Comparison of Three Serological Tests in Gonococcal Infection

Three serological tests used in the diagnosis of gonococcal infection were compared with cultural techniques in 857 females attending the Prenatal and Gynaecology Clinics at the Winnipeg General Hospital. The tests evaluated were the microflocculation technique (MFT), the indirect fluorescent-antibody technique (IFAT), and the complement-fixation technique (CFT). One hundred six patients had positive cultures for Neisseria gonorrhoeae. In this population, the MFT was reactive in 80 patients (75.4%), the IFAT was reactive in 74 (69.8%), and the CFT was reactive in 33 (31.1%). In the 751 patients with negative cultures, the MFT was positive in 11.4%, the IFAT was positive in 17.4%, and the CFT was positive in 10.5%. Sera from 9 of 10 patients with gonococcal arthritis were positive with the MFT.     

Comparative evaluation of recombinant BP26 protein for serological diagnosis of Brucella melitensis infection in goats

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the serological diagnosis of caprine brucellosis with purified recombinant BP26 (outer membrane protein 28) of Brucella melitensis 16M produced in Escherichia coli. Brucella protein named CP28, BP26, or Omp28 has been identified as an immunodominant antigen in infected cattle, sheep, goats, and humans. The recombinant BP26 (rBP6) ELISA performed with serum samples (n = 1738) taken from organized farms and field goats from Northern India and tested in two different batches of 778 and 960 animals for brucellosis. Positive results were compared with the traditional serum agglutination test (SAT), complement fixation test (CFT) and dot-ELISA. The diagnostic sensitivity of rBP26 ELISA, SAT, CFT and dot-ELISA was 87.5%, 56.25%, 62.5% and 75% respectively. The specificity of the rBP26 ELISA, SAT, CFT and dot-ELISA was 90%, 75%, 80%, and 85% respectively. The results of rBP26 ELISA positive animals were further compared and evaluated by tissue PCR using B. melitensis BP26 gene as target. This resulted in 100% positive correlation between rBP26 ELISA and BP26 PCR. Thus, these results confirmed the importance of BP26 as a suitable antigen and rBP26 ELISA, if well standardized, proved to be a good screening test for the serological diagnosis of caprine brucellosis.     

Brucellosis in elk I. Serologic and bacteriologic survey in Wyoming.

Incidence of brucellosis in elk (Cervus canadensis) on two winter feedgrounds in Wyoming was examined over a 5-year period by testing serum samples using the standard plate agglutination (SPT) buffered Brucella antigen (BBA), rivanol (Riv) and complement fixation (CFT) tests. Thirty-one percent of 1,165 elk were positive by defined criteria. Considering each test individually, only 29% (106) of 370 positive sera would have been classified as reactors by the SPT, 83% (307) by the BBA test and 86% (314) by the Riv test. The CFT would have identified 85% (267) of 332 positive samples on which it was used. Brucella abortus, type 1, was isolated from 17 of 45 elk necropsied. The SPT identified 59% (10) of these as reactors, the BBA test 94% (16) and the Riv test 88% (15). The CFT identified nine of nine (100%) on which it was used. Prevalence of sero-positive animals increased with age. Brucellosis has been present in one of the two elk herds since at least 1930, and the incidence of infection among mature females in both herds was approximately 50% during this study. No single serologic test should be relied upon to diagnose brucellosis in elk.     

Efficient degradation of rice straw in the reactors packed by carbon fiber textiles

