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Immunoglobulin M (immunoglobulin + m)
Terms modified by Immunoglobulin M Selected AbstractsInfantile spasms and cytomegalovirus infection: antiviral and antiepileptic treatmentDEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE & CHILD NEUROLOGY, Issue 9 2007Dorota Dunin-Wasowicz MD PhD From 1 January 1995 to 31 December 2004, 22 patients (13 males, nine females; age range 2-12mo) with infantile spasms and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection were treated with intravenous ganciclovir (GCV) and antiepileptic drugs. GCV was given for 3 to 12 weeks with a 1-month interval (one, two, or three courses). Epileptic spasms occurred before (group A: eight patients), simultaneously (group B: eight patients), and after (group C: six patients) a diagnosis of human CMV (HCMV) infection and antiviral treatment. In 11 patients, DNA HCMV was found in cerebrospinal fluid by nested-polymerase chain reaction method (neuroinfection). All infants excreted CMV in urine. DNA HCMV and specific immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G antibodies were present in blood. Ten patients, including four with neuroinfection, have been seizure-free for at least the past 18 months. In two patients with neuroinfection, vigabatrin monotherapy was withdrawn after a 2 year 6 month seizure-free period. Eighteen patients required antiepileptic drugs polytherapy, four of whom required additional adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Six patients on polytherapy were seizure-free on follow-up, two of whom were treated with ACTH, but no patient with hypsarrhythmia who required ACTH treatment was seizure-free on follow-up. In five patients, psychomotor development was normal, 16 had tetraplegia (Gross Motor Function Classification System [GMFCS] Level V), and one had diplegia (GMFCS Level III). Early antiviral and antiepileptic therapy could result in the long-term cessation of seizures. [source] Role of X chromosome defects in primary biliary cirrhosisHEPATOLOGY RESEARCH, Issue 2007Pietro Invernizzi Similar to the majority of autoimmune conditions, primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease characterized by a striking female predominance; it is characterized by high titer serum autoantibodies to mitochondrial antigens, elevated serum immunoglobulin M, progressive destruction of intrahepatic bile ducts, and ultimately liver cirrhosis and failure. Familiarity and high concordance rates for the disease among monozygotic twins strongly support the role of genetics in the disease. Experimental efforts have been dedicated by our and other research groups to investigate the role of X chromosome abnormalities (i.e. monosomyrates and inactivation patterns) in autoimmunity. Our recent work has demonstrated enhanced X monosomy in women with PBC as well as two other female-predominant autoimmune diseases, systemic sclerosis and autoimmune thyroid disease. We will review herein the most recent evidence on the role of the X chromosome in PBC onset and discuss the potential implications. Future developments of these findings will be discussed. [source] Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II but not MHC class I molecules are required for efficient control of Strongyloides venezuelensis infection in miceIMMUNOLOGY, Issue 1pt2 2009Rosângela M. Rodrigues Summary Strongyloides stercoralis is an intestinal nematode capable of chronic, persistent infection and hyperinfection of the host; this can lead to dissemination, mainly in immunosuppressive states, in which the infection can become severe and result in the death of the host. In this study, we investigated the immune response against Strongyloides venezuelensis infection in major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I or class II deficient mice. We found that MHC II,/, animals were more susceptible to S. venezuelensis infection as a result of the presence of an elevated number of eggs in the faeces and a delay in the elimination of adult worms compared with wild-type (WT) and MHC I,/, mice. Histopathological analysis revealed that MHC II,/, mice had a mild inflammatory infiltration in the small intestine with a reduction in tissue eosinophilia. These mice also presented a significantly lower frequency of eosinophils and mononuclear cells in the blood, together with reduced T helper type 2 (Th2) cytokines in small intestine homogenates and sera compared with WT and MHC I,/, animals. Additionally, levels of parasite-specific immunoglobulin M (IgM), IgA, IgE, total IgG and IgG1 were also significantly reduced in the sera of MHC II,/, infected mice, while a non-significant increase in the level of IgG2a was found in comparison to WT or MHC I,/, infected mice. Together, these data demonstrate that expression of MHC class II but not class I molecules is required to induce a predominantly Th2 response and to achieve efficient control of S. venezuelensis infection in mice. [source] Roles of proinflammatory cytokines and the Fas/Fas ligand interaction in the pathogenesis of inflammatory myopathiesIMMUNOLOGY, Issue 1pt2 2009Masahiro Kondo Summary Within the lesions of inflammatory myopathies, muscle fibres and invading mononuclear cells express Fas and Fas ligand (FasL), respectively. However, the roles of the Fas/FasL interaction in the pathogenesis of inflammatory myopathies are not fully understood. In the present study, we investigated the roles of proinflammatory cytokines and the Fas/FasL system in the pathogenesis of inflammatory myopathies. In vitro culturing of muscle cells with the proinflammatory cytokines interferon-,, tumour necrosis factor-,, and interleukin (IL)-1, synergistically increased Fas expression, susceptibility to Fas-mediated apoptosis, and the expression of cytoplasmic caspases 8 and 3. In addition, culturing of muscle cells with activated CD4+ T cells induced muscle cell apoptosis, which was partially inhibited by anti-FasL antibody. We also tested the possibility that T helper (Th) 17, which is an IL-17-producing helper T-cell subset that plays crucial roles in autoimmune and inflammatory responses, participates in the pathogenesis of inflammatory myopathies. Interestingly, in vitro culturing of dendritic cells with anti-Fas immunoglobulin M (IgM) or activated CD4+ T cells induced the expression of mRNA for IL-23p19, but not for IL-12p35, in addition to proinflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, IL-23p19 and IL-17 mRNAs were detected in the majority of biopsy samples from patients with inflammatory myopathies. Taken together, these results suggest that proinflammatory cytokines enhance Fas-mediated apoptosis of muscle cells, and that the Fas/FasL interaction between invading dendritic cells and CD4+ T cells induces local production of IL-23 and proinflammatory cytokines, which can promote the proliferation of Th17 cells and enhance Fas-mediated apoptosis of muscle cells, respectively. [source] Differential regulation of SOCS-1 signalling in B and T lymphocytes by hepatitis C virus core proteinIMMUNOLOGY, Issue 2 2008Zhi Qiang Yao Summary Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is characterized by a strong propensity toward chronicity, autoimmune phenomena and lymphomagenesis, supporting a role for lymphocyte dysregulation during persistent viral infection. We have shown that HCV core protein inhibits T-cell functions through interaction with a complement receptor, gC1qR. Here, we further report that B cells also express gC1qR that can be bound by HCV core protein. Importantly, using flow cytometry, we demonstrated differential regulation of B and T lymphocytes by the HCV core,gC1qR interaction, with down-regulation of CD69 activation in T cells but up-regulation of CD69 activation and cell proliferation in B cells. HCV core treatment led to decreased interferon-, production in CD8+ T cells but to increased immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G production as well as cell surface expression of costimulatory and chemokine receptors, including CD86 (B7-2), CD154 (CD40L) and CD195 (CCR5), in CD20+ B cells. Finally, we showed down-regulation of suppressor of cytokine signalling-1 (SOCS-1) using real-time reverse transcription,polymerase chain reaction, accompanied by up-regulation of signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (STAT1) phosphorylation in B cells in response to HCV core protein, with the opposite pattern observed in HCV core-treated T cells. This study demonstrates differential regulation of B and T lymphocytes by HCV core and supports a mechanism by which lymphocyte dysregulation occurs in the course of persistent HCV infection. [source] The modulatory effects of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated B cells on differential T-cell polarizationIMMUNOLOGY, Issue 2 2008Hui Xu Summary Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a major component of environmental microbial products. Studies have defined the LPS dose as a critical determining factor in driving differential T-cell polarization but the direct effects of LPS on individual antigen-presenting cells is unknown. Here, we investigated the effects of LPS doses on naive B cells and the subsequent modulatory effects of these LPS-activated B cells on T-cell polarization. The LPS was able to induce a proliferative response starting at a dose of 100 ng/ml and was capable of enhancing antigen internalization