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PubMed1999

Human herpesvirus 6 infection inhibits specific lymphocyte proliferation responses and is related to lymphocytopenia after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) infection and the HHV-6-specific lymphocyte proliferation response were studied longitudinally in 24 patients in the first 3 months after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT). HHV-6 DNAemia was analyzed by a nested PCR method, and the HHV-6-specific lymphocyte proliferation responses were evaluated with a standard lymphocyte proliferation assay. All patients who responded to HHV-6 GS (variant A) antigen also responded to HHV-6 Z29 (variant B) antigen, and a response to HHV-6 Z29 antigen was detected more often than to HHV-6 GS antigen after allo-SCT (P = 0.048). HHV-6 DNA was detected in more patients after than before transplantation (P = 0.01) and in more patients with acute GVHD grades II-IV than those without (P = 0.009). An HHV-6-specific proliferative response was more often detected in patients without, than in those with persistent HHV-6 infection (three consecutively positive PBL samples; P < 0.001). Patients with persistent HHV-6 infection had lower lymphocyte counts from the 8th week after transplantation than those without (P = 0.03). No HHV-6-specific proliferation responses were detected in the three patients who developed HHV-6 disease. HHV-6 infection was associated with persistent lymphocytopenia and might thereby inhibit immune function.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Are uraemic children immunologically compromised?

BACKGROUND: Various immunological abnormalities leading to impaired immune status have been described in uraemic adults; however, few data are available for uraemic children. METHODS: In this study, peripheral blood total lymphocyte count and lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD16+, CD20+) were evaluated, skin tests with PPD and Candida antigens were performed, and serum immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA, IgM) and complement (C3, C4) levels were measured in 30 children with end-stage renal failure (10 before dialysis, 10 on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, and 10 on haemodialysis) and the results compared with those of 15 healthy controls. RESULTS: The data showed significant lymphopenia in predialysis and haemodialysis groups. No significant change was observed in the CD4+/CD8+ ratio or in the percentages of lymphocyte subsets in either group studied, while the absolute values of some lymphocyte subsets were significantly lower in all groups as compared with controls. In skin test evaluation, only the patients in the predialysis group showed a significantly decreased response to Candida antigen. The serum immunoglobulin levels were significantly decreased in the continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis group as compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: Our results, together with those of other paediatric studies, reported in the literature, suggest that uraemic children are not immunocompromised, though the effects of uraemia may cause some variation in their immune status.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Postoperative radiation therapy and adjuvant chemoimmunotherapy in breast cancer. Aspects of timing and immune competence.

The effects of radiation therapy and adjuvant chemoimmunotherapy on the immune competence of patients with breast cancer were investigated. The tests performed included intradermal tuberculin tests, T- and B-lymphocyte counts, and lymphocyte blast transformation tests; phytohemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (ConA) and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) were used as mitogens. Enhancement in lymphocyte proliferative response to mitogenic stimulation by PHA and PWM was seen in patients after 3 courses of chemotherapy + levamisole, whereas irradiation given after chemotherapy caused long-lasting depression in response to PHA (p = 0.039) and PWM (not significant). T-lymphocyte counts were also lower after irradiation than after chemoimmunotherapy (p = 0.007). Clinically, the 16 patients treated with radiation therapy after chemotherapy exhibited a higher recurrence rate than the 24 patients treated first by irradiation. Enhanced reactivity to tuberculin tests occurred generally in patients receiving a planned treatment including irradiation, chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide) and levamisole. Enhancement of reactivity was seen more often in patients who had not relapsed.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

