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Biomedical subjects

E Marth

Publications and source records attributed to E Marth.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Booster policy for adults.

A little over 100 years ago the first vaccines were manufactured. Since this time of success no vaccines have been developed for the great scourges of our time i.e. Malaria, helminthic disease and HIV. The morbidity and mortality rates of pneumococcal infection, influenza, hepatitis B and lately diphtheria are high, while vaccination booster rates among adults are not of acceptable values. The following causes have been taken into consideration: (1) there is no acceptance of the necessity of vaccination (2) physicians themselves do not have sufficiently favourable attitudes towards vaccines to put a special emphasis on vaccination for their patients; (3) Quite often a period of 20-30 years will pass between the time of leaving school (at 18 years) and incidence of major illness (visit to a doctor), so that there is no medical counsel concerning prophylaxis for the adult population; (4) high-risk groups are clearly defined but few of them are properly advised and get proper medical attention. Suggested booster strategies are: (1) professional advisory service for population groups and special schooling for physicians; (2) development of a patient chip card containing information about vaccinations, booster intervals and person's history for every physician; and (3) development of new combined vaccines for adults such as influenza and pneumococcal vaccine alone or in combination with diphtheria and tetanus toxoid.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Performance of the automated COBAS AMPLICOR system for the detection of hepatitis C virus RNA.

BACKGROUND: The COBAS AMPLICOR (CA) instrument for the amplification and detection steps of the AMPLICOR molecular diagnostic assays has recently been introduced. The system contains a single thermal cycler with two independently controlled heating/cooling blocks, a pipettor, a magnetic particle washer, a photometer and an incubator. OBJECTIVE: The performance of the CA instrument was evaluated in a routine diagnostic laboratory for the detection of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA. The new system was compared with the corresponding microwell plate assay (AMPLICOR HCV Test). STUDY DESIGN: Routine clinical sera (350) from hemodialysis patients and patients with chronic HCV infection and interferon therapy were studied. If discrepant results were obtained, both assays were repeated (specimen preparation, amplification and detection); in addition, the HCV copy number was determined with the AMPLICOR HCV MONITOR Test. RESULTS: There was a correlation between the CA HCV Test and the AMPLICOR HCV Test in 341 of 350 specimens (97%). After resolution of 9 discrepant results, the CA HCV Test gave a sensitivity of 97.8% and a specificity of 99.4%. The most common reason for discrepant results was a low HCV RNA copy number. CONCLUSION: The CA system was found to be a labor-saving, fast and reliable instrument for the amplification and detection steps of a RT-PCR molecular assay for detection of HCV RNA.

Flaviviridae Infections↗
PubMed1997

Rapid diagnosis of enterovirus infection by a new one-step reverse transcription-PCR assay.

The AMPLICOR Enterovirus Test was evaluated with 103 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens. Twenty-seven CSF specimens were culture positive. With the AMPLICOR test, enterovirus RNA was detected in 34 specimens. Compared with culture, the AMPLICOR test gave a sensitivity of 96.3% and a specificity of 100%. The sensitivity of culture was 79.4% in comparison with the AMPLICOR test.

Enterovirus↗
PubMed1997

Rapid detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae by an assay based on PCR and probe hybridization in a nonradioactive microwell plate format.

A new molecular assay, based on a rapid DNA extraction protocol, PCR, and hybridization to a specific probe in a nonradioactive microwell plate format was used to detect Mycoplasma pneumoniae in bronchoalveolar fluid specimens. The sensitivity of the assay was determined to be 10 to 100 organisms with M. pneumoniae reference strains. Specificity testing with different bacteria capable of producing pneumonia showed no cross-reactivity. In a prospective study, bronchoalveolar lavage fluids obtained from patients with pneumonia were investigated with the PCR assay and compared to culture. Twelve positive samples were detected with the PCR assay. Seven of them were subsequently confirmed by culture. All patients with positive PCR results seroconverted. Application of the PCR assay described may lead to safe and early diagnosis of M. pneumoniae in patients with pneumonia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

A cohort study with children living in an air-polluted region--a model for public health.

