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Biomedical subjects

F Grimm

Publications and source records attributed to F Grimm.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Differential immunodiagnosis between cystic hydatid disease and other cross-reactive pathologies.

We assessed an Echinococcus granulosus hydatid fluid antigen-ELISA (EgHF-ELISA) as a serologic prescreening test for E. granulosus infections, supplemented by more specific confirmatory tests, including arc-5 immunoprecipitation and antigen B subunit 8-kD immunoblotting. The diagnostic sensitivity of the EgHF-ELISA was 91%. With regard to the test specificity of the EgHF-ELISA (overall = 82%), we observed relatively frequent cross-reactions in tumor patients (6%) and in patients with other parasitic diseases. Cestode-related cross-reactivity can be resolved by the complementary use of E. multilocularis-specific antigens or Taenia solium cysticercosis-specific immunoblotting. Immunoblotting based upon the detection of antibody reactivity to the 8-kD antigen of EgHF, or if appropriately detectable, to the 29-kD and 34-kD bands exhibited a 91% diagnostic sensitivity and an overall specificity of 97% or 94%, respectively. Thus, immunoblotting provided a 99% discrimination between seropositive pre-operative cystic hydatid disease cases and cross-reactive non-cestode parasitic infections or malignancies.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed1998

Canine leishmaniosis in Cyprus due to Leishmania infantum MON 1.

During a serological survey in 1996, a total of 601 dogs (group I) distributed all over the government controlled southern area of Cyprus was examined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the presence of specific antibodies directed against soluble antigens of promastigote stages of Leishmania infantum. The overall seroprevalence rate in this group was 1.7%. A second group (group II) of dogs was selected from regions where seropositive dogs where determined within the first group. In group II specific anti-Leishmania antibodies could be detected in 30 of 301 dogs investigated (10%). The highest seroprevalence rates were found in the regions of Agios Georgios (26.2%) and Limnatis (12.2%). Ten parasite isolates from ten dogs (six with typical symptoms of canine leishmaniosis and four without symptoms) originating from five locations could be characterised by zymodeme analysis. All ten isolates were identified as L. infantum zymodeme MON 1.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Long-term mebendazole therapy may be parasitocidal in alveolar echinococcosis.

Long-term chemotherapy of human alveolar echinococcosis with benzimidazole compounds (mebendazole, albendazole) has been shown to be primarily parasitostatic, but its curative (parasitocidal) efficacy is debated. This article reports on a 67-year-old male patient with non-resectable alveolar echinococcosis of the liver who had been continuously treated for 13 years with mebendazole (approximately 45-48 mg/kg body weight per day) and who was closely monitored according to a specific protocol. At the age of 80 years the patient died of oesophageal variceal bleeding. During treatment the hepatic lesion had decreased markedly in size in association with progression of perifocal calcification. At autopsy, a well-demarcated, necrotic, partially calcified, parasite-induced lesion of the right liver lobe and secondary biliary cirrhosis were found. Remnants of parasite tissue obtained from the periphery of the lesion showed a small-cystic structure, but it was not viable, as evidenced by transplantation of tissue blocks to rodents. The case is suggestive for a parasitocidal efficacy of mebendazole treatment carried out for 13 years, and is discussed in context with conflicting literature data.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Analysis of specific immunoglobulin G subclass antibodies for serological diagnosis of Echinococcosis by a standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

The potential roles of specific antibodies of the different immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclasses in the serological diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE) were investigated by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay based on hydatid fluid as antigen. Specific antibodies of subclass 1 were found to be of major importance. In sera collected at the time of diagnosis (i.e., before any therapeutic intervention was initiated) they could be demonstrated in 14 of 15 sera from patients with CE and in all 12 sera from patients with AE. The most discriminatory and the most specific antibodies found in this study belonged to IgG subclass 4. Only one false-positive reaction was observed with 253 sera from healthy volunteers, and no cross-reactions occurred in 80 sera from patients with different parasitic infections. Specific IgG4 antibodies could be demonstrated in 61.0 to 66.7% (CE) or 47.6 to 66.7% (AE) of the cases. Antibody levels of IgG subclass 2 were elevated only moderately, and subclass 3 antibodies were detected in a few cases only. In addition, nonspecific reactions in sera of healthy volunteers or patients with other parasitic infections could partially be attributed to antibodies of subclasses 2 and 3.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

[Proventriculitis in domestic fowl (Gallus gallus var. dom. L., 1758) caused by megabacteria].

