Rapid Latex Agglutination Test Research Articles

Seroepidemiological study of Toxoplasnw gondif antiboCyamong women in Tikrit city

One hundred women were included in this study which referred by the physicians clinics for the detection of antitoxoplasma antibodies. Venous blood was collected from them, and serum obtained for the performed of rapid latex agglutination test and quelitative detective of Toxoplasma IgM by using Mercaptoethanol test.A questionnaire form was filled for each women by direct interview. The data requested inciuded age, occupation, residency, level of education, owing animals, marital status, history of abortion and numbers of abortion.Forty six (46%) women were dispiayed the presence of antitoxoplasma antibodies. Fifteen (32%) of the positive cases were positive for IgM antibodies.Significant association between the rate of total Toxoplasma antibodies and some epidemiological factors were included.

Assessment of the Performance of Combining Rapid Immunochromatographic and Latex Agglutination Tests in the Diagnosis of Human Toxoplasmosis in Cameroon

Assessment of the Performance of Combining Rapid Immunochromatographic and Latex Agglutination Tests in the Diagnosis of Human Toxoplasmosis in Cameroon

The state of laboratory diagnosis, surveillance, and response to outbreaks of bacterial Meningitis, Brong Ahafo Region, Ghana, 2019

Background: One goal of WHO and Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA), is to prevent, rapidly detect, diagnose, notify and respond to infectious diseases, in order to contain them at source, and prevent spread. We assessed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample management, referral, laboratory diagnostics, notification, response, and surveillance capacity in relation to bacterial meningitis in Brong Ahafo Region(BAR), Ghana. Methods and materials: We conducted a cross-sectional study in BAR in September 2019. We reviewed Meningitis case-based forms, laboratory registers, from January to August 2019, and interviewed laboratory personnel. We collected data on sample quality, type of sample container, time of collection, receipt, and outcome of culture and PCR results at the Brong Ahafo Regional Hospital Laboratory (BARHL), and the PCR Zonal Public Health Reference Laboratory (ZPHRL), in the Northern Region, respectively Results: A total of 87 CSF samples were received at BARHL, between January–August 2019, from peripheral districts in BAR. The median time for samples receipt was; 1 day;(range; 1–4). Eight, (9.2%) tested culture-positive; Streptococcus pneumoniae. Sixty-nine (79.3%) samples met the criteria for adequacy and PCR analysis at the ZPHRL. It took 21 days to receive PCR results feedback. In all, 21 (30.4%) of the 69 samples were positive by PCR; (Streptococcus pneumoniae-20, Neisseria meningitidis-1). More than half; 13(62%) of the 21 positives by PCR, had been previously declared; ‘Culture Negative’ at BARHL. Across districts, there was lack of Gram stain and rapid latex agglutination test kits. Standard sample collection tubes such as dry cryo-tubes and trans-isolate bottles (meant to sustain the viability of CSF pathogens whilst in transit) was inadequate, and often yielded contaminated results due to inappropriate handling techniques. Conclusion: Poor specimen management and weak laboratory capacity possibly accounted for the low yield of culture results at BARHL. Observation suggests a high potential of failure to rapidly diagnose, notify, respond, and contain infectious outbreaks at source. Strengthening laboratory capacity at local and district levels in Brong Ahafo Region is crucial.

The Prevalence of Cryptococcal Antigenemia in Serum of Human Immunodeficiency Viruses-infected Patients of Iran

