Clinical and molecular study of Corynebacterium diphtheriae systemic infections in France. Coryne Study Group.

Diphtheria is a disease with a long history that almost completely disappeared from developed countries. In addition, until 1987, systemic infections involving Corynebacterium diphtheriae were rare. However, in 1990, an epidemic occurred in Russia. These two circumstances have provided the stimulus to gain insight into the situation in France. In fact, between 1987 and 1993, a total of 59 C. diphtheriae strains were isolated. Epidemiological data were collected for patients from whom 40 strains were isolated from normally sterile sites, including 34 from blood cultures, and half of the bacteremic patients developed endocarditis. Osteoarticular involvement was noted in 11 of these 40 patients, including 5 bacteremic patients. The fatality rate following bacteremia was 36%, despite specific antibiotic treatment (beta-lactams and aminoglycosides). The mean age of the participants was 38 years, with half of the patients subsisting under low socioeconomic conditions and suffering from homelessness or alcoholism. Apparently, the skin turned out to be the major route of transmission in this reemerging disease. Eighty-eight percent of the isolates belonged to the C. diphtheriae biotype mitis. These were found predominantly in the Paris area, and most were of the same ribotype. Those isolates originating from the overseas territories (Guyana and New Caledonia) belonged to C. diphtheriae biotype gravis. No strains were positive for the tox gene by PCR. This study attests to the persistent circulation in France of C. diphtheriae in the form of systemic infections. The matter is especially significant since these strains are nontoxigenic and are of a unique ribotype. The strains are, however, sensitive to most antibiotics, although 20% are rifampin resistant.     

Down-regulation of murine B lymphocyte growth: arrest of B cells in G1 underlies immunosuppression induced by an IgM antibody.

Previous studies have demonstrated that culture supernatants of LPS-stimulated murine splenic B lymphocytes (BLPSSN) are able to inhibit the growth of freshly isolated B cells via an IgM antibody. In this work we investigated the progress of LPS-activated B lymphocytes through the cell cycle in the presence of this antibody. We found that the regulatory IgM did not affect the entry of LPS-stimulated B lymphocytes into G0*, as assessed by the increased expression of I-A antigens. Events that characterize the early G1 phase (G1A), such as cell enlargement and increased RNA synthesis, also occurred in the presence of the antibody. In contrast, events which mark the G1B phase, such as further cell enlargement and late RNA synthesis were inhibited. Moreover, a significant portion of the cells failed to incorporate [3H]thymidine and did not progress through S, G2, or M, as revealed by their DNA content. Therefore, our work points toward a well-defined stage of the early G1 phase at which the antibody inhibits the progression of B lymphocyte activation. This result shows a new insight into the mechanism of antibody-mediated down-regulation of polyclonal B cell responses.     

Usefulness of antiendomysial antibodies as a serological marker in coeliac children

The new diagnostic criteria of coeliac disease (CD) give more importance to serological markers. Immunoglobulin A antiendomysial antibodies (IgA-EmA) were determined in 138 sera from 79 coeliac children and the antibody levels compared to IgG and IgA antigliadin antibodies (IgG-AGA, IgA-AGA) in the sera. The assessment was also carried out in 29 children with other gastrointestinal diseases, 29 with non-gastrointestinal diseases and 35 healthy children. The IgA-EmA had a 91.4% specificity and a 88.4% sensitivity for active CD. The corresponding figures were 89.8% and 64.4% for IgA-AGA and 73.7% and 86.2% for IgG-AGA, respectively. The results of IgA-EmA determinations were concordant with the intestinal biopsy findings in 90% of cases, versus 80% for IgA-AGA and 83% for IgG-AGA. In most of the discordant cases the biopsy showed only minor changes, making the classification difficult. All patients with positive IgA₂-EmA also had positive IgA₁ EmA antibodies. IgA-EmA are an excellent serological marker of CD activity in children and they are useful to decrease the number of intestinal biopsies which are needed to confirm the diagnosis in coeliac patients.     

