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Biomedical subjects

A Schattner

Publications and source records attributed to A Schattner.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia preceding Sjögren's syndrome.

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) in Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a rare occurrence. A patient presented with severe AIHA that seemed idiopathic, responded to treatment with prednisone and azathioprine but she developed symptoms and signs of the sicca syndrome within 8 months. This is a first report of AIHA preceding SS in an adult and the association is discussed. We believe that primary SS should be included in the differential diagnosis of acquired AIHA.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Comparison of (2'-5') oligo-adenylate synthetase and interferon blood-levels in mice early after viral infection.

The level of the IFN-induced enzyme (2'-5') oligo A synthetase in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was determined in mice at different times following virus infection. There was a significant increase (4-7-fold) of the enzyme level within less than 12 h after i.p. injection of either VSV (10(7) pfu) or Sindbis virus (2.10(4) pfu). The elevated level was maintained for about a week and then the activity returned to normal. There was, however, a marked difference in the pattern of serum level of IFN during infection by the two viruses; while in the mice infected by VSV, serum IFN was very high on the first day and declined to an undetectable level by the fourth day, in the mice infected with Sindbis virus, serum IFN was barely detectable at the first day and then increased towards the fourth day of infection. Antiviral antibodies could be detected in the serum only about a week after infection. We conclude that viral infection can result in a rapid elevation of (2'-5') oligo A synthetase in the PBMC, even when serum IFN remains low. Thus, quantitation of the enzyme level can be a useful diagnostic aid in viral infection particularly in the early stages and in cases in which antiviral antibodies and IFN can not be detected.

2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase↗
PubMed1982

Variation of (2'-5') oligo A synthetase level in lymphocytes and granulocytes of patients with viral infections and leukemia.

Using a simplified technique for the determination of oligoisoadenylate synthetase activity, we have compared the cellular level of this interferon (IFN)-induced enzyme in multiple samples of peripheral blood leukocytes. In mononuclear cells (PBMC) of healthy donors the enzyme level was remarkably constant, but in the cells of about 85% of patients with viral infections enzyme activity was significantly elevated. In contrast, the incidence of elevated activity in bacterial infections was low. Synthetase activity could be also detected in granulocytes, although normally its level in these cells was considerably lower than in PBMC. A sharp increase in the enzyme level in granulocytes was found in cells exposed in vitro to IFN, as well as in cells from patients undergoing IFN therapy. Increased synthetase activity was also detected in the granulocytes of patients with viral infections. We have also determined the level of the enzyme in patients with various types of leukemias. In a large proportion of the patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) we found severely decreased enzyme levels (10-20% of control value). The decreased activity could usually be correlated to predominance of blast cells in the peripheral blood.

2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase↗
PubMed1982

Concurrent Bell's palsy and diabetes mellitus: a diabetic mononeuropathy?

In a series of 126 patients with Bell's palsy, chemical or overt diabetes mellitus was found in 39% of the cases. A high frequency of disturbances of taste was found in the patients who had no diabetes (83%), as compared to only 14% of diabetic patients whose taste was affected (p less than 0 .001). Thus, the usual site of facial nerve lesion in diabetics appears to be distal to the chorda tympani, while in patients whose glucose tolerance is normal, no such selectivity exists. This may only be explained by a diabetes-related pathogenesis and a vascular rather than a generalised "metabolic" impairment is postulated, leading to a localised facial nerve ischaemia in the distal part of the Fallopian canal. Thus, some cases of Bell's palsy may in fact be a diabetic mononeuropathy.

Diabetic Neuropathies↗
PubMed1981

Assay of an interferon-induced enzyme in white blood cells as a diagnostic aid in viral diseases.

Interferon is part of the system of defence against viral infections and has important cell-regulatory and immunoregulatory functions. It is, however, not always possible to quantify circulating interferon in patients. An assay has been developed to measure an interferon-induced enzyme in white blood cells. The activity of this enzyme is constant in healthy subjects but increases by 2-10 times in 85% of patients with acute viral infections. It is also enhanced in autoimmune diseases and in virus-related malignancies and neurological disorders. The enzyme level was not raised in bacterial infections or non-infectious diseases studied. This simple and rapid biochemical assay of the interferon system could be used for diagnosis and evaluation of many diseases.

2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase↗
PubMed1981

Monitoring of interferon therapy by assay of (2'--5') oligo-isoadenylate synthetase in human peripheral white blood cells.

With the increasing number of patients undergoing experimental interferon therapy, there is a need for a method for monitoring how the patients respond to the drug. Interferon induces in cells exposed to it the accumulation of several enzymes, among them the (2'-5') oligo-A synthetase. A simple method previously developed was used to measure this enzyme in extracts of a small number of peripheral white blood cells. In 60 healthy volunteers, the enzyme level in the mononuclear cell fraction was found to be relatively high and constant. Daily intramuscular injections of 1--2 x 10(6) units leukocyte type interferon (IFN-alpha) increased the enzyme level 7--8 fold in mononuclear cells and in granulocytes. The enzyme stayed high until IFN injections were stopped. Patients with defective response to IFN were identified. We propose that this method be used for continuous monitoring of the patient's response whenever interferon therapy is undertaken.

2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase↗
PubMed1981

Fatal aplastic anemia due to indomethacin--lymphocyte transformation tests in vitro.

Although indomethacin has been implicated as a possible cause of aplastic anemia on the basis of a few clinical observations, its role has not been definitely established. A case of fatal aplastic anemia is described in which no drugs other than allopurinol and indomethacin were given. Indomethacin was first given four weeks prior to the onset of symptoms. A positive lymphocyte transformation test with indomethacin in vitro further substantiates the potential role of this drug in causing aplastic anemia in a susceptible patient. Fortunately, this seems to be a very rare complication.

Aged↗