We have reported for the first time that agricultural and cellulosic waste, i.e., rice straw was directly applied to methanogenic bioreactors containing carbon fiber textiles (CFT) as supporting material. Addition of CFT to the methanogenic bioreactors enhanced the conversion of dichromate chemical oxygen demand of the substrate to methane (41%) to a greater extent than bioreactors without CFT (9%). In addition, removal of rice straw as a suspended solid was increased from 31% (in bioreactors without CFT) to 57% (in those with CFT). Methanogenic 16S rRNA gene analysis showed that the abundance of acetoclastic methanogen, genus Methanosarcina, was about 11 times higher in bioreactors with CFT (suspended fraction plus retained fraction to CFT) than in bioreactors without CFT (suspended fraction), resulting in lower concentration of acetate in bioreactors with CFT (0.4 mM) than in those without CFT (29.7 mM). On the other hand, the abundance of hydrogenotrophic methanogen, genus Methanobacterium, in bioreactors with CFT was similar to those without CFT. Bacterial communities in bioreactors with CFT were different from those in bioreactors without CFT. Our results indicated that specific microbial community and cooperative relationships between microorganisms in reactors containing CFT facilitated efficient decomposition of rice straw and its conversion to methane.     

Use of the immunofluorescence reaction for evaluating the immunological transformation in those inoculated with a chemical typhus vaccine

The results of the serological examination of persons immunized with chemical typhus vaccine (CTV) are presented. The examination was carried out by means of the complement fixation test (CFT), the passive hemagglutination test (PHAT), the toxin neutralization test (TNT) and the immunofluorescence test (IFT). The acetone-fixed live culture of Rickettsia prowazekii, strain Breinl, served as antigen in IFT. If persons immunized with CTV showed positive titers in CFT, TNT and PHAT, the results of IFT were highly correlated with the CFT titers. In 6-12 months after immunization with CTV the titers of CFT, TNT and PHAT became negative, while the IFT titers remained positive for several subsequent years.     

Implementing a spatial model of Urban Carrying Capacity Load Number (UCCLN) to monitor the environmental loads of urban ecosystems. Case study: Tehran metropolis

The non-linear, unexpected and severe responses of ecosystems to the environmental changes crossing ecological thresholds or environmental limits, necessitate the regular monitoring of the human-induced pressures to the urban ecosystems. The present study aims to introduce a spatial decision support system for sustainable environmental planning and management of urban ecosystems by establishing an Urban Carrying Capacity Load Number model (UCCLN) based on carrying capacity concepts and sustainability principles .This model, by applying 30 temporal and spatial indicators continuously monitors the environmental loads on the urban ecosystems. Environmental load was represented by load number index. It was calculated in each zone of study area (urban districts). Geographical Information System (GIS) was used to establish UCCLN model and Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS). The study area was Tehran metropolis, the capital of Iran. The results showed that none of the 115 urban districts of Tehran had optimal Total Load Number (TLN) ranging from (10 to100); 7 districts (6%) had low-to-medium range of TLN (TLN = 100–200); 11 districts (9.5%) had medium-to-high range (TLN = 200–300); 57 districts (49.5%) had high-to-very high range (TLN = 300–400); 40 districts (34.7%) had the TLN range of very high-to-critical (TLN = 400–500); and none of them had the TLN of 500. Furthermore, the results revealed that Tehran has already overshot its ecological thresholds. Not only most of the 30 indicators of environmental pressure in most of the districts (85%) had high DCC and LN scores, but also most of the 115 districts obtained high DCC, and as a result LN scores. The need for developing more efficient urban planning and management strategies to cope with the increasing environmental loads in the study area is inevitable.     

Comparison of the yield of indirect hemagglutination reaction and complement fixation reaction in the diagnosis of neurocysticercosis

