Immunologic and physicochemical studies of Bermuda grass pollen antigen BG60

BACKGROUND

In a previous study we showed that antigen BG60 of Bermuda grass pollen contains isoallergens. Because the yield of purified isoallergens was low when a chromatofocusing technique was used, it was difficult to carry out further studies, such as determination of carbohydrate composition and structure.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to establish a procedure to purify antigen BG60 proteins as a group and to characterize this group's physicochemical and immunologic properties.

METHODS

A combination of chromatographic techniques (ion-exchange, gel filtration, blue gel affinity, and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography) was used for the purification of BG60. Immunoblot and ELISA techniques were used to study BG60-specific IgE and IgG antibodies in patients' sera. The role of the carbohydrate moiety in antigenicity and allergenicity was examined with monoclonal antibodies and allergic sera by using periodate-treated BG60. Its carbohydrate composition was analyzed by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with a pulsed amperometric detector.

RESULTS

Homogeneity of BG60 was demonstrated by a single sharp peak in reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, a single band in sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and only one band stained by anti-BG60 monoclonal antibody. BG60-specific IgE and IgG antibodies were shown to be present in allergic sera. Six plant lectins were found to react with BG60. On periodate treatment, BG60 reduced binding toward its monoclonal antibody and human IgE and IgG. Carbohydrate composition analysis showed that BG60 contains three kinds of sugars: mannose, N-acetylglucosamine, and fucose (in a ratio of approximately 3:2:1) and a minute amount of xylose. The carbohydrate content is approximately 7.5%, and peptide content is about 92.5%.

CONCLUSION

A procedure was established for the purification of a large quantity of the BG60 antigen. The results suggest that the carbohydrate moiety of antigen BG60 may play an important role in the immune response.

Enhanced vesiculation exacerbates complement-dependent hemolysis in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficient red blood cells

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficient red blood cells (RBCs) are known to be more susceptible to oxidant-induced hemolysis. Erythrocytes from G6PD-deficient individuals are significantly more susceptible to Ca(2+)-induced vesiculation than normal control cells. The enhanced susceptibility of G6PD-deficient RBCs to Ca(2+)-induced vesiculation is not due to ATP depletion. The remnant G6PD-deficient RBCs following vesiculation are more sensitive to complement-mediated hemolysis than control normal RBCs. A strong positive correlation exists between the level of Ca(2+)-induced vesiculation and the extent of complement mediated hemolysis.

Current treatment of allergic rhinitis and sinusitis

Sinusitis is an infectious, inflammatory disease. Aggressive, multifaceted treatment is often required for control, with emphasis on anti-inflammatory therapy. Medical and surgical treatment is similar in children and adults, but more aggressive therapy, particularly surgery, is more controversial in the former.

Latex allergy: a new threat to patients and health professionals

Because latex products are essential in preventing the transmission of blood-borne diseases, reports of severe, immediate allergic reactions to latex exposure have become a major public health concern. In recent years, immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated reactions to latex have been reported with increasing frequency and have been associated with anaphylaxis and death. The most severe reactions have been reported in the health care setting. Three groups appear to be at highest risk: children with spina bifida or with a history of multiple surgeries, workers with industrial exposure to latex and health care workers. This review presents the scope of this problem in the various risk groups, the different techniques available for diagnosis and the consensus on principles of management. Because latex is a component of many commonly used medical devices, including surgical and examination gloves, it behooves us to identify latex-sensitive patients and be prepared to treat allergic reactions promptly.

Characterization of latex allergens and correlation of serum IgE/IgG antibody ratio with clinical symptoms

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to study latex-specific IgE and IgG. Levels of these immunoglobulins were correlated with latex allergy severity. Total protein content and relative immunoreactivity of 12 different brands of disposable gloves were compared. Specific latex proteins were extracted and characterized by immunoblotting. Blots revealed that the major latex allergen, reactive with both IgE and IgG, was a 34 KD component. Protein content varied among brands of gloves but correlated with immunoreactivity (R = 0.683; P < 0.017). The ratio of IgE/IgG correlated positively with symptom severity (R = 0.689; P < 0.001) and was useful to predict the severity of latex allergy.

Effect of alpha-tocopherol and Trolox on the decomposition of methyl linoleate hydroperoxides

To clarify the mechanisms of antioxidant action, the effect of alpha-tocopherol and its water-soluble carboxylic acid derivative, Trolox, was studied on the decomposition of methyl linoleate hydroperoxides (MeLoOOH). Decomposition rate and the distribution of autoxidation products formed from MeLoOOH were followed by analyzing the volatile and non-volatile products by static headspace gas chromatography and normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, respectively. Both alpha-tocopherol and Trolox markedly inhibited the decomposition of MeLoOOH in a concentration-dependent way. In the absence of antioxidants, MeLoOOH was completely decomposed after incubation for 48 h at 60 degrees C, and in the presence of equal molar concentration of antioxidants only 6-7% of initial MeLoOOH was decomposed even after 280 h of incubation. MeLoOOH produced 1.2% methyl linoleate hydroxy compounds (MeLoOOH) in the presence of alpha-tocopherol and 3.8% in the presence of Trolox. Both antioxidants inhibited the formation of volatile decomposition products and the formation of ketodiene compounds. The hydroxy compounds may be formed by the reaction of alkoxy radical and hydrogen donating antioxidants. Conversion of MeLoOOH into stable MeLoOH demonstrated that the antioxidants alpha-tocopherol and Trolox trap alkoxyl radicals by H-donation.

Progesterone stimulates in vitro release of prolactin and thyrotropin involving cAMP production in rat pituitary

Effects of progesterone administration in vivo or in vitro on the release of pituitary prolactin (PRL) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in vitro, as well as the generation of pituitary cyclic adenosine 3', 5'-monophosphate (cAMP) were studied in ovariectomized (Ovx) rats. Ovx rats were either decapitated or injected subcutaneously with progesterone, or oil for 3 days before decapitation. The anterior pituitary glands (APs) of progesterone treated Ovx rats were incubated with Locke's medium containing thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH, 10 nM) and/or 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX, 1 mM) at 37 degrees C for 30 min. The APs of untreated Ovx rats were incubated in vitro with IBMX and progesterone (0, 0.1, 1, 10 nM). Progesterone increased spontaneous and TRH-induced release of PRL and TSH in vitro. Administration of progesterone, either in vivo or in vitro, increased the production of pituitary cAMP following incubation of IBMX. These results suggest that progesterone increases the release of PRL and TSH through a mechanism associated with an increase of cAMP production in rat APs.

Use of thrombospondin level to predict the clinical course of atopic dermatitis associated with food hypersensitivity or skin infection

Plasma thrombospondin (TSP) levels were monitored in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) exacerbated by food hypersensitivity (FH) or skin infection. In both groups, the TSP levels correlated positively with skin disease severity score from the onset to 2 months after treatment. A sustained TSP level above 250 ng/ml predicted a 7-fold increase in the incidence of flare-up of AD.

Role of progesterone in regulating the effect of estradiol on the secretion of thyrotropin-releasing hormone and dopamine into hypophysial portal blood in ovariectomized rats

In this study, an investigation was undertaken regarding the effects of estradiol and progesterone on the secretion of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and dopamine into hypophysial portal blood and on the concentrations of arterial plasma thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and prolactin (PRL) in ovariectomized (Ovx) rats. Ovx rats were injected subcutaneously with either estradiol benzoate (25 micrograms/kg BW/day) or progesterone (10 or 50 mg/kg BW/day), or both estradiol benzoate and progesterone daily for 3 days. The control group was injected with sesame oil. The hypophysial portal blood was collected and mixed either with or without 2,3-dimercaptopropanol before extraction by methanol for measuring TRH or by perchloric acid for measuring dopamine. The femoral arterial blood was also collected. The concentrations of TRH in hypophysial portal plasma and that of PRL and TSH in femoral arterial plasma were measured by radioimmunoassay. The concentrations of catecholamine in portal plasma were measured by radioenzymatic assay. Concomitant estradiol benzoate and progesterone caused a dose-dependent increase in TRH concentration in portal plasma and that of PRL in arterial plasma in Ovx rats. Progesterone alone did not alter the concentration of portal plasma TRH and the concentration of arterial plasma PRL, but rather increased the concentrations of dopamine in the hypophysial portal plasma. These above results indicated that the increase in plasma PRL and TSH levels is associated with a rise in hypophysial portal plasma dopamine and TRH following injection of both progesterone and estradiol benzoate. We can conclude that stimulation of progesterone on the secretion of hypothalamic TRH is involved in the increase in plasma PRL following concomitant treatment of estradiol.

Anaphylaxis to carboplatin following multiple previous uncomplicated courses

Hypersensitivity reactions to carboplatin are rare but potentially life-threatening complications. A patient with an anaphylactic reaction to carboplatin is presented. This patient had received multiple courses of platinum-based chemotherapy including cisplatin and carboplatin. Close patient monitoring during chemotherapy is essential and skin testing to identify the etiologic agent is indicated when hypersensitivity reactions occur in the setting of combination chemotherapy.

Enzyme capture assay for rapid identification of Escherichia coli in blood cultures

An enzyme capture assay (ECA) for rapid identification of Escherichia coli in blood cultures by using beta-D-glucuronidase as a marker was developed. Microdilution plates coated with antiglucuronidase were used to capture this enzyme from the cell lysates of blood cultures which showed growth of gram-negative bacteria. The assay, using 4-methylumbelliferyl-beta-D-glucuronide as a fluorogenic substrate, had a detection limit of 0.1 ng/ml (3 x 10(-13) M) for the enzyme; this was approximately equal to a cell concentration of 10(6) CFU of E. coli per ml. Among 212 blood cultures showing growth of gram-negative bacteria, 77 specimens were found to contain E. coli by conventional culture procedures and 73 samples were positive by ECA. Among the 135 blood cultures from which E. coli was not isolated, ECA gave one false-positive (Salmonella enteritidis) reaction. Thus, the sensitivity and specificity for the identification of E. coli in blood cultures by ECA were 94.8% (73/77) and 99.3% (134/135), respectively. From the finding of positive growth in the culture bottle, the assay can be completed within 4 h. In view of the high rate of isolation of E. coli from bacteremic patients, the test can be performed in parallel with conventional culture protocols; this may shorten the identification time for E. coli, and proper antimicrobial treatments may be started 24 h earlier than when results of conventional identification systems are used.

Neuromuscular interactions between suxamethonium and magnesium sulphate in the cat

In order to study the neuromuscular interactions between suxamethonium and magnesium sulphate (MgSO4), we have determined the dose-response relationship of suxamethonium and the neuromuscular actions of 1.25 x ED50 dose of suxamethonium, both before and after pretreatment with MgSO4. We have also compared the effect of 1.25 x ED50 dose of suxamethonium in the absence and in the presence of 50% neuromuscular block, established previously by infusion of MgSO4. Twenty-one cats were anaesthetized with urethane. Train-of-four stimulation was applied every 12 s to the sciatic nerve and the force of contraction of the tibialis anterior muscle was measured. The potency of suxamethonium decreased in each instance with pretreatment with MgSO4. The ED50 of suxamethonium increased significantly from mean 21.0 (SEM 1.9) micrograms kg-1 before MgSO4 to 25.6 (2.3) micrograms kg-1 after MgSO4 60 mg kg-1 and to 26.6 (2.2) micrograms kg-1 after MgSO4 90 mg kg-1 (P < 0.05). Twitch depression produced by 1.25 x ED50 dose of suxamethonium decreased significantly with MgSO4 pretreatment, from 76.7 (2.6)% before MgSO4 to 61.7 (6.4)% after MgSO4 60 mg kg-1 and 48.7 (7.5)% after MgSO4 90 mg kg-1 (P < 0.05). With stable 50% neuromuscular block, established previously by infusion of MgSO4, the 1.25 x ED50 dose of suxamethonium produced more twitch augmentation (133 (6.3)% vs 108.3 (1.3)%; P < 0.05) and less twitch depression (31.6 (9.6)% vs 74.1 (0.6)%, P < 0.05) than in the absence of MgSO4. The results of all three methods demonstrated that the pharmacological interaction between suxamethonium and magnesium was antagonistic.

