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Biomedical subjects

I Kaur

Publications and source records attributed to I Kaur.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Yersinia enterocolitica envelope proteins that are crossreactive with the thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) also have B-cell mitogenic activity.

Autoantibodies to the thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) have been shown to mediate the hyperthyroidism associated with Graves' disease (GD). A number of hypotheses have been proposed which link an infectious agent to the mechanism(s) involved in the induction of GD. Several studies have suggested that the development of GD may be linked to infection with the enteric pathogen Yersinia enterocolitica. We have recently identified two low molecular weight (5.5 and 8 kDa) envelope proteins of Y. enterocolitica that are cross-reactive with the extracellular domain of human TSHR (ETSHR). In this study, we have purified these ETSHR-crossreactive Yersinia proteins (TSHR-CRP) and have further characterized their immunoreactivity. Both the 5.5 and 8 kDa TSHR-CRPs were shown to be mitogenic for mouse spleen cells. This mitogenic activity was specific for B cells and was not due to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) contamination. TSHR-CRPs were mitogenic for LPS-non-responsive spleen cells obtained from C3H/Hej mice, and polymyxin B did not inhibit the mitogenic activity of the TSHR-CRPs. TSHR-CRPs also induced high levels of IL-6 production in B cells and induced production and secretion of significant levels of IgG and IgM. Finally, culture supernatants from TSHR-CRP-stimulated spleen cells were shown by Western blot analysis to contain antibodies that recognized the ETSHR These results identify for the first time two envelope proteins of Yersinia that have mitogenic activity and therefore could represent important proteins involved in the pathogenesis of Yersinia infections. Because these mitogenic proteins also contain epitopes crossreactive with the TSHR, they are potentially important for advancing our understanding of the role molecular mimicry plays in the induction of autoimmunity to the TSHR.

Animals

Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis mimicking leprosy: experience with 4 patients, with some unusual features in 1.

We report on 4 cases of post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL). History of kala-azar was available in all 4 patients. Slit-skin smears (SSS) for leishmania donovani (LD) bodies were negative in all 4. In 3 patients hypopigmented lesions were present over the face. Papules and nodules over his lips, tongue, scrotum and dactylitis were some unusual features observed in 1 patient. Histopathological examination showed LD bodies in 2 patients; histopathology was nonspecific in the other 2. All the patients were treated with sodium stibogluconate, 20 mg/kg/day. Infiltrated papules and nodules had subsided by 3 months, while hypopigmented macules took longer to improve. In 3 patients there had previously been a misdiagnosis as leprosy sufferers and they had been treated with antileprosy drugs. Clinical and histopathological differences between PKDL and leprosy are discussed.

Adult

Disseminated nosocomial candidiasis in a pediatric intensive care unit.

Nosocomial disseminated candidiasis was diagnosed in 6 out of 200 (3%) children receiving pediatric intensive care over a period of 9 months. The ages of patients ranged between 20 days to 3 years; 4 were < 2 months. Therapy with broad spectrum antibiotics (in all), indwelling cannula (in all), peritoneal dialysis (in 3), low birth weight (in 3) and invasive hemodynamic monitoring were recognizable predisposing factors. The diagnosis was suspected on an average after 14 days, PICU stay (range 8-20 days). All the patients showed a secondary worsening after evidence of improvement from the primary illness. It was characterized by lethargy, fever (in 3), weight loss (in 3), loose stools (in 2) and respiratory distress (in 3), and was indistinguishable from any bacterial sepsis. Presumptive diagnosis was made on basis of KOH wet mount and Gram stained smear findings of mycelia, and was confirmed later on isolation of candida species from one or more body sites and blood culture. All the patients showed disappearance of symptoms and mycological cure within 6-14 days of oral itraconazole therapy, (10 mg/ kg/day in 2 divided doses). The therapy was continued for upto 14 days after sterile fungal blood culture, and was well tolerated. Fungal superinfection especially with candida must be looked for in hospitalized patients suspected of nosocomial infection. Early oral itraconazole is effective in disseminated candidiasis and well tolerated by children.

Antifungal Agents

Human peripheral gamma delta T cells are stimulated by Daudi Burkitt's lymphoma and not by any other Burkitt's lymphoma tested.

Daudi Burkitt's lymphoma cells have molecules on their surface which can stimulate proliferation of human gamma delta T cells, while Raji, another Burkitt's lymphoma, cannot stimulate human gamma delta T cells. Human peripheral gamma delta T cells, coexpressing the V gamma 9/V delta 2 chains of the T cell receptor, lyse Daudi cells but not Raji cells. Here, we have screened four other Burkitt's lymphoma cell lines (HH514, DG75, Ramos, and Wilson), as well as cells derived from a fresh Burkitt's lymphoma, to see if any of them can be recognized by human gamma delta T cells. Leukemia-derived lines MOLT-4, CEM, and K562 have also been included in these studies. Among the Burkitt's lymphomas tested, only Daudi, DG75, and HH514 could be lysed by V gamma 9/V delta 2+ T cell clones derived from the peripheral blood of healthy donors. These T cell clones were also able to lyse the NK sensitive leukemia lines K562 and MOLT-4. When bulk cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy donors were cultured with different Burkitt's lymphoma or leukemia cell lines, only Daudi stimulated the outgrowth of gamma delta T cells. Similarly, only Daudi cells could stimulate proliferation of gamma delta T cell clones, and the response was enhanced significantly in the presence of interleukin-2. These data and our prior observations showing the use of the V gamma 9/V delta 2 TCR type by Daudi-reactive human gamma delta T cells indicate that Daudi cells are not representative of other Burkitt's lymphoma cell lines.

Burkitt Lymphoma

Methotrexate in childhood psoriasis.

We treated childhood psoriasis with methotrexate (MTX) in seven children (4 boys, 3 girls) over 7.5 years. Their ages and duration of disease varied from 3.5 to 16 years (mean 12.14 yrs) and 4.8 months to 5 years (mean 2.2 yrs), respectively. Psoriatic erythroderma was seen in three patients, generalized pustular psoriasis in two, recalcitrant psoriasis and psoriatic arthropathy in one each. Pre-MTX liver biopsy performed in 4 children showed grade I changes. Methotrexate was given in a single weekly oral dose of 3.75 to 25 mg (mean 16.6 mg). The duration of treatment necessary to control the disease varied from 6 to 10 weeks (mean 7.9 wks). Total duration of MTX therapy was 31.2 to 46.4 weeks (mean 38.8 wks). Posttherapy disease-free interval ranged between 14.4 and 16.8 weeks (mean 15.5 wks). Follow-up after withdrawal of MTX was 16 to 28 weeks (mean 22.3 wks). Total cumulative MTX dose ranged from 390 to 960 mg (mean 683.6 mg). Side effects were nausea and vomiting in three patients.

Administration, Oral

Short term methotrexate therapy in psoriasis.

Data on 82 psoriatics (62 males and 20 females) with either chronic recalcitrant, erythrodermic, generalized pustular or severe palmoplantar psoriasis treated with methotrexate (MTX) have been reviewed. MTX was given in a single oral weekly dose of 3.75-30 mg based on body weight. Seven patients with a relative contraindication for MTX use were also treated safely with MTX. An attempt was made to withdraw MTX as quickly as possible with the intention of providing drug free period of 4-6 months coinciding this period with the seasonal remissions in disease activity. MTX could be withdrawn in up to 90 per cent patients within an average of 25 wk. The total cumulative dose could also be reduced by this method as also the need to repeat liver biopsies.

Adolescent

Ketamine.

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Analgesia