ABSTRACT
α-Synuclein and tau deposition in the central nervous system is responsible for various parkinsonian syndromes, including Parkinson’s disease, multiple system atrophy, dementia with Lewy bodies, progressive supranuclear palsy and corticobasal degeneration. Emerging evidence has suggested that pathologic α-synuclein and tau are transmitted from cell to cell and further accelerate the aggregation of pathologic proteins in neighboring cells. Furthermore, extracellular pathologic proteins have also been reported to provoke inflammatory responses that lead to neurodegeneration. Therefore, immunotherapies targeting extracellular α-synuclein and tau have been proposed as potential disease-modifying strategies. In this review, we summarize completed phase I trials and ongoing phase II trials of immunotherapies against α-synuclein and tau and further discuss concerns and hurdles to overcome in the future.
ABSTRACT
Mycobacterium mucogenicum, a mucoid, nonpigmented rapidly-growing mycobacteria has been recently characterized and rarely seen in human infection. M. mucogenicum does produce clinical disease, mainly posttraumatic wounds and catheter-related sepsis. We report a case of M. mucogenicum bacteremia identified by high performance liquid chromatography in a patient with pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Subject(s)
Humans , Bacteremia , Chromatography, Liquid , Mycobacterium , Pneumonia , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive , Sepsis , Wounds and InjuriesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The intradermal test for the screening of Clonorchis sinensis is difficult to interpret because the sensitivity and persistence rates of reactions after treatment are not well known. METHODS: Stool egg examinations and intradermal tests for C. sinensis and Paragonimus westermani were performed for 1,207 persons who lived in endemic areas of C. sinensis infestation, and epidemiologic data were also surveyed. RESULTS: The infestation rate of C. sinensis was 12% (male 14%, female 9%). It was higher in Southeastern area of Gyungsang Namdo Province and Ulsan (22%) than in Busan (10%), whereas much higher in Gangseo/Buk/Sasang (28%) than in other areas of Busan. The performance of C. sinensis intradermal test was as belows; sensitivity 45%, specificity 80.8%, positive predictive value 24%, negative predictive value 92%, and diagnostic efficiency 77%. Positive C. sinensis intradermal reaction persisted for longer than 40 years after treatment of C. sinensis infestation in at least 30% of patients. C. sinensis intradermal reaction turned to be positive within 4 months after intake of raw fish in more than half the patients. CONCLUSION: The infestation rate of C. sinensis was still very high in inhabitants around Nakdong River, an endemic area. We think that C. sinensis intradermal test is inadequate to diagnose current clonorchiasis.