[Clinical study and long-term evaluation of immunomodulation therapy on trauma, severe sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome patients].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical effect and long-term evaluation of immunomodulation therapy on trauma, severe sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) patients. METHODS: Prospective, randomized, blind and controlled clinical analysis of 70 patients conforming to the enrolled standard was carried out. They were divided into two groups at random. One was control group (n=34) with regular therapy, and the treatment group (n=36) with ulinastatin plus thymosin-alpha1 on the base of regular therapy for 1 week. The immunological indexes were determined before and after therapy on the 1 st, 3 rd, 7 th, 14 th and 28 th day, including the changes in lymphocyte count, CD14(+) monocytes human leukocyte antigen (locus) DR (HLA-DR), clinical data and long-term follow-up. RESULTS: During hospitalization, 20 patients died in the control group and 13 patients died in the treatment group. There was significant difference between two groups (P<0.05). After 7 up to 28 days of therapy, the counts of lymphocyte and CD14(+) monocytes HLA-DR were significantly higher than those in control group (all P<0.05). The duration of using mechanical ventilation and pressor agent in the treatment group were shorter than those in the control group (both P<0.01). The length of stay and the cost in the intensive care unit (ICU) were not significantly increased in the treatment group (both P>0.05). The long-term survival time in the treatment group was much longer than that in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Immunomodulation therapy can improve the prognosis of trauma, severe sepsis and MODS patients in a period of 28 days of observation, and lymphocyte counts and CD14(+) monocytes HLA-DR were increased significantly, showing that immunosuppression can be ameliorated. Immunomodulation therapy can shorten the time of mechanical ventilation and the use of pressor agent, and it does not increase the length of stay and the cost in ICU, and therefore the cost-effectiveness is high. It also can prolong the long-term survival time. The results show that immunomodulation therapy is one of successful therapeutic strategies in the care of critical illness.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

PubMed1995

Effects of selenium supplementation on immune parameters in chronic uraemic patients on haemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: The involvement of selenium (Se) in immune response has been increasingly recognized, cell-mediated immunity being principally affected by Se deficiency. Blood Se levels in chronic uraemic patients are frequently lower than in controls, and in these patients cellular immunity in generally impaired. METHODS: The present study was designed to assess the effects of Se supplementation over 6 consecutive months on immune parameters in haemodialysis (HD) patients from Rostock (Germany) and Chieti (Italy). In both cities, five patients were supplemented with Se (500 micrograms thrice weekly for 3 months, then 200 micrograms thrice weekly for the next 3 months), whereas another five patients received placebo. All Se determinations were performed in a single laboratory. RESULTS: In both cities, basic plasma Se levels were significantly lower in patients than in their corresponding normal controls. After beginning Se supplementation, plasma Se concentration promptly normalized and levelled off in the normal range throughout the study. Se administration was well tolerated by all patients, and no side-effects attributable to Se toxicity were observed. Although no major change in immunocompetent cells (white blood count, total lymphocyte count, lymphocyte subpopulations) was observed during Se therapy, an improvement in T-cell response to phytohaemoagglutinin (as evaluated in Rostock patients) and a significant progressive increase in delayed-type hypersensitivity (as evaluated in Chieti patients) was observed in supplemented patients. After 6 months of Se therapy, the increase in delayed-type hypersensitivity of supplemented patients proved to be significantly higher when compared to both presupplementation values and to the results found in non-supplemented patients. Three months after suspension of Se supplementation, plasma Se levels and delayed hypersensitivity significantly decreased in Chieti patients, with both parameters returning similar to presupplementation values. CONCLUSIONS: In accordance with previous studies done in non-uraemic subjects, our investigation demonstrates for the first time the immunostimulatory properties of Se in HD patients. Though several problems on Se metabolism in uraemia remain unresolved, in our opinion moderate and safe Se supplementation can be beneficial in chronic uraemic patients.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

PubMed1994

[Two pulmonary tuberculosis cases with HIV infection].

