Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G L Barnes

Publications and source records attributed to G L Barnes.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Estimation of rotavirus immunoglobulin G antibodies in human serum samples by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay: expression of results as units derived from a standard curve.

A method for estimating rotavirus immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies by assay of human serum samples at a single serum dilution was studied. Antibody was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The optical density of the reaction with a 1:100 dilution of each serum was expressed as ELISA units of antirotavirus IgG by reference to a standard curve. This standard curve was obtained by incorporation in each assay of five dilutions of a serum containing an arbitrary number of units of antirotavirus IgG. Test serum samples found to contain high amounts of antirotavirus IgG were reassayed at a 1:1,000 dilution. There was good correlation between antirotavirus IgG ELISA units in 45 serum samples and endpoint titers of the same samples (Spearman rank correlation coefficient rs, 0.95). Seroconversion during rotavirus infection was defined as an increase in antirotavirus IgG ELISA units per milliliter of greater than 28% (2 X intra-run coefficient of variation of the assay) in consecutive serum samples from the same child. Paired serum samples from nine children with diarrhea not due to rotavirus infection showed no seroconversions. Paired samples from eight children with rotavirus infection showed seroconversions. Estimation of antirotavirus IgG ELISA units in serum is simple, rapid, reproducible, and economical of serum samples. Standardization of results could be achieved by worldwide distribution of a standard serum. Its use would facilitate epidemiological surveys to evaluate potential rotavirus vaccines.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Clinical immunity after neonatal rotavirus infection. A prospective longitudinal study in young children.

To determine whether rotavirus infection in newborn babies conferred immunity to postneonatal rotavirus infection, we studied 81 babies at birth and kept them under clinical and serologic study for three years. During the first 14 days of life, 44 of the infants excreted rotavirus, and 37 did not. Fifty-five per cent of those with neonatal infection and 54 per cent of those without it had rotavirus infection during the next three years. Symptoms associated with postneonatal rotavirus infection were significantly less frequent and less severe in the infants who had had neonatal infection (P = 0.003) than in those who had not. Thirty-eight per cent of the former group (9 of 24 infants) had symptoms of mild (3 infants) or moderate (6) severity during the first postneonatal infection. In contrast, 85 per cent of the latter group (17 of 20 infants) had mild (3), moderate (6), or severe (8) symptoms. We conclude that neonatal rotavirus infection does not confer immunity against reinfection but does protect against the development of clinically severe disease during reinfection.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1983

Breath hydrogen test and sucrase isomaltase deficiency.

Sucrose breath hydrogen tests were performed on 7 children with proved sucrase isomaltase deficiency. All children had raised breath hydrogen excretion. The amount of hydrogen produced and symptoms experienced increased with increasing sucrose loads. The sucrose breath hydrogen test appears to be a reliable indicator of sucrose malabsorption in sucrase isomaltase deficiency.

Breath Tests↗
PubMed1982

A randomised trial of oral gammaglobulin in low-birth-weight infants infected with rotavirus.

Oral human gammaglobulin or placebo was given with each feed during the first week of life to 75 low-birth-weight babies. All were in a nursery where rotavirus was known to be endemic, 25 of the babies excreted rotavirus during the first 2 weeks of life. This group was regarded as the "challenge" group. Gammaglobulin administration was associated with delayed excretion of rotavirus and with milder symptoms of infection. Rotavirus-associated diarrhoea necessitating low-lactose feeds developed in 6 of 11 babies given placebo and 1 of 14 babies given gammaglobulin. Oral human gammaglobulin seems to protect low-birth-weight infants from diarrhoea caused by rotavirus.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1982

Development of gut colonisation in pre-term neonates.

Twenty-eight pre-term babies of low birth weight were monitored for developing microflora in throat, stomach and faeces during the first 3 weeks of life. The flora at all levels of the gastrointestinal tract differed from that of healthy breast-fed and artificially fed full-term babies. Colonisation of throat and stomach was delayed beyond 4 days of life in 87% and 60% of babies respectively. Only 10% of babies had "normal" oral flora throughout the period of study. Flora of the stomach was sparse, and resembled faecal flora. Faecal flora was established more rapidly than throat or stomach flora, and 70% of babies were colonised during the first 4 days of life. Initially Bacteroides spp. were predominant (57% babies), but Escherichia coli and other aerobic gram-negative bacilli gradually increased in frequency. Colonisation by gram-positive bacteria was slow. Clostridium spp. were present in only 10% of babies during the first 4 days of life. Most strains were transient. Colonisation with C. butyricum (30%), C. perfringens (35%) and C. difficile (25%) was maximum after the first 2 weeks of life. Lactic-acid-producing bacteria usually appeared late in the third week of life. Parenteral feeding immediately after birth was associated with delayed colonisation by a restricted number of species. Parenteral antibiotics (penicillin or gentamicin or both) restricted colonisation with normal oral flora, the lactic-acid-producing bacteria and penicillin-sensitive clostridia, but had little effect on E. coli even when the colonising strain was sensitive to the aminoglycoside in the regimen. Systemic spread of bacteria via the blood stream was not detected in any babies. The pattern of colonisation of the enteric tract in pre-term infants in the special-care nursery studied, differs from that of healthy full-term babies; this merits consideration when the results of bacteriological tests of this vulnerable group of infants are being interpreted.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1981

Acute diarrhea and rotavirus infection in newborn babies and children in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, from June 1978 to June 1979.

A longitudinal study of acute diarrhea in children in Yogyakarta, Indonesia (June 1978 to June 1979), showed little variation throughout most months of the year in numbers of children admitted to hospital and in numbers infected with rotaviruses. Both decreased during November and December coincidentally with seasonal change from dry to wet conditions. Rotavirus particles were identified by electron microscopy in fecal specimens from 126 of 334 (38%) infants and children with acute diarrhea. Nosocomial rotavirus infections occurred in 11% of control children admitted to hospital for other reasons. Socioeconomic level and preexisting nutritional status did not influence the incidence of rotavirus excretion. Rotavirus infections were most common in children aged 6 to 24 months. There was a low incidence of infection in infants less than 6 months old. Rotavirus infection was seldom observed in newborn babies delivered in an urban hospital nursery, in a rural health center, or at home. One of 72 newborn babies with diarrhea excreted rotavirus. One of 53 healthy newborn babies excreted rotavirus. It is concluded that, in Indonesia, rotavirus infection is a major cause of childhood diarrhea throughout the year, but is an uncommon cause of diarrhea in newborn babies.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1980

Rotavirus infection in young children in the highlands of Papua New Guinea.

Rotavirus infections were detected by electron microscopy examinations in 54 of 66 children (82%) with acute gastroenteritis which necessitated admission to hospital during April to July, 1979, in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea. Longitudinal epidemiological studies may confirm rotavirus infections to be more important aetiolgical agents of childhood gastroenteritis in this region than in many other countries studied to date.

Feces↗
PubMed1980

Colectomy and cancer in Melbourne children with ulcerative colitis.

A search of hospital records dating from 1945 to 1977 inclusive identified 67 children with a definite diagnosis of ulcerative colitis, and 26 in whom the diagnosis was suspected, but not proven. Actuarial analysis of follow-up data available in December, 1978, indicated 75% patient survival after 18 years of disease, and 50% colon survival after 12 years of disease. Deaths were due to cancer (2 patients), complications of surgery (four patients) and incidental respiratory tract infection (one patient). Cancer risk was found to be lower than expected, which does not support the argument for prophylactic colectomy in childhood-onset disease. Restricting colectomy to medical indications during childhood will minimize the complications of colectomy without exposing the patient to risks greater than those of surgery itself.

Actuarial Analysis↗
PubMed1979

Improved survival of patients with cystic fibrosis.

The survival of 320 patients, who were born in and after 1958 with cystic fibrosis and managed by the Departments of Thoracic Medicine and Gastroenterology, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, is reviewed. Eighty per cent of patients survived to 11 years of age, and 64% to 18 years. Of patients managed between 1973 and 1977, 91% survived to 12 years of age, and 80% to 17 years of age. In the same period, 79% of patients survived for 16 years after diagnosis. Forty-four per cent of the 240 patients currently being managed have no significant permanent lung disease, and only 9% have advanced disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Structural and functional abnormalities of the small intestine in infants and young children with rotavirus enteritis.

Structural and functional alterations in duodenal mucosa from 17 children with rotavirus enteritis were assessed. Structural changes were found in specimens from all patients. Patients with the most severe mucosal damage were more likely to require intravenous therapy to correct dehydration. Depression of one or more mucosal disaccharidases was found in 14 of 16 patients. Repeat duodenal biopsy three to eight weeks later in six patients showed marked improvement. The study clearly shows that rotavirus can cause a marked structural and functional lesion in the upper small intestine which is rapidly reversible.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1979

The spectrum of cow's milk allergy in childhood. Clinical, gastroenterological and immunological studies.

Seventeen of 52 children suspected of having cow's milk allergy had this diagnosis confirmed after milk challenge in hospital. A broad spectrum of reactions was obsserved including skin eruptions, respiratory symptoms and gastrointestinal disturbance. Not all patients with gastrointestinal symptoms showed small bowel mucosal damage. Only patients with skin reactions had positive skin tests. IgA deficiency and IgE elevation were common. Four patients had symptoms within 3 days of birth. Twelve children tolerated cow's milk by three years of age. Cow's milk allergy can cause a variety of symptoms. Challenge with milk for several days may be required before allergic manifestations can be demonstrated.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Diarrhea and rotavirus infection associated with differing regimens for postnatal care of newborn babies.

Surveillance of 2,041 babies born during 4 winter months in one obstetric hospital in Melbourne, Australia, showed that 215 developed acute diarrhea during the first 2 weeks of life. Babies requiring special care from birth had a high incidence of sporadic diarrhea (36%). The incidence of diarrhea among healthy full-term babies was low if they were "rooming-in" with their mothers (2 to 3%) but high if they were housed in communal nurseries (29%). The most important factor influencing incidence of diarrhea was proximity to other newborn babies and frequency of handling by related adults. Breast feeding did not always protect babies from diarrhea. Excretion of rotaviruses was temporally retlated to diarrhea in 61 to 76% of healthy full-term babies and in 44% of babies requiring special care. Other eneteric pathogens, including enerotoxigenic Escherichia coli, were occasionally isolated. Calculation of the ratios of symptomatic to asymptomatic infection suggests that babies requiring special care are much more likely to develop symptomatic illness after rotavious infection than are full-term babies.

Australia↗
PubMed1978

Enterotoxin-producing Escherichia coli and diarrhoea among newborn babies in Darwin.

Specimens of Escherichia coli O119B14 isolated from 13 newborn babies during an outbreak of diarrhoea in Darwin Hospital were tested for their ability to produce enterotoxin. Of the 13 isolates tested none was found to produce heat-labile enterotoxin. However, isolates from two of the five diarrhoeal faecal specimens were found to produce moderate levels of heat-stable enterotoxin (ST). It seems like that ST-producing strains of E. coli were responsible for the diarrhoea.

Australia↗
PubMed1978

Pattern of shedding of two noncultivable viruses in stools of newborn babies.

Noncultivable viruses have been associated with diarrhea affecting newborn babies in obstetric hospital nurseries. Persisting infection in a special care nursery in Melbourne, Australia, permitted a study of the pattern of excretion of these viruses. Ten babies admitted to the nursery within 2 hr of birth were randomly selected for prospective study. Feces were collected daily for 14 days and were examined by electron microscopy. All ten babies excreted detectable amounts of duovirus (rotavirus, HRVL agent, IGV) for at least 1 day. Age at onset of excretion varied from 2 to 13 days. Eight of the ten babies developed diarrhea. Excretion of duovirus preceded the onset of diarrhea by 12--72 hr and persisted for at least 3 days. Seven of the ten babies also excreted detectable amounts of 28-nm virus-like particle for 3--8 days. The identity of this particle is unknown. Morphologically it resembles Norwalk agent and "astrovirus." Excretion of this 28-nm particle coincided with symptoms of diarrhea in four babies, all of whom were also excreting duovirus. It is concluded that most newborn babies admitted to a nursery where duovirus infection is endemic will excrete this virus at least once during the first 2 weeks of life. Excretion of virus particles will either precede development of diarrhea or be asymptomatic. Selective isolation of babies with diarrhea is thus unlikely to control spread of duovirus infection within a hospital nursery.

Australia↗
PubMed1978

Noncultivable viruses and neonatal diarrhea: fifteen-month survey in a newborn special care nursery.

During a 15-month period of surveillance, diarrhea developed in 257 of 913 babies (28%) admitted within 2 hours of birth to a special care nursery in Melbourne, Australia. Diarrhea was seasonal, affecting a maximum of 43% of babies admitted during one winter month (July) and a minimum of 13% of babies admitted during one summer month (December). Diarrhea was no more frequent nor more severe in babies of very low birth weight or of very early gestational age. Two noncultivable viruses were located by electron microscopy in feces from babies with or without diarrhea. Excretion of a reovirus-like particle (rotavirus, duovirus, human reovirus-like agent, infantile gastroenteritis virus) was temporally related to diarrheal symptoms. Asymptomatic infection with this virus also occurred. A 28-nm virus-like particle was excreted by some babies, but it could not be implicated on epidemiological grounds in the etiology of the diarrhea. Rotavirus infection may be an important cause of endemic diarrhea in nurseries for the newborn. Infection may be difficult to control or eradicate, since it is often asymptomatic and may be influenced by infection in the community at large.

Australia↗