Survey for beta-lactamase among bacterial isolates from Guangzhou, China hospitals between 2005-2006.

The beta-lactamase genes, which confer multi-drug resistance, are spreading among clinical bacterial isolates. As part of a routine surveillance program, we collected 302 bacilli isolates between June 2005 and October 2006 from four hospitals in Guangzhou, China. The isolates were screened for multidrug resistance and for the presence of beta-lactamases.

Novel rare alleles of ABCA1 are exclusively associated with extreme high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels among the Han Chinese.

Background: High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is a major plasma lipoprotein directly associated with cholesterol metabolism. The ATP binding cassette transporter 1 gene (ABCA1) is one of the major genes modulating plasma levels of HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C). Rare alleles of ABCA1 associated with extreme HDL-C concentrations have not been previously investigated in the Chinese.

[Seroepidemiology of varicella-zoster virus infection measured by the fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen test].

Objective: Adopting serology assay-fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen (FAMA) as "gold standard", sero-prevalence status of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection was investigated, in Guangzhou.

Methods: FAMA test was established with VZV infected human embryo fibroblasts as antigens and fluorescein isothiocyanate(FITC) labeled goat anti-human IgG as the secondary antibody. Sensitivity and specificity of the assay were evaluated.

[Determination of serum acute phase reaction protein in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome].

Objective: To study the diagnostic value of determinations of serum acute phase reaction protein, such as complement 3 (C3), complement 4 (C4), prealbumin (PA) and C-reactive protein (CRP), etc., in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

Methods: Serum levels of C3, C4, PA and CRP were determined by turbidimetry in 54 cases of SARS, 20 of other pneumonia and 30 normal persons.