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Biomedical subjects

D Petzoldt

Publications and source records attributed to D Petzoldt.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Evaluation of a radioactive rRNA:cDNA-hybridisation assay for the direct detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in urogenital specimens.

A radioactive cDNA probe complementary to chlamydial ribosomal RNA was used to detect C trachomatis in urogenital specimens. Of 37 specimens positive with cell culture 31 were confirmed by the rRNA:cDNA hybridisation test, the sensitivity being 83.8%. The specificity of the hybridisation test was 94.4%, as 186 of 197 specimens that were negative by cell culture were also negative when assessed by the hybridisation method. Given a prevalence of 15.8% the predictive values for positive and negative results were 73.8% and 96.9%, respectively. In additional experiments the possible role of microorganisms added to the specimen collection medium was investigated. However, no indication for crosshybridisation was found; at high concentrations microorganisms interfered with the test procedure.

Cervix Uteri↗
PubMed1989

Low concentrations of acid-soluble thiol (cysteine) in the blood plasma of HIV-1-infected patients.

Blood plasma samples from HIV-1-infected persons contain elevated glutamate concentrations up to 6-fold the normal level and relatively low concentrations of acid-soluble thiol (i.e. decreased cysteine concentrations). The intracellular glutathione concentration in peripheral blood-mononuclear cells (PBMC) and monocytes from HIV antibody-positive persons are also significantly decreased. Therapy with azidothymidine (AZT) causes a substantial recovery of the plasma thiol levels; but glutamate levels remain significantly elevated and intracellular glutathione levels remain low. Cell culture experiments with approximately physiological amino-acid concentrations revealed that variations of the extracellular cysteine concentration have a strong influence on the intracellular glutathione level and the rate of DNA synthesis [( 3H]thymidine incorporation) in T cell clones and human and murine lymphocyte preparations even in the presence of several-fold higher cystine and methionine concentrations. Cysteine cannot be replaced by a corresponding increase of the extracellular cystine or methionine concentration. These experiments suggest strongly that the low cysteine concentration in the plasma of HIV-infected persons may play a role in the pathogenetic mechanism of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

[Successful retinoid therapy of Netherton syndrome].

A young patient with Netherton's syndrome characterized by the classic triad of ichthyosis linearis circumflexa, trichorhexis invaginata and atopy was treated with Acitretin, a new retinoid preparation: 35 mg Acitretin/day resulted in a severe, erosive dermatitis which necessitated interruption of therapy. Even with 10 mg/day the patient had intolerable irritation of the integument. After a further dosage reduction to 5 mg/day there were no obvious side effects and a long-term treatment was possible, resulting in an obvious reduction of the ichthyotic lesions and improved hair growth. Electron microscopy in the active part of the skin lesions from untreated skin revealed granular, membrane-enclosed material intracellularly and in the intercellular spaces of the granular layer. Keratinization was almost completely suppressed. Therapy with Acitretin drastically reduced the deposition of intra- and extracellular material and normalized keratinization. Our results underline the importance of starting retinoid therapy in Netherton's syndrome at a low dosage and adjusting it carefully in each case with reference to the skin manifestations and the side effects.

Acitretin↗
PubMed1988

Effects of antimicrobial therapy on sperm-mucus interaction.

Sperm-mucus interaction under in-vitro or in-vivo conditions might be affected by microorganisms colonizing the reproductive tract. In order to study the influence of antimicrobial therapy, an extensive microbial screening was performed including Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a broad spectrum of potentially pathogenic aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, Trichomonas vaginalis, herpes simplex virus and yeasts. One-hundred-and-six couples with a mean duration of infertility of 5.5 years (range 1-12 years) and with isolation of potentially pathogenic microorganisms in semen samples and/or cervical swabs were submitted to a prospective pilot study. None of the patients displayed signs or symptoms of infection in the lower genital tract. Before and after specific therapy, based on antimicrobial susceptibility testing, sperm analyses and in-vitro sperm penetration meter tests (SPMT) (Kremer) were performed. SPMT was evaluated with cervical mucus of patients' wives, collected after a standardized oral treatment with oestrogens and, additionally, in a crossed manner with cervical mucus and spermatozoa of fertile donors. The success of antimicrobial therapy was controlled by repeating the same microbial screening and was 96%. However, there was a marked change in the microbial pattern. A comparison of the results of sperm analyses before and after treatment revealed neither significant differences for sperm volume, sperm count, propulsive motility, morphology, vitality, pH, fructose concentration or number of round cells, nor was there a significant influence on the cervical index and the number of leukocytes in cervical mucus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Evaluation of non-radioactive in situ hybridisation method to detect Chlamydia trachomatis in cell culture.

