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Biomedical subjects

Akira Hokama

Publications and source records attributed to Akira Hokama.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Impairment of host immune response against strongyloides stercoralis by human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 infection.

A large-scale study was undertaken to clarify the prevalence rate of strongyloidiasis in Okinawa, Japan and to evaluate the relationship between strongyloidiasis and infection with human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1). The prevalence rate of Strongyloides stercoralis and HTLV-1 infection were 6.3% and 14.0%, respectively. Among 2,185 patients more than 50 years of age, the rate of S. stercoralis infection was significantly higher in patients with HTLV-1 infection compared with patients without HTLV-1 infection. In 252 patients treated with ivermectin, serum IgE levels and peripheral eosinophil counts were significantly lower in HTLV-1 co-infected patients compared with patients without HTLV-1 infection. In addition, the anthelmintic effect was significantly lower in patients with HTLV-1 infection compared with patients without HTLV-1 infection. Our prospective study demonstrated a prevalence rate for strongyloidiasis and HTLV-1 infections, and clearly demonstrated that co-infection with HTLV-1 impaired the immune response against S. stercoralis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Induced reactivity of intestinal CD4(+) T cells with an epithelial cell lectin, galectin-4, contributes to exacerbation of intestinal inflammation.

Inflammatory bowel disease is an immune-mediated intestinal inflammatory condition that is associated with an increase in autoantibodies that bind to epithelial cells. However, it is unknown whether the epithelial cell-derived products that are recognized by such autoantibodies are involved in the pathogenic process. Through a combined antigen-screening approach utilizing humoral and cellular immune responses, we identify herein an epithelial lectin, galectin-4, that specifically stimulates IL-6 production by CD4(+) T cells. Interestingly, the reactivity of CD4(+) T cells to galectin-4 is precisely elicited under intestinal inflammatory conditions. The galectin-4-mediated production of IL-6 is MHC class II independent and induced by PKCtheta-associated pathway through the immunological synapse. The galectin-4-mediated stimulation of CD4(+) T cells is shown to exacerbate chronic colitis and delay the recovery from acute intestinal injury. These studies identify the presence of an immunogenic, endogenous lectin in the intestine and dissect the biological role of lectin/CD4(+) T cell interactions under inflammatory conditions.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Liver abscess.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMed2004

Successful long-term treatment with cyclosporin A in protein losing gastroenteropathy.

Protein-losing gastroenteropathy (PLG) can occur as a manifestation of various diseases including autoimmune disorders, and optimal therapy of these underlying diseases may be the only effective remedy for PLG. In the present report, we describe a case of a 54-year-old woman with PLG associated with an autoimmune disease, presumably CREST syndrome. She failed to respond to steroid treatment. Subsequently, cyclosporine was initiated, which resulted in a rapid recovery. The patient was successfully treated with low-dose cyclosporine for five years. There has not been, to our knowledge, any report of PLG successfully treated with cyclosporine. Cyclosporine therapy may be effective not only in inducing but also in maintaining complete remission in patients with autoimmune-associated PLG, especially refractory or intolerable to steroids and/or immunosuppressive therapies.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2004

Whipple's disease: the first Japanese case diagnosed by electron microscopy and polymerase chain reaction.

A 52-year-old man presented with diarrhea and 20 kg weight loss in one year. Enteroscopy showed diffuse yellow-white shaggy mucosa in the duodenum and jejunum. Biopsies of the duodenal mucosa revealed massive infiltration within the lamina propria by foamy macrophages strongly positive for periodic acid-Schiff stain. Electron microscopy demonstrated numerous bacilli within macrophages of the lamina propria. Tropheryma whipplei DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction. The definitive diagnosis of Whipple's disease was made. Antibiotic therapy dramatically improved his clinical picture. This is the first Japanese case with Whipple's disease diagnosed by electron microscopy and polymerase chain reaction.

Biopsy, Needle↗