Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F J Laso

Publications and source records attributed to F J Laso.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Flow cytometric analysis of cytokine production by normal human peripheral blood dendritic cells and monocytes: comparative analysis of different stimuli, secretion-blocking agents and incubation periods.

In this paper, we comparatively analyze the effects of the following different stimuli on the production and intracellular accumulation of the interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, IL-12, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and IL-8 inflammatory cytokines in both normal human peripheral blood (PB) dendritic cell (DC) subsets and monocytes: lipopolysaccharide (LPS) versus Staphylococcus aureus cowan I (SAC) in the presence or absence of interferon-(IFN)-gamma-, cytokine secretion-blocking agents (brefeldin A alone versus brefeldin A plus monensin), and incubation periods (6, 12, and 24 h). For this purpose, a four-color multiple-staining direct immunofluorescence technique analyzed by flow cytometry was systematically used in all experiments (n = 19). Our results show that after stimulation, an important proportion of each of the two CD33(+) myeloid DC subsets as well as the monocytes produce significant amounts of all cytokines analyzed under each of the experimental conditions assayed. In contrast, CD33(-/+lo) lymphoplasmocytoid DC failed to produce detectable levels of any of the above-mentioned cytokines under the same stimulatory conditions. Upon comparing the different stimuli used, LPS was associated with higher percentages of cytokine-producing cells compared with SAC, especially within the CD33(hi) DC subset; interestingly, the addition of IFN-gamma enhanced the response of monocytes to both LPS and SAC. As regards the secretion-blocking agents, brefeldin A alone was superior to the combination of brefeldin A and monensin. This is because it was frequently associated with both a higher percentage of cytokine-positive cells and greater amounts of detectable cytokines per cell. Sequential analysis of cytokine production by PB DC and monocytes after 6, 12, and 24 h of cell culture showed that after 6 h, an increased cell death rate existed among DC, which became even undetectable at 24 h, in the absence of a significant increase in cytokine secretion. In summary, our results show that from the experimental conditions assayed in this paper, to induce cytokine production by normal human DC and monocytes, maximum response is obtained once PB samples are stimulated for 6 h with LPS (with or without IFN-gamma) in the presence of brefeldin A alone.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Comparative analysis of the morphological, cytochemical, immunophenotypical, and functional characteristics of normal human peripheral blood lineage(-)/CD16(+)/HLA-DR(+)/CD14(-/lo) cells, CD14(+) monocytes, and CD16(-) dendritic cells.

Human peripheral blood (PB) CD14(lo)/HLA-DR(+) cells were initially described as a subset of mature monocytes. Recently, it has been suggested that these represent a part of a new subset of dendritic cells (DC), characterized by the coexpression of MDC-8/HLA-DR/CD16. The aim of the present paper was to analyze the morphological, cytochemical, phenotypical, and functional characteristics of PB CD16(+)/HLA-DR(+) cells compared to both PB CD14(+) monocytes and CD16(-) DC. In contrast to CD14(+) monocytes, purified CD16(+)/HLA-DR(+) cells displayed cytoplasmic veils and lacked cytoplasmic myeloperoxidase and alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase. Normal human PB CD16(+)/HLA-DR(+) cells also displayed phenotypic characteristics different from those of CD14(+) monocytes: they lacked the CD64 Fcgamma receptor, showed lower levels of CD32, and expressed higher amounts of CD16 compared to CD14(+) monocytes. They also displayed a different pattern of expression of other antigens, including CD14, HLA-DR, CD45RA, CD45RO, complement receptors and complement regulatory surface proteins, adhesion and costimulatory molecules, and cytokine receptors, among others. When compared to CD16(-) DC, CD16(+)/HLA-DR(+) cells showed reactivity for CD16, dim positivity for CD14, higher expression of both Ig- and complement-receptors and lower reactivity for HLA-DR, adhesion, and costimulatory molecules (with the exception of CD86). The CD16(+)/HLA-DR(+) cell subset displayed a higher Ig/complement-mediated phagocytic/oxidative activity than CD16(-) DC, although this activity was significantly lower than that of mature monocytes. Regarding cytokine production at the single cell level, LPS plus IFN-gamma-stimulated PB CD16(+)/HLA-DR(+) cells produced significant amounts of IL1beta, IL6, IL12, TNFalpha, and IL8; however, the percentage of cytokine-producing cells and the amount of cytokine/cell were lower in CD16(+)/HLA-DR(+) cells than in CD14(+) monocytes. In addition, upon comparing CD16(+)/HLA-DR(+) cells with CD33(+++)/CD16(-) DC, we found that the percentage of cytokine-producing cells and the amount of cytokine/cell were significantly different in both cell subsets. In summary, our results show that CD16(+)/HLA-DR(+) cells clearly display different morphologic, cytochemical, immunophenotypical, and functional characteristics compared to both mature monocytes and CD16(-) DC. Interestingly, these cells are more frequent than other DC in normal human adult PB and cord blood samples, while they are less represented in normal bone marrow.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Alcoholic liver cirrhosis is associated with a decreased expression of the CD28 costimulatory molecule, a lower ability of T cells to bind exogenous IL-2, and increased soluble CD8 levels.

Despite the existence of high interleukin (IL)-12 serum levels in patients with chronic active alcoholism, previous studies from our group have shown that, during active ethanol intake, alcoholic patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC) display an impaired T-helper-1 response together with abnormalities in the peripheral blood (PB) cytotoxic compartment. The aim of the present study was to gain further insights into the mechanisms underlying these abnormalities. For that purpose, we analyzed the expression on PB B- and T-cell subsets of both the CD28 and CD80 costimulatory molecules, the ability of T lymphocytes to bind to exogenous recombinant IL-2, and the serum levels of soluble CD8 (sCD8) that might interfere with CD8+ T-cell activation in a group of 10 ALC patients with active ethanol intake (ALCET group). As reference groups, we analyzed 10 healthy individuals, 10 chronic alcoholic patients without liver disease (AWLD group) but with active ethanol intake, and 10 ALC patients who had quit drinking for at least 1 year. Our results showed that ALCET patients display a significant decrease in the number of PB CD28+/CD8(hi) T cells (P < 0.05) and CD80+ B cells (P < 0.01) compared with both healthy controls and AWLD patients. In addition, in ALCET patients, PB T cells also showed a decreased ability to bind to exogenous IL-2 (P < 0.01). This was associated with the existence of increased serum levels of sCD8 in ALC patients, the highest levels being detected in the ALCET group (P < 0.01). Altogether, our results point to the existence of several abnormalities that would affect the cytotoxic response in ALCET patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Polymorphism in the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene is associated with alcoholism in Spanish men.

BACKGROUND: A polymorphism located in intron 2 of the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL1RN) gene recently has been associated with the development of hepatic fibrosis in Japanese alcoholics. In the present study, we analyzed whether there is an association between this polymorphism, alcoholism, and alcoholic liver disease in a Spanish male population of alcoholics. METHODS: The IL1RN genotype was assessed by polymerase chain reaction by using oligonucleotides that flank a variable nucleotide tandem repeat polymorphism located in intron 2 of this gene in 90 male alcoholic patients from Spain: 30 alcohol-dependent men, 30 alcohol abusers, and 30 alcoholics with liver cirrhosis. We also studied 40 healthy subjects. RESULTS: The distribution of the IL1RN allelic frequencies in Spanish healthy subjects is similar to that previously reported in White subjects. However, the A1 allele is overrepresented in Spanish alcoholics when compared with healthy subjects. No significant differences in allelic frequencies were observed between alcoholics with liver cirrhosis and alcoholics without liver disease or between alcohol-dependent subjects and alcohol abusers. CONCLUSION: The presence of the A1 allele of the IL1RN gene is associated with a higher risk of alcoholism in Spanish men.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Extensive characterization of the immunophenotype and pattern of cytokine production by distinct subpopulations of normal human peripheral blood MHC II+/lineage- cells.

