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Biomedical subjects

E Lauritzen

Publications and source records attributed to E Lauritzen.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

Lack of evidence of vertical transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 in a sample of the general population in Bissau.

Twenty-nine human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) seropositive women identified in a cross-sectional study in Bissau in 1987 participated in a follow-up study in 1988, where each was matched for age and marital status with two HIV-2 seronegative women. Detailed information about all pregnancies was obtained. The HIV-2 seropositive women and their controls had similar mean numbers of pregnancies, live children, children who died, and abortions. The HIV-2 seropositive women did not have a greater risk of having had an abortion or a child who died than did the HIV-2 seronegative women. No difference in survival was seen between children born to HIV-2 seropositive and HIV-2 seronegative women. The H/S-ratios and CD4 numbers were lower in the seropositive group, but none had values lower than 0.4 and 0.4 x 10(9)/L, respectively. Seven prospectively observed children born to HIV-2 seropositive mothers showed no sign of infection. The lack of evidence of transmission of HIV-2 from mother to child is suggested to be due to the absence of marked immunodeficiency in this random sample of the general population.

Adult

Prevalence of micro- and macroalbuminuria, arterial hypertension, retinopathy and large vessel disease in European type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic patients.

The prevalence of micro- and macroalbuminuria was determined in Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic patients, less than 76 years of age, attending a diabetic clinic during 1987. All eligible patients (n = 557) were asked to collect a 24-h urine sample for quantitative albumin analysis. Urine collections were obtained in 296 males and 253 females (96%). Normoalbuminuria were defined as urinary albumin excretion less than or equal to 30 mg/24 h (n = 323), microalbuminuria as 31-299 mg/24 h (n = 151), and macroalbuminuria as greater than or equal to 300 mg/24 h (n = 75). The prevalence of macroalbuminuria was significantly higher in males (20%) than in females (6%), while the prevalence of microalbuminuria was almost identical in males (26%) and females (29%). The prevalence of arterial hypertension increased with increased albuminuria, being 48%, 68%, and 85% in patients with normoalbuminuria, microalbuminuria, and macroalbuminuria respectively. Prevalence of proliferative retinopathy rose with increasing albuminuria, being 2%, 5% and 12% in patients with normoalbuminuria, microalbuminuria, and macroalbuminuria respectively. Prevalence of coronary heart disease, based on Minnesota coded electrocardiograms, was more frequent in patients with macroalbuminuria (46%) compared to patients with microalbuminuria (26%) and patients with normoalbuminuria (22%). Foot ulcers were more frequent in micro- and macroalbuminuric patients, being 13% and 25%, respectively, compared to 5% in patients with normoalbuminuria. This cross-sectional study has revealed a high prevalence of microalbuminuria (27%) and macroalbuminuria (14%) in Type 2 diabetic patients. Patients with raised urinary albumin excretion are characterized by obesity, elevated haemoglobin Alc, increased frequency of arterial hypertension, proliferative retinopathy, coronary heart disease and foot ulcers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Albuminuria

Dot immunobinding and immunoblotting of picogram and nanogram quantities of small peptides on activated nitrocellulose.

Nitrocellulose was activated with divinyl sulfone, a spacer of ethylenediamine, and glutaraldehyde. The aldehyde groups on the activated nitrocellulose, Nit-CHO, were stable through one month at 4 degrees C. Peptides were attached to the membrane by reaction of the amino group with the free carbonyl, forming peptide bonds. The decapeptide angiotensin I (AI), the octapeptide angiotensin II (AII), angiotensin analogues, Met- and Leu-enkephalin (Met-E and Leu-E) were tested on the membranes with specific rabbit antibodies (sRaAb) against the peptides, and visualized by horseradish peroxidase conjugated anti-rabbit antibody (HRP-anti-RaAb). With this technique AII could be detected with a sensitivity of 20 pg/cm2 and AI by 500 pg/cm2. Substitution of Ala7 for Pro7 in AI and AII caused a marked reduced binding of anti-AI and antid-AII antisera, respectively, and it completely abolished crossreactivity of anti-AI with Ala7-AII as well as anti-AII with Ala7-AI. Peptides from the gp41 and gp36 antigens corresponding to the sequence aa596-618 of the human immunodeficiency viruses type 1 and 2, HIV-1 and HIV-2, were tested on Nit-CHO with two human sera from infected patients. The serological reactions were specific for both the HIV-1 and HIV-2 peptide, respectively. This indicated that the technique could be exploited for serological testing of humans. Separation of peptides by high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) and identification by immunoblotting was demonstrated with angiotensin analogues. After separation by HPTLC on silica aluminium plates the peptides were electrotransfered by semidry electroblotting on Nit-CHO, followed by specific antibody overlays and developed as for the dot immunobinding technique. This combined method enabled us to differentiate between closely related peptide analogues and it improved the sensitivity of peptide detection 100-1000 fold as compared to visualization by quenched fluorescence on chromatography plates.

Angiotensin I

Covalently linked peptides for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

A general method is described, by which synthetic peptides are covalently linked via their carboxyl group to microtiter plates (CovaLink) for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Plates were prepared by this method with an angiotensin II peptide and with an HIV-2 peptide and attachment detected by rabbit anti-angiotensin serum and with a positive serum from an HIV-2-infected patient, respectively, using the common ELISA procedure in the last steps. The method is simple to perform, it constitutes an alternative to the common ELISA method, and eliminates the risk of inadvertent loss of peptide during the procedure. The method is highly reproducible and has a high sensitivity. It may be used for either antigen or antibody detection.

Angiotensin II

Oral candidiasis and hairy leukoplakia correlate with HIV infection in Tanzania.

We report a detailed study on oral lesions and their association with the WHO revised provisional case definition of AIDS as well as serologic signs of HIV infection among 186 patients in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. The patient material consisted of 39 hospitalized suspected AIDS patients, 44 medical nonsuspected patients, 53 dental outpatients, and 50 patients with sexually transmitted diseases. The male:female ratio was 2.1:1 on average. Oral examination was done without knowledge of the HIV status of the patients. Among 39 suspected AIDS patients 97% had WHO AIDS criteria and 90% were seropositive for HIV. Among the 147 patients not suspected of having AIDS 18 (12%) had AIDS criteria and 15% had serologic evidence of HIV infection. The presence of WHO AIDS criteria correlated significantly with the presence of HIV antibodies, but not with HIV antigen. Oral lesions were found in 54% of those with AIDS criteria and 52% of HIV-infected patients, as compared to 3% and 6% of the patients without AIDS criteria and HIV infection, respectively (p less than 0.01). Among patients with AIDS atrophic candidiasis occurred in 21%, pseudomembranous candidiasis in 23%, hairy leukoplakia in 36%, herpetic stomatitis in 2%, Kaposi's sarcoma in 4%, and nonspecific ulcer in 4%. The presence of oral lesions had a high predictive value for presence of AIDS criteria as well as for presence of HIV infection in this hospital setting. All patients should have a thorough oral examination and the presence of the aforementioned oral lesions should lead to testing for HIV infection.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Clinical course of primary HIV infection: consequences for subsequent course of infection.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of the clinical course of the primary HIV infection on the subsequent course of the infection. DESIGN: Prospective documenting of seroconversion, follow up at six month intervals, and analysis of disease progression by life tables. PATIENTS: 86 Men in whom seroconversion occurred within 12 months. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE: Progression of HIV infection, defined as CD4 lymphocyte count less than 0.5 X 10(9)/l, recurrence of HIV antigenaemia, or progression to Centers for Disease Control group IV. MAIN RESULTS: Median follow up was 670 (range 45-1506) days. An acute illness like glandular fever occurred in 46 (53%) subjects. Three year progression rates to Centers for Disease Control group IV was 78% at three years for those who had longlasting illnesses (duration greater than or equal to 14 days) during seroconversion as compared with 10% for those who were free of symptoms or had mild illness. All six patients who developed AIDS had had longlasting primary illnesses. Three year progression rates to a CD4 lymphocyte count less than 0.5 X 10(9)/l and to recurrence of HIV antigenaemia were significantly higher for those who had longlasting primary illnesses than those who had no symptoms or mild illness (75% v 42% and 55% v 14%, respectively). CONCLUSION: The course of primary infection may determine the subsequent course of the infection.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Prevalence of and mortality from human immunodeficiency virus type 2 in Bissau, West Africa.

In a community based prevalence study of HIV infection in Bissau, West Africa, 1987, the population in 100 randomly selected "houses" was asked to participate. 89% (1329/1499) were examined and had a blood sample taken. None was HIV-1 seropositive but 4.7% were seropositive for HIV-2 (0.6% in children, 8.9% in those aged 15 years and over, and 20% in those aged 40 years and over). There was no significant difference in seroprevalence between areas or ethnic groups or between individuals of different civil status when age was taken into account. Sexual contact and blood transfusions were the dominant transmission routes, and no case of vertical transmission was identified. The HIV-2 seroprevalence in spouses of HIV-2 seropositive index persons was 40%. For a history of blood transfusion the relative risk of being HIV-2 seropositive was 103.6 in children and 2.4 for adults. After exclusion of spouses, no clustering of HIV-2 seropositivity was seen. At follow-up, after a mean observation time of 325 days, there was an excess mortality for HIV-2 seropositives. The relative risk of dying for HIV-2 seropositive children was 60.8 and for adults 5.0.

Adolescent

Serological markers of primary HIV infection.

39 persons with an incidentally discovered seroconversion from HIV antibody negative (Ab-) to antibody positive (Ab+) state as measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were investigated for the presence of (1) HIV antigen (Ag) and (2) immunoblotting test (IBT) Ab in serum samples collected within the year before seroconversion. 13 (33%) of the patients were HIV Ag+ at some time before seroconversion. However, the collection of samples was not done systematically and the samples from patients who had at least 1 sample collected within 3 months before seroconversion were thus compiled separately. This group consisted of 58 samples from 19 patients and among these none were HIV Ag+ earlier than 11 weeks before seroconversion, but the prevalence of HIV Ag+ samples was rising towards seroconversion and 10 patients (53%, 95% confidence limits: 29-76%) became HIV Ag+ in this 11-week period. Further, among all patients 13 (33%) were IBT Ab+ 4-50 days (median: 14 days) before seroconversion. Finally, among 18 patients with signs and symptoms consistent with an acute HIV infection 10 were HIV Ag+, as opposed to 4 HIV Ag+ patients among 21 without symptoms (p = 0.041).

Adolescent

Markers of human immunodeficiency virus infection in high-risk individuals seronegative by first generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

A total of 228 stored serum samples from 140 high risk individuals was examined for serological markers of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection by second generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunoblot, and HIV antigen assay. All the samples were negative in first generation enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). Seventy-four of the serum samples had been obtained from 40 sexual partners of HIV antibody positive individuals. Two of the samples were reactive for p24 in immunoblot, but no other markers of HIV infection were found. From 80 sexually active male homosexuals, 117 serum samples were obtained. They were all negative by the tests employed. Further, 37 serum samples from 20 seroconverters were studied. Four patients had antigenaemia 6-12 months before seroconversion was detected by first generation ELISA. Our data do not support the notion that serological signs of HIV infection are common in high risk individuals seronegative by first generation ELISA. However, HIV infection do occur in subjects negative by first generation ELISA, which emphasises the need for more sensitive screening assays and/or the use of antigen detection as part of screening in high risk individuals. The advent of second generation ELISAs has not in a substantial way reduced this demand.

Biomarkers

Hypomagnesemia, a risk factor in diabetic retinopathy.

The serum magnesium concentration was measured in 71 insulin-treated diabetic outpatients who had had the disease for 10 to 20 years. The patients were divided into two subgroups according to the severity of their retinopathy. As a whole the patients exhibited a definite hypomagnesemia (P less than 0.001) that was most pronounced in the subgroup having the severest degree of retinopathy (P less than 0.01). The subgroups were comparable regarding known risk factors implicated in diabetic retinopathy. Thus, hypomagnesemia appears to be an additional risk factor in the development and progress of this complication.

Adolescent

A comparison of the properties of renin isolated from pig and rat kidney.

1. On isoelectric focusing, renin from rat kidneys showed three activity peaks with pI values at pH 5.0, 5.2 and 5.4 after a purification procedure involving differential centrifugation, acidification, chromatography on Sephadex G-75 and dialysis. 2. The preparation (purified 140-fold) was compared with a crude kidney extract in the absence and presence of 3 M-urea by isoelectric focusing. The pattern of activity distribution was confirmed by these experiments and the content of isoenzymes in the three groups calculated. 3. Pig renin was prepared and compared with rat renin with regard to molecular weight, acid activation, behaviour on isoelectric focusing, immunogenicity and substrate affinity. 4. Extracts of rat kidney contained multiple forms of renin with mol.wt. between 39000and 42000, whereas active pig renin had an approximate mol.wt. of 40000. Acidification of rat renal extracts did not increase the activity of renin, indicating the absence of an inactive form of renin in rat kidneys, whereas pig renin was activated by this procedure. Pig renin has isoelectric points at pH 4.6, 4.8, 5.05 and 5.2, significantly lower than for rat renin. The isoenzymes from the two species had no antigenicity in common, as shown by crossed immunoelectrophoresis or rocket immunoelectrophoresis. 5. The Michaelis constants for pig and rat renin were in the same range, 1 X 10(-6) M, when rat renin substrate was used. The relative content of rat isoenzyme with pI in the pH ranges 4.9-5.1, 5.1-5.3 and 5.3-5.5 was approx. 20, 27 and 53% respectively. Purified pig renin prepared in two different ways had isoenzymes with pI in the pH regions 4.5-4.7, 4.7-4.9, 4.9-5.05 and 5.05-5.20 in the approximate proportions 14, 24, 28 and 29%.

Animals