ISSN:0011-9059    

DOI:10.1111/j.1365-4362.1996.tb02969.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0011-9059    

DOI:10.1111/j.1365-4362.1996.tb02970.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0011-9059    

DOI:10.1111/j.1365-4362.1996.tb02971.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0011-9059    

DOI:10.1111/j.1365-4362.1996.tb02972.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0011-9059    

DOI:10.1111/j.1365-4362.1996.tb02973.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractObjective.This study analyzes the major clinical characteristics of patients with active leprosy in relation to the in vitro immune response to the T‐ lymphocyte activator anti‐CD3.Methods.Thirty‐eight patients with an established diagnosis of leprosy were classified according to the Ridley and Jopling table. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from both lepromatous leprosy (LL) and tuberculoid leprosy (TL) patients and healthy controls were used to evaluate lymphocyte proliferation; immunoenzymatic assays were used to evaluate cytokine production (IL‐I, IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐6, IL‐10, IFN‐gamma).Results.Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from both LL and TL patients displayed blastogenic responses to anti‐ CD3. The cytokines IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐10, and IFN‐γ were detected in culture supernatants. Endogenous production of IL‐1ß was significantly higher in cell cultures from patients with the lepromatous form of the disease compared to those with tuberculoid leprosy. Production of IL‐6 in response to anti CD3 was observed in a significantly higher proportion of LL than TL patients (P = 0.0025). Gamma‐interferon production did not differ between TL and LL, but a direct correlation was observed between time of multidrug treatment and IFN production in vitro (P = 0.016). Interleukin‐10 was detected in culture supernatants of lymphocytes activated by anti‐CD3 from both patient groups, but not from healthy controls.Conclusions.The findings of this study suggest that patients with the two distinct forms of leprosy are capable of responding to a polyclonal T‐lymphocyte stimulus such as anti‐CD3 and provide evidence suggestive of alterations in the immune responses mediated by cytokines that may contribute to the s

ISSN:0011-9059    

DOI:10.1111/j.1365-4362.1996.tb02974.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractBackground.Bacterial infections occur frequently in lesions of atopic dermatitis (AD). The objectives of the study were to establish the aerobic and anaerobic microbiology of secondarily infected AD.Methods.A retrospective review was carried out of clinical and microbiology laboratory records and of data obtained from patients with secondarily infected AD lesions, whose specimens of infected sites were processed for the presence of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.Results.Bacterial growth was noted in 41 specimens. Aerobic or facultative anaerobic bacteria only were present in 15 patients (36%), anaerobic bacteria only in eight (20%), and mixed anaerobic‐aerobic flora was present in 18 (44%). Seventy‐ two isolates were recovered (1.8 per specimen), 34 aerobic or facultative bacteria, 35 strict anaerobes, and threeCandidasp. The predominant aerobic and facultative bacteria wereStaphylococcus aureus(12 isolates). Group A beta hemolytic streptococcus in five isolates, andEscherichia coliin four. The predominant anaerobes werepeptostreptococcusspp. (13 isolates), pigmentedPrevotellaandPorphyromonasspp. in eight, andFusobacteriumspp. in four isolates. Single bacterial isolates were recovered in 14 patients (34%), seven of which wereS. aureus.Twenty‐one of the organisms isolated from 16 patients (39%) produced the enzyme beta‐lactamase. Organisms that resided in the mucous membranes close to the lesions predominated in these infections. Enteric gram‐negative rods andbacteroides fragilisgroup predominated in lesions on legs and buttocks. Group A beta‐hemolytic streptococci, pigmentedPrevotella, andPorphyromonasandFusobacteriumspp. were most frequently recovered in lesions of the finger, scalp, face, and neck.Conclusions.The polymicrobial etiology of secondarily infected AD lesions and the association of bacterial flora with the anatomic site of the lesions are d