BACKGROUND: Cryptococcus species are the most prevalent opportunistic agents found in patients with HIV which may result in life-threatening cryptococcal meningitis (CM). A non-invasive way for diagnosis of CM is the detection of cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) in the blood to reduce either the mortality rate or the treatment complications associated with antiretroviral therapy. Not much information is available in CM among HIV patients in Iran.
 AIM: Thus, in the current study, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of cryptococcal disease by antigen testing, possible associated factors, and outcomes in HIV-infected patients being managed in a referral HIV/TB hospital in Tehran-Iran.
 METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, blood samples were screened for CrAg using a rapid latex agglutination test between 2017 and 2018 at Masih Daneshvari Hospital (Tehran-Iran) as referral land center for HIV/TB patients. Based on CD4 counts, 106 HIV-positive infected patients including 101 (95.3%) males and 5 (4.7%) females with the mean ± standard deviation age of 42.40 ± 10.687 and 36.50 ± 6.403 years enrolled in the study. The patients were categorized into 4 groups, (a) <50, (b) 50–100, (c) 101–200, and (d)>200 CD4+ T cells/μL. Whole blood was obtained with EDTA (for flow cytometry of CD4 counts) or without for harvesting serum for determination of CrAg in serum.
 RESULTS: The results showed only one positive case for CrAg, indicating that CrAg is rare in Iranian HIV patients (overall estimation is lower than 0.01%).
 CONCLUSIONS: With the paucity of information about the prevalence of cryptococcosis in Iran, there is a need for better screening tests and strategies for detection of CrAg in addition to the prevention and treatment approaches of CM.

English

The aim of the study was to establish the seroprevalence of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) and contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) among cattle and small ruminants received at abattoirs in Ilorin, Nigeria. A total of 643 blood samples were taken from 324 cattle and 319 sheep and goats. These samples were screened for CBPP and CCPP using rapid latex agglutination tests. The majority were from the north of Nigeria. Sera from cattle were screened for the causative mycoplasma of CBPP, Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides (Mmm) and small ruminants were screened for the presence of Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae (Mccp), the cause of CCPP, using specific latex agglutination tests. Clinical signs including specific clinical signs associated with CBPP were also assessed. A prevalence rate of just over 56% was recorded for CBPP. In all, 22 of 324 cattle showed clinical signs but only 10 showed specific clinical signs associated with CBPP infection such as dyspnoea, nasal discharge and cough. A CCPP prevalence rate of about 33% was found among the small ruminants. In total, 52 of 319 small ruminants showed clinical signs of disease but only 22 of these were associated with seropositivity.  The high seroprevalence of CBPP and CCPP in this study is suggestive of extensive CBPP and CCPP infection in Ilorin, Nigeria.   Key words: Abattoir survey, Nigeria, contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP), contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP), seroprevalence.

Effects of gamma-irradiation on antibiotic resistance and diagnostic molecular markers of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Egyptian cancer patients

:Purpose: This in-vitro study aimed to assess in 120 [40 community-acquired (CA-MRSA) & 80 hospital-acquired (HA-MRSA)] isolates from cancer patients whether the transmissible staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) typing, and the Panton–Valentine leukocidin (PVL) virulence genes detection could be employed as tools for molecular diagnostic purposes to distinguish both methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) categories in radiotherapy treated cancer patients.Materials and methods: SCCmec typing was determined by the combination of the type of the cassette chromosome recombinase genes (ccr) gene complex and the class of the methicillin resistance (mec) gene complex. Besides, a rapid slide latex agglutination test (LAT) and antibiotic resistance spectrum determination before and after irradiation were performed.Results: In the strict sense, with the effect of irradiation; the presence of SCCmec subtypes IVa (22.5% vs. 10.0%), b (47.5% vs. 25.0%), & d (7.5 vs. 2.5%) or type V (15.0% vs. 7.5%) genetic elements and PVL genes (p < .001) were not proved as a signature for CA-MRSA. While, the larger SCCmec types II, and III elements were not detected in 14, and 19 from the 38, and 36 typed HA-MRSA isolates (p < .001), respectively. Remarkable effects on class A & class B mec gene complex and type2, type 3 & type 5 ccr gene complex and an increase in agglutination reaction strength in response to gamma irradiation external stimulus were observed.Conclusions: Different heterogeneous genetic composition with upregulation mecA gene expression was detected after irradiation in the HA- MRSA studied population. CA-MRSA showed remarkable ability to acquire multi-antibiotic resistance after irradiation and propose a novel paradigm for future chemotherapy against the multi-resistant pathogens whose proliferation especially among immunocompromised cancer patients is on the increase.

