilloma the detection rate of specific IgE was 50.0 per cent by radio-allergosorbent test (RAST), 62.5 per cent by ELISA, 66.7 per cent by avidin-biotin ELISA. Thus ELISA or avidin-biotin ELISA could replace the radioimmunoassay procedure for detection of specific IgE.

Aspergillosis↗

Antigenic variation in group A streptococci: types 11 and 9.

A strain of group A Streptococcus which was virulent but M-nontypable was isolated from patients in a hospital nursery during an epidemic. This strain, Boston 11, reacted in T-agglutination tests with antisera for types 9 and 11, an unusual combination. A comparison of this strain with Lancefield's M-11 strain (NCDC SS-721) and Alabama 11 (Provisional 61) revealed three serologically related but distinct strains. Antiserum produced with the Boston 11 strain exhibited similar reactivity with all three "11" strains as well as with M-9 (SS-501) as demonstrated in precipitin tests. Immunodiffusion studies indicated that the Boston 11 antigen was partially identical with the M-11 and M-9 strains and shared at least one antigen with the Alabama 11 strain. The Boston 11 antiserum could be made specific for precipitin tests, but bactericidal activity for the Alabama 11, M-11, and Boston 11 strains was essentially negative.

Agglutination Tests↗

Enzootic bovine leukosis virus in Brazil.

A sero-epidemiological survey for antibodies to the glycoprotein of enzootic bovine leukosis virus showed that the infection is widely disseminated in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Sero from 1,290 females and 154 males from 12 dairy herds were tested by the agar gel precipitin test. Seven hundred and one females (54.3%) and 68 males (44.2%) were found to have specific antibodies. These antibodies were demonstrated in all 7 age groups tested. The older age groups contained the highest percentage of reactors. The results are briefly discussed in relation to management practices and environmental conditions.

Aging↗

Prevalence of mixed blood meals and double feeding in a malaria vector (Anopheles sacharovi Favre).

A study was undertaken in a Greek village during 1970 to determine the degree of mixed feeding in a population of Anopheles sacharovi Favre. Exhaustive precipitin testing of 1 025 bloodmeals from 5 sites representing 3 different biotopes revealed that 91 (8.9%) of the 1 021 positive meals contained blood from 2 serologically distinct hosts. In a routine survey in 1971, when the testing was not as exhaustive, mixed meals were detected in only 2 (0.1%) of 1 798 smears tested. In the 1970 study, no mixed meals were found in pit-shelters, suggesting that a mosquito interrupted while feeding out of doors tends to move to an indoor biotope to complete its meal. A portion of the multiple meals -i.e., those completed on the same host species-could not be detected by the precipitin test. The frequencies of these "cryptic" multiple meals were calculated for the three main biotopes studied. The human blood index derived from these tests suggests that, in the absence of insecticidal spraying for 10 years, the host selection pattern of the mosquito had reverted to that found before the malaria eradication programme in Greece commenced.

Animals↗

Response of sawmill workers to work-related airborne allergens.

The aim of this work was to determine the reactivity of sawmill workers to biological allergens associated with wood dust. Allergological examinations by skin and precipitin tests were performed in 43 workers employed in a sawmill processing coniferous wood (pine), in 90 workers employed in two sawmills processing deciduous wood (oak), and in 32 healthy urban dwellers not exposed to organic dusts (referents). The skin test was performed by the intradermal method with the saline extracts of wood dust and of the cultures of three microbial species (Rahnella sp., Brevibacterium linens and Penicillium citrinum) isolated from the air polluted with wood dust. Sawdust from pine was used for testing of the pine processing workers and referents while sawdust from oak was used for testing of the oak processing workers. Skin reactions were recorded after 20 minutes, 8 hours and 24 hours. The agar-gel test for the presence of precipitins in serum was performed with the extract of pine wood dust and extracts of 17 microbial isolates. The workers processing pine showed a very high frequency of positive skin reactions to the extract of wood dust at all time intervals, significantly greater compared to the workers processing oak and referents (p < 0.001). The early skin reactions to the extracts of dust-borne bacteria and fungi were very common among sawmills workers and showed a significant relationship with the degree of exposure. The frequency of reactions to Gram-negative bacterium Rahnella sp. was significantly greater in the pine processing workers than in the oak processing workers and referents (p < 0.001). By contrast, the oak processing workers reacted significantly more frequently to Penicillium citrinum, compared to the pine processing workers and referents (p < 0.01). These results conform to the prior study of airborne microflora in which the dominancy of Gram-negative bacteria was stated in the pine processing sawmill while mould fungi were most common in the oak processing sawmills. The antibody response of sawmill workers to work-related antigens was much weaker compared to skin reactions. As many as 41 sawmill workers reported the occurrence of work-related symptoms. A significant relationship was found between the occurrence of symptoms and frequency of allergic reactions, but only with a limited number of antigens. The obtained results suggest that early allergic reactions to coniferous wood and to microorganisms associated with wood dust are common among sawmill workers, posing a potential risk of work-related disease in this occupational group.

