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Topographical distribution and association of tumor--associated antigens and their role in antigenicity in rat tumor cells.

The antigenicity of tumor-associated antigen (TAA) was compared between 3-methylcholanthrene-induced rat fibrosarcoma KMT-17 and Friend murine leukemia virus-infected KMT-17 (FV-KMT-17) cells. The antigenicity was classified into immunosensitivity and immunogenicity, and studied from the viewpoint of humoral immunity. The immunosensitivity to anti TAA antibodies increased by artificial infection of KMT-17 cells with Friend virus. The results suggested that an increase of lateral mobility of TAA on the cell surface contributes to the increase of immunosensitivity. Concerning the immunogenicity of TAA, an augmentation of anti-TAA antibody formation was demonstrated when FV-KMT-17 cells were used as the immunogen. In this case, a physical association between TAA and virus-associated antigen (VAA) was suggested to be very important to increase the immunogenicity of TAA.

Animals

Adaptive laboratory evolution of Micrococcus luteus and identification of genes associated with radioresistance through genome-wide association study.

Micrococcus luteus (V017) is a Gram-positive bacterium that was isolated from a sterilization area exposed to 60Co radiation. In this study, we performed an adaptive laboratory evolution experiment with M. luteus, exposing it to 24 continuous cycles of gamma irradiation at four different doses (1.5 kGy, 3.5 kGy, 5.5 kGy, and 7.5 kGy). This led to the creation of four evolved populations with different levels of radioresistance, which were positively correlated with the radiation dose applied. The survival rate of the evolved population that underwent adaptive treatment at the highest dose (7.5 kGy) was 0.69% after exposure to 5.5 kGy, which is about five orders of magnitude higher than that of the original strain V017. Furthermore, 76 evolved strains were selected from these populations, and their genomes were re-sequenced, uncovering a total of 3072 mutations. A genome-wide association study identified 56 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) significantly associated with radioresistance, linked to 62 candidate genes. Ultimately, 9 genes were selected for functional validation. Inactivating 6 of these genes, including H0H31_RS03855 (SMC family ATPase, SbcC), H0H31_RS04250 (ribonuclease HII), H0H31_RS04570 (endonuclease VIII), H0H31_RS07595 (bifunctional 3'-5' exonuclease/DNA polymerase I), H0H31_RS00170 (serine/threonine phosphatase PPP), and H0H31_RS05860 (CBS-domain-containing protein), significantly increased sensitivity to gamma radiation, underscoring their importance in radioresistance.

Micrococcus luteus

Proteomic signatures and predictive modeling of cadmium-associated anxiety in middle-aged and elderly populations: an environmental exposure association study.

BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence implicates environmental contaminants such as cadmium (Cd) as modifiable risk factors for anxiety. Despite growing recognition of heavy metal toxicity in neuropsychiatric disorders, the molecular mechanisms linking environmental exposure to anxiety pathogenesis remain poorly understood. METHODS: Based on the established cohort of individuals with cognitive impairment in cadmium-contaminated areas, this cross-sectional association study enrolled 50 middle-aged and elderly hospitalized patients from these regions, adhering to the STROBE guidelines. Blood concentrations of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) were analyzed in relation to anxiety severity assessed via the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA). Plasma proteomic profiling was performed using data-independent acquisition (DIA) quantitative technology with an LC-MS/MS platform (timsTOF Pro, Bruker Daltonics), systematically characterizing 2,531 proteins across all samples. Machine learning techniques, specifically XGBoost and LASSO, were employed to identify biomarkers that were subsequently validated through mediation analysis and animal experiments, allowing for the screening of key protein signatures. Finally, clinical variables were integrated to construct a comprehensive model, which was then thoroughly evaluated. RESULTS: Anxious individuals exhibited significantly higher blood Cd levels than controls (&#x3b2;&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.50, 95% CI: 0.07-0.93, p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.01), with anxiety positively correlating with depression (r&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.62, p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.003) and inversely with ApoE3 genotype prevalence. Proteomics identified 120 differentially expressed proteins in anxious patients, enriched in oxidative phosphorylation and neurodegenerative pathways. CCDC126 emerged as a cadmium-associated biomarker, validated in rat models exposed to Cd. Combining CCDC126, blood Cd, Pb, and hypertension, a clinical prediction model achieved robust discrimination (AUC&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.80, validation cohort). CONCLUSIONS: This first integrative environmental-proteomic study highlights cadmium's synergistic role in anxiety pathophysiology and psychiatric comorbidity. The predictive model offers translatable potential for early risk stratification, while CCDC126 provides mechanistic insights for targeted interventions in populations exposed to environmental pollutants.

