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Biomedical subjects

F Barrat

Publications and source records attributed to F Barrat.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Epidemiology of Bartonella infection in domestic cats in France.

Blood samples were collected between February and June 1996 from a convenience sample of 436 domestic French cats living in Paris and its environs and were tested for Bartonella bacteremia and seropositivity. Seventy-two cats (16.5%) were Bartonella bacteremic, of which 36 cats (50%) were infected with Bartonella henselae type II (B.h. II) only, 15 cats (21%) were infected with Bartonella clarridgeiae (B.c.) only, and 11 cats (15%) were infected with B. henselae type I (B.h. I) only. Eight cats (11%) were co-infected with B. henselae and B. clarridgeiae (B.h. II/B.c.: five cats; B.h. I/B.c.: three cats). Two cats (2.8%) were concurrently bacteremic with B. henselae types I and II. Risk factors associated with bacteremia included ownership for <6months (prevalence ratio (PR)=1.80; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.13-2.85), adoption from the pound or found as a stray (PR=1.67, 95% CI=1.05-2.65), and cohabitation with one or more cats (PR=1.60, 95% CI=1.01-2.53). Bartonella antibodies to either B. henselae or B. clarridgeiae were detected in 179 cats (41.1%). Risk factors associated with seroposivity paralleled those for bacteremia, except for lack of association with time of ownership. Prevalence ratios of bacteremic or seropositive cats increased with the number of cats per household (p=0.02). The lack of antibodies to B. henselae or B. clarridgeiae was highly predictive of the absence of bacteremia (predictive value of a negative test=97.3%). Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that bacteremia, after adjustment for age and flea infestation, and positive serology, after adjustment for age, were associated with origin of adoption and number of cats in the household. Flea infestation was associated with positive serology.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Kinetics of Bartonella birtlesii infection in experimentally infected mice and pathogenic effect on reproductive functions.

The kinetics of infection and the pathogenic effects on the reproductive function of laboratory mice infected with Bartonella birtlesii recovered from an Apodemus species are described. B. birtlesii infection, as determined by bacteremia, occurred in BALB/c mice inoculated intravenously. Inoculation with a low-dose inoculum (1.5 x 10(3) CFU) induced bacteremia in only 75% of the mice compared to all of the mice inoculated with higher doses (> or =1.5 x 10(4)). Mice became bacteremic for at least 5 weeks (range, 5 to 8 weeks) with a peak ranging from 2 x 10(3) to 10(5) CFU/ml of blood. The bacteremia level was significantly higher in virgin females than in males but the duration of bacteremia was similar. In mice infected before pregnancy (n = 20), fetal loss was evaluated by enumerating resorption and fetal death on day 18 of gestation. The fetal death and resorption percentage of infected mice was 36.3% versus 14.5% for controls (P < 0.0001). Fetal suffering was evaluated by weighing viable fetuses. The weight of viable fetuses was significantly lower for infected mice than for uninfected mice (P < 0.0002). Transplacental transmission of Bartonella was demonstrated since 76% of the fetal resorptions tested was culture positive for B. birtlesii. The histopathological analysis of the placentas of infected mice showed vascular lesions in the maternal placenta, which could explain the reproductive disorders observed. BALB/c mice appeared to be a useful model for studying Bartonella infection. This study provides the first evidence of reproductive disorders in mice experimentally infected with a Bartonella strain originating from a wild rodent.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Protein truncation test of LYST reveals heterogenous mutations in patients with Chediak-Higashi syndrome.

Chediak-Higashi syndrome (CHS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder in which an immune deficiency occurs in association with pigmentation abnormalities. Most patients who do not undergo bone marrow transplantation die of a lymphoproliferative syndrome, though some patients with CHS have a relatively milder clinical course of the disease. The large size of the LYST gene, defective in CHS, has made it difficult to screen for mutations in a large number of patients. Only 8 mutations have been identified so far, and all lead to a truncated LYST protein. We conducted protein truncation tests on this gene in 8 patients with CHS. Different LYST mutations were identified in all subjects through this approach, strengthening the observation of a high frequency of truncated LYST proteins as the genetic cause of CHS.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Bartonella birtlesii sp. nov., isolated from small mammals (Apodemus spp.).

