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Biomedical subjects

H Schmitz

Publications and source records attributed to H Schmitz.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Differentiation between primary and recurrent cytomegalovirus infections.

Two blocking tests were applied simultaneously to detect antibodies to cytomegalovirus (CMV) in human serum specimens. Two different peroxidase-labelled tracers were prepared from human sera taken either early during a primary CMV infection or late after recurrent infection. Sera of acute primary CMV cases effectively competed with the labelled antibodies of the "early" tracer but a rather weak inhibition was observed with the "late" tracer. Sera of cases with recurrent infection strongly inhibited both tracers. Immunoblot experiments were carried out to explain the mechanism of this differential inhibition.

Acute Disease↗

Abnormal B-cell response to T-cell-independent polyclonal B-cell activators in homosexuals presenting persistent generalized lymph node enlargement and HTLV-III antibodies.

B-cell functions were investigated in a well-defined high-risk group for the development of AIDS/AIDS-related complex (ARC). Stimulation of mononuclear cells (MNC) with T-cell-independent polyclonal B-cell activators failed to increase high spontaneous IgG levels observed in vivo and in vitro. The secretion of IgM following stimulation with Klebsiella M (Klebs M) or Salmonella (Salm) membrane preparation increased by a factor of 4 to 6 and thus ranged between the results of the control group and those of AIDS/ARC patients; the response to a T-cell-independent B-cell mitogen, Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I (SAC), showed profound abnormalities as well in this group. This indicates that functional B-cell abnormalities can be seen in addition to T-cell dysfunctions in patients at increased risk for the development of AIDS/ARC.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

[Ovarian stimulation by a new therapeutic principle for the treatment of complications of the climacteric. Results of a double-blind crossover study with a defined spleen dialysate].

In a placebo-controlled double-blind cross-over study (test period 8 weeks) the spleen dialysate Solcosplen is tested for effectiveness and tolerance in 40 women, i.e. 14 pre- resp. 26 postmenopausal women in two consecutive periods (test periods I and II). The treatment begins in the first week of each test period with 2 ampoules i.m. t.i.d. and is to be continued for the following 7 weeks with 2 dragees b.i.d. Besides the incidence of clinical symptoms there intensity is summarized in a graded form to the Kupperman index. For further objectifying the therapeutic results vaginal-cytological examinations and radioimmunological analyses of estradiol (E2), LH, FSH and DHEA-S are carried out. The courses of therapy are frequented on a balanced basis. The progress of clinical symptoms shows in respect of incidence of appearance and intensity measured in Kupperman index in Phase I as well as in the cross-over statistically clear reciprocity, which demonstrates - with homogeneous prefindings - significantly differing results of treatment in favour of the dialysate. In the intraindividual comparison of judging the effectiveness by the physician and patient yields significant preferences for the verum. Side-effects were not observed. The proven effectiveness of the spleen dialysate within this study is explained by the stimulation of the ovarian residual function during menopause. It is discussed and compared to the presently applied monotherapeutic E2-substitution.

Adult↗

Detection of coronavirus-like particles in homosexual men with acquired immunodeficiency and related lymphadenopathy syndrome.

Coronavirus-like particles were identified by electronmicroscopy in the feces of homosexual men. The particles banded at a density of 1.21 g/ml after cesium chloride density gradient centrifugation. To determine whether the presence of this virus might be related to clinical symptoms, several patient groups were studied prospectively. In 8 of 16 (50%) homosexual males with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or unexplained lymphadenopathy syndrome (LAS), coronavirus particles were found. In contrast, such particles were found in none of 18 heterosexual controls and in only 3 of 20 homosexual males without AIDS or LAS. Thus, coronavirus excretion correlated significantly (2 alpha less than 0.01) with the clinical diagnosis of AIDS or with syndromes belonging to the AIDS-related complex. In addition, such particles identified in the serum of one patient with LAS and diarrhea suggest invasion and systemic spread of the agent and underline that this virus behaves differently from "common cold" human coronaviruses.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

[AIDS fatalities in Hamburg (status: February 1985)--legal medicine aspects].

The registration of patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS deaths is centralized for medical research. A short review of the epidemiological state of AIDS in Hamburg is given (situation as of February 1985), and the autopsy results of seven postmortem examinations are referred to. Kaposi's sarcoma was seen in four patients and opportunistic infections in all cases, especially as a result of Pneumocystis carinii and cytomegalovirus. Due to the constellation of groups with an increased risk of acquiring AIDS--homosexual males, intravenous drug abusers and prostitutes--forensic implications have to be expected.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Antibodies to adult T-cell leukemia virus (ATLV/HTLV-I) in AIDS patients and people at risk of AIDS in Germany.

A total of 2048 serum samples from Germany were examined for antibodies to adult T-cell leukemia virus (ATLV) structural polypeptides with an enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) and confirmative immuno precipitation. The origin of the sera samples was: 850 samples taken for virological or protozoal diagnosis; 626 samples from male homosexuals, about 20% of whom had lymphadenopathy syndrome; 164 from hemophiliacs; 184 were from multiple transfused, mostly dialysis patients; 9 from intravenous drug abusers; 182 from suspected cases of acquired immuno deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and 33 from AIDS-patients. In none of these sera did we detect antibodies to ATLV, except in the serum of one patient who had been on hemodialysis for over 11 years. Obviously infection with ATLV or a serologically related agent is very rare in our country and an association with AIDS could not be observed.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Simple detection of antibodies to different viruses using rheumatoid factor and enzyme-labelled antigen (ELA).

