Abstract: A composition for eliciting production of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen and method of neutralizing the infectivity of hepatitis type B virus. A cyclic polypeptide is prepared having a disulfide bond in a hydrophilic region, namely residues 117-137 or 122-137 and an amino acid sequence unique from that associated with the native 25,000 molecular weight polypeptide derived from hepatitis B surface antigen.

Abstract: A test substrate, including a semi-permeable membrane which retains bacteria on the membrane and which has a net positive surface charge to permit coloring of bacteria thereon with a cationic dye, without the membrane adsorbing substantial amounts of said dye. Substrate is included in a kit for detecting bacteria.

Abstract: A catalase method and apparatus are disclosed for direct measurement of bacterial growth activity in the presence and absence of antibiotics, and for the determination of antibiotic sensitivity directly from clinical specimens within one and one-half to four or five hours if the agent is a catalase producer. If not, antibiotic sensitivity is measured by light obscuration. The total bacterial counts of normal flora and artifacts in the growth medium do not affect the tests. Preferably, a transducer or other pressure-measuring technique determines the positive pressure produced by the catalytic decomposition of peroxide. Aerosolization of pathogenic organisms is avoided by combining hydrogen peroxide with a quaternary compound which kills the bacteria and at the same time frees additional catalase to yield total catalase titers which are very reproducible and accurate. The method and apparatus easily detect Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, Proteus, E. coli, and other catalase-producing bacteria.

Abstract: A method for detecting occult blood in aqueous samples of human specimens, particularly aqueous suspensions of fecal matter is disclosed. The method comprises acidifying an aqueous test sample, which in the case of fecal matter has been treated with lysozyme to clear the suspension; separating the liquid and solid portions of the test sample and passing the acidified liquid portion through an electro-negatively charged membrane; thereafter removing residual test liquids from the membrane; treating the membrane with a peroxidase indicator and observing the development of color on the treated membrane surface. A method for quantifying occult blood is also disclosed which comprises subjecting an aqueous sample to the disclosed detection method and comparing the color developed with a standardized scale reflecting colors developed by treating samples containing known incremental quantities of hemoglobin in accordance with the detection method of the invention.

Abstract: A simple and functional apparatus is disclosed for use in the home, field and other places in which water or other fluids can be evaluated for the presence of bacteria. Also disclosed is a convenient tablet reagent for use with liquid peroxide with the apparatus.

Abstract: A bacterial staining composition and methods of analysis of both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria are disclosed. The composition comprises a chelating agent and a basic dye, both of which are operative at a pH above about 7.0. Bacterial staining may be effected by contacting either concentrated or fluidly suspended bacteria with the composition at a neutral or basic pH. Bacteria stained with the composition and concentrated by filtration, centrifugation or the like are readily visible and their presence in a specimen may, thus, be rapidly detected. The gradations of color of the stained, concentrated bacteria correspond to the number of bacteria and semi-quantitative analysis of the bacteria may be effected by comparison with a standard. Differentiation of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria may be accomplished by treating the stained bacteria with an organic acid wash having a pH of about 2.5 to 2.6. Such a wash completely decolorizes only stained gram-positive bacteria.

Abstract: Microporous anionic exchange and non-ionic adsorbent resins which are capable of adsorbing an antibiotic and which have been coated with a non-ionic detergent are disclosed. When contacted with bacterially infected body-fluid specimens, the disclosed resins remove antibiotics from the specimen while exhibiting diminished bacterial adsorption. A combination of a disclosed detergent-coated non-functional adsorbent resin with a cationic resin removes other bacterial inhibitors, as well as antibiotics, from bacterially infected body fluid specimens while permitting the bacteria to remain in the specimens. By removing bacterial inhibitors while sparing the bacteria, the disclosed resins make possible rapid isolation and identification of an infecting organism.

Abstract: Microporous anionic exchange and non-ionic adsorbent resins which are capable of adsorbing an antibiotic and which have been coated with a non-ionic detergent are disclosed. When contacted with bacterially infected body-fluid specimens, the disclosed resins remove antibiotics from the specimen while exhibiting diminished bacterial adsorption. A combination of a disclosed detergent-coated non-functional adsorbent resin with a cationic resin removes other bacterial inhibitors, as well as antibiotics, from bacterially infected body fluid specimens while permitting the bacteria to remain in the specimens. By removing bacterial inhibitors while sparing the bacteria, the disclosed resins make possible rapid isolation and identification of an infecting organism.

Abstract: Wastewaters heavily laden with organic compounds and containing viruses and other microbiological flora are sterilized and maintained sterile for prolonged periods of time by the addition of a base, such as lime, and a quaternary compound, preferably cetyl pyridinium chloride, in amounts to maintain the pH of the wastewaters at about 9-11, or higher, and with sufficient quaternary compound for suspended solids present. This prevents the formation of methane gases, which are tentative hazards in that they are inflammable, asphyxiant and narcotic. Similarly, toilets are rendered sterile by the addition of the base and quaternary compound so that, upon flushing, aerosols generated will not contain active infectious agents. All bacteria and fungi are inactivated under these basic conditions by the addition of quaternary compounds. Viruses are also inactivated under these basic conditions but only with quaternary compounds which contain the pyridinium moiety.

Abstract: Methods of sterilizing biologicals in which the biologicals are acidified to a pH of not higher than about 1.0, preferably 0.75 to about 0.5, and the acidified biologicals are stored at cold temperatures for a perod of time sufficient to inactivate microbial flora contained therein but not the biological itself, for example, in the range of about 0.degree. to about 10.degree. C for 1-24 hours or longer. Precipitates formed during the storing are clarified and the biologicals are then neutralized, preferably to a pH of from about 7.0 to about 8.0, or that pH at which the biological is best stored, e.g., trypsin at pH 3-4. The methods include clarifying biologicals of precipitates formed within the first two to three hours and then continuing the storing and again clarifying the biologicals of precipitates.Microbial flora and numerous contaminated proteins contained in the biologicals are removed resulting in completely sterilized biologicals retaining initial activity or titer.

Abstract: Wastewaters heavily laden with organic compounds and containing viruses and other microbiological flora are sterilized and maintained sterile for prolonged periods of time by the addition of a base, such as lime, and a quaternary compound, preferably cetyl pyridinium chloride, in amounts to maintain the pH of the wastewaters at about 9-11, or higher, and with sufficient quaternary compound for suspended solids present. This prevents the formation of methane gases, which are tentative hazards in that they are inflammable, asphyxiant and narcotic. Similarly, toilets are rendered sterile by the addition of the base and quaternary compound so that, upon flushing, aerosols generated will not contain active infectious agents. All bacteria and fungi are inactivated under these basic conditions by the addition of quaternary compounds. Viruses are also inactivated under these basic conditions but only with quaternary compounds which contain the pyridinium moiety.