Two variations of an indirect hemagglutination test (IHAT) and a complement fixation test (CFT) for the diagnosis of human cysticercosis were compared and evaluated. For the IHAT, a cysticerci crude total saline extract (SE) and a cysticerci lyophylized and delipidized veronal bicarbonate saline buffer (VBS) extract were used, comparing their diagnosis yieldings with that of a CFT in 57 confirmed cysticercosis patients: 45 serum samples and 32 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Sera and CSF from 29 patients with other neurological diseases and 25 sera from healthy volunteers were also compared. Both types of methods presented an overall average concordance of 91.5% and 97.0% with CSF and sera respectively. With respect to the sensitivity observed with CFT was 85.2% and 93.3% for CSF and sera, whereas that of IHAT was 96.9% in CSF and 97.8% in sera, when SE antigen was used; with the VBS antigen for IHAT 96.9% and 95.6% were detected in CSF and sera respectively. In order to determine the specificity of the IHAT, besides the study in healthy volunteers, in patients with other neurological diseases and in 156 serum samples from individuals with other parasitoses, such as hydatidosis (43), trichinosis (56), fascioliasis (31) and Chagas' disease (26) were also tested. A high reactivity with the hydatidosis group was found. The specificity, using a titre > or = 1:16 as a diagnostic value and without considering hydatidic sera was 99.4% for RHAI (SE), 100.0% for RHAI (VBS). The use of IHAT and CFT in diagnosis of human cysticercosis is discussed.     

Counterimmunoelectrophoresis compared with complement fixation and passive haemagglutination tests in the evaluation of the immune response in Campylobacter infections

The immune response was studied in 238 human patients with Campylobacter jejuni/coli (CJC)-infections in Rotterdam by the counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE) test, a commercial complement fixation test (CFT) and the passive haemagglutination test (HA). Antibodies became detectable in the three tests around 4 days after the onset of complaints. Between the 7th and the 20th days after onset of illness 79%, 80% and 53% of the patients demonstrated antibodies by the CIE, the CFT and the HA, respectively. The HA took 30 days to reach 60% positive serum samples and this percentage declined to 35 by the 50th day. Antibody titres demonstrated in the CIE and the CFT declined more slowly. CIE and CFT performed with antigens from a limited number of heat-stable serotypes can be used in the evaluation of the humoral immune response in CJC-infections.     

Results of serological reactions in patients with presumptive diagnosis of toxoplasmosis]

Even though Toxoplasma gondii is an ubiquitous parasite that can effect most of human structures and organs, not all clinical manifestations suggestive of being produced by it are caused by this protozoon. For these reasons sera samples of patients suspected of having toxoplasmosis are sent to the laboratory for detecting specific antibodies which would facilitate the differential diagnosis. Thus, 716 sera from suspected patients, mainly from the Metropolitan Region of Chile, were sent to the Parasitology Laboratory of Chile University in order to carry out in them, specific serological tests for toxoplasmosis: indirect hemagglutination test (IHAT), Sabin Feldman reaction (SFT) and complement fixation test (CFT). Were considered positive: IHAT and/or SFT with titers > or = 1:16 and CFT with titer > or = 1:5. The pathologies for demanding these serological tests were obstetrical problems 210 (29.3%), congenital problems 193 (27.0%), ophthalmopathies 81 (11.3%), adenopathies 77 (10.8%), AIDS 67 (9.4%), myocardiopathies 46 (6.4%) and miscellaneous 42 (5.9%). The positivity found in these sera was higher in ophthalmopathies (61.7%), followed by obstetrical problems, miscellaneous problems, myocardiopathies and AIDS (50.7-52.4%), less frequent was the positivity in adenopathies (35.1%) and congenital problems (23.1%). In general, the 43.7% of positivity for toxoplasmosis found in these patients is higher than the 37.0% found in the general population. High titers of IHAT and SFT plus positive CFT was found in 13-fold higher proportion than in the general population.     

Comparative evaluation of a new commercial recombinant ELISA and the complement fixation test for the diagnosis of Chlamydophila abortus infection in naturally infected flocks in Tunisia

