Heterotypic reactions in a radioimmunoassay for coxsackie B virus specific IgM.

IgM antibody capture radioimmunoassays were developed to detect coxsackie virus B1-B5 specific IgM. Specific IgM was detected in sera from all patients with coxsackie B virus infections proved by isolation; however, sera from 13/32 patients with rising neutralising antibody titres were negative in the assay. Frequent heterotypic responses were seen among the positive sera. Thirty seven patients with other enterovirus infections were also studied, and sera from 15 of these patients reacted in the assay, showing that heterotypic coxsackie B IgM responses occur not only in coxsackie B virus infections but also in other enterovirus infections.

Enzyme amplified immunoassay: a novel technique applied to direct detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in clinical specimens.

Endocervical swabs from 212 women and urethral swabs from 100 men were tested by the routine methods for McCoy cell culture and simultaneously by a novel enzyme amplified immunoassay test to detect chlamydia antigen. Overall correlation of the amplified test with culture was 96.5%. The test proved to be a suitable screening procedure for genital chlamydial infection, particularly for large numbers of specimens or in cases in which culture was not available.

The rise and fall of Legionnaires' disease in Nottingham.

The annual number of confirmed cases of Legionnaires' disease in both Nottingham, and England and Wales, reached a peak in 1980 and has since declined. Legionella infection is a rare cause of community-acquired pneumonia managed at home (accounting for less than 1% of cases), more common in those admitted to hospital (5-15%) and more common still in patients with severe pneumonia as seen on an intensive care unit (up to 30% of cases). Antibiotic therapy for any patient with moderate or severe pneumonia of uncertain aetiology should cover legionella infection.

Upper and lower body strength in relation to underhand pitching speed by experienced and inexperienced pitchers.

The relation of legs, arms, shoulders, and grip strength with underhand pitching speed of experienced and inexperienced female pitchers was investigated. For 16 experienced female underhand pitchers and 16 inexperienced women with no softball experience (control group) leg and arm strength were measured using a Hydrafitness exercise machine. Grip strength was measured with a handgrip dynamometer. Underhand throwing speed was measured with a radar gun. Regression analysis showed arm and grip strength correlated with throwing speed (p < or = .05) for the experienced group. For the inexperienced control group, the only correlate of throwing speed was arm strength (p < or = .05). There was a significant difference between the two groups on all measures of strength and ball speed in favor of the experienced group (p < or = .05).

Measurement of upper and lower body strength and its relationship to underhand pitching speed.

This study investigated the possible relationship for legs, arms, shoulders, and grip strength with underhand throwing speed. 40 female subjects had their legs, arms, and shoulder strength measured using a multipurpose exercise machine for assessing resistive force. Grip strength was measured using a handgrip dynamometer. Underhand throwing speed was measured with a radar gun. Regression analysis indicated a relationship (p < or = .05) between strength of the arms and underhand pitching speed. No significant relationships were found for legs, shoulders, and grip strength, and underhand pitching speed.

Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in homosexual men.

Chlamydial cell culture isolation rates from 51 unselected homosexual men were 9.3% from the urethra, 4.3% (pharynx), and 6.5% (rectum). All the positive cultures showed extremely few inclusions. Direct immunofluorescence with the Microtrak reagent (Syva) was an acceptable alternative technique for non-genital sites, whereas the infectious disease enzyme immunoassay (IDEIA) (Boots-Celltech) was unsuitable.

Toxoplasmosis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

The toxoplasma serological status of 50 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was compared with that of 50 healthy controls; high titres of toxoplasma antibody were significantly more common in the patients with SLE. These titres did not correlate with any of the routinely measured indices in SLE nor with the patients' prior treatment. A case history is used to illustrate the difficulty in diagnosing toxoplasmosis in the presence of SLE.

Risk factors, clinical features and genotype distribution of diagnosed hepatitis C virus infections: a pilot for a sentinel laboratory-based surveillance.

Hepatitis C is a global public health problem. A cross-sectional survey was undertaken to determine the frequency of reported risk factors and possible transmission routes in individuals in whom HCV antibody (anti-HCV) was newly detected. Seven public health laboratories in England and Wales reported persons with positive anti-HCV tests over a three-month period (1st November 1996-31st January 1997). A questionnaire was then sent to the clinician or general practitioner (GP) who requested the test. A total of 320 laboratory reports were received from participating laboratories and 221 (69%) questionnaires were received from clinicians and GPs. Of those patients from whom a questionnaire was received (median age 36 years; males 72.9%, females 23.1%), 86% had one or more risk factors for infection reported by the clinician/GP. Injecting drug use (68%) was the main risk factor reported. Reasons for testing included being in a known risk group (65%), liver disease (19%) and blood donation (1.4%). Of the total responders, 67% were asymptomatic, and of those that had had liver function tests 50% were abnormal. The most prevalent HCV genotypes were 3a and 1a. Risk factors for HCV infection can be identified using a simple postal questionnaire to clinicians/GPs who request patient screening.