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A Inal

Publications and source records attributed to A Inal.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Does immune activation continue during an attack-free period in familial Mediterranean fever?

Although some information is available regarding immune activation in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), little is known about either peripheral blood T cell activation marker expression or the T cell proliferative response to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). In the present study, we aimed to investigate the percentages of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets, T cell expression of cellular activation markers (CD25, CD69, HLA-DR), the T cell response to PHA and serum levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) and interleukin (IL)-10 in patients with FMF. Forty patients with FMF were enrolled into the study. Control groups were sex- and age-matched and consisted of 20 healthy blood donors and 15 patients with inactive Behcet's disease. The patients with FMF in an attack period had higher levels of sIL-2R than those in an attack-free period, and also in comparison with both control groups. The levels of sIL-2R were also found to be higher in patients with FMF in an attack-free period than those in both control groups. The mean levels of IL-10 were found to be lower in patients with FMF in an attack-free period than those in an attack period and were also lower than those in the healthy controls. In an acute attack period, the absolute counts of CD3+HLA-DR+, CD4+CD69+, CD8+CD25+ and CD8+CD69+ T cells in peripheral blood samples were also higher than those in both control groups. Both the percentages and absolute counts of CD4+CD69+ T cells in peripheral blood samples of patients with FMF in an attack-free period were slightly but significantly higher than those in the healthy controls. In conclusion, our study indicates that the T cell system is abnormally activated in patients with FMF in both the attack and attack-free period and that decreased IL-10 levels may create a tendency to perpetuate subclinical immune activation in the attack-free period.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed2003

Serum sIL-2r, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-alpha level in familial Mediterranean fever patients.

In this study we investigated cytokine levels in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). Twenty patients and 20 healthy controls were included. Ten patients had acute attacks of FMF, whereas the other 10 were in the silent period. Patients with the acute exacerbation of FMF had higher soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2r), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-alpha, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen levels than those in the silent period ( P<0.001) and controls ( P<0.001). In patients with acute attacks of FMF, interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels were not significantly different from those in the other patients or the controls ( P>0.05). In FMF patients IL-6, TNF-alpha, sIL-2r, ESR, CRP and fibrinogen levels increased with the acute-phase reaction, especially in the attack period. On the other hand, anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 levels did not increase as much as did the inflammatory cytokines. The balance between the cytokines may help us to understand the pathophysiology of FMF and to develop therapies. We conclude that the levels of the acute-phase reactants and the cytokines could be useful for diagnosis of acute exacerbations, follow-up and treatment. However, the cost of cytokine measurement analyses seems disadvantageous at present.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗
PubMed2003

Gonadotropin treatment restores in vitro interleukin-1beta and tumour necrosis factor-alpha production by stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.

In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of testosterone deficiency and gonadotropin therapy on the in vitro production of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) in order to elucidate the modulatory role of androgen in cytokine production. Fifteen male patients with untreated IHH and 15 age-matched healthy male subjects were enrolled in the study. Serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), free testosterone (FT), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), prolactin, and IL-2 and IL-4 levels were also measured. In unstimulated cultures, IL-1beta and TNF-alpha secretion were not significantly different between patient and control groups. However, after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), secretion of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha was significantly higher in cultures from untreated patients with IHH than in control subjects. Mean FSH, LH and FT levels were significantly lower, whereas SHBG, IL-2 and IL-4 levels were significantly higher in patients with IHH compared than in controls. In patients with IHH, FT negatively affected the serum levels of IL-4 and in vitro secretion of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha. In addition, IL-2 and IL-4 affected the in vitro secretion of IL-1beta in a positive manner. Gonadotropin therapy decreased both TNF-alpha and IL-1beta in PBMCs from patients with IHH. The levels of serum IL-2 and IL-4 were also decreased by therapy. In conclusion, in the present study, gonadotropin treatment restored the in vitro production of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha by PBMCs from patients with IHH, suggesting that androgen modulates proinflammatory cytokine production, at least directly through its effects on PBMCs. It seems probable that this effect plays an important role in the immunosuppressive action of androgens.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Otolaryngological aspects of relapsing polychondritis: course and outcome.

Relapsing Polychondritis (RP) is a rare disorder characterised by episodic inflammation of the cartilaginous structures. Differential diagnosis of this pathology is a challenging enigma since it appears only intermittently and none of the clinical features are pathognomonic, although most of the patients are usually referred to an ENT physician initially. The natural history of the disease is unpredictable. Initiating effective treatment sooner considerably reduces the rate of mortality. Patients with RP should be seen on a regular basis even if the patient is non-symptomatic. This study reports a retrospective analysis of the otolaryngological manifestations of 7 patients with RP as well as their long-term progress and reviews the symptomatology, histopathology, immunology and management.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Comparison of lymphocyte populations in cutaneous and electrical burn patients: a clinical study.

