Characterization of the neutrophil molecules identified by quinine-dependent antibodies from two patients.

BACKGROUND: Two patients with episodic pancytopenia and renal failure associated with quinine (Qn) ingestion were previously found to have Qn-dependent antibodies that reacted with red cells, platelets, and neutrophils. The purpose of these studies was to characterize the neutrophil antigens recognized by Qn-dependent antibodies from these two patients. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The neutrophil molecules recognized by the Qn-dependent antibodies in the sera from the two patients were analyzed by immunoprecipitation using 125I-labeled neutrophils. Neutrophils from 13 different donors were tested. RESULTS: The Qn-dependent antibodies from Patient 1 immunoprecipitated a 60-kDa molecule on neutrophils from seven donors and an 85-kDa molecule on neutrophils from three donors. The Qn-dependent antibodies from Patient 2 reacted with a 32-kDa molecule on neutrophils from 5 donors, a 60-kDa molecule on neutrophils from 9 donors, and an 85-kDa molecule on neutrophils from 10 donors. Neutrophil-specific antigen NB1 is also located on a 60-kDa glycoprotein (GP). While the antibody in serum from Patient 1 did not show specificity for NB1, the antibody from Patient 2 detected the 60-kDa molecule on NB1-positive neutrophils from 9 of 11 donors tested and did not detect the 60-kDa molecule on NB1-negative neutrophils from 2 donors. In a monoclonal antibody immobilization of granulocyte antigens assay, the Qn-dependent antibody from both patients reacted with the 60-kDa molecule carrying NB1. The Qn-dependent antibody from a third patient, Patient 3, was previously found to react with an 85-kDa GP and the 60-kDa NB1 GP. To determine if the Qn-dependent antibodies from Patients 2 and 3 recognized the same 85-kDa GP, neutrophils were treated with serum from Patient 3 plus Qn to remove the 85-kDa GP. Then, serum from Patient 2 plus Qn no longer immunoprecipitated the 85-kDa GP. CONCLUSION: The antigens recognized by Qn-dependent neutrophil antibodies were located on molecules of 85, 60, and 32 kDa. Qn-dependent antibodies from two patients reacted with the same 85-kDa GP and those from three patients reacted with the same 60-kDa GP. The 60-kDa molecule recognized by the Qn-dependent antibodies carried the NB1 antigen.

Hemolytic anemia and acute renal failure associated with temafloxacin-dependent antibodies.

Quinine-ingestion has been associated with immune-mediated recurrent pancytopenia, hemolysis, and renal failure. The structure of fluoroquinolone antibiotics is similar to the structure of quinine. Over a 3 month period, three patients at our institution developed hemolysis and renal failure following ingestion of the fluoroquinolone antibiotic temafloxacin. Two of the three patients required hemodialysis. Following withdrawal from the drug, the hemolysis resolved and the renal function eventually returned to normal in all three patients. One patient also had a transient mild thrombocytopenia. Sera from all three patients were tested for drug-dependent antibodies to red blood cells, platelets, and neutrophils. Temafloxacin-dependent red cell antibodies were detected in one patient, and temafloxacin-dependent red cell and neutrophil antibodies were detected in a second patient. No temafloxacin-dependent antibodies were detected in the third patient. Sera from all three patients were also tested for quinine and quinidine-dependent antibodies to red cells, platelets, and neutrophils. Sera from the patient without temafloxacin-dependent red cell antibodies reacted with red cells in the presence of quinine. These results suggest that, at least in some patients, the toxicities associated with temafloxacin are immune mediated.

Treatment time for Amersham caesium-137 manual afterloading system.

Currently, the Amersham caesium-137 afterloading system is widely used for gynecological treatment of tumors in uterine cervix. This paper introduces an expert system to determine the time of exposure of an Amersham afterloading system based on different combinations of applicator sources. The efficiency of the expert system achieves 93% of the clinical decisions taken by physicians. It is evaluated by both the experimental results and the actual clinical decisions.

Relationship of prodigiosin condensing enzyme activity to the biosynthesis of prodigiosin and its precursors in Serratia marcescens.

Prodigiosin condensing enzyme (PCE) activities were present in Serratia marcescens wild type 08, mutants OF, WF and 9-3-3. Their specific activities exhibited different maxima and at different times during the late log phase or the early stationary phase of cell growth. The levels of prodigiosin and its precursors also showed a significant increase at this period. The results support that prodigiosin and/or its precursors are secondary metabolites. The ubiquity of the PCE activity in mutants deficient in prodigiosin biosynthesis suggest that this particular enzyme may also be present in non-pigmented clinical isolates.