A. Albano

Presence of several pathogenic bacteria in the Metauro and Foglia Rivers (Pesaro-Urbino, Italy)

Abstract The presence of bacteria of the genera Salmonella, Campylobacter , Aeromonas and Yersinia in the Metauro and Foglia Rivers and the possible relationships with faecal indicators were studied. Monthly sampling was carried out and a total of 168 samples was obtained. Thirty-eight (22.6%) samples were positive for Salmonella spp., 52 (30.9%) for Campylobacter spp., 39 (23.2%) for Aeromonas spp. and 8 (4.7%) for Yersinia spp. No correlation was found between the microorganisms of the different bacterial genera and the indicators of faecal contamination.

Antipoliomyelitis immunity status in a cohort of young men drafted into military service, residing in the suburban Milan area.

The serum α-tocopherol levels were determined in a group of 182 patients with hematological neoplasms: 87 lymphoid or myeloid leukemias, 65 lymphomas and 30 myelomas. The levels did not differ from those of controls, when compared either globally or for diagnosis. Low α-tocopherol serum levels were observed in 6 patients (3.3%).

MOLECULAR PROPERTIES OF POLIOVIRUS NEUTRALIZING ANTIBODIES IN HUMAN COLOSTRUM AND MILK.

The poliovirus neutralizing antibodies of human colostrum and milk have been identified as belonging to the beta2A class of immunoglobulins. This has been done by isolating this fraction (which is the major one) of the immunoglobulins of colostrum and milk and by showing that the antibody activity was localized in it. The isolation of the beta2A globulins was performed by a combination of preparative electrophoresis or gel-filtration and DEAE column chromatography; the purity of the resulting fraction was checked by immunodiffusion against suitable antisera. In contrast with the findings in colostrum and milk the bulk of the poliovirus neutralizing antibodies in the serum of the same women, appeared to be localized in the gamma2 globulins, with only minor amounts in the beta2A; it is therefore considered likely that the beta2A globulins (and antibodies) are actively secreted by the mammary gland. In consideration of the fact that beta2A antibodies have a strong affinity for binding to the cells, it is possible that the beta2A poliovirus neutralizing antibodies of human colostrum and milk have some importance in protecting the cells of the alimentary tract of the newborn from the virus infection.

Methodologischer Beitrag zur Konzentration und Reinigung von Poliomyelitisvirus

1. Poliomyelitisvirus (Typ 1, Brunhilde) kann aus Kulturflüssigkeit nach den folgenden Verfahren konzentriert und gereinigt werden: a) durch die Dialyse gegen Polyvinylpyrrolidon; b) durch die enzymatische Vorbehandlung mit Ribonuclease, Desoxyribonuclease, Pepsin und nachfolgende Dialyse gegen Aq. bidest. bei p H 4,0; c) durch alleinige Dialyse gegen Aq. bidest. bei p H 4,0. 2. Mit sämtlichen Methoden kann eine zirka 100fache Virusanreicherung erreicht werden, wobei die Verfahren b und c noch einen beträchtlicheren Reinigungsgrad ergeben. 3. Die durch Polyvinylpyrrolidon-Dialyse und enzymatische Vorbehandlung bzw. durch die Dialyse gegen Aq. bidest. gewonnenen Konzentrate eignen sich als Antigen für die Komplementbindung. 4. Durch die beschriebenen Anreicherungsverfahren werden weder die Infektiosität noch die antigene Qualität des Poliomyelitisvirus alteriert. Poliomyelitisvirus (Typ 1, Brunhilde) kann aus Kulturflüssigkeit nach den folgenden Verfahren konzentriert und gereinigt werden: durch die Dialyse gegen Polyvinylpyrrolidon; durch die enzymatische Vorbehandlung mit Ribonuclease, Desoxyribonuclease, Pepsin und nachfolgende Dialyse gegen Aq. bidest. bei p H 4,0; durch alleinige Dialyse gegen Aq. bidest. bei p H 4,0. Mit sämtlichen Methoden kann eine zirka 100fache Virusanreicherung erreicht werden, wobei die Verfahren b und c noch einen beträchtlicheren Reinigungsgrad ergeben. Die durch Polyvinylpyrrolidon-Dialyse und enzymatische Vorbehandlung bzw. durch die Dialyse gegen Aq. bidest. gewonnenen Konzentrate eignen sich als Antigen für die Komplementbindung. Durch die beschriebenen Anreicherungsverfahren werden weder die Infektiosität noch die antigene Qualität des Poliomyelitisvirus alteriert.

Immunity to poliomyelitis: situation in northern Italy and in some other European population groups.

The aim of the program to eradicate poliomyelitis is expected to be achieved in the space of very few years and therefore, as they approach this goal, countries find themselves faced with various problems to be tackled. Among these is the decision about how and when to stop polio vaccination, which also depends on seroepidemiological evaluations, necessary because of the possible persistence of circulating strains of poliovirus of vaccine origin which might continue even after the suspension of vaccination. For this reason, the results of seroepidemiological surveys carried out in some European countries in different periods of time and on various samples of the population are discussed.Although the status of immune coverage is satisfactory, a few situations of susceptibility were found; these should be better monitored and, if necessary, corrected to guarantee a homogeneous and lasting resistance of the European population towards polioviruses.

The secretion of virus-neutralizing antibodies

Considerable evidence supports the concept that the immune defense against infectious agents that attack primarily the cells of the mucosal linings lies in secreted antibodies belonging to the IgA class of immunoglobulins. The problem that thus arises, in connection with the possible use of adjuvants in active immunization against these infectious agents, is that of the relationships between antibodies in the serum and those in the secretions. We have performed experiments that show that passive transfer of IgA antibodies to the secretions takes place much more readily if the IgA molecules are already conjugated with an additional polypeptide chain that is normally attached to them in the secreting glands, and that has been called the “transport” piece. Our data provide direct evidence for an effective role of the said piece in the transport of IgA antibodies across the secreting glands. It appears likely that, under normal conditions, a high local concentration of IgA antibodies, that is the consequence of the presence of IgA plasma cells in the immediate proximity of the secreting epithelial cells, facilitates the conjugation of the IgA molecules with the “transport” piece; in fact we could show, by immunofluorescence, a prevalence of IgA plasma cells at the level of the mucosal linings of the respiratory tract. It would appear that factors (so far poorly understood) that increment the production of IgA antibodies at the mucosal and glandular levels might be of more practical importance than those that only raise the serum antibody levels with regard to the active immunity against the above mentioned infectious agents.