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Biomedical subjects

S N Gaur

Publications and source records attributed to S N Gaur.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Immunobiochemical characterization of Putranjiva roxburghii pollen extract and cross-reactivity with Ricinus communis.

Putranjiva roxburghii (PR) pollen has been found to be an important aeroallergen for type I hypersensitivity. In the present study, the IgE binding proteins of PR pollen have been characterized and compared with pollen allergens of Ricinus communis (RC) belonging to family Euphorbiaceae. On isoelectric focusing, PR pollen extract resolved into 35 bands (pI 3-9), whereas SDS-PAGE separated it into 18 protein components (MW 14-100 kD). Pooled patient's sera (ID +ve to PR) recognized 12 allergenic proteins in Putranjiva and five of them (MWs 92, 80, 55, 43 and 30 kD) showed immunologic reactivity to most of the sera samples tested individually by immunoblot. A number of shared allergenic proteins (MWs 92, 80, 66, 50, 43 and 14 kD) were observed between PR and RC pollen extracts on immunoblot using Putranjiva allergic serum pool. Inhibition in the binding for most of PR pollen allergenic proteins was obtained with higher concentration of RC extract than PR itself, depicting the presence of cross-reacting allergens in both. Putranjiva pollen extract was fractionated by a combination of DEAE Sephadex-A 50 and Sephadex-G 200 column chromatography. Periodate deglycosylation of western blotted PR extract and Put I fraction indicated the involvement of carbohydrate moieties in the allergenic activity. Of the two fractions from Put I (Ia and Ib), Put Ib was found to be the most allergenic protein by ELISA inhibition. Dot blot analysis with individual patients sera identified it as a major allergen of PR.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

The distribution pattern of Sarcocystis species, their transmission and pathogenesis in sheep in Fars Province of Iran.

Of 1362 sheep examined during two years in Fars Province of Iran, 786 (57.7%) were positive for Sarcocystis spp. The prevalence was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in animals owned by nomadie Assyrians (67.95%) than in those owned by local people (41.86%). More of the animals above 2 years age were infected (69.98%) than young ones (30.02%). Females had a higher prevalence of infection (61.07%) than males (38.93%) but most of the males were younger. There was no variation in the infection rate during spring, summer or autumn, but it was low in winter. The species observed were Sarcocystis gigantea, predominantly in oesophagus, S. medusiformis, mainly in diaphragm, S. tenella in the oesophagus, diaphragm, tongue and heart, and S. arieticanis in the oesophagus, tongue and occasionally in the diaphragm. In transmission studies, the prepatent period for S. gigantea and S. medusiformis and for the two microscopic species was 11-13, 10 and 8-12 days, respectively. The infection could not be transmitted to hamsters and guinea-pigs. The macroscopic species were almost non-pathogenic but were responsible for economic losses because of rejection of carcases or parts thereof at slaughter. The microscopic species caused tissue damage to the affected organs, resulting in haemorrhages, mononuclear infiltration and necrotic changes.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1995

Thermophilic actinomycetes in cane sugar mills: an aeromicrobiologic and seroepidemiologic study.

Aerial prevalence of clinically important thermophilic actinomycetes and occurrence of precipitating antibodies against them in sera of 153 exposed workers have been reported. The study was carried out in two cane sugar mills namely, the Upper Doab Sugar Mills and the Ramala Sugar Mills, located in north-west India. In both the sugar mills, T. sacchari was the predominant species, it accounted for 55.1% and 50.3% of the total population of thermophilic actinomycetes, followed by T. vulgaris (19.7% and 23.7%), T. thalpophilus (21.1% and 17.1%), Saccharomonospora viridis (3.4% and 5.0%) and Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula (Faenia rectivirgula) (0.7% and 3.9%), respectively. Precipitating antibodies against thermophilic actinomycetes were demonstrable in 34 (22.2%) workers; T. sacchari alone accounted for 20 of the positive precipitin reactions, followed by S. rectivirgula in 10. The mean absorbance values for IgG antibody activity against T. sacchari as well as S. rectivirgula were found to be elevated significantly in the symptomatic workers than in the asymptomatic workers (p < 0.05) or unexposed controls (p < 0.001). However, the difference in IgG antibody activity was insignificant between precipitin-positive symptomatic workers and precipitin-positive asymptomatic workers. The results indicate that clinically important thermophilic actinomycetes are widely prevalent in cane sugar mills, and T. sacchari and S. rectivirgula are the major species involved in the sensitization of the bagasse workers in India.

