Preparation of a mouse antiserum against isologous aggregated immunoglobulins and the study of its action on rosette-forming cells

A method of obtaining antiserum against isologous aggregated mouse immunoglobulins (MAAS) is described. This serum blocks the antigen-binding receptors of immune rosette-forming cells in vitro. MAAS was injected into mice immunized with sheep's red cells. By comparison with immunized mice receiving normal isologous serum, rosette-forming B cells were absent at the peak of the primary response in the spleen of the mice receiving MAAS. The number of antibody-forming cells was not reduced under the influence of MAAS.Laboratory of Immunochemistry and Laboratory of Cellular Immunity, N. F. Gamaleya Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician P. A. Vershilova.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 84, No. 12, pp. 698–700, December, 1977.     

Use of allele-specific amplification and analysis of conformation polymorphism for detecting rifampicin resistance of clinical strains ofMycobacterium tuberculosis

Analysis of 90 clinical strains ofM. tuberculosis demonstrated the possibility of using allele-specific amplification for detecting mutations determining rifampicin resistance. Successive use of two allele-specific primers helped us to detect 85% resistant strains. Other strains were studied using conformation polymorphism analysis of single-stranded DNA fragments. Consecutive use of two assays correctly identified 98% resistant strains. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 128, No. 11, pp. 555–558, November, 1999     

The collection and evaluation of peripheral blood progenitor cells sufficient for repetitive cycles of high-dose chemotherapy support

BACKGROUND: The development of an optimized peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) harvest protocol to provide support for repetitive chemotherapy cycles is described. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: PBPCs mobilized by cyclophosphamide plus granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) were studied in 163 leukapheresis harvests from 26 lymphoma patients. Harvested cells were transfused with two chemotherapy cycles and with an autologous bone marrow transplant. Progenitor cell content was examined in the context of hematopoietic engraftment. RESULTS: Mobilization allowed the harvest of large numbers of PBPCs. Peak harvests tended to occur after the recovering white cell count exceeded 10 × 10(9) per L. CD34+ lymphomononuclear cell (MNC) and colony-forming units-granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM) counts correlated poorly, but both measures peaked within 24 hours of each other in 21 of 26 patients, which demonstrated PBPC mobilization. Engraftment of platelets (> 50×10(9)/L) and granulocytes (> 500×10(6)/L) was achieved in a median of 20.5 and 16 days, respectively. A minimum number of progenitors necessary to ensure engraftment could be derived. CONCLUSION: Cyclophosphamide and G-CSF allowed the harvest of sufficient PBPCs to support multiple rounds of chemotherapy. Harvest should commence when the recovery white cell count exceeds 10×10(9) per L. PBPC harvest CD34+MNC counts are as useful as CFU-GM results in the assessment of PBPC content, and they may allow harvest protocols to be tailored to individual patients.     

"Covert toxocariasis" in a child treated with low-dose diethylcarbamazine

A girl aged 2.5 years with "covert toxocariasis" was treated with low-dose diethylcarbamazine because of supposed noticeable disseminated Toxocara canis infection without ocular or visceral manifestations. There was marked blood and bone marrow eosinophilia, significant increased Toxocara canis antibody (ELISA) and immunoglobulins E, G and M, leucocytosis and an increased sedimentation rate. She had no geophagia, but often sucked small stones, probably contaminated with faeces from puppies. Symptoms were fever, inactivity, weakness, tiredness and loss of appetite. She was followed clinically and with blood samples throughout a period of three years and four months.