Cardiopulmonary Bypass Surgery?Cold Alert!

The term 揷old agglutinin (CA)� refers to a group of disorders caused by anti?erythrocyte autoantibodies that preferentially bind RBCs at cold temperatures (4癈�癈). CAs contribute to 10 to 15% of autoimmune hemolytic anemia. We report a case of CAs diagnosed intraoperatively during emergency mitral valve replacement.

Anemia hemolítica autoinmune desencadenada por SARS-CoV-2 Reporte de un caso / SARS-CoV-2-Induced Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia: Case Report

Resumen Infection by SARS-CoV-2 virus is not solely limited to the common clinical presentation of acute respiratory distress syndrome, mainly because a wide spectrum of clinical manifestation has been observed. These presentations include, but are not limited to, neurological, cardiovascular, throm- boembolic, hematologic, and autoimmune presentations. Within this wide spectrum, cases of autoimmune hemolytic anemia due to SARS-CoV-2 infection are rising. This is why primary care physicians should be ready to identify this clinical entity appropriately.

Abstract Infection by SARS-CoV-2 virus is not solely limited to the common clinical presentation of acute respiratory distress syndrome, mainly because a wide spectrum of clinical manifestation has been observed. These presentations include, but are not limited to, neurological, cardiovascular, throm- boembolic, hematologic, and autoimmune presentations. Within this wide spectrum, cases of autoimmune hemolytic anemia due to SARS-CoV-2 infection are rising. This is why primary care physicians should be ready to identify this clinical entity appropriately.

Use of the reticulocyte channel warmed to 41 °C of the XN-9000 analyzer in samples with the presence of cold agglutinins

ABSTRACT Objectives The purpose of this study was to compare data obtained from the reticulocyte channel (RET channel) heated to 41 °C with those obtained from impedance channel (I-Channel) at room temperature in the samples with the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) < 370 g/L and in samples with the MCHC > 370 g/L, in the presence of cold agglutinins. Methods In this study, 60 blood samples (group 1) with the MCHC < 370 g/L (without cold agglutinins) and 78 blood samples (group 2) with the MCHC > 370 g/L (with cold agglutinins) were used to compare the two analytical channels of the XN-9000 analyzer in different preanalytical conditions. The parameters evaluated in both groups were the following: red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), mean cell volume (MCV), RBC-most frequent volume (R-MFV), mean hemoglobin concentration (MCH) and mean cellular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). Results The results of this study showed an excellent correlation with both channels of the XN-9000 analyzer in samples with and without cold agglutinins, except for the MCHC. The bias between the values obtained in the I-channel and those obtained in the RET channel of both groups was insignificant and remained within the limits of acceptability, as reported by Ricos et al. for all considered parameters, except for MCHC. Conclusions The presence of cold agglutinins in blood samples can be detected by a spurious lowering of the RBC count and by a spurious increase in the MCHC. The RET channel represents a great opportunity to correct the RBC count in a rapid manner without preheating. However, neither methodology can completely solve the residual presence of cold agglutinins in all samples, despite the MCHC values being < 370 g/L.

Feasibility of Preheating at 41 ℃ to Correct Red Blood Cell Parameters in the Presence of High-titer Cold Agglutinins / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To explore the feasibility of preheating in 41 ℃ water bath for 30 minutes to correct the red blood cell parameters in the specimens containing high-titer cold agglutinins(CAs). Methods Two specimens containing high-titer CAs were selected during work,and the parameters of complete blood count at room temperature or after preheating in 37 ℃ or 41 ℃ water bath were compared.The smears were stained,and the distribution of red blood cells was observed with a microscope.Further,74 specimens without CAs were collected for complete blood count,and then the test results at room temperature and after preheating at 41 ℃ were compared. Results At room temperature,the specimens containing high-titer CAs showed significantly reduced red blood cell count(RBC)and hematocrit(HCT),abnormally increased mean corpuscular hemoglobin(MCH)and mean cell hemoglobin concentration(MCHC),abnormal percents of hemoglobin(HGB)and RBC,and aggregation of a large number of red blood cells.After being preheated at 37 ℃ for a certain time,the specimens demonstrated obviously improved parameters while still aggregation of a small number of red blood cells.After being preheated at 41 ℃ for 30 minutes,the specimens showed significantly increased RBC,normal HCT,MCH,and MCHC,and evenly distributed red blood cells.The 74 specimens without CAs showed the comparability was ≥80% between room temperature and preheating at 41 ℃ for 30 minutes or 60 minutes. Conclusion We can preheat the specimens containing high-titer CAs in a water bath at 41 ℃ to obtain accurate red blood cell parameters.

Seroprevalence of Salmonella Agglutinins among Apparently Healthy Students of a Tertiary Institution in North-Eastern Nigeria

Aim: To determine the level of Salmonella agglutinin and its titre among apparently healthy students of Tertiary Institution in North-eastern Nigeria. Study Design: A cross-sectional study on Seroprevalence of Salmonella agglutinin; Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Biological Science Technology, Federal Polytechnic Mubi, Adamawa State, between September to December, 2016. Methodology: This study was a cross-sectional study in which 200 apparently healthy students of Federal Polytechnic Mubi were tested for Salmonella agglutinin using both slide and tube agglutination methods. Statistical Analysis: Non-parametric Mann-Whitney statistics and least significance difference (LSD) were used to test for significant difference in all the data obtained. Significance difference was taken when P?0.05. Results: The result showed that the number of male with positive Widal agglutinin was significantly higher than that of female (P=0.028). The number of positive titre was significantly higher in age group 21-25 years (P=0.002) when compared to other age brackets. However, there was no statistical difference between the age bracket 16-20 years and 31-35 years (P=0.747). The result of the agglutination titre showed that more male had Salmonella titre for Salmonella Typhi O (81.8%) and Salmonella Typhi H (72.7%) while more female had Salmonella agglutinin titre for Salmonella Typhi H (44.4%) and Salmonella Paratyphi B-H (33.3%). It was also observed that only agglutinin for Salmonella Paratyphi A-O, B-O, C-O, B-H and C-H were present in the sera of male subjects up to the titre of 160 and at frequencies ranging from 1.6-58.8%. Furthermore, among females, it was observed that only agglutinins for Salmonella Paratyphi A-O, Salmonella Typhi C-H and Salmonella Typhi O and H were present in the sera of the subjects up to the titre of 160 and at frequencies ranging from 2.5-25.0%. Conclusion: Detecting Salmonella agglutinin titre up to 160 among apparently healthy individuals is of public health significance. Thus, there is need to monitor this trend and create awareness on environmental and behavioural risk factors for Salmonella infections.

Síndrome de aglutininas frías y púrpura trombocitopénica autoinmune: Un caso inusual de síndrome de Evans / Cold agglutinins syndrome and autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura: An unusual case of Evans syndrome

El síndrome de Evans es un trastorno poco frecuente en el que se observan trombocitopenia y anemia, ambas de etiología autoinmune; las que pueden ocurrir de manera simultánea o sucesiva. Se presenta un caso poco usual de anemia hemolítica autoinmune por anticuerpos fríos asociada a púrpura trombocitopénica autoinmune. Paciente femenina de 22 años de edad con diagnóstico de púrpura trombocitopénica autoinmune, después de 7 años de evolución y un año en remisión, presentó una anemia hemolítica autoinmune por anticuerpos fríos, refractaria al tratamiento con esteroides y alcaloides de la Vinca, que requirió transfusiones de concentrado de eritrocitos y logró la remisión con la administración de anticuerpo monoclonal anti CD 20. Los restantes estudios de autoinmunidad fueron negativos. Actualmente se mantiene asintomática y sin tratamiento inmunosupresor(AU)

Evans syndrome is a rare disorder in which thrombocytopenia and anemia are observed, both of autoimmune aetiology, which may occur simultaneously or successively. A rare case of cold autoimmune hemolytic anemia associated to autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura is presented. A 22-year-old female patient with diagnosis of autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura, after 7 years of evolution and one year in remission, has a cold autoimmune hemolytic anemia, refractory to steroid treatment and vinca alkaloids, which requires transfusions of packed erythrocytes and achieves remission with anti CD 20 monoclonal antibody. The remaining studies of autoimmunity are negative. Currently the patient is asymptomatic and without immunosuppressive therapy(AU)

Normothermic Cardiac Surgery with Warm Blood Cardioplegia in Patient with Cold Agglutinins

Cold agglutinins are predominately immunoglobulin M autoantibodies that react at cold temperatures with surface antigens on the red blood cell. This can lead to hemagglutination at low temperatures, followed by complement fixation and subsequent hemolysis on rewarming. Development of hemagglutination or hemolysis in patients with cold agglutinins is a risk of cardiac surgery under hypothermia. In addition, there is the potential for intracoronary hemagglutination with inadequate distribution of cardioplegic solutions, thrombosis, embolism, ischemia, or infarction. We report a patient with incidentally detected cold agglutinin who underwent normothermic cardiac surgery with warm blood cardioplegia.

Parathyroid hormone(1-34) regulates the expression of osteoclast inhibitory lectin via multiple signaling pathways in UMR106 osteoblast-like cells / 中华骨科杂志

Objective To investigate the regulation of parathyroid hormone(1-34) on mRNA expression of osteoclast inhibitory lectin (OCIL) gene in UMR106 osteoblastic-like cells and involved signaling pathway.Methods Rat UMR106 osteoblastic-like cells were cultured and treated with various concentration of PTH(1-34) and specific agonists or inhibitors of PKA,PKC,Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMK) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal pathways for indicated time intervals.Then the cells were gathered at indicated time points and total RNA were extracted.OCIL mRNA expression was analyzed using real-time PCR technique.Results PTH(1-34) stimulated OCIL mRNA expression in a time-and dose-dependentmanner.A dose of 10 nmol/L PTH(1-34) started to induce OCIL mRNA from 6 h,with a highest increase of about 2.8-fold vs.control group (without PTH treatment) at 24 h.The up-regulation of OCIL mRNA began and reached maximum later than RANKL induction and OPG suppression effected by PTH(1-34).Protein Kinase A (PKA) signaling activators forskolin(FSK) and dibutyryl cAMP (db-cAMP),as well as calcium ionophore A23187 all up-regulated OCIL mRNA with the maximal induction of about 4.2-fold,4.5-fold and 5.1-fold.Protein Kinase C (PKC) activator phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate(PMA) reduced OCIL mRNA expression at the early stage(2-6 h),with the highest down-regulation of 50％ at 6 h.However,the inhibitory effect on OCIL mRNA turned into slightly stimulatory effect later (24 h).PKA inhibitor KT5720,calmodulin antagonist W-7,CaMK Ⅱ inhibitor KN-62 and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor PD98059 all blocked PTH(1-34)-induced OCIL mRNA expression by the maximal reduction of 56％,61％,63％ and 50％ respectively.There also exist cross-talks between different signal pathways.MAPK inhibitor PD98059 blocked the expression of OCIL mRNA which was stimulated by PKA activators FSK or db-cAMP,with the reduction of 98％ and 63％ respectively,while the OCIL mRNA expression stimulated by A23187 remained unaffected.Conclusion PTH(1-34) increased OCIL mRNA expression in vitro through cAMP/PKA,Ca2+/CaMK and MAPK signaling pathways.

Neumonía por Mycoplasma pneumoniae complicada con anemia hemolítica por aglutininas frías / Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia complicated by cold agglutinin hemolytic anemia

Paciente mujer de 36 años de edad, quien consulta por síntomas respiratorios de dos semanas de evolución, con diagnóstico de ingreso de neumonía adquirida en la comunidad. evolución clínica complicada con anemia hemolítica por hemaglutininas frías que hace sospechar infección neumónica por Mycoplasma pneumoniae, confrmada mediante serología. Tras curso corto de prednisona oral, ácido fólico y antibioticoterapia, se presenta resolución de la anemia y mejoría clínica de la neumonía. este informe de caso resalta la elevada amplitud térmica de las aglutininas frías como condición para generar hemólisis inmune y la ausencia de reticulocitosis compensatoria de la hemólisis, complicaciones inusuales en neumonía por Mycoplasma pneumoniae, pero determinantes de la severidad de la anemia. además, enfatiza la utilidad de los títulos de aglutininas frías en el diagnóstico de neumonía adquirida en la comunidad debida a Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

We present the case of a 36 years old female patient, who consults for respiratory symptoms during two weeks, with admission diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia. the clinical course was complicated by hemolytic anemia by cold hemagglutinin that suggests pneumonic infection by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, confrmed by serology. After short course of oral prednisone, folic acid and antibiotic therapy, resolution of anemia and clinical improvement of the pneumonia were obtained. this case report highlights the high temperature range of cold agglutinins as a condition for generating immune hemolysis and the absence of compensatory reticulocytosis of hemolysis, which are rare pneumonia complications of Mycoplasma pneumoniae, but that are determinants of the severity of the anemia. it also emphasizes the usefulness of cold agglutinin titers in the diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

Titers of ABO antibodies in group O blood donors

BACKGROUND: Plasma components of group O blood donations are rarely submitted to ABO antibody titrations even though it is well known that passively acquired antibodies may destroy the recipient's own red cells and tissue grafts. OBJECTIVE: Thus, group O donations stratified by gender and age were randomly titrated to identify the best source of products for apheresis and exsanguinous transfusion. METHODS: Samples from 603 blood donors were tested by ABO antibody titration using the conventional tube technique at room temperature. ABO antibody levels higher than 64 were considered high. After correction for gender, statistical analyses were performed using the Fisher exact and Kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS: Most donors in the blood bank were male (65.7 percent). ABO antibody titers ranged from 1 to 2048. The estimations of prevalence for the titers were: anti-A,B < 128 = 86.9 percent and > 128 = 2.16 percent; Anti-A > 128 = 9.29 percent and anti-B > 128 = 4.81 percent. Low mean titers for both anti-A and anti-B antibodies were found in over 50-year-old men (p-value = 0.040). High anti-B antibody levels were found in young women (p-value = 0.002). CONCLUSION: This study confirms that over 50-year-old O group men should be selected as blood donors in non-identical ABO transfusion situations. Also, titration of ABO antibodies in blood banks will increase safety in non-identical ABO transfusions.

Association of mannose binding lectin genetic polymorphisms with cryptococcosis / 中华传染病杂志

Objective To describe the distribution of mannose binding lectin (MBL) genetic polymorphisms in non-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients with cryptococcosis in China and to verify the association of MBL polymorphisms with susceptibility to cryptococcosis.Methods The case-controlled genetic association study was conducted and 167 non-AIDS patients with cryptococcosis and 208 healthy controls were recruited. Genome DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood and MBL gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Six singlenucleotide polymorphisms ( SNP) of MBL gene were sequenced. The association of MBL polymorphisms with susceptibility to cryptococcosis were analyzed. The comparison between patients and controls was performed by chi square test or Fisher's exact test. The differences of MBL plasma concentrations between groups with different MBL genotypes were compared by single factor variance analysis. Results There were no differences between patients and controls in terms of MBL genotype frequencies, haplotypes and genotypes (all P>0. 05). Compared with healthy control, the deficient MBL-producing genotypes were strongly associated with cryptococcal meningitis (16. 5% vs 8. 7%,χ2=4.25, P=0.0392, OR = 2.09), particularly in patients without underlying immunocompromised conditions (21. 4% vs 8. 7%, χ2 =7. 15, P = 0. 0075, OR = 2. 88). Individuals with MBL deficiency genotypes showed significantly higher rates of central nervous system (CNS) cryptococcal infection rather than non-CNS cryptococcosis (16. 5% vs 3. 1%, Fisher's exact test, P = 0. 010, OR = 6. 13).The difference was even more significant in the immunocompetent patients (21. 4% vs 4. 0%, P =0.009, OR= 6. 55). Conclusion MBL deficiency is associated with cryptococcal meningitis and may play a role in CNS Cryptococcus infection.

Expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), TLR9 and DC-specific intracellular adhesion molecule-3 grabbing non-integrin (SIGN) in condyloma acuminatum lesions / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of TLR4, TLR9 and DC-SIGN in primary and recurrent condyloma acuminatum (CA) lesions. Methods An immunohistochemical method using streptavidin-peroxidase (SP) was performed to detect the expressions and distribution of TLR4, TLR9 and DC-SIGN in tissue specimens obtained from the recurrent CA lesions of 30 patients, primary CA lesions of 30 patients, and from the foreskin of 20 normal human controls. Results The expression levels of TLR4, TLR9 and DC-SIGN in primary and recurrent CA lesions were significantly higher than those in normal control tissue (all P < 0.001), and the cells expressing TLR4, TLR9 or DC-SIGN were mainly located in the basal and spinous layer in CA lesions. There was no significant difference in the expressions of TLR4, TLR9 or DC-SIGN between primary and recurrent CA lesions (all P> 0.05). A positive correlation was found between the expression of TLR4, TLR9 and DC-SIGN in CA lesions. Conclusion The overexpression of TLR4, TLR9 and DC-SIGN probably plays an important role in the occurrence and recurrence of CA.

The relationship between expressions of C-type lectin receptors on natural killer cells and infant human cytomegalovirus infection / 中华传染病杂志

Objective To explore the relationship between expressions of C-type lectin receptors on natural killer(NK) cells and infant human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection. Methods Seventynine cases of HCMV infection infants and 39 cases of HCMV non-infection control infants admitted during January 2006 to June 2008 were recruited in this study. According to HCMV pp65 antigenemia levels in the peripheral blood, 79 cases of HCMV infection infants were divided into two groups: 48cases of active HCMV infection and 31 cases of inactive HCMV infection. The 48 cases of infants with active HCMV infection were treated with ganciclovir for 2 weeks. The expressions of NKG2A,NKG2C, and NKG2D receptors on NK cells in the peripheral blood were examined by flow cytometry.Data analysis was done using SPSS 17.0 software. Comparisons among 3 groups were performed by Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test for independent samples and comparisons between groups were done by Mann-Whiteney nonparametric test for paired samples. Results There was no difference of the inhibitory receptor NKG2A expression on NK cells among groups of active HCMV infection, inactive HCMV infection and HCMV non-infection controls (x2 = 3. 95, P＞0. 05). However, there was obvious difference of activating receptors of NKG2C and NKG2D expressions on NK cells among the three groups (x2 =24.91 and x2 =47. 80, respectively; both P＜0.01). The expressions of NKG2C and NKG2D on NK cells in the HCMV infection group were both higher than the control group (Z=-4.72 and Z=-5.15, respectively; both P＜0.01). The expression of NKG2D on NK cells in the active HCMV infection group was higher than that in the inactive HCMV infection group (Z= -5.08,P＜0.01). The expression of NKG2D on NK cells decreased after ganciclovir treatment (Z= - 1.34,P=0. 07). Conclusion Expressions of NKG2C and NKG2D on NK cells might play a significant role in regulating NK cell function and anti-HCMV immunity in infants.

Glycomics studies using lectin-related techniques in cancer research / 国际肿瘤学杂志

With the emergence of glycomies in the post-genome era,various lectin-related techniques have been developed to analyse the glycoproteins from cells,body fluids and tissues in comparative glycoprotein studies of cancer research.Compared to other techniques of glycan enrichment and identification,lectin-based techniques can sort and identify glycoconjugates without glycan modification,ascribed to the specific affinity of lectins and their corresponding glycans.

Títulos de anticorpos aglutinantes induzidos por vacinas comerciais contra leptospirose bovina / Agglutinating antibody titers induced by commercial vaccines against bovine leptospirosis

No presente estudo, 100 fêmeas bovinas foram divididas em cinco grupos de 20 animais cada. Os grupos experimentais receberam quatro diferentes vacinas comerciais (B, C, D e E), e um grupo permaneceu como controle. Amostras foram colhidas no dia da aplicação da primeira dose e nos dias 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, 63, 70, 77, 84, 91, 120, 150 e 180 pós-vacinação (PV). A triagem dos animais foi feita pela análise sorológica com 6 antígenos de leptospiras, escolhendo-se os animais não reagentes. Os títulos de anticorpos foram monitorados pela soroaglutinação microscópica (SAM) com os sorovares Canicola, Grippotyphosa, Hardjo, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Pomona e Wolffi. Todas as vacinas induziram, aos 3 dias PV, títulos de anticorpos aglutinantes para os sorovares Hardjo e Wolffi, que persistiram até o 150º dia PV. Os sorovares Hardjo e Wolffi induziram os maiores títulos de anticorpos aglutinantes. A vacina D, apesar de não possuir o sorovar Wolffi em sua composição foi capaz de induzir anticorpos aglutinantes contra este sorovar. Somente foram detectados anticorpos contra o sorovar Canicola nos animais vacinados com a bacterina D. A vacina que induziu os maiores títulos médios de anticorpos, considerando todos os sorovares testados foi a D.

In the investigation 100 heifers were used, divided into 5 groups of 20 animals each. The four experimental groups were vaccinated using distinct commercial polyvalent bacterines: B, C, D and E, and A group was the control. Samples were collected at days 0, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, 63, 70, 77, 84, 91, 120, 150 and 180 from the first injection of the vaccine. The selection of the animals for the experimental groups was done based on a serological screening with 6 antigens of Leptospira sp. constituted by non-reagent animals. The vaccine titers were monitored using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) for Canicola, Grippotyphosa, Hardjo, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Pomona and Wolffi serovars. All vaccines used were capable to product agglutinins for the Hardjo and Wolffi serovars observed at 3 days after vaccination, remaining until the 150th day; those serovars induced the highest titres of agglutinins. Vaccine D, in spite of not containing the Wolffi serovar, induced the production of agglutinins to this serovar. Agglutinins to the Canicola serovar were only observed in the animals vaccinated with the D bacterine. Vaccine D induced the highest average titers of antibodies to all tested serovars.

Serum antileptospiral agglutinins in freshwater turtles from Southern Brazil / Aglutininas séricas anti-leptospira em tartarugas de água doce no sul do Brasil

In this study, we observed the presence of antileptospiral agglutinins in freshwater turtles of two urban lakes of Pelotas, Southern Brazil. Forty animals (29 Trachemys dorbigny and 11 Phrynops hilarii) were captured and studied. Attempts to isolate leptospires from blood and urine samples were unsuccessful. Serum samples (titer > 100) reactive to pathogenic strains were observed in 11 animals. These data encourage surveys of pet turtles to evaluate the risk of transmission of pathogenic leptospires to humans.

Neste estudo, observamos a presença de aglutininas anti-Leptospira em tartarugas de água doce de dois lagos urbanos de Pelotas, Sul do Brasil. Quarenta animais (29 Trachemys dorbigny e 11 Phrynops hilarii) foram capturados e estudados. Esforços para isolar leptospiras do sangue e urina não foram bem sucedidos. Amostras de soro positivas (títulos > 100), reativas para cepas patogênicas, foram observadas em 11 animais. Estes dados encorajam inquéritos para avaliação de tartarugas como potenciais transmissoras de leptospiras patogênicas para humanos.

Soroprevalência da infecção leptospiral em capivaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) abatidas em um frigorífico do Rio Grande do Sul / Seroprevalence of leptospiral infection in capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) in a slaughterhouse of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Capivaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) são roedores selvagens do continente americano com crescente importância comercial como fonte alternativa de carne para o consumo humano. Nessa espécie, os estudos sobre a soroprevalência da infecção leptospiral são escassos e restritos aos espécimes de vida livre. Relatamos aqui reações positivas para anticorpos aglutinantes anti-leptospiras em 27,3 por cento (6/22) das capivaras abatidas em um frigorífico do Rio Grande do Sul. Os níveis mais altos de anticorpos sugerem infecção pelo sorogrupo Australis devido à reação para uma cepa de referência do sorovar Bratislava e para um isolado canino local do sorovar Australis, caracterizado como Leptospira noguchii. Esses resultados ressaltam que considerável parcela de capivaras criadas em cativeiro podem funcionar como reservatório de leptospiras patogênicas e chamam atenção para o risco ocupacional dos trabalhos que envolvem a criação e o abate dessa espécie animal.

Capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) are wild rodents from the American Continent with increasing importance as a commercial alternative source of meat for human consumption. Studies on seroprevalence for leptospiral infection are scarce and restricted to free living capybaras. We report detection of agglutinating antibodies against leptospires in 27 percent (6/22) of all animals in a slaughterhouse from Rio Grande do Sul. The highest antibody titers predicted Australis as the infecting serogroup due to reactions against a reference strain of serovar Bratislava and a canine local isolate of serovar Australis, characterized as Leptospira noguchii. The data presented in this report highlight that a considerable fraction of capybaras in captivity may behave as reservoir for pathogenic leptospires emphasizing the occupational risk of those who deal with animal farming and slaughter.

Actividades biológicas del extracto acuoso de la esponja Aplysina lacunosa (Porifera: Aplysinidae) / Biological activities of the aqueous extract of the sponge Aplysina lacunosa (Porifera: Aplysinidae)

Biological activity of an aqueons extract of the sponge Aplysina lacunosa (Porifera: Aplysinidae). The aqueous extract and protein precipitate of Aplysina lacunosa (Pallas, 1776) were studied to assess their hemagglutinating, hemolysing, antibacterial, and antifungal activities. Specimens of the marine sponge were collected in El Morro de Tigüitigüe, Santa Fe, Sucre state, Venezuela. The active protein was separated by molecular exclusion chromatography and its molar mass estimated by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. The sponge A. lacunosa has a protein with a molar mass of about 43 000 Daltons which is capable of agglutinating human erythrocytes of the blood groups A, B, and O in a strong and unspecific mode. The assayed samples did not evidence any hemolysing activity. As for the antibacterial assay, only the aqueous extract was able to inhibit the growth of Enterococcus faecalis, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella enteritidis, with inhibition halos of 24, 20, 24, and 22 mm, respectively. None of the samples exhibited antifungal activity. The chemical analysis of the aqueous extract revealed the presence of several secondary metabolites. It is presumed that its hemagglutinating activity is mediated by agglutinative proteins. The antibacterial activity could be attributed to the presence of saponins, alkaloids, tannins, and polyphenols, which are highly antimicrobial compounds. Poriferans are a rich source of bioactive compounds that can be used in the development of new drugs potentially useful in medicine. Rev. Biol. Trop. 54 (Suppl. 3): 189-200. Epub 2007 Jan. 15.

Evaluamos el extracto acuoso y precipitado de proteínas de Aplysina lacunosa, en relación con su actividad hemaglutinante, hemolizante, antibacteriana y antimicótica. Los ejemplares de la esponja marina fueron recolectados en el Morro de Tigüitigüe, Santa Fe, Estado Sucre, Venezuela. La proteína activa fue separada por cromatografía de exclusión molecular; y su masa molar fue estimada por electroforesis SDS-PAGE. La esponja A. lacunosa posee una proteína con masa molar aproximada de 4.000 Daltons capaz de aglutinar fuertemente y de manera inespecífica los eritrocitos humanos de los grupos sanguíneos A, B y O. No se observó actividad hemolizante por parte de las muestras ensayadas. Únicamente el extracto acuoso fue capaz de inhibir el crecimiento de Enterococcus faecalis, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli y Salmonella enteritidis con halos de inhibición de 24, 20, 24, 22 mm, respectivamente; ninguna de las muestras exhibió actividad antifúngica. El análisis químico del extracto acuoso reveló la presencia de diversos metabolitos secundarios. Se presume que la actividad hemaglutinante se deba a la presencia de proteínas aglutinantes. La actividad antibacteriana podría atribuirse a la presencia de saponinas, alcaloides, taninos y polifenoles, compuestos altamente antimicrobianos. Los poríferos constituyen una fuente rica de compuestos bioactivos que pueden ser utilizados para el desarrollo de nuevos fármacos.

Open Heart Surgery in Patient with Incidentally Detected Cold Agglutinin: A case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Open heart surgery with hypothermia in patients with cold agglutinin can cause severe complications by hemolysis and hemagglutination of red blood cells. A 41 year-old male patient with mitral stenosis was admitted due to fever and cough. After antibiotics treatment, he was scheduled to undergo mitral valve replacement. In the operation room, we found agglutination of blood cardioplegia during lowering temperature of cardioplegia. And then, the cardioplegia was changed to warm cardioplegia and the operation was performed under normothermia due to the suspicion of the cold reactive protein. The operation was performed uneventfully. Postoperatively, cold agglutinin was confirmed by immunochemistry of the patient's serum.

Induction of apoptosis by wheat germ agglutinin in mouse fibroblast cell line L929 / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM: To investigate whether wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) could induce apoptosis in mouse fibroblast cell line L929 and the possible molecular mechanism underlying. METHODS: The cells were exposed to WGA or its succinylated form (sWGA) for 24 h and both attached cells and the cells in supernatant were collected. The percentages of apoptotic cells were estimated by flow cytometry after staining with propidium iodide. Cell morphology was observed under fluorescence microscope after staining the cells with acridine orange. RESULTS: WGA treatment resulted in significant increase of the low DNA content peak (sub-G 1) that representing apoptotic cells, whereas sWGA did not. Morphologic study demonstrated that exposure to WGA induced nuclear fragmentation while sWGA not. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that WGA (specific for both sialic acid and GlcNAc) induces apoptosis in L929 cells, whereas sWGA (specific only for GlcNAc) does not. It is possible that binding to sialic acid residues on the cell surface of L929 is essential for WGA to induce apoptosis. Apoptosis induction may be, at least in part, involved in the cytotoxicity of WGA. [