Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F Touraine

Publications and source records attributed to F Touraine.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Consistency of routine measurements of CD4+, CD8+ peripheral blood lymphocytes.

In order to evaluate the reliability of CD4 and CD8 T lymphocyte counts in large scale studies, a quality control study was performed in 12 French laboratories. CD4 and CD8 counts, assessed by various haematological and immunological techniques, were compared in order to assess possible differences between the laboratories and the techniques used. Our data showed that (a) the consistency of CD4 measurements was satisfactory since the between-laboratory coefficient of variation for absolute CD4 cell numbers above 200/mm3 was around 15% instead of 5-10% for all laboratories but one; (b) the major sources of variability arose from the use of automatic devices in the two-step measurement procedure: immunophenotyping and haematological counting. These data suggest that multicentre assays of CD4 and CD8 counts result in some increase in their variability. Nevertheless the results of large multicentric trials can be extrapolated with confidence in the routine care of HIV+ patients. Together, the results justified the involvement of several experienced laboratories in a clinical trial of HIV-related disease.

CD4 Antigens↗
PubMed1992

Antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus in relation to CD4 cell number in human immunodeficiency virus 1 infection.

Interaction between herpesviruses and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)1 is postulated in the progression of HIV disease. In order to evaluate the specific antibody responses directed to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) and to provide serological evidence suggesting reactivation of these viruses able to accelerate the immunodeficiency, we studied IgA and IgG titres to EBV and CMV in the serum of HIV positive patients in relation to the CD4 cell number. The titres of IgG antibodies to EBV and the prevalence of IgG to CMV were significantly higher in HIV positive patients compared to control high risk HIV negative subjects. In HIV infected patients, anti-VCA IgG antibodies increased and anti-EBNA IgG antibodies decreased progressively in relation to the decline of CD4 cell number whereas anti-CMV IgG antibodies did not varied significantly at the same time. Anti-VCA IgA and anti-EA IgG antibodies were found uncommonly and with low titres. IgA antibodies to EA and CMV were not detected in any patient. The variations in EBV antibody response that we describe in HIV infection were previously reported in other immunodeficiency states and could be distinctive of these diseases.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

[Post-traumatic pulmonary hematomas. Apropos of 2 cases].

Post-traumatic pulmonary hematoma presents clinically as a hemorrhagic collection within a newly-formed cavity in the lung parenchyma. Its frequency is probably underestimated in view of the importance of the associated lesions. The most frequent clinical sign is hemoptysis. The chest radiograph, as well as the CT scan, shows a clearly defined round image. As a rule, there is a favorable outcome with slow resorption over several weeks, with a restoration of the integrity of the pulmonary parenchyma, which justifies simple observation, with an absence of any therapeutic intervention.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of ditiocarb sodium ('Imuthiol') in human immunodeficiency virus infection.

83 patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection (CDC groups II, III, or IV-A) were randomised in a crossover trial of sodium-diethyldithiocarbamate (ditiocarb sodium, 'Imuthiol') (10 mg/kg body weight given orally once a week) against placebo. Each arm of the trial lasted 16 weeks. The disease did not progress to CDC-defined acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in the ditiocarb group but did so in 4 patients in the placebo group (3 between week 0 and 16, 1 between week 17 and 32). Ditiocarb was also associated to a significantly greater extent than placebo with relief of constitutional symptoms, improvement in clinical status (including shrinkage of enlarged spleen and lymph nodes), and improvement in immune function (as measured by CD4+ cell count and skin test reactivity). When placebo was replaced by ditiocarb, similar improvements were observed, whereas symptoms slowly reappeared and CD4+ cell levels progressively declined when ditiocarb treatment was replaced by placebo.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1987

Fetal tissue transplantation, bone marrow transplantation and prospective gene therapy in severe immunodeficiencies and enzyme deficiencies.

The successful development of fetal tissue transplantation has resulted in therapeutical solutions for patients with a variety of diseases. Fetal liver transplants as well as bone marrow transplants, can completely cure patients with severe combined immunodeficiency disease. These transplants can also be applied to treat other types of immunodeficiency, hemopathies, and inborn errors of metabolism, in association with immunosuppressive therapy. Despite complete HLA incompatibility between transplanted stem cells and host cells, functional activities of donor-derived T-lymphocytes are not restricted. In severe forms of Di George syndrome, immunological reconstitution can be obtained by fetal thymus transplantation. It is expected that, in the near future, pure stem cell transplants and gene transplants will develop and will provide remarkable solutions for the therapy of a large number of diseases.

Bone Marrow↗
PubMed1986

Plasma cells in cerebrospinal fluid and multiple sclerosis: diagnostic yield and clinicobiological correlations.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytocentrifugation was performed for plasma cells' demonstration in parallel with white cell count (WCC) and quantitative protein assays. Over a 5-year period, 154 consecutive multiple sclerosis (MS) patients were studied and compared to 28 other inflammatory neurological disease, 85 non-inflammatory neurological disease and 29 non-neurological disease cases. CSF cytology was easy to perform, gave definitive results within 2 h and was abnormal in 80 MS patients, 26 of whom had a normal WCC. Its sensitivity in MS was 0.57, i.e. higher than for WCC (0.45) but lower than for IgG index (0.70) and IgG synthesis rate (0.71). Its specificity was 0.86, not significantly different from specificity of WCC, IgG index and IgG synthesis rate. Plasma cells demonstration in MS CSF was neither a disease activity nor a prognosis marker. It was significantly correlated with pleiocytosis and intrathecal IgG synthesis. If these morphologically defined plasma cells are actual B cells, they could represent circulating individuals of the lymphocyte clones active in MS plaques and have a pathogenetic significance.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

[Lymphocyte subpopulations of the blood and cerebrospinal fluid in acute polyradiculoneuritis. Study of 14 cases using monoclonal antibodies].

