Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Morag

Publications and source records attributed to A Morag.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Detection of human cytomegalovirus DNA in human tonsillar lymphocytes.

The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) was first isolated in cell cultures from the oropharynx, which is thought to be a site of primary infection. Although HCMV can be recovered from the oropharynx during reactivation phases, its exact site of latency is not known. In the present study we demonstrated evidence suggesting the presence of latent HCMV in this anatomic region--in the palatine tonsils. Samples from 30 tonsils obtained by tonsillectomy were screened for the presence of HCMV. Out of the 30 tonsil donors, 23 were seropositive for HCMV. Three methods were used in attempts to demonstrate HCMV's presence in the tonsils: (1) viral isolation attempts on various cell cultures, (2) immunohistochemical staining--immunoperoxidase method--designed to detect viral antigens, and (3) DNA dot hybridization with a HCMV-DNA probe designed to detect viral DNA. Neither infectious HCMV nor other viruses were isolated in cell cultures. No viral antigens were detected by immunoperoxidase staining in the tonsillar tissue. Four out of the 30 tonsils studied were found to contain viral DNA. In one case in which the tonsillar mononuclear (MN) fraction was separated from the polymorphonuclear (PMN) fraction, only the first fraction contained the viral DNA.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Rapid isolation and identification of reovirus-3.

Mammalian reoviruses are connected with a variety of humans diseases, including gastroenteritis, malabsorption and hepatitis. Recently, reovirus-3 was found to be associated with neonatal biliary atresia. We describe a technique for the rapid isolation and identification of reovirus-3. Mouse fibroblasts (L 929 cells) were grown in monolayers in a RPMI 1640 medium containing 10% calf serum. The cytopathic effects were visualized by the rounding of the L 929 cells and the appearance of fine granulation in the cytoplasm 48 h after the infection. Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed swelling and rounding of the infected cells, diminished chromatin in the nuclei, and the absence of mitoses. The immunohistochemical staining by the avidin-biotin-peroxidase technique was positive in the infected monolayers of the L 929 cells. The positive staining was limited to cytoplasmic inclusions, which were surrounded by a halo and sometimes by vacuoles. We conclude that the described technique is useful for the rapid isolation and identification of reovirus-3.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Viral antibodies in agricultural populations exposed to aerosols from wastewater irrigation during a viral disease outbreak.

The presence of antibodies to eight enteroviruses (echovirus types 4, 7, and 9, coxsackievirus types A9, B1, B3, and B4, and hepatitis A virus) and varicella-zoster virus was determined during a two-year period, 1980-1981, in paired blood samples of 777 persons in selected agricultural communities (kibbutzim) in Israel. These communities were divided into several categories on the basis of wastewater utilization for sprinkler irrigation and/or fish ponds. Among the nine viral antibodies studied, there was a consistent and significant excess of antibodies to echovirus type 4 only, particularly in the age group 0-5 years, in kibbutzim that had been exposed to aerosols from sprinkler irrigation with partially treated wastewater from nearby towns. This finding may be attributed to a major national echovirus type 4 epidemic, which had peaked shortly before the collection of the blood samples. The fact that no similar excess of the other viral antibodies studied was found in any of the kibbutz categories suggests that, under nonepidemic conditions, exposure to wastewater aerosols usually does not lead to an excess in enteroviral infection. No excess of clinical cases of echovirus type 4-associated disease (meningitis or encephalitis) was detected in the communities exposed to wastewater aerosol.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Prevalence of antibodies to enteroviruses and varicella-zoster virus among residents and overseas volunteers at agricultural settlements in Israel.

Within the framework of a comprehensive study of the correlation between enteric diseases and wastewater utilization in agricultural settlements (kibbutzim) the prevalence of several viral antibodies was examined among kibbutz residents and overseas volunteers. The latter were assumed to be a group highly susceptible to local pathogens. For the purpose of this study the presence of antibodies against eight enteroviruses [Coxsackieviruses (COX) types A9, B1, B3, and B4, echoviruses (ECHO) types 4, 7, and 9, and hepatitis A virus (HAV)] and a nonenterovirus, varicella-zoster virus (VZV), was tested in their sera. The prevalence of these viral antibodies among 342 volunteers (aged 18 to 34 years) upon their arrival at the kibbutzim was compared with that of 176 kibbutz residents of the same age. Seroconversion (ie, acquisition of viral antibodies) was tested in 115 of the volunteers two months after their arrival at the kibbutz. The prevalence of antibodies against each of the eight enteroviruses studied was found to be significantly higher among the kibbutz residents, but the prevalence of antibodies to VZV was similarly high in both groups (52% for volunteers and 59% for kibbutz residents). The mean antibody prevalence for the seven COX and ECHO viruses was 2.1 antibodies/person in the volunteer group v 4.7 antibodies/person among the kibbutz residents. Fifty-eight percent (58%) of the residents had antibodies to HAV as compared with 14% of the volunteers. No correlation was found between seropositivity (ie, previous exposure) to various enteroviruses and the immune status to HAV or VZV in both kibbutz residents and volunteers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Fetal outcome following primary herpetic gingivostomatitis in early pregnancy. Morphological study and updated appraisal.

