Niveles de inmunoglobulinas y complemento en recien nacidos sanos de Villa Clara, CUBA / Immunoglobulins and complement in healthy newborns of Villa Clara, Cuba

Objetivos: Estudiar los niveles de las inmunoglobulinas IgM, IgG e IgA y las proteínas del complemento C3 y C4 en sangre del cordón umbilical de recién nacidos de la provincia de Villa Clara. Material y Método: Se estudiaron 80 recién nacidos sanos a término con peso adecuado para la edad gestacional procedentes de madres sanas, cuyos embarazos y partos se desarrollaron sin complicaciones ni signos de infección. Resultados: Los valores medios encontrados fueron: en las inmunoglobulinas IgM, IgG e IgA: 0,155 g/L, 10,656 g/L y 0,051 g/L respectivamente; y en la proteína C3: 0,887 g/L y la C4: 0,127 g/L. Conclusiones: Permitió la caracterización inmunológica de esta población y constituyó un aporte importante para nuestra región.

Objectives: In order to asses immunologic parameters in new born of Villa Clara, IgM, IgG and IgA inmunoglobulins and C3 and C4 complement proteins were quantified in umbilical cord blood. Material and Method: 80 full term apparently healthy new born with weight according to the gestational age were studied. They were delivered by healthy mothers whose pregnancies and childbirths were developed without complications or infection signs. Results: The inmunoglobulins means values in our environment were 0,155 g/L, 10,656 g/L and 0,051 g/L (to IgM, IgG and IgA respectively); and for proteins C3: 0,887 g/L and C4: 0,127 g/L. Conclusions: The present work allowed this population's immunologic characterization and showed up relevance for our region.

Hereditary angioedema: a Taiwanese family with a novel gene mutation.

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by a deficiency of C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH). Affected individuals have attacks of swelling involving almost any part of the body. We studied a family with 15 living members, including a 16-year-old girl who had 3 attacks of angioedema in 2 years. Her paternal uncle had died of asphyxiation during an attack 15 years previously. We analyzed the blood of each family member for C3, C4, and C1-INH levels and sequenced the SERPING1 (formerly C1NH) gene that codes for C1-INH. Six individuals had decreased serum levels of C4 and C1-INH, and they were all found to have a single nucleotide A deletion at codon 210 of the gene, 1210fsX210, a novel mutation that accounts for the HAE in this family.

Activation of Intrarenal Complement System in Mouse Model for Chronic Cyclosporine Nephrotoxicity

PURPOSE: Local activation of the complement system plays a role in target organ damage. The aim of our study was to investigate the influence of cyclosporine (CsA)- induced renal injury on the complement system in the kidney. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mice fed a low salt (0.01%) diet were treated with vehicle (VH, olive oil, 1mL/kg/day) or CsA (30mg/kg/day) for one or four weeks. Induction of chronic CsA nephrotoxicity was evaluated with renal function and histomorphology. Activation of the complement system was assessed through analysis of the expression of C3, C4d, and membrane attack complex (MAC), and the regulatory proteins, CD46 and CD55. CsA treatment induced renal dysfunction and typical morphology (tubulointerstitial inflammation and fibrosis) at four weeks. RESULTS: CsA-induced renal injury was associated with increased the expression of C3, C4d, and MAC (C9 and upregulation of complement regulatory proteins (CD 46 and CD55). Immunohistochemistry revealed that the activated complement components were mainly confined to the injured tubulointerstitium. CONCLUSION: CsA-induced renal injury is associated with activation of the intrarenal complement system.

Immunological follow-up of hydatid cyst cases

Hydatid disease is caused by Echinococcus granulosus. In this study, we aimed to investigate the benefit of monitoring cases with hydatid cyst by means of immune components in patients in a long-term follow-up after surgery. Eighty-four preoperative and postoperative serum samples from 14 cases undergoing surgery for hydatid disease were evaluated in terms of immune parameters, such as total and specific IgE, IgG, IgM, IgA and complement. Total and specific IgE were determined by ELISA. Specific IgG levels were measured by indirect hemaglutination.Total IgG, IgM, IgA and complement (C3 and C4) were detected by nephelometry. Imaging studies were also carried out during the follow-up. In none of the patients hydatid cysts were detected during the follow-up. Total IgE levels in the sera of the patients decreased to normal six months after surgery. Although specific IgE against echinococcal antigens decreased one year after operation, levels were still significantly high. There were no changes in the levels of anti-Echinococcus IgG and total IgG in follow-up period. Additionally, other parameters, such as IgA, IgM, C3 and C4, were not affected

