Stephen C. Suffin

Isolation of Aleutian disease virus of mink in cell culture.

Aleutian disease virus, the causative agent of a persistent infection in mink, was isolated in a continuous line of feline renal cells when the cultures were maintained at reduced temperature (31.8 degrees). After serial in vitro passage of the virus at this temperature it had an optimum replication temperature of 37 degrees. An immunofluorescence focus assay was found to be suitable for virus quantitation. The cultured virus reproduced Aleutian disease in mink, and the virus could be reisolated from the mink 10--180 days after inoculation. The properties of the virus suggest that it is a member of the parvovirus group.

Comparison of the classification by microscopic level (stage) of malignant melanoma by three independent groups of pathologists.

The ability of groups of pathologists to classify and stage malignant melanoma varies with their familiarity with the new nomenclature proposed for that process. Primary lesions of malignant melanoma from 79 patients were independently examined and classified by community pathologists, university pathologists, and a referee pathologist all without prior access to each others diagnoses. The diagnoses of these groups were compared for agreement in variety of melanoma as well as depth of dermal penetration (stage or level). Greatest success (agreement with the referee) of both the community pathologists and the university pathologists was achieved when assessment of level of invasion (± 1) of the referee was compared (community pathologists = 94% ± 12% agreement, university pathologists = 99% ± 2% agreement). Our survey demonstrates that only a relatively small number of community pathologists (23%) employ the new nomenclature, but they do so with a facility equal to that of the university pathologists. Based upon this study and our continuing experiences, we recommend the review of all primary lesions of malignant melanoma by a pathologist or group experienced in the diagnosis and microscopic staging of the disease. Cancer 40:3112‐3114, 1977.

A Heterogeneous Fluorescence Immunoassay for Gentamich Using a Second Antibody Separation

A heterogeneous fluorescence immunoassay (FIA) for gentamicin was developed using a second antibody separation. The separation of bound from free fluorescence label, removes a number of endogeneous fluorescent interferences. Correlation with a standard radioimmunoassay (RIA) for gentamicin was acceptable (r = 0.91). We conclude that a heterogeneous FIA is a precise, accurate, and convenient alternative to monitoring antibiotic levels.