[Haemophilus aphrophilus isolated from the blood of a patient with infective endocarditis]

On July 1994, a 62-year-old female, having a history of mitral regurgitation, was admitted because of high fever, hematuria and conjunctival petechiae. She was diagnosed as having infective endocarditis with mitral valve vegetation proved by ultrasonic cardiography. The gram negative rods were isolated from blood cultures performed five times, performed prior to the administration of antibiotics. The isolates were identified as strains of H. aphrophilus. After two days of treatment with PCG (12 million units/day), the organism became undetectable from the blood. Since the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of PCG and ABPC were ranged between 0.06-2.0 micrograms/ml and 0.06-0.5 microgram/ml, respectively, ABPC was selected as a first choice antibiotic instead of PCG. ABPC was given 12 g/day for the first 3 days, then 6 g/day for 28 days, followed by 3 g/day for 7 days. The patient recovered and was discharged after the 55 hospital days. H. aphrophilus grew on BTB lactose agar, chocolate agar and sheep blood agar, but failed to grow on MacConkey agar. H. aphrophilus produced smooth transparent nonhaemolytic micro colonies after 48 hours on sheep blood agar and chocolate agar plates. Atmosphere with 5% CO2 failed to enhance their growth. All the five strains of H. aphrophilus isolated, required neither factors V nor X. Positive synthesis of porphyrin from delta-aminolevlinic acid confirmed their ability to grow without X factor. For the correct identification of H. aphrophilus strains, fermentation test of glucose, lactose, maltose and sucrose in either phenol red broth or CTA medium are necessary.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cartinoid tumor of the middle ear and mastoid

Primary cartinoid tumors in the middle ear and mastoid are rare. They are also very difficult to distinguish from adenomas and adenocarcinomas, using conventional histological stains. We present clinical, histological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural findings of a cartinoid tumor in the middle ear and mastoid in a 40-year-old male. A soft tumor was revealed in the posterior mesotympanum and mastoid cavity, and a radical tympanomastoidectomy was performed. The tumor cells were stained by chromogranin A, and neurosecretory granules were confirmed with electron microscopy. We also review 20 previously reported cases in regard to their presentation, symptoms, signs, tumor extension, treatments, and histopathology.

[A case of idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis of adult onset]

A 69-year-old woman suddenly suffered massive hemoptysis and was admitted to the hospital. The test of anti-glomerular basement membrane antibodies was negative. Chest radiograph showed diffuse infiltrative shadows similar to those of lung edema in the both lung fields. The patient's condition worsened gradually during the next 3 weeks, with repeated massive hemoptysis. Steroid pulse therapy had limited effects on the progressive respiratory failure, and the patient died. Autopsy showed alveolar hemorrhage and macrophages containing haemosiderin. Immunofluoresence microscopy showed no deposits of immunoglobulin in the kidney. Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis of adult onset with acute respiratory failure is rare in Japan.

Distribution of fluoride in the dental tissues and their supporting mandibular bone from the same individual

Dental and skeletal tissues have their own distinct fluoride distribution profiles. It was thought useful to compare these within individuals as normally comparisons are made between different groups of individuals. The average fluoride concentration decreased in the following order; cementum, alveolar bone, cancellous bone, mandible, dentine and enamel.

Distribution of fluoride in cortical bone of human rib

We describe a detailed study of fluoride distribution with age in the human cortical rib bone. Human ribs were obtained from 110 subjects (M:68, F;42) aged 20-93 years. The fluoride distribution from the periosteal to endosteal surfaces of the ribs was determined by sampling each specimen using an abrasive micro-sampling technique, and the samples were analyzed using the fluoride electrode, as described by Weatherell et al. [1]. The concentration of fluoride was highest in the periosteal region, decreased gradually towards the interior of the tissue where the concentration of fluoride tended toward the plateau, and then rose again towards the endosteal surface. Patterns of fluoride distribution changed with age, and the difference between periosteal and endosteal fluoride levels increased with age. Although average fluoride concentrations increased with age in both sexes, there was a significant difference between males and females at the age of about 55 years (P < 0.05).

The thickness of the sound and periodontally diseased human cementum

Cementum of teeth previously analysed for fluoride was re-examined in order to determine whether or not periodontal disease had affected the thickness of the tissue. In the periodontally diseased teeth the cementum was thinner than normal in the middle region of the root. The apical cementum, however, was significantly thicker in periodontally diseased than in the sound teeth of subjects over 60 yr old. This may account for the higher total fluoride levels previously reported in the apical cementum of these same teeth.

Turner's syndrome associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and sarcoidosis: a case report

A 32-yr-old Japanese female who was suffering from Turner's syndrome associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and sarcoidosis is reported. It is known that Hashimoto's thyroiditis is not infrequently complicated with Turner's syndrome on the basis of an abnormal X chromosome. In this case, sarcoidosis occurred 4 months after Hashimoto's thyroiditis. This extremely interesting coincidence of Hashimoto's thyroiditis and sarcoidosis in Turner's syndrome has not been reported to date to our knowledge.

Structure and postnatal transformation of the intermediate epithelium lining the mouse nasopalatine duct

In the epithelium lining the nasopalatine duct of the infant mouse, a transitional zone between the stratified squamous epithelium and the ciliated columnar one can be observed. The epithelium lining the transitional zone shows gradations ranging from the stratified squamous through the stratified cuboidal to the ciliated stratified low-columnar type, and gradually transforms into the stratified squamous epithelium with advancing ages. In the adult mouse, the nasopalatine duct is lined with the stratified squamous epithelium throughout up to the vicinity of the nasal cavity, and changes abruptly into the ciliated columnar epithelium lining the nasal cavity. It is suggested that the epithelium lining the transitional zone is identical with the 'intermediate epithelium' in the mouse nasopharynx and epiglottis.