Dendritic cells (DC) represent the most powerful professional antigen-presenting cells (APC) in the immune system. The aim of the present study was to analyse, on a single-cell basis by multiparametric flow cytometry with simultaneous four-colour staining and a two-step acquisition procedure, the immunophenotypic profile and cytokine production of DC from 67 normal whole peripheral blood (PB) samples. Two clearly different subsets of HLA-II+/lineage- were identified on the basis of their distinct phenotypic characteristics: one DC subset was CD33strong+ and CD123dim+ (0.16 +/- 0.06% of the PB nucleated cells and 55.9 +/- 11. 9% of all PB DC) and the other, CD33dim+ and CD123strong+ (0.12 +/- 0.04% of PB nucleated cells and 44.53 +/- 11.5% of all PB DC). Moreover, the former DC subpopulation clearly showed higher expression of the CD13 myeloid-associated antigen, the CD29 and CD58 adhesion molecules, the CD2, CD5 and CD86 costimulatory molecules, the CD32 IgG receptor and the CD11c complement receptor. In addition, these cells showed stronger HLA-DR and HLA-DQ expression and a higher reactivity for the IL-6 receptor alpha-chain (CD126) and for CD38. In contrast, the CD123strong+/CD33dim+ DC showed a stronger reactivity for the CD4 and CD45RA molecules, whereas they did not express the CD58, CD5, CD11c and CD13 antigens. Regarding cytokine production, our results show that while the CD33strong+/CD123dim+ DC are able to produce significant amounts of inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1beta (97 +/- 5% of positive cells), IL-6 (96 +/- 1.1% of positive cells), IL-12 (81.5 +/- 15.5% of positive cells) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) (84 +/- 22.1% of positive cells) as well as chemokines such as IL-8 (99 +/- 1% of positive cells), the functional ability of the CD123strong+/CD33dim+ DC subset to produce cytokines under the same conditions was almost null. Our results therefore clearly show the presence of two distinct subsets of DC in normal human PB, which differ not only in their immunophenotype but also in their functionality, as regards cytokine production.

AC133 Antigen↗
PubMed1999

Chronic alcoholism is associated with an imbalanced production of Th-1/Th-2 cytokines by peripheral blood T cells.

