Application of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detection of the aerolysin gene in whole cell cultures of beta-hemolytic Aeromonas hydrophila

Oligonucleotide primers were used in a polymerase chain reaction protocol to detect the aerolysin gene in Aeromonas hydrophila. Primers detected template DNA in hemolytic, cytotoxic and enterotoxic strains of A. hydrophila and no amplification was detected with hemolytic A. sobria, non-hemolytic A. hydrophila and A. caviae strains.     

Aeromonas update: new species and global distribution

There are currently eight proposed or validated Aeromonas spp. of which five have been implicated in human disease: A. hydrophila, A. sobria, A. caviae, A. veronii, and A. schubertii. Recent studies have extended the geographic distribution and source of isolation of the newer species and resulted in the possibility of two new species, A. jandaei and A. trota, from diarrheal, wound, blood and environmental sources.     

Bacteriological and clinical aspects of Aeromonas-associated diarrhea in The Netherlands

Aeromonas species were isolated from 0.61% of 34,311 fecal samples during a 5-year period. Most strains belonged to DNA hybridization groups (HG) 4 (A. caviae), 8 (A. sobria), and 1 (A. hydrophila). Mannitol-negative A. schubertii (HG 12) and ornithine-positive A. veronii (HG 10) were not found. Multivariate analysis of the clinical data showed that Aeromonas-associated diarrhea cannot be attributed solely to cytotoxin production of the strains, but that it is also strongly associated with host factors.     

Haptoglobin development in newborn infants from diabetic mothers

Haptoglobin (Hp) development during the neonatal period has been studied in 325 newborn infants from normal pregnancies and in 242 infants from diabetic mothers. In infants from diabetic mothers Hp development is delayed as compared to infants from normal pregnancies. This delay is associated with a change in the pattern of relationship between Hp development and the polymorphism of acid phosphatase (ACP1) (an enzyme which shows phosphotyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) activity). In infants from normal pregnancies who show ACP1 phenotypes with the highest activity, the appearance of Hp is accelerated as compared to other infants. In contrast, infants from diabetic pregnancies who have ACP1 phenotypes with the highest activity, show delayed Hp development.     

Catecholamine levels in newborn human plasma in normal and abnormal conditions and in maternal plasma at delivery.

High levels of catecholamines have been found in plasma from the umbilical cord of newborn infants, suggesting a release of catecholamine from the fetus during parturition. Plasma catecholamine levels are also elevated in mothers at delivery.     

Catecholamine levels in newborn human plasma in normal and abnormal conditions and in maternal plasma at delivery

Summary High levels of catecholamines have been found in plasma from the umbilical cord of newborn infants, suggesting a release of catecholamine from the fetus during parturition. Plasma catecholamine levels are also elevated in mothers at delivery.     

Serotonin in the human infant carotid body

Summary By immunocytochemistry serotonin was localized in the chief cells of the carotid body in human infants. Radioenzymatic measurement of the serotonin concentration revealed that it represents a significant proportion of the total amine content of the carotid body.     

Serotonin in the human infant carotid body

By immunocytochemistry serotonin was localized in the chief cells of the carotid body in human infants. Radioenzymatic measurement of the serotonin concentration revealed that it represents a significant proportion of the total amine content of the carotid body.     

ABO system incompatibility: evaluation of risk of hyperbilirubinaemia at birth by multivariate discriminant analysis

Summary A discriminant analysis was performed on a set of maternal and neonatal variables to predict at birth the serum bilirubin levels during the neonatal period in infants incompatible with their mothers in the ABO system. The results suggest that the rational and simultaneous utilization of clinical and laboratory parameters allows, a few hours after delivery, a useful classification of these infants in low or high risk for hyperbilirubinemia.This work was supported by grants of NATO, Italian CNR and M.P.I.     

Rotavirus and gastroenteritis in the newborn infant. Initial observations]

A simplified method for the diagnosis of Rotavirus by electron microscopy is presented. The incidence of these viruses is observed in new-born infants and the relationship with acute gastroenteritis is recalled.     

Association of coronavirus infection with hemorrhagic entercolitis in newborn infants

The existence of a widely spread corona virus epidemic enabled us to associate this infection with necrotizing hemorrhagic enterocolitis in newborn infants. Virus is detected in the stools by direct electron microscopic examination. Virions are found agglutinated in the gut during convalescence, as they are by circulating antibodies. Arguments supporting a possible etiological role of this infection are given.     

Apparent transitory hyperthyrotropinemia of mothers and newborn infants related to the presence of maternal immunoglobulins

Some newborns infants (screened for congenital hypothyro?dism) and their mothers were found to present an apparent isolated hyperthyrotropinemia. A large molecular size material (150 000 dalton) was found to carry the apparent immunoreactivity and was characterized as immunoglobulins, capable of binding TSH as well as Rabbit IgG. These maternal immunoglobulins are passively transferred to the newborn infants and interfere in various radioimmunoassays.     

Glutathione peroxidase in dried blood spots.

A new procedure utilizing dried blood spots was developed for detecting glutathione peroxidase deficiency. Samples from a known patient with a partial defect and from rats with an induced deficiency were distinguished from respective control groups by their longer defluorescence endpoints. Samples from 100 patients with anemia and 2 phenyl-ketonuric infants on low-protein diets contained glutathione peroxidase activity similar to that in 82 controls, when screened for the enzyme defect by the new procedure.     

Glutathione peroxidase in dried blood spots

Summary A new procedure utilizing dried blood spots was developed for detecting glutathione peroxidase deficiency. Samples from a known patient with a partial defect and from rats with an induced deficiency were distinguished from respective control groups by their longer defluorescence endpoints., Samples from 100 patients with anemia and 2 phenylketonuric infants on low-protein diets contained glutathione peroxidase activity similar to that in 82 controls, when screened for the enzyme defect by the new procedure.     

Genetic polymorphisms and intrauterine development. Evidence of decreased heterozygosity in light-for-dates human newborn babies.

In 2 independent samples of low-birth-weight infants the proportion of females and homozygotes for a series of polymorphic systems was higher in light-for-dates than in preterm babies. The observation seems to give support to the hypothesis that homozygosity for 'normal' polymorphisms may decrease in general intrauterine growth rate. Since it is known that survival rate is strongly related to birth weight, a correlation between growth retardation and homozygosity may have a major role in the maintenance of such polimorphisms.     

Variations of non conjugated steroids in the amniotic fluid during the last weeks of pregnancy]

Levels of cortisol, estradiol and progesterone were measured in 172 amniotic fluid samples collected by amniocentesis during late pregnancy. An increase in cortisol and estradiol levels was observed three weeks before vaginal delivery of term and premature infants; in both types of delivery, onset of labor was spontaneous. In contrast progesterone levels were only slightly decreased in these cases.     

Role of genetic variability in neonatal jaundice. A prospective study on full-term, blood group-compatible infants.

A series of genetic, developmental and environmental variables have been analyzed in a prospective sample of full-term newborn babies, compatible with their mothers in the major blood group systems, in order to attempt an evaluation of the effect of these variables on serum bilirubin level during the first few days of life. Three genetic factors (PGM1, ACP1 and ADA) and three non-genetic variables (rise of bilirubin level during the first day of life, a mother with a history of previous abortion, and use of alcoholic beverages by the mother) have a significant predictive value for the separation of newborns with clinically relevant jaundice from other infants.     

The effect of splenectomy on the development of experimental pyelonephritis

Summary Although an unusually high incidence of a variety of infections in infants who had undergone splenectomy has been reported by a number of investigators the subject remains somewhat controversial. In the present experiments the role of the spleen in the protection of rats against experimentally induced hematogenous pyelonephritis was studied. The results of this study suggest that the spleen has an important preventive function against bacterial infection.     

Role of genetic variability in neonatal jaundice. A prospective study on full-term,blood group-compatible infants

A series of genetic, developmental and environmental variables have been analyzed in a prospective sample of full-term newborn babies, compatible with their mothers in the major blood group systems, in order to attempt an evaluation of the effect of these variables on serum bilirubin level during the first few days of life. Three genetic factors (PGM₁, ACP₁ and ADA) and three non-genetic variables (rise of bilirubin level during the first day of life, a mother with a history of previous abortion, and use of alcoholic beverages by the mother) have a significant predictive value for the separation of newborns with clinically relevant jaundice from other infants.     

Hämoglobin von «Alexandra-Typus» im ersten Lebensjahr

Summary From a series of 163 haemolysates from infants in their first year of life, 60 contained a minute haemoglobin fraction with the electrophoretic mobility of Hb Alexandra. The abnormal haemoglobin was visible in all cases only after benzidine staining. The highest frequency is found during the 2nd and 3rd month of life and concurs with the appearance of Hb A₂. Spectrophotometric analysis of the abnormal fraction reveals the typical picture of oxyhaemoglobin.