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Biomedical subjects

C Pedersen

Publications and source records attributed to C Pedersen.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Immunological studies in homosexual men with and without antibodies to human T-cell lymphotropic virus type III.

T-cell subsets were studied in 559 homosexual or bisexual men attending outpatient clinics for AIDS-screening in Copenhagen during the period July 1984 to April 1985. Of the 559 individuals studied, HTLV III antibodies were found in 161 (29%). Persistent generalised lymphadenopathy (PGL) defined as the presence of lymph nodes greater than 1 cm in diameter at two or more extrainguinal sites for at least three months were found in 91 patients, 72 (79%) of whom had HTLV III antibodies. The seropositive group had lower counts of T-helper/inducer cells (p less than 0.001), higher counts of T-suppressor/cytotoxic cells (p less than 0.001), lower T-helper/T-suppressor ratios (p less than 0.001) and higher levels of IgG (p less than 0.001), compared to the seronegative group. Compared to seropositive men without PGL, seropositive men with PGL had higher levels of IgA and IgG (p less than 0.05) and lower T-helper/T-suppressor ratios (p less than 0.05), the latter primarily caused by an elevated number of T-suppressor/cytotoxic cells. It is concluded that HTLV III infection is accompanied by a number of immunological abnormalities, including depletion of T-helper/inducer cells and B-lymphocyte activation. A subgroup of patients is characterised by having PGL and increased serum concentrations of IgA and IgG. The clinical and prognostic importance of PGL and B-cell activation is unknown. To study this more closely, prospective studies are needed.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1986

The LAV/HTLV-III screening in Copenhagen. Epidemiological results from four clinics over the period 1 July 1984 to 1 April 1985.

Over the nine month period from 1st July 1984 to 1st April 1985, 737 persons attended the four AIDS-screening clinics in Copenhagen. The attendance was unconditional, and the examination free of charge. All were examined clinically and serologically for LAV/HTLV-III infection. Ninety-seven percent were males; 490 (68%) and 198 (28%) described themselves as homosexual or bisexual respectively. This study presents epidemiological data on that group. As in other studies, we found a relationship between anti-LAV/HTLV-III and male homosexual promiscuity, i.e. trends towards higher antibody prevalences, the higher the number of different sexual partners annually and the number of previous sexually transmissible diseases. The occurrence of 18 percent seropositivity in a group with no previous sexually transmissible disease indicate a dissemination of the infection to a subpopulation of Danish homosexuals with a nonpromiscuous lifestyle. Night sweats and lymph node enlargement as subjective complaints along with lymphadenopathy and anal pathology on objective examination were significantly (p less than 0.025) related to positive LAV/HTLV-III serology. Fifty-one percent (337 persons) had neither subjective symptoms nor objective signs, and 50 of these (28% of this asymptomatic group) were seropositive. At this stage of the AIDS epidemic, it is important for surveillance purposes that anti-LAV/HTLV-III testing is made available to all members of risk groups. The establishment of the screening clinics with unconditional attendance and ensured anonymity seems to be an important step in this effort.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1985

Inhibitory effect of cyclosporin A on histamine release from human leukocytes and rat mast cells.

The influence of cyclosporin A (CyA) on human basophil histamine release induced in vitro by specific antigen, anti-IgE, calcium ionophore A23187, or concanavalin A (Con A) was studied. CyA inhibited the release induced by these four stimulators. It is suggested that the drug acts directly on the target cell, since similar effect was obtained with isolated peritoneal rat mast cells. The basophil histamine release was not changed by a non-immunosuppressive cyclosporin derivate.

Animals↗