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Biomedical subjects

D M Collins

Publications and source records attributed to D M Collins.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

An examination of Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus by restriction endonuclease analysis and serology.

Restriction endonuclease analysis was used to examine 70 different strains of Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus, which were isolated from aborted sheep foetuses. The strains could be divided into seven types based on the DNA fragment patterns obtained by electrophoresis after digestion with the enzyme BstEII. With one exception, digestion with the enzyme XhoI allowed the strains to be grouped identically to that for BstEII. Antisera were made against formalized whole cells representative of each of the seven different restriction types. Analysis of these sera by tube agglutination tests using whole cells revealed five different serogroups. Examination of the 70 strains with absorbed antisera demonstrated a complex relationship between the restriction type and the external antigens of C. fetus subsp. fetus.

Agglutination Tests↗

BCG identification by DNA restriction fragment patterns.

Seven daughter strains of BCG were characterized by restriction fragment analysis with the enzymes BstEII, PvuII and BclI. Comparisons of fragment patterns confirmed that BCG is correctly classified as a Mycobacterium bovis variant and suggested that the Swedish strain is most closely related to the original BCG strain.

DNA Restriction Enzymes↗

Restriction endonuclease analysis of members of the Mycobacterium avium-M. intracellulare-M. scrofulaceum serocomplex.

Organisms belonging to the Mycobacterium avium-M. intracellulare-M. scrofulaceum (MAIS) serocomplex were subjected to restriction endonuclease analysis (REA) with the enzymes BstEII, PvuII, and BclI. Substantial genetic heterogeneity was observed between members of an authenticated collection of the 31 serotypes. Serotypes 2 and 3 were indistinguishable, however, as were serotypes 5 and 10. No direct correlation could be made between restriction pattern and species identification. REA of serotype 2 and serotype 8 isolates from various geographic locations and animal origins showed that, within limits, the restriction pattern could be used as an index of serotype. Some isolates that were unable to be classified serologically exhibited restriction patterns identical to those of strains that were able to be classified by seroagglutination. The difficulty of interpreting much of the epidemiological data concerning MAIS organisms may be partially explained by the extent of heterogeneity observed by REA. These findings support the contention that the MAIS complex has a substantially greater degree of heterogeneity than has been revealed by traditional methods.

Agglutination Tests↗

Geographic distribution of restriction types of Mycobacterium bovis isolates from brush-tailed possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) in New Zealand.

DNA restriction endonuclease analysis was used for intra-specific typing of Mycobacterium bovis isolates from 83 brush-tailed possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) obtained between 1982 and 1984 from the three major regions in New Zealand with endemic bovine tuberculosis. All the isolates were found to be genetically very similar. Differentiation of the isolates into 33 restriction types was achieved by using high-resolution electrophoresis and the combined results from separate digestions with the restriction enzymes Bst EII, Pvu II and Bcl I. The typing system was entirely reproducible. Isolates of the same type were usually found in adjacent localities and were always limited to one of the three major regions. In some cases, isolates of the same type were found in both 1982 and 1984. The phenotypic significance of the small genetic differences identified between different isolates is unknown. The typing system will be useful for monitoring the transmission of M. bovis to other species and the future spread of different M. bovis types through possum populations.

Animals↗

Restriction endonuclease analysis of various strains of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis isolated from cattle.

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) preparations from 3 reference strains of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis and from 23 isolates of M paratuberculosis obtained from cattle in New Zealand were characterized by restriction endonuclease analysis, using the enzymes BstE II, Pvu II, and Bcl I. Patterns of DNA fragments for strain 18 (one of the reference strains) differed markedly from patterns of other strains, indicating genetic differences between strain 18 and the other strains of M paratuberculosis evaluated. The other 2 reference strains (TMC 1613 and Weybridge strain 316) and all but 1 of the isolates from cattle had identical patterns with the 3 enzymes. These 2 reference strains differed from each other in their dependence on exogenous mycobactin, but this was not reflected in their restriction patterns. The single variant isolate from cattle had patterns identical to those of the other isolates, using Pvu II and Bcl I, and had only 1 fragment line difference with BstE II. Although close genetic homogeneity of cattle strains of M paratuberculosis prevented development of a typing system on the basis of restriction endonuclease analysis, the results provided a basis for genomic comparison with other closely related organisms.

Animals↗

Cost comparison of unit dose and traditional drug distribution in a long-term-care facility.