Chlamydiosis is a significant cause of abortion in goats and sheep in Tunisia. A new commercially available ELISA (ELISA-Chlamydophila abortus, ELISA-C. abortus) for detecting antibodies against C. abortus was evaluated using field sheep and goat serum samples. This ELISA is based on a recombinant antigen that expresses part of a protein from 80 to 90 kDa family that is specific to C. abortus. Serum samples collected from 219 sheep and 53 goats flock presenting abortion problems were used in this study. To assess the sensitivity of this new serological test, it was compared with the complement fixation test (CFT) using ELISA-antigen (Elisa-ag) detection and/or isolation as reference technique. Only 61.1% of the sera gave concordant results in both ELISA-C. abortus and CFT, and results were non-concordant for 22.4% due to 16.5% of doubtful results on CFT. The concordance of ELISA-C. abortus and Elisa-ag result was 65% while that of the CFT with ELISA-antigen was only 45%. This study using field material demonstrated that ELISA-C. abortus is a suitable method for diagnosis of chlamydiosis in order to implement early prophylactic measures from the first cases of abortion, both to stop the spread of infection and to prevent associated economic loss.     

Cationic interactions at the human dopamine transporter reveal binding conformations for dopamine distinguishable from those for the cocaine analog 2 alpha-carbomethoxy-3 alpha-(4-fluorophenyl)tropane

In membrane preparations, CFT, a phenyltropane cocaine analog, and dopamine (DA) interact with the recombinant human dopamine transporter (hDAT) in Na+ -free medium. Na+ markedly increased the transporter's affinity for CFT, but had little or no effect on DA potency for inhibiting CFT binding. Raising [Na+ ] from 20 to 155 mm reduced Li+ -induced increase in DA K (i), but not CFT K (d). The presence of 155 mm Na+ enhanced the tolerance to low pH of CFT Kd but not DA Ki. Leucine substitution for tryptophan 84 (W84L) in transmembrane domain (TM) 1 or asparagine substitution for aspartate 313 (D313N) in TM 6 did not or only modestly enhance the affinity of Na+ -independent CFT binding, and retained the near normal ability of DA, Li+, K+, or H+ to inhibit this binding. However, the mutations significantly enhanced the Na+ stimulation of CFT binding as well as the Na+ antagonism against Li+ and H+ inhibition of CFT binding. In contrast, the mutations neither changed the Na+ -insensitive feature of DA Ki nor enhanced the Na+ protection of DA Ki against Li+ 's inhibitory effect, though they caused Na+ protection of DA Ki against H+ 's inhibitory action. These results are consistent with the existence of binding conformations for DA that are distinguishable from those for CFT, and with a differential association of cation interactions with DA and CFT binding. The mutations likely alter Na+ -bound state(s) of hDAT, preferentially strengthening the positive allosteric coupling between Na+ and CFT binding, and reducing the impact of Li+ or H+ on the CFT binding.     

Experimental infection of white-tailed deer with rangiferine brucellosis

Experimental infections of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) with Brucella suis biovar 4 were evaluated over a period of 6 wk. Five adult male hand-raised white-tailed deer were inoculated with 1 x 10(7) colony forming units of B. suis biovar 4 in the conjunctiva and serologically evaluated over 6 wk by the card test (CARD), rivanol test (RIV), serum agglutination test (SAT), complement fixation test (CFT), particle concentration fluorescence immunoassay (PCFIA), and competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA), as routinely used for bovine samples. Six weeks postinoculation the animals were euthanized and cultured for B. suis biovar 4. One deer became serologically positive 4 wk postinoculation on CFT, CARD, PCFIA, and cELISA. At 6 wk postinoculation, CFT was positive in four infected deer, CARD was positive in three deer; RIV, SAT, and PCFIA was positive in two deer; and cELISA was positive in one deer. Only the CFT was 100% sensitive. At necropsy B. suis biovar 4 was isolated from four of five deer, and representative colonies were biologically similar to the challenge organism.     

A bioelectrochemical reactor containing carbon fiber textiles enables efficient methane fermentation from garbage slurry

A packed-bed system includes supporting materials to retain microorganisms and a bioelectrochemical system influences the microbial metabolism. In our study, carbon fiber textiles (CFT) as a supporting material was attached onto a carbon working electrode in a bioelectrochemical reactor (BER) that degrades garbage slurry to methane, in order to investigate the effect of combining electrochemical regulation and packing CFT. The potential on the working electrode in the BER containing CFT was set to −1.0 V or −0.8 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). BERs containing CFT exhibited higher methane production, elimination of dichromate chemical oxygen demand, and the ratio of methanogens in the suspended fraction than reactors containing CFT without electrochemical regulation at an organic loading rate (OLR) of 27.8 gCODcr/L/day. In addition, BERs containing CFT exhibited higher reactor performances than BERs without CFT at this OLR. Our results revealed that the new design that combined electrochemical regulation and packing CFT was effective.     

