Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis antibodies by 2 novel tests: rELISA and peptide EIA.

The performance of 2 newly developed enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) intended for the routine serological diagnosis of chlamydial infections was evaluated. rELISA is based on a recombinant lipopolysaccharide antigen which detects chlamydia genus-specific antibodies, and Chlamydia trachomatis EIA is based on a peptide derived from major outer membrane protein and is therefore species-specific. Both tests distinguished patients with tubal factor infertility (TFI) or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) from the controls. The prevalence of IgA antibodies was higher for the PID patients than for the TFI patients; the finding indicates a more active state of infections for the PID patients. Furthermore, C. trachomatis EIA detected more IgG antibodies in the TFI patients than in patients with non-tubal factor infertility. In conclusion, rELISA detected chlamydial antibodies in general, and C. trachomatis EIA detected species-specific antibodies. These EIA tests may be useful in the serodiagnosis of chlamydial infection.

Chlamydiae as pathogens--an overview of diagnostic techniques, clinical features, and therapy of human infections.

Chlamydiae are Gram-negative bacteria with obligate intracellular reproduction and disability to synthesize high-energy compounds such as ATP. Their cycle of development is unique among the prokaryotes: the host cells, mainly epithelial cells, are infected by so-called elementary bodies (EB) which undergo reorganization to form metabolically active reticulate bodies (RB). These RB multiply by binary fission, and after transition into infectious EB they are released within 48-72 hours. Chlamydiae cause prolonged subclinical infections of the conjunctiva, lung, cervix, and urethra. Complications in newborns are inclusion conjunctivitis, nasopharyngitis and pneumonia; in females, salpingitis, infertility, and perihepatitis; in male patients, epididymitis and prostatitis; and in both sexes, Chlamydiae-induced arthritis. Identification of the pathogenic agent confirms clinical diagnosis; tissue culture identification remains the diagnostic method of choice. Therapeutical drugs are tetracycline, erythromycin, josamycin, and in certain cases quinolone derivatives.

Characterization of a glycoprotein fraction with an unusual composition from eel serum.

A glycoprotein fraction was extracted from eel serum with a high carbohydrate content of 60% as determined by gas-liquid chromatography. Remarkable is the presence of glucose (5%) which is not attributable to a contaminating glycolipid. Affinity chromatography on wheat germ agglutinin immobilized on to agarose beads results in two glycoproteins with a molecular weight of 17200 and 31300, respectively, as determined by SDS-PAGE (polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis). They differ markedly in their sialic acid content. All of the neuraminic acid is terminally bound and exclusively N-acetylated.

Characterization of the trimeric, self-recognizing Geodia cydonium lectin I.

A D-galactose-specific lectin I was extracted from the sponge Geodia cydonium and purified by affinity chromatography. The molecular weight of lectin I as determined by high-pressure liquid gel chromatography, was found to be 36500 +/- 1300. Disc gel electrophoresis in the presence and in the absence of sodium dodecyl sulfate showed that lectin I is a trimer composed of three different subunits (Mr: 13800, 13000 and 12200); two of the three subunits are linked by one disulfide bond. Isoelectric focusing gave a pI of 5.6 for the native molecule and a pI of 4.4 and of 7.4 for the subunits. The three subunits carry carbohydrate side chains, composed of D-galactose (94%) and of arabinose (5%). Based on experiments with lectins, the terminal D-galactose residues are bound by beta 1 leads to 6 and/or beta 1 leads to 4 glycosidic linkages. The Geodia lectin I contains, besides two carbohydrate recognition sites, at least one receptor site for a second lectin I molecule.

[Macrophages and phagocytosis-functional tests]. / Makrophagen und Phagozytose-Funktionsteste.

A review is given, dealing with the different biological properties of various macrophages. Special interest deserve in this context the membrane receptors of these cells, especially receptors as lectins and receptors for lectins. In this connection new phagocytosis-tests by using incomplete Rh-antibodies and neuraminidase-treated sheep red cells are presented and discussed with respect to their clinical significance, because of their simple technique. Trasylol inhibits the macrophage-mediated phagocytosis.