Avaliaçäo do sistema complemento em crianças, em diversos estádios da infecçäo pelo HIV: correlaçäo clínico-laboratorial / Evaluation of complement system in children in different phases of HIV infection: clinical and laboratorial correlation

Objetivo: A ativaçäo do complemento foi demonstrada em pacientes adultos infectados pelo HIV, no entanto, poucas informaçöes estäo disponíveis em crianças infectadas no período perinatal. O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar a funçäo do sistema complemento em crianças infectads pelo HIV. Método: 127 crianças infectads pelo HIV no período neonatal (onze a 134 meses, 62 do sexo masculino: 65 do sexo feminino) foram incluídas e classificadas de acordo com os critérios clínicos e imunológicos do Centro de Controle de Doenças (Atlanta, EUA), de 1994. O diagnóstico da ativaçäo do sistema complemento foi realizado pelos seguintes ensaios: CH50 para via clássica, APH50 para via alternativa (APH50), ELISA para via das lectinas (MBL) e 'rocket' imunoeletroforese para o produto de C3,C3dg/C3d. Resultados: As infecçöes mais freqüentes foram: pneumonia bacteriana, otite, diarréia e infecçöes oportunistas como pneumonia por Pneumocystis carinii e tuberculose (31,5 por cento). A miocardiopatia foi a única apresentaçäo clínica que se relacionou com o estado imunológico (categoria 3). Nenhuma diferença estatisticamente significante nas funçöes da via clássica e alternativa foi observada entre os pacientes das diferentes categorias. Valores médios aumentados de CH50, APH50 e MBL foram verificados em pacientes nos estádios mais avançados da doença. Níveis elevados de C3d na maioria dos pacientes indicam que o complemento encontra-se ativado durante a infecçäo pelo HIV em crianças. CH50, APH50, e MBL estavam abaixo dos limites inferiores em duas, dez e duas crianças, respectivamente.

Comportamento imunológico (IgG, IgM, IgA) e complemento total (CH50) de recém-nascidos com fatores de risco para sepse precose : análise comparativa entre recém-nascidos com e sem infecçäo / Immunological behavior (IgG, IgM, IgA) and total complement (CH50) of newborns infants with risk factors for early onset sepsis : comparative analysis between newborns with and without infection

Com objetivo de verificar o comportamento imunologico do recem-nascido (RN) frente a um agravo infeccioso, estudamos 60 RN que apresentavam fatores de risco para infeccao precoce (ruptura prematura de membranas, amnionite clinica, ou infeccao do trato urinario) do ponto de vista infeccioso e imunologico. Todos foram classificados em tres grupos de idade gestacional : inferior a 34 semanas, entre 34 e 36 6/7 semanas e > 37 semanas. O diagnostico de sepse foi realizado atraves de criterios clinicos e laboratorias, incluindo-se entre os exames as dosagens de imunoglobulinas (IgG, IgM, IgA) e complemento total (CH50), obtidos do RN ao nascimento e no quinto dia de vida...

Avaliaçäo do sistema complemento e da imunoglobulina G no sangue do cordäo umbilical de recém-nascidos. Relaçäo com idade gestacional e adequaçäo do crescimento intra-uterino / Evaluation of the complement system and immunoglobulin G levels in cord blood. Relationship with gestational age and intrauterine growth

Objetivo: Avaliar o sistema complemento no sangue do cordäo umbilical de recém-nascidos (RN) e sua relaçäo com o grau de maturidade e crescimento intra-uterino. Métodos: Foram determinados níveis séricos de C3, C4 e CH50 em recém-nascidos pré-termo, recém-nascidos de termo pequenos para a idade gestacional e recém-nascidos de termo adequados para a idade gestacional. Através de detecçäo de produtos de clivagem, C3d e C4d, foi avaliada a ativaçäo das vias clássicas e alternativas do sistema complemento. Os níveis de IgG foram determinados em todos os recém-nascidos. Resultados: Os níveis de C3, C4, CH50 e IgG säo significativamente inferiores nos recém-nascidos pré-termo (p< 0,001). Os níveis de IgG foram determinados em todos os recém-nascidos...

