[Celiac disease and HLA in a hospital population of Uruguay]. / Enfermedad celíaca y HLA en una población hospitalaria del Uruguay.

Since the description of the association of HLA-B8 antigen with celiac disease, it has been confirmed by many authors. The incidence of HLA-B8 antigen is higher in adults and children when it is compared to apparently healthy controls. Some authors found a reduction on the incidence of HLA-B7 antigen and others suggested that a higher incidence of HLA-B12 antigen in patients HLA-B8 antigen negative, is associated with celiac disease. We studied 19 unrelated patients with celiac disease and 64 controls. Their ages range from 18 months to 18 years old, onset of the disease was during childhood. We determined twelve antigens of the HLA-A locus and thirteen antigens of the HLA-B locus. We used the NIH Microlymphocytotoxicity Technique. The degree of association was computed by the relative risk and the results were statistically evaluated by the X2. The statistically significant increase in frequency was shown only for HLA-A29 The results did not show neither the higher incidence for HLA-B8 found by other authors, nor the higher incidence for HLA-B12; however HLA-B7 was not detected in our patients. The final decision on the association of HLA-A29 antigen with celiac disease in our population will require examination of a broader panel of probands.

[Inhibition of the function of the neutrophil granulocyte caused by autologous serum from patients with acne vulgaris]. / Inhibición de la función del granulocito neutrófilo por suero autólogo procedente de pacientes con acné vulgar.

Sixteen patients with acne vulgaris were studied. All patients had severe inflammatory lesions, nodulocystic and conglobata. Of them, 12 was male and 4 female, their age was between 16 and 24 years old. In all the cases laboratory test to evaluate chemotactic, nitroblue-tetrazolium and lysosomal activity of granulocyte were performed. The protocol included in vitro incubations with and without autologous serum for considered their action on the phagocytic cell. The results shows an inhibitory action of the autologous serum in chemotactic (d-mean, 34.25%; SEM, 2.39, p less than 0.01), nitroblue-tetrazolium test (d-mean, 21.06%; SEM, 2.85, p less than 0.05), and lysosomal activity (d-mean, 21.43%; SEM, 2.80, p less than 0.05). The authors suggest that granulocyte alterations that occur in inflammatory forms of acne vulgaris is a secondary phenomenon may be caused by seric IgE or vasoactive substances released during immune responses.

[The function of the neutrophil granulocyte in acne vulgaris]. / Función del granulocito neutrófilo en el acné vulgar.

Twenty seven patients with acne vulgaris were studied. Of them, 10 had minimal lesions and 17 had severe inflammatory lesions: nodulocystic, and conglobata. NBT and lysosomal neutrophil function was performed. The results shows a significative decreased values for the three test in patients with inflammatory lesions compared to patients with non-inflammatory lesions. The values for chemotactic function was 56.23 and 93%, for NBT test 50.82 and 93% and for lysosomal activity 60.88 and 88.9%, respectively. The authors proposed that the altered in vitro neutrophil function is a secondary phenomenon caused by specific and non-specific immunologic factors that occur in patients with severe inflammatory acne vulgaris.

[Immunological changes in common vitiligo]. / Alteraciones inmunológicas en el vitiligo vulgar.

Three theories have been mentioned so as to explain vitiligo: normal, autocytotoxic and autoimmune. In this work we study the cellular immune elements in normal vitiligo. Concerning the skin, there is an increase of Langerhans cells (p less than 0.001) en its activation (DR+) (p less than 0.001). Regarding the blood, there is an increase of T cytotoxic lymphocytes (p less than 0.001), T activated lymphocytes (DR+) (p less than 0.001) and B lymphocytes (p less than 0.01). Total T lymphocytes and T cooperators (CD4+) are not increased. These results suggest that immune mechanisms mediated by T cytotoxic lymphocytes may be the cause of the melanocytes destruction in normal vitiligo.

[Modulation of the lymphocyte membrane with anti-HLA ABC in psoriasis]. / Modulación de la membrana linfocitaria con anti HLA ABC en psoriasis.

Antibodies against lymphocyte surface antigens are able to rearrange the topographic of the cell membrana. This is the first event of immune cell functions for motility and cell adherence. Take in account: the high incidence of some HLA antigens in psoriasis and that the HLA system is involved in the genetic control of immune responses, we studied the reaction of anti HLA antibodies against lymphocytes from 16 patients with active psoriasis and from six healty controls. For this: lymphocytes T or B are sensitized with optimal amounts of anti HLA ABC antibodies. They are washed and resuspended in a nutrient medium and incubated at 37 degrees C. At 0, 3, 4, 5 and 6 hours samples are taken and observed for microlymphocytoxicity after addition of complement. Controls for viability and for antigenic sites are made. The addition of complement shows a decrease in the cytotoxic reaction. This is due to the loss from the cell surface of the antigen-antibodies complexes. The observed phenomenon is paralleled to the rearrangement of membrane proteins and is developed in a similar period to the normal antigen turnover time. Our results demonstrate a significative decrease in the turnover for HLA ABC molecules at the cell surface of T lymphocytes from psoriasic patients, that we assimilate to an altered rearrangement of HLA ABC molecules. No significative differences was observed for the turnover of HLA ABC molecules at cell surface of B lymphocytes. The altered T lymphocyte membrane demonstrate an immunobiologic defect and it may the explanation for the impairment for the T cell function in psoriasis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Lymphocytes and their subpopulations in psoriasis]. / Linfocitos y sus subpoblaciones en psoriasis.

Peripheral blood lymphocytes and his subpopulations from 32 psoriatic patients were analyzed. For this, E rosettes for T cells, EAC rosettes for B cells and EA rosettes for receptors for Fc-IgM and Fc-IgG on T cells were employed. A decrease of circulating T cells is demonstrated as well an increase of null cells. No differences are observed for the number of circulating TM to TG cells (with Fc-IgM or Fc-IgG receptors). However, a decreased of T null(T/) cells was found. The authors postulate that the phenotypic appearances of T cells was associated to localize waste of modulated or activated T cells in lesions during the active phase of psoriasis.

[Analysis of circulating T-lymphocyte subpopulations with monoclonal antibodies in psoriasis]. / Análisis de subpoblaciones linfocitarias T circulantes con anticuerpos monoclonales en psoriasis.

Subsets of peripheral blood lymphocytes were studied by surface markers in 21 patients with psoriasis. 12 had active lesions and 9 had stable lesions. The number of T cells was estimated by indirect immunofluorescence with the monoclonal antibody OKT3. The number of T inducer cells was estimated with the monoclonal antibody OKT4. The number of the activated cell was estimated with the monoclonal antibody Edu I. The patients with psoriasis had decreased T cell number, decreased T inducer cell number and increased T activated cell number. The patients with active lesions had the most pronounced alterations of T cells subsets. In these patients was observed also a decreased inducer/T suppressor cell ratio. The results, that show alterations in T cell number and it ratio are not able to establish or clarify an inducer or suppressor T cell activity in the course of psoriasis. The number of T suppressor cells was estimated with the monoclonal antibody OKT8.

[Leukocyte migration inhibition factor in acne vulgaris]. / El factor inhibitor de la migración leucocitaria en el acné vulgaris.

The inhibition factor of the leucocytic migration was studied in 26 patients with Acne Vulgaris, stages III and IV, being positive in all the cases. The LIF positive shows the mobilisation of lymphocytic population, answering an active and constant immunologic conflict. As the PA is antigenic, because it produces a blastification (TTL positive), we can say that it acts as antigen provoking immunologic mechanisms which help to explain the inflammatory processes at the pilo-sebaceous follicle in the AV.

[Auto- and allolymphocytoxins in psoriasis]. / Auto y alolinfocitotoxinas en psoriasis.

The authors study the auto, alolymphocytotoxins and E rosettes, in 40 patients with active psoriasis. The results show a decrease in the average of T lymphocytes which form E rosettes. It was not possible to render evident the auto or alolymphocytotoxins. This indicates that there are not antilymphocytics antibodies in psoriasis, which makes it possible to eliminate them as responsible for the inhibiting factors in rosettes formation by the lymphocyte.

