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Biomedical subjects

P Morgan-Capner

Publications and source records attributed to P Morgan-Capner.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Rubella-specific IgG subclass concentrations in sera using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA): the effect of different sources of rubella antigen.

Five rubella antigens were evaluated in an antiglobulin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for rubella-specific IgG subclass antibody. One monoclonal anti-human IgG subclass antibody was used for each of IgG1, IgG2 and IgG4, but two were compared for IgG3. A total of 101 sera were tested from cases of rubella in the distant past and from cases of primary rubella, reinfection and following immunization. Only one serum gave a discrepant result for specific IgG1, being positive with only one rubella antigen, a commercially prepared antigen coated on to microtitre wells (Enzygnost; Behringwerke). No sera contained detectable specific IgG2. Only four sera contained specific IgG4, and this was detectable only with Enzygnost antigen. For specific IgG3 little difference was observed between the two monoclonal anti-human IgG3 subclass antibodies; only two very weakly positive sera gave discrepant results. However, varying results were obtained for specific IgG3 with the different antigens. Enzygnost gave more positive results for specific IgG3 with most categories of sera. It is concluded that the differences between various reports of the rubella-specific IgG subclass profile cannot be explained entirely by the use of different rubella antigens.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1988

Chlamydial antibodies in farmers in north-west England.

Because of recent reports of abortion in farmers' wives following infection with ovine strains of Chlamydia psittaci during pregnancy, the distribution of chlamydial antibodies was studied in rural populations in north-west England, where endemic chlamydial infection with abortion is common in sheep. Immunoperoxidase assays with C. trachomatis and ovine C. psittaci showed no significant differences in either the frequency or titres of antibodies between sheep farmers and other types of farmer or non-farming adults living in the same areas. The frequency and titres of antibodies in farmers' wives were no greater than in farmers, and were unrelated to their previous obstetric history or type of farming. Overall, 62/255 (24%) of this rural population had antibody detected by C. trachomatis antigen and only 30/255 (13%) detected by C. psittaci antigen. The possible significance of these findings is discussed. This survey does not suggest that the risk of infection with C. psittaci is especially high in people working with sheep, but the complications following infection during pregnancy deserve the specific instructions that have been given to pregnant women to avoid exposure, especially during lambing, in farming and veterinary work.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Hepatitis B markers in Lancashire police officers.

A total of 284 Lancashire police officers each with a minimum of 5 years experience was tested for evidence of hepatitis B infection. None was hepatitis B surface antigen positive (HBsAg). Three were positive for both antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) and HBsAg (anti-HBs). Five were positive for anti-HBc alone. Thus the overall prevalence was 2.8% which is within the range reported for blood donors in the UK. There was no association with working in the drug squad or custody office but there was a higher prevalence in those who had worked in the scene-of-crime's squad. However, the numbers were small, and of this group of 28 officers, 2 of the 3 with detectable hepatitis B markers were positive for anti-HBc alone. Therefore for police officers in mixed rural/urban areas of the UK, routine administration of hepatitis B vaccine is not justified although special consideration should be given to those working in selected groups. Further studies are required to ascertain whether there may be an increased risk for police officers working in conurbations.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Specific IgG subclass antibody in rubella virus infections.

A solid-phase antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the detection of rubella-specific IgG subclasses. For rubella-specific IgG1 and IgG3 sera were quantitated in arbitrary units (au) by comparison with standard curves. A concentration of 3 au was taken as that indicating positivity for specific IgG1 and specific IgG3. No sera reactive for specific IgG2 and IgG4 have been found, and thus the assay reagents were controlled by testing dilutions of a standard calibrant serum containing known concentrations of the specific IgG subclasses. Of 105 unselected sera negative for rubella antibody by radial haemolysis (RH), two gave concentrations of specific IgG1 greater than 3 au and both were positive by rubella latex agglutination (LA). The sensitivity of the assay for specific IgG1 was confirmed by examining 25 selected sera negative by RH but reactive by LA. Twenty-one gave concentrations greater than 3 au. None of these 130 was positive for specific IgG3. All 63 sera containing greater than 15 international units rubella antibody by RH from cases of rubella in the remote past contained specific IgG1 and eight contained specific IgG3. In 79 cases of primary rubella, specific IgG1 developed in all cases by day 8. Specific IgG3 became detectable in all cases except one by day 16. Serum taken on day 21 from one case was negative for specific IgG3 but the absence of later sera precluded further investigation. One case had become negative for specific IgG3 by day 56. Sera from 24 cases of rubella reinfection were examined and all contained specific IgG1. In three cases of symptomatic reinfection, specific IgG3 was detectable in two but not in the remaining case. In 2 of the 21 cases of asymptomatic reinfection only a very early or a very late serum was available. Of the remaining 19 cases, 7 had detectable specific IgG3. However, only one of 9 sera collected 30-50 days after contact contained specific IgG3. Thus for the asymptomatic patient for whom other serological tests suggest a recent rubella infection, the failure to detect specific IgG3 in sequential sera collected after contact suggests reinfection rather than primary rubella. The detection of specific IgG3 did not correlate with the presence of specific IgM. Sera collected 6-8 weeks after rubella vaccination had detectable specific IgG1 in 32 of 33 cases and specific IgG3 in 9 of 33. The remaining vaccinee was seronegative.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1987

How sensitive are the commercial assays for anti-HTLV III/LAV?

