Leprosy: prevalence and factors associated with seropositivity for anti-NDO-LID antibodies in children under 15 years of age

Abstract: Background: A high prevalence of leprosy among children under 15 years of age indicates the need to implement actions to prevent new cases of the disease. Serological tests have been developed with the aim of helping to control the disease by indicating, through seropositivity, the presence of infection. Objective: To analyze the prevalence and factors associated with seropositivity rate for anti-NDO-LID antibodies in children under 15 years of age, contacts of leprosy patients. Method: We performed a cross-sectional study with 210 children under 15 years old of age. Of them, 50 were household contacts and 160 were neighborhood contacts living in the municipality of Cuiabá, state of Mato Grosso, in 2016. The data were obtained from interviews and the NDO-LID rapid test during home visits from February to July 2016. For the analysis, we used Poisson regression and prevalence ratio. Results: Seropositivity in contacts was 6.2%. Variables associated with seropositive tests included sex (PR = 1.05; 95% CI: 1.01 - 1.08), race/skin color (PR = 0.95; 95% CI: 0.90 - 0.99), residence area (PR = 1.05; 95% CI: 1.01 - 1.09), and number of people per household (PR = 1.06; 95% CI: 1.02 - 1.08). Study Limitations: The small sample size, besides leading to wide confidence intervals, may have been a limitation for the identification of associated factors. Conclusions: The prevalence of seropositivity was high. Variables associated with NDO-LID seropositivity included female sex, not to be brown skinned, live in urban areas, and live with five or more people.

Preliminary assessment of anti-α-Gal IgG and IgM levels in patients with patent Plasmodium vivax infection

Anti-α-Gal responses may exert a protective effect in falciparum malaria. However, the biological role of such antibodies is still unknown during Plasmodium vivax infections. We investigated IgG and IgM responses to α-Gal in individuals with vivax malaria. Anti-α-Gal IgG and IgM levels were higher in these patients than in controls, but no significant correlation was found between parasitaemia and anti-α-Gal response, nor between this response and ABO blood group status. This is the first study to investigate anti-α-Gal antibodies in P. vivax-infected patients; a larger survey is necessary to achieve a better understanding of host immune response during vivax malaria.

Anti-H Antibody Showing Agglutination in the Anti-Human Globulin Phase in a Korean Patient

No abstract available.

Diagnostic Value of the Serum Anti-Toxocara IgG Titer for Ocular Toxocariasis in Patients with Uveitis at a Tertiary Hospital in Korea

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the prevalence of ocular toxocariasis (OT) in patients with uveitis of unknown etiology who visited a tertiary hospital in South Korea and assessed the success of serum anti-Toxocara immunoglobulin G (IgG) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as a diagnostic test for OT. METHODS: The records of consecutive patients with intraocular inflammation of unknown etiology were reviewed. All participants underwent clinical and laboratory investigations, including ELISA for serum anti-Toxocara IgG. OT was diagnosed based on typical clinical findings. Clinical characteristics, seropositivity, and IgG titers were compared between patients diagnosed with OT and non-OT uveitis. The seropositivity and the diagnostic value of anti-Toxocara IgG was investigated among patients with different types of uveitis. RESULTS: Of 238 patients with uveitis of unknown etiology, 71 (29.8%) were diagnosed with OT, and 80 (33.6%) had positive ELISA results for serum anti-Toxocara IgG. The sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA test were 91.5% (65 / 71) and 91.0% (152 / 167), respectively. The positive predictive value of the serum anti-Toxocara IgG assay was 81.3%. Among patients with anterior, intermediate, posterior, and panuveitis, the prevalence rates of OT were 8.3%, 47.1%, 44.8%, and 7.1%, respectively; the seropositivity percentages were 18.1%, 47.1%, 43.7%, and 17.9%; and the positive predictive values were 38.5%, 95.8%, 92.1%, and 40.0%. The serum anti-Toxocara IgG titer also significantly decreased following albendazole treatment. CONCLUSIONS: OT is a common cause of intraocular inflammation in the tertiary hospital setting. Considering that OT is more prevalent in intermediate and posterior uveitis, and that the positive predictive value of the anti-Toxocara IgG assay is high, a routine test for anti-Toxocara IgG might be necessary for Korean patients with intermediate and posterior uveitis.

