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Biomedical subjects

B Christenson

Publications and source records attributed to B Christenson.

100 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

Herpes virus-related antigens in herpes simplex virus type 2-transformed cells in the course of cervical carcinoma.

Anticomplement immunofluorescence (ACIF) technique was applied to Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2)-transformed cells (333-8-9) and to cells lytically infected with HSV-2 in sera from women with cervical carcinoma. There was a correlation between the positive results with both types of cells. Long-term survivors suffering from cervical cancer showed a high percentage of positive immunofluorescence (IF) reactions in HSV-2 transformed cells (77%) as well as in cells lytically infected with HSV-2 (77%) in sera obtained before treatment. The figures were 81 and 83% respectively in sera collected 6-24 months after treatment. When the IFs of survivors and non-survivors were compared, the survivors showed more cytoplasmic staining reactions in sera obtained before treatment than in similar sera from non-survivors, whereas there was no difference in nuclear IF. The sera of survivors taken 6-24 months after treatment had a significantly higher overall fluorescence rate than similar sera from non-survivors. In late sera taken 36 months after treatment, a drop in reactivity was noted for the survivors to values comparable with those obtained from non-survivors. The controls (age-matched, healthy women and patients with malignancies other than cervical carcinoma) showed significantly less IF reactions (P less than 0.001).

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1982

An epidemic outbreak of hepatitis A among homosexual men in Stockholm. Hepatitis A, a special hazard for the male homosexual subpopulation in Sweden.

In 1979-1980, a distinct outbreak of hepatitis A occurred among homosexual men in Stockholm, Sweden, city and county area. The epidemic comprised 145 known cases. It began in December 1979 and progressed in waves during the following 10 months, with three distinct peaks separated by about six-week intervals. Actually, the incidence of hepatitis A in the Stockholm area showed a fivefold increase during 1980 as compared to the previous year. Clinical serologic, and social characteristics were studied more closely in 98 of the 145 homosexual men. Verification of hepatitis A was made by a solid-phase radioimmunoassay technique for detection of antibody to hepatitis A virus of the immunoglobulin M class. In addition, 64% of the men showed findings consistent with a prior hepatitis B (antibody to hepatitis B core antigen and/or antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen) and 34% were Treponema pallidum immobilization-positive from a prior or concomitant syphilis. Employment in risk professionals was common; thus, 19% worked in restaurants or otherwise handled food and 20% were engaged in medical care as compared to the 1% occupied in either branch of work among the general population in Sweden. Sexual habits with multiple partners and oral-anal sexual contacts were judged to be of major importance in the spread of this epidemic. Some spread of hepatitis A to the general population probably occurred due to the risk occupations of many homosexual men.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity to herpes simplex virus type 2 infected target cells in the course of cervical carcinoma.

The antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) assay was used as a sensitive instrument to study if specific antibodies acting synergistically with lymphocytes to induce target cell destruction, could be detected in sera from patients with cervical carcinoma. Significant cytotoxicity to herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2) infected target cells was observed in sera of 17 out of 23 (74%) surviving patients with cervical cancer who were followed with at least two serum samples. A rise in cytolytic activity was also observed in 11 out of 23 cases. Seven out of 14 tumor-bearing cervical cancer patients with progressing cervical lesions showed significant cytotoxicity, but four of the seven had lost activity in later sera. When 43 patients surviving the observation period of 24--60 months with no signs of residual tumors were compared with 23 severely ill cervical cancer patients, patients with less advanced cancer had significantly higher cytolytic activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

Complement-dependent cytotoxic antibodies in the course of cervical carcinoma.

Complement-dependent cytotoxic antibodies to three cervical carcinoma cell lines (Me-180, SW-732 and HeLa) and to Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2)-infected cells were determined in a long-term study of women with cervical carcinoma. Cytolysis of surface antigens differed significantly between the cervical carcinoma cell lines and HSV-2. Regression of the tumor during treatment was accompanied by decreasing cytolysis in the cervical carcinoma lines, while tumor bearers and patients who became severely ill had high or increasing cytotoxic antibodies, The opposite was noted for the antibody response to HSV-2 infected cells: patients with less advanced cancer had significantly higher cytolytic activity than those who were severely ill or had advanced cancer; long-term survivors demonstrated high, stable lysis of HSV-2 infected cells. As a control of the cervical carcinoma cell lines, cytolytic activity was tested also on a lung carcinoma cell line, A-549. No significant differences were found between the patients with cervical cancer and the control women. Tumor bearers and patients treated for advanced cervical cancer showed a slight but non-significant increase in cytolytic activity on the A-549 line.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1977

Long-term follow-up studies on herpes simplex antibodies in the course of cervical cancer: patterns of neutralizing antibodies.

The kinetics of neutralization was used to study antibodies to herpes simplex virus type 2 in 90 patients with invasive carcinoma of the cervix uteri. The first sera were drawn before treatment and consective sera were drawn at intervals thereafter. Control groups consisted of 90 age-matched healthy women and 70 cancer patients suffering from malignancies other than cervix carcinoma. Patients surviving during the observation period of 12-60 months had a significantly higher frequency of neutralizing antibodies than control groups. Twenty-six of the women with cervix carcinoma died during the observation period and 13 others had a recurrence of the cancer. Survivors with advanced cervical cancer had higher antibody titers than survivors with less severe cervical cancer while patients whose cancer caused death had low titer or to a great extent lacked neutralizing antibodies. Women with recurrences and progressing cervical lesions had no detectable antibodies while women with recurrences and regressing lesions all had antibodies. There was a rise in K2-values 6-18 months after treatment. In serum samples collected later than 18 months, there was a return to original levels.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Long-term follow-up studies on herpes simplex antibodies in the course of cervical cancer. II. Antibodies to surface antigen of Herpes simplex virus infected cells.

In a serological follow-up of 88 women with active invasive cervical carcinoma, antibodies to membrane antigen of Herpes simplex virus (HSV)-infected cells were measured by the use of the mixed hemadsorption method. Sera were collected at the time of initial treatment and then at regular intervals. As controls, 85 healthy age-matched women and 70 patients suffering from other types of cancer were tested similarly. During the 6-to 60-month observation period 16 patients in the cervix carcinoma group died. The reactivity with membrane antigen of HSV-infected cells was positive in 71% of the cervical carcinoma patients, whereas the figure for the other cancer group was 27% and for the age-matched control group 27%. In the group of 16 patients who died, only 3 demonstrated antibodies against surface antigens of HSV-infected cells. In most cases radiation treatment of the tumor did not significantly alter the mixed hemadsorption titer but in 10 surviving patients there was a significant increase in reactivity as the tumor was treated; 1 patient who had recurrence of her cancer lost reactivity in later sera. Among the 11 cervix carcinoma patients in stage I (by clinical definition carcinoma strictly confined to the cervix) all but one showed positive reaction against the surface antigen of HSV-infected cells; the patient lacking reactivity was the only one out of the 11 patients in stage I who had a recurrence of her cancer. The results confirm that low or missing antibody titers to membrane antigen of HSV-infected cells are of prognostic significance, and decreasing antibody titers to membrane antigens run parallel to the severity of the lesions. There was poor correlation between antibody titers against membrane antigens and neutralizing antibody titers.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The epidemiology of human immunodeficiency virus and other sexually transmitted diseases in the Stockholm area.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In Sweden, human immunodeficiency virus has been almost exclusively spread in three subpopulations. These are homosexual men (47%), intravenous drug abusers (21%), and immigrants from highly endemic areas (22%). In contrast to human immunodeficiency virus, gonorrhea and syphilis have in the past affected the general population in Sweden. Today, gonorrhea and syphilis, like human immunodeficiency virus, are referred to the subpopulations. The only sexually transmitted disease that affects the general population is chlamydia. GOAL OF THIS STUDY: This is a descriptive analysis of the epidemiology of human immunodeficiency virus and the other STDs in the Stockholm area, and an inquiry regarding whether these diseases have been spread in the general population. The goal also was to evaluate the actual risk of exposure to human immunodeficiency virus and the other sexually transmitted diseases in the general population and in the subpopulations. STUDY DESIGN: The homosexual subpopulation in the Stockholm area has been estimated at 14,000, or 2.5% of the males. More than 95% of the human immunodeficiency virus-infected homosexual males have been found in the 15 to 64-year-old age group. There are 3,000 to 4,000 drug abusers in the Stockholm area, with about 3,000 known to social workers. The third subpopulation with a high prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals is immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa. It is estimated that in the Stockholm area about 9,000 of the individuals in this sub-population are in the sexually active age-group, 15-64 years old. RESULTS: Through January 1995, 3,958 cases of human immunodeficiency virus have been reported in Sweden, of which 65% (2,543) were reported in the Stockholm area. Human immunodeficiency virus in the Stockholm area in 1994 was calculated as occurring among 6% of the homosexual men, 13% of the intravenous drug abusers, and 4% of the immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa. The relative increases (observed number of new cases in a particular year/number of known cases) were 10%, 4%, and 43%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The Swedish strategy against sexually transmitted diseases, including human immunodeficiency virus, has been successful regarding the spread in the general population. The human immunodeficiency virus epidemic has remained confined to distinct risk groups. Gonorrhea and syphilis are being eradicated and the chlamydia trend is declining.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Septicemia due to a non-0:1, non-0:139 Vibrio cholerae.

We describe a patient with a non-0:1, non-0:139 Vibrio cholerae septicemia associated with ecythema gangrenosa-like skin lesions. The patient acquired the infection in Puerto Rico. Given the high fatality rate, it is important for the medical community to consider the diagnosis in high risk patients with exposures in Puerto Rico tropical waters.

Bacteremia↗