at a dose of 1 ,g/ml in naive B cells. Following LPS stimulation, up-regulation of the surface markers CD40, CD86, I-Ad, immunoglobulin M, CD54 and interleukin-10 production, accompanied by down-regulation of CD5 and CD184 (CXCR4) were observed in a LPS dose-dependent manner. Low doses (< 10 ng/ml) of LPS-activated B cells drove T helper type 2 polarization whereas high doses (> 0·1 ,g/ml) of LPS-activated B cells resulted in T regulatory type 1 cell polarization. In conclusion, LPS-activated B cells acquire differential modulatory effects on T-cell polarization. Such modulatory effects of B cells are dependent on the stimulation with LPS in a dose-dependent manner. These observations may provide one of the mechanistic explanations for the influence of environmental microbes on the development of allergic diseases. [source] Airway hyper-reactivity mediated by B-1 cell immunoglobulin M antibody generating complement C5a at 1 day post-immunization in a murine hapten model of non-atopic asthmaIMMUNOLOGY, Issue 2 2004Ivana Kawikova Summary Contact skin immunization of mice with reactive hapten antigen and subsequent airway challenge with the same hapten induces immediate airflow obstruction and subsequent airway hyper-reactivity (AHR) to methacholine challenge, which is dependent on B cells but not on T cells. This responsiveness to airway challenge with antigen is elicited as early as 1 day postimmunization and can be adoptively transferred to naïve recipients via 1-day immune cells. Responses are absent in 1-day immune B-cell-deficient JH,/, mice and B-1 B-cell-deficient xid male mice, as well as in recipients of 1-day immune cells depleted of cells with the B-1 cell phenotype (CD19+ B220+ CD5+). As B-1 cells produce immunoglobulin M (IgM), we sought and found significantly increased numbers of anti-hapten IgM-producing cells in the spleen and lymph nodes of 1-day immune wild-type mice, but not in xid mice. Then, we passively immunized naive mice with anti-hapten IgM monoclonal antibody and, following airway hapten challenge of the recipients, we showed both immediate airflow obstruction and AHR. In addition, AHR was absent in complement C5 and C5a receptor-deficient mice. In summary, this study of the very early elicited phase of a hapten asthma model suggests, for the first time, a role of B-1 cells in producing IgM to activate complement to rapidly mediate asthma airway reactivity only 1 day after immunization. [source] Influence of oestrogen receptor , and , on the immune system in aged female miceIMMUNOLOGY, Issue 1 2003U. Islander Summary Oestrogen has a dichotomous effect on the immune system. T and B lymphopoiesis in thymus and bone marrow is suppressed, whereas antibody production is stimulated by oestrogen. In this study the importance of the oestrogen receptors (ER) ER-, and ER-, in the aged immune system was investigated in 18 months old-wild type (WT), ER-, (ERKO), ER-, (BERKO) and double ER-, and ER-, (DERKO) knock-out mice, and compared with 4 months old WT mice. Cell phenotypes in bone marrow, spleen and thymus, and the frequency of immunoglobulin (Ig) spot forming cells (SFC) were determined. We show here that the 17-,-oestradiol (E2)-induced downregulation of B lymphopoietic cells in bone marrow of young ovariectomized mice can be mediated through both ER-, and ER-,. However, only ER-, is required for the age-related increased frequency of immunoglobulin M (IgM) SFC in the bone marrow, as well as for the increased production of interleukin-10 (IL-10) from cultured splenocytes in aged mice. Furthermore, increased age in WT mice resulted in lower levels of both pro- and pre-B cells but increased frequency of IgM SFC in the bone marrow, as well as increased frequency of both IgM and IgA SFC in the spleen. Results from this study provide valuable information regarding the specific functions of ER-, and ER-, in the aged immune system. [source] Adjuvant effects of CpG oligodeoxynucleotides on responses against T-independent type 2 antigensIMMUNOLOGY, Issue 1 2001J. Kovarik Summary Oligodeoxynucleotides containing CpG motifs (CpG-ODN) are potent in vitro B-cell activators and they have been successfully used to increase in vivo antibody responses to T-dependent peptide and protein antigens. In contrast, the use of CpG-ODN to enhance in vivo antibody responses to various T-independent type 2 (TI-2) antigens has recently generated contradictory results. In this study, we compared the CpG-ODN stimulatory effect on antibody responses of adult and young BALB/c mice to trinitrophenylaminoethyl-carboxymethyl (TNP) -Ficoll and to polysaccharides (PS) from several distinct serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae (SPn). CpG-ODN