Frecuencia de anticuerpos para diagnóstico de enfermedad celíaca en pacientes con enfermedades del tejido conectivo y artropatías inflamatorias / Serum anti endomysial and anti transglutaminase antibodies in patients with connective tissue diseases

Background: The detection of anti-transglutaminase IgA (tTG) and anti-endomysial (EMA) is used for screening of celiac disease (CD) with a sensitivity and specificity of 90 and 99% respectively. There is an association between CD and connective tissue diseases (CTD). Aim: To report the frequency of IgA tTG and EMA in patients with a definite diagnosis of CTD and inflammatory arthropathies (IA). Material and Methods: One hundred forty nine patients, aged 19 to 86 years (133 females) with CTD and IA were studied. tTG were determined by ELISA and EMA by indirect immunofluorescence. Results: Eight participants had at least one positive antibody (5.4%, confidence intervals (CI) = 1.8-9), six had both (4.0% CI = 0.9-7.2) and two had only tTG positive. An intestinal biopsy was performed in four of these participants, finding a marked villous atrophy in three and partial atrophy in one. Conclusions: Five percent of this group of patients with CTD or IA had positive antibodies for CD.

Síndrome anti-GQ1b: Descripción de cuatro pacientes y revisión de la literatura / Anti-GQ1b syndrome: Report of four cases

Anti-GQ1b syndrome includes Miller Fisher Syndrome (MFS), Guillain Barré Syndrome (GBS), Bickerstaff`s brain stem encephalitis (BBE) and Acute Ophtamoplegia (AO). We report four patients aged 16 to 76 years, with anti-GQ1b syndrome. All presented with MFS, one of them evolved to GBS pharyngeal-cervical-brachial variant and other to GBS with BBE. All had a previous history of diarrhea or upper respiratory tract infection. All had positive anti-GQ1b serum antibodies. Both brain magnetic resonance imaging and cerebrospinal fluid analysis were normal. Electrophysiology studies were compatible with a demyelinating disease. Two patients needed airway protection with an orotracheal tube and developed dysautonomia. All four patients were treated with immunomodulation. On the sixth month follow-up, patients had only minimal alterations in the neurological examination.

Serum Elastin-Derived Peptides and Anti-Elastin Antibody in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis

The elastin metabolism in systemic sclerosis (SSc) has been known to be abnormal. The authors investigated relationship between the clinical manifestations of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and serum levels of soluble elastin-derived peptide (S-EDP) and anti-elastin antibodies. Serum samples were obtained from 79 patients with SSc and 79 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Concentrations of serum S-EDP and anti-elastin antibodies were measured by ELISA. The serum concentrations of S-EDP in SSc patients were significantly higher than in healthy controls (median, 144.44 ng/mL vs 79.59 ng/mL, P < 0.001). Serum EDP concentrations were found to be correlated with disease duration in SSc (P = 0.002) and particularly in diffuse cutaneous SSc (P = 0.005). Levels of anti-elastin antibodies were found to be more elevated in SSc patients than in healthy controls (median, 0.222 U vs 0.191 U, P = 0.049), more increased in diffuse cutaneous SSc than limited cutaneous SSc (median, 0.368 U vs 0.204 U, P = 0.031). In addition, levels of anti-elastin antibodies were also found to be negatively associated with presence of anti-centromere antibody (P = 0.023). The S-EDP levels were not found to be correlated with levels of anti-elastin antibodies. The increased S-EDP and anti-elastin antibody levels and association with clinical and laboratory characteristics may reflect the abnormal metabolism in SSc.

Enfermedad celíaca silente en epilepsia criptogénica del adulto / Silent celiac disease among 21 patients with cryptogenic epilepsy

Background: Celiac disease (CD) is predominant in women and young people. Atypical, non-enteric symptoms are more common among adults. There is also an association between CD and neurological disorders, especially with cerebellar ataxia, polyneuropathy and epilepsy. Aim: To study the frequency of CD in a group of adults with cryptogenic epilepsy. Material and Methods: Twenty one patients with cryptogenic epilepsy, aged 20 to 65years (14 women) were studied, measuring IgA-anti transglutaminase antibodies and deamidated gliadin peptide (DGP) IgG and IgA antibodies. Results: One patient had elevated titers of both types of antibodies. Small bowel biopsy showed villous atrophy and lymphocytic infiltration compatible with CD. Conclusions: One of 21 adult patients with cryptogenic epilepsy had a silent CD.

Comparison between sensitivity of autologous skin serum test and autologous plasma skin test in patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria for detection of antibody against IgE or IgE receptor [FcepsilonRIalpha]

Intradermal injection of autologous serum and plasma elicit a cutaneous reactivity in almost 45-60% of patients with Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria [CIU]. This reactivity is associated with the presence of auto antibodies against IgE or IgE receptors. This study was carried out to compare the cutaneous reactivity of autologous serum and plasma skin tests in a series of patients with CIU for diagnosis of auto antibodies against IgE or IgE receptor. Fifty eight patients with CIU were injected intradermally with autologous serum and plasma [anticoagulated by citrate]. Histamine was used as positive control and normal saline as negative control. The study group was checked by routine laboratory tests [CBC, U/A etc], allergens with skin prick tests, and serum IgE level, and auto antibodies against thyroid as well. Duration of urticaria was another factor which was assessed. There was no significant difference between positive ASST and positive APST patients for the above mentioned tests. 77.6% of the patients were Positive for APST and 65.5% were ASST positive. Duration of urticaria was longer in patients with positive ASST and APST than ASST and APST negative patients, although the difference was not statistically significant. Autologous serum skin test [ASST] and autologous plasma skin test [APST] could be used for estimation of duration and severity of urticaria and planning for the treatment

Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies and rheumatoid factor in leprosy patients with articular involvement

The objective of the present research was to evaluate the usefulness of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies and the IgM rheumatoid factor (IgM RF) test for the differential diagnosis of leprosy with articular involvement and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Anti-CCP antibodies and IgM RF were measured in the sera of 158 leprosy patients (76 with and 82 without articular involvement), 69 RA patients and 89 healthy controls. Leprosy diagnosis was performed according to Ridley and Jopling classification criteria and clinical and demographic characteristics of leprosy patients were collected by a standard questionnaire. Leprosy patients with any concomitant rheumatic disease were excluded. Serum samples were obtained from all participants and frozen at _20°C. Measurement of anti-CCP antibodies and IgM RF were performed by ELISA, using a commercial second-generation kit, and the latex agglutination test, respectively. Anti-CCP antibodies and IgM RF were detected in low frequencies (2.6 and 1.3 percent, respectively) in leprosy patients and were not associated with articular involvement. Among healthy individuals both anti-CCP antibodies and IgM RF were each detected in 3.4 percent of the subjects. In contrast, in the RA group, anti-CCP antibodies were present in 81.2 percent and IgM RF in 62.3 percent. In the present study, both anti-CCP antibodies and IgM RF showed good positive predictive value for RA, helping to discriminate between RA and leprosy patients with articular involvement. However, anti-CCP antibodies were more specific for RA diagnosis in the population under study.

Antibody testing in Indian children with celiac disease.

