Miha Likar

Incidence of Congenital Toxoplasmosis in the Republic of Slovenia

Over a 12-month period, 3959 pregnant women were systematically tested with the Sabin-Feldman dye test in order to assess the incidence of congenital toxoplasmosis in Slovenia. The results suggest that this is approximately 3/1000 live births. This relatively high incidence of congenital toxoplasmosis in Slovenia may make the costing of preventive screening programmes justifiable.

Toxocara antibodies in patients with visceral or ocular disorder in Slovenia

The incidence ofToxocara antibodies was determined in 319 sera from patients suspected of havingToxocara infection. Serological responses were compared with clinical manifestations and age of the patients. A seropositive reaction was found in 24% of the patients. Highly positive results (OD 0.510–1.000 and OD>1.000) by ELISA were obtained significantly more frequently in younger patients than in older ones (p<0.005). The percentage of seropositive patients with visceral disorder was found to decrease with age, whereas the proportion of seropositive patients with ocular disorder increased with age. Serologically confirmedToxocara infection in Slovenia alerted us to the fact that this health issue should be given due attention in the future. Bei 319 Patienten mit Verdacht auf eineToxocara-Infektion wurden Serumantikörper gegenToxocara bestimmt. Bei 24% der Patienten war die Reaktion positiv. Hohe ELISA-Titer (OD 0,510–1000 und Über 1000) fanden sich bei jungen Patienten signifikant häufiger als bei älteren (p<0,005). Bei Patienten mit Organerkrankungen nahm der Anteil seropositiver Fälle mit dem Alter ab, bei Patienten mit Augenstörungen nahmen seropositive Befunde zu. Die Befunde sind alarmierend und weisen darauf hin, daß der Gefährdung der slovenischen Bevölkerung durchToxocara-Infektionen in Zukunft große Aufmerksamkeit geschenkt werden muß.SummaryThe incidence ofToxocara antibodies was determined in 319 sera from patients suspected of havingToxocara infection. Serological responses were compared with clinical manifestations and age of the patients. A seropositive reaction was found in 24% of the patients. Highly positive results (OD 0.510–1.000 and OD>1.000) by ELISA were obtained significantly more frequently in younger patients than in older ones (p<0.005). The percentage of seropositive patients with visceral disorder was found to decrease with age, whereas the proportion of seropositive patients with ocular disorder increased with age. Serologically confirmedToxocara infection in Slovenia alerted us to the fact that this health issue should be given due attention in the future.ZusammenfassungBei 319 Patienten mit Verdacht auf eineToxocara-Infektion wurden Serumantikörper gegenToxocara bestimmt. Bei 24% der Patienten war die Reaktion positiv. Hohe ELISA-Titer (OD 0,510–1000 und Über 1000) fanden sich bei jungen Patienten signifikant häufiger als bei älteren (p<0,005). Bei Patienten mit Organerkrankungen nahm der Anteil seropositiver Fälle mit dem Alter ab, bei Patienten mit Augenstörungen nahmen seropositive Befunde zu. Die Befunde sind alarmierend und weisen darauf hin, daß der Gefährdung der slovenischen Bevölkerung durchToxocara-Infektionen in Zukunft große Aufmerksamkeit geschenkt werden muß.

Relationship between the chemical structure of thiazolidine acetic acid derivatives and the antiherpetic activity in human embryonic cell cultures

Durch Abwandlung der Struktur der 4-Oxo-5-thiazolidinessigsäure ergeben sich starke inhibitorische Effekte auf die cytopathogenen Wirkungen, die vom VirusHerpes simplex in Kulturen menschlicher Embryonalzellen ausgeübt werden.

Latex Agglutination Test for the Detection of Arbovirus Antibodies

Polyvinyl latex particles have been successfully used for the detection of eastern encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, dengue II and Cache Valley antibodies in human and animal sera. Antibodies detected by latex agglutination are in agreement with the results of haemagglutination inhibition tests. It is claimed that latex agglutination could be used for the detection of some arbovirus antibodies as an easier test.

An Outbreak of Acute Hemorrhagic Conjunctivitis in Yugoslavia in 1973

An outbreak of approximately 200 cases of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis is described in Prekmurje, a northern province in Yugoslavia. The epidemic was caused by enterovirus type 70, serologically identical with the causative agents of similar outbreaks in London and Japan. The origin of the outbreak could not be elucidated but a link was seen between this case and a small outbreak in Veenendaal in the Netherlands.

EFFECTIVENESS OF AMANTADINE IN PROTECTING VACCINATED VOLUNTEERS FROM AN ATTENUATED STRAIN OF INFLUENZA A2/HONG KONG VIRUS

It was the purpose of this study to HC1 has prophylactic activity against influenza A2 viruses both in vitro and in vivol-3. find if amantadine had an effect on the variable clinical illness that is reported from volunteers that have been vaccinated with a live, attenuated strain of influenza AZ/Hong Kong virus. Further, studies were also undertaken to determine it amantadine treatment had any effect on the antibody response of the vaccinees.