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PubMedDate not supplied

[Serological study of Leishmania clones from experimentally and naturally infected sandflies].

A serological study of Leishmania clones from experimentally and naturally infected sand flies was undertaken. The cloning was done by means of Fonbrun's micromanipulator. Serological studies were conducted according to Adler's method in Safjanova's modification. Among the clones of Phlebotomus papatasi experimentally infected with Leishmania tropica major and L. gymnodactyli four were found to be serologically identical with L. tropica major, and two had close antigene relationships with both initial strains of Leishmania. No clones identical with L. gymnodactyli were found. By means of serological comparison to museum strains of Leishmania heterogeneity of the strains isolated from naturally infected sand flies and great variety of antigenic properties of clones obtained from them have been shown. Thus, among clones of Ph. caucasicus four are identical with L. donovani, one is closely related to Leptomonas pessoai and one displays no antigenic relationships to any standard strain of Leishmania. Two clones from naturally infected Ph. papatasi are identical with L. tropica major, one displays close antigenic relationships with L. tropica major and L. donovani and one could not be identified. The question is raised on the necessity to study possible mechanisms of genetic information exchange to explain the appearance of clones with mixed properties.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Peptide-induced rescue of serologic epitopes on class I MHC molecules.

To monitor conformational changes in MHC class I structure induced by interaction with peptide or beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-m), we have taken a serologic approach. Previous studies by us and others have defined circumstances wherein specific peptides can decrease serologic recognition of class I molecules. However, such blocking of serologic epitopes has often been interpreted as steric hindrance by peptide side chains. In this paper, we describe peptide-induced gains in recognition by mAbs 30-5-7, 34-1-2, and B22/249. In experiments with mAb 30-5-7, impaired reactivity, which resulted from an Ld loop mutation, was specifically rescued by the binding of a beta-galactosidase-derived peptide to the Ld mutant. In studies with mAb 34-1-2, poor Ld detection was enhanced by mutations in Ld at beta 2-m interaction sites or by changes within the peptide-binding groove. To evaluate whether known peptides in the Ld groove could influence 34-1-2 recognition, we tested six peptide ligands, four of which increased the reactivity of 34-1-2 with the Ld-expressing cell to various degrees (up to 14-fold). It is of interest that Ld mutations at position 9 and 95/97 made significant differences in the ranking of the peptides in regard to their ability to increase recognition by 34-1-2 and B22/249. This finding suggests that mutations in the binding groove can alter peptide conformation and result in secondary changes in class I structure. On the basis of the cumulative serologic data, we propose that the class I molecule displays considerable fluidity, and is structurally influenced by both beta 2-m and peptide.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Serological, histological and polymerase chain reaction studies of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma.

The association between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and gastric adenocarcinoma remains controversial. However, the prevalence of H. pylori infection in gastric adenocarcinoma varies with the method of detection used, eg, serology, histology, culture, and polymerase chain reaction. However, studies on gastric adenocarcinoma by these methods remain inconclusive. We compared the results of serology, histology, and polymerase chain reaction for detection of H. pylori infection in 12 patients with gastric adenocarcinoma to investigate the actual status of H. pylori infection in gastric adenocarcinoma. IgG antibodies to H. pylori were examined in the sera, and histology and polymerase chain reaction were used for identification of H. pylori on the resected gastric tissues of 12 patients with gastric adenocarcinoma. Among them. H. pylori infection was verified by serology in eight, polymerase chain reaction in seven, and histology in five. In all positive cases, H. pylori was identified only in the non-tumorous part of the gastric tissue. In all four seronegative patients, H. pylori was not present in any of the tissues examined by histology and polymerase chain reaction. We conclude that: 1) polymerase chain reaction is more sensitive than histology; 2) a good correlation between serology and polymerase chain reaction is found; and 3) H. pylori infection is absent in a proportion of patients with gastric adenocarcinoma identified by these methods.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1994

[Serologic detection of HLA antigens and HLA antibodies].

The discovery of the HLA system as well as the progress of knowledge over several decades were based on serological methods. Today, methods of molecular biology tend to replace serological tests for HLA typing, particularly for class II alleles. However, HLA serology is still indispensable in all domains where HLA antibodies play a role. In this contribution, classical and more recently developed methods of HLA serology are described, and problems and solutions concerning the interpretation of results are discussed.

B-Lymphocytes↗
PubMed1994

[Evaluation of occurrence of infections caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae during 1970-1973 based on serological investigations].

During the years 1970-1993 diagnostic serological tests directed against infection with M. pneumoniae were performed in 89,155 persons, mostly children at the preschool and school age with clinical symptoms of respiratory tract infections. Investigations were performed by application of the complement fixation test with cellular antigen of M. pneumoniae. Positive result was established when antibody titer was 60 or higher, or at least four-fold increase o titer occurred during the illness. During performance of these studies five epidemics of mycoplasmosis were noted in Poland. They occurred during the autumn-winter season in 1970/71, 1975/76, 1980/81, 1985/86 and 1991-1993. At the peak of the epidemic depending of the region of country, in 25-38% of patients with pneumonia serological confirmation of mycoplasmosis was established. In selected group of 251 persons which consisted in 87% of hospitalized patients with pneumonia, serological test was repeated at least twice during 7-10 days confirming mycoplasmal etiology of illness in 48.6% of cases. It was found that performance of serological test only once during first week of clinical symptoms of the disease decreases chances of mycoplasmosis diagnosis by 53%.

Bronchial Diseases↗
PubMed1976

Serological classification and typing of Clostridium botulinum.

Serological classification of Cl. botulinum, based on the antigenic structure of the toxins produced, is distinguished by the behaviour of the toxin-antitoxin mixtures in in vivo neutralization tests. Observations on the dissimilarity between strains within types, the behaviour of antitoxins in the cross-neutralization tests, the established concepts of the antigenic structure of the toxin types and the lack of a standard methodology for typing, have led to the definition of the terms efficiency, type, subtype, intratypic serological variant (ISV), and degree of serological homology. These definitions are primarily applied to typing and to the establishment of the taxonomic serological categories of type, subtype and ISV. In the case of antitoxin standardization, the accepted standard methods must be followed.

Clostridium botulinum↗
PubMed1993

[Serologic screening for the occurrence of Leptospira antibodies in small wild mammals].

During the five years (1986-1990) free living small mammals were examined serologically for the presence of antibodies to leptospires. Standardized techniques were used in the serological examinations (Sebek, 1979). A total 4634 specimens representing 15 mammalian species were examined. During the studied period, higher occurrence of small terrestrial mammals was noticed in the years 1987-1988. In these years, 61% of specimens out of the total number of trapped animals were examined. The field mice (Apodemus sylvaticus and Apodemus flavicollis) and the common vole (Microtus arvalis) were most frequently examined species, their proportion in the total number being 35.4% and 28.4% respectively. Antibodies to leptospires were demonstrated in 557 cases, i.e. in 12.06%, in specimens representing 10 mammalian species, the higher percentage was recorded only in the year 1988, when antibodies were detected in 15.4%. In 550 cases, i.e. 98.7%, the antibodies were to leptospires of the serovar grippotyphosa and only in 7 cases, i.e. 1.3% to leptospires of the serological group Sejroe. Antibodies to leptospires of the serovar grippotyphosa were found in specimens captured in all localities studied. Antibodies were most frequently detected in the specimens of the common vole (Microtus arvalis) in 6.1% and in both species of field mice (Apodemus sylvaticus and Apodemus flavicollis) in 3.4% of the total number of animals examined. Antibodies to leptospires of the serological group Sejroe were found only in blood sera of the house mouse (Mus musculus) and only in one locality studied. Our results confirmed some previously known facts concerning the distribution and structure of leptospirosis foci on this territory. The study of population dynamics should not be neglected because it is directly proportional to the infestation of individual species as we have evidenced. This fact is most expressive in main reservoir species.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Serologic response to treatment of syphilis in patients with HIV infection.

BACKGROUND: Much controversy exists concerning the manifestations, therapy, and response to treatment of syphilis in patients coinfected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of HIV infection on the serologic response to treatment of patients with syphilis. METHODS: Sixty-four HIV-seropositive patients with syphilis were matched with 64 patients with syphilis who were HIV negative. Matching criteria included age (+/- 5 years), sex, race, initial rapid plasma reagin (RPR) titer (+/- 1 dilution), and stage of syphilis at entry. There were 26 matched patients with early syphilis, 26 matched patients with late syphilis, and 12 matched patients with biological false-positive RPR. The HIV-positive patients with early syphilis received three doses of penicillin G benzathine. All other patients received treatment as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Ga. Our study's major end points were clinical and serologic response to treatment. RESULTS: All 16 patients with symptomatic syphilis were cured. No patient developed clinical signs of neurosyphilis during the 12-month follow-up period. Twenty-nine (56%) of 52 HIV-positive patients with early or late syphilis did not have a fourfold decrease in RPR titer 6 months after treatment compared with 20 (38%) of 52 matched controls (P = .06). No unique characteristics identifying patients who did not respond serologically could be established. The HIV-positive patients with initial RPR less than 1:32 experienced a significantly slower decrease in RPR at 12 months than did the controls (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with syphilis who are HIV positive are less likely to experience serologic improvement after recommended therapy than are patients with syphilis who are HIV negative. Patients with HIV infection who contract syphilis should receive intensive and prolonged follow-up, and consideration should be given to designing alternative regimens.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Serological diagnosis of tuberculosis.