Actinomycetales↗
PubMed1995

Taenia saginata cysticercosis in cattle with special reference to its prevalence, pathogenesis and economic implications in Fars Province of Iran.

The study was carried out during a 3-year period. Of 9501 cattle examined, 736 (7.7%) were infected with cysticerci of Taenia saginata. The endemic foci were identified and prevalence was significantly higher (P < 0.005) in animals from Noorabad Mammasani (10.7%), Kenareh (10.0%) and Shiraz area (8.5%) than elsewhere. The prevalence was significantly higher (P < 0.005) during spring and autumn seasons. There was no variation in the infection rate in animals of different age groups, suggesting that immunity was acquired to super-infection. The most common sites were muscle of the shoulder (26.3%) and masseter (23.7%), tongue (24.9%) and heart (23.4%). Pharynx, oesophagus and diaphragm showed 0.9, 0.5 and 0.4% infection, respectively. The metacestode caused extensive damage resulting in infiltrative, degenerative changes, haemorrhages, necrosis and exudation mainly in the vicinity of cysts. The infection was the cause of condemnation of 34.6% of infected carcases. The rejected carcases and infected organs were valued at 100.1 million Rials over the 3-year period.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1995

Immunobiochemical characterization of Brassica campestris pollen allergen.

Brassica campestris (BC), Eng. Mustard, is an important source of pollen allergen, responsible for type I hypersensitivity disorders. In the present study, BC pollen extract was characterized by TLIEF, SDS-PAGE and immunoprinting. The extract separated into 50 silver stained bands of pI 3-9 on isoelectric focusing whereas it resolved into 14 Coomassie blue stained protein bands of 14-100 kD on SDS-PAGE. Immunoblot analysis with individual patient sera detected four allergenic proteins of 90, 67, 60 and 14 kD. BC separated into 8 peaks (Bras 1-8) on DEAE Sephadex A-50 column. Bras 2 was found to be most potent by IgE specific ELISA, hence further fractionated on Sephadex G-200. A protein of 90 kD (Bras 2a) isolated by gel filtration was found to be most allergenic protein by ELISA inhibition. The findings shall be applicable in standardization of future batches of BC pollen extract to be used for allergy diagnosis and immunotherapy.

Allergens↗
PubMed1995

Antigenic and allergenic relationships among airborne grass pollens in India.

BACKGROUND: Pollen from grasses (Poaceae) are predominant aeroallergens throughout the world including tropical countries. Studies from USA, Europe, and Australia have shown extensive allergenic/antigenic cross reactivity among the grass pollen allergens prevalent there. No such information is available about airborne grass pollens of tropical countries. OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to explore common antigenic/allergenic components, if any, of five important grass pollens of India. METHODS: Intradermal tests (ID) were performed with pollen extracts of Cenchrus, Cynodon, Imperata, Pennisetum, and Sorghum in patients with nasobronchial allergy. ELISAs were performed for estimating the allergen-specific IgE in sera of patients eliciting markedly positive ID response (2+ to 4+). To detect cross reactivity, ELISA inhibition experiments were carried out using pooled patient sera and five grasses, individually, as inhibitors with different solid phase antigens. To evaluate common antigenic components in Cenchrus, Imperata, and Pennisetum pollen extracts, rocket immunoelectrophoresis (RIE) and ELISA inhibition were conducted using rabbit antisera. RESULTS: Among 133 patients, Cynodon extract elicited markedly positive skin reactivity in most patients followed by Pennisetum, Imperata, Cenchrus, and Sorghum. A large number of patients showed markedly positive skin reactions and enhanced specific IgE levels to more than one grass pollen extract. ELISA inhibition experiments showed different degrees of cross reactivity among the grass pollens studied. Rocket immunoelectrophoresis and ELISA inhibition using rabbit antisera with homologous and heterologous pollen revealed the presence of shared antigenic components in Cenchrus, Imperata, and Pennisetum extracts. CONCLUSION: The varied dose-response curves obtained with ELISA inhibition using different inhibitors suggest the presence of both common and specific antigens/allergens in the grass pollens studied. Based on the extensive immunologic cross reactivity, among the tropical grass species, it may be possible to use mixed allergen preparations for allergy diagnosis and immunotherapy.

Allergens↗
PubMed1994

Metacestodes of sheep with special reference to their epidemiological status, pathogenesis and economic implications in Fars Province, Iran.

This study was undertaken over a period of 2 years. Of 7992 sheep examined, 2088 (26.12%), 2266 (28.36%), 15 (0.19%) and 738 (9.8%) were infected with Echinococcus granulosus, Taenia hydatigena, Taenia ovis and Taenia multiceps metacestodes, respectively. The prevalence was higher in animals belonging to migratory tribal people than in those owned by the permanent residents of Fars Province. Dogs in the former group also showed significantly higher levels of infection with E. granulosus (33.3%) and Taenia spp. (40.7%) than those in the latter group. The metacestodes caused tissue damage in different organs, resulting in condemnation of meat or viscera valued at 10.2 million rials. The migration of tribal people has a direct bearing on the transmission of these parasites and must be taken into account in control planning.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Occurrence and significance of precipitating antibodies against thermophilic actinomycetes in the sera of dairy herd workers, Nangali, Delhi.

The study was prompted by the lack of information on the role of thermophilic actinomycetes in hypersensitivity pneumonitis in India. It reports the occurrence of precipitating antibodies against clinically important thermophilic actinomycetes in the sera of a population sample of dairy herd workers, Nangali, Delhi. Of 112 workers investigated, 28 (25%) showed precipitins against Faenia rectivirgula, 4 (3.2%) against Saccharomonospora viridis, 2 against Thermoactinomyces thalpophilus and one each against T. vulgaris and T. sacchari. The results of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) indicated that IgG antibody activity against F. rectivirgula was significantly higher in the symptomatic group than in the asymptomatic group (p less than 0.05) of workers and the controls (p less than 0.01). Significant difference in F. rectivirgula IgG activity was also obtained between the precipitin-positive symptomatic group and the precipitin-positive asymptomatic group (p less than 0.05). In strong contrast, the IgG antibody activity against T. thalpophilus was found to be uniformly low. A limited aeromicrobiological sampling of the dairy farm revealed S. viridis (55.8%) to be the commonest species followed by T. vulgaris (19.2%), T. thalpophilus (18.5%), F. rectivirgula (5%) and T. sacchari (1.5%). On the basis of suggestive clinical and laboratory findings, farmer's lung disease was suspected in four dairy herd workers. A comprehensive clinical evaluation including pulmonary function studies on the dairy herd workers and their long-term follow-up is indicated to determine the extent of respiratory morbidity caused by F. rectivirgula, S. viridis, T. thalpophilus, T. sacchari and T. vulgaris in India.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Etiologic significance of mosquito (Anopheles stephensi) in respiratory allergy in India.

The etiologic significance of Anopheles stephensi, a common mosquito species in Delhi, in respiratory allergic disorders was investigated. Intradermal (ID) tests with the mosquito whole body extract (WBE) were performed on 247 patients with bronchial asthma and/or rhinitis and 50 healthy nonallergic volunteers. Of these 247 patients, 118 (47.8%) had positive (1+ to 4+) reactions including 72 (29.1%) with markedly positive (2+ to 4+) ID reactions. We did not observe any 2+ to 4+ skin reactions in normal healthy volunteers, giving evidence for the specificity of markedly positive ID response. The skin test positivity was not influenced by various clinical characteristics (age at onset, duration and type of disease, and family history) of patients included in the study. The specificity of positive ID response was further supported by the results of mosquito RAST with the sera of 14 patients. Ten of the 12 sera (83%) from patients with positive ID response to mosquito WBE were RAST positive. Sera from two patients with negative ID reactions were RAST negative. The bronchial provocation tests (BPTs) were uniformly negative in all five healthy volunteers and two patients showing negative ID responses to mosquito WBE, while the three patients showing 2+ to 4+ responses gave positive BPTs. Our results suggest that mosquito-derived particles are important inhalant allergens in the etiology of IgE-mediated respiratory allergic disorders in India.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Countercurrent immunoelectrophoresis in the diagnosis of Taenia hydatigena cysticercosis in goats.

The procedure of countercurrent immunoelectrophoresis in the diagnosis of Taenia hydatigena cysticercosis in goats was carried out for antemortem diagnosis of T. hydatigena cysticercosis in experimentally and naturally infected goats. The antigens of cyst fluid, scolex and membrane of T. hydatigena metacestodes were purified and compared. The sensitivity of the test in experimentally and naturally infected goats was 57.1 and 52.5%, respectively, whereas its specificity using antisera raised against T. solium cysticercosis, hydatid cyst and Fasciola gigantica was 66.7 and 83.4% with partially purified and fractionated antigens, respectively. Of all three antigens, the cyst fluid antigen was found to be most reactive. The test could be employed for antemortem diagnosis of T. hydatigena cysticercosis using purified antigen.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Shared and specific allergenic and antigenic components in the two sexes of American cockroach--Periplaneta americana.

The whole body extracts (WBEs) of female and male cockroaches (Periplaneta americana; Pa) were prepared separately to study the specific and/or shared allergenic and antigenic components in the two sexes. These two extracts were skin-tested on 170 respiratory allergy patients and 52 (30.6%) of them elicited a markedly positive cutaneous reaction (2+ to 4+) to any one or both the WBEs. Of these 52 patients, 32 (61.5%) produced a 2+ to 4+ response to only one, and the remaining 20 (38.5%) to both the extracts. In female and male RASTs to Pa both the extracts produced dose-related inhibition. Using rabbit anti-Pa female serum: (1) immuno-diffusion experiments resulted in lines of identity with the two extracts, and (2) the two-dimensional immunoelectrophoresis of Pa female and Pa male WBEs elicited 12 and nine precipitin peaks, respectively. In partial purification studies, only fraction Pa(F)III (approximately 50 kD) of Pa female WBE and Pa(M)I (greater than or equal to 600 kD) and Pa(M)III (approximately 50 kD) fractions of Pa male WBE revealed significant allergen activity both on skin testing and also in RAST inhibition studies. These results provide evidence for the presence of shared as well as specific allergenic and antigenic components in the two sexes of American cockroach.

Allergens↗
PubMed1990

Increased leukocyte phospholipase A2 activity and plasma lysophosphatidylcholine levels in asthma and rhinitis and their relationship to airway sensitivity to histamine.

This study was carried out to determine leukocyte phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity and plasma lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) levels in normal subjects and in patients with asthma and rhinitis and to examine their relationship to airway sensitivity to histamine. Leukocyte PLA2 activity and plasma LPC levels were highly correlated (rs = 0.90), and were found significantly raised in both the disease groups, more so in the asthmatics. Both PLA2 activity and LPC levels showed overall negative correlations with the log dose of histamine producing a 35% fall in specific airway conductance (PD35 histamine) when the patients and the normal subjects were examined together (rs = -0.77 and rs = -0.83, respectively). The patients with leukocyte PLA2 activity more than 1.8 U (nmol 14C-AA released/mg protein/10 min at 30 degrees C) or plasma LPC levels more than 8.7% of total phospholipids (mostly asthmatics) showed high airway sensitivity to histamine (PD35 histamine less than or equal to 1 mg/ml). On the other hand, the PD35 histamine values of patients with leukocyte PLA2 activity equal to or less than 1.96 U or plasma LPC levels equal to or less than 8.7% overlapped with those of normal subjects in the range of 1.2 to 10 mg/ml. Lowering of plasma LPC levels, which probably reflect tracheobronchial LPC content as shown in guinea pigs, seems to be an essential step in the return of airway reactivity toward normal.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Comparative evaluation of various immunodiagnostic tests for the diagnosis of Taenia solium cysticercosis in pigs, using fractionated antigens.

