Clinical diagnosis of group B streptococci by scpB gene based PCR.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: The goal of the present study was to improve and simplify the diagnosis of Streptococcus agalactiae (group B Streptococcus, GBS) infection for routine clinical practice. METHODS: A total of 71 clinical samples were tested by microbiologic culture, counter immunoelectrophoresis (CIE) and PCR described in the literature. Southern hybridization was accomplished with the Enzo(TM) "DNA Labeling and Detection Kit", Roche (Germany). The computer techniques were used for selection of the specific primers and for analysis of the sizes of PCR products. RESULTS: The primers for the regions around the 51 bp deletion in C5a peptidase gene (scpB) of GBS were selected. PCR analysis revealed the 255 bp amplification fragment in GBS, 306 bp fragment in groups A and G streptococci (GAS, GGS) and did not reveal any fragments in other bacterial species. Among 71 urine and serum clinical samples tested, none were found to be GBS positive by microbiologic culture, 16 samples by CIE, 36 by PCR. The specificity of amplification was confirmed by Southern hybridization. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The 51 bp deletion in scpB gene in comparison with scpA and scpG genes can be used as a diagnostic tool for identification of GBS. The 51 bp deletion based PCR proved to be faster and more reliable test than microbiologic culture or CIE.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled, and randomized study of loratadine (Clarityne) syrup for the treatment of allergic rhinitis in children aged 3 to 12 years.

Allergic rhinitis is a common disease in children, and antihistamines are the key medication. However, traditional tablets are not convenient and lead to low compliance in young children. The aim of this double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel, randomized study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of loratadine syrup for the treatment of children aged 3 to 12 years with allergic rhinitis. Sixty children with allergic rhinitis due to dust mites were enrolled. They were randomized into 2 parallel groups: one group received loratadine syrup 5 mg or 10 mg daily for 3 weeks, and the other group received placebo. The patients returned to special clinics for symptoms evaluation at day 7 and day 21, and the parents were requested to record disease severity daily. Both evaluations, physician's and parents', were recorded with a 4-point scale for 5 symptoms: sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, nasal itching and ocular symptoms. Forty-six patients completed the study, 22 in the loratadine group and 24 in the placebo group. At the initial visit, the total symptom score (TSS) in both groups was not significantly different (p = 0.39). The TSS of the loratadine syrup group at day 7 and day 21 was lower than those of the placebo group (p = 0.003, p = 0.06). The daily card scores in the experimental group were also significantly lower than those of the placebo group (week 1, p = 0.014; week 2, p = 0.029; week 3, p = 0.014). No adverse reactions were recorded in both groups. This study revealed that loratadine syrup 5 mg or 10 mg once a day improved symptom scores of children with allergic rhinitis effectively and safely.