Biomedical subjects

A Linde

Publications and source records attributed to A Linde.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

PubMed1996

Detection of respiratory viruses in nasopharyngeal secretions with immunofluorescence technique for multiplex screening-an evaluation of the Chemicon assay.

BACKGROUND: Antigen detection with immunofluorescence is an efficient method for diagnosis of respiratory tract infections, but has previously not allowed for simple screening of many respiratory viruses. Pools of monoclonal antibodies against various respiratory viruses are now available, and are potentially important tools for improvement of antigen detection in nasopharyngeal samples. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the commercially available Chemicon immunofluorescence assay (IFA; respiratory viruses panel and identification kit), an indirect IFA containing a pool of monoclonal antibodies for screening for influenza A, B, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza 1, 2, 3 and adenovirus, and the respective individual antibodies. STUDY DESIGN: Ninety-six frozen preparations from nasopharyngeal secretions or bronchoalveolar lavages were retrospectively examined with the assay, and the results compared with other IFAs for antigen detection and cell culture isolation obtained in the everyday routine. Nasopharyngeal preparations from 300 children with lower respiratory tract infections at Beijing Children's Hospital during the 1994-1995 winter season were also examined. RESULTS: The sensitivity of the Chemicon assay compared to the combined results of routine IFA and isolation was 89% and specificity 92%. If five identifications of RSV made with the Chemicon assay alone were regarded to be truly positive, the specificity was 100%. A viral etiology was identified in 105/280 (38%) evaluable samples drawn from the Chinese children (influenza A 20%, RSV 14%, adenovirus 3% and parainfluenza 1, 2 or 3, 7%). CONCLUSION: One problem with the Chemicon assay was that for around 4-13% of samples there was a non-specific staining in the screening assay, necessitating stainings for verification. Despite this, the assay is an excellent tool for identification of viral respiratory tract infections, giving an increased sensitivity compared to direct immunofluorescence assays.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1996

Factors in implant integration failure after bone grafting: an osteometric and endocrinologic matched analysis.

In a retrospective analysis of 49 patients who received bone graft augmentation to the maxillary sinuses in conjunction with implant insertion, 11 patients had a significantly reduced success rate. The aim of the present study was to determine whether bone quality, as assessed by osteometry and selected haematologic and urinary tests, influences the integration of implants, and whether such data can be prognostically useful. Relative bone mass density (BMD%) differed significantly among these patients as compared to age- and sex-matched control patients receiving the same reconstructive treatment (P=0.01). Other parameters tested did not demonstrate any significant differences. In addition to local complications, general disorders, such as osteoporosis, must be considered in cases of excessive implant loss.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Polymerase chain reaction on cerebrospinal fluid for diagnosis of virus-associated opportunistic diseases of the central nervous system in HIV-infected patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic reliability of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for virus-associated opportunistic diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) in HIV-infected patients. DESIGN: CSF samples from 500 patients with HIV infection and CNS symptoms were examined by PCR. In 219 patients the PCR results were compared with CNS histological findings. METHODS: Nested PCR for detection of herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 or 2, varicella zoster virus (VZV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), and JC virus (JCV) DNA. Histopathological examination of CNS tissue obtained at autopsy or on brain biopsy. RESULTS: DNA of one or more viruses was found in CSF in 181 out of 500 patients (36%; HSV-1 2%, HSV-2 1%, VZV 3%, CMV 16%, EBV 12%, HHV-6 2%, and JCV 9%). Among the 219 patients with histological CNS examination, HSV-1 or 2 was detected in CSF in all six patients (100%) with HSV infection of the CNS, CMV in 37 out of 45 (82%) with CMV infection of the CNS, EBV in 35 out of 36 (97%) with primary CNS lymphoma, JCV in 28 out of 39 (72%) with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Furthermore, HSV-1 was found in one, VZV in four, CMV in three, EBV in three, HHV-6 in seven, and JCV in one patient without histological evidence of the corresponding CNS disease. CONCLUSIONS: CSF PCR has great relevance for diagnosis of virus-related opportunistic CNS diseases in HIV-infected patients as demonstrated by its high sensitivity, specificity, and the frequency of positive findings.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

PubMed1996

Viral etiology of acute childhood encephalitis in Beijing diagnosed by analysis of single samples.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the viral etiology of acute childhood encephalitis in Beijing. METHODS: Ninety-seven Chinese children (between 7 months and 13 years of age) with acute encephalitis were retrospectively investigated. They were treated in Beijing Children's Hospital between June, 1991, and October, 1994. Different serologic methods (immunofluorescence assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, solid phase reverse immunosorbent test) were used for detection of IgM antibody to enteroviruses, herpesviruses, mumps, measles, rubella and Japanese encephalitis virus. The viral DNA of six herpesviruses was detected by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Viral etiology was identified in 35 of 97 (36.0%) cases. The most frequently identified pathogens were enteroviruses (15; 15.4%), followed by mumps (7; 7.2%), rubella (6; 6.1%), Japanese encephalitis virus (5; 5.1%), human herpesvirus 6 (2; 2.0%), herpes simplex virus (2; 2.0%) and Epstein-Barr virus (1; 1.0%). IgM antibody in cerebrospinal fluid was detected for enterovirus, mumps and rubella viruses. CONCLUSIONS: Enteroviruses were the most frequent viral pathogens of acute childhood encephalitis in Beijing. Detection of IgM in cerebrospinal fluid may be useful for diagnosis in certain cases of viral encephalitis.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1996

Treatment of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis with the immunomodulator linomide: a double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study with monthly magnetic resonance imaging evaluation.

