Serological investigation on Yang Xiao-xia's "mysterious disease"
Yang, H.M.; Xu, J.G.
Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi 18(1): 22-25
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0254-6450 PMID: 9812476 Document Number: 471428
The famous "mysterious disease" of Yang Xiao-xia, a girl from Shangdong Province, was diagnosed as multi-bacterial synergistic gangrene based on bacteriological, serological and antibiotics sensitivity findings. In order to uncover the initial pathogenic bacteria and to investigate their relationship with environment, a total number of 18 serum samples were collected from volunteers living around patient's home and from patient's relatives. Serological study on 4 bacterial strains isolated from patient, named as Eubacterim lentum, Stereptococcus acidominimus, Y6 and Yp was conducted with Western blot, using whole cell protein preparation was carried out, and data obtained was statistically analysed. Our findings indicated that YP and Y6 strains were interrelated with environment of patient's home and Y6 from the pool where patient visited often and several hours before she intially experienced the disease. The strains of Y6 and YP are virulent to animials, indicating that they serve as potential pathogens. Eubacteriumlentum and Streptococcus acidominimus are irrelevant to environment.