Interrelationship between thyroxine and estradiol on the secretion of thyrotropin-releasing hormone and dopamine into hypophysial portal blood in ovariectomized-thyroidectomized rats

Effects of thyroxine (T4) on the secretion of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and catecholamines into hypophysial portal blood and on the concentrations of arterial plasma thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and prolactin (PRL) in ovariectomized and thyroidectomized (Ovx-Tx) rats were studied. Immediately after ovariectomy, rats were Tx or sham Tx. The Ovx-Tx rats were injected subcutaneously with estradiol benzoate (EB, 0.5 microgram/kg b.w.) or sesame oil, and T4 (20 micrograms/kg b.w.) or saline once daily for 2 weeks. The Ovx rats with intact thyroid gland were injected with saline and oil only. The hypophysial portal blood samples were collected and mixed with or without 2,3-dimercaptopropanol before extraction by methanol or perchloric acid, respectively. The femoral arterial blood was also collected. The concentrations of TRH in methanol-extracted portal plasma and that of TSH and PRL in arterial plasma were measured by radioimmunoassay. The concentrations of catecholamines in perchloric acid-extracted portal plasma samples were measured by radioenzymatic assay. Thyroidectomy in Ovx rats resulted in an increase in portal plasma TRH and arterial plasma TSH. Despite the presence or absence of estradiol, T4 replacement in Ovx-Tx rats decreased portal plasma TRH and arterial plasma TSH to euthyroid levels. Combination of the injection of T4 and EB in vivo caused significantly decreased levels of portal plasma dopamine and increased arterial plasma PRL compared with those in vehicle-injected Ovx-Tx animals. Concentrations of neither norepinephrine nor epinephrine in hypophysial portal plasma paralleled the altered concentrations of PRL or TSH in arterial plasma.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The relationship between plasma thrombospondin level and the clinical course of atopic dermatitis

The tests currently used to monitor atopic dermatitis in children--serum IgE level and eosinophil count--are not sensitive enough to accurately track the course of the disease. Because previous studies have shown that atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory disease and because our previous work has shown that plasma thrombospondin level correlates well with the course of other inflammatory diseases, we conducted this study to determine the relationship between plasma thrombospondin level and the severity of skin inflammation in children with atopic dermatitis. Eosinophil count, serum IgE level, and plasma thrombospondin level were measured in 48 children with atopic dermatitis at onset of flare-up, 2 weeks after treatment started, and 2 months after treatment started. The results of all three tests were better after 2 months of therapy than they had been at the initial visit, but only plasma thrombospondin level showed a statistically significant decrease, which coincided with clinical improvement. Plasma thrombospondin level seems to correlate with the clinical course of patients with atopic dermatitis better than do serum IgE level or eosinophil count.

Lactational transfer of 3,3',4,4'-tetrachloro- and 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl induces cytochrome P450IVA1 in neonates. Evidence for a potential synergistic mechanism

On the first day of lactation, material rats were treated with a single low dose of 5 mg/kg body weight of 3,3',4,4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (TCB) or 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (HCB) or with a combination of both congeners. Lactational transfer of these polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was found in neonates and significant increases in microsomal cytochrome P450, cytochrome b5 and in glutathione-S-transferase activity were observed. Treatment with HCB did not increase neonatal ethoxyresorufin-O-de-ethylation (EROD) activities whereas a more than 26-fold increase in EROD activity was noted in response to exposure to TCB. However, EROD activities were increased more than 65-fold in response to the combined exposure to TCB and HCB. Exposure via milk to TCB caused a significant reduction in the N-demethylation of aminopyrine, but the combined exposure to TCB and HCB produced a significant reduction in the N-demethylation of dimethylnitrosamine. Lactational transfer of either TCB or HCB reduced marginally peroxisomal enzyme activities; however, exposure to a combination of TCB and HCB resulted in the highly significant reduction in KCN-insensitive palmitoyl-CoA oxidation and acetyl-CoA oxidation. Contrary to the reduction of these enzyme activities, the specific concentrations of CYP4A1 were significantly increased when neonates were exposed to either TCB or HCB. The largest induction, however, was observed in response to the combined exposure to both PCBs. Evidence is presented to suggest an induction of CYP4A1 which may be independent of the molecular substitution pattern of the two PCBs used in our studies but on a possible mode of synergistic interaction.

Laparoscopic nephrectomy in a porcine model

Laparoscopic nephrectomy was performed in 15 male pigs, the procedure was successful in 14. Extraction of the intact kidney through a 5-cm lower abdomen incision was done in 7 animals; complete destruction and evacuation of the kidney was accomplished by a round-knife suction device through a 1-cm port in another 7 pigs. Grossly, the specimen consisted of sausage-like tubular renal tissue and a small amount of tissue debris. Pathology revealed that the glomerular and tubular structures were well preserved, no interstitial hematoma could be found. Four ports were usually used, one 1-cm umbilical camera port, one 0.5-cm port for ureter traction, and two 1-cm working ports along the midclavicular line. All the pigs recovered uneventfully. The average operation time was 3 h 20 min. The application of endo-GIA (United States Surgical Corporation) for renal hilum reduced the operative time to 2 h 20 min. Complications included renal vein tear during endoclip application and cutting in the first case, mild subcutaneous emphysema in 2 cases. This first pig received exploratory laparotomy for the repair and ligation of the renal vein. No more major complications occurred with increasing experience. From this porcine experiment, we conclude that the combination of laparoscopy, a tissue destroyer and an endobag for the entrapment of kidney seem to be a promising technique for clinical nephrectomy.

Group size, cage shelf level, and emotionality in non-obese diabetic mice: impact on onset and incidence of IDDM

We hypothesized that differential housing, shown to influence emotionality and health in infectious and neoplastic disease, would influence onset/incidence of diabetes in an autoimmune animal model of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Non-obese diabetic mice were assigned to same-sex groups of one, five, or eight animals/cage, counterbalanced across shelf level by sex and group. During weekly urine glucose testing, presence of behaviors indicating emotional arousal was recorded. Sex, group, and shelf level affected emotionality: males, animals housed alone, and those on the top of the rack exhibited higher emotionality. Emotionality and shelf level predicted IDDM in females only. Delayed onset of IDDM was associated with high emotionality and with being housed on the top of the rack. Group size had no significant effect on IDDM. Emotionality may be a mediating factor in animals genetically predisposed to develop IDDM. This variable and cage shelf level should be incorporated into the design of studies in which IDDM is the outcome.

Pertussigen treatment retards, but fails to prevent, the development of type I, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in NOD mice

Current evidence supports an autoimmune etiopathogenesis for Type I, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in which the pancreatic beta (beta) cell is the specific target tissue. Recently, the NOD (non-obese diabetic) mouse has become an important model for IDDM, exhibiting many of the pathological features observed in man, including a progressive pancreatic islet leukocytic inflammation referred to as insulitis. The present study was carried out to determine the efficacy of the bacterial-derived bio-product, pertussigen, to retard the progression of insulitis and thereby prevent overt diabetes. Results revealed that (1) the rapid onset of IDDM in female NOD mice is absent if the mothers are treated with pertussigen prior to mating, (2) treatment of young prediabetic NOD mice with repeated injections of pertussigen results in the retardation of onset of IDDM when compared to untreated control NOD mice, and (3) the severity of insulitis in pertussigen-treated NOD mice not developing IDDM was noticeably less severe than age and sex-matched untreated control mice. Since earlier work had shown that pertussis vaccine, which contains pertussigen, could prevent development of IDDM in mice treated with streptozotocin, the present results may indicate basic differences in the inflammatory responses in the genetically-predisposed NOD mice and IDDM-nonsusceptible mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

Histiocytosis X. S-100 protein, peanut agglutinin, and transmission electron microscopy study

Twenty-seven cases of histiocytosis X (HX) for which paraffin blocks were available were studied with the use of S-100 protein immunohistochemistry, peanut agglutinin affinity histochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy. The results show that these techniques did enable identification of Langerhans'-type histiocytes in 88.5%, 75%, and 47.4% of cases, respectively. All techniques were proved to be of some diagnostic value for HX, but none was able to confirm the diagnosis in all instances and none could foretell the prognosis of the patients. This study shows that besides the Langerhans' cells, the indeterminate cells of the skin and the interdigitating dendritic reticulum cells of the lymph node may also be involved in this process. Moreover, some multinucleate giant cells and foamy cells may be derived from Langerhans' and related cells.

Renovascular hypertension in China--report of 200 cases

Renal arteritis and fibromuscular dysplasia are two common causes of renovascular hypertension in China. The diagnostic approach now is arteriography or digital subtraction arteriography first, followed by renal vein renin assays to evaluate the functional significance. Surgical treatment is preferred if clinical status of the patients permits.

