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Biomedical subjects

H Schmitz

Publications and source records attributed to H Schmitz.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Decreased plasma membrane fluidity of peripheral blood lymphocytes after diethyldithiocarbamate (DTC) therapy in HIV-infected patients.

In seeking the putative mechanism of action of diethyldithiocarbamate (DTC) on the immune status of HIV infected patients, the plasma membrane fluidity of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from DTC-treated and untreated patients (CDC III-IVc1) was determined. Anisotropy values of the fluorescent probe 6-(9-anthroyloxy) stearic acid were increased in DTC-treated patients (0.175 vs 0.161), indicating decreased PBL plasma membrane fluidity. The membrane rigidifying effect was significantly greater 4 h after i.v. drug administration (0.185 in treated patients). As the membrane fluidity and the function of membrane embedded antigen are interdependent, it is possible that alterations in biophysical and/or biochemical properties of membranes may account for the beneficial effect of DTC on the immune function and clinical status of HIV infected patients.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

Epitope mapping of the Lassa virus nucleoprotein using monoclonal anti-nucleocapsid antibodies.

Monoclonal antibodies with differing specificity were prepared against the Josiah strain of the Lassa virus. All monoclonal antibodies were characterized by subclass determination and the immunofluorescence test against Lassa, LCM (WE & Arm strain), Junin, Machupo, and other arenavirus antigens. In radioimmune precipitation tests using purified Lassa virus antigen all monoclonal antibodies precipitated a single band of 60 kd, specific for the viral nucleoprotein (p 60). Three domains (A, B, C) were identified on the surface of the Lassa virus nucleoprotein using an ELISA-inhibition test. All domains carried different Lassa virus specific epitopes. In addition, the A-domain carried a group specific epitope present within the arenavirus family as a whole as shown by cross-reaction in immunofluorescence tests. The B-domain only carries Lassa virus specific epitopes, whereas the C-domain has a type specific and a subgroup specific (Lassa, LCM) epitope.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Detection of HIV-1 DNA in different subsets of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells using the polymerase chain reaction. Rapid communication.

The presence of HIV-1 proviral DNA was determined in CD4 cells, CD8 cells and macrophages/monocytes obtained from peripheral blood of 8 HIV-1 infected persons. Using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) we were able to detect proviral DNA in the extracts of only 10(2)-10(3) CD4 (T4) cells. In contrast, 10(5) CD8 cells did not contain detectable amounts of proviral DNA. Surprisingly, in four of our eight patients studied no HIV-1 DNA was found in macrophages. In peripheral blood, every hundred T4 cell may be infected with HIV-1.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

State of knowledge about AIDS among seamen as well as the spreading of HIV in this occupational group.

In the period from March 1, 1987 until October 31, 1988, 873 seamen were examined on HIV and questioned on their state of knowledge on AIDS. A questionnaire with 7 questions on AIDS and 6 important features of the seamen was statistically evaluated. This evaluation showed the following results: 22% of all persons questioned had already had venereal diseases. Seamen from the so-called "Third World" were more frequently affected than Europeans which points to a lack of preventions. Younger seamen under 30 years of age were more frequently affected than older ones (no experience, carelessness). Venereal diseases in seamen decreased gradually. This may be due to the rising awareness of the risk of AIDS. 37% of the persons examined use condoms during sexual intercourse. Ship officers and container crews use condoms more frequently (better information or precaution, lack of time for going ashore). An increase of use of condoms was stated. 79% of all seamen questioned knew what the word AIDS means. Europeans, ship officers and younger seamen were better informed than the other groups. 42% had printed information leaflets on board their ships. 55% of European vessels had leaflets on board. The ways of transmission of AIDS were only known to 66% of all seamen questioned. Only 55% knew that AIDS cannot be cured. The comparison between two periods of questioning in 1987 and 1988 shows the following: Venereal diseases decreased slightly. The use of condoms increased. The state of knowledge on AIDS improved considerably. Crews of container vessels are generally better informed on AIDS than crews of other kinds of vessels. Out of 873 seamen who were tested on AIDS 5 (0.57%) were HIV-positive, among them 2 Africans and 3 persons from West Europe. All differences given are significant (range of significance ...0.001-0.05).

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1988

[Hantaan virus infections as a cause of acute kidney failure. 3 cases in West Germany].

