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Biomedical subjects

R Ackermann

Publications and source records attributed to R Ackermann.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

[Current analysis of pathogen spectrum and resistance in bacterial urinary tract infections. Bacteriologic urine findings of hospitalized urologic patients].

We analysed the bacteriological urinary findings of all inpatients of the urological department on admission, during hospitalization and on discharge, over a period of one year. The percentage of urological patients with florid urinary tract infections was less than 10%. The most commonly found pathogen was E. coli, followed by Proteus, enterococci, Pseudomonas and Klebsiella. Any change in the bacterial spectrum was not associated with individual diseases or their treatment. Mixed infections were rarely seen. The nosocomial urinary tract infection rate was an overall 1.5%. Since the clinical findings on admission often require the immediate administration of antibiotics, the results of urine culture cannot always be awaited. Given the present situation with respect to resistance, the use of antibiotics with a sensitivity of only 50% does not appear to make good sense. Prior to receiving the bacteriological report, cephalosporins of the second and third generation are to be recommended to treat complicated urinary tract infections in hospitalized urological patients.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1984

[Spirochete etiology of erythema chronicum migrans disease].

From ticks of the type Ixodes ricinus, 19 strains of a spirochete were isolated at three places of infection of erythema chronicum migrans disease. The spirochete was immunologically related to Borrelia duttoni, Treponema pallidum and Ixodes dammini spirochete, the causative organism of North American erythema chronicum migrans disease (Lyme disease). The isolated spirochete differed from the North American one in its reaction with monoclonal antibodies and possibly in its electronmicroscopic structure. A corresponding spirochete was isolated from the blood of a woman with erythema chronicum migrans. Of 39 patients with erythema chronicum migrans mostly treated with antibiotics 50% had increased IgG antibody titre (1:64 to 1:1024) against the isolated spirochete, while among 51 untreated patients with tick-transmitted meningopolyneuritis 90% had increased IgG antibody titres. Fourfold antibody titres increases or falls were found on 50 occasions. IgG antibody titres up to 1:64 were demonstrated also in CSF, in 22 instances with significant changes. Increased serum IgM antibody titres of 1:32 to 1:256 were observed in 20% and 68%, respectively, of patients. These findings suggest that the isolated spirochete is the causative agent of erythema chronicum migrans disease in Europe. Its antigen structure and arrangement is similar to that of the causative agent of Lyme disease.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

[Serum antibodies against Ixodes ricinus Spirochaeta in acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans (Herxheimer)].

Using indirect immunofluorescence, IgG antibodies against the recently detected Ixodes-ricinus-spirochaeta, which causes erythema chronicum migrans could be demonstrated in all 21 persons with acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans. Titers were from 1 : 64 to 1 : 1024, specific IgM antibodies were demonstrable in only 5 patients in a titer of 1 : 64. Even after treatment with penicillin high IgG antibody titers of up to 1 : 1024 were found. Fourfold decreases could be found only once for each IgG and IgM antibodies.l Serology indicates that acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans as well as erythema chronicum migrans is caused by the Ixodes-ricinus-spirocheta.

Acrodermatitis↗
PubMed1984

Multiple-radionuclide autoradiography in evaluation of cerebral function.

We have developed the mathematical model and experimental technique for quantitative simultaneous multiple-radionuclide autoradiography. The technique is an extension of previously described dual-tracer methods and offers the advantage of a general approach in which any two or more radionuclides with different half-lives can be used to measure multiple parameters of cerebral function. The model allows the selection of nuclide doses and exposure times to balance cross-contamination of the multiple images with nuclide requirements. The technique was validated with homogeneous tissue sections containing combinations of 123I, 124I , 131I, 18F, 99mTc , 68Ga, and 14C, and then used in qualitative and quantitative investigations of interrelationships of local cerebral blood flow, glucose metabolism, and protein synthesis in normal and several pathological conditions in rats.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

[Severe migraine accompagnée with computer tomographic findings].

Migraine accompagnée is associated with cerebral signs of irritation or failure, aphasic or paraphasic disturbances and Jacksonian attacks which appear together with the migraine attack. Present-day ideas on the pathogenesis of migraine headache indicate that such cerebral focal signs should be ascribed to vessel-dependent changes with transitory ischaemia. The article reports on a 24-year-old woman patient who had three Jacksonian attacks within a severe attack of migraine besides neurological signs originating from various cerebrovascular areas, as well as certain mental anomalies; this patient had a previous history of migraine with familial affiliations. The computerized tomogram, produced on the 5th day of disease, showed frontally-paramedially a zone with unsharp outlines without enhancement after administration of a contrast medium. All neurological signs, including the Jacksonian attacks, gradually receded in the course of time. Extensive additional diagnosis was performed, including angiography, to exclude any other underlying disease which could have been made responsible for the observed symptoms.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Tumor cells carried through autotransfusion. Are these cells still malignant?

A suspension of 3 X 10(7) cells of longterm carcinoma cell lines--HLaC 78 and 79 from human laryngeal carcinoma, CaKi 1 derived from renal cell carcinoma and PC 3 from prostatic carcinoma,--was pumped with maximum pressure up to 5 times through the filters of the Bentley autotransfusion device. Following filter passage after centrifugation the untrapped cells were recovered, counted and brought in culture under appropriate conditions. As soon as monolayers were obtained 3 X 10(6) cells were transferred subcutaneously into athymic mice. The time intervals of growth in culture and of developing tumor nodules in nude mice were measured. The histological pattern of the daughter tumors in nude mice was compared with the genuine tumor. After the first filter passage 12.3% respectively 18.2% untrapped cells were found. This number dropped to 3% after the 5th passage. After the 5th passage in only 3 out of 5 experiments there were enough cells to start a culture. After the first passage cell proliferation in the culture as well as yielding tumor nodules in nude mice was markedly reduced. HLaC78 died. After the 5th passage cell growth in the culture as well as tumor growth in nude mice was reduced the more while using HLaC79. Taking CaKi 1 and PC 3 both parameters showed identical growth behaviour as compared with the original not-filter-passaged cells. The histological findings were identical with the pattern of the genuine tumors.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

[The spirochetal etiology of erythema chronicum migrans and of meningo-polyneuritis Garin-Bujadoux-Bannwarth].

Erythema chronicum migrans and tick-borne meningo-polyneuritis Garin-Bujadoux-Bannwarth are caused by a spirochete transmitted by ixodes ricinus. The same is true for Lyme disease, which is the erythema chronicum migrans infection of North-America transmitted by ticks of the same genus. In Europe, this etiology is indicated by demonstration of IgG and IgM antibodies against borrelia duttoni during the course of infection and by immunofluorescence staining of spirochetes in ticks at sites of infection. In the USA, scientists succeeded in isolating from ticks as well as from blood, skin and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with Lyme disease. In addition patients showed antibodies against the isolated spirochete. The etiologic findings allow a better causative therapy as well as the investigation of pathogenesis and epidemiology of this multiform disease which may involve skin, nervous system, joints and heart.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed1983

Fast and efficient purification of yeast plasma membranes using cationic silica microbeads.

A fast and efficient procedure for the purification of plasma membranes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is described. Protoplasts served as starting material. They were coated with cationic silica microbeads. After lysis, the plasma membranes were washed free from debris and cell organelles. This procedure resulted in a high yield (about 85%) of plasma membranes, as judged by measuring vanadate-sensitive ATPase as a plasma membrane marker. The enzyme was enriched 12-fold relative to the homogenate after lysis. Its specific activity was 1.5--2.0 micromol/min per mg protein, the pH optimum was 6.5, and 10 microM vanadate was sufficient to obtain maximum inhibition. Based on the assay of internal markers and electron microscopic studies, we found our preparation essentially free of contamination from other cell organelles.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed1983

[The spirochetal etiology of erythema chronicum migrans and Garin-Bujadoux-Bannwarth meningo-polyneuritis].

Erythema chronicum migrans and tick-born meningo-polyneuritis Garin-Bujadoux-Bannwarth are caused by a spirochete transmitted by Ixodes ricinus. The same is true of Lyme disease, the erythema chronicum migrans infection of North America transmitted by ticks of the same genus. In Europe demonstration of IgG and IgM antibodies against Borrelia duttoni during the course of infection and by immunofluorescence staining of spirochetes in ticks at sites of infection indicate this etiology. In the USA a spirochete could be isolated from ticks and from blood, skin and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with Lyme disease. In addition patients showed antibodies against the isolated spirochete. The etiologic findings allow a better causative therapy and the investigation of the pathogenesis and the epidemiology of the multiform disease which can involve skin, nervous system, joints and heart.

Arthritis, Infectious↗
PubMed1983

[Chronic erythema migrans and tick-transmitted meningopolyneuritis (Garin-Bujadoux-Bannwarth): Borrelia infections?].

