Prevalence of IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody in a cohort of iranians patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Background and Aims: Some studies have reported the coexistence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and celiac disease (CD). However, the prevalence of anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies (IgA and IgG) and their screening value in patients with IBD is not yet clear. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of IgA anti-tTG and its potential correlation with disease status in patients with IBD. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 110 patients with confirmed IBD diagnosis at Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad, Iran. For each patient, all demographic and clinical data including age, extra intestinal manifestations, underlying diseases, types of diseases, and surgical history were collected. IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase titers were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: None of the patients with IBD were positive for IgA anti-tTG antibodies, with a mean titer of 3.31 ± 1.3 AU/mL. Also, the mean titers were not associated with age, gender and various disease clinical features including the disease history, underlying disease, diagnosis type, extraintestinal manifestations, and surgery history. Conclusion: No significant prevalence pattern of IgA anti-tTG antibody was observed in patients with IBD. Accordingly, serological screening for CeD is not recommended in IBD patients, unless in a relevant clinical CeD suspicion. (AU)

Schõnlein-Henoch purpura in adults: Report of four cases

Schoenlein-Henoch purpura is a systemic small vessel vasculitis mediated by IgA-1 deposition in organs such as the skin, kidney, and gastrointestinal tract; it has been mainly described in children where it has a favourable prognosis. Although much rarer in adulthood it is associated with an increased risk of severe kidney involvement, gastrointestinal com-plications, and prolonged hospital stay. The therapeutic options are wide and vary according to the degree of involvement of the patient and the organ mainly affected.

La púrpura de Schönlein-Henoch es una vasculitis sistêmica de pequeno vaso mediada por depósito de IgA en órganos como la piel, el riñón y el tracto gastrointestinal. Se ha descrito principalmente en niños, grupo de población en el que tiene un pronóstico favorable. Si bien en la edad adulta es mucho menos frecuente, se asocia con un mayor riesgo de compromiso renal severo, complicaciones gastrointestinales y estancia hospitalaria prolongada. Las opciones terapêuticas son amplias y varían según el grado de compromiso del paciente y el órgano más afectado.

Research advances in the etiology and pathogenesis of immunoglobulin A vasculitis / 中国当代儿科杂志

Immunoglobulin A vasculitis (IgAV), also known as Henoch-Schönlein purpura, has complex etiology and pathogenesis which have not been fully clarified. The latest research shows that SARS-CoV-2 and related vaccines, human papilloma vaccine, and certain biological agents can also induce IgAV. Most studies believe that the formation of galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1) and Gd-IgA1-containing immune complex plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of IgAV. It is hypothesized that the pathogenesis of IgAV is associated with the binding of IgA1 to anti-endothelial cell antibodies. In addition, genetics also constitutes a major focus of IgAV research. This article reviews the new advances in the etiology of IgAV and summarizes the role of Gd-IgA1, Gd-IgA1-containing immune complex, anti-endothelial antibody, IgA1 conjugates, T lymphocyte immunity, and genetic factors in the pathogenesis of IgAV.

Association between vaccination and the risk of immunoglobulin A vasculitis in children / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the effect of vaccination on the short-term risk of immunoglobulin A vasculitis (IgAV) in children.@*METHODS@#A retrospective analysis was conducted on the general data and the vaccination history within one year prior to onset in children with IgAV hospitalized in the Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University from November 2021 to January 2023. Vaccine exposure rates in the risk period (3 months prior to IgAV onset) and the control period were compared by autocontrol-case crossover analysis, and the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were calculated. A sensitivity analysis for the one-month and two-month risk periods was conducted.@*RESULTS@#A total of 193 children with IgAV were included, with a median age of 7.0 years. Among the 193 children, 36 (18.7%) received at least one dose of the vaccine within 1 year prior to IgAV onset, and 14 (7.3%) received at least one dose of the vaccine during the 3-month risk period. Compared to the unvaccinated IgAV group, the vaccinated IgAV group had a significantly younger age of onset (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the proportions of children with gastrointestinal involvement, renal involvement, and joint involvement between the two groups (P>0.05). The odds ratio for developing IgAV after receiving any type of vaccine within 3 months prior to IgAV onset was 2.08 (95%CI: 0.82-5.27, P>0.05). Further sensitivity analysis for the 1-month and 2-month risk periods demonstrated that the odds ratios for developing IgAV after receiving any type of vaccine were 2.74 (95%CI: 0.72-10.48, P>0.05) and 2.72 (95%CI: 0.95-7.77, P>0.05), respectively.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Vaccination dose not increase the risk of IgAV, nor does it exacerbate clinical symptoms in children with IgAV.

Effect of breastfeeding on immune function in infants with human cytomegalovirus infection / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the effect of breastfeeding on immune function in infants with human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection.@*METHODS@#A retrospective analysis was performed on the medical data of 135 infants with HCMV infection who were admitted to Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University from January 2021 to May 2022, and all these infants received breastfeeding. According to the results of breast milk HCMV-DNA testing, the infants were divided into two groups: breast milk HCMV positive (n=78) and breast milk HCMV negative (n=57). According to the median breast milk HCMV-DNA load, the infants in the breast milk HCMV positive group were further divided into two subgroups: high viral load and low viral load (n=39 each). Related indicators were compared between the breast milk positive and negative HCMV groups and between the breast milk high viral load and low viral load subgroups, including the percentages of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets (CD3+ T cells, CD3+CD4+ T cells, CD3+CD8+ T cells, and CD19+ B cells), CD4+/CD8+ ratio, IgG, IgM, IgA, and urine HCMV-DNA load.@*RESULTS@#There were no significant differences in the percentages of CD3+ T cells, CD3+CD4+ T cells, CD3+CD8+ T cells, and CD19+ B cells, CD4+/CD8+ ratio, IgG, IgM, IgA, and urine HCMV-DNA load between the breast milk HCMV positive and HCMV negative groups, as well as between the breast milk high viral load and low viral load subgroups (P>0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Breastfeeding with HCMV does not affect the immune function of infants with HCMV infection.

Effect of moxibustion on immune function homeostasis in rats with diarrhea irritable bowel syndrome based on SCF/c-kit signaling pathway / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effects of moxibustion on the stem cell factor (SCF)/tyrosine kinase receptor (c-kit) signaling pathway and immune function in rats with diarrhea irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D), and to explore the mechanism of moxibustion for IBS-D.@*METHODS@#Among 52 young rats born from 6 healthy pregnant SPF rats, 12 rats were randomly selected into the normal group, and the remaining 40 rats were treated with the three-factor combination method of maternal separation, acetic acid enema and chronic restraint stress to establish the IBS-D rat model. Thirty-six rats with successful IBS-D model were randomly divided into a model group, a moxibustion group, and a medication group, 12 rats in each group. The rats in the moxibustion group were treated with suspension moxibustion at "Tianshu" (ST 25) and "Shangjuxu" (ST 37); the rats in the medication group were treated with intragastric administration of rifaximin suspension (150 mg/kg). All the treatments were given once a day for 7 consecutive days. The body mass, loose stool rate (LSR), the minimum volume threshold when abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) scored 3 were measured before acetic acid enema (35 days old), after modeling (45 days old), and after intervention (53 days old). After intervention (53 days old), HE staining was used to observe the morphology of colon tissue, and spleen and thymus coefficients were measured; ELISA method was used to detect serum inflammatory factors (tumor necrosis factor a [TNF-a], interleukin [IL]-10, IL-8), T-lymphocyte subsets (CD+4, CD+8, CD+45), value of CD+4/CD+8 and immune globulin (IgA, IgG, IgM); real-time PCR method and Western blot method was used to detect the expression of SCF, c-kit mRNA and protein in colon tissue; immunofluorescence staining method were used to detect positive expression of SCF and c-kit.@*RESULTS@#After intervention, compared with the normal group, in the model group, the body mass and the minimum volume threshold when AWR scored 3 were decreased (P<0.01), LSR, spleen and thymus coefficients, serum levels of TNF-α, IL-8, CD+4, CD+45, CD+4/CD+8, IgA, IgG, IgM were increased (P<0.01), serum IL-10 level and protein and mRNA expression of SCF and c-kit in colon tissue were decreased (P<0.01), and the positive expression of SCF and c-kit was decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, in the moxibustion group and the medication group, the body mass and the minimum volume threshold when AWR scored 3 were increased (P<0.01, P<0.05), LSR, spleen and thymus coefficients, serum levels of TNF-α, IL-8, CD+4, CD+8, CD+45, CD+4/CD+8, IgA, IgG, IgM were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05), serum IL-10 level and protein and mRNA expression of SCF and c-kit in colon tissue were increased (P<0.01), and the positive expression of SCF and c-kit was increased (P<0.01). Compared with the medication group, in the moxibustion group, the level of serum CD+4 was decreased (P<0.05), the value of CD+4/CD+8 was increased (P<0.01), and there was no significant difference in other indexes (P>0.05). The expression of SCF and c-kit mRNA was positively correlated with the minimum volume threshold when AWR scored 3 and IL-10 (P<0.01), and negatively correlated with remaining indexes (P<0.01, P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Moxibustion could reduce visceral hypersensitivity, improve symptoms of abdominal pain and diarrhea in IBS-D rats, and its mechanism may be related to up-regulation of the expression of SCF/c-kit signaling pathway and improvement of IBS-D immune function.

