Study on some immunological responses of rainbow trout [onchorhynchus mykiss] to some antigens of streptococcus iniae

Some specific and non-specific immune variables of rainbow trout were assessed following vaccination of fish with formalin killed cells [FKC] and FKC containing extra cellular products [ECP] of S. iniae. Rainbow trout weighing 80-100 g were vaccinated by intraperitoneal [i.p], dip and oral routes using FKC and FKC plus ECP with or without Fround adjuvant [FA] at 16-17 C. Antibody titration, lysozyme activity, serum bacterial killing activity and population of immunocompetent cells were measured on 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 weeks postvaccination. Data were analyzed by ANOVA. Results showed that the highest antibody titers were produced in i.p vaccinated fish with FKC plus ECP and immunized fish with FKC by dip, respectively. However, administration resulted in the lowest response. Also, the level of antibody production was higher during initial period of post-immunization, while it reduced to lower levels at the end of sampling time. Similar results were obtained when lysozyme activity and bacterial killing capacity of sera samples were estimated. Moreover, while, leukocyte and lymphocyte populations in immunized fish were generally higher than control groups, heterophil and monocyte counts were varied during the sampling periods. Reuslts show that both humeral and cellular immunities of trout are enhanced following immunization of fish with FKC with or without ECP administered as i.p and dip. However, i.p administration of FKC with or without ECP could cause higher response than both dip and oral routes

Group A streptococcal vaccine delivery by immunization with a self-adjuvanting M protein-based lipid core peptide construct.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: To develop a broad strain coverage GAS vaccine, several strategies have been investigated which included multi-epitope approaches as well as targeting the M protein conserved Cregion. These approaches, however, have relied on the use of adjuvants that are toxic for human application. The development of safe and effective adjuvants for human use is a key issue in the development of effective vaccines. In this study, we investigated the lipid polylysine core peptide (LCP) system as a self-adjuvanting GAS vaccine delivery approach. METHODS: An LCP-GAS construct was synthesised incorporating multiple copies of a protective peptide epitope (J8) from the conserved carboxy terminal C-repeat region of the M protein. B10.BR mice were immunized parenterally with the LCP-J8 construct, with or without conventional adjuvant, prior to the assessment of immunogenicity and the induction of serum opsonic antibodies. RESULTS: Our data demonstrated immunogenicity of LCP-J8 when coadministered in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), or administered in the absence of conventional adjuvant. In both cases, immunization led to the induction of high-titre J8 peptide-specific serum IgG antibody responses, and the induction of heterologous opsonic antibodies that did not cross-react with human heart tissue proteins. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: These data indicated the potential of a novel self-adjuvanting LCP vaccine delivery system incorporating a synthetic GAS M protein C-region peptide immunogen in the induction of broadly protective immune responses, and pointed to the potential application of this system in human vaccine development against infectious diseases.

Group A streptococcal antigen detection in school children

The objective of the study was to determine the correlation between group A streptococcal antigen detected from throat swabs with the culture results. A total of 1457 children had two swabs taken simultaneously, and culture and antigen detection were performed. There was a good correlation between antigen detection and isolation rates. In all, 225 strains of group A streptococcus were isolated; 53 [57.6%] were from the 92 children with high antigen positivity, 68 [55.7%] were from the 122 children with medium antigen positivity and 77 [25.4%] were from 303 children with low antigen positivity; only 27 [2.9%] were from the 940 children with no antigen detected. We postulate that those who are antigen-positive, culture-negative carry the organisms in their throats, but they may be missed on culture because of the small number carried

Acute rheumatic fever another scope at immunological profile

Sero-immunological study was carried out on 111 patients with acute rheumatic fever [ARF] in comparison with patients' controls and normal group. Using streptococcal antibodies tests [antistreptolysin O [ASO], antistreptokinase [ASK] and antideoxyribonucleotidase B [ADNAseB tests]. Seropositivity for the antecedent streptococcal infection was raised from about 79.2% using the conventional antistreptolysin O [ASO] test to as high as 96.3% when two additional streptococcal antibody test was measured. In chorea patients ADNAse B was proved to be the only marker for the detectipn of the antecedent streptococcal infection. Mean serum ASO, ASK and ADNAse B titers in individual manifestation of ARF patients were studied

Epidemiology of streptococcal infection with reference to rheumatic fever.