Immunosuppression following thermal injury has been noted in recent years. Both cellular and humoral immune systems have been reported to be affected. The present study aimed to compare the quantitative differences between cutaneous and electrical burn patients in respect to the partition and levels of lymphocyte populations. From March 1997 through February 1998, 15 patients with major thermal injury or high voltage electrical injury were included in this clinical prospective study. Blood samples were collected at three and seven days postburn. The evaluation of lymphocyte populations of patients was performed by SimulTest IMK plus. T cell and B cell populations, activated T cells, natural killer and helper T cell levels were all suppressed in both groups. Suppressor T cell levels were elevated in electrical burn group at both three and seven days. Therefore, CD 4/CD 8 ratios were more suppressed in electrical burn group. In conclusion, lymphocyte populations in electrical burn patients and also contributing factors which play important roles in the development of sepsis in both group need to be investigated further.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Phagocytic activity in familial Mediterranean fever.

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disease. Although the possibility of multiple immunologic mechanisms have been studied, the actual mechanism is still unresolved. Forty-one patients with FMF (24 males and 17 females with a mean age and disease duration of 17.8 +/- 4.1 and 4.7 +/- 2.3 years, respectively) and 14 healthy controls (10 males and 4 females with a mean age 23.2 +/- 5.1) were involved in the study. A phagotest was studied in both the patients and control groups with a FACScalibur Flow. All patients were in the acute stages of the disease and had not undergone colchicine treatment for 2 months. The percentage blood phagocytic activity of both granulocytes and monocytes were 84.23 +/- 8.76 and 67.28 +/- 10.15 in the patient group and 94.68 +/- 3.24 and 76.23 +/- 5.7 in the control group, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the percentage of phagocytic activity of the granulocytes and monocytes between the FMF patients and healthy controls (p > 0.05 and p > 0.05, respectively).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Relationship of histocompatibility groups to chronic HBV infections].

HLA-A, B, C and DR locus specificities studied in 168 patients (71 Chronic active Hepatitis, 97 Chronic Persistent Hepatitis) serologically and histopathologically proven Chronic Hepatitis B Virus infection. There were 113 men and 55 women with a mean age of 23.2 (21-52) years. Hundred and seventy four healthy subjects (107 men, 67 women) included in control group with a mean age of 26.4 (20-54) years. The frequency of HLA A3 (p < 0.01), HLA A11 (p < 0.01), HLA B35 (p < 0.05) and HLA B51 (p < 0.01) were significantly higher in patients than in healthy control subjects. Comparisons among the other HLA-A, B, C and DR locus were found to be statistically non-significant.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Complement C3 and C4 levels in serum from acute viral hepatitis].

Serial measurements of C3 and C4 complement components were performed in 50 patients with acute, uncomplicated viral hepatitis, in the beginning of the symptoms and in the peaks of serum transaminases. There were 17 patients diagnosed as having Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection and 33 patients diagnosed as having Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. There were 4 women and 46 men with a mean age of 22.1 years. In the sera of 50 healthy control subjects serum C3 and C4 complement components measured, this group was composed of 15 women and 35 men with a mean age of 26 years. The complement component levels were observed to be reduced in both viral infections, where the reduction in C3 serum concentration was found to be statistically significant but reduction in C4 serum concentration was not.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1992

[Incidence of hepatitis D virus infection in chronic hepatitis B virus carriers].

In carriers of HBsAg (Hepatitis B virus surface antigen) the incidence of Hepatitis D virus infection was studied in 72 (61.3%) males and 45 (38.5%) females, totally in 117 cases with a mean age of 34.8 years. There were 26 (22.2%) asymptomatic carriers of HBsAg where in other chronic carriers the diagnosis were as follows; 29 (24.7%) chronic persistent hepatitis, 20 (17.0%) chronic lobular hepatitis, 23 (19.6%) chronic active hepatitis and 19 (16.2%) posthepatic cirrhosis. The incidence of HDV serologic markers were found to be positive in 19 (16.2%) out of 117 cases.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Comparison of PVRV and HDCV rabies vaccines as to immunity, reliability and protective value].

