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Biomedical subjects

F Santoro

Publications and source records attributed to F Santoro.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1979

Genetic polymorphisms and intrauterine development. Evidence of decreased heterozygosity in light-for-dates human newborn babies.

In 2 independent samples of low-birth-weight infants the proportion of females and homozygotes for a series of polymorphic systems was higher in light-for-dates than in preterm babies. The observation seems to give support to the hypothesis that homozygosity for 'normal' polymorphisms may decrease in general intrauterine growth rate. Since it is known that survival rate is strongly related to birth weight, a correlation between growth retardation and homozygosity may have a major role in the maintenance of such polimorphisms.

ABO Blood-Group System↗
PubMed1979

Activation of complement by Schistosoma mansoni schistosomula: killing of parasites by the alternative pathway and requirement of IgG for classical pathway activation.

Living Schistosoma mansoni schistosomula incubated with normal chicken, guinea pig, human, and monkey sera were killed after 4 hr contact at 37 degrees C. The following data indicate that this action is dependent on the activation of the alternative complement pathway (AP): a) the inactivity of RB, RD, and zymosan-treated serum against schistosomula; b) the partial activity of RD restored in FD; c) the full effect of the C4-deficient guinea pig, C2-deficient human, and the agammaglobulinemic human sera; d) the consumption of both the AP and FB after the incubation of NHS with schistosomula; e) the detection of C3d breakdown product during the contact of the C2-deficient human serum with these young parasites. Killing by serum was decreased as the immature schistosomes developed and was completely absent against 4-day-old lung schistosomula (LS). In other experiments, it was demonstrated that schistosomula, in the presence of IgG, were able to initiate complement activation also through the classical pathway (CP). However, the CP does not appear to play a role in the schistosomulicidal activity of complement. The in vivo relevance of these observations is considered.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

[Absence of circulating immune complexes and of serum anti-IgG antibodies during ankylosing spondylarthritis].

The sera of 161 subjects hospitalized in a rheumatology department were tested for anti-IgG antibodies using a "PEG radioimmunoprecipitation assay" (RIPEGA), for circulating immune complexes using the liaison test with Clq 125I, and dosage of complement and its metabolites. No significant difference was found between the group of 37 ankylosing spondylitis and the group of 44 control subjects. The results were identical, whatever the form of the disease, be it peripheral or central, and evolutive or non evolutive. On the contrary, the study of the rheumatoid arthritis (47 seropositive and 34 seronegative) provided results in conformity to previous works. The different physiopathogenic origin of these two chronic inflammatory rheumatisms is discussed by the authors.

Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic↗
PubMed1979

Complement activation by parasites. A review.

Activation of complement by parasites (living parasites or purified parasite antigens) is involved in several mechanisms of the host parasite relationship. In most of the experiments performed in vitro, complement activation was found to be lethal for the parasites, but sometimes it could be essential for the development of parasitemia. Both classical and alternative complement pathways may be activated by parasites; the classical pathway nearly always requires the involvement of antibodies whereas the alternative pathway is activated directly by products released by the parasites or present in their teguments. Activation of complement, especially via the alternative pathway may also be a prerequisite for cellular adherence to parasites which can then cause their death.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

The role of circulating immune complexes in the glomerular disease of experimental hepatosplenic schistosomiasis.

The serological and renal changes were studied simultaneously in 115 mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni. IgG and IgM, but not IgA anti-S. mansoni antibodies were detected in the sera, together with circulating immune complexes containing schistosomal antigen. Glomerular mesangial deposits of IgA, IgM and C3 were observed. Despite the strong correlation observed between the occurrence of the circulating immune complexes containing schistosomal antigen and the glomerular deposits, results concerning the behaviour of IgA suggest that portal hypertension and liver damage have a role in the pathogenesis of glomerular lesions.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

The use of the radioimmunoprecipitation-PEG assay (RIPEGA) to quantify circulating antigens in human and experimental schistosomiasis.

A new procedure, the radioimmunoprecipitation-PEG assay (RIPEGA) is proposed for the quantitation of total circulating schistosome antigens (CSA) and circulating antigen '4' in patients, mice and rats infected with Schistosoma mansoni. This sensitive and reproducible method was performed by incubation of [125I]anti-S. mansoni rabbit antibodies (for the detection of CSA) or [125I]anti-antigen '4' antibodies (to detect antigen '4') with sera. Separation of free from complexed antibodies was achieved by a 7% polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation. In human schistosomiasis, both CSA and antigen '4' were detected. A direct relationship was observed between S. mansoni egg output and the incidence of CSA. Moreover, all the patients with more than 500 eggs/g stool showed antigen '4' in serum. Both CSA and antigen '4' were also detected during the course of S. mansoni infection in mice. CSA was increased in two distinct periods after infection; the first between the 50th and the 70th day and the second after the 80th day of infection. The antigen '4' became detectable in infected mice after 45 days of infection. In rat schistosomiasis, only CSA was studied. It was demonstrated in two distinct periods after infection, between the 4th and the 6th week and between the 11th and the 14th week. Because of its sensitivity and its ability to detect and quantify CSA and circulating antigen '4', the RIPEGA is recommended for the clinical studies of schistosomiasis.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

[Circulating immune complexes and anti-IgG antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis].

Anti-IgG antibodies were studied in 222 patients hospitalized in a Rheumatology service using "radio-immuno-precipitation-PEG-assay" (RIPEGA), The presence of anti-IgG antibodies was observed in 94 per cent of sero-positive rheumatoid arthritis (RA+), 88 percent of seronegative rheumatoid arthritis (RA--), 50 percent miscellaneous chronic inflammatory rheumatisms (CIR) and 77 percent of no-classifiable chronic inflammatory rheumatisms. The study of circulating immune complexes (CIC) using the CIC-125 I linkage tests, carried out on 101 RA cases, demonstrated their presence in 80 per cent of RA+ and 85 per cent of RA--. The comparison of these two factors during RA showed a concordant relationship that was statistically significant. The presence of the rheumatoid factor (RF) in the form of complexes in the blood stream, is discussed.

Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic↗
PubMed1978

[Investigation of circulating immune complexes in some diseases associated with a platelets hyperdestruction process (author's transl)].

A possible relationship between the presence of circulating immune complexes (CIC) and the platelet-bound IgG levels was investigated in 38 patients with some diseases associated with a no drug-related platelets hyperdestruction process of which 33 had idiopathic thrombopenic purpura (ITP). By using the 125I-C1q binding test, these CIC were only detected in 4 of the 42 tested sera. No correlation was noticed between the percentage of C1q binding and the platelet IgG levels evaluated by the quantitative hemolysis inhibition test. These results do not allow to consider the involvement of CIC in the thrombocytopenia genesis observed in these diseases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

Circulating antigens and immune complexes in Schistosoma mansoni-infected rats. Characterization by radioimmunoprecipitation-PEG assay (RIPEGA).

Circulating schistosome antigens (CSA) and circulating immune complexes (CLC) were investigated in rats infected with Schistosoma mansoni. The radioimmunoprecipitation-polyethylene glycol (PEG) assay (RIPEGA), with 125I-labelled anti-S. mansoni anti-serum, detected CSA during two distinct periods of the infection; the first between the 11th and the 14th week of infection and the second between the 11th and 14th week after infection. The CH50 deviation test revealed the presence of CIC in sera from infected rats, approximately at the two periods when CSA were detected. At 6 weeks of infection, the levels of CIC in infected rats were not different from those in control rats. However, a more sensitive method characterized IgG2a in C1q-binding C1C from infected rats. At weeks 5 and 6, IgE immune complexes were also detected in the serum from infected rats. In fact, the use of RIPEGA on the material eluted from infected rat serum after passage through an anti-IgE immunosorbent showed the presence of schistosome antigen at week 4, and at higher levels at week 6. Levels of 50% haemolytic complement in infected rat serum were lowered between the 2nd and the 4th week, the 5th and the 8th week and after the 12th week of infection. The possible role played by CIC in the protective mechanisms to a S. mansoni challenge infection in rats is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

Treatment of hepatic hydatid disease with mebedazole: preliminary results in four cases.