Serological diagnosis of brucellosis caused by Brucella canis

Blood serum samples from 2,328 dogs were tested to detect antibodies against Brucella canis with the agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) and 2-mercaptoethanol slide agglutination test (ME-SAT) using Brucella ovis as the antigen. All blood serum samples were also evaluated for antibodies against Brucella abortus and Brucella melitensis using the Rose Bengal test. Twentyfive (1.07%) of the sera evaluated were considered positive with AGID test. Only 4 (16%) of these blood serum samples were positive when evaluated with ME-SAT. The 25 AGID positive samples and 25 AGID negative serum samples were also examined by: the complement fixation test (CFT) using B. ovis hot saline extract (HSE) as the antigen, indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblotting (IB) using B. canis and B. ovis HSE antigens. Two positive canine sera from culture positive dogs and the serum of an experimentally RM6/66 B. canis-infected rabbit were employed as positive controls and one serum from a known uninfected dog as a negative control. ELISA with B. canis antigen gave 9 (18%) positive results (6 AGID-positive and 3 AGID-negative sera). ELISA performed with B. ovis antigen detected 15 (30%) positive samples (10 AGID-positive, 5 AGID-negative and 8 B. canis ELISA positive sera). IB analysis of known positive controls sera employing B. canis antigen detected bands with molecular weights of 94-80, 64-50, 35, 32-30, 28, 23, 20-18, 15-12 kDa. The same sera tested with B. ovis antigen revealed bands of 35, 32-30, 25, 23, 20-18, 15-12 kDa. No bands were observed with the negative control serum and the 50 canine tested sera.     

A serological and bacteriological survey of brucellosis in wild boar (Sus scrofa) in Belgium

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Brucellosis is frequently reported among wild boar populations in Europe. The aim of the study was to assess the epidemiological situation in Belgium, regarding the steady increase of wild boar populations over the last decades. Several serological tests were used and compared with culture and IS711 polymerase chain reaction (PCR), to determine the most suitable combination of diagnostic tools for conducting a successful prevalence study in wildlife. RESULTS: An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA) was used on 1168 sera from hunter-killed wild boar sampled between 2003 and 2007 in 4 natural regions of southern Belgium. Results gave an apparent prevalence of 54.88% (95% CI 52.03-57.73). Prevalence was significantly affected by age and by the year of study, but not by sex nor by the region of sampling. The relative sensitivities of the complement fixation test (CFT), the Rose Bengal test (RBT), and the slow agglutination test (SAT) versus the iELISA differed widely between tests, reaching 62.67%, 46.68%, and 34.77%, respectively. The relative specificities of the CFT, RBT and SAT versus the iELISA were respectively 99.01%, 92.49%, and 99.1%. From seropositive animals (iELISA), 9% were positive by culture and 24% by PCR when testing spleen and/or tonsils. Sensitivity of the PCR was higher on tonsils than on spleen. All bacterial isolates were identified as Brucella suis biovar 2. CONCLUSIONS: Brucellosis is widespread among wild boar in southern Belgium, with seroprevalences having increased over ten years, and constitutes a growing risk of spillback to outdoor-farmed pig herds. The iELISA showed a better sensitivity than the CFT, RBT and SAT. Serological tests must be associated with direct diagnosis and PCR proved more sensitive than culture under wildlife sampling conditions. Spleen and tonsils are lymphoid tissues usually sampled in multi-disease monitoring programs. They remain top-grade organs for direct diagnosis of brucellosis, with a preference for tonsils.     