Three women presented with acute primary herpetic gingivostomatitis during the first half of their pregnancy. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) was isolated by culture from the buccal lesions in two cases, and a serological confirmation of primary HSV infection was evident in the third case. One fetus, delivered during the second trimester of pregnancy, had a central nervous system anomaly, which was probably not related to the infection. The placenta exhibited mild diffuse deciduitis and focal villitis. The other two fetuses were normal and born at term. Microscopic examination of the placentas and membranes disclosed deciduitis and basal placentitis in one, which may have been caused by the herpes virus. The literature on intrauterine infection with HSV is reviewed, focusing on the significance of Type I virus as a possible teratogen. At present, there seems to be insufficient evidence to indicate pregnancy interruption following nongenital primary HSV infection in early pregnancy.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Polymorphonuclear leukocyte-associated antigenemia in measles: demonstration and significance.

An indirect immunoperoxidase technique was used for the identification of measles virus (MeV) antigen in routinely prepared peripheral blood smears. Characteristic brown immunoperoxidase staining was present in the polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes in 25 of 31 children during the exanthematous stage of measles. No peroxidase staining was seen on peripheral blood smears in any of 9 children convalescing from measles or in 9 children with upper respiratory tract infections ( URTI ) without exanthema. These findings were confirmed by control studies and were reproduced by immunofluorescent staining. The data suggest that MeV antigen is localized in the PMN leukocytes during the acute stage of measles infection, and may be connected to phagocytosis of viral antigenic material by PMN leukocytes. The technique described has potential for rapid laboratory diagnosis of measles and, possibly, of other viral infections during the acute stage and before measurable amounts of antibodies are produced.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1984

Acquisition of antibodies to various Coxsackie and Echo viruses and hepatitis A virus in agricultural communal settlements in Israel.

A seroepidemiological study was conducted to measure the antibody prevalence for eight different enteric viruses. These include seven "classical" enteroviruses, ie, Coxsackie virus types A9, B1, B3, B4 and three ECHO virus types 4, 7, and 9, as well as hepatitis A virus (HAV), recently classified as enterovirus 72. Sera samples were obtained from 791 residents living in 29 agricultural settlements (kibbutzim) with a total population of 15,950. The results indicated that the acquisition of antibodies to Coxsackie and ECHO viruses occurred at a significantly earlier age than to HAV. Prevalence of antibodies to Coxsackie and ECHO viruses at two to four years of age was 40%-69%, in contrast to 4% for HAV. At age 5-17 years, 85% had antibodies to five or more of the seven "classical" enteroviruses, as compared with 10% to HAV. The latter steeply increased to 63% for age group 18-24 years and reached a peak of 95% for age group 50 years and older. Prevalence of antibodies to ECHO and Coxsackie viruses were often found to be higher in in females than in males, within the age group of 18 years and older, but not in age groups 18 years and younger. Prevalence of antibodies to HAV was observed to be much higher in males than in females 18-24 years of age. No significant difference was found in the prevalence of individuals harboring antibodies to three or more and even up to five or more Coxsackie and ECHO viruses between those HAV-negative versus those HAV positive.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Early acquisition of cytomegalovirus antibodies in communal settlements (kibbutzim) in Israel.

The kibbutzim (communal settlements) in Israel are unique societies. Although socioeconomic status is above average and hygienic conditions are usually excellent, infants in these communities living together in nurseries acquire infection with cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus at an early age. We have studied the occurrence of specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies to cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus in a kibbutz in northern Israel where many of the infants and young children, living in adjacent nurseries, have suffered for weeks or months from respiratory tract illnesses. Evidence of recent or past infection with cytomegalovirus was found in all children younger than 24 months of age, while most of them did not have antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus. The latter were found in 45% of children aged 3-12 years. Similar evidence suggesting earlier acquisition of cytomegalovirus infection and immunity than of Epstein-Barr virus infection was also found in several other kibbutzim. The evidence presented suggests a different mode of transmission for cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus in the younger age groups.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Immunoglobulin E response during measles.

