Identifying anti-Toxocara IgG antibodies in horses of Mexico / Identificação de anticorpos IgG anti-Toxocara em cavalos do México

Both the presence of owned dogs and stray dogs allows the spread of Toxocara, a parasite whose eggs can be found in soil, water and food. Animals, including horses, serve as definitive and paratenic hosts. In México, where consumption of horse meat is common, Toxocara is a zoonotic parasite. The aim of this study was to identify the presence of anti-Toxocara antibodies in work horses and horses intended for human consumption by ELISA. ELISA was chosen for analysis as paratenic hosts do not shed Toxocara eggs in their feces. Blood samples were collected from a total of 188 horses, 94 of which were work horses and 94 horses from the slaughter house. Samples were analyzed by ELISA, and the general equine seroprevalence was found to be 44.6% (n = 188). Adult horses for slaughter had a 61.7% greater presence of anti-Toxocara antibodies (p = 0.006). Toxocara IgG antibodies were found in horses, confirming that horses are paratenic hosts and possible sources of infection for other animals and people.(AU)

Tanto a presença de cães com dono quanto de cães vadios permitem a disseminação de Toxocara, e o parasita está presente no solo, na água e nos alimentos. Animais, incluindo cavalos, apresentam-se como hospedeiros definitivos e paratênicos. No México, o consumo de carne de cavalo é comum, e Toxocara é um parasita zoonótico. ELISA foi escolhido para análise, já que hospedeiros paratênicos não jogam ovos de Toxocara em suas fezes. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar a presença de anticorpos anti-Toxocara por ELISA, em cavalos de trabalho e em cavalos para o consumo humano. As amostras de sangue foram retiradas de 188 cavalos: 94 cavalos de trabalho e 94 cavalos de trabalho do matadouro. Soros dos animais foram analisados por ELISA e 44,6% dos equinos apresentaram anticorpos anti-Toxocara. Cavalos adultos para abate têm 61,7% mais elevada a presença de anticorpos anti-Toxocara (P = 0,006). Anticorpos IgG Toxocara foram encontrados em cavalos, confirmando cavalos paratênicos como hospedeiros e possíveis fontes de infecção para outros animais e pessoas.(AU)

La formación y el trabajo del agente indígena de salud en el Subsistema de Salud Indígena en Brasil / Professional education and work of indigenous health agents in the Brazilian health system

Objetivo. Reflexionar sobre la figura del agente indígena de salud en Brasil y sobre el papel que éste ejerce en el modelo de atención diferenciada o intercultural. Material y métodos. Se revisó la bibliografía de investigaciones existentes en el área del trabajo y la formación de los agentes indígenas de salud, del subsistema de salud indígena en Brasil. Resultados. Existe subordinación del agente al modelo médico hegemónico. Los agentes carecen de procesos formativos iniciales, los cursos ocurren con irregularidad y los contenidos se enfocan en la biomedicina. Hay conflictos con el equipo y con la comunidad, lo que genera su desvalorización. El agente no ejerce la función de mediación que se espera entre saberes y prácticas. Conclusiones. La discusión sobre la atención diferenciada debe partir de la relación entre el sector salud y la autoatención.

Objective. To discuss the role of indigenous health agents in the implementation of the model of differentiated attention or intercultural health in Brazil. Materials and methods. We revised the scientific literature about the work and professional education of indigenous health agents in the Brazilian indigenous health system. Results. There is a subordination of the agents to the hegemonic medical model. With regards to professional education, we observe the absence and irregularity of these processes, with a general emphasis the biomedicine. There are conflicts with the health team and community, with devaluation of the agents. The agent does not plays the role of mediator between the different health knowledge and practices. Conclusions. We suggest that the discussion of the model of differentiated attention should strengthen the relationship between the health system and the selfcare.

