Relation between the polymerase chain reaction and the indirect fluorescent antibody method in the diagnosis of Legionella infection.
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Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect↗
Biomedical subjects
M Tateyama
Publications and source records attributed to M Tateyama.
[A case of tubercular liver and splenic abscesses].
A 34-years male was admitted to our hospital with a hypochondria pain and low grade fever. Abdominal CT revealed an encapsulated 8 x 3 cm low density lesion on the surface of the liver (S5, S8) and multiple low density lesions of the spleen. The patient had already been treated with anti-tuberculous drugs for the past 7 months after being diagnosed as tuberculous pleuritis. Although echo-guided percutaneous needle biopsy was tried for the hepatic lesion, no special finding was obtained. Therefore a diagnostic laparotomy was performed and the hepatic lesion was resected. Abscess formation of the resected lesion was noted. Histopathology of the lesion revealed epithelioid granuloma, but microscopy, culture and PCR for tuberculosis revealed negative results. Abdominal CT, 3 weeks after surgery, revealed enlargement of the splenic lesion. Splenectomy was carried out to avoid splenic rupture. Multiple abscess of the resected spleen was noted. Pathological finding, Ziehl-Neelsen stain and PCR for tuberculosis confirmed the diagnosis of tubercular splenic and liver abscess. Although tubercular liver and splenic abscess are very rare recently, it should be included in the differential diagnosis of unknown hepatic and splenic lesions.
Abscess↗
Cortical laminar necrosis and central pontine myelinolysis in a patient with Sheehan syndrome and severe hyponatremia.
Hypoxic encephalopathy and osmotic demyelination are independent clinical entities. We describe a rare case with these two complications as demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A 58-year-old woman had adrenal crises twice a decade due to Sheehan syndrome. At the second crisis, hyponatremia was remarkable with consciousness disturbance which was rapidly corrected by intravenous administration of glucocorticoid and hypertonic saline. The maneuver improved consciousness disturbance, but resulted in hypokalemic ventricular fibrillation with circulatory failure. After the normalization of the circulation, however, her consciousness level deteriorated again. Repeated brain MRI revealed acute and chronic phases of cortical laminar necrosis and central pontine myelinolysis.
Brain↗
[Cytomegalovirus retinitis and Pneumocystis carinii choroidopathy in a patient with AIDS].
A case of Pneumocystis carinii (P. carinii) choroidopathy is reported. The patient was a 17-year-old man with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) who developed bilateral, multifocal, yellow-white, round, flat choroidal lesions ranging in size from 1/8 to 1/6 of the disc diameter while undergoing treatment for cytomegalovirus retinitis. He had had P. carinii pneumonia 43 months previously, and received inhaled pentamidine as suppressive therapy. Over a 4-week period of observation, the choroidal lesions appeared to enlarge slowly and increased in number in the posterior pole, with no clinical evidence of intraocular inflammation and retinal involvement. He was diagnosed as having P. carinii choroidopathy and treated with intravenous pentamidine. Three months after systemic pentamidine therapy was begun the choroidal lesions disappeared. Despite the fact that P. carinii choroidopathy is a rare opportunistic ocular infection, ophthalmic manifestations may be an important initial marker of extrapulmonary disseminated infection in some patients. Therefore we recommend ophthalmologic examinations in patients with AIDS who receive long-term aerosolized pentamidine prophylaxis for pneumonia.
AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
[Progressive cerebellar ataxia and distal amyotrophy of Charcot-Marie-Tooth type with hyperglutamataemia:two sibling cases].
We reported two sibling cases of progressive cerebellar ataxia accompanied with muscular atrophy of Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) type. Autosomal recessive inheritance was suggested because of the parental consanguinity and other family history. The first symptom was ataxic gait in their teens, and speech disturbance appeared later. Subsequently weakness and muscular atrophy developed in the four limbs in their thirties or forties. These symptoms slowly progressed. Neurological examinations revealed weakness, muscular atrophy, and disturbance of superficial and deep sensation in the distal parts of all limbs. Deep tendon reflexes were absent in the four limbs. There were no pyramidal tract signs, nor dementia. Sural nerve biopsy demonstrated the axonal degeneration without any findings suggesting hypertrophic neuritis. MRI study revealed marked cerebellar atrophy. Although plasma amino acid analysis showed elevated glutamate levels in both cases, activities of glutamate dehydrogenase in leukocytes was not reduced. Here, we propose a new disease entity of hereditary cerebellar ataxia and sensorimotor neuropathy associated with elevated plasma glutamate levels. Abnormal glutamate metabolism may be related to the pathogenesis of this disease.
Adult↗
Methamphetamine antagonistic property of (+)- and (-)-4-phenyltetrahydroisoquinoline in rat anococcygeus muscle.
The antagonistic effects of (+)- and (-)-4-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (4PTIQ) on methamphetamine in the rat anococcygeus muscle were compared with those of cocaine and nomifensine. Methamphetamine contracted the anococcygeus muscle through the release of norepinephrine from noradrenergic nerve terminals. (+)-4PTIQ inhibited the methamphetamine-induced contractions more strongly than cocaine and nomifensine. (+)-4PTIQ had no potentiating effects on exogenous norepinephrine-induced contraction, which was considered to be an index of amine neuronal uptake blockade. On the other hand, (-)-4PTIQ, cocaine and nomifensine produced a significant leftward shift of the norepinephrine concentration-response curve, i.e. they showed a strong blocking effect on amine neuronal uptake. These results suggest that the inhibitory effects of (+)-4PTIQ on the action of methamphetamine are mediated by a mechanism other than inhibition of amine neuronal uptake.
Animals↗
4-Phenyltetrahydroisoquinoline, but not nomifensine or cocaine, inhibits methamphetamine-induced dopamine release.
The inhibitory effect of 4-phenyltetrahydroisoquinoline (4-PTIQ) on methamphetamine-induced dopamine release in the rat nucleus accumbens was investigated using a brain microdialysis method. Methamphetamine (10(-6) M) infusion through a microdialysis probe induced the release of dopamine. Although the uptake inhibitors, cocaine (3 x 10(-6) M) and nomifensine (10(-6) M), failed to block dopamine release, 4-PTIQ (10(-6 M) inhibited the dopamine-releasing effect of methamphetamine. 4-PTIQ did not affect the elevation of the extracellular dopamine level induced by high concentrations of nomifensine (10(-5) M) and cocaine (3 x 10(-5) M). 4-PTIQ was the weakest inhibitor of [3H]dopamine uptake by rat striatal synaptosomes. These results suggest that 4-PTIQ is a selective antagonist against the dopamine-releasing effect of methamphetamine in the nucleus accumbens.
Animals↗
Effect of 4-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline on ambulation induced by injection of methamphetamine into the nucleus accumbens in rats.
4-Phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (4-PTIQ) has previously been shown to have antagonistic properties to methamphetamine in the spinal cord. Administration of 4-PTIQ (5 mg/kg, s.c.) reduced the ambulation induced by methamphetamine (0.5 mg/kg, s.c.) in rats. Methamphetamine (3 micrograms), injected unilaterally into the nucleus accumbens, increased ambulation. Alone, 4-PTIQ (10 micrograms) failed to elicit ambulation; however, it inhibited the methamphetamine-induced increase in ambulation. The alpha 1-antagonist prazosin (0.5 micrograms) or the beta-antagonist propranolol (3 micrograms) showed no effect on ambulation induced by methamphetamine. Haloperidol (5 ng), which possesses strong dopamine-blocking activity, abolished the ambulation induced by methamphetamine. The drug 4-PTIQ had weak affinity for dopamine D1 and D2 receptors. These results support the possibility that the inhibitory effects of 4-PTIQ on the ambulation-stimulating effects of methamphetamine, are due to blocking of the dopamine-releasing effect of methamphetamine but not due to dopamine blocking effects.
Animals↗
Inhibitory effect of 4-phenyltetrahydroisoquinoline on locomotion and dopamine release induced by micro-injection of methamphetamine into the nucleus accumbens of the rat.
The inhibitory effects of 4-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (4-PTIQ) on methamphetamine-induced increases in dopamine and locomotion were investigated. Methamphetamine hydrochloride (10 micrograms) microinjected into the nucleus accumbens increased both locomotor activity and extracellular dopamine levels, measured by the brain microdialysis method. 4-PTIQ hydrochloride (20 micrograms) co-injected with methamphetamine inhibited both the increase in dopamine and the locomotor activity. The uptake blocker cocaine hydrochloride (20 micrograms) co-injected with methamphetamine failed to inhibit the effect of methamphetamine. Thus 4-PTIQ but not cocaine inhibited the dopamine-releasing effect of methamphetamine, and 4-PTIQ is suggested to block methamphetamine-induced locomotion by inhibition of dopamine release.
3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗
Comparison of schizophrenic delusions between Japan and Germany.