Serum IgE levels were determined in 41 patients with measles infection. 23 patients (56%) had an increased level (greater than 20%) during the acute phase of the disease in comparison with the recovery phase. 14 showed no change, and decreased levels were observed in 4 patients only. In contrast, both IgG and IgA levels decreased or remained unchanged in the majority of the patients during disease activity. The changes in the pattern of serum immunoglobulins during measles might be attributed to selective depletion of T-cell subpopulations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Prevalence of antibodies to respiratory syncytial virus in various populations in Israel.

A preliminary study on the prevalence of antibodies to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in individuals of various age-groups was carried out. In healthy infants aged 6 to 12 months, the prevalence was 27%. It increased to 37 and 54% in children aged 1 to 2 and 2 to 4 years, respectively. The prevalence reached 78% in healthy individuals who were more than 20 years old, including pregnant women. Significant levels of specific antibodies were detected in 59% of children aged 6 to 12 months who were hospitalized with respiratory tract illnesses. It appears that acquisition of antibodies to RSV in our population occurs relatively later in life than in other Western countries.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Immunoperoxidase method of identification of Leishmania in routinely prepared histological sections.

An indirect immunoperoxidase technique was applied for identification of Leishmania in routinely prepared histological sections. Paraffin embedded, formalin-fixed slide preparations of skin (1 case), bone marrow (2 cases) and lymph node (1 case) were examined. The tissues were obtained from one patient with cutaneous leishmaniasis and from three patients with visceral leishmaniasis. Specific rabbit antisera against L. donovani, L. tropica and L. mexicana were used as primary reagents. Positive controls were performed simultaneously and included L. tropica cultures in blood-agar (NNN media) - free promastigotes and amastigotes within macrophages. Strongly positive brown staining was localized specifically in Leishman-Donovan (LD) bodies only. This method increases the probability of microscopic diagnosis of leishmaniasis and helps to prevent confusion of Leishmania with other infective agents in histological sections.

Bone Marrow↗
PubMed1983

Posttransfusion non-A, non-B hepatitis after cardiac surgery: a prospective study.

In a prospective study of 50 recipients of HBsAg-negative blood who had undergone cardiac surgery, 4 (8%) developed acute non-A, non-B hepatitis. The patients who developed hepatitis had received significantly more units of blood or blood products than the patients who had no hepatitis. The incubation period of the disease was 4-13 weeks, 3 patients were asymptomatic with peak alaminotransferase (ALT) levels of 320-497 U/1 and 1 patient was jaundiced with a peak ALT of 3,400 U/1. 1 of the patients had high ALT levels after 21 weeks of observation, while 3 patients recovered after 7-10 weeks. It is concluded that non-A, non-B posttransfusion hepatitis in Israel is a medical problem similar to that in the USA and that the clinical picture of the disease varies from a mild asymptomatic to a symptomatic and protracted course.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Human fibroblast interferon in treatment of viral diseases of the skin and mucous membranes.

The therapeutic effect of human fibroblast interferon (HFIF) was studied in 33 patients. Seven had ophthalmic lesions (three due to adenovirus Type 8, four to herpes simplex virus, and one to herpes zoster) and were treated with HFIF. In the four patients with herpes simplex keratitis, HFIF was given in addition to standard therapy or together with other antiviral agents. Ten other patients, 8 with herpes simplex or herpes zoster skin or mucous membrane lesions, were treated with HFIF. HFIF was incorporated into an ointment as well as into a solution for subconjunctival infections. Although the number of cases was small, our results showed that HFIF was effective in shortening the course of the disease.

Adenoviridae Infections↗
PubMed1983

Hepatitis and jaundice associated with measles in young adults. An analysis of 65 cases.

We analyzed the clinical course of 65 adult patients hospitalized because of measles during the years 1975 and 1981-1982. Liver involvement was found in 80% (52/65) of the patients, five patients had clinical jaundice. The disturbances of liver function tests reached their peak values between days 5 and 10 of the disease. In this study of measles in adulthood we have three observations of unusual interest: (1) hepatitis occurs commonly in the more severely ill patients and it may manifest clinically as jaundice; (2) long-term follow-up (up to seven years) shows a clear tendency to complete resolution of the liver damage; (3) there is a clear correlation between the severity of hepatic involvement and the occurrence of secondary bacterial infections.

Adolescent↗