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Biomedical subjects

C E Taylor

Publications and source records attributed to C E Taylor.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

"Cytomegalovirus disease" in renal allograft recipients: is human herpesvirus 7 a co-factor for disease progression?

Fifty-six renal allograft recipients were studied prospectively for 3 months or longer after transplant. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to screen peripheral blood leucocyte (PBL) specimens for CMV, human herpesvirus 6 (HHV6) and human herpesvirus 7 (HHV7) DNA (DNAemia) in 67 healthy controls and in serial (fortnightly) PBL specimens from the 56 allograft recipients. None of the healthy controls had detectable CMV DNAemia, although HHV6 and HHV7 DNAemia was found in 7% and 9% of individuals respectively. In contrast, DNAemia due to CMV, HHV6 and HHV7 was found in 50%, 36% and 39% of patients respectively, at some time during the post-transplant period. Of the 28 patients who had CMV DNAemia, eight developed "CMV disease". The risk of progression to "CMV disease" was increased in patients with concurrent DNAemia to all three viruses (relative risk 3.7; 95% CI 1.3-10.5). The relative risk of "CMV disease" for patients with concurrent CMV and HHV7 was also increased (RR = 3.5; 95% CI = 1.1-11.6), while the association between CMV and HHV6 was inconclusive (RR = v2.1; 95% CI = 0.7-6.6). The first 26 patients recruited to the study also had serial serum samples tested for antibody responses to the three viruses. "CMV disease" was associated with rising antibody titres to HHV7 (Fisher's exact test, P = 0.02), and weakly so with HHV6 (P = 0.07). It is concluded that in patients with CMV DNAemia, concurrent infection/reactivation HHV7 (and possibly HHV6) is associated with an increased risk of progression to "CMV disease".

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Density, survival and dispersal of Anopheles gambiae complex mosquitoes in a west African Sudan savanna village.

To obtain information on adult populations of Afrotropical malaria vector mosquitoes, mark-release-recapture experiments were performed with Anopheles females collected from indoor resting-sites in a savanna area near Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, during September 1991 and 1992. Results were used to estimate the absolute population densities, daily survival rates, and dispersal parameters of malaria vectors in that area. In 1991 a total of 7260 female Anopheles were marked and released, of which 106 were recaptured in the release village and 6 in the neighbouring villages, a total recapture rate of 1.5%. The following year 13,854 female Anopheles were released and 116 recaptured in Goundri and 8 in the neighbouring villages, a total recapture rate of 0.9%. Recaptures were found in three of eight villages near Goundri. Nearly all of the recaptured mosquitoes were An gambiae s.l. Of these, molecular determination revealed that An.gambiae s.s. and An.arabiensis were present in a ratio of approximately 2:3. Two simple random models of dispersal were simulated and the parameters of the models determined by searching for the least-squared fit between simulated and observed distributions. The mean distance moved by individual mosquitoes, estimated in this way, ranged 350-650 m day-1, depending on the model and the year considered. Population densities were estimated using the Lincoln Index, Fisher-Ford and Jolly's methods. The estimates of population size had high standard errors and were not particularly consistent A "consensus' value of 150,000-350,000 mosquitoes is believed to apply for the An.gambiae s.l. female population. Survival was estimated to be 80-88% per day.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Flaming disaster?

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1995

Cytokines as adjuvants for vaccines: antigen-specific responses differ from polyclonal responses.

The use of cytokines in the administration of vaccines has a unique value in obtaining the appropriate immune response and in ensuring a protective outcome. Earlier studies indicating that cytokines can influence the generation of a particular antibody isotype may represent an oversimplification of a more complex problem. Several studies discussed in this review show that the effect of a given cytokine on the immune response depends on whether one examines the antigen-specific response or the polyclonal response (i.e., total serum immunoglobulins). Further, a balanced regulation of immune responsiveness is important in maintaining homeostasis of the immune system. Consequently, for any vaccine that uses cytokines to boost the response, due consideration must be given to these important variables.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1995

Diagnosis of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease in renal allograft recipients: the role of semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus disease remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the renal allograft recipient. There is a need for rapid and sensitive techniques predictive of CMV disease to allow initiation of early antiviral therapy. METHODS: Seventy-seven renal allograft recipients were enrolled in a prospective study where CMV viruria (shell vial culture/DEAFF test), viraemia (shell vial culture), serology and detection of virus DNA in peripheral blood leukocytes by PCR (CMV DNAemia) were correlated with clinical evidence of CMV disease. RESULTS: Serology and shell vial culture had poor sensitivity for the early diagnosis of CMV disease. CMV DNAemia appeared to correlate with active virus replication. CMV DNAemia had a sensitivity and negative predictive value of 100% and a positive predictive value of 27% for CMV disease. Patients with symptomatic CMV disease were shown to have higher levels of CMV DNAemia than those with asymptomatic infection. CONCLUSIONS: A negative CMV DNAemia result excluded CMV disease with confidence, but a positive result (given the low positive predictive value) did not by itself provide a reliable guide for the initiation of pre-emptive antiviral therapy. However, the semiquantitative CMV DNAemia result taken together with the clinical findings provided useful information for patient management.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

E.H. Christopherson Lecture: lessons for the United States From the Worldwide Child Survival Revolution.

