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Biomedical subjects

H M Friedman

Publications and source records attributed to H M Friedman.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Cutaneous cryptococcosis without evidence of systemic involvement.

As many as 15% of cases of systemic infection with Cryptococcus neoformans have cutaneous involvement. The existence of primary cutaneous disease is controversial. We report a patient with cutaneous cryptococcosis without evidence of visceral involvement at the time of diagnosis. She has been followed up for 5 years and remains free of systemic involvement. Cutaneous cryptococcosis does not always signify systemic disease.

Biopsy↗

Natural killing of cytomegalovirus-infected targets in renal transplant recipients.

The ability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells of renal transplant recipients to lyse cytomegalovirus (CMV) infected fibroblasts was determined in an 18-hr 51Cr release assay. Natural killing (NK) against CMV-infected targets was generally depressed for the first two years after transplantation. In three individuals who developed CMV disease after transplantation, NK activity against CMV-infected and uninfected targets rose to high levels following reductions in immunosuppressive therapy and in temporal association with resolution of disease.

Adult↗

Autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction in man. VII. Autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction in patients with bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis.

The proliferative response of T lymphocyte cultured with autologous non-T lymphocyte is known as the autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction (AMLR). In AMLR, both helper and suppressor functions are generated. In this investigation we have examined T cell proliferative responses in AMLR in 12 patients with bronchial asthma, 10 patients with allergic rhinitis, and 10 patients with atopic dermatitis and compared that with simultaneously studied healthy controls. Our data show that the T cell proliferation in AMLR in patients with bronchial asthma is significantly higher than that of healthy normals. However, AMLR response in patients with allergic rhinitis or atopic dermatitis is comparable to controls. Mechanisms for increased AMLR in patients with bronchial asthma are discussed.

Asthma↗

Vaccination of pediatric nurses with live attenuated cytomegalovirus.

Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections contribute considerably to morbidity and mortality among infants in the United States. In a preliminary study aimed at protecting fetuses from congenital disease we evaluated Towne 125-strain CMV vaccine in ten female pediatric nurses of childbearing age. The women were seen 2, 4, 8, 12, 26, 39, and 52 weeks after vaccination; specimens were obtained for routine laboratory testing, virus isolation, cell-mediated immunity testing, and serologic examination (complement fixation, anticomplement immunofluorescence [ACIF], and neutralization). Local but not systemic reactions were observed in all subjects. Serologic responses appeared at two to four weeks and peaked at four to eight weeks. Mean titers were highest in the ACIF test. A cell-mediated immune response, as assayed by lymphocyte proliferation, was observed in all women, and in most there was a biphasic pattern. Towne 125-strain CMV vaccine seems to be safe and immunogenic in women of childbearing age.

Adult↗

Comparison of vancomycin and penicillin for viral isolation.

Penicillin was compared with vancomycin for use in diagnostic virology to inhibit bacterial contamination of clinical specimens. Vancomycin when combined with gentamicin and amphotericin B was found to be more effective in lowering the overall contamination rate than when penicillin was combined with these antibiotics (penicillin group, 14.9% versus vancomycin group, 6.2%; P less than 0.001). Of the contaminants grown in the presence of penicillin, 72% were gram-positive cocci, primarily coagulase-negative staphylococci. The number of gram-positive contaminants in the presence of vancomycin was reduced to zero. There was little difference in the rates of gram-negative rod or fungus contamination. The viral isolation rate in noncontaminated specimens was similar with either penicillin or vancomycin, but was reduced when specimens became contaminated. The time for virus detection and the morphology of cytopathology were similar in penicillin- and vancomycin-treated specimens. Vancomycin is an effective alternative to penicillin in reducing the growth of contaminants in viral isolation specimens.

Amphotericin B↗

Fc and C3 receptors induced by herpes simplex virus on cultured human endothelial cells.

The mechanism by which immune complexes deposit in vascular tissue is uncertain. Several human viruses, including herpes simplex virus, have recently been demonstrated to replicate in human endothelial cells. Such viruses may injure vascular tissue and could play a role in the pathogenesis of immune complex deposition. Therefore, we studied the expression of receptors for immune complexes containing IgG and C3 on endothelial cells after infection with herpes simplex virus type I.Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were incubated with (51)Cr-labeled sheep erythrocytes sensitized with IgG, IgM, or IgM plus complement. Preferential binding of IgG or complement-coated erythrocytes to uninfected endothelial monolayers was not observed. In contrast, significant binding of erythrocytes coated with IgG or IgM plus complement was observed after viral infection. Phase-contrast and scanning electron microscopy demonstrated erythrocyte adherence around the infected endothelial cells in a rosette pattern. Binding of IgG-coated erythrocytes was fully inhibited by Fc (0.31 mg/ml) but not Fab' fragments of nonimmune IgG. Binding of complement-coated cells was unaffected by the presence of IgG (1 mg/ml). With purified individual components, binding of complement-coated erythrocytes depended on the presence and was proportional to the concentration of C3. Binding of IgG-or C3-coated cells was detected beginning 4 h after infection. These studies indicate that herpes simplex virus type I infection can induce IgG and C3 receptors on human endothelial cells. These receptors may promote the deposition of immune complexes in vascular tissue after certain viral infections.

Culture Techniques↗

Vulvovaginitis in premenarcheal girls: clinical features and diagnostic evaluation.