Three strains isolated from Apodemus spp. were similar to Bartonella species on the basis of phenotypic characteristics. Futhermore, genotypic analysis based on sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA and gltA genes and on DNA-DNA hybridization showed that the three isolates represented a distinct and new species of Bartonella. The name Bartonella birtlesii is proposed for the new species. The type strain of B. birtlesii sp. nov. is IBS 325T (= CIP 106294T = CCUG 44360T).

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[Aging and the immune system. Experimental aspects].

So far no comparative studies have been conducted to know whether physiological influences related to sex hormonal differences affect the age-related changes of the immune system. The aim of this study was to investigate whether pregnancies and sex influence the age-related changes in the peripheral lymphoid compartment and functions of T cells in mice. Using flow cytometry, we examined changes in (Thy1.2+) T cells, (B220+) B cells and (CD11b/Mac-1+) macrophages in the spleen of multiparous and virgin females and males at 2, 8, 15 and 23 months of age. The development of naive (CD44low) and memory (CD44high) cells were investigated in CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets. To analyze the age-related changes in functions of T cells, we examined the secretion of some T cell immunoregulatory cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, gamma-interferon and GM-CSF) of in vitro Concanavalin A-activated spleen cells of C57BL/6 mice. Both short term (8 months) and long term (15-23 months) effects of pregnancies were obvious in the age-related changes of the immune system. Short term effect included delayed appearance of memory CD4+ cells and the preserved IL-2 production. At eight months, shortly after pregnancies, both parameters were higher in multiparous females. Later effects of pregnancies were evidenced by a higher level of macrophages (Mac-1+) than in other groups throughout life. The increased gamma-interferon, IL-4 and GM-CSF productions appeared earlier, at 15 months, IL-4 and GM-CSF levels remained higher in multiparous females than in virgin females and males in late adulthood. Sex differences were also noticed: males exhibited lower macrophage levels after one year and gamma-interferon secretion capacity than females in late life. This study underlines that the onset, magnitude and kinetics of the age-related changes in the distribution of immune cells and T cell functions are parity- and sex-dependent. These changes may influence the incidence of age-related diseases and may explain the greater longevity of women, especially the multiparous ones.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1997

Surface antigen expression in spleen cells of C57B1/6 mice during ageing: influence of sex and parity.

So far all studies on the murine ageing process have been conducted on virgin mice. Immune ageing may be influenced by sex hormone differences related to sex or pregnancies. The aim of this study was to investigate whether pregnancies and gender influence the cell changes observed during ageing in a peripheral lymphoid compartment of C57B1/6 mice. Using flow cytometry, changes in (Thy1.2+) T cell, (B220+) B cell and (CD 11b/Mac-1) macrophage spleen populations were monitored in 2, 8 (3 months after last pregnancy) 15 and 23-month-old mice including males, virgin and multiparous females. The development of naive (CD44(low)), memory (CD44(high)), activated/memory (MEL-14, CD62L) cells were investigated in CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets. Both short term (at 8 months) and long term (at 15 and 23 months) effects of multiparity were obvious in the lymphocyte/macrophage population changes associated with the ageing process. Short-term effects included delayed appearance of CD4+CD44(high) memory lymphocytes and increased numbers of both CD4+MEL-14(1ow) activated/memory cells and Mac-1+ macrophages when compared with virgin control mice. Later effects of multiparity were increased CD8alpha(dull) populations and increased T/B cell ratios and the ratio of memory to naive CD4+ cells (CD44+(high)/CD44+(low). A sex effect was noticed: males exhibited lower Mac-1+ levels and memory/naive ratio in CD4+ subset than virgin females throughout life. These results suggest that gender and/or pregnancies affect the age-related distribution of lymphoid and macrophage cell populations in the spleen of C57B1/6 mice.

Aging↗
PubMed1997

Sex and parity modulate cytokine production during murine ageing.

We have previously shown that physiological hormone differences related to pregnancy or sex affect the age-related distribution of mononuclear cell populations during murine ageing. To determine whether such changes are involved in the age-related changes in functions of T cells, we examined the secretion of major T cell immunoregulatory cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), IL-3, IL-6 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)) of in vitro concanavalin A-activated spleen cells of C57B1/6 mice. The study included multiparous and virgin females and males at 2, 8, 15 and 23 months of age. Short-term effects of parity (8 months) were evidenced by the decrease of IFN-gamma and the preserved IL-2 production in multiparous females (8 months), while IFN-gamma was unchanged and IL-2 decreased in virgin mice. The increase in IL-4 production appeared earlier in multiparous females (15 months) than in virgin mice (23 months). The increase in IL-4/IFN-gamma and IL-4/IL-2 ratios at 8 and 15 months, respectively, in multiparous females, suggests that pregnancy modifies the Th1/Th2 equilibrium. In late adulthood (15 months), IL-6 and GM-CSF production was higher in multiparous females than in virgin males or females. Sex differences were also noticed: IFN-gamma secretion capacity was lower in males than in females during ageing. This study underlines that the onset, magnitude and kinetics of the age-related changes in cytokine production are parity- and sex-dependent. These changes probably influence the incidence of age-related diseases and may explain the greater longevity of females.

Aging↗
PubMed1996

Effects of polar glycopeptidolipids of Mycobacterium chelonae (pGPL-Mc) on haematopoietic regeneration and resistance to infection of sublethally irradiated mice.

The influence of polar glycopeptidolipids of Mycobacterium chelonae (pGPL-Mc) treatment on the reversal of irradiation-induced leukopenia (granulocytopenia, monocytopenia) and thrombocytopenia and its ability to protect mice against lethal infections were investigated in this study. The administration of pGPL-Mc to irradiated mice significantly accelerated the recovery of leukocyte and thrombocyte numbers in the peripheral blood. Granulocytes and monocytes were the principal cells of the leukocyte population that responded to the potent stimulus of this product. The reversal of granulocytopenia and monocytopenia in treated mice was achieved on day 14 and reached a peak value on day 20. Responses in mice receiving 100 mg/kg of pGPL-Mc was about 40-fold compared to controls and about 4-fold compared to the rhG-CSF-treated group. Normal levels of thrombocytes were reached by day 17 in mice treated with 100 mg/kg and by day 20 in those receiving 25 mg/kg of pGPL-Mc. The administration of pGPL-Mc to mice with irradiation-induced granulocytopenia was characterized by highly significant protection of these animals against lethal Klebsiella pneumoniae or Escherichia coli infections. Therefore, pGPL-Mc appears to possess a considerable potential for improvement of the outcome of radiotherapy and may contribute to the successful avoidance of irradiation-induced toxicities.

Agranulocytosis↗
PubMed1995

Quantitative and qualitative changes in CD44 and MEL-14 expression by T cells in C57BL/6 mice during aging.

Aging is associated with a decrease in the functional activity of T cells. We have explored age-related alterations in CD44 and MEL-14 expression by spleen cells bearing the Thy1.2, CD4 or CD8 antigens in C57BL/6 mice at 2, 8, 15 and 23 months of age. The membrane expression of CD44 and MEL-14 molecules can be used to distinguish naive (CD44low, MEL-14high) from preactivated/memory (CD44high, MEL-14low) T cells. Our results show that the proportion of CD4+ splenic cells begins to decrease at an intermediate age (8-month-old mice), whereas the proportion of CD8+ cells remains unaltered. The proportion of CD4+ and CD8+ splenic cells with the CD44high memory phenotype was increased at an early stage of aging (in 8-month-old mice) without a concomitant change in MEL-14 expression. In older mice, MEL-14 expression decreased on CD4+ but not on CD8+ subsets. Recent studies have reported that following activation, the expression of CD44 molecules containing additional, so-called variable exons can be detected. By PCR, we observed an increase in CD44 transcripts containing the v6 or v7 variable exons in murine lymph nodes at the age of 15 months. Our results suggest that v6- or v7-containing variants of CD44 may be involved in the development of memory cells. Taken together, these results suggest that the trafficking of memory T cells in aging may be altered by quantitative and/or qualitative differences in the expression of molecules involved in lymphocyte recirculation.

Aging↗
PubMed1993

[Brucellosis among occupationally exposed people: evaluation of immunological tests after vaccination].

For the evaluation of immunological tests during an epidemiological survey and of vaccination with the PI brucellin vaccine, in an occupationally exposed environment, a sample group of 354 subjects was studied. The vaccinal strategy was based on the outcome of a skin test for hypersensitivity: the PS brucellin test. In this framework, the serological status and evolution of individuals with positive or negative reactions to this test were analysed. Sera were studied using the buffered antigen test, indirect fluorescence immunoassay and Wright's agglutination test, as well as by PACIA and ELISA techniques with assay of IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies. The PS test, which was pivotal in this study, was compared with the lymphoblastic transformation test. One prominent aspect of this evaluation was the establishment of conventional prognostic indices for the PS and serology. The PS is definitely shown to be a convenient, reliable tool for screening. Although it does not generate sensitivity it may modify the serological status of both positive and negative individuals.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed1992

[Brucella vaccination in professionally exposed subjects. Prospective study].

This prospective phase IV study on cohort concerns a vaccine made of the phenol-insoluble fraction of Brucella abortus biotype 1 (B19 strain). Three hundred and three professionally exposed subjects entered the study; 161 out of 182 subjects (88.5 percent) with negative response to an intradermal test for detection of previous contamination accepted to be vaccinated. Booster injections were given 18 and 36 months after vaccination. Local pain was observed after 45.2 percent of injections and moderate systemic reactions after 5 percent of injections. Seropositivity after primary vaccination reached 80 percent. The booster injection, justified by a major decrease of this rate after 18 months, gave exactly the same response of the thymo-independent type. This vaccinal schedule did not result in detectable hypersensitivity. The clinical effectiveness of the vaccine could not be evaluated accurately because of the insufficient number of subjects. The possibility of subclinical infection in vaccinated subjects calls for wider comparative studies of vaccinated versus non-vaccinated subjects.

Brucella Vaccine↗
PubMed1990

Immunomodulatory properties of a strain of Mycobacterium chelonae--II. Qualitative and quantitative stimulation of mouse splenocytes by Mycobacterium chelonae.

Intraperitoneal [i.p.] and subcutaneous [s.c.] administration to BALB/C mice with a single dose of 5 mg/kg body weight (wet weight) of live Mycobacterium chelonae (Mch) augmented splenocyte blastogenesis. Similar increases in splenocyte blastogenesis manifested during a single oral administration to mice with 100 mg/kg body weight (wet weight) of this Mycobacterium. When splenocytes issued from these mice are activated by mitogens, a highly significant enhancement of lymphoblastic transformation was observed. On the other hand, multiple oral administrations with 50 mg/kg body weight (wet weight) to Mch/dose did not manifest statistically significant differences in splenocyte blastogenesis as compared to controls. Meanwhile, a highly increased transformation of splenocytes, issued from such mice, is observed in response to lectins and to the mitogenic effect of this microorganism. Splenocyte counts have shown 44.5, 37.6, and 23.2% increases in response to i.p., s.c. and multiple oral administration of this bacterium, respectively, as compared to solvent controls. Repeated s.c. administration of this mycobacterium manifested short lived and weak syndromes of anaphylactic shock during and immediately after the second inoculation of Mch. This phenomenon is not observed during repeated intraperitoneal and oral administrations. In conclusion, parenteral (i.p. and s.c.) and oral administration of Mch stimulates the immune system of mice. This effect is characterised by increased in vivo cell multiplication and by enhanced ex vivo DNA synthesis of murine splenocytes. The need of further studies is eminent to elucidate classes of immunocompetent cells involved in this phenomenon.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Extracorporeal lithotripsy in experimental vesicular lithiasis in pigs].

