1/23. Strong alpha beta and gamma delta TCR response in a patient with disseminated mycobacterium avium infection and lack of NK cells and monocytopenia.infection with atypical mycobacteria occurs mainly in patients with a compromised cellular immune system, in particular in those with a defective T cell or monocyte function. Here we analyzed the specific immune response of an adolescent hiv-negative patient with disseminated mycobacterium avium infection and fatal varizella zoster virus infection. The patient presented with dysplastic hematopoesis of all cell lineage's and a bicytopenia of erythrocytes and leukocytes, but a hematological malignancy could not be found. We found a peripheral lymphopenia and monocytopenia, as well as a lack of NK-cells and B-cells. lymphocytes consisted of 95% T cells, which contained up to 40% of TCR gammadelta CD4-CD8-T-cells (mainly TCR gamma9delta2), few monocytes and B-cells. Approximately 50% of CD3 T-cells showed a CD57 NK-like phenotype. Functional analysis of PBMC revealed a good antigen-specific T cell function if antigen-presenting cells were supplemented from a HLA-matched donor. Moreover, a strong M. avium specific cytotoxicity mediated by TCR alphabeta T-cells could be found in vitro and even ex vivo. In contrast, NK-killing was absent. No evidence for a defect in IL-12 or IFN-gamma production and signaling were found. The data indicate that a strong alphabeta and gammadelta T cell immunity tries to compensate for a deficient monocyte and NK cell function in this patient.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/23. Paroxysmal cold haemoglobinuria in an adult with chicken pox.Paroxysmal cold haemoglobinuria (PCH) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by intravascular haemolysis causing haemoglobinuria. It is due to a biphasic haemolysin known as the Donath-Landsteiner antibody, which binds specifically to the P antigen of red blood cells at low temperatures, leading to complement activation and red cell lysis at 37 degrees C. PCH is a rare disease which predominantly affects the paediatric population, occurring mostly during viral infections. We report on what is possibly the first case of PCH in an adult to be precipitated by chicken pox infection.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/23. pulmonary embolism and transitory anti-beta2-GPI antibodies in an adult with chicken pox.Anti-beta2-glycoprotein I antibodies are considered as a specific marker for the antiphospholipid syndrome. In contrast to lupus circulating anticoagulant and anticardiolipin (aCL) antibodies, they are usually not found at significant levels in infections. We report a case of pulmonary embolism in an adult with varicella. Transient significant levels of aCL antibodies and of IgM anti-beta2-GPI antibodies were observed. No other prothrombotic factor, including free protein S antigen deficiency, was found. The direct pathogenic role of these transient antibodies on the thrombotic event may then be suspected. They are probably associated with VZV acute infection and are absent two months after varicella.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/23. Lupus anticoagulant and protein s deficiency in a child who developed disseminated intravascular coagulation in association with varicella.Varicella is not always a benign disease it may cause serious complications. We report a two-year-old boy with disseminated intravascular coagulation in association with varicella. The patient had the lupus anticoagulant, the antiphospholipid antibody, acquired free protein s deficiency, and increased concentrations of the prothrombin F 1 2 fragment. Intravenous immunoglobulin was administered due to its potential antibody-blocking activity, and the patient responded well. We recommend that children with varicella and disseminated intravascular coagulation should be examined for the lupus anticoagulant, the free protein S antigen, the prothrombin fragment F 1 2 and the other coagulation parameters. Intravenous immunoglobulin administration could be useful in such conditions because of its antibody-blocking activity.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/23. 1: Infections in pregnant women.Some infections are more serious in pregnant than non-pregnant women because of the potential for vertical transmission to the fetus or infant (eg, varicella, rubella, cytomegalovirus infection, toxoplasmosis and listeriosis). Pre-pregnancy or routine antenatal screening for presence of, or susceptibility to, some of these infections and appropriate management can prevent adverse fetal or perinatal outcomes; screening should include rubella IgG, hepatitis b surface antigen, serological tests for syphilis and hiv antibody. If certain other vertically transmissible infections are suspected because of a positive antenatal test result, confirmatory tests for maternal and, if indicated, fetal infection are essential before intervention is considered (eg, cytomegalovirus infection). For some vertically transmissible infections that are not readily preventable, appropriate management of maternal infection can reduce fetal damage (eg, toxoplasmosis).- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/23. Henoch-Schonlein purpura in a child following varicella.Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is one of the most common vasculitis of childhood. It is characterized by nonthrombocytopenic palpable purpura, arthritis, renal and gastrointestinal system (GIS) involvement. HSP is usually triggered by an antigenic stimulus including infectious agents, drugs, cold, insect bite or food. HSP is rarely triggered by Varicella zoster infection. We herein presented a case with HSP following varicella.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/23. Varicella and acute cerebellar ataxia.In two cases of varicella-associated cerebellar ataxia, varicella-zoster antigens in CSF cells were shown by an indirect immunofluorescent technique. Direct viral invasion in CNS disease complicating varicella plays an important part in pathogenesis and rules out a single immune-mediated mechanism.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/23. Poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis flare-up in a patient with varicella infection.A 15-year-old boy with poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis is described. During his recovery from nephritis he acquired varicella, which led to a flare-up of the glomerulonephritis with a transitory increase in blood pressure, body weight, and serum creatinine. We can only speculate on the pathogenetic mechanism of the flare-up. The glomerulonephritis may have been reactivated by immune complexes containing varicella antigens, or the varicella infection may have provoked immunologic changes leading to a new burst of immune complexes containing streptococcal antigens.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/23. immunization of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia with live attenuated varicella vaccine without complete suspension of chemotherapy.A total of 44 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia were immunized against chickenpox with the Oka/Merck strain live attenuated varicella vaccine. Of these children, 24 continued oral chemotherapy with 6-mercaptopurine during the immunization period and 20 had suspension of all chemotherapy for 1 week before and 1 week after the vaccine. Seroconversion, as determined by the detection of fluorescent antibody to membrane antigens, occurred in 91% and did not differ between patients continuing 6-mercaptopurine from those in whom chemotherapy was suspended. fever and/or rash occurred in less than one third of vaccinated children. Unexpected reactions occurred in two vaccinated children, one from each group, both of whom had low absolute lymphocyte counts (less than 750/microL) on the day of immunization. Vaccine-induced immunity appeared effective in preventing or modifying chickenpox after exposure to natural disease.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/23. Reinfection with varicella-zoster virus in immunocompromised patients.A small epidemic of varicella/atypical generalized zoster among 6 immunocompromised patients and one previously healthy person is described. The 6 immunocompromised patients suffered from lymphoproliferative diseases in terminal stages treated with chemotherapy and reported varicella in their childhood. They developed a generalized maculopapular rash with hemorrhagic bullae and necroses. The infection passed from one patient to another during a 3-month period in the department. They were placed in adjacent rooms and nursed by the same staff. The most specific diagnostic tool was the detection of varicella-zoster virus antigen from vesicles by ELISA technique. The epidemic was supposed to be caused by exogenous reinfection with varicella-zoster virus, and illustrated that generalized zoster may be even so infectious as varicella and that immunocompromised patients should be protected against reinfection.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = antigen (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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