ABSTRACT
Of the sandfly fever viruses known to be human pathogens (serotypes Toscana [TOS], Sicilian [SFS], and Naples [SFN]), only TOS has demonstrated neurotropic activity. Infections by TOS have been reported in Mediterranean countries, but the virus was previously isolated only in Italy and Portugal. We isolated 15 strains of TOS between 1988 and 1996 from the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with acute aseptic meningitis in Granada, Spain. This finding led us to study the presence of antibodies to TOS, SFS, and SFN in 1,181 adults and 87 children from different regions of Spain. We found that the prevalence of antibodies to these viruses was 26.2%, 2.2, and 11.9%, respectively; these rates imply that TOS infections are common in Spain.
Subject(s)
Phlebotomus Fever/virology , Phlebovirus/classification , Adolescent , Adult , Age Distribution , Aged , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Middle Aged , Phlebotomus Fever/epidemiology , Phlebotomus Fever/immunology , Phlebovirus/immunology , Phlebovirus/isolation & purification , Prevalence , Serotyping , Spain/epidemiologyABSTRACT
The relationship between nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been already well established. Titulation of the antibodies IgG and IgA against EBV-related antigens has been proved reliable but always suitable having tested and age-matched control population. We present here the preliminary results from the 14 patients bearing NPC and 12 patients with other carcinoma of the head and neck and healthy donors.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Viral/blood , Antigens, Viral/immunology , Carcinoma/immunology , Herpesvirus 4, Human/immunology , Immunoglobulin G/blood , Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/immunology , Adult , Aged , Capsid/immunology , Female , Head and Neck Neoplasms/immunology , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Detection of cytomegalovirus has been carried out in 178 clinical samples in order to compare the effectiveness of two distinct commercial immunofluorescence reagents: anti-CMV early nuclear protein (Du Pont) and CMV culture identification (Syva Micro-Trak). In 61 of the samples we observed positive reaction to either of the two procedures (Shell-vial and, or, cellular conventional culture). Sensitivity was 0.92 for Du Pont reagent, 0.79 for Syva reagent, and 0.93 for the conventional cellular culture. In the overall samples we observed a higher incidence of fluorescent focus using Du Pont reagent that using that of Syva.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal , Antibodies, Viral , Antigens, Viral/analysis , Cytomegalovirus Infections/diagnosis , Cytomegalovirus/isolation & purification , Fluorescent Antibody Technique , Immediate-Early Proteins , Reagent Kits, Diagnostic , Cells, Cultured , Cytomegalovirus/immunology , Fibroblasts , Humans , Predictive Value of Tests , Virus CultivationSubject(s)
Herpesviridae Infections/microbiology , Herpesvirus 4, Human , Tumor Virus Infections/microbiology , Adolescent , Adult , Burkitt Lymphoma/microbiology , Carcinoma/microbiology , Chronic Disease , Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic/microbiology , Herpesvirus 4, Human/isolation & purification , Herpesvirus 4, Human/pathogenicity , Humans , Immunocompromised Host , Infectious Mononucleosis/microbiology , Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/microbiologyABSTRACT
Cell culture is the reference method for the detection of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in clinical samples. However, owing to the slow development of cytopathic effect (CPE), the cultures should be observed for at least four weeks before being discarded as negative. We have used a monoclonal antibody for the immunofluorescent detection of the early CMV antigen 48 hours after the inoculation of the samples, by means of centrifugation on embryonic human lung fibroblasts. Fifty-nine out of the 566 investigated urine samples were positive for early antigen in culture and 57 in conventional culture on the same cellular type (mean time of development of CPE 11.8 days). A modification facilitating sample processing and a considerable saving of reactive is described. The technique for the detection of early CMV antigen in culture after centrifugation can be used for the diagnosis of CMV infection owing to its high sensitivity and the rapidity of the results.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal , Antibodies, Viral , Antigens, Viral/analysis , Centrifugation , Cytomegalovirus Infections/diagnosis , Cytomegalovirus/isolation & purification , Immediate-Early Proteins , Virus Cultivation/methods , Adult , Antigens, Viral/immunology , Cells, Cultured , Child , Cytomegalovirus/immunology , Female , Fibroblasts/microbiology , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Male , Predictive Value of Tests , Time Factors , Urine/microbiologyABSTRACT
We have been made virus cultures, excepting EBV, in adenoid and palatine tonsil tissue come from adenotonsillectomy. They were practised to eighteen patients between 4 and 17 years old who suffered recurrent infections processes of these organs. The total was 22 specimens to estimate the reactivation function of latent virus in the etiology of this pathology.
