Salivary anti-PGL IgM and IgA titers and serum antibody IgG titers and avidities in leprosy patients and their correlation with time of infection and antigen exposure

The present work proposed to correlate serum antibody avidity and salivary antibody titers as parameters for time of infection and antigen exposure in a co-hort study evaluating leprosy patients in different periods of treatment. Colorimetric enzyme-immunoassays for salivary antibodies, serum antibody IgG titers and avidities were performed in the samples. Anti-PGL-1 IgA and IgM salivary antibodies were significantly higher in multibacillar (MB-L) patients compared to normal controls (p<0.05), but not when compared to borderline tuberculoid (BT) or to paucibacillar (PB-L) patients (p>0.05). A good correlation was found between salivary anti-PGL-1 IgA and IgM levels in MB-L patients (r=0.41, p<0.01). Two out of 33 tested saliva samples from patients who had completed the drug regimen treatment presented positive salivary antibodies. Among non-treated patients, samples with low, medium or high serum IgG antibody avidity were found in similar frequencies. In patients under treatment, most of the serum samples showed low or medium IgG antibody avidity. The treated MB-L patients showed medium or high antibody avidity, except for two, who showed very low antibody avidity results. We suggest that salivary anti-PGL antibodies and serum IgG avidity could be useful for the indication of recent exposure or re-exposure to bacteria after chemotherapy.

Immunoglobulin concentration in gingival tissue of type 2 diabetic patients with periodontitis.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is considered as a risk factor for the initiation and progression of periodontal disease. The diabetic patients often exhibit decreased immune response and increased susceptibility to infection. In the present study, a quantitative estimation of the gingival tissue immunoglobulin concentrations in diabetic and non diabetic subjects with periodontitis was assessed and compared with that of clinically healthy gingiva. METHOD: 40 gingival tissue samples obtained from 20 diabetic (Type 2) and 20 non-diabetic subjects were subjected to quantitative estimation of immunoglobulins G, A, and M. The data thus obtained were compared to the level of immunoglobulin found in clinically healthy gingiva. RESULTS: The IgG and IgA level in the tissues of both diabetic and non-diabetic subjects with periodontitis were found to be significantly higher than that of healthy subjects. The diabetic group also showed a significantly higher IgG and IgA levels compared to the non-diabetic group with periodontitis. CONCLUSION: These findings support the concept that the humoral immune response plays an important role in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease in diabetics. The significantly higher levels of immunoglobulin in the gingival tissues might be a protective mechanism against the increased bacterial challenge in diabetic subjects.

Epidemiology, clinical features, laboratory investigations and early diagnosis of dengue fever in adults: a descriptive study in Sri Lanka.

A descriptive observational study was conducted to identify the epidemiology, clinical features, laboratory investigations and markers for early diagnosis of acute dengue virus infection in adults. We enrolled 404 patients over a period of two years, beginning from 2001, at the Teaching Hospital Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Based on serology, 239 patients were grouped as: IgM 43 (18%), IgG and IgM 140 (58%), and IgG 28 (12%). The clinically diagnosed group without serology numbered 165 patients. Most of the parameters between groups showed a similar pattern: mean age of 30 years, mean duration of fever 7 days (range 1-19 days). Mean total white blood cell and platelet counts started to fall from the second day of fever, with the lowest counts on the 5th to 7th days. Packed cell volume (PCV) showed minimum fluctuation. One hundred and sixty (88%) patients showed elevated liver enzymes (ALT and AST), with 122 of them having a two-fold increase. Three patients died, and complications such as myocarditis, large effusions, encephalopathy, acute renal failure, acute liver failure and diarrhea were observed. These results suggest that a combination of clinical picture, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia and elevated liver enzymes could be used as markers for early diagnosis of dengue infection. Furthermore, evidence-based guidelines should be developed for managing dengue infection in adults.

Detecção de imunoglobulinas IgG, IgM e IgA anti-Toxoplasma gondii no soro, líquor e saliva de pacientes com síndrome da imunodeficiência adquirida e neurotoxoplasmose / Detection of anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG, IgM and IgA immunoglobulins in the serum, cerebrospinal fluid and saliva of patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and neurotoxoplasmosis

Estudamos 55 pacientes com sindrome da imunodeficiência adquirida (SIDA) e neurotoxoplasmose (grupo 1); 37 pacientes com SIDA e comprometimento neurológico por outra etiologia (grupo 2) e 18 indivíduos anti-HIV negativos com manifestações neurológicas (grupo 3), pesquisando IgG, IgA e IgM anti-Toxoplasma gondii, no soro, líquor e saliva, utilizando teste ELISA, para fins diagnósticos. O valor preditivo negativo do teste para o encontro de IgG no soro foi 100 por cento e no líquor, 92,4 por cento. Não houve diferença entre os três grupos quanto aos anticorpos IgA neste material. Para IgA, no líquor, o teste alcançou 72,7 por cento de especificidade (p<0,05). Na saliva, apenas o encontro de IgG mostrou correlação com o diagnóstico de neurotoxoplasmose. Enfatizamos que a ausência de anticorpos IgG anti-T. gondii no soro e líquor depõe fortemente contra o diagnóstico de neurotoxoplasmose e que imunoglobulinas IgA específicas no líquor e IgG na saliva podem representar dois marcadores auxiliares para o diagnóstico diferencial da encefalite toxoplásmica na SIDA.

