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Biomedical subjects

M Dierich

Publications and source records attributed to M Dierich.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Lack of microbial DNA in tissue specimens of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms and positive Chlamydiales serology.

In a case-control study that included a total of 98 patients and 83 controls, the possible link between various pathogens and abdominal aortic aneurysms was investigated. For 68 patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm and age-matched controls, no differences were detected in the levels of immunoglobulin (Ig)A and IgG Chlamydiaceae and Chlamydophila pneumoniae antibodies. Patients with IgA titers positive for Chlamydophila pneumoniae showed progressive disease (defined as an annual increase of the aneurysm diameter of > or = 0.5 cm) more frequently than patients with negative IgA titers (p = 0.046). Polymerase chain reactions performed to detect DNA for Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Chlamydophila psittaci, human cytomegalovirus, Borrelia burgdorferi and Helicobacter pylori in tissue specimens of 30 patients and 15 controls were negative. In summary, Chlamydophila pneumoniae may contribute to aortic aneurysm disease progression, but DNA of this and other pathogens was not found in patients' specimens.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Epidemiology of rubella infections in Austria: important lessons to be learned.

In order to ascertain the epidemiology of rubella infections in Austria, a seroepidemiological study was performed. Data collected from 115 cases diagnosed at the Institute of Hygiene and Social Medicine of the University of Innsbruck during 2001 were evaluated. The results indicate this infection can no longer be categorised as a paediatric disease (mean age, 18.5 years), and several other findings were particularly striking: (i) 47% of the patients had elevated C-reactive protein levels and 50% had increased anti-streptolysin O titres; (ii) only a few patients complained of fever, while symptoms such as rash and lymphadenopathy, which are also associated with several other viral infections, including HIV, were found frequently; and (iii) the 115 rubella cases detected in the 1-year study period represented an incidence of >13 per 100,000 population. This high incidence of infection underlines the need for further improvement of diagnostic tests and more successful vaccine strategies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Immunogenicity of neutralizing epitopes on multiple-epitope vaccines against HIV-1.

Based on our hypothesis that epitope vaccine may be a new strategy to induce high levels of neutralization antibodies against HIV-1, we prepared multiple-epitope vaccines using three neutralizing epitopes (GPGRAFY, RILAVERYLKD and ELDKWA) of HIV-1 gp160, and characterized their immunogenicity. Peptide 1 [C-G-(ELDKWA-GPGRAFY)(2)-K] and peptide 2 (CG-GPGRAFY-ELDKWA-G-RILAVERYLKD) were synthesized and conjugated with carrier protein bovine serum albumin (BSA). After vaccination antibody responses to these immunogens were induced and evaluated by ELISA. The C-G-(ELDKWA-GPGRAFY)(2)-K-BSA (BSA: carrier protein) multiple-epitope vaccine induced a strong antibody response to the C-G-(ELDKWA-GPGRAFY)(2)-K peptide (antibody titer: 1:25,600) and C-(ELDKWAG)(4) peptide (antibody titer: 1:12,800), but a weak antibody response to the C-(GPCGRAFY)(4) peptide. The CG-GPGRAFY-ELDKWA-G-RILAVERYLKD-K-BSA (BSA: carrier protein) multiple-epitope vaccine also induced strong antibody response to the CG-GPGRAFY-ELDKWA-G-RILAVERYLKD-K peptide (antibody titer: 1:25, 600) and C-(ELLDKWAG)(4) peptide (antibody titer: 1:6,400), a very strong response to C-(RIVALVERYLKD-G)(2)-K peptide (dilution: 1:102, 400), and a very weak response to the C-(GPGRAFY)(4) peptide (dilution: 1:400) in mice. Both antisera induced by both multiple-epitope vaccines interacted with the recombinant soluble gp41 (rgp41), but did not bind two control peptides. In comparison with both epitope vaccines, the rgp160 subunit vaccine could induce weak epitope-specific antibody response to these three epitopes on the three epitope peptides and V3, N-domain and C-domain peptides (dilution: 1:400-1:1,600). These results indicate that both multiple-epitope vaccines could induce high levels of antibodies to both neutralizing epitopes RILAVERYLKD and ELDKWA, while the GPGRAFY epitope on both vaccines appeared to have weak immunogenicity. Both multiple-epitope vaccines showed significant potency on inducing high levels of epitope-specific neutralization antibodies in comparison with rgp160 subunit vaccine.