Serological and infection statuses of dogs from a visceral leishmaniasis-endemic area / Status sorológico e de infecção canina em área endêmica de leishmaniose visceral

OBJECTIVE This study investigated the serological status of dogs living in a visceral leishmaniasis-endemic area and its correlation with the parasitological condition of the animals. METHODS Canine humoral response was evaluated using the sera of 134 dogs by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunohistochemistry to detect parasites in the skin, lymph node, and spleen of the animals. The specific antibodies investigated were IgG, IgG1, IgG2, and IgE. RESULTS According to the parasitological, laboratory, and clinical findings, the dogs were placed into one of four groups: asymptomatic with (AP+, n = 21) or without (AP-, n = 36) Leishmania tissue parasitism and symptomatic with (SP+, n = 52) or without (SP-, n = 25) parasitism. Higher IgG and IgE levels were positively correlated with the infection condition and parasite load, but not with the clinical status. In all groups, total IgG was the predominant antibody, which occurred at the expense of IgG2 instead of IgG1. Most of the infected dogs tested positive for IgG (SP+, 98.1%; AP+, 95.2%), whereas this was not observed with IgE (SP+, 80.8%; AP+, 71.2%). The most relevant finding was the high positivity of the uninfected dogs for Leishmania-specific IgG (SP-, 60.0%; AP-, 44.4%), IgE (SP-, 44.0%; AP-, 27.8%), IgG1 (SP-, 28.0%; AP-, 22.2%), and IgG2 antibodies (SP-, 56.0%; AP-, 41.7%). CONCLUSIONS The serological status of dogs, as determined by any class or subclass of antibodies, did not accurately distinguish dogs infected with L. (L.) infantum chagasi from uninfected animals. The inaccuracy of the serological result may impair not only the diagnosis, but also epidemiological investigations and strategies for visceral leishmaniasis control. This complex serological scenario occurring in a visceral leishmaniasis-endemic area highlights the challenges associated with canine diagnosis and points out the difficulties experienced by veterinary clinicians and coordinators of ...

OBJETIVO Foi investigado o status sorológico de cães, em área endêmica de leishmaniose visceral, e sua correlação com a infecção parasitológica dos animais. MÉTODOS A resposta humoral canina foi avaliada no soro de 134 cães pelo método ELISA e pela imuno-histoquímica, para detectar parasitos na pele, linfonodo e baço desses animais. Os anticorpos específicos investigados foram IgG, IgG1, IgG2 e IgE. RESULTADOS De acordo com os achados parasitológicos, laboratoriais e clínicos, os cães foram alocados em um dos quatro grupos: assintomáticos com (AP+, n = 21) e sem (AP-, n = 36) parasitismo tecidual por Leishmania e sintomáticos com (SP+, n = 52) ou sem (SP-, n = 25) parasitismo. Níveis mais elevados de IgG e IgE se correlacionaram positivamente com o status de infecção e a carga parasitária, mas não com a condição clínica. Em todos os grupos, IgG total foi o anticorpo predominante, com maior concentração de IgG2 que IgG1. O anticorpo IgG foi positivo em proporção elevada nos animais infectados (SP+ 98,1%; AP+ 95,2%), mas não o IgE (SP+ 80,8%; AP+ 71,2%). O achado mais relevante refere-se aos cães não infectados que apresentaram elevada positividade para anticorpos IgG anti-Leishmania (SP- 60,0%; AP- 44,4%), IgE (SP- 44,0%; AP- 27,8%), IgG1 (SP- 28,0%; AP- 22,2%) e IgG2 (SP- 56,0%; AP- 41,7%). CONCLUSÕES O status sorológico dos cães, determinado por qualquer classe ou subclasse de anticorpos, não distinguiu com acurácia cães infectados por L. (L.) infantum chagasi daqueles não infectados. A imprecisão do resultado sorológico pode prejudicar não só o diagnóstico, mas também as investigações epidemiológicas e as estratégias para o controle da leishmaniose visceral. Esse complexo ...