Cadmium

A Swedish genome-wide haplotype association analysis identifies novel candidate loci associated with endometrial cancer risk.

Genome-wide association studies [GWAS] have identified a limited number of endometrial cancer risk loci by analyzing single nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs]. We hypothesized that analyzing haplotypes rather than SNPs could provide novel and more detailed information on genetic cancer susceptibility loci. To examine the association of a SNP or haplotype with endometrial cancer risk we performed a two-stage haplotype GWAS. The discovery GWAS included a sub-cohort of 1,116 Swedish endometrial cancer cases and 5,021 controls from previously published GWAS data. A sliding window analysis was employed with window sizes of 1-25 SNPs using a logistic regression model. The Swedish haplotype analysis identified 15 novel candidate risk loci (2q31.1, 4p16.1, 4p15.31,&#xa0;6q13, 7p21.1, 9p13.3, 10q26.3, 11q21, 12q13.11, 13q12.11, 15q13.3, 16q24.3, 19q13.32, 20p12.3 and 22q13.2) with OR ranging from 1.6 to 3.3 and p-values from 4.25&#x2009;&#xd7;&#x2009;10-8 to 9.86&#x2009;&#xd7;&#x2009;10-15. A second replication haplotype analysis of the Swedish novel loci was performed using two cohorts from Belgium and Germany. In spite of small sample sizes in the replication cohorts, there was still support for most loci with positive ORs. In addition, the findings in the two European cohorts motivates further studies to search for founder haplotypes. These novel findings suggested that endometrial cancer loci, identified through haplotype analysis, conferred a higher risk compared to previous single-variant GWAS.

Humans

Type I Interferon Signature is Associated With Lung Disease, Drug-Associated Immune Reactions, and Genetic Variation in Interferon-Linked Pathways in Still Disease.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship across type I interferon (IFN-I)-stimulated gene (ISG) expression, Still disease, and the development of lung disease (LD) and drug-associated immune reactions (DAIR) to interleukin-1 (IL-1) and/or IL-6 inhibitors. METHODS: Whole blood ISG expression was quantified by NanoString array. ISG-28 scores were calculated in consecutive patients with Still or Still-like disease. Exome sequencing with family-based variant prioritization identified candidate genes harboring rare candidate causative variants. Lists of candidate genes were subjected to functional enrichment analysis. RESULTS: Among 57 patients (32 children, 25 adults), 16 had elevated ISG-28 scores. This group exhibited higher prevalence of LD (0.44 vs 0.1, P&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.007) and DAIR (0.63 vs 0.17, P&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.003) and lower IL-6 inhibitor use (0 vs 0.25, P&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.048) compared to others. No significant differences were found in the rates of macrophage activation syndrome, active disease, elevated IL-18, or current IL-1 inhibition. The combination of HLA-DRB1*15 with high ISG-28 scores is associated with LD and DAIR with high specificity, whereas absence of both biomarkers had high negative predictive value. Candidate genes from high ISG-28 individuals were enriched in IFN-related pathways, including autophagy, IFN-I production, toll-like receptor signaling, macrophage activation, cytoskeletal organization, and responses to stress. CONCLUSION: High IFN-I expression correlates with LD and DAIR in Still disease, linked to rare genetic variation in immune pathways. Combining high ISG-28 with HLA-DRB1*15 significantly improves post hoc stratification of patients for these complications. If prospectively validated, these findings may guide molecular risk assessment and targeted therapies, including IFN-I directed treatments in Still disease with IFN-I signature.

Humans

The management of type 1 diabetes in adults. The updated 2026 consensus report by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD).