[The nitro-blue-tetrazolium test in acne vulgaris (9-12-77)]. / La prueba del nitro-azul-tetrazolio en el acné vulgaris (9-12-77).

41 patients with different AV stages were studied with the quantitative NAT test. In those cases where there was an inflammatory process (stages III and IV) it was positive, while in was negative. The authors consider the relation between this test and the positive Lymphoblastic Transformation Test to PA, which makes evident a coordinate action of the immune specific system and the granulocytic one. This facts show that AV at the inflammatory stage is an immunologic systemic process and not only a local one.

[The inhibitor factor of leukocyte migration in acne vulgaris]. / El factor inhibidor de la migración leucocitaria en el Acné vulgaris.

The inhibition factor of the leukocytic migration was studied in 26 patients with Acne Vulgaris, stages III and IV, being positive in all the cases. The LIF positive shows the mobilisation of lymphocytic population, answering an active and constant immunologic conflict. As the PA is antigenic, because it produces a blastification (TTL positive), we can say that it acts as antigen provoking immunologic mechanisms with help to explain the inflammatory process at the pilosebaceous follicle in the AV.

[Analysis of circulating T-lymphocyte subpopulations with monoclonal antibodies in psoriasis]. / Análisis de subpoblaciones linfocitarias T circulantes con anticuerpos monoclonales en psoriasis.

Subsets of peripheral blood lymphocytes were studied by surface markers in 15 patients with psoriasis. Eighth of them had active lesions and 7 had stable lesions. The number of T cells was estimated by indirect immunofluorescence with the monoclonal antibodies OKT3. The number of T inducer cells was estimated with the monoclonal antibodies OKT4. The number of T suppressor cells was estimated with the monoclonal antibodies OKT8. The number of T activated cells was estimated with the monoclonal antibodies Edu 1. The patients with psoriasis had increased T cell number, decreased T inducer cell number and increased T activated cell number. The patients with active lesions had the most pronounced alterations of T cells subsets. In these patients was observed also a decreased T inducer/T suppressor cell ratio. The results, that show alterations in T cell number and it ratio are not able to establish or clarify an inducer or suppressor T cell activity in the course of psoriasis.

[In vitro blastogenic response of lymphocytes in pityriasis capitis and dermatitis seborrheica (using PHA-mitogen, Pityrosporum ovale and bacteria)]. / Respuesta blastogénica "in vitro" del linfocito en la pityriasis capitis y en la dermatitis seborreica (empleando PHA-mitógeno, Pityrosporum ovale y bacterias).

63 patients with Pityriasis capitis (PC) "dandruff" and Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) as well as normal controls were studied. Antigenicity was checked "in vitro" by the lymphocytic transformation test. A significant transformation in the PC to P. ovale was observed while in SD it was to Stanphyloccocus and P. ovale. In view of results the authors suggest that there is a similar immunoalergic response in the host to those antigens. The clinic will differ according to the antigens. This is significant for a new local treatment and general.

[Diagnostic value of keratosis palmaris as indicative sign of visceral cancer]. / Valor diagnóstico de la queratosis palmar como signo indicativo de cáncer visceral.

Palmar keratosis is studied in patients with visceral cancer. It is related to sex and localization. Its higher frequency can be observed in these patients than in controls. Their incidence is larger in the male and in patients with cancer localized in oesophagus, lungs and prostate. In woman the incidence is less than in male and in cancers localized anywhere but breast and uterus. This cutaneous lesion is a very important phenotypical sign in oncology and can be considered as paraneoplasic cutaneous marker.

[Visual and auditory evoked potentials in latent syphilis]. / Potenciales evocados visuales y auditivos en sífilis latente.

