Evaluation of a solid-phase enzyme immunoassay in the diagnosis of syphilis

A solid phase enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA), the antigen being bound to the surface of ferrous metal beads, was evaluated as either a diagnostic or a confirmative test for syphilis by comparison with the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) and the fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-abs) tests in two groups of` population: healthy people and syphilitic patients. The sensitivity of the ELISA test was found to be 75%, the specificity 98.1%. There were no statistically significant differences as to accuracy (sensitivity and specificity) between ELISA test and the VDRL test (p<0.05). The ELISA test therefore does not represent an improvement in the first line syphilis diagnosis when compared with the classical VDRL test. ELISA was less reactive than the FTA-abs test in all the stages of the disease. Its only advantage is easier performance by automation

Transfer of clindamicyn resistance between Bacteroides fragilis group strains isolated from clinical specimens

Clindamycin resistance was trasferred by a conjugation-like process from Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron 52, a multiple antibiotic-resistant strain isolated from clinical specimens, to other Bacteroides species. A possible association between a plasmid detected in the donor strain and clindamycin resistance is discussed.<br>Resistência à clindamicina foi transferida através de processo semelhante à conjugação, de uma cepa multirresistente e isolada de espécime clínico, B. thetaiotaomicron 52, para outra espécie de Bacteroides. Uma possível associação entre um plasmídio detectado na cepa doadora e a resistência à clindamicina é discutida