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Biomedical subjects

W T London

Publications and source records attributed to W T London.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Lymphoblasts with T-cell markers in five girls with acute lymphocytic leukemia.

In previous reports, children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), who presented with T-cell markers on their lymphoblasts (T-lymphoblasts), have been predominantly older boys often with a mediastinal mass. These children are thought to constitute a subgroup of childhood ALL that has the poorest prognosis. Here, we report five girls with ALL, who presented with T-lymphoblasts but without a mediastinal mass. All responded well to chemotherapy and three of five are in maintained remission 21-33 months after diagnosis. The fourth patient died while in remission of causes other than leukemia and the fifth relapsed and died of infection two years after diagnosis. These observations suggest that girls with T-lymphoblasts may not have an adverse prognosis.

Adolescent

Experimental respiratory syncytial virus infection of four species of primates.

Four species of nonhuman primates were inoculated intranasally with 10(3.1) to 10(3.7) plaque forming units (pfu) of respiratory syncytial (RS) virus. Adults squirrel monkeys and newborn rhesus monkeys became infected and shed small quantities (peak titer 10(2.0) pfu/ml of nasopharyngeal swab specimen) of virus, but illness did not develop. Infant cebus monkeys aged 2 months became infected, shed 10(2.3) to 10(3.8) pfu/ml of nasopharyngeal swab specimen, but did not become ill. Chimpanzees aged 15 to 18 months shed a large quantity of virus, up to 10(6.0) pfu/ml of nasopharyngeal swab specimen and developed an upper respiratory illness. Chimpanzees are proposed as a possible animal model for future study of the immunopathology of RS virus disease and for in vivo evaluation of attenuated live virus vaccine candidates.

Animals

Congenital cerebral and ocular malformations induced in rhesus monkeys by Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus.

Rhesus monkey fetuses were inoculated with Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis (VEE) vaccine virus by the direct intracerebral route at approximately 100 days gestation to determine possible teratogenicity of the virus. Congenital micrencephaly, hydrocephalus and cataracts were found in all animals and porencephaly in 67 percent of the cases. The virus replicated in the brain and other organs of the fetus. VEE vaccine virus is teratogenic for non-human primates and must be considered a potential teratogen of man.

Animals

Host responses to hepatitis B infection in patients in a chronic hemodialysis unit.

Host responses to hepatitis B infection were studied in 222 patients in a chronic hemodialysis unit. From 1970 to 1976, patients were monitored monthly for development of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs), and serum transaminase (SGPT) elevations. Five categories of patients were identified as: 1) chronic carriers of HBsAg; 2) transiently HBsAg(+), who developed anti-HBs; 3) HBsAg(-) on admission, who developed anti-HBs without becoming HBsAg(+); 4) anti-HBs(+) on admission; 5) uninfected who remained HBsAg(-) and anti-HBs(-). For a patient who became HBsAg(+) in this clinic, the probability of becoming a chronic carrier was 62-8% and rose to 88.5% if he or she had been HBsAg(+) for five consecutive months. Males were more likely to become chronic carriers, and females were more likely to develop anti-HBs. Neither age, race, nor type of underlying kidney disease was associated with particular host responses to hepatitis B virus. No effect of hepatitis B infection on mortality was detected. Variation in host response to hepatitis B infection among renal dialysis patients may affect the usefulness of hepatitis B hyperimmune globulin and hepatitis B vaccine and be related to the outcome of kidney transplantation.

Antibodies, Viral

Sex differences in response to hepatitis B infection among patients receiving chronic dialysis treatment.

Patients undergoing treatment at a community-based renal dialysis clinic were monitored monthly for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs). Of 160 patients who began treatment HBsAg(-)/anti-HBs(-), 77 subsequently became HBsAg(+). Once HBsAg(+), males were more likely to remain HBsAg(+) indefinitely, whereas females were more likely to convert to HBsAg(-) and develop anti-HBs. This was not due to a sex difference in exposure to hepatitis B virus because only patients who became infected while undergoing treatment were included in the analysis. These data are clear evidence of a sex difference in response to hepatitis B virus, which may partially explain the greater incidence of several chronic liver diseases, including primary hepatocellular carcinoma, in males.

Adolescent

Forecasting the development of primary hepatocellular carcinoma by the use of risk factors: studies in West Africa.

An association between hepatitis B virus (HBV) and primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) has been found in several studies in Africa, Asia, and elsewhere. In this paper we considered the interrelations between several events related to HBV infection, which include the presence of: 1) hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), 2) antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc), 3) antibody to the surface antigen (anti-HBs), 4) chronic liver disease, 5) elevated alpha-fetoprotein, and 6) PHC. With the use of preliminary epidemiologic data, risk factors related to these events were calculated. We suggested that the interactions between these events and HBV infection in parents be used to estimate the risk of PHC for an individual in this environment.

Adolescent

Disodium phosphonoacetate in cream base as a possible topical treatment for skin lesions of herpes simplex virus in cebus monkeys.

Disodium phosphonoacetate (PAA) in a cream-ointment base was applied to herpesvirus skin lesions on the genitalia of cebus monkeys. The lesions had been produced by the intradermal injection of herpes simplex virus type 2. Concentrations of 0.2, 2, and 5% PAA were used. Liberal application of PAA at concentrations of 2 and 5% proved extremely irritating and produced extensive, severe lesions over the treated area. The 2% PAA, when applied carefully to the lesion area, proved less irritating, but did not reduce healing time when compared with the placebo-treated animals. The 0.2% PAA caused slight reduction in lesion size and duration, but these differences were not statistically significant when compared with placebo-treated animals.

Animals

Transmission of hepatitis B to chimpanzees by hepatitis B surface antigen-positive saliva and semen.

To assess the infectivity of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-containing body fluids other than blood, chimpanzees were inoculated intravenously with saliva and semen obtained from HBsAg-positive individuals implicated in non-percutaneous transmission of hepatitis B. Saliva and semen samples were negative for occult blood. The titer of HBsAg in saliva was on the average only 1/3,000 that of the corresponding serum. One chimpanzee, inoculated sequentially with saliva from three individuals, developed HBsAg at 9 weeks and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase elevation at 13 weeks after injection. HBsAg persisted for 15 weeks. This animal also developed e antigen, anti-core antibody, and anti-surface antibody. Liver biopsies showed acute hepatitis that subsequently resolved. A second chimpanzee, inoculated with HBsAg-positive semen, developed HBsAg and elevated serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase 4 weeks after inoculation and then died suddenly without explanation. HBsAg was positive in two consecutive samples and was confirmed by specific neutralization. Autopsy did not reveal evidence of hepatitis. This study demonstrates that HBsAg-positive saliva and, probably, semen contain infectious virus and suggests that saliva and/or semen may serve as important mechanisms in the transmission of type B hepatitis.

Animals

Disseminated cryptococcosis in a patas monkey (Erythrocebus patas).

Cryptococcosis was diagnosed in an adult male patas monkey (Erythrocebus patas) 9 months after importation. The disease was characterized by an open lesion on the buttock and epileptiform seizures. Diagnosis was confirmed through immunologic identification of the organism in serum and cerebrospinal fluid and by mycologic procedures performed on the cultured organism. The monkey was killed and cryptococcal organisms were found in the lung, brain, subcutaneous lesions, thyroid, pancreas, adrenals, and spinal cord. Retrospective analysis of stored serum indicated that the monkey was infected at the time of importation.

Animals

Modification of chronic hepatitis-B virus infection in chimpanzees by administration of an interferon inducer.

Chimpanzees chronically infected with hepatitis-B virus showed transient changes in several markers of infection when treated with the interferon inducer polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid-poly-l-lysine carboxymethyl cellulose. Serum Dane-particle-associated D.N.A. polymerase, e antigen and hepatitis-B surface antigen, and intrahepatic hepatitis-B surface and core antigens diminished during treatment. Defective (D.N.A.-polymerase-negative) Dane particles increased in titre transiently during treatment; these may play a role in the modulation of hepatitis-B virus infection. Humoral immune responses in chronic hepatitis-B carrier chimps were unaffected. Interferon inducers (or exogenous interferon) may be useful for the treatment of chronic hepatitis-B virus infection.

Animals

Host responses to hepatitis-B infection in patients with primary hepatic carcinoma and their families. A case/control study in Senegal, West Africa.

A case/control study of patients with primary hepatic carcinoma (P.H.C.) and their families was carried out in Dakar, Senegal. 28 P.H.C. cases were matched by age,sex, and ethnic group with 28 controls. Serum was collected from cases, controls, parents (28 mothers, 27 fathers) of cases, parents of controls, 71 siblings of cases, and 58 siblings of controls. Assays of their sera for hepatitis-B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs) and antibody to hepatitis-B core antigen (anti-HBc) produced the following results. (1) Nearly all P.H.C. cases (97%) and controls (93%) had some evidence of infection with hepatitis-B virus (H.B.V.), but the cases were more likely to be anti-HBc(+) and less likely to be anti-HBs(+) than the controls. (2) Most of the mothers of the cases were HBsAg(+) (71%), whereas only 14% of the mothers of controls were HBsAg(+). Lover titres of anti-HBs were less common in the mothers of the cases. (3) None of 27 fathers of cases had detectable anti-HBs, but 13 (48%) of the fathers of controls were anti-HBs(+). (4) Siblings of the P.H.C. cases were more likely to have anti-HBs than either their sibs with P.H.C. or the sibs of the controls. However, sibs of P.H.C. cases had lower titres of anti-HBs than the sibs of the controls. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that the P.H.C. cases were infected with H.B.V. by their mothers and that there was an environmental factor which affected the immunological response of all family members to H.B.V. Infection with H.B.V. and the mode of response to that infection among members of families appear to be major factors in the aetiology of P.H.C. in West Africa.

Adult

Induction of diarrhea in colostrum-deprived newborn rhesus monkeys with the human reovirus-like agent of infantile gastroenteritis.

Diarrhea developed in five newborn rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) inoculated orally on the first day of life with the human reovirus-like agent of infantile gastroenteritis. Incubation period ranged from 2-5 days; virus particles were detected in stools in association with illness, and virus shedding lasted between 1 and 3 days. Virus derived from monkeys that developed illness following inoculation was infectious for other monkeys but did not induce diarrhea which could be associated temporally with virus shedding. Viral antigens were also detected in tissues of the grossly abnormal small intestine of an acutely-ill monkey. Serum antibody responses were demonstrated in two of the ill animals by complement-fixation and/or immunofluorescence.

Age Factors

Nutritional studies in the pregnant rhesus monkey--the effect of protein-calorie or protein deprivation on growth of the fetal brain.

Twenty four pregnant nulliparous rhesus monkeys were distributed in three groups. While pregnant, the mothers were fed a diet, adequate in mineral and vitamins, that afforded 4.2 g protein and 100 cal; 1.2 g protein and 100 cal; or 1.2 g protein and 50 cal per kg per day. The fetuses were taken by cesarian section at 156 days gestation (term = 165 days) and the cerebrum and cerebellum were subsequently analysed chemically to assess composition and growth. Analyses revealed no statistically significant changes in protein, DNA, RNA, cholesterol, phospholipid, water, or chloride space of either tissue. The zinc concentration per gram of cerebral tissue or protein was significantly elevated in the low protein low calorie group. These results indicate that the brain of the fetus of this primate is protected during frank protein-calorie restriction of the mother. Moreover it is during this time that the major part of brain development takes place. It is argued that the differences observed after maternal restriction of protein and/or calories in subprimate mammals are not necessarily applicable to the human situation.

Animals

Experimental lead paint poisoning in nonhuman primates. I. Clinical signs and course.

Lead-containing paints were administered orally to 27 rhesus monkeys for periods of 18-667 days. Lead acetate was fed to nine monkeys of three different species for 9-156 days. Excretion of one week's dose of lead in six primates ranged from 35 to 94%. The animals incurred moderate to extreme elevations of lead in blood, most lost weight, or had depressed weight gains, and developed Burtonian lines, some died suddenly and unexpectedly, and many terminated in a moribund state with profound anemia. Only one neonate had obvious signs of lead encephalopathy. The monkeys' ages, dose and source of lead, and possibly other factors, affected their response to lead.

Age Factors

Use of immune serum globulin (human) to reduce mortality in newly imported rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta).

Immune serum globulin (human) (ISGH) was administered intramuscularly to approximately 5,600 rhesus monkeys weighing between 1.5 and 3.6 kg. The animals were housed at three separate facilities under differing quarantine conditions. ISGH recipients were grossly healthier, suffered less morbidity and fewer developed antibodies against measles (rubeola) virus. Mortality among ISGH-treated animals was only 20-57% of that in the control animals. No adverse effects were seen from the injection of ISGH into rhesus monkeys, and residual antibodies from the injected material could not be detected 18 and 47 days postinoculation.

Animals