RESUMO
In a prospective study we tested the appearance of IgG and IgM positive viral protein bands in Western blots from six people who seroconverted for anti-HIV antibody. Quantification of the immunoblotted bands was performed by reading the Western blot stripes in Camag scanner and analysed on a 350 computer (digital equipment). In the first serum, all people were negative for anti-HIV antibodies. In the second serum, after 16 to 122 days, all people showed IgM HIV-antibodies to p24. IgG HIV-antibodies were detectable in all people after 18 to 114 days after the second collection. Our data clearly demonstrated that for early analysis of HIV infection only the detection of IgM antibodies to viral protein bands of the Western blot technique provides reliable results and that scanning and advanced integration analysis of the Western blot peaks offer the advantage of direct quantitative comparison of the results, not just qualitative description. Further, this direct quantitative comparison of antibodies to HIV virus protein bands can be used as a prognostic marker for disease states.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Antivirais/análise , Soropositividade para HIV/imunologia , Imunoglobulina M/análise , Adulto , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Feminino , Anticorpos Anti-HIV , Humanos , Imunoglobulina G/análise , Masculino , Estudos ProspectivosRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the in vivo relationship between HIV replication and circulating levels of the chemokines macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1 alpha, MIP-1 beta, RANTES (acronym for Regulated upon Activation, Normal T-cell Expressed and presumably Secreted), interleukin (IL)-16 and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, which have recently been characterized as factors capable of regulating in vitro HIV replication. DESIGN AND METHODS: We have compared changes in plasma HIV-RNA levels and circulating levels of MIP-1 alpha, MIP-1 beta, RANTES, IL-16 and MCP-1 in 20 severely immunodeficient HIV-infected individuals (CD4+ T cells = 14 +/- 3 cells x 10(6)/l; plasma HIV RNA = 4.45 +/- 0.27 log 10 copies/ml) undergoing treatment with the HIV protease inhibitor indinavir that added to pre-existing nucleoside-based therapy. At weeks 0, 2, 6 and 12, viral load was quantified using a commercial reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction assay, peripheral blood T-cell subpopulations assessed by flow cytometry, and chemokine levels quantified using commercial sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. RESULTS: Following initiation of indinavir-based therapy, significant decreases in plasma HIV-RNA levels (change = 2.0 +/- 0.75 log 10 copies/ml) were observed in conjunction with significant increases in absolute CD4+ (change = 83 +/- 19 cells x 10(6)/l) and CD8+ (change = 293 +/- 96 cells x 10(6)/l) T-cell numbers. Concomitantly, significant increases in MIP-1 alpha (19% increase), MIP-1 beta (14% increase), RANTES (15% increase) and IL-16 (1213% increase) levels occurred. In contrast, MCP-1 levels decreased significantly (47% decrease). CONCLUSION: The in vivo demonstration of an association between diminishing plasma HIV-RNA levels and the emergence of a circulating chemokine profile capable of inhibiting HIV replication corroborates recent in vitro observations and provides evidence for the restoration of chemokine capacity by HIV protease inhibitor-based therapy.
