[CA15-3 tumor marker in early detection of breast cancer].

CA15-3 is a tumor marker associated with mammary tumors. Increased levels have been observed in patients with breast cancer, while normal low levels are usually found in women with no evidence of disease. The potential clinical uses of this marker include monitoring of patients with breast cancer, prognosis, and early detection of recurrence. Tumor markers are not usually used for diagnosis, as only in a few patients are elevated levels found. But when high levels of tumor markers are detected at an early stage, it may be of diagnostic value. In this study we describe a patient we believe to be the first in whom the CA15-3 tumor marker indicated breast cancer, while physical examination and the initial mammography were without suspicious findings. We also show sections of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue stained by the CA15-3 indirect immunoperoxidase method.

Gingival flora of the dog with special reference to bacteria associated with bites.

Gingival scrapings from dogs were examined to determine their aerobic bacterial flora. Of particular interest was the frequent recovery of three unclassified groups of aerobic gram-negative bacteria, IIj, EF-4, and M-5, previously associated with human dog-bite infections. Although no set pattern was found between the variability and consistency of gingival microbiota as related to age, sex, or breed of dog, a certain characteristic flora can be predicted in the healthy canine gingiva. Members of the following genera were found: Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Actinomyces, Escherichia, Corynebacterium, Pasteurella, Caryophanon, Mycoplasma, Acinetobacter, Moraxella, Neisseria, Enterobacter, and Bacillus.