Biomedical subjects
B Wretlind
Publications and source records attributed to B Wretlind.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa elastase and its role in pseudomonas infections.
Most strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa produce three proteases with broad substrate specificities. One of these enzymes has elastolytic activity (P. aeruginosa elastase). This elastase has tissue-damaging activity and is capable of degrading various plasma proteins such as immunoglobulins, coagulation and complement factors, and alpha-proteinase inhibitor. There is evidence for a role of elastase in localized infections such as experimental pseudomonas keratitis, pneumonia, and burn infection. Once colonization and invasion has occurred and septicemia has been established, these enzymes are probably less important. Elastase is probably best classified as a virulence-enhancing factor in certain types of infections.
Semiquantitative estimation of Shigella antigen-specific antibodies: correlation with disease severity during shigellosis.
Systemic and mucosal antibody responses during shigellosis were analysed and correlated with clinical severity. Patients infected with Shigella dysenteriae type 1 (SDIP), and S. flexneri (SFIP) were grouped according to disease severity. The disease was more severe in SDIP than in SFIP. Higher levels of Shigella antigen-specific serum antibodies were associated with severe disease. In contrast, decreased serum levels of IgG, IgM and total protein were associated with severe disease. Faecal levels of total IgA, secretory IgA, albumin, and LPS specific s-IgA were increased in severe disease. The results of the study indicate that the level of humoral immune response correlates with the disease severity in shigellosis and that the local immune system in the mucosa is directly engaged in the response. This is also reflected at the systemic level by increased serum levels of specific antibodies and non-specific inflammatory parameters.
Bacteriology of maxillary sinusitis in relation to quality of the retained secretion.
The bacteriological findings in 200 patients with acute maxillary sinusitis are reported. It is concluded that the sampling technique--by antral aspiration--is highly significant in the evaluation of the bacteriological background of sinusitis, whereas the anerobic transport of the sample seems to be of less importance. By aspiration the purulent secretion can be properly separated from the non-purulent secretion. Pneumococci, H. influenzae and anaerobic bacteria can be isolated in about 90% of the patients with true sinus empyema, while sterile conditions are rare.
The mucociliary activity of the respiratory tract. I. Inhibitory effects of products of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on rabbit trachea in vitro.
Bacteriological filtrates of three strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were compared with respect to inhibitory effect on ciliary movements and a quantitative difference was established between them. The cilia inhibitory effect was strictly concentration-dependent and was resistant to heating. The ciliotoxic effect disappeared from filtrates after chloroform extraction. The chloroform-extracted sediment ws dissolved in physiological saline and the solution revealed an inhibitory effect on cilia. Involvement of endotoxin is not probable, since E. coli endotoxin in a high concentration was not toxic. Partially purified Pseudomonas aeruginosa phenazine pigment as well as haemolysin inhibited ciliary activity and the effect was standardized in the present experimental system.