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Biomedical subjects

M E West

Publications and source records attributed to M E West.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

Evaluation of a commercial counterimmunoelectrophoresis kit for detection of Staphylococcus aureus teichoic acid antibodies.

A commercial kit from Diagnostica, Inc., Miami Fla., was studied for its ability to detect antibodies to the teichoic acids of Staphylococcus aureus. A comparative study of the Diagnostica counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE) system and our gel double-diffusion method was undertaken with 156 serum samples from 142 patients. Included were 25 cases of staphylococcal and non-staphylococcal endocarditis, 30 cases of S. aureus bacteremia, 19 cases of nonbacteremic S. aureus infection, 39 cases of hospitalized patients without a staphylococcal infection, and 29 normal controls. Agreement between methodologies was attained in 138 (88.5%) of the 156 samples tested and in 127 (89.4%) of the 142 patients. Of 13 patients with culture-proven S. aureus endocarditis, significant antibody titers were found in all patients (100%) by CIE and in 12 patients (92.3%) by double diffusion. No significant titers were found in normal sera by CIE, but four sera were positive by double diffusion. Of 80 sera from patients with no evidence of S. aureus infection, 4 (5.0%) were positive by CIE and 7 (8.8%) were positive by double diffusion. The Diagnostica CIE kit appears to provide a suitable means for the detection of deep-seated S. aureus infections.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed1982

Identification of Streptococcus pneumoniae by the Phadebact coagglutination test.

The Phadebact Pneumococcus Test is a coagglutination slide test for the serological identification of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Of 200 alpha-hemolytic streptococcal isolates, coagglutination test results agreed with those of optochin susceptibility and bile solubility in 189 cases, 105 of which were identified as S. pneumoniae by all three methods. The Phadebact test was 100% (113 of 113) sensitive and 98% (85 of 87) specific and was more sensitive than counterimmunoelectrophoresis in detecting the presence of pneumococcal antigen in cerebrospinal fluid. In fluids seeded with known amounts of pneumococcal antigen, it consistently detected lower levels than did counterimmunoelectrophoresis. The test provides a rapid and simple method for the definitive identification of S. pneumoniae.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed1981

Group identification of streptococci. Evaluation of three rapid agglutination methods.

The clinical need to rapidly and correctly differentiate beta-hemolytic streptococci into Lancefield groups has prompted the commercialization of rapid agglutination methods. Three serogrouping kits, Phadebact, Sero STAT, and Streptex, were compared with the classic precipitin technic. One hundred and fifty beta-hemolytic streptococci and 75 alpha-hemolytic streptococci isolated from clinical specimens were used. Phadebact grouped all beta-hemolytic strains correctly while Sero STAT and Streptex were 96.7% and 99.3% accurate, respectively. Phadebact and Streptex correctly identified all group D streptococci. Commercial agglutination reagents represent a simple and reliable method for grouping streptococci.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed1981

Evaluation of an automated, computerized system (automicrobic system) for Enterobacteriaceae identification.

The automated and computerized AutoMicrobic system (AMS; Vitek Systems, Inc., subsidiary of McDonnell Douglas, Hazelwood, Mo.) was evaluated as a means of identifying the Enterobacteriaceae. The Micro-ID system (General Diagnostics, Morris Plains, N.J.) and, when necessary, conventional tubed media were used for comparison. Identification by AMS and Micro-ID differed in only 12 of 1,528 isolates (0.8%). Disagreements occurred primarily with Enterobacter spp. Precision testing of the AMS showed only 1 of 72 tests (1.4%) deviating from the expected. The AMS was found to be an accurate and precise method for the identification of Enterobacteriaceae.

Autoanalysis↗
PubMed1981

Effect of refrigeration on inoculated Micro-ID strips.

Since reading results after 4 h with the Micro-ID system is not always convenient, a study of 500 isolates indicated that identification at the species level is essentially unchanged when inoculated strips are refrigerated overnight and then incubated or incubated and then refrigerated overnight before reading.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed1980

A comparison of four commercial systems for the identification of nonfermentative gram-negative bacilli.

Four commercial systems for the identification of glucose nonfermentative, gram-negative bacilli and the conventional system used in our laboratory were compared. The API 20E, Roche Oxi/Ferm Tube, BBL Minitek, Flow N/F System, and our system were compared for accuracy, time needed for identification and number of isolates needing additional testing. A total of 241 different isolates were used. The API 20E identified 86.7% correctly; Oxi/FermTube, 83.0%; Minitek, 93.4%; N/F System, 90.5%; and our system, 90.0%. Within 24 hours after isolation, the API 20E identified 25.7%; Oxi/Ferm Tube and Minitek, 0%; N/F System 27.3%; and our system, 35.7%. After 48 hours, the API 20E identified 74.7%; Oxi/Ferm Tube, 35.7%; Minitek, 45.2%; N/F System, 83.0%; and our system, 94.6%. The number of isolates that required additional testing for identification by the API 20E was 119; Oxi/Ferm Tube, 161; Minitek, 88; N/F System, 43; and our system, 36. Ease of performance, technologist time, and level of identification required by individual laboratories are discussed.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed1978

An identification scheme for gram-negative nonfermentative bacilli.

A series of six flow charts have been developed to identify the Gram-negative nonfermentative bacilli most commonly isolated from clinical specimens. Colonial morphology and oxidase reactivity determine the pathway to be followed on the flow chart which then indicates the specific test to be performed. Most isolates can be identified within 24 hours using 3 to 5 tests. Each pathway was selected on the basis of 94-100 per cent confidence limits otherwise an alternate pathway is shown. Results of 2,788 nonfermenters identified by this scheme are discussed.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1976

Automatic gram-staining with the microstainer II.

A comparison was made between the Microstainer II, an automatic staining machine, and the traditional, manual gram-staining method using clinical material and known organisms in a double blind study. Gram-reactions were in agreement with 98.4% of the organisms. The machine-stained microorganisms were generally found to be of the same or better quality than manually-stained organisms. Transfer of bacteria from slide to slide or smear to smear was not a significant problem. The Microstainer II would appear to be a useful addition to the large volume bacteriology laboratory.

Automation↗