Marion K. Cooney

Microbial causes of neonatal conjunctivitis

We assessed the microbial causes of neonatal conjunctivitis by comparing 55 infants with purulent conjunctivitis and 60 healthy control infants. A mean of >5 leukocytes per 1000× microscopic field was seen in Gram-stained smears obtained from the more inflamed eye in 77% of 30 untreated patients but none of 57 controls. Pathogens isolated more often from untreated patients than from controls included Haemophilus spp. (17% vs 2%, P=0.01). Staphylococcus aureus (17% vs 2%, P=0.01). Chlamydia trachomatis (14% vs 0%, P=0.01), enterococci (8% vs 0%, P=0.05), and Streptococcus pneumoniae (11% vs 2%, P=0.06). One or more of these pathogens were isolated from the conjunctivae in 58% of patients and 5% of controls (P

Epidemiology of viral and mycoplasmal agents associated with childhood lower respiratory illness in a civilian population.

The incidence of lower respiratory illnesses (croup, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia) reported to the clinic was measured for one year from December 1, 1966, in children under 6 years of age in a representative civilian population in greater Seattle. A total of 574 illnesses were recorded in 10,933 children, suggesting an incidence of 52.5 per 1,000 children per year in Seattle. Most illnesses occurred in the fall and winter. Isolation and serologic studies associated 5 groups of respiratory pathogens with 47.5 per cent of the illnesses. They were parainfluenza viruses (15.5 per cent), respiratory syncytial virus (14 per cent), adenovirus (9 per cent), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (7.5 per cent), and influenza viruses (1.5 per cent).

Adenovirus Type 3 Epidemic Associated with Intermittent Chlorination of a Swimming Pool

A sharp outbreak of pharyngoconjunctival fever due to adenovirus type 3 occurred in two swimming teams shortly alter exposure to unchlorinated water. Children swimming in the chlorinated water suffered no similar illness. The attack rate was 65% and 67% for each team, Attempts to isolate the virus from the water after the outbreak failed. In ten of 19 affected families, transmission to other family members was demonstrated; the secondary attack rate for children was 63%, for adults 19%. The majority of infected children suffered fever, pharyngitis, and conjunctivitis; symptoms in adults were milder, with conjunctivitis predominating. Diarrhea was more common among children infected at home. The median incubation period for swimmers was estimated at seven days; the median case-to-case interval in the families was 11 days.

Coxsackie B4 infection and islet cell antibodies three years before overt diabetes

mechanisms do not explain our finding of a positive correlation of the absolute granulocyte or band counts with the FTs. These two variables may be independently reflecting the severity of the meningitis. However, it is recognized that stimulated granulocytes in patients with bacterial infections produce free radicals such as sUperoxide.13 These free radicals may damage the red cell and alter its deformability. The correlation of the granulocyte count with the FT may indicate that increased free radical release from larger numbers of granulocytes is resulting in enhanced erythrocyte damage. These data confirm the presence of a hemolytic anemia in patients with HI meningitis and suggest that this is related to diminished red cell deformability. The precise mechanism by which the erythrocyte deformability is altered remains speculative. We gratefully acknowledge the technical and editorial assistance of Harry Williams, Raymond Hadley, and James R. Humbert, M.D. The secretarial assistance of Patricia Parucki is also acknowledged,

RISES IN TITERS OF ANTIBODY TO HUMAN CORONA VIRUSES OC43 AND 229E IN SEATTLE FAMILIES DURING 1975–1979

Abstract Sequential serum specimens were obtained every four months during 1975–1979 from 44 children and adults of 10 Seattle families. The 419 specimens were tested for antibody to human coronaviruses OC43 and 229E by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Antibody titers were found to increase with age, and titers as well as frequency of rises were greater for OC43 than for 229E virus in all age groups. Significant antibody rises were most frequent in specimens bracketing the winter interval, but some also occurred in the spring-summer and summer-fall intervals. Concurrent significant antibody rises to OC43 virus in different members of the same family were observed in 15 instances, to 229E virus in seven instances, and to OC43 virus in some members and 229E virus in others in eight instances. Significant antibody rises to OC43 or 229E virus indicating reinfections were frequently observed throughout the three-year period but were always separated by at least two four-month intervals. Concurrent significant antibody rises to both 229E and OC43 viruses were seen only in three persons. Finally, the frequency of significant antibody rises in children, about one per person-year, was almost three times higher than in adults.

Immunogenicity of Rhinoviruses

Summary Uniformly successful production of rabbit rhinovirus antisera depended on production of immunogens with virus concentrations of at least 107 pfu/ml. Response in pairs of rabbits immunized with the same antigen appeared to be remarkably uniform, and maximum antibody titers were attained at 38 to 45 days after beginning a relatively simple immunization schedule (1 im + 4 iv injections). Anticellular antibody levels were usually low in comparison to rhinovirus antibody titers and such antibody could be removed easily by adsorption with suspensions of whole HeLa cells without reducing the level of antiviral antibody. The authors express their appreciation to Prudence Moeller Olsen, Marie Morasch, and Byron Doneen for valuable technical assistance.

ECHO 9 Virus Antibody Titrations in a HeLa Cell System.

Summary and Conclusion 1) Use of a HeLa cell system, using HeLa cell-adapted ECHO-9 virus, has definite value in studying neutralizing antibody titers during an ECHO-9 epidemic. 2) 228 cases of CNS disease reported to our Department during summer and fall of 1957 were listed as ECHO-9 virus infections on the basis of clinical, epidemiological and/or laboratory findings. Laboratory evidence for support of the diagnosis was available in 214 cases.