It is time to apply in the United States' principles that are emerging from a series of World Summits and United Nations Conference on Children, Environment, Population, Women, and Social Development. After years of top-down programs supported by international agencies, which have made some significant contributions in promoting activities such as childhood immunization but are having problems of sustainability, we need to focus now on integrated human development. The past tendency in international assistance to concentrate on economic development has not helped the people in greatest need. There is growing realization that what improves the quality of life most is what people do for themselves. Sustainability requires social mobilization at the local level. There are thousands of integrated, social development projects around the world that demonstrate the power of community-based, participatory approaches and we know how such local programs can be made to work under any political or economic system. What we haven't learned is how to "go to scale" in extending such projects to cover larger populations. A promising approach seems to be using successful local projects upgraded into Centers for Action Learning to promote the adaptation of science-based innovations to everyday life in a whole region of a country.

Child↗
PubMed1995

Role of target organ infection with cytomegalovirus in the pathogenesis of graft-versus-host disease.

Skin and rectal biopsy tissue from 34 allogeneic and 23 autologous BMT recipients was prospectively analysed for CMV using immunohistochemistry and PCR to investigate the hypothesis that target organ infection with CMV initiates and/or exacerbates GVHD. Biopsies were obtained prior to and at 3, 8 and 26 weeks after BMT and whenever GVHD was suspected. Surveillance specimens of peripheral blood leucocytes (PBL), urine and throat swabs were obtained every 2 weeks until 12 weeks after BMT, and whenever CMV was suspected. Cryostat sections were analysed immunohistochemically for CMV antigens and PBL and biopsies for CMV DNA by PCR. Of the 31 patients who engrafted, 28 (90%) developed GVHD clinically, confirmed histologically in 56 biopsies. GVHD proved clinically severe in 14 patients, 4 of whom had treatment-resistant GVHD. CMV was detected in PBL more frequently in patients with severe GVHD than in those with mild/moderate GVHD (29% vs. 7%). However, in all but one patient the onset of GVHD preceded detection of CMV. In biopsy specimens, CMV was detected in only 2 patients, 1 of whom had an exacerbation of GVHD temporally associated with CMV. Thus, despite a high incidence of GVHD in this series, with 56 episodes of GVHD in 28 patients, only 1 patient had CMV in biopsy tissue temporally associated with GVHD. This suggests that biopsy infection with CMV is not a major factor in initiating or exacerbating GVHD in this cohort. This study thus does not support a role for target organ infection with CMV in the pathogenesis of GVHD.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Ethical issues influencing health for all beyond the year 2000.

The approach of a new millennium gives us an opportunity to voice optimism about the future, the kind of optimism expressed at the 1978 Alma Ata Primary Health Conference under the slogan, "Health for All by the Year 2000." For those interested in real change, the slogan does not mean that everyone should achieve the same standards of health. Instead, it implies a resistance to anyone from the outside imposing a uniform definition of health on any country; each should allow its own definition of health to evolve and whatever level is achieved should be available "for all." This is a beautiful definition of health equity, the principle of primary healthcare.

Community Health Services↗
PubMed1995

Human herpes virus-6 infection in marrow graft recipients: role in pathogenesis of graft-versus-host disease. Newcastle upon Tyne Bone Marrow Transport Group.

To investigate the hypothesis that target organ infection with human herpes virus-6 (HHV-6) exacerbates the clinical severity of GVHD, skin and rectal biopsies from 34 allogeneic bone marrow transplant (BMT) recipients and 23 comparative autologous recipients were studied. Biopsies and heparinised blood samples were obtained from all patients prior to and at regular intervals after BMT, and whenever GVHD was suspected. HHV-6 antigen was detected in cryostat sections by immunohistochemistry, and HHV-6 DNA in peripheral blood leucocytes (PBL) and biopsies by nested PCR. Twenty-eight (90%) of the 31 patients who engrafted developed clinical GVHD, which was mild in five, moderately severe in nine and severe in 14. Overall, HHV-6 DNA was detected in PBl in 74% of autologous recipients and 76% of allogeneic recipients, and in biopsy tissue in 48% of autos and 71% of allos. However, HHV-6 DNA was detected in skin and/or rectal biopsies more frequently in allogeneic recipients with severe GVHD (92%) than in those with either moderate (55%) or mild GVHD (22%), suggesting an association (P = 0.004) between HHV-6 DNA in biopsy tissue and GVHD severity. A significant linear trend (P = 0.03) was identified between detection of HHV-6 DNA in biopsy tissue obtained prior to or concomitant with the onset of GVHD and increased GVHD severity, suggesting that HHV-6 was causally linked to GVHD rather than reactivated as a consequence of GVHD therapy. Thus this study supports a role for HHV-6 in the initiation and/or exacerbation of GVHD, and suggests that the presence of HHV-6 DNA in the skin or rectum may be a factor in determining GVHD severity. If confirmed, these findings may have implications for the management of allogeneic BMT recipients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Effects of interferon gamma on the antibody response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipopolysaccharide in mice.