Diagnostic accuracy of immunological methods in patients with tuberculous pleural effusion from Venezuela / Precisión diagnóstica de métodos inmunológicos en pacientes con tuberculosis pleural de Venezuela

In recent years, better diagnostics for tuberculosis (TB) has received increasing attention, especially the diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion, which is difficult and at present the main tool in TPE diagnostic is pleural effusion smear and culture, but unfortunately, sensitivities are low, therefore better TPE diagnostic tools are needed. The aim of this study was to find a diagnostic algorithm to assess the progress in TPE diagnostic at the Hospital Vargas de Caracas, that permits identification of the majority of patients, at a satisfactory cost-benefit ratio, evaluating the levels of IFN-g and IL-12p40 in pleural effusion and serum, as well as the antibody reactivity in order to compare it with microbiological tests. A total of 60 individuals with pleural effusion were studied; 20 patients with tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE) formed the patient group and 40 patients with non-tuberculous pleural effusion (NTPE) formed the control group. The levels of IFN-g and IL-12p40 in effusion and serum and class and subclasses of IgG reactivity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens were measured by ELISA. The utility of these methods for diagnosis of TPE was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The results of the 11 immunological methods evaluated showed that the anti-PPD IgG2 method was able to reach the highest specificity of 95% (CI: 88.3-101.8), positive predictive value (PPV)=75 (at 30% sensitivity); while that the overall sensitivity of methods was between 95% and 30%, of these, two methods reached higher sensitivities; increased levels of pleural IFN-g, with a sensitivity of 95% (CI: 85.5-104.5) with the highest negative predictive value (NPV)=97, (at 82.5% specificity), followed by decreased levels of serum IL-12p40 with a sensitivity of 95% (CI: 85.5-104.5), NPV=95.2 (at 50% specificity). In contrast, microbiological methods showed that smear had a sensitivity of only 20%, while smear plus ...

Recientemente existe un gran interés hacia un mejor y más rápido diagnóstico de tuberculosis (TB), especialmente de tuberculosis pleural, el cual es difícil. Al presente las principales herramientas diagnósticas son la baciloscopia y el cultivo de líquido pleural; desafortunadamente, las sensibilidades de estos métodos son bajas, por lo que el desarrollo de nuevas herramientas diagnósticas es necesario. El objetivo del presente estudio consistió en encontrar un algoritmo que permita la rápida identificación de la mayoría de los pacientes con TB pleural que ingresan en el Hospital Vargas de Caracas a un buen costo-beneficio. Para esto se evaluaron los niveles de las citocinas Interferón-gamma (IFN-g) y la Interleucina 12p40 (IL-12p40) en líquido pleural y suero, así como la reactividad de anticuerpos contra antígenos de Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Se estudiaron 60 individuos con derrame pleural; 20 individuos con líquido pleural tuberculoso (LPT) conformaron el grupo de pacientes y 40 individuos con líquido pleural no tuberculoso (LPNT) el grupo de controles. La técnica de inmunoensayo de ELISA fue utilizada para medir los niveles de IFN-g y IL-12p40; así como las reactividades de los diversos isotipos y subclases de inmunoglobulina G (IgG) frente a antígenos del bacilo. La utilidad de los métodos fue evaluada utilizando el análisis de las curvas ROC (receiver operating characteristic). Los resultados de los 11 métodos inmunológicos evaluados mostraron que el método IgG2 anti-PPD alcanzó la mayor especificidad de 95%, (CI: 88,3-101,8) con un valor predictivo positivo (VPP) de 75. La sensibilidad de los métodos estuvo entre 30% y 95%; dos métodos alcanzaron altas sensibilidades: los altos niveles de IFN-g en líquido pleural, con sensibilidad de 95% (CI: 85,5-104,5), con un valor predictivo negativo (VPN) de 97, seguido de los bajos niveles de IL-12p40 en suero, con una sensibilidad de 95% (CI: 85,5-104,5) con un VPN de 95,2. En contraste, ...

Production and characterization of mouse monoclonal antibodies recognizing multiple subclasses of human IgG

Different IgG subclass profiles are produced in response to different antigenic stimuli in a variety of diseases. IgG subclass levels may reflect disease severity. Quantification of IgG subclasses depends on the availability if specific Monoclonal antibodies [MAbs]. In the present study seven hybridoma clones producing MAbs reactive with multiple subclasses of human IgG were established. Splenocytes form Balb/c mice immunized with Fc fractions of human IgG1 or IgG2 myeloma proteins were fused with mouse myeloma cells. Fused cells were selected and cloned by limiting dilution assay. Antibody secreting cells were screened by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] and the specificity of secreted MAbs was further analyzed, using a panel of purified human myeloma paraproteins of different IgG subclasses by ELISA and immunoblotting. Cross-reactivity to immunoglobulins [Igs] of other species was studied by indirect ELISA using serum samples collected from 9 animals. The MAbs were found to react with triple IgG subclasses, including IgG1,2,4 [n=4] and IgG1,2,3 [n=3]. Immunoblotting studies revealed recognition of linear [n=4] or conformational [n=3] epitopes by these MAbs. The most abundant cross-reactivity [71.4%] was observed with monkey Ig while no cross-reactivity was detected with hen and cat sera. The MAbs mostly displayed a restricted pattern of cross-reactivity and one of them did not bind to any of the animal sera tested. The affinity constant of 3 MABs was measured by ELISA. Based on the data obtained from this study, mouse MAbs reactive with multiple human IgG subclasses are directed to a variety of immunogenic epitopes, mostly shared with IgG of other species. Thes MAbs are valuable tools for purification of non-reactive IgG subclasses through negative affinity chromatography. These Mabs could also provide an opportunity for epitope mapping of the Fc region of IgG, as well as serological phylogenetic studies

Immunoglobulins and immunoglobulin G subclasses with vitamin E level in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

This study was conducted to assess the effect of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia as a disease and cytotoxic therapy on serum levels of total immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin G subclasses [Gl, G2, G3, G4], with IgA, IgM complements C3, C4 and vitamin E [as an endogenous antioxidant] in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Twenty-six children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia completed the study, which was conducted in the Hospital of Nuclear Medicine in Mosul city from Jun 2005 to Apr 2007. Also included in the study a 27 apparently healthy age and sex matched children serve as a control for the initial laboratory results. Initially for both the patients and controls, a blood sample withdrawn and serum total immunoglobulin G, subclasses [Gl, G2, G3, G4], immunoglobulin A, immunoglobulin M, complements C3, C4 and vitamin E was measured [immunoglobulin groups, and subclasses of IgG with the complements C3, C4 using radial immunodiffusion methodology with specific kits, while serum vitamin E was measured by high performance liquid chromatography]. For the patient's group the same parameters were measured after receiving the cytotoxic therapy for the induction remission and consolidation phases of therapy. For the children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, before starting cytotoxic regimen, there was a significant differences in total immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin G2, immunoglobulin G4, Complements C3 and C4, with insignificant differences in the serum levels of immunoglobulin Gl, immunoglobulin G3, immunoglobulin A and M with serum vitamin E, from values in the control group. After receiving cytotoxic therapy and in comparison to the initial control results, there was a significant difference in the mean serum level total immunoglobulin G subclasses Gl, G2, G3, and G4 and complement C3. While serum levels of immunoglobulin A and M, complement C4 and vitamin E showed insignificant differences from the control values. By comparing results of children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia before and after starting cytotoxic therapy, serum total immunoglobulin G and subclasses G2, G4, showed a significant reduction after cytotoxic therapy, so as immunoglobulin A and M, complements C3, C4 and vitamin E levels. Where as immunoglobulin G subclass Gl and G3 showed insignificant differences. Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia as a disease and cytotoxic therapy do affect humoral immunity as reflected by their effects on immunoglobulin G total and subclasses [mainly IgG2 and IgG4], IgA and IgM with the complements C3 and C4, also there is an obvious and negative effects of cytotoxic therapy on serum vitamin E as an endogenous antioxidant in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Anti-malaria humoral responses in children exposed to Plasmodium falciparum and Schistosoma haematobium

