Class-specific antibodies in young and aged humans against organisms producing superficial fungal infections

Class-specific antibodies (IgG, IgA and IgM) against Candida albicans, Pityrosporum orbiculare and Trichophyton rubrum were measured in the serum from twenty-one young subjects (aged 23-44) and twenty elderly subjects (aged 70-88) who did not have a history of significant superficial fungal infections. We found that (a) antibody to all three organisms was present in all subjects in both groups, (b) except for a reduced level of IgM antibody against P. orbiculare, the elderly subjects demonstrated humoral responses in these assays similar to those of the young subjects, (c) IgA antibody was present in higher amounts against C. albicans that against P. orbiculare or T. rubrum in both groups, and (d) the proportion of IgM antibody against T. rubrum was higher than that against the other two organisms. These findings suggest that the ecology of these three organisms with respect to the normal human host may be reflected in the serological responses against them.     

Human monoclonal antibodies that distinguish cutaneous malignant melanomas from benign nevi in fixed tissue sections

Human monoclonal antibodies were generated by fusing a nonsecretory variant of murine myeloma cells with lymphocytes obtained from the lymph nodes of patients with metastatic cutaneous malignant melanoma. Two human IgG monoclonal antibodies, designated 2-139-1 and 6-26-3, were extensively studied for their patterns of binding to cells in 64 specimens of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections. These comprised: 23 cutaneous and 2 ocular melanomas; 4 specimens of lentigo maligna; 27 benign nevi; 2 basal and 2 squamous cell neoplasms of the skin; and 4 specimens of normal skin. A direct avidin-biotin-immunoperoxidase staining method was used. Under these conditions, the antibodies reacted with variable intensity to all 18 primary cutaneous malignant melanomas, 5 metastatic cutaneous melanomas, and both ocular melanomas. Antibody 2-139-1 reacted with 1 of 4 specimens and 6-26-3 with 3 of 4 specimens of lentigo maligna. Two of 5 dysplastic nevi reacted with both antibodies, each with a smaller proportion of cells than with melanomas. There was no reactivity with the 22 other nevi representing a spectrum of histologic types or with normal melanocytes. Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas of the skin also were not stained. These human monoclonal antibodies appear to be useful in distinguishing malignant melanomas from benign nevi, with the exception of dysplastic nevi, and from basal and squamous cancers of the skin in routinely prepared tissue sections. They may also help to identify the cytoplasmic antigens that are immunogenic in humans.     

Immunohistochemical staining properties of amyloids with anti-keratin antibodies using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections

Immunohistochemical staining properties of amyloids with anti-keratin antibodies were investigated using an avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) system on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections. Anti-keratin antibody EAB-903 which recognize 66K and 57K daltons keratin peptides reacted with amyloid deposits in both lichen amyloidosus (LA) and macular amyloidosis (MA), but did not react with either primary systemic amyloidosis (AL), secondary systemic amyloidosis (AA) or heredofamilial amyloid polyneuropathy (AF). However, anti-keratin antibodies EAB-904 and MAK-6 did not react with any types of amyloids. These results suggested that immunohistochemical staining with anti-keratin antibody EAB-903 using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections appeared to be a useful method in making differential diagnosis of primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis (AD).     

Ultrastructural demonstration of T cells in cutaneous tissue sections using specific anti-human T cell antiserum

The presence of T lymphocytes in the situ in cutaneous infiltrates of contact dermatitis and lichen planus has been demonstrated by an immunoelectronmicroscope technique. A specific anti-human T cell antiserum labelled with peroxidase-conjugated anti-immunoglobulin serum was used to reveal the specific human T lymphocyte antigen (HTLA) which was visualized ultrastructurally. This technique shows that labelling is limited to the surface membrane and allows study of the in situ interrelationship of T cells.     

荧光原位杂交法观察小鼠皮肤组织切片中型无绿藻感染的研究

目的 探讨荧光原位杂交技术用于诊断小鼠皮肤中型无绿藻感染模型的可行性。 方法 制作小鼠皮肤中型无绿藻感染模型,制备皮肤组织石蜡切片,用人工合成的探针PZ-probe进行荧光原位杂交检测,以过碘酸锡夫（PAS）染色、HE染色做阳性对照;取正常及其他真菌感染的皮肤组织石蜡切片做阴性对照,以同样的方法进行荧光原位杂交检测,将各种检测方法的结果进行对比分析。 结果 小鼠临床体征、病理检测及病原体培养结果均证实皮肤无绿藻感染模型建立成功。通过荧光原位杂交法成功检测出了小鼠皮肤中型无绿藻感染模型皮肤组织中的无绿藻病原体,结果与PAS染色和HE染色一致;而在正常及其他真菌感染的皮肤组织石蜡切片中均未能检测出无绿藻。 结论 荧光原位杂交法可以检测出小鼠皮肤中型无绿藻感染模型组织石蜡切片中的无绿藻病原体。     

Reactivity of lupus erythematosus antibodies with leukemic helper T cells.

Immunoabsorbent columns, containing membrane fragments of either leukemic "helper" T cells or B cell lymphoblasts, were used to isolate and study antilymphocyte antibodies from plasmas of 2 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Both plasmas contained IgG which bound to and could be eluted from the "helper" T cell column. These antibodies significantly inhibited normal lymphocyte proliferative responses to microbial and histocompatibility antigens. The findings indicate that these SLE plasmas contain immunoglobulins of the IgG class which react with leukemic "helper" T cells and inhibit normal effector T cell function.     

In situ hybridization in cutaneous deep fungal infections: a valuable diagnostic adjunct to fungal morphology and tissue cultures

Dimorphic fungal infections (histoplasmosis, blastomycosis, coccidioidomycosis, and cryptococcosis) can occur in immunocompromised and healthy individuals. Cutaneous involvement is often secondary and may be the presenting sign of systemic disease. These ominous infections are frequently clinically indistinct, and patient prognosis is influenced by a timely diagnosis and treatment. Morphologic differentiation between these organisms is not definitive, and tissue cultures represent the diagnostic gold standard in current day practice. However, tissue cultures are rarely obtained and merely represent an afterthought in seemingly unsuspecting cases. Furthermore, when performed, they may take several days or weeks for completion. In situ hybridization (ISH) utilizing oligonucleotide probes directed against fungal ribosomal RNA is a rapid and accurate assay for the identification of dimorphic fungi in paraffin-embedded tissue sections. We present five patients in whom ISH both prospectively and retrospectively confirmed the presence of a cutaneous infection (histoplasmosis, blastomycosis, coccidioidomycosis, and cryptococcosis). In all of the skin sections analyzed, dimorphic fungi were morphologically apparent but not diagnostically discernible. In summary, ISH is a valuable tool in the prompt diagnosis of cutaneous deep fungal infections.     

Immunoperoxidase technique for detecting spirochetes in tissue sections: comparison with other methods

BACKGROUND: With the increasing incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and immunosuppressive therapy, the incidence of syphilis has been increasing. Given the fact that the above conditions may mask or obscure the usual clinical signs and symptoms of syphilis, a means of enhanced detection is essential. AIMS METHODS: The purpose of this study was to determine whether an immunoperoxidase method using an antibody against treponemes would increase the sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis in biopsies of patients with secondary syphilis. This was compared to serology and silver stain in cases of known syphilis. RESULTS: Immunoperoxidase for treponemes was at least as sensitive (9/10) as pathology (9/10), and more sensitive than conventional silver stain (6/10) or serology (7/10). CONCLUSIONS: In those equivocal cases of secondary syphilis, where confirmation is essential, immunoperoxidase for treponemes may be a useful adjunct.