PubMed · 4696836
The source did not provide an abstract. Follow the original record for more information.
Explore connections, maps & timelines
J R Pattison, J E Mace. 1973. Rubella screening tests.. https://doi.org/10.1136/jcp.26.2.161
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.
KEEP EXPLORING
Nine Scottish Borrelia burgdorferi isolates were investigated in IgG Western blot tests. Sera previously found to be positive and negative when tested by routine Western blots prepared from reference strain B. burgdorferi sensu stricto antigen had different outcomes with these isolates. Two isolates, E5 (Borrelia afzelii) and G4 (B. burgdorferi sensu stricto) performed well, reproducing Western blot-positive results in 90 and 95% of tests, respectively. When antigens from both isolates were incorporated into a single IgG Western blot, the results of a panel of sera were improved when compared to the routine reference strain IgG Western blot. All of the sera positive by the routine Western blot remained positive using the Scottish isolate antigen mix. Twenty-three of the 25 negative sera remained negative and two produced an equivocal result. Of the 15 samples that tested IgG Western blot equivocal with the B. burgdorferi sensu stricto reference strain, 11 (73%) became weak or strong positive when tested with the B. afzelii/B. burgdorferi sensu stricto antigen mix (chi(2)=14.35, Yates' correction, P<0.001). In seven of these, a clinical picture of Lyme disease was consistent with the new results. The use of Scottish strains of B. afzelii and B. burgdorferi sensu stricto to provide antigen for the IgG Western blot improves the diagnosis of Lyme disease for patients in Scotland.
A Taqman assay for the detection of pathogenic Leptospira was modified to suit the LightCycler instrument. The modified assay was found to have an analytical sensitivity of 10 copies/reaction. The assay was then compared to the current gold standard for acute phase detection, culture, and to a commercially available Leptospira-specific IgM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Of the 236 samples including serum and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid anticoagulated blood sample submitted for testing, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was able to detect Leptospira DNA in 27 of the 28 culture positives and in 1 negative culture. Discrepant results were resolved by using the microscopic agglutination test on convalescent sera. The PCR was found to have a clinical specificity and sensitivity of 99.5% and 96.4%, respectively, when compared to the culture. Comparisons between culture and ELISA showed that the ELISA lack sensitivity (4.2%) and positive predictability (3.6%) for the detection of acute phase Leptospira infections. These results show that the modified LightCycler Taqman assay could be used as a replacement of culture for the detection of pathogenic Leptospira in a clinical setting.
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory spinal and large-joint arthritic and potentially disabling condition, mainly affecting males of young age groups. Extensive literature based on the results of various genetic, microbiological, molecular and immunological studies carried out by independent research groups suggests that Klebsiella pneumoniae is the main microbial agent being implicated as a triggering and/or perpetuating factor in the etiopathogenesis of AS. Novel diagnostic markers and criteria based on the association with high anti-Klebsiella antibodies could be used in the detection of AS patients during early stages of the disease, and together with the current treatments might help in implementing the use of new therapeutic anti-microbial measures in the management of AS. Prospective longitudinal studies with the use of anti-microbial measures in patients with AS are required to establish the therapeutic benefit of this microbe-disease association.