Lymphocyte subpopulations in middle ear effusions: flow cytometry analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify lymphocyte subpopulations in middle ear effusions, peripheral blood, and adenoids in children suffering from otitis media with effusion. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Thirty-three children (55 ears) undergoing myringotomy for otitis media with effusion. METHODS: CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, and natural killer cell populations were investigated in middle ear effusion, peripheral blood, and adenoids using a three-color monoclonal antibody and flow cytometry method for quantitative estimation. RESULTS: T cells (CD3) are dominating lymphocytes in middle ear effusion. Among T lymphocytes, the majority are those of the helper type (CD4). The dominating isoform among CD4 lymphocytes are memory cells (CD4CD45RO); among CD8 lymphocytes, naive cells (CD8CD45RA). The percentage of CD4 cells, CD8 cells, and the CD4/CD8 ratio was significantly higher in middle ear effusions than in blood. The percentage of memory CD4 lymphocytes and naive CD8 lymphocytes was significantly lower in the middle ear effusion. Lymphocyte subsets were compared between 22 pairs of effusions from each patient. The percentage of each type of cell did not differ significantly. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate local regulation of the lymphocyte profile in middle ear effusions and the same phase of immune response in two ears of the same patient.     

Squamous cell carcinoma antigen in patients with cancer of the larynx

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC Ag) in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. Plasma specimens were obtained from 70 patients with cancer of the larynx before and after treatment and during follow-up. Disease status and the marker levels were determined blind to each other. Microparticle enzyme immunoassay (IMx SCC) was used to measure the SCC Ag level. Applying standard normal limits the sensitivity of the marker at diagnosis was 25.7%. SCC Ag levels were generally lower after therapy than before. Relapse occurred more often in patients with an abnormal pretreatment SCC Ag level, which was more frequent in those with nodal invasion. The marker level increased in 70% of the patients with relapse before the clinical detection of recurrence. SCC Ag is of limited usefulness in the primary diagnosis of cancer of the larynx, but is useful in detecting recurrence of cancer.     

Cognitive deficits and polymorphism of apolipoprotein E in Alzheimer's disease

The aim of this study was to test the relationship between apolipoprotein E (ApoE) genotypes and patterns of cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease (AD). All subjects were diagnosed as probable AD patients on the basis of the DSM-IV and NINCDS-ADRDA criteria. Each subject was examined for (1) ApoE genotype, (2) general level of mental activity (Global Deterioration Scale and Mini-Mental State Examination) and (3) cognitive functions by means of a battery of neuropsychological tests. On the basis of ApoE genotype, patients were subdivided into two groups: the first group consisted of patients with at least one epsilon4 allele (epsilon4+ group), while the second one consisted of patients without the epsilon4 allele (epsilon4- group). Our results showed that several cognitive processes depended on the ApoE genotype. In early stages of AD, patients from the epsilon4+ group had greater deficits in delayed recall of new information. On the other hand, working memory appeared to be more impaired in the epsilon4- group of patients. Independent of the genotype, both groups showed similar impairment of learning ability without, however, deficits in remote memory.