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Biomedical subjects

P Lebon

Publications and source records attributed to P Lebon.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

[Herpes encephalitis in adults and interferon (author's transl)].

In 10 adult patients with herpes encephalitis type I interferon synthesis was detected in the cerebrospinal fluid at the onset of the disease, but not in serum collected the same day as the CSF. In 20 controls with various non-herpetic infections associated with neurological disorders, type I interferon was found neither in CSF samples nor in sera. The early intrathecal synthesis of type I interferon during adult encephalitis therefore strongly support the assumption of a herpetic origin. The role of CSF interferon in the pathogenesis of the disease and the absence, or presence in small amounts, of serum interferon are discussed. These findings raise queries about the treatment of herpes encephalitis with parenteral interferon combined with nucleoside analogues.

Adult↗

Inclusion body myositis.

The histochemical and ultrastructural study of muscle biopsies of two patients with a chronic muscle weakness and wasting showed particular changes in muscle fibers: (1) peripheral lined vacuoles, containing whorls of membranes and cytoplasmic debris; (2) collections of intranuclear and intrasarcoplasmic tubular filaments (16-18 nm in external diameter and 6.5 nm in inner diameter). These changes are characteristic of a rare muscle disorder termed inclusion body myositis; its individuality is favoured by the present study. The resemblance of the tubular filaments to myxovirus nucleocapsid has been suggested by various authors but attempts to isolate the virus were unsuccessful in several reported cases as well as in those here presented. This does not exclude a viral origin of the disease. The similarity of the tubular filaments to thick myofilaments has been invoked by others, but has not been demonstrated. At the present the nature of the abnormal filaments remains unknown.

Adult↗

[Association of coronavirus infection with hemorrhagic entercolitis in newborn infants].

The existence of a widely spread corona virus epidemic enabled us to associate this infection with necrotizing hemorrhagic enterocolitis in newborn infants. Virus is detected in the stools by direct electron microscopic examination. Virions are found agglutinated in the gut during convalescence, as they are by circulating antibodies. Arguments supporting a possible etiological role of this infection are given.

Antibodies, Viral↗

[Production of human type I interferon by lymphocytes in contact with cells infected by herpesvirus and fixed with glutaraldehyde].

Type I interferon was released from human lymphocytes cultured on cells infected with Herpesvirus and fixed with glutaraldehyde. This process of interferon induction did not involve histocompatibility antigens nor the Herpes immunity of the lymphocyte donors. Type I interferon can also be induced after interaction between lymphocytes and other intranuclear replicating virus infected cells.

Adult↗

Chronic progressive encephalitis in children with x-linked hypogammaglobulinemia.

This report is on six cases of a chronic relentlessly progressive encephalitis occurring in boys with congenital hypogammaglobulinemia presumably of the x-linked type, which are thought to represent a separate neurological entity. Intellectual deterioration, dysarthria, spasticity, ataxia, optic atrophy and an increase of lymphocytes in the cerebrospinal fluid, were the main clinical signs. The pathological picture was that of a viral encephalitis, but all virological investigations on brain biopsies and CSF were negative. The significance of intra-cisternal tubuloreticular inclusions in brain endothelial cells, similarities with chronic rubella encephalitis, and the role of the immunological deficiency are discussed. Sofar, the cause of this new type of encephalitis remains obscure.

Adolescent↗

Early intrathecal synthesis of interferon in herpes encephalitis.

Large quantities of type I interferon were detected in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collected at the onset of herpes encephalitis. This interferon was synthesized intrathecally and disappeared about 10 days after the beginning of neurological signs. In 12 cases of post-eruptive measles encephalitis and in four post-rubella encephalitis, type I interferon was present only in low amounts, or not found at all, even in the CSF collected early. The existence of an intrathecal synthesis of interferon during encephalitis provides a valuable contribution to both the early diagnosis of herpes encephalitis and the study of the pathogenesis of virus infection of the central nervous system (CNS).

Adolescent↗

DNA and RNA antibodies in serum and CSF of multiple sclerosis and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis patients.

DNA and RNA (nucleic) antibodies were found in the CSF of 18 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) (out of 45), 11 with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) (out of 12) and 9 controls (out of 30). Viral (measles and rubella, by HAI) antibodies were present in all SSPE, 23 MS and 11 control patients. A clear correlation exists between (1) CSF immunological patterns, (2) oligoclonal aspect, (3) simultaneous presence of nucleic and viral antibodies, suggesting the local synthesis of both. This is confirmed by the comparison of the ratios IgG/antibodies in serum and CSF: the CSF ratio may be higher for nucleic and/or viral antibodies in SSPE and MS patients. Thus nucleic antibodies seem to be related to a persistent active infection within the central nervous system.

Antibodies↗

Glomerular lesions in patients with Schistosoma haematobium infection.

In order to investigate the prevalence and type of glomerular lesions in patients with overt Schistosoma haematobium (S H) infection, renal biopsies obtained from 13 patients were studied by light microscopy (in 13), ultra-structural (in 9) and immunofluorescence (in 11) techniques. Renal function was normal in all patients, only two had mild proteinuria. Glomerular deposits were absent in four patients. Electron microscopy showed in four cases an increase of the mesangial matrix with subendothelial deposits in the mesangial area. Subepithelial deposits were also present in one of these cases. Associated or isolated deposits of IgM, IgG, Clq, C3 were identified in the glomeruli of seven patients. Attempt to detect schistosomal antigen by using a high titer human anti-SH conjugate serum was unsuccessful. The relation between the glomerular lesions observed and schistosomiasis and other parasitic diseases is discussed.

Adult↗

Acute measles encephalitis of the delayed type.

An acute measles encephalitis with epilepsia partialis continua occurred three months after measles in a previously healthy child with no detectable immunological defect. Levels of measles antibodies in serum and cerebrospinal fluid were high, and tubular inclusions of the type seen in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis were found in nerve cell nuclei. A communicating high-pressure hydrocephalus developed in the later stage of the disease. This case demonstrates that measles encephalitis of the delayed type should systematically be considered in children with acute encephalitis.

Acute Disease↗

Acute measles encephalitis in children with immunosuppression.

Four cases of encephalitis occurring in children treated for lymphatic malignancies by immunosuppressive drugs are reported. Measles virus was isolated from the brain in one case and identified immunologically in another. Nucleocapsids identical to those seen in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis were demonstrated in three cases. Severe immunosuppression was evidenced in two patients by failure of rosette formation and low phytohemagglutinin tests. Pathologically, the inflammatory reaction was absent in one brain and moderate in two. Clinically, epilepsia partialis continua was a prominent feature in three patients. A history of measles or of contact was elicited in three cases, five weeks to three months before onset. All cases ran an acute fatal course. Measles virus can behave as an opportunistic invader of the central nervous system in children and the diagnosis of measles encephalitis should be considered in immunosuppressed patients.

Acute Disease↗