Biomedical subjects

Ghislaine Sterkers

Publications and source records attributed to Ghislaine Sterkers.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Rituximab in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a progressive, fatal neurological disorder of childhood and early adolescence. It is caused by a persistent measles virus infection of the brain without any available treatment to date. The physiopathology of the disease is largely unknown. Considering the potential role of humoral immunity in the pathogenesis of SSPE, one patient was given compassionate anti-CD20 antibodies. However, disease progression under treatment led to reconsider B cell involvement in this pathology. Nevertheless, we observed that carbamazepine was useful in improving life quality in our patient, and should be considered as a first-line drug. To date, measles vaccination remains the only solution to SSPE.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed2006

HLA alleles and haplotypes in French North African immigrants.

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) haplotypes (n = 187) were genotyped and assigned by the mode of inheritance in migrant families from North Africa who reside in the Paris, France, area. The distribution of alleles and haplotypes in that population was compared with the one obtained in a control population of ancient French natives residing in the same area (248 independent haplotypes also assigned by the mode of inheritance were studied). The results in migrants reveal the following: (1) a higher diversity in the distribution of HLA-A and -DRB1 alleles; (2) lower frequencies of alleles common in our region, such as A*0201 B*1501, B*4001, and DRB1*0401 and increased frequencies of minor subtypes, such as A*3002 and DRB1*0402; and (3) distinct distributions of B/Cw, DRB1/DQB1 or B/Cw/DRB1/DQB1 haplotypes. The results also revealed that the four most frequent five-allele haplotypes in controls i.e., HLA-A*0101/B*0801/Cw*0701/DRB1*0301/DQB1*0201; A*0301/B*0702/Cw*0702/DRB1*1501/DQB1*0602 (both of Indo-Celtic origin); A*2902/B*4403/Cw*1601/DRB1*0701/DQB1*0202 (frequent in Western-Europeans); and A*0201/B*1501/Cw*0304/DRB1*0401/DQB1*0302, represent 10.5% of the total haplotypes in controls but 1.6% in North Africans. Conversely, 9 five-allele haplotypes in multiple copy in North Africans (among which A*3002/B*1801/Cw*0501/DRB1*0301/DQB1*0201 of Paleo-North African origin and A*0201/B*0702/Cw*0702/DRB1*1501/DQB1*0602 of ancient European and Paleo-North African origin) represent 9.6% of the total haplotypes in North Africans but 2.4% in controls. These results thus suggest a low degree of admixture between the two populations.

Africa, Northern↗

PubMed2005

Mechanisms involved in the low-level regeneration of CD4+ cells in HIV-1-infected patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy who have prolonged undetectable plasma viral loads.

BACKGROUND: Persistent low CD4(+) cell counts are observed in 5%-27% of patients treated for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 infection despite their having prolonged undetectable plasma viral loads. METHODS: To understand the possible mechanisms of this discordant immunological situation, a prospective transsectional case-control study was designed. HIV-1-infected subjects who had a plasma viral load <200 copies/mL for >1 year were considered to be case patients if their CD4(+) cell count was <250/mm(3); control patients had CD4(+) cell counts >500/mm(3) and were matched by sex, age, and nadir CD4(+) cell count to case patients. T cell proliferation after stimulation with various antigens, T cell subset counts, T cell rearrangement excision circles (TRECs), T cells undergoing apoptosis, cytokines influencing apoptosis, and cellular proviral DNA and plasma viral RNA persistence were assessed. RESULTS: Compared with the 19 control patients, the 19 case patients had undistinguishable lymphoproliferative responses to candidin and cytomegalovirus, fewer naive CD4(+) cells (CD45RA(+)62L(+), 23%+/-13% vs. 47%+/-14%; P<.0001), lower thymic output (1.28 vs. 3.95 TRECs/microL of blood; P=.0015), increased cell death by apoptosis (spontaneous, 23.2%+/-8.3% vs. 11.9%+/-8.4% [P=.02]; Fas induced, 38.6%+/-13.7% vs. 16.4%+/-8.0% [P=.004]), higher levels of plasma soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor II (9.6 vs. 5.3 ng/mL; P=.0058), and undistinguishable plasma HIV-1 and cellular proviral DNA loads. CONCLUSIONS: The mechanisms responsible for the low-level regeneration of CD4(+) cells involve, at least, deficiency in the regeneration of central CD4(+) cells and excessive apoptosis.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Gastroschisis.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Cardiotocography↗