Three cases of Hantaan virus infection (Korean haemorrhagic fever) leading to acute renal failure are described. All three had mild haemorrhagic fever with a renal syndrome. It had started with acute fever followed by oliguria, proteinuria and microhaematuria (in two patients) in the further course of the disease, as well as urea and creatinine retention. One patient needed to be dialysed twice. Hantaan virus-specific IgG antibodies were demonstrated in all three patients; one also had IgM antibodies.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1988

Intrathecal synthesis of specific IgG in syphilitic patients with human immunodeficiency virus 1 infection.

Intrathecal synthesis of immunoglobulin G (IgG) specific to Treponema pallidum, ssp. pallidum, or to the human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) was investigated in patients with contemporary treponemal and HIV-1 infections. Using a T. pallidum and an HIV-1 IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, specific antibody units per milligram of total IgG were estimated in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 13 patients infected with both agents. Synthesis of anti-treponemal IgG in the central nervous system (CNS) was shown in three and of anti-HIV-1 IgG in nine patients with neurological disorders. It is concluded that a differentiation of local IgG immune response in the CNS to one or both infectious agents is possible.

AIDS-Related Complex↗
PubMed1988

Antibodies to human cytomegalovirus structural polypeptides during primary infection.

This study aimed at broadening the understanding of the immunogenic potential of cytomegalovirus (CMV) structural polypeptides during natural infection and to ascertain their possible use in serological diagnosis. Immunoblotting was used to analyse the appearance and development of serum IgG and IgM against human CMV structural polypeptides in sequential sera from renal transplant recipients during the first 1-3 months of primary CMV infection. The results showed that the first IgG to appear is specific for a polypeptide of 66 kDa and these antibodies appear either alone or together with others against another polypeptide of 82 kDa. IgG to the 150 kDa protein appears at least one week later. The first IgM to appear reacts preferentially with a 38 and 66 kDa polypeptide. The early detection of antibody against the major viral antigenic proteins in the diagnosis of CMV primary infection is discussed.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1988

Plasma concentration-response relationships for some cardiovascular effects of dihydropyridines in healthy subjects.

The pharmacokinetics and some hemodynamic effects of three dihydropyridine (DHP) calcium channel blockers were studied in healthy subjects. In a randomized order, each subject was given 24 micrograms/kg nifedipine, 40 micrograms/kg nitrendipine, or 10 micrograms/kg nisoldipine intravenously. The three DHPs differed as to their total clearance and volume of distribution (nifedipine less than nisoldipine less than nitrendipine) but showed similar values for elimination half-lives. All three drugs evoked increases in heart rate and forearm blood flow (FBF) and small decreases in blood pressure. Whereas the observed peak changes in heart rate were virtually identical for the three drugs (about 45% above baseline), the peak changes in FBF were more pronounced in response to nitrendipine and nisoldipine (greater than 200% above baseline) than in response to nifedipine (79% above baseline). The heart rate and FBF responses to the DHPs were related directly to the drug concentrations in plasma. The plasma level-response curves obeyed Hill's equation. They showed that the DHPs differ mainly in their potencies at dilating the forearm resistance vessels (nifedipine less than nitrendipine less than nisoldipine).

Adult↗
PubMed1988

[AIDS in sailors].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1987

[Antibodies against HIV-2 (LAV-II) in Africa and West Germany].

Antibodies against HIV-2 were tested by indirect immunofluorescence in over 2000 sera from Africa and the Federal Republic of Germany. The specificity of the test for HIV-2 was established by absorption of the sera with HIV-1 infected cells. Antibodies against HIV-2 were found in sera from two of 51 Africans who are living in the FRG. In addition, antibodies against HIV-2 were occasionally found in two of 1396 sera from Central Africa and two of 322 from West Africa. Cross-reacting antibodies were found in four of 189 high risk patients from the FRG who had HIV-1 infection, these antibodies no longer being present after absorption. It would therefore seem that HIV-2 infections are still rare among German risk groups.

Absorption↗
PubMed1987

[Nisoldipine in the treatment of essential hypertension. Efficacy and tolerance].

The antihypertensive effect after a single dose of one tablet of Nisoldilpine (Bay k 5552) containing 5 mg, 10 mg or 20 mg respectively, was tested in a double-blind cross-over trial with intra-individual comparison on 60 patients with stable essential hypertension. Mean age was 51.6 +/- 7.1 years, mean body-weight 78.0 +/- 11.8 kg, mean height 169.8 +/- 8.2 cm and mean duration of illness 6.1 +/- 4.3 years. 34 patients were in WHO stage I, 24 in stage II. After 5 mg nisoldipine the blood pressure fell from 150/96 to 135/92 mm Hg, after 10 mg from 153/98 to 130/88 mm Hg and after 20 mg from 149/97 to 127/84 mm Hg. Compared with placebo pre-test levels there was also a significant reduction in blood-pressure at an exercise level of 100 W. Side effects were rare and dose-dependent.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

B-cell reactivity in homosexuals with persistent generalized lymphadenopathy (PGL).