Clinical characteristics of fetal cardiac disease in patients with anti-SSA antibody positive / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the clinical manifestations and laboratory indicators of anti-Sjögren's-syndrome-related antigen A (SSA) antibody associated fetal cardiac disease.@*METHODS@#Pregnant women hospitalized at Peking University People's Hospital from January 2013 to July 2023 were included. Eleven patients with anti-SSA antibody positive were eventually diagnosed with fetal cardiac di-sease. And patients with anti-SSA antibody positive without fetal cardiac disease were selected as controls. Clinical manifestations, laboratory indications and drug usage were compared between the two groups.@*RESULTS@#Among these 11 patients, congenital heart block was confirmed in seven, which was the most common manifestations of fetal cardiac malformation. The proportion of the patients diagnosed with autoimmune disease before pregnancy in fetal cardiac malformation group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P=0.032), while most of the patients in the fetal cardiac malformation group received immune-related examinations for the first time because of this time's fetal cardiac diagnosis. While most of the patients in the control group received routine examinations because of autoimmune diseases diagnosed before pregnancy. During pregnancy, the white blood cell level [(9.29±2.58)×109/L vs. (7.10±1.90×109/L, t=3.052, P=0.004], erythrocyte sedimentation rate [(49.50 (48.00, 51.00) mm/h vs. 23.00 (15.00, 30.25) mm/h, Z=-2.251, P=0.024], IgA level [3.46 (2.30, 5.06) g/L vs. 2.13 (1.77, 2.77) g/L, Z=-2.181, P=0.029], and antinuclear antibody (ANA) titers [1∶320 (1∶160, 1∶320) vs. 1∶80 (1∶40, 1∶160), Z=-3.022, P=0.003] were significantly higher in fetal cardiac malformation group than in the control group. The proportion of positive anti-SSB antibody during pregnancy did not show a statistically significant difference between the two groups (37.5% vs. 7.7%, P=0.053). There was no significant difference in hydroxychloroquine dosage and initiation time between the two groups. The dosage of prednisone in the second and third trimesters was significantly higher in the cardiac malformation group than that in the control group, but there was no significant difference in the first trimester.@*CONCLUSION@#Fetal cardiac disease is rare in pregnant women with anti-SSA antibody. White blood cell, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, IgA, the titer of ANA positivity were higher in the fetal heart disease group during pregnancy. Since congenital heart block is difficult to reverse, its prevention and monitoring are more important than remedial treatment.

Risk factors associated with different types of Henoch-Schönlein purpura in Tibetan patients at high altitude / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the risk factors of different types of Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) in Tibetan patients at high altitude, as to provide reference for correctly identifying high-risk patients.@*METHODS@#A retrospective study was used to analyze the 304 HSP patients admitted to Tibet Autonomous Region People's Hospital from April 2014 to March 2022. The gender, age, allergic history, family history, clinical type, laboratory indexes (hemoglobin, platelet count, eosinophil, C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin A, complement C3 and C4) were analyzed retrospectively. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis to screen for risk factors affecting different types of HSP.@*RESULTS@#Renal HSP patients showed higher IgA [(9.2±1.7) g/L vs. (6.4±2.4) g/L, P=0.015], lower complement C3 [(203.3±21.6) mg/dL vs. (301.1±19.5) mg/dL, P=0.043], and complement C4 [(33.5±2.3) mg/dL vs. (53.0±7.2) mg/dL, P=0.032]. The patients with abdominal HSP showed lower levels of hemoglobin [(119.6±19.6) g/L vs. (146.6±47.3) g/L, P=0.038] and plasma albumin [24.8 (22.1, 33.9) g/L vs. 32.6 (24.6, 35.1) g/L, P=0.045]. The patients with articular HSP exhibited higher CRP [13.5 (0.2, 20.6) g/L vs. 7.5 (0.1, 15.2) g/L, P=0.036] and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) [24 (5, 40) mm/h vs. 15 (4, 30) mm/h, P=0.049]. Elevated IgA and decreased complement C4 were risk factors for renal HSP, anemia and decreased plasma albumin were risk factors for abdominal HSP, and elevated CRP was a risk factor for articular HSP.@*CONCLUSION@#The clinical characteristics of different types of HSP in plateau areas were different. Patients with high IgA, low complement C4, anemia, hypoalbuminemia, and significantly elevated CRP should be highly vigilant. Early and effective intervention can improve the clinical efficacy, avoid severe development, and improve the prognosis.

