Lymphoid Neogenesis in Murine Cardiac Allografts Undergoing Chronic Rejection

Lymphoid neogenesis is the process by which ectopic lymphoid accumulations that resemble lymph nodes arise in nonlymphoid tissues. Such lymphoid accumulations, known as tertiary lymphoid organs (TLO), are observed in chronic autoimmunity and they propagate immune pathology by setting up local antigen presenting sites. Whether lymphoid neogenesis occurs in transplanted organs and contributes to rejection is not well understood. To begin to address this question, we retrospectively analyzed 319 murine cardiac allografts for microscopic evidence of lymph-node-like structures. We found 78 allografts that had either classical TLO, characterized by discrete T- and B-cell zones and high endothelial venules (HEV) expressing peripheral node addressin (PNAd) (n = 34), or PNAd(+) HEV without organized lymphoid accumulations (n = 44). These changes were present in both short- and long-lived allografts and were invariably associated with rejection. Importantly, they occurred in 78% of allografts undergoing chronic rejection (n = 85) but in only 7% of allografts undergoing primarily acute rejection (n = 184). These findings indicate that, like autoimmunity, alloimmunity is associated with lymphoid neogenesis in the target organ and suggest a role for local T-cell activation in chronic allograft rejection.     

Hysteroskopische Septumdissektion als Abortprophylaxe

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the diagnosis of active pulmonary tuberculosis.

This study evaluates the sensitivity and specificity of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of antibodies against Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen. Twenty seven of the 35 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis had positive serology with an antibody titre of 10 nineteen of them had positive serology with an antibody titre of 100. All the 27 patients with positive serology were either smear or culture positive or both. Twenty six of the 35 control group had negative serology and 9 had positive serology with an antibody titre of 10. The test has a sensitivity of 77.14% and a specificity of 74.29%.     

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF alpha) in lymphadenopathy and bone marrow involvement: histopathological and serological study.

Serum samples were collected from 40 patients with enlarged lymph nodes. Lymph node and bone marrow biopsies were performed and processed as usual. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) was determined in the sera by factor test human TNF alpha ELISA kit. Histopathological studies of lymph node and bone marrow biopsies were evaluated. The data obtained from this study showed that bone marrow was involved in only 5 patients and their TNF showed the lowest level in this study with a mean level 50 pg/ml. The highest level of TNF occurred in cases with granulomatous lymphadenitis (124 pg/ml) followed by reactive lymphadenitis (105 pg/ml). It can be considered that TNF reflects the immune status of the patient and its study in the serum can be of help in evaluating the progress of the disease. An extended study is need to evaluate the role of TNF-alpha as a prognostic marker in malignancy.     

Immediate earlobe reconstruction with double-crossed skin flaps.

A new technique for earlobe reconstruction is described, illustrated by a case report. This technique uses double-crossed skin flaps from the pre-auricular and retromandibular areas. No skin grafts and no cartilage framework are needed. This technique is particularly indicated for immediate earlobe reconstruction.