Linomide (quinoline-3-carboxamide) is a synthetic immunomodulator that increases the natural killer cell activity. We previously demonstrated that linomide effectively inhibited the clinical and histopathologic signs of acute and chronic relapsing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. We report a double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate tolerability and to obtain preliminary indications of the clinical efficacy of linomide on secondary progressive MS. Thirty patients suffering from clinically definite and laboratory-supported secondary progressive MS, with an expanded disability status scale (EDSS) of 3.0 to 7.0, were included in this study. Patients were treated daily with linomide (2.5 mg) or placebo orally and were followed up for side effects and changes in their neurologic status; monthly MRI scans were taken throughout the treatment period. Twenty-four patients completed at least 6 months of treatment. Mild to moderate side effects, including muscle pains, arthralgia, and edema, were present in 11 of the 15 patients receiving placebo and in 13 of the 15 patients treated with linomide. At 24 weeks, the mean shift in EDSS was +0.272 +/- 0.156 in the placebo group versus -0.166 +/- 0.167 in the linomide group (p = 0.0451). The percentage of patients with evidence of "activity" on their MRI (new, enlarging, or new gadolinium diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid [Gd-DTPA]-enhancing lesions) throughout the treatment period was 75% in the placebo group and 33% in the linomide group (p = 0.0205). The mean total number of new Gd-DTPA-enhancing lesions per MRI scan for the same period was 0.42 +/- 0.143 in the placebo group and 0.19 +/- 0.114 in the linomide group (p = 0.0387). In this study, linomide proved to be safe and well tolerated in patients with secondary progressive MS. In addition, our results indicate that linomide tends to inhibit the progression of the disease, especially preventing the appearance of new active lesions in the MRI scans. Based on these results, two multicenter phase III trials are currently under way in the United States and in Europe and Australia.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

PubMed1996

Diagnosis of pulmonary infections in immunocompromised patients by fiber-optic bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage and serology.

Fiber-optic bronchoscopy (FOB) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were performed on 67 occasions in 57 immunocompromised patients with symptoms consistent with pulmonary infection. Diagnosis was achieved more often in renal transplant patients than in patients with hematological malignancies (85% versus 28%). Culture (bacteria, virus, fungi), staining and microscopy (bacteria, fungi, Pneumocystis carinii (PC)) and antigen detection by indirect immunofluorescence (cytomegalovirus (CMV), respiratory viruses, PC, Legionella) were used for diagnosis. On 20 occasions transbronchial biopsies with histopathologic examination were performed. In addition, serology comprising the herpes group (HHV-6) and respiratory viruses was done. A microbial diagnosis was obtained on 45% of occasions. The most common pathogens found were CMV (31%) and PC (25%). On 22 (33%) occasions a rapid diagnosis of 1 or more microbial agents was obtained within 24 h by conventional staining or indirect immunofluorescence. The clinical relevance of findings of CMV, HHV-6, and Epstein-Barr virus in BAL by polymerase chain detection on 18, 6 and 3 occasions is discussed. On 4 occasions pathogenic bacteria were found. It was not possible to relate findings of coagulase-negative staphylococci, alpha-streptococci and Candida albicans to the pulmonary infection.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

Bone regeneration by a combination of osteopromotive membranes with different BMP preparations: a review.

The aim of these studies was to see if a combination of osteopromotive membranes of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE; GORE-TEX) and BMP, known to separately promote bone healing, would be stimulatory if combined. Bilateral transosseous 'critical size' defects at the mandibular angles in adult male rats were treated with either (i) various BMP preparations only; ii) lateral and medial coverage with e-PTFE membranes only; iii) a combination of various BMPs and membranes; or iv) left untreated. Two semi-purified bovine BMPs (bBMP), comprising collagen as carrier material, and recombinant human (rh) BMP-2 (1, 2 or 8 micrograms), delivered in either biodegradable beads of polylactide/polyglycolide acid (PLA/PGA) or purified collagen, were tested. After 12 or 24 days, block biopsies were taken for histological analysis. The different materials were well tolerated by the hosts and elicited large amounts of newly formed bone widely spread in the surrounding soft tissue. The combinations of bBMP and membranes did not improve the rate of bone healing compared to membranes only. In contrast, the combination of rhBMP-2 in PLA/PGA with membranes was more efficacious than membrane placement only and resulted in bone bridging at 24 days, with a bone contour resembling the original anatomy. The combination of membrane placement with rhBMP-2 may be of value in the clinic for bone regenerative purposes. The results are also of general importance for choosing carrier materials for delivery of other growth-stimulatory substances in combination with membranes.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

[Pelvic floor conditioning with vaginal weights--post partum and in urinary incontinence].