Comportamento dos mecanismos da defesa imunológica em pacientes com hepatopatia crônica descompensada / Evaluation of immunologic defense mechanisms in patients with chronic hepatopathy

Os autores avaliaram as concentraçöes séricas das proteínas de defesa em pacientes com hepatopatia crônica. Para tal, analisaram prospectivamente 85 pacientes, divididos em três grupos: 50 com cirrose e ascite, 17 com outras doenças que também cursam com ascite e 18 pacientes sem ascite e sem hepatopatia. Foram obtidas as seguintes determinaçöes: níveis de complemento em suas fraçöes C3, C4, complemento hemolítico total e imunoglobulinas G, A e M. No grupo de pacientes com cirrose, as concentraçöes de C3, C4 e do complemento hemolítico total foram significativamente inferiores e das imunoglobulinas A e M estatisticamente mais elevadas em comparaçäo com as do grupo com outras doenças. Os níveis da IgG näo diferiram significativamente entre os dois grupos. As concentraçöes das imunoglobulinas G, A e M foram estatisticamente superiores no grupo cirrótico em relaçäo aos pacientes sem ascite. Os níveis de C3 e C4 näo diferiram entre estes dois grupos

Autoantibodies, immunoglobulins, complement and circulating immune complexes in acute malaria.

BACKGROUND: Malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum is common in the Indian subcontinent. Studies conducted elsewhere have suggested that malarial infection causes intense immunostimulation. We screened patients with malarial infection for autoantibodies and measured the immunoglobulin, circulating immune complex and complement levels to determine the extent of immunological alterations in these patients. METHODS: One hundred adults with acute malarial infection confirmed by examination of the peripheral blood smear and 25 age- and sex-matched controls were studied. An autoantibody screen and serum immunoglobulin complement (C3 and C4) and circulating immune complex levels were measured at the time of admission and 4 weeks after they became afebrile. A direct Coomb's test was also done. RESULTS: Anti-ssDNA, anti-dsDNA and rheumatoid factor were positive at the time of admission in 51, 30 and 38 patients respectively. None of the controls were positive for these autoantibodies except for one who was positive for rheumatoid factor. The IgM, IgG and IgA levels were raised in 16, 25 and 36 patients respectively. Circulating immune complex levels were raised in 32 patients and complement C3 and C4 were low in 8 and 31 patients. Follow up studies at 4 weeks in 19 patients showed that the autoantibodies were negative. However, the immunoglobulin, C4 and circulating immune complex levels remained elevated. Six per cent of patients had a positive direct Coomb's test with reticulocytosis at the time of presentation. CONCLUSION: Acute malarial infection can cause false-positive results for anti-ssDNA, anti-dsDNA and rheumatoid factor and may also cause a rise in the serum immunoglobulin, complement and circulating immune complex levels.

Immunoglobulins, immunoglobulin G subclasses and complement in adult Omanis

Immunoglobulins and complement were quantitated in 100 health adult Omanis in order to establish a reference range based on local data. Mean values were I[g]A 2.38 g/L, I[g]M 1.14 g/L, I[g]E 241 kiu/L, C3 7.44 mol/L and C4 1.57 mol/L, values similar to those found in the West. However, the mean level of I[g]G was almost 50% higher that found in North America and Europ, that is, 14.63 g/L compared with 10-11 g/L. The values for I[g]G, I[g]A, I[g]M and I[g]E are similar to those reported for Iraq, but I[g]G levels wee much were lower than those found in Iraq [25.52 g/L], although I[g]A, I[g]M and I[g]E were comparable. Comparison of Omain data with that for Saudi Arabia showed significantly more I[g]G in Oman [14.63 verus 11.68 g/L] and significantly less I[g]M [1.14 versus 1.66 g/L]. I[g]A and I[g]E levels were similar. As reported elsewhere, females had significantly more I[g]M than males [1.32 versus 0.97 g/L]. The levels of I[g]G subclasses in Oman are 9.44, 4.01, 1.06 and 0.62 g/L for I[g]G1-4 respectively. The percentage of the various subclasses are very similar to those reported elsewhere, that is, 62%, 27%, 7%, and 4% for I[g]G1-4. However, n Iraq, a higher percentage [and level] of I[g]G3 [16%] and the lower I[g]G2 [18%] compared to Oman may reflect differing immune responses resulting from exposure to different microorganisms. It is essential to use local reference data when evaluating patients

Humoral immunity in Hansen's disease

Introduçao: Desde a década de 60, tem-se observado alteraçoes da imunidade humoral na hanseníade. Os auto-anticorpos apresentam-se em freqüências diversas, nestes pacientes, mais habitualmente na hanseníase virchoviana, em doença de longa evoluçao e em surtos reacionais. Variaçao nas freqüências pode ser atribuída a diferença metodologias empregadas na detecçao dos anticorpos e ao grupo de doentes selecionado. Material e Métodos: Esta revisao enfoca os resultados obtidos em diversos estudos de auto-anticorpos, complexos imunes, crioglubulinas, complemento sérico na hanseníase. Destaca-se também, os anticorpos contra glicolipídeos do Mycobacterium leprae, como os antiglicolipídeos fenólitos.I, cuja magnetide é variável e depende do patrimônio genético apresentado pelo enfermo.