Three cases of a disease similar to going light syndrome in budgerigars in a flock of young laying hens in Turkey are reported. In all cases megabacteria in association with E. coli could be isolated. The causing agent appeared to be large, rod-shaped, gram-positive or gram-labil, and catalase test positive bacteria with cytochromoxydase activity. Subcultivation of these bacteria could not be achieved.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Isolation and characterization of Leishmania parasites imported into Switzerland--a retrospective study.

Cases of leishmaniasis imported into Switzerland were diagnosed by culture and/or Giemsa-stained smears. The cultures proved to be positive in 61 of 64 confirmed cases, whereas only 49% of Giemsa-stained smears were positive. Promastigotes were detected on average after 3.6 +/- 2.2 days. A total of 33 different isolates were characterized by isoenzyme analysis and typed as Leishmania infantum (10 cases, mainly from Europe), L. chagasi (1 case, Central America), L. major (12 cases, mainly from Africa), L. braziliensis (7 cases, South and Central America), and L. tropica (1 case, Near East). Two isolates could not be clearly classified. Correlations between species and origin or between species and type of biopsy were as expected.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Some legal aspects of bird keeping under wild or free-flying conditions].

Keeping birds under freeflying conditions means that these birds come back to their owners regularly and by free will. We give some examples for this form of birdkeeping, taking in mind the following legal regulations: the German law for animal protection, the German federal law for nature protection, the German hunting regulation, the German civil law, and others.

Animal Rights↗
PubMed1993

Human serum resistant promastigotes of Leishmania infantum in the midgut of Phlebotomus perniciosus.

Promastigotes of Leishmania infantum develop from early-stage normal human serum (nHS) sensitive forms to a partially nHS resistant stage in the midgut of Phlebotomus perniciosus. This development begins about day 7 after the sandfly has taken its initial infective bloodmeal. The onset of partial nHS-resistance occurs when mass proliferation of midgut promastigotes is already completed and the parasites have begun to differentiate into small, highly motile cells. In this parasite/vector interrelationship, the stomodeal valve seems to be a barrier which limits the development of L. infantum in P. perniciosus to the midgut.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Aspects of sandfly biology in southern Switzerland.

During three field surveys of phlebotomine sandflies in the region of Sessa, Minor Malcantone, southern Switzerland, annually 1987-89, Phlebotomus perniciosus and P. mascittii were caught regularly by means of light traps, but only when the traps were in close association with humans. The most productive catching sites were in the middle of Sessa village, in basements or partially closed shelters in the immediate vicinity of human dwellings. All catching sites outside the village were negative. The only other sandfly species caught was Sergentomyia minuta, four specimens only. P.perniciosus and P.mascittii always occurred together and were found to feed--at least occasionally--on human blood. Glucose and fructose were identified in wild-caught sandflies of both species. A breeding place of P. mascittii was identified in the basement of a house in the middle of Sessa. Analyses of soil samples revealed moderately loamy humus with a slightly acidic pH (5.6).

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Promastigote infectivity in Leishmania infantum.

Different clones and subpopulations of clones of Leishmania infantum were analyzed for their infective potential in vitro. Infectivity for macrophage-like cells (P388D1) and the response to a challenge with normal human serum enabled a clear differentiation between infective and non/low-infective populations. The results were confirmed by determination of parasite burdens in the spleens of infected golden hamsters. Long-term cultivation assays in vitro were used to test the influence of different cultivation conditions on the infectivity of promastigotes. An originally infective clone (LEM 768-A/ST) lost its infectivity during these assays but could regain it after the cultivation conditions had been changed. In addition, an originally non/low-infective clone (LEM 287-D/ST) could be forced to produce highly infective promastigotes. Infective cells were found only among stationary-phase promastigotes, i.e. after the cultures had reached a maximal number of cells per milliliter and the cell volume had clearly decreased.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[The determination of blood parameters by Reflotron].

In this paper, the practicability of a quick diagnostic laboratory test to perform blood analysis in healthy pigeons was tested. The Reflotron manufactured by Boehringer Mannheim, works on a dry chemical basis, consists of a reflectance photometer and the accompanying test strips, is easy to use, and yields the result of the desired parameter in a maximum of three minutes. As test material plasma and serum were used. At the time the equipment was tested, test strips for glucose, cholesterol, hemoglobin, triglycerides, urea, uric acid, GOT, GPT and G-GT were available on the market. The usual laboratory "wet chemical" analysis procedures were used to compare the results. The obtained measurements were analyzed using describing and concluding statistics. The influence of gender, feed and time of day on the nine parameters was also considered.