co-administration significantly enhanced antigen-specific immunoglobulin M (IgM), IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a titres to TNP-Ficoll. The depletion of CD4+ cells by monclonal antibodies (GK1.5) identified their essential role in CpG-ODN-mediated enhancement of antibody responses. In contrast to TNP-Ficoll, CpG-ODN failed to enhance IgM and IgG responses to any of the 18 SPnPS serotypes tested. Providing T-cell epitopes by the conjugation of SPnPS to the carrier protein tetanus toxoid again allowed CpG-ODN to mediate enhancement of IgG, IgG2a and IgG3 responses to most SPnPS serotypes. Thus, antigen-presenting cell/T-cell interaction appears to largely mediate the in vivo influence of CpG-ODN on antibody responses to TI-2 antigens. In early life, additional factors limit CpG-ODN modulation of antibody responses to TI-2 antigens. [source] The Rubino test for leprosy is a ,2 -glycoprotein 1-dependent antiphospholipid reactionIMMUNOLOGY, Issue 1 2000A. Panunto-Castelo Summary We describe the isolation and identification of three components required for the Rubino reaction (RR), which is the rapid sedimentation of formalinized sheep red-blood cells (SRBC) initiated by serum from leprosy patients with defective Mycobacterium leprae -specific cell immunity. The Rubino reaction factor (RRF) required for this phenomenon, previously identified as an immunoglobulin M (IgM), was purified from leprosy patient serum by adsorption to formalinized SRBC. Purified RRF IgM, when added to formalinized SRBC, did not produce a positive RR. However, when the contact was carried out in the presence of normal human serum (NHS), cells rapidly sedimented. The purified cofactor from NHS contained two components of 70 000 and 50 000 molecular weight (MW), as determined by sodium dodecyl sulphate,polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS,PAGE). The latter was recognized by the RRF IgM on immunoblot and its N-terminal sequence indicated that it was ,2 -glycoprotein 1 (,2 -GP1), an anionic phospholipid-binding protein. Methanol-treated formalinized SRBC did not support the RR. Thin-layer chromatography of an extract of membranes indicated that the SRBC ligand was a cell-surface phospholipid. Cardiolipin inhibited the RR. These data demonstrate that the RR involves a trimolecular interaction in which IgM, ,2 -GP1 and an SRBC phospholipid participate. By analogy with the antiphospholipid antibodies (anti-PL) that occur in autoimmune processes, serum samples from 29 systemic lupus erythematosus patients with high levels of anticardiolipin antibodies were submitted to the RR. A positive RR was obtained for 45% (13 of 29 patients). These results modify the paradigm of the absolute specificity of the RR for leprosy and demonstrate that RRF IgM is a ,2 -GP1-dependent anti-PL. [source] Cutaneous manifestations of dengue viral infection in Punjab (north India)INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 7 2007Emy Aby Thomas MBBS Background, Dengue infection is emerging as a public health problem in India. Despite numerous studies, there is a paucity of literature regarding the cutaneous manifestations of dengue. This study was performed to investigate the prevalence and type of cutaneous manifestations in dengue viral infection. Methods, Two hundred and fifty-six patients with febrile illness, admitted to the Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, India, were studied. On the basis of the clinical criteria and laboratory tests, 124 patients were diagnosed with dengue viral infection, and these patients were investigated in detail. Serologic tests were attempted in only 84 patients, and all of these samples tested positive for anti-dengue immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies. Results, Of the 124 patients with dengue infection, 41 (23.1%) were classified with dengue fever (DF) and 83 (66.9%) with dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), four (3.2%) of whom had dengue shock syndrome (DSS). Cutaneous involvement was seen in 46.8% of patients, the most common symptom being maculopapular/morbilliform eruption (48.3%), followed by ecchymotic (27.6%), petechial (13.8%), and macular/scarlatiniform (10.3%) eruption. Maculopapular eruption was observed more in DF, whereas petechiae, ecchymosis, and mucosal involvement were seen more in DHF; 72.4% of patients with cutaneous manifestations were asymptomatic, and 27.6% had pruritus. Involvement was generalized in 48.3% of patients, with the limbs and trunk involved in 32.8% and 18.9% of patients, respectively. Mucosal involvement was seen in 29.8% of patients, with conjunctival involvement being the most common (20.9%), followed by the lips (4.8%), palate (2.4%), and