A new one-step method was developed to detect IgG antibodies to different virus antigens. Human serum specimens were mixed with different enzyme-labelled antigen (ELA) preparations in microtitre plates coated with rheumatoid factor (RF). During the incubation in the wells of microtitre plates immune complexes form which are specifically bound to the RF on the solid phase. The test detects antibody to cytomegalovirus (CMV) and West-Nile virus with a high sensitivity and specificity.

Antibodies, Viral↗

Muzolimine as monotherapy in the treatment of patients with congestive cardiac failure.

The efficacy of muzolimine (BAY g 2821) in doses of 30 or 60 mg/day was studied over an observation period of 4 weeks in 48 patients with mild to moderate heart failure (NYHA stage 2 or 3) in a biometrically planned, multicentre study. Eleven of these patients were excluded from the evaluation of efficacy for various reasons. All 37 patients who remained (23 men and 14 women; mean age 59.6 years, mean body weight 73.8 kg) were treated throughout with one tablet per day (30 mg). A marked improvement of the symptoms of cardiac insufficiency was observed in these 37 evaluated cases in the course of the treatment period. At the end of the study body weight was reduced by 1.8 kg, heart rate fell from 84 to 75 beats/min and blood pressure decreased from 154/88 to 145/85 mm Hg on average. The laboratory parameters tested failed to show any clinically abnormal alterations. Twelve of 48 patients complained of side effects (dizziness, headaches, vomiting, nausea), these developing largely in the first 2 weeks and being transient in character. To summarize, it can be stated that patients with chronic heart failure (NYHA 2 and 3) can be effectively treated by muzolimine monotherapy.

Blood Pressure↗

Antibodies to ATLV/HTLV-1 in Africa.

Almost 4000 sera from seven African states were examined for antibodies to ATLV/HTLV-1. Between 1% and 8% of healthy people from sub-Saharan Africa have such antibodies. The highest frequency was observed in Gabon. There were considerable variations between villages. The percentage of seropositives and the mean titre increased with age. Our findings suggest that the African continent is the largest endemic area for ATLV.

Adolescent↗

Comparative study of isomalt and sucrose by means of continuous indirect calorimetry.

Isomalt (Palatinit) an equimolar mixture of alpha-D-glucopyranosido-1,6-sorbitol and alpha-D-glucopyranosido-1,6-mannitol, was compared to sucrose in a prospective double-blind controlled crossover study. The acute effects of oral ingestion of 30-g loads of isomalt or sucrose on plasma glucose, insulin, free fatty acids (FFA), lactic acid, and carbohydrate (CHO) and lipid oxidation were studied over six hours by means of continuous indirect calorimetry in ten healthy normal-weight subjects. Unlike sucrose, whose ingestion was followed by significant changes in plasma glucose, insulin, and lactic acid during the first 60 minutes of the test, no significant changes in these parameters were observed following the administration of isomalt. The increase in CHO oxidation occurring between 30 and 150 minutes was significantly lower (P less than 0.01) following isomalt than after sucrose. Conversely, the decrease in lipid oxidation was significantly less (P less than 0.01) after isomalt in comparison to sucrose. It is concluded that the rise in CHO oxidation and in plasma glucose and insulin levels is markedly reduced when sucrose is replaced by an equal weight of isomalt. In contrast to other sugar substitutes, no increase in plasma lactic acid was observed after isomalt administration.

Adult↗

A comparison of enzyme-immunoassay and radioimmunoassay for detection of hepatitis A virus and antibodies against hepatitis A virus.

A direct comparison has been made of tracers labelled with an enzyme and with 125I in solid phase enzyme-immunoassay (EIA) and solid phase radioimmunoassay (RIA) for the detection of hepatitis A virus (HAV) antigen and antibodies to HAV. By comparing the binding capacity of peroxidase-labelled anti-HAV-IgG and anti-HAV-F(ab)2 fragments tracers, anti-HAV-IgG was found to have a higher binding capacity than anti-HAV-F(ab)2 fragments in both EIA and RIA. For EIA 16.25-fold more anti-HAV-IgG was needed for one test probe compared to RIA and 32.5-fold more anti-HAV-F(ab)2 fragments. For the detection of HAV antigen from stool preparations and IgG and IgM antibodies against HAV, there were only minor quantitative differences in titre. EIA was as sensitive as RIA.

Antibodies, Viral↗

Detection of specific immunoglobulin M antibody to different flaviviruses by use of enzyme-labeled antigens.

An enzyme immunoassay was developed for the detection of human immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody to different flavivirus antigens. The IgM antibody of human sera was selectively bound to anti-IgM antibody-coated solid-phase plates. Flavivirus IgM antibodies were then detected by use of various enzyme-labeled antigens. The flavivirus antigens (dengue type 2 virus, West Nile virus, and tick-borne encephalitis virus) were produced in suckling mice. The antigens were labeled with horseradish peroxidase by adding the activated enzyme at alkaline pH to sucrose-acetone-treated antigens. Addition of unlabeled mouse brain suspension of uninfected animals to the diluted enzyme-labeled antigens effectively reduced nonspecific binding to the solid phase. In patients with acute flavivirus infections, viral IgM antibody could be demonstrated with high sensitivity. Furthermore, the enzyme-labeled antigen-IgM test showed greater specificity than the hemagglutination inhibition test.

Adult↗