Distribution of calbindin D-28K and parvalbumin immunoreactivities in the nucleus olfactorius anterior of the rat

The distributions of calbindin D-28K (CaBP) and parvalbumin (PV) in the rat nucleus olfactorius anterior (NOA) were described using monoclonal antibodies and the avidin-biotin-peroxidase method. The NOA showed a high immunoreactivity for CaBP, with a rostrocaudal increase in the positive neurons and fibres. Pars externa (NOAe) was the only subdivision which showed a low CaBP immunostaining. PV-positive elements were less abundant than those CaBP immunostained. The main difference in the distributions for both proteins was observed in the pars medialis which was practically PV negative. PV- and CaBP-stained neurons showed similar morphologies in the subdivisions where they were present. In NOAe, we observed a characteristic PV- and CaBP-positive neuronal type, with an oriented dendritic pattern. Transition areas were clearly observable in both CaBP- and PV-labelled sections.     

Inmunoferon (Am3) Enhances the Activities of Early-Type Interferon Inducers and Natural Killer Cells.

The “in vivo” effect of Inmunoferon (AM3) on the production of interferon (IFN) and natural killer (NK) activity in young and old mice was studied. Although AM3 is not an IFN inducer by itself, enhancements in the serum IFN levels were produced when drug was associated to Newcastle disease virus or bacterial lipopo-lysaccharides as IFN inducers. This effect appeared to be dependent on the time lapsed between the inducer agent and drug. In addition, a significant stimulating effect on NK cell activity was also produced by AM3 treatments. This effect could be a consequence of a marked IFN induction and/or a modifying effect in prostaglandin synthesis.     

Cross-correlation analysis of septohippocampal neurons during theta-rhythm

The activity from 55 septohippocampal neuron pairs was examined in rats anesthetized with urethane. In addition to the statistical characterization of the firing patterns of the recorded units, the functional interactions between pairs of neurons and between neurons and hippocampal theta (theta) waves were investigated with cross-correlation techniques. Pairs were classified according to the rhythmic or non-rhythmic discharge pattern of their neurons. (a) theta-Pairs were those in which both the medial septal (MS) and hippocampal (HPC) units were rhythmic (type 1 units). (b) Pairs with a rhythmic and a theta-related non-rhythmic unit (type 2 unit) were called mixed pairs. (c) Pairs composed of type 2 units were called type 2 pairs. theta-Pairs showed periodic cross-correlations and frequently fired with a phase difference which could change in different pairs. Mixed pairs also showed periodic cross-correlations although one of the units was non-rhythmic. Type 2 pairs showed non-periodic positive cross-correlations. Our data provide new information regarding the temporal relationship between MS and HPC rhythmic activities supporting the role of the MS in providing the afferent timing for the generation of theta-rhythm in the HPC.     

Increase of thyrotropin-releasing hormone immunoreactivity in the nucleus of the solitary tract following bilateral lesions of the hypothalamic paraventricular nuclei

The effects of bilateral electrolytic lesions of hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus on thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)-immunoreactive fibers of the nucleus of the solitary tract were studied by both immunocytochemistry and radioimmunoassay. Contrasting with a near disappearance of TRH immunoreactivity in the median eminence, both morphological and biochemical approaches demonstrate that such hypothalamic lesions induced significant increase of TRH immunoreactivity in the nucleus of solitary tract. These results confirm that TRH fibers of the nucleus of the solitary tract do not originate in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN). They further indicate that these TRH neurons projecting to the nucleus of the solitary tract are strongly influenced by neurons located within the PVN area.     

Closed interlocking nailing of the femur complicated by an intramedullary calcified lesion

The interlocking intramedullary nail has greatly expanded the indications for closed intramedullary nailing of the femur. We describe a complication caused by the presence of a calcified lesion located at the proximal metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction of the femur. This lesion could not be penetrated by hand reamers. We used a long 3.5-mm drill bit to place a hole in the infarct, which then allowed passage of the hand reamer. The operation then proceeded in the standard fashion without complications.