A retrospective single-center study of clinical presentation and outcome in 117 patients with severe combined immunodeficiency.
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B-Lymphocytes↗
Biomedical subjects
S Blanche
Publications and source records attributed to S Blanche.
[A neuropathological study of 10 HIV-infected children].
In 10 children infected by HIV at birth, who presented early and severe immunodeficiency encephalopathy, the lesions observed in the central nervous system were different from those found in adults. Using standard neuropathological techniques, the main abnormalities were white matter palor and atrophy, pyramidal tract demyelination, moderate perivascular inflammation, numerous calcifications of blood vessels in basal ganglia, white matter and occasional in the cortex, few opportunistic infections including cytomegalovirus ventriculitis, polymorphonuclear microabcessses and aspergillus abscesses; no toxoplasma was detected. An 18-month-old girl presented with an angiocentric lymphoproliferative disorder in central and peripheral nervous system and muscle, with predominance of B cells. In most cases, low levels of HIV replication were detected in brain tissue, as demonstrated by the presence of only few microglial nodules and giant cells, feeble detection of HIV p24 and p17 antigens by immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization of HIV DNA and RNA and polymerase chain reaction, despite severe clinical encephalopathy. Zidovudine did not improve any patient. In children with severe AIDS encephalopathy, HIV might not be directly implicated in the central nervous system lesions: an intermediate factor such as cytokines or another toxic substance secreted by activated macrophages and/or lymphocytes, could induce severe lesions in the central nervous system and minor pathology of the peripheral nervous system and muscles.
AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
[Renal involvement in autoimmune enteropathies].
The authors report on a infant who presented with an auto-immune enteropathy characterized by the association of a protracted diarrhea, a neonatal insulin-dependent diabetes, and a dermatitis and who developed a nephrotic syndrome at 4 months of age. A renal biopsy showed a membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN) with IgG linear deposits along the tubular basement membranes (TMB). By indirect immunofluorescence anti-enterocyte antibodies together with anti-TMB antibodies and anti-renal brush border (BB) antibodies were found in the serum of the patient. The patient received various immunosuppressive drugs that failed to improve the disease. In the course of the disease the anti-TBM antibodies disappeared progressively but the BB antibodies persisted. A review of the literature indicates that renal involvement is not uncommon in auto-immune enteropathy and in 5 cases it has been reported as being characterized by a nephrotic syndrome related to the presence of a MGN. In 4 of these cases MGN was associated with the presence of anti-TBM antibodies and in the remaining one with anti-BB antibodies. This case report shows that in human pathology, auto-antibodies to BB proteins may, as well as in experimental models, be responsible for the development of a MGN. It suggests a close relationship (probably a common epitope) between the renal BB proteins and the proteins of the gut epithelium.
Autoimmune Diseases↗
The use of viral culture and p24 antigen testing to diagnose human immunodeficiency virus infection in neonates. The HIV Infection in Newborns French Collaborative Study Group.
BACKGROUND: Early diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in infants born to infected mothers is important for the infants' medical care, but the presence of maternal antibodies makes serologic tests uninformative. METHODS: In a cohort study of 181 infants born to HIV-infected mothers, we assessed the diagnostic value of HIV viral culture and testing for the presence of p24 antigen. The infants were tested at birth, again during the first 3 months, then followed and tested at the age of at least 18 months. RESULTS: Of the 181 infants, 3 died of HIV infection and 37 were seropositive after the age of 18 months. Viral cultures at birth were positive in 19 of the 40 infected infants and in none of the uninfected infants, yielding a sensitivity of 48 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 32 to 63 percent) and a specificity of 100 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 97 to 100 percent). By the age of three months, 30 of the 40 infants (75 percent) had positive cultures; again, there were no false positive results among the infants who were tested a second time, of the 141 who remained uninfected. The sensitivity of testing for p24 antigen at birth was only 18 percent, with a specificity of 100 percent. The presence of p24 antigen at birth was associated with the development of early and severe HIV-related disease (P less than 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Viral culture at birth can correctly identify about half of newborns with HIV infection. The fact that this usually sensitive technique fails to identify about half the ultimately infected neonates suggests that vertical transmission of HIV may occur late in pregnancy or during delivery.
False Negative Reactions↗
Cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses in the peripheral blood of children born to human immunodeficiency virus-1-infected mothers.
Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) are present at high activities in adult patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In this report, CTL effectors were identified in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of children born to HIV-1-infected mothers. These CTL killed HLA-matched HIV-1-infected H9 target cells or doubly transfected P815-A2-env, gag or nef mouse tumor cells, which expressed the viral antigens in association with HLA-A1/A3 or HLA-A2, respectively. HIV-1-specific CTL were detected early after birth (less than 2 months) and remained present during the asymptomatic phase of the infection. As in HIV-1-infected adults, HIV-specific CTL declined with disease progression. Surprisingly, HIV-1-specific CTL were detected in the PBMC of three children who subsequently became seronegative.
Base Sequence↗
Treatment of central nervous system B lymphoproliferative syndrome by local infusion of a B cell-specific monoclonal antibody.
A 9-month-old infant developed Epstein-Barr virus-induced lymphoproliferative syndrome with mediastinal and central nervous system localizations, associated with mediastinal tuberculosis, 5 months after heart transplantation. As a combination of anti-B cell antibodies (CD21- and CD24-specific) and recombinant interferon alpha 2b, given intravenously, was not effective on the central nervous system disease, the anti-CD21 antibody was infused intrathecally via an Ommaya reservoir. High local concentrations of monoclonal antibodies were achieved, with no adverse effects. A dramatic clinical response was obtained, with clearance of abnormal cells from the cerebrospinal fluid and a clear reduction in the abnormalities on the brain images. The patient is well 7 months later. This observation indicates that treatment of B lymphoproliferative syndrome with central nervous system localization is feasible using a nontoxic, local B cell-specific approach.
Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
[The cellular immunity response to the gag protein of HIV-1].
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Epitopes↗
Perinatal HIV transmission facts and controversies.
In 1992, HIV infection in children is essentially due to vertical or perinatal transmission, i.e. from the mother to the fetus and neonates. This is a particularly serious public-health problem in Africa where the percentage of infected women of child bearing age is as high as 20% in some suburban areas. During the last few years, three important points have been established. (i) In Europe and North America, the rate of perinatal transmission is between 15 and 25% and appears to have remained relatively stable with time in various prospective cohorts. (ii) Considerable efforts have been directed at defining the optimal methods for early diagnosis of HIV infection in the infants. At present viral cultures and gene amplification of HIV DNA by polymerase chain reaction are the most promising procedures for early diagnosis within the first 6 months of life. (iii) Finally, the course of the disease in the infected infant has been well characterised, it takes two main forms--that of an early and severe disease or that of a slowly progressive infection: In addition, follow-up is now sufficient to confirm that children with negative tests at 15 months are indeed uninfected. However, knowledge is lacking in a number of essential areas. These include the exact timing of transmission (in utero, during delivery or post-partum), the relative frequency of transmission during each period, the mechanism(s) involved (particularly the role of the placenta), and, finally, the influence of maternal, fetal and viral factors. Answers must be found rapidly in order to develop preventive therapy, to identify women who may have an increased risk of transmitting the virus, to develop a reliable antenatal diagnostic test and, finally, to be in a better position to inform HIV-seropositive women of the relative risks.
Animals↗
[HIV infection in children].
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AIDS Vaccines↗
Natural history of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection in children: prognostic value of laboratory tests on the bimodal progression of the disease.
This study analyzes the correlation of basic laboratory test results with clinical outcome in 94 children with perinatally acquired human immunodeficiency virus 1 infection who did not receive zidovudine during the study period of 1983 to 1988. Two life-threatening conditions highly correlated with survival, opportunistic infection and severe encephalopathy, were the end points of the study. At a median age of 25 months 30 (32%) of the 94 children had developed such conditions (Group I), and their survival at 3 years of age was 48% (95% confidence interval, 24 to 72%), contrasting with the 97% survival rate (95% confidence interval, 94 to 100%) of the remaining 64 (68%) children who had not developed such conditions by age 25 months. (Group II). Compared with children in Group II, children with life-threatening complications were more likely at the onset of symptoms to be younger and have a lower CD4 count, an impaired in vitro lymphocytic proliferation and a lack of p18 or p25 antibodies in the Western blot profile and, during the progression of the disease, a negative slope of the subsequent CD4 counts. These results highlight the need for an early diagnosis of the human immunodeficiency virus 1 infection in children and demonstrate that it is possible to determine the prognosis of their disease as early as in the first year of life.
Child, Preschool↗
Low levels of human immunodeficiency virus replication in the brain tissue of children with severe acquired immunodeficiency syndrome encephalopathy.