AIDS Vaccines↗
PubMed1998

A retrospective review of outcomes in one clinic's treatment of urinary incontinence.

Two options usually presented to patients for managing and treating chronic incontinence are surgery or medications. Lack of third-party payment for other noninvasive treatment options led to the development of a center to treat people with chronic incontinence/frequency who might not desire or need costly work-up by a urologist or gynecologist. It was hoped that by demonstrating the cost effectiveness of ancillary providers, procedures, and equipment, third-party payers would be more generous in their coverage.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Nonhemolytic strains of Listeria monocytogenes detected in milk products using VIDAS immunoassay kit.

In December 1995 detection of Listeria monocytogenes Sv 1/2a in milk products that were routinely sampled for investigation at the Austrian Federal Food Inspection Laboratory (Vienna) led the food manufacturer in question to withdraw his product from the market. While one of seven Listeria strains isolated from this food product using "VIDAS L. monocytogenes kit" was undoubtedly L. monocyotogenes, six strains were nonhemolytic. In classical bacteriology haemolysin is used as an important phenotypic property to differentiate L. monocytogenes from the apathogenic L. innocua species. Species identification by PCR and by Western blotting confirmed that all nonhemolytic strains were indeed L. monocytogenes. Our confirmation of nonhemolytic isolates as true L. monocytogenes strains underlines the considerable potential of the VIDAS system as a specific immunological easy-to-use and automated test kit for detection of L. monocytogenes in food products. Whether or not the presence of non-hemolytic Listeria monocytogenes in food products justifies legal actions should be addressed by the proper authorities.

Austria↗
PubMed1992

Diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis by detection of tuberculostearic acid in cerebrospinal fluid.

Tuberculous meningitis still poses a major diagnostic problem. Recently, several new techniques for rapid diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis have been developed. One of these newer techniques is the detection of mycobacterial fatty acids, using gas chromatography--mass spectroscopy. In this study we evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of this recently reported method in a blind trial. The sensitivity was found to be 100%, specificity only 91%. The number of false positive results limits the value of this test in the primary diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis. Nonetheless, we consider this method to be a valuable tool for establishing the diagnosis in culture-negative patients presenting with signs and symptoms suggestive of tuberculous meningitis.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1991

Human complement factor H: two factor H proteins are derived from alternatively spliced transcripts.

The human complement factor H is an important component in the control of the alternative pathway of complement activation. We have previously shown that a least three factor H homologous mRNA species of 4.3 kb, 1.8 kb and 1.4 kb in length are constitutively expressed in human liver. In addition, several factor H-related proteins have been detected in human sera using antibodies directed against the classical human factor H glycoprotein of 150 kDa. The structure of the additional polypeptides has not been shown so far. Circumstantial evidence suggests that the 1.8-kb mRNA might encode the 43-kDa factor H-like polypeptide. Here we report the isolation, characterization and eukaryotic expression of the first full-length cDNA representing the major 4.3-kb mRNA and the 1.8-kb mRNA of human factor H. We show that the 4.3-kb transcript encodes the 150-kDa-factor H glycoprotein and the 1.8-kb mRNA the 43-kDa factor H polypeptide. The identity of the two cDNA in a region of 1400 nucleotides suggests that the two factor H-related transcripts are derived from one gene by a process of alternative splicing.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Change in HIV-antibody seroprevalence rates in i.v. drug dependent prisoners.

In 1985 a high HIV-seroprevalence (44.2%) was found in a cohort of parenteral drug addicted prisoners in Innsbruck, Austria. In a longitudinal study from March 1985 to March 1989 we investigated the epidemiology of HIV-infection as well as possible changes in the drug taking behaviour of this defined population at risk. During the study HIV-seroprevalence rates in drug dependent prisoners showed a statistical decrease to 30%. A concomitant increase in admission to any kind of therapy programmes as well as an increasing change from 'heavy use' (mainly taking heroin i.v.) to 'non-heavy use' (mainly taking drugs orally) could be noted. The influence of preventive measures, such as comprehensive AIDS-information, special therapy programmes including the methadone substitution programme, and the unrestricted availability of needles and syringes is discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Cytomegalovirus infection.