Regions with heavy industry are in many ways regions of crisis. The health of the population is primarily affected by the different air pollutants. Dust, with all its organic (dioxins and furans) and inorganic (heavy metals) contents, makes up the greatest part of the air-borne pollutants. The influence on health of environmental pollution was ascertained through the determination of different parameters (functional methods and determination of physiological parameters). This influence could be observed in children over a period of 8 years with regular investigations (e.g. determination of pulmonary function by spirometry and immunological parameters). Besides this exogenous load the persons are exposed to other environmental stresses-shift work, unemployment, alcoholism and divorce-which have a particular influence on the attitude and the upbringing of the children. Sixty per cent of the children in this polluted region ate no breakfast in the morning. Consequently it could be shown that the blood sugar in 70% of the children was below 70 mg/dl. Additionally, a relatively high amount of COHb (2.5% to 3%), and an increased concentration of serum IgE (47% of children with a concentration over 100 IU/ml), could be detected. Through a change in the environmental awareness of the children and their consequent influence, an effort should be made to achieve a positive effect on the health of the whole population. The children were given a chance to participate in various sports for the whole day during a week in the mountains at 1200 m. The teachers exercised with the children for at least 8 h per day. Besides gymnastics the program consisted of downhill and cross-country skiing. In addition, the children were offered a balanced and natural diet and they were instructed accordingly. This week of activity led to a clear reduction of the concentration of COHb, but to a far less clear improvement in the concentration of blood sugar and the pulmonary function.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1996

Total serum IgE concentration of children from air-polluted regions.

Distributions of IgE levels were determined from 312 children (divided into three age groups), living in small Austrian towns with different levels of air pollution. The spread of IgE concentration was extremely wide; the mean value was 124 kU/I with a standard deviation of 240. An increase of concentration was found in the group aged 6 to 11 years. No significant difference was found according to sex and the higher rates of IgE. The reference rates were then used to compare children living in an industrial region with heavy metal production. A significant difference was found in the lower IgE concentrations (25th and 50th percentiles).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Quantitation and genotyping of hepatitis C virus RNA in sera of hemodialysis and AIDS patients.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is highly prevalent in hemodialysis and AIDS patients. Little information exists about the viral load in those patients. OBJECTIVE: To characterize HCV infection in hemodialysis and AIDS patients, the viral load in the sera was measured. Results were compared with genotypes, gender of the patients, and biochemical markers of active hepatitis. STUDY DESIGN: Sera from a total of 442 patients were screened with a third-generation EIA, and anti-HCV immunoreactivity was confirmed with the Wellcozyme HCV Western Blot. After qualitative PCR with the Amplicor PCR Test, positives were genotyped using a reverse hybridization test. Determination of HCV levels was done with the Amplicor HCV Monitor assay. RESULTS: HCV RNA was detected in the sera of 95 (74.8%) EIA-positive patients. HCV RNA levels ranged from 1 x 10(4) to 1.4 x 10(6) molecules of HCV RNA/ml. Median HCV RNA levels of AIDS patients were slightly higher than those of hemodialysis patients. Male patients had higher median HCV RNA levels compared with female patients. No association between HCV RNA levels and both alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels was found. The most common genotypes were type 1b and type 1a, followed by type 3, type 4, and type 2a. There were no significant differences in HCV RNA levels among patients with genotypes 1a, 1b, and 2a. Patients infected with types 3 and 4, respectively, had significantly lower HCV RNA levels compared with other genotypes. CONCLUSION: Because the Amplicor HCV Monitor assay allows quantitation of low-titer viremic patients, HCV RNA levels were distinctly lower compared with previous reports. HCV RNA levels of males did not differ significantly from those of females. ALT and AST are very poor indicators of ongoing HCV infection. Patients with chronic type 3 or type 4 HCV infection tended to have lower HCV RNA levels.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1995

Detection of hepatitis C viral sequences in serum by 'nested' polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and a commercial single-round PCR assay.