Antistreptolysin antibodies were estimated in 787 normal children and young adults by latex test. This test detects titres of 200 IU/ml and above, which is the western cut off point, for diagnosis. Children below one year showed no antibodies. Unlike western studies where no antibodies are detected below the age of 3 years, our study revealed that 7.9% children between 1-3 years had significantly elevated antibodies. This epidemiological pattern is well reflected in the different clinical profile of younger children developing rheumatic heart disease in our country. Antibodies progressively increased with age--11.8% in 4-8 years group to 15.8% in 9-12 years age group. All these were from the lower socio-economic group. ASO was positive in 16.7% of young adults from lower socio-economic status while it was positive only in 9.2% in the upper socio-economic status. A total of 522 patients of rheumatic carditis were studied. Only 23.4% had no antibodies or less than 200 IU/ml, and 77% were positive (26.9% had greater than 400 IU/ml and 49.7% had 200 IU/ml). Throat swab culture and ASO antibodies were done simultaneously in 76 outdoor patients, clinically diagnosed as acute bacterial pharyngitis. Group A beta hemolytic streptococci were isolated in 64% and significant antistreptolysin antibodies were seen in 62%. School health records were scanned in more than 50,000 school children. Point prevalence of rheumatic heart disease was estimated to be 0.17% in lower and 0.05% in upper socio-economic groups. Age and socio-economic factors are important variables in epidemiology of streptococcal infection.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anticuerpos antimicroorganismos comunes en niños de diferentes edades / Microorganism antibodies common in children of ages different

Este trabajo tuvo por objeto investigar cualitativa y semicualitativamente Ac. contra una variedad de MO comunes: Pr; EC; Stp; Str; Kl y Ps en niños sanos, de clase social media alta, de la ciudad de Río Cuarto, Provincia de Córdoba (Argentina) y comparar sus títulos en relación a la edad. Para investigar los ac se utilizó la técnica de Inmunofluorescencia indirecta. De acuerdo con la edad de los niños se conforman cuatro Grupos. Los Ac. Anti: Pr, Kl y Ps fueron observados en una cantidad significativamente menor de niños en el Grupo I. La tendencia a encontrar estos Ac, en un número mayor de casos, está desplazada hacia los Grupos II, III y IV (niños mayores). La frecuencia de casos en la que se halló Ac. Anti: EC, Stp, Str fue similar en todos los grupos. Los Ac. antibacterianos, generalmente, estaban en concentraciones mayores (títulos más altos) en los Grupos II,III y IV. En nuestra causística se hallaron Ac. con especificidad y niveles definidos, con las variaciones cuali y cuantitativas que se demuestran. Estos hallazgos podrían atribuirse a la forma particular de respuestas de anticuerpos, inducidas por los MO que, sin duda, son influenciados por los hábitos personales, el ambiente y la edad de las personas. El estudio de los distintos Ac. contra MO resulta de interés en la mejor comprensión de la inmunidad individual y/o colectiva.

