Co-occurrence of anti-Ag and anti-Australia antibodies in transfused patients. Possible errors in typing.
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Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic↗
Biomedical subjects
A Vierucci
Publications and source records attributed to A Vierucci.
Cross-reactivity between IgE-binding proteins from Anisakis simplex and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus.
An association was found between Anisakis simplex (As) and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp) sensitization. One recent study shows a cross-reactivity between As and Dp and tropomyosin (tr)is suspected as being one of the proteins responsible of this cross-reaction. The aim of our study was: 1) to confirm the cross-reactivity between Dp and As; 2) to determine the importance of tr in this cross reaction. SDS-PAGE analysis of Dp and As (metabolic and somatic) extracts was carried out. Then an IgE immunoblotting test using serum from a patient who had specific IgE only to Dp and As and immunoblotting inhibition experiments using Dp extract and tr as inhibitors were performed. We found that patients serum reacted: 1) against larval As antigens with a molecular weight (mw) of 25 kilodalton (kD) and a mw > than 100 kD, 2) against various metabolic As antigens with a mw > than 100 kD, a mw ranging approximately from 35 to 50 kD, and a mw around 20 kD, and 3) against Dp proteins with mw between 35 and 55 kD. Preincubation of patient's serum with Dp extract caused the disappearance of reactivity against antigens with a mw > than 100 kD in both larval and metabolic As extracts and against proteins with mw ranging approximately from 35 to 50 kD in the metabolic As extract. Preincubation of patients serum with As extract caused the disappearance of reactivity against antigens with mw between 35 and 55 kD in the Dp extract. Pre-incubation of patients serum with tr did not induce any change in the immunoblotting profile. The results show that 1) cross-reactive components between Dp and As are some proteins with a mw ranging approximately from 35 to 50 kD and with a mw > than 100 kD, and 2) tr is not involved in cross-reactivity between As and Dp.
Adult↗
Biphasic anaphylactic reaction to Ketorolac tromethamine.
Ketorolac tromethamine is a recent injectable non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with analgesic properties approved for short-term pain management. In spite of its increasing use both in adults and children, relatively few allergic-like reactions have been reported. Reactions are often severe, and a death occurred following an intramuscular injection of ketorolac.
Adolescent↗
High intracytoplasmatic levels of Il-4 and Il-5 in a patient with Gleichs syndrome: case report.
Gleichs syndrome is characterized by recurrent localized angioedema, hypereosinophilia, elevated levels of IgM, rapid weight gain, itchy urticaria and fever. Little is known about the pathogenesis of this disease. Increased serum levels for IL5, IL6 and C5a have been reported before and during clinical exacerbations. In order to better understand the role of the T cells in Gleichs syndrome we analyzed the intracellular cytokine expression in CD3+ cells of a patient affected by the disease. As hypereosinophilia was documented, we asked whether IL-4 and IL-5 levels were increased, and the intracytoplasmatic expression of these Th2-cytokines was determined. The percentage of T lymphocytes (CD3-gated cells) of both CD8- and CD8+ phenotype expressing different cytokines showed an unusually high percentage of Th2-related cytokine (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13) expressing T lymphocytes. The two new variants (myeloproliferative and lymphoproliferative) seem to account for hypereosinophilia in patients with hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES). In the lymphroliferative variant, the presence of a clonal CD3-CD4+ Th2 like lymphocyte secreting IL-4 and IL-5 in peripheral blood, may explain the hypereosinophilia and the hyper-IgE. In our study we show that the patient had a lymphoproliferative variant and her T cell had a Th2 type phenotype. Moreover, we suggest that Th2 lymphocytes may play a role in the pathogenesis of Gleichs syndrome. Further studies are needed to evaluate the possibility that a polyclonal aspecific activation of Th2 type cells can lead to hypereosinophilia, IgE production and the other manifestations typical of Gleichs syndrome.
Adolescent↗
Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and tryptase in the nasal lavage fluid (NLF) of children with grass pollen rhinitis: levocabastine effect.