Interest has focused on cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections during recent years for two reasons: First, the number of immunocompromised patients with CMV infections has risen continuously and, secondly, recent advances in basic research have clarified some of the mechanisms of persistent and recurrent CMV infection. Three different clinical pictures can arise with CMV infection. In healthy individuals most of the CMV infections are not clinically apparent. In immunocompromised patients CMV causes a wide spectrum of diseases and is one of the predominant causes of death in AIDS patients and bone marrow transplant recipients. The most important problem for public health associated with CMV are connatal and perinatal CMV infections. Progress has been made with treatment of CMV infection in immunocompromised patients with inhibitors of viral replication.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1987

[Effect of long-term preventive use of TMPS on the composition and resistance behavior of aerobic fecal flora].

Trimethoprim Sulfa is a valuable agent in the prophylaxis of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in immunocompromised children. Like several other antimicrobial substances also TMPS has an impact on the normal bacterial flora of children. TMPS sensitive enterobacteria are eliminated from the gut flora within 48 hours. The impact on the total number of aerobic organisms and the composition of the fecal flora however is just moderate. Major changes in gut flora result from previous administration of antibiotic and chemotherapeutic agents or from environmental changes (e. g. discharge into ambulatory care). The gut flora of patients under such chemoprophylaxis is a major source of TMPS resistant aerobic bacteria in the hospital and requires careful disposal of these wastes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Influence of cephalosporines III generation with varying biliary excretion on fecal flora and emergence of resistant bacteria during and after cessation of therapy.

Excretion of an antibiotic bile may result in high intraintestinal concentrations and thus alteration in the fecal flora. We investigated the effect of ceftriaxone (45% biliary excretion) and cefotaxime (less than 5% biliary excretion) on the aerobic fecal flora. Ceftriaxone eradicated susceptible enteric organisms and resulted in overgrowth of Candida spp. and resistant enterococci. In some patients multiresistant gram negative bacteria appeared during of after therapy. Cefotaxime had a moderate effect on fecal microecology and did not promote the emergence of resistant organisms.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1985

The action of human C3 in soluble or cross-linked form with resting and activated murine B lymphocytes.

The third component of complement C3 has been implied in the stimulation of B lymphocytes to proliferation and maturation for Ig secretion. We have reinvestigated the extent of this activation with either activated or resting murine splenic lymphocytes in serum-substituted cultures. Human C3 was used in either soluble or cross-linked form. Soluble as well as Sepharose-bound or glutaraldehyde-cross-linked C3, over a range of concentrations, was inactive with resting splenic lymphocytes of (C57BL/6J X DBA/2)F1, C3H/HeJ and C57BL/6J nu/nu mice. However, lipopolysaccharide-activated spleen cells, enriched for B cell blasts, were stimulated by immobilized and cross-linked C3, while they did not respond to soluble C3. The extent of restimulation was comparable to that induced by lipopolysaccharide and resulted in both increased proliferation and maturation to Ig-secreting cells. The stimulation of the blast cells appears to be C3 specific, since it can be inhibited by free C3.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Characterisation of cryptic plasmids in clinical isolates of Bacteroides fragilis.

A screening method for plasmids in the fragilis group of Bacteroides spp. was developed, taking account of the lysozyme resistance of these species; 26 strains, 24 of them B. fragilis, were investigated by this method. Eleven strains contained plasmids and up to three different plasmids were found in individual strains. The plasmids belonged to five different size classes of mol. wt (10(6] 2.8, 3.5, 3.6, 4.2 and 19. Plasmids of equal size showed homology; no homology was found between plasmids of different sizes. Plasmids of equal size showed identical restriction patterns with 17 restriction endonucleases. Restriction maps were constructed for the five classes of plasmid.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