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed1989

[The removal of foreign bodies in different birds].

Following problems are shown using slides: --ingrown rings and their removal with follow-up treatment, --the removal of fishhooks, especially in swans, --the removal of projectiles from the bird's body, --the removal of lead slivers from the digestive tract of parrots as well as the follow-up treatment, --the removal of gold chains, plastic tubing and other "toys" from the intestine. Gastrotomy in the parrot is described.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[The use of collagen fasciae and fibrin adhesive for supporting wound healing in skin defects with large surfaces].

In 50 domestic pigeons, two circular pieces were removed from the skin to the right and left of the crista sterni, and the wounds were treated in different ways: A. with a collagen membrane dampened with a sodium chloride solution, B. with a fibrin glue, C. with a combination of A) and B). The wounds of group D were left untreated. Scab formation could be seen in all cases, also under the transparent membrane. The collagen membrane had no protective function in the experiment, however, it contributed to the acceleration of re-epithelialisation and the reduction of the wound diameter. The additional application of fibrin glue improved wound healing even further.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Dexamethasone and prednisolone use in pigeons].

The concentrations of dexamethasone and prednisolone in the plasma of pigeons are measured by radioimmunoassay. The plasma curves show a more rapid ascent and steeper descent after dexamethasone injection (1 mg, 2 mg, 4 mg and 10 mg/kg of body weight IM) than after prednisolone injection (3 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg and 50 mg/kg of body weight IM). The longer-lasting effect after prednisolone injection could likewise be seen in the white blood count. The immunosuppressive effect of glucocorticoid preparations especially should be considered when applying antibiotics.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

The primary structure of the hemoglobin of the Rock-Hopper penguin (Eudyptes crestatus, Sphenisciformes).

The blood of the Rock-Hopper Penguin contains only one hemoglobin component, corresponding to the Hb A of other birds. The primary structures of the alpha- and beta-chains are presented. The chains were separated by high-performance liquid chromatography and cleaved either enzymatically (alpha) or both enzymatically and chemically (beta). Both the native chains and their peptides were sequenced using liquid and gas phase sequenators. The peptides were aligned using their homology to the sequence of human hemoglobin and other bird hemoglobins. As compared to human hemoglobin, 44 amino-acid replacements are found in the alpha-chains (68% homology) and 47 in the beta-chains (67.8% homology). These exchanges involve seven alpha 1/beta 1 and one alpha 1/beta 2 contact in the alpha-chains, whereas in the beta-chains eight alpha 1/beta 1, one alpha 1/beta 2 and one hem contact are substituted. The influence of these replacements on the structure-function relationships in hemoglobin, as well as their importance for the diving ability of penguins, are discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1988

The primary structure of the hemoglobin of the Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo, Pelecaniformes).

The erythrocytes of the adult Cormorant contain two hemoglobin components in a ratio of 83% Hb A to 17% Hb D. The primary structures of the alpha A-, alpha D- and beta-chains are presented. The globin chains were separated by high-performance liquid chromatography and cleaved enzymatically and/or chemically. The native chains and their fragments were sequenced using liquid- or gas-phase sequencers, and the peptides aligned using the homology to human and to avian hemoglobin sequences. Compared to human hemoglobin, there are 46 amino-acid replacements in the alpha A-chains (67.4% homology), 65 replacements in the alpha D-chains (53.9% homology) and 45 replacements in the beta-chains (69.2% homology). In the functionally important regions, the percentage of amino-acid substitutions, as compared to human hemoglobin, is 13.2% in the alpha A-, 19.0% in the alpha D - and 16.0% in the beta-chains. The importance of the replacement beta 135 arginine (other birds)----glycine (Cormorant) in the phosphate-binding pocket and its effect on phosphate binding will be discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1987

High altitude respiration of birds. The primary structures of the major and minor hemoglobin component of adult European black vulture (Aegypius monachus, Aegypiinae).

The primary structures of the hemoglobin components Hb A and Hb D of the European Black Vulture (Aegypius monachus) are presented. The globin chains were separated on CM-Cellulose in 8M urea buffer. The amino-acid sequences were established by automatic Edman degradation of the globin chains and the tryptic peptides in liquid phase and gas-phase sequenators. The sequences are compared with those of the Golden Eagle, and with those of the Andean Condor, a New World vulture. The possible evolutionary significance of the alpha D-chains is considered. This paper serves as a reference study for high-altitude respiration of Falconiformes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