Actinomycetales↗

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for IgG antibodies in farmers' lung disease.

The ELISA was used for detection of specific IgG antibodies to Micropolyspora faeni antigens in 158 farmers with a history of exposure to mouldy hay, eighty-eight of whom had a diagnosis of farmer's lung. The farmers' lung group had significantly higher values in the ELISA than both the seventy exposed but asymptomatic farmers (P less than 0.001) and a group of thirty-one adult controls (P less than 0.001). The asymptomatic farmers also had significantly higher values than the control group (P less than 0.02). The ELISA correlated better with the clinical diagnosis than the Ouchterlony agar-gel double-diffusion (precipitin) test. None of the control group gave positive reactions in the ELISA or the precipitin tests. The ELISA is therefore a sensitive, specific and quantitative test which is readily available and widely applicable.

Adolescent↗

Response of furniture factory workers to work-related airborne allergens.

The aim of this work was to determine the reactivity of furniture factory workers to microbial allergens associated with wood dust. Allergological examinations by skin and precipitin tests were performed in 48 workers employed in a factory producing furniture from fibreboards and chipboards, and in 32 healthy urban dwellers not exposed to organic dusts (referents). The skin test was performed by the intradermal method with the saline extracts of the cultures of 3 microbial species (Rahnella sp., Arthrobacter globiformis, Aspergillus fumigatus) associated with wood dust. Skin reactions were recorded after 20 minutes, 8 hours and 24 hours and graded 1-4, depending on the diameter of the reaction. The agar-gel test for the presence of precipitins in serum was performed with the extracts of 15 microbial isolates. The furniture factory workers showed a high skin response to the extracts of environmental microbes. The frequency of early grade 2 reactions (diameter 10 mm) to the extract of Rahnella sp. was 64.6% among furniture workers, being significantly higher (p < 0.001) compared to reference group (18.7%). High frequencies of grade 2 reactions in furniture workers were also found with the extracts of A. globiformis and A. fumigatus (52.1% and 62.5%, respectively). The frequencies of grade 2 delayed (after 8 h) and late (after 24 h) reactions to Rahnella sp. in furniture workers were non-specifically high (97.9%/93.7%) while the response rates to A. globiformis and A. fumigatus were much lower (10.4%/25.0%, and 4.2%/37.5%, respectively). In agar-gel test for detection of precipitins, in most cases very low percentages of positive reactions (0-2.1%) were noted in furniture factory workers. The only exception was a high percentage of positive reactions (27.1%) to the antigen of Pseudomonas maltophilia, which was significantly greater in furniture workers compared to the reference group (p < 0.01). The obtained results suggest that early allergic reactions to microorganisms associated with wood dust are common among workers of furniture industry, which may increase a potential risk of work-related disease in this occupational group.

Adult↗

Evaluation of candida precipitin and agglutinin tests for the diagnosis of systemic candidiasis in burn patients.

Candida agglutinin and precipitin tests were performed on a group of burned patients without evidence of systemic candidiasis to determine whether tests could be used to distinguish between colonization and systemic disease, as has recently been reported. There were considerable numbers of false-positive results using both tests. These false-positive results occurred regardless of the candida colonization status of the patient. We conclude that these tests are of little diagnostic value in burn patients.

Agglutination Tests↗

Occupational hypersensitivity lung disease.

A case of occupational hypersensitivity pneumonitis caused by an air conditioning unit is presented. Aspergillus fumigatus and aureobasidium pullulans were cultured from this unit and antibodies to these organisms were found the patient's blood. The case shows that this disease may present in a very subtle form and may be diagnosed by a culture from the patient's environment and an easily performed blood precipitin test. The importance of searching for this type of lung disease and the need for obtaining precipitin tests are stressed.

Air Conditioning↗

Quantitative measurement of precipitating antibodies in streptococcal grouping antisera by the single radial immunodiffusion technique.

A comparative study was made of the single radial immunodiffusion test and the classical quantitative precipitin test for determining the amount of precipitable antibodies present in streptococcal groups A and C antisera. The potency of 21 group A and 54 group C antisera was determined by both methods; purified group-specific carbohydrates were used as antigens. The coefficient of correlation between the results from the two methods was 0.976 for group A antisera and 0.946 for group C antisera. When the concentration of antigen, the volume of antiserum used, and the depth of the antigen-agar mixture are kept constant, the diameter of the precipitin disc is directly related to the concentration of precipitable antibodies present in the antiserum. The use of the radial immunodiffusion test for evaluating and standardizing streptococcal grouping antisera is discussed as well as the advantages and disadvantages of using a concentrated vaccine for producing these antisera.

Agar↗