This study was carried out to determine the concentrations of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and tryptase in the nasal lavage fluid (NLF) of 24 children (C) with grass pollen rhinitis as well as rhinitis symptoms before and after nasal provocation tests with or without a levocabastine (anti-H1 topical antihistamine) pretreatment. All C were monosensitized to grasses only. Twelve patients (Active Group = AG) were tested with a nasal provocation test with grass pollen (NPT) carried out by the insufflation of increasingly higher doses of an allergenic extract powder, while the other 12 patients (Placebo Group = PG) underwent just a nasal provocation test with lactose (placebo) (NPTp). The prechallenge NLF, obtained both before (C) and after (AG) levocabastine pretreatment, was compared to that obtained after periods of 2 and 24 hours postchallenge. In the AG, before and after levocabastine pretreatment, the tryptase concentrations had not significantly increased, whereas the ECP concentrations were found to be significantly higher (p < 0.05) in just the 24-hour postchallenge samples. In the PG the rhinitis symptoms were not induced by the NPTp and there was no significant change in either ECP or tryptase concentrations. In the AG a levocabastine pretreatment induced a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the cumulative allergen doses administered by the NPT. There was a reduction of the nasal symptoms in 7 patients, while in 3 subjects there was only a slight improvement, but in 2 subjects no effect was encountered. In conclusion this study shows that a levocabastine pretreatment before an NPT in patients with grass pollen rhinitis, outside the grass pollen season, induces a significant increase in the cumulative allergen doses (administered by the NPT) which provoked rhinitis symptoms but is not able to demonstrate any significant reduction in the ECP concentrations of the NLF.
Blood Proteins↗
[Pseudoallergies].
Pseudo-allergic-reactions (PAR) are clinical manifestations including urticaria, angioedema, conjunctivitis, rhinitis, asthma, and anaphylaxis. The prevalence of PAR ranges from 0.1% to 75% according to various studies. The pathogenetic mechanism of these diseases is not immunologically mediated. Food, additives, and drugs are the main responsibilities for PAR. The diagnosis of PAR is characterized by the absence of specific IgE for the suspected products. The absence of immunological mechanisms is confirmed by in vitro and in vivo tests. The treatment of PAR is similar to that of allergic diseases (antihistamine drugs, steroids, B2 agonists, epinephrine).
Humans↗
[Changed levels of substance P and somatostatin in HIV-positive children].
Substance P (sP) and Somatostatin (SOM), so as other neuropeptides can modulate neurologic and immunologic functions. sP has been described to enhance both in vitro and in vivo immunoglobulin synthesis. On the contrary, SOM has an inhibitory effect on the same activity. The modulating effect is more evident on IgA isotype. Hypergammaglobulinemia and in particular high levels of IgA is a common finding in pediatric AIDS and an imbalance among regulatory effects of neuropeptides might be suggested. In order to evaluate the plasma levels of sP in pediatric AIDS we studied 15 children with HIV infection (status P2), 10 seronegative children born to HIV positive mothers and 10 healthy children of the same age. All the HIV positive children had high plasma levels of IgG and IgA. The plasma level of sP was extremely higher in HIV positive children while no significant difference was found between seronegative children born to HIV positive mothers and healthy children. SOM was decreased in HIV positive children when compared to control groups but a significant difference was not reached. It might be supposed that HIV infection, through a dysregulation among neuropeptides interferes on immune functions and in particular on IgA synthesis. On the other hand it might be suggested that the imbalance between sP and SOM depends on the viral infection of immune cells since it has been demonstrated that SOM and other neuropeptide are synthesized by lymphoid tissue. Further studied relevance of neuropeptide disorders in pediatric AIDS.
Female↗
[Specific IgA against multiple antigens as expression of immunologic deregulation in HIV-positive children].
B-cell dysfunction in HIV-infected children is reflected by hypergammaglobulinemia and high levels of serum IgA. Little is known about antibody specificity since only a small portion of serum IgA appears to be directed against HIV proteins. In the present study the specificity of IgA antibodies against food, inhalant, bacterial and fungi antigens were evaluated in a population of HIV infected children. ELISA method was used for antibody testing. Our results show that in 84.6% of patients IgA against at least one food antigen are present. IgA against inhalant allergens were present in most of HIV-infected children but in none of controls. As for anti-tetanus toxoid antigens and anti-fungi antigens, though present in higher percentage in patients, specific IgA were found also in healthy children. If a gastrointestinal dysfunction might be supposed as the cause of presence of anti-food antigen IgA, it is difficult to consider this factor as the cause of presence of specific IgA directed against different antigens. It is possible to postulate that an immunologic dysregulation based on an imbalance between Th1 and Th2 cells or on higher levels of IL-5 and/or IL-6 may lead to a misfunction of B cell and consequently to hypergammaglobulinemia with high IgA levels.
