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Biomedical subjects

H M Dick

Publications and source records attributed to H M Dick.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

Histocompatibility types and antiviral antibodies in a diverse group of individuals.

A study was made of the possible relationship between histocompatibility (HLA) antigens of the A and B loci and antibodies to cytomegalovirus, influenza A (victoria strain), measles, rotavirus, vaccinia, and varicella/zoster. A large and diverse group of unselected individuals was studied. A possible relationship was detected between the presence of the antigen B15 and a lack of circulating measles antibodies. The study group was divided into three sections: (a) healthy individuals, (b) "renal disease" patients awaiting renal transplantation, and (c) patients with various types of "other disease," mainly of an immunological nature. Significantly elevated titers to cytomegalovirus and varicella/zoster were found in the two diseased groups, but these elevated titers could not be linked with the presence or absence of any particular HLA A or B antigen.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1980

Unstable mutations in vitiligo, organ-specific autoimmune diseases, and multiple endocrine adenoma/peptic-ulcer syndrome.

A study of patients with vitiligo shows that the pattern of depigmentation is genetically determined. The mutant gene, however, is unstable in that it often does not breed true even in identical twins or on the two sides of the body in an individual. The patchiness of vitiligo is probably due to activation of the mutant gene in discrete clones of cells which govern melanocyte behaviour at the sites of pigment loss. The frequent occurrence of different organ-specific autoimmune diseases in various members of a single family could also be attributable to unstable mutations in a set of genes which control endocrine and gastric epithelial cells; activation of the mutant gene in particular cell clones may account for the focal tissue damage often associated with, but not readily explained by, organ specific autoimmunity. Unstable mutation causing cell proliferation seems to affect the same set of genes in families with the multiple endocrine adenoma-peptic ulcer syndrome, the occurrence of focal (adenoma) or diffuse dyperplasia depending on the size of the cell clones in which the mutant genes have been activated. The tendency of these genes to display unstable mutations which subsequently undergo further mutation is reminiscent of the behavior of certain linked genes in special chromatosomal regions in plants, insects, and mice and may provide clues to the association of histocompatibility antigens with certain diseases in man.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

A study of HLA antigen distribution in families with atopic dermatitis.

Seventeen children presenting with atopic dermatitis were HLA typed together with their parents and siblings. A total of 89 individuals was studied. No close link between HLA antigen distribution and clinical expression of atopy was demonstrated, and 14 HLA identical but disease-free siblings were identified. An increase in the A1 B8 haplotype was observed in the families as a whole by comparison with a large control series.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Cold lymphocytotoxins in connective tissue disorders.

Sixty-eight patients with various connective tissue disorders, 5 relatives of patients and 26 members of staff from the Centre for Rheumatic Diseases were studied for the presence in their sera of cold lymphocytotoxic antibodies. Antibodies were found in 71 percent of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, 27 per cent of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 0 per cent of the small group of relatives and 3.8 per cent of the controls. Absorption studies did not show T or B specificity of the antibodies. The control group, working in close proximity to the patients or their sera did not show any increased incidence of antibodies as compared to control groups of other studies. Red blood cell anti I or HI was found in the sera of 28 per cent of those with cold lymphocytotoxic antibodies. No correlation was found between the presence of the antibodies and number of blood transfusions or pregnancies, increasing age, R3 titre or antinuclear factor.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

HLA antigens and IgG allotypes on the Island of Barra (Outer Hebrides).

The distribution of HLA antigens and IgG allotypes in a group of nearly 200 adults on the Island of Barra, shows some unusual features. The sample tested included only people age 65 and over. Marked differences in the frequency of some HLA antigens were noted, compared to those previously determined for the northern island of Lewis and Harris, with increase in the frequency of HLA-A5 and B7. The latter antigen was present in over 40% of the group, compared with a frequency of 27% in the Northern islands. The high frequencies of HLA-A2, the Aw19 group and B12 previously noted in Scottish populations were also present. The IgG allotype, Gm (f;b4) was markedly increased, being present in 67% of the group, in comparison with frequencies of 40--45% in previous Scottish studies. These results either suggest a sampling phenomenon, or may be an indicator of selective forces related to immunological mechanisms or the age distribution of the population studied.

Aged↗
PubMed1978

Influence of HLA matching and blood transfusion on renal allograft survival.

One hundred and seven consecutive cadaver kidney transplants have been followed for up to 6 years. The beneficial effect of HLA matching, shown in previous studies, has been confirmed. The 2-year failure rate from rejection was 29% for grafts with less than two incompatibilities, in comparison with a figure of 52% where there were two or more incompatibilities. In contrast to some reports, the presence of HLA antibodies did not have an adverse effect on the survival of first grafts. Patients not transfused prior to transplantation had a much higher 1-year graft failure rate (72%) than those given either frozen-thawed red cells (29%) or whole blood (23%). This apparently beneficial effect of blood transfusion was no greater in patients transfused with more than five units compared with those given less than five units. We believe that blood transfusion has an important influence on the outcome of renal transplantation.

Adolescent↗