Sensitive and efficient detection of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonization in pregnant women is essential for prescription of prophylaxis at the time of delivery as GBS is an opportunistic pathogen known to cause infant mortality. In this report, two studies were conducted on the methods of GBS detection in Shaanxi province, China, a region lacking data for GBS detection and occurrence. For ...

Rheumatoid factors (RF) are autoantibodies with specificity for the Fc portion of human IgG. Production of RF is a characteristic feature of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and is detectable in high titer in about 90% of these patients. In this study, we measured total IgM, IgA, IgMRF and IgARF in serum and synovial fluid of 45 RA patients by ELISA and the results were compared with those obtained b...

different examination have shown that rheumatoid factor is not responsible for false positive reaction (f.p.r.) in cr. neoformanse’s free capsular antigen latex agglutination test, whereas high levels of iron in sera of patients with rheumatoid arthritis as well as other sera was responsible not only for this f.p.r. , but also had an important role in the production of f.p.r. in many slide late...

BACKGROUND D-Dimer, a cross-linked fibrin degradation product, has a high sensitivity in patients with suspected venous thrombosis. Traditional latex D-dimer assays, however, have not been sufficiently sensitive to exclude venous thromboembolism. METHODS To determine the clinical utility of a latex D-dimer assay (MDA D-Dimer; Organon Teknika Corporation, Durham, NC) in patients with suspected...

Specific binding to the globoseries of glycolipid receptors explains the adherence of uropathogenic Escherichia coli to host cells. The minimal receptor disaccharide Gal alpha 1----4Gal beta [galactose alpha (1----4)galactose beta] is recognized by most attaching clinical isolates. However, wild-type isolates can express adhesins with several different receptor specificities. Bioassays do not p...

CONTEXT Although the first commercial polyurethane condom was approved for use several years ago, no U.S. clinical trial has compared its performance to that of the latex condom. METHODS In a masked crossover study, 360 couples were randomized to use three polyurethane condoms and three latex condoms. After each use, couples recorded condom breaks, condom slips and other aspects of performanc...

A total of 163 stool specimens were tested for detection of Clostridium difficile and its toxin by cytotoxicity assay with tissue culture, latex agglutination test, and isolation of the organism. From 33 specimens which were positive for toxin by cytotoxicity, 30 were positive by the latex agglutination test; the organism was isolated from 21. The total number of samples which were positive wit...

L ATEX allergy emerged as a serious health concern in the 1980s when an alarming number of cases of latex anaphylaxis occurred in patients during general anesthesia. In addition, an even greater number of local allergic reactions occurred in health care workers who wore latex gloves. The incidence of latex anaphylaxis increased dramatically through the mid-1990s, affecting three groups of infan...

A high-sensitivity and miniature open cavity Fabry–Perot interferometer (OCFPI) encapsulated with the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) film based on high-order harmonic Vernier effect is designed experimentally investigated. To best of our knowledge, PDMS applied for first time to fill OCFPI obtain high-temperature sensitivity. The resonant dip (peak) wavelength temperature sensor monotonically move...

A Lateral Flow Assay to detect cryptococcal antigen (CrAg® LFA) in serum and cerebrospinal fluid for the rapid diagnosis of cryptococcosis was evaluated. A retrospective validation was performed. Sensitivity and specificity of the CrAg® LFA was 100%. High concordance (kappa index=1.0) between Cryptococcal Antigen Latex Agglutination System (CALAS®) and CrAg® LFA was observed. CrAg® LFA showed h...