The past decade has seen dramatic developments in serological tests for tuberculosis. The long history of serological tests for tuberculosis is a testimony to the need for a sensitive diagnostic test, especially when the sputum smear is unhelpful. New reagents, both purified antigens and monoclonal antibodies, provide the means to obtain a sensitivity and specificity to rival the tuberculin skin test and equal other commonly used diagnostic blood tests. Evaluation with sera from patients with smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis has identified one antigen (antigen 5, the 38 kDa antigen) as a potential screening reagent for infectious tuberculosis and another (16 kDa antigen) for monitoring compliance. A monoclonal antibody competition assay anti-38 kDa antibody is the most sensitive serological test for smear-negative tuberculosis so far. Tests for tuberculous meningitis need clinical evaluation. Serological tests for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related tuberculosis are disappointing. In general, antibody levels in primary tuberculosis are low and appear directed towards cytoplasmic antigens, whilst in post-primary disease antibody levels are higher and appear to bind to secreted antigens. No single reagent gives a 100% sensitivity; future research should identify the best combination of antigens for the serodiagnosis of tuberculosis.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1996

Usefulness and limitations of three serologic methods for diagnosing or excluding chlamydiosis in birds.

Diagnostic serology by use of elementary body agglutination is the most useful serologic method for diagnosis of chlamydiosis in birds, because it detects only IgM activity. A titer of 10 in budgerigars, cockatiels, and lovebirds and of > or = 20 in other types of birds is interpreted as being indicative of current infection. Latex agglutination, with detects IgM and IgG activity, may be useful in detecting large changes in titer. Direct complement fixation, detecting only IgG activity, is usable to detect past infection whenever elementary body agglutination and latex agglutination titers are < 10. Limitations of serologic results necessitating additional confirmatory testing are lack of titers in the acute phase of disease and diagnostic titers in clinically normal birds with low-grade chronic infections and in birds with prolonged maintenance of titers. Additional suggested examinations are chlamydial culture by use of choanal/oropharyngeal swab samples, WBC count, determination of hepatic-associated enzyme activity, chlamydial ELISA by use of the aforementioned swab samples, and additional serologic testing.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Evaluation of a triatoma infestans eradication program in rural dwellings from the IV region, Chile, by means of serology for Chagas disease in 0-10 years old children].

The present study deals with the evaluation of the effectiveness of the measures employed in the control of Triatoma infestans, the vector of Trypanosoma cruzi infection (Chagas' disease), in the IV region of Chile through a serological follow up program. For this reason, a serological survey has been carried out in 2,783 children, from 0 to 10 years, who live in rural high endemic areas of the region. The sera were tested using an indirect hemagglutination test (IHAT) and ELISA techniques with results agreeing in 99.9% of the samples. In children with positive serology xenodiagnosis was performed and blood samples from the corresponding mothers were submitted to serology for Chagas' disease. These additional tests should allow to distinguish between congenital infection and vectorial transmission. It was observed that vectorial transmission of T. cruzi was interrupted in some localities where entomological control has been applied for 10 years, or lowered in those which have been submitted to desinsectations in the last 5 years. On the other hand, a relatively high prevalence of the infection has been detected in some localities. These results suggest an apparent increase of vectorial transmission, indicating the need of readjusting the dwellings insecticide sprayings activities to improve the measures against the vector.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Rheumatoid arthritis in Greece: clinical, serological and genetic considerations.