The content of schizophrenic delusions of 150 German patients in the Psychiatrische Universitätsklinik Tübingen and those of 324 Japanese patients (ICD-9:295) were compared according to the classification of Huber and Gross. The comparison revealed significantly higher frequencies of delusions of poisoning (18 vs. 8%; p < 0.01) and jealousy (6 vs. 1.9%; p < 0.05) in the German cases, but there was no significant difference in the incidence of comprehensive injury delusions. There was also no significant difference in the incidence of comprehensive grandeur delusions. However, comprehensive belittlement delusions were more frequent in the German group (24 vs. 13.3%; p < 0.01). Among the delusions of this type, the themes of guilt/sin (15.3 vs. 4.9%; p < 0.001), particularly those related to religion, were more frequent in the German group. Although religious delusions were more frequent in the German group (21.3 vs. 6.8%; p < 0.001), the difference regarding the incidence of 'delusions of world destruction' was not statistically significant. Among the persecution/injury delusions, themes of direct persecution from others (Verfolgungswahn) were conspicuous in the German group, whereas delusions of reference (Beziehungswahn) related to harassment, such as 'being slandered by others' or 'being known', were common in the Japanese group. Namely, the difference in the content of these persecution/injury delusions may derive from the different types of self in the two countries: the individually oriented self in Germany and the group-oriented self in Japan. Delusions of guilt/sin in the German group may reflect the characteristics of sin in Christianity.
Adult↗
[Mycosis in AIDS].
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AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
[Thrombocytopenia in HIV-1 seropositive hemophiliacs].
When platelet counts were compared in 1986 and 1992 in 117 anti-HIV antibody positive and negative hemophilia patients, a clear decrease was found in the positive group. In 1992 platelet counts < 150 x 10(9) were present in 23.5% of the positive group in contrast to 5.8% of the negative group. Comparing platelet counts with other clinical parameters, a positive correlation was found with cholinesterase and a negative correlation with IgG in both the positive and negative groups, while negative correlations with beta 2-microglobulin and platelet-associated IgG were found in only the positive group. These findings implicate the chronic liver dysfunction present in hemophilia patients, apart from HIV infection, in the decrease in platelet counts, with immunodeficiency playing an additional role in the positive group. In the treatment of a hemophilia B patient showing decreased platelet counts, these counts increased consistent with the administration of Acyclovir and Zidovudine. It was demonstrated that HSV-1 and HIV-1 antigen are present on the soluble platelets of this patient and are recognized by antibodies in the patient's serum.
Adolescent↗
Fluctuations in plasma levels of thrombomodulin in patients with DIC.
Plasma thrombomodulin (TM) has attracted considerable attention as a marker of endothelial cell membrane injury. We examined fluctuations in plasma TM levels in patients receiving therapy for the disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome (DIC) using an enzyme immunoassay. Sixty healthy controls and 18 patients with DIC were studied. The mean +/- SD of the TM values initially measured immediately after the onset of DIC was 42.00 +/- 20.85 ng/ml, which was markedly increased as compared with the control value of 15.36 +/- 4.85 ng/ml (p < 0.001). Fluctuations in the TM levels over time were studied after dividing the patients according to the presence or absence of improvement in the underlying disease and improvement or lack thereof in the coagulation findings. Group I showed improvement in both categories, Group II showed improvement only in the latter, and Group III showed no improvement in either category. In Group I, the mean +/- SD of initial measured TM levels was 37.02 +/- 10.12 ng/ml and the mean of final values decreased to 58.9% of the initial value. This decrease was significant by paired Student's t-test (p < 0.01). The initial value in Group II was 45.86 +/- 18.86 ng/ml and the final values increased to 117.0% of the initial values, this difference was not significant. The initial value in Group III was 44.48 +/- 21.53 ng/ml and the final values increased to 143.4% of the former. This increase was significant by paired Student's t-test (p < 0.05). The difference in % fluctuations between Group I and Group III was significant by Wilcoxon's test (p < 0.01). These results suggest that the measurement of plasma TM can be useful in the management of DIC.
Adolescent↗
Cytotoxicity of mebendazole against established cell lines from the human, rat, and mouse liver.
The direct cytotoxicity of mebendazole (MBZ) was investigated by using cell lines derived from human, mouse and rat liver. It was demonstrated that Chang liver cells (derived from human liver) were more sensitive to the cytotoxic effects of MBZ than the other two cell lines. Longer incubation of the cells with MBZ resulted in stronger toxicity, and the cytotoxicity was dependent on the MBZ concentration above a certain threshold value (0.25-0.50 mg/l in a 42-h culture). Inhibition of the proliferation of Chang liver cells by MBZ was detected at a concentration of 0.008 mg/l, a lower concentration than that having a cytotoxic effect. The other two cell lines were less sensitive to the inhibitory effect of MBZ. Proliferation of human mononuclear cells following stimulation by phytohemagglutinin (PHA) was inhibited by MBZ, and this inhibition was more extensive than that of cells stimulated with whole formalin-treated Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It is suggested that dividing cells may be more sensitive to MBZ cytotoxicity. This anti-proliferative effect may be related to its clinically known side effects, such as hepatotoxicity and bone marrow suppression.
