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Biomedical subjects

F Oksman

Publications and source records attributed to F Oksman.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

[Significance of antimitochondrial antibodies. In a population of 111 patients from the Midi-Pyrenees region].

The aetiological significance of antimitochondrial antibodies (anti-M) being debated, we conducted an aetiological study of 111 sera with anti-M2 antibodies from patients living in the Midi-Pyrénées region (South-West France); these anti-M2 antibodies had been detected in the years 1984-85. Fifty-nine percent of the patients had primary biliary cirrhosis (41 p. 100 were asymptomatic, and 6 p. 100 had normal liver function tests). Anti-M2 antibodies at a titer of 1/500 or more were significantly more frequent among these patients as compared with the others (P less than 0.001, probability = 0.73). Six percent of the patients had chronic active hepatitis. The incidence of primary biliary cirrhosis could be estimated at 8.5 per 10(6) people per annum. In this patient population, primary biliary cirrhosis was more common than all other causes of anti-M2 antibodies, and an anti-M2 titer of 1/500 or more had a 73 p. 100 predictive value for that disease. In the region concerned the incidence of primary biliary disease was higher than previously reported in Western Europe.

Autoantibodies↗

Herpes gestationis in mother and erythemato-pustulous rash in the newborn with positive direct immunofluorescence. A transfer of the disease?

A 24-year-old secundigravida presented at 38 weeks of amenorrhea with typical cutaneous lesions of herpes gestationis. The newborn developed a skin rash 3 days after birth. The rash clinically resembled erythema toxicum neonatorum with dermal infiltrate of lymphocytes and eosinophilic polymorphonuclear cells forming a few intraepidermal pustules. The complement-binding antibody test for herpes gestationis factor was negative, but direct immunofluorescence study on this biopsy demonstrated a linear deposit of IgG and complement on the basement membrane zone. The possible transmission of the disease to the newborn is discussed.

Adult↗

[Use of very low doses of intravenous immunoglobulins for the treatment of bullous pemphigoid].

High dose intravenous immunoglobulins have proved effective immunosuppressants in various autoimmune diseases, including bullous pemphigoid. However, their specific point of impact remains undetermined and no study supports the need for high doses. We treated elderly patients with proven and corticosteroid-resistant bullous pemphigoid, using a therapeutic regimen consisting of continuous oral corticosteroid therapy and continuous infusion of immunoglobulins in very low doses by means of an electric syringe. Clinical improvement was observed in every case without any characteristic change in immunological parameters (anti-basal membrane antibody, cutaneous immune deposits), which suggests that immunoglobulins administered in that way act on immune response regulatory mechanisms. The therapeutic effect observed potentiates that of corticosteroids which can thus be given in lower doses in bullous pemphigoid.

Aged↗

[A case of bullous dermatosis at the end of pregnancy transmitted to the newborn: herpes gestationis].

The authors report a case of bullous dermatosis developing at 38 weeks of amenorrhoea in a para II. The newborn infant developed a skin rash 3 days after birth. Direct immunofluorescent study of skin biopsies showed the presence of a very small amount of IgG and a very large amount of complement fixed to the basal membrane. Tests for the presence of Herpes gestationis factor in maternal and child blood by immunofluorescence to anti-complement were negative. Tests for anti-epidermal antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence in the serum were also negative, for both anti-basal membrane antibodies as well as anti-intercellular substance antibodies.

Adult↗

[Familial autoimmune pathology comprising 2 cases of primary biliary cirrhosis].

Two cases of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) were observed in two brothers. Clinical, biochemical, immunological and genetic investigations (in particular by HLA typing) were systematically undertaken in nine subjects of this family (including the two above mentioned cases) in two generations. One case of granulomatous hepatitis associated with auto-immune thyroiditis was discovered in a sister. Immunological abnormalities were observed in six out of nine members of the family: anti-nuclear (four cases), anti-mitochondrial (two cases), anti-thyroid (two cases), auto-antibodies and rheumatoid factors (two cases). Six subjects (including the three with hepatic disease) had the same HLA haplotype (with in particular HLA DR4, which has been previously associated with sporadic PBC). However, the role of this haplotype in the transmission of PBC in a family could not be demonstrated. Biochemical and immunological survey might be of importance in the kindred of patients with PBC, thereby contributing to the screening of asymptomatic hepatic disease.

Autoimmune Diseases↗

[Histopathologic, ultrastructural, immunologic and virologic study of Gibert's pityriasis rosea].

A complete study of pityriasis rosea (Gibert) has been performed; this study includes: --a pathological and ultrastructural examination of the skin biopsies; --an immunological study: direct and indirect immunofluorescence (seric anti-cutaneous antibodies); --a virological investigation: ultrastructural examination of the specimens, inoculation of homogenized-skin specimens to 3 cellular cultures; --serological investigations for influenza A, B, parainfluenza 1, 2, 3, adenovirus, respiratory syncitial virus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, ornithosis-psittacosis, Q-fever, herpes-virus, herpes-virus varicellae, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus. All viral investigations had a negative result. Virus or virus-like particle has were not detected on the ultrastructural examinations. A viral infective agent cannot be incriminated as the cause of PRG. However, a large number of PRG patients had antibodies for the Epstein-Barr virus early antigen. The authors are carrying on with this particular investigation.

Adolescent↗

Binding of the apo and holo forms of the serum vitamin D-binding protein to human lymphocyte cytoplasm and membrane by indirect immunofluorescence.

The indirect immunofluorescence method is used to study the binding of the serum vitamin D carrier protein (DBP) to lymphocytes. It is shown that in vitro this serum protein will bind to the lymphocyte cytoplasm and intact membrane. This result is in agreement with recent evidence of an actin-binding protein present in the serum. Besides, a difference in the binding to the lymphocyte membrane is observed between the holo forms of the DBP with the different vitamin D derivatives. These findings could be relevant in illuminating the possible role of the DBP in the cellular metabolism of the active metabolites of vitamin D and in the cellular mobility.

Animals↗

[Macroglobulinemia (Waldenström) with specific cutaneous nodules (author's transl)].

The authors present a case of Waldenström's disease in a 68-year-old woman. The only symptoms were several nodes on the leg. The pathological, and immunological finding showed the presence of lymphoplasmocytic cells in the middle dermis; there was a positive reaction with the anti-IgM serum. Ultrastructural studies showed large cells with dilated reticulum and abnormal IgM globulin was found in the serum in large amounts. The rate of the others immunoglobulins was normal. There was a lymphoplasmocytic proliferation in the bone medullar. The specific cutaneous manifestation of the Waldenström's disease are 1) large "plaques" or/and 2) nodes. The pathological studie shows numerous lymphoplasmocytic or immunoblastic cells and sometimes the presence of an amorphous material which is the abnormal globulin.

Aged↗

[Critical study of techniques for the detection of "light" rheumatoid factors (author's transl)].

In a number of cases of true rheumatoid arthritis, it is not possible to demonstrate the presence of 19 S "heavy" rheumatoid factors by the Waaler-Rose and globulin latex techniques. However, in some of them, 7 S rheumatoid factors are suspected. Three techniques for the detection of these "light" rheumatoid factors are described and critically evaluated. The authors report their own experience of the immuno-absorption and indirect immunofluorescence technique performed on 156 sera from RA patients. Immuno-absorption is not felt to be a reliable technique on several grounds. Indirect immunofluorescence is of value only in the diagnosis of seronegative rheumatoid arthritis where it provides information in addition to that offered by classical techniques. It is positive in 53.3% of seronegative rheumatoid arthritis sera.

Arthritis, Juvenile↗

[Immunologic evaluations during prolonged and chronic hepatitis. Significance for diagnosis and prognosis. 100 cases].

This retrospective study illustrates the valuable contribution of immunological studies carried out during the third month of hepatitis. The persistence of HBs antigen at this stage of the disease considerably increases the risk of chronic hepatitis though not necessarily implying progression to cirrhosis. The latter should be feared if there is a marked increase in gamma globulins and in the presence of a high level of anti-smooth muscle and antinuclear antibodies. Amongst the other immunological features, an increase in IgA and IgM also indicates the possibility of progression from chronic hepatitis to cirrhosis. Comparative study in chronic active hepatitis of HBs antigen and various antibodies indicates essentially three types: - CAH with Ag HBs without auto-antibodies - Auto-immune CAH without Ag HBs - CAH without auto-antibodies nor Ag HBs. Progression to cirrhosis appears to be less frequent in the first group than in the second.

Adolescent↗

[Alterations of the arrector pili muscle in a case of dermatomyositis (author's transl)].

We have observed great alterations of the arrector pili muscle in a case of dermatomyositis. These alterations were as follows: diminution and then loss of the staining properties of the smooth muscle fibres, perinuclear vacuolization, great heterogeneity in the degeneration of fibres, elective involvement of the cyto-fibrillary system with integrity of the other constituents of the arrector muscle and the surrounding dermis. This smooth myositis is nonspecfic and similar to the one observed in other internal diseases (scleroderma, chronic alcoholism).

Cell Nucleus↗

[Anti-thyroid peroxidase in non-neoplastic thyroid pathology].

Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies were prospectively assayed and compared with anti-microsome and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies in 203 patients (188 women, 15 men; mean age 42 +/- 14 years). These patients consulted for hyperthyroidism (n = 42, including 18 with Graves' disease), fumary hypothyroidism (n = 50, including 20 at the diagnosis stage), euthyroid diffuse or nodular goitre (n = 81) or benign euthyroid nodule (n = 14). Sixteen patients examined for fatigue, gynecomastia, menstrual disorders or overweight had normal thyroid function. Anti-thyroid peroxidase, anti-microsome and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies were assayed by radioimmunology or indirect immunofluorescence. Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies were most frequently present in patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases, such as Graves' disease (72%) or primary hypothyroidism (70%), and correlated with anti-microsome antibody levels (r = 0.87; p less than 0.001). Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies were absent in patients with benign euthyroid nodule; they were present in 22% of patients with euthyroid goitre and in 12% of control patients; their level decreased during replacement therapy for hypothyroidism. It is concluded that radioimmunological assays of anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies should replace anti-microsome and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies in thyroid evaluation.

Adult↗

[Pneumorenal syndrome induced by d-penicillamine: Goodpasture's syndrome or microscopic polyarteritis?].

Diffuse alveolar haemorrhage associated with glomerulonephritis is a rare but serious complication of d-penicillamine therapy. A case is reported which illustrates the usefulness of bronchoalveolar lavage and kidney needle biopsy for the early diagnosis of this condition. A search for antiglomerular basement membrane antibodies in serum was negative, whereas antigranulocyte cytoplasmic antibodies were present. These immunological results differentiated the disease from Goodpasture's syndrome to which it is clinically related and placed it in the same category as microscopic polyarteritis. After treatment with corticosteroids, cytostatic drugs and plasmapheresis, the outcome was favourable in contrast with the usually poor prognosis.

Aged↗