Monoclonal antibody based competitive ELISA for the detection of specific antibodies against Coxiella burnetii in sera from different animal species.

A competitive ELISA system for the detection of antibodies against Coxiella (C.) burnetii in cattle, sheep, goats, horses and humans is described. The ELISA is based on a biotinylated monoclonal antibody with specificity for C. burnetii lipopolysaccharide in combination with streptavidin peroxidase. For evaluation and statistical analysis, 413 sera from cattle, sheep, goats, horses and humans were tested in parallel in the indirect immunofluorescence test (IFT). Furthermore, a total of 448 bovine and human sera were also tested with an indirect ELISA and 47 sheep sera were investigated using the commercially available "Ridascreen AK EIA". Sensitivity and specificity values for the competitive ELISA described and determined with the aid of the indirect immunofluorescence test (IFT) as reference were: cattle, 88% and 89%; sheep, 100% and 93%, goat, 82% and 96%, horse 100% and 93%, and man 42% and 96%, respectively.

[Gorham-Stout syndrome--progressive osteolysis with viscerocranial involvement]. / Gorham-Stout-Syndrom--Progressive Osteolyse mit Befall des Viszerokraniums.

Two rather young patients with spontaneous massive mandible osteolysis are presented, i.e. a woman suffering from a rhinogenous liquor fistula and recurrent meningitides, and a young man. The authors discuss etiology, pathologic anatomy, clinical and radiological course, as well as the combined surgical and radiotherapeutical treatment. The pathologic process shall be stopped by the combination of both therapy methods. A radiation dose of 30 to 50 Gy is recommended.