ABSTRACT
The comparison of Gram-stained urethral smears with Gen-Probe for the detection of Neisseria Gonorrhoeae in the urethras of males with symptomatic urethritis revealed a 99.6% correlation between the two methods. A simple Gram stain would appear to be the method of choice for the detection of gonorrhea in symptomatic males, because it is much less expensive and much more rapid than the Gen-Probe method.
Subject(s)
DNA Probes , Gonorrhea/diagnosis , Staining and Labeling/methods , Bacteriological Techniques/economics , DNA Probes/economics , Gentian Violet , Gonorrhea/epidemiology , Humans , Male , Phenazines , Reagent Kits, Diagnostic/economics , Reproducibility of Results , Staining and Labeling/economics , Texas/epidemiology , Urethra/microbiologyABSTRACT
Two outbreaks of varicella consisting of a total of 105 cases occurred in a highly varicella-susceptible population of young adult Army recruits from Puerto Rico enrolled in the Defense Language Institute in San Antonio, Tex, between October 1986 and November 1987. Epidemiologic investigation found a significantly higher risk for enlisted recruits housed in open barracks than for officers housed in private rooms. The attack rate in the first outbreak was 30%, with an estimated attack rate of 71% among susceptible persons. Serologic testing of 810 adult recruits from Puerto Rico for varicella-zoster antibody by means of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay procedure found 42% to be seronegative, with no significant difference by sex. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test had a positive predictive value for absence of disease development of 95% in the second outbreak. Serologic test results were successfully used as part of the outbreak control strategy, with a resultant decrease in attack rates to 19% overall and 30% among susceptible persons in the second outbreak. Uniquely susceptible adult populations placed in conditions with high likelihood of infection on exposure are potential candidates for the varicella vaccine after its licensure.
Subject(s)
Chickenpox/epidemiology , Disease Outbreaks , Military Personnel , Adult , Antibodies, Viral/analysis , Chickenpox/ethnology , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Female , Herpesvirus 3, Human/immunology , Humans , Male , Puerto Rico/ethnology , Risk Factors , Seasons , TexasABSTRACT
Virocult was used as a supplemental viral collection and transportation system. It compared favorably with tryptose phosphate broth in maintaining clinically important viruses. Advantages of Virocult over tryptose phosphate broth are commercial availability; extended shelf life at ambient temperature; and ease of use.
Subject(s)
Specimen Handling/methods , Viruses/isolation & purificationABSTRACT
The AutoMicrobic System GSC Plus Card was compared to a broth microdilution reference method. Of 1660 minimum inhibitory concentration pairs, 86.1% were within 1 log2 dilution range. A total of 89.2% of the GSC Plus results agreed qualitatively (susceptible, moderately susceptible, resistant). If chloramphenicol data are excluded, agreement is 88.8% and 89.9%, respectively. A total of only 0.90% results were very major or major discrepancies. This is significantly fewer major discrepancies than reported with other systems.
