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[Cellular and humoral immunity in asymptomatic carriers of the hepatitis B virus].

Eighty-eight asymptomatic HBsAg carriers were examined for cellular and humoral immunity and markers of virus B hepatitis in liver tissue and blood serum. The following results were obtained: HBsAg and HBcAg in liver tissue were found in 10 and 19 out of the 24 examinees, respectively, HBeAg and anti-Hbe in blood serum in 2 and 20 out of the 25 examinees, respectively. No alterations were recorded on the part of humoral immunity. Changes in cellular immunity manifested themselves by reduction in the number of T lymphocytes, and decreased response to PHA. Sensitization to HBsAg led to the purification of hepatitis B virus whereas the presence of simultaneous sensitization to liver-specific lipoprotein contributed to development of graver patterns of liver injury. The role of the immune system and hepatitis B virus itself in the pathogenesis of liver injury in asymptomatic HBsAg carriers is discussed.

Adolescent↗

Peripheral white blood cell alterations in early labor.

The peripheral blood counts of 101 pregnant women in very early labor and 41 nonpregnant controls were compared through automated total and differential blood count techniques. There were profound quantitative changes in the peripheral bloods of the pregnant women. These included, in association with pregnancy, increases in the absolute number (per ml) of total white cell counts (p less than 0.0005), segmented neutrophils (p less than 0.0005), band neutrophils (p less than 0.0005), and monocytes (p less than 0.0005). In contrast, there was a significant decrease in the absolute number (per ml) of peripheral lymphocytes in pregnancy (p less than 0.05) and a significantly larger proportion of bloods from pregnant women had less than 10(6) lymphocytes per ml (p less than 0.0005). The percentage of segmented neutrophils increased significantly during pregnancy (p less than 0.0005) as did band neutrophils (p less than 0.0005). We also noted a significant decrease in the percentages of peripheral lymphocytes (p less than 0.0005). In contrast, there were no significant differences in the percentages of monocytes between pregnant women and nonpregnant controls. The increase in the absolute number of monocytes and the decrease in the absolute number of lymphocytes led to a significant decrease in lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (p less than 0.0005) during pregnancy. It is concluded that the maternal peripheral blood changes in late pregnancy may reflect immune changes required for the immune adaption between fetus and mother-host.

Female↗

Health effects of radiation incidents in the southern Urals.

This article discusses the most important information on health effects in the Urals region (Russia) of residents exposed to radiation from activities of a weapon plutonium separation plant. The population residing on the contaminated territory was exposed to chronic combined irradiation (external gamma-irradiation and internal irradiation due to Sr-90 and Cs-137). The red bone marrow (RBM) was the critical organ affected as a result of radiation events in the Urals. In the early period, after the discharges of radioactive wastes into the river Techa (about 3 M Ci) started, cases of chronic radiation sickness (CRS; 940 cases, in total), postirradiation reactions manifested by changes in blood parameters (e.g., leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, granulocytopenia), nervous system disorders, immunity changes and ostealgic syndrome were registered in a portion of those riverside village residents who had received the highest doses. Increased leukemia and cancer mortality and morbidity rates were noted among this population in later periods. No late effects were observed in residents exposed to an explosion in a radioactive waste depot in September, 1957 when radioactive wastes with about 20 M Ci of activity were released into the environment. Similarly, the offspring of the residents exposed on the Techa also did not display any late effects. The data about the possibilities of long-term (43-45 years after the start of exposure) biological indication of chronic internal exposure are presented. The methods used in the study include in situ fluorescent hybridization, analysis of mutations in the TCR gene of peripheral blood lymphocytes and erythrocyte mutations in the glycophorine A system. No dependence of genomic translocations and mutations in glycophorine A on cumulative exposure dose to RBM was traced.

Adult↗

Specific down-regulation of anti-allergen IgE and IgG antibodies in humans associated with injections of allergen-specific antibody complexes.

Several approaches have recently been put forward describing attempts to suppress the IgE immune response towards allergens, which is thought to be the key event in allergic diseases. In a series of clinical trials we have shown that injections of complexes made up from allergen and specific antibodies are an effective treatment for allergic bronchial asthma and atopic dermatitis. In the work presented here we have examined the humoral immunity changes associated with the use of such complexes in a group of 19 adult patients suffering from atopic dermatitis and hypersensitive to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp), and in whom a significant clinical improvement was observed. By comparing serum samples taken prior to and after 4 months of therapy, we show that the administration of immune complexes is associated with: (i) a significant and selective reduction of IgG and IgE antibodies specific for Dp allergens; (ii) a down-regulation that affects only the antibodies present in the complexes; (iii) the induction of corresponding anti-idiotypic antibodies. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration in humans that an anti-allergen antibody response can be down-regulated in a highly selective manner and that this is accompanied by significant clinical improvement. Moreover, the selective reduction of IgG antibodies could be of value in the treatment of some forms of auto-immune diseases.

Adult↗

Biological markers of host susceptibility to air pollutants in epidemiologic studies on chronic airways obstruction.

Measuring the variations in risk among individuals or populations of environmentally induced chronic airways obstruction is necessary to develop rational policy to reduce the incidence of those diseases in a given population. Before being able to formulate this policy, however, one must know how to detect those individuals who are susceptible to ari pollutants since they are at increased risk of disease. In the paper the authors discussed several monitoring techniques to detect markers of early biological events relevant to host susceptibility and disease progression. The biological markers are based on genetic traits, pulmonary function tests, biochemical and immune changes. The authors discuss merits and demerits of particular approaches in identifying persons prone to chronic airways obstruction. They stress the point that more research is needed on biochemical and immunological markers of lung injury to assess their usefulness in identifying individuals at higher risk.

Air Pollutants↗

HIV-1 immunogen induction of HIV-1-specific delayed-type hypersensitivity: results of a double-blind, adjuvant-controlled, dose-ranging trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the capacity of an HIV-1 immunogen to induce or augment HIV-1-specific delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) over a range of doses in asymptomatic HIV-1-seropositive adults. DESIGN: A single center, double-blind, adjuvant-controlled, dose-ranging trial involving 48 HIV-1-seropositive asymptomatic patients. Each dose group consisted of 12 subjects, eight receiving HIV-1 immunogen and four incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA). The doses studied were 50, 100, 200, or 400 micrograms (total protein). The HIV-1 immunogen was administered intramuscularly every 4 weeks for 36 weeks, with dosing contingent on the lack of an HIV-1 immunogen DTH response. A maximum of six doses was permitted. METHODS: Immunogenicity was assessed every 4 weeks by DTH skin testing to the inactivated HIV-1 antigen in saline with > 9 mm induration representing a response to immunization. Changes in p24-antibody levels were determined by endpoint titration using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot. RESULTS: At doses of > or = 100 micrograms, all treated patients demonstrated significant differences in the ability to mount an HIV-1-specific cell-mediated response relative to adjuvant controls. Dose-related response patterns were observed in the period between doses and the occurrence of rises in HIV-1 DTH. Treatment appeared to increase p24-antibody titers as well as reactivities to other HIV-1 antigens as determined by Western blots. The HIV-1 immunogen was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: The minimum dose of the HIV-1 immunogen in IFA required to induce HIV-1 DTH relative to the IFA control group was 100 micrograms in this patient population.

Adult↗

[Macrophage activation syndrome in lupus].

A patient with systemic lupus erythematosus developed unexplained fever, nonregenerative anemia, leukopenia, and elevations in serum triglyceride and ferritin levels. Bone marrow studies established the diagnosis of macrophage activation syndrome with active hemophagocytosis. No infectious cause was found but pulmonary nocardiosis developed during the course of the disease. Intravenous gammaglobulin therapy was followed by a transient remission. Cyclophosphamide was given subsequently. In lupus patients, macrophage activation syndrome is exceedingly rare and has the same clinical, laboratory, and histologic features as those seen in patients with hemopathies, infections, or immune deficiencies. Investigations for an underlying infection are often negative, suggesting that the macrophage activation syndrome is due to lupus-related immune changes. Treatment is not standardized and relapses are common. This diagnosis should be considered in lupus patients with febrile pancytopenia.

Adult↗

[Parameters of cellular and humoral immunity in patients with diabetes mellitus in the early stages of disease development; experience in treatment with the immunosuppressant azathioprine].

A total of 40 patients with type I diabetes mellitus, in whom the disease was diagnosed 1 to 12 months previously, were examined. An imbalance between the T and B cellular components of the immunity was found in the patients with the early stages of the disease, as was an elevated titer of the complement C1 component as against the reference group. The degree of the immunologic shifts was in direct correlation with the HLA A9 antigen expression, this relationship being the most marked in cases with the HLA DR3 and DR4. The incidence of these antigens expression was significantly higher in the patients with marked immunity shifts, than in those with negligible immunity changes. Therapy with an immunosuppressant azathioprine was associated with a noticeable reduction of the initially elevated cellular immunity parameters (total T and B lymphocyte counts, T helpers-inductors, DR carriers) and a trend towards a reduction of all the components and total activity of the classical route of the complement activation predominantly at the expense of the C1 and C5 components. The efficacy of this drug in therapy of new cases of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus was confirmed, and the indisputable relationship between the efficacy of immunity suppression, that helped achieve a clinical remission, and the disease duration, was demonstrated. Monitoring of the cellular and humoral immunity parameters, of the activity of the classical route of the complement activation permitted an indirect judgement on the usefulness of immunity suppression for the correction of immunity disorders as factors contributing to the development of microvascular disturbances in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Adolescent↗

European isolation and confinement study. Confinement and immune function.

