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Biomedical subjects

A Morag

Publications and source records attributed to A Morag.

81 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1975

Immunologic and virologic aspects of secretory immune system in human respiratory tract.

Many external mucosal surfaces in man are replete with immunoglobulin containing plasma cells and thymic dependent (T) lymphocytes. Immunization with viral vaccines administered via different routes have indicated that viral specific secretory immunoglobulins particularly of gamma A class are synthesized locally in the external mucosal surfaces. Local availability of viral antigens especially after local mucosal immunization appears to be the most effective means of inducing viral specific secretory antibody responses in the respiratory tract. Similarly, local induction of specific cellular immune responses in the respiratory tract and tonsilar lymphoid cells has been demonstrated after intranasal immunization with viral vaccines. Generally, the locally induced secretory antibody and cell-mediated immune responses in the respiratory tract appear to be independent of the immune response in the systemic sites, with little or no contribution from circulating immunoglobulins and T-cells. Information obtained after natural or vaccine induced infections with polio, influenza, measles, rubella and other viruses suggest that the outcome of a reinfection challenge in the respiratory and alimentary tracts is determined to a major extent by the presence and level of pre-existing secretory antibody. Although the precise role of locally induced cellular immunity in protection against viral infection remains to be determined, these observations suggest that the mechanism of immunologic defence in external surfaces may be mediated largely through specific secretory immunoglobulin and cellular immune response.

Agammaglobulinemia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Extent of measles hepatitis in various ages.

To assess extent of hepatic involvement in measles, we evaluated prospectively 144 patients (ages 0.2 to 43 years) during an outbreak. Liver function parameters (AST, ALT, serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and bilirubin) were determined on presentation and at 2 and 4 weeks. The study comprised 52 pediatric (less than or equal to 14 years) and 92 adult patients. Liver dysfunction was evident quite often (56 to 66%) in adult patients. However, in the pediatric age group, these abnormalities were less frequent and less extensive. Moreover, a significant correlation was noted between age and each of the following parameters: AST (r = 0.61), ALT (r = 0.56) and serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (r = 0.39). In all subjects all parameters normalized after 2 to 4 weeks. The data presented suggest that hepatic dysfunction in measles is probably not rare and is more frequent and more extensive in adults. However, these abnormalities seem to be subclinical, self-limited and probably with no long-term sequelae.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Viral infections and phenotypic heterogeneity in Gaucher disease.

Gaucher disease, the most common lysosomal storage disorder, is remarkable for its tremendous phenotypic heterogeneity even among patients with the same genotype. Beyond mutations at the 1q21 locus, there may be other genetic and environmental factors that impact on the natural course of Gaucher disease and indeed may trigger symptoms and signs. Among candidate events are viral infections such as the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) or cytomegalovirus (CMV). The purpose of this study was to ascertain if indeed prior infection with EBV or CMV in patients homozygous for the most common mutation, N370S (1226G), is predictive of a more severe phenotype. Evidence for an EBV virus was IgG and IgM antibodies to early antigen and IgG anti-EBNA. For CMV infection, IgG and IgM antibodies were sought. This study failed to demonstrate any correlation between prior EBV or CMV infection and clinical course of Gaucher disease in patients homozygous for the N370S (1226G) mutation. The only positive finding was a higher level of anti-EBNA antibodies among patients with moderate/severe disease. In conclusion, other than a small subset of patients who showed a pattern comparable to immunosuppression, there was no association between severity of Gaucher disease and prior EBV or CMV infection.

Cytomegalovirus Infections↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Psychological variables as predictors of rubella antibody titers and fatigue--a prospective, double blind study.

When exposed to infectious pathogens, human beings manifest variability in the incidence and severity of infection. This variability may partly depend on psychological variables, which have long been thought to contribute to the predisposition, onset, and course of various physical illnesses, including infectious diseases. The objective of the study was to investigate the predictive value of several personality and other psychological variables on antibody titers and fatigue following a specific viral infection. Subjects were divided into a seronegative group (not immune prior to vaccination) (N = 60) and a seropositive group (immune prior to vaccination) (N = 180), based on antibody titers to rubella before and 10.5 weeks after vaccination with live-attenuated rubella virus. Questionnaires assessing externalizing, internalizing, self-esteem, neuroticism, and fatigue-related symptoms were administered to the subjects before vaccination. Fatigue-related symptoms were re-evaluated 10 weeks post vaccination. In the seronegative group, low titers of rubella antibodies, 10.5 post-vaccination, were predicted by high internalizing or neuroticism scores, and by low self-esteem, measured at baseline. Higher externalizing scores indirectly predicted lower titers of antibodies, via fatigue-related symptoms, measured 10 weeks post vaccination. In contrast, in the seropositive group no association was found between any of the psychological variables and antibody titers. Personality and other psychological variables can predict antibody titers to rubella vaccination, in infected individuals. The associations between the psychological variables and antibody titers are complex, and involve both direct and indirect associations. Specific psychological variables can also be used to predict levels of post-vaccination fatigue.

Antibodies, Viral↗