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the diagnosis of Wuchereria bancrofti infection using urine samples and its application in Bangladesh

In Sri Lanka, urine ELISA showed high sensitivity and specificity in detecting filaria-specific IgG4. It also produced much higher positive rates than antigen tests in prevalence studies with young children. In this study, we have confirmed the usefulness of urine ELISA in the field of Bangladesh. The ELISA detected 89 of 105 (85%) ICT antigen test positive subjects in endemic areas. With both ICT and microfilaria positives, the sensitivity was 97% (30/31). All of 104 ICT negative people in a non-endemic area were ELISA negative (100% specificity). In a prevalence study with 319 young children (5–10 years) from a low endemic area after five rounds of MDA, seven (2.2%) were detected by the present urine test, but only one (0.3%) by ICT (P = 0.075). The satisfactorily high sensitivity, 100% specificity and effective case detection among young ages along with scope for analyzing the titers will indicate urine ELISA to be an effective tool in the post-MDA surveys to confirm elimination or to detect resurgence in Bangladesh.     

Brucellosis in elk III. Serologic evaluation

The efficacy of the standard plate agglutination (SPT), buffered Brucella antigen rapid card (BBA), rivanol (Riv) and complement fixation (CFT) tests was statistically evaluated and correlated with known brucellosis infections in elk. Low titers on the SPT were detected in artificially exposed mature cow elk 2 weeks postinoculation and other tests began detecting antibodies at 3 weeks. Titers on all tests were detected as long as 4 years postinoculation. Serologic response was similar in artificially and naturally infected cows. Bulls did not maintain serologic titers as long as cows. The SPT at 1:25 or higher most frequently detected Brucella antibodies in infected elk, while the SPT at 1:100 or more least frequently detected antibodies. The percent of elk reacting at 1:100 or greater on the SPT declined rapidly after 6 months postinoculation. Combinations of any 2 of the 4 tests used had close agreement in concurrently identifying infected elk. The CFT correctly identified the greatest number (93%) of elk which were culture positive at necropsy and CFT titers persisted longer than those of the other tests. A CFT reaction persisted longer (average 10.7 weeks) than that of any other test in calves that demonstrated postnatal titers. The serologic responses of calves which acquired active infections were similar to adults. Criteria for identifying seropositive elk are discussed.     

Evaluation of the incidence of congenital rubella in GDR]

Annual number of congenital rubellas in GDR was evaluated by means of a mathematic model. Dates of inmunity rate of rubella in L. and P. districts obtained by means of haemagglutination inhibition reaction were taken into account. From these dates of a number of possible primary cases of rubella infection in wifes in the first 3 months of pregnancy as well as literary dates on mean number of monsters determined after the infection, i.e. 10--15--25% cases, were evaluated. There were obtained in relation with different mean numbers of monsters 37--56--93 cases of congenital rubellas for live born children from mothers at the age of 14 to 45 years. It results in total that the incidence of disease for live born children from mothers up to 45 years, is 0,2--0,5%, i.e. 2--5 children with congenital rubella on 10 000 live born children. Compared with literary data, it results a good correlation between proper evaluations and numbers of congenital rubella incidence quoted by other authors. In view of these evaluations, a conclusion to introduce protective rubella vaccination, is fully justified.     

Intake,digestibility and nitrogen utilization of Robinia pseudoacacia foliage fed to growing goat wethers