Enhancement of suppressor T cell activity by lymphocyte promoting factor of Bordetella pertussis

Lymphocyte promoting factor (LPF), a bioproduct of Bordetella pertussis shown previously to exert immunosuppressive effects, was examined for its effect on Concanavalin A (Con A) induced T lymphocyte suppressor activity by human lymphocytes. Suppressor cells (5 x 10(4) cells/well) first generated with Con A (10 micrograms/ml) for 24h were co-cultured with responder cells (5 x 10(4) cells/well) for another 72h in the presence of Con A (2.5, 5, 20 micrograms/ml). In this culture condition, LPF (20 micrograms) and/or histamine 10(-5) M or 10(-6) M/well were added for comparison. The suppressor activity was assessed by the reduction of the uptake of radioactivity of [3H] thymidine compared to that of Con A alone. Lymphocytes treated with LPF exhibited increase of suppression by 22 to 41%, while LPF and histamine (10(-5) M) together further increased the suppression by 35 to 63% compared to controls. Serial studies on cell population in the culture indicated OKT8(+) cells proliferated after day 6 in culture. These results indicated LPF exerts selective enhancement of T cell suppressor activity by 72h in culture, prior to cell expansion, and that activity can be further strengthened by sensitizing cells to histamine.

The effect of swimming in asthmatic children--participants in a swimming program in the city of Baltimore

Forty-five asthmatic children were enrolled in a swimming program in Baltimore. After participating in a 2-month swimming session, the children showed significant improvement in all clinical variables including symptoms, hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and school absenteeism compared with their previous medical history or to those of age-matched controls. These health benefits continued to be observed even 12 months after the session had been completed. The implications of these findings and the potential usefulness of adding sports programs as adjunct therapy in the comprehensive care of asthma in children are discussed.

Fibrin configuration on glass led to decrease of neutrophil adherence in systemic lupus erythematosus

Using a previously developed in vitro assay of glass adherence of neutrophils following blood clotting, we compared the results of new patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) and those of normal controls. In acute phase of the disease, all 33 patients (100%) of SLE, 2 of 35 patients (5.7%) with JRA had a significantly low neutrophil adherence to glass surface (less than 25% of the normal values). During 2 years follow-up in 18 patients with SLE from the onset of the disease, we consistently observed the low cell adherence during the relapses of the disease in all the patients. When remains of glass surfaces were examined under scanning electron microscope (SEM), we found a notable morphologic difference of fibrin configuration between the specimens of active SLE and normal controls. We conclude that the varied results of neutrophil adherence on glass may reflect the forming of different fibrin configuration induced by the in vitro contact system of coagulation. The findings may explain the increased thrombotic complications reported in patients with active SLE.

Plasma thrombospondin as an indicator of intravascular platelet activation in patients with vasculitis

The use of plasma thrombospondin (TSP) concentration was investigated as an indicator of intravascular platelet activation. Patients (n = 20) with diseases that have known vasculitis were included in the study. The range and the mean of plasma TSP concentrations of patients with vasculitis were 117 ng/ml to 6500 ng/ml and 791 +/- 1412 ng/ml (mean +/- SD); the range and the mean of plasma TSP concentrations of control individuals (n = 33) were 13 ng/ml to 137 ng/ml and 59 +/- 29 ng/ml. When plasma TSP concentrations were correlated with plasma concentrations of another platelet activation marker, beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG), it was found that the TSP concentration increased exponentially as the plasma beta-TG level rose. A positive correlation between plasma levels of plasma TSP and serum fibrin degradation products was also observed. The results suggest that platelets are the primary source of plasma TSP in patients with various vasculitis and that plasma TSP can be a better indicator than beta-TG to assess intravascular platelet activation due to its longer circulation half life.

Essential fatty acids in diabetes and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients

Sera obtained from normal subjects and juvenile-onset diabetes (JD) and systemic lupus erythromatus (SLE) patients were examined for free fatty acid composition and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha content. In addition, prostaglandins in urine samples from normal and diabetic individuals were separated by HPLC, and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha levels were monitored by RIA. Arachidonate (20:4) content in diabetic and SLE individuals were significantly lower than that of controls. Urine from diabetic individuals showed decreased levels of 6-keto-PG F1 alpha. The study also indicated that RIA measurements on crude biological samples may yield erroneous data due to immune cross reactivity with other compounds.