Aging and immunoglobulin isotype patterns in oral tolerance

In the present review we address oral tolerance as an important biological phenomenon and discuss how it is affected by aging. Other factors such as frequency of feeding and previous digestion of the antigen also seem to influence the establishment of oral tolerance. We also analyze immunoglobulin isotypes of specific antibodies formed by tolerant and immunized animals of different ages submitted to different conditions of oral antigen administration. Isotypic patterns were studied as a parameter for assessing the pathways of B and T cell interactions leading to antibody production.

Direct immunofluorescent studies of skin biopsies in pemphigus.

Direct immunofluorescent studies of skin biopsies from 16 pemphigus vulgaris patients revealed immunoglobulin deposits in 12 (75%) cases with fluorescence at intercellular areas in epidermis. In 2 patients (12.5%) dermoepidermal junction also showed immunoglobulin deposits. IgG was the commonest type of immunoglobulin demonstrated in 12 out of 16 (75%) cases followed by IgM in 5 (31.25%) and IgA in 1 (6.25%) cases. Seven (43.75%) cases showed presence of IgG alone while IgM with IgG was found in 4 (25%) cases. One (6.25%) case showed deposition of IgG, IgM and IgA. The results indicated that demonstration of immunoglobulin in skin biopsies by direct immunofluorescent technique is quite a useful adjunct in diagnostic confirmation of pemphigus.

A monoclonal antibody to common acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigen (CALLA) and its expression on several human tumor cell lines

We describe a newly-made murine monoclonal antibody to the common acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigen (CALLA), named SHB-10. The antigen detected by SHB-10 has a molecular weight of about 105 kDa. This antibody is very similar to that of conventional anti-CD10 Ab on indirect flowcytometric analysis using lymphoid malignant cell lines and peripheral lymphocytes of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients. The binding of anti-CD10 to Daudi cell and peripheral lymphocytes of ALL patients is blocked by SHB-10. Thus this monoclonal antibody is thought to detect the CALLA. The distribution of antigen detected by SHB-10 on several cell lines of neuroectodermal tumor and lymphoid malignancy was analysed and a slight difference in their cell surface expression is observed when compared with that by conventional anti-CD10. Further biochemical analysis is now under way for a better characterization of this antigen.

Isotypic distribution of antibody responses in lines of mice selected for high or low immunoresponsiveness

The isotype distribution of antibody (Ab) responses to Salmonella antigens (Ag) was investigated in high (H) and low (L) Ab responder lines of mice from Selections III and carried out for responsiveness to flagellar (f) and somatic (s) Ag, respectively. Primary immuniztion resulted in higher Ab titers of all isotypes in response to both Ag in H mice fro m both selections and was confirmed after booster injections. The interline difference (H-L) in response to the distinct isotypes ranged from 3.0 to 7.0 log2 to Ag f in Selection III and from 2.0 to 5.1 log2 to Ag s in Selection IV. Comparison of isotype production to 3 Ag in Selections I,II,III and IV demonstrated that: 1) the highest responses in all mice are those against the selection Ag, 2) the isotypic pattern depends on both the Ag injected and the host's genetic constitution, and 3) the presence or lack of a multispecific effect is not due to isotype-restricted regulation

Trypanosoma cruzi: serum antibody reactivity to the parasite antigens in susceptible and resistant mice

The specific antibody responses were compared among susceptible (A/Sn), moderately susceptible (Balb/c) and resistant (C57 BL/lOJ) mice infected with Trypanosoma cruzi (Y strain). Sera obtained during the second week of infection recognized a surface trypomastigote antigen of apparent Mr 80 kDa while displaying complex reactivity to surface epimastigote antigens. Complex trypomastigote antigens recognition was detected around the middle of the third week of infection. No major differences were observed along the infection, among the three strains of mice, neither in the patterns of surface antigen recognition by sera, nor in the titres of antibodies against blood trypomastigotes (lytic antibodies), tissue culture trypomastigotes or epimastigotes. On immunoblot analysis, however, IgG of the resistant strain displayed the most complex array of specificities against both trypo and epimastigote antigens, followed by the susceptible strain. IgM antibodies exhibited a more restricted antigen reactivity, in the three mouse strains studied. Balb/c sera (IgG and IgM) showed the least complex patterns of reactivity to antigens in the range of 30 kDa to 80 kDa. The onset of reactivity in the serum to trypomastigote surface antigens was also dependent on the parasite load to which the experimental animal was subjected

Imunodeficiência comum variável (hipogamaglobulinemia de início tardio ou hipogamoglobulinemia adquirida): seguimento inicial de 11 casos / Common variable immunodeficiency (hypogammaglobulinemia of late onset or acquired hypogammaglobulinemia): initial follow-up of 11 cases