Algoritmo para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la hipoplasia del timo pediátrica, asociada o no a inmunodeficiencia / Algorithm for diagnosis and treatment of thymus hypoplasia in childhood, associated or not with immune deficiency

Hace aproximadamente 20 años un grupo de médicos investigadores de Cuba reportaron el empleo de las mediciones del timo por ultrasonografía, como un arma valedera en la evaluación inmunológica de los niños menores de 7 años con cuadros de infecciones frecuentes, fundamentalmente respiratorias. El rango de normalidad propuesto del área de la silueta tímica, es entre 1010,6 - 1425,4 mm2, o sea, 1 218 ± 207,4 mm2. Por debajo y por encima de estos valores se hablaría de hipoplasia e hiperplasia, respectivamente. Se considera hipoplasia grave cuando el área tímica es menor de 500 mm2; moderada cuando se encuentra entre 500 y 799 mm2 y leve cuando se halla entre 800 y 999 mm2. Se propone un algoritmo de diagnóstico y tratamiento que engloba la experiencia clínica de 12 años de trabajo en inmunología clínica pediátrica en el Instituto de Hematología e Inmunología. Este puede constituir una herramienta útil en las manos de los inmunólogos clínicos pediátricos que adecuarían el tratamiento idóneo para llevar el órgano a su tamaño estándar con la consecuente disminución de los procesos infecciosos y la elevación de los niveles de inmunoglobulina A en los pacientes(AU)

About 20 years ago, a group of Cuban medical researchers reported to the literature the use of measurements of the thymus by ultrasonography, as a valid weapon in the immunological evaluation of children under 7 years of age with frequent infections, mainly respiratory. The range of normality proposed for the area of the thymic silhouette is between 1010.6 - 1425.4 mm2, that is, 1 218 ± 207.4 mm2. Below and above these values, we would speak of hypoplasia and hyperplasia, respectively. Severe hypoplasia is considered when the thymic area is less than 500 mm2; moderate when it is between 500 and 799 mm2 and mild when it is between 800 and 999 mm2. A diagnosis and treatment algorithm is proposed that encompasses the clinical experience of 12 years of work in pediatric clinical immunology at the Institute of Hematology and Immunology. It can be a useful tool in the hands of pediatric clinical immunologists who would adapt the ideal treatment to bring the organ to its standard size with the consequent decrease in infectious processes and the elevation of immunoglobulin A levels in patients(AU)

Analysis of serum immunoglobulin level in children with Burkitt lymphoma / 中华儿科杂志

Objective: To summarize changes of serum immunoglobulin levels before and after chemotherapy in children with Burkitt lymphoma (BL), so as to investigate the effects of chemotherapy and rituximab on serum immunoglobulin levels in children with BL. Methods: Clinical data of 223 children with newly diagnosed Burkitt lymphoma at Beijing Children's Hospital from January 2009 to April 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. They were treated according to the modified LMB 89 regimen and some of them received combined rituximab therapy during the chemotherapy. The serum immunoglobulin (IgA, IgM, IgG) before chemotherapy, at the time of discontinuing chemotherapy, as well as 6, 12, 24, 36 months after chemotherapy were collected. Changes of serum IgA, IgM and IgG with time among different treatment groups were compared using repeated measures ANOVA. Results: According to risk group, 223 children were devided into group B（n=53）and group C（n=170）. Before chemotherapy, 109 cases (48.9%) were combined with hypogammaglobulinemia. The serum IgA, IgM, and IgG levels of all the patients were (0.9±0.7), 1.2 (0.5, 1.3) and (7.2±2.9) g/L before chemotherapy, (0.5±0.4), 0.2 (0.1, 0.3) and (6.3±2.3) g/L at the time of discontinuing chemotherapy (t=13.63, Z=-11.99, t=4.57, all P<0.05). There were statistical difference in IgA, IgM levels of group B and IgA, IgM, IgG levels of group C before chemotherapy and at the time of discontinuing chemotherapy (t=8.86, Z=-6.28, t=11.19, Z=-10.15, t=4.50, all P<0.05). The differences of serum IgA and IgG levels at the time after chemotherapy among patients treated with chemotherapy alone and those treated with chemotherapy combined rituximab in group B and C were significant (F=5.38, P=0.002 and F=4.22, P=0.007). Conclusions: Approximately half of children with BL have already existed hypogammaglobulinemia at initial diagnosis prior to the start of treatment. The modified LMB 89 regimen have significant effect on humoral immunity of children with BL. In the process of immune reconstruction after chemotherapy, rituximab has more significant effect on serum IgA and IgG levels in BL patients.

