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Biomedical subjects

A J Dorta-Contreras

Publications and source records attributed to A J Dorta-Contreras.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Intrathecal release of sICAM-1 into CSF in neuroborreliosis--increased brain-derived fraction.

In the present study, we report sICAM-1 concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum of patients with neuroborreliosis (NB, n = 11), compared to the data from a control group of patients with corresponding blood/CSF barrier dysfunction but without inflammation in the central nervous system (disc prolaps, DP, n = 11). In NB, the sICAM-1 concentration in CSF was increased up to six-fold (ranges: 6.6-42.8 ng/ml and 2.2-9.8 ng/ml for NB and DP respectively) with no change in serum sICAM-1. The corresponding sICAM-1 CSF/serum concentration quotients (Q(ICAM)) were in the ranges: 22.5-171.3 X 10(-3), and 8.8-27.8 X 10(-3) for NB and DP respectively. This finding can be explained by increase of the brain-derived fraction of sICAM-1 in NB. In one case we observed increased Q(ICAM) on 6th day after admission to the hospital (171.3 X 10(-3) at the time of the first lumbar puncture slightly increasing to 243.6 x 10(-3) five days later), followed by normalization, in two remaining repunctured patients we observed decreasing QICAM with normalizing Q(Alb).

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

IgG2 immunodeficiency: association to pediatric patients with bacterial meningoencephalitis.

An IgG subclass deficiency is often associated with bacterial infections. We studied four pediatric patients suffering from meningoencephalitis, two of them due to Streptococcus pneumoniae and two due to Haemophilus influenzae type b. Simultaneous diagnostic serum and cerebrospinal fluid samples were taken during income. The four subclasses of IgG and albumin were quantified in both biologic fluids by radial immunodiffusion. Very low levels of seric IgG2 with non detectable cerebrospinal fluid IgG2 were found in the patients. No intrathecal IgG subclass synthesis was found in two patients. One patient with S. pneumoniae had IgG3 intrathecal synthesis. Intrathecal IgG1, IgG3 and IgG4 synthesis was found in one patient suffering from H. influenzae according with reibergrams. Substitutive therapy with intravenous gammaglobulin was given to the patients as part of the treatment.

Albumins↗
PubMed1998

Intrathecal synthesis of immunoglobulins in eosinophilic meningoencephalitis due to Angiostrongylus cantonensis.

Eosinophilic meningoencephalitis due to the nematode Angiostrongylus cantonensis, which is endemic to Cuba, occurs in children and is due to accidental contact with soil snails. The course is less often fatal than in adult patients in southeastern Asia. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum samples from 24 pediatric patients were analyzed and evaluated in CSF/serum quotient diagrams (Reiber graphs) to characterize the neuroimmunological response and the blood-CSF barrier dysfunction that occur in the course of the disease. At the time of the first diagnostic lumbar puncture, together with eosinophilic pleocytosis (1,920 +/- 400 cells/microl), intermediate blood-CSF barrier dysfunction (i.e., an increased CSF/serum albumin quotient) with no intrathecal immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgA, and IgM class response was observed in all cases. Seven days later, at the time of early clinical recovery, the blood-CSF barrier dysfunction was normalized in 75% of the patients, but meanwhile, intrathecal immunoglobulin synthesis emerged in all cases, as either a two-class response (IgG and IgA in 85% of the patients) or a three-class response (IgG, IgA, and IgM; 30%). The fraction of eosinophilic cells (40%) remained large despite a decreasing total cell count. The neuroimmunological pattern of this inflammatory response to the parasite and its toxins is discussed with regard to the CSF patterns of other infectious diseases caused by bacteria or viruses.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Non increased neuron-specific enolase concentration in cerebrospinal fluid during first febrile seizures and a year follow-up in pediatric patients.

Febrile seizures are the commonest acute neurological disorder of early childhood. Studies suggested that febrile seizures are previous acute events from a more serious neurological problem. Due to neuron-specific enolase is generally accepted as a marker for neuropathological processes in the brain, 16 pediatric patients were studied during their first seizures and a year after it. Neuron-specific enolase in cerebrospinal fluid and blood were analysed by an immune enzyme assay. Non pathological neuron-specific enolase values were obtained in both periods in the group of patients. There were no significative differences when paired series statistics test was performed with 95% of confidence. Neuron-specific enolase appears not to be a marker for febrile seizures because its concentration not be increased in cerebrospinal fluid in this group of patients.