The sensitivity of nine commercial assays, Western blot, and a newly developed monoclonal antibody-based assay for antibody to human T lymphotropic virus type III/lymphadenopathy associated virus (anti-HTLV III/LAV) were evaluated using a panel of mainly weak-positive sera. In tests on 20 sera three commercial assays and a monoclonal-based assay, representing two different solid-phase methodologies, were found to be more sensitive than Western blot. Our findings suggest that Western blot cannot be depended upon as the sole confirmatory test for anti-HTLV III/LAV. The continued use of the more sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), particularly those of dissimilar methodology, would be a more valid approach to confirmatory testing.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1986

Immunohistological studies of lymphoproliferative lesions in a fatal case of Epstein-Barr virus infection.

A fatal case of infectious mononucleosis occurred in a young adult. Abnormal serological features were noted in his mother, although there was no other family history suggesting an inherited defect of immune response to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The cellular infiltrate observed in tissues obtained at necropsy was analysed with a range of specific monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. Polyclonal plasmacytoid B cell proliferation had occurred in many tissues. These cells were positive for EBV nuclear antigen, but viral particles were not seen on ultrastructural examination, and the virus was not isolated, suggesting a non-permissive infection.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Detection of rubella-specific IgM in subclinical rubella reinfection in pregnancy.

Seven cases of asymptomatic rubella reinfection in early pregnancy are described. In each, there was a history of exposure to a rubelliform illness and low levels of rubella-specific IgM subsequently appeared in the serum. Four of the women had been immunised, after having been shown to be susceptible to rubella, one had been immunised at school without previous antibody screening, and two were uncertain about immunisation. One pregnancy was terminated and rubella virus was not isolated from the products of conception. Six pregnancies went to term and the infants showed no evidence of intrauterine infection. In a further case it was impossible to discriminate between reinfection and primary infection, and termination of pregnancy was offered.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Fetoscopy in the assessment of unexplained fetal hydrops.

Pure fetal blood samples, obtained fetoscopically from 30 patients with unexplained fetal hydrops at 16 to 32 weeks gestation were investigated for cytogenetic, haematological, biochemical and virological properties. In two patients with oligohydramnios, the fetoscope was introduced transabdominally into the fetal peritoneal cavity and sampling was undertaken from the intra-abdominal portion of the umbilical vein; in all the other patients an umbilical cord vessel was sampled. Ten (33%) of the fetuses had chromosomal abnormalities, one an erythroblastic process, possibly erythroleukaemia, one alpha-thalassaemia and one cytomegalovirus infection. Blood-film abnormalities were seen in 23 (88%) of 26 fetuses that had this examination. Biochemical analysis of fetal plasma was undertaken in 18 fetuses and hypoproteinaemia was found in all cases. One fetus was subsequently found to have a paroxysmal tachyarrhythmia that responded to digitilization. Three (10%) of the fetuses survived.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Public Health Laboratory Service IgM antibody capture enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for detecting rubella specific IgM.

A total of 468 sera were selected for the evaluation of the Public Health Laboratory Service's IgM antibody capture enzyme linked immunosorbent assay kit (MACELISA) for detecting rubella specific IgM. The results obtained were compared with those obtained by IgM antibody capture radioimmunoassay (MACRIA). Sera from patients with primary postnatal rubella, congenital rubella, remote rubella, infectious mononucleosis, and recent infection with other agents were included, in addition to sera taken after rubella immunisation and sera containing rheumatoid factor and rubella specific IgG antibody. The assay exhibited a similar ability and comparable specificity to MACRIA for detecting rubella specific IgM antibody. The Public Health Laboratory Service MACELISA can be recommended if, as for all assays that detect rubella specific IgM, all the available clinical and serological data are taken into account when the results are interpreted.

Antibody Specificity↗
PubMed1984

A comparison of Rubazyme-M and MACRIA for the detection of rubella-specific IgM.

One-hundred and eighty-six carefully selected sera were tested for rubella-specific IgM by Rubazyme-M (Abbott Diagnostics) and an M-antibody capture radioimmunoassay (MACRIA). Eleven of these sera were from cases of infectious mononucleosis, six of which gave positive results in MACRIA, while one gave a positive result in Rubazyme-M. Of the remaining 175 sera, 158 gave concordant results whilst 17 sera gave discordant results; these 17 were also tested by serum fractionation. Problems were encountered with all assay systems used. It is therefore recommended that the results of all tests for rubella-specific IgM should be interpreted with caution.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Clinically apparent rubella reinfection.

We report two cases of rubella reinfection in apparently immunocompetent young women. In both cases rubella-specific IgG had been detected on two occasions prior to an illness clinically diagnosed as rubella. Rubella-specific IgM was detected by various techniques in samples of serum collected at the time of the illness.

Adult↗