Studies on human filariasis in Malaysia: the application of an indirect hemagglutination technique for immunodiagnosis.

The indirect hemagglutination (IHA) test done with turkey red cells was applied to 173 serum samples obtained from patients and persons exposed to Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi in endemic areas of Peninsular Malaysia. A crude extract of adult worms of the rat filaria, Breinlia booliati, was used as the antigen. When a titer of 1:16 was taken as negative, positive IHA test rates in sera from microfilaria-negative persons in endemic areas, microfilaremic cases, and patients with clinical filariasis were 13%, 75%, and 80%, respectively. Results of the IHA test correlated well with results obtained with the indirect fluorescent technique.

Studies on human filariasis in Malaysia: immunodiagnosis using indirect immunofluorescence.

The indirect immunofluorescence test using sonicated microfilariae of Brugia malayi has been evaluated on 173 sera from patients and persons exposed to Wuchereria bancrofti and B. malayi in endemic areas of Peninsular Malaysia. In the microfilaria-negative group, without signs and symptoms of filariasis 55/62 sera (89%) had titers of 1:16 and less. In the microfilaremic groups and in the amicrofilaremic cases with clinical filariasis, all the sera tested were positive, with the antibody titers ranging generally from 1:16 - 1:256. Cross-reaction tests were done on 16 samples of onchocerciasis sera from West Africa using sonicated antigen as well as antigen-coated CNB1-activated sepharose. Antibody titers were detected in all the sera. The usefulness of the sonicated microfilarial antigen in serodiagnosis of filariasis is discussed.

Inguinal hernia containing a paramesonephric (Müllerian) duct in an adult male. A case report.

This article describes the extremely rare contents of a right indirect inguinal hernial sac in an adult male, namely a paramesonephric duct. Radiological investigation at operation by means of 'salpingography' demonstrated the connection of this 'uterus' with the prostatic utricle. 'Salpingohysterectomy' was performed. Sex typing of the patient determined him to be a male. His family history revealed siblings with intersex features; the prenatal determination of sexual identity is discussed and reference made to the fate of the mesonephric (Wolffian) and paramesonephric (Müllerian) remnant.

VIP stimulates proliferation and differentiation of the cultured retinal pigment epithelium with disparate potencies.

Previous studies showed that VIP modulates mediators of two signal transduction pathways, namely the adenylate cyclase and the nonreceptor tyrosine protein kinase pp60c-src in cultured chick retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Here we show that VIP modulates simultaneously two disparate cellular events, namely the cell proliferation and differentiation of the RPE, however, with different potencies. The maximal effects on proliferation and differentiation are observed at 5 x 10(-9)M and 5 x 10(-7)M, respectively. Treatment with the maximally effective concentrations of VIP for 10 days increases the cell numbers and the melanin contents to 150% and 200% of the controls, respectively. The lowest concentrations of VIP showing significant stimulatory effect on cell proliferation and melanin synthesis are 5 x 10(-11) M and 5 x 10(-9)M, respectively.

Inhalation of ammonia vapour. A report on the management of eight patients during the acute stages.

Eight men were admitted to hospital following exposure to gaseous ammonia at a local factory. They were divided into three groups, according to their clinical condition. The clinical findings, chest radiographs and treatment are discussed. One case was very severely injured. His management is discussed in detail. He required mechanical ventilation, positive end expiratory pressure and tracheostomy. The toxic effects of ammonia gas are discussed. A review of the literature is included. It was concluded that ammonia is an extremely irritant gas, capable of producing severe damage to all levels of the respiratory tract which may result in clinical impairment of respiratory function, ranging from mild to fatal. Prolonged respiratory support may be required. Superinfection may cause a late deterioration in those severely affected.

Immunofluorescent studies in filariasis: antibody levels in jirds (Meriones unguiculatus) infected with Brugia malayi.

The indirect fluorescent antibody technique has been applied to detect antibody levels in jirds (Meriones unguiculatus) infected with Brugia malayi. Sonicated antigens were prepared from microfilariae and adult worms. Sonicated microfilariae were found to be satisfactory for this purpose. Cyanogen bromide-activated sepharose coated with soluble antigens prepared from microfilariae and adult worms was also used to detect antibodies to Brugia infections. The present observations show that these techniques can be usefully applied for detention of filarial infections. Antibody titres in infected jirds generally ranged from 1:16-1:256 and were not affected by treatment with diethylcarbamazine.

Studies on the mechanism of lysis of Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces incubated in normal serum.

Brood capsules were obtained from freshly collected cysts of equine and ovine strains of Echinococcus granulosus. Protoscoleces were freed from brood capsules either by mechanical disruption or pepsin-HCI digestion. Preparations of protoscoleces studied included: mechanically released protoscoleces without further treatment, or incubated either in HCI pH 2.0 or in evaginating solution (containing Na taurocholate) for 24 h; pepsin-HCI released protoscoleces without further treatment or incubated in evaginating solution for 24 h or 7 days. Half of each preparation of ovine protoscoleces was fixed in absolute methanol. All fresh preparations of protoscoleces lysed rapidly when incubated in normal human serum. Studies with a fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) labelled sheep anti-human C3 antiserum revealed the presence of C3 on the surface of lysing protoscoleces. Antibody could not be detected on the surface of any of the preparations of fresh or methanol-fixed protoscoleces using direct or indirect fluorescent antibody tests suggesting that the classical pathway of complement activation was not involved in the lytic process. Strong evidence for lysis by the alternate pathway of complement activation was the lysis of protoscoleces which had been treated with pepsin-HCI and lysis of protoscoleces in guinea-pig serum deficient in C4 component of complement.

The serodiagnosis of human hydatid disease: 2. Additional studies on selected sera using indirect haemagglutination (IHA), enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and defined antigen substrate spheres (DASS).

Sixty-one serum samples selected on the basis of reactivity in the complement fixation (CF) and latex agglutination (LA) test, were further examined for sensitivity and specificity by indirect haemagglutination (IHA), enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and defined antigen substrate spheres (DASS). Twenty sera from healthy Europeans and 48 samples from patients with either schistosomiasis or trichinosis were also tested. Comparable levels of sensitivity were found between the CF and LA positive sera and IHA, ELISA and DASS. Of the CF positive LA negative group of sera, many were positive by DASS but only a few reacted in IHA and ELISA. Some cross reactivity was also observed in the schistosomiasis sera tested by IHA and ELISA.