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D Petzoldt

Publications and source records attributed to D Petzoldt.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Detection of C trachomatis in urogenital specimens by polymerase chain reaction.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol for the detection of urogenital C trachomatis infection and to compare it with the detection in cell culture. SPECIMENS: Urethral specimens were collected from 62 male patients and cervical specimens from 106 female patients. SETTING: Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität, Heidelberg. METHODS: Urogenital specimens were simply boiled for 15 minutes and subsequently subjected to amplification without prior extraction of nucleic acid. The DNA sequence selected for amplification is located in the third open reading frame of the ubiquitous C trachomatis plasmid pCTT1. The amplified products were demonstrated by agarose gel electrophoresis followed by Southern blot hybridization. In addition, specimens were investigated with cell culture. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Results of PCR and cell culture. RESULTS: PCR detected all C trachomatis serovars relevant for urogenital infections (D-L2). Serial dilution experiments revealed that the PCR procedure was 100 fold more sensitive than cell culture. The investigation of 168 urogenital specimens showed that the PCR confirmed all 30 cell culture positive results, however, out of the 138 cell culture negative specimens 16 were positive using the PCR. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial number of urogenital C trachomatis infections detectable by PCR may be missed by the cell culture technique.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed1991

[Serotyping of Chlamydia trachomatis isolates].

Antigens can be used in the classification of microorganisms and can give information about the biological behaviour of the infectious agent and the spread of the infection. Starting with the mouse toxicity prevention test, followed by the two-step and then the one-step micro-IFT using polyclonal antibodies, C. trachomatis serovars are now typed with monoclonal antibodies. Worldwide, serovars D, E and F are found with the highest prevalence. No differences have been found between women and men in the prevalence of serovars. In addition, symptomatic and asymptomatic courses of the disease were not correlated with distinct serovars. The persisting technical difficulties of for large-scale typing could be overcome by the use of the polymerase chain reaction followed by treatment with endonucleases.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1991

[The value of symptoms and clinical findings in cervical Chlamydia trachomatis infection].

The frequency of symptoms in the case histories of 68 female patients with and of 313 without Chlamydia trachomatis infections was investigated. Dysuria, vaginal discharge and/or burning/itching in the genital region were reported by 50% (n = 34) of chlamydia-positive women and 53.7% (n = 168) of chlamydia-negative women. Clinical investigation of the chlamydia-positive patients revealed discharge in 83.8% (n = 57), contact bleeding in 38.3% (n = 26) and ectopia in 27.9% (n = 19). The corresponding investigations in chlamydia-negative women disclosed discharge in 72.8% (n = 228) women, contact bleeding in 19.8% (n = 62) and ectopia in 16.8% (n = 52). The results were significantly different as far as contact bleeding and ectopia were concerned. Only when yellow or whitish yellow discharge was distinguished from clear discharge was the difference between the two groups significant (66.7% vs 43.9%). Significant numbers of polymorphonuclear leucocytes (greater than 4 per high power field with oil immersion) were found in 52.9% of the chlamydia-positive women, as against 23% of the chlamydia-negative women. Overall, 48.7% of the women with a C. trachomatis infection were found to have notes of symptoms in the history and signs of cervicitis revealed by clinical investigation. Symptoms only were found in 1 woman, while in 36.8% of the patients signs only were found. Neither symptoms nor signs were mentioned by 13.3% of the women. These results indicate that microbiological detection of the infectious agent is obligatory for the diagnosis of C. trachomatis cervicitis.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed1991

[Detection of proviral HIV DNA with polymerase chain reaction in the epidermis].

The infection of cells of the epidermis with HIV can still not be taken as proved, since the demonstration of HIV in Langerhans cells has not been universally accepted. In our study, the polymerase chain reaction was used to look for proviral HIV-DNA in epidermal cells collected by the suction blister technique. The primers flanked sequences of the gp41-encoding region of the env gene and hybridized with highly conserved HIV-DNA sequences. Amplified sequences were detected by the dot-blot technique. The PCR revealed HIV-DNA in epidermals cells of four HIV patients. In addition, HIV-DNA was detected in the mononuclear cells of the blood in the same patients by the PCR. These results strongly support the notion that in addition to blood cells, epidermal cells of HIV patients are also infected with HIV.

DNA, Viral↗
PubMed1991

[Chlamydia trachomatis serovars and the clinical picture of urogenital infections].

A total of 56 Chlamydia trachomatis strains isolated from female and male patients in the STD outpatient clinic of the Department of Dermatology, University of Heidelberg, were serotyped by means of monoclonal antibodies in an indirect immunofluorescence test. The most prevalent serovar was serovar E, with 35.7%, followed by serovar D, with 28.6%, and serovar F, with 26.8%. No double or multiple infections with different C. trachomatis serovars were found. The first epidemiological study of C. trachomatis serovars in Germany shows that the distribution of distinct serovars is not essentially different from that found in other western countries. The distribution of serovars was similar in women and men. There was no demonstrable correlation between asymptomatic or symptomatic courses of the infections with distinct serovars. In addition, the presence of polymorphonuclear leucocytes in urethritis or cervicitis was not associated with distinct serovars. These results indicate that the antigens used as a criterion in the classification of C. trachomatis are not correlated with the biological behaviour of this infections agent.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[The value of symptoms and findings in urethral Chlamydia trachomatis infection].

