Biotypes and serotypes of Haemophilus influenzae from patients with meningitis in the city of São Paulo, Brazil.

A total of 1,094 Haemophilus influenzae isolates from cerebrospinal fluid were examined by biochemical and serological means. Most of them belonged to biotype I (70.9%) and to serotype b (99.4%). The relationship of biotypes I and II to the ages of the patients was shown to be significant (P < 0.001).     

Survey of rotavirus G and P types associated with human gastroenteritis in São Paulo, Brazil, from 1986 to 1992.

Rotavirus strains causing gastroenteritis in Brazilian children were characterized by PCR-based typing assays. In addition to strains bearing the major human G and P types, large numbers of strains bearing P3 (M37-like), P6 (HCR3-like), untypeable P and G types, and complex mixtures of P and G types not previously recognized were present in the community.     

Maturational effects of thymic hormones on human helper and suppressor T cells: effects of FTS ('Facteur Thymique Sérique') and thymosin.

Human peripheral blood lymphocytes were isolated from healthy donors and pre-incubated with two thymic factors, FTS, a new synthetic polypeptide originally isolated and purified from serum, and thymosin Fraction V. After 24 hr of pre-incubation, the cells were washed and added to an allogeneic MLR and assayed for their ability to induce a suppressor or helper response. It was found that both factots were capable of inducing both helper and suppressor T cells and that the response was unpredictable. In both instances, more than 50% of the subjects studied responded with a helper effect. The addition of Con A augmented these effects. Since both helper and suppressor T cells can be induced by the factors studied herein, one must be aware of the potential effects on T-T and T-B balances of manipulation in clinical situations such as SLE or cellular immune deficiency states.     

Anti-galactan activity in Tridacna maxima (Röding) haemolymph. Calcium dependence of the haemagglutinins and precipitins.

A powerful natural agglutinin with haemagglutinating and precipitating properties has been found in the haemolymph from the elongate clam Tridacna maxima (Röding). The agglutinin shows anti-galactan properties and reacts with a variety of bacteria-, plant-, invertebrate- and vertebrate-derived galactans, glycopeptides and polysaccharides. Previous studies which showed that the agglutinin-combining sites were inhibited by 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-galactose and D-galactose also revealed some anomalies in the reactions of the agglutinin with different saccharide-containing macromolecules. In an attempt to resolve these anomalies, the present study further examines the precipitating and haemagglutinating properties of the agglutinin and illustrates a requirement of the agglutinin for Ca2+. The ability of the T. maxima agglutinin to precipitate with structures containing terminal beta-linked 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-galactopyranosyl or D-galactopyranosyl groups suggests that the Tridacna haemolymph and purified lectin will find considerable application in the study of many biologically important carbohydrates.     

Immunological and virological studies of cultured labial biopsy cells from patients with Sjögren''s syndrome

Labial salivary gland tissues from twenty-five patients were cultured in vitro for virus studies and for use as target cells in cellular and antibody-mediated cytotoxicity assays. Fourteen patients had definite Sjögren's Syndrome (SS), four had possible SS and seven did not have SS. No evidence for the presence of a virus in the cultured cells or after chemical treatment of the cultured cells was obtained. Tubuloreticular structures were present in three of the original biopsies but were not seen in the corresponding cultured cells, although in two of these cell lines rare bundles of intranuclear microfibrils occurred. The significance of these structures is unknown. Autologous serum and autologous lymphocytes were not cytotoxic for the cultured cells.     

Complex rearrangements involving der(8)t(8;20) and der(14)t(8;14)t(11;14), CCND1, and duplication of IgH constant region in acute plasmablastic leukemia

We report on a rapidly fatal case of acute plasmablastic leukemia in a 72-year-old male from The Ukraine, who was 70 km away from Chernobyl at the time of the atomic accident in 1986. Spectral karyotyping and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) studies of a bone marrow sample obtained at diagnosis revealed a hypodiploid karyotype with 45 chromosomes and two novel complex rearrangements, der(8)t(8;20)(p11.2;p?12) and der(14)t(8;14)(p?;p11.2)t(11;14)(q13;q32), with juxtaposition of CH (constant region of IgH) sequences to the oncogene CCND1 (translocated to 14q32). FISH analysis demonstrated that the CH on the der(14) was duplicated.     

IL-1 receptor antagonist in saliva; characterization in normal saliva and reduced concentration in Sjo¨gren's syndrome (SS)

The characterization of a salivary factor cross-reacting with IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) is described. The apparent molecular weights of two species were 23 kD, consistent with the secreted peptide (sIL-1Ra), and 20 kD, consistent with the intracellular peptide (icIL-1Ra). It had an inhibitory activity on IL-1-stimulated fibroblasts, which is characteristic of IL-1Ra. Its source was the oral mucosa and not the salivary glands. Saliva from patients with SS contained significantly less IL-1Ra than saliva from controls. The decrease was marked in patients with early dental loss but whose xerostomia was still partial. In SS, the salivary IL-1/IL-1Ra imbalance may promote inflammatory lesions in the mouth and impede mucosal cell differentiation.     

The relationship between exposed galactose and N-acetylglucosamine residues on IgG in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA) and Sjögren's syndrome (SS)

The relationship between exposed galactose and N-acetylglucosamine on IgG in RA, JCA and SS was investigated. This was achieved using IgG isolated from serum where the levels of galactose and N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) were detected using biotinylated lectins. Galactose and GlcNAc on IgG from patients with RA and JCA are inversely related, but in contrast, in SS, galactose expression on IgG decreased while GlcNAc expression remained similar to normal levels. Alterations in IgG glycosylation are closely associated with the development of adult and juvenile chronic arthritis and SS, but the changes involved are different in RA compared with SS, suggesting that the precise pattern of exposed sugars is associated with different rheumatological diseases.     

Distribution of serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from invasive infections over a 16-year period in the greater São Paulo area, Brazil.

Capsular types of pneumococci from normally sterile body sites of 1,622 patients in Brazil were analyzed. Of 1,477 isolates from cerebrospinal fluid, 76.1% were of types represented in the currently available pneumococcal vaccine. The importance of age, time, and place in determining the optimal formulation of pneumococcal vaccine is considered.     

Persistence of Epstein-Barr virus in salivary gland biopsies from healthy individuals and patients with Sjögren''s syndrome.

Salivary gland biopsies from 12 patients with primary Sjögren''s syndrome and 10 controls were examined for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA by in-situ hybridization and for EBV proteins by immunofluorescence and peroxidase techniques. Viral DNA was found in biopsies from two out of 12 patients with primary Sjögren''s syndrome and six out of the 10 controls. The DNA and early antigen were in epithelial cells lining the ducts and acini, early antigen expression being limited to the luminal side of the epithelium. In eight biopsies studied with other antibodies, membrane antigen was identified in both acini and ducts but viral capsid antigen and Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen were not detected. EBV was found in biopsies from five of the controls without inflammation or Class II expression. This suggests that, in health, persistence and replication occur without inducing an immune response, possibly due to the restricted expression of early antigen on the luminal of the epithelium, away from immune surveillance. The inflammation in Sjögren''s syndrome could be due to a breakdown of this unusual mechanism for viral persistence leading to a vigorous immune response to the virus. However our study provides no evidence to suggest that EBV infection load is increased in this disease.     

Mite (Der p I, Der f I), cat (Fel d I) and dog (Can f I) allergens in dust from Swedish day-care centres

Early exposure to allergens is important for sensitization to inhalant allergens and it has been reported that there is a causal relationship between allergen exposure and bronchial asthma. We investigated the levels of major mite (Der p I/Der f I), cat (Fel d I) and dog (Can f I) allergen levels in dust collected from various locations in seven day-care centres (22 sections). The allergen levels were related to the characteristics of the day-care centres. Children and staff were questioned about contacts with animals, and cleaning personnel were asked about methods and frequency of cleaning. Mite allergen was found in nine of the 22 sections. The concentrations varied between < 16 ng/g and 106 ng/g dust (median < 16 ng/g). Mite allergen was not detected in any floor dust sample. Cat and dog allergen was detected in all centres and sections. The concentrations of dog allergen (median 4.3 μg/g; range < 60 ng-21 μg/g) were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of cat allergen (median 1.6 μg/g; range < 16 ng-22.8 μg/g). Higher amounts of both Fel d I and Can f I were observed on mattresses/sofas/cushion like toys and curtains than on tables/chairs and floors. The levels of cat or dog allergen on floors significantly correlated with the total number of children and staff with either a cat or a dog at home and or frequent contacts with them. Neither cleaning methods nor the frequency of cleaning influenced the allergen concentrations. The concentration of Fel d I was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in washed than in never washed curtains. We conclude that Fel d I and Can f I allergens are ubiquitous in day-care centres. The allergens are probably carried there in the clothes of children and staff. Day-care centres should be considered a cause of exposure to indoor allergens. Curtains, toys and upholstery were the most important reservoirs. We suggest that the concentration of allergen in curtains reflects long-term exposure to airborne indoor allergens, since they are mainly exposed to airborne allergens.