Reactivity of T lymphotropic retrovirus antibody (12/1-2) in man: comparison of epidermis with other epithelial cells.

The reactivity of a monoclonal antibody against human T lymphotropic retrovirus (antibody 12/1-2, recognising the HTLV-1 p19 internal core viral protein) with benign and malignant cutaneous biopsy specimens was examined and compared with results obtained on normal skin, on various other human cells and tissues, and on immunoblotted extracts of tonsil squamous epithelium. In keeping with previous studies, 12/1-2 labelled a proportion of the thymic epithelial stroma and the entire layer of basal cells in stratified non-keratinized and keratinized epithelium. Furthermore, antibody 12/1-2 reacted with basal cell carcinomas and showed an essentially identical staining pattern in normal skin, cutaneous T cell lymphomas, and a range of benign dermatoses. The dot blot preparations showed that 12/1-2 recognised an antigen associated with keratin intermediate filaments. These data indicate that antibody 12/1-2 forms a useful marker for subsets of epithelial cells, which presumably participate in T cell education, and that a range of cutaneous disorders of widely different aetiology show no abnormalities in epithelial expression of this antigen.     

Sequential immunophenotypic study of lymphoid infiltrate in allergic and irritant reactions

Sequential biopsies (4-72 h) of early allergic and irritant patch test reactions have been examined immunohistologically for reactivity with 19 monoclonal antibodies against antigens on lymphoid cells in order to investigate the nature/origin of the infiltrating lymphoid cells and assess their state of activation/proliferation. The composition of the infiltrates was similar in allergic and irritant reactions and consisted of T-lymphocytes of helper/inducer types in association with T-cell accessory cells, i.e., Langerhans cells and HLA-DR-positive macrophages. No differences in expression of T-cell or macrophage associated antigens were seen in early as opposed to late biopsies. In contrast, the proportion of cells positive for markers associated with activation (interleukin-2 receptor) or proliferation (transferrin receptor, the Ki-67 nuclear antigen) of lymphoid cells was found to increase with time in both types of reaction. These data substantiate the view that T-cell immune reactions are implicated in both allergic and toxic patch test lesions, and indicate that the lymphocytes in the infiltrates are activated and proliferate.     

Penicillin concentrations in serum following weekly injections of benzathine penicillin G

Twelve patients with syphilis were treated weekly with injections of 1.44 g (2.4 X 10(6) IU) of benzathine penicillin G for up to 3 weeks. Almost daily, serum penicillin concentrations were measured by a sensitive microbiological agar cup method. An individual and interindividual variation was found. Concentrations below the recommended 0.018 micrograms/ml were found 7 days after the first or second injection in 5 samples. Shorter intervals between injections are recommended.     

Hepatitis C virus antibodies in homosexual men and intravenous drug users in Denmark

Summary In order to evaluate the role of sexual transmission and parenteral transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in homosexual men and intravenous drug users (IVDU) serum samples from 147 homosexual men and 126 IVDU were tested for anti-HCV. Anti-HCV was found in two (1.4%) of the homosexual men and in 123 (98%) of IVDU. The presence of anti-HCV could not be correlated to the presence of HBV markers or HIV-antibodies. HCV is widespread among Danish IVDU. Risk of sexual transmission seems low even though sexual contact is a much more prevalent risk factor than needle sharing.

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Hepatitis C Virus-Antikörper bei homosexuellen Männern und intravenös Drogenabhängigen in Dänemark

Zusammenfassung Serumproben von 147 homosexuellen Männern und 126 intravenös Drogenabhängigen aus Dänemark wurden auf Antikörper gegen das Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) untersucht, um die Bedeutung der sexuellen und parenteralen Übertragung dieses Virus zu evaluieren. Unter den homosexuellen Männern waren zwei (1,4%) und unter den intravenös Drogenabhängigen 123 (98%) positiv. Zwischen anti-HCV und Markern einer HBV-Infektion oder Antikörpern gegen HIV fand sich keine Korrelation. Unter den dänischen Drogenabhängigen ist HCV sehr verbreitet. Das Risiko einer sexuellen Übertragung scheint gering zu sein, obwohl sexuelle Kontakte einen Risikofaktor mit höherer Prävalenz darstellen als gemeinsamer Gebrauch von Injektionsmaterial.

     

Screening of Danish blood donors for hepatitis B surface antigen using a third generation technique

The profit to be gained by testing Danish blood donors for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) with a third generation technique instead of the currently used immunoelectrophoresis was investigated by additional screening of 48 750 blood units by radioimmunoassay three weeks after donation. Twenty nine units were positive for HBsAg on radioimmunoassay (0.059%). Only six of these were found by immunoelectrophoresis (0.012%). Most of the 23 donors positive on radioimmunoassay and negative on immunoelectrophoresis were healthy carriers of HBsAg (20) or had asymptomatic chronic liver disease (two). One donor had acute hepatitis B. Fifteen of the 23 blood units were transfused. The 15 recipients were monitored biochemically and serologically for up to nine months. One recipient developed fulminant hepatitis B, three developed acute hepatitis B, and one became a healthy carrier of HBsAg. All these patients had received blood from healthy carriers of HBsAg. Two recipients were immunised against HBsAg, and in one patient no seroconversion was observed. The remaining recipients died soon after transfusion or were protected by antibodies to HBsAg that had been present before the transfusion. Testing of Danish blood donors using a third generation technique identified a substantial number of donors positive for HBsAg overlooked by immunoelectrophoresis. Most of these donors were healthy carriers of HBsAg. Blood taken from such carriers is highly infectious when transfused, probably because of the large amount of material transmitted.     

Immunohistochemical identification of lymphocyte subsets and accessory cells in human hyperplastic lymph nodes The functional significance of the compartmentalization of lymphoid tissue

Biopsies from 21 lymph nodes with benign hyperplasia were examined by immuno-enzymatic labelling of frozen sections with a panel of monoclonal antibodies. B-cells (B1⁺, HLA-DR⁺, C3b receptor^+/-) localized in primary follicles, secondary follicles, and areas adjacent to the subcapsular sinus. The B-cells in primary follicles and mantle zones of secondary follicles were indistinguishable (SmIgD⁺, SmIgM⁺, Cylg⁻, T10⁻, CALLA⁻). B-cells adjacent to the subcapsular sinus demonstrated a higher density of SmIgM, and a weaker expression of SmIgD. The germinal centre cells showed a more differentiated phenotype (SmIgD⁻, SmIgM⁺, CyIgM^+/-), and also expressed T10 and CALLA. T-cells (Lyt3⁺Lyt2⁺, Leu4⁺, OKT6⁻, OKT10⁻) localized in paracortial and interfollicular areas, and demonstrated a relative predominance of T-helper/inducer cells (Leu3⁺). T-helper/inducer cells were also identified in secondary follicles. The B-cell areas contained dendritic reticulum cells (R4/23⁺, C3b-receptor⁺). Interdigitating reticulum cells (HLA-DR⁺, OKT6^+/-) localized in T-cell regions. The cells in sinuses demonstrated monocyte/macrophage properties (MO2⁺, Ig⁺, C3b-receptor⁺, HLA-DR^+/-).     

Sézary syndrome: phenotypic and functional characterization of the neoplastic cells

Phenotypic properties of the neoplastic cells in skin, blood and lymph node specimens from 5 patients with the Sézary syndrome were examined by immuno-enzymatic and -fluorescence labelling of cells and tissue sections with a monoclonal antibody panel. In 3 cases, the in vitro functional properties of the neoplastic cells (isolated from blood specimens) were also analysed using a reverse plaque-forming cell assay. 3 different immunological categories were identified as follows: (1) T-helper/inducer neoplasms (3 patients); (2) T-suppressor/cytotoxic neoplasms (1 patient); and (3) neoplastic T-cells demonstrating characteristics consistent with a concept of their derivation from inducible suppressor T-cells (1 patient). These data provide conclusive evidence that Sézary syndrome is heterogeneous with respect to the immunological characteristics of the neoplastic cells.