Assuntos
Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida/sangue , Fármacos Anti-HIV/uso terapêutico , Quimiocina CCL2/sangue , Quimiocina CCL5/sangue , Indinavir/uso terapêutico , Interleucina-16/sangue , Proteínas Inflamatórias de Macrófagos/sangue , Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida/tratamento farmacológico , Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida/virologia , Quimiocina CCL3 , Quimiocina CCL4 , Quimiocinas/sangue , Feminino , HIV-1/genética , HIV-1/isolamento & purificação , Humanos , Masculino , RNA Viral/sangue , Estudos Retrospectivos , Linfócitos T/classificação , Linfócitos T/citologia , Carga ViralRESUMO
To study the virological, immunological and clinical effects of the protease inhibitor indinavir in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients with CD4 counts < 50 cells/mm3, indinavir was added to prior treatment with nucleoside analogues in a prospective open-label study in 23 HIV-infected patients with median CD4 count of 10 cells/mm3 and median serum HIV-1 RNA load of 27,508 copies/ml. Addition of indinavir induced a decrease in HIV-1 RNA levels to < 400 copies/ml in 15 patients that was maintained until week 36 of the study in 8 (35%) patients. The median increase in CD4 cell counts was 92 cells/mm3 (range 55-258 cells/mm3) and in CD8 counts was 245 cells/mm3 (range 51-1552 cells/mm3) at week 30. The treatment induced a significant CD8 T cell expansion, consisting in the first 6 weeks of predominantly memory CD45RO+ cells and followed by expansion of naive cells from week 12 on, and a significant decrease in the proportion of activated CD8/CD38 cells. In addition, significant increases in T cell proliferation following stimulation with phytohaemagglutinin and significant decreases in the rates of spontaneous apoptosis of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were observed. In conclusion, the addition of indinavir induced restoration of both memory and naive CD8 T cells. Corresponding evidence of improving T cell function, as assessed by enhanced lymphoproliferative capacity and diminished propensity to undergo apoptosis, provides evidence for treatment-induced regeneration of immune function even in patients with severe immunodeficiency.
Assuntos
Infecções por HIV/tratamento farmacológico , Inibidores da Protease de HIV/uso terapêutico , Indinavir/uso terapêutico , Adulto , Idoso , Apoptose , Feminino , Infecções por HIV/imunologia , Infecções por HIV/virologia , Humanos , Ativação Linfocitária , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estudos Prospectivos , RNA Viral/sangue , Subpopulações de Linfócitos TRESUMO
Serum levels of procollagen type III aminopropeptide (P-III-NP), a peptide released during conversion of type III procollagen to collagen, were abnormally low in six of 10 patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) type IV (arterial-ecchymotic type) and low-normal in 4. The serum P-III-NP levels correlated with the amount of type III procollagen secreted by the patients' cultured fibroblasts. Serum P-III-NP determination is a simple test that identifies a major subgroup of patients with this life-threatening, dominantly inherited connective tissue disorder and may be especially helpful in making the diagnosis in children.
Assuntos
Síndrome de Ehlers-Danlos/sangue , Fragmentos de Peptídeos/sangue , Pró-Colágeno/sangue , Adolescente , Adulto , Células Cultivadas , Criança , Síndrome de Ehlers-Danlos/classificação , Feminino , Fibroblastos/metabolismo , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Fragmentos de Peptídeos/metabolismo , Pró-Colágeno/metabolismoRESUMO
Since some hepatitis viruses and the human immunodeficiency viruses share common modes of transmission, such as the sexual route, we undertook to investigate the prevalence of antibodies to these and other pathogens among 384 rural pregnant women. Our study was intended to form the basis of infection management policies in pregnancy. Antibodies and other markers of the hepatitis A, B, C, and D viruses (HAV, HBV, HCV, HDV), the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and Treponema pallidum were sought. We tested for antibodies to the viruses using the appropriate enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. HCV and HIV-1 infection were confirmed using standard immunoblotting techniques. Regarding HBV, we tested for the surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody to the surface antigen (anti-HBs) and antibody to the core antigen (anti-HBc). A non-specific test, the rapid plasma reagin test (RPR), was used for estimating Treponema pallidum (syphilis) infection. We found an overall prevalence of antibodies to HAV of 91.4%, to HCV of 6.8%, to HDV of 0%, and to HIV-1 of 3.5%. We found no IgM antibodies to HAV. The incidence of HBV markers was as follows: 5.4% for HBsAg, 61.3% for anti-HBs, and 84.6% for anti-HBc. RPR reactivity was found in 15.8% of the women. These results will be used to establish appropriate management and preventative policies for women attending the antenatal clinic. Prevention and appropriate early treatment of infections in these women will be considered.
