Serological studies on patients with suspected legionellosis in New Zealand.

Specimens from 490 patients with suspected legionellosis from many parts of New Zealand were studied. Most of these were sera, but 36 specimens including material from lungs, pleural fluid and sputa were also examined. The sera were tested for the presence of antibodies to Legionella pneumophila serogroups 1 to 6 and Legionella micdadei. Serological evidence of legionellosis was found in 49 patients. Antibodies to L. pneumophila serogroup 6 predominated, while those to L. micdadei and L. pneumophila serogroup 1 were noted in smaller numbers. Antibodies to serogroups 2, 3, 4 and 5 of L. pneumophila were not often encountered.

The use of the microagglutination technique to determine the antibody status of healthy New Zealanders to Brucella abortus.

Sera from healthy blood donors from different parts of New Zealand, collected between 1977 and 1980, were analysed by the microagglutination technique for antibodies against Brucella abortus. Populations from both urban and rural areas were studied. The technique was shown to be capable of handling the 3351 sera studied and thus to be a useful screening test to assess the immune status of large populations. The results demonstrated some of the effects on the human population of the successful bovine brucellosis eradication programme.

Legionellosis due to Legionella pneumophila serogroup 6: report of three cases.

Three cases of legionellosis caused by Legionella pneumophila serogroup 6 are reported and a brief review of similar cases in New Zealand in 1982 is made. Legionellosis appears more common in New Zealand than was previously thought. In 1982 50% of reported cases occurred in the Wellington region and a uniquely high incidence of legionellosis due to serogroup 6 was observed.

Levels of antibody against Legionella pneumophila serotype 1 in healthy populations in five areas in New Zealand.

Levels of antibody to Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 in five areas of New Zealand were determined by indirect immunofluorescence. Both immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM levels were separately assessed. Of the 500 people studied, 2.8% had IgG titers of greater than or equal to 1:128 and 4.0% had IgM titers of greater than or equal to 1:128. Higher levels of IgG reactivity were noted in the southern part of New Zealand, but neither age nor sex appeared to be related to variations in antibody levels.

Antibodies to Legionella pneumophila serotype 1 among the healthy New Zealand population.

The antibody levels to Legionella pneumophila, serotype 1 in two groups of healthy New Zealanders have been determined by the indirect fluorescent antibody test. These have been compared with antibody levels obtained from patients' sera submitted for L. pneumophila antibody levels. Significant levels of antibody have been found among the healthy people. The lower age groups demonstrated greater levels of immunity than those of patients suspected of having the disease.

Legionnaires' disease in Wellington.

Legionella pneumophila was demonstrated by serological immunocytological and histological techniques in a Wellington man who died of a severe pneumonia. This is the first demonstration of disease produced by this organism in New Zealand.

Studies on antibody levels to Brucella abortus, Toxoplasma gondii and Leptospira serogroups in sera collected by the National Serum Bank during 1974-1976.

The New Zealand National Serum Bank is a collection of human sera consisting predominantly of specimens taken from healthy New Zealand blood donors. The studies presented here were designed to assess the antibody levels in two urban centres to Brucella abortus, Toxoplasma gondii and several Leptospiral serogroups including all those found in New Zealand. In none of the sera could complement fixing leptospiral antibodies be detected. There was evidence of low level immunity to both Toxoplasma gondii and Brucella abortus.