BACKGROUND: In the present study, we analyzed, at the intracellular level, the pattern of cytokine secretion by the major CD4+ and CD8strong+ peripheral blood (PB) T-cell subsets in patients with chronic alcoholism, and we correlated it both with the ethanol (EtOH) intake status and with the presence or not of alcoholic liver disease. METHODS: For that purpose, a total of 30 chronic alcoholic patients, 10 without liver disease (AWLD group) and 20 diagnosed with alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC) were studied. In all cases, flow cytometric measurement of intracellular expression of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin (IL)-2, and IL-4 was performed on PB CD4+ and CD8strong+ T lymphocytes. RESULTS: After studying AWLD patients, we found increased numbers of both CD4+ and CD8strong+ PB T cells with detectable cytoplasmic levels of the IL-2 and IFN-gamma T helper (Th)-1-associated cytokines, the greater increase being observed for this latter cytokine (p<0.001 for CD4+ and p<0.01 for CD8strong+ T cells). Regarding ALC patients, the pattern of expression of intracellular cytokines by PB T cells was different depending on the status of EtOH intake at the moment of entering this study. Accordingly, as in AWLD patients, ALC individuals who were actively drinking also displayed increased numbers of both CD4+ and CD8strong+ T cells expressing Th-1-associated cytokines. However, in these patients, expression of IFN-gamma, although being significantly greater than that observed in control individuals (p<0.05), was significantly lower than that in AWLD patients (p<0.01 and p<0.05, for CD4+ and CD8strong+ T cells, respectively). After a withdrawal period of > or =1 yr, ALC patients did not show significant changes in the cytoplasmic expression of Th-1-associated cytokines compared with the control group; in contrast, these patients showed a marked increase on the proportion of CD4+ and CD8strong+ T cells expressing IL-4, a Th-2-associated cytokine (p<0.01). After considering the ratio between the number of T cells expressing Th- (IFN-gamma)- and Th-2 (IL-4)-associated cytokines in each individual, we found that there was a significant imbalance in this ratio, with a predominance of IFN-gamma-producing T cells over IL-4+ T lymphocytes during EtOH intake. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that in patients with chronic alcoholism, active EtOH intake is associated with a Th-1 pattern of cytokine production by PB T cells.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Increased interleukin-12 serum levels in chronic alcoholism.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In the present study the serum levels of interleukin-12 were analyzed in alcoholic patients in order to explore the possible relationship between them and both the ethanol intake status and the existence of alcoholic liver disease. METHODS: For that purpose interleukin-12 levels were analyzed in a total of 26 alcoholic patients. Additionally, both interferon-gamma and interleukin-4 serum levels were measured in the same patients as a means of exploring the balance between the T-helper-1 and T-helper-2 immune responses. All patients had consumed at least 90 g of ethanol per day for more than 5 years. Fourteen were alcoholics without liver disease (AWLD group) and the other 12 patients were diagnosed as having alcoholic liver cirrhosis. In parallel to the patients, 10 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers were included in the study. RESULTS: Our results show that interleukin-12 serum levels are significantly increased in AWLD patients as compared to normal controls (p<0.05). In patients with cirrhosis, interleukin-12 serum levels varied, depending on the ethanol intake status at the time of evaluation. Accordingly, as compared to normal controls, significantly increased concentrations of serum interleukin-12 were found in the alcoholic liver cirrhosis patients with active ethanol intake (ALCET group) (p<0.01), while in the cirrhotic individuals with at least 1 year of alcohol withdrawal interleukin-12 serum levels remained within the normal range. Only the cirrhotic patients had increased interferon-gamma serum levels. Among them, the highest levels were found for individuals from the ALCET group, the differences with respect to the healthy subjects being close to statistical significance (p=0.05). No significant differences were detected regarding interleukin-4 serum levels for any of the groups of patients analyzed compared to the control individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show the existence of a relationship between ethanol intake and increased interleukin-12 serum levels, suggesting that this cytokine may play an important role in the induction of the immunological abnormalities found in chronic alcoholism, independently of whether or not alcoholic liver disease is present.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Decreased natural killer cytotoxic activity in chronic alcoholism is associated with alcohol liver disease but not active ethanol consumption.

Chronic alcohol intake is associated with an increased incidence of certain neoplasms. Natural killer (NK) cells have been considered to be involved in control tumor development and growth. The goal of the present study was to contribute to a better understanding of the effects of ethanol (EtOH) per se on the NK-cell population. Both patients with chronic alcoholism without liver disease (AWLD) and subjects with alcohol-induced cirrhosis (ALC) were carefully selected for this study. Immunophenotypical and functional studies of peripheral blood (PB) NK-cells were performed during active EtOH intake and after 3 months of a withdrawal period. In the AWLD group a significant increase in number of NK-cells (CD3-/CD56+) (P < .05) associated with a parallel increase in NK-cell lytic activity (P < .01) was observed. In addition, the number of cytotoxic T cells displaying the CD3+/CD56+ phenotype as well as CD8-/CD57+ NK-cell subset was also increased (P < .01 and P < .001, respectively). By contrast, in ALC patients with active EtOH intake (ALCET group), although a significant increase in the number of NK PB lymphocytes was observed (P < .05), NK lytic activity was depressed (P < .05), suggesting the existence of a decreased lytic activity/NK-cell. After 3 months of EtOH withdrawal, PB mononuclear cells (PBMC) from the AWLD group patients still displayed an increased NK cytolytic activity; in addition, the number of PB NK-cells (CD3-/CD56+ and CD8-/CD57+) and CD3+/CD56+ PB T cells continued to be increased. Independently of the duration of withdrawal period, in ALC patients EtOH withdrawal was followed by a slight decrease in the NK lytic activity of PBMC with respect to the values in active alcoholism phase; slight differences observed in the NK lytic activity in ALC patients who quit drinking could be related to the tendency to decrease of the number of NK-cells toward normal values. Furthermore, although an increase in NK cytotoxic activity after stimulation of PBMC with interleukin-2 (IL-2) was observed in ALC, it did not reach the levels observed in healthy subjects. Overall, our results show that the behavior of PB NK-cell population in chronic alcoholism is different according to both the moment of EtOH consumption and the existence or not of ALC. Alcohol by itself induced an increase in the number and lytic activity of NK-cells. By contrast, the NK cytolytic activity is constantly depressed in the stage of alcoholic cirrhosis, supporting the notion that immunosurveillance mechanisms may be affected in these patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Abnormalities of peripheral blood T lymphocytes and natural killer cells in alcoholic hepatitis persist after a 3-month withdrawal period.