Antibody responses directed against the Plasmodium falciparum antigens, total extract, anti-merozoite surface protein-3 (MSP3b) and glutamate-rich protein (Glurp-R0) were studied in 42 children exposed to both Schistosoma haematobium and P. falciparum infections. The association between levels of the anti-malaria IgG subclasses and IgM with host age, sex, schistosome infection intensity and schistosome specific antibodies was studied before chemotherapeutic treatment of schistosome infections. This showed a significant negative association between schistosome infection intensity and levels of IgG1, IgG3, and IgG4 directed against malaria total extract antigen, and a positive association between levels of anti-schistosome soluble egg antigen IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4 and levels of the same subclasses directed against malaria total extract antigens. The effect of treating schistosome infections with praziquantel on malaria specific responses was also studied. This treatment resulted in increases in significant IgG4 levels against MSP3b and IgM against Glurp R0. Treatment also resulted in a significant decrease in IgG4 levels against Glurp R0. Host age, sex or pre-treatment infection intensity was not associated with the magnitude of change in the two IgG4 responses while males showed a significantly higher increase in levels of IgM. The results suggest cross reactivity between schistosome and malaria antigens in this population.

Perfil de isotipos de imunoglobulinas e subclasses de IgG na leishmaniose tegumentar americana / Immunoglobulin isotype and IgG subclass profiles in american tegumentary leishmaniasis

O presente trabalho avaliou o perfil de anticorpos em amostras de soro de 37 pacientes com diagnóstico clínico confirmado ou compatível com leishmaniose tegumentar americana atendidos no Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, MG. Os perfis das classes de imunoglobulinas e subclasses de IgG foram analisados pelo teste ELISA indireto, utilizando-se antígeno solúvel de Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis. A avidez dos anticorpos foi determinada pelo tratamento com uréia a 6 M, após incubação dos soros com o antígeno. Observou-se que 97 por cento, 94,6 por cento, 57,5 e 21,5 por cento das amostras testadas apresentaram anticorpos anti-Leishmania das classes IgE, IgG, IgA e IgM, respectivamente e, os perfis das subclasses de IgG demonstraram, IgG1>IgG3>IgG2>IgG4. Os anticorpos IgE anti-Leishmania de alta avidez corresponderam a 44,4 por cento. Por outro lado, IgG e IgA anti-Leishmania foram em sua maioria (62,8 e 47,8 por cento, respectivamente), de média avidez. A variação do perfil de isotipos, bem como a avidez das imunoglobulinas refletiu a complexidade da resposta imune humoral contra a leishmaniose tegumentar americana.

Inmunoglobulinas en pacientes con actinomicetoma por Nocardia brasiliensis / Immunoglobulins in patients with Nocardia brasiliensis actinomycetoma

Considerando que algunos autores han reportado un aumento en la cantidad de algunas inmunoglobulinas en los pacientes con actinomicetoma, en este trabajo nos propusimos determinar diferencias en la producción de IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4 e IgM en 25 pacientes con actinomicetoma por Nocardia brasiliensis y 25 personas sanas provenientes de una zona endémica de micetoma. La determinación de inmunoglobulinas se realizó por medio de la técnica de ELISA. Para sensibilizar las placas se emplearon 6 antígenos de N. brasiliensis: un antígeno crudo denominado NB y cinco derivados del mismo (NB2, NB4, NB6, NB8 y NB10) separados por punto isoeléctrico. Los niveles de las cuatro subclases de IgG fueron mayores en los sueros de los pacientes que en el suero de los controles, con una diferencia máxima en IgG3 e IgG4; para esta última subclase, los seis antígenos fueron altamente reactivos. La concentración de IgM fue igual en ambos grupos. Es probable que como ocurre en otras infecciones, en la fisiopatogenia del actinomicetoma influya no sólo el aumento o deficiencia de una clase de inmunoglobulina, sino la relación que existe entre las diferentes subclases.

