Atypical human rotaviruses in the G.D.R

Following the aetiologic agent of diarrhoea in children aged one to three years we found in the stools a large number of rotaviruses by electron microscopy (EM), although ELISA was negative; the sensitivity of ELISA had been confirmed in previous investigations. In 141 children with diarrhoea 10 conventional (group A) and 21 antigenically distinct rotaviruses were detected. The presence of atypical rotaviruses could be confirmed by electrophoretic analysis of their RNA migration profiles. The electropherotype pattern corresponded to the group C rotaviruses reported by others.

Unusual mitochondrial reaction in psoriatic keratinocytes

Electron microscopic investigation of skin biopsies revealed that keratinocytes in clinically uninvolved skin from psoriatic patients show the same mitochondrial ring phenomenon after the application of dithranol as has been observed in the cutaneous lesions proper. In various other skin diseases no mitochondrial reaction was evident after dithranol treatment, nor was it seen in chronic dermatitis when dithranol was not applied. It appears, therefore, that this morphological phenomenon is specific to psoriasis and may provide information concerning functional alterations in the pathogenesis of this disease.

Functional and structural analysis of the ribonucleoprotein complexes of different human influenza virus strains

Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) cores were prepared from various strains of human influenza virus by treating the purified or spikeless virus particles with non-ionic detergents such as Nonidet P-40 and centrifugation in continuous linear glycerol gradients. In addition to RNA, the purified complexes contained viral nucleoprotein (NP) and the three P proteins (PA, PB1, PB2) as determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) under denaturing conditions. Contaminations with other viral polypeptides, especially HA1, HA2 and M were below 1%. All RNP complexes were transcriptionally active in vitro. Comparison of the polymerase activity of purified complexes revealed considerable differences depending not only on the content of polymerase proteins. The activity of RNP complexes was enhanced for all strains tested by adding of ApG.

[The effect of ion pair formation on the pharmacokinetics of drugs. 2. The effect of hexylsalicylic acid on the pharmacokinetics of quinine]

The influence of the hexylsalicylic acid (2) on the pharmacokinetic of the quinine (1), was studied using rabbits. It could be observed that after i.v. application the mean resistance time (MRT) of 1 was increased by means of ion-pair-formation with 2. But the AUC of 1 was not influenced. After rectal application of the combination 1/2 an acceleration of the 1 absorption could be pointed out. The kinetic parameters of 2 were not increased significantly if 1 was applicated simultaneously.

The intestine of ferret--a possible site of influenza virus replication

Anal virus shedding and stimulation of the immune response were observed in ferrets after oral and rectal administration of influenza A/Hongkong/1/68 (H3N2) virus. Despite of the low pH in the stomach, the virus had reached the intestines after oral administration and was found in high concentration in faeces and in mucosal cells lining the colon. Using immunofluorescent staining, the virus antigen was detected in cytoplasm of columnar epithelial cells. Virus replication also occurred in the respiratory tract, probably as result of inhalation of anally shedded virus. However, the virus replication in the lungs did not seem essential for virus isolation from the intestines. Taking into account the very short food passage time in ferrets the results could indicate the replication of influenza A/Hongkong/1/68 virus in the digestive tract of ferrets.

[Psoriasis arthropathica and seronegative rheumatoid arthritis--differential diagnostic considerations]

For differential-diagnostic considerations concerning seronegative arthritides two groups of patients with 25 patients each of the disease groups psoriasis arthropathica and serologically negative rheumatoid arthritis were selected. The differentiation of the two diseases was performed by clinical, paraclinical and radiological findings. When there are no typical psoriatic changes of skin and/or nails and there is an empty family anamnesis concerning this dermatosis, respectively, the coordination of seronegative arthritides is considerably rendered more difficult. Here the radiomorphological investigations particularly of the sacroiliacal joint and/or of the spine essentially contribute, since the arthritis of the sacroiliacal joint is to seen in high incidence in psoriasis arthropathica. Out of the number of the paraclinical values the determination of the complement factor C 4 and of immunoglobulin M gets the importance of a sign of differentiation, in which case C 4 in the psoriasis arthropathica and the immunoglobulin M in the seronegative rheumatoid arthritis are statistically significantly increased. The problems of the often difficult differential diagnosis between the two groups of disease can be clarified only by complex clinical examinations, paraclinical parameters and subtile radiodiagnosis. A close interdisciplinary cooperation between experienced dermatologists, rheumatologists and radiologists seems reasonable.

Electron microscopic investigations of rotavirus morphogenesis in cell cultures

The replication of simian rotavirus SA11 in GMK cells and of bovine rotavirus in calf kidney cells was studied by electron microscopy. By 30 min post-inoculation (p.i.) SA11 virus was absorbed to the cell membrane in the absence of trypsin and became engulfed into the cell; clusters of viral particles were internalized also into cytoplasmic vacuoles. At 2 hr p.i., viral particles were seen in lysosomes and 6 hr p.i., the first progeny virus was found in the cisternae of endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Precursor virus particles budded from viroplasm into the cisternae of endoplasmic reticulum, where they became enveloped reaching a diameter of 80-90 nm. There was no difference between SA11 virus and bovine rotavirus. Although the budding of rotavirus particles is essential for acquiring of glycoproteins, the envelopment of capsids was transient. After stripping off the envelope, mature particles were formed 65-70 nm in diameter, consisting of either smooth or rough capsids. The final cytocidal stage of cell infection is described.

[Roentgen diagnostic studies of peripheral joints, sacroiliac joints and the spine in psoriasis arthropathy]

The secure diagnosis "psoriasis arthropathica" must always be the result of a clinical examination, paraclinical and radiological findings. In 150 patients with arthropathic psoriasis X-ray examinations of peripheral joints, of the sacroiliac joints and of the spine were performed. As a result of subtle evaluations of the findings X-ray-morphological criteria on the skeleton of hand and foot, on the sacroiliac joints and on the spine may be derived. On the basis of the experiences gathered recommendations for the practice in form of radiographic objects of an X-ray-diagnostic basic programme in primary diagnostics and in repeated examinations are proposed. An optimum diagnostics of the arthropathic psoriasis can be achieved only ba close co-operation and by constant mutual informations between rheumatologists, dermatologists and radiologists.

[The manifestation of psoriasis arthropathica in later life]

The article deals with a group of 12 patients (8 females and 4 males), who generally first developed arthralgia as a feature of psoriasis beyond the age of 60. In all cases psoriasis arthropatica was diagnosed on the basis of physical, laboratory and X-ray examinations. Radiomorphological changes in the skeletal system are described in detail. The article also contains information on the treatment given, which in later life should be chiefly symptomatic on account of the increased risk of side-effects.