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Biomedical subjects

C Jarstrand

Publications and source records attributed to C Jarstrand.

123 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Colonization and clinical superinfection with gram-negative bacilli in influenza.

Among 197 influenza A patients admitted to Roslagstull Hospital, abundant growth of gram-negative bacilli was found in 74 cases (38%). When assays for antibodies with the patients own strains as antigen were performed on paired sera with the indirect immunofluorescence technique, titre increases were obtained in 21 out of 55 patients (38%). In this last group signs of secondary infection, as secondary pneumonia, prolonged or recurring fever or late occurrence of leukocytosis and granulocytosis, were significantly more common than in patients without gram-negative findings. An analysis of possible interference by other bacteria did not invalidate the observations. Findings of gram-negative bacilli occurred most often in patients more than 50 years of age. The bacteria were probably hospital acquired in 32 out of 55 patients. Antibody responses took place both in the IgM and the IgG fraction.

Adolescent↗

Mitogen stimulation of lymphocytes from patients with epidemic influenza.

The in vitro responses to PHA (phytohemagglutinin) of lymphocytes from 14 patients with influenza A and 4 patients with influenza B infection were found decreased as compared with the responses to the same mitogen demonstrated in lymphocytes obtained from the same patients after recovery. Lymphocytes from 6 of the patients with influenza A were examined for PWM (pokeweed mitogen) stimulability and a decrease was found during the influenza infection. The decrease of PHA response during the acute stage of the disease was observed in the presence of autologous as well as of fetal calf and allogeneic AB serum. Possible mechanisms causing this impaired function of lymphocytes are discussed.

Adolescent↗

The influence of bacterial superinfection on the clinical course of influenza. Studies from the influenza epidemics in Stockholm during the winters 1969-70 and 1971-72.

During two epidemics of influenza A infection in Stockholm 1969-72, 249 cases were selected for a study on the effect of bacterial superinfection. Bacterial involvement was demonstrated through cultures and serologic reactions. The occurrence of C-reactive protein in increased amount in serum was significantly more common in the group which had the strongest indication of bacterial infection. An increased duration of fever, and a higher incidence of pneumonia, leukocytosis and erythrocyte sedimentation rate over 50 mm/l h was also the rule in cases with bacterial involvement. During both epidemics the bacteria most often involved were pneumococci.

Adolescent↗

Opsonizing antibodies against pneumococci detected by enhanced NBT. Reduction of phagocytizing granulocytes.

Specific opsonizing antibodies against pneumococci were demonstrated in serum by measuring their effect on the nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction of normal human granulocytes. In comparison to normal serum, convalescent sera from patients with severe pneumococcal disease caused a significant enhancement in NBT reduction in the presence of homologous antigen. Enhanced NBT reduction was observed in 24 of the 26 sera tested and was further increased by complement. The reaction was mainly type-specific, although a few cross-reactions did occur. A dose-response effect was observed when sera were tested in two-fold dilutions. The enhancement in NBT reduction could be partially eliminated by the absorption of sera with homologous antigens. The appearance and subsequent increase in opsonizing antibodies was observed in consecutive samples from one patient. This method can be useful in the study of immunological responses to pneumococcal vaccine or disease, since it measures antibodies which are essential for immune defence.

Adult↗

Bestatin treatment for the correction of granulocyte dysfunction in patients with recurrent furunculosis.

Bestatin, a new immunomodulator which is chemically well-defined, was examined for its capacity to enhance the phagocytic activity of neutrophilic granulocytes from patients with furunculosis. The ability of the granulocytes to ingest fluorescein-labelled yeast particles was significantly decreased in 19 patients with recurrent furunculosis (p less than 0.01). Oral administration of 40 mg bestatin to ten patients increased the phagocytic function of their granulocytes significantly (p less than 0.01).

Adult↗

In vitro effect of lung surfactant on alveolar macrophage defence mechanisms against Cryptococcus neoformans.

