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Biomedical subjects

E Stolz

Publications and source records attributed to E Stolz.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Influence of volume of sample processed on detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in urogenital samples by PCR.

In the present study, it was demonstrated that the sensitivity of the PCR for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis is influenced by the volume of the clinical sample which is processed in the PCR. An adequate sensitivity for PCR was established by processing at least 4%, i.e., 80 microliters, of the clinical sample volume per PCR. By using this preparation procedure, 1,110 clinical samples were evaluated by PCR and by cell culture, and results were compared. After discordant analysis, cell culture resulted in a sensitivity of 79.1% and PCR resulted in a sensitivity of 92.7%. Furthermore, it was shown that treatment with antibiotics immediately resulted in negative cell culture results but that PCR could give positive results up to 2 weeks posttreatment.

Cervix Uteri↗
PubMed1995

Solid-phase C1q-directed bacterial capture followed by PCR for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in clinical specimens.

An antigen capture system based on the binding of bacteria to solid-phase immobilized complement C1q followed by PCR for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in clinical samples was developed and clinically evaluated. Comparison of C1q-directed antigen capture PCR with cell culture and direct PCR on 71 consecutive clinical specimens revealed an identical sensitivity. In this group, all 11 cell culture-positive samples were positive by direct PCR and C1q-directed antigen capture PCR. In addition, two samples found negative by cell culture were found positive by both direct PCR and C1q-directed antigen capture PCR. To further assess the sensitivity of C1q-directed antigen capture PCR, 20 clinical samples with one to five inclusions in cell culture and 20 clinical samples with 6 to 20 inclusions in cell culture were tested. Results obtained showed sensitivities of 95 and 90% for clinical samples with 6 to 20 and 1 to 5 inclusions in cell culture, respectively. Using C1q-coated solid phases, C1q-binding Chlamydia particles can be concentrated from large volumes with concomitant removal of inhibitors of PCR, allowing the use of large volumes of clinical samples for clinical testing. Since C1q has been shown to bind to a range of gram-negative bacteria, the newly developed technique has utility for a broad range of bacteria.

Antigens, Bacterial↗
PubMed1995

Antibodies to human papillomavirus type 16 E7 related to clinicopathological data in patients with cervical carcinoma.

AIMS: To investigate the correlation between antibodies to the transforming protein E7 of human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 and clinicopathological indices in women with cervical squamous carcinoma. METHODS: A synthetic peptide of the HPV type 16 E7 protein (amino acids 6 to 35) was used to screen sera from 29 children, 130 women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, 443 women with cervical cancer, and 222 controls, for antibodies against this viral antigen. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to investigate the correlation between the serological status in the pretreatment sera and clinicopathological indices (size of the lesions, histological grade, stomal infiltration, vascular invasion, and nodal spread). Survival analysis was done using the Cox regression model for all FIGO stages and stages IB and ILA. RESULTS: Cervical carcinoma patients had a significantly higher prevalence of antibodies to synthetic peptide E7/6-35 than women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (17.7% v 7%, p < 0.005) or controls (17.7% v 11%, p < 0.05). Bivariate analysis of the data on the presence of anti-E7/6-35 antibodies in the pretreatment sera from these patients and clinicopathological indices showed a significant correlation between the presence of anti-E7/6-35 antibodies and the size of the lesion (p = 0.0009), histological grade (p = 0.0031), and lymph node metastasis (p = 0.01). 0.011). In addition, the Cox regression model, analysing four risk factors which can be determined before treatment, showed a significant correlation between the presence of anti-E7/6-35 antibodies and a worse prognosis (p = 0.003). Survival analysis revealed that both for all FIGO stages (p = 0.0005) and for stages IB and IIA alone (p = 0.0021), anti-E7/6-35 positive patients before treatment had a significantly shorter life expectancy. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of antibodies against E7/6-35 in pretreatment sera from patients with cervical carcinoma correlates with the size of the lesions, lymph node involvement, and a worse prognosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis in women attending a family planning clinic in Papua New Guinea.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in women attending a family planning clinic in Papua New Guinea, in the period between April and June 1991. SETTING: The outpatient department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Port Moresby General Hospital, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, the departments of Dermato-Venereology and Clinical Microbiology of the Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands and the National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection, Bilthoven, The Netherlands. PATIENTS: A total of 254 consecutive women who attended the family planning clinic at Port Moresby General Hospital, Papua New Guinea were enrolled into this study. METHODS: Cervical infections with C trachomatis were diagnosed using the direct immunofluorescent assay (DFA) and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Serum IgM and IgG antibodies directed against C trachomatis were detected using the enzyme-linked fluorescent assay (ELFA). RESULTS: The prevalence of C trachomatis was 14.6% using the PCR, 9.1% using the DFA and 17.3% when the results of the PCR and the DFA were combined. An elevated IgM titre was observed in 14.2% of the women, whereas 44.1% had an elevated IgG titre. The titres of IgM or IgG were significantly higher in women who were positive using the PCR or the DFA than in those who were negative in both the PCR and the DFA (p = 0.032 and p = 0.0046, respectively). CONCLUSION: Cervical infection by C trachomatis can be considered a major health problem in at least the studied population in Papua New Guinea. The prevalence of C trachomatis infection is at least comparable with that in groups with a high prevalence in industrialized countries. Effective screening and treatment programmes are imperative to combat this problem.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Successful culture of Chlamydia pneumoniae in 2 asymptomatic patients].

