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Biomedical subjects

G Manolov

Publications and source records attributed to G Manolov.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Chromosomal alterations in lymphocytes of patients with Balkan endemic nephropathy and of healthy individuals after incubation in vitro with ochratoxin A.

The possible involvement of mycotoxins in chromosomal alterations in patients with Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) was investigated cytogenetically. Lymphocyte cultures from patients with BEN and from individuals from a nonendemic region were examined and compared with cultures from healthy people which had been incubated in vitro with noncytotoxic doses of ochratoxin A. Significantly increased numbers of various numerical and structural anomalies were found in patients with BEN. Chromosome X in female patients occurred in both monosomic and polysomic forms. A 'prosomization' effect was seen along the entire length of supernumerary X chromosomes, manifested by retarded contraction resembling early mitotic stages, with a comparably detailed band pattern. No other specific numerical or structural change was found consistently in BEN patients. Incubation of the lymphocytes of healthy people with ochratoxin A induced similar aberrations and prosomization. These findings may support the hypothesis that ochratoxin A is involved in the pathogenesis of BEN.

Balkan Nephropathy

Induction of characteristic chromosomal aberrations, particularly X-trisomy, in cultured human lymphocytes treated by ochratoxin A, a mycotoxin implicated in Balkan endemic nephropathy.

Ochratoxin A (OA), a mycotoxin which induces nephropathy and kidney tumours in rats and mice, is a contaminant of food consumed by a population with a high incidence of endemic nephropathy (EN). It was therefore tested in vitro for its ability to induce chromosomal aberrations in human peripheral lymphocytes in a small number of subjects, in the presence or absence of a kidney microsomal metabolic activation system. OA was found to induce aberrations on X chromosomes of similar types to those previously detected in lymphocytes from patients suffering from endemic nephropathy.

Animals

Small noncleaved B cell Burkitt-like lymphoma with chromosome t(8;14) translocation and Epstein-Barr virus nuclear-associated antigen in a homosexual man with acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

This case report describes new manifestations of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in a promiscuous homosexual man. Investigation of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in the patient lead to discovery of a high-grade, small, noncleaved cell (Burkitt-like) gastroduodenal lymphoma with visceral and extralymphatic extension. Specific phenotyping of the lymphoma revealed that it was a monoclonal B cell lymphoma of mu kappa isotype. An in vitro cell line was established that was Epstein-Barr virus nuclear-associated antigen-positive. The lymphoma cells displayed a t(8;14) translocation similar to endemic African Burkitt lymphoma. Epstein-Barr virus genomes were identified in the lymphoma and an axillary lymph node biopsy specimen by molecular hybridization. These data strongly suggest that Epstein-Barr virus actively infected this patient. However, he showed normal Epstein-Barr virus-specific serologic responses, indicating an immune defect against the virus.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Role of Epstein-Barr virus in the etiology of Burkitt's lymphoma.

Although Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was discovered in cultured Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) cells, its exact role remains unclear. Viral genome is found in 95-98% of endemic BL and 15-20% of non-endemic BL. Children destined to develop BL in Africa show elevated titres of viral capsid antibodies one to two years preceding emergence of BL. A multistep process follows early EBV infection during early childhood. Immune deficiency probably permits continuation of the infections, with smouldering polyclonal B-cell proliferation proceeding. Final steps in the pathogenesis consist of cytogenetic and molecular conversion to monoclonal BL. Reciprocal chromosomal translocations involve breakpoints containing c-myc, heavy- and light-chain Ig loci. Activation of oncogenes, c-myc and B-lym, may be essential in the molecular pathogenesis of BL. A spectrum of EBV-induced pathological entities is found in individuals with X-linked lymphoproliferative and acquired immune deficiency syndromes. Lymphoma identical to endemic BL occurs in these immune-deficient patients. Non-endemic BL is possibly due to immune defects, initiators and promoters of B-cell proliferation, which may not be identical to factors in endemic BL; however, cytogenetic events and activation of oncogenes may be pathways of both endemic and non-endemic BL.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome