ABSTRACT
A study was carried out to find out the humoral and cell mediated immunity levels in patients with TBM and healthy controls. For humoral immunity, the amounts of immunoglobulins--IgG, IgM and IgA were quantitated by SRID method. For cell mediated immunity, percentages of total T cells, Th cells and Ts cells and the ratio of Th:Ts cells was studied. Hypergammaglobulinemia of all three immunoglobulins was observed together with a decrease in the total T cells and Th cells, and a lower Th:Ts cell ratio indicating a deficiency or a defect in the immune system of patients infected with TBM.
Subject(s)
Antibody Formation/immunology , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Immunity, Cellular/immunology , Immunoglobulin G/blood , India , Male , Sensitivity and Specificity , Survival RateABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To compare the cellular and humoral factors in colostrum from HIV infected and uninfected lactating mothers. DESIGN: Cross sectional study. SETTING: Maternity Ward. METHODS: Colostrum was collected from 130 mothers (62 HIV seropositives and 68 HIV seronegatives). These colostrum samples were tested for total cell count, cell viability, differential count, phagocytic activity of macrophages, 'T' cell counts, IgA, IgM and IgG levels. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant decrease in the phagocytosis and 'T' cell number (p <0.001) and in the IgA and IgG levels (p<0. 05) in the colostrum obtained from HIV seropositive mothers as compared to HIV seronegative ones. CONCLUSION: Some of the cellular and humoral factors are reduced in colostrum samples obtained from HIV seropositives as compared to normals.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Breast Feeding , Case-Control Studies , Colostrum/chemistry , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , HIV Antibodies/analysis , HIV Infections/immunology , HIV Seronegativity/immunology , Humans , Immunoglobulin A/analysis , Immunoglobulin G/analysis , Immunoglobulin M/analysis , Lymphocyte Count , Macrophages/immunology , Phagocytosis/immunology , Puerperal Disorders/immunology , T-LymphocytesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of storage on expressed colostrum kept at room and refrigeration temperature in 2 different types of containers (steel and plastic) at different time intervals (0 hours to 7 hours). DESIGN: Prospective immunological study. SETTING: Maternity ward. METHODS: Colostrum was collected from 60 healthy lactating mothers and tested for total and differential cell counts and cell viability in plastic (polypropylene) and steel containers at 0 hours and 7 hours after storage at 28 degrees C and 4 degrees C. RESULTS: Colostrum stored for 7 hours in plastic containers had a significantly (p < 0.001) higher cell count and viability compared to that stored in steel containers both at 4 degrees C and 28 degrees C. The differential cell count did not vary with time, temperature or storage vessel. CONCLUSION: If required, colostrum should be stored at 4 degrees C in plastic (polypropylene) containers to maintain its protective quality.
Subject(s)
Adult , Colostrum , Female , Food Packaging , Humans , Milk, Human , Polypropylenes , Prospective Studies , Refrigeration/methods , SteelSubject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Biopsy , Pneumonia/diagnosis , Punctures , Bronchoalveolar Lavage FluidABSTRACT
There was an increase in incidence of meningitis in children within the last three years at the Bai Yamunabai Laxman Rao Nair Charitable Hospital in Bombay. Out of 270 purulent samples, 60 (22.22 percent) were culture positive. Neisseria meningitidis showed an increase from one case in 1985 to 11 cases by the end of 1987. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 6 percent cases, Streptococcus pneumoniae 15 percent, and Gram negative bacilli were predominant, isolation rate being 57 percent. Salmonella species were isolated from 6 (10 percent) cases. They were multidrug resistant type, some belonging to the rare zoonotic species.