Present information about the behavior of the different lymphoid subsets in alcoholic hepatitis (AH), including cells displaying cytotoxic activity, is scanty and contradictory. The aim of this study was to gain further insight into knowledge of the immunological abnormalities involved in AH and the possible role of ethanol (EtOH) consumption in these changes. We analyzed the distribution of a wide range of peripheral blood (PB) lymphoid subsets, both during active EtOH intake and after a 3-month withdrawal period, using multiple stainings with monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry, as well as natural killer (NK) cytotoxic activity. AH patients entering the study were selected strictly; only those undergoing their first episode of AH with no other lesions at liver biopsy were enrolled. Regarding the alcohol intake period, the most striking finding was a significant increase of the absolute number of PB T cells affecting both CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes. These changes were associated with a higher expression of T-cell activation antigens, such as HLA DR and CD11c. Simultaneously, a significant increase in both NK cells (CD3-/CD56+) and the cytotoxic T cells coexpressing the CD3 and the CD56 molecules together with an increased NK cytotoxic activity were observed. By contrast, the CD19+/CD5+ B-cell subset was significantly decreased. No significant changes were observed with EtOH withdrawal except in CD5+ B lymphocytes, which returned to normal values. Our results show that, in AH patients, a significant expansion of both activated T cells and NK lymphocytes occurs in the PB, which is associated with an increased NK cytotoxic activity. Interestingly these abnormalities persist during the withdrawal period.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Alterations in tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interferon-gamma, and interleukin-6 production by natural killer cell-enriched peripheral blood mononuclear cells in chronic alcoholism: relationship with liver disease and ethanol intake.

No previous studies have been reported on human alcoholism in which the pattern of cytokine secretion by natural killer (NK) cells is explored. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the role of NK cells in the production of cytokines in patients with chronic alcoholism, analyzing at the same time the possible relationship between cytokine production and both alcoholic liver disease and ethanol (EtOH) intake. A total of 30 chronic alcoholic patients-11 without liver disease [alcoholics without liver disease (AWLD) group] and 19 diagnosed of alcoholic liver cirrhosis-were included in this study. Twenty-five age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers were analyzed as controls. Production of interferon (IFN)-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and interleukin (IL)-6 was performed on NK-enriched peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) after stimulation with IL-2 and IFN-alpha. In AWLD patients, the production of TNF-alpha was significantly reduced, compared with normal controls, under both IFN-alpha (p < 0.01) and IL-2 (p < 0.05) stimulation. In patients with cirrhosis, TNF-alpha production by PBMC enriched in NK cells varied depending on the EtOH intake status at the moment of evaluation. Accordingly, an increased concentration of this cytokine was detected in the supernatants of cirrhotic patients and active EtOH intake, particularly after IFN-alpha stimulation (p < 0.05); whereas, in patients with at least 1 year of alcohol withdrawal, TNF-alpha levels remained within normal range. The results on the production of IL-6 and IFN-gamma in AWLD and cirrhotic patients showed that only cirrhotic patients with a prolonged EtOH withdrawal period display abnormal production. Accordingly, in this group of patients, a significantly increased release of IL-6 was observed after both IFN-alpha and IL-2 stimulation (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). By contrast, a lower IFN-gamma production (p < 0.005) was detected with respect to the control group. Our results point to the existence of an abnormal cytokine secretion by NK cells from chronic alcoholism patients, which depend on both the existence of liver disease and the status of EtOH intake.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Long lasting immunological effects of ethanol after withdrawal.

