Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A) is an autosomal dominantly inherited cancer syndrome characterized by medullary carcinoma of the thyroid, phaeochromocytoma and hyperparathyroidism. Almost all gene carriers can be detected by screening tests before the age of 40, but the nature and location of the predisposing gene are unknown. Simpson et al. recently reported preliminary evidence for linkage between the DNA probe p9-12A on chromosome 10 and MEN2A. We now report linkage between the MEN2A locus and the interstitial retinol-binding protein gene, which is located on chromosome 10p11.2-q11.2.
SUMMARY Two hundred and fifty three infants were screened for cytomegalovirus (CMV) in the urine at birth and were followed up at regular intervals for one year. Twelve per cent (of 249) were excreting virus at 3 months, and 20% (of 234) at 12 months. In all cases infection was subclinical. The major factors determining risk of acquiring infection were the mother's serological state and whether the infant was breast fed. There was no association with social class, mother's age, or whether the child had been in a special care baby unit or a postnatal ward. By one year 33% (of 123) of infants of seropositive mothers had acquired CMV infection compared with 4% (of 123) born to seronegative mothers. Twenty per cent (17) of seropositive women who breast fed had virus isolated from their breast milk on at least one occasion, and 76% (13) of their infants became infected. In four mother-infant pairs comparison of CMV isolates from the mother's milk and the child's urine was made by restriction endonuclease digestion; in each pair infection had apparently occurred with the same strain of virus. All 13 infected infants followed up for three years were still shedding virus.Infection with CMV is common in infancy, and virus shedding persists for years. Congenital infection cannot be distinguished from acquired infection unless the presence of CMV in the urine is identified within three or four weeks after birth, even when clinical problems suggestive of congenital infection are present.
SUMMARY One hundred and seventeen children and 41 teachers in day nurseries were screened for cytomegalovirus (CMV) viruria over a period of one year. Thirty two (27%) children and two (5%) teachers were found to be excreting virus on at least one occasion. Restriction endonuclease typing showed that virus strains isolated from the children were dissimilar, with the exception of those from sibling pairs and one unrelated pair. The virus isolate from one teacher matched those from two unrelated children, while the isolate from another teacher could not be distinguished from that from a sibling pair. The Methods CMV excretion was studied in five day nurseries; three were ordinary local health authority day nurseries, primarily serving local and disadvantaged children, and two specialised in the care of physically, emotionally, or intellectually handicapped children. In each centre children spent the entire day at the nursery. Classes were selected at random in three nurseries. One class in the fourth nursery was selected because a child with congenital CMV infection and known to be excreting the virus was enrolled. In the fifth, another nursery with a child with congenital CMV infection, all children participated in the study. Within each class children played together, shared toys, and ate lunch in a common room.Informed consent was obtained from the parents of the study children. Parents also completed a questionnaire that provided data on demographic variables and day nursery experience. In four nurseries urine samples were collected from the children every three months for one year. In the remaining nursery two collections were made six months apart.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.