Antibodies against Borrelia duttoni using indirect immunofluorescence could be demonstrated in 6 patients with erythema chronicum migrans and in 8 persons with tick-borne meningopolyneuritis. Significant increases of IgG and IgM antibody titres in the course of the disease and IgG antibodies in the CSF indicate recent contact with Borrelia duttoni or a closely related agent. Demonstration by fluorescence serology of spirochaetaceae in Ixodes ricinus in two sites of infection equally indicate such an aetiology. The immunofluorescence test for patient sera used here improves the diagnosis of erythema chronicum migrans infection and of its various organ manifestations. Results are similar to those in Lyme disease in the United States.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Human embryonal cell carcinoma in nude mice.

A lymph node metastasis specimen from a human testicular embryonal carcinoma with elements of a choriocarcinoma was successfully xenotransplanted into nude mice and maintained until the tenth animal passage. Electron microscopy of the tumors in nude mice revealed details consistent with their epithelial origin. The xenotransplants retained the ability to synthesize human choriogonadotropic hormone during all animal passages, as evidenced by radioimmunoassay and immunoperoxidase staining techniques. The beta-human choriogonadotrophic hormone serum level correlated significantly with the tumor volume (p less than 0.05). The average amount of beta-human choriogonadotropic hormone measured in the serum of 94 animals was 587.8 ng/ml, ranging from 5 to 4000 ng/ml. The chromosomal analysis of tumors in nude mice revealed a human chromosomal pattern with modal numbers between 55 and 60 chromosomes, and a consistent trisomy of chromosome 1.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

[Low-symptom herpes simplex encephalitis (author's transl)].

A 39-year-old man had acoustic hallucinations for about one year due to chronic alcoholism. He suddenly lost consciousness after suffering from headaches for about four weeks. EEG and CT scan were indicative of a brain tumour but lumbar puncture revealed slight pleocytosis and an immunoglobulin G fraction synthesized within the central nervous system. This secretory fraction contained major portions of locally produced herpes simplex antibodies detectable with a complement fixation test and a recently developed enzyme immunoassay. The patient remained in hospital for only a few days and went back to work after six weeks. To our knowledge this is the first case reported surviving herpes simplex encephalitis outside hospital without impairment of consciousness, confusion or substantial neurologic symptoms. The question remains open, whether the generally severe course of this disease had been modified by the chronic alcoholism. It is obvious that the correct diagnosis would have been missed without lumbar puncture.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

[Zoster encephalitis without rash: report of two cases (author's transl)].

Two previously healthy men, aged 54 and 41 years, fell ill with headaches and increased fatiguability, one also with vomiting, the other with fever, transitory visual disturbances and slight weakness of the left hand. Both of them had a stiff neck and clouded consciousness. The EEG had moderate to severe dysrhythmia, predominantly over the temporal area, CSF showed an increased cell count of 1000/3, predominantly lymphocytes, and increased protein. The younger patient also had global aphasia and the computed tomography indicated an area of decreased density in the left temporal region. In the CSF there were locally produced IgG. The clinical findings were similar to those of herpes encephalitis, but were milder and regressed more quickly. Severe months later only a few minor organic behavioural changes were present. Antibody findings in CSF and serum suggest varicella-zoster virus as the causative agent, although in both instances no rash was observed throughout the entire period of observation.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

The demonstration of locally synthesized herpes simplex IgG antibodies in CSF by a Sepharose 4B linked enzyme immunoassay.

A newly developed peroxidase-linked immunoassay is described which is sensitive enough to quantify herpes simplex antibodies in serum and cerebrospinal fluid diluted to an IgG level of 1 mg/dl. Thus, a comparison of photometric signals allows the direct detection of specific antibodies which have been secreted by activated tissue B lymphocytes into the CSF compartment during the humoral immune phase of herpes simplex encephalitis. The technique utilizes urea-Triton-dissolved virus antigens covalently bound to Sepharose 4B pearls. A highly specific sandwich antibody was purified by immune absorption column chromatography and labelled in its protected state. In the majority of cases the antibody level increased around the 10th day, to reach its maximum a few days after. In some cases however the serum levels gradually rose over a period of several weeks. The antibody levels in the CSF increase uniformly at the same time, irrespective of the general immune response and soared up to higher than serum levels within a few days. Local antibody production may persist for years so that late diagnosis of herpes encephalitis becomes possible with a single side by side test of serum and CSF from the patient.

Acute Disease↗