Clinical efficacy of 585 nm Q-switched laser treatment on inflammatory lesion and postinflammatory erythema of acne vulgaris / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the efficacy and safety of 585 nm Q-switched laser in the treatment of acne inflammatory lesions and postinflammatory erythema.@*METHODS@#A total of 25 patients with moderate facial acne, symmetrical distribution of inflammatory lesions and postinflammatory erythema on both sides of the face, were enrolled. Among the 25 patients, 22 patients completed all the treatment and evaluation, and 3 patients were lost to follow-up. 585 nm Q-switched laser was used on a randomly selected side of the face for three times of treatment at a 2 week interval. The evaluations were made before each treatment, 2 and 4 weeks after the last treatment, therefore the evaluation time points were before the treatment, weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8, respectively, for a total of 5 times. Acne severity was assessed using the investigator' s global assessment (IGA) score, and erythema severity was assessed using the investigator' s subjective erythema score and narrow-spectrum reflectance spectrophotometer at each follow-up.@*RESULTS@#After 3 times of treatment, there was statistically significant difference between the IGA score in week 8 and before treatment on both sides(Z=2.64, P < 0.01; Z=2.67, P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in IGA score between the treatment side and the control side before treatment and in week 8 (P=0.59, P=0.26). There was statistically significant difference between the investiga-tor' s subjective erythema score in week 8 and before treatment on the treatment side(Z=4.24, P < 0.01), while no significant difference was showed on the control side(Z=1.73, P=0.08). In week 8, the investigator's subjective erythema score of the treatment side was lower than that of the control side (Z=3.61, P < 0.01). The erythema index of the treatment side was significantly decreased at 5 time points (P < 0.01), and the index decreased significantly in week 8 compared with the index before treatment (P < 0.01), while the erythema index of the control side was not significantly different at 5 time points. The treatment related adverse events included erythema and edema after treatment and pain during treatment, the severity was mild to moderate, which resolved spontaneously within 1 to 3 days. Nine patients were very satisfied with the treatment, 7 patients were satisfied, and 6 patients considered average.@*CONCLUSION@#585 nm Q-switched laser has some effect in the treatment of postinflammatory erythema, and it ensures good tolerance and safety. There was no statistically significant difference between the treatment side and the control side on the improvement of acne inflammatory lesions.

Expression and Clinical Significance of Serum MiR-424 and MiR-765 in Multiple Myeloma / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the expression and clinical significance of miR-424 and miR-765 in patients with multiple myeloma (MM).@*METHODS@#The eighty-one MM patients admitted to Sanya Central Hospital from January 2017 to July 2020 were divided into phase Ⅰ (n=16), phase Ⅱ (n=25) and phase Ⅲ (n=40) according to the international staging system, while they were divided into IgG type (n=46), IgA type (n=19), light chain type (n=10) and non secretory type (n=6) according to the results of immunotyping. Another 50 healthy normal persons in the same period were selected as the control group. The levels of serum miR-424, miR-765 and Cystatin C (Cys-C) were measured in each group. The diagnostic value of serum miR-424, miR-765 and Cys-C in MM was estimated by ROC curve. Pearson correlation was used to analyze the correlation between serum levels of miR-424, miR-765 and Cys-C in MM patients.@*RESULTS@#The serum levels of miR-424 (2.74±1.30 vs 0.85±0.26), miR-765 (2.05±0.82 vs 0.63±0.17) and Cys-C ［(2.18±0.86 vs 0.72±0.15) mg/L］ in MM group were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.001). The serum levels of miR-424 (5.08±2.36 vs 1.12±0.34, 2.24±0.93), miR-765 (3.50±1.52 vs 0.74±0.20, 1.78±0.65) and Cys-C ［(3.81±1.30 vs 0.92±0.24, 1.68±0.55) mg/L］ in MM patients at stage Ⅲ were significantly higher than those in patients at stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ (P<0.001). Also the serum levels of the three molecules in phase II were significantly higher than those in phase I (P<0.001). The serum levels of miR-424 and miR-765 in MM patients at IgG type were significantly higher than those at IgA, light chain and non secretory types (P<0.001). ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (0.952，95%CI: 0.890-0.993) was greatest for the combination of miR-424, miR-765 and Cys-C for diagnosis of MM, and its sensitivity and specificity were 95.0% and 87.2%. The results of correlation analysis showed that the serum levels of miR-424 and miR-765 were positively correlated with Cys-C (r=0.795，r=0.760).@*CONCLUSION@#The serum levels of miR-424 and miR-765 in MM patients are significantly increased in the pattern increasing with the progression of MM stage. Combined with Cys-C, miR-424 and miR-765 have high value in the diagnosis of MM.