PubMed2004

Relationship between CD8+ T-cell phenotype and function, Epstein-Barr virus load, and clinical outcome in pediatric renal transplant recipients: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: The authors studied the relationship between the dynamics of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) load, CD8 T-cell activation and differentiation, and EBV-associated symptoms in 25 children after kidney transplantation (Tx). METHODS: Twenty-two patients were enrolled at the time of Tx and three at diagnosis of EBV-induced post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD). EBV load was serially measured by a semiquantitative method of DNA amplification in blood cells. The percentages of activated (human leukocyte antigen-DR) and of effector-memory (CD28) CD8 circulating cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL) were serially evaluated by flow cytometry. The cytotoxic potential of CTL was assessed by a CD3-redirected cytotoxic assay. RESULTS: For three children with post-Tx uncomplicated primary EBV infection, EBV load peaked by months 1 to 2 after Tx and declined spontaneously by months 3 to 6, whereas expansion of activated and effector-memory CTL was absent (one case) or transient and moderate (two cases). In 15 patients who were EBV-seropositive before Tx and who did not develop EBV-PTLD, transient elevation of EBV load but no noticeable changes in CTL phenotype were observed. In contrast, in one child who was also EBV-seropositive before Tx but who developed EBV-PTLD, a major and sustained elevation of EBV load and of activated and effector-memory CTL was observed. In three patients retrospectively enrolled at diagnosis of EBV-PTLD, sustained elevation of both viral load and activated T cells was also noticed. Finally, increased cytotoxic activity correlated with increased level of activated CTL. CONCLUSIONS: An association between high and sustained T-cell activation, EBV load, and the occurrence of EBV-PTLD was observed. Furthermore, intense cytotoxic activity was observed in EBV-PTLD, with favorable outcome.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Cellular immune response of fetuses to cytomegalovirus.

Primary infection with cytomegalovirus (CMV) in immunocompetent hosts is accompanied with activation and differentiation of naive CD8(+) T cells to effector/memory cells secreting interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). Alteration of these responses during the perinatal period is suggested by a higher rate of CMV diseases in congenital infection. For addressing this issue, immunologic investigations were performed in 15 fetuses (22-36 wk of gestation) with documented congenital CMV infection. Results show that cellular immune responses can be detected as soon as the 22nd week of gestation (the youngest fetus analyzed). Compared with age-matched control subjects, infected fetuses evidence a dramatic increase in the percentages of activated and terminally differentiated CD8 T cells. Indeed, median percentages (interquartile range) of HLA-DR(+) and of CD28(-)CD8(+) T cells were 24% (19-34) and 38% (24-52), respectively in infected fetuses versus 3% (0-4) for each subset in control subjects. In addition, the percentages of T cells secreting IFN-gamma after in vitro stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate and ionomycin was significantly higher in infected fetuses [10% (5-25)] than in healthy fetuses [0.8% (0.6-1.2)] with IFN-gamma being mostly secreted by CD8(+) T cells and to a lesser extend by CD4(+) T cells. These cellular immune responses have clear similarities with responses previously reported in adults. Cellular immunity to CMV, however, might not be fully functional in fetuses. Indeed, the number of T cells capable of secreting IFN-gamma is strikingly lower after in vitro stimulation with the CMV-specific antigen than after in vitro stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate/ionomycin that bypasses signaling through the T-cell receptor.

Antigens, Viral↗