BACKGROUND: Demonstration of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome is usually done with combined reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) employing nested primer sets. Recently, a commercial PCR assay (Amplicor PCR assay), based on a simplified sample preparation procedure, a single, combined reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and a microwell plate capture and detection, has been developed. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to compare the new Amplicor assay with an 'in-house' PCR. Additional testing included a third-generation enzyme immunoassay for anti-HCV antibodies, the Wellcozyme HCV Western Blot, which is equivalent to a third-generation recombinant immunoblot assay. Furthermore, HCV genotypes were classified. STUDY DESIGN: Sera from a total of 127 patients were studied. After screening with a third-generation enzyme immunoassay (EIA), the Wellcozyme HCV Western Blot, was performed as well as the conventional RT-PCR and the Amplicor PCR. Specimens, which were found positive by testing with the Amplicor kit, were subjected to storage at room temperature for 96 h. RESULTS: A total of 52 patients were found to be positive for anti-HCV by the third-generation EIA. With the Amplicor assay, the HCV genome was detected in 38 patients. In comparison with the 'in-house' assay, two discrepant results were found. Resolution of discrepant samples increased the total number of true positives to 39. A good correlation was found between a positive anti-HCV test result and the presence of HCV-RNA by RT-PCR. No significant reduction in the amount of amplification product was observed by retesting of suboptimally stored samples with the Amplicor assay. CONCLUSION: Because of the rapidity and the improved ease of handling, the Amplicor assay was found to be a good contribution for detection of HCV in serum.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1995

People on the garbage dumps of Cairo: a toxicological in vivo model?

In the outskirts of Cairo, some 40,000 people live on garbage dumps. These people form a closed population whose socio-economic problems are identical. The pollutants are evenly distributed. Up to 30% of the garbage on the polluted area, which cannot be recycled, is burned, resulting in a high concentration of pollutants in the environment. The concentrations of heavy metals, dioxins/furans, PCB, PAH in dust deposit and soil were measured as well as the air pollutants SO2, HCl and CO. It was shown that while the systemic immune system is only affected to a very small degree, secretory immunoglobulin A is strongly affected by the emissions. It could be demonstrated also an increased readiness for allergic respiratory disease, through the proof of hyperreactive mucous membranes. In the polluted area, 58% of the examined children were affected, whereas in the control area only 22% displayed a hyperreactive mucous membrane. Also the concentration of NANA (N-acetyl-N-neuraminic acid) in the serum, as a unspecific marker of cell irritation, was high in the serum of children from the polluted area. Most of the pollutants detected can also be observed in the industrialized regions, especially in combination with incinerating plants. In this way, this study suggests the synergistic effects of pollutants.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1995

[Bathing water related diseases: the Carinthian Sentinel Project as the source of epidemiological data].

The federal country of Carinthia is known for its lakes and ponds, which are extensively used for bathing. The water quality is monitored regularly in accordance to the EC-Directive 76/160/EC and especially to the more rigorous Austrian Standard M6230. Since redevelopment measures of the lakes have been nearly finished the water quality found has improved essentially. In spite of these monitored data no effective correlation to data from the concerning ambulant sector of medical care could be established. The Carinthian Sentinel Practice Network started in summer 1994 to retrieve informations about occurrence and frequency of bathing related illness of children up to 16 years old. The 26 participating primary health care and pediatric physicians, having their own independent practices spread all over the country, reported the specific doctor-patient-contracts to the coordinating base. Criteria for inclusion in the medical report were headache, sore throat, otalgia, stomach-ache, nausea, emesis, diarrhoea, fever, rhinitis, cough, cold, moreover conjunctivitis, skin rash and specific dermatitis. In addition physicians reported where, how long and how often the children had been bathing and how long they had been free of symptoms afterwards. Each case was reported to the coordinating base including a presumed diagnosis. Statistic evaluation showed that bathing related illness may be divided into three main groups according to symptom frequency. The frequency of otalgia (32.4%) was significantly higher than any other symptom asked for. Two groups of symptoms correlate with each other: on one hand rhinitis, conjunctivitis, cough and sore throat (36.5%) and on the other hand nausea, emesis, diarrhoea and fever (41.9%). These data underline conclusions drawn by other authors but are not representative enough to correlate to data from water monitoring. First results suggest that conclusions for public health authorities can be drawn from this additional information about the state of the lakes and ponds-providing a sufficient number of data is reported.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Increase of ciprofloxacin resistance in Campylobacter species in Styria, Austria.