Unit dose and traditional drug distribution systems were compared in a 352-bed long-term-care facility by analyzing nursing time, medication-error rate, medication costs, and waste. Time spent by nurses in preparing, administering, charting, and other tasks associated with medications was measured with a stop-watch on four different nursing units during six-week periods before and after the nursing home began using unit dose drug distribution. Medication-error rate before and after implementation of the unit dose system was determined by patient profile audits and medication inventories. Medication costs consisted of patient billing costs (acquisition cost plus fee) and cost of medications destroyed. The unit dose system required a projected 1507.2 hours less nursing time per year. Mean medication-error rates were 8.53% and 0.97% for the traditional and unit dose systems, respectively. Potential annual savings because of decreased medication waste with the unit dose system were $2238.72. The net increase in cost for the unit dose system was estimated at $615.05 per year, or approximately $1.75 per patient. The unit dose system appears safer and more time-efficient than the traditional system, although its costs are higher.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗

Restriction endonuclease analysis of Brucella ovis and other Brucella species.

Brucella ovis DNA was analysed by using 11 different restriction endonucleases. The most clearly resolved DNA fragment patterns were obtained after digestion with the enzyme Hind III. When DNA preparations from 35 strains of B. ovis were digested with this enzyme, the fragment patterns appeared to be identical. The patterns obtained after Hind III digestion of DNA from one strain each of B. abortus, B. canis and B. melitensis were more similar to each other than to the B. ovis pattern.

Animals↗

DNA restriction endonuclease analysis of Mycobacterium bovis and other members of the tuberculosis complex.

DNA preparations from 24 New Zealand isolates, two reference strains of Mycobacterium bovis, and one reference strain each of Mycobacterium microti, Mycobacterium africanum, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis were characterized by restriction endonuclease analysis. Twenty-five restriction enzymes were investigated. The clearest differences in M. bovis patterns were obtained with the enzymes BstEII and BclI. These produced four and five different patterns, respectively, for the 24 local isolates. When the results from both enzymes were considered, seven different combinations were obtained. The patterns produced for the two reference strains of M. bovis could be distinguished from each other and also from the patterns produced for the local isolates. All patterns were reproducible and are now being used for typing M. bovis isolates. With either enzyme, the patterns produced for the M. tuberculosis, M. bovis, and M. africanum strains had many features in common, but all the M. bovis patterns were clearly more similar to each other than to the M. tuberculosis patterns. The patterns produced for the M. microti strain were markedly different from those produced for the other species. Restriction endonuclease analysis is clearly a useful method for inter- and intraspecific classifications of the tuberculosis complex.

DNA Restriction Enzymes↗

DNA restriction endonuclease analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis BCG.

DNA preparations from two reference (H37Ra and H37Rv) and two wild strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and one re-isolated strain of Mycobacterium bovis BCG were analysed using 17 restriction endonucleases. The enzyme BstEII revealed the greatest differences between strains. Electrophoretic DNA patterns from the wild M. tuberculosis strains differed from each other and from the reference strains at relatively few positions. At the highest resolution attained, patterns from the two reference strains remained indistinguishable from each other. The pattern of the M. bovis BCG strain was substantially different from, but had many bands in common with, the M. tuberculosis patterns.

DNA Restriction Enzymes↗

Restriction endonuclease analysis of Campylobacter strains with particular reference to Campylobacter fetus ss. fetus.

Forty-three strains of Campylobacter fetus ss. fetus isolated from sheep abortions in New Zealand, and reference strains of C. fetus ss. fetus (four), C. fetus ss. venerealis (two), C. jejuni (one) and C. coli (one) were examined by restriction endonuclease analysis with the enzymes BstE II and Xho I. DNA fragment patterns of C. fetus, C. jejuni and C. coli differed strikingly from each other, but there were many similarities in the patterns obtained for all strains of C. fetus ss. fetus (47) and C. fetus ss. venerealis (three). The 43 local strains of C. fetus ss. fetus were clearly divided into four types. Two of these types produced patterns nearly identical with those of overseas reference strains.

Animals↗

The extent of reflux of unconjugated 14C-cholic acid from the liver in subjects with normal liver function.

An improved understanding of bile acid physiology is a prerequisite for the construction of an acceptable model for describing plasma clearance of bile acids. The aim of this study was to determine the extent of reflux unconjugated cholic acid from the liver to the plasma in subjects with normal liver function. The clearance of a bolus injection of unconjugated 14C-cholic acid was studied in four subjects using samples collected simultaneously from a peripheral and a hepatic vein. Hepatic extraction ratios calculated directly from the data were found to be essentially constant during the 20 min following injection, with average values of 0.60-0.72. This indicates that reflux did not occur significantly in the subjects investigated. These results are interpreted as favouring a model in which exchange of unconjugated 14C-cholic acid occurs between the plasma and a peripheral compartment with final removal from the plasma to the liver.

Carbon Radioisotopes↗