Recurrent group C streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis in an adolescent.

Sore throat is a frequent complaint in the adolescent age group. Beta-hemolytic Streptococcus Group C is not a commonly reported etiology of tonsillopharyngitis. This is a case report of a 14-year-old adolescent female who had repeated episodes of pharyngitis secondary to beta hemolytic streptococcus Group C.

Rubella seronegativity in a low socioeconomic adolescent female population.

Ninety low socioeconomic adolescent females (aged 16-22 years, means 18.6 years) were screened for rubella immunity using a rubella IgG enzyme immunoassay. Data concerning past immunizations (with documentation, if possible), prior rubella disease, and previous pregnancies were gathered through direct interviews. Results revealed 20 percent (18/90 girls) were seronegative. Fifty-eight percent (42/72) of the seropositive girls and 50 percent (9/18) of the seronegative girls gave verbal reports of previous rubella immunization, but only 11 subjects (12.2%) could provide documentation of previous vaccination, including one seronegative subject. Thirty-one percent (28/90) of the study population had a history of one or more previous pregnancies (22 therapeutic abortions, 10 live births, and 8 spontaneous abortions). A comparison of the seronegativity rate between the 28 girls who were pregnant previously and the 62 girls who were never pregnant demonstrated a significantly higher seronegativity rate among those who had been pregnant (29% vs. 16%; chi 2 = 5.51; p less than 0.05). The results of this study suggest that the seronegativity rate in this age group is consistent with previous reports of rubella immunity, few adolescents can provide documentation of rubella vaccination, and presentation for abortion is an optimal time to vaccinate rubella susceptible females.

Enzymatic sulfation of Triton X-100.

Triton X-100 increased incorporation of [35S]sulfate into lipid-soluble substances when it was incubated with the high-speed supernatant enzymes of bovine or sheep adrenal cortex or rat liver, kidney or brain. Thin-layer chromatographic comparison of these compounds with chemically synthesized standards indicated that sulfate derivatives of Triton X-100 oligomers were formed in the liver and adrenal supernatant enzyme preparations. Further evidence for Triton X-100 sulfation by these enzymes was obtained by the use of [3H]Triton X-100 and purified Triton X-100 oligomers. No discernible sulfation of Triton X-100 occurred in kidney or brain high-speed supernatant enzyme preparations. A series of [35S]sulfate-containing substances, which closely resembled the homologous series of [35S]sulfate-labeled Triton X-100 oligomers formed by adrenal cortex enzymes, were formed in detergent-free adrenal incubates. Their chromatographic behavior suggests that they are not steroid sulfates. The kidney supernatant enzyme fraction was shown to contain steroid sulfotransferase activity; sulfation of cholesterol, dehydroepiandrosterone, pregnenolone, cholic acid and lithocholic acid was stimulated by the presence of Triton X-100.