In two women, partners of 41 and 36 years old, positive cultures of Chlamydia pneumoniae were repeatedly obtained from the throat. Both individuals were asymptomatic during the period described. Eradication was not achieved despite treatment with doxycycline. C. pneumoniae on the basis of serological data is considered a common cause of respiratory tract infections. However, this micro-organism has only been isolated in the Netherlands once. Carrier status has been described in the literature, although its frequency is unknown.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Improved performance of PACE 2 with modified collection system in combination with probe competition assay for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in urethral specimens from males.

The Gen-Probe PACE 2 assay (GP) in combination with a modified collection system was compared with cell culture (CC) for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in urethral specimens from males. Analysis of discordant results was performed by PCR. The modifications, i.e., application of a more rigid swab type and a 50% reduction in the amount of transport medium, were made to improve the sensitivity of the assay. By using the modified GP on 302 urethral specimens from males, a sensitivity of 89.5% and a specificity of 100% were determined. In addition, performance of a probe competition assay on all GP samples with a result > 0.6 and < 1.0 times the cutoff factor (gray zone) detected three more true-positive samples. The sensitivity of GP in combination with the probe competition assay increased to 94.9%, with a specificity of 100%. This was identical to the performance of CC. The modified GP offers a very sensitive and specific alternative to CC.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed1994

Chlamydia trachomatis-specific antibodies in patients with pelvic inflammatory disease: comparison with isolation in tissue culture or detection with polymerase chain reaction.

OBJECTIVE: The detection of acute phase antibodies against C trachomatis and its comparison with tissue culture or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on samples of cervix and urethra obtained from patients with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). METHODS: In the academic hospital Dijkzigt, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, prospective investigations were performed on 49 consecutive patients who were admitted with the diagnosis of PID. Infections with C trachomatis were traced using tissue culture, PCR or by determining acute phase IgG and IgM antibodies. Differences between the sensitivities of serology and tissue culture or PCR were calculated using the Fisher exact test. RESULTS: C trachomatis infection was detected more often in PID patients using serology in comparison with PCR (p < 0.05) or tissue culture (p < 0.05). All patients who were positive in tissue culture also had acute phase antibodies. CONCLUSION: The establishing of acute C trachomatis infections in PID patients on the basis of serology was superior to either tissue culture or PCR on samples obtained from cervix and urethra.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed1993

[Marked decrease in the number of hospitalizations for gonococcal infections in The Netherlands from 1981-1988].

The number of admissions for gonococcal infections in the Netherlands fell strongly over the period 1981 to 1988, in particular in the 15 to 40-year age group. The decline can only partly be explained by a change in sexual behaviour associated with the fear of AIDS. The change from clinical to outpatient treatment of these infections offers no explanation either because the number of outpatients treated dropped substantially as well.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Turning white overnight, is it possible?].

