Diagnosis of meningococcal meningitis by broad-range bacterial PCR with cerebrospinal fluid

We used broad-range bacterial PCR combined with DNA sequencing to examine prospectively cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from patients with suspected meningitis. Fifty-six CSF samples from 46 patients were studied during the year 1995. Genes coding for bacterial 16S and/or 23S rRNA genes could be amplified from the CSF samples from five patients with a clinical picture consistent with acute bacterial meningitis. For these patients, the sequenced PCR product shared 98.3 to 100% homology with the Neisseria meningitidis sequence. For one patient, the diagnosis was initially made by PCR alone. Of the remaining 51 CSF samples, for 50 (98.0%) samples the negative PCR findings were in accordance with the negative findings by bacterial culture and Gram staining, as well as with the eventual clinical diagnosis for the patient. However, the PCR test failed to detect the bacterial rRNA gene in one CSF sample, the culture of which yielded Listeria monocytogenes. These results invite new research efforts to be focused on the application of PCR with broad-range bacterial primers to improve the etiologic diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. In a clinical setting, Gram staining and bacterial culture still remain the cornerstones of diagnosis.     

New finding of Phlebotom uses in the State of S?o Paulo with special reference to Lutzomyia longipalpis]

The removal by centrifugation of epididymal contents from mouse spermatozoa had no deleterious effect on fertilization in vitro, and, depending on the genotype of the gametes, was frequently associated with increased levels of fertility. Washing of the spermatozoa significantly improved the fertilization rate of F1 eggs with TO spermatozoa and of BALB/c eggs with BALB/c spermatozoa, but had no significant effect of F1 spermatozoa with F1 eggs.     

Community screening for diabetes by blood glucose measurement. Results of a five-year experience

The Diabetes Association of greater Cleveland screened 307,000 individuals in the metropolitan area for diabetes with a 75-gm. oral load of carbohydrate. Of these subjects 12,600 (4.1 per cent) had a two-capillary blood glucose level of greater than 139 mg. per cent and were defined as positive. Seventy per cent of the positives were retested, and 65 per cent of these again had two-hour levels greater than 139 mg. per cent. Seventy-one per cent of the original screening values were between 104 and 199 mg. per cent. The rate of positivity on retesting increased with the original screening bracket reaching 90 per cent at an original screening level of 240 mg. per cent or higher. The frequency of positive retests also increased with age irrespective of whether the original screening level was less than or greater than 200 mg. per cent. The implications of this large detection experience for conducting future mass surveys for diabetes are discussed.     

Depression and wealth in older people: when money makes the difference

The placement of rubber bands on a ligator is often difficult and frustrating, especially when the operator is wearing gloves. A newly designed rubber-band loader with grooves and a pusher places the bands on the ligator easily, simultaneously, and quickly even under these conditions.