Salmonella spp. and thermophilic Campylobacter spp. are the most important diarrhea-causing pathogens in the area investigated in Styria, Austria. The isolation rate of Campylobacter in the more than 62,000 stool specimens investigated in the six-year period between 1988 and 1993 ranged between 1.90% in 1988 and 3.58% in 1991. The testing of susceptibility to nalidixic acid has been an usual characteristic for species identification. Nalidixic acid-resistant strains were rare in 1988-1990, but in the summer of 1991, we found an increasing number of these isolates. At the same time, we learnt about the increasing use of enrofloxacin in veterinary medicine, especially in the poultry industry, and therefore we started routine testing of Campylobacter spp. susceptibility to ciprofloxacin in 1992. In 1992, the resistance rate to ciprofloxacin was already 16.9%, rising to 22.1% in 1993.

Campylobacter↗
PubMed1994

Detection of herpes simplex virus DNA from cerebrospinal fluid by PCR and a rapid, nonradioactive hybridization technique.

A molecular assay for the detection of herpes simplex virus (HSV), including a novel, nonradioactive hybridization technique, was evaluated with a total of 123 cerebrospinal fluid specimens. After DNA extraction, specific HSV DNA sequences were amplified with digoxigenin-labeled primers derived from the DNA polymerase gene-coding region from HSV. Amplified products were detected by the Enzymun-Test DNA detection assay (Boehringer, Mannheim, Federal Republic of Germany), which uses biotinylated probes. Amplification with nonlabeled primers and then Southern blotting and nonradioactive detection of hybrids by the digoxigenin technique was the reference system. The sensitivities of the molecular assays were determined with 10-fold dilutions of plasmid pS4 with the SalI restriction fragment of the DNA polymerase gene obtained from the HSV type 1 strain Angelotti. The Enzymun assay was able to detect all of the 16 positive samples, giving 100% agreement with the Southern blot hybridization results. Optical density values were widely separated for the positive and negative groups of specimens. Ten copies of plasmid pS4 per microliter could be distinctly detected by the Enzymun assay. The cutoff was determined for the hybridization assay, and an equivocal zone was defined. The whole molecular assay including the Enzymun-Test DNA detection proved to be sensitive and easy to use. It may contribute to the rapid and safe detection of HSV DNA in cerebrospinal fluid.

Artifacts↗
PubMed1993

Prevalence of antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi flagellin in Styrian blood donors.

Lyme borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) are the most common diseases in Austria caused by tick bites. TBE endemic areas are well defined. It seemed to be of interest to compare prevalence data of antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi (B.b.) to TBE endemic and non endemic areas. Blood samples (n = 1162) were obtained from healthy blood donors in combination with a standardized questionnaire during 21 excursions to 7 selected regions of Styria, Austria. Serum samples were screened for IgG antibodies against B.b. by a commercial flagellum ELISA. None of the tested persons showed symptoms of active Lyme borreliosis. A higher prevalence of antibodies against B.b. could be found in TBE endemic areas (7.7%) compared to TBE nonendemic areas (3.8%). There was a significant increase in positive antibodies against B.b. with age, exposure and number of tick bites remembered by test persons. The antibody prevalence to B.b. flagellin antigen is significantly higher in TBE endemic areas than in non-endemic comparative regions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Rapid detection of Legionella species in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids with the EnviroAmp Legionella PCR amplification and detection kit.