Assuntos
Soroprevalência de HIV , HIV-1/imunologia , Hepatite Viral Humana/epidemiologia , Complicações Infecciosas na Gravidez/epidemiologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Camarões/epidemiologia , Criança , Países em Desenvolvimento , Feminino , Infecções por HIV/complicações , Hepacivirus/imunologia , Anticorpos Anti-Hepatite A , Anticorpos Anti-Hepatite/sangue , Anticorpos Anti-Hepatite B/sangue , Antígenos do Núcleo do Vírus da Hepatite B/imunologia , Antígenos de Superfície da Hepatite B/sangue , Antígenos de Superfície da Hepatite B/imunologia , Anticorpos Anti-Hepatite C , Hepatite Viral Humana/complicações , Hepatovirus/imunologia , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Gravidez , Prevalência , População Rural , Sífilis/complicações , Sífilis/epidemiologia , Sorodiagnóstico da SífilisRESUMO
A hepatitis B subunit vaccine was given to 59 medical staff members, 106 hemodialysis patients and 28 renal allograft recipients. The vaccine consisted of formalin-inactivated hepatitis Bsurface antigen (HBsAg) and was given in 3 doses (times 0, 1 and 6 months) of 20-40 micrograms. Some of the vaccinees received anti-HBs antibodies together with the first vaccine dose (active/passive vaccination). One month after the last infection, 93% of the medical staff members who had received active/passive immunisation and 97% of those who had received active immunisation had detectable anti-HBs antibodies with mean titers ranging from 1:512 to 1:1024. In the group of hemodialysis patients antibodies were detectable in 63-65% of the individuals who had received active or passive/active immunisation in mean titers between 1:32 and 1:64. Finally, only 32% of the renal allograft patients developed measurable anti-HBs antibodies, the titers of responders being still lower than in the hemodialysis patients. Side effects occurred following 10% of all vaccine injections and were always mild in nature. Within the 12 months observation period period following the first vaccination, 3 HBV events occurred in the 193 individuals: One aclinical case detected by a transient seroconversion against the hepatitis B core antigen, one anicteric and one icteric hepatitis case. The data illustrate the difficulties for active immunisation against hepatitis B of hemodialysis patients or of renal transplant recipients.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Antivirais/biossíntese , Antígenos de Superfície da Hepatite B/imunologia , Transplante de Rim , Diálise Renal , Vacinas Virais/imunologia , Hepatite B/imunologia , Hepatite B/prevenção & controle , Humanos , Vacinas Virais/uso terapêuticoRESUMO
The brain is believed to be an immunologically privileged organ, sheltered from the systemic immunological defense by the blood-brain barrier (BBB). However, there is increasing evidence for a marked inflammatory response in the brain after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Markers for cellular immune activation, neopterin, beta2-microglobulin (beta2M), and soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R), were measured for up to 3 weeks in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum of 41 patients with severe TBI in order to elucidate the time course and the origin of the cellular immune response following TBI. Neopterin gradually increased during the first posttraumatic week in both CSF and serum. Concentrations in CSF were generally higher than in serum, suggesting intrathecal release of this marker. beta2M showed similar kinetics but with higher serum than CSF concentrations. Nonetheless, intrathecal release as assessed by the beta2M index could be postulated for most of the patients. The mean levels of sIL-2R in both CSF and serum were elevated during the whole study period, serum concentrations being up to 2 x 10(4) times higher than in CSF. No significant intrathecal production of sIL-2R could be detected. The present data shows that severe TBI leads to a marked cell-mediated immune response within the brain and in the systemic circulation. In the intrathecal compartment the activated cells appear to be predominantly of the macrophage/microglia lineage, while the immune activation in the systemic circulation seems to involve mainly T-lymphocytes.
Assuntos
Lesões Encefálicas/imunologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Biomarcadores/sangue , Biomarcadores/líquido cefalorraquidiano , Lesões Encefálicas/sangue , Lesões Encefálicas/líquido cefalorraquidiano , Feminino , Humanos , Imunidade Celular/imunologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Neopterina/biossíntese , Neopterina/sangue , Neopterina/líquido cefalorraquidiano , Receptores de Interleucina-2/biossíntese , Receptores de Interleucina-2/sangue , Receptores de Interleucina-2/metabolismo , Microglobulina beta-2/biossíntese , Microglobulina beta-2/sangue , Microglobulina beta-2/líquido cefalorraquidianoRESUMO
Liver disease is a common finding after organ transplantation and might in part be due to transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of positive results with different anti-HCV tests and HCV-RNA in a local donor pool and to clarify to what extent HCV was transmitted to organ recipients. Serum samples from 207 consecutive organ donors were analysed retrospectively with anti-HCV ELISA (2nd and 3rd generation), anti-HCV RIBA (2nd generation) and HCV polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Organ recipients at risk were identified and followed up serologically and clinically. Anti-HCV seroprevalance in organ donors was 4.3% for 2nd generation ELISA, 4.8% for 3rd generation ELISA and 1.9% for 2nd generation RIBA. HCV-PCR was positive in 1.4%. Nine organs from four RIBA-positive donors were transplanted into eight recipients of whom four became anti-HCV and PCR positive after transplantation. HCV-PCR became positive several days after transplantation whereas anti-HCV seroconversion took place after 8-9 months. Two recipients developed acute liver disease and another two showed features of mild chronic liver disease but no serious complications due to HCV infection were observed.
Assuntos
Hepacivirus/genética , Hepatite C/epidemiologia , Transplante de Órgãos/efeitos adversos , RNA Viral/sangue , Doadores de Tecidos , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Seguimentos , Hepacivirus/imunologia , Anticorpos Anti-Hepatite/sangue , Hepatite C/etiologia , Hepatite C/transmissão , Anticorpos Anti-Hepatite C , Humanos , Immunoblotting , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase , Prevalência , Estudos Retrospectivos , Suíça/epidemiologiaRESUMO
To evaluate the influence of perfusion temperature on systemic effects of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), 30 patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting were randomly assigned to either normothermic (warm, n = 14, 36 degrees C) or hypothermic (cold, n = 16, 28 degrees C) CPB. Serial hemodynamic measurements and blood samples were obtained before, during and after the CPB procedure. During CPB, there were no differences between both groups in the need for vasopressors (norepinephrine, phenylephrine), urinary output, or fluid balance. In the early postoperative period, normothermic CPB patients had significantly lower systemic vascular resistance and higher cardiac index measurements (mean +/- standard error: systemic vascular resistance, 880 +/- 27 versus 1,060 +/- 57 dyne.s.cm-5, p = 0.025; cardiac index, 3.6 +/- 0.1 versus 2.9 +/- 0.1 L.min-1.m-2, p = 0.01) without differences in the administration of vasoactive drugs. Blood loss was significantly higher in patients after hypothermic CPB (median [range] body surface area: 370 [180-560] versus 490 [280-2,120] mL/m2, p = 0.0006), with a greater need for transfusion of erythrocytes and fresh frozen plasma. Plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors increased during and after CPB, independent of perfusion temperature. This study suggests a significant influence of CPB temperature and respective perfusion management on postoperative hemodynamics and blood loss. Normothermic CPB is not associated with additional systemic adverse effects.
Assuntos
Ponte Cardiopulmonar/métodos , Perda Sanguínea Cirúrgica , Transfusão de Sangue , Ponte de Artéria Coronária , Feminino , Hemodinâmica , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estudos Prospectivos , Receptores do Fator de Necrose Tumoral/análise , Temperatura , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/análiseRESUMO
In a prospective study, 102 hospital patients with liver disease were evaluated in West Cameroon, Africa. Blood donors, pregnant women and patients without liver disease served as controls. A total of 757 individuals were tested for markers of hepatitis A, B, C and D and for immunological markers (autoantibodies, procollagen III, alpha-foetoprotein, CA50 antigen, alpha-1-antitrypsin and antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus types 1 and 2). One-third of the liver disease patients had focal lesions on ultrasound examination. Histologically, 20 cases of cirrhosis, 14 cases of chronic hepatitis, 15 hepatocellular carcinomas and 17 cases of acute hepatitis were detected. All hepatic patients and virtually all controls had had a previous hepatitis A virus infection. Over 85% of adult patients and controls had at least one marker of hepatitis B virus infection. Over 30% of patients with liver disease had markers of possible hepatitis B virus replication. Antihepatitis C virus antibody was present in 18% of hepatic patients and in 6% of controls. Hepatitis C virus infection seems to play an important role in the development of chronic liver pathology; 40% of cirrhotic patients had a combined hepatitis B and C virus infection. Serum autoantibodies were frequently found and were not correlated with the presence of autoimmune liver disease.
Assuntos
Hepatopatias/epidemiologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Distribuição por Idade , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Biomarcadores , Camarões/epidemiologia , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Feminino , Nível de Saúde , Hepatite Viral Humana/epidemiologia , Hepatite Viral Humana/virologia , Humanos , Lactente , Hepatopatias/etiologia , Hepatopatias/imunologia , Testes de Função Hepática , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estudos ProspectivosRESUMO
Interferon-alpha combined with retinoid or PUVA is used for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Anti-IFN-alpha antibodies (IFN ab) occur regularly during IFN-alpha treatment. We investigated the incidence of neutralizing and binding IFN ab and analysed their relationship with clinical and immunological parameters. A group of 17 CTCL patients were treated with IFN alpha-2a three times weekly subcutaneously at a dose of 3 Mill. I.U. combined either with retinoid (acitretin, Neotigason; 0.5 mg/kg bodyweight) daily or with 5-methoxypsoralen (1.2 mg/kg bodyweight) plus UVA radiation three times weekly. Prior to and during treatment we monitored stage, skin involvement by a tumour burden index, serum levels of beta 2-microglobulin, neopterin, binding and neutralizing IFN ab, Interleukin-6 (IL-6), soluble IL-2 receptors (sIL-2r) and the CD4/CD8 ratio of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. We observed two complete, two partial and six minor responses, four patients with stable disease and three patients with progressive disease. Of the 17 patients, 7 developed binding IFN ab, but only 2 had neutralizing IFN ab which were associated with high titres of binding IFN ab. IFN ab formation was more frequent in patients with normal CD4/CD8 ratios and a high tumour burden index and showed a trend to be more frequent in PUVA-cotreated patients than in retinoid-cotreated patients. Responses were more frequently seen in IFN ab-negative patients. IFN ab developed in patients treated with PUVA or retinoid combined with IFN. Binding as well as neutralizing IFN ab may have an impact on the treatment success in CTCL patients.
Assuntos
Acitretina/administração & dosagem , Anticorpos/sangue , Interferon-alfa/administração & dosagem , Interferon-alfa/imunologia , Linfoma Cutâneo de Células T/terapia , Terapia PUVA , Idoso , Feminino , Humanos , Interferon alfa-2 , Linfoma Cutâneo de Células T/imunologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Proteínas Recombinantes , Estudos RetrospectivosRESUMO
The professional activity of air traffic controllers (ATC) is often considered to be rather stressful. Certain characteristics of this job are likely to produce stress; for example an ATC can not predict when a situation becomes critical and he is not able to regulate the workload. In order to assess psychophysiological stress reactions in this working situation, saliva samples were taken from 158 male air traffic controllers before and after each of two working sessions. In contrast to the expected immunosuppressive effects, the working sessions caused a marked increase in the concentration and secretion rate of salivary immunoglobulin A (sIgA), as well as in the concentration of salivary cortisol. The increase in sIgA, however, was not correlated with the salivary cortisol response or with the amount of actual or perceived workload, whereas the cortisol response was correlated with both workload measures. It is suggested that positive emotional engagement is responsible for the observed sIgA increase and that measuring this physiological response may be a valuable tool for differentiating between positive and negative stress effects or between successful and unsuccessful adaptation or coping with situational demands.
Assuntos
Aeronaves , Nível de Alerta/fisiologia , Hidrocortisona/sangue , Imunoglobulina A/sangue , Estresse Psicológico/complicações , Carga de Trabalho/psicologia , Adaptação Psicológica/fisiologia , Adulto , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Psiconeuroimunologia , Psicofisiologia , Saliva/imunologiaRESUMO
Sera of 1126 flying personnel of an airline were tested for signs of ongoing or past infections with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or with hepatitis A virus (HAV). The prevalence of anti-HA antibodies was similar in all professional categories of flying personnel and the same or slightly lower than in Swiss blood donors. The frequency of immune markers identifying HBV immunity was similar in pilots, flight-engineers, and female flight attendants compared to Swiss blood donors. However, HBV immunity was clearly more prevalent in male flight attendants. Within 1 year, 13 of 2624 flying personnel had acute hepatitis. This higher-than-average incidence of hepatitis amongst flying personnel compared to the Swiss population was mainly due to a high incidence of hepatitis B amongst male flight attendants. Their special life-styles might be responsible for the high prevalence of HBV immunity and for the high incidence of hepatitis B.
Assuntos
Aviação , Hepatite A/imunologia , Hepatite B/imunologia , Adulto , Medicina Aeroespacial , Fatores Etários , Feminino , Hepatite A/epidemiologia , Hepatite B/epidemiologia , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Fatores Sexuais , SuíçaRESUMO
So far little was known on the epidemiology of hepatitis A, B, C and of AIDS in Cambodia and especially not in the rural area of Takeo. Therefore serological markers for past or ongoing infections with the disease causing viruses were measured in 559 healthy individuals (305 adults, 200 children and 54 mothers of children with liver disorders) and in 185 individuals (103 adults and 82 children) with liver or kidney diseases. In none of the 744 samples tested was anti-HIV detected. 10-37% of the children and 73% of the adults showed HBV-markers, HBsAg being detectable in 2-14% of the children and in 8% of the adults. The prevalence for anti-HCV was 6.5% in the adults with a predilection in males (9%). No markers for HCV infections were found in children. Growing, age related proportions of children (27-97%) and 100% of the adults were anti-HAV IgG positive. HBsAg was detected in 46% of the adults with acute hepatitis, in 45% of those with chronic hepatitis/liver cirrhosis and in 90% of patients with hepato-cellular carcinoma (HCC). In children the corresponding figures were 18% for acute hepatitis and 18% for chronic hepatitis. Patients with acute hepatitis or HCC had a similar prevalence of anti-HCV as healthy individuals. However, 34% of the adult patients with chronic hepatitis/cirrhosis showed signs of a HCV-infection. When the data were analysed with respect to modes of viral transmission, crowding, transmission by unsafe sexual practice or contaminated injection material, and to a lesser extent vertical transmission, seem to be relevant for HBV. The main mode of acquiring HCV infection is probably through medical injections of all sorts, a habit which is very popular in Takeo. Prophylactic measures should concentrate on the prevention of HBV and HCV infections by hygienic means. HBV mass vaccination should be considered in the future.
Assuntos
Soroprevalência de HIV , Anticorpos Anti-Hepatite/isolamento & purificação , Adolescente , Adulto , Biomarcadores , Camboja/epidemiologia , Portador Sadio , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Feminino , Anticorpos Anti-Hepatite A , Anticorpos Anti-Hepatite C , Vírus Delta da Hepatite/imunologia , Humanos , Lactente , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Fatores de Risco , Estudos SoroepidemiológicosRESUMO
The pathophysiology of postparturient paresis is still not completely understood. Knowledge recently acquired in immunology, endocrinology and cell physiology has still to be integrated in order to elucidate the aetiopathogenesis of the disease. For that purpose, the effect of the EDTA infusion model on the plasma concentrations of selected cytokines and growth factors, and of a calcium binding protein was examined in dairy cows. Six 6- to 11-year-old Brown Swiss cows in mid lactation were infused with a 5% solution of Na2EDTA in one jugular vein over a period of 5 h. Blood samples were collected from the contralateral side daily two days before, and then hourly for five hours during the infusion, hourly for five hours after the end of the infusion, and once daily for 10 days thereafter. The plasma concentrations of cortisol, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, granulocyte and macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and the calcium binding protein S-100 were determined. Before the EDTA infusion, during the infusion and for two days thereafter, the mean plasma concentrations of cortisol were significantly higher than those from days 4 to 10 after the infusion. The plasma concentrations of tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist followed a similar profile. At the end of EDTA infusion, low concentrations of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor were detected in one cow only. On days 3 and 4, the mean plasma concentrations of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor were significantly higher than the pre-infusion values, but this was followed by a significant decrease on post-infusion day 5. From day 4 to 7, the plasma concentrations of S-100 were significantly lower than the pre-infusion values. The importance of these findings in the pathophysiology of postparturient paresis remains to be established.