Considering that some authors have reported an increasing of some immunoglobulins in actinomycetoma patients, in this study we propose to determine differential production of IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4 and IgGM in 25 patients with actinomycetoma and 25 healthy individuals from a mycetoma endemic area. Immunoglobulins were determined by ELISA technique. To sensibilize the plates, six Nocardia brasiliensis antigens were used: a crude antigen denominated NB and five derivatives (NB2, NB4, NB6, NB8 and NB10) obtained by their isoelectric point. Results showed that all IgG subclasses were higher in the patients’ sera than in control sera, with a maximal difference to IgG3 and IgG4. To the latter subclass, six antigens were highly reactives. IgM levels were similar in both groups. As it occurs in other infections, in the actinomycetoma pathogenesis probably participate the increase or deficiency of a determined immunoglobulin class, as well as the relationship between different subclasses.

IgA, IgE e subclasses de IgG anti-Candida albicans no soro e lavado vaginal de pacientes com candidíase vulvovaginal / IgA, IgE and IgG subclasses to Candida albicans in serum and vaginal fluid from patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis

OBJETIVO: Determinar níveis de anticorpos IgA, IgE, IgG e subclasses (IgG1, IgG4) específicos a C. albicans no soro e lavado vaginal de mulheres com ou sem candidíase vulvovaginal para avaliar o papel destes anticorpos na imunopatogênese desta doença. MÉTODOS: Foram selecionadas 30 mulheres com sintomas clínicos de candidíase vulvovaginal (15 com cultura de secreção vaginal positiva para C. albicans, 11 com cultura negativa e quatro com cultura positiva para Candida não-albicans) e 12 mulheres controles assintomáticas (nove com cultura negativa). Amostras de soro e lavado vaginal foram obtidas para a detecção de anticorpos anti-C. albicans por ELISA. RESULTADOS: Pacientes sintomáticas com cultura positiva apresentaram níveis de IgA específicas significativamente maiores no lavado vaginal e menores no soro do que aquelas com cultura negativa. Níveis séricos de IgE específica foram extremamente baixos em relação ao lavado vaginal. Altos níveis de IgG total específica foram encontrados no soro e lavado vaginal em ambos os grupos, independente da presença do fungo. Níveis de IgG1 e IgG4 específicas foram significativamente maiores somente no lavado vaginal de mulheres sintomáticas e cultura positiva, com relação IgG1/IgG4 ligeiramente maior, indicando que a resposta de anticorpos IgG1 possa estar predominantemente envolvida na resolução da infecção fúngica. CONCLUSÕES: Nossos resultados indicam resposta acentuada de IgA, IgG1 e IgG4 anti-C. albicans no lavado vaginal de mulheres sintomáticas com cultura positiva, sugerindo importante papel destes anticorpos na resposta imune local estimulada pela presença do fungo

Complement-fixing abilities and IgG subclasses of autoantibodies in epidermolysis bullosa acquisita

Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) is an autoimmune-mediated subepidermal bullous disease in which the target of the autoantibodies is type VII collagen, a major component of anchoring fibrils. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the complement-fixing abilities and IgG subclass distribution of autoantibodies in EBA, and to also attempt to investigate the relation between inflammation, complement fixation and IgG subclass distribution in EBA patients. Only 2 sera of 18 patients (11%) showed weak complement-fixing abilities. IgG1 and IgG4 were the most frequently and intensely stained IgG subclasses in EBA sera. We could not find any relationship between the clinico-pathologic types, complement-fixing abilities and IgG subclasses in EBA. These results suggested that complement activation may not be a key factor of bulla formation in EBA.

