Hepatitis C virus association with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Infectious etiology has been confirmed only in a few lymphoproliferative disorders such as human T-cell lymphotropic virus in adult T-cell leukemia lymphoma, Epstein-Barr virus in African-type Burkitt's lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease, and Helicobacter pylori infection in primary gastric B-cell lymphoma. In recent years, Ferri and colleagues have found hepatitis C virus (HCV) association with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) in Italy. The aim of our study was to determine the HCV association in NHL patients in Antalya. Forty-eight patients (22 women and 26 men, with a median age of 52 years) with NHL were included in the study. The control group consisted of 28 patients with various hematological disorders (11 women and 17 men with a median age of 50 years). Anti-HCV antibodies were investigated in 48 patients, and HCV RNA was assessed in 35 of them. Anti-HCV antibodies were found to be negative in the NHL group, but HCV RNA was positive in the serum of three patients (8.6%), who were diagnosed with diffuse small cell lymphoma (19%). Anti-HCV antibodies and HCV RNA were negative in the control group. Since HCV association with NHL has previously been reported in Italy, it is likely that both genetic and environmental factors in the Mediterranean sea-region may be involved in the oncogenesis in HCV RNA-positive patients. Multicenter studies with large patient groups will disclose the true association of HCV with NHL in Turkey.     

Fatal infection associated with group C streptococci.

Serious infection caused by Lancefield group C streptococci is unusual in man. Two unrelated deaths associated with these organisms in a 55 year old woman who died after three days of diarrhoea and vomiting, and in a 65 old man who died after a week of non-specific symptoms, are presented. Post mortem examination showed septicaemia in the former and severe aortic stenosis with widespread septic emboli and probable meningitis in the latter. Lancefield group C streptococci were isolated from both cases. These organisms may be carried asymptomatically and usually cause disease in animals but cases of serious human infection have recently been described, mainly in elderly patients or those with other predisposing factors.     

Murine xenotropic type C viruses. II. Phenotypic mixing with mouse and rat ecotropic type C viruses.

Polyhedral particles in crude extracts and partially purified preparations from leaf gall tissue of Fiji disease virus (FDV)-infected sugarcane have been examined in an electron microscope after negative staining or freeze-drying and shadowing. The FDV particle is a double-shelled, icosahedral structure consisting of a stable core surrounded by an unstable outer shell. The intact virus particle in freeze-dried and shadowed preparations is about 67 nm in diameter with projections (A spikes), about 14 nm wide and 8 nm long, at the 12 vertices of the icosahedron. The A spikes are attached to the projections (B spikes) of the 54-nm core which are about 19 nm wide and 9 nm long. The resolution of the FDV-particle substructure in negatively stained preparations was not sufficient to determine the size and arrangement of the capsomeres. The morphology of FDV was compared to that of reovirus prepared for electron microscopy by similar techniques; although the two viruses possess similar general structure and complexity, some significant differences were readily recognized. It is concluded that the FDV particle is remarkably similar to that of maize rough dwarf virus, confirming the suggestion that the two viruses are closely related.     

Isoprenoid quinones of Campylobacter cryaerophila, C. cinaedi, C. fennelliae, C. hyointestinalis, C. pylori, and "C. upsaliensis"

The isoprenoid quinone contents of Campylobacter cryaerophila, C. cinaedi, C. fennelliae, C. hyointestinalis, C. pylori, and "C. upsaliensis" were determined by reverse-phase thin-layer and high-performance liquid chromatography. All six of these recently named Campylobacter species contained menaquinone-6 (MK-6), but only C. hyointestinalis and "C. upsaliensis" contained 2,[5 or 8]-dimethyl-3-farnesyl-farnesyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (*MK-6), a previously described novel menaquinone of the Campylobacter genus. C. cryaerophila, C. cinaedi, C. fennelliae, and C. pylori contained an unidentified quinone (Un-MK-6) with a molecular weight of 580 and a base peak ion of m/e = 225 by mass spectrometry but with chromatographic properties different from those of MK-6. *MK-6 and Un-MK-6 are important chemotaxonomic markers of Campylobacter and Campylobacter-like organisms.     

Hepatitis C virus genotypes in Hungarian and Austrian patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes are relevant to epidemiological questions, vaccine development, and clinical management of chronic HCV infection. The aim of this study was to determine HCV genotypes of South Hungarian and Southeast Austrian patients with chronic hepatitis C. Results were obtained by the largely automated TruGene HCV 5'NC Genotyping Kit (Visible Genetics, Toronto, Ontario) and by phylogenetic analysis. All of the 20 Hungarian patients and 15 out of 20 Austrian patients were infected with genotype 1. The remaining Austrian patients were infected with genotypes 3 or 2. With the commercially available assay, it was not possible to determine the HCV subtype in a total of three patients. The TruGene HCV 5'NC Genotyping assay for the determination of HCV genotypes proved to be useful for a high-throughput routine diagnostic laboratory.     

C1: molecular interactions with activating systems.

The molecular events controlling complement activation have been gradually unravelled over the past three decades, stimulated by improved isolation procedures and a better understanding of the roles of individual proteins. In this review, Bob Sim and Ken Reid examine the interactions between C1q and its numerous ligands in the initiation of the classical pathway cascade.     

Genetic deficiency of C4, C2 or C1q and lupus syndromes. Association with anti-Ro (SS-A) antibodies.

Sera from 15 patients with genetically determined complement component deficiencies were studied for the presence of antibodies to various nuclear antigens. One of three patients with C2 deficiency presented with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); all eight patients with C4 deficiency had either SLE or a lupus-like syndrome, and two of four patients with functional C1q deficiency had SLE. Five of nine complement deficiency patients with SLE studied had measurable antinuclear antibody titres, but only two had antibodies against native DNA. Precipitating antibodies against extractable nuclear antigens were found in sera from seven of the 11 complement deficient patients with SLE; one had only antibodies against antigens extracted from calf thymus (ECT), six patients (one with C2 deficiency, four with C4 deficiency and one with C1q deficiency) had anti-Ro (SS-A) antibodies with or without anti-ECT antibodies. The frequency of anti-Ro antibodies in the complement deficient population with SLE (55%) was significantly higher (P less than 0.02) than that of a control population of SLE patients without genetically determined complement deficiencies (27%).     

A. C. Oudemans

Ohne ZusammenfassungZ. Parasitenkde12, 501–506 (1942).     

C heterochromatin variation in couples with recurrent early abortions.

The possible influence of the high polymorphic C heterochromatic regions of human chromosomes 1, 9, 16, and Y on meiotic chromosome segregation was investigated. Faulty chromosome segregation may be the result of either an abnormal quantity of C heterochromatin on the homologues, or disequilibrium between the homologues. The aim of our study was to determine whether either a variation in the amounts of total C heterochromatin or differences in the amounts of C heterochromatin between homologues could lead to faulty chromosome segregation. The study was performed on C banded metaphases obtained from peripheral lymphocyte cultures of 15 couples with recurrent early abortions and 15 control couples, all Caucasians. Analysis of variance was first performed on separate metaphases to measure intra-individual, inter-individual, and between population variation in a hierarchical model. Since the significant intra-individual differences covered the other parameters we performed, secondly, a one way analysis of variance on the mean values of metaphases per person in order to measure the inter-individual and between population variation. The results did not show a relationship between C heterochromatin lengths and occurrence of recurrent abortions.     

精神分裂症患者潜在人格特点分析

本文采用主题统觉测验修订版（ＴＡＴ－Ｒ．Ｃ）,对６０名精神分裂症患者进行测试。结果显示,患者在“欲求”亚量表上的得分和常模达到显著差异,在成就、支配、性、援助、情绪言语、攻击等欲求上,显著低于常模组;而在躯体社会攻击、自我攻击、消极等欲求上,显著高于常模组。在各“压力”亚量表上患者得分均值都高于常模组,大多达到显著性水平。精神分裂症患者的压力与欲求间存在着明显的差异,这种差异和其病程呈正相关。     

C3b inactivator deficiency with immune complex manifestations.

We report a complete C3b inactivator deficiency in a 28-year-old patient referred for bronchiectasis and recurrent pneumonia. In addition to these recurrent infections, previously described with this deficiency, he also had several immune complex manifestations (rheumatoid factor, circulating immune complexes and one episode of serum sickness). The consequences of C3b inactivator deficiency on complement activation, chemotaxis and opsonization, clearance of immune complexes, and on red blood cell sensitization are discussed. The study of the parents showed an autosomal dominant transmission.     

Pathogenicity and virulence of Candida dubliniensis: comparison with C. albicans.

Candida dubliniensis is a newly described fungus that is frequently isolated from the oral cavities of HIV-positive patients. Although extensive studies have been performed on the phylogeny of C. dubliniensis, little is known about the pathogenic ecology of this yeast. Here we examined aspects related to C. dubliniensis in comparison with those of C. albicans. When injected intravenously into mice, C. dubliniensis had a higher survival rate than C. albicans. Histopathological analysis disclosed that C. dubliniensis remained mostly in the yeast form in the infected organs, whereas C. albicans changed into the mycelial form. The host inflammatory reaction was aggressive with C. dubliniensis infection and mild with C. albicans infection. Co-culture of the yeasts with human polymorphonuclear leukocytes disclosed that C. dubliniensis is more vulnerable to the fungicidal activity of leukocytes than C. albicans. C. dubliniensis was also more susceptible to the toxic effect of hydrogen peroxide. When cultured in vitro, C. dubliniensis grew more slowly than C. albicans, but the formation of germ tubes was faster. When the fungi were cultured in RPMI 1640, a fetal bovine serum supplement suppressed the growth of C. dubliniensis but enhanced that of C. albicans. These results clearly indicated that C. dubliniensis is less virulence than C. albicans.     

Microarray-based identification of thermophilic Campylobacter jejuni,C. coli,C. lari,and C. upsaliensis

DNA microarrays are an excellent potential tool for clinical microbiology, since this technology allows relatively rapid identification and characterization of microbial and viral pathogens. In the present study, an oligonucleotide microarray was developed and used for the analysis of thermophilic Campylobacter spp., the primary food-borne pathogen in the United States. We analyzed four Campylobacter species: Campylobacter jejuni, C. coli, C. lari, and C. upsaliensis. Our assay relies on the PCR amplification of specific regions in five target genes (fur, glyA, cdtABC, ceuB-C, and fliY) as a first step, followed by microarray-based analysis of amplified DNAs. Alleles of two genes, fur and glyA, which are found in all tested thermophilic Campylobacter spp., were used for identification and discrimination among four bacterial species, the ceuB-C gene was used for discrimination between C. jejuni and C. coli, and the fliY and cdt genes were used as additional genetic markers specific either for C. upsaliensis and C. lari or for C. jejuni. The array was developed and validated by using 51 previously characterized Campylobacter isolates. All isolates were unambiguously identified on the basis of hybridization patterns with 72 individual species-specific oligoprobes. Microarray identification of C. jejuni and C. coli was confirmed by PCR amplification of other genes used for identification (hipO and ask). Our results demonstrate that oligonucleotide microarrays are suitable for rapid and accurate simultaneous differentiation among C. jejuni, C. coli, C. lari, and C. upsaliensis.     

Hepatitis B vaccination in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety, immunogenicity, and possible therapeutic effect of hepatitis B vaccine in patients with chronic hepatitis C. The subjects studied included three groups: group I, 26 patients with chronic hepatitis C who were susceptible to hepatitis B virus infection; group II, 35 healthy subjects who were susceptible to both hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infection; and group III, 30 patients with chronic hepatitis C receiving no hepatitis B vaccination as controls. Three 20 microg/dose of recombinant hepatitis B vaccines were given to subjects of groups I and II in months 0, 1, and 6. Blood samples from the subjects were collected before and 1 month after each dose of vaccination for serological testing. The subjects of groups I and II had similar antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) response rates after the first (30.8% vs. 17.1%), second (61.5% vs. 60.0%), and third (88.5% vs. 91.4%) doses of vaccination. Also, their geometric mean titers of anti-HBs did not differ much when vaccination completed in 7 months (360 vs. 581 mIU/ml). During vaccination period, patients with chronic hepatitis C demonstrated no significant change of serum cytokines and HCV RNA levels, but significantly lowered ALT levels after three doses of vaccination. Hepatitis B vaccination is safe and immunogenic in patients with chronic hepatitis C. It did not significantly affect their levels of HCV RNA, but tended to lower ALT levels.     

Brachydactyly type C associated with shortening of the hallux.

A four generation autosomal dominant pedigree of brachydactyly type C is presented with its radiological features. The hands and feet were similarly affected. All the subjects showing these changes had shortening of the big toes and, in addition, had cupped ears.     

Combined familial C7 and C4B deficiency in an adult with meningococcal disease.

A case of meningococcal septicaemia is reported in an adult with a deficiency of the seventh component of complement combined with a deficiency of the B locus product of C4. A family study demonstrated that the two deficiencies were not linked. This is the first time that the individual alleles of C4 were determined in a patient with a deficiency of one component of the terminal pathway. It is possible that the heterogeneous clinical picture of a terminal pathway deficiency may, in part, be explained by the co-existence of other subtle complement defects.