Diagnosis of the active form of cytomegalovirus infection based on determination of IgG antibodies to the immediate-early cytomegalovirus protein by lanthanide immunofluorescence analysis]

A system for time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay (TR-FIA) is developed for detecting early IgG during the active stage of cytomegalovirus infection on the basis of CMV-control enzyme immunoassay system. The antigen is cloned and expressed in E. coli recombinant main immediate early protein of human CMV. The active form of CMV infection was detected additionally in 5 out of 25 women who gave birth to sick babies by means of the new test system in complex with other laboratory diagnostic methods. The test is recommended for prenatal diagnosis of active CMV infection in pregnant women and for predicting the risk of neonatal disease.     

Chronic Actions of Thyroxine on Behavior and Serotonin Receptors in Mouse Strains with Contrasting Predispositions to Catalepsy

The studies reported here addressed the effects of chronic administration of thyroxine (2 mg/liter for 60 days) on catalepsy and the functional activity and expression of the 5-HT_1A and 5-HT_2A receptor genes in the brains of adult male mice of the cataleptic ASC strain and the catalepsy-resistant AKR strain. Thyroxine induced cataleptics in AKR mice but had anticataleptic activity in ASC animals. Chronic thyroxine administration increased the functional activity and expression of 5-HT_2A receptors in the frontal cortex in AKR mice but not in ASC mice. In ASC mice, the hormone significantly weakened the hypothermic effect of the 5-HT_1A receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT, though it did not alter the expression of these receptors. These results suggest that 5-HT_2A receptors are involved in the cataleptogenic while 5-HT_1A receptors are involved in the anticataleptic effects of the hormone in mice.     

Characteristics of the course and outcome of viral hepatitis A in patients treated at home

As many as 40 adult patients aged 15 to 40 years with virus hepatitis A treated at home were followed up since October 1987 to March 1988 in 6 districts of Moscow. There were 23 women and 17 men. The control group comprised 101 adult patients (46 women and 51 men) admitted to the Clinical Infectious Hospital No. 1. The diagnosis of virus hepatitis A was made on the basis of the clinico-epidemiologic and biochemical data, supported by detection of specific IgM antibodies to virus hepatitis A. Staying in bed, sparing diet and abundant drinking were indicated to all the patients. The patients who reported for work were followed up for 6 months. The mean duration of disability constituted 34.1 +/- 1.69 days, if the patients were treated at home and 38.6 +/- 1.26 days, provided they received hospital treatment. The number of lingering cases was 4 (10%) during the treatment at home and 11 (10.9%) at hospital treatment. The data obtained attest to the possibility of treating adult patients with virus hepatitis A at home.     

Characteristics of the serologic properties of bacteria of the genus Moraxella]

Antigenic relationships between different Moraxella species and closely related bacteria were examined in agglutination (AT), indirect immunofluorescence (IIF), double gel immunodiffusion tests, and counter-current immunoelectrophoresis with experimentally obtained antisera. Specificities of commercial antibody reagents, manufactured by Abbott, USA, intended for enzyme immunoassay diagnosis of gonorrhea and urogenital chlamydia infections, were assessed. Results of donor blood serum examinations helped establish AT and IIF diagnostic titres to be used in serologic diagnosis of infections induced by various Moraxella species.     

Foot Technology, Part 1 of 2: Near Infrared Wound Monitor Helps Clinical Assessment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Background

The efficacy of using diffuse near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in predicting wound healing in diabetic foot ulcers was demonstrated by conducting a pilot human study.

Method

Sixteen chronic diabetic wounds were followed and assessed for subsurface oxyhemoglobin concentration using the NIRS device. Weekly measurements were conducted until there was wound closure, limb amputation, or 20 completed visits without healing. Wound size and degree of wound contraction were measured by image analysis of digital photographs, and results were compared to NIRS results.

Results

In the 16 patients followed, seven wounds healed, six limbs were amputated, and three wounds remained opened after 20 visits. Initial values of subsurface hemoglobin concentration, in all wounds, were higher than in nonwound control sites. Healed wounds exhibited a consistent reduction of hemoglobin concentration several weeks prior to closure, and the absolute hemoglobin concentration approached the value at the control site. In wounds that did not heal or ended in amputations, the hemoglobin concentration remained elevated throughout the study. A negative slope for the rate of change of hemoglobin concentration was indicative of healing across all wounds.

Conclusions

Evaluation of diabetic foot ulcers using NIRS may provide an effective and more complete measurement of wound healing compared to current clinical approaches.