Isolation of parainfluenza virus type 3 from cerebrospinal fluid associated with aseptic meningitis.

Parainfluenza virus type 3 has been isolated from the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) from six individuals--four children and two adults--over a 10-year period. All had fever, and four had signs of meningitis. All recovered uneventfully, including one child undergoing chemotherapy for medulloblastoma.

A novel enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of antibodies to HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins based on immobilization of viral glycoproteins in microtiter wells coated with concanavalin A.

We have developed a novel method that greatly simplifies the preparation of solid-phase HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins for use in an ELISA that detects serum antibodies to HIV envelope antigens. This method utilizes concanavalin A absorbed to wells of microtiter plates to affinity immobilize detergent-solubilized viral glycoproteins released in culture fluids of HIV-1 infected cell lines grown in serum free medium. Antibodies binding to ConA-immobilized viral antigens are detected by peroxidase-conjugated antibodies and appropriate enzyme substrates.

Amantadine prophylaxis during an institutional outbreak of type A (H1N1) influenza.

In January 1984, an outbreak of influenza caused by A/Victoria/7/83-like virus, a new H1N1 variant, occurred in an institution for mentally handicapped children and adults. During the first 18 days of the outbreak, 35 (81%) of 43 residents in two housing modules became ill, nearly all of whom had received influenza vaccine the previous autumn. Amantadine hydrochloride prophylaxis was initiated in two other housing modules and was continued for 28 days.

A comparison of four commercial test kits for detection of cytomegalovirus antibodies in blood donors.

Four commercial test kits for detecting cytomegalovirus (CMV) antibodies (indirect hemagglutination assay, indirect fluorescent antibody technique, enzyme immunoassay, and passive latex agglutination technique) were compared according to their technical demand, hands-on time, turnaround time, concordance with other techniques, reagent cost per test, and objectivity. The indirect hemagglutination assay, the enzyme immunoassay, and the passive latex agglutination technique produced identical results in 85 donors, detecting 63 positive and 22 negative samples. The indirect fluorescent antibody technique showed discrepant results in four samples.

Disseminated adenovirus serotype 31 infection in an immunocompromised host.

Adenoviruses are ubiquitous organisms but only infrequently have been implicated as a cause of hepatitis and rarely as a cause of fatal disease. A fatal case of disseminated adenovirus serotype 31 infection is described. It occurred in a patient with severe combined immunodeficiency who received a fetal liver transplant and subsequently developed massive hepatic necrosis.

Human antibody to influenza C virus: its age-related distribution and distinction from receptor analogs.

Sera from persons of four age groups (1 to 2 years, 2 to 5 years, 20 to 30 years, and 65 to 85 years) were analyzed for hemagglutination inhibition (HI) activity for influenza C virus. Significant HI activity was found in 66% of the 237 sera tested, and titers ranged from 8 to 512. In the yoiung adult group, 96% had antibody and the highest mean titer (74.

Influenza, respiratory distress and clear chest films: report of four cases.

Four patients developed severe wheezing and dyspnea with clear chest films during the course of an influenza epidemic. A variety of factors appeared to play a role in the pathogenesis of the respiratory distress. Standard bronchodilator therapy produced no appreciable response.

Respiratory syncytial virus and heart disease. A report of two cases.

Two patients had cardiac disease and serological evidence for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. The first patient had myocarditis and complete atrioventricular heart block with repeated syncopal episodes two weeks following infection. The second patient had alcoholic cardiomyopathy and worsening congestive heart failure associated with RSV infection.

Acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy associated with an adenovirus type 5 infection.

A 19-year-old black man with acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy had concurrent positive viral cultures and rising antibodies to adenovirus type 5. This finding, considered together with earlier reports of viral-like syndromes accompanying the disease, supports the implication of a respiratory virus as a possible etiologic factor.

Tolerance development to the arousal effects of nicotine.

To determine if repeated daily doses of nicotine induces tolerance to both its EEG and behavioral activating effects, rats implanted with sets of bipolar cortical elecrodes and carotid cannulae received intracarotid injections of either (1) 6 daily doses of nicotine (as tartrate, 30 mug/kg) (Group 1) or (2) 3 daily doses of saline followed by 4 days of nicotine (Group 2). From an exercise-induced resting state, nicotine produced immediate EEG and behavioral arousal, both of which disappeared in Group 1 by Day 6. Saline administered to Group 2 rats produced little or no response but subsequent nicotine resulted in responses similar to those produced by Group 1 animals.