The authors examined the autopsy brain samples of nine children infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) at birth by histology, immunologic staining, and in situ hybridization. Surprisingly, although seven of these children presented with typical AIDS encephalopathy, the authors could detect a multifocal HIV infection in the brains of only three of these patients. The authors could not detect any significant HIV replication in the brain of four other children despite severe neurologic disease. However, HIV DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the central nervous system (CNS) of all patients. In addition, the authors found associated lesions in the brains of three of these four patients. This study shows that severe AIDS encephalopathy exists in children and therefore might exist in adults with few signs or without any signs of HIV replication or inflammation in the CNS. Understanding the pathogenesis of this neurologic disease and the kinetics of HIV replication in brain tissue of children with AIDS encephalopathy is essential to determine the best therapeutic strategy.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
Interferon gamma for chronic granulomatous disease.
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Bacterial Infections↗
Treatment of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis with chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation: a single-center study of 22 cases.
Twenty-two children with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis were treated with a chemotherapy regimen consisting of VP16-213, corticosteroids, and intrathecal methotrexate. A sustained clinical and biologic complete remission was obtained in 15 children and a partial remission in one child; six children died early of opportunistic infection (n = 4) or of disease progression (n = 2). Of the 16 children who were placed in first remission, 10 received maintenance chemotherapy alone, while six underwent bone marrow transplantation (HLA matched in five, HLA mismatched in one). Of the children who received chemotherapy alone, only two are in long-term remission after cessation of treatment. The remaining eight patients relapsed after a mean period of 5.4 months (range 2 to 8 months). Further treatment using the same regimen induced second remissions of short duration; death occurred after a median period of 2.3 months (range 0.5 to 6 months). A total of nine patients received allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Among the six children transplanted in remission, four are in long-term unmaintained remission, 1 to 6 years after HLA-matched BMT. However, the relapse that occurred in one patient 1 year post BMT is difficult to interpret because the donor, the patient's 5-year-old sister, also developed the disease 1 year later. An HLA-nonidentical BMT resulted in unmaintained remission for 1 year, with autologous hematologic reconstitution followed by disease relapse. HLA-nonidentical BMT failed in three other patients with active disease at time of transplant. The poor long-term results of chemotherapy alone justify the use of related HLA-matched BMT in complete remission.
Adolescent↗
Anti-B-cell monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of severe B-cell lymphoproliferative syndrome following bone marrow and organ transplantation.
BACKGROUND: The B-cell lymphoproliferative syndrome is an infrequent life-threatening complication of marrow or organ transplantation that is the consequence of profound immunosuppression. The results of treatment have been disappointing, although a small number of patients have been cured by chemoradiotherapy or antiviral agents after a reduction in the dosage of immunosuppressive therapy. We report here the results of treating this disorder with anti-B-cell antibodies. METHODS: Twenty-six patients in whom aggressive B-cell lymphoproliferative syndrome developed after bone marrow (n = 14) or organ (n = 12) transplantation received 0.2 mg of CD21-specific and of CD24-specific antibodies per kilogram of body weight for 10 consecutive days in an open, prospective, multicenter trial. RESULTS: The treatment was well tolerated. All patients had transient neutropenia, apparently because the CD24 molecule is also expressed on granulocytes. The treatment was ineffective in seven patients with monoclonal B-cell proliferation. In contrast, 16 patients with oligoclonal B-cell proliferation had complete remission. Systemic remission also occurred in two other patients with oligoclonal proliferation who had central nervous system involvement, although they subsequently died because of progression of the central nervous system disease. In one patient who died early, clonality was not determined. Of the 16 patients who had complete remission, 2 with persistent immunodeficiency due to graft (marrow) rejection or acute graft-versus-host disease had a relapse, and the 1 with graft-versus-host disease subsequently died. Eleven patients were alive and disease-free after a median follow-up of 35 months (5 of 14 marrow recipients and 6 of 12 organ recipients). Four other patients in complete remission died of unrelated causes 4 to 12 months after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous administration of anti-B-cell antibodies may be effective in controlling diffuse, severe, oligoclonal B-cell proliferation not involving the central nervous system.
Adolescent↗
Reduction of graft failure by a monoclonal antibody (anti-LFA-1 CD11a) after HLA nonidentical bone marrow transplantation in children with immunodeficiencies, osteopetrosis, and Fanconi's anemia: a European Group for Immunodeficiency/European Group for Bone Marrow Transplantation report.