Bacteriological Quality and Occurrence of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Escherichia coli&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; O157:H7 and &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Salmonella&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; Species in Smoked Rat Meat Sold in Zaria, Nigeria

Rat meat is a good source of protein and it is traded and consumed in different parts of the world. The bacteriological quality with regards to the occurrence of <i>Salmonella</i> spp. and <i>Escherichia coli</i> (<i>E. coli</i>) O157:H7 in smoked rat meat sold in different parts of Zaria, Nigeria was determined in other to ascertain its safety for human consumption. A total of 384 smoked rat meat samples were examined from four purposively selected districts in the study area; Samaru, Basawa, Jushi and Sabon Gari, Zaria, Nigeria. The bacterial load was determined using the Total Aerobic Plate Counts (TAPC) by the spread plate technique. The samples were further screened for <i>E. coli</i> O157:H7 and <i>Salmonella</i> spp. using the conventional biochemical characterization methods, including standardized micro-substrate (Microgen GN-ID A+B) detection kit for Gram negative bacteria, Rapid latex agglutination test for <i>E. coli</i> O157:H7 and PCR for <i>salmonella</i> spp. The average TAPC ranged from 12 x 10⁹ cfu.g^-1 (lowest) in Basawa, Zaria, to 15 x 10⁹ cfu.g^-1 in Jushi, Zaria, sampling areas. <i>Salmonella</i> was isolated from 2(0.5%) and <i>E. coli</i> O157:H7 isolated from 5 (1.3%) of the total 384 samples. Although the prevalence of <i>E. coli</i> O157:H7 and <i>Salmonella</i> spp. in this study appeared to be low, the high bacteria count and occurrence of these two important foodborne pathogens is an indication of the poor bacteriological quality of smoked rat meat sold in Zaria, Nigeria and a potential source of food infection to consumers.

Natural Honey Bee venom Manipulates Human Immune Response

Background: Honey bee venom is an important toxin which has various useful properties. Bee venom possesses various peptides including melittin, apamin, adolapamin and mast cell degranulating peptide. It appears to stimulate cortisone secretion, enhances antibody production, and affects cytokine production. Aim: The aim of the work is to study changes in levels of complement system proteins, C3 and C4, together with C-reactive proteins and rheumatoid factors (CRP and RF) in response to bee venom in subjects exposed naturally to sting with honey bee workers. Subjects and Methods: Subjects (12) were randomly selected from patients visiting El-Mostafa bee house, Elmarg, cairo, Egypt; to get natural bee venom therapy for various diseases. Blood samples (24) were collected from these volunteers, before and after honey bee sting, at the laboratory of Egypt Air Hospital, Cairo, Egypt following the standard protocol. Serum levels of C3 and C4 were measured by radial immunodiffusion technique. CRP was quantitatively measured by in vitro diagnostic test using auto analyzer (Dimension® EXEL) clinical chemistry system. Serum RF was measured by Rapid latex agglutination test for qualitative screening. Result: After exposure of patients to bee sting: all abnormal levels of C3 returned to normal values while abnormal C4 levels did not change; Half of cases that were showing abnormal high CRP levels have dropped to normal levels and All RF positive cases have become negative. Conclusion: The complement system has been activated, in patients, by both classical and alternative pathways before treatment with bee venom where it became only classically activated after treatment. Improved values of both CRP and RF indicate reduction in the inflammatory immune response after exposure of patients to honey bee venom.