Experimental extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy of gallstones was performed with the EDAP LT 01 piezoelectric lithotripter. Fragmentation of biliary stones was evaluated after implantation of human stones inside the gallbladder in 10 pigs. Lithotripsy was performed with a firing frequency of 2.5 shots per second during a mean time of 50 min. Zero to 18 days after lithotripsy, complete fragment clearance was seen in 6 cases, fragments less than 2 mm were found in 2 cases and fragments larger than 2 mm with only 1 non fragmented stone in 2 cases. There were no stone fragments in the cystic and common ducts. Damage to gallbladder and adjacent organs was appreciated after lithotripsy to the empty gallbladder of pigs with firing frequencies from 40 to 1.25 shots per second. Perforation of the gallbladder was observed in both pigs treated with a firing frequency of 40 shots per second and in 1 pig out of 3 treated with a firing frequency of 20 shots per second. With 10 shots per second and lower firing frequencies, mild histological changes of the gallbladder walls were only observed in 3 cases reoperated on the 2nd day after lithotripsy. The gallbladder wall was normal in the 5 cases reoperated on the 15th day and there were no hepatic, duodenal and pancreatic lesions. These experimental results are consistent with utilization of this machine in the treatment of gallstones in man; low firing frequencies are effective for fragmentation of gallstones without any adverse effects.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Immunomodulatory properties of a strain of Mycobacterium chelonae. I. Mouse lymphocyte responses in vitro.

Immunomodulatory properties of a strain of live Mycobacterium chelonae (Mch) was investigated in an in vitro lymphocyte transformation system. Murine splenocyte activation by this bacterium was characterized by polyclonal lymphoproliferative responses in a dose dependent fashion. Optimal doses ranging from 20 to 80 micrograms of Mch (wet weight) per ml of cell suspension induced a very significant mitogenic effect. Higher doses (100 micrograms) of Mch manifested a decreased rate of tritiated thymidine ([3H] TdR) uptake whereas responsiveness of splenic lymphocytes to lower doses (0.156 microgram) was not modified. Contrary to the splenocyte responses activation of murine thymocytes by this mycobacterium is characterised by a decreased proliferation as compared to the background count of unstimulated cells. Simultaneous addition of Mch with optimal doses of Concanavalin A (Con A) and Phytohemaglutinin (PHA) potentiated polyclonal mitogenic responses of murine splenocytes to these two lectins. However, proliferation of these lymphocytes to Lypopolysaccharide (LPS) induction was not modified. BALB/C and DBA/2 spenocytes were found to be more responsive to stimulation by this Mycobacterium as compared to those of C3H/Ou and to a lesser degree to those of C57BL/6 mice.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Production and control of specificity of a goat anti-bovine thymocytes antiserum.

The identification and the numeration of the lymphocytes in cattle is realized essentially by revealing the membranary properties of these cells: receptors for some lectins (i.e. peanut agglutinin or phytohemagglutinin), receptors for sheep red blood cells (SRBC), surface-specific antigens concerning T-lymphocytes and surface immunoglobulins concerning B-lymphocytes. The technique of the production in the goat of a specific anti-bovine T-lymphocyte antiserum (GABTA) is described. The GABTA shows a specific cytotoxic activity on 55% of the peripheral blood lymphocytes and more than 95% of the thymocytes. It inhibits, at 90%, the formation of the rosetting with SRBC. This reagent allows identification and a common and quick numeration of the T-lymphocytes in cattle.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Exploration of the cellular mediated immunity by the blastogenesis test during chronic brucellosis in human.

The diagnosis of the chronic, human brucellosis is frequently difficult and usually needs experimental methods. This paper describes a lymphocyte stimulation test with a Brucella antigen and the results of this test concerning 45 brucellic or not brucellic patients. It is concluded that this test is interesting, especially for the chronic and sero-negative Brucellosis diagnosis.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