Russell J. Blattner

Congenital rubella encephalitis: Course and early sequelae†

Neurological abnormalities were noted at some time between birth and 18 months of age in 81 of 100 patients with congenital rubella infection. These included lethargy, full fontanel, irritability, and increased concentration of protein and persistence of virus in the cerebrospinal fluid. Of the 64 survivors 44 had a wide range of neurological abnormalities at 18 months of age including motor paresis, restlessness, motor mannerisms, and developmental delay. Retardation in growth, particularly of the head, was still manifest at 18 months. Pathological changes in central nervous system structures included leptomeningitis, vasculitis, and multifocal areas of parenchymal necrosis and perivascular calcification.

Experimental Transmission of Saint Louis Encephalitis to White Swiss Mice by Dermacentor variabilis.

Summary 1. The virus of Saint Louis encephalitis was recovered from the bodies of engorged larval ticks which had fed in infected adult Swiss mice. 2. Under experimental conditions the Saint Louis encephalitis virus was transmited to young Swiss mice by larval ticks. 3. Normal adult mice upon which infected, full-grown ticks had fed developed considerable resistance to intracerebral inoculation of virus.

Vital Staining of Virus Lesions on Chorio-Allantoic Membranes by Trypan Blue.

In the study of the early focal lesions of viruses on chick chorio-allantoic membranes, some difficulty is often experienced in recognizing the earlier focal lesions on direct examination of the membrane even with moderate magnification. The recognition of the foci and the preservation of such membranes for more leisurely study under the microscope has been greatly facilitated by staining the lesions with trypan blue, and, after formalin fixation, mounting them in glycerin gelatin. In this method, 1 cc of a 0.5% aqueous suspension of trypan blue is employed. It is placed directly upon the membrane when ready for examination through the window in the shell. Gentle rotation of the egg facilitates the general distribution of the stain, after which the shell is closed and the egg placed in the incubator for from 10 to 30 minutes depending on the age and extent of the lesions. The more extensive lesions require a shorter time to take up the stain and may become too intensely colored for satisfactory examination if the stain is left on too long. The membrane is then removed in the usual manner, washed gently in physiological saline to remove the excess of trypan blue, and fixed flat in 10% formalin for a few minutes. After draining away the excess liquid the membrane is flattened on a 2 × 2.5 inch glass slide and mounted in a glycerin gelatin containing 50% glycerin, 5% gelatin, and 1 % phenol. The gelatin should be soaked in water about 2 hours before adding the glycerin and phenol, then heated gently for a few minutes while stirring. For mounting the membrane, the glycerine jelly is melted and while still hot (about 70°C) dropped on the membrane until it is well covered, flaming the slide gently but not enough to produce bubbles.

Chronic granulomatous disease

Chronic granulomatous disease is a disorder that causes the immune system to malfunction, resulting in a form of immunodeficiency. Immunodeficiencies are conditions in which the immune system is not able to protect the body from foreign invaders such as bacteria and fungi. Individuals with chronic granulomatous disease may have recurrent bacterial and fungal infections. People with this condition may also have areas of inflammation (granulomas) in various tissues that can result in damage to those tissues. The features of chronic granulomatous disease usually first appear in childhood, although some individuals do not show symptoms until later in life.