Histocompatability antigens in the fibrositis (fibromyalgia) syndrome.

HLA antigen Class I (A, B, C) and II (DR) were determined in a small group of fibrositis (fibromyalgia) patients and normal controls. Sixty-seven percent of fibrositis patients had DR4 versus 30% of normal controls. There was also an increased relative risk (4.5). No statitical significance of other Class I and II antigens in fibrositis was found.

In vitro susceptibilities of mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from cystic fibrosis patients against azthreonam, netilmicin and piperacillin.

Minimum bacteriostatic (MIC) and bactericidal (MBC) levels were done on 37 clinical isolates of mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa from cystic fibrosis patients against azthreonam, netilmicin and piperacillin. Results show that piperacillin had the greatest bacteriostatic activity; however there was more likely to be a significant disparity between MIC and MBC with this drug. Netilmicin was less active than piperacillin, but there was less difference between MICs and MBCs. Azthreonam was the least active compound tested.

Rapid presumptive identification of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis-bovis complex by radiometric determination of heat stable urease.

Simple and rapid Bactec methodologies for the determination of neat (unaltered) and heat stable urease activity of mycobacteria are presented. Clinical isolates (63) and stock cultures (32)--consisting of: M. tuberculosis (19), M. bovis (5), M. kansasii (15), M. marinum (4), M. simiae (3), M. scrofulaceum (16), M. gordonae (6), M. szulgai (6), M. flavescens (1), M. gastri (1), M. intracellulare (6), M. fortuitum-chelonei complex (12), and M. smegmatis (1)--were tested for neat urease activity by Bactec radiometry. Mycobacterial isolates (50-100 mg wet weight) were incubated at 35 degrees C for 30 minutes with microCi14C-urea. Urease-positive mycobacteria gave Bactec growth index (GI) values greater than 100 units, whereas urease-negative species gave values less than 10 GI units. Eighty-three isolates possessing neat urease activity were heated at 80 degrees C for 30 minutes followed by incubation at 35 degrees C for 30 minutes with 1 microCi14C-urea. Mycobacterium tuberculosis-bovis complex demonstrated heat-stable urease activity (GI more than 130 units) and could be distinguished from mycobacteria other than tuberculosis (MOTT), which gave GI values equal to or less than 40 units.

Elastase of U-937 monocytelike cells. Comparisons with elastases derived from human monocytes and neutrophils and murine macrophagelike cells.

As an approach to facilitating the understanding of proteinases associated with monocytes we have studied U-937 monocytelike cells. Elastase activity was identified in U-937 cell extracts and compared to monocyte elastase activity, neutrophil elastase, and the elastase activity from a continuous line of murine macrophagelike cells (P388D1). Serine proteinase activity which solubilized (14)C-labeled elastin accounted for >90% of the neutral proteinase activity of both U-937 cells and monocyte extracts. U-937 cell and monocyte elastase activities were similar catalytically, resembling neutrophil elastase. U-937 cells and monocytes showed other similarities: (a) both had activities reacting with [(3)H]diisopropylfluorophosphate that migrated in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide gels at approximately 30,000 and 60,000 daltons and (b) both contained material that cross-reacted with antiserum raised to neutrophil elastase. Preliminary characterization of U-937 cell elastase activity by affinity chromatography and ion-exchange chromatography suggested the presence of at least two distinct elastases. Minimal elastase activity was found in U-937 cell-conditioned medium, indicating that the activity is not spontaneously released by the cells. In contrast to the elastase activity associated with U-937 cells and monocytes, the elastase activity associated with P388D1 cells was a metalloproteinase and was found principally in the culture medium. These results indicate (a) U-937 cells will be useful for further investigation of proteinases associated with normal monocytes; (b) monocytes and U-937 cells contain material with catalytic and immunologic similarities to neutrophil elastase; (c) monocyte elastase activity differs from elastase activity secreted by murine macrophages and murine macrophagelike cells of the P388D1 line.

Rapid Tween 80 hydrolysis test for mycobacteria.

A rapid Tween 80 hydrolysis test for mycobacteria utilizing gas-liquid chromatography is described. The test requires 1 h of incubation followed by simple extraction and chromatography of nonderivatized oleic acid.

Radiometric detection of Haemophilus influenzae in cerebrospinal fluid specimens.

The investigation demonstrates the usefulness of a radiometric urease test in the rapid detection of Haemophilus influenzae in cerebrospinal fluid specimens. The test is simple and economical to perform and results are obtained within a one hour incubation period.

Radiometric detection of carbohydrate catabolism by pathogenic Neisseria.

A liquid scintillation procedure for the catabolism of D-[1-14C]glucose and [U-14C]maltose by pathogenic Neisseria was tested. Definitive results were obtained within a 30-min incubation period.

Rapid urease test for mycobacteria: preliminary observations.

A rapid and sensitive urease test for mycobacteria utilizing a cumulative radiometric technique is described. Definitive results were obtained within a 30-min incubation period. The procedure is simple and economical. Technical time involved is no greater than in conventional procedures.

In vitro incorporation of 1-14C acetate by blood cells of normal ducks and ducks infected with Plasmodium lophurae.

Several investigations have been made, on a qualitative basis, of in vitro incorporation of 1-14C acetate into the lipids of whole blood from normal ducks and ducks infected with Plasmodium lophurae (1,3,4). It was found generally that the percent labeling in blood cells and plasma was higher for infected ducks than for normal ducks. The present study was concerned with quantitative determination of the incorporation of 1-14 C acetate into the lipids of purified erythrocytes (RBC) and leukocytes (WBC) of normal and infected ducks.