This 2026 consensus report from the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) builds on the 2021 consensus report to provide guidance for managing type 1 diabetes in adults. Reflecting the rapid advances in the field, this update places particular emphasis on the integration of new technologies, while all sections have been revised to incorporate new evidence, advances in clinical practice and novel therapies, including interventions to delay the onset of stage 3 type 1 diabetes. It also broadens its scope to screening for long-term diabetes complications, and the management of obesity and cardiovascular risk factors. Psychosocial care and diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) remain key elements. The report was developed using the Accurate Consensus Reporting Document (ACCORD) framework. The guidance aligns with the current ADA 'Standards of Care in Diabetes' (Standards of Care) and relevant EASD and ADA documents and aims to support clinicians globally in delivering high-quality, personalised care for adults with type 1 diabetes, with recommendations that can be adapted across diverse healthcare systems and resource settings.

Adjunctive therapy

Association kinetics with coupled diffusion III. Ionic-strength dependence of the lac repressor-operator association.

The repressor-operator association is treated in a model where the repressor molecule can find its specific binding site, the operator, on a large DNA chain by performing a one-dimensional diffusion along the chain. The ionic-strength dependence is calculated by introducing a screened electrostatic potential around the DNA chain and coupling the free diffusion of the repressor in this potential to the proposed one-dimensional diffusion along the chain. The main influence on the association rate comes from the competitive binding of ions to the unspecific DNA sites. It is also demonstrated that during the time that the repressor is bound in a global sense, the diffusion along the chain will be made up of a strictly one-dimensional motion over fairly short distances, interspersed with many local dissociations during which the repressor in essence is free in solution.

Binding Sites

Self-association of human erythrocyte phosphofructokinase. Kinetic behaviour in dependence on enzyme concentration and mode of association.

The kinetic behaviour of human erythrocyte phosphofructokinase has been analyzed over a relative wide range of enzyme concentration (0.01 -- 1.7 mug/ml). The kinetic cooperativity which becomes apparent when the enzymic reaction rate is plotted versus the fructose 6-phosphate concentration decreases with increasing enzyme concentration. Simultaneously, a decrease of the half-saturation concentration for fructose 6-phosphate [S]0.5 is observed. Maximum velocity passes through a maximum at increasing enzyme concentrations. Sets of curves representing specific enzymic activity of phosphofructokinase versus enzyme concentration obtained at various fixed concentrations of fructose 6-phosphate and ATP are analyzed. The shapes of these curves are interpreted in terms of an association model of human erythrocyte phosphofructokinase, in which an inactive dimer (Mr 190000) and active multimers of the dimeric form are involved. The conclusion is drawn that the sigmoidal shape of the plots of the enzymic reaction rate versus fructose 6-phosphate concentration is partially caused by a displacement of the equilibrium between different states of association of phosphofructokinase to multimers by this substrate. On the other hand, the inhibition of the enzyme by high concentrations of ATP may be partially caused by a shift of this equilibrium to the state of the inactive dimer.

Adenosine Triphosphate

Association of enteroviruses with natural and artificially introduced colloidal solids in water and infectivity of solids-associated virions.

Encephalomyocarditis viruses adsorb to introducted organic and inorganic solids in water over a wide range of pH and with various concentrations and species of metal cations. Visible flocculation of solids was not a prerequisite for significant virus association. Virus adsorption to natural solids in various types of natural waters was significant but variable. Clay-adsorbed virus retained its infectivity in tissue culture monolayers. These solids-associated viruses also retained infectivity in mice.

Adsorption

Case report: response to immunotherapy and association with the fh gene in hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer-associated renal cell cancer.

Hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer (HLRCC) is a rare autosomal dominant syndrome caused by a germline mutation in the fumarate hydratase (FH) gene that manifests with cutaneous leiomyomas, uterine fibroids, and renal cell cancer (RCC). Patients with HLRCC-associated RCC (HLRCC-RCC) have aggressive clinical courses, but there is no standardized therapy for advanced HLRCC-RCC. In this study, we described a case of aggressive HLRCC in a 33-year-old female who exhibited a novel heterozygous germline insertion mutation in exon 8 of the FH gene (c.1126&#xa0;C&#x2009;>&#x2009;T; p.Q376*). The patient underwent laparoscopic resection of the right kidney, but metastases appeared within 3 months after surgery. Histological staining of the resected tumor revealed high expression levels of programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1). Therefore, the patient was treated with immunotherapy. The patient achieved a partial response to immunotherapy, and the treatment of metastatic lesions has continued to improve. A thorough literature review pinpointed 76 historical cases of HLRCC-RCC that had undergone immunotherapy. From this pool, 46 patients were selected for this study to scrutinize the association between mutations in the FH gene and the effectiveness of immunotherapy. Our results indicate that immunotherapy could significantly improve the overall survival (OS) of patients with HLRCC-RCC. However, no influence of different mutations in the FH germline gene on the therapeutic efficacy of immunotherapy was observed. Therefore, our study suggested that immunotherapy was an effective therapeutic option for patients with HLRCC regardless of the type of FH germline mutation.

Humans

The Management of Type 1 Diabetes in Adults. The Updated 2026 Consensus Report by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD).

This 2026 consensus report from the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) builds on the 2021 consensus report to provide guidance for managing type 1 diabetes in adults. Reflecting the rapid advances in the field, this update places particular emphasis on the integration of new technologies, while all sections have been revised to incorporate new evidence, advances in clinical practice, and novel therapies, including interventions to delay the onset of stage 3 type 1 diabetes. It also broadens its scope to screening for long-term diabetes complications, and the management of obesity and cardiovascular risk factors. Psychosocial care and diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) remain key elements.

Journal Article

Brucellar spondylitis is associated with disturbance in gut microbiota and histamine metabolism associated inflammation.

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of brucellar spondylitis (BLS) has traditionally been considered to be primarily limited to local osteoarticular lesions. With the proposal of the "gut-spine axis" concept, the role of intestinal microecological dysbiosis in inflammatory spinal diseases has attracted in an increase of attention. The overactivated inflammatory cytokine network not only mediates bone destruction and intervertebral disc damage, but also forms a bidirectional interaction with gut microbiota dysbiosis through the "gut-spine axis," collectively driving disease progression. However, the inflammatory mechanism by which gut microbiota participates in the pathological process of BLS remains largely unclear. METHODS: This study recruited 20 BLS patients and 20 healthy donors. Multi-omics analysis including metagenomics, untargeted metabolomics, and targeted short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) analysis, were used to compare the structural differences in gut microbiota between the two groups and screen for signature differential bacterial species. Plasma levels of histamine and histidine decarboxylase were measured by ELISA to clarify the role of differential histidine metabolic pathway in the disease. Additionally, plasma levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and inflammatory cytokines (IL-1&#x3b2;, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, TNF-&#x3b1;) were detected by ELISA. The correlation between gut microbiota and inflammatory indicators was further analyzed. RESULTS: Compared to the healthy control group, the &#x3b1;-diversity of the gut microbiota in BLS patients was significantly reduced, with the microbial community structure exhibiting increased homogeneity. Beta diversity analysis revealed significant differences, suggesting that disease progression is associated with an overall imbalance in the gut microbiota and the deterioration of its specific structural composition. At the phylum level, the abundances of Actinomycetota, unclassified_d_Viruses, and Fusobacteriota were significantly increased in the gut microbiota of BLS patients compared to the control group, while the abundances of Bacillota and Pseudomonadota were significantly decreased. Further analysis revealed that, compared to the control group, the generic abundance of Enterococcus was significantly increased, while the proportions of Blautia, Faecalibacterium, Ruminococcus, Agathobacter, Roseburia, Clostridium, Eubacterium, Alistipes and Anaerobutyricum were significantly decreased. At the species level, the abundances of Enterococcus sp and Enterococcus-faecium were increased, whereas Blautia sp, Ruminococcus sp, Faecalibacterium sp, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Agathobacter rectalis, Eubacterium sp, Agathobacter sp, and Roseburia sp were decreased. Furthermore, untargeted metabolomics revealed that metabolites were enriched in the histidine metabolic pathway, and the levels of SCFAs including butyrate, isobutyrate, valerate, and 4-methylvalerate in the intestinal contents were reduced in BLS. Functional KEGG profiling revealed that key KOs involved in butyrate synthesis (e.g., K00074, K00172, K01640) and transport were globally downregulated in the patient group, whereas histidine decarboxylase KOs (K01693, K11755, K19787) that convert histidine to pro-inflammatory histamine were significantly enriched. The loss of butyrate-producing symbionts led to SCFAs deficiency and mucosal barrier disruption, creating ecological niches for facultatively anaerobic Enterococcus, which further exacerbated local inflammation via proteolytic fermentation and histamine production. Compared with the control group, BLS patients showed decreased plasma levels of IL-10, while levels of IL-1&#x3b2;, IL-6, IL-17A, and TNF-&#x3b1; were increased, and LPS levels were elevated. In addition, significantly elevated plasma pro-inflammatory LPS levels in patients with BLS suggest disruption of intestinal integrity and permeability. Correlation analysis indicated a close relationship between gut microbiota and inflammation. CONCLUSION: BLS is associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis and alterations in microbial metabolites, which may be linked to inflammatory responses and histamine metabolism. The differential microbial taxa identified in this study could be developed into a stool-based non-invasive diagnostic panel to facilitate early differentiation of BLS from other spinal disorders. Furthermore, restoring gut microbial balance through probiotic supplementation or dietary modulation may represent a promising adjunctive strategy to enhance the efficacy of standard antibiotic therapy and reduce disease recurrence.