In the present study we summarize the clinical, serological and genetic peculiarities of Greek rheumatoid patients. Initially we demonstrated that Greek RA patients have a high frequency of Ro(SSA) antibodies in their sera and that these patients present a high incidence of D-penicillamine (DP) side effects. In addition, we showed that these patients were predominantly female and had an increased incidence of positive salivary gland biopsy, compatible with Sjögren's syndrome (SS). Subsequently, longitudinal studies showed that this subgroup of Ro(SSA) positive RA patients present erosive arthritis in a similar frequency compared to Ro(SSA) negative patients. In addition, we evaluated the prevalence of secondary SS in RA patients. We found that secondary SS was common (31%), benign, subclinical and required specific tests for its diagnosis. To answer the question regarding the existence of additional markers of DP toxicity (other than Ro(SSA) antibodies) in RA patients, we found that in addition to Ro(SSA) antibodies, circulating cryoglobulins were associated with DP side effects. All of these observations prompted us to compare the clinical, serological and radiological expression of RA in Greek and British patients. We found that Greek patients had less inflammatory articular disease, fewer extra-articular manifestations, less radiological joint destruction, and a high frequency of Ro(SSA) antibodies linked to a higher prevalence of secondary SS. Furthermore, a study from our group showed a lack of association of RA with HLA antigens, and only a weak association with HLA-DR1 and DR4 antigens. To clarify the clinical, serological and genetic differences between RA in Greece and that in other European countries, we examined HLA class II DNA polymorphisms in 92 adult Greek RA patients and compared them with those of 84 healthy ethically matched controlled individuals. We showed that RA in Greece is associated with the same HLA-DR beta alleles which confer susceptibility in northern European caucasoids. However, whereas 83% of northern European patients carry the HLA-DR beta motif, this was found in 43.5% of Greek patients. In addition, we investigated whether HLA-DR4 is a marker of disease severity in Greek RA patients. There was no difference between the DR4+ and DR4- patients with respect to disease duration, severity of arthritis, and the functional and anatomical joint scores. There was no statistical difference in the clinical manifestations among patients with different HLA-DR4 subtypes. The same was also true when the clinical picture was correlated with the "shared RA epitope". Finally, we investigated the prevalence of antikeratin antibodies (AKA) in our RA population. 16% of the patients had positive AKA antibodies. These antibodies were correlated with the presence of RF and HLA-DR1 antigen. We conclude that RA in Greece differs on clinical, serological and genetic grounds compared to RA in northern European countries. Multicenter European studies may provide valuable information regarding the differences observed among Greek and northern European RA.

Antibodies, Antinuclear↗
PubMed1997

Relation between serologic response and pathologic findings in sheep with naturally acquired paratuberculosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relation between lesions and serologic response in sheep with naturally acquired paratuberculosis and to evaluate the efficacy of agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) and ELISA as diagnostic tests. ANIMALS: 134 adult sheep, culled by the owner from flocks with history of severe chronic weight loss. PROCEDURE: Before euthanasia, blood samples were collected and serum was obtained. AGID and ELISA were performed, using a protoplasmic antigen of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis. Sensitivity and specificity of these techniques were evaluated, using histopathologic findings as a reference. Histologic studies were carried out focusing on specimens containing intestinal organized lymphoid tissue. RESULTS: Of the sheep examined, 46.3% had lesions that were classified in 5 categories, according to their location, extension, cellular types, and presence of acid-fast bacilli. Regarding serologic test results, 37.1% of sheep with lesions had a positive AGID result, and all sheep without lesions had negative results. However, ELISA positivity was slightly greater--48.4% of sheep with lesions; however, by use of ELISA, 11.1% of sheep without lesions had positive results. CONCLUSION: A close relation between pathologic findings and serologic response was determined, especially between presence of acid-fast bacilli (potentially heavily shedding sheep) in the intestinal lesions and positivity to serologic tests, especially AGID. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: On the basis of these results, together with its high specificity, reliability, and the difficulty of fecal specimen culture in sheep, AGID is proposed as a useful tool for seeking evidence of paratuberculosis in live sheep, and therefore, is suggested as the basis for control programs in areas in which the disease is a serious threat to sheep production.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

[Chagas disease. Serologic response to crude and semipurified T. cruzi antigens in different clinical groups of patients].