O presente trabalho faz a avaliaçäo clínico-laboratorial de 11 pacientes com imunodeficiência comum variável, seguidos no Serviço de Imunopatologia do HC/FMUSP. A idade destes pcientes variou de oito a 45 anos, com tempo médio de doença de 12,6 anos e de diagnóstico de 4,3 anos. Manifestaçöes infecciosas, principalmente de vias aéreas e digestivas, ocorreram em todos os pacientes. Poliadenomegalia ocorreu em sete, hepatomegalia em seis, esplenomegalia em cinco e artralgia em quatro pacientes. Todos os casos apresentaram IgG sérica < 250 mg dl. IgA < 33 mg/dl e IGM < 31 ml/dl, exceto um paciente com IgM de 176 mg/dl. Os títulos de iso hemaglutininas foram < 1/20, exceto em um paciente. A determinaçäo de linfócitos B no sangue périférico revelou níveis normais em três, elevados em um e diminuidos em cinco pacientes. Cinco apresentaram testes cutâneos tardios positivos a pelo menos um dos antígenos testados (PPD, varidase (SK-SD), Tricofitina e Levedurina). A avaliaçäo da relaçäo CD-4/CD-8 obtida no sangue periférico foi <1 em oito e > 1 em três. Observou-se também déficit da funçäo NK, paralelamente a uma depressäo da atividade proliferativa de células mononucleares estimuladas por lectinas (PHA, Con-A e PWM). A associaçäo destas duas disfunçöes foi comum, sugerindo um possível papel de linfócitos T reguladores na imunopatogênese da doença nestes pacientes. Os dados obtidos demonstraram a diversidade das manifestaçöes clínicas e imunológicas desta doença, que pode ser notada ente pacientes diferentes e mesmo no seguimento de um único paciente. Em nossos casos a doença apresentou um caráter evolutivo, com uma disfunçäo primariamente humoral seguida por distúrbios da imunidade celular que resultaron em pior prognóstico e dificuldades progressivas na terapêutica...

Immunology of chronic generalized periodontitis. 1. Estimation of cellular and humoral immune status.

Cell-mediated and humoral immune responses were assessed in forty patients with chronic generalized periodontitis (CGP), and in an equal number of control subjects. The cell mediated immunity assessed by enumeration of total rosette forming cells [TRFC] and high affinity rosette forming cells [HARFC], were found to be slightly depressed in CGP patients compared controls. The humoral immune response was assessed by estimation of serum immunoglobulins G,A,M,D and E by single radial immunodiffusion technique (RID). Except IgD all the other immunoglobulins were found to be elevated significantly. These immunological derangements found in CGP patients may be the cause or effect of the disease process.

Serum immunoglobulins in viral hepatitis.

The serum levels of IgA, IgG and IgM were determined by single radial immuno-diffusion technique in 104 male patients of acute viral hepatitis. HBsAg was detected by counterimmuno-electrophoresis (CIEP) and 51% were HBsAg + ve. IgA, IgG and IgM levels were found to be higher than normal levels. Mean IgA and IgG levels were same in HBsAg + ve and HBsAg--ve patients. Mean IgM levels were however, higher in HBsAg--ve patients.

Immunoprofile of pulmonary tuberculosis-comparison with normal healthy controls.

The immunoprofile of 60 adult patients of pulmonary tuberculosis was studied and compared with 22 normal controls. The immunological parameters studied were serum protein electrophoresis, serum immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA and IgM), delayed hypersensitivity by Mantoux test, and T-cell % estimation. The mean total serum proteins and serum albumin were significantly lower, whereas mean beta and gamma globulins were elevated. Mean serum IgG and serum IgA showed a significant rise, whereas the T-cell % was significantly reduced when compared to controls. The significance of these findings is discussed.

Human monoclonal anti-Plasmodium falciparum antibodies produced by stable EBV-transformed lymphocytes from patients with falciparum malaria.

Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from 10 persons living in a malaria endemic area and 18 patients recovered from falciparum malaria were studied, nine of whom were admitted to the Hospital for Tropical Diseases and the remaining nine patients were from Trad District Hospital. PBL were divided into two portions, one of which was transformed directly by EBV in the presence of cyclosporin A to eliminate T cell suppression and the other was pre-incubated before transformation with the extract of ultrasonically disrupted, schizont-enriched P. falciparum parasites from in vitro culture. The products of transformed cells were tested for antibodies against blood stages and sporozoites and cells from positive wells were cloned and propagated. With antigen pre-stimulation, cells from 212 of 317 wells (64.5%) were transformed, and this level of transformation was not significantly different from that in the absence of antigen stimulation in which 193 of 311 wells (62.5%) showed transformation (p greater than 0.05). In contrast, 85 of 212 (40.2%) clones from antigen prestimulated wells secreted antibodies whereas 18 of 193 (9.3%) wells without prior antigen stimulation did (p less than 0.0001). Only 44 of 103 antibody-positive clones were subjected to further analysis, of which 42 had activities against blood stages and two against sporozoites. Based on indirect immunofluorescent reactivities, our anti-blood stage monoclonal antibodies (MABs) were conformed to group I (21 clones), III (11 clones) and V (5 clones) and group VI (5 clones).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)