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Biomedical subjects

M Ballow

Publications and source records attributed to M Ballow.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

IgG specific antibodies to rye grass and ragweed pollen antigens in the tear secretions of patients with vernal conjunctivitis.

We studied the tears of 30 patients (25 males and five females, ranging in age from 8 to 34 years) with vernal conjunctivitis for pollen-specific IgG antibodies to rye grass and ragweed antigen E by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Eighteen of 30 (60%) and 20 of 30 (67%) patients with vernal conjunctivitis had significant levels (more than 2 S.D. from the mean of control tears) of IgG antibodies in their tear secretions to rye grass (geometric mean = 68.7 ELISA units) and ragweed antigen E (geometric mean = 50 ELISA units), respectively. In contrast, the control groups (eight atopic individuals, four with seasonal rhinitis, and 12 with allergic conjunctivitis) had low amounts of specific IgG antibodies to these two pollen antigens in their tears. Total IgG and IgM were also increased in the tears of patients with vernal conjunctivitis. To evaluate whether these immunoglobulins and specific IgG antibodies were locally produced by the conjunctival tissues, we used transferrin as a marker for the leakage of plasma proteins into tears. We found that the specific IgG antibodies to rye grass or ragweed antigen E, or both, in the tears were locally produced by the conjunctival tissues. The local production ranged from 20% to 99.9%. Of 17 patients with vernal conjunctivitis and undetectable pollen-specific IgE antibodies in their tears, 14 (82.4%) had tear specific IgG antibodies to rye grass or ragweed antigen E or both, whereas of those with measurable tear IgE antibodies, only nine of 13 (69%) had tear IgG antibodies to rye grass or antigen E or both. These results suggested that both IgE- and IgG-mediated immune mechanisms may be important in the pathogenesis of vernal conjunctivitis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Tear immunoglobulins in giant papillary conjunctivitis induced by contact lenses.

Each of 18 patients with giant papillary conjunctivitis induced by contact lenses had symptoms of increased mucous production with blurred vision, decreased contact lens tolerance, pruritus, and giant papillae of the upper tarsal conjunctiva. When the tears were collected and analyzed for immunoglobulins, the more symptomatic eye was the left in nine patients and the right in seven patients. The fellow eyes were equally symptomatic in two patients. Tear IgE levels in patients with giant papillary conjunctivitis were significantly increased, especially in the more symptomatic eye (geometric mean, 6.9 IU/ml; P less than .01) compared with those in a control group who also wore contact lenses (2.1 IU/ml). Increased tear IgG levels (50.7 micrograms/ml; P less than .01) were found in the more symptomatic eyes of patients with giant papillary conjunctivitis. In eight of the 18 patients, tear IgM was measurable (greater than 4.7 micrograms/ml), whereas none of the control groups had detectable amounts of IgM in their tears. Studies with transferrin as a marker for the vascular leakage of serum proteins into the tears showed that local production was responsible for the increased tear immunoglobulin levels.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Rapid quantitative microenzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for tetanus antibodies.

A rapid quantitative microenzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of immunoglobulin G antibodies to tetanus toxoid is described. The assay is performed in 2.5 h and detects antibody levels of between 0.1 and 6 U/ml. Quantitation of the antibody concentration is unique in that multiple serum dilutions are tested on a single patient, the results are plotted as an antibody dilution curve, and the area under the curve is integrated for a final concentration. Tests for immune status on sera from 77 individuals demonstrated tetanus antibody concentrations of greater than or equal to 0.1 U/ml in 92% of a pediatric group and 62% of an adult group. The microenzyme-linked immunosorbent assay procedure is reproducible and is useful for the determination of immune status and immunization response.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

The indirect ELISA for quantitation of specific antibody: analysis of antibody dilution curves.

In the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), antibody dilution curves of immune sera from different individuals often reach plateaus or an initial flat phase at different absorbance (OD) levels. Two experimental models are presented as possible mechanisms for plateau formation. In both models it is assumed that the immune sera have sufficient quantities of antibody of similar affinity to saturate the antigenic determinants on the solid phase. In the first model specific antisera to two pure antigens, hemoglobin and transferrin, produced dose-response curves with separate plateau levels in ELISA. The comixture of these two antisera produced a plateau level which was equal to the sum of the plateau absorbance for each antigen. In the second model, dose-response curves were generated using immune sera with cross-reacting antibodies to a pure multivalent antigen (bovine serum albumin). Plateau regions at different absorbances were demonstrated which correlated with the degree of cross-reactivity of the antisera and the number of antigenic determinants recognized by antibody specificities in the immune sera. These models suggest that the initial plateau regions of the ELISA dose-response curve represents the summation of antibody specificities in an immune serum to some or all of the antigenic determinants of a complex antigen(s) bound to the solid phase. A new approach to the quantitation of antibody concentrations by ELISA is described.

Allergens↗
PubMed1982

Serum hemolytic factor D values in children with steroid-responsive idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.

