Simultaneous confirmation and differentiation of human T-lymphotropic virus types I and II infection by modified western blot containing recombinant envelope glycoproteins

A modified Western blot (WB) that includes both shared (r21e) and unique recombinant envelope proteins from human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV) type I (rgp46I) and type II (rgp46II) was compared to conventional HTLV serologic tests in 379 United States blood donors and individuals residing in diverse geographic regions, and the specimens were categorized as positive (n = 158), indeterminate (n = 158), or negative (n = 63) for HTLV infection. Of the 158 HTLV-I/II-positive specimens (66 requiring radioimmunoprecipitation assay [RIPA] for confirmation), 156 reacted concordantly with r21e, gag, and either rgp46I or rgp46II, thus eliminating the need for RIPA in all but two specimens and yielding a test sensitivity of 98.7 percent. Of the 158 indeterminate and 63 negative specimens, none reacted with r21e and rgp46I or rgp46II, yielding a test specificity of 100 percent. Furthermore, analysis of an additional 184 consecutive specimens from a retrovirology reference laboratory demonstrated that the modified WB correctly identified 27 of 28 HTLV-I specimens and all 13 HTLV-II specimens, with a test sensitivity of 97.6 percent. None of specimens that were indeterminate or nonreactive in conventional WB and/or RIPA and none of the screening enzyme immunoassay-negative specimens reacted with r21e and either rgp46I or rgp46II, for a test specificity of 100 percent. Thus, the modified WB appears to be highly sensitive and specific for simultaneous detection and discrimination of HTLV-I from HTLV-II and has the advantage of being a one-step assay that is easily performed in all types of laboratory settings and allows rapid, reliable, and standardized testing for HTLV-I/II infection.     

Immunoreactivity for glutamic acid decarboxylase and several neuropeptides in the spinal cord of the raccoon.

The peroxidase-antiperoxidase method was used to examine major immunohistochemical features of the spinal cord of adult raccoons. The lateral portions of the ventral horn contained many large multipolar neurons that showed cholecystokinin-like immunoreactivity, suggesting the coexistence of cholecystokinin with acetylcholine in a subset of motoneurons. The dorsal horn revealed unique but overlapping patterns of immunoreactivity for glutamic acid decarboxylase, somatostatin, substance P, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and cholecystokinin. The data imply that some of the peptides may coexist within the same dorsal root ganglion cells and their spinal cord processes.     

Isolation of an abnormal protein C molecule from the plasma of a patient with thrombotic diathesis

Protein C has been purified from the plasma of a patient with thrombotic diathesis. Both before and after isolation, the protein showed reduced capacity to hydrolyze synthetic substrates and to anticoagulate plasma. Proteolysis with the soluble thrombin- thrombomodulin complex proceeded normally and to completion as judged by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Western blotting. Approximately one-third of the protein is functional, indicating a heterozygous defect. Indirect studies suggest that the abnormal component can bind to protein S and phospholipids. Both forms of activated protein C can also incorporate radiolabeled diisopropylfluorophosphate.     

Bilateral giant hydroureteronephrosis--a case report with a review of the literature

Giant hydronephrosis and hydroureteronephrosis are rare conditions, but must be kept in mind in especially children and in young-to-middle-aged adults with long-standing, often symptomless, enlargement of the abdomen. A case of bilateral giant hydroureteronephrosis due to calculi in the ureters is reported. Despite renal insufficiency the patient denied any treatment, but survived 42 months after the primary diagnosis. For diagnostic purposes intravenous pyelography, ultrasonography and computerized tomography are preferable. Supplementary ante- and retrograde pyelography is valuable in locating stenosis or calculi.