Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia is not associated with elevated serum neopterin levels

Neopterin, a marker of cellular immune activation, was elevated in patients who had cervical cancer in previous studies. To examine neopterin in the presence of precursors to cervical cancer (i.e. cervical intraepithelial) we measured serum levels in 185 colposcopy patients in Jamaica, a country with high cervical cancer incidence, and in 72 age-matched Jamaican women selected from a large population-based sample. We also measured serum levels of B-2 microglobulin, another commonly used marker of immune activation. Neopterin and B-2 microglobulin levels were not elevated in colposcopy patients; neither were they rel ted to severity of cervical neoplasia. In multivariable analysis, neither adjustments for detection of cervical human papillomavirus DNA by PCR nor detection of antibodies to human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (a retrovirus endemic to Jamaica) altered our findings. The absence of serologically detectable increase in cellular immune activation linked to cervical intraepithelial neoplasmia does not involve susbtantial systemic immune activation. (AU)

Cellular immune responses and HLA antigens in post-streptococcal acute glomerulonephritis - abstract

Cellular immune reactions to non-specific mitogen, phytohaemagglutinin in (PHA) and specific blastogenic response to the nephritogenic strain, M55, of the streptococcus were investigated in an East Indian family in which all six siblings exhibited concurrent symptoms of post-streptococcal acute glomerulonephritis (PSAGN) requiring hospitalization. These assays, as well as HLA typing, were done on the entire family to determine whether a specific non-responder status to the M55 antigen was present in the family, and to investigate the possible presence of an immune response gene controlling M55 response. With the exception of one sibling, cellular immune reactions to PHA were similar to control responses, indicating normal overall T cell functions. Specific M55 stimulation revealed a decreased response (30 percent reduction relative to controls) in the cells of the father and 3 of the siblings. The results of HLA typing showed the presence of the B52/DR2 halotype in all siblings due to the homozygous presence of this halotype in the father. The B52 antigen was also present in the mother, resulting in a homozygous condition for this antigen in 4 of the 6 children. While it cannot be concluded from this single family study that the presence of B52 antigen is related to disease susceptibility, the repeated occurrence of this antigen, as well as the B52/DR2 halotype, in this family is noteworthy. The study further illustrates the usefulness of family studies in resolving apparent "blanks" which occur with some frequency in our small inbred island population (AU)

Zinc and immunocompetence in protein-energy malnutrition

Malnourished children have thymic atrophy which is reversed by zinc supplementation. To see if their defect in cell-mediated immunity was also associated with zinc deficiency ten children were skin-tested with Candida antigen on both arms. One test site was covered with local zinc sulphate and the other with placebo ointment. There was a highly significant increase in the typical delayed-hypersensitivity reaction at the site covered with zinc. The magnitude of the difference between the supplemented and unsupplemented arms correlated negatively with the plasma-zinc concentration. These data show that zinc deficiency is a cause of the immunoincompetence seen in malnutrition. The normal reactions of the zinc-supplemented side indicate that, of the many nutritional deficits of malnourished children, zinc deficiency specifically impairs the cell-mediated immune system. Local skin-testing with and without zinc may provide a measure of zinc status. Local application of zinc may enhanc the reliability of tests to diagnose diseases such as tuberculosis in malnourished patients.(AU)

Immunological studies in Schistosoma mansoni infection in St. Lucia

An investigation was made of the immunological status of matched groups of patients with Schictosoma mansoni infection in St. Lucia, one group with hepatosplenic disease and the other with only intestinal disease. No impairment of humoral or cellular immunity was detected in either group. IgG and IgM levels were above normal range and were higher in the patients with intestinal disease, but only the difference between groups in IgG level was statistically significant. In their reaction to specific schistisome antigens and ability to develop delayed hypersensitivity, the groups were about equal. (AU)

HTLV-I associated infective dermatitis: past, present and future

Infective dermatitis (ID) of Jamaican children, a distinctive pattern of dermatitis first described in Jamaican children in 1966 was found to be associated with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type (HTLV-I) infection in 1990. Since then, ID has been reported from other HTLV-I endemic areas. Further studies have confirmed the HTLV-I association and have demonstrated immunologic abnormalities in cellular and humoral immune systems as well as at the subcellular level. Viral genome has been detected in cultured skin biopsy material, and genetic factors may predispose people to the development of ID. Transmission of HTLV-I infection in ID appears to be from mother to infant via breast milk. Present therapy is with long-term antibotics to control bacterial infection and hence the dermatitis. Complications are frequent and include crusted scabies, corneal opacities, chronic bronchiectasis, parasitic worm infestation, early death, and progression to more severe HTLV-I associated disorders such as adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma and HTLV-I associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis. Future studies are planned to determine the precise immunologic defect, the role of socioeconomic and nutritional factors, and the natural history. Intervention studies to limit breast feeding and hence HTLV-I transmission are also planned.(AU)