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Biomedical subjects

M H Wansbrough-Jones

Publications and source records attributed to M H Wansbrough-Jones.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Loss of CFA/I expression by enteropathogenic E. coli following exposure to antibody.

H-10407 (078, H11) an enteropathogenic strain of Escherichia coli carries a fimbriate plasmid-mediated adherence antigen on the cell surface (CFA/I) which facilitates colonization of human small intestine. This shows strong similarities to the K88 antigen of porcine enteropathogenic E. coli. K88 expression may be suppressed by antibody both in vivo and in vitro. Expression of CFA/I, detected by agglutination of human erythrocytes was progressively lost during in vitro culture with antisera containing antibodies specific for CFA/I but, unlike K88, CFA/I was re-expressed during further culture in the absence of antibody. Antibody to CFA/I seemed to exert a switching effect on expression of the adherence antigen.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗

Comparison of lymphocytes forming stable E-rosettes generated in vivo and in vitro.

Stable E-rosette forming cells from peripheral blood of patients with acute type B hepatitis and from human thymus were compared with respect to buoyant density and FclgG receptors to stable E-rosette forming lymphocytes generated during culture of normal peripheral blood lymphocytes with concanavalin A. Stable E-rosette forming lymphocytes from patients were distributed in the same high density region of discontinuous bovine serum albumin density gradients as thymus stable E-rosette forming cells but thymus cells did not have FclgG receptors. 5-21% of normal peripheral blood lymphocytes formed stable E-rosettes after culture with concanavalin A but they were found in all densilty fractions. 6-29% of these lymphocytes had receptors for FclgG. The ability to form stable E-rosettes may be a marker for a subset of peripheral blood lymphocytes able to suppress immunological responses.

Centrifugation, Isopycnic↗

Lymphocytes forming stable E-rosettes in acute and chronic hepatitis.

Lymphocytes forming E-rosettes with sheep erythrocytes which do not disintegrate at 37 degrees C have been demonstrated in increased numbers in peripheral blood of patients with acute type B hepatitis (6--20% of lymphocytes) and with HBsAg negative active chronic hepatitis (9--28% of lymphocytes). They were not increased in patients with HBsAg positive active chronic hepatitis. Such lymphocytes were adherent to nylon wool and a large proportion of them had FcIgG receptors (21--69%). These are properties of a subpopulation of T lymphocytes having suppressor function.

Adult↗

Effects of human leucocyte interferon on hepatitis B virus replication and immune responses in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection.

Eight patients with chronic hepatitis B infection (seven with chronic active hepatitis and one with chronic persistent hepatitis) were treated with daily intramuscular injections of human leucocyte interferon for periods of 5 to 8 weeks and in one case for 5 months. In one patient there was a marked fall in virus-associated DNA polymerase activity and in the number of DNA containing viral particles during each of two courses of interferon. Hepatitis Be antigen (HBeAg) also disappeared, the aspartate transaminase levels fell and liver histology improved. In the four other patients with detectable DNA polymerase activity there was an early fall but this was transient and in one of these patients there was a continuing rise in activity despite treatment. One other patient became HBeAg negative but hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) titres were mostly unaffected by treatment. A marked decrease in T-lymphocyte mediated cytotoxicity towards HBsAg coated target cells was demonstrated and raises the possibility that an immunosuppressant action of interferon may offsets its direct anti-viral action but may also account for the improvement in liver function which occurred in some patients.

Adult↗

Enumeration of immunoglobulin-bearing lymphocytes in whole peripheral blood.

A new method is described for the detection by immunofluorescence of lymphocyte populations in whole peripheral blood. Lymphocytes are identified by their lack of intracellular peroxidase, and the absolute number of different populations can be accurately enumerated by avoiding procedures for isolating mononuclear cells before fluorescent staining. Among twenty-two normal individuals the mean +/- s.d. percentage and absolute number of lymphocytes with stable surface immunoglobulin were as follows: IgM, 8-1+/-2-3%, 142+/-60/mu1; IgD,8-9+/-2-2%, 212+/-85/mu1;IgA, 2-2+/-1-0%, 41+/-24/mu1; IgG, 2-3+/-1-6%, 60+/-47/mu1. It was confirmed that the detection of true IgG-bearing lymphocytes depends on washing the blood at 37degrees before staining or the use of F(ab)2 anti-IgG antibodies. The proportion of lymphocytes stained by whole IgG polyvalent anti-immunoglobulin antibody, which detects both true immunoglobulin-bearing lymphocytes (B cells) and Fc receptor cells was constant (20-5+/-1-0%) both in and between individuals, but the absolute numbers (380+/-117/mu1) varied with the lymphocyte count.

Adult↗

Enzyme activities and properties of lysosomes and brush borders in jejunal biopsies from control subjects and patients with coeliac disease.

1. Reduced activities of four enzymes from brush borders were found in intestianl biopsies from patients with untreated coeliac disease. The activities returned towards control values after treatment by gluten withdrawal. Parallel changes were noted for the cytosol enzyme lactate dehydrogenase. 2. Measurement of brush-border integrity by differential centrifugation of biopsy extracts indicated increased fragility of the brush borders in biopsies from untreated patients. Normal values were obtained for biopsies from treated patients. 3. Increased activites of six acid hydrolases (lysosomal enzymes) were found in biopsies from untreated coeliac patients. Normal values were obtained for biopsies from treated patients. 4. Assement of lysosomal integrity by assay of latent N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase and of sedimentable activity of four acid hydrolases demonstrated increased lysosomal fragility in untreated coeliac mucosa. These lysosomal changes return to within the normal range after treatment by gluten withdrawal. 5. The lysosomal changes are consistent with their having a pathogenic role in the enterocyte damage of coeliac disease. Possible mechanisms for the lysosomal changes are discussed.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗

An outreach education and treatment project in Ghana for the early stage of Mycobacterium ulcerans disease.

Mycobacterium ulcerans disease starts as a painless, subcutaneous nodule, excision of which prevents the development of large Buruli ulcers. An outreach programme was set up in Ghana to promote nodule recognition and excision. The programme was cost-effective and shifted the pattern of disease presentation. This could from a model for other countries.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗

Prevalence and genotype of hepatitis C virus infection in pregnant women and blood donors in Ghana.

The seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus was evaluated in blood donors and antenatal clinic attenders in Kumasi, Ghana and seropositive subjects were tested for hepatitis C virus ribonucleic acid by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The overall seroprevalence among Ghanaians was 2.8% but there was a significantly higher prevalence in males (4.6%) than in females (1.0%). No risk factor for infection was identified by a questionnaire. Among those who showed evidence of active infection with a positive PCR, the most common genotype was type 2 but the subtype could not be specifically determined; these type 2 hepatitis C viruses may be indigenous to Africa.

Adolescent↗