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Biomedical subjects

P Ruutu

Publications and source records attributed to P Ruutu.

117 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Depression of rat neutrophil exudation and motility by influenza virus.

Purified influenza A and B viruses (3000 HA units) were injected intraperitoneally into rats. 1 h later the animals were given starch solution intraperitoneally, after which the number and composition of the exuded cells were determined at intervals. Both influenza A and B viruses depressed neutrophil exudation into the peritoneal cavity for a period of 10 to 17 h after the starch injection. The exudation of leukocytes other than neutrophils (a mixture of mononuclear cells and 5% to 10% eosinophils) was depressed for 17 h after starch injection by influenza A virus. When tested in vitro by a modification of the Boyden method, the peritoneal exudate neutrophils from virus-treated animals exhibited significantly depressed chemotaxis and consistently, although not always significantly, reduced chemokinesis (migration in the presence of a chemoattractant without a gradient) and random locomotion. Both influenza A and B viruses inhibited in vitro the motility of starch-induced peritoneal exudate neutrophils in Boyden chambers after a virus-cell interaction of 60 min at 37 degrees C. The present findings support the concept that impaired neutrophil exudation caused by depressed motility is one mechanism responsible for the increased susceptibility to bacterial superinfection during influenza.

Animals↗

Function of neutrophils in preleukaemia.

The function of blood neutrophil granulocytes was studied in vitro in 17 patients with preleukaemia. 3 patients had a cellular defect of chemotaxis. 2 of them had monosomy-7 in bone marrow karyotype, in 1 associated with the deletion of the long arm of a chromosome 20. The third patient had trisomy-8. In the patient with trisomy-8, the high percentage of band neutrophils was possibly associated with the chemotactic defect. In another patient with trisomy-8 chemotaxis was normal. There was a statisically significant tendency to reduced phagocytosis and impaired ability to kill Staphylococcus aureus. 1 patient with a chemotactic defect and monosomy-7 suffered from repeated infections. The other 2 patients with defective chemotaxis had several febrile episodes most probably of infectious origin, and 1 of them died in sepsis. All of these 3 patients had cutaneous abscesses. It is concluded that defects in neutrophil granulocyte function are not uncommon in preleukaemia and may result in reduced resistance to infection.

Adult↗

An inhibitor of chemotaxis and phagocytosis in reticulum cell sarcoma.

In a study of neutrophil functions in haematological disorders using in vitro techniques, a heat-stable inhibitor of chemotaxis and phagocytosis was demonstrated in the plasma and serum of a 64-year-old woman with reticulum cell sarcoma. In partial purification by chromatography, the inhibitor activity could not be separated from IgG. Clinically the patient did not exhibit abnormal susceptibility to infections.

Aged↗

Antibody responses of three Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccines after one, two and three doses in Filipino children.

Differences in the magnitude of antibody response after one, two or three doses of Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccines have been reported which may influence decision-making regarding which vaccine should be used. This is of particular importance in developing countries where children may not receive a full immunization series and the vaccination schedule may be delayed. Serum antibody responses to three Hib capsular polysaccharide protein conjugate vaccines (PRP-OMP, HbOC and PRP-T) were evaluated in 102 Filipino infants. Vaccination was carried out at 6, 10 and 14 weeks of age based on the national Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) schedule together with diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, hepatitis B and oral poliomyelitis vaccines. Sera were collected at 6 weeks and 1 month after each vaccination. Anti-Hib polysaccharide antibody concentrations were determined by Farrtype radioimmunoassay (RIA) and enzymeimmunoassay (EIA), Following the first dose, the geometric mean concentrations (GMC, micrograms ml-1) for PRP-OMP, HbOC and PRP-T were 0.69, 0.27 and 0.38, respectively. After two doses, there was a significant response (P < 0.05) to PRP-OMP and PRP-T (0.89 and 1.47) but not for HbOC (0.37). Differences in the GMC after the primary series were significant (pairwise P < 0.05): GMC was highest for PRP-T (4.0), followed by HbOC (1.6) and PRP-OMP (1.1). All three Hib vaccines were immunogenic when given in the local EPI schedule in Filipino infants although significant differences in the kinetics and magnitude of antibody responses were noted. The anti-Hib antibody concentrations determined by RIA and EIA were also compared in order to validate the latter for use in laboratories where it is feasible. There was a good correlation (r2 = 76%; P = 0.0001) in the Hib antibody titres obtained by both assays.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗

Etiology of central nervous system infections in the Philippines and the role of serum C-reactive protein in excluding acute bacterial meningitis.

OBJECTIVES: The value of measurements of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) in differentiating central nervous system (CNS) infections of varying etiologies in the Philippines was investigated. METHODS: A wide array of bacteriologic and virologic methods as well as computed tomography, typical clinical presentation, and autopsy were used for etiologic diagnosis. RESULTS: Among 103 patients with CNS infection, etiology was identified in 60 (58%) cases. Bacteria were found in 19 (including 7 Streptococcus pneumoniae, 5 Haemophilus influenzae, 3 Neisseria meningitidis), tuberculosis in 4, viruses in 38 (including 20 coxsackievirus, 8 measles, 4 adenovirus, and 4 poliovirus infections), and brain abscess in 3 patients. C-reactive protein was elevated on admission in all 18 cases of bacterial meningitis tested, exceeding 50 mg/L in 17 (94%), and was not affected by prior antibacterial treatment. The mean CRP was significantly higher in the bacterial group than in the viral group (207 +/- 111 mg/L vs. 39 +/- 34 mg/L; P < 0.001). In the viral group one third had CRP above 50 mg/L. In patients with tuberculous meningitis, brain abscess, or cryptococcal meningitis, CRP was moderately to highly elevated. CONCLUSIONS: In the presence of a normal CRP concentration (below 10 mg/mL) acute bacterial meningitis is excluded even in a developing country setting and antimicrobial therapy is not warranted.

Acute Disease↗

Magnetic resonance imaging is superior to computed tomography and ultrasonography in imaging infectious liver foci in acute leukaemia.

We conducted a prospective study in order to compare ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in the detection of liver foci in patients with acute leukaemia and clinical suspicion of hepatic candidiasis. 28 adult patients fulfilling set entry criteria after recovery from neutropenia were studied. Lesions in the liver were detected by at least one imaging modality in 21 patients: by ultrasonography in 7 (33% of detected cases), computed tomography in 12 (57%) and by magnetic resonance imaging in 20 patients (95%). Magnetic resonance imaging was significantly more sensitive than ultrasonography (p<0.001) and computed tomography (p<0.02). The difference between computed tomography and ultrasonography was not statistically significant (p=0.1). Invasive procedures performed in 10 patients provided definite proof of candidiasis in 5 patients, and nodes on the liver surface, compatible with yeast infection, were seen during laparoscopy in 3 other patients without proof of fungal infection. We confirm that magnetic resonance imaging is superior to ultrasonography and computed tomography in imaging liver foci in leukaemic patients recovering from neutropenia with persistent non-specific signs of infection or hepatic involvement.

Acute Disease↗

Physicians' database searches as a tool for early detection of epidemics.

We analyzed retrospectively the use of Physician Desk Reference Database searches to identify epidemics of tularemia, nephropathy, Pogosta disease, and Lyme disease and compared the searches with mandatory laboratory reports to the National Infectious Diseases Register in Finland during 1995. Continuous recording of such searches may be a tool for early detection of epidemics.

Alphavirus Infections↗