The history and the results of clinical investigations in 74 patients with and 262 men without urethral Chlamydia (C.) trachomatis infection were evaluated: symptoms such as dysuria, discharge and/or burning/itching in the genital region were reported by 77% (n = 57) of the patients with an infection and 63.4% (n = 166) of the men without an infection. Upon clinical investigation, discharge was found in 55.4% (n = 41) of the chlamydia-positive patients and in 47.7% (n = 125) of the chlamydia-negative men. Only when yellow, whitish yellow and clear discharge were distinguished from one another was the difference between the two groups of patients (56.1% versus 12%) significant. Microscopic signs of urethritis, i.e. significant numbers of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (greater than 4 per high-power field and oil immersion) were detectable in the smears of 59.5% (n = 44) of the chlamydia-positive patients, in contrast to 15.6% (n = 41) in the smears of chlamydia-negative men. Overall, 67.6% (n = 50) of the patients with a C. trachomatis infection reported symptoms in the anamnesis combined with signs of urethritis upon clinical and microscopic investigation. There were 9.5% (n = 7) of the patients who either mentioned symptoms or showed clinical signs, and 13.5% (n = 10) who neither mentioned symptoms nor showed clinical signs. These results indicate that microbiological detection of the infectious agent is obligatory for diagnosis of urethral infection with C. trachomatis.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed1990

Measurement of free human leukocyte elastase and human leukocyte elastase/alpha 1 proteinase inhibitor complexes by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

We report on an ELISA procedure for the quantitative analysis of total human leukocyte (PMN)-elastase, i.e., the simultaneous determination of (i) free (non-complexed) PMN-elastase and of (ii) PMN-elastase that is complexed to alpha 1 proteinase inhibitor. Simultaneous detection of both forms of PMN-elastase was achieved using a monoclonal antibody that recognizes a PMN-elastase-specific epitope present on both the uncomplexed and the complexed form of the enzyme. The test system described is reliable, easy to perform and permits the determination of total PMN-elastase in complex biological fluids such as plasma or seminal fluid. It is to be expected that this test system will be useful for investigations of human PMN-elastase in biological specimens obtained from both normal and pathological conditions.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1990

Current status of serotyping of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Protein I has become the basis of serotyping of N. gonorrhoeae. A panel of 12 anti-protein I monoclonal antibodies is supplied by Syva Company, Palo Alto, CA, through distributors for research purposes only. These distributors are responsible for storing the monoclonal antibodies, supplying research groups and training new users, particularly in the interpretation of coagglutination reactions. A European Workshop was held in Heidelberg, Federal Republic of Germany in July 1988 to discuss serotyping with these antibodies. The current uses of serotyping of N. gonorrhoeae include epidemiological studies, clinical purposes and surveillance of antibiotic resistance and plasmid carriage. Predominant serovars may be subtyped either by additional antibodies or with the use of another technique, such as auxotyping, determination of antibiotic sensitivities, plasmid analysis or genetic fingerprinting. Conversely, there is growing evidence that it may be appropriate to group certain serovars together. Data collected during prevalence studies could be combined with clinical information and an international data bank set up. This supposes a close future collaboration of all groups involved in the epidemiology of N. gonorrhoeae.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1990

Characterization of Borrelia burgdorferi associated antigens by monoclonal antibodies.

In this paper, we present a series of murine mAb recognizing B. burgdorferi antigens. The antibodies were characterized by immuno-blotting and immuno-fluorescence studies using isolates of B. burgdorferi from North America and Europe, respectively. Moreover, reactivity of the antibodies with recombinant B. burgdorferi flagellin and OspA was studied. The results suggest these anti-B. burgdorferi mAb as valuable tools for the serological analysis of B. burgdorferi isolates and for affinity-purification of the respective proteins. Moreover, these mAb appear suitable to classify antigenic variants of B. burgdorferi and to study the protective capacity of antibodies in a murine model for B. burgdorferi infection.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Nucleic acid hybridization for direct detection of Chlamydia trachomatis. Comparison of a radioactive with a non-radioactive procedure].

A total of 234 urogenital specimens were investigated with a radioactive and a nonradioactive rRNA:cDNA-hybridization test for the direct detection of Chlamydia trachomatis (Gen-Probe, San Diego, Calif.). The results were compared with those yielded by the conventional cell culture technique (McCoy cells). Using cell culture a urogenital C. trachomatis infection could be detected in 37 of 234 patients (15.8%) at two outpatient sexually transmitted disease clinics. Referred to the detection rate, cell culture sensitivity was 83.8% for the radioactive test and 86.5% for the nonradioactive DNA-hybridization test. The specificity of the radioactive test was 94.8% and that of the nonradioactive test, 93.4%.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1990

[High-level tetracycline-resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae].