Antibody Specificity↗
[Unusual reactions to food additives].
The most important symptoms caused by food additives are urticaria and angioedema, but rhinitis, asthma and gastrointestinal disturbances are also reported. Only seldom food additives have been shown to induce symptoms in other organs such central nervous system or joints and with a sparse objective evidence. In this study, we report two cases of unusual reactions to food additives (tartrazine and benzoates) involving mainly the central nervous system (headache, migraine, overactivity, concentration and learning difficulties, depression) and joints (arthralgias), confirmed with diet and double blind challenge. The possible pathogenetic mechanisms are also discussed.
Adolescent↗
[Recent acquisitions on viral hepatitis].
In the last years the research on viral hepatitis let to better understand the biological, molecular, immunological and epidemiologic characteristics of the viruses that are responsible for hepatitis. The first studied virus was hepatitis B virus (HBv). The scientific attention is still, today, focused on that virus since new markers of infectivity and biological importance in early diagnosis and in disease evolution have been found. The most important result in the last years in the field of viral hepatitis has been, however, the identification of agents responsible for Non-A-Non-B hepatitis. Its epidemiology and clinical importance are discussed in the present paper. Virus C is the most important parenteral agent of NANB hepatitis. Its epidemiology in at risk populations and its role in post-transfusional and cryptogenetic hepatitis are here discussed. The research of new markers of HCV infection is today considered a main goal since the role of the only marker now available is still under discussion.
Adult↗
[Preventive effect of thymomodulin in recurrent respiratory infections in children].
Recurrent respiratory infections (RRI) are a common occurrence in early childhood. Several investigations report the primary role of environmental factors (as early social mixing and passive smoking) in inducing RRI. In RRI children immunological defects, transient and not typical, have been often observed, but it is reasonable to suppose that they are essentially secondary to infections. Since immune modifications involve essentially cell-mediated immunity, several therapeutical attempts with thymic hormones have been carried out. In the present study the efficacy of thymomodulin was evaluated in a clinical trial in a group of children with RRI. Forty-six children suffering from RRI were enrolled on the basis of RI number in the previous year. Twenty-three children were treated with thymomodulin, twenty-three were not treated and were studied as control group. A significant reduction in the frequency of RI was noted only in treated children. Interleukin-2 production was assayed in all children before and after the trial, but not significant modification was observed in this immunological parameter. This study confirms the effectiveness of treatment with thymomodulin in RRI children, even though immunological background of clinical improvement remains to be elucidated.
Child↗
[Inhibiting effect of low density lipoproteins (LDL) on neutrophil function (author's transl)].
LDL preparations obtained from normal individuals of known genetic type have been added to neutrophils from healthy donors. After incubation at 37 degrees C for 30 min, and washing in Hank's solution, in order to evaluate metabolic and bactericidal activities neutrophils were assayed by the nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) quantitative test, using latex particles, and by E. coli killing test. LDL in aliquots of 100-500 microgram/2 x 10(6) neutrophils, inhibited NBT reduction and reduced neutrophil killing of E. coli by more than 50%. No difference was observed in the degree of inhibition using LDL and neutrophils obtained from donors of either the same or of different Ag phenotype. These data suggest that the immunoregulatory activity of LDL affects lymphocyte as well as neutrophil function.
Blood Bactericidal Activity↗
[Radiologic examination of the paranasal sinuses in asthmatic children].
We examined the prevalence of abnormalities found by sinus X-Rays in 80 asthmatic children classified into three groups in relation to severity of their symptoms. All the children underwent skin tests and some of them methacholine challenge. 63.7% of asthmatics showed abnormalities in sinus X-Rays. No correlation was found between the severity of asthma, radiographic findings, and atopic status. Bronchial hyperreactivity studied using metacholine challenge according to the method of Chai was the same both in patients with asthma and sinusitis and in those with asthma only. In conclusion, abnormal sinus X-Rays do not seem to be an aggravating factor in asthmatic status.
Asthma↗
[Increase of the "null cells" in children with persistent hepatitis (author's transl)].
Some membrane and functional properties of lymphocytes have been examined in a group of children affected with persistent hepatitis. Both absolute and percentage values of B lymphocytes (cells bearing surface Ig) were normal, whereas T lymphocytes (E rosette technique) were decreased in percentage but not as absolute numbers. Only in a close range of mitogen concentration PHA responsiveness was altered, and no modification was found in the percentage of EA and EAC rosettes. A marked increase in lymphocytes lacking both T and B cell markers was observed, which may be related to an increase in precursors of mature cells or to a masking of receptors on the membrane of lymphocytes, but which is probably independent of an increase in the number of K cells, since cells bearing receptors for the Fc fragment were normal.
Adolescent↗
[Bronchial response to a provocation test in children allergic to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus].
Bronchial provocation tests with allergens are becoming recognized as one of the most important diagnostic parameters for the detection and confirmation of the role of the allergic component directly on the reaction site. Twenty-seven children with positive skin tests and RAST for Dermatophagoides Pteronyssinus were challenged with solutions of the same antigen. Twenty-one (77%) had positive responses expressed by different patterns: Six (28.5%) showed isolated early reaction, seven (33.3%) had biphasic responses. Six (28.5%) showed dual response with prolonged (1-2 hours) late reaction. One child had dual late reaction after 35 hours (ultra-late reaction). Six (28.5%) patients had negative reactions. The results suggest that bronchial provocation tests with antigens performed as outlined in this study can also be applied in the diagnosis of pediatric allergy.
Adolescent↗
[Biology of human immunodeficiency virus infection].
This review will describe the current state of basic knowledge on the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), which has now spread worldwide becoming an acute public health problem in western countries and in Africa. AIDS is a viral infection, due to a retrovirus designated human immune deficiency virus (HIV), which affects the immune system resulting in a wide array of secondary manifestations which include opportunistic infections, neoplasia, autoimmune phenomena, neurologic disorders, and hematologic abnormalities. AIDS has now been recognized in the pediatric population, and infection occurs by perinatal and blood-borne transmission. As a consequence, pediatricians are no more involved only by a theoretical point of view (AIDS is a perfect model of interaction of virus with the immune system), but also by an operative point of view. Knowledges on immunological modifications in AIDS and on the underlaying features of the HIV are essential for the clinical approach. This goal may be difficult, if one considers that the pace of research in AIDS and the progress attained to date are unprecedent. However, clinicians must be aware that the ultimate solution of clinical problems in AIDS exclusively depends on sound basic research.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
[Neutrophil function in children with acute lyphoblastic leukemia].
Neutrophil function has been studied in 12 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia by means of the NBT test and bactericidal assay against E. coli. Tests have been performed before and during treatment. In untreated patients the bactericidal activity of neutrophils was normal, in spite of the decreased number of cells reducing the NBT dye after activation with immuno-complexes. In remission, those patients showed normal reduction. No correlation was observed between the bactericidal power registered after cranial irradiation and the NBT test.
Antineoplastic Agents↗
[Evaluation of the respiratory function in patients with Duchenne's muscular dystrophy].
The purpose of this investigation was to compare the respiratory function of patients with different clinical stages of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Twenty-three DMD patients who were followed at Paediatric Department of Florence, were studied. We found a good correlation between the subject's functional capacity and normal predicted values for forced vital capacity (FVC) as well for forced volume at first second (FEV1). Subjects whose FVCs ranging from 10% to 20% were considered mildly involved; subjects with FVCs ranging from 20 to 30% were considered moderately involved, severe involved subjects with FVCs ranging from 30% to 40%. When the FVCs were less than 40% of the predicted values, the subjects were considered to have very severe respiratory impairment. In our study 83% of patients wheelchair bound was characterised by a very severe deterioration of pulmonary function.
Adolescent↗