To check on the efficacy of cone training 71 women were thoroughly examined six to eight weeks after spontaneous deliveries at various risk levels. Their pelvic floor was examined by palpation, inspection, manometry and gravimetry. All of them were re-examined in the same way after four to six weeks of daily cone training. Thirty women with moderate genuine stress incontinence (16) or stress/urge incontinence (14) were evaluated by the same procedure, independent of gestation. A control group included 20 women prior to and after conventional puerperal pelvic floor exercises and eight nulliparae of the same age prior to and after the same cone training, using a five-cone set. The number of puerperae not capable of voluntary pelvic floor contraction declined from 34 % before to 6 % after training. Optimum initial and posttraining responses, on the other hand, were exhibited by all nulliparae. Differences in childbirth risk for pelvic floor damage played a less important role than childbirth proper. Training related differences were of minor importance, as well, between cone and conventional exercise groups. Notwithstanding different initial values, all puerperae increased their contractility to 10 mm Hg on average, while the increase accomplished by nulliparae was from 15 mm Hg to 21 mm Hg. Cone Nos. 1-3 (20.0-45.0g) were most frequently required at the beginning of training and Nos. 3-5 (45.0-70.0 g) towards the end, for an average increase by one or two cone numbers. 25 % of the cone women and 35 % of the conventional exercise probands failed to complete the training, which was indicative of limited patient compliance after delivery. A positive correlation was found to exist between motivation and training success. Cone training also had positive effects on sexuality. It has proved to work well alternatively or complementary to conventional postpartum exercises and, therefore, may be recommended to all women who are not capable of holding with their pelvic floor vaginal cones of 20-70 g in the postpartum period. In women with urinary incontinence (UI) no pelvic floor response was recordable, prior to training, from five women (17 %). Response was not even recorded from eight women (21 %) by palpation. After training, the capability of voluntary and reflex contraction of pelvic floor muscles was restored in all women. The best post-training result was obtained from palpation (27 positive responses). Manometry and capability of the pelvic floor to hold vaginal cones were other suitable methods in this context: in 15 women (50 %) cone weights were extremely low at the beginning of treatment (Cone no. 1-2), while after treatment 19 women (63 %) held cones up to Nos. 4-5. All healthy women of the control group started with Cone No. 5. In conformity with postpartum groups average increase in pelvic floor contractility was from 5 mm to 10 mm Hg in UI patients. Twenty-four women (80 %) were cured from UI (57 %) or were improved (23 %). Twenty-six women asked for continuation of cone training. Pelvic floor conditioning, using vaginal cones, is a good alternative to poor acceptance or insufficient availability of conventional pelvic floor exercises in conservative treatment of urinary incontinence and descensus.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Diagnosis of Epstein-Barr virus-related diseases.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is present, as both latent and replicating virus, in most healthy individuals, and disturbance of the normal host-virus balance may cause a variety of diseases. A number of diagnostic tools can he used, depending upon the particular condition investigated, however, serology is the best method for diagnosis of primary EBV infections. In approximately 85% of cases of mononucleosis, the primary EBV infection can he diagnosed by an assay for heterophile antibodies. The presence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM to antigens from the replicative cycle of the virus, in combination with absence of antibodies to the EBV nuclear antigens (EBNA 1-6), is a diagnostic for a primary EBV infection. Serological tests for elevated IgA levels to various EBV antigens have been used to screen for EBV-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma. In those with AIDS with EBV-associated lymphomas of the brain, EBV genomes can always be detected with polymerase chain reaction on cerebrospinal fluid. Epstein-Barr virus involvement in tumours, other than those of the brain and solid organs, can be verified by in situ demonstration of EBV-DNA or by immunocytochemical techniques for viral antigens.

Antibodies, Viral↗

PubMed1996

Influence of the specific T cell response on seroconversion after measles vaccination in autologous bone marrow transplant patients.

Six patients who were seronegative to measles after autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) were vaccinated with a live attenuated measles vaccine. The specific T helper cell response was studied by measuring lymphocyte proliferation induced by measles antigen and B cell response by measles specific IgG by ELISA. Blood samples were drawn before, at 1-3 months, and at 1 year after vaccination. It was found that a pre-existing T cell response correlated with an impaired B cell response 1 year after vaccination (r = 0.83, P = 0.04), whereas no correlation was found between IgG titers before vaccination and IgG titer increase, or T cell response after vaccination. Furthermore, there was a transient negative correlation between the T cell response at 1-3 months after vaccination and the T cell response before vaccination (r = -0.90, P = 0.04) that became positive at 1 year after vaccination (r = 0.90, P = 0.02). In conclusion, in patients seronegative to measles who were revaccinated with measles vaccine after ABMT, a pre-existing T cell response correlated with an impaired B cell response, while pre-existing low-level IgG antibodies had no significant influence on the IgG titer rise. A sustained T cell response to measles antigen before vaccination may thus be one possible explanation for measles vaccine failure in ABMT patients.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995