Estudio de la inmunidad humoral en pacientes con miocardiopatía dilatada / Study of humoral immunity in patients presenting with dilated cardiomyopathy

Se estudió la respuesta inmune humoral en 42 pacientes con miocardiopatía dilatada y en 30 individuos sanos como grupo control. Al compparar los resultados de pacientes y controles, los niveles de inmunocomplejos circulantes determinados por la prueba desviación de Clq resultaron de las pruebas de inhibición de la precipitación de inmunocomplejos (p<0,001) y de la solubilización de inmunocomplejos (p<0,05). Los niveles de inmunoglobulinas séricas IgG e IgA se encontraron significativamente elevadas (p<0,001 en ambos casos). El estudio del sistema complemento reveló un aumento de los valores de la actividad total de la vía alternativa (p<0,001), así como de la actividad hemolítica del factor B (p<0,05) y disminución de los valores de C3 (p<0,05). Las alteraciones de la inmunidad humoral encontradas, sugieren la presencia de un proceso inflamatorio que pudiera estar desencadenado por un mecanismo autoinmune

Granuloma facial: Hallazgos de inmunofluorescencia directa en cuatro casos / Facial Granuloma

El granuloma facial es una entidad clínica e histológica bien definida, cuya etiología permanece desconocida. Los hallazgos por inmunofluorescencia directa de depósitos de inmunoglobulinas y complemento en las lesiones, inician un nuevo camino de investigación que aún no ha sido bien aclarado, ya que se alternan estudios positivos con otros megativos. Estudiamos 4 pacientes, 3 hombres y una mujer, con un rango de edad de 33 a 55 años; el tiempo de evolución de la enfermedad osciló entre 1 y 14 años. Todos los pacientes tenían compromiso facial. Uno presentó lesiones múltiples y otro se acompañaba de lesiones extrafaciales. La inmunofluorescencia directa fue positiva en dos casos, hallando depósitos granulares de IgA en zona de membrana basal. La IgG, IgM, IgE y complemento fueron negativos en los 4 casos. Las distintas características de las inmunoglobulinas más un factor ambiental (rayos ultravioletas) u otro, llevaría a la IgA de la circulación a los tejidos. Posteriormente lo haría la IgG en la respuesta secundaria

HLA and complement C4 studies in psoriasis vulgaris.

BACKGROUND. Psoriasis vulgaris is known to be associated with the presence of certain HLA antigens and complement factors but only studies of Western populations have been reported. We investigated the HLA and complement profile in Indian patients with psoriasis vulgaris. METHODS. Sixty-seven patients and 132 normal subjects were typed for class I antigens using 262 sera, and 55 patients and 104 normal subjects were typed for class II antigens using 174 sera. The sera from patients and normals were sent to Japanese laboratories for the study of class III antigens. RESULTS. The study revealed that patients had an increased frequency of A1 (p < 0.0025), B17 (p < 0.0025), Cw6 (p < 0.001) DR7 (p < 0.05) and DQw3 (p < 0.005) when compared to normal controls. Analysis of two and three antigen haplotypes revealed a significant increase in the incidence of all haplotypes involving those antigens which showed a high frequency among patients. A significant association was also found with complement factors C4A6.3 and C4A6,X. However, the relative risk was high for C4BQO (10.73). CONCLUSIONS. Psoriasis in Indians is associated with the A1, B17 and Cw6 but not with B13 antigens and the complement allotypes mentioned above. The strong association with C4 factors may be as a result of a close linkage between the class III region and Ir genes.

Inmunoglobulina A - G - M y fraccion C3 del complemento, durante la lactancia a 3.620 mts. sobre el nivel del mar / Immunoglobulin A - G - M and fraction complement C3 during breast feeding at 3.620 meters above sea level

Se presenta un estudio de la composicion de algunos elementos inmunologicos durante el periodo inicial de lactancia. Se cuantifican las concentraciones totales de lg A total lg G, lg W y fraccion C3 del Complemento en la leche proveniente de 39 madres con embarazo de termino a las 24 horas y 72 horas de ocurrido el parto normal y habiendo sido el producto eutocico. Las concentraciones halladas de las inmunoglobulinas no fueron diferentes en las dos etapas tomadas. En relacion a los valores esperados de acuerdo a las tablas de referencia, los niveles hallados de las inmunoglobulinas fueron elevadas, en cambio el nivel de la fraccion C3 fue muy bajo, todos estos valores fueron significativamente diferentes, con las tablas de referencia, los niveles altos de lgA especialmente lgG, lgM y los niveles bajos de C3 parecen indicar una respuesta inmunologica activa.