A DNA probe combined with a non-radioactive stain was used to detect inclusions of Chlamydia trachomatis in cell culture. Of 39 positive cultures detected by monoclonal antibodies in combination with direct immunofluorescence, 35 were positive by the DNA hybridisation method, the sensitivity being 89.7%. Staining with iodine showed a sensitivity of 87.2%, corresponding to 34 positive cultures. The specificity of DNA hybridisation method was 100%, as all 162 cultures that were negative by the immunofluorescence method were also negative when assessed by the DNA hybridisation method.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1988

[Polyvinylpyrrolidone dermatoses. Clinical aspects and ultrastructural morphology].

High-molecular polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) is used in order to induce a depot of subcutaneously or intramuscularly applied drugs. Deposits of PVP in skin plaques persisting for years and distant from the injection site have been demonstrated by the use of a modified fixation and embedding method for electron microscopy. The storage of PVP did not only occur in macrophages but also in other dermal cells whose pinocytotic activity seems to have been underestimated so far. PVP was found in mucinous and serous cells of sweat glands, in myoepithelial cells, endothelial cells, mast cells, and in the perineurium as well as in Schwann cells.

Delayed-Action Preparations↗
PubMed1988

[Skin manifestations of syphilis maligna in HIV infection. Clinical observations in 3 cases].

Three cases of acquired immune deficiency with unusual dermatological symptoms of early syphilis are reported. All three patients were promiscuous homosexual men with confirmed HIV infections and signs of an impaired immune status. One patient was apparently healthy, one had the AIDS-related complex and one was suspected of having LAS. Although none showed serious symptoms as regards their general well-being, the syphilitic skin manifestations corresponded to earlier reports of malignant syphilis.

AIDS-Related Complex↗
PubMed1988

[Home treatment of hyperhidrosis of the hands and feet tap water iontophoresis].

Ten patients with severe palmo-plantar hyperhidrosis have been treated successfully at home with tap water iontophoresis for a period not less than 6 months. The patients were asked to evaluate the treatment subjectively; 8 considered the results to have been good to very good. The same results were obtained in an objective evaluation by gravimetry, hygrometry and colorimetry. The full effects were seen after an average of 15 treatments of 20-30 min each. Through the new possibility of treating patients at home, therapy for palmo-plantar hyperhidrosis, which to date was only possible under medical supervision, has been simplified.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

[Mucous membrane manifestations in HIV infection].

We report the occurrence of mucous membrane manifestations in six patients with HIV-infections: Kaposi sarcomas of the hard palate, of the gingiva, of the larynx and of the glans penis, unusual spreading of condylomata acuminata, bowenoid papulosis, thrush and hairy leukoplakia.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1987

Modulation of melanoma-associated antigens by monoclonal antibodies as visualized by radioimmunoelectron microscopy and radioantibody binding assay.

