Serum opsonins of control children of different ages

Sera from a group of randomly selected control children between the ages of one and fourteen years were assessed for opsonic activity utilising the Neutrophil Iodination Micro-Method (NIMM). The opsonic capacity of fresh and heat inactivated serum from these children was compared with that of adult controls utilising the following micro-organisms: C. albicans, S. cerevisiae, zymosan, S. aureus (Oxford and Cowan I strains), S. epidermidis, E. coli meningitidis, and a nonpathogenic strain of E coli. The overall opsonic capacity of children under the age of four was similar to that of the adults and the older children (four to fourteen years) for all the micro-organisms tested except C. albicans. With five of the eight micro-organisms tested the heat stable opsonic activity of children in the younger age group was significantly lower than the other two groups tested. It is suggested that opsonic function in children approaches that of adults around the fourth year of life.     

Decreased opsonization for Streptococcus pneumoniae in sickle cell disease: studies on selected complement components and immunoglobulins.

Opsonic activity for Streptococcus pneumoniae in the sera of patients with sickle cell disease was reduced in comparison to the opsonic activity of sera from age-matched normal children. No difference in opsonic activity for Escherichi coli was observed in the sera from patients or normals. Total hemolytic complement, conversion of C3 by inulin and cobra venom factor, and levels of C3, factor B, properdin, C3b inactivator, and immunoglobulins G, A, and M were normal in patients' sera. The opsonic abnormality for S. pneumoniae was attributed to a deficiency of serum proteins rather than to an inhibitor of opsonic function. The data suggest that decreased opsonization was not associated with a deficiency of those complement components or immunoglobulins measured in this study.     

Macrophage function in kwashiorkor

Serum opsonic activity of heat inactivated plasma of 6 children suffering from kwashiorkor was assayed and compared with that of 6 control children. The function of macrophages per se and the opsonic activity mostly contributed by antibodies were found to be unaltered in kwas hiorkor.     

DEFECTIVE BACTERICIDAL FUNCTION OF POLYMORPHONUCLEAR NEUTROPHILS IN CHILDREN WITH MEASLES

Abstract. Yetgin, S., and Altay, C. (Department of Paediatrics, Children's Medical Center, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey). Defective bactericid function of polymorphonuclear neutrophils in children with measles. Acta Paediatr Scand, 69:411, 1980. Killing capacities of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) and the serum opsonic activity were investigated in 15 children with measles. Seven of them had bacterial infection secondary to the measles. The mean values for killing capacities of the patients were significantly impaired when they were compared with those of the control group which consisted of 15 healthy age-matched children ( p > 0.001). These defects were found to be present during the early stages of the measles. The serum opsonic activity was found to be normal.     

NON-SPECIFIC IMMUNITY IN NEPHROTIC SYNDROME

Abstract. Yetgin, S., Gur, A. and Saatci, U. (Department of Paediatrics, Children's Medical Center, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey). Non-specific immunity in nephrotic syndrome. Acta Paediatr Scand, 69:21, 1980.—In order to explain susceptibility to bacterial infection in patients with nephrotic syndrome, bactericidal capacity of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) and serum opsonic activity were studied. The groups consisted of 29 patients and 29 controls. Bactericidal capacity was found to be statistically significant defective in the patient group when compared with controls for Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli . Serum opsinic activity was found to be defective in up to 50% of the patients, but it was not statistically significant for either bacteria. There is no correlation between the impairment of bactericidal capacity and serum total protein, albumin, globulin, total lipid, cholesterol, age of patients and the duration of the illness. When bactericidal capacity was examined in five patients in remission it had returned to the normal level. The results of this study suggest that bactericidal capacity and possibly serum opsonic activity are influenced by the nephrotic syndrome     

牛津病理分型在儿童紫癜性肾炎评估中的价值

目的 探讨IgA肾病(IgAN)牛津分型在评估紫癜性肾炎(HSPN)临床及预后中的应用价值.方法 收集2014年1月—2019年2月经临床及肾活检确诊为HSPN患儿的临床病理资料,按照IgAN牛津分型分组,比较牛津分型5个病理指标与HSPN临床表现、预后的关系.结果 共收集102例HSPN患儿,男55例、女47例,发病...     