Natural Honey Bee venom Manipulates Human Immune Response

Background: Honey bee venom is an important toxin which has various useful properties. Bee venom possesses various peptides including melittin, apamin, adolapamin and mast cell degranulating peptide. It appears to stimulate cortisone secretion, enhances antibody production, and affects cytokine production. Aim: The aim of the work is to study changes in levels of complement system proteins, C3 and C4, together with C-reactive proteins and rheumatoid factors (CRP and RF) in response to bee venom in subjects exposed naturally to sting with honey bee workers. Subjects and Methods: Subjects (12) were randomly selected from patients visiting El-Mostafa bee house, Elmarg, cairo, Egypt; to get natural bee venom therapy for various diseases. Blood samples (24) were collected from these volunteers, before and after honey bee sting, at the laboratory of Egypt Air Hospital, Cairo, Egypt following the standard protocol. Serum levels of C3 and C4 were measured by radial immunodiffusion technique. CRP was quantitatively measured by in vitro diagnostic test using auto analyzer (Dimension® EXEL) clinical chemistry system. Serum RF was measured by Rapid latex agglutination test for qualitative screening. Result: After exposure of patients to bee sting: all abnormal levels of C3 returned to normal values while abnormal C4 levels did not change; Half of cases that were showing abnormal high CRP levels have dropped to normal levels and All RF positive cases have become negative. Conclusion: The complement system has been activated, in patients, by both classical and alternative pathways before treatment with bee venom where it became only classically activated after treatment. Improved values of both CRP and RF indicate reduction in the inflammatory immune response after exposure of patients to honey bee venom.

Structural Changes in Stx1 Engineering Monoclonal Antibody Improves Its Functionality as Diagnostic Tool for a Rapid Latex Agglutination Test.

Stx1 toxin is one of the AB5 toxins of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) responsible for foodborne intoxication during outbreaks. The single-chain variable fragment (scFv) is the most common recombinant antibody format; it consists of both variable chains connected by a peptide linker with conserved specificity and affinity for antigen. The drawbacks of scFv production in bacteria are the heterologous expression, conformation and stability of the molecule, which could change the affinity for the antigen. In this work, we obtained a stable and functional scFv-Stx1 in bacteria, starting from IgG produced by hybridoma cells. After structural modifications, i.e., change in protein orientation, vector and linker, its solubility for expression in bacteria was increased as well as the affinity for its antigen, demonstrated by a scFv dissociation constant (KD) of 2.26 × 10−7 M. Also, it was able to recognize purified Stx1 and cross-reacted with Stx2 toxin by ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay), and detected 88% of Stx1-producing strains using a rapid latex agglutination test. Thus, the scFv fragment obtained in the present work is a bacteria-produced tool for use in a rapid diagnosis test, providing an alternative for STEC diagnosis.

Relationship between Obesity and Iron Deficiency

Background: obesity and iron deficiency anemia are major health problems that are increasing in Egypt especially in females. Aim of work: this study aimed to evaluate the iron status in obese Egyptian females in comparison to normal weight females. Patients and Methods: forty four obese adult female patients and 44 normal weight healthy females as control group were included in this study. They were all tested for iron profile and CRP using semi quantitative rapid latex agglutination test. Results: the patient group in this study showed a significant lower serum Fe and TSI than the control group, while ferritin was higher in patients than the control group. The comparison between the three groups of obesity showed that the grade III patients had the lowest median value in serum iron and the highest median value in TIBC and ferritin, however no statistical significant differences were detected between the three groups of patients (P>0.05). Our results showed that 70.4%) of patients had positive CRP with positive correlation between CRP and BMI. Conclusion and Recommendations: obesity is a low inflammatory disease which affects iron profile and increases CRP. Further, study on larger number of cases is recommended to analyze the exact mechanism of iron deficiency anemia in obese female patients.

Isolation and identification of Enterobacteriaceae from traditional Serbian cheese and their physiological characteristics