A molecular assay based on a rapid DNA extraction protocol and the EnviroAmp Legionella Kits was used to detect Legionella species in bronchoalveolar fluid specimens. All Legionella strains isolated from tap water in hospitals could be detected distinctly. Both sensitivity and specificity were tested. In a prospective study, bronchoalveolar lavage fluids obtained from patients with atypical pneumonia were investigated. Three positive samples were detected with the molecular techniques and were subsequently confirmed by culture. Application of the system described may lead to safe and early diagnosis of Legionnaires' disease in patients with atypical pneumonia.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed1993

Comparative study of procedures for isolation and cultivation of Legionella pneumophila from tap water in hospitals.

For the isolation and cultivation of Legionella pneumophila from tap water in hospitals, we compared different media and selection techniques. A second part of the study compared the L. pneumophila yields from different water samples at identical sites. A total of 210 water samples (500 ml each) were collected from two selected sites in each of 21 hospitals. Warm water samples were collected after flow times of 0, 5, 10, and 15 min; in addition, one cold water sample was collected. Filtration was used to concentrate all samples. Following filtration, 0.1 and 1 ml each of untreated samples, heat-treated samples (3 min, 59 degrees C), and acid-treated samples (pH 2.2, 15 min) were spread onto the selective media MWY (SR 118; Oxoid) and BMPA alpha (SR 111; Oxoid), and samples from 12 hospitals were also spread onto GVPC medium (SR 152; Oxoid). A total of 72 (34%) of the 210 samples from 12 hospitals were positive. With respect to the positive Legionella cultures, there was no significant difference between the selective media MWY, BMPA alpha, and GVPC. With the BMPA alpha supplement, more samples were positive following heat treatment (P < 0.05) or acid treatment (P < 0.05) than without any further treatment. For the maximum yield of Legionella colonies with minimum additional microbial flora, acid treatment was the most effective, and by all methods, the GVPC supplement was the most selective. For routine water tests in hospitals for differentiating between systemic and local contamination, acid treatment of the concentrated samples, the use of different selective media, and the correct selection of sampling sites are recommended.

Austria↗
PubMed1993

Metabolism and effect of nitrates.

The effect of nitrate on the health of mice in a long term study is described. Nitrate was given to the mice in the form of calcium nitrate in drinking water in varying concentrations, and the mice were observed over the course of 18 months. Three groups were formed: 1. control group, 2. group I (100 mg nitrate/l drinking water) and group II (1,000 mg nitrate/l drinking water). The parameters studied were liver function, kidney function, total iron, ammonium, total protein and electrophoresis of the various serum proteins, body weight, and N-glycolyl-neuraminic acid as a tumor marker. Nitrate is broken down via nitrate, hydroxylamine to ammonium and finally to urea. The concentration of urea increased with time and higher concentrations of nitrate load. The exposed mice clearly lost weight and died prematurely. This was true only for the mice in group II. With a load of 100 mg/l drinking water, no change in the physiological parameters could be seen within the time period studied.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

[Detection of legionellae in thermal water].

Water samples taken from hot water springs, from the water distribution system and from various places of consumption of thermal water were collected in an Austrian spa. 56.5% of the samples contained Legionella; serogroups 1, 3 and 5 of Legionella pneumophila were most frequently identified. The large number of positive Legionella samples indicates a potential risk of infection to patients, especially those undergoing inhalation treatment with thermal water, or those using a whirlpool or taking a shower. In those inhalators actually in use, no Legionella could be detected. Thus they are no source of infection when they are maintained and serviced properly. Thermal disinfection and service checks at regular intervals are suggested for the contaminated systems.

Balneology↗