Black locust (BL; Robinia pseudoacacia L.), a native tree of southeastern USA known to contain substantial levels of condensed tannins (CT), was fed to 32, 4 month old (20.4 kg BW) Boer cross wether goats in two randomized complete block design trials. The objectives were to examine the effects of feeding hay diets containing several levels of fresh BL foliage on intake, digestibility, and N metabolism. First year (1999) diets were H_E (100% Eastern gamagrass [EGH; Tripsacum dactyloides L.] hay), H_EG (70% EGH and a 30% mixture of 59% ground corn [GC; Zea mays L.], 36% soybean meal [SBM; Glycine max L.], and 5% minerals), 25BL99 (75% EGH and 25% BL leaves), and 50BL99 (50% EGH and 50% BL leaves). Second year (2000) diets were H_O (100% orchardgrass [OGH; Dactylis glomerata L.] hay), H_OG (70% OGH and a 30% mixture of 63% GC, 37% SBM, and 5% minerals), 50BL00 (50% OGH and 50% BL leaves), and 75BL00 (25% OGH and 75% BL leaves). In 1999, apparent digestibilities of the diets in the order listed above were 62.4, 68.2, 58.0, and 60.6% (P = 0.001) for DM and 62.8, 72.5, 56.0, and 59.1% (P = 0.001) for crude protein (CP). Acid detergent lignin digestibilities were negative for diets 25BL99 (−56.7%) and 50BL99 (−49.3%), apparently due to the formation of insoluble tannin and lignin complexes during passage through the digestive tract. Intakes of DM were similar across diets. In 2000, apparent digestibilities of diet DM (64.4, 71.7, 64.8 and 65.4%) and CP (70.0, 76.0, 66.6, and 66.5%) did not differ. Lignin digestibilities were positive for diets 50BL00 (9.4%) and 75BL00 (29.6%) unlike those for year 1999. Overall, BL contained 10% CT and 18–34% hydrolyzable tannins. In 1999, N intake, urinary N (UN) excretion and N retained were higher for diet H_EG (P = 0.01) than diet H_E whereas fecal N excretion (FN) was similar for diets H_EG, 25BL99 and 50BL99. In 1999, FN excretion as a percentage of N intake was higher (P < 0.02) in the BL diets, although UN as a percentage of N intake did not differ among diets. In 2000, N intake and FN output were higher for BL diets compared to diets H_O (P = 0.01) and H_OG (P = 0.02). Fecal N as a percentage of N intake was lower (P = 0.01) for diet H_OG (24.0%) than for diets 50BL00 (33.4%) and 75BL00 (33.5%). Conversely, urinary N as a percentage of N intake was higher for diets H_O and H_OG compared to the BL diets (P = 0.02). Increased levels of dietary BL increased FN, suggesting that tannins formed insoluble protein complexes thus hindering digestibility.     

Human papillomavirus genotype distribution in invasive cervical cancer in Bosnia and Herzegovina

PurposeCountries of the former Yugoslavia bear some of the highest cervical cancer burden in Europe. In Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), data on human papillomavirus (HPV) genotype distribution among cervical cancer cases is scarce. This baseline information is critical in order to evaluate the impact of prophylactic HPV vaccines. This study aims to provide specific information for B&H.MethodsThe final analysis comprised 283 cases of invasive cervical cancer identified at the Polyclinic for Laboratory Diagnostic, University Clinical Center Tuzla in B&H between 1984 and 2004. HPV was detected through amplification of HPV DNA using SPF-10 broad spectrum primers followed by deoxyribonucleic acid enzyme inmunoassay and genotyping by reverse line probe assay (LiPA₂₅, version 1).ResultsMost cases (92.2%) were histologically classified as squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). A total of 268 cases (94.7%) were positive for HPV. Infections were mainly present as single (95.5%) and HPV16 and 18 accounted for 77.8% of the positive cases. The next most common HPV types were HPV45 (4.4%), HPV33 (3.1%), HPV51 (2.3%) and HPV31 (2.2%). The mean age of cases infected with the seven most common types worldwide (HPV16/18/45/31/33/52/58) was 51.1 (SD = 11.6), six years younger than the one for cases infected with other types (56.3, SD = 12.9).ConclusionsAvailable HPV vaccines could potentially prevent 77.8% of Bosnian cervical cancer cases (i.e. those associated with HPV16/18). If the reported magnitude of the cross-protection of licensed vaccines for non-vaccine HPV types is long lasting, an additional 6 to 10% of cases could be prevented.