World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a new Inactivated Rabies Vaccine grown on Vero Cells, (PVRV: Purified Vero Rabies Vaccine) with the vaccine cultivated on Human Diploid Cells (HDCV: Human Diploid Cell Vaccine), for both pre and post-exposure prophylaxis. Following the widespread use of HDCV and PVRV, many comparative clinical trials have been conducted, studying the safety and predictive values of these two vaccines. In the present study, using the schedule recommended by the WHO for preexposure prophylaxis, days on 0, 7 and 21, we vaccinated 90 healthy male volunteers, age ranged between 18 and 24 (mean 20) and may expose to a risk of rabies. These 90 volunteers randomly divided into 3 different groups with 30 people in each. First group vaccinated by PVRV, 2nd by HDCV and the last group by placebo (PS) double blind. The neutralizing antibody titration was measured by Rapid Immunofluorescence Focus Inhibition Test (RFFIT) on days 0, 7, 21, 28 and 60 in Laboratories of Pasteur-Merieux, Lyon-France. On day 21, in both PVRV and HDCV group the neutralizing antibody titres have occurred and the difference was not statically significant (P less than 0.05). No serious side-effects occurred with either vaccine, although some vaccinees complained of redness, induration or local pain and exceptionally of fever, and lymphadenopathy. The geometric mean of antibody titres shows a higher titre in both PVRV and HDCV group on the 60th day of following 1st vaccination. Suggesting that a year-long protection could easily be provided with the both vaccines, till to the 1st booster dose administration.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[A new respiratory tract pathogen].

Chlamydia pneumoniae strain TWAR, a newly described Chlamydia organism is a common cause of pneumonia and other acute respiratory tract infections. Most TWAR infections are mild or asymptomatic, but occasionally severe pneumonia in elderly patients or with on going chronic diseases has been observed. Population antibody prevalence has shown that TWAR infection is world-wide infection and an important health problem since under-developing countries where the high rate of child death is predominant, TWAR infections cause acute respiratory tract infection in children who are less than 5 yrs of age. Re-infection during life-time emphasizes the importance of Chlamydia pneumoniae.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Life-threatening facial edema due to pine caterpillar mimicking an allergic event.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 150 species of Lepidoptera have been described as causing damage to human skin. One of these species is the pine processionary caterpillar, which is responsible for dermatitis, contact urticaria, ocular lesions and rarely respiratory signs and anaphylactic reactions through IgE-mediated or non-IgE-mediated mechanisms. We report a pediatric case of severe orofacial edema mimicking an allergic reaction after ingestion of a pine processionary caterpillar; urgent airway intubation was required. CASE REPORT: A 15-month-old boy was sleeping under a pine tree when his mother noted a pine caterpillar on his tongue. Because of rapidly developing facial swelling and respiratory distress, the infant was first taken to a local hospital where he received intravenous dexamethasone and pheniramine hydrogen maleate. On arrival at our emergency department, diffuse swelling and edema involving the tongue, perioral, nasal and perimandibular regions, and neck was noted, requiring urgent orotracheal intubation. There were no findings of anaphylaxis. The results of skin prick tests and specific IgE to common aero- and food allergens were negative. A skin prick test with extract of pine caterpillar was also negative. Prednisolone and pheniramine hydrogen maleate were administered for 7 days. The child gradually improved and was successfully extubated 4 days later. CONCLUSION: Although oral contact with a pine processionary caterpillar in the form of ingestion is rare, it may cause significant local reaction and airway compromise mimicking an allergic event. In this situation, early intubation to maintain airway patency is a life-saving measure.

Airway Obstruction↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Serum IFN-gamma and IL-10 levels before and after specific immunotherapy in patients with allergic rhinitis.

Although a detailed explanation of the mechanism of immunotherapy is not known, several immunologic explanation have been proposed. It's said that T cell-cytokine profile changed with allergen immunotherapy. In our study we evaluated IFN-* and IL-10 levels before and after immunotherapy in patients with allergic rhinitis. Twenty patients (mean age; 27.3 +/- 4.84), 8 male, 12 female with allergic rhinitis, mean duration of disease was 5.55 +/- 1.23 years and 13 healthy controls, 5 male, 8 female (mean age: 28.38 +/- 5.61) were enrolled in the study. Immunotherapy was performed for grass pollen allergen extract to patients with allergic rhinitis for 31.5 +/- 4.98 months. Serum IL-10 and IFN-* levels were evaluated with ELISA. Serum IL-10 levels were significantly high before and after immunotherapy compared to controls. There was no difference in IFN-* levels before and after SIT compared to controls. According to this study, in patients with allergic rhinitis after immunotherapy serum IL-10 levels are decreased but IFN-* no change.

Adult↗