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Biomedical subjects

A Karlsson

Publications and source records attributed to A Karlsson.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Intradermal testing with multiple recall antigens for identification of cell-mediated immune deficiency in homosexual men.

In a health screening project for gay men in Stockholm, delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity was tested in 710 men by a commercial kit (Multitest, Mérieux) containing seven recall antigens and related to past hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, various life style factors, the lymphadenopathy syndrome (LAS), and antibodies to human T-lymphotropic virus type III (HTLV-III). The multiscore (MS: the sum of all positive reactions) was significantly decreased in men with the following characteristics: HBV markers, greater than 50 yearly sexual partners, regular practice of receptive rectal intercourse, regular sex in gay bathhouses, recent sexual encounters in the US, greater than 50 lifetime exposures to inhaled nitrates, LAS, and positive HTLV-III serology. Anergy to tuberculin (TU) but not to any other antigen was more common in men with greater than 20 yearly partners, regular practice of receptive rectal intercourse, exposure to inhalant nitrates, LAS as well as lesser degree of lymphadenopathy, and HTLV-III seropositivity. HTLV-III antibodies were demonstrated in 61 of 416 (14.7%) men. During the 2-year follow-up four men have developed acquired immune deficiency syndrome. All four had MS less than 10 mm and TU anergy. In a BCG-immunized population Multitest only adds marginal information as compared to intradermal testing solely with TU, but may yield prognostic information in evaluating HTLV-III positive individuals with respect to development of manifest AIDS.

AIDS-Related Complex↗
PubMed1986

Detection of allergens in mould and mite preparations by a nitrocellulose electroblotting technique.

The allergen composition of moulds (Alternaria alternata and Aspergillus fumigatus) and mites (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae) was studied by electroblotting. The allergens were separated by SDS-gPAGE and transferred to a nitrocellulose membrane by electroblotting. Specific IgE antibodies directed against mould and mite allergens were utilized as probes to detect the allergens. The bands were localized on the nitrocellulose membrane by means of enzyme- or isotope-labelled antibody. Circulating specific IgE antibodies in mould and mite sensitive patient sera were also analyzed and characterized with respect to their IgE specificity. Under appropriate experimental conditions this electroblotting technique could also be used for quantitation of individual allergens by scanning the isotope- or enzyme-stained nitrocellulose strips.

Allergens↗
PubMed1986

Methimazole, but not betamethasone, prevents 131I treatment-induced rises in thyrotropin receptor autoantibodies in hyperthyroid Graves' disease.

The effects of methimazole or betamethasone therapy on the TSH receptor antibody response to radioiodine therapy were compared in a prospective randomized study of 60 patients with hyperthyroidism due to Graves' disease. The patients were followed for 1 yr after treatment with 131I. Twenty-three patients received 131I alone, 17 were treated with methimazole for 2 months before and 3 months after 131I therapy, and 20 patients were treated with betamethasone for 3 weeks before and 4 weeks after 131I therapy. 131I induced a transient rise in the mean serum level of TSH receptor autoantibodies, measured as TSH binding inhibitory immunoglobulin (TBII), but in patients receiving methimazole treatment, no such rise occurred. In the betamethasone-treated patients, TBII increased similarly to that in patients treated with 131I alone. In addition, in patients given betamethasone, there was an early decrease in total serum immunoglobulin G, which persisted throughout the follow-up period. In the other 2 groups, no changes in total immunoglobulin G were found. The results demonstrate that in hyperthyroid Graves' disease, TBII production is influenced by therapy. Methimazole abolished the 131I-induced increase in TBII, whereas betamethasone did not have such an inhibitory effect.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Thyroxine, methimazole, and thyroid microsomal autoantibody titres in hypothyroid Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Ten hypothyroid patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis were treated with methimazole 30 mg in addition to thyroxine 0.15 mg daily. Another 10 hypothyroid patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis were given thyroxine 0.15 mg alone. After 22 weeks of treatment significant decreases in thyroid microsomal autoantibody titres were observed in both groups (p less than 0.01). There was no difference in the mean change in titre between the two groups. When the patients treated with methimazole were subsequently given thyroxine 0.15 mg alone for a further 22 weeks no additional change in titre was observed. The data suggest that thyroxine, by normalising serum thyroid stimulating hormone concentrations, may reduce the autoantigenic properties of the thyrocytes with a subsequent decrease in autoantibody titres.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

The size of micronuclei in human lymphocytes varies according to inducing agent used.