Fifty-four premenarcheal patients (median age 5.8 years) with symptoms or signs of vulvovaginitis were studied, and the results of cultures of vaginal secretions were compared with those from an age-matched control group. Vaginal discharge was found on examination in 24 of 42 patients with a complaint of discharge, and in two of 12 patients without a complaint of discharge. Convincing evidence of bacterial or monilial infection was found in 14 of the 26 patients with discharge on examination, but in none of the 28 patients without discharge (P less than .001). In the latter group pinworm infestation was present in one patient. Moniliasis occurred exclusively in girls who were pubertal (P less than .001). Four patients were found to have gonorrhea. No patient appeared to have symptoms or signs caused by Bacteroides sp, Chlamydia trachomatis, viruses, or Trichomonas vaginalis. Noninfectious causes were identified in four patients with and 13 without discharge (P less than .025); the most common cause was poor hygiene, implicated in six patients. Bubble bath use was implicated in only one patient. In 22 patients, no specific cause could be identified. All patients with poor hygiene as the only cause, and most with no demonstrable etiology, recovered after being advised to institute improved perineal hygiene. Patients with vaginal discharge are likely to have specific infections, and therefore cultures should be taken, in particular for Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Genital pruritus in prepubertal girls has little or no etiologic specificity, but in pubertal girls with vaginal discharge it suggests the presence of monilial vaginitis.

Bacteria↗

Assessment of in vitro drug sensitivity of human tumor cells using [3H]thymidine incorporation in a modified human tumor stem cell assay.

We have developed a method for performing in vitro drug testing on primary human tumor explants which is a variant of the human tumor stem cell assay (HTSCA) described previously by Salmon et al. (N. Engl. J. Med. 298: 1321, 1978). The method utilizes a cell-containing liquid top layer and a soft-agar bottom layer. Tumor growth is measured by [3H]thymidine incorporation into material precipitable by 5% trichloroacetate. Results show linear correlations with number of cells plated and with a number of colonies per plate measured using the HTSCA, when cell aliquots from one sample are used. In vitro drug sensitivity, as determined by inhibition of [3H]thymidine incorporation, correlates with HTSCA results in 54 of 61 determinations (89%). Of 22 experiments in which drug sensitivity curves were compared, 21 (95%) were similar in both systems. The [3H]thymidine method yields results more quickly (5 days after samples are plated) and with smaller variances than those measurements obtained using the HTSCA. Normal human skin muscle, lung, and colon tissue and a human fibroblast cell line do not incorporate significant amounts of [3H]thymidine into trichloroacetic acid-precipitable material. Thus, normal cell components plated in tumor samples do not interfere with assay results. Standard scintillation counting is used; optical counting, either visual or automated, is not required. Therefore, the measurement of in vitro drug sensitivity by inhibition of incorporation of radiolabeled precursors deserves further evaluation as a predictor of in vitro response.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Comparison of complement fixation and fluorescent immunoassay (FIAX) for measuring antibodies to cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus.

An automated fluorescent immunoassay system (FIAX) was compared with complement fixation (CF) for measuring antibodies to cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV) in clinical specimens. Compared with CF the specificity of FIAX (ability to detect a negative titer) was 95% for CMV and 92% for HSV. The sensitivity of FIAX (ability to detect a positive titer) was 98% for CMV and 95% for HSV. When paired samples were tested for significant titer rises, the concordance of the two assays for CMV was 96% and for HSV 80%. The FIAX assay was found to be reproducible when sera were tested within the same laboratory and in two different laboratories. The assay is fast, simple to perform, and not affected by anticomplementary activity. It is seen as a useful alternative to CF testing in a clinical virology laboratory.

Adolescent↗

Virus infection of endothelial cells.

Endothelial injury is important in the pathogenesis of thrombosis, atherosclerosis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and vasculitis. The ability of several common human viruses to infect cultures of endothelial cells obtained from human umbilical veins or bovine thoracic aorta was demonstrated. Indicators of infection included cytopathology, viral growth curves, and antigen detection by immunofluorescence. Herpes simplex virus type 1, adenovirus type 7, measles virus, and parainfluenza virus type 3 infected both human venous and bovine aorta endothelium. Mumps virus, poliovirus type 1, and echovirus type 9 grew only in human venous cells; coxsackievirus B4 infected only bovine arterial cultures; and cytomegalovirus, influenza A/Victoria/75 (H3N2) virus, and respiratory syncytial virus failed to grow in either cell culture. During replication some viruses caused acute lytic changes; some produced chronic, less destructive alterations; and other induced no apparent cytopathology. The results suggest that viral replication within endothelium may be important in the pathogenesis of viral disease of initiation of vessel-wall injury.

Adenoviruses, Human↗

Intracellular replication of Legionella pneumophila.

Legionella pneumophila was inoculated onto tissue culture monolayers of MRC-5, HeLa, Hep 2, and McCoy cells. Fresh and conditioned medium without cells served as controls. Cultures were harvested at various times after inoculation, serial log10 dilutions were performed, and growth of L. pneumophila was quantitated either by direct immunofluorescence or by counting colony-forming units on Feeley-Gorman agar. Growth in monolayers was demonstrated using both techniques. Within 72--96 hr after inoculation, supernatants of infected cells became cloudy, and the cells demonstrated cytopathic changes. In the medium controls, titers of L. pneumophila remained constant by immunofluorescence and declined by counting colonies on agar. When L. pneumophila was inoculated onto monolayers and gentamicin was added 3 hr later, organisms were recovered from the cells but not from supernatants. Transmission electron microscopy revealed intracytoplasmic organisms. These studies indicate that L. pneumophila acts as an intracellular pathogen in tissue cultures, and this characteristic may offer a simple method for studying growth and pathogenicity of this unusual bacillus in humans.

Animals↗