The evoked potentials visual and auditory are studied in 43 patients with latent syphilis without previous mucocutaneous lesions. Twenty nine of them had not received treatment, and 14 due to their positive serology were treated with benzathine penicillin. At the visual potential evoked there were no abnormalities but in 20 cases evoked auditive potential were abnormal. This findings suppose the existence of subclinical neurological indicates the existence of lesions in almost 50% of the cases of this period of syphilis. All these patients had positive circulate immune complexes and normal cerebro-spinal fluid. The neurological alteration consists in a lesion of the cerebral trunk. According to these results the auditory potential evoked test is very important. The authors doubt on the efficacity of the benzathine penicillin in this period of syphilis.

[Classification of the developmental periods of syphilis]. / Clasificación de los períodos evolutivos de la sífilis.

With the acquisition of specialized laboratory techniques, as the determination of serum immune complexes and the auditory evoked potentials, which bring new knowledge, the study of syphilis must be reviewed, in particular the classification of the evolution periods. The authors consider latent syphilis and neuro-syphilis. Based on these facts the new ways of treatment as well as the evolution control must be revised. These test should always be performed in order to determine exactly the syphilis period of the patient.

[Circulating immune complexes in treated latent syphilis]. / Complejos inmunes circulantes en sífilis latente tratada.

22 patients with treated latent syphilis were studied by the method of anticomplementary activity. The patients did not have any antecedent of primary or secondary muco-cutaneous lesion or any other clinical or humoral manifestation of other diseases. The presence of circulating immune complexes with statistical significance were shown in 14 cases. Syphilis in this period is considered as an immuno reactive disease, obliging to periodic clinical and specialized laboratory controls.

[Blastogenic response in vitro of lymphocyte acne vulgaris]. / Respuesta blastogénica "in vitro" del linfocito en el acné vulgaris.

32 patients with different degrees of acne and 10 healthy controls were studied. On every one of them the test for lymphocytic transformation was performed looking for the range of blastogenic response, using PHA and CA. The positive findings with CA related to those obtained in normal subject would support the hypotesis that the cellular immunity as a response to CA antigens would be different in each patient according to the host local conditions.

[Disseminated annular granuloma in a patient with scabies]. / Granuloma anular diseminado en un paciente con escabiosis.

A male patient of 52 years old is studied with an scabiei by Sarcoptes scabiei v. hominis. After a month the patient developed a clinic and histopathologic generalized granuloma annulare. With the specific local treatment of his scabiei, the disease was cured in 7 days. After this treatment, the generalized granuloma annulare disappeared within 2 months. Due to the sequence of both diseases and the way in which they disappeared after local therapy, we suggest that the antigens of the scabies are the ones responsible for the granulomatous lesions. We concluded this since once the antigens have disappeared, the immunologic mechanisms depending on the interactions of lymphocyte T-macrophage which form the granuloma are interrupted. Since the patient is homosexual, we studied the HIV antibodies which were negatives in several opportunities. Nevertheless, an immune disbalance which could be the coadjuvant factor was founded. With this case we show that specific exogens may cause a generalized granuloma annulare.

[Change in the turnover of HLA ABC molecules in circulating T lymphocytes in mycosis fungoides]. / Alteración del recambio de moléculas HLA ABC en linfocitos T circulantes de micosis fungoides.

The turnover of HLA ABC molecules at T and B lymphocyte surface was analyzed in five cases with mycosis fungoides and six healthy controls. The patients had only skin lesions and are staged from T1 to T3 and No, Bo and Mo. The turnover was analyzed by mean of the decrease of the lysis by complement on sensitisized cells with anti HLA ABC antibodies that were incubated for progressive times at 37 degrees C. The results show a largest turnover for the HLA ABC molecules all T cells surface from mycosis fungoides that was significant (PWilcoxon less than 0.01). The turnover of B cells surface was not different from mycosis fungoide and healthy controls. The observed phenomenon was not specific for mycosis fungoide or T cells because previously has been shown in others lympho-proliferative and autoimmune diseases. The authors suggest that the analyzed T lymphocyte, morphologically normal is functionally altered and the behavious could be a metabolic phenotypic marker for the T cell before his coming at skin lesions.