Hypersensitivity to rat saliva

A patient who rapidly developed impressive local edema around a rat bite site is described. An interesting differential diagnosis was presented since the offending rat was experiencing an opiate withdrawal syndrome. A discussion of the possibilities of animal product allergy, local infection, and edema produced by opiate histamine releasers was considered.

The effect of pertussis vaccine on the insulin-dependent diabetes induced by streptozotocin in mice

Protective effect of pertussis vaccine (PV) against the development of insulin-dependent diabetes (IDD) induced by streptozotocin (STZ) in young CD-1 male mice were studied. When PV at a dose of 1.2 X 10(10) microorganism was administered on -10, 0, or +4 d relative to a single injection of STZ (60 mg/kg body wt) on d 0, it completely aborted the development of IDD after 140 d. When PV was given on +30 d after STZ injection and followed by PV booster injections, 66% of mice reverted to normoglycemic state. Intact islet cells in the pancreas were confirmed by histologic findings and normal plasma insulin values. The effect of PV was compared with that of boiled PV in another model of IDD induced by multiple injections of STZ (40 mg/kg for five doses). In this model, 60% of mice either remained or reverted to normoglycemic state with PV and booster injections whereas boiled PV protected 40% of mice from developing IDD. The protective effect appeared to reside in the biologic property of both pertussigen and endotoxin of Bordetella pertussis.

Myocarditis as a complication of infantile Chlamydia trachomatis pneumonitis

The case is presented of an infant with chlamydia pneumonitis who developed clinical and electrocardiographic signs of myocarditis. No significant antiviral antibodies developed. Elevated antichlamydial IgG titers were demonstrated during the initial phase. These declined during convalescence. This report provides further evidence associating C. trachomatis with infectious myocarditis.

Parent-child life events: relation to treatment in asthma

Children and adolescents with asthma were divided into groups of responders (N = 22) and nonresponders (N = 22) on the basis of their response to medical management. The mothers and children from both groups were given scales to measure life events and perceptions of behavior style. The effects of life event stresses and parent-child relations on the response to medical treatment were evaluated for each patient. Comparisons were made on the basis of response-nonresponse, sex, and age. Several patterns of relationship to treatment outcome were identified. The implications of these findings are discussed in terms of coping skills, psychological defenses, and the availability of social support systems. A conceptual scheme for treatment approaches is presented.

Pertussis vaccine inhibits immune insulitis induced with streptozotocin

Normally, the injection of streptozotocin (STZ) at a lower dose (60 mg/kg body weight) to young (45 days old) CD-1 male mice produces a sustained hyperglycemia with the concomitant development of hypoinsulinemia and immune insulitis in the pancreas, both of which lead to insulin-dependent diabetes (IDD). In an effort to abort the development of IDD, pertussis vaccine (PV) was administered either intraperitoneally (n = 12) or intravenously (n = 12) 3 days prior to STZ injection. In contrast to the control group (n = 12) which received only STZ resulting in the subsequent development of IDD after 16 weeks, none of the vaccinated group developed IDD. The complete protective effect was evidenced by normal insulin values, normoglycemia, the lack of the development of nucleic acid antibody and the absence of insulitis in the vaccinated animals. Under these experimental conditions, PV appeared to offer satisfactory protection of the beta cells of islets in pancreas against the inflammatory effect of STZ.

Effect of stressful stimulation on the incidence of streptozotocin-induced diabetes in mice

In three experiments, groups of 8-18, 45-day-old male CD-1 mice were injected with a single dose of streptozotocin (STZ) and were followed for 12-31 weeks. Experimental groups were given periodic. light-shock stimulation beginning at various times after streptozotocin injection. Blood samples were taken biweekly from all mice. Blood glucose levels were attenuated over a 22 week period in mice that were stimulated during the first 72 hours after STZ injection. Incidence of insulin-dependent diabetes (blood glucose levels over 150 mg%) was also significantly reduced in stimulated mice. Progressively increasing correlations between sampling order and blood glucose levels, which were significant over the last 12 weeks of one experiment, indicated that blood glucose levels of caged, diabetic mice responded markedly to laboratory procedures.