Micronuclei were induced in vitro in human lymphocytes by mitomycin C, X-rays, vincristine, and colcemid and analyzed in cells with preserved cytoplasm. The micronucleus/cell nucleus ratio was measured. It was found that micronuclei induced by mitomycin C and X-rays were significantly smaller than those formed by vincristine and colcemid. Thus, in spite of the wide size span of human chromosomes, it could be shown that it is possible to differentiate between micronuclei formed by spindle-damaging agents (vincristine and colcemid) and those induced by agents directly damaging the chromosomes (mitomycin C and X-rays). Mitomycin C-induced micronuclei were smaller than those induced by X-rays, probably because the former agent preferentially produces chromatid fragments and the latter chromosome fragments.

Cell Nucleus↗
PubMed1985

HTLV-III infection in homosexuals and hemophiliacs in Sweden.

Two hundred and three homosexual (HS) men and 114 hemophiliacs in Sweden were examined for serum antibodies to human T-lymphotropic virus type III (HTLV-III) and for alterations of T-lymphocyte subsets. Sera were screened for HTLV-III antibodies by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and/or a dot immunobinding assay, and positive reactions were confirmed by Western blotting. HTLV-III antibodies were demonstrated in 13 of 13 (100%) HS men with acquired immune deficiency syndrome, in 63 of 67 (94%) HS men with persistent generalized lymphadenopathy, in 17 of 45 (38%) symptomatic HS men, and in 6 of 78 (8%) asymptomatic HS men but in none of 108 male blood donors. Seropositive HS men had significantly lower T4/T8 (helper/suppressor) cell ratios and T4 cell numbers than had seronegative HS men. Seronegative HS men had decreased T-cell ratios compared to controls but not decreased T4 cell numbers. Among hemophilia A patients, HTLV III antibodies were demonstrated in 40 of 48 (83%) cases treated with American factor VIII concentrate and in 17 of 29 (59%) cases treated with both American and Swedish concentrates but in none of 13 cases treated exclusively with Swedish factor VIII. Twenty-one hemophilia B patients treated with Swedish factor IX concentrates were all seronegative, whereas one of 3 hemophilia B cases treated with imported factor IX was seropositive. T4/T8 cell ratios were significantly lower in seropositive as compared to seronegative hemophilia A patients.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1984

Evidence for integrated EBV genomes in Raji cellular DNA.

Human lymphoid cell lines cannot be grown in long-term tissue culture, as a rule, unless the cells have been transformed by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The latent EBV DNA in established cell lines, is mainly present as free covalently closed circles but viral DNA sequences with properties of integrated DNA also seem to be present. We have extended the studies on the physical state of the EB viral DNA sequences in the cell line Raji which appear at a lower density than that for free EB viral DNA during fractionation on CsCl density gradients. In such material a novel EcoRI EBV DNA fragment is present, which hybridizes to viral sequences homologous to EcoRI A. This fragment is not present in free covalently closed circular EBV DNA. When this EcoRI fragment is further analysed with HindIII a smaller fragment than expected, which contains BamHI W sequences, is detected. The demonstration of this HindIII fragment and its characteristics as a joint, viral-host chromosome fragment will be discussed.

Burkitt Lymphoma↗
PubMed1984

Autoimmune thyroid dysfunction in the postpartum period.

The prevalence of thyroid disease was investigated in 460 Caucasian women after delivery. Thyroid microsomal antibodies (MsAb) were found in 44 (9.6%) of the women. These women appeared to have autoimmune thyroiditis. The changes in MsAb titers followed a predictable pattern with maximal values around 5-7 months postpartum. At this time 20 of these women had transient hypothyroidism and in some this was preceded by a thyrotoxic episode. The extent of postpartum hypothyroidism correlated well with the titers of MsAb in early pregnancy and in the postpartum period. Transient thyrotoxicosis occurred in eight women 5-7 months postpartum. TSH-receptor stimulating antibodies and/or high radioiodine uptake, suggesting Graves' disease, were detected in four of these women. Thus, after delivery, manifestations of autoimmune thyroid disorders, are remarkably common. In patients with autoimmune thyroiditis measurements of MsAb provide a good prognostic marker for the development of transient hypothyroidism.

Adult↗