OBJECTIVETo establish and optimize methods to detect the immune complexes (IC) of hepatitis B virus directly.

METHODSA C1q solid phase ELISA, mouse anti-HBs MAb solid phase ELISA and the complement consumption assay were established to detect the IC and these methods were optimized.

RESULTSAll the three methods were highly sensitive, specific and reproducible. The C1q used for coating tended to lose its activity easily at room temperature. Although strict requirements are needed for the raw and processed materials for complement consumption assay and the process of manipulation is complex, it can quantitatively detect IC. Comparing to the C1q solid ELISA and complement consumption assay, the mouse anti-HBs MAb solid phase ELISA has its own merits: convenience and stability.

CONCLUSIONMouse anti-HBs MAb solid phase ELISA is the best way to detect IC directly.

Complement C1q ; analysis ; Complement Fixation Tests ; methods ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Hepatitis B ; blood ; Humans ; Reproducibility of Results

Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection that results from inhaling the airborne arthroconidia of the Coccidioides species. It is an endemic disease in the southwest part of North America and rarely diagnosed in Korea. As tourism to endemic areas and the number of immunocompromised patients have been increasing, the incidence of this infection has increased in non-endemic areas. Treatment is usually successful with antifungal agents; however, recurrence is common. It is difficult to decide when to discontinue the antifungal treatment especially in non-endemic areas where doctors are not familiar with the disease. We report a case of recurrent coccidioidomycosis manifesting as osteomyelitis after the treatment of the patient for disseminated coccidioidal infection. The complement fixation test was a useful tool for the assessment of patient response and to evaluate suspected recurrence.
Coccidioides ; Coccidioidomycosis ; Complement Fixation Tests ; Endemic Diseases ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Incidence ; Inhalation ; Korea ; North America ; Osteomyelitis ; Recurrence

Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection that results from inhaling the airborne arthroconidia of the Coccidioides species. It is an endemic disease in the southwest part of North America and rarely diagnosed in Korea. As tourism to endemic areas and the number of immunocompromised patients have been increasing, the incidence of this infection has increased in non-endemic areas. Treatment is usually successful with antifungal agents; however, recurrence is common. It is difficult to decide when to discontinue the antifungal treatment especially in non-endemic areas where doctors are not familiar with the disease. We report a case of recurrent coccidioidomycosis manifesting as osteomyelitis after the treatment of the patient for disseminated coccidioidal infection. The complement fixation test was a useful tool for the assessment of patient response and to evaluate suspected recurrence.
Coccidioides ; Coccidioidomycosis ; Complement Fixation Tests ; Endemic Diseases ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Incidence ; Inhalation ; Korea ; North America ; Osteomyelitis ; Recurrence

To prepare anti-Brucella abortus serum used for calibrate the agglutination test follwing the national standard, 4 anti-Brucella abortus sera were obtained from 4 cows infected with Brucella abortus naturally. By potency testing, the third serum was selected. Sterility, vaccum degree, residual moisture, uniformity and stability of this standard material were tested and proved to meet the national standard. Referring to the international standard, RBT (Rose-Bengal plate agglutination test), SAT (standard tube agglutination) and CFT (complement fixation test) titers of this standard material were measured to be 1:160 "+" 1:2 400 "++" and 1:800 "++", which are identical with the collaborative assay results. International unit of the standard material is 4 000 IU/mL.
Agglutination Tests ; veterinary ; Animals ; Antibodies, Bacterial ; blood ; Antigens, Bacterial ; immunology ; Brucella abortus ; immunology ; Brucellosis, Bovine ; diagnosis ; Cattle ; China ; Complement Fixation Tests ; veterinary ; Immune Sera ; Reference Standards

Acute viral conjunctivitis was known as an infectious disease affected by various viruses and characterized seasonal variation, prevalent especially in summer. In Korea, the clinic loepidemiologic study of AVC was not conclusive. Therefore, further research should be conducted to improve the primary health care and the application of diffrential diagnosis and its therapy. Clinical symptoms and signs of 131 patients who was confirmed viral conjunctivitis among 237 patients was evaluated at the Chung-Ang University Hospital in 1987, 1989 and 1990. Along with physical examination, specimens from the conjunctival swab were cultured and isolated, and a sereologic test-Neutralizing test for enterovirus 70, and complement fixation test for adenovirus-was performed. As a result, acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis was relatively epidemic in 1987 and 1990 (67.7 and 47.1 %), and epidemic keratoconjunctivitis in 1989 (91.8%).
Communicable Diseases ; Complement Fixation Tests ; Conjunctivitis, Acute Hemorrhagic ; Conjunctivitis, Viral* ; Diagnosis ; Enterovirus D, Human ; Humans ; Keratoconjunctivitis ; Korea ; Physical Examination ; Primary Health Care ; Seasons