Cerebrospinal Fluid↗
PubMed1998

[Beta trace protein in the cerebrospinal fluid and serum in meningoencephalitis].

INTRODUCTION: beta-trace protein or D2 prostaglandin synthase is a dual functional protein. Its role and clinical value in cerebrospinal fluid is under study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventy four pediatric patients suffering from viral meningoencephalitis and 7 with bacterial meningoencephalitis were studied. Sera and cerebrospinal fluid samples were taken. Albumin and beta-trace protein were quantified by immunodiffusion and nephelometry respectively. RESULTS: Increased cerebrospinal fluid beta-trace protein levels in comparison with normal value were observed. Nevertheless such expected increment was no possible seen in bacterial meningoencephalitis. CONCLUSIONS: beta-trace protein may contribute with the etiological diagnosis in meningoencephalitis.

Albumins↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Intrathecal humoral immune response in pediatric patients with meningoencephalitis due to Coxsackie B5].

INTRODUCTION: Childhood is sensibly affected by viral meningoencephalitis outbreaks. OBJECTIVE: To study the intrathecal humoral immune response in a group of children suffering from Coxsackie B5 meningoencephalitis outbreak. Patients and methods. Forty eight sick children were studied. Serum and cerebrospinal IgA, IgM, IgG and albumin were quantified by radial immunodiffusion. It had been evaluated by reibergrams. RESULTS: Seventeen children has blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier dysfunction. Four different patterns of intrathecal immune humoral response were observed mainly IgG and three major immunoglobulins class. Mean cell counts was 624 +/- 517 x 10(6) cells/l with a lymphocyte predominance. CONCLUSION: An intrathecal humoral response were reported as an early patterns like in delayed non-diagnostic puncture and in evolutive puncture in adults patterns with viral meningoencephalitis.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Reibergrams: essential element in cerebrospinal fluid immunological analysis].

INTRODUCTION: The cerebrospinal fluid analysis is not displace on diagnosis of neurological disease in spite of the development of imaging techniques. DEVELOPMENT: Divulge the reibergrams as essential part of cerebrospinal fluid analysis. To perform a reibergram you have to quantify albumin, IgA, IgM and IgG in serum and cerebrospinal fluid. Then you have to calculate the quotients cerebrospinal fluid/serum and to plot the quotients in the reibergram. From the patterns you can have further information than single analyses. In contrast, the reibergram can yield the following information: about the intrathecal synthesis of immunoglobulins, CSF-blood barrier permeability and according to clinical data and symptoms can expect help in differential diagnosis by direct plausibilities or by suggesting the true diagnosis by pointing away from other diseases like opportunistic infections, neuro-tuberculosis and autoimmune inflammatory disease. It would be possible to detect an intrathecal tumour metastasis, monitoring efficacy of therapy and course of disease among others further knowledges. CONCLUSION: Reibergrams represent the best way to characterize blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier function and intrathecal synthesis of immunoglobulins on neurological disorders.

Albumins↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Haptoglobin in cerebrospinal fluid as a marker of infectious process in central nervous system].

INTRODUCTION: Haptoglobin is a transport protein and protects organism against iron loss and it should be involved in central nervous system infectious process. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Simultaneous serum and cerebrospinal fluid were obtained of 39 pediatric patients, 14 suffering from viral meningoencephalitis and 25 from bacterial meningoencephalitis. Five control cases were examined too. Haptoglobin, IgG and albumin were quantified in both fluids by radial immunodiffusion. Haptoglobin cerebrospinal fluid/serum ratio, haptoglobin index and haptoglobin/IgG index were calculated. Local IgG intrathecal synthesis was determined by reibergram. RESULTS: Haptoglobin index was higher not statistically significant in viral meningoencephalitis in comparison with bacterial disease but both were statistically significant with respect to control group. Increased haptoglobin/IgG index were statistically significant in bacterial meningoencephalitis in relation with viral meningoencephalitis. There were no association between haptoglobin and polymorphonuclear cells count and globular sediment speed. CONCLUSION: Haptoglobin should be considered a relevant marker of central nervous system infectious process.

