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Biomedical subjects

M H Seifert

Publications and source records attributed to M H Seifert.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Does mitogen-induced antibody production by normal blood cells mimic spontaneous production in lupus?

Blood cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) showed a raised level of spontaneous IgG production that included antibodies to DNA and to common environmental antigens (influenza virus haemagglutinin, adenovirus hexon and mannan from Candida albicans). In contrast, no IgG antibody was produced against an antigen not normally encountered in the UK (egg antigen from Schistosoma mansoni) or a self-antigen not generally associated with SLE (thyroglobulin). IgM production was raised to a lesser extent and only antibodies to DNA were detected. When normal cells were stimulated with pokeweed mitogen or S. aureus organisms, the specificity pattern of IgG production was similar to that described above for SLE with the major exception of the absence of IgG anti-DNA. IgM antibodies to DNA and all the other antigens were detected, but the specificity of the IgM ELISA assays for the protein antigens needs further clarification. The activity of IgM anti-DNA relative to total IgM was far greater in the SLE system. These results provide further evidence that a response to self-antigen is required for production of pathogenic IgG autoantibodies in SLE.

Antibodies, Antinuclear↗
PubMed1990

Spontaneous antibody-secreting cells against DNA and common environmental antigens in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Cells spontaneously secreting IgG or IgM antibodies to DNA or to common environmental antigens--influenza virus haemagglutinin, adenovirus hexon and mannan from Candida albicans--have been enumerated by ELISA spot in blood from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and normal donors. Mean values were raised for all antigens in the disease, with those for DNA being no greater than for the other antigens. In normal donors, levels of IgM-secreting cells were similar for DNA and the environmental antigens whereas virtually no IgG anti-DNA secreting cells were found. When results were expressed relative to total numbers of IgG or IgM-secreting cells, the differences between the groups disappeared or were greatly reduced in all systems except IgG anti-DNA. These findings are consistent with a requirement for both polyclonal activation and a self-antigen response in the production of IgG autoantibodies in SLE.

Antibodies, Antinuclear↗
PubMed1990

Men's expectations of physicians in sexual health concerns.

This study assessed 62 men for their expectations of primary care physicians in attending to sexual health concerns. The physician was the professional most preferred for consultation regarding sexual concerns, and men look for qualities of professionalism, empathy, trust, and comfort in their physician. While 97% of the men reported prior sexual concerns, only 19% had discussed these issues with their doctor. Most were hesitant, but wanted to deal with sex problems. They preferred that the physician initiate the discussion. These findings suggest an under-utilization of sexual health care by men and support the role of the primary care physician as an important sexual health provider.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Abnormal osteocalcin binding in rheumatoid arthritis.

Studies of osteocalcin in the serum and synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) showed the presence of significant amounts of osteocalcin in synovial fluid and that the values in RA synovial fluid were significantly lower than in OA synovial fluid. In addition, the osteocalcin in OA synovial fluid bound almost completely to hydroxyapatite, whereas a significant proportion of the osteocalcin in RA synovial fluid did not. These studies suggest that patients with severe RA produce low amounts of active osteocalcin and higher than expected amounts of inactive osteocalcin in the synovial fluid. They provide some evidence that osteoblast function may be abnormal in the osteoporosis of RA.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMed1989

Rheumatological lesions in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

One hundred and twenty-three patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection have been referred to rheumatologists at our hospitals between October 1985 and April 1989 because of musculoskeletal symptoms. Thirty-four homosexual men presented with acute, peripheral, non-erosive arthritis (mean number of four joints affected) with the knees being involved in 23. Other features developing concurrently with arthritis included psoriasis, keratoderma blenorrhagica, plantar fasciitis, urethritis, conjunctivitis and anterior uveitis. Four of five patients investigated were HLA-B27-positive; none of 15 patients tested had raised titres of rheumatoid or antinuclear factors. Various infections were associated with the onset of arthritis and two patients with a recent history of diarrhoea had serological evidence of yersinia infection. No micro-organisms were identified within the joint except for HIV itself. At the time of onset of arthritis four of these individuals had the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS); 11 were not known to be HIV-positive before testing which was performed following referral for arthritis. Six patients have since developed AIDS and four have died. In 15 individuals, including those who progressed to AIDS, joint symptoms have been severe, persistent and poorly responsive to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In only five patients has the arthritis been known to resolve. Synovitis has also been seen in two women: in one of these HIV infection was thought to have been acquired through intravenous drug abuse. Other rheumatic lesions included myalgia/myositis, non-inflammatory peripheral arthritis, spinal pain, soft tissue lesions, arthralgia or myalgia of unknown cause and infective lesions including septic arthritis and bony infection due to histoplasmosis and atypical mycobacterial infection. It appears likely that HIV infection is a risk factor for the development of seronegative arthritis and other rheumatic lesions.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1988

Inflammatory joint disease and human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Nine men positive for antibody to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who developed peripheral, non-erosive arthritis were followed up. The clinical features were compatible with reactive arthritis but were atypical in several respects: the joint symptoms were generally severe, persistent, and unresponsive to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The onset of arthritis was associated with various infections, none of which are known to be associated with the development of reactive arthritis. HLA typing was performed for three patients, all of whom were positive for HLA-B27. HIV was isolated from the synovial fluid of one patient. No patient had AIDS before developing arthritis, but four progressed to having AIDS after a mean of 7.5 months, and two died. Arthritis resolved in only one patient. The possibility of HIV infection should be considered in all patients with conditions suggesting reactive arthritis. Synovitis in patients with severe immunodeficiency has important pathogenetic implications.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗
PubMed1988

B lymphocyte activation in systemic lupus erythematosus: spontaneous production of IgG antibodies to DNA and environmental antigens in cultures of blood mononuclear cells.