A female aged 64 reported sudden whitening of the hair. Analysis proved it to be alopecia areata. Rarely, alopecia areata is of diffuse onset. If in such a case it is mostly the pigmented hairs that are lost the impression can be made of a person with grey hair turning white overnight. A review is given of some historical cases which may have been caused by this phenomenon.

Alopecia Areata↗
PubMed1993

[Number of admissions for Reiter's disease (ICD-9-code 099.3) in Dutch hospitals in 1981-1987].

The number of hospitalisations of male patients for Reiter's syndrome in the Netherlands declined over the period 1981 to 1987 by almost 40%. This decline is probably connected with a change in sexual behaviour, associated with the fear of AIDS. The number of admissions of female patients is considerably smaller than that of male patients, possibly due to underdiagnosis of the disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

The effects of medium and rate of freezing on the survival of chlamydias after lyophilization.

The effects of suspension media and rate of freezing on the survival of Chlamydia trachomatis LGV2 and Chlamydia pneumoniae after lyophilization were assessed. The highest loss in infectious elementary bodies (EBs) occurred during lyophilization. The survival was higher after freezing at a rate of 1 degree C min-1 and lyophilization than that after rapid freezing at -70 degrees C or -196 degrees C. The recovery (+/- 5%) was higher when fetal calf serum (FCS) containing glucose, saccharose or lactose were used as lyophilization media than that (0.5-3%) when yolk-sac, skimmed milk or phosphate buffer containing sucrose, glutamine and 10% FCS (SPG) were used. After lyophilization, the survival was not affected in the tested range from 10(4) to 5 x 10(6) inclusion-forming units (ifu) ml-1 prior to freezing. After storage for 4 months at 4 degrees C, the numbers of ifu of both Chlamydia serovars that were recovered were identical to the numbers of ifu immediately after lyophilization. It was concluded that chlamydias can be stored and transported in lyophilized form. However, a loss of 95% in infectious EBs should be taken into account.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed1993

Cosmetic tattooing as a treatment of port-wine stains.

BACKGROUND: Medical treatment for port-wine stains frequently is cosmetically unsatisfactory. An alternative possibility is cosmetic medical tattooing. METHODS: By means of a traditional Japanese tattooing technique, five patients were treated in multiple sessions until the color of the lesion matched that of the surrounding skin. RESULTS: The results were excellent, the skin texture remained normal, and the patients could discontinue cosmetic camouflage. DISCUSSIONS: Cosmetic medical tattooing when carefully done is a valuable addition to the medical armamentarium and may replace more aggressive techniques.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Influence of temperature and relative humidity on the survival of Chlamydia pneumoniae in aerosols.

The survival of Chlamydia pneumoniae in aerosols was investigated by using a chamber with a capacity of 114.5 liters. We injected 5 x 10(7) inclusion-forming units (IFU) of C. pneumoniae in aerosols with a droplet size of 3 to 5 microns. Samples were taken after 30 s and every 1 min thereafter. The survival of C. pneumoniae was measured at four temperatures (8.5, 15, 25, and 35 degrees C) and at three different relative humidities (RH) of 5, 50, and 95% for each temperature. The survival rates of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Chlamydia trachomatis LGV2, and cytomegalovirus were also determined at 25 degrees C and 95% RH and compared with that of C. pneumoniae. At the mentioned temperatures and RH, a rapid decrease of C. pneumoniae IFU was observed in the first 30 s. After this the decrease in the number of IFU was more gradual. The survival of C. pneumoniae in aerosols were optimal at 15 to 25 degrees C and 95% RH; it was good compared with those of other microorganisms. A lower death rate was observed only in S. faecalis. In C. trachomatis, the death rate during the first 30 s was higher than that in C. pneumoniae (85 and 53.3%, respectively). After the first 30 s, the death rates in the two organisms were identical. It was concluded that transmission of C. pneumoniae via aerosols was possible. There is probably a direct transmission from person to person, taking into account the relatively short survival period of C. pneumoniae in aerosols.

Aerosols↗
PubMed1993

Evaluation of Clearview and Magic Lite tests, polymerase chain reaction, and cell culture for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in urogenital specimens.

The Clearview Chlamydia test (CV; Unipath Ltd., Bedford, United Kingdom), the Magic Lite Chlamydia test (ML; CIBA Corning, Medfield, Mass.), a polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and cell culture (CC) were evaluated for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in urogenital specimens. Specimens were collected from 283 men and 724 women visiting the outpatient clinic for Sexually Transmitted Diseases at the University Hospital Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. ML, PCR, and CC were all performed on the same sample to prevent swab-to-swab variability. CV was performed on a separate sample. Analysis of discordant results was performed by application of the following confirmatory assays: first, PCR on the CC, second, ML was repeated, and third, PCR was repeated by using a different DNA extraction protocol. If more than one test was positive, the sample was considered true positive. If only one test was positive, which was confirmed by the confirmatory assay, the sample was also considered true positive. By using these interpretations, the following results were obtained. The sensitivity and specificity of CV for samples from men were 60.4 and 86.3%, respectively. For samples from women, these values were 62.3 and 99.7%, respectively. The low specificity for samples from men was caused by unidentified substances in the swab that was used. The use of CV on samples from men is not recommended by the manufacturer. For samples from women, the specificity of CV was high, but the low sensitivity of CV limits its use for diagnostic purposes. The sensitivities of ML were low for samples from both men and women (68.8% and 50.9% respectively), while specificities were excellent for samples from both groups (100 and 99.9%, respectively). The low sensitivity of ML limits its diagnostic value. The PCR technique was highly specific for samples from both men (99.6%) and women (99.9%). The sensitivity of PCR, however, was unexpectedly low for samples from both groups (men, 87.5%; women, 79.2%), most likely because of the sample treatment method used. The sensitivity and specificity values of CC for samples from men were 95.8 and 100%, respectively. For samples from women, these values were 100 and 99.9%, respectively. In the present study, CC was the most reliable technique for the detection of C. trachomatis.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed1993

The localisation of treponemes and characterisation of the inflammatory infiltrate in skin biopsies from patients with primary or secondary syphilis, or early infectious yaws.

OBJECTIVE: To study the localisation of treponemes and to analyse the inflammatory infiltrate in biopsy specimens from patients with primary or secondary syphilis, or early infectious yaws. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Skin biopsies originating from human lesions of primary (29x) or secondary (15x) syphilis (Rotterdam), or early yaws (18x) (West Sumatra) were studied. Different histochemical and immunohistochemical detection methods were used in this study. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The histochemical silver staining method according to Steiner revealed the presence of T. pallidum in all cases of primary syphilis studied. In 10 out of 14 cases of secondary syphilis, treponemes were demonstrated. With an immunofluorescence staining technique (IF) using anti-T. pallidum antiserum raised in rabbits (a-Tp), T. pallidum was demonstrated in 28 out of 29 cases of primary syphilis, and in 14 out of 14 studied cases of secondary syphilis. The silver staining method and IF showed identical localisations of T. pallidum (mainly in the dermal-epidermal junction zone or throughout the dermis). Using a-Tp antiserum in the indirect immunofluorescence technique, T. pertenue could be demonstrated in the dermis more often than with Steiner silver staining. However, epidermotropism of T. pertenue in yaws specimens was remarkable, compared with more mesodermotropism of T. pallidum; numbers of T. pertenue in the dermis were limited in all specimens. The dermal inflammatory infiltrate in primary and secondary syphilis was composed mainly of lymphocytes and plasma cells. In most cases more T (CD3 positive) cells than B (CD22 positive) cells were present. Regarding T cell subpopulations, in primary syphilis, T helper/inducer (CD4 positive) cells predominated in 86% of cases. In secondary syphilitic lesions, numbers of T helper/inducer cells were less frequent than or equal to T-suppressor/cytotoxic (CD8 positive) cells in 60% of cases. Remarkably, in yaws specimens the inflammatory infiltrate consisted mainly of IgG, but also IgA and IgM producing plasma cells. T or B lymphocytes were scarce, which is in sharp contrast with findings in syphilitic lesions.

Adolescent↗