[Synthetic ultrasound blocks and contact gels in sonography: hygienically satisfactory?].

Different sponge-like plastic blocks and several samples of two coupling gels used during small-parts real-time sonography were investigated microbiologically. Whereas the coupling gels showed no contamination a great deal of different bacteria could be found on the plastic blocks. These findings lead to a restricted use of those devices especially when investigating immunocompromised patients.

Antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis as cause of intestinal obstruction in a five-day-old newborn.

The case report is presented of a newborn that developed pseudomembranous colitis and intestinal obstruction after antibiotic therapy with cefoxitin and gentamicin in the first week of life. At laparotomy on the fifth day a complete obliteration of the descending colon by pseudomembranes was encountered. After resection of the diseased segment the recovery was uneventful.

Indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), microagglutination test (MA) and enzyme-linked-immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in diagnosis of legionellosis.

Lipopolysaccharide was extracted with cold phenol water from Legionella pneumophila and used as antigen for ELISA. IgG and IgM antibodies were measured with the ELISA and the immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Agglutinating antibodies were measured by the microagglutination (MA) test.