Prevalence of antibodies to nucleic acids in insulin-dependent diabetics and their relatives

We have studied nucleic acid antibodies in 23 insulindependent diabetics, 27 of their first degree relatives, and 23 normal, unrelated controls. We have found a significantly increased prevalence of antibody to ss-DNA, ds-RNA (reovirus), and synthetic RNA (Poly A · Poly U, Poly I · Poly C) in the unaffected relatives as well as in the diabetics when compared with normal controls. There was no relationship in HLA.

Chlamydia trachomatis infection in infant delivered by cesarean section

Neonatal Chlamydia trachomatis infection is thought to be acquired as a result of contact with infected cervical secretions during vaginal delivery. An infant, delivered by cesarean section, who was infected with C trachomatis has been described. At 31 days of age he had conjunctivitis and respiratory distress. Nasopharyngeal aspirate grew C trachomatis and serum IgM antibody titer was 1:32 for serotype J. The patient's mother had serum IgG antibody against C trachomatis serotype J. Her cervical culture was negative for Chlamydia; however, cultures were not taken until two months after delivery and she had received antibiotics for postpartum fever and abdominal pain. The literature has been reviewed and possible modes of transmission have been discussed.

[Trichomonas hominis: isolation and axenic cultivation (author's transl)]

Recently we have isolated Trichomonas hominis from diarrheic stools of a patient and established it in an axenic culture medium. The procedures are as follows: Diarrheic stool containing numerous trophozoites was first inoculated into the TYM (Trypticase Yeast extract Maltose) medium of Diamond (1975) to establish a polyxenic culture. Antibiotics, containing penicillin (1000 U/ml), streptomycin (1000 micrograms/ml), and cephalosporin (20 micrograms/ml) were added to prevent overgrowth of bacteria and fungi. After several passages, a specially-designed culture-tube was employed to separate T. hominis from the contaminants. The isolated T. hominis was then introduced into the modified TYI-S-33 (Trypticase Yeast extract Iron-Serum-33) medium of Diamond (1978). The organism established itself readily to this axenic culture medium. Sterility tests employing fluid thioglycollate, nutrient broth, and blood agar plate gave negative results indicating the absence of contaminants. The axenic culture of T. hominis provides us with a source of pure flagellates for biological, biochemical, and immunological studies.

Immune insulitis and antibodies to nucleic acids induced with streptozotocin in mice

Streptozotocin (STZ), a known beta cell toxin, given in a single injection of either a high (100 mg/kg body weight) or a low dose (60 mg/kg body weight) to young (45 days old) CD-I mice induced permanent hyperglycaemia which led to insulin-dependent diabetes (IDD). Further study, however, revealed that the course of the disease was strikingly different between the groups. The average latent period of the high-dose group (n = 20) before the development of hyperglycaemia was only 3 days while that of the low-dose group was 7 weeks (n = 30). Islets of pancreas in the high-dose group showed extensive acute necrosis of the islets with only two out of 20 showing limited mononuclear cell infiltration. In contrast, 20 out of 30 mice in the low-dose group had 45% of their islets heavily infiltrated with mononuclear cells (P less than 0.001). In addition, the deposition of IgG was found in 40% of the islets in 23 out of 30 mice in the low-dose group, in contrast to only two out of 20 in the high-dose group (P less than 0.005). The incidence of antibody to nucleic acids, polyadenylic-polyuridylic acid, polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid, single-stranded DNA and anti-nuclear antibody was significantly higher in the low-dose group as compared to the high-dose group or controls (P less than 0.01). Since the findings in the low-dose group are similar to pathological and serological changes reported in man with recent-onset IDD, this model should be of value in the study of the pathogenesis of this disease.

An in vitro assay for uni-directional migration inhibition employing 51Cr-labelled macrophages

An improved in vitro technique to assay for migration inhibitory factor is presented. The method employs chromium-51-radiolabelled guinea-pig macrophages and offers significant advantages including (1) elimination of observer to observer variation and tedious measurements resulting in an objective and technically simple assay, (2) the requirement for small numbers of immune lymphocytes, (3) good sensitivity and reproducibility between successive assays performed on different days, and (4) a means of obtaining relative estimates of the 'strength' (concentration) of the factor so that comparisons with healthy individuals can be made.