The aim of the present study was to analyze on chronic alcoholic patients the effect of ethanol (EtOH) withdrawal on the immune system through the investigation of the distribution of PB lymphoid subsets, using multiple-stainings with monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry. For this purpose a group of 20 patients with active alcoholism without liver disease, negative for hepatitis virus, and without malnutrition was analyzed and followed for 9 months after alcohol consumption had been discontinued. Twenty-five age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers were included in the study. The following panel of monoclonal antibodies combinations (FITC/PE/PerCP or PE-Cy5) was used: TCR alpha beta/CD3/HLA DR, CD25/CD56/CD3, TCR gamma delta/CD3/HLA DR, CD45RA/CD45R0/CD4, CD3/CD8, CD19/CD5, and CD3/CD11c. Analysis was performed on at least 1,500 events/tube at flow cytometry using the Lysys II software program. During the alcohol intake period, the most striking findings were a significant (P < 0.05) expansion of the CD8+ T-lymphocyte subset, which coexpresses the activation associated antigens HLA DR and CD11c, as well as a significant increase in both NK-cells (CD3-/CD56+) and the T-cell subset with NK activity coexpressing CD3 and CD56 (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). In addition, a decrease in the CD5+ B-cells (P < 0.05), associated with reduced serum gamma-globulin levels, was also observed. During alcohol withdrawal, a rapid decrease towards normal values of activated CD8+/HLA DR+ and CD11c+ T-lymphocytes was observed as well as a normalization of CD19+/CD5+ B-cells and gamma-globulin serum levels; these changes might be directly related to EtOH suppression. Surprisingly, however, new immunological imbalances emerged in spite of the absence of alcohol intake. Thus, a progressive and significant expansion (P < 0.05) of CD4+ T-cells associated with an increased expression of the CD25 activation-related antigen and a preferential use of the CD45R0 isoform by CD4+ T-cells were observed. In parallel, there was an even more evident increase (P < 0.01) in the number of PB NK-cells. Our results show that EtOH consumption induces changes in the immune system, its effects persisting or even becoming more evident after suppression of EtOH intake for a 9 month period.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1996

Distribution of peripheral blood lymphoid subsets in alcoholic liver cirrhosis: influence of ethanol intake.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of chronic ethanol (EtOH) consumption on the immune system in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC), as analyzed by the distribution of peripheral blood (PB-) T, B, and NK lymphoid subsets using multiple stainings with monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry. For that purpose, we have analyzed a group of patients with ALC and active EtOH intake (ALCET group) which were re-evaluated 3 months after alcohol withdrawal. As controls, both ALC patients with at least 1 year of alcohol withdrawal (ALCAW group) and healthy subjects were used. Regarding the alcohol intake period, the most relevant findings were a significant activation of the PB T-cell compartment, and specifically of the TCR alpha beta + subset, as reflected by an increased expression of both the HLA DR and CD11c antigens as well as a significant increase of both the PB NK cells (CD3-/CD56+) and the cytotoxic T cells coexpressing the CD3 and CD56 molecules. In addition, a decrease of both the numbers of total B cells and their CD5+/CD19+ subset were observed. After a relatively short withdrawal period (3 months), the abnormalities of T, P, and NK cells disappeared. These findings suggest the existence of a close relationship between EtOH consumption and the abnormalities of the immune system observed during active alcoholism. Nevertheless, ALCAW individuals displayed marked alterations on the immunophenotypic profile, as reflected by a significantly decreased number of total T cells, due to reduced levels of the CD3+/TCR alpha beta+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD4+/CD45RA+ T-cell subsets. In addition, a significantly decreased number of total PB B cells was observed in this group of patients. Our results show that in patients suffering from ALC, the abnormalities of the immune system due to a direct effect of EtOH intake (or its metabolites) should be distinguished from the immunological alterations related to the liver disease itself.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1994

Esophageal brucellosis: a new location of Brucella infection.

The case of a patient with acute brucellosis presenting as lower dysphagia from a paracardial esophageal mass is described. Brucella melitensis biotype 3 was isolated from cultured esophageal biopsy material. This is the first case of esophageal brucellosis described in the literature.

Adolescent↗