ISSN:0011-9059    

DOI:10.1111/j.1365-4362.1996.tb02975.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractBackground.The incidence of genital herpes is increasing worldwide. Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV–2) is the most common cause of genital ulcerations among the sexually transmitted diseases (STDS). In order to investigate the sexual transmission of genital herpes infection in Brazil, the prevalence of specific antibodies to HSV‐2, in populations of high and low risk for STDS was evaluated.Methods.The population at low risk for STDS was composed of 155 voluntary blood donors at the University Hospitals between February and August, 1994. The population at high risk for STDS was composed of 85 HIV‐seropositive persons, consisting of homosexual and promiscuous heterosexual men. A group of 20 highly active prostitutes was also studied between May and July, 1994. All blood samples were screened using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that detects type‐specific antibodies to HSV–2 glycoprotein G. Before donating blood, all persons in the study group were given a questionnaire concerning risk factors for acquisition of STDS and suitable to show the socioepidemiologic characteristics of the subjects.Results.The prevalence of ELISA showing HSV–2 infections among HIV‐seroposite persons, was 73% (P<0.01). In the whole group at high risk for STDS, the prevalence was 72% (P<0.05). Infection with HSV‐2, as determined by seroprevalence, was significantly and independently associated with years of sexual activity, history of previous STDS, number of sexual partners in the previous month, number of pregnancies, and previous induced abortions, as well as the percentage of sexual acts involving receptive

ISSN:0011-9059    

DOI:10.1111/j.1365-4362.1996.tb02976.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractBackground.In cases of psoriasis (PS), the etiology of the underlying liver disease is occasionally unknown. To investigate antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti‐HCV), their prevalence and clinical significance, 118 unselected outpatients with PS were studied prospectively.Methods.Anti‐HCV was assayed in serum by second‐generation enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), considering a serum anti‐HCV (+), when the optical density ratio was equal to or greater than three times the cut‐off value, in duplicate determinations, whereas anti‐HBc, anti‐HBs, HBsAg, anti‐HBe, and HBeAg were also evaluated by ELISA, as were the transaminases. As controls we took the 1.2% anti‐HCV prevalence found in 60,000 blood donors from Buenos Aires city.Results.Nine of 118 serum samples (7.6%) proved to be anti‐HCV (+) (P<0.001). There were no differences between positive and negative cases as regards gender, age, history of hepatitis, transfusions, or parenteral exposure, disease duration, or psoriasis type, and prior treatment with methotrexate and etretinate. Fifteen percent (17/113) were anti‐HBc (+), 64.7% anti‐HBs (+) (11/17) and 2.5% HBsAg (+) (3/17), whereas 3/17 (2.5%) showed isolated anti‐HBc positivity. Liver biopsies in six anti‐HCV patients disclosed four with chronic active hepatitis, one with cirrhosis, and one with steatosis.Conclusions.In the presence of liver disease in PS patients, an HCV infection should be considered as an alternative diagnosis. The high anti‐HCV prevalence in this series is attributable to infection by inapparent parenteral routes, through minute skin abrasions, as repor

ISSN:0011-9059    

DOI:10.1111/j.1365-4362.1996.tb02977.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractBackground and Objective.Venereal syphilis is uncommon in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other Gulf states in the Middle East. Although nonvenereal syphilis (bejel) has been reported to be endemic in some of these countries, the extent of treponematoses in the UAE is unknown. The objectives were therefore, to investigate those who attended the outpatient clinic of a hospital in the UAE and to establish the seroprevalence of treponematoses and related clinical conditions.Methods. One thousand and eighty‐four patients were serologically screened with a Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) andTreponema pallidumhemagglutination (TPHA) tests. The charts of seropositive and seronegative patients, matched for age and sex, were reviewed and compared for clinical problems.Results.A total of 47 people tested had antitreponema antibodies. The positivity rates varied considerably and rose with age from 0.36% for persons50‐year age range possibly due to old or attenuated be

ISSN:0011-9059    

DOI:10.1111/j.1365-4362.1996.tb02978.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY