ABSTRACT
An indirect (plate) ELISA and, a more convenient version, a dot-blot (membrane) ELISA have been developed using haemocyanin of a mollusk, Megathura crenulata, i.e. keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH) and purified, specific antigen of Trichinella spiralis (APTsAg) obtained from a monoclonal antibody-affinity column chromatography, for differential diagnosis of schistosomiasis mekongi and trichinellosis. Serum samples of patients with parasitologically confirmed trichinellosis were reactive to both antigens in both versions of ELISA while sera of patients with schistosomiasis mekongi were positive only to the KLH. Both ELISA were negative when used to test sera of normal controls and patients with gnathostomiasis, paragonimiasis and opisthorchiasis.
Subject(s)
Schistosoma/isolation & purification , Schistosomiasis/diagnosis , Trichinella spiralis/isolation & purification , Trichinellosis/diagnosis , Animals , Antibodies, Helminth/blood , Antigens, Helminth , Cats , Diagnosis, Differential , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/methods , Hemocyanins , Humans , Mice , Schistosoma/immunology , Schistosomiasis/immunology , Snails/parasitology , Thailand , Trichinella spiralis/immunology , Trichinellosis/immunologyABSTRACT
DOT ELISA was compared with RT-PCR and tissue culture to detect RSV from nasopharyngeal aspirates. DOT ELISA had diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of 65.62% and 93.92%, respectively. The results indicate that DOT ELISA can be used for screening detection of RSV from clinical specimens and is suitable for small laboratories in the provincial areas of developing countries.
Subject(s)
Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods , Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections/diagnosis , Respiratory Syncytial Viruses/isolation & purification , Cells, Cultured , Child , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/methods , Humans , Infant , Nasal Lavage Fluid/virology , Respiratory Syncytial Viruses/growth & development , Sensitivity and SpecificitySubject(s)
Toxoplasmosis/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Rural Health , Serologic Tests , ThailandABSTRACT
A hospital-based case-control study was conducted at Paholpolpayuhasena Hospital, Kanchanaburi, Thailand to investigate social and behavioural factors believed to be associated with malaria occurrence. Data were obtained from 210 malaria and 210 non-malaria patients presenting at the hospital from August to September 1984. All study subjects were interviewed by trained interviewers using a structured interview form. The results showed that the malaria cases were predominantly male, under age 30 and single. Bivariate analysis showed a significant association for knowledge of transmission, use of mosquito nets, and residing or working in forested areas 2 weeks before the illness with malaria occurrence. Logistic regression analysis revealed that age, education, duration of stay in the area and knowledge of transmission were significantly associated with disease occurrence. After adjusting for these variables, use of a mosquito net was also found to be significantly associated with occurrence. Residence or work place 2 weeks before the illness was another variable significantly associated with the presence of malaria infection even after adjustment for age and knowledge of transmission. The groups found in this study to be at high risk of malaria infection were younger age groups, forest-related workers and migrant workers. The results of this study suggest that efforts should be made to identify these people and target them for malaria health education.
Subject(s)
Behavior , Malaria/epidemiology , Adult , Age Factors , Female , Health Education , Hospitalization , Humans , Malaria/psychology , Male , Risk Factors , Sex Factors , Socioeconomic Factors , Thailand , Transients and MigrantsABSTRACT
Gnathostoma malaysiae Miyazaki and Dunn, 1965 was found in the stomach wall of Rattus surifer, captured in Phuket Island and Khao Yai National Park of Thailand. This is the first to be recorded in Thailand and the second discovery after the first description of Miyazaki and Dunn (1965). Pathological findings of infected animals were also described. Some new morphological descriptions were added to the original.
Subject(s)
Gnathostoma/isolation & purification , Muridae/parasitology , Thelazioidea/isolation & purification , Animals , Female , Gnathostoma/anatomy & histology , Liver/parasitology , Male , Nematode Infections/parasitology , Nematode Infections/pathology , Rats , Stomach/parasitology , ThailandABSTRACT
A serological survey was conducted in the villages of Phichit Province, Northern region and in the urban slum communities in Bangkok to determine whether amoebiasis was endemic in the areas and to determine the prevalence rates. Six rural villages, ethnically and culturally alike with a population of 3,019 and two urban slums with a population of 1,510 were surveyed. Sera were tested for indirect hemagglutination antibody (IHA) to Entamoeba histolytica and the stools examined for the parasite by direct smear method. Positive IHA titres (greater than or equal to 1:128) were detected in 482 (11%) and 176 (20%) sera, and E. histolytica found in 639 (2%) and 208 (3%) stool specimens of rural and urban slum populations respectively. Out of a total of 88 persons who showed significant levels of IHA antibodies to E. histolytica antigen, 5 had E. histolytica cysts in their stool specimens. The survey confirmed, serologically and parasitologically, that amoebiasis is endemic in the lower socio-economic areas. Substandard living and sanitary conditions within the areas were considered responsible for the transmission of the disease.
