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Biomedical subjects

T Hallberg

Publications and source records attributed to T Hallberg.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Systemic reactions associated with polyisocyanate exposure.

A spray-painter suffered attacks of chills, fever, general malaise, dyspnea and wheezing, headache, arthralgia, and leucocytosis a few hours after exposure to aerosols of varnishes containing two different polyisocyanates based upon monomers of hexamethylene or toluene diisocyanate. Immunologic studies revealed an increase in the serum immunoglobulin G level, but no specific antibodies against isocyanates conjugated to human serum albumin. The polyisocyanate level in the workroom air was high [a time-weighted average of 4.2 mg/m3, corresponding to 17 mumol NCO (isocyanate groups)/m3], the toluene diisocyanate monomer level being much lower (a time-weighted average of 0.03 mg/m3, corresponding to 0.3 mumol NCO/m3).

Aerosols↗

Demonstration of histamine receptors on human platelets by flow cytometry.

Fluoresceinated human albumin conjugated with histamine (FHA-HIS) has been used for the demonstration of histamine receptors on human platelets. Such receptors were demonstrated on 40-63% of peripheral blood platelets in 4 healthy donors. The binding of FHA-HIS was inhibited on 35-79% of the platelets by the histamine H1 receptor antagonists diphenhydramine and clemastine. The histamine H2 receptor antagonist cimetidine blocked the FHA-HIS binding on 14-37% of the platelets. It is concluded that histamine H1 as well as H2 receptors occur on human platelets but the receptors are not equally distributed in the platelet population.

Blood Platelets↗

Human immunoglobulin class and subclass specificity of Fc receptors induced by herpes simplex virus type 1.

Herpes simplex virus is known to induce an immunoglobulin-binding cell surface receptor in infected cells that utilizes a nonimmune mechanism. In the present paper, we report the immunoglobulin class and subclass specificity of this receptor. Of the human immunoglobulins G(IgG), IgA, IgM, and IgD, as well as the structurally related beta2 microglobulin, only IgG and its Fc portion exhibited an increased binding to herpes simplex virus-infected cells versus uninfected control cells. The IgG subclass specificity of the Fc receptor was studied in 37 radioiodinated IgG myeloma proteins representing all four subclasses. We found that IgG3 myeloma proteins did not bind to herpes simplex virus-infected cells to a greater extent than to uninfected cells. On the contrary, proteins belonging to the other subclasses exhibited an increased binding to herpes simplex virus-infected cells of the following relative magnitude: IgG4 greater than IgG1 greater than or equal to IgG2. This increment of binding could be abolished by addition of a large excess of human IgG Fc fragment. Evidence for the existence of a variable herpes simplex virus-specific binding ability between myeloma proteins belonging to the same IgG subclass was also obtained. Furthermore, we tested two other herpes simplex virus type 1 strains with a limited number of myeloma proteins with very similar results as with the herpes simplex virus type 1 F strain. Several sources of experimental artefacts were controlled, including the state of aggregation of the test proteins, the functional integrity of the Fc portion before and after radioiodination, and the subclass assignments. The implications for the biological role of the Fc receptor of herpes simplex virus are discussed.

Animals↗

Separation of lymphocyte subsets by expanding velocity sedimentation of E-rosettes at unit gravity.

An expanding velocity sedimentation procedure at unit gravity has been used to separate human lymphocyte subsets on the basis of E-rosette formation. It is shown that the method allows gentle yet efficient separation of T and non-T lymphocytes in a continuous gradient of colloidal silica (Percoll). Less efficient separation was obtained in gradients consisting of polymerized sucrose (Ficoll 70). The technique offers a special advantage in the possibility of separating lymphocytes binding differing numbers of indicator red cells. The method should be generally adaptable to various rosetting techniques, including systems where the indicator cells are attached with weak bonds. As judged by vital staining, the lymphocytes are in excellent condition after the separation.

Animals↗

Bcg vaccination as a cause of multifocal osteomyelitis in a 12-year-old girl.

A 12-year-old girl with multifocal skeletal sclerosis has been investigated. She was BCG vaccinated at birth and developed regional lymphadenitis in her left groin at two months of age. She was healthy until approximately 10 years of age, after which deficient height and weight gain occurred. BCG-itis was diagnosed in skeleton lesions. No evidence of immunodeficiency was found in the patient. After antituberculous treatment, the skeleton lesions, previously seen at bone scan, had disappeared. There has been a dramatic effect on her weight gain, growth and general well-being.

BCG Vaccine↗

Lymphocyte receptors for human erythrocytes in newborn infants and adults. Expression on fresh and lectin-stimulated cells.

Lymphocyte receptors for human erythrocytes (HRBC) have been demonstrated by an optimized technique using neuraminidase-treated HRBC and high-protein diluent. Mean values of 55 and 50% reactive lymphocytes were found in the peripheral blood of newborn infants and adult donors, respectively. The HRBC receptor was labile under tissue culture conditions in vitro, in contrast to the receptors for sheep erythrocytes, Fc of IgG, and complement. Short-term culturing of lymphocytes with T cell mitogens (phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A) increased the proportion of HRBC-receptor-bearing lymphocytes. Pokeweed mitogen, being mainly a B cell stimulator, was less effective in activating lymphocytes to resynthesize the receptor. It is concluded that the HRBC receptor is probably not a stable marker for a single subpopulation of human T lymphocytes. During the first week of life, the HRBC receptor is expressed on at least the same proportion of peripheral blood lymphocytes as in adults.

Adult↗

Subnormal response of blood lymphocytes to phytohaemagglutinin in adult coeliac disease complicated by intestinal lymphoma.

Surface markers and the response to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) were determined in blood lymphocytes from five patients with adult coeliac disease (ACD) complicated by intestinal lymphoma, eight ACD patients without lymphoma, and control individuals without signs of ACD. The proportions of lymphocytes forming rosettes with sheep erythrocytes, lymphocytes with surface IgM, and lymphocytes with Fc IgG receptors were similar in all groups. A subnormal response to PHA was found in the patients with ACD and concomitant intestinal lymphoma. In ACD without lymphoma the PHA response was normal. In ACD patients with relapse of abdominal symptoms despite a gluten-free diet, the demonstration of a subnormal PHA response may strengthen the suspicion of a complicating intestinal lymphoma.

Adult↗

Immunocompetence after incidental splenectomy.

Of 377 patients with chronic duodenal ulcer undergoing highly selective vagotomy, 13 were splenectomized peroperatively because of capsular tear. 12 of these patients were alive at the time of the subsequent investigation and each was matched with a non-splenectomized patient. The postoperative interval was almost 5 years (median). The splenectomized patients were characterized by their longer hospitalization, and increased blood counts of lymphocytes, monocytes and platelets. Analysis of lymphocyte subsets revealed increased numbers of both T and B lymphocytes after splenectomy Among the T cells, those with receptors for Fc of IgG were significantly more numerous in the splenectomized group. It is a matter of controversy whether or not this population contains T suppressor cells. Hence further functional investigations are needed to clarify whether our observations bear any relation to the low level of plasma IgM found by us and others in splenectomized individuals. Screening for complement activation by the classical and alternative pathways did not reveal any defects resulting from splenectomy.

Adult↗

Altered density, metabolism and surface receptors of eosinophils in eosinophilia.

A comparison was made between eosinophils from normal persons and patients with eosinophilia. Highly purified eosinophils were obtained by centrifugation in a Percoll density gradient. Studies were carried out on density distribution, oxygen consumption upon adherence to serum-coated Sephadex and expression of cell surface receptors for IgG and complement. In eosinophil leukaemia the density of eosinophils was abnormally low. Abnormal light density fractions of blood eosinophils were also detected in the hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES). Light density eosinophils of HES showed morphological signs of degranulation consonant with the finding of a low content of granular eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) suggesting degranulation in the circulation or abnormal granule formation in the marrow. In addition, such cells exhibited a higher oxygen consumption than eosinophils with normal density upon adherence to serum-coated Sephadex. Low density eosinophils showed a greater number of cells with Fc-IgG and complement receptors than high density cells. Likewise exudate eosinophils displayed an abnormally low density with higher than normal oxygen consumption indicating that eosinophils may be activated in the tissues. In one patient with HES, a febrile episode resulted in a disappearance of eosinophils with a normal density while abnormal low density eosinophils increased. Our findings suggest that eosinophils from some patients with eosinophilia may be 'activated' in the circulation.

Adult↗

PPD testing as a diagnostic aid in non-tuberculous mycobacteriosis. Clinical and immunological investigations in 4 children with cervical lymphadenitis.

Four children suffering from unilateral cervical lymphadenitis with histopathological changes typical of mycobacteriosis were seen during a short time. None of the Children had been BCG vaccinated. Mycobacteria belonging to the Myobacterium aviumintracellulare complex were isolated from excised lymph nodes in two of the patients. Intracutaneous tests with PPD from M. tuberculosis were negative in all the children, whereas two children responded to each of 3 PPDs prepared from atypical mycobacteria. Two patients were unreactive in all the skin tests. Lymphocyte transformation tests in vitro with a battery of various PPDs indicated sensitization to atypical mycobacteria in two children, one of which was negative in the skin tests. All the patient had normal plasma Ig concentrations but two patients had low proportions of T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood. One of these also had reduced total numbers of T cells. Nevertheless, lymphocyte responses in vitro to phytohaemagglutinin were normal in all the children. The results show that cutaneous and in vitro tests with a battery of different PPDs have a place as diagnostic adjuncts in atypical mycobacteriosis. We suggest that immunological competence is analysed in such patients.

Child, Preschool↗

Unexplained acute fever after a hot bath.

An outbreak of repeated chills, fever, respiratory-tract symptoms, and muscle pain, starting 4 h after a hot bath, involved 56 persons, nearly all of whom lived in an area supplied with water from the same source. The symptoms lasted for 6--15 h. A polymorphonuclear leucocytosis was a feature of the illness. The causal agent, which has not yet been identified, was found to enter the body by inhalation. Bacteriological and chemical studies and investigation of the water for endotoxins and algae revealed nothing unusual.

Acute Disease↗

Evolution of three lymphocyte markers in newborn, preterm infants.

Nine newborn, preterm infants have been studied at the ages of 1-3 days, 8-10 days and 22-24 days for surface markers on peripheral blood lymphocytes. As compared to adult controls, four of the infants had a low proportion of sheep RBC binding lymphocytes at birth, but at 1-3 weeks of age all infants had reached the adult level. Lymphocyte receptors for Fc of IgG and for complement, although both mainly characterizing non-T cells, evolved differently post partum: the proportion of Fc-receptor-bearing lymphocytes tended to increase with age of the infant, whereas already at birth complement receptor-bearing lymphocytes were at or above the adult level.

Animals↗

Cutaneous alternariosis.

Two patients with cutaneous alternaria infection are presented. In both patients the skin lesions were characterized by multiple non-healing ulcers covered with dry crusts. Although the skin changes were macroscopically alike in the two patients, differences in the histology were seen. Both patients had primary debilitating diseases. A review of the literature is presented and revealed an additional ten cases of cutaneous alternariosis. Methods for the isolation of Alternaria and the susceptibility of the fungus to antimycotic drugs are presented.

Adolescent↗