IgG antibodies to DNA, influenza virus haemagglutinin (HA), adenovirus hexon (HX) and mannan from Candida albicans (MN) have been determined in supernatants from 2-day unstimulated cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from SLE patients and controls. Mean values were much higher in the SLE group, with from 20% (MN) to 85% (DNA) of patients giving values above the normal range. Although a significant correlation was observed between anti-DNA and anti-HA production, anti-HX and anti-MN showed no such correlations. The specificity of the ELISA assays was demonstrated by inhibition tests. It is concluded that a selective form of polyclonal activation in SLE results in the production of antibodies to foreign as well as to self antigens.

Antibodies, Antinuclear↗
PubMed1988

Women's expectations of physicians in sexual health concerns.

This study surveyed 56 women to assess their expectations for the primary care physician to inquire about sexual concerns and to diagnose and treat sexual problems. The study indicates that the physician is the professional most frequently consulted about sexual concerns and that patients expect even more leadership from the physician in raising the issue of sexual health. Women look for empathy, warmth, confidentiality, and professional competence in discussions with their doctor about sexual matters; and they are open to referrals for treatment of sexual problems and physician-sponsored sex education programs.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Sodium aurothiomalate toxicity and sulphoxidation capacity in rheumatoid arthritic patients.

The association between sulphoxidation capacity and sodium aurothiomalate toxicity was investigated in 65 patients undergoing treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. Of those showing side-effects, 30/37 (81%) were also poor sulphoxidizers compared with only 9/28 (32%) in the group not displaying adverse reactions. A patient with poor sulphoxidation had a nine-fold greater risk of developing toxicity. The prior measurement of sulphoxidation capacity may help to identify those patients most susceptible to the deleterious effects of this drug.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Vitamin D metabolites in synovial fluid.

This study has shown that it is possible to measure vitamin D metabolites and vitamin D binding protein (DBP) in synovial fluid as well as serum. Significant amounts of 25-OHD, 24,25-(OH)2D, and DBP are present in synovial fluid. The 25-OHD and DBP maintain a serum:synovial fluid ratio of approximately 2:1 irrespective of the type of joint disease, whereas no such relationship was detected for 24,25-(OH)2D. The possible reasons for these findings are diffusion of the metabolites into synovial fluid or local production from suitable precursors, or both.

24,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D 3↗
PubMed1985

Disseminated gonococcal infection in a married couple.

The rare occurrence of disseminated gonococcal infection in a married couple is reported. These cases support the concept that bacterial rather than host factors are more important in determining the disease manifestations in gonorrhoea.

Female↗
PubMed1985

A comparative study of the aetiological factors in shoulder pain.

Sixty patients presenting consecutively with shoulder pain to a rheumatology clinic have been studied. There was a significant association of shoulder capsulitis with diabetes mellitus and antecedent trauma when compared with supraspinatus tendonitis (SST). There were no immunological or other biochemical differences between the capsulitis and SST patients. The results suggest that patients with shoulder capsulitis should be investigated to exclude diabetes mellitus particularly when there is no history of antecedent trauma.

Acromioclavicular Joint↗
PubMed1985

Evaluation of an ELISA system for determination of class-specific antibodies to native and denatured DNA in man.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) have been set up for determination of plasma IgG and IgM antibodies to native (n) and denatured (d) DNA. Normal male and female donors generally gave low values in the assays for IgG; IgM control values were higher, particularly in females. Mean values for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were greatly raised in all four categories of assay in relation to the control (female) group. Levels of IgG anti-nDNA in SLE correlated well with a standard diagnostic test (Farr), and this ELISA assay was more successful than Farr in discriminating between patients and normal females. No such correlation with Farr was found for IgM anti-nDNA. Correlations were found in SLE between levels of antibodies to nDNA and dDNA. Inhibition tests--including those with a plasmid DNA preparation containing no single-stranded regions--showed that most of the IgG antibodies determined in the 'native' assay were able to bind to nDNA and dDNA with comparable avidity, whereas most of those reacting in the 'denatured' assay could only bind dDNA. The former antibodies were probably directed against shared determinants on the deoxyribose-phosphate backbone and the latter against base-dependent structures not exposed in nDNA. Inhibition results for IgM assays were similar, though the predominance of antibodies specific for dDNA appeared less marked. ELISA assays could well prove more useful than established methods in diagnosis and monitoring of SLE and other diseases.

Antibodies↗