Cytomegalovirus bearing in children with sensorineural hearing losses.

The rate of bearing of cytomegalovirus, CMV, has been estimated in children suffering from inborn or newborn types of a sensorineural hearing loss of hard-to-severe degrees. The test group comprised 15 hearing-loss children of 3-6 years of age. The control group included accidentally selected 30 healthy children of the same age without any hearing complains. In both groups the CMV-specific IgG antibodies were determined in blood via the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, ELISA. The excessive amount of IgG antibodies was found in 14 out of 15 children with sensorineural hearing losses being estimated objectively, via computer registration of auditory brainstem responses, ABRs, and in 14 out of 30 children with normal hearing, being also inspected objectively, via specialized screening procedure. The intergroup difference in CMV bearing rates, 93.3% and 46.7%, respectively, has been confirmed to be statistically significant (p=0.007). CMV bearing happens thus twice as much in sensorineural hearing-loss than in normally-hearing children. Early detection of a hearing loss and early assessment of CMV bearing seem essential for an immediate start and, consequently, for a batter chance of positive outcomes of specific treatment-rehabilitation means.

Association between the cytomegalovirus seroprevalence and hearing loss in early childhood.

This study was designed to evaluate the association between the seroprevalence of CMV with the hearing loss among preschool children. A case-control study has been performed in Tbilisi, Digomi Inclusive Education Centre for children with hearing loss. The cohort of 15 children with SNHL was studied for HCMV specific IgG and IgM antibodies concentration in the blood. The control group consisted of 30 healthy children of the same age without any hearing abnormalities which have been tested on TORCH infections for screening purposes. The serum samples from all subjects were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Comparison of seroprevalence rates for the study and control groups has been performed by Fisher's exact test. Seropositivity was almost two times higher among children with hearing loss in comparison with the children without any signs of hearing disabilities. CMV specific IgG antibodies were positive in 14 (93.3%) of 15 patients from the study group and in 14 (46.7%) of 30 children from the control group (p=0.003). Thus, CMV burden has been shown to be associated with the development of nongenetic sensorineural hearing loss. Early identification of children with CMV burden in early stages of development, as they are in increased risk for development the SNHL, is very important for early intervention and better outcome.

[Pectolytic enzymes formed by Penicillium and Fusarium micromycetes]. / Pektoliticheskie fermenty, obrazuemye, mikrometsetami Penicillium i Fusarium.

The ability of the two cultures Penicillium sp. and Fusarium sp. to synthesize extracellular pectolytic enzymes was investigated. The cultivation conditions providing a high level of the biosynthesis of these enzymes were identified. The methods of isolating the enzymes by means of organic solvents were developed. The pectinase from Penicillium sp. showed a higher thermostability whereas that from Fusarium sp. displayed a greater acid resistance. Using glutaraldehyde and titanium salts, active immobilized forms of pectinases on silica carriers were prepared.