High level tetracycline resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae is mediated by a 25.2-MD plasmid and is characterized by a minimal inhibitory concentration of 16 micrograms/ml or more. The 25.2-MD plasmid originated through the insertion of the streptococcal tetM determinant into the 24.5-MD transfer plasmid of N. gonorrhoeae. In the present study the prevalence of N. gonorrhoeae with high-level tetracycline resistance in the Heidelberg gonococcal population between 1981 and 1989 was determined. Among 1765 N. gonorrhoeae isolates, one strain with high-level tetracycline resistance was identified. The presence of the 25.2-MD plasmid in this strain was demonstrated by plasmid-agarose gel electrophoresis. The auxotype/serovar class proline-/IB-1 indicates the importation of this strain from the USA. The 25.2-MD recombinant plasmid, in contrast to the 24.5 MD transfer plasmid, has a rather wide host range, which is favourable to the occurrence both of high-level tetracycline resistance and of beta-lactamase plasmids in N. meningitidis.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1990

[Tumoral calcinosis].

Tumoral calcinosis is a distinct entity, which is rarely seen in Europe and North America but much more common in black Africans. Typical symptoms are calcified nodules, which grow while remaining asymptomatic and are found in the tissues adjacent to the large joints of the body. Histologically there is collagen necrobiosis initially, which results in aggregates of densely calcified material. The aetiology is unknown, but the condition is probably a form of dystrophic calcification caused by mechanical injury. A patient with tumoral calcinosis is presented, and the clinical and histological findings are described.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Netherton's syndrome: ultrastructure of the active lesion under retinoid therapy.

A young female patient, expressing the symptom triad of Netherton's syndrome, i.e., ichthyosis linearis circumflexa Comèl, trichorrhexis invaginata and other hair shaft defects, and atopic diathesis, has been treated successfully with the new retinoid preparation Etretin. Our electron microscopical study especially focused on the ultrastructural effect on the characteristic, active part of the skin lesions, which is only found within a narrow borderline just preceding the lesion's margin. In untreated skin, this part is characterized by dermal inflammation, immigrating inflammatory cells, and specific keratinization disturbances: synthesis of keratinization proteins is suppressed, serum exudates invade the epidermis, either filling the intercellular spaces of the upper spinous and the granular layer as finely granular, amorphous material, or they are partly phagocytosed and lie within intracellular, round-oval inclusions. The portions of the lesions lying towards the center are unspecific and represent recovery stages, ultrastructurally resembling stages of normal wound repair. Oral therapy with Etretin did not heal the basic defect, but drastically reduced exoserosis and the deposition of intra- and extracellular material. Keratinization seemed to normalize. The condition of the hair was also improved.

Acitretin↗
PubMed1989

The significance of the ipazyme IgA and IgG antibody test in the diagnosis of urogenital chlamydial infections.

Urogenital specimens from 200 male and female patients were cultivated for the detection of C. trachomatis. For comparison, serum of the same patients was investigated with the Ipazyme IgA and IgG test. This comparison of culture and serological tests revealed a sensitivity of the IgA Ipazyme test of 56% and a specificity of 81%. For the IgG Ipazyme test, the corresponding values were 77% and 39%. The sensitivity of the conventional immunofluorescence test reached 46% and its specificity was 50% for the same group of patients. Antibiotic treatment of 13 IgA-positive patients resulted in a significant decrease of the titre in only one case. The introduction of the Ipazyme test does not open a new aspect in chlamydial serology, i.e. the diagnostic value of serology for the detection of a current chlamydial infection remains low.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed1989

Evaluation of a non-radioactive DNA probe for confirmatory identification of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

A biotinylated DNA probe combined with a streptavidin-peroxidase complex for the identification of culture isolates of N. gonorrhoeae (Ortho diagnostic systems, Neckargemünd, FRG) was compared with the conventional carbohydrate utilisation test as reference. All 118 strains identified by the reference method as N. gonorrhoeae also gave positive reactions with the DNA hybridisation assay. However, with this test 2 of 23 non-gonococcal Neisseria or Branhamella species were identified as N. gonorrhoeae as well. The study shows that the DNA hybridisation technique can principally be used for the confirmatory identification of N. gonorrhoeae, but since specificity is particularly essential for confirmatory identification, the DNA hybridisation assay evaluated cannot be recommended for routine diagnosis.

Carbohydrate Metabolism↗
PubMed1989

[Chlamydia trachomatis, a pathogen in infections of the upper respiratory tract?].

In neonates and in older children C. trachomatis can cause otitis media in rare cases. This fact has to be taken into account in diagnosis. The detection of C. trachomatis in the pharynx after orogenital sexual practice seems to be rather due to colonization than to an infection. According to existing studies C. trachomatis does not play a causative role in the pathogenesis of pharyngitis in adults.

Adult↗