Transfer of IgG subclasses across placenta in term and preterm newborns

In order to study placental transfer of IgG subclasses, paired blood samples were collected from mothers and umbilical cord of preterm (N = 69) and full-term (N = 68) newborns. The full-term group was further divided into 3 subgroups: appropriate for gestational age (AGA, N = 43), large for gestational age (LGA, N = 13) and small for gestational age (SGA, N = 12), according to birth weight. IgG subclasses (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4) were measured by the single radial immunodiffusion technique using monoclonal antibodies. IgG1 and IgG3 newborn subclass concentrations (10.17 and 0.57 g/l, respectively) increased with increasing gestational age and reached maternal levels (IgG1 = 8.86; IgG3 = 0.67 g/l) during the 37th week of pregnancy. Low levels of these subclasses were found in premature newborns. IgG2 from newborns were always lower than maternal levels (P<0.05). LGA and SGA newborns had equivalent levels of IgG1 and IgG2 compared with AGA. SGA newborns had higher levels of IgG3 and lower levels of IgG4 than LGA and AGA newborns.

Reaction of the sera of the Korean children free from Hib invasive diseases against H. influenzae type B capsular polysaccharide antigen

The purpose of our experiment is to examine the level of anti-Haemophilus influenza polysaccharide antibody titer in the Korean population. Using ELISA, the level of Hib-PS antibodies in 384 infants and children who were all free from Hib invasive diseases, was tested. And the blood of 50 mothers within 24 hours of delivery and cord blood from their respective full-term neonates was also tested. The transport of Hib-PS IgG and IgG subclasses in paired sera from mothers and neonates was also measured. The titer of Hib-PS IgG varies with age. At birth the mean optical density of cord blood was 1.028; however, it declined to 0.609 up to 6 months and further decline was noted up to 2 years to 0.488. Then the mean O.D. remained around 0.5 from 3 to 14 years of age. The mean O.D. of Hib-PS IgG in the mothers blood was 0.856. The ratio of mean O.D. of anti-Hib PS IgG antibody in the cord blood to that in the maternal blood was 1.20. The mean optical densities of IgG subclasses were: 1.18 for anti-Hib PS IgG1, 1.07 for anti-Hib PS IgG2, 1.01 for anti-Hib PS IgG3, and 1.09 for anti-Hib PS IgG4. The sera from Korean children of almost all age groups reacted to Hib-PS antigen on ELISA. Also the active transport of anti-Hib PS IgG antibody through placenta was observed. Among four IgG subclasses, only IgG1 transport had significant experimental meaning.

A case of anaphylaxis by ant (Ectomomyrmex spp.) venom and measurements of specific IgE and IgG subclasses

Hypersensitivity to the stings of the Hymenoptera has been described since antiquity. The hypersensitive reactions to insect stings vary from minor skin reactions to severe and sometimes fatal anaphylaxis. Concerns about sting hypersensitivity have been increasing because of many incidents of allergic reactions of patients to the fire ant in the southern area of the United States as well as the harvester ant in some areas. We experienced one unique case with severe allergic reactions by ant of the Ectomomyrmex spp. of the subfamily Ponerinae, which is not a harvester ant. For three years the patient had been suffering from generalized allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis after the ant stings four-five attacks in a year. We determined that her reactions were due to specific IgE mediated type I hypersensitivity by the detection of a high level of specific IgE to the ant venom in her serum. The high level of specific IgG4 to the ant venom was also noted in her serum, however, the role of ant venom IgG4 was not clearly determined.

Selective IgG subclass deficiencies in patients with recurrent sinopulmonary infections: report of two cases.

Two patients with recurrent sinopulmonary infections and normal total serum immunoglobulin levels were found to have selective deficiencies in IgG subclasses. The serum of one patient contained abnormally low IgG2 and IgG4; and the other was deficient in IgG4. Both patients responded to the treatment with high dose intravenous immunoglobulin. The experiences on these two cases strongly suggest that IgG subclasses should be checked in patients with recurrent sinopulmonary infections in face of normal total immunoglobulins.