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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.
Thirty Haemophilus strains and six Actinobacillus strains, all of porcine origin, were examined for their biochemical reactivity on API 20E and API ZYM test strips using dense cell suspensions (supplemented with NAD as appropriate) as strip inocula. When combined with a test for V-factor dependency, the use of both strips allowed adequate differentiation of closely related organisms. Numerical taxonomic analysis of the data demonstrated that the majority of the haemophili and actinobacilli studied could be placed in one of four major clusters; these clusters contained, respectively, the H. pleuropneumoniae--A. pleuropneumoniae strains, the H. parasuis strains, strains belonging to Haemophilus taxon "minor group," and strains belonging to an unusual group of mannitol-positive, urease-negative haemophili. A representative of Haemophilus species taxon C and an unusual Actinobacillus isolate appeared to be comparatively unrelated to organisms in the four major clusters. Although it may, on occasion, be difficult to place an unusual isolate in any one particular group, owing to the uncertain taxonomy of some of these organisms, it is concluded that API test strips can serve as useful tools for the characterization and differentiation of porcine haemophili and actinobacilli.
Blood glucose test strips provide a convenient and rapid method for estimation of blood glucose. They can be read either by eye against a color scale or in a reflectance meter. This study compares the performance characteristics of the principal test strips available. When read visually, the BM Glycemie 20-800 (Chemstrip bG) strip was shown to be more accurate than the Dextrostix strip. Comparison of the meter systems showed Reflotest-Glucose to be more accurate and precise than Dextrostix. This was because the Reflotest system was read closer to the endpoint of color development and because there was less subsequent color fade than with the Dextrostix system. Reflotest-Glucose and Reflotest-Hypoglycemie developed colors that were stable for at least 2 days after completion of the test. However, when using a reflectance meter the Reflotest system required two strips to cover the important range of blood glucose.
The object of this study was to compare the indirect diagnostic methods on the basis of urinary galactose determination in the diagnosis of lactose malabsorption with the actual lactase activities. One hundred and seven patients were studied. The specificity and sensitivity of the strip test were 97%. With 30% actual prevalence the positive predictive value was 94%, and the negative predictive value was 99%. In common prevalences of hypolactasia the strip test was reliable.
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We have compared the performance of the newly available blood glucose test strip, Visidex (Ames Division, Miles Laboratories Ltd., Stoke Poges, Slough, United Kingdom), designed for visual reading, with that of the already available BM-Test-Glycemie 20-800 [Boehringer Mannheim Corporation (London) Ltd., Lewes, East Sussex, United Kingdom]. The new test strip proved slightly less accurate over a wide range of blood glucose values and was less precise at normal and high glucose values. The color of the Visidex faded more rapidly on storage and errors in timing of the blood strip reaction caused greater inaccuracies. At present BM-Test-Glycemie 20-800 remains the visual glucose test strip of choice, although even with this strip there was a wide scatter of values when used by patients.
To assess the realibility of delayed readings of the reactive strips for glycemia BM-test 20-8, obtained by patients at their home and read in the health center both according to the Boehringer color scale and by reflectometer Reflolux II, we assessed 100 strips. One half were stored in opaque tubes and the rest were exposed to the light, all at room temperature. They were read both visually and with reflectometer Reflolux II in a programmed fashion on the days 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14. The results showed that the accuracy of the color scale as compared with the reflectometer depended on the levels of glycemia (owing to the scale intervals), without significant differences. Regarding the delayed reading in the strips kept away from light, there was a statistically significant reduction of 7 mg/dl on the third day. According to the regression analysis, the strips lose 2 mg/dl each day. In the strips exposed to the light, the measurement loss on the 14th day is significantly greater than in strips removed from light.
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Western blot (WB) strips for antibodies directed to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) were analysed using reflectance densitometry by a semiautomatic densitometer. This method was used to quantify the antibody responses to different FIV proteins in both vaccinated and naturally or experimentally-infected cats. In order to increase reproducibility, reagents and protocols were accurately standardised and internal controls were added. In a first format, an internal control band consisting of feline IgG was added to each blot to minimise the effect of band intensity variation. In a second format, antibody concentrations were calculated from the ratio of the densities produced by test sera and by positive and negative standard sera. The sera under scrutiny were also examined by standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the results obtained compared with those of the corresponding WB. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the results obtained with the two methods, and this was especially evident when ELISA titres were compared to corrected WB values (P = 0.001). Densitometric analysis of WB assays allowed to quantify the antibodies against FIV proteins and might be useful to investigate possible humoral immune correlates of protection in FIV vaccination studies and antibody production in the early phase of infection. The quantitation of antibodies to Gag and Env FIV antigens might be used to obtain further informations on the course of FIV disease, as previously demonstrated in human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infections.
Chorioamnionitis plays an important role in perinatal morbidity and mortality. Fast and accurate diagnosis poses a major problem. A prospective study was performed to assess the value of positive leukocyte esterase test (Chemstrip 9) for the diagnosis of chorioamnionitis during labor. We evaluated 21 patients with chorioamnionitis in labor at term and used 21 matched control subjects. The sensitivity and specificity of leukocyte esterase activity were compared with those of amniotic fluid cultures, Gram stains, maternal pyrexia and leukocytosis, and fetal tachycardia. The sensitivity in diagnosing chorioamnionitis was 91% and the specificity was 95%. The use of this test strip could provide a rapid, inexpensive screening test for chorioamnionitis.