Mebendazole was given to four patients with hepatic hydatid disease. In three patients hydatidosis had remained after surgery, and in the fourth it could not be treated surgically. Mebendazole was given orally in maximum doses of 400-600 mg three times a day during courses lasting 21 to 30 days. Ultrasonic echotomography showed a complete regression of the intrahepatic cysts after four to 13 months in all four cases. In three patients the course of treatment had to be repeated. Mebendazole also induced clinical improvement and a progressive lowering of the concentration of specific IgE of Echinococcus granulosus. During treatment circulating blood levels of specific immune complexes of antigen 5 were increased. These observations indicate that mebendazole has a lethal effect on E granulosus cysts in primary hydatid disease in man and that the efficacy of chemotherapy can be assessed with ultrasonography and by measuring changes in the concentration of specific IgE of E granulosus and circulating immune complexes.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Hepatitis B circulating immune complexes. Characterization by radioimmunoprecipitation--PEG assay (RIPEGA).

Incidence of circulating immune complexes (IC) was investigated in carriers of hepatitis B antigen (HBAg) and/or anti-HB antibodies (anti-HBAb). Three methods were used: radiolabelled C1q binding test (C1qBT), complement fixation test (CFT), and optical density (OD) measurement after dissolution of 3% polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitate of serum. A highly significant correlation was obtained between these three techniques. The level of IC was higher in carriers of HBAg without anti-HBAb, than in others. The characterization of HBAg and anti-HBAB in IC was carried out by a new procedure, the radioimmunoprecipitation-PEG assay (RIPEGA), This sensitive and reproducible test was performed by incubation of 125I-HBAg or 125I-HBAG with 3% precipitate of the carriers' sera. Separation of free from complexed 125I-HBAg or 125I-HBAb was achieved by PEG precipitation. A highly significant correlation was found between the levels of circulating IC evaluated by the C1q-BT and the quantities of HBAg or anti HBAb measured by RIPEGA. RIPEGA was used to quantify HBAg and anti-HBAb present in serum from HBAg and/or anti-HBAb carriers, confirmed by a radioimmunoassay. In preliminary results, RIPEGA was shown to be more sensitive than classical radioimmunoassay.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1977

Hormonal pattern in prostatic carcinoma following orchidectomy: 5-year follow-up.

Clinical and hormonal findings have been collected from 14 patients affected by carcinoma of the prostate observed over a 5-year period following orchidectomy. Plasma testosterone decreased significantly after surgery (62 ng +/- 21 SD/100 ml), remaining below 100 ng/100 ml even in cases showing only a partial regression or increase of the tumour. Gonadotropin FSH increased 1 year after orchidectomy to 28 mIU +/- 5/ml and remained constantly elevated up to the 5th year, whilst LH increased progressively up to the 5th year (30 mIU +/- 12/ml). Finally, plasma cortisol increased progressively up to 23.2 microng +/- 17.4/100 ml at the 5th year post-orchidectomy, especially in those cases showing partial regression or increase of the tumoral mass, indicating an adrenal hyperfunction which is probably responsible for increased production of weak androgens that can be transformed in the prostate into more active compounds. These results suggest therefore that after orchidectomy, cortisol and adrenal androgen determination may be of value in detecting the potential activation of prostatic adenocarcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1977

Mother-child relationship in human schistosomiasis mansoni. I. Parasitic antigens and antibodies in milk.

Immunoglobulins, anti-Schistosoma mansoni antibodies, complement components and schistosome antigens were investigated in milk from mothers infected with S. mansoni. No significant differences of immunoglobulins or complement component levels were observed between infected and control mothers. Anti-S. mansoni antibodies were detected in the milk of 8 out of 25 infected mothers. A significant relationship was observed between serum and "4", were demonstrated in milk from infected patients by the double diffusion micromethod. The function of these immunologically active substances transmitted by milk from mother to child is discussed.

Antibodies↗