Antigenic and virulence properties of Pasteurella haemolytica leukotoxin mutants.

Antigenic properties of two mutants of Pasteurella haemolytica, strains 59B0071 and 59B0072, that do not produce detectable leukotoxin were investigated. Western blot (immunoblot) analysis with a number of polyclonal sera from animals recovering from pasteurellosis revealed that both mutants secreted a variety of antigens that were also present in cultures of several wild-type strains. These antigens ranged from about 100 to 15 kDa. Mutant strain 59B0071 was found to be totally deficient in leukotoxin, as judged not only by Western blotting but also by cytotoxicity assays with bovine lymphoma (BL-3) cells or bovine polymorphonuclear cells as targets. The mutant strain 59B0071 had normal levels of a secreted sialylglycoprotease, however. When strains were tested for virulence in goat and cattle challenge experiments, a reduction in mortality and lung lesions was observed with the mutant 59B0071 in comparison with results obtained with wild-type strains. These results are consistent with an important role for leukotoxin in P. haemolytica virulence and suggest that leukotoxin-negative mutants may be useful tools in the investigation of other virulence properties involved in P. haemolytica infections.     

Long-term results of DeVega tricuspid annuloplasty

DeVega tricuspid annuloplasty was performed in 74 patients undergoing mitral or mitral and aortic valve replacement between January, 1972, and December, 1985. Sixty-two hospital survivors have been followed up for a mean of 85.3 +/- 6.6 months. Actuarial survival at 14 years was 71.5 +/- 8.2%. None of the late deaths was related to the tricuspid annuloplasty. Three patients required tricuspid valve replacement for recurrence of tricuspid regurgitation (0.68% per annum). Eleven asymptomatic patients studied hemodynamically at a mean period of 53 months after the operation showed maintenance of the hemodynamic improvement. We recommend DeVega annuloplasty as the method of choice for moderate to severe tricuspid regurgitation in the absence of an organically diseased or deformed valve.     

Juvenile dermatomyositis associated with autoantibodies to small ubiquitin-like modifier activating enzyme: a report of 4 cases from North India and a review of literature

Immunologic Research - Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) is the commonest inflammatory myositis in children. The clinical phenotype is often characterized by the presence of myositis-specific...     

The relevance of donor T cell-directed immunoglobulin G in historic sera in the age of flow cytometry

BACKGROUND: Renal transplant recipients with a positive historic cross-match due to donor T cell-directed IgG antibodies are considered to have decreased graft survival, even if their current serum is negative prior to transplantation. With the use of flow cytometric cross-match for testing current sera, false-negative results could be eliminated and the outcome of transplantation in this group of patients could be improved, assuming that immunological memory is effectively controlled with immunosuppression. METHODS: We reviewed our records to identify those patients who underwent cadaveric renal transplant, with a historic IgG positive cytotoxic T cell cross-match and a current negative flow cytometric T cell cross-match. RESULTS: Eighteen patients underwent cadaveric renal transplant in the face of a historic IgG positive T cell cross-match and a current negative flow cytometric T cell cross-match. In 14 patients treated with cyclosporine-based immunosuppression the 1-, 2-, and 3-year cumulative graft survival rates were 57, 50, and 43%, respectively. Ten of the 14 patients (71%) ultimately lost their grafts. CONCLUSIONS: Even with negative flow cytometric cross-match in current serum, a positive historic conventional cross-match suggests a high risk of graft failure.     

Deep insight into white spot syndrome virus vaccines: A review

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV), the causative virus of the disease, is found in most shrimp farming areas of the world, where it causes large economic losses to the shrimp farming industry. The potentially fatal virus has been found to be a threat not only to all shrimp species, but also to other marine and freshwater crustaceans, such as crab and crayfish. To date, no effective prophylactic treatment measures are available for viral infections in shrimp and other crustaceans. Due to current aquaculture practices and the broad host range of WSSV, intervention strategies including vaccination against this virus would be pivotal to save and protect shrimp farming. Several achievements have been attained in the search of novel vaccines for WSSV. DNA vaccination, recombinant vaccines, oral vaccination techniques and gene therapy are some of the thrust areas of focus for scientists and researchers. This review article highlights the recent trends in the development of WSSV vaccines either as DNA vaccines or recombinant vaccines and their functioning strategies as suggested by the researchers worldwide.     

Patterns of Use of Induction Therapy for T2N0 Esophageal Cancer

1. Download : Download high-res image (251KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image