The accuracy of two rapid methods of blood-glucose monitoring without (Haemo-glucotest 1-44) and with a reflectance meter (Hypocount B) was compared using a laboratory method. The assessment was carried out by personnel with no previous experience in measuring blood glucose. Eighty-five percent of the 92 measurements obtained with the hypocount B were within +/- 20% of the laboratory glucose values. Using haemo-glucotest 1-44 strips, 74% of the readings were within +/- 20% of the reference laboratory values. For values below 5.5 mmol/l, there was a tendency for results to be too low, with 77% of the readings below laboratory values -20%. All situations with severe hypoglycaemia were detected with both strips. The study also demonstrates the ineffectiveness of s.c. insulin regimens during surgery. Only 47% of the measured blood glucose values were within the range of 5.5-10 mmol/l and two of ten patients had hypoglycaemia with values below 2.5 mmol/l. Therefore glucose monitoring during surgery in diabetics seems justified. This monitoring can be performed adequately with strips.
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the uptake of tears in a Schirmer tear test (STT) in vitro and in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Uptake of fluid by Schirmer tear test strips was studied in vitro by examining fluid uptake over time from an unlimited fluid supply as well as with specific fluid volumes applied to the test strip. Uptake of fluid by Schirmer tear test strips was evaluated in a population of 100 ophthalmologically normal dogs together with a group of 40 dogs with tear film abnormalities such as keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) or epiphora. Each animal was given a full ophthalmic examination followed by a standard Schirmer tear test extended over between 3 and 5 min with the STT reading recorded every 5 s and plotted over time. To determine the effect of ocular irritation by the test strip, uptake of tears by test strips was determined before and after topical anesthesia in 20 dogs. RESULTS: In vitro examination of fluid uptake by the STT strips showed an initial rapid uptake followed by a gradual reduction in rate of uptake. Temporal evaluation of STT in vivo showed a similar rapid initial uptake of tear fluid, followed in the majority of cases by a sudden change to a steady state uptake of fluid. The initial gradient was 29.3 +/- 16.9 mm/min followed by a steady state uptake of 5.2 +/- 2.3 mm/min in normal dogs and 1.9 +/- 1.3 mm/min in dogs with KCS. This corresponds to a steady state tear turnover of 7.8 +/- 3.4 microL/min in normal dogs and 2.8 +/- 1.9 microL/min in animals with KCS. Dogs with nasolacrimal blockage and resultant epiphora showed a high initial gradient but final gradients were not statistically different from those of normal dogs. Discussion and conclusions Temporal evaluation of tear uptake by the STT shows substantial differences in rate of tear uptake at different time-points during the period of the test. RESULTS: of this study suggest that the initial rapid rise in STT value represents uptake from the tear lake followed by a slower tear uptake of tears from steady state tear production. Temporal examination of the Schirmer tear test allows a more precise evaluation of tear production than the standard STT measuring tear uptake in 1 min, together with estimation of the contribution to the test strip tear uptake of tears from the residual tear lake volume and those from continual tear production.
The utility of a new glucose reflectance meter (the Reflolux; Boehringer Mannheim) and the accuracy of visually interpreted strips (Haemo-Glukotest 20-800R; Boehringer Mannheim) for the determination of blood glucose levels were assessed in a study of 50 insulin-dependent diabetics who regularly used the strips for home monitoring of their blood glucose levels. There was a highly significant correlation (r = 0,970, P less than 0,0001) between readings on the meter and results of a laboratory reference plasma glucose determination method. The patients' visual assessment of their blood glucose levels using the strips also correlated with the results of a reference method in 44 cases (88%), especially at levels below 11 mmol/l (r = 0,944, P less than 0,0001). However, readings from 6 patients were inaccurate, despite the fact that these patients regularly used the strips. A patient's ability to use the strips should be properly evaluated before it is recommended that they be used for monitoring of blood glucose levels at home. Reflectance meters are not usually necessary for satisfactory blood glucose monitoring at home. This meter may prove useful in training patients to read blood glucose assessment strips accurately, and is suitable for hospital or office use.
The specific gravity of 80 randomly chosen urine samples from healthy dogs without polyuria/polydipsia and from a few dogs with polyuria/polydipsia was measured by refractometry and by test strip method (sg test strip). Urine osmolality and pH were also measured and the urine samples were examined for the presence of glucose. In accordance with earlier observations, there was an excellent correlation between the specific gravity determined by refractory and the osmolality (r = 0.98). The results obtained with the sg test strip correlated poorly with those obtained by refractometry (r = 0.39) and poorly with the osmolality (r = 0.36). In 77.5% of the samples the specific gravity determined with the sg test strip differed by more than 0.005 from that determined by refractometry. After correction of the sg test strip results by +0.005 for urine pH > or = 6.5, this percentage decreased to 60%. The results for the refractometer and sg test strip were significantly different (P < 0.001). These results indicate that the sg test strip investigated is unsuitable for use to determination of the specific gravity of canine urine.
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