Growth analysis of 566 children from the fourteen day care centers of Paulínia (São Paulo, Brazil), with ages ranging from 3 months to 3 years

To study the growth of 566 children (273 males and 293 females) from fourteen day care centers of Paulínia (S?o Paulo, Brazil), with ages ranging from 3 months to 3 years, admitted from March 1st to May 31st, 1993, the authors analyzed the z-score distribution of height for age and weight for height in relation to age group, per capita family income, social class levels, mothers education level and child birth weight. The Kruskal-Wallis test and the Multiple Comparison test were used in the statistical analysis. The children with less than 24 months or with birth weight less than 3000 g as the children with mothers education level less than four years, presented left deviated distribution in the height for age z-score. The weight for height score was less satisfactory in the group with per capita income less than one salary, in the group with birth weight less than 3000 g, and in the group with ages superior to 18 months.Therefore, institutional actions concerning the children and their parents are recommended in order to attenuate these factors.     

Opsonic and protective activity of immunoglobulin, modified immunoglobulin, and serum against neonatal Escherichia coli K1 infection

Because modified immune serum globulin (M-ISG) has been proposed for therapy in neonatal bacterial sepsis, we evaluated it in a suckling rat model of Escherichia coli K1 sepsis. We compared a M-ISG preparation (lot 2581), which was protective against group B streptococcal (GBS) sepsis, with other M-ISG, standard ISG preparations and with adult and cord serum. All immune serum preparations and sera demonstrated opsonic activity against E. coli K1 and were superior to saline in protecting against death due to E. coli K1 sepsis. Survival rates were higher for one M-ISG preparation (lot 2581) than for randomly selected standard immune serum globulin and cord sera but were similar to adult sera in these protection studies. Therapeutic and opsonic activity of standard immune serum globulin and M-ISG prepared from the same donors were similar, suggesting that the different processes used for their manufacture did not affect these activities. Because the M-ISG preparation studied showed protective activity to both GBS and E. coli K1, we studied it further by adsorbing the preparation with GBS and E. coli K1. Opsonic activity to E. coli K1 was removed by E. coli adsorption but not by adsorption with GBS, indicating that this activity was not due to a single cross-reacting antibody. Empirical therapy with M-ISG prescreened for opsonic activity to both E. coli K1 and GBS may be of clinical value. Trials appear warranted to study the pharmacology and efficacy of M-ISG in septic newborns.     

Characteristics and functional capacities of human cord blood granulocytes and monocytes

Cord blood phagocytic cells were characterized with respect to cytochemical activities, Fc gamma and C3b receptors, and capacity to phagocytose and kill various species of bacteria. The percentages of peroxidase-positive granulocytes and monocytes from neonates and adults were comparable; the percentage of esterase-positive cord-blood monocytes was about two-thirds of that of adults' blood monocytes. The numbers of cord blood and adults' monocytes with Fc gamma and C3b receptors were similar. Phagocytic and intracellular killing capacities of cord blood granulocytes and monocytes were investigated for Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pyogenes, and group B Streptococcus type III. The rates of phagocytosis and intracellular killing by granulocytes from newborns proved to be comparable to the corresponding values for granulocytes from adults. Cord blood monocytes phagocytosed E. coli, S. aureus, and S. pyogenes at a normal rate, and killed ingested E. coli and S. pyogenes intracellularly at the same rate as adults' monocytes did. However, S. aureus was killed at a much lower rate by cord blood monocytes than by monocytes from adults. Phagocytic activity for group B Streptococcus was impaired and killing of these bacteria by cord blood monocytes was virtually nil. The latter finding might partially explain the frequent streptococcal infections in newborns.     

Opsonic Activity,Phagocytosis, and Bactericidal Capacity of Polymorphs in Undernutrition

Fifteen undernourished infants and children were studied for opsonic activity of plasma, and for phagocytosis and intracellular bactericidal capacity of polymorphonuclear leucocytes. The opsonic activity was slightly increased and there was a significant decrease in bacterial killing by polymorphs of malnourished individuals compared with healthy controls. Phagocytosis was comparable in the 2 groups. In 3 patients, the impairment of bacterial killing was reversed to normal on recovery from nutritional deficit. It is suggested that this may be one possible mechanism of infection-nutrition interaction.     

EFFECT OF AGE ON HUMAN ADIPOSE TISSUE METABOLISM AND HORMONAL RESPONSIVENESS

Abstract. The effects of age and fat cell size on the metabolism of white human adipose tissue were analysed independently. Abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue specimens were obtained from children varying in age from 0–15 years and from adults (mean age±S.D.; 38.2±14.1 years). The basal rates of lipolysis and glucose incorporation into lipids were considerably higher in children than in adults even when differences in fat cell size had been taken into account. Lipolysis in response to a maximal concentration of noradrenalin was higher in fat cells from children. However, on a percentage basis the responsiveness to this agent was similar in children and adults. Irrespective of age, glucagon did not elicit a lipolytic response. Thus, it does not seem that the increased lipolysis known to occur in vivo in the neonatal period is due to a direct effect of glucagon on white adipose tissue. However, the overall lipolytic capacity is increased in fat cells from children.     

Studies Alkaline Phosphatase during Development Part II: Changes in alkaline phosphatase activity and isozyme patterns in the serum of healthy children and of children with various diseases

In order to clarify the organ origins of high serum alkaline phosphatase in children during development and in children with various diseases, the serum alkaline phosphatase activity and isozyme patterns of children, umbilical cord blood and pregnant woman were investigated by the agar gel electrophoresis and heat stability test. In two infant autopsy cases, isozyme patterns were also investigated in several organs. 1) Serum alkaline phosphatase activity of children was about 2.5 to 3 times as high as that of adults. In the group below 1 year of age and the group between 11 and 15 years of age, the levels were higher than in other groups. 2) Alkaline phosphatase isozyme pattern in normal serum was showed as a single band (band III) around the α₂-globulin fraction in all groups. 3) The alkaline phosphatase isozyme patterns in normal serum were divided into a pattern with non-shifting peak after heat treatment at 56°c for 10 minutes and another with shifting peak to α₁-globulin side. In younger groups, the pattern with non-shifting peak was more frequently seen and with growing the pattern with shifting peak increased. In adults, the peak shifted in all cases after heat treatment. 4) The decreasing rate of alkaline phosphatase activity of normal serum by heat treatment was within the range of about 70–80% in each age group without remarkable differences. No calculation was possible in adult group, because the activity was markedly low. 5) Serum alkaline phosphatase activity of pregnant women showed slightly higher than umbilical cord blood, about 3 times higher than in normal adults. The isozyme patterns were different between sera of pregnant women and umbilical cord blood. The decreasing rate of alkaline phosphatase activity after heat treatment (56°c for 10 minutes) was less in serum of pregnant women than in other sera, showing greater heat stability. 6) Serum alkaline phosphatase was always high in diseases of liver and bone. Five bands of alkaline phosphatase activity were noted in the sera of normal subjects, pregnant women and children with various diseases. In liver diseases without marked obstruction and in bone diseases, the alkaline phosphatase isozyme pattern appeared in α₂-globulin band (band III). In liver diseases with marked obstruction, α₁-globulin band (band II originated from the liver) and β-globulin band (band V probably from intestine) appeared. In one case, an Albumin-α₁ globulin band (band I) appeared. 7) The alkaline phosphatase isozyme patterns in liver, bone, small intestine and kidney showed different electrophoretic migration rates indicating organ specificity. 8) To sum up, serum alkaline phosphatase of the healthy children appeared to be originated from liver and bone. During childhood the alkaline phosphatase predominantly consists of bone origin, while in adults, major activity appeared to be hepatic origin.     

Opsonic activity in serum from septic infants treated with intravenous immunoglobulin.

Thirteen infants with staphylococcal sepsis and reduced opsonic activity received infusions of acid treated immunoglobulin together with antibiotics. Opsonic activity (using Staphylococcus aureus (type 42D) as the test organism), haemolytic activity of complement, and concentrations of complement C3 and IgG were measured in serum prepared before and after three days of treatment with immunoglobulin at a dose of 250-300 mg/kg/day. There was increased ingestion of S aureus by normal human granulocytes in the presence of fresh serum prepared after infusion of immunoglobulin and significantly increased opsonic activity of heat inactivated serum after treatment with immunoglobulin. The haemolytic activity of complement and concentrations of complement C3 were not influenced, and serum concentrations of IgG increased as the result of receiving a total of 800-900 mg/kg immunoglobulin over a period of three days. This study shows that administration of acid treated IgG to septic infants leads to functionally increased opsonisation.     

Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in Malaysian children: Evidence for ethnic differences in childhood

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in healthy Malaysian children and to discover whether differences exist among children of different races. METHODS: Serum samples from asymptomatic children tested for H. pylori seropositivity using an ELISA test. RESULTS: Five hundred and fourteen healthy urban Malaysian children aged 0.5 to 17 (mean 5.9) years from three different racial groups had their blood tested for H. pylori antibodies. The overall prevalence was 10.3%. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of infection between boys and girls, but a significant rise was noted with increasing age (P = 0.009). Seropositivity was most common in the Indians and lowest in the Malays (P = 0.001). Father's level of education did not affect the child's rate of H. pylori seropositivity. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of H. pylori seropositivity among asymptomatic urban Malaysian children is lowest in Malays. Intermediate in Chinese and highest in Indians. The racial differences found in children are consistent with those found in Malaysian adults.     

