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Biomedical subjects

H Krauss

Publications and source records attributed to H Krauss.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Immunoblot technique for Q fever (technical note).

Partially purified but unfixed C. burnetii cells were submitted to sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Western blotted and used as antigens for evaluation of antibody responses against the agent in mice, cattle and humans. Increased specificity was achieved by using glutaraldehyde as additional blocking agent. Gels as well as membranes were subjected to laser densitometry and data analysed with an IBM personal computer. This technique offers the possibility to objectively quantify and document the results of immunoblotting.

Animals↗

Evaluation of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of Chlamydia psittaci in abortion material from ewes.

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was evaluated as a diagnostic tool for detection of Chlamydia (C.) psittaci in abortion material from 40 ewes. For this purpose, PCR results of 87 samples were compared with direct microscopic identification after chemical staining, cell culture isolation and a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The value for sensitivity as compared to cell culture was 97.7% whereas the specificity-value was calculated to be 84.1%.

Abortion, Veterinary↗

Monoclonal antibody based capture ELISA/ELIFA for the detection of Chlamydia psittaci in veterinary clinical specimens.

A capture ELISA/ELIFA system based on monoclonal capture and biotinylated monoclonal detection antibody with specificity for an epitope on chlamydial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is described. The assay is fast, specific and detects a minimum dose of approximately 2000 chlamydial particles (C. psittaci). Unlike other commercially available test kits, it comprises a proteinase K treatment to exclude non-specific binding of antibodies to Fc receptors. In contrast to the sophisticated and cumbersome isolation procedures, even non-specialized laboratories may use this assay system for the investigation of clinical samples of different origin for the presence of C. psittaci within a short period of time. Due to the genus specificity of the monoclonal antibody used C. trachomatis and C. pneumoniae can be detected as well.

Animals↗

Concomitant lymphangioma and arteriovenous malformation of the orbit.

An 8-year-old girl had an orbital-adnexal lymphangioma and ipsilateral orbital and middle cranial fossa arteriovenous malformations. High-resolution magnetic resonance image scanning, orbital ultrasonography, and digital subtraction angiography were used for diagnosis and preoperative assessment. Complications related to this vascular neoplasm included amblyopia, acute hemorrhage with proptosis, exposure keratitis, cosmetic deformity, and recurrent preseptal cellulitis. The girl was treated with both embolization and orbital surgery for recurrent hemorrhage and proptosis. We postulated that the coexistence of a lymphangioma and arteriovenous malformation represents an unusual and extensive maldevelopment of vascular embryogenesis.

Angiography↗

[Electron microscopic virus diagnosis in dogs, cats, calves, swine and foals in the year 1989].

During 1989 fecal and gut samples of 598 dogs, 189 cats, 496 calves, 100 pigs and 66 foals with diarrhoea were investigated for virus by electron microscopy. In samples of dogs and cats Parvovirus was detected in 18.5% and 8.5% of the samples, respectively; Coronavirus was found in 14.9% and in 16.4% of the specimens. In samples of calves Coronavirus dominated with a detection rate of 37.5%, followed by Rotavirus with 10.7% and not clearly identifiable particles resembling Coronavirus (4.2%). In 7.1% of the specimens Rotavirus as well as Coronavirus was found. In 33% of specimens from piglets Coronavirus was detected. 10.6% of the faeces from foals contained Coronavirus-like particles. Between 1987 and 1989 the detection rate of Parvovirus in faeces from dogs and cats decreased from 24.2% to 18.6% and from 17.5% to 8.5%. Coronaviruses in calves, dogs and cats increased from 22.9% to 37.5%, from 5.6% to 14.9% and from 8.2% to 16.4% of the samples investigated.

Animal Diseases↗

Characterization of a murine IgG3 monoclonal antibody against Chlamydia-specific lipopolysaccharide and its purification by affinity chromatography on IgG Fc-receptors from Streptococcus dysgalactiae.

Purification of a murine IgG3 monoclonal antibody (Mab 22) directed against an epitope of Chlamydia-specific lipopolysaccharide by affinity chromatography on recently described solid phase IgG Fc-receptors from Streptococcus dysgalactiae is reported. SDS-PAGE studies revealed the purity of the eluted antibody. The purified Mab 22 was characterized by determination of class, subclass and light chain-type, and by dot tests and immunoblot analysis.

Animals↗

Detection of virus in connection with "European brown hare syndrome" in Hesse, F.R.G.

Materials from the liver of a wild-living hare (Lepus europeus pallas) which had died from "European Brown Hare Syndrome" (EBHS) and of two hares kept in captivity which had been experimentally infected with the same material and died after two days with the classical signs of EBHS (Eskens and Volmer, 1989) were investigated for the presence of virus particles by electron microscopy using the negative contrast technique. Virus particles of 32 nm in diameter were found in all three samples investigated. The same particles were detected in the filtered inoculum used for experimental infection and in the supernatant of the first three passages of feline embryonic cell cultures. Haemagglutination or haemadsorption could not be achieved with the material investigated.

Animals↗

Isolation of Coxiella burnetii in Sweden.

Coxiella burnetii was isolated from sheep placentas, which had been collected from farms harbouring humans seropositive to the organism. The isolation of these bacteria is the final evidence that Q fever is a domestic disease in Sweden.

Animals↗

[Chlamydia and Mycoplasma infections of newborns].

Chlamydia trachomatis and the urogenital mycoplasmas are sexually transmitted microorganisms mutually infecting the sexual partners. Transmission from mother to child occurs in utero or, in particular, perinatally when the delivered child passes through the infected cervix. Diseases of newborns infected by Chlamydia trachomatis are inclusion conjunctivitis or infant chlamydial pneumonia. In very-low-birth-weight infants perinatal infections by urogenital mycoplasmas induce pneumonia, septicemia, and chronic lung disease.

Chlamydia Infections↗

[Electron microscopic detection rate of enteral viruses in diarrhea of dogs, cats, calves, swine and foals in the year 1988--electron microscopic study results].

During 1988 fecal and gut samples of 641 dogs, 198 cats, 576 calves, 108 piglets and 64 foals with diarrhoea were investigated for virus infections by electron microscopy. In samples of dogs and cats parvovirus was detected at a proportion of 21.9% and 16.7%, respectively; rotavirus alone or together with coronavirus was found only in 0.3-1.5% of the specimens. In samples of calves rotavirus, as well as coronavirus dominated with a detection rate amounting to 17.4% and 26.6% respectively (including 4.5% of mixed infections); parvovirus was present in a ratio of 0.5%. Specimens of piglets mainly contained coronavirus (25.0%), and in lower percentages rotavirus (2.8%), rota- and coronaviruses (0.9%) and parvovirus (0.9%). In feces of foals rotavirus was detected in 6.3% and particles resembling picornavirus in 4.7% of cases. Not identifiable virus particles resembling corona-or picornaviruses were rarely found (between 0.6-2.5) also in specimens of the other animal species.

Animals↗

[Comparative studies of the detection of rotavirus in fecal samples of calves with diarrhea with the latex test "Slidex Rota-Kit 2" and electron microscopy].

Of 68 fecal samples from calves with diarrhoea which were tested for rotavirus with the latex agglutination test "Slidex Rota-Kit2" and by electron microscopy 33 samples were positive and 33 were negative with both tests respectively. Divergent results (latex test positive/EM negative and vice versa) were observed in one specimen only, respectively. Cross reactions with other viruses diagnosed by electron microscopy were not observed with the latex agglutination test. The "Slidex Rota-Kit2" is another suitable test for the diagnostic laboratory as well as for the veterinary practitioner for the detection of rotavirus in fecal samples of calves.

Animals↗

[Electron microscopy in the diagnosis of enteritis in cats].