Apresentação atípica de síndrome de hiper-IgM ligada ao X simulando doença inflamatória intestinal / Atypical presentation of X-linked hyper-IgM syndrome simulating inflammatory bowel disease

Relatamos o caso de um paciente do sexo masculino, que iniciou quadro de úlceras em trato gastrointestinal, associado a febre recorrente e diarreia com muco e sangue aos 10 meses de vida, suspeitado inicialmente de doença inflamatória intestinal, no entanto, não apresentou melhora do quadro com terapia imunossupressora, sendo realizada investigação para erro inato da imunidade. Nos exames laboratoriais, apresentou níveis baixos de IgG e IgA e níveis elevados de IgM e neutropenia persistente. Diante disso, foi realizado teste genético que confirmou diagnóstico de síndrome de hiper-IgM ligada ao X. Os erros inatos da imunidade podem se manifestar com doenças do trato gastrointestinal, de forma relativamente frequente, devendo entrar como diagnóstico diferencial de diarreia crônica. Inclusa nesse grupo de doenças, as síndromes de hiper-IgM constituem um grupo heterogêneo de doenças, possuindo em comum níveis significativamente baixos ou ausentes de IgG e IgA e níveis normais ou elevados de IgM, o que predispõe a infecções e febre recorrente; além de outras alterações laboratoriais, como neutropenia, que pode estar associada a úlceras no trato gastrointestinal e proctite, simulando apresentação clínica de doença inflamatória intestinal. Para o paciente relatado, foi iniciada terapia com imunoglobulinas de forma periódica, além de antibioticoprofilaxia para infecções, evoluindo com resposta clínica satisfatória. O artigo possui objetivo principal de alertar para o diagnóstico diferencial de erros inatos da imunidade diante do quadro apresentado, visando o diagnóstico precoce e a instituição da terapia adequada.

We report the case of a male patient, who started with ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract, associated with recurrent fever and diarrhea with mucus and blood at 10 months of life, initially suspected of inflammatory bowel disease, however, he did not improve the condition with immunosuppressive therapy, being investigated for inborn error of immunity. In laboratory tests, he had low levels of IgG and IgA and high levels of IgM and persistent neutropenia. Therefore, a genetic test was performed and confirmed the diagnosis of X-linked hyper IgM syndrome. Inborn errors of immunity can manifest relatively frequently with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, and should be included as a differential diagnosis of chronic diarrhea. Included in this group of diseases, hyper-IgM syndromes constitute a heterogeneous group of diseases, having in common significantly low or absent levels of IgG and IgA and normal or high levels of IgM, which predispose to infections and recurrent fever; in addition to other laboratory alterations, such as neutropenia, which may be associated with ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract and proctitis, simulating the clinical presentation of inflammatory bowel disease. For the reported patient, therapy with immunoglobulins was started periodically, in addition to antibiotic prophylaxis for infections, evolving with a satisfactory clinical response. The main objective of the article is to alert to the differential diagnosis of inborn errors of immunity in view of the presented condition, aiming at early diagnosis and the institution of adequate therapy.

A comparative evaluation of methods for estimating the colostrum quality in sows / Avaliação comparativa de métodos para estimar a qualidade do colostro em porcas

