Analysis of Immunoglobulin G subclasses in Hepatitis C virus patients: Correlation with disease activity and viraemia

Hepatitis C virus antibodies are found in the serum of most patients with chronic hepatitis C. However, the significance of the humoral response is still uncertain. There is no reliable and simple diagnostic marker available to diagnose recent hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection. It has been shown that the avidity of specific IgG antibody is low in primary viral infection and increases with time. In this study, in vitro IgG anti-hepatitis C virus secretion by peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with hepatitis C was analyzed. To assess the effect of elicited HCV antigen-specific IgG antibody subclasses on the clinical outcome of HCV infection. The study protocol was approved in Damnhour National Medical Institute, and patients provided written informed consent. Forty-five [45] hepatitis C patients [5ml blood for each pt.] were divided into 3 groups: the first HCV Patients with variable degrees of viraemia [low-moderate-high], second: HCV patients with end stage complications [cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma] third: HCV sero-positive individuals without viraemia or complications; 15 patients [5ml blood for each pt.] were randomized into the normal group [HCV sero-negative could subjects]. Hepatitis C patients with [in vitro] IgG anti-hepatitis C virus secretion had higher AFP and IgG levels in serum than did patients without such secretion in vitro [p<0.002]. Furthermore, there is correlation between IgG antibody secretion levels and activity and degree of HCV patients [p<0.001]. The mean-counts of IgG plasma cells in 3 studied groups hepitits C patient were significantly correlated with activity of disease. Whereas IgG plasma cells resulted more correlated with normal group. IgG plasma cells on hepatitis C can be a valuable parameter for better diagnosis of degree of hepatitis C disease and also for follow up the patients

Study of the immune effects in hemodialysis patients receiving erythropoietin

Recombinant human erythropoietin [rHuEpo] [Clinical Pathology Department] may affect the human immune system. Partial correction of anemia by erythropoietin improves hemodialysis [HD]-[Immunology Department]. associated immunosuppression. It is not known whether hemoglobin normalization improves immune status further. All in Damanhour National Numerous studies have investigated the immune effects Medical Institute, of recombinant human erythropoietin [rHuEPO] used in the treatment of anemia of ESRD to hematocrits of 28 to 31%, showing improvement in cell-mediated and humoral immunity. The aim of the study: In the present study, we compared prospectively the immune system parameters of hemodialysis [HD] patients who received rHuEPO and were randomized to normal hemoglobin versus anemic hemoglobin. The study protocol was approved in Damanhur National Medical Institute, and patients provided written informed consent. Each patient was followed for 12 months with serum sample obtained at 12 months. During the course of the study, the slope of CD8 cells increased significantly from baseline in the anemic group [P<0.0001], whereas there was no change in the normal hemoglobin group. Our study sought to determine whether the immune system of HD patients with normalized hemoglobin differed from that of HD patients with partially corrected anemia

Study of the Hemodialysis on Immunomodulation of TH1/TH2 balance

Patients on chronic intermittent haemodialysis [HD] show an impaired cellular and humoral immune response that clinically appears with frequent infectious complications and low vaccination responses. This immune defect strongly correlates with reduced in vitro proliferative responses of T cells. The defect is localized in antigen presenting cells, which show a decreased co-stimulatory activity. Furthermore, the impaired immune response correlates with an increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In response to primary, activation, CD4 positive T helper [Th] cells mainly differentiate into either Th1 or Th2 cells. Th1 cells support cell mediated immunity whereas Th2 cells enhance humoral immune responses. Since both types of responses mutually inhibit each other, the impaired humoral immune response seen in HD patients could either be due to a reduced number of Th2 cells or to a predominant Th1 response. The current study was to analyze the outcome of the Th1 or Th2 cell responses in HD patients compared with healthy controls and to place them in the context of the altered cellular characteristics and impaired immune status seen in HD patients. The study protocol was approved in 50 Patients in Damnhour National Medical Institute. In HD patients, a significantly higher percentage of CD4 cells are characterized by a Th1-type cytokine secretion pattern compared with healthy controls. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of impaired cellular immune functions in dialysis patients. They provide a link between overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines [IL-12] and imbalanced T-cell activation