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Biomedical subjects

B Heyworth

Publications and source records attributed to B Heyworth.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1980

Immunoglobulin-containing cells in jejunal mucosa of children with protein-energy malnutrition and gastroenteritis.

Jejunal biopsies from 20 well nourished children (average age 12.8 months) with gastroenteritis, and 20 children (average age 20 months) with protein-energy malnutrition were examined by immunofluorescent technique for immunoglobulins A, G, M, E, and D, and for epithelial glycoprotein secretory component. Compared with previous studies on normal infants, the children with gastroenteritis showed a moderate increase in IgA-containing cells, a large increase in IgM-containing cells, and no change in IgG-containing cells. These findings are similar to previously recorded findings on adults with gastroenteritis. In contrast there was a pronounced and highly significant decrease in IgA-containing cells in the jejunal mucosa of the children with protein-energy malnutrition. No significant differences were noted between the populations of IgG-, IgM-, IgE-, and IgD-containing cells in the two groups. It is suggested that this selective deficiency in mucosal IgA results from a delay in maturation of the secretory IgA system, and the mechanisms of such a deficiency are discussed.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1977

Delayed hypersensitivity to PPD-S following BCG vaccination in African children--an 18-month field study.

BCG vaccine given to young Gambian children produced a conversion rate, measured by delayed hypersensitivity to PPD-S, which increased with improving nutritional status. Retesting when nutrition had improved showed a considerable loss of delayed hypersensitivity in all nutritional groups. This may be the result of enhanced macrophage microbicidal acitvity at the time the BCG was administered. BCG is not likely to be very effective if given to malnourished children or to those who are undergoing repeated antigenic stimulation.

BCG Vaccine↗
PubMed1977

Neonatal vaccination with 'universal strength' BCG vaccine.

'Universal strength' BCG vaccine was given to 219 neonates and 2 months later 159 infants were Mantoux-tested with 5 Tu PPD-S and their BCG scars measured. The results showed a satisfactory conversion rate of over 90%. Though 30% of the lesions discharged, this only lasted for a few days and the vaccine was well tolerated and acceptable for use in neonates.

BCG Vaccine↗
PubMed1977

Effects of autologous plasma on lymphocyte transformation in malaria and in acute protein-energy malnutrition. Comparison of purified lymphocyte and whole blood cultures.

Phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) induced lymphocyte transformation in whole blood and in purified lymphocyte cultures was investigated in Gambian children with acute Plasmodium falciparum malaria or with acute protein-energy malnutrition (PEM). Responses of purified lymphocytes cultured in the absence of autologous plasma were normal, with one exception. Autologous plasma depressed the response of purified lymphocytes to a low dose of PHA in several malaria and PEM patients. In whole blood cultures of 1 day and of 3 day duration, responses of several children with malaria or PEM were less than those of control children. Responses were not related to absolute lymphocyte counts. In 3 day, but not 1 day, cultures from control and malarious children, responses were inversely proportional to neutrophil counts. Cultures of whole blood and of purified lymphocytes in autologous plasma gave comparable results in 58 of 70 patients.

Cell Separation↗
PubMed1975

Anthrax in the Gambia: an epidemiological study.

Epidemiological data on 448 cases of human cutaneous anthrax from the Gambia showed that this particular strain of anthrax bacillus causes widespread morbidity and some mortality with, at the same time, subclinical infection. Analysis also showed that anthrax is not an occupationally related disease in the Gambia.The possibility of human-to-human spread, affecting all age groups and both sexes, by means of a communal toilet article was also shown. The fact that the strain is a good toxin producer but contains a weak antigen may have accounted for the repeated clinical infection and the fact that antibody titres were generally transient. Subclinical infection in animals was also found, particularly in sheep and goats, and also, with an unusually low mortality, in cows. Insect vectors were not excluded, but were unlikely. Vultures may spread the disease from village to village. Some possible public health and immunization procedures are discussed, with a view to containing this difficult problem in this part of west Africa.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Jejunal microflora in malnourished Gambian children.

Growth of bacteria greater than 10-5 organisms/ml was found in 22 children, of whom 17 gave a histroy of chronic diarrhoea. The other 8 children had either no diarrhoea or where having an acute attack lasting for a few days. In those with chronic diarrhoea, Esch. coli, bacteroides, and enterococci tended to occur more frequently, whereas streptococci occurred more frequently in those with acute diarrhoea. Bacilli, staphylococci, micrococci, klebsiellas, pseudomonads, and candidas often occurred in both groups and in large numbers in those with chronic diarrhoea. This confirms previous reports in other parts of the world that some children with malnutrition have considerable bacterial contamination of the jejunum, and that this may be of aetiological significance as a cause of much of the diarrhoea seen in malnourished children. It is possible too that this may be important in the pathogenesis of malnutrition. The presence of intestinal parasites in these malnourished children is also noted. A double-blind trial in the use of antibiotics in this condition is advocated to determine whether it is possible to break the diarrhoea-malabsorption-malnutrition cycle. At the same time the effect of simply removing the child to a more sanitary environment, together with an estimate of the natural clearance of bacteria from the upper intestine, should be evaluated.

Bacillus↗
PubMed1975

Depression of lymphocyte response to phytohaemagglutinin in the presence of plasma from children with acute protein energy malnutrition.

Phytohaemagglutinin-induced lymphocyte transformation of four healthy adults and a child with kwashiorkor was performed in the presence of plasma from nineteen patients with protein energy malnutrition and a nutritionally normal child. Marked inhibition occurred in the presence of plasma from six patients who subsequently died, moderate inhibition occurred in six other patients in the acute stage and in two of these six in the convalescent stage, whilst in the remaining seven there was no effect. Reduction in response did not appear to be due to plasma cytotoxicity. Plasma factors in some cases of malnutrition, associated with certain infections appear to inhibit the lymphocyte response and this may have prognostic implications.

Adult↗
PubMed1970

A survey of infantile gastroenteritis.

In 1967 we admitted 339 cases of infantile gastroenteritis; one-third of these were dehydrated, and in this group the commonest biochemical abnormality found was hypernatraemia, sometimes with metabolic acidosis. A higher incidence of dehydration was found in the patients who had received oral glucose fluids before admission. EnteropathicEscherichia coliwere isolated from the faeces of 16% of the cases. Associated infections, especially of the respiratory tract, were common. Treatment was aimed at the restoration of fluid and electrolyte balance. Usually this was achieved with oral fluids, though intravenous fluids were used in the most severely dehydrated cases. Recovery was complete in 320 cases and a further 14 cases were discharged as carriers of enteropathicE. coli. There were five deaths (1.5%) in the series; three occurred immediately after admission.

Age Factors↗