Nasal secretions from 349 Austrian children under six years of age who were hospitalized for respiratory illnesses were screened for the presence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza virus 1 and 3, adenovirus and influenza A virus over a period of four years by the immunofluorescence technique. 35% of the specimens were found to be positive for one of the five viruses investigated. RSV was detected in 31% of the nasal secretions and was thus the most frequently encountered causative agent of respiratory infections in the age group investigated. RSV infections occurred almost exclusively in the winter months and were mainly associated with bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Only sporadic infections were found with one of the other viruses investigated.

Austria↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Detectability of IgM antibodies against TBE virus after natural infection and after vaccination.

IgM antibodies against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus were investigated by means of a three-layer ELISA (antigen bound to the solid phase) and a four-layer ELISA (anti-mu-serum bound to the solid phase) after natural infection as well as after vaccination. In general, the four-layer ELISA detected IgM antibodies more often and for a longer period of time than the three-layer test. In some patients, IgM antibodies were detected for as long as eight months after the disease with the four-layer test but for only six months with the three-layer test. In addition, after the second TBE vaccination, IgM antibodies were found for as long as eight months in 24 sera which were taken within eight months after the second vaccination. Five were positive in the three-layer ELISA and 16 in the four-layer test. IgM antibodies were never detected in specimens taken later than ten months after the second and third vaccination. The results are of diagnostic importance in infections of the CNS which are not caused by TBE virus and which have been preceded by a possibly silent TBE virus infection or by a TBE vaccination.

Antibodies, Viral↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Infectivity of medical staff for hepatitis B.

Prior to hepatitis B vaccination, 36,000 persons of the medical staff were tested for HBs antigen, HBc antibodies, and HBs antibodies. 210 sera were found positive for HBs antigen and HBc antibodies. Of these sera, 171 were available for testing for hepatitis B virus DNA as a marker of infectivity by spot hybridization. DNA was detected in only 15. One hundred and thirty-nine had HBe antibodies but no detectable HBe antigen, and only two of these were hepatitis B virus DNA positive. 12 had neither HBe antigen nor HBe antibodies and none had hepatitis B virus DNA. Hepatitis B virus DNA was, however, detected in 13 of 20 HBe antigen-positive but HBe antibody-negative sera. Our study confirms epidemiological observations that medical staff hardly plays any role as a source of HBV infection for patients.

Antibodies, Viral↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Low risk of health care workers for infection with hepatitis C virus.

294 health care workers from 21 different departments were tested for hepatitis C antibodies by means of the Ortho ELISA test. Only six (2%) were found positive. Health care workers having direct contact with the patient, such as doctors and nurses, seem to be at a higher risk of infection than those with only indirect contact, such as laboratory technicians and cleaning personnel. In the geriatric ward the risk is possibly slightly higher than in other departments. However, in general risk of infection with HCV for health care workers seems to be low.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Can ultrasonography be used to measure torsion angle of the humerus? Comparison of ultrasonographic, computerized tomographic and anthropometric methods].

Sonographic measurements on 40 cadavaric humeri of the angle of torsion according to Harland had been performed. The results were referred to different computertomographic and anthropometric methods. Sonographic measurements proofed to be accurate and were easily reproducible. Comparing sonographically detected angles with the anthropometric results there was shown a mean difference of 28.9 degrees +/- 7.8 degrees. We conclude that sonography is able to give accurate and reproducible results that do not exactly reflect the angle of torsion.

Anthropometry↗