Virus of the California encephalitis complex: isolation from Culiseta inornata.

A virus of the California encephalitis complex was isolated from two pools of the mosquito Culiseta inornata, collected in mammalian burrows of Alberta during the summer of 1965. This is the first recorded isolation of California encephalitis virus from mosquitoes in Canada.

[Platelet aggregation in hyperlipoproteinemias]. / L'aggregabilità piastrinica nelle iperlipoproteinemie.

The Authors studied platelet aggregation in 42 hyperlipoproteinemic patients (10 with type IIA familiar, 7 with type IIA, 7 with type IIB, 18 with type IV and V). None of them suffered from clinically detectable vascular complications. The control group included 42 normolipoproteinemic subjects, closely matched for age and sex. Platelet aggregation, according Born's method, was statistically increased in hyperlipoproteinemia type IIA, but only when induced by epinephrine as aggregating agent. No statistical significance was demonstrated when hyperlipoproteinemic smokers and no smokers were compared. A positive family history of myocardial infarction and/or diabetes mellitus could be demonstrate affect on platelet aggregation.

Western encephalomyelitis virus infection in "indicator" chickens in southern Alberta.

Sera from indicator chicken flocks situated in southern Alberta near Lethbridge were tested by the hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) technique for antibodies to Western, Eastern and St. Louis Encephalitis viruses during the summer and early fall of the four years 1964 to 1967.One chicken in 1964, 90 in 1965 and five each in 1966 and 1967 were positive to Western encephalomyelitis (WE) virus by hemagglutination-inhibition tests. All of the positive sera were confirmed by neutralization test (NT) in infant mice. No antibodies to the Eastern and St. Louis viruses were detected. Infection with WE virus was detected in each of the four years, indicating that WE virus is endemic to southern Alberta with a marked seasonal incidence occurring between the second week in August and the third week in September. An improved technique for filtering sera is described.

Adenovirus type 3 pneumonia causing lung damage in childhood.

An outbreak of adenovirus type 3 infection occurred in a hospital in 19 North American Indian infants and young children who were being treated for unrelated problems. Pneumonia occurred in 14 and was usually severe, with persistent signs of airway obstruction. Eleven of the 14 were followed periodically and complete medical reviews were conducted 8 to 10 years later. Ten had abnormal chest radiographs, and bronchography revealed bronchiectasis and minor airways changes in seven. In three cases there was clear evidence that these changes were directly related to the adenovirus type 3 infection. Pulmonary function studies showed a combination of restrictive and obstructive changes with minimal hypoxemia in most. Despite the presence of a persistent productive cough all were able to carry on a relatively normal life.

Epizootic of western encephalomyelitis virus infection in equines in Alberta in 1965.

The epizootic of equine encephalomyelitis in 1965 in Alberta was proved to be due to Western Encephalomyelitis virus infection by serological findings and virus isolations.Sixty-three horses of 88 tested, showed a diagnostic rise of CF antibodies to Western Encephalomyelitis virus. Western Encephalomyelitis virus was isolated from 5 brains of horses. Homologous antibodies were shown in 3 of these animals, the only ones from which blood specimens were received. For the first time virological evidence is given that Western Encephalomyelitis virus infection in horses is found in more areas of Alberta and in regions situated further North than those previously suspected.

Conjugation of coxsackievirus type B1-B6 immunoglobulins with fluorescein isothiocyanate by a "reversed" dialysis method.

Immunoglobulins from antisera to coxsackievirus B types 1--6 were labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate by a "reverse" dialysis method of conjugation. Conjugates thus obtained were labeled at reproducible ratios of fluorescein to protein with weight-weight ratios ranging from 5.0 to 7.1 and estimated molar ratios ranging from 2.1 to 2.9. Conjugates were tested on cover-slip HeLa cell cultures by the direct method of staining. Two types of specific immunofluorescence were observed: intensely fluorescent perinuclear masses and discrete foci of bright fluorescence scattered throughout the cytoplasm. Titers of homotypic conjugates varied from 1:40 to 1:160. Heterotypic staining, consisting of a diffused hazy fluorescence, was observed only at the highest concentrations of conjugate and not above the 1:10 dilution. This technique proved to be specific and sensitive for the detection of group B coxsackievirus antigens in HeLa cells but failed in specific detection of the same antigens in samples of the myocardium obtained by biopsy of three patients clinically ill with idiopathic myocarditis.

Pneumonia in Indian and Eskimo infants and children. I. A clinical study.

Ninety-seven Indian and Eskimo infants and children who suffered 112 episodes of pneumonia were the subjects of a prospective study carried out at the Charles Camsell Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, from August 1963 until August 1964. Investigation included viral studies and an evaluation 10 days after admission. The patients were divided into four diagnostic categories and a comparison was made between cases of bacterial and viral origin. The frequency of right-sided disease, particularly of the upper lobe and/or dependent segment involvement, is described. An evaluation of physical signs is attempted. The problem of recurrent pneumonia and the differential diagnosis of tuberculosis in Indian and Eskimo children with pneumonia is discussed.