Serum hemolytic factor D activity, an important component of the ACP, was measured in patients with SR-INS. The mean serum factor D hemolytic activity of patients with SR-INS in relapse was significantly reduced compared to the mean of the control group. Twenty-one of 27 SR-INS patients in relapse (78%) had reduced serum factor D activity. In contrast, the mean serum factor D hemolytic activity of SR-INS patients in remission was not significantly different from that in the control group. Factor D hemolytic activity was also reduced in other types of renal disease with the nephrotic syndrome. Serum factor D values were highly correlated with the serum albumin concentration. Although hemolytic factor D activity could not be detected in the urine, the low molecular weight and the significant correlation with serum albumin concentration suggest that urinary loss is responsible for the low serum levels of factor D. Deficient serum values of factor D may contribute to the increased susceptibility of SR-INS patients in relapse to bacterial infections with organisms which activate the ACP.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Familial chronic mononucleosis.

A syndrome of chronic mononucleosis occurred in two members of a family. Symptoms were chronic malaise and fatigue; recurrent upper respiratory tract infections; and mild, variable immune abnormalities. Intermittently positive heterophil titers were present for more than 2 years after acute infectious mononucleosis. Epstein-Barr-virus-specific antibodies were persistently abnormal. In the proband, the R component of the early antigen complex was present for 3 years and she never developed normal antibodies to Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen. Her brother had low to absent Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen titers, and antibodies to both the R and D component of the early antigen complex. Primary and acquired immunodeficiency states can show abnormal Epstein-Barr-virus-specific serologic findings that may reflect an attempt by the host to limit virus spread in the presence of deficient immune responses. This action may result in alterations of the Epstein-Barr virus-latent state, and lead to a chronic active infection and a syndrome of chronic mononucleosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Abnormal anti-Epstein Barr virus antibodies in carriers of the X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome and in females at risk.

The asymptomatic hemizygous female carriers of the X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome (XLP) have abnormal antibody responses to EBV. This suggests partial expression of the defect that leads to EBV-provoked life-threatening diseases in their affected sons. EBV specific antibodies were measured in 65 serum samples of 12 obligate carrier females and seven of their daughters (females at risk) during periods ranging from 1 to 5 yr. Abnormal qualitative antiviral capsid antigen (VCA) IgG titers were nearly fourfold higher than normal controls, two carriers had persistent IgM anti-VCA antibody, two-thirds had persistent IgA anti-VCA antibody, and half of the women had titers to early antigen (EA). Five of seven females exhibited a similar persistent pattern. In contrast, none of the unaffected family members nor 23 normal controls expressed IgA or IgM titers to VCA even with high exposure to the virus, and anti-EA was detected in only one control. Therefore, these findings may prove useful for detecting carriers of the syndrome. Abnormal anti-EBV titers similar to the carrier pattern have been reported in patients and other immunosuppressed individuals, and are indicative of active viral infection.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Immune deficiency in the X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome. II. Immunoregulatory T cell defects.

Surface phenotypic markers and the function of lymphocytes in patients affected with the X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome (XLP) were studied. This syndrome is characterized by a defective response to infection with Epstein Barr virus (EBV). Normal numbers of B and T cells were detected with anti-Ig and monoclonal OKT3 antisera, respectively. T cell subset values, however, were persistently altered: cells reacting with OKT8 were significantly elevated in five of nine patients, accompanied by a slight decrease in the percentage of OKT4-positive cells, leading to abnormally low OKT4 to OKT8 ratios. One patient had a high OKT4 to OKT8 ratio due to low number of OKT8-positive cells. Lymphocytes from patients showed normal proliferation after stimulation with T and B cell mitogens. In contrast, Ig synthesis by lymphocytes after stimulation with B cell mitogens was markedly deficient: low or undetectable levels of one or all classes of Ig were detected, whereas cell lines established from EBV-infected B lymphocytes from patients produced normal quantities of Ig. These studies imply immune regulatory impairments in the patient with XLP.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1981

Pemphigus-like mucosal lesions: a side effect of penicillamine therapy.

A patient with Wilson's disease on long-term penicillamine therapy was seen for evaluation and management of chronic persistent debilitating stomatitis, which was subsequently determined to be cytologically and histologically consistent with pemphigus vulgaris. A brief review of the pertinent literature disclosed that the dermatologic lesions of pemphigus secondary to penicillamine are alleviated by discontinuation of penicillamine and institution of prednisone therapy. Our patient's primarily oral lesions did not resolve with this recommended alteration in therapy, since penicillamine could be discontinued only briefly in the interest of maintaining acceptable serum copper levels and because of the paucity of available alternative copper-chelating agents. Eventually the patient was placed on tetraethylene tetramine (TETA), an experimental copper-chelating agent, and betamethasone (Celestone). This has provided a satisfactory reduction in serum copper levels and resolution of the oral lesions.

Adult↗