Over a five-year period (1981-1985) 346 faecal and intestinal samples of cats affected with diarrhoea were studied by electron microscopy. This method revealed the presence of virus in 144 out of 346 (41.6 per cent) samples studied. 117 (81.3 per cent) of these samples contained parvoviruses which were identified by using a specific immune serum (immuno electron microscopy). In addition, rotaviruses (two samples), coronaviruses (thirteen samples), coronavirus-like (ten samples) and picornavirus-like particles (two samples) were detected in the other specimens. The present study shows that electron microscopy is a useful and rapid procedure in the diagnosis of enteritis in cats as well as in other domestic animals.

Animals↗

Clinical aspects and prevention of Q fever in animals.

In recent years, in the Federal Republic of Germany an increase in the prevalence of Coxiella burnetii infections in cattle has been well documented and its association with infertility problems in this species has been postulated by a number of authors. Investigations on this problem have been hampered by the fact that another intracellular agent, Chlamydia psittaci, which may also cause infertility, is also highly prevalent in the cattle population. Vaccination trials with a commercial egg-propagated inactivated vaccine against both agents have indicated that fertility in infected flocks may be improved significantly by application of such a vaccine. However, since this combined vaccine occasionally induces severe local reactions in vaccinated animals, it still needs further improvement. Limited experiments with more purified experimental C. burnetii vaccines have shown that Q fever in cattle may be prevented by vaccination of young uninfected animals only. In this way herds free of C. burnetii may be established.

Animals↗

Seroprevalence of Chlamydia psittaci-specific antibodies in small stock in Namibia--epidemiological study with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

An IgG (H+L)-ELISA was applied as a screening test for antibodies against Chlamydia (C.) psittaci in sera of goats and sheep in Namibia. In 576 (27.3%) of a total of 2,107 sera (299 = 25.2% of 1,185 caprine and 277 = 30.0% of 922 ovine sera) chlamydial antibodies could be detected. 86% of all farms tested revealed seropositive animals. Chlamydial infections were prevalent in all the geographical regions tested. The infection rates per State Veterinary District varied from 12.0% (Otjiwarongo) to 50.0% (Otavi) in goats and from 13.3% (Otjiwarongo) to 41.7% (Windhoek) in sheep. The regional distribution of chlamydial infections was not related to geographical or climatic factors. Sera from herds showing symptoms indicative for chlamydial infections showed significantly higher antibody rates (35% in goats and 39% in sheep) than sera from herds without health problems (18% in goats and 24% in sheep). Considering only sera from farms with clinical history of chlamydiosis, high seroprevalences were correlated to the symptoms abortion and keratoconjunctivitis. As in other countries, enzootic abortion seems to be the main manifestation of chlamydial infection in small ruminants in Namibia. C. psittaci might also play a considerable role in the etiology of infectious keratoconjunctivitis, whereas association with other clinical entities seems to be rare.

Animals↗

Isolation of a poxvirus from a sparrow (Passer domesticus).

From liver, lung, and kidney of a dead sparrow with signs of conjunctivitis a cytopathic agent was isolated in chicken embryo cell culture which was identified as a poxvirus by electron microscopy. From its growth characteristics in avian and mammalian cell culture it was concluded to belong to the genus avipox virus.

Animals↗

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using staphylococcal protein A for the measurement of rabies antibody in various species.

An ELISA was developed using staphylococcal protein A linked with horseradish peroxidase for detecting IgG antibody of rabies virus in human and carnivore sera (80 human, 270 fox, 40 cat, 35 marten, 5 badger and 4 polecat sera were tested in the present work). In comparison with the serum neutralization (SN) test in cell culture, close overall agreement was obtained particularly in human and cat sera (97.5%). Two post-vaccination human sera were found positive with ELISA values of 2.16 and 2.65 IU/0.2 ml, but with SN titers less than 1:10. All prevaccination human sera were found negative by both tests. Regression analysis on 30 post-vaccination human sera revealed better correlation between ELISA and SN test at a serum dilution of 1:100 than at lower serum dilutions of 1:80 or 1:20. The correlation coefficient (r) was 0.73 (p less than or equal to 0.0001).

Animals↗