Effects of arildone on the immunogenicity of formalin-inactivated polioviruses

Concentrated and purified Sabin and virulent strains of poliovirus types 1, 2 and 3 were inactivated with formalin at 37 C. By addition of 5.4 microM arildone, an antiviral agent, to the virus suspension, the stability of D antigen increased in both Sabin and virulent strains of all types, especially in virulent type 1 Mahoney strain. The drug had neither any inhibitory nor enhancing effect on the formalin inactivation. When antibody response was compared in guinea pigs, Sabin strains inactivated in the absence of arildone were less immunogenic against homotypic virulent strains than inactivated vaccine prepared from virulent strains. On the other hand, Sabin strains inactivated in the presence of arildone were equally immunogenic. These results indicate that it is possible to prepare from Sabin strains a potent and safe inactivated vaccine having an immunogenicity comparable to that prepared from virulent strains.

New observations on the fine structure of the normal nasopharyngeal epithelium of the mouse

The ciliated columnar epithelium in the mouse nasopharynx was studied by use of light and electron microscopes. The ciliated cells were divided into 3 types because of the variability in electron density of the ground cytoplasm. The dark ciliated cells were characterized by well-developed rough endoplasmic reticulum and rod-shaped mitochondria with regular arrangements of pronounced cristae. In the light ciliated cells endoplasmic reticulum was poorly developed and mitochondria were vacuolated with irregular arrangements of cristae. Furthermore, there existed the "medium ciliated cells," termed by the authors, of which the cytoplasm was medium in electron density between the dark and the light ciliated cells, and some mitochondria were rod-shaped and others were vacuolated. The medium ciliated cells are regarded to be at a stage of transformation from the dark ciliated cells to the light ones. These findings suggest that the dark ciliated cells swell to decrease their electron density with declining activity, and finally transform into the light ciliated cells. The cells, termed the "potential ciliated cells" by the authors, were scattered between the ciliated cells, reached the lumen and had no cilia. They contained many procentrioles suggesting ciliogenesis and had a cytoplasm of the same electron density as that of the dark ciliated cells. It is considered that the dark ciliated cells originate from the potential ciliated cells.

Three-dimensional and surface structures of rat filiform papillae

The three-dimensional and surface structures of the simple conical papillae of the rat tongue have been demonstrated with scanning electron microscopy. The papillary projection was organized into the anterior, posterior and central core cell populations, whereas the basal region of the papilla which consisted of circularly arranged cells showed no differentiation into three autonomic cell populations. It is considered that the anterior and posterior cell populations around the central core tend to be mutually attached at the bilateral sides, and that the posterior and core cell contacts are rather close than the anterior one. The anterior papillary cells showed relatively smooth surface with little micropits and without microridges. The reticular microridges on the basal cell surface of the posterior papillary cells appear to later develop the micropits and linear microridges on the tip cell surface. These suggest that the anterior cell surface is more highly keratinized than the posterior one. The microridges or micropits on the outer cell surface and the microprojections on the inner cell surface organizing filiform papilla are considered to be the structures for the purpose of cell adhesion.

Plaque assay of equine influenza virus

ESK cells, a stable cell line derived from a swine embryo kidney, were found to be a good medium for plaque formation of the Prague and Miami strains of equine influenza virus. Factors influencing the plaque formation were investigated and a plaque assay for these viruses was worked out. The method is not only simple enough for routine use, but also is as sensitive as the egg inoculation method. The method was readily adapted for a neutralization test.

Characterization of ribonucleic acid transcriptase in Ibaraki virus core particles

Ibaraki virus core particles were purified from infected BHK-21 cells. The core particles displayed RNA transcriptase activity while the virion did not. The RNA transcriptase activity was stimulated about 15-fold by addition of S-adenosyl-L-methionine. The reaction product was single-stranded RNA which could be hybridized with heat-denatured Ibaraki virus RNA. The hybrids possessed the same electrophoretic mobility as Ibaraki virus double-stranded RNA.

Taste bud papillae on the retromolar mucosa of the rat, mouse and golden hamster

The retromolar mucosa of the rat, mouse and golden hamster was observed by light and scanning electron microscopy. Numerous taste bud papillae, each of which formed a low round eminence containing one to several taste buds, were present in the posterior region of the retromolar mucosa, and were especially concentrated in the vicinity of the orifices of the molar glands. This topographical coincidence suggests that the retromolar mucosa of these animals has a functional role as a taste organ. Microridges, arranged in various patterns and small pits, were observed on the surface of the keratinized epithelium of the rat and mouse retromolar mucosa. It appears that the development of numerous microridges is adapted for varied stimuli in the oral cavity.

Comparative measurement of equine influenza virus antibodies in horse sera by single radial hemolysis, neutralization, and hemagglutination inhibition tests

Single radial hemolysis (SRH), neutralization (NT), and hemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests were carried out on sera from horses immunized against the Prague and Miami strains of equine influenza virus. The HI and NT tests demonstrated good sensitivity; the sensitivity of the SRH test was somewhat lower. The NT titers of individual sera were correlated very closely with the HI titers, although the NT titers were higher. SRH zone diameters of individual sera also showed significant correlation with the NT and NI titers. The SRH test appears to be suitable for large-scale serological surveys and offers the advantages of rapidity and simplicity.