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Biomedical subjects

J Huisman

Publications and source records attributed to J Huisman.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Evaluation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of Campylobacter jejuni antibodies, and comparison with a complement fixation test (CFT).

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the detection of total anti-Campylobacter immunoglobulins in human sera. In this assay disintegrated Campylobacter bacteria were used as the antigen. Absorption tests including other possibly enteropathogenic bacterial species showed that the ELISA system displayed a high immunological specificity for Campylobacter. Using this ELISA it was found that in about 80% of Campylobacter patients these Campylobacter antibodies are produced to almost maximal levels within 8 days after onset of disease, and that they may persist for at least 4 months. Indeed, Campylobacter antibodies were demonstrated at low levels in a large number of control sera. However, accepting an antibody titre of 1:640 as indicative of Campylobacter infection, the statistical sensitivity of the ELISA system was 77% and the specificity 95%. In an epidemiological survey a high association was demonstrated between the severity of Campylobacter-related symptoms and antibody titre values. Assessment of Campylobacter antibody titres by means of this ELISA and by a complement fixation test in 92 sera from index patients and contacts with and without symptoms showed a high association of results.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗

Epidemiological investigations on Campylobacter jejuni in households with a primary infection.

Fifty-four Rotterdam patients in which a primary infection with Campylobacter jejuni had been detected (index patients) were compared with 54 control subjects with regard to the consumption and preparation of foods 7 days before onset of illness and the keeping of pet animals. Significantly more index patients than controls had eaten chicken meat (47 v. 29; P = 0.0002), particularly at barbecues (14 v. 2; P = 0.0015). Marginally more index patients had eaten pork (47 v. 39; P = 0.048) or inadequately heated meat (13 v. 8), though in the last case numbers were too small to be statistically significant. The consumption of beef or mutton and outdoor eating (other than at barbecues) were essentially the same in both groups. There was no significant association with the keeping of pet animals, although a few more index patients had cage birds than controls (18 v. 12). Twenty-one (15%) of 136 household contacts of index patients also suffered from diarrhoea during the same period. Circumstantial evidence pointed to a common source of infection with the index patient in 13 instances (nine households) and probable intrafamilial spread of infection in six instances. Campylobacters were isolated from one of 110 swabs of kitchen work surfaces and eight of 107 swabs taken from lavatory bowls in index households.

Animals↗

[An epidemic of hand, foot and mouth disease].

Five patients with hand-, foot- and mouth disease, caused by infection with Coxsackievirus type A16, are described in an epidemic outbreak of this disease. Hand-, foot- and mouth disease, is characterized by a most distinctive enanthem-exanthemcomplex. In 65% of the cases a vesiculopapular exanthem is noted. Most cases are described in epidemic outbreaks. Although the vast majority of occurrences of the disease have been due to Coxsackie A16 viral infections, occasionally Coxsackie A5, A10 and enterovirus 71, seldom Coxsackievirus B1 or B3, have been etiologically incriminated. In this article attention is paid to the clinical characteristics, the epidemiology and the differential diagnostic aspects of hand-, foot- and mouth disease.

Child, Preschool↗

Efficacy of a heat inactivated hepatitis B vaccine in male homosexuals: outcome of a placebo controlled double blind trial.

The efficacy of a heat inactivated hepatitis B virus vaccine, containing 3 micrograms hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), was studied in a high risk group of 800 susceptible homosexual men by a randomised placebo controlled double blind trial. At the trial end point (21.5 months), 17 hepatitis B virus infections had occurred in vaccinated subjects (attack rate 4.8%) and 56 in subjects receiving a placebo (attack rate 23.8%). This reduction in the incidence of hepatitis B virus infections in vaccinated subjects was highly significant (p less than 0.0001). Two months after the first injection 72.3% of the vaccinated subjects had formed antibodies against hepatitis B surface antigen, and this percentage increased to 89% at four months. Maximum anti-HBs titres were reached five months after the first vaccination, the geometric mean titre being 107.6 mIU. Even vaccinated subjects with a low antibody response (greater than or equal to 1 and less than 10 mIU) were found to be protected from HBsAg-positive infections. The vaccine had no serious side effects.

Adult↗

Efficacy trial of heat-inactivated hepatitis B vaccine (CLB) in male homosexuals in the Netherlands.

The efficacy of a heat-inactivated hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine, containing 3 micrograms-HBsAg, was studied among a group of 800 susceptible homosexual men. The trial was conducted randomized, placebo-controlled and double blind. At the trial end point (21.5 months) the attack-rate for all HBV infections together was 4.8% among vaccinees and 23.8% among the placebos (p less than 0.0001). Four months after the first injection 89% of the vaccinees had formed anti-HBs and this percentage declined only slightly during the follow-up period. Maximum titers were reached 5 months after the first vaccination. None of the vaccinees who responded to the vaccine with anti-HBs greater than or equal to 1 mIU/ml developed a HBsAg positive infection. The vaccine had no serious side-effects.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

A new procedure for the visualization of multiple forms of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT). Results in normals, patients receiving enzyme-inducing drugs and patients having liver parenchymal lesions.

The activity of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT, EC 2.3.2.2) in sera of 68 healthy individuals, of 38 patients receiving anti-epileptic drugs, and of 27 patients having liver parenchymal lesions, was visualized after electrophoresis on cellulose-acetate gel using the substrate gamma-L-glutamyl-p-nitroanilide as a new colour reagent. The liberated p-nitroaniline was converted in situ into a lilac-coloured product using the Bratton-Marshall reaction. In most samples two bands were demonstrated, one located between albumin and alpha1-globulin, called GGT 1, the other located in the alpha2-globulin region, GGT 2. In a few samples a third band, GGT 3, with far less activity than the other bands, occurred in the beta-globulin region. When it occurred, an increase in total GGT activity was mainly due to an increase of GGT-1 activity. The possible role of the determination of GGT-1 activity as a monitor of microsomal enzyme induction is discussed.

Adolescent↗