Faringitis clínica y estreptococos / Clinical pharyngitis and streptococcus

En este trabajo se hisoparon de 65 niños con diagnóstico clínico de faringitis. Un hisopo se empleó en la coaglutinación directa, Phadirect Strep A, y con el otro se inocularon dos placas: agar enriquecido con sangre humana y agar selectivo para estreptococos con sangre ovina. Ambas se inocularon a 36 oC, la primera en microareofilia y la segunda en anaerobiosis. Los estreptococos hemolíticos aislados se seroagruparon con Phadebact Streptococcus Test. La sensibilidad y especialidad del Phadirect frente al agar sangre humana fue de 93,7% y 95,9% y frente al agar selectivo, sangre ovina, fue de 89,5% y 100%, respectivamente. La incidencia de los distintos serogrupos fue para Estreptococos grupo A (EGA) 29,2%, Estreptococos grupo C (EGC) 26%, Estreptococos grupo G (EGG) 6% y Estreptococos grupo B (EGB) 1,5%. En el 63% de los niños se detectó algunos de estos serogrupos, mientras que la responsabilidad en el cuadro clínico (placas con menos de 30 colonias: portadores) correspondió a EGC (27,6%) y a EGC (13,8%).

A perspectiva da vacinaçäo contra a cárie / The perpectives for vaccination against dental caries

Essa publicaçäo é uma traduçäo resumida do artigo de Russel & Johnson publicado com o mesmo título em inglês. Analisa as possibilidades e dificuldades em se produzir uma vacina anti-cárie, tipo de modelo animal mais apropriado para testar essa vacina e detalhes correlatos. Entretanto, näo há no momento perspectiva concreta de se conseguir uma vacina contra a cárie

Efeito de concentraçöes subinibitórias de penicilina sobre antígenos de estreptococos do grupo G / Effect of subinhibitory concentrations of penicillin on antigens of group G streptococci

O efeito de concentraçöes subinibitórias de penicilina sobre a produçäo do antígeno grupo-específico e da hialuronidase extracelular foi avaliado em uma amostra de estreptococo pertencente ao grupo G de Lancefield. Em todas as concentraçöes uma maior quantidade de antígeno grupo-específico foi extraída das células e a atividade específica de hialuronidase se mostrou aumentada em até 1400% nos sobrenadantes das culturas. O maior aumento na expressäo de ambos os antígenos foi observado em 1/2 da CMI

Glomerulonefrite difusa aguda após-estreptocócica: fatos e controvérsias / Acute diffuse poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis: facts and controversies

Mecanismos imunológicos envolvidos na patogenia da glomerulonefrite difusa aguda pós-estreptocócica säo revistos neste artigo. Säo discutidos: a participaçäo dos imunecomplexos, seu local inicial de formaçäo (na circulaçäo ou in situ nos glomérulos), a natureza do sistema antígeno-anticorpo e a presença de fatores reumatóides nesses pacientes

Especificidad frente a estreptococos grupo A, C y G de la prueba de "CAMP reversa" en identificación de Clostridium perfrigens / Specificity of the reverse CAMP test with Streptococcus groups A, C and G for the identification of Clostridium perfringens

Se estudió la especifidad de la prueba de "CAMP reversa" para la identificación de Clostridium perfringens en relación a la posible existencia de reacciones cruzadas frente a estreptococos grupos A, C y G. Noventa y ocho cepas de Clostridium se enfrentaron a 10 cepas de S. agalactiae, 10 cepas de S. pyogenes, 2 cepas de Streptococcus grupo C y 1 del grupo G. Todas las cepas de S. agalactiae ensayadas permitieron poner de manifiesto una reacción de "CAMP reversa" positiva al enfrentarlas a cepas de C. perfringens. No se observaron reacciones cruzadas de C. perfringens frente a los Streptococcus de los grupos A, C y G probados. La prueba de "CAMP reversa" fue específica para todas las cepas de C. perfringens ensayadas

Skin testing with streptococcal antigens in rheumatic children with chronic septic tonsils

This work studied forty-five rheumatic patients aged between seven to fourteen years divided into two groups: Group I comprising 30 patients with septic tonsillitis and group II comprising 15 tonsillectomized patients as well as twenty healthy controls. Each child was investigated for ESR, C-reactiveprotein, anti- streptolysin-O titer and skin testing with streptococcal antigens [streptokinase-streptoderinase in 1/10, 1/100 dilutions]. Average duration of enduration of each reaction was measured and recorded at 30 minutes, 24 and 48 hours