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B L Bryan

Publications and source records attributed to B L Bryan.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

HLA-B27 and modified bone formation.

Of the many associations between histocompatibility antigens and human diseases a prominent one is that between HLA-B27 and inflammatory arthropathies. Hypotheses to explain this association include the B27 gene being linked to a specific immune-response gene required for disease expression and the B27 antigen acting via molecular mimicry with a microorganism or as a microorganism receptor. Alternatively, the HLA-B27 gene might be closely related to a gene which influences bone formation. The finding of a significant association between B27 and Forestier's disease, a disease characterised by abundant new bone formation, supports such a hypothesis.

Aged

The association of HL-A B27 with Forestier's disease (vertebral ankylosing hyperostosis).

Despite the lack of apophyseal or sacroiliac joint involvement, Forestier's disease (vertebral ankylosing hyperostosis) shares with the inflammatory forms of spondylitis, the roentgenographic appearance of spinal new bone formation. Because of this apparent similarity, the prevalence of the HL-A B27 antigen was determined in 47 white patients with Forestier's disease. Sixteen of the patients (34 per cent) possessed the B27 antigen (P is less than 0.001). The mere presence of B27 therefore, does not confirm the diagnosis of inflammatory spondylitis in all patients with roentgenographic evidence of osseous bridging. Applying available epidemiologic information, these data further suggest that patients with the B27 antigen may be at substantial risk of developing Forestier's disease. As Forestier's disease and virtually all of the other B27 associated arthropathies manifest abundant new bone, an association may exist between this antigen and genes controlling new bone formation.

Aged

Recovery from encephalomyelitis caused by Herpesvirus simiae. Report of a case.

A 29-year-old monkey handler developed an acute encephalomyelitis with neuromuscular dysfunction that progressed to respiratory arrest on the 18th day of illness. Thereafter, with supportive care, the patient's condition improved steadily. The titer of neutralizing antibodies to H simiae rose from 1:4 (eighth day of illness) to 1:512 (47th day of illness). Apparently the fifth known survivor of H simiae (herpesvirus B) encephalomyelitis, this patient is also remarkable because of virtually complete recovery, apparently the second documented instance of a good outcome.

Adult