During spaceflight, several unusual factors act on the physiology of the astronaut: weightlessness, radiation, confinement, isolation, living and working in a small group, workload, and anxiety. The resulting physiological changes are known to include alterations of the immune system. It is difficult to determine from observations on astronauts which space-related factor(s) are responsible for the immune changes. Studies of analogous environments on Earth have supplied only scarce information. Dedicated simulation studies provide a better tool, where some space-related stress factors (weightlessness, radiation) are absent, but others are or can be present: isolation and confinement, small group living, workload, and anxiety. A reduction in immune activity was found in bed rest studies and in long-term Soviet confinement experiments (after 90 days). In the ISEMSI confinement experiment (28 days), a tendency to immune activation (PHA-reactivity and interleukin-2 production) was observed in two out of six subjects. There is a need for further experiments, in which a large number of immunological parameters can be analyzed.

Humans↗

Specific and nonspecific aspects of humoral immune response in leprosy.

1. We have studied some generic and specific aspects of the humoral immune response in 96 patients with leprosy (29 paucibacillary and 67 multibacillary individuals). We determined serum immunoglobulins (IgM, IgG and IgA), CH50, C1q, C3 and C4, circulating immune complexes (CIC), C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF) and antinuclear antibodies. No specific pattern of general humoral immune changes could be observed. 2. The specific immune response was studied by the detection of specific IgM anti-M. leprae antibodies. An immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) and an ELISA were compared for clinical effectiveness. IRMA showed greater sensitivity for the serodiagnosis of leprosy as compared to ELISA (88.1% vs 58.2% for multibacillary patients and 20.7% vs 10.3% for paucibacillary leprosy patients). Specificity was 96% for IRMA and 97% for ELISA. 3. Our results indicate that nonspecific changes in the humoral immune response are of little value in assessing leprosy patients and that immune assays for the detection of specific anti-M. leprae antibodies may be of value in the diagnosis, study and follow-up of these patients.

Adolescent↗

[Antiendomysial antibodies: current role in the diagnosis of celiac disease compared to antigliadin antibodies].

We evaluated in parallel the action of antigliadin (AGA-IgA) and anti-endomysium (EmA) antibodies in a group of 144 coeliac patients during the various diagnostic procedures, and in 277 controls (206 affected by other gastroenterological diseases and 71 healthy or affected by non-gastroenterological diseases, not causing any immune changes). Little difference was observed between the two tests both during the initial phase of the disease and during gluten-free diet. No EmA positivity was observed in controls; AGA-IgA resulted positive in 6.3% of gastroenterological controls and in 5.6% of non-gastroenterological controls. Finally, the sensitivity, specificity and predictability of the two tests were evaluated in a sample of 92 subjects undergoing intestinal biopsy. The results show that the tests have the same sensitivity, but only for EmA 100% specificity was found.

Adolescent↗

Immunologic changes occurring at kindergarten entry predict respiratory illnesses after the Loma Prieta earthquake.

Previous studies in adult populations have demonstrated alterations in immune function after psychologically stressful events, and pediatric research has shown significant associations between stress and various childhood morbidities. However, no previous work has examined stress-related immune changes in children and subsequent illness experience. Twenty children were enrolled in a study on immunologic changes after kindergarten entry and their prospective relationship to respiratory illness (RI) experience. Midway through a 12-week RI data collection period, the October 17, 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake occurred. The timing of this event created a natural experiment enabling us to study possible associations between immunologic changes at kindergarten entry, the intensity of earthquake-related stress for children and parents, and changes in RI incidence over the 6 weeks after the earthquake. Immunologic changes were measured using helper (CD4+)-suppressor (CD8+) cell ratios, lymphocyte responses to pokeweed mitogen, and type-specific antibody responses to Pneumovax, in blood sampled 1 week before and 1 week after school entry. RI incidence was assessed using home health diaries and telephone interviews completed every 2 weeks. RIs per child varied from none to six. Six children showed an increase in RI incidence after the earthquake; five experienced a decline. Changes in helper-suppressor cell ratios and pokeweed mitogen response predicted changes in RI incidence in the postearthquake period (r = .43, .46; p < .05). Children showing upregulation of immune parameters at school entry sustained a significant increase in RI incidence after the earthquake.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antibody Formation↗

Evidence that CRH microinfused into the locus coeruleus decreases cell-mediated immune response in rats.

Rat/human-corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) microinfused unilaterally into the locus coeruleus (LC) of awake, chronically cannulated rats produced intense behavioral stimulation accompanied by a marked decrease of the proliferative response of splenocytes to Con A and LPS and natural killer activity. These effects were specifically prevented by prior administration into the same site of the CRH antagonist (alpha-helical CRH [9-41]). The present results confirm that a strict relationship exists between the CNS and cell-mediated immunity; in addition, they also indicate that CRH produces its behavioral and immune changes by an interaction with specific receptors and that one of the main sites through which CRH exerts these effects is represented by the LC.

Animals↗

[Correlation between HLA antigens and immune status in dust-induced lung diseases in workers of machine-building industry].

Simultaneous study of immune state and HLA-testing was conducted for 73 patients with pneumoconiosis and 52 sufferers from dust bronchitis. The HLA antigens appeared to correlate with immune disorders in those diseases. The study revealed differences in the HLA antigens causing immune changes in pneumoconiosis and dust bronchitis. Those differences corresponded to differences between the markers of propensity to those diseases. Thus, the authors assume that formation of pneumoconiosis or dust bronchitis could depend on genetically determined variants of immune disorders.

B-Lymphocytes↗

Immune effects of preoperative immunotherapy with high-dose subcutaneous interleukin-2 versus neuroimmunotherapy with low-dose interleukin-2 plus the neurohormone melatonin in gastrointestinal tract tumor patients.

Surgery-induced immunosuppression could influence tumor/host interactions in surgically treated cancer patients. Previous studies have shown that high-dose IL-2 preoperative therapy may neutralize surgery-induced lymphocytopenia. Moreover, experimental studies have demonstrated that the immunomodulating neurohormone melatonin (MLT) may amplify IL-2 activity and reduce its dose required to activate the immune system. On this basis, we have compared the immune effects of presurgical therapy with high-dose IL-2 with respect to those obtained with preoperative neuroimmunotherapy consisting of low-dose IL-2 plus MLT. The study included 30 patients with gastrointestinal tract tumors, who were randomized to undergo surgery alone, or surgery plus a preoperative biotherapy with high-dose IL-2 (18 million IU/day subcutaneously for 3 days) or low-dose IL-2 (6 million IU/day subcutaneously for 5 days) plus MLT (40 mg/day orally). Patients underwent surgery within 36 hours from IL-2 interruption. Both IL-2 plus MLT were able to prevent surgery-induced lymphocytopenia. However, mean number of lymphocytes, T lymphocytes and T helper lymphocytes observed on day 1 of postoperative period was significantly higher in patients treated with IL-2 plus MLT than in those receiving IL-2 alone. Moreover, toxicity was less in patients treated with IL-2 and MLT. This biological study shows that both immunotherapy with high-dose IL-2 or neuroimmunotherapy with low-dose IL-2 plus MLT preoperatively are tolerated biotherapies, capable of neutralizing surgery-induced lymphocytopenia in cancer patients. Moreover, the study would suggest that the neuroimmunotherapy may induce a more rapid effect on postoperative immune changes with respect to IL-2 alone.

Adult↗

[Alteration of the natural humoral immunity in experimental diphtheritic infection induced by different doses of the agent].

The authors carried out a complex study of natural humoral immunity factors in rabbits experimentally infected with various doses of diphtheria bacillus (500, 200, 100, 50 and 1 million, 10 000 and 1000 microorganisms). Natural protection factors--the complement, properdin, and lysozyme proved to undergo similar dynamic changes with each infection dose. The extent and direction of the changes depended on the infection dose. No significant natural immunity changes were caused by a low dose. A dose of 10 000 microbes caused stimulation of properdin and lysozyme activity. Dose of 1, 5, and 50 million suppressed the activity of all the components, the most pronounced with the later dose. Changes occurring with the doses of 200 and 100 million microbes were phasic in character.

Animals↗

HIV-2-induced immunosuppression among asymptomatic West African prostitutes: evidence that HIV-2 is pathogenic, but less so than HIV-1.

Two hundred and forty-one prostitutes working in The Gambia were tested for retroviral infections and their immune system evaluated. Sixty-three were seropositive for HIV-2 only, five for HIV-1 only and six for both HIV-1 and HIV-2 (26.1, 2.1 and 2.5%, respectively). When compared to seronegative individuals, the 63 women infected with HIV-2 clearly had an abnormal immune system, with significantly lower CD4+ and higher CD8+ lymphocyte counts and percentages, lower CD4+:CD8+ ratios, lower CD25+ (activated) lymphocyte counts, and lower lymphocyte proliferation responses after stimulation with phytohaemagglutinin, purified protein derivative (PPD), Candida or pokeweed mitogen, and higher levels of neopterin and beta 2-microglobulin. However, when the HIV-2-seropositive prostitutes were compared with the five women infected with HIV-1, the former were less abnormal, with significantly higher CD4+ percentages and CD4+:CD8+ ratios and lower CD8+ percentages and counts. Immunological anomalies were seen in five women known to have been infected with HIV-2 for less than 17 months. Coinfection with HTLV-1 resulted in more severe immunological alterations than infection with HIV-2 alone.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