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Biomedical subjects

H Beaufils

Publications and source records attributed to H Beaufils.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Clinical significance of circulating immune complexes detection in chronic glomerulonephritis.

Sera from 168 patients with various types of chronic glomerulonephritis (GN) were assayed for immune complexes (IC) by two independent methods, a modification of the PEG precipitation test (PEG) and the inhibition of complement-dependent lymphocyte rosette formation (RI). Both assays had different reactivities, the RI being more sensitive than the PEG test. Higher percentages of positivity of these tests were observed in the GN groups than in normal controls. However serial measurements demonstrated that IC were present only intermittently in most instances. The presence of IC correlated with disease activity in patients with focal glomerulosclerosis membranous GN and membranoproliferative GN, while in lupus erythematosus it reflected the effects of different treatment regimens although it had no relationship with clinical symptoms. Nevertheless, our results suggest that these tests are of little help to the clinician to appreciate disease activity and monitor therapy in individual GN patients.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗

Glomerular lesions in patients with Schistosoma haematobium infection.

In order to investigate the prevalence and type of glomerular lesions in patients with overt Schistosoma haematobium (S H) infection, renal biopsies obtained from 13 patients were studied by light microscopy (in 13), ultra-structural (in 9) and immunofluorescence (in 11) techniques. Renal function was normal in all patients, only two had mild proteinuria. Glomerular deposits were absent in four patients. Electron microscopy showed in four cases an increase of the mesangial matrix with subendothelial deposits in the mesangial area. Subepithelial deposits were also present in one of these cases. Associated or isolated deposits of IgM, IgG, Clq, C3 were identified in the glomeruli of seven patients. Attempt to detect schistosomal antigen by using a high titer human anti-SH conjugate serum was unsuccessful. The relation between the glomerular lesions observed and schistosomiasis and other parasitic diseases is discussed.

Adult↗

Dense deposit disease: long term follow-up of three cases of recurrence after transplantation.

The incidence and early recurrence after transplantation prove the specificity of the appearance of an electron dense alteration of kidney basement membrane often called dense intra-membranous deposit disease. Three new cases with dense deposit disease affecting the original kidneys have been followed-up after transplantation for periods ranging from 4 to 8 years and illustrate the natural history of the recurrence. Serial kidney biopsies showed the predominance of dense deposits near the mesangial area and the vascular pole. These deposits were also seen in some tubular basement membranes. Absence of cell proliferation was noted in all biopsies performed. Immunofluorescence studies revealed fixation of C3 alone. Histological signs of recurrence are compatible with the absence of clinical and biological signs. Transient or permanent proteinuria and microhematuria were common findings. Serum complement levels, measured after transplantation, were low in all three cases. Despite recurrence of the original glomerulonephritis, long-term survival of the graft was commonly observed, two cases being followed-up for 7 and 8 years. Patients with dense intra-membranous deposits glomerulonephritis should not be excluded from a transplantation program. One of the three cases reported here illustrates the exceptional association of recurrence of dense intramembranous deposits, de novo membranous glomerulonephritis and chronic rejection.

Adolescent↗

Simultaneous allotransplantation of kidney and spleen in dogs with or without previous splenectomy.

29 simultaneous kidney and spleen transplantations have been performed on dogs. Time of rejection, similar for both organs, occurs in a delay very close to the control series. No statistically difference of the day of rejection was observed in relation with the implantation of the spleen either on the iliac or on the mesenteric vessels. Splenectomy few weeks prior to transplantation had no effect on the day and the histological type of rejection of both transplanted organs.

Animals↗

Inhibition of complement-dependent lymphocyte rosette formation by sera of patients with chronic glomerulonephritis.

It has been demonstrated that activated C3 products might bind to lymphocyte C3 receptors and inhibit subsequent complement-dependent lymphocyte rosette formation. Sera from patients with various types of chronic glomerulonephritis (GN) have been tested in a complement-dependent rosette inhibition assay using normal donors' lymphocytes as reacting cells. Control subjects consisted of healthy donors and patients with miscellaneous renal and general diseases. Most sera of membranoproliferative GN and of systemic lupus erythematosus, and two-thirds sera of focal glomerolosclerosis patients, significantly inhibited rosette formation. Only 15-40 percent sera of patients with other types of GN were inhibitory. Serum inhibiting activity usually correlated with low serum C3 level (P less than 0.0005), although inhibition could be observed with normal serum C3. However, no correlation was found between a patient's own complement-dependent lymphocyte rosette count and his serum inhibitory activity. These results extend previous findings and suggest that the complement-dependent rosette inhibition assay can be used routinely to detect serum activated complement components either free or bound to immune complexes.

Chronic Disease↗

Late streptokinase therapy in thrombotic microangiopathy: a case study.

A 42 year woman presented with malignant hypertension, anuria and hemolytic anemia with schistocytosis. The diagnosis of thrombotic microangiopathy was confirmed by early renal biopsy. Purely symptomatic treatment (peritoneal dialysis and hypotensive drugs) was supplemented by administration of heparin and Dipyridamole. Gastro-intestinal bleeding prevented early thrombolytic therapy. Microangiopathic anemia rapidly disappeared but anuria persisted. Three months later a second renal biopsy showed persistence of active lesions and absence of irreversible parenchymal damage. Streptokinase treatment was then instituted and followed by a rapid return of urinary output. Hemodialysis was stopped and renal function continued to improve over the following months. Two years later the patient remains well despite persistence of hypertension difficult to control. Creatinine clearance is stable at 20 ml/min. This observation suggests that late thrombolytic therapy may be effective in patients with thrombotic microangiopathy when histological findings do not indicate extensive irreversible lesions.

Adult↗

MR assessment of iodinated contrast-medium-induced nephropathy in rats using ultrasmall particles of iron oxide.

The purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic value of ultrasmall particles of iron oxide (USPIO)-enhanced MR imaging at different concentrations to evaluate experimental nephropathy. This study was conducted in 23 uninephrectomized rats using a model of iodinated contrast media-induced renal failure. Eleven rats received selective intra-arterial renal administration of diatrizoate (370 mg I/ml) and were compared to two control groups, including five animals injected with isotonic saline and seven noninjected animals. MR imaging was performed 28 hours after the procedure, including T1- and T2-weighted images before and after intravenous administration of successively 5 mumol Fe/kg and 60 mumol/kg of USPIO. Results were interpreted qualitatively and quantitatively with respect to pathologic data, and differences were studied statistically. The maximal signal intensity decrease was noted in normal kidneys in cortex (-65 +/- 4%) and medulla (-84 +/- 5%) on T2-weighted images after injection of 60 mumol/kg of USPIO. At this dose, diseased kidneys displayed less signal intensity decrease than normal kidneys on T2-weighted images (p = .05). Moreover, qualitative analysis showed that the highest sensitivity and specificity to diagnose kidney involvement were obtained with T2-weighted MR images (75% and 91%, respectively) when 60 mumol/kg of USPIO were used (p < .01). USPIO should be useful for in vivo evaluation of the severity of experimentally induced iodinated contrast media renal impairment in animals.

Animals↗