Different strains of mice were examined for the capacity to produce an Ig subclass-specific antibody response to purified Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipopolysaccharide (PALPS). With the exception of the AKR strain, the predominant isotype for most of the strains tested was IgG3 whereas the least frequent isotype expressed was either IgG2b or IgG1. AKR mice were unique in that the predominant isotype produced was IgG2a, rather than IgG3; however, the administration of anti-interferon gamma antibody, at the time of immunization with PALPS caused a substantial decrease in the IgG2a antibody response. Selected B10 congenic strains were used to assess the relationship between the antibody responses and the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes. Here, the isotype-patterns for the antibody responses were essentially the same regardless of the MHC haplotype. Interestingly, an increase in IgG2a, with a concomitant decrease in IgM and IgG1 antibody was noted when C3H mice were given interferon gamma at the time of immunization. These studies indicate that, in general, the antibody response to PALPS consists of IgG3 antibody as the predominant isotype, and that the antibody response can be modified by interferon gamma.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Molecular structures that influence the immunomodulatory properties of the lipid A and inner core region oligosaccharides of bacterial lipopolysaccharides.

The relationship between chain length as well as the position of fatty acyl groups to the ability of lipid A to abolish the expression of suppressor T-cell (Ts) activity was examined. Fatty acyl chain lengths of C12 to C14, as in the lipid A of Escherichia coli and Salmonella minnesota, appear to be optimal for this bioactivity, since lipid A preparations with fatty acyl groups of relatively short chain length (C10 to C12 for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Chromobacterium violaceum) or predominantly long chain length (C18 for Helicobacter pylori) are without effect. The presence of an acyloxyacyl group of appropriate chain length at the 3' position of the glucosamine disaccharide backbone of lipid A also plays a decisive role. By contrast, the lipid A proximal inner core region oligosaccharides of some bacterial lipopolysaccharides increase the expression of Ts activity; this is due mainly to the capacity of such oligosaccharides, which are relatively conserved in structure among gram-negative bacteria, to enlarge or expand upon the population of CD8+ Ts generated during the course of a normal antibody response to unrelated microbial antigens. The minimal structure required for the expression of the added immunosuppression observed appears to be a hexasaccharide containing one 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonate residue, two glucose residues, and three heptose residues to which are attached two pyrophosphorylethanolamine groups. The relevance of these findings to virulence and to the pathogenesis of gram-negative infections is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Effects of IL-4 depletion on the antibody response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipopolysaccharide in mice.

These studies were done to examine the role of interleukin-4 (IL-4) in the generation of isotype specific antibody responses of mice to Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipopolysaccharide (PALPS) by neutralization of IL-4 in vivo using anti-IL-4 antibody (11B11). We found that the administration of anti-IL-4 antibody (11B11) 24 h before immunization with PALPS resulted in a decreased PALPS-specific antibody response for all isotypes examined (IgM, IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, IgG3). By contrast, we observed that the non-antigen-specific (polyclonal) IgM response of mice following treatment with 11B11 antibody and PALPS was increased while the polyclonal responses for the other isotypes were unaffected. When mice were given recombinant IL-10 at the time of immunization with PALPS there was a decrease in the PALPS-specific antibody response but an increase in the polyclonal IgM, IgG2a, IgG2b, IgG3 response whereas the polyclonal IgG1 response was decreased by a five-fold margin. The results of these studies suggest that both the antigen-specific and the polyclonal response can be influenced in a different manner by IL-4 or by IL-10.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

The influence of monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) on erythrocyte autoantibody formation.

The onset and the amount of erythrocyte autoantibodies induced by the injection of C57BL/6N mice with rat red blood cells (RRBC) were hastened and increased, respectively, after the administration of monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL); this was not the case for similarly treated BALB/cAnN mice, which make a lower autoantibody response after immunization with RRBC. The transfer of spleen cells from donor C57BL/6N mice immunized with RRBC suppressed autoantibody formation in recipient mice subsequently immunized with RRBC; however, treatment with MPL prevented neither the induction nor the expression of such suppression. This suggests that the increased autoantibody response in RRBC-immunized C57BL/6N mice treated with MPL is not due to the inactivation of suppressor cell activity which, in other studies, was found to be extremely sensitive to MPL.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Effective population size and persistence of Anopheles arabiensis during the dry season in west Africa.

The way that the malaria vectors Anopheles arabiensis and An.gambiae survive the dry season in sub-saharan Sahel or northern Savanna areas of Africa remains enigmatic. We examined this problem by calculating the effective sizes (Ne) of An.arabiensis populations for several locations in West Africa. An indirect/genetic procedure was used, comparing gene frequencies at several time intervals. The amount of drift which occurred provides an estimate of Ne. Most estimates of Ne were approximately 2000 individuals, probably close to the yearly minimum. This supports the hypothesis that populations of An.arabiensis in this region are continuous throughout the year, with many individuals surviving through the dry season, perhaps in a physiologically altered state, rather than extinction or severe bottlenecks during the dry season, followed by recolonization by a few individual survivors or immigrants in the subsequent rainy season.

Africa, Western↗