Forty-six infants and children suffering from either inherited immunodeficiency disorders (Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, functional T-cell immunodeficiency with or without HLA class II expression deficiency), malignant osteopetrosis, or Fanconi's anemia received HLA-nonidentical bone marrow transplantation (BMT) from related donors. Bone marrow was T-cell depleted to reduce the risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). To prevent graft failure, a mouse monoclonal antibody specific for the CD11a-lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) molecule was infused into the patients. Eleven patients received five infusions of 0.1 mg/kg every other day from day -3 to +5. Thirty-five patients received 0.2 mg/kg daily from day -3 to +6. The overall sustained engraftment rate was 72% instead of 26.1% in a historical control group of 24 patients similarly treated except for the infusion of the anti-LFA-1 antibody. No late rejection occurred. The T-cell depletion method (E-rosetting or Campath IM plus complement) resulted in different rate of engraftment (83.3% v 57.9%, respectively, P = .05). Engraftment rate was slightly but not significantly influenced by the degree of HLA incompatibility between donor and recipient. Acute GVHD of grade II or more occurred in 35.5% of the patients and the rate of chronic GVHD was 12.9%. The overall actuarial survival rate with a functional graft is 47.3% with a mean follow-up of 28.0 months for patients with immunodeficiency and osteopetrosis, while none of the four patients with Fanconi's anemia survived. The development of full T-cell functions took on the average 6 months and of full B-cell functions 10 months. Significant infectious problems developed in the majority of the patients during the posttransplant course. Epstein-Barr virus-induced B-cell proliferative syndromes were observed in seven patients, six of whom had Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome. Correction of immunodeficiency was comparable in terms of kinetics and quality with that observed in patients with severe combined immunodeficiency undergoing HLA-nonidentical BMT. Correction of osteopetrosis appears not to be different from what has been observed after HLA-identical BMT. The in vivo use of an anti-CD11a-LFA-1 antibody as an additional immunosuppressive therapy in HLA-nonidentical BMT may thus promote engraftment and survival with correction of the primary disease in a significant number of patients with life-threatening immunodeficiency and osteopetrosis, but not with Fanconi's anemia.
Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
[Familial characteristics of children born to HIV-seropositive women].
The family situation of 122 children followed at the Necker hospital is analysed in this study: 40% of these children live with both parents, while 22% live with one parent, 10% with their maternal grand mother and 28% are under the care of the Aide Sociale à l'Enfance (Social Services for Children). At this time, less stable family situations and the separation of a child from his mother are not due to the child's HIV status but rather to the social and family context. A better knowledge of these factors is essential to prevent future family separation. Increased awareness and training in this context is urgently needed by the personnel in care of these children as the situation will undoubtedly become even more serious in the next few years.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
Low-dose zidovudine in children with an human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection acquired in the perinatal period.
This report describes the one-year results of a noncomparative study designed to assess the safety and tolerance of low-dose zidovudine (azidothymidine) given orally to 60 human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected infants and children. At baseline, the mean age was 1.9 years (+/- 1.4), and all were symptomatic: 43% were P2A and 57% were P2B to F according to the Centers for Disease Control classification. All the patients received zidovudine for at least 6 months, and 52 of them (87%) completed a full year of therapy. The mean duration of follow-up was 346 days (+/- 42) (range, 183 to 366 days). The initial therapy consisted of four daily doses of 100 mg/m2 (400 mg/m2 per day, equivalent to 20 mg/kg per day). However, this treatment was modified when neutropenia or anemia was observed. Twenty-nine children (48%) remained at the initial therapy for the entire study. Zidovudine dosage was adjusted 92 times in the other 31 children (52%), mostly due to neutropenia (83%). Altogether, the time under full-dose therapy represented 81% of the total duration of the protocol for all patients. Children with mild symptoms, P2A at study entry, were more likely to remain under full-dose therapy than children with severe symptoms, P2B to F: the time under full-dose therapy represented 91% of the duration of the protocol for the former group and only 74% for the latter one (P less than .02). No clinical adverse experiences were attributed directly to zidovudine. Thirty-seven children were prescribed trimethoprim-sulfametoxazole as a prophylaxis for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
[Disseminated mucormycosis in pediatrics].
The case of a 14 month-old infant presenting with hereditary lymphohistiocytosis is reported. After several days of post-chemotherapy aplasia a peritoneal, cutaneous (blackish necrosis), then pleuropulmonary involvement occurred. Fiberendoscopy showed an esophageal necrosis responsible for a pleural fistula. The child died after a few weeks, despite antifungal treatment. Post mortem examination found disseminated abscesses related to mucormycosis. The 41 pediatric cases in the world-wide literature are recorded.
Female↗