UNLABELLED: It was reported that HIV-infected persons were at much higher risk to develop active tuberculosis than HIV-none-infected persons, about 10% of whom might develop active tuberculosis through their lives, almost identical percentage of HIV-infected persons had developed active tuberculosis annually. In Japan, 2838 HIV-infected persons including 621 AIDS-cases were reported by the end of June 1993. Oct. Ten HIV-infected cases of active mycobacteriosis have been reported in literatures or on scientific meeting. We experienced two tuberculosis cases with HIV-infection recently and will report herein. FIRST CASE: A 23 years-old male student of Japanese-language school from Myammer. He was admitted to our hospital because of high fever and cough. His chest X-ray film taken on admission showed left hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes swelling, calcification of left hilar lymph node and infiltration in middle lung field. Sputum smear for acid fast bacilli was strongly positive. The cultured isolates were identified as Mycobacterium tuberculosis by DNA probe methods and were susceptibility tests were sensitive to all antituberculous drugs. Tuberculin skin reaction was negative. Laboratory data on admission: serum albumin level was 2.7 g/dl, A/G ratio was 0.75, CRP was 26.4 dg/ml, HBe antigen and antibody were positive, HIV antibody was positive by PA method and Western blot method, total lymphocyte count was 410/microliters, total T lymphocyte count was 303/microliters, total B lymphocyte count was 29/microliters, CD4+ T lymphocyte count was 37/microliters, CD8+ T lymphocyte count was 279/microliters, CD4+/CD8+ ratio was 0.1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Immunological markers in HIV-infected pregnant and non-pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of pregnancy on the course of HIV infection by comparing the behaviour of total lymphocyte counts and lymphocyte subsets (CD4(+) and CD8(+) and their ratio) in a cohort of infected pregnant women. SETTING: Tertiary referral centre for high risk obstetrics and infectious diseases in pregnancy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective study was designed, HIV infected women being enrolled at the beginning of pregnancy and sampled each trimester and in the puerperium. As controls, a group of non-pregnant HIV-infected women, cross-matched for age, risk factors and stage of disease were included and similarly evaluated in the same period. RESULTS: All the parameters, when longitudinally evaluated, were stable during gestation. Compared with non-pregnant subjects, patients had higher CD4(+) counts at the beginning and increased values of total lymphocytes count and subsets during the puerperium. Antepartum and postpartum risk factors such as drug abuse, smoking, antiretroviral therapy, length of gestation, maternal complications and HIV status of the neonate were not influential on the total lymphocytes counts and subsets. DISCUSSION: According to this data, pregnancy per se seems to have a negligible influence over the course of HIV infection, at least as far as immune parameters are concerned.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling of total lymphocytes and selected subtypes after oral budesonide.

In the present pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) evaluation, cortisol, total lymphocytes, and lymphocyte subpopulations were monitored following single oral doses of two oral formulations of 3 mg budesonide (BUD) (Dosage Forms A and B) in order to assess the differential effects that BUD may have on cortisol suppression and the modulation of blood lymphocyte subtypes. On a single occasion, five subjects received one 3 mg capsule of Dosage Form A, four received three capsules of Dosage Form A (single dose of 9 mg), and five received three capsules of Dosage Form B (single dose of 9 mg). Placebo capsules were administered to six subjects in the study. Cortisol concentrations, total lymphocyte counts, and lymphocyte subpopulation counts for the CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, and CD56/16 were fitted to an in direct PK/PD response model that described the effects of BUD on serum cortisol concentrations as well as the combined effects of BUD and cortisol on total lymphocytes and the CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, and CD56/16 subtypes. Data were also analyzed using noncompartmental methods. The PK/PD model fitted the data with the exception of data for CD56/16. The IC(50) value for unbound BUD acting on total lymphocytes was 0.276 ng/ml while the IC(50) values for unbound BUD acting on lymphocyte subtypes ranged from 0.150 ng/ml for CD4 to 0.364 ng/ml for CD8. The IC(50) values for the effects of BUD on serum cortisol were lower (0.079 ng/ml). The results of PK/PD modeling and noncompartmental analysis indicate that BUD has a smaller effect on the CD8 subtype and larger effects on the CD4 and CD19 subtypes, relative to the effect on total lymphocytes, and that cortisol suppression, although not a direct immunological biomarker, may be a more sensitive marker for the systemic effect of corticosteroids.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2002

Detection of thoracotomy-induced alterations in cell- and humoral-mediated immune response.

OBJECTIVE: It is well known that thoracotomy leads to several complications. In this study, effects of thoracotomy on cellular and humoral immunities have been investigated. Leukocyte counts and lymphocyte counts of 100 patients operated by thoracotomy have been determined preoperatively and on the postoperative 3rd hour, and 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th days. Also lymphocyte surface markers (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD4/CD8, CD19, CD16/56) and immunoglobulin levels (IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE) in 40 out of 100 patients in the preoperative period and postoperatively twice on 7th day and then in the 3rd week have been detected. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the methodology hemocounter, flow cytometer, immunoprecipitation, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used. RESULTS: A marked increase in leukocyte count while a marked decrease in lymphocyte count has been observed after thoracotomy (P<0.001). There was not any significant alteration in levels of lymphocyte surface markers and immunoglobulins in the postoperative period (P>0.2). CONCLUSION: According to these results, leucocytosis occurred but lymphocyte count decreased in the early postoperative period. Immunoglobulin levels and subpopulation of lymphocytes were not affected from the operative stress.

Adult↗

PubMed1981

[Immunological monitoring of patients operated on for epidermoid bronchogenic carcinoma].

Sequential monitoring of non specific immunity has been carried out in 16 patients with squamous cell bronchogenic carcinoma undergoing radical surgery. At the time of diagnosis total lymphocyte counts, T-lymphocyte counts and the blastogenic response of lymphocytes to PHA were only slightly depressed; on the contrary C3c and C4 serum levels were significantly increased (P less than 0.01). Sequential determinations of the immunologic profile at monthly intervals up to the 12th postoperative month showed a transient increase of total lymphocyte and T-lymphocyte levels; the lymphocyte blastogenic response to PHA and also C3c and C4 serum levels progressively decreased. Delayed hypersensitivity response to cutaneous antigens, neutrophil chemotaxis, serum levels of IgG, IgA, IgM and B-lymphocyte counts were constantly found within normal range.

Adult↗

PubMed1983

Immunobiologic staging of patients with carcinoma of the head and neck.

For decades immunologic deficiencies have been documented in patients with carcinoma, and many investigators have attempted to utilize this information in determining prognosis more accurately. Determining prognosis more accurately would be most helpful with Stage III patients, since at present there are no useful guidelines as to which Stage III patients would benefit from aggressive surgery and/or radiation therapy and which would not. Assays of cellular immunity--such as skin testing, determining peripheral T-lymphocyte counts, and assessing lymphocyte reactivity--have achieved extremely limited clinical application. These assays are too expensive and/or too difficult to perform in the routine clinical setting. Total lymphocyte counts, however, are readily available in the clinical setting and can be helpful in determining prognosis. Other readily available clinical information, such as age and pretreatment serum immunoglobulin levels, can also be of value in determining prognosis. In this study, logistic regression was utilized to determine the prognostic implications of stage, age, and pretreatment total lymphocyte counts in 132 patients with carcinoma of the head and neck. Although each variable determined prognosis accurately less than 70% of the time, the stage, age, lymphocyte prognostic index (SALPI) accurately predicted outcome at 3 year follow-up 80% of the time (Pr. less than .0001). Discriminant function analysis was utilized to determine the prognostic implications of pretreatment serum immunoglobulins in 243 patients with head and neck carcinoma. A serum immunoglobulin prognostic index (SIPI) was derived which was based on the observations that elevated levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA) indicated a poor prognosis, while elevated levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) and immunoglobulin D (IgD) indicated a favorable prognosis (Pr. less than .009). The SIPI was not as accurate as the SALPI in determining prognosis; however, when the indices were used simultaneously, concurring indices predicted the outcome of Stage III patients correctly 86% of the time.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Lymphocyte subset counts in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients in relation to administration of recombinant human erythropoietin and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.