Infantile diarrhea in Libreville (Gabon). Ecological studies

The identification of different infectious agents found in infantile diarrheas was undertaken in 237 children hospitalized in pediatric institutions in Libreville. In neonates between 0 and 18 months of age, the most common pathogen was Rotavirus (20.6%), followed by Shigella (10.8%), E. coli (9.24%), Salmonella (3.46%), E. histolytica (0.8%) and Y. enterocolitica (0.4%). The highest percentage of diarrheas caused by rotaviruses was found among children between 6 and 11 months of age. The frequency of Salmonella among children 2 to 4 years of age is almost the same at that in children under 2 years of age (3.44%). Isolation of Shigella in this group reaches 12.06%. The protective effect of breast milk and the carriage state among adults are discussed.     

Effect of immune globulin intravenous on opsonization of bacteria by classic and alternative complement pathways in premature serum

The mechanisms involved in the effect of immune globulin intravenous (IGIV) on bacterial opsonization by both complement pathways in premature serum were elucidated in this study. Of the bacteria used, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella enteritidis were nonencapsulated while Streptococcus pyogenes and Escherichia coli 07 K1 were encapsulated. As demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence, IGIV showed specific antibody titers of 1:32 for S. aureus and S. enteritidis and of 1:8 for S. pyogenes and E. coli 07 K1. IGIV alone had no direct opsonic activity against these organisms. Addition of IGIV did not alter the opsonic activity of normal adult serum against these organisms. In contrast, addition of IGIV promoted the opsonic activity of premature serum against the nonencapsulated bacteria to levels matching that in normal adult serum. The IGIV preparation significantly improved the opsonization of bacteria by the classic (from 39 to 68% of that in adult serum) and alternative (from 22 to 97% of that in adult serum) complement pathways in premature serum. IGIV also markedly augmented C3 deposition on the bacteria by both complement pathways. These studies suggest that IGIV containing high titers of specific antibodies promote opsonization of bacteria by the enhancement of complement pathway activation, especially the alternative pathway, in premature serum.     

1400例正常儿童MEWLKL和改良Klein线参考值分析

目的 通过测量正常儿童髋关节正位X线片的双侧股骨头外侧缘距离Klein线的最大垂直宽度(maximum epiphyseal width lateral to Klein's line,MEWLKL)、双侧MEWLKL差值即改良Klein线,研究MEWLKL和改良Klein线与性别和侧别之间的关系及其随年龄变化的规律,并证实以改良Klein线大于2mm诊断股骨头骨骺滑脱的可靠性.方法 回顾性分析我院2005年1月1日至2014年12月31日全部0～14岁患儿的骨盆正位片共14 837例,选取其中正常儿童的骨盆正位片共7 147例纳入本研究的统计分析.制定正常髋关节X线片的纳入标准.按年龄1 ～14岁共分14组.每组随机抽取100例,男女各50例,共1 400例骨盆正位片,包括2 800个髋关节.采用AutoCAD2007软件对MEWLKL和改良Klein线的参考值进行测量,并进行正态分布检验.根据各年龄组的MEWLKL和改良Klein线的参考值,绘制二者随年龄的变化曲线.每个年龄组内MEWLKL的性别和侧别差异采用两个独立样本t检验.年龄组间改良Klein线差异和MEWLKL差异采用单因素方差分析.结果 MEWLKL和改良Klein线参考值均符合正态分布.MEWLKL平均参考值为(5.20±1.92) mm,男性平均(5.04±1.88) mm,女性平均(5.36±1.94)mm (P=0.000);左侧平均(5.06±1.87) mm,右侧平均(5.33±1.96)mm (P =0.000).MEWLKL在各年龄组总体参考值、男性组和女性组参考值三者的变化趋势相似,均随年龄的增长而逐渐增大.0～4岁逐渐上升,5岁时处于波谷[总体(3.77±1.00) mm,男性组(3.53±1.00) mm,女性组(4.01±0.94)mm];5岁以后又逐渐上升,13岁时达到峰值[总体(7.49±1.43) mm,女性组(7.84±1.42)mm,男性组在14岁达到峰值(7.24±1.46)mm].各年龄组总体参考值和女性组参考值在14岁后略有下降.女性组在11岁至12岁又出现第二个波谷(6.44±1.86) mm～ (6.38±1.15)mm.双侧MEWLKL参考值的变化趋势非常相近,均随年龄的增长而逐渐增大.0～4岁逐渐上升,5岁时为处于波谷[左侧(3.54±0.84)mm,右侧(4.00±1.10)mm].5岁以后又逐渐上升,13岁时达到峰值[左侧(7.25±1.57)mm,右侧(7.72±1.24)mm],14岁后略有下降.双侧MEWLKL差值即改良Klein线的总体参考值为(0.93±0.82) mm,各组均值波动于1.0mm水平.两个组间差异有统计学意义(p＜0.05)(8岁组与7岁组组间比较P=0.011,11岁组与10岁组组间比较P=0.04).在14个分组中,有4个组的改良Klein线最大值大于2.0mm,分别是10岁组2.02 mm,11岁组2.05 mm,13岁组2.3mm和14岁组2.17 mm.结论 正常儿童髋关节改良Klein线的差值可以超过2.0mm,均值波动于1.0mm水平以内.在髋关节正位X线片中以改良Klein线大于2mm为阳性诊断股骨头骨骺滑脱并不可靠.     

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in children with chronic liver disease: clinical features and etiologic factors

We analyzed the clinical and bacteriologic features of 12 episodes of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in 11 children (four boys, median age 5.5 years) with chronic liver disease. All patients had cirrhosis and ascites; four had hypersplenism, and one was asplenic. Symptoms included increasing abdominal distention, pyrexia, abdominal pain, gastrointestinal disturbance, and encephalopathy. Nine had rebound tenderness on abdominal palpation, and 12 had reduced bowel sounds. The most frequent organisms isolated from culture of ascitic fluid were Streptococcus pneumoniae (nine). Klebsiella (two), and Haemophilus influenzae (one); blood cultures grew identical organisms in nine. Seven patients died despite intensive antibiotic therapy. In the 3 months prior to onset of SBP, defective yeast opsonization and reduced serum concentration of C4 were found in all nine children tested; eight had reduced concentration of C3. Functional deficiency of all complement components was present in four tested within 1 to 5 months of the onset. In contrast, only eight of 59 cirrhotic children without SBP had low C3, and eight had defective yeast opsonization, although 35 had low C4 values. Four of the patients with SBP and low C3 and C4 concentrations had normal concentrations at the time of diagnosis of liver disease 2 to 5 years previously. Opsonization of type III pneumococci was reduced in sera from three patients who subsequently developed pneumococcal peritonitis. The incidence of SBP in children with chronic liver disease is similar to that in adults, as are the clinical features. Our observations suggest that complement deficiency induced by chronic liver disease may be important in the pathogenesis of SBP.     

GB virus C infection in children with perinatal human immunodeficiency virus infection

BACKGROUND: GB virus C (GBV-C) infection occurs in 20-40% of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected adults, and coinfection is associated with improved HIV disease outcome. METHODS: To determine the prevalence of GBV-C infection in children who were perinatally infected with HIV, we conducted a cross-sectional prevalence survey in a cohort of perinatally infected HIV-positive children selected from a large, multicenter observational protocol. A blood specimen was obtained and tested for GBV-C viremia with the use of a qualitative GBV-C RNA assay and screened for past GBV-C infection with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect antibodies to the GBV-C envelope protein E2 (E2 Ab). RESULTS: The 354 children who participated in the substudy were relatively healthy, with a median CD4 of 784 cells/mm and median HIV-1 viral load of 1055 copies/mL. The prevalence of GBV-C viremia was 20 of 353 or 5.7% (95% confidence interval, 3.5-8.6%), and the prevalence of E2 Ab was 12 of 354 or 3.4% (95% confidence interval, 1.8-5.8%). GBV-C viremic patients were older than patients without past GBV-C infection (median age, 12.8 years versus 10.7 years). Median CD4 lymphocyte counts were highest in subjects without GBV-C infection and lowest in those with E2 Ab. CONCLUSIONS: GBV-C prevalence rates are lower in children with perinatal HIV infection than those reported for HIV-infected adults. With the exception of evidence that GBV-C viremic children had lower rates of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention HIV disease category C disease before GBV-C testing, we did not find evidence of improved HIV disease outcome in coinfected patients, but the number of HIV/GBV-C-coinfected children was small.