Assuntos
Doenças dos Bovinos/fisiopatologia , Citocinas/sangue , Hipocalcemia/veterinária , Estresse Fisiológico/veterinária , Animais , Bovinos , Doenças dos Bovinos/induzido quimicamente , Ácido Edético/efeitos adversos , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática/veterinária , Feminino , Fator Estimulador de Colônias de Granulócitos/sangue , Fator Estimulador de Colônias de Granulócitos e Macrófagos/sangue , Hidrocortisona/sangue , Hipocalcemia/induzido quimicamente , Hipocalcemia/fisiopatologia , Técnicas Imunoenzimáticas/veterinária , Radioimunoensaio/veterinária , Receptores de Interleucina-1/antagonistas & inibidores , Receptores de Interleucina-1/sangue , Proteínas S100/sangue , Estresse Fisiológico/induzido quimicamente , Estresse Fisiológico/fisiopatologia , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/análiseRESUMO
Autoimmune disorders are mainly clinically defined disease entities. The diagnosis of many of the systemic autoimmunopathies is based on characteristic combinations of symptoms, some of them overlapping various kinds and being of unspecific nature. Therefore, laboratory parameters such as autoantibodies, components of the complement system, some cytokines and their receptors, etc., are used for the diagnosis, although many of them are of limited specificity and sensitivity. The most important immunoparameters being of value for diagnosis and disease monitoring are discussed, and a stepwise procedure is proposed in order to reduce the costs. Basis are the screening tests for antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and for antibodies against cytoplasmatic components of granulocytes (ANCA). Depending on more specific questions, other tests and test combinations are then applied in second and third priorities.
Assuntos
Doenças Autoimunes/diagnóstico , Testes Imunológicos/economia , Doenças Autoimunes/economia , Doenças Autoimunes/imunologia , Análise Custo-Benefício , HumanosRESUMO
At the emergency station of the Surgical Department of the University Hospital in Zurich, 90% of the group with high risk of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus are intravenous drug abusers and 10% are promiscuous homosexuals. When compared with the group of i.v. drug addicts, the group of homosexual patients is small, as homosexual behaviour is not recognised and drug consumption and surgical emergency cases occur more often with i.v. drug addicts than with homosexuals. Surgical illnesses of i.v. drug abusers are directly connected with drug addiction (needle abscesses, injuries by accident or violence). Homosexual patients have no characteristic surgical problems outside of anal difficulties. I.v. drug abusers are running a very high risk of viral infections: 75% have antibodies against the human immunodeficiency virus. 77% have antibodies against the hepatitis-B virus and 50% have antibodies against the hepatitis-A virus. At the surgical emergency station of the University Hospital in Zurich, the problem of i.v. drug consumption patients with risk of viral infection is permanently increasing. The surgical emergency station can be considered as an ideal place for the prevention from HIV-infection and for taking care of i.v. drug abusers.
Assuntos
Serviço Hospitalar de Emergência/estatística & dados numéricos , Soropositividade para HIV/epidemiologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Feminino , Homossexualidade , Humanos , Injeções Intravenosas/efeitos adversos , Masculino , Fatores de Risco , Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Substâncias/complicações , SuíçaRESUMO
The various forms of chronic and acute hepatitis are today exclusively diagnosed by serological tests, since clinical criteria do not permit exact classification of a specific hepatitis type. This contribution deals with the most important serological findings relating to the acute forms of viral hepatitis "in the strict sense" - hepatitis A (HA), hepatitis B (HB), hepatitis D (HD) and hepatitis C (HC). The serological markers for chronic active hepatitis B (CAH-B), chronic hepatitis C (CAH-C), primary active biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and the auto-immune forms of chronic hepatitis (AIH) are also discussed.