The sensitivity and specificity of double immunodiffusion (DID), indirect haemagglutination test (IHA), immunoelectrophoresis (IEP), counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIEP) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were evaluated and compared using saline extracted of Taenia solium larval scolex and its Sephadex G-200 fractionated 1st and 2nd peak as antigens. Various immunodiagnostic tests gave different results with different antigens. Highest sensitivity (92.5%) was obtained with 84.6% sensitivity was obtained with IHA and CIEP respectively using scolex antigen. CIEP gave better results as compared to IEP. Crude antigen gave high sensitivity but less specificity. It was concluded that CIEP can be used as a field test for the anti-mortem diagnosis and ELISA can be employed for laboratory confirmation of T. solium cysticercosis in pigs using fractionated 1st peak antigen.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Effect of long-term treatment with sodium cromoglycate on nonspecific bronchial hyperresponsiveness in asthma.

Several studies in the past have demonstrated a reduction in nonspecific bronchial hyperresponsiveness subjects with seasonal extrinsic asthma after long-term treatment with sodium cromoglycate. Since sodium cromoglycate is an effective drug in the prophylactic treatment of all types of asthma, we assessed the effect of a three-month treatment on nonspecific bronchial hyperresponsiveness in 11 patients with perennial asthma. Bronchial responsiveness was determined by histamine bronchoprovocation test, using SGaw as the index of lung function and expressed as PD35SGaw. During the run-in period of one month when sodium cromoglycate was not used, the histamine PD35SGaw decreased significantly from 0.15 +/- 0.30 to 0.09 +/- 0.29 mg/ml (p less than 0.001). After three months of treatment with the drug, bronchial hyperresponsiveness was reduced significantly; the PD35SGaw was 0.21 +/- 0.29 mg/ml (p less than 0.001). It was concluded that long-term treatment of patients with perennial asthma with sodium cromoglycate results in reduced bronchial hyperresponsiveness.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Clinical significance of nonspecific bronchial hyperresponsiveness in asthma.

Measurement of nonspecific bronchial hyperresponsiveness remains largely a research tool in asthma, and its usefulness in the assessment and management of asthma is poorly defined. We studied the relationship of bronchial hyperresponsiveness to the clinical severity of asthma in 54 asthmatic subjects. In order to find out whether measurement of bronchial hyperresponsiveness could be used to predict future symptomatic status and requirements for drugs, ten patients were followed for three months. We found that there was no correlation between the clinical severity of asthma and the degree of bronchial hyperresponsiveness and, also, that the latter could not be used as a prognostic indicator of future symptomatic status and drug requirements. Measurement of nonspecific bronchial hyperresponsiveness, therefore, adds little to the assessment and management of asthma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Prevalence and economic implications of Taenia solium taeniasis and cysticercosis in Uttar Pradesh State of India.

From 1980 to 1985, 3550 pigs, 530 cattle, 370 buffalo, 1850 sheep and 2100 goat of different breeds, age and sex from different parts of Uttar Pradesh State (India) were screened for the presence of cysticerci. Economic losses due to condemnation of affected meat were calculated. The overall incidence in pigs was 9.3%. Indigenous breeds brought from rural areas had the highest infection rate (8.9%). Cysticerci were commonly observed in the muscles of fore and hind limbs, tongue, neck and brain but a few cyst were also seen in other organs including heart, kidney and spleen. No statistical difference in the rate of infection with regards to age and sex was recorded. Sheep, goat, cattle and buffalo were found negative for this infection. Also 600 human faecal samples screened for the presence of adult T. solium revealed 2% infection.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Airway hyperreactivity in tropical pulmonary eosinophilia.

Eosinophils were recently proposed to act as prime inflammation-producing cells in asthma. Tissue eosinophil infiltration is an important feature of another disease, tropical pulmonary eosinophilia. Airway reactivity was determined in two patients with the latter disease and both were found to be hyperreactive.

Adolescent↗