Estimation of lymphocyte subset counts (SLCs) is a useful tool in diagnosing nutrition and immune changes in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. Administration of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) can influence SLCs. Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between rHuEPO and ACEI doses and SLCs in the course of CAPD. In the group of studied patients (n = 55), 34 patients were taking rHuEPO and 38 patients were taking ACEIs. In 35 patients, enalapril was the ACEI used. Seven patients were taking rHuEPO, but not ACEIs; 11 patients were taking ACEIs, but not rHuEPO; 27 patients were taking rHuEPO and ACEIs both; and 10 patients were receiving neither rHuEPO nor ACEIs. Flow cytometry was used to estimate CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, and CD16 + 56 antigens. In the study group, a correlation was seen between dialysis duration and rHuEPO dose (r = 0.395). No correlation was seen between CAPD duration and ACEI dose, but it was seen for total rHuEPO and ACEI doses (r = 0.327). A negative correlation was also seen between dialysis duration and CD19 cell count (r = -0.313). In patients taking only ACEIs (n = 11), a negative correlation was seen between total ACEI doses and CD16 + 56 cell count (r = -0.710). In patients who were not receiving rHuEPO or ACEIs, negative correlations were seen between dialysis duration and total lymphocyte count (r = -0.727), CD3 cell count (r = -0.706), CD4 cell count (r = -0.636), and CD8 cell count (r = -0.764). In conclusion, rHuEPO and ACEIs can influence the total lymphocyte count or lymphocyte subset counts--the natural changes being disturbed with prolongation of CAPD treatment. The possibility of this influence should be taken into account when evaluating lymphocyte counts as indices of nutrition and immune status.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Interleukin-2 alterations in the immune status of patients with mammary neoplasm.

Immune control is achieved by the balance between tumour reduction mechanisms and the "immunological creeping" phenomenon. The purpose of this study was to look into the alterations of the immune effector component in the case of mammary tumours. The study included 42 cases of women with a clinical diagnosis of mammary tumour, initially referred for surgery, with a mean age of 45.07 (18-65 years of age). Neither radiotherapy nor chemotherapy had been given to the patients before surgery. Histopathological examination performed intraoperatively as well as later, under paraffin, revealed 12 cases of malign tumours. The control group consisted of 18 women (blood donors), apparently healthy, with a mean age of 41 (30-49 years of age). In both groups, the immune status was assessed by means of: lymphocyte counts, T-lymphocyte counts (TL), rosetting, lymphocyte blastic transformation test (BLT) under the action of polyclonal mitogens, immunoglobulin dosing and Interleukin-2 (IL-2) determination in lymphocyte cultures stimulated with mitogens. The conclusion of our results has been that even in the less advanced stages of mammary cancer, there occur alterations of the immune response represented by: A decrease in the total number of lymphocytes, especially through a decrease of the TL number; A decrease of the lymphocyte blastic transformation index on stimulation with PHA; A decrease of IL-2 concentration in cultures stimulated with mitogens through the impairment of the TL CD4+ (TL Helper) function. The decrease of IL-2 production capacity influences the transmission of the immune message to the cytotoxic TL and thus impairs the cytotoxic effector component whose role is to remove tumoral cells. Evidence of IL-2 involvement in the immunodeficiency of mammary cancer patients could prove useful for diagnosis purposes and could plead in favour of the therapeutic potential of this interleukin.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

White blood cells as a novel mortality predictor in haemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Many conventional cardiovascular risk factors in the general population are not as predictive in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). As absolute neutrophil count and total white blood cell (WBC) count are associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes and all-cause mortality, this analysis was undertaken to explore the associations of WBC variables with mortality risk in ESRD. METHODS: Of a total study population of 44 114 ESRD patients receiving haemodialysis during 1998 at facilities operated by Fresenius Medical Care, North America, 25 661 patients who underwent differential white cell count and had complete follow-up were included. Information on case mix (age, gender, race), clinical (diabetes, body mass index), and laboratory variables (haematocrit, albumin, creatinine, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, bicarbonate, ferritin, transferrin saturation and differential WBC count) was obtained. Associations between lymphocyte count, neutrophil count and demographic and clinical variables were examined using linear regression. Associations between WBC variables and survival were estimated using Cox proportional hazard regression. RESULTS: A higher lymphocyte count was associated with higher serum albumin and creatinine, lower age and black race. High neutrophil count was associated with lower serum albumin and creatinine, younger age and white race (all Ps <0.0001). Cox proportional hazard regression showed an increased lymphocyte count was associated with reduced mortality risk [HR 0.86 (0.83-0.89) per 500/ml increase in lymphocyte count] and an increased neutrophil count was associated with increased mortality risk [HR 1.08 (1.06-1.09) per 1000/ml increase in neutrophil count]. CONCLUSIONS: An increased neutrophil count is strongly associated with, and reduced lymphocyte count associated less strongly with, many surrogates of both malnutrition and inflammation. An increased neutrophil count and reduced lymphocyte count are independent predictors of increased mortality risk in haemodialysis patients.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

The role of immunosuppression and immune-activation in classic Kaposi's sarcoma.

Immunodeficiency and elevated levels of cytokines have been associated with the development of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) lesions in patients with AIDS and iatrogenic immunodeficiency. However, their role in classic KS (CKS) is unclear. We measured peripheral blood cell levels, including T-cell subsets, as well as neopterin and beta(2)-microglobulin in 91 HIV-negative Greek patients with histologically confirmed CKS and in 107 controls matched for age and sex. CKS cases had slightly lower leukocyte counts (p = 0.08) and lymphocyte counts (p = 0.02). Although the percentage of CD4 and CD8 T-lymphocytes were not significantly different from controls (p = 0.10 and p = 0.45, respectively), CD4 T-lymphocytes were lower in cases than controls (812 cells/microliter and 1,009 cells/microliter, respectively; p = 0.01); part of this difference resulted from the lower lymphocyte counts (p = 0.07 after adjusting for lymphocyte counts). However, neopterin and beta(2)-microglobulin were both considerably elevated [geometric mean (95% CI): 8.35 (7.27-9.73) nmol/L and 2,904 (2,479-3,401) microgram/L in cases and 5.86 (5.40-6. 35) nmol/L and 2,042 (1,880-2,218) microgram/L in controls, respectively]. We conclude that CKS patients are predominantly characterised by immune activation, although an element of minor immunosupression may also be present.

Biomarkers↗

PubMed1995

Changes of white blood cells, immunosuppressive acidic protein, and interleukin-2 receptor after open heart surgery.

There are a lot of immunological changes after major surgery, especially in open heart surgery when blood flows through a cardiopulmonary bypass system. We monitored leukocyte count, lymphocyte subpopulation count, soluble IL- 2 receptor (sIL-2r) and serum IL-2 levels, and an immunosuppressive acidic protein (IAP) level before and on the 1st, 7th, and 14th day after open heart surgery. It was noted that there were significant increases of total leukocyte and granulocyte counts for more than two weeks. But total lymphocyte, T-lymphocyte, b-lymphocyte, natural killer cell, suppressor T-cell, and helper T-cell all showed significant decreases in absolute numbers for more than one week as compared to the preoperative values. Serum IAP level was elevated for more than two weeks after operation. Serum IL-2 decreased but serum sIL-2R increased in the postoperative period. It is concluded that there is a period of immunosuppression after open heart surgery which lasts for at least one week and perhaps more than two weeks.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1981

[Controlled study of unspecific cellular immunity in cancer patients].

Cellular immunity has been studied in 92 patients with solid tumors undergoing surgery, in order to evaluate immunocompetence at the time of diagnosis and to assess the prognostic value of parameters of cellular immunity. The results show that total lymphocyte counts, T-lymphocyte counts and lymphocyte blastogenic responses are moderately depressed at diagnosis in the cancer patients as compared to age matched controls. These parameters of cell mediated immunity "in vitro" seem to be of limited prognostic value, since no correlation was found with the clinical course during the first 6 postoperative months. Depression of delayed hypersensitivity response to cutaneous antigens appeared to be an index of poor prognosis.

Adult↗

PubMed1987

Lymphocyte proliferation and cytotoxic assays using flat-bed scintillation counting.

Lymphocyte 51Cr release and [3H]thymidine uptake assays were evaluated with respect to measurement of sample radioactivity using the flat-bed scintillation counter. 51Cr lysates were spotted onto a glass fibre filter sheet while [3H]thymidine-labelled cells were filtered onto a similar sheet using a cell harvester. The 96 samples were rapidly processed for counting, without removal of individual sample areas. Either form of preparation showed good linearity of count rate with the quantity of material on the filter. Reproducibility was good; the coefficient of variation for 96 samples being within 5%. The low background and high efficiency of this counter results in increased assay sensitivity and allows considerable economies in materials to be made. A commercial version of the counter has six counting heads permitting a high rate of sample throughput.

Beta Particles↗