There is a need for identification of new infection markers against common Leptospira isolates in Malaysia. To achieve this goal, seven-day-old cultures of Leptospira interrogans serogroup Icterohemorrhagiae (L44) and Leptospira interrogans serogroup Javanica (L55) were used for antigen preparation by sequential extraction method using 40 mM Tris, 8M Urea and 2M thiourea. Immunoblot analysis of the antigens were performed using serum samples from 46 local patients with confirmed acute leptospirosis, 28 patients with other infections and 14 healthy controls. The patients serum samples used in this study contained heterologous antibody against a number of different leptospira serovars. A strong IgM reactivity to a broad diffuse band of 10-15 kDa was observed. Combining results using L44 and L55 antigens showed sensitivity of 80.4% and specificity of 95.2% for detection of leptospirosis. Proteinase K and periodate treatment indicated that the band is likely to be lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in nature. This study showed that the 10-15 kDa antigen could potentially be useful for serodiagnosis of acute leptospirosis in Malaysia.
Two of the three buffaloes immunized with a non-adjuvanted broth bacterin were found to be protected against experimental challenge at 6 weeks but not at 3 months post-challenge. Similarly all buffaloes (4/4) immunized with alum-precipitated vaccine were protected at 6 months but only 1 of the 2 vaccinated animals were protected at 12 months post-immunization. On the other hand, buffaloes immunized with an oil adjuvant and a double emulsion vaccine were completely protected at 12 months post-immunization. Statistically significant differences between immunized versus non-immune animals became evident at 3 months post-immunization, although analysis of cumulative antibody titres of pre-challenge sera of vaccinated buffaloes surviving versus those succumbing to experimental challenge revealed significant by higher antibody titres in the former as compared to the latter group. These results suggested that there was a relationship between ELISA antibody titres and active protection in buffaloes. There also appeared to be a relationship between cutaneous delayed-type hypersensitivity and active protection in buffaloes. Preliminary analysis of the antibody isotype distribution in the pre-challenge sera of 2 buffaloes vaccinated with the oil adjuvant vaccine revealed predominance of IgG1 and IgG2 subclasses whose role in protection against haemorrhagic septicaemia was not eludicated.
The relationship between the standard passive mouse protection test or serum antibody titres measured by indirect haemagglutination or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and active protection in buffaloes immunized with different types of haemorrhagic septicaemia bacterins was investigated. Groups of 2-3 buffaloes were immunized with the bacterins currently in use in Asia, viz., broth bacterin (BB), alum precipitated vaccine (APV) and oil adjuvant vaccine (OAV) either subcutaneously (BB, APV) or intramuscularly (OAV) and challenged subcutaneously with virulent organisms at different periods post-immunization. Although the passive mouse protection and indirect haemagglutination tests carried out with the pre-challenge sera from vaccinated buffaloes revealed no relationship with active protection in buffaloes, a relationship was observed between the ELISA antibody titres and protection. In contrast, a dose-response relationship was observed between the homologous active and passive mouse protection test.
Physical therapists employ several exercises to alleviate low back pain (LBP). Electromyography (EMG) examination of exercises can monitor muscle activation to help clinicians determine the exercise's effect on stabilisation, endurance, or strength. This study evaluated surface EMG activity comparison for Flying Squirrel Exercise (FSE) and the novel 3-Point Quadripod Exercise (3-PQE) to find the most effective exercise for stimulating the lumbar multifidus (LM) muscle. The study recruited 64 healthy young females (19-24 years). Raw data were normalized and are expressed as the percentage of maximum voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC). The test-retest reliability of the EMG recordings was estimated using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC3,1). One-way ANOVA was used to statistically analyse and compare the EMG amplitudes during the two exercises. The ICCs for 3-PQE and FSE were 0.94 (SEM, 21.7% MVIC) and 0.87 (SEM, 19.05% MVIC), respectively. The 3-PQE (69 ± 26% MVIC) demonstrated significantly higher activity than did FSE (30 ± 18% MVIC) (F = 15.573, p = 0.001). Thus, 3-PQE might be a feasible strategy for the prevention and rehabilitation of LBP in females.