AbstractIn this paper, the presence of enterobacteria in autochthonous cheese from Southeast Serbia (Sokobanja), made in the traditional way, was investigated. The samples from different households, was taken during the summer and the autumn. Chemical and physical characteristics of samples (water content, fat content, acidity, pH, and sodium chloride content) were examined. In the analyzed samples of cheese, four different genera of family Enterobacteriaceae (Klebsiella [65%], Escherichia [20%], Serratia [10%], and Enterobacter [5%]) were identified. The members of genus Klebsiella were Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Klebsiella ornithinolytica, while in the genus Escherichia only one species, Escherichia coli was identified. Besides, two species of the genus Serratia, Serratia odorifera and Serratia marcescens biogp 1, and one species of the genus Enterobacter, Enterobacter gergoviae, were identified. Biochemical characteristics, proteolytic and lipolytic activity, sensitivity to streptomycin, chloramphenicol, and tetracycline were, also, determined. According to the rapid latex agglutination test, of the four E. coli isolates, two isolates belong to serotype E. coli O157.Practical applicationsThe results of this study contribute to better understanding of unexplored microflora of cheese from Sokobanja. The isolated genera were Klebsiella sp., Escherichia sp., Enterobacter sp., and Serratia sp. with twenty identified species. It is well known that bacteria from family Enterobacteriaceae could affect organoleptic properties of cheese. Bacteria isolated from cheese from Sokobanja mostly did not manifest proteolytic and lipolytic activity. The most number of isolates were susceptible to tested antibiotics. Further researches may contribute to better understanding of interaction between enterobacteria and lactic acid bacteria in autochthonous cheeses.

Disease burden and antimicrobial resistance of invasive group B streptococcus among infants in China: a protocol for a national prospective observational study

BackgroundGroup B Streptococcus (GBS) is a cause of neonatal sepsis, pneumonia, and meningitis that can lead to neurological sequelae in infants less than 3 months of age. The GBS disease burden is not known in China, therefore it cannot receive major attention. The main objectives of this study are the evaluation of the incidence of neonatal GBS infection, GBS case-fatality ratio, its serotypes and genotypes, bacterial resistance, clinical treatment and outcomes in China.MethodsWe are conducting a nation-wide, population-based, multi-center, prospective, observational cohort study in China from May 2016 to December 2017. Eighteen large urban tertiary care hospitals from 16 provinces were selected that cover the eastern, southern, western, northern and central regions of China. Meanwhile, we retrospectively collected data and GBS strains from January 2015 to April 2016 from selected hospitals. The incidence rate per 1000 live births will be defined as the total number of confirmed GBS cases born in the selected hospitals divided by the number of live births in the hospitals during the study period. All GBS cases detected in selected hospitals will be used to calculate the case-fatality ratio and for the typing analysis. GBS isolates will be serotyped using the Strep-B-Latex® rapid latex agglutination test for serotyping of Group B streptococci. Multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) will be performed by sequencing the internal fragments of seven house-keeping genes. Antimicrobial susceptibility will be tested per interpretive standards established by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. The presence of the common resistance genes ermA, ermB, mefA, tetI, tetO and tetM will be tested by PCR.DiscussionWe are conducting the first national study to estimate the invasive GBS disease burden and antimicrobial resistance of GBS among infants in China. Study findings will provide important evidence for improving clinical practice to ensure timely diagnosis of GBS disease and decisions for preventive measures. Surveillance of antimicrobial resistance will promote the rational use of antimicrobials.Trial registrationThe study was retrospectively registered at http://clinicaltrials.gov on June 13, 2016. It was granted a registration number of “NCT02812576”.

Search for OIE-listed ruminant mycoplasma diseases in Afghanistan

BackgroundLittle is known about the occurrence of important diseases of ruminants in Afghanistan because of the conflict affecting the country over the last 40 years. To address this discrepancy, ruminant herds in Afghanistan were screened for OIE-listed mycoplasma diseases, contagious bovine (CBPP) and caprine pleuropneumonias (CCPP).ResultsOf the 825 samples from 24 provinces tested for serological evidence of CBPP caused by Mycoplasma mycoides subsp.mycoides, 20 (3.4%) had ELISA values greater than the positive threshold of 50% though all were less than 55%. Repeat testing of these suspect sera gave values below 50. A smaller number of sera (330) from cattle in nine provinces were also tested by the rapid latex agglutination test (LAT) for CBPP, 10 of which were considered suspect. However, no positive bands were seen when immunoblotting was carried out on all sera that gave suspect results. Serological evidence of Mycoplasma bovis was detected in half of 28 herds in eight provinces. The cause of CCPP, M. capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae was not detected in any of the 107 nasal swabs and lung tissue collected from goats in seven provinces though sample handling and storage were not optimal. However, strong serological evidence was detected in goat herds in several villages near Kabul some of which were over 50% seropositive by LAT and ELISAs for CCPP; immunoblotting confirmed positive results on a selection of these sera.ConclusionsThe data presented here provide a first assessment of the occurrence of the two OIE listed mycoplasma diseases in Afghanistan. From the results of the testing bovine sera from the majority of provinces there is no evidence of the presence of CBPP in Afghanistan. However the samples tested represented only 0.03% of the cattle population so a larger survey is required to confirm these findings. Serological, but not bacterial, evidence was produced during this investigation to show that CCPP is highly likely to be present in parts of Afghanistan.