The effects of a modified natural porcine surfactant (Curosurf) on phagocytosis and killing of Cryptococcus neoformans by alveolar macrophages and on the production of superoxide anions were investigated in vitro. Attachment and ingestion were evaluated separately by a fluorescent quenching technique. The nitroblue tetrazolium reduction test was used as an indirect measurement of superoxide anion production. Killing was assessed by a colony-forming assay. Surfactant induced increased ingestion of C. neoformans, unopsonized as well as opsonized with fresh serum or anticryptococcal polyclonal IgG. Surfactant had, however, no effect on the attachment or killing of unopsonized or opsonized C. neoformans by the alveolar macrophages. In addition, the enhancement of the oxidative metabolism of the macrophages after stimulation with opsonized yeast was impaired, although the killing was not affected. This study indicates that in vitro Curosurf can influence the alveolar macrophage defence against C. neoformans by enhancing its ingestion and by interacting with the superoxide anions release from alveolar macrophages stimulated with fresh serum or anticryptococcal polyclonal IgG opsonized yeast cells.

Animals↗

Alveolar macrophage response to yeasts and inert particles.

Interactions between alveolar macrophages (AM) from rats and a yeast with relatively high pathogenicity (Candida albicans), a yeast with low pathogenicity (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and an inert control particle (amorphous silica) of similar diameters, 3-4 microns, were studied. Both yeasts were phagocytized significantly faster by AM than were the control particles and C. albicans significantly faster than S. cerevisiae. Quantitative nitroblue tetrazolium reduction by AM reflecting their oxidative metabolism was markedly increased in response to both fungi during the period of phagocytosis as well as 24 h after the phagocytosis. Macrophages with silica particles also showed a moderate but significant increase in oxidative metabolism 24 h after phagocytosis. Phagolysosomal pH was significantly higher for S. cerevisiae than the control particles after 3 and 24 h. pH in phagolysosomes with C. albicans tended to be higher after 3 h but was significantly lower after 24 h than in the phagolysosomes with silica particles. Both yeasts showed a considerable number (around 10%) of phagolysosomes with high pH > or = 6.5 after 3 h and a smaller percentage after 24 h. No such fraction could be seen for the control particles. Electron microscopy showed narrow passages from AM cell surface to phagolysosomes with particles. These passages might be more frequent in AM containing the yeasts and could explain the phagolysosomes with high pH.

Animals↗

Treatment of bacterial vaginosis with lactobacilli.

60 women with bacterial vaginosis were entered into a double blind, placebo-controlled treatment trial with lyophilized Lactobacillus acidophilus. The lactobacilli used were producing H2O2. Immediately after completion of treatment, 16 out of 28 women who were treated with lactobacilli had normal vaginal wet smear results, in comparison to none of the 29 women treated with placebo. All women harboured Bacteroides at inclusion. Bacteroides was eliminated from the vagina of 12 out of 16 healthy women after treatment. Only three of the women who received the Lactobacillus suppository were free of bacterial vaginosis after the subsequent menstruation.

Adolescent↗

Increased reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium by human blood monocytes following post-operative radiation therapy for breast cancer.

Reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium by blood monocytes was significantly increased following post-operative radiation therapy for breast cancer. Attachment and ingestion of yeast particles by monocytes was not affected. Exposure of purified monocytes in vitro to 13 Gy did not significantly affect NBT reduction of yeast particle attachment, whereas ingestion of yeast particles was slightly increased.

Adult↗

Interaction between Cryptococcus neoformans and alveolar macrophages.

Phagocytosis, oxidative metabolism and phagolysosomal pH of rat alveolar macrophages (AM) were studied at different points of time after challenge with Cryptococcus neoformans. Phagocytosis was evaluated using a fluorescent quenching technique which distinguishes between attached and ingested organisms. The nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) test was used as an indirect measurement of the oxidative metabolism of the phagocytes. The pH of the phagolysosomes was measured using a cytofluorometric technique. Both the attachment and ingestion of serum opsonized C. neoformans by AM were slow during the first hours of incubation, but were considerable after 24 h. The oxidative metabolism of Am challenged with the yeast was insignificant during the first hour, but reached high levels after 24 h. Most phagolysosomes in AM with ingested cryptococci had a pH < 5.5. Our results indicate that these AM defence mechanisms, although poor during the first hours after exposure to the yeast, are of significance after 24 h. Thus, in the immunocompetent host the AM should prevent the dissemination of C. neoformans from the lungs.

Animals↗