There is a wealth of information about monoclonal antibody (MAb) specificity and function on fixed tissues, yet little is known about formation and release of antigen-antibody complexes and their functional behavior in vivo. We analyzed the pathway of radiolabeled MAbs directed against melanoma-associated antigens by radioimmunoelectron microscopy (RIEM) on metabolically active cells of the melanoma cell lines SK-MEL-28, MeWo and Colo 38 at different time intervals. In parallel, binding and release of MAbs were investigated by the radioantibody binding assay (RBA). Both procedures gave essentially concordant results. Preferentially stable binding of immune complexes (ICs) to the cell surface after 30 and 120 min was shown for the MAb L10. Internalization was demonstrated for the MAb M.2.9.4. At the ultrastructural level, direct evidence of this phenomenon was obtained by visualization of radioactivity within the cytoplasm after 120 min. In the RBA this process was indicated by resistance of bound MAbs to acid buffer desorption. RIEM pointed to different transport mechanisms: constitutive internalization by endocytotic vesicles, or receptor-mediated endocytosis by coated vesicles. Shedding was indicated for the MAb R24 by release of the ICs from the cell membrane. It was demonstrated that stable fixation of ICs on the cell surface or modulation by internalization led to high accumulation rates, while shedding of antigen-antibody complexes resulted in a low accumulation of the MAb in tumor cells. Assuming that the potential of MAbs for clinical application is determined by the biological behavior of antigen-antibody complexes, these methods are suitable for demonstration of antigenic modulation by MAbs and eventually enable us to predict the localization, penetration and distribution pattern of individual MAbs in the melanoma patient.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1987

Influence of microbial colonization on sperm-mucus interaction in vivo and in vitro.

Two-hundred-and-thirty-three asymptomatic couples with a mean duration of infertility of 5 years were submitted to postcoital testing (PT) and to sperm penetration meter test (SPMT) and simultaneous microbial screening. Cervical swabs and semen specimens were collected for culture of Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, other potentially pathogenic and commensal aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, herpes simplex virus, vaginal swabs for Trichomonas vaginalis and yeasts. Results of microbial screening were analysed with regard to sperm penetration ability into wives' cervical mucus in vivo and in vitro, but no marked influence was revealed for most microorganisms. Samples of only one of the 233 couples proved to be completely sterile. The findings suggest that in asymptomatic patients microbial colonization is of minor importance for sperm-mucus interaction.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

[Serotyping Neisseria gonorrhoeae].

To control gonorrhea an understanding of pathogenesis and epidemiology is necessary. To achieve this goal a serologic typing system recognizing antigenic variants of the gonococcus is needed. The serotyping systems proposed in past years are described and their clinical relevance discussed. At the moment two typing systems based on protein I and monoclonal antibodies are available. Protein I serotypes are correlated with the killing of Neisseria gonorrhoeae by bactericidal antibodies and may play a role in the future development of a gonococcal vaccine. The serovar system permits precise analysis of gonococcal populations and can be used especially for epidemiologic studies. The possibility of discriminating between reinfection and therapy failure can be of importance in therapeutic studies. A microepidemiologic analysis for partner identification is possible by combined determination of serovar and auxotype. Both monoclonal typing systems represent standardized monospecific reagents which, besides serotyping, will be used for the diagnosis of gonococcal disease as well.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1987

[Spectinomycin sensitivity of Neisseria gonorrhoeae].

Using the agar dilution technique minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) with respect to spectinomycin were determined. 92 Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates collected in a STD outpatient clinic and 160 Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates collected from prostitutes were investigated. One isolate imported from Asia had a MIC of greater than 1024 micrograms/ml and was resistant. All other isolates, three penicillinase producing strains included, had MICs of 4-32 micrograms/ml and were sensitive to spectinomycin.

Drug Resistance, Microbial↗
PubMed1987

[Current status of vaccine development in sexually transmissible diseases].

A prophylactic vaccine represents a major hope for the control of sexually transmitted diseases. The current general vaccine strategies and the status of vaccine development against infections with Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Treponema pallidum, Chlamydia trachomatis and Herpes simplex virus are described. Vaccines consisting of whole infectious agents are replaced by protective subunits. A subunit vaccine has the advantage to be free from other components, which are not relevant for protection and which may confer unwanted side effects. At the present time vaccine development against infections with Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Herpes simplex virus seems to be the most progressed. With monoclonal antibodies several surface components could be identified, which are of importance for the pathomechanism. With Treponema pallidum and Chlamydia trachomatis the development is delayed by unsolved problems of immunity. For the production of vaccines molecular-biologic methods, like protein synthesis or gene-cloning will be used. Genetically modified live vaccines or polytope hybrid vaccines will gain importance in the future.

Humans↗