A common oocyst surface antigen of Cryptosporidium recognized by monoclonal antibodies.

Two hybridoma clones, CMYL3 and CMYL30, were generated by immunizing Balb/c mice with excysted oocysts of Cryptosporidium muris. Both clones secreted monoclonal antibodies against an oocyst-wall antigen with apparent molecular mass of 250 kDa (called CM250) from C. muris and C. parvum. The epitope appeared to be periodate-sensitive, suggesting the involvement of a carbohydrate moiety. Immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy on purified oocysts and infected mouse tissues revealed staining confined to the oocyst wall of both Cryptosporidium species. Immunogold labeling further revealed the presence of the CM250 antigen in electron-dense vesicles and cytoplasm of developing macrogametocytes, and ultimately localized to the oocyst wall of mature oocysts. Both antibodies cross-reacted with C. serpentis oocysts but did not recognize the other enteropathogenic protozoans Giardia muris, Eimeria falciformis and E. nischulz. These antibodies may be valuable tools for the analysis of oocyst-wall formation in Cryptosporidium and characterization of the common antigen.

Speech recognition and direct data entry in clinical microbiology.

The aim of this study was to design a system (Vigilante) for the direct entry of urine microscopy, culture and sensitivity test results at bench level using natural continuous speech, removing the need for time-consuming report coding and keyboard entry. Graphical and audio feedback facilitated error recognition and correction, and removed the need for time-consuming report checking and validation stages. The system was evaluated over a three-month period by direct comparison of 2360 urine specimens processed by multiple operators using both Vigilante and traditional methods. The results showed that the Vigilante system reduced the time taken to enter data, improved the accuracy of reporting and reduced the time taken to issue reports. The results suggest that direct data entry using speech offers a practical, reliable and innovative alternative to more conventional means of data entry. The system is now used routinely in this laboratory to report urine microscopy, culture and sensitivity test results, and may be adapted to individual urine methodologies or other data entry tasks.

Speech recognition and the clinical microbiology laboratory.

Keyboard entry of large amounts of diagnostic data is a laborious task. Any transcription errors that occur may pass undetected by 'non-technical staff' employed to input these data. The object of this project was to design a system, based on a Marconi 'Macrospeak' Speech Recogniser, for 'on line' laboratory entry of data generated from the microbiological examination of specimens of urine. Six parameters considered important to the success of the system were assessed: accuracy, speech recognition, reproducibility, speed, user friendliness, and cost effectiveness. The system performed well under the test conditions examined. 'On line' hands free entry of diagnostic data, using speech recognition, may be a practical alternative to more conventional means of data entry.

MANAGER: a multi-user computer scheme for management of laboratory staff working hours.

To administer a flexible-working-time system in a busy medical microbiology department, without increased administrative workload, a set of programs was produced for computer monitoring of staff time-keeping records. The programs--initially written to facilitate management and minimise clerical work, and extended to encompass all staff absences--are collectively called MANAGER. They allow efficient management of working hours and staff absences, using a multi-user laboratory computer. The programs were all written in MUMPS and evolved in-house, but could be developed for any multi-user laboratory computer system.

Meningococcal endocarditis with profound acquired hypocomplementaemia.

A patient is described who presented with chronic endocarditis, due to Neisseria meningitidis, affecting a previously normal mitral valve. The illness was associated with glomerulonephritis that caused renal impairment and the nephrotic syndrome. Despite antibiotic treatment and replacement of the mitral valve, serum complement values remained very low, only returning to normal when immune complexes and a type III cryoglobulin disappeared from the circulation three months after resection of the valve vegetation. Such acquired hypocomplementaemia may have contributed to the chronicity of the disease process in this patient.