Animals↗
[Detection of Legionella pneumophila using a nested polymerase chain reaction].
We evaluated the usefulness of a Nested PCR method for detecting Legionella pneumophila. This method resulted in L. pneumophila specific detection as far as we evaluated. The first and second step PCR achieved the sensitivity as small as 10 pg and 10 fg of the target DNA, respectively. In the detection from Legionella seeded sputa, the method could detect 0.1 cfu/ml of the bacteria, and it took about 12 hours to detect the target DNA. We demonstrated that the Nested PCR method was superior in sensitivity and rapidity for isolation of the bacteria to the conventional using low pH treatment and selective media for Legionella.
Base Sequence↗
Misleading serological identification of Legionella anisa as Legionella bozemanii.
Identification of six Legionella species, which we previously identified by serological test as Legionella bozemanii (L. bozemanii), was performed by DNA-DNA hybridization using a commercial DNA-DNA hybridization kit (Kobayashi Pharm. Co., Japan) introduced by Ezaki et al. All strains were identified as Legionella anisa (L. anisa), this being the first identification of L. anisa in Japan. Conventional laboratory tests were performed following the DNA-DNA hybridization. In this study the results of biochemical examination obtained, corresponded closely with those described in previous reports, but the oxidase reaction was very weak and varied according to the age of the culture, indicating the unreliability of this test in our case. All strains examined under long wave ultraviolet (UV) light (366 nm) revealed a blue-white fluorescence, the intensity of which ranged from strong to weak. Serological identifications were performed by both the slide agglutination test (SAT) and indirect immunofluorescent assay (IFA). SAT using commercially available antiserum (Denka Seiken., Japan) supposedly specific for L. bozemanii showed cross-reaction between L. bozemanii and L. anisa. Hyperimmune rabbit antisera prepared in this study for both L. bozemanii and L. anisa, from which cross-reactive antibodies were removed by the absorption of each antigen, reacted only with homologous antigens. IFA using a commercially available antiserum and hyperimmune rabbit antiserum previously described, gave positive reactions with each strain.
Agglutination Tests↗
[Mechanism of acquired resistance against Legionella--blastogenic responses of murine spleen lymphoid cells following the stimulation with Legionella antigens].
We have tried to characterize the blastogenic responses of murine spleen lymphoid cells from BALB/c mice immunized with Legionella pneumophila serogroup (SG) 1 (Philadelphia 1 strain) and non-treated mice. Lymphoid cells from immunized mice showed stronger blastogenic responses following stimulation with concanavalin A or formalin-treated L. pneumophila SG1 whole cell antigen than those showed by lymphoid cells from non-treated mice. These cells from immunized mice also responded strongly when stimulated in vitro with other SGs of L. pneumophila, while these responded weakly when stimulated with other species of Legionella. Serum antibody titers of immunized mice against each SG of L. pneumophila were examined and the cross reactions were also recognized. However, the relatedness of serum antibody titers and the blastogenic responses against each serogroup of L. pneumophila was small. The epitopes recognized by the cellular immunity might be different in part from those recognized by serum antibodies, and investigations should be made on what the cellular immunity recognizes and how it works.
Animals↗
Urinary albumin determination by gel-filtration high-performance liquid chromatography.
To determine urinary albumin in a minute amount, a gel-filtration high-performance liquid chromatographic procedure was newly established. When urine of a normal rat was eluted isocratically at 0.6 ml/min by 100 mM Na sulfate in 20 mM Na, K-phosphate (pH 7.4), approximately 6 hrs for complete elution of urinary peak-forming substances was needed. Retention time of albumin was found to be 22.9 min. To shorten the analytic time, 100 mM Na sulfate in 20 mM Na, K-phosphate (pH 7.4) was first used during a 30 min period for separation of albumin. A mixture of acetonitrile/the above solvent = 3/7 (v/v) was then flushed to wash away the peak-forming substances. By this elution mode, the analytic time could be reduced to 3 hrs. When the validity of this procedure was tested, the detection limit of albumin was 0.04 microgram/injection, and a linearity was observed between 0.2 and 50 micrograms/injection. Rats then received single subcutaneous injections of puromycin aminonucleoside, which is a nephrotoxic agent. The plasma albumin concentrations fell at 5, 10 and 15 days after the administration, and the urinary excretions of albumin rose from the 1st day up to the 15th day. The results denoted that our procedure could be a good evaluative tool for nephrotoxicity studies where albuminuria was manifested.
Albumins↗