tongue (1.6%). Conclusions, This study describes the variety of cutaneous features associated with dengue viral infection which may evolve during the course of the disease. As a significant proportion of patients showed cutaneous features, these manifestations, together with simple laboratory tests, will be helpful in the early diagnosis of dengue viral infection. [source] Response to soy: T-cell-like reactivity in the intestine of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES, Issue 1 2007A M Bakke-McKellep Abstract T-cell-mediated hypersensitivity could be central in soybean meal (SBM)-induced intestinal changes in salmon. However, tools for immunohistochemical detection of T cells have been lacking in teleosts, including Atlantic salmon. Application of a specific histochemical protocol allowed demonstration of T-cell-like reactivities in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues using an antibody reacting to a conserved region of human CD3, (Dako A0452). Characteristic staining was observed in cells of the thymus as well as distal intestine, skin, gills and spleen. These cells were negative for immunoglobulin M (IgM). Intestinal intraepithelial leucocytes were CD3, positive. During the SBM-induced enteropathy, the mixed inflammatory infiltrate in the lamina propria of the distal intestine included many lymphocytes with a T-cell-like reactivity. Real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed significantly increased expression of a complex polypeptide (CD3pp), CD4 and CD8, (P < 0.05) in the distal intestine of SBM-fed fish compared to fish meal-fed reference fish. Increased reactivity for extracellular IgM in the lamina propria and a positive material between the epithelial cells at the tips of the folds was observed, possibly due to leakage of IgM through an abrogated epithelial barrier. In conclusion, a T-cell-like response appears to be involved in this example of a food-sensitive enteropathy. [source] Increasing trend of acute hepatitis A in north India: Need for identification of high-risk population for vaccinationJOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 4 2006Zahid Hussain Abstract Background and Aims:, Hepatitis A (HAV) is endemic in India and most of the population is infected asymptomatically in early childhood with lifelong immunity. Because of altered epidemiology and decreasing endemicity, the pattern of acute HAV infection is changing from asymptomatic childhood infection to an increased incidence of symptomatic disease in the 18,40 age group. The aims of the present study were to assess whether the proportion of adults with acute HAV infection has been increasing over the years and to analyze the seroprevalence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-HAV antibodies in young adults above the age of 15 years as well as in cases of chronic liver disease. Methods:, Sera collected from 3495 patients with acute (1932) and chronic (1563) liver disease attending the Medical Outpatient Department of Lok Nayak Hospital during the previous five years (1999,2003) were tested for various serological markers of acute (HBsAg, HBcIgM, anti-HCV, HEV-IgM, and HAV-IgM) and chronic (HBsAg, HBcIgG, HBeAg, and anti-HCV) hepatitis. In addition, 500 normal healthy attendants of the patients above the age of 15 years were tested for IgG anti-HAV as controls. Results:, Of 1932 patients with acute viral hepatitis, 221 (11.4%) were positive for immunoglobulin M (IgM) anti-HAV. The patients who were IgM anti-HAV negative included hepatitis B (321 patients), C (39 patients), E (507 patients) and unclassified (844 patients). Although the frequency of HAV infection among children had increased (10.6% to 22.0%) in the 5-year period, the frequency of HAV infection among adults had also increased (3.4% to 12.3%) during the same period. A total of 300 patients with chronic liver diseases that were etiologically related to hepatitis B (169), C (73) or dual infection (10) and alcoholic liver injury (48) were tested for the presence of IgG anti-HAV antibody; 98% (294/300) were positive for the antibody. Conclusions:, Although universal vaccination against HAV is not currently indicated, selective vaccination of the high-risk population, based on their serological evidence of HAV antibody, would be a rational and cost-effective approach. [source] Antiphosphatidylethanolamine antibodies in recurrent early pregnancy loss and mid-to-late pregnancy loss,JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY RESEARCH (ELECTRONIC), Issue 4 2004Toshitaka Sugi Abstract Aim:, Associations have been reported between antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), mainly anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) and/or