The immune response of people infected by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi varies in indeterminate or chronic periods of infection, according to the course of the disease. Apparently, the antibody pattern is different in asymptomatic patients than in patients with cardio-myopathy. The study of those differences for clinical purposes depends on the availability of adequate antigenic preparations. We studied the behavior of crude and partially purified antigens of T. cruzi in acute and chronically infected patients. The level of total antibodies was measured by conventional serology (indirect immunofluorescence, IF, and indirect hemagglutination, HA) and the level of antibodies against different fractions of antigens obtained by analytical chroma-tofocusing, by using enzymatic immunoassay (ELISA). Chronic patients were classified according to Kuschnir et al. in: Group 0 (G0) or Group 1 (G1) according to the absence or presence of electrocardiographic alterations. In acute patients, conventional serology was negative in most cases. However, the ELISA performed with the soluble fraction of the lysate of parasites, showed positive results in 60% of patients. By classical serology, the behavior of chronic patients sera was different in the two groups when assayed by IF; G1 showing more elevated titles than G0. On the other hand, by HA the results were similar in both groups. When the sera were studied by ELISA using the different fractions, the fraction collected at pH 4-4.5, named F IV, detected distinct reactivity in some of, but not in all, the patients of G1. In that subgroup, the highest ELISA indes (optical density of sera vs OD of negative controls) was observed. By associating IF plus FIV-ELISA the results became more apparent: 22% of sera showed titles by IF equal or more than 1:128 and ELISA index equal or more than 3.5, whereas only 2% of G0 showed this characteristic and all the sera with index equal or more than 4 belonged to G1. With lesser antibody titles it was not possible to differentiate between the two groups. It can be concluded that the study of the pattern of antibodies by using different antigens and serological methodologies can offer useful information in the different periods of Chagas disease, by adding the higher sensitivity of methods using crude antigens with the more specific and discriminative results obtained by the use of purified or synthetic antigens.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Serological level of ICAM and ELAM adhesion molecules in allergic vascularitis.

A 24-patient lot with hypersensitivity vasculitis was investigated for serological determinations of ICAM and ELAM adhesion molecules. Determinations were made in attack and in remission. Over two thirds of the cases presented elevated serological levels of ICAM and ELAM in attack, with twofold higher values than normal. In remission, in the absence of clinical signs, ICAM and ELAM values were normal in 19 cases (ICAM) and 22 cases (ELAM). Serological level of ICAM and ELAM was concordant with serological level of IL-2, IL-6, circulating immune complexes and clinical status. The increased values of ICAM and ELAM are due to the expression of these molecules both on the surface of endothelial cells and on immune cells. The adherence of leukocytes on the endothelial cells, by adhesion molecules involvement, followed by their extravasation represents an important event in the vascular lesion pathogeny of the hypersensitivity vasculitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Comparison of serological and molecular (PCR-SSP) techniques of HLA-DR typing in clinical laboratory routine.

Advances in molecular biology techniques allowed for introduction of PCR-based methods for HLA typing. In routine HLA typing for organ transplantation serological method is still being used as a standard, although molecular techniques are applied more and more often. The aim of our study was to compare HLA-DR typing using traditional serological method and PCR-SSP methodology in routine clinical laboratory. HLA-DR typing was performed using standard microcytotoxicity assay and PCR-SSP method in 28 patients referred to our Transplantation Immunology Unit for HLA typing. Comparison of results obtained by both methods revealed no discrepancies in 5 patients, in 12 patients the PCR-SSP typing showed additional DR antigens or splits of antigens. In 11 patients serological typing turned out to be impossible because of technical problems. Molecular PCR typing allowed for precise antigen determination in all the patients. Comparing both methods we found PCR-SSP HLA typing method very useful in routine HLA-DR determination, especially valuable in patients, in whom some problems in serological testing are expected.

Alleles↗
PubMed1976

A note on serological interpretations.

This paper deals with the interpretation of binary serological data. It attempts to render exact and answer two questions: 1) What are all the serological interpretations of a given set of data? 2) How can different interpretations be distinguished serologically? It is hoped that the formal analysis of serology presented herein will prove to be helpful to those working with complex immunological systems.

Antibody Specificity↗
PubMed1964

SEROLOGICAL TYPING OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS. II. TYPING BY SLIDE AGGLUTINATION AND COMPARISON WITH PHAGE TYPING.

Cohen, Jay O. (Communicable Disease Center, Atlanta, Ga.), and P. B. Smith. Serological typing of Staphylococcus aureus. II. Typing by slide agglutination and comparison with phage typing. J. Bacteriol 88:1364-1371. 1964.-Over 700 cultures were typed by both antisera and phages; 15 serotypes accounted for 481 of the cultures. The i factor was found predominantly in phage group II strains, and the n factor was found in group III, whereas the c(1) factor was found in both groups II and III. Factors h, k, and m were found predominantly in groups I and II. Strains of phage type 80/81 were somewhat heterogeneous serologically. When cultures were typed by both phages and antisera, more definitive characterization was possible than with either method alone. Closely related cultures usually exhibited the same serotype and phage type. Phage-nontypable strains were usually typable by serology. A total of 60 different serotypes were observed among 183 phage-nontypable strains.

Agglutination↗