The T lymphocytes in blood and CSF of 14 patients with acute polyradiculoneuritis were studied using the OKT series of monoclonal antibodies. Results were compared with findings in two control groups. Three patients with cytomegalovirus infection showed elevation of circulating OKT 8. A significant increase in the mean ratio OKT 4/OKT 8 was noted in all other cases, corresponding in 4 of the 11 patients to a reduction in number of OKT 8 lymphocytes. The CSF was normal in 3 of the 14 cases.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1984

Immunogenetics and immunopathology of human primary membranous glomerulonephritis: HLA-A, B, DR antigens; functional activity of splenic macrophage Fc-receptors and peripheral blood T-lymphocyte subpopulations.

In most of our patients with idiopathic membranous nephritis (MGN), we have studied the HLA-A, B, DR phenotype, the clearance of anti Rhesus D coated-51 Cr-labeled-autologous erythrocytes, and the peripheral blood T-lymphocyte subpopulations as ascertained by monoclonal antibodies (OKT3, OKT4, OKT8). The frequency of HLA-B8 antigen is 57.14% in 28 primary MGN versus 14.4% in 104 local controls (Pc less than 0.00018). The frequency of HLA-DR3 antigen is 65.38% in 26 primary MGN patients versus 20.27% in 74 local control individuals (Pc less than 0.00008). The half-life of sensitized erythrocytes is 37.30 +/- 9.55 min in 10 controls, 1963 min and 1601 min in 2 splenectomized controls, 12 min in a patient with hypersplenism, and 67.05 +/- 69.64 min in 18 idiopathic MGN patients respectively. The half-life is significantly prolonged in 6 out of 18 MGN patients. This prolongation correlates with exacerbation of the disease while normal values are obtained with remission. The OKT3 positive subpopulation (total T-lymphocytes) is 63.77 +/- 10.37% in 31 controls versus 53.74 +/- 13.81% in 22 MGN (P less than 0.002). The OKT4 positive subpopulation (helper T-cells) is 37.90 +/- 8.21% in controls versus 32.79 +/- 10.89% in MGN (P less than 0.03). The OKT8 positive subpopulation (suppressor T-cells) is 21.60 +/- 5.28% versus 20.03 +/- 5.76% respectively. The OKT4/OKT8 ratio is 1.85 +/- 0.58 in controls versus 1.74 +/- 0.69 in MGN. During exacerbation, the T-lymphocyte subset fractions are normal, whereas OKT3 and OKT4 are decreased during remission. MGN is a strongly HLA-linked disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Female↗
PubMed1983

[Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with isoprinosine. Personal experience].

Twenty patients with classical or proved rheumatoid arthritis were treated with Isoprinosine. 13 patients received a dose of 25 mg/kg/day and 7 received a dose of 50 mg/kg/day, continuously for 2 months and then discontinuously, 5 days every fortnight. The series being treated with 25 mg/kg/day (7 patients) have received treatment for 12 months. No side effects have been observed; the only reason for ceasing treatment was its ineffectiveness (after at least 3 months of administration). The dosage of the associated anti-inflammatory drugs did not need to be increased, but neither was it decreased. The authors conclude that Isoprinosine is largely ineffective clinically, on laboratory tests and in terms of immunology, at least with the therapeutic protocols tested here.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Immunogenetics and immunopathology of human membranous glomerulonephritis.

In most of our membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN) patients, we have studied the HLA-A, B, DR phenotype, the clearance of anti-D rhesus coated 51Cr-labelled autologous erythrocytes, and T-lymphocyte subpopulations with monoclonal antibodies (OKT3, T4, T8). The frequency of B8 antigen in 28 patients with MGN (five cases associated with lupus excluded) is 57.14 per cent versus 14.42 per cent in controls (Pc = 0.0002). In 26 patients the frequency of DR3 antigen is 65.38 per cent versus 20.27 per cent in controls (Pc = 0.00008). The half-life of sensitised erythrocytes is respectively 35.36 +/- 8.50 minutes in nine controls and 67.05 +/- 69.64 min in 18 patients with MGN. The half-life is significantly prolonged in one-third of the patients at time of exacerbation. The peripheral blood T-lymphocyte subsets study showed a significant decrease of OKT3 and OKT4 positive cell subsets. T4/T8 ratio is high during exacerbation of disease and diminishes in remission. Our data are consistent with a latent subtle genetic immunodeficiency, only expressed during acute phases of the disease.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1982

Lymphocyte populations and responses to mitogens in infants of diabetic mothers.

A group of 10 infants of diabetic mothers, born prematurely by Caesarian section was compared to an age-matched group of premature controls and to full-term newborns. There was no difference between the three groups in terms of lymphocyte populations at birth. The percentage of T-cells in the three groups was significantly lower than in adults but reached adult levels at 1 month of age. The mitogenic responses in infants of diabetic mothers was found significantly higher than in the two control groups at birth and remained so at one month of age. The suppressor T-cell activity was decreased in infants of diabetic mothers as compared with controls.

B-Lymphocytes↗