the lupus anticoagulant, and recurrent pregnancy losses (RPL). However, relatively few studies describing antiphosphatidylethanolamine antibodies (aPE) have been reported. We describe the prevalence of aPL to both cardiolipin and phosphatidylethanolamine in patients with RPL. Methods:, Patients with recurrent early pregnancy losses (n = 145) and mid-to-late pregnancy loss(es) (n = 26) were screened for aPE and aCL. Results:, In patients with recurrent early pregnancy losses, prevalence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) aPE (17.9%, P = 0.001) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) aPE (12.4%, P = 0.01) was significantly higher than in the control group. In patients with mid-to-late pregnancy loss(es), prevalence of IgM aPE (19.2%, P = 0.008) and IgG aCL (23.1%, P = 0.02) was significantly higher than in the control group. Conclusion:, Our data suggest that aPE may be a risk factor in patients with mid-to-late pregnancy loss(es) as well as recurrent early pregnancy losses. [source] Monitoring SCCA-IgM complexes in serum predicts liver disease progression in patients with chronic hepatitisJOURNAL OF VIRAL HEPATITIS, Issue 4 2008A. Biasiolo Summary., About 30% of the patients with chronic hepatitis develop a progressive liver disease and one of the most intriguing issues is the detection of noninvasive markers for fibrosis stage and disease progression. High levels of squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA)-immunoglobulin M (IgM) are detectable in hepatocellular carcinoma and their increase in cirrhotic patients can predict tumour development. As SCCA-IgM can also be detectable at low percentages in patients with chronic hepatitis, the aim of this study was to assess SCCA-IgM complexes in relation to disease outcome in this group of patients. An ELISA assay was used to determine the presence of SCCA-IgM in 188 patients with chronic hepatitis and in 100 controls. An additional serum sample was available after a median period of 6 years in 57 untreated patients: these patients were subdivided in group A, including eight patients with a fibrosis score increase ,2 in a second liver biopsy and group B, including 49 patients without fibrosis progression during a similar follow up. SCCA-IgM complexes were detectable in 63 of 188 (33%) patients but in none of the controls. A significant increase of SCCA-IgM levels over time was observed in patients with fibrosis progression (mean ± SD: 117 ± 200 U/mL/year), but not in those without histologic deterioration (mean ± SD: ,8.8 ± 31 U/mL/year, P < 0.0001). In conclusion, monitoring SCCA-IgM levels over time appears a useful approach to identify patients with chronic hepatitis at higher risk for cirrhosis development. [source] Chronic sensorimotor polyradiculopathy with antibodies to P2: An electrophysiological and immunoproteomic analysisMUSCLE AND NERVE, Issue 1 2008Ricard Rojas-Garcia MD Abstract In this study we report a patient with chronic progressive sensory ataxia, proximal weakness, immunoglobulin M (IgM) monoclonal gammopathy, and elevated protein levels in the cerebrospinal fluid, who showed a good response to prednisone. Electrophysiological study disclosed abnormalities predominantly of late responses (F waves and H reflexes), with no evidence of demyelination in the peripheral nerves, suggesting motor and preganglionic sensory nerve roots as the site of the lesion. An immune-mediated pathogenesis was considered and, to identify possible target antigens, we performed bidimensional electrophoresis and a Western blot study. Based on the suspected lesion site, we used human anterior and posterior root extracts. We identified IgM reactivity against peripheral nerve myelin protein P2. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay confirmed IgM reactivity toward one synthetic peptide from P2. To our knowledge, reactivity against P2 has not been reported previously in a paraproteinemic neuropathy. Furthermore, we demonstrated that bidimensional electrophoresis and Western blot of the tissue involved, as determined by clinical and electrophysiological studies, may be useful to establish clinical,immunological correlations in paraproteinemic neuropathies. Muscle Nerve, 2008 [source] Molecular weight determination of ultra-high mass compounds on a standard matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer: PAMAM dendrimer generation 10 and immunoglobulin MRAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY, Issue 24 2006Roland Müller First page of article [source] Major colorectal surgery in a patient with cold agglutinin diseaseANAESTHESIA, Issue 6 2006S. Young Summary We present the case of a 62-year-old man with severe cold agglutinin