BACKGROUND: We prospectively evaluated the usefulness of IgA tissue transglutaminase antibodies (IgA tTG) in the initial diagnosis of celiac disease (CD) and compared its diagnostic potential with that of IgA anti-endomysial antibodies (IgA EMA) and anti-IgA and IgG gliadin antibodies (AGA and AGG, respectively). METHODS: Sera of 23 untreated children fulfilling the revised ESPGHAN criteria for diagnosis of CD (Group I; mean age 10.8 y); 19 disease controls (Group II; mean age 8.5 y) presenting with chronic diarrhea, short stature or both; and 22 healthy children (Group III; mean age 8.8 y) were studied. These were tested in a blinded manner for AGA, AGG, IgA tTG (guinea pig as antigen) and IgA EMA. RESULTS: In Group I, IgA EMA was positive in 19, IgA tTG in 17, AGA in 14 and AGG in 17 patients. In Group II, these tests were positive in 1, 0, 2 and 14 patients, respectively and in Group III, in 0, 0, 0 and 1 child, respectively. Analyzing data from Group I and II, IgA EMA, IgA tTG, AGA and AGG had sensitivity rates of 83%, 74%, 61% and 74%, respectively; the specificity rates were 95%, 100%, 89% and 26%; positive predictive values were 95%, 100%, 88% and 55% and negative predictive values were 82%, 74%, 65% and 45%, respectively. CONCLUSION: IgA tTG is useful for the diagnosis of CD, with sensitivity and specificity rates comparable to those of EMA and this test is well suited for use in tropical countries like India.

Comparison of Asthma Phenotypes Using Different Sensitizing Protocols in Mice

BACKGROUND: Several methods have been reported to induce asthmatic reactions in mice but few studies have compared their efficiency. We evaluated the efficiency of the protocols frequently used in the literature. METHODS: BALB/c mice were sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA) by intraperitoneal injection; 1] Once a week for two weeks using OVA with alum (IPOA-2) or without (IPO-2), and provocation on days 28-30 by 1% OVA inhalation; 2] seven times for two weeks by OVA with alum (IPOA-7) or without (IPO-7) and provocation by 1% OVA inhalation on days 42-44. 3] Sensitization by 1% OVA inhalation for ten days (IHO-10) and provocation by 1% OVA inhalation on days 28-30. After the last challenge, airway hyperresponsiveness was measured with single chamber plethysmography 24 hours later and mice were sacrificed 48 hours later. RESULTS: Airway hyperresponsiveness, BALF eosinophilia, airway inflammation, and OVA-specific IgE and IgG1 production were effectively induced in IPOA-2, IPOA-7, and IPO-7. However, these phenotypes were not induced in IPO-2 (except for increased BALF eosinophils) or IHO-10 (except for an increased OVA-specific IgG1 level). CONCLUSION: The intraperitoneal injections of OVA with alum once a week for two weeks proved to be the most efficient sensitization method of inducing an asthmatic reaction in mice.

Seroprevalencia de anticuerpos anti-caga de helicobacter pylori y su relacion con factores epidemiologicos wn Santa Fe / Seroprevalence of helicobacter pylori anti-caga antibodies and its relationship with epidemiologic factors in Santa Fe

La detección precoz de anticuerpos anti-CagA en adultos jóvenes tendría gran impacto clínico en la prevención del cáncer gástrico. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue determinar en nuestra región la seroprevalencia de los anticuerpos IgG y anti-CagA de Helicobacter pylori, con una técnica no invasiva y fácil de realizar; valorando su relación con diferentes factores de riesgos epidemiológicos. Se incorporaron 435 voluntarios de diferentes centros de salud con edad promedio de 40 años. Mediante una encuesta personalizada se registraron variables demográficas, condiciones socieconómicas, entre otros datos de interés. En el suero de los individuos se determinó la presencia de anticuerpos IgG específicos y anti-CagA del Helicobacter pylori mediante una técnica de enzimoinmunoensayo. La prevalencia de los anticuerpos IgG fue de 52.2%, siendo positivo en 152 (53.7%) mujeres y 75 (49%) varones. Los anticuerpos IgG estaban presentes en el 65.0% de los individuos con síntomas y en el 44.1% de los asintomáticos. La prevalencia de los anticuerpos anti-CagA en la muestra estudiada fue 33.1%, presentándose en el 63.4% de los sujetos seropositivos (IgG), siendo positivo en 96 (33.9%) mujeres y 48 (31.6%) varones. La prevalencia fue 45.4% y 25.7% en los sintomáticos y asintomáticos respectivamente. Se demostró que los anticuerpos IgG están asociados a la edad, zona de residencia, nivel educacional y número de dormitorios por vivienda; mientras que los anticuerpos anti-CagA dependen de la zona de residencia y de la presencia de síntomas. La influencia de la variable predictiva síntomas sobre la presencia de los anticuerpos anti-CagA revelan la importancia selectiva en la corroboración de parámetros clínicos de las enfermedades gastroduodenales asociadas a Helicobacter pylori.

