[Double negative T cells correlate with disease activity in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus patients]

Systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] is a complex multisystem autoimmune disease. It is characterized by multisystem affection with remission and relapse course. T lymphocytes characterized as TCR alpha beta CD4[-] CDS8[-] CD56- cells are known as `double-negative' [DN] T cells and have been described in both human and rodent models. The present study included thirty patients with SLE and sixteen healthy blood donor females. All cases and controls subjected to clinical assessment and DNT cells percentage measurement in periephral blood mononuclear cells [PBMNCs]. Our findings suggest that DN T cells subset; appear to play an essential role in SLE as it was correlated with disease, activity

Immune-regulation in chronic hepatitis B virus infected patients

To assess the percentage of regulatory T cells in peripheral blood of chronic hepatits B [CHB] virus infected patients in comparison with that in healthy controls and to evaluate their suppressive activity on gamma-IFN production by T cells. The percentages of CD4+CD25+ and CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T [Treg] cells were quantified in the peripheral blood of 59 chronic hepatitis B patients in comparison with that of 32 controls. And to assess Treg suppressive activity, the percentage of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Tregs secreting interleukin-10 [IL-10] were evaluated together with the percentage of gamma interferon [gamma-IFN] secreting T cells. This study showed that the percentage of CD4+CD25+Tcells was significantly higher in CHB patients in comparison with healthy controls [mean, 11 +/- 1.7 vs. 36 +/- 4.0 P= 0.007]. A weak positive correlation was observed only between the percentage of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+T cells and serum alanine aminotransferase [ALT] levels [r=0.3, P=0.02]. These findings suggest that Tregs are capable of inhibiting the HBV immune response, which could contribute to persistence of HBV infection. Manipulating these regulatory cells represent an important objective in order to develop new anti-microbial immunotherapies, particularly for chronic infections

Viral pathogens associated with lower respiratory tract infection in adults and children at Assiut university hospitals

infection of the lower respiratory tract causes significant morbidity at Assiut University Hospitals in Assiut, Egypt among children and adults. Respiratory viruses play an important role in lower respiratory tract infection affecting individuals of all age groups. To determine the contribution of viruses to lower respiratory tract infection in patients presented or admitted at Assiut University Hospitals, with typing, subtyping, and phylogenetic analysis of the detected viruses. A two-year study was conducted from 2007 to 2009 at the National Influenza Centre [Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany]. Respiratory samples obtained from 520 patients suffered from lower respiratory tract infection were collected. Detection and characterization of the causative viruses was performed using both the conventional methods of viral isolation and molecular methods of real-time polymerase chain reaction and phylogenetic analysis. Seventy nine positive cases were detected with real-time polymerase chain reaction [representing a ratio of 15.2% of the total number of cases] for one or more of the main respiratory viruses [influenza viruses, respiratory syncytial viruses, adenoviruses, and human metapneumoviruses]. Twenty two were children [accounting for 46% of the total number of children included in the study] and 47 were adults [accounting for 10.4% of the adult group]. Viruses are the main cause of lower respiratory tract infection in children and can cause lower respiratory infection in adults hospitalized or presented at Assiut University Hospitals, Egypt, Characterization of the detected viruses revealed that, they were similar to those reported from other parts of the world during the same period. This proves worldwide spread of these viruses during winter-spring seasons

Immunological studies of malathion as an example of insecticides

This study was carried out to determine the immunotoxic effect of malathion insecticide on female albinorats. 500 albino rats were classified according to the duration of expasure to malathion into 3 groups. Each group was subdivided into two groups; A and B. Groups IA, IIA, and III A were control groups receiving distilled water for 30, 60 and 90 days respectively. Whereas groups IB, IIB, and IIIB were receiving malathion in a single dose of 137.5 mg/kg daily, orally for 30, 60, and 90 days respectively. Evaluation of the immunotoxic effects of malathion had been determined by measuring selected parameters. Measurement of total and differential WBC count by automated cell counter and leishman stained blood films. Assessment of structural integrity of spleen, thymus and adrenals by measuring organ weight to total body weight ratio. Humoral immunity was assessed by measuring the concentration of serum IgG, IgM, and polyvalent Ig, [IgG, IgM and IgA] by sandwich EIA. Cell mediated immunity was assessed by measuring the concentrations of serum IL-2, IL-10 and IFN-gamma by sandwich EIA, and by measuring the capacity of T-lymphocytes to proliferate in response to PHA stimulation by Beta cell counter. There was a decrease in total leukocytic count, lymphocytes percentage, and spleen and thymus weight ratios. While there was an increase in adrenals weight ratio. These changes were significant with increased duration of exposure to malathion. Serum IgG, IgM and polyvalent Ig were decreased in the 3 groups of rats, compared with the control groups and the decrease was more significant with increased duration of exposure. Serum IL-2, IL-10 and IFN- gamma were also decreased in the 3 groups compared is the control groups and the decrease was more significant with increased duration of exposure. The percentage of T-cell proliferation in response PHA stimulation was decreased in the 3 groups of rats compared to the control groups. Malathion induced immunosuppressive effects on albino rats involve nonspecific immune response and both humoral and cell mediated immunorespones