Skin infection caused by a novel strain of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in a Siberian husky dog owner

Introduction. Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, an opportunistic pathogen of dogs and cats, is rarely reported to cause infection in humans. Here, we describe a case of severe skin infection caused by S. pseudintermedius, in a 47-year-old male, a dog owner; to the best of our knowledge, this is the first such case reported from Scotland.Case presentation. The patient presented with a short history of a severe ecthyma-like lesion on his forehead, with smaller lesions on his abdomen and legs. Bacterial culture revealed Clostridium perfringens, thought to be colonizing the wound, and a Staphylococcus species, identified as S. pseudintermedius by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight MS and confirmed by molecular methods using a PCR-RFLP approach. The patient was treated with flucloxacillin, penicillin V and Fucibet cream, and recovered fully. Zoonotic infection was considered likely; however, screening swabs from his dogs grew S. pseudintermedius of a different clonal type. Both patient and dog strains carried Staphylococcus intermedius exfoliative toxin and leucocidin I, closely related to Panton–Valentine leucocidin, possibly contributing to the severity of the infection. S pseudintermedius, although coagulase positive, is normally negative by rapid slide clumping and latex agglutination tests routinely used to identify Staphylococcus aureus. Hence, S. pseudintermedius may easily be misidentified as a coagulase-negative staphylococcus and considered insignificant.Conclusion. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first reported case of a human S. pseudintermedius infection in Scotland. Zoonotic transmission of S. pseudintermedius between pets and owners has been shown. However, in this case zoonosis could not be confirmed.

Childhood Bacterial Meningitis : Microbial Profile and Value of Rapid Latex Agglutination Test

Childhood Bacterial Meningitis : Microbial Profile and Value of Rapid Latex Agglutination Test

Antibiotic susceptibilities of &lt;i&gt;Salmonella&lt;/i&gt; species prevalent among children of 0-5 years with diarrhea in Katsina state, Nigeria

This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of Salmonella species among children having diarrhea in Katsina State, Nigeria. A total of 220 diarrhea stool samples of children aged five years and below (0-5 years) were collected and screened for Salmonella species using culture technique. Presumptively positive isolates were further screened biochemically and serologically, using Microgen TM Enterobactericeae ID kit and Microgen TM Salmonella rapid confirmatory latex agglutination test kit. Antibiotic susceptibility of confirmed isolates was carried out and resistance patterns of the isolates determined. The highest incidence was observed in children of 13-24 months of age and the least in children of 0-12 months of age. There was a higher prevalence in male than female children. All the isolates screened were resistant to Ampicillin and Amoxicillin and of these, 90.9% were resistant to Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and 45.5% were resistant to Nalidixic acid. However, 100% were sensitive to Gentamicin, 90.9% were sensitive to Ciprofloxacin and Cefotaxime and 9.09% showed reduced susceptibility to Ciprofloxacin. Both the occurrence of Salmonella in children and their resistance to multiple antibiotics as observed are of public health significance. The vein of this study underscores the importance of routine monitoring of the incidence of Salmonella and continued health education of caregivers. Keywords: Antibiotic resistance; Prevalence of Salmonella ; Childhood diarrhea; Katsina State; Antibiotics susceptibility of Salmonella

Do Staphylococcus aureus superantigens play a role in the pathogenesis of otitis media with effusion in children?

ObjectivesStaphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs), acting as superantigens, have been reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases of the upper and lower airway. There has been no previous study investigating the role of SEs in otitis media with effusion (OME). Therefore, this study was designed to analyze middle ear aspirates from children with and without OME for the presence of SEs. MethodsMiddle ear aspirates were obtained from 24 patients and 24 controls. All samples were processed for bacterial culture and detection of five staphylococcal SEs (SEA, SEB, SEC and SED) and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 using the Rapid Latex Agglutination Test. ResultsIn bacterial culture assays, six samples (25%) of the study group and five samples (20.8%) of the control group showed bacterial growth. At least one SE was demonstrated in 6 of 24 patients and in 3 of 24 controls. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups with respect to the presence of SEs. ConclusionAlthough there is evidence that SEs have a potential role in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases, there is no evidence that the inflammation process is initiated by SEs in patients with OME.

Evaluation of Biochemical marker for the diagnosis of Rheumatoid arthritis

Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic auto-immune disorder; there is a prominent immunological dysfunction in the joints and many other tissues by accumulation of chronic inflammatory cells including T and B lymphocytes, monocytes and macrophage, which is due to result of cell mediated immune response in RA patients. Adenosine deaminase (ADA) is one of the marker of cellular immunity and it is a key enzyme of purine metabolism, play an important role in the determination of the seriousness of an inflammatory process. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of adenosine deaminase in addition to C-reactive protein (CRP) for the diagnosis and therapeutic management of RA. Material and methods: Catalytic activities of ADA in serum were determined by a spectrophotometric method at 630 nm and serum C-reactive protein detected using Avitex CRP kit, which is a rapid latex agglutination test. Results: The results showed a statistically significant ADA levels in serum of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (p<0.001). CRP test was found to be positive in 36/40 cases of RA and none of the controls. Conclusion: ADA assay can be a reliable, sensitive and specific test, and CRP is an important inflammatory marker for rapid diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

Serotype distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility of group B streptococci in pregnant women: results from a Swiss tertiary centre

To evaluate the rates of penicillin, clindamycin and erythromycin resistance and the serotype distribution among isolates of group B streptococcus (GBS) obtained from pregnant women at the University Hospital of Bern in Switzerland. We prospectively collected screening samples for GBS colonisation at the University Women's Hospital Bern, Switzerland, between March 2009 and August 2010. We included 364 GBS isolates collected from vaginal, cervical or vaginal-perianal swabs at any gestation time. The minimal inhibitory concentrations for penicillin, clindamycin and erythromycin were established using Etest with 24 hours of incubation, and inducible clindamycin resistance was tested with double disk diffusion tests. Serotyping was done with a rapid latex agglutination test or, if not conclusive, with polymerase chain-reaction (PCR) testing. We looked for significant associations between resistance patterns, age groups, serotype and ethnicity. All isolates were susceptible to penicillin. Resistance rates were 14.5% for erythromycin and 8.2% for clindamycin. Of 364 isolates, 5.8% were susceptible to clindamycin but not to erythromycin, although demonstrating inducible clindamycin resistance. Hence, the final reported clindamycin resistance rate was 14%. Serotype III was the most frequent serotype (29%), followed by V (25%) and Ia (19%). Serotype V was associated with erythromycin resistance (p = 0.0007). In comparison with all other ethnicities, patients from Asia showed a higher proportion of erythromycin and clindamycin resistance (p = 0.018). No significant association between resistance patterns and age groups was found. In pregnant women with GBS colonisation, penicillin is the antibiotic of choice for intrapartum prophylaxis to prevent neonatal early-onset GBS sepsis. In women with penicillin allergy and at high risk for anaphylactic reaction, clindamycin may be an alternative. The resistance rate for clindamycin at our institution was 14%; therefore, susceptibility must be tested before administration.