Anti-HIV-1 antibody testing using modified gelatin particle agglutination: a large field study.

Anti-HIV testing using gelatin particle agglutination (GPA) assay was investigated in parallel with ELISAs from routine service at Siriraj Hospital. In the first strategy, 174,032 sera from a patient population with an HIV-1 seroprevalence of 13.72 per cent were assayed using reduced volumes of GPA reagents, giving a cost reduction of 40 per cent. In the second strategy, 90,560 pregnant women and 48,936 emigrant workers with an HIV-1 seroprevalence of 2.2 per cent and 0.3 per cent, respectively, were tested in pools of 4 sera using the manufacturer's recommended volumes, giving a cost saving of 67 per cent. Overall, the sensitivity and specificity were almost identical with standard methods. Thus, parallel use of either modified GPA might be considered appropriate when testing large numbers of samples. However, both modified versions of GPA are not recommended as the first assay for diagnostic or blood bank screening especially in high prevalence of HIV infection.

Idiotypic regulation in schistosomiasis mansoni

The role of anti-idiotype Ab2 in the regulation of the immune response In Schistosomiasis was studied. Positive Ab2 could be detected among the newborns of infected mothers and experimentally S. mansoni-infected mice. Negative anti- idiotypic antibodies were observed among children above three years and control mice. Increasing levels of anti- idiotypic antibodies were detected among S. Mansoni infected children and adults. Higher mean anti-idiotype A2 levels were found among patients with hepatosplenomegaly than those with intestinal manifestations. The kinetics of anti-idiotype Ab2 among the S. mansoni-infected mice started from the end of the first week after infection up to eight weeks, it was continuous, but with undulating levels. Moreover, the anti-idiotype antibody was able to stimulate lymphocyte proliferation at eight weeks post infection

Diagnóstico virológico de un brote de fiebre y rash producido por Parvovirus B19, Cuba, 1995 / Virologycal diagnosis of an aoutbreak of fever and rash caused by Parvovirus B19, Cuba, 1995

Se reportan los resultados obtenidos en el estudio de un brote de fiebre y rash ocurrido en Ciudad de La Habana en marzo de 1995. En las muestras de 35 pacientes se descartaron dengue, sarampión, rubéola, herpes simple y Epstein Barr como agentes causales del brote. Mediante la detección de anticuerpos IgM y la técnica de reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (RCP) se identificó al Parvovirus B19 como agente causal del brote. En 14/18 muestras (77,7 por ciento) se comprobó la infección por este agente por alguna de las técnicas empleadas. Este estudio se refiere al primer brote confirmado de Parvovirus B19 en Cuba

Anticuerpos antiidiotípicos en pacientes politransfundidos / Antiidiotypic antibodies in polytransfused patients

Los pacientes politransfundidos con insuficiência renal crônica, van aumentando cada vez mas en las listas de espera de transplante renal, el que es de difícil realización puesto que estos pacientes presentan anticuerpos citotóxicos (Ab1) para casi todas las especificidades antigénicas. Muchos autores han indicado que la eventual presencia de anticuerpos antiidiotípicos (Ab2) ayuda al êxito del transplante y por eso el hecho de detectarlos de una manera simple y rápida podria ser de gran interés. En este estudio se realizaron 131 tests de inhibición de linfocitotoxicidad (TIL) con 21 muestras de suero de 9 pacientes politransfundidos, testándolos con células de antigenicidad conocida. Se usaron un suero con "cross match" contra panel (CMP) de fecha antigua y un suero mas reciente con CMP menor de cada paciente para realizar el TIL. 31 tests fueron positivos indicando que en elsuero de fecha mas reciente éxistian Ab2 que bloqueaban específicamente los Ab1 presentes en el suero mas antiguo.