disease who underwent major colorectal surgery. Cold agglutinin disease is a condition in which auto-antibodies, usually immunoglobulin M, cause red blood cell agglutination at decreased body temperature. Haemolysis may result. Agglutination results in impaired perfusion, resulting in symptomatic Raynaud's phenomenon and acrocyanosis. Haemolysis can result in anaemia and thrombotic events caused by microvascular occlusion, in addition to haemoglobinuria and renal failure. Peri-operative hypothermia is common in all patients and may be associated with significant morbidity, but is potentially catastrophic in a patient suffering from cold agglutinin disease. [source] Recombinant proteins in the diagnosis of toxoplasmosisAPMIS, Issue 8 2010DUPADAHALLI KOTRESHA Kotresha D, Rahmah N. Recombinant proteins in the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis. APMIS 2010; 118: 529,42. Toxoplasma gondii is an important human pathogen with a worldwide distribution. It is primarily of medical importance for pregnant women and immunocompromised patients. Primary infection of the former is often associated with fetal infection, which can lead to abortion or severe neonatal malformation. Immunocompromised patients are at risk of contracting the severe form of the disease that may be fatal. Thus, detection of T. gondii infection with high sensitivity and specificity is crucial in the management of the disease. Toxoplasmosis is generally diagnosed by demonstrating specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG antibodies to toxoplasma antigens in the patient's serum sample. Most of the commercially available tests use T. gondii native antigens and display wide variations in test accuracy. Recombinant antigens have great potential as diagnostic reagents for use in assays to detect toxoplasmosis. Thus in this review, we address recent advances in the use of Toxoplasma recombinant proteins for serodiagnosis of toxoplasmosis. [source] Effects of graded levels of dietary myo -inositol on non-specific immune and specific immune parameters in juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian)AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 10 2010Wei-Dan Jiang Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of myo -inositol (MI) on non-specific immune and specific immune defence in fish. A total of 1050 Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian) (22.28±0.07 g) were randomly distributed into seven groups, of three replicates each, of feeding diets containing graded levels of MI (163.5, 232.7, 384.2, 535.8, 687.3, 838.8 and 990.3 mg MI kg,1 diet). After a 60-day growth trial, an infectious trial was conducted by injection of Aeromonas hydrophila for 17 days. Results showed that the red blood cell (RBC) and the white blood cell count were significantly increased with increasing MI levels up to 535.8 mg kg,1 diet (P<0.05). The spleen index showed a tendency similar to RBC, whereas the head kidney index showed the inverse pattern (P<0.05). The phagocytic activity of leucocytes, haemagglutination titre, lysozyme activity, anti- A. hydrophila antibody titre and immunoglobulin M, after being injected with A. hydrophila, were all improved with an increase in the MI levels up to 232.7,687.3 mg kg,1 diet respectively (P<0.05). Myo -inositol did not influence serum acid phosphatase activity and total iron-binding capacity (P>0.05). These results suggested that MI could enhance non-specific immune and specific immune responses in fish. [source] Clinical value of minor responses after 4 doses of rituximab in Waldenström macroglobulinaemia: a follow-up of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group E3A98 trialBRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 5 2009Morie A. Gertz Summary Waldenström macroglobulinaemia is a low-grade, lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma that is responsive to rituximab. We report the role of a minor response in predicting overall outcomes. We extended follow-up of a previously described cohort (n = 69) treated with 4 weekly doses of rituximab and observed durable responses (median time to progression, 30 months; 5-year survival rate, 66%). Patients achieving a minor response [25,50% immunoglobulin M (IgM) reduction] appeared to do as well as those achieving an objective response (>50% IgM reduction), which suggests that more aggressive or intensive therapy for minor responders is not required. Future studies of Waldenström macroglobulinaemia should report minor responses because they are associated with clinically meaningful benefits. This trial was registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00005609. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||