Humans

The clinical features and HLA associations of reactive arthritis associated with non-gonococcal urethritis.

Fifty-seven patients with arthritis associated with non-gonococcal genital infection have been studied. Synovitis characteristically affected one or a few joints, expecially the knee, ankle or metatarsophalangeal joints and was accompanied by tenosynovitis and enthesopathies--each in about one third of the patients. A quarter of the patients had ocular, cutaneous, or mucous membrane lesions (Reiter's syndrome). Although six patients developed a chronic or relapsing course, average duration of the acute episode in the majority was three to five months. Available evidence strongly suggests that infection following sexual intercourse, usually but not always with a new partner, was instrumental in the initiation of the disease. We have suggested the term 'sexually acquired reactive arthritis (SARA)' to emphasize the mode of acquisition of the disease, and note that similar syndromes are seen associated with gut infection. We consider that usage of the term Reiter's syndrome is correctly applied to only those cases which exhibited the characteristic triad of urethritis, arthritis and conjunctivitis with or without other cutaneous and mucous membrane lesions. Thirty-six of the 54 patients who were HLA typed (67 per cent) possessed the antigen HLA-B27. Of 30 who presented directly to a rheumatology unit 25 (82 per cent) were HLA-B27 positive. The other 24 patients initially attended a venereology clinic and only 11 (46 per cent) of these bore the antigen. This appears to reflect disease severity, HLA-B27 positive patients having a significantly longer duration of disease symptoms and a higher frequency of extra-articular manifestations, than those lacking this antigen.

Adolescent

Changes in chromosomal proteins in colon cancer: the complexity and DNA-binding properties of tumor-associated proteins and evidence for their association with the malignant state in human colonic epithelium.

The properties of two classes of nonhistone nuclear proteins (NHNP) whose appearance has been correlated with the process of carcinogenesis in the colonic epithelium of rats given 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) have been investigated. NHNP isolated from adenocarcinomas of the colon were tested for their binding to homologous DNA. The tumor-specific protein class TNP1 (molecular weight ca. 44,000) shows high affinity for DNA while the second class of tumor-specific proteins (TNP2; molecular weight ca. 62,000) does not bind to DNA. When tumor chromatin is subjected to a limited digestion with DNAse I under conditions that are known to preferentially digest active genes, the TNP1 proteins are selectively released, suggesting that this protein fraction is associated with the actively transcribing portions of the genome. The complexity of both tumor-specific protein classes has also been analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. This method reveals a high degree of complexity both in TNP1 and TNP2. Protein classes similar to TNP1 and TNP2 that are also found in human colonic adenocarcinomas are not detectable in polyps from familial polyposis-affected patients at times when no sign of malignancy has yet appeared.

