Comparison of seven commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for the detection of anti-diphtheria toxin antibodies.

Determination of immune status of patients to diphtheria toxin is based mainly on the results of commercially available ELISA kits. The aim of the present study was to compare the results obtained by ELISAs from seven different manufacturers: Mikrogen, Immunolab, Sekisui Virotech, NovaTec, Virion\Serion, IBL International and Euroimmun. All assays were performed according to the manufacturers' instructions. The concentrations of the anti-diphtheria toxin antibodies in 72 serum samples were calculated on the basis of curves constructed from standards supplied by manufacturers and the new reference material-International Standard for Diphtheria Antitoxin (10/262). The repeatability and reproducibility of all the ELISA kits tested were good. Number of sera with concentrations of the anti-diphtheria toxin antibodies below the WHO-recommended level of protection (0.1 IU/ml) were dependent on the ELISA used: Mikrogen, 20/72 samples (27.7%); Immunolab, 11/72 samples (15.3%); Sekisui Virotech, 0/72 samples (0%); NovaTec 18/72 samples (25.0%); Serion 12/72 samples (16.7%); IBL International, 7/72 samples (9.7 %); and Euroimmun, 17/72 samples (23.6%). However, the results obtained in particular ELISAs, with the exception of Sekisui Virotech, were much more consistent when the concentrations of the anti-diphtheria toxin antibodies in 72 sera measured by using curves constructed from the International Standard 10/262. The data obtained clearly demonstrated that manufacturer-dependent differences between anti-diphtheria IgG ELISA kits exist. The differences in recommendations accepted by the individual manufacturers together with differences shown in our studies in sensitivity greatly affect the clinical interpretation of results.

Seasonality of Yersinia enterocolitica bioserotype 1B/O:8 infections in Poland.

Both serological and bacteriological investigations revealed a cyclic, seasonal pattern of Yersinia enterocolitica 1B/O8 infections in Poland during the years 2008­2011. A large increase in incidence was observed in the second quarter and a decrease in the third quarter of each year. Such seasonal changes were not seen in the case of infections caused by the other enteropathogenic Yersinia bioserotypes.

[Use of recombinant P1 protein of Mycoplasma pneumoniae for the serodiagnosis of mycoplasmosis]. / Zastosowanie metody inzynierii genetycznej do uzyskania bialka P1 Mycoplasma pneumoniae oraz ocena jego przydatnosci w serodiagnostyce mykoplazmozy u ludzi.

INTRODUCTION: Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common etiologic agent of community-acquired respiratory infection. In serological diagnosis of M. pneumoniae infections tests have been described based on the purified P1 protein, which is the most important virulence factor of this pathogen, as antigen. The aim of his study was to express and purify a recombinant protein P1 M. pneumoniae and next evaluate this protein as high specific antigen in serodiagnosis of mycoplasmosis. METHODS: Protein P1 M pneumoniae was expressing in E. coli BL21 (DE3) using the pET-30 Ek/LIC expression vector. Based on published literature, we decided to express C-terminal region [P1-C1] encompassing amino acid residues 1160 to 1521. Purification was accomplished by immobilized metal (Ni2+) affinity column chromatography (His-trap). Serum samples collected from 221 patients with mycoplasmosis, positive in complement fixation test (CFT), 87 patients with other then mycoplasmosis bacterial infections and 80 blood donors were screened for anti-P1 recombinant protein IgA, IgG and IgM antibodies by using the home-made ELISA. RESULTS: SDS-PAGE and Coomassie brilliant blue staining confirmed a high purity of the recombinant P1 protein preparation with an expected molecular mass of 39,7 kDa. The specificity of the recombinant protein was confirmed by western blot analysis using serum samples from rabbits immunized by M pneumoniae. The results of ELISA revealed that more then 70.0% of patients with mycoplasmosis confirmed by CFT, had antibodies to recombinant P1 protein in diagnostically significant level (x + 2SD). The antibodies were found only sporadically in sera obtained from patients with other then mycoplasmosis bacterial infections and clinically healthy persons. A comparison of results obtained in home-made ELISA with results of commercial western blot (Virotech) showed similar, ranged from 84.2% to 97.4%, compatible of results. The IgM antibodies to recombinant P1 protein were found in 87.2% sera obtained in acute phase of disease, in 80.0% sera obtained 2-4 weeks after onset of clinical symptoms and only in 43.8% sera obtained in chronic mycoplasmosis. CONCLUSIONS: The present study confirmed the earlier observations of the high usefulness of recombinant P1 protein for reliable serologic diagnosis of M. pneumoniae infection.

Matrigel augments xenograft transplantation of meningioma cells into athymic mice.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the use of Matrigel to enhance the growth of human meningiomas in athymic (nude) mice. Tumor take and growth of xenograft meningioma cells in an in vivo model have previously been only partially successful. METHODS: The use of Matrigel has been reported to enhance tumorigenicity in a variety of solid tumors. This substance is derived from a mouse sarcoma and is a mixture of basement membrane proteins and growth factors. Meningioma cells obtained from human patients were placed in culture for 1 to 2 passages and then harvested and mixed with Matrigel and the mixture injected into the subcutaneous space in the flank of nude mice. Tumor volumes over time were measured at least three times a week and then harvested at 100 days postimplantation. Tumors were formalin-fixed, and histological examinations were performed. Immunohistochemistry was performed for human and mouse laminin, fibronectin, collagen Type IV, and epithelial membrane antigen. RESULTS: Tumors developed in all 40 mice studied. Growth of meningioma tumors was dependent on total number of cells injected and independent of the total volume of tumor cells and Matrigel matrix. Histologically and immunohistochemically, the xenograft tumors were very similar to the original human tumors. CONCLUSION: Matrigel is relatively easy to use and has a high rate of histologically confirmed meningioma tumor formation in an athymic mouse model. We plan to use this model for studying the growth of meningiomas in vivo.

Regional distribution and kinetics of three sites on the GABAA receptor: lack of effect of portacaval shunting.

The regional distribution of binding sites on the GABAA receptor and their kinetic parameters were measured by quantitative autoradiography in brains from normal rats and rats with a portacaval shunt, a model of portal systemic encephalopathy in which GABA neurotransmission may be altered. The ligands used were [3H]flunitrazepam (a benzodiazepine-site agonist), [3H]-Ro15-1788 (a benzodiazepine-site antagonist), [3H]muscimol (a GABA-site agonist), and [35S]t-butylbicyclophosphorothionate (35S-TBPS, a convulsant that binds to a site near the chloride channel). Some brains were analyzed by computerized image analysis and three-dimensional reconstruction. The regional distribution of binding of the benzodiazepines was very similar, but the patterns obtained with [3H]muscimol and [35S]TBPS were different in many areas, suggesting a heterogeneous distribution of several subtypes of the GABAA receptor. The kinetic parameters were determined in brain regions for [3H]flunitrazepam, [3H]Ro15-1788, and [3H]muscimol. For each ligand, the Kd showed a significant heterogeneity among brain regions (at least threefold), contrary to conclusions drawn from earlier studies. In portacaval shunted rats, binding of all four ligands was essentially unchanged from that in control rats, indicating that, if there was an abnormality in GABA neurotransmission during portal systemic shunting, it was not reflected by altered binding to the main sites on the GABAA receptor.