Adoptive transfer of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) was achieved in Lewis rats using spleen cells incubated in vitro with various lectins. When stimulated with concanavalin A (Con A), its derivative succinyl-Con A, Lens culinaris or Pisum sativum agglutinin, spleen cells obtained from rats immunized with encephalitogenic emulsion could transfer EAE to normal syngeneic recipients. In contrast, spleen cells stimulated with Phaseolus vulgaris, Robinia pseudoacacia or Wisteria floribunda agglutinin did not transfer EAE. Transfer of EAE with Con A-activated spleen cells was abolished by the specific hapten inhibitor, alpha-methyl-D-mannoside, but not by D-glucose. Our data indicate that the in vitro responses to lectins may differ among T cell subpopulations. Lectins may prove useful for investigating the nature of EAE-effector cells and the mechanisms of immune regulation in this autoimmune central nervous system disease.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Surgical excision versus laser photocoagulation for subfoveal choroidal neovascular membrane with age-related macular degeneration: comparison of visual outcomes.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to compare visual acuity after laser photocoagulation with visual acuity after surgical excision of the subfoveal choroidal neovascular membrane in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: We studied 54 patients (56 eyes) who underwent laser photocoagulation and 52 patients (52 eyes) who underwent surgical excision for new subfoveal choroidal neovascular membrane occurring with AMD. We compared mean log of minimal angle of resolution (MAR) visual acuity, and the percentages of eyes showing visual improvement and a visual acuity of 0.1 or better, between the two treatment groups at 12 months after treatment. The groups were also compared according to choroidal neovascular membrane size, ie, 1 disc diameter (DD) or smaller vs larger than 1 DD. RESULTS: Mean corrected visual acuity (P <.01), percentage of eyes with improved vision (P <.01), and percentage with a visual acuity of at least 0.1 (P <.01) were higher in surgically treated eyes. The differences in mean log MAR visual acuity and the percentages were significant only for choroidal neovascular membrane of one DD or less in size. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative eyes, especially those with choroidal neovascular membranes 1 DD or less in size, had better visual outcomes. Patients who meet our eligibility criteria, especially with small choroidal neovascular membranes 1 DD or less in size, should undergo surgical excision.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Hemolytic anemia associated with cold agglutinin during chickenpox and a review of the literature.

PURPOSE: To describe the findings and cause of anemia and jaundice in a 2-year-old boy. PATIENT AND METHODS: This boy was admitted with a hemoglobin of 7.8 g/dL, a bilirubin of 1.8 mg/dL, and increased urobilinogen. RESULTS: On the second day after admission, hemolytic anemia associated with an anti-I cold agglutinin was diagnosed, which was transient and recovered without any treatment. CONCLUSION: This is a very rare complication of chickenpox; only five cases have been previously reported and these were all characterized by anti-Pr cold agglutinin with hemolytic anemia after the onset of chickenpox. We report the first case of hemolytic anemia associated with an anti-I cold agglutinin during the incubation period of chickenpox.

Adult↗