Biomarkers↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Patterns of immunoglobulin synthesis in pediatric patients with Coxsackie A9 meningoencephalitis during the neuropathy epidemic in Cuba].

INTRODUCTION: Simultaneously with the origin and development of the Cuban epidemic neuropathy, cases of viral meningoencephalitis with particular characteristics due to Coxsackie were found. This virus and Inoue-Melnick virus were found too in patients suffering from Cuban epidemic neuropathy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 31 pediatric patients suffering from viral meningoencephalitis were studied. Albumin, IgA, IgM and IgG were quantified in serum and cerebrospinal fluid by nephelometry. Cytochemical studies and reibergrams were performed. RESULTS: There was a lymphocyte predominance in cerebrospinal fluid. A dysfunction of blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier was shown in 10 patients. Twenty patients have no immunoglobulins intrathecal synthesis. The synthesis patterns were: five patients with local IgM synthesis, two patients with local IgG synthesis and IgA + IgM. IgA + IgG and IgA + IgM pattern was synthesized in one patient respectively. Two patients with low IgG synthesis percentage or IgG intrathecal fractions were reported. CONCLUSIONS: The absence of immunoglobulins intrathecal synthesis and the immunoglobulins synthesis patterns differ from other pediatric patients with enterovirus meningoencephalitis. These patterns may have relationship with modified antigenic characteristics of the virus, also found in Cuban epidemic neuropathy.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Transthyretin levels in serum and cerebrospinal fluid sustain the nutrio-viral hypothesis of the Cuban epidemic neuropathy].

INTRODUCTION: Transthyretin is considered an excellent marker for monitoring nutritional status in serum. In cerebrospinal fluid it is synthesized by chroroid plexus. Cuban epidemic neuropathy is an emergent disease with a hypothetically viral and nutritional origin. OBJECTIVE: To know the behavior of this transport molecule in serum and cerebrospinal fluid in patients with Cuban epidemic neuropathy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Serum and cerebrospinal fluid was quantified in 11 patients with Cuban epidemic neuropathy, eight patients suffering from other neuropathies and 15 patients with Down's syndrome and 10 patients with Alzheimer's disease. RESULTS: Serum transthyretin was diminished in patients with Cuban epidemic neuropathy, other neuropathies and Alzheimer's disease. Down's syndrome patients had significantly higher transthyretin levels in comparison with Cuban epidemic neuropathy and Alzheimer's disease. Cerebrospinal fluid transthyretin was significantly increased in patients with Cuban epidemic neuropathy in comparison with the normal values and with Alzheimer's disease patients whose values were settled below the normal values. CONCLUSIONS: The decrement of serum transthyretin in Cuban epidemic neuropathy indicates malnutrition and its higher levels in cerebrospinal fluid also indicate a viral infection. These findings support the nutrio-viral hypothesis of the disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Polyspecific response in the central nervous system. Use of antibody index].

INTRODUCTION: The immune response, oligoclonal in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), in comparison with the blood evidences is different and polyspecific. Together with specific antibodies against the causative agent, antibodies with many different specificities were synthesized. It is more complex in chronic neurological diseases. OBJECTIVE: Broadcast the characteristics of the polyspecific oligoclonal response and the use of antibody index as diagnostic tool in infectious and chronic diseases. DEVELOPMENT: The use of antibody index discriminates between the blood-derived antibody fraction and the brain-derived specific antibody fraction. Once the CSF/serum specific antibody and the IgG ratio are calculated, the antibody index is the quotient between both ratios. Antibody specific ratio may be obtained by titulation but it is less sensible. It is much better to employ immunoenzymatic methods. To avoid false negative results we must use the limit ratio according to reibergram instead of IgG ratio when the last one is greater than the limit ratio. Pathological antibody indexes are > or = 1.5. In chronic, autoimmune diseases, like lupus eritematosus, Sjögren syndrome or Wegener granulomatosis, could exist pathological antibody index against different viral agents like the antibody index against measles (M), rubella (R) and zoster (Z) viruses, known as MRZ reaction. CONCLUSIONS: The use of antibody index permits the diagnosis of infectious neurological diseases and the characterization of the secondary polyspecific response in chronic neurological processes.

Autoimmune Diseases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Dynamics of intrathecal immunoglobulin synthesis].

INTRODUCTION: Dynamics of the immune response in Central Nervous System (CSN) is different from the well-known switch of IgM synthesis to IgG synthesis in blood. OBJECTIVE: Broadcast the behavior and the factors involved in the dynamics of the intrathecal immune response in infectious neurological disorders. DEVELOPMENT: The lack of a switch from IgM class response to IgG response could be more related to regulation-modulation mechanisms of the CNS immune response than differs from blood in a different cytokines composition, and the possibility of chemokines synthesis during the neuroinflammatory process, and the neuroimmune-endocrine mechanisms. The immune pattern can be stable like neuroborreliosis, and can be modify like in herpes simplex meningoencephalitis. It could have a typical pattern like in Neisseria meningitidis meningoencephalitis and neurotuberculosis. Also the pattern could be still detectable for many years after sufficient treatment and complete recovery of the symptom-free patients like in neurosyphilis or an advanced precocious response during the childhood. In HIV encephalopathy the pattern remains the same during the evolution but in other virus infections, like Echo 6 or Coxsackie B5, depends on the biological agent. CONCLUSIONS: In order to know the acuity of the disease, we have to know the physiopathologic characteristics of the biological agents, time courses, locations of the pathological processes, and the host age. The main signs in cerebrospinal fluid of an acute, active disease of CNS are the increased of cerebrospinal fluid cell count and the increased of albumin ratio.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Endogenous nerve growth factor in patients with Alzheimer s disease].

INTRODUCTION: Nerve growth factor (NGF) is the best characterized neurotrophic polypeptide. Initially it was postulated that alterations in the expression of NGF within its production sites may be responsible for the consistent atrophy and loss of cholinergic basal forebrain neurons in dementing illness such as Alzheimer s Disease (AD). OBJECTIVE: We analyze the NGF concentration in serum from control and patients with AD in order to elucidate something alteration in this fluid related with AD neuropathology. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We applied a twosite enzyme immunoassay to determine NGF levels in sera of patients with AD. RESULTS: Sera from Alzheimer s patients (36+/-7 pg/ml) showed slight but non significant reduction in NGF levels when compared with age related controls (66+/-18 pg/ml). On the another hand, the NGF concentrations in AD patients and control subjects to the sex were following: female AD patients showed a mean of 33.27+/-10.43 pg/ml vs 57.83+/-22 pg/ml founded in female controls, while the mean value for male AD patients was 40.87+/-12.29 pg/ml vs 37.47+/-12.28 pg/ml for the male controls. In all the cases studied, no significant differences were observed according to Student t-Test. CONCLUSIONS: Even when no significant differences were observed between controls and AD patients, the results show a tendency NGF concentration decrease in this illness. Certainly, NGF is produced not only in the forebrain but throughout the body, for this reason, more studies, including the analysis of cerebrospinal fluid would be useful to define the real relationship between NGF concentration changes in serum and AD-related changes in endogenous NGF concentrations, taking into account increasing levels by exogenous NGF administration could still be useful in maintaining the cholinergic neurons.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Immune events in central nervous system of early and late onset Alzheimer's disease patients].

INTRODUCTION: Alzheimer s disease (AD) is a progressive degenerative disease affecting a significant proportion of the elderly population. The disease is characterized clinically by a progressive loss of memory function and mental impairment associated with the presence of degenerative well known pathological lesions. Although, the pathogenesis of AD is unclear; several reports indicate the involvement of immune factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This paper evaluates some cerebrospinal fluid immune markers from 21 patients with early and late AD and 20 age matched non-demented subjects. The analytical method included the evaluation of T cell subpopulations (using AcMc CD2, CD4, CD8) and activated T cells (AcMc HLA-DR and CD25) from CSF and peripheral blood by immunocytochemical techniques on a fixed cell slide as described by Bernd. The lymphocyte phenotype expressed as a percentage of positively stained cells for each cell surface marker evaluated. RESULTS: Some significant differences were observed for T cell subpopulations from different compartments, between the different AD groups and the controls (p< 0.05). Nevertheless, the most significant differences were found in the activated T cells from cerebrospinal fluid between AD groups and controls (p< 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These results support the theory of neuroimmune dysregulation, probably involved in the progressive neurodegeneration and dementia in some AD.

Age of Onset↗