In addition to the well known T-cell dysfunctions in AIDS, hypergammaglobulinaemia and autoimmune phenomena indicate an involvement of the B cell as well. Reports of HTLV-III/LAV-infected B cells suggest T-cell-independent B-cell abnormalities. To look for early B-cell dysfunctions, we examined a high-risk group of AIDS consisting of six homosexuals with PGL and HTLV-III/LAV antibodies, comparing these data to those of patients with AIDS/ARC and a normal control. In vitro studies included the B-cell proliferation response (3H-thymidine uptake) to Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I and the differentiation response (Ig secretion into culture supernatants) to T-cell-dependent/-independent polyclonal B-cell activators (PBAs). Profound alterations were found in both the proliferation and the differentiation responses. The weak response even to T-cell-independent PBAs indicates a B-cell dysfunction that is not due only to a T-cell defect in patients with PGL, similar to that observed in AIDS.

AIDS-Related Complex↗
PubMed1986

Seroepidemiology of human immunodeficiency virus in Africa.

Serum samples from 6015 African subjects without symptoms of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or contact with the disease were examined for antibodies to the human immunodeficiency virus by a combination of an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and radioimmunoprecipitation (2567 samples) or by immunofluorescence (3448 samples). Serum samples had been collected between 1976 and 1984 in Senegal (n = 789), Liberia (935), Ivory Coast (1195), Burkina Faso (299), Nigeria (536), Gabon (1649), Zaire (15), Uganda (164), and Kenya (433). Only four samples contained antibodies. Three of these were from attenders at the Lambarene clinic in Gabon and one from a villager in Senegal. By contrast, two out of six AIDS suspects from Guinea-Bissau, all 13 patients with AIDS from Kinshasa (Zaire), and two out of three of their contacts were seropositive, all these specimens having been collected in 1985. These data show that fewer than one in a 1000 subjects were seropositive for AIDS at the time of sampling before 1985 and do not support the hypothesis of the disease originating in Africa.

Africa↗
PubMed1986

Specific enzyme immunoassay for the detection of antibody to HTLV-III using rheumatoid factor-coated plates.

A 1-step method was developed to detect IgG antibody to human T-cell lymphotropic virus type III (HTLV-III). The supernatant of T-lymphocyte cultures infected with HTLV-III was incubated for several days with peroxidase-labelled anti-HTLV-III F(ab')2 antibody fragments. During this incubation period an enzyme-labelled immune complex (ELIC) was formed which could be stored at -20 degrees C. For the detection of anti-HTLV-III antibody only a single incubation step was required: ELIC and serum specimens were mixed in the wells of a microtitre plate coated with rheumatoid factor (RF). In the presence of HTLV-III specific antibody additional immune complexes form which are selectively bound to the immobilized RF. Compared with other routine procedures the test was able to detect antibody to HTLV-III with improved sensitivity and specificity.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1986

Regression of valvular aortic stenosis due to homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia following plasmapheresis.

A 39-year-old male with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia confirmed by tissue culture suffered from mild aortic insufficiency and valvular stenosis with a gradient of 20 mm Hg across the aortic valve. Plasmapheresis carried out every 2 weeks for 4 years resulted in a marked reduction in the serum cholesterol level and in a regression of the valvular stenosis, as shown by echocardiography and by left heart catheter.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Comparison of the neutralizing and ELISA antibody titres to human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in human sera and in gamma globulin preparations.

Administration of anti-cytomegalovirus gamma globulin has been reported to prevent acute human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection in immunocompromised patients. Most likely the gamma globulin acts by its neutralizing activity. However, the antibody titer to HCMV in hyperimmune gamma globulin is usually detected by an enzyme immunoassay (ELISA). We, therefore, compared the ELISA titres with the neutralizing antibody titres in the sera of blood donors and in hyperimmune gamma globulins. A poor correlation between both titres was found. Gamma globulin preparations with identical ELISA titres clearly differed in the neutralizing titre. If neutralization is the important mechanism by which the hyperimmune gamma globulins work, our results would favour a routine testing of the neutralizing antibody titre in HCMV hyperimmune gamma globulins.

Antibodies, Viral↗