Colostrum is the main source of immunoglobulins (Ig) for neonate piglets and plays a crucial role within the health and growth of the piglet. Currently in pig farming, there are still no widespread practical methods for measuring the Ig concentration in colostrum at herd level. We evaluated sows' colostrum IgG concentration using an optical and a digital Brix refractometer and their performance was correlated to an IgG ELISA test, and flow cytometry. Colostrum concentrations of IgG and IgA averaged 74.05 ± 21.37mg/mL and 20.2 ± 5.32mg/mL respectively. The mean value of the Brix percentages for optical refractometer was 26.32%, and for digital was 28.32%. The Brix refractometer measurements of colostrum samples presented high correlation for IgG content analyzed by ELISA (Optical = 0.74, Digital = 0.87; P <0.001). Considering the immunophenotyping, the values for IgG and IgA lymphoblasts indicated a highly significant relationship to ELISA (IgG=0.77, IgA=0.84; P<0.001). The Brix refractometer can be considered a useful tool to be included in a colostrum monitoring program to improve potentially neonatal health. In addition, we demonstrated that flow cytometry can be an important tool to analyze and characterize the immunological potential of sow colostrum.(AU)

O colostro é a principal fonte de imunoglobulinas (Ig) para leitões recém-nascidos e desempenha um papel crucial na saúde e no crescimento dos leitões. Atualmente, na suinocultura, ainda não existem métodos amplamente utilizados na prática de produção para medir a concentração de imunoglobulinas no colostro suíno. Avaliou-se a concentração de IgG no colostro de porcas usando refratômetros Brix óptico e digital, e o desempenho foi comparado com ELISA e citometria de fluxo. As concentrações de IgG e IgA no colostro foram 74,05 ± 21,37mg/mL e 20,2 ± 5,32mg/mL, respectivamente. A percentagem de Brix média das amostras de colostro para o refratômetro óptico foi 26,32%, e para o digital foi 28,32%. As medições dos refratômetros de Brix apresentaram elevada correlação com a concentrações de IgG medidas por ELISA (óptico=0,74, digital=0,87; P<0,001). Considerando a imunofenotipagem, os valores dos linfoblastos IgG e IgA apresentaram alta correlação com o ELISA (IgG=0,77, IgA=0,84; P<0,001). O refratômetro Brix pode ser considerado uma ferramenta útil para ser incluída em um programa de monitoramento de colostro para melhorar a saúde neonatal. Além disso, foi demonstrado que a citometria de fluxo pode ser uma ferramenta importante para analisar e caracterizar o potencial imunológico do colostro de porcas.(AU)

Características de algunos parámetros de la inmunidad humoral y celular en pacientes con linfedema / Characteristics of some humoral and cellular immunity´s parameters in patients with lymphedema

Introducción: El linfedema es una enfermedad crónica con un impacto negativo sobre la salud de las personas que lo padecen. Este se considera un problema de salud subestimado y subregistrado, por lo que requiere de mayores esfuerzos investigativos y sanitarios. Objetivo: Identificar las características de algunos parámetros de la inmunidad humoral y celular en pacientes con linfedema del municipio El Cerro. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo en 48 pacientes residentes en el municipio Cerro, atendidos en consulta externa del Instituto Nacional de Angiología y Cirugía Vascular en el período 2011-2015. El grupo se dividió en 24 pacientes con linfedema y 24 sin la enfermedad. A todos se les cuantificaron las concentraciones de las inmunoglobulinas (A, G y M) y de la proteína C reactiva. También se les hizo la prueba de hipersensibilidad retardada. Se utilizó chi cuadrado no paramétrico para asociar el estado inmunológico con la presencia de linfedema, la etiología y los estadios de este. Se trabajó con una confiabilidad del 95 por ciento (p < 0,05). Resultados: Predominaron los pacientes del sexo femenino (58,3 por ciento) y los de 60 años y más (29,2 por ciento). Hubo mayor frecuencia de linfangitis recurrentes (70,8 por ciento), con predominio del linfedema secundario en estadio IIb (45,8 por ciento); de afectación del miembro inferior derecho (45,8 por ciento), con una diferencia significativa de las inmunoglobulinas (IgA e IgG); y de frecuencia de pacientes anérgicos (91,7 por ciento), con proteína C reactiva positiva (45,8 por ciento). Conclusiones: Los pacientes con linfedema tienen afectados su sistema inmune, con mayor frecuencia de anérgicos, diminución de las inmunoglobulinas IgA e IgG, y positividad de proteína C reactiva(AU)

Introduction: Lymphedema is a chronic disease with a negative impact on the health of patients with lymphedema. It is considered an underestimated and sub-recorded health problem, which requires greater research and health efforts. Objective: Identify the characteristics of some parameters of humoral and cellular immunity in patients with lymphedema from Cerro municipality. Methods: A descriptive study was carried out in 48 patients living in Cerro municipality, who were attended in the external consultation of the National Institute of Angiology and Vascular Surgery in the period 2011-2015. The group was divided into 24 patients with lymphedema and 24 patients without the disease. The concentrations of immunoglobulins (A, G and M) and C-reactive protein were quantified in all of them. The test of delayed hypersensitivity was also perfomed. Non-parametric chi-square was used to associate immune state with the presence of lymphedema, etiology and lymphedema stages. Reliability was of 95 percent (p<0.05). Results: Female patients predominated (58.3 percent) and those of 60 years and older (29.2 percent). There was a higher frequency of recurrent lymphangitis (70.8 percent), predominantly stage II b secondary lymphedema (45.8 percent); lower right limb involvement (45.8 percent), with a significant difference of immunoglobulins (IgA and IgG); and frequency of anergic patients (91.7 percent), with positive C-reactive protein (45.8 percent). Conclusions: Patients with lymphedema have their immune system affected, more frequently the anergic ones, a decrease of IgA and IgG immunoglobulins, and positivity of C-reactive protein(AU)

Uso da citometria de fluxo no diagnóstico sorológico da COVID-19 / The use of flow cytometry for the serological diagnosis of COVID-19

A pandemia da COVID-19 tem tido um impacto devastador em todo o mundo e levou ao rápido desenvolvimento de testes diagnósticos. Diferentes tecnologias vêm sendo utilizadas para a detecção de imunoglobulinas frente à infecção por SARS-CoV-2. Ensaios imunoenzimáticos (ELISA), quimioluminescentes e imunocromatográficos estão disponíveis e, no geral, apresentam poder diagnóstico limitado, principalmente para a detecção de IgA. A citometria de fluxo tem surgido como alternativa para o desenvolvimento de métodos sensíveis e específicos para a COVID-19 aplicados para diagnóstico, triagem e estratificação da doença. A citometria de fluxo é uma tecnologia óptica baseada em laser que detecta características físico-químicas de células ou partículas em um fluido heterogêneo. O artigo explora a citometria de fluxo para o diagnóstico da COVID-19 em duas estratégias para a detecção de anticorpos no soro ou plasma, uma utilizando antígenos virais expressos na superfície de células de mamíferos e outra com estes elementos imobilizados em microesferas (beads). A possibilidade de detecção rápida de múltiplos anticorpos simultaneamente, com pequeno volume de amostra e elevada sensibilidade e especificidade, torna a citometria de fluxo uma metodologia promissora para o laboratório clínico, como ferramenta de referência para auxiliar na contenção do processo pandêmico da COVID-19 e futuros eventos similares.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact around the world and has led to the rapid development of diagnostic tests. Different technologies have been used to detect immunoglobulins produced against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Immunoenzymatic (ELISA), chemiluminescent and immunochromatographic assays are available and, in general, they have limited diagnostic accuracy, especially for the detection of IgA. Flow cytometry has emerged as an alternative for the development of sensitive and specific methods for COVID-19 applied for diagnosis, screening and stratification of the disease. Flow cytometry is a laser-based optical technology that detects physicochemical characteristics of cells or particles in a heterogeneous fluid. The article explores flow cytometry for the diagnosis of COVID-19 in two strategies for detecting antibodies in serum or plasma, the first one using viral antigens expressed on the surface of mammalian cells and the other one with these elements immobilized on microspheres (beads). The possibility of rapid detection of multiple antibodies simultaneously, with a small sample volume and high sensitivity and specificity, makes flow cytometry a promising methodology for the clinical laboratory, as a reference tool to help stop the COVID-19 pandemic process and similar future events.

Respuesta inmunológica a varias proteínas del H. pylori en pacientes guatemaltecos / Inmune response to various H. pylori proteins in Guatemalan patients

Se determinó la respuesta inmunológica a proteínas recombinantes de Helicobacter pylori en pacientes dis-pépticos (adultos y niños), pacientes con cáncer gástrico y sus familiares asintomáticos adultos viviendo con ellos. Se utilizó la prueba recomLine® Helicobacter IgG e IgA, y con base en el reconocimiento de los factores de virulencia VacA y CagA se determinó si la cepa de H. pylori era de tipo I o II. El análisis de los datos fue descriptivo y analítico y se estimaron los intervalos de confianza de 95%, con un nivel de error de 0.05 y Odds ratio. El 58.7% (121/206) de los pacientes presentó la bacteria en tinción histológica de biopsia, positividad que disminuyó con la edad y daño histológico. La frecuencia de la respuesta a los anticuerpos IgG fue mayor que IgA, en ambos casos ésta fue menor en los niños. Las proteínas del H. pylori más reconocