Induction of a cytotoxic T cell response by co-injection of a T helper peptide and a cytotoxic T lymphocyte peptide in incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA): Further enhancement by pre-injection of IFA alone

We have previously demonstrated that it is possible to induce a consistent and strong cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTL) response to synthetic peptides, corresponding to poorly immunogenic malaria CTL epitopes, by co-injecting them with peptides representing defined T helper (Th) epitopes in incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA). In this study we have tested different immunization protocols to improve further the elicitation of the CTL response. We show that the CTL response to a mixture of Th + CTL peptides administered in IFA was further enhanced by a previous injection of the Th epitope peptide in IFA. Moreover, we found that the response could be significantly augmented by a pre-injection of IFA alone. This enhancement was observed only if the Th epitope was also present in the second injection. The number of lymph node cells recovered was 2–3-fold higher in mice pre-injected with IFA, but the increase in specific CTL activity, expressed as lytic units per animal, by pre-injection of IFA was at least 10–20-fold. Thus, pre-injection of IFA clearly increases the magnitude of a subsequent CTL response.     

Evaluation of DNA colony hybridization and other techniques for detection of virulence in Yersinia species.

The virulence of yersiniae varies according to (i) species and biotype and (ii) possession of a 67- to 72-kilobase virulence plasmid. Y. pestis, Y. pseudotuberculosis, and biotypes 1B, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of Y. enterocolitica are inherently virulent but express full virulence only when in possession of a virulence plasmid. Other Yersinia species and biotypes 1A and 3B of Y. enterocolitica are seldom implicated in disease. In this study, we prepared DNA probes from eight nonoverlapping regions of the virulence plasmid of a strain of Y. enterocolitica and from the inv and ail chromosomal loci responsible for the invasive capacity of Y. enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis. The probes were used in colony hybridization experiments to investigate 156 yersiniae of various species and biotypes and of differing virulence. Probes prepared from the inv gene of Y. pseudotuberculosis hybridized with Y. pseudotuberculosis and Y. pestis only, whereas an analogous probe prepared from Y. enterocolitica hybridized with all species and biotypes of yersiniae (but not with other bacteria) regardless of virulence or potential virulence. Probes prepared from the ail region of Y. enterocolitica reacted almost exclusively with Y. enterocolitica strains of pathogenic biotypes. Probes prepared from the virulence plasmid of a serogroup O:8, biotype 1B isolate of Y. enterocolitica identified virulent yersiniae in all species with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity. These probes did not react with yersiniae of avirulent biotypes or species. Of the other assays of virulence evaluated (calcium dependence, binding of crystal violet, and pyrazinamidase activity), binding of crystal violet provided a simple means for identifying plasmid-bearing strains.     

Emerging Infections Program—State Health Department Perspective

The Emerging Infections Program (EIP) is a collaboration between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and 10 state health departments working with academic partners to conduct active population-based surveillance and special studies for several emerging infectious disease issues determined to need special attention. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funds the 10 EIP sites through cooperative agreements. Our objective was to highlight 1) what being an EIP site has meant for participating health departments and associated academic centers, including accomplishments and challenges, and 2) the synergy between the state and federal levels that has resulted from the collaborative relationship. Sharing these experiences should provide constructive insight to other public health programs and other countries contemplating a collaborative federal–local approach to collective public health challenges.     

ALK-negative lung inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor in a young adult: A case report and literature review of molecular alterations

Rationale:Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare mesenchymal tumor that is prevalent among children and adolescents. Surgery is the most important therapeutic approach for IMT and complete resection is recommended. Although 50% of IMTs show anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangements, crizotinib has proven an effective therapeutic approach. However, the genetic landscape of this tumor is still not fully understood and treatment options are limited, especially in the majority of ALK-negative tumors.Patient concerns:We describe the clinical case of a healthy 18-year-old female in whom a pulmonary nodule was incidentally detectedDiagnoses:Following a small increase in the size of the nodule, the patient underwent both ¹⁸FDG-PET/CT and ⁶⁸Ga-PET/CT, resulting in a suspicion of bronchial hamartoma.Interventions:The patient underwent surgery and a salivary gland-like lung tumor was diagnosed.Outcomes:After surgery, the patient was referred to our cancer center, where a review of the histology slides gave a final diagnosis of ALK-negative lung IMT. Given the histology, it was decided not to administer adjuvant therapy and the patient was placed in a 3-monthly follow-up program. The patient is still disease-free 2 years post-surgery.Lessons:Although there is no standard of care for the treatment of IMT, identifying genomic alterations could help to redefine the management of patients with negative-ALK disease. Our review of the literature on IMT and other kinase fusions revealed, in addition to ALK rearrangements, the potential association of ROS1, NTRK, RET, or PDGFR beta alterations with the tumor.     

Small Bowell Malignant Melanoma-Report of Three Cases and Review of Literature

Malignant melanomas have a predilection to metastasize to the small bowel. Three patients with malignant melanoma involving the small bowel are reported. Two patients were operated on for small bowel obstruction and the third for gastrointestinal bleeding with anemia. Two patients remained well 6 month and 2 years, respectively, after surgery. One patient died of metastatic cerebral melanoma 6 months postoperatively.

One should suspect small bowel metastasis in every patient with malignant melanoma in his past medical history, who presents with recent changes in bowel habits, intestinal obstruction or gastrointestinal bleeding. Preoperative assessment can only raise the suspicion, even with advanced imaging methods: capsule endoscopy, enteroscopy, CT or PET-CT. The only therapeutic procedure is surgical resection, offering both short term survival as well as an improvement in the quality of life. Although prognosis is dismal there are factors associated with prolonged survival: complete surgical resection with no residual primary or metastatic tumor, so-called primary small bowel tumors in patients aged more then 60 years, LDH < 200 U/L, lack of tumor spread in mesenteric lymph nodes.