Adenocarcinoma

Lymphocytotoxic antibodies. HLA antigen associations, disease associations, and family studies.

Lymphocytotoxic antibodies (LCTAB) were sought in sera of patients with rheumatic diseases and in family members. Patients with SLE and cutaneous necrotizing venulitis and family members of JRA patients had an increased frequency of LCTAB; JRA patients and family members of SLE patients did not. The only association between LCTAB and the HLA phenotype of persons with LCTAB was a decreased frequency of LCTAB in individuals with HLA-B27.

Antilymphocyte Serum

Adeno-Associated Virus Type 5 Infection via PDGFR&#x3b1; Is Associated With Interstitial Lung Disease in Systemic Sclerosis and Generates Composite Peptides and Epitopes Recognized by the Agonistic Immunoglobulins Present in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: The etiopathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc) is unknown. Platelet-derived growth factor receptors (PDGFRs) are overexpressed in patients with SSc. Because PDGFR&#x3b1; is targeted by the adeno-associated virus type 5 (AAV5), we investigated whether AAV5 forms a complex with PDGFR&#x3b1; exposing epitopes that may induce the immune responses to the virus-PDGFR&#x3b1; complex. METHODS: The binding of monomeric human PDGFR&#x3b1; to the AAV5 capsid was analyzed by in silico molecular docking, surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and genome editing of the PDGFR&#x3b1; locus. AAV5 was detected in SSc lungs by in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy, and molecular analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. Immune responses to AAV5 and PDGFR&#x3b1; were evaluated by SPR using SSc monoclonal anti-PDGFR&#x3b1; antibodies and immunoaffinity-purified anti-PDGFR&#x3b1; antibodies from sera of patients with SSc. RESULTS: AAV5 was detected in the BAL fluid of 41 of 66 patients with SSc with interstitial lung disease (62.1%) and in 17 of 66 controls (25.75%) (P <&#x2009;0.001). In SSc lungs, AAV5 localized&#x2009;in type II pneumocytes and in interstitial cells. A molecular complex formed of spatially contiguous epitopes of the AAV5 capsid and of PDGFR&#x3b1; was identified and characterized. In silico molecular docking analysis and binding to the agonistic anti-PDGFR&#x3b1; antibodies identified spatially contiguous epitopes derived from PDGFR&#x3b1; and AAV5 that interacted with SSc agonistic antibodies to PDGFR&#x3b1;. These peptides were also able to bind total IgG isolated from patients with SSc, not from healthy controls. CONCLUSION: These data link AVV5 with the immune reactivity to endogenous antigens in SSc and provide a novel element in the pathogenesis of SSc.

Humans

Association between pregnancy-associated alpha2-glycoprotein (alpha2-PAG) and mixed leucocyte reaction determinants on the leucocyte surface.

alpha2-PAG is present on the surface on mononuclear blood leucocytes and can be demonstrated predominantly on B-lymphocytes and monocytes. Pretreatment of cells with antibody to alpha2-PAG leads to a marked reduction in Fc-rosette formation. Competitive blocking experiments with specific antisera reveal a particularly close association between alpha2-PAG and MLR (mixed leucocyte reaction) determinants on the cell surface. These findings suggest one mechanism whereby alpha2-PAG may modify cell-mediated immune responses.

B-Lymphocytes

Association of teichoic acid antibody with metastatic sequelae of catheter-associated Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia: a failure of the two-week antibiotic treatment.

A patient with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia associated with an infected intravenous catheter was treated with oxacillin for two weeks. During that period all blood cultures were sterile, he rapidly became afebrile, and there were no signs of endocarditis or metastatic abscesses. However, serum antibodies against staphylococcal teichoic acid, initially undetectable by the agar gel immunodiffusion technic, became positive during the second week of treatment. Three weeks after discharge, the patient was readmitted to the hospital because of back pain and weakness in the lower extremities. Vertebral osteomyelitis and a spinal epidural abscess caused by Staph. aureus of the same phage type as the bacteremic isolate were demonstrated. This case illustrates the importance of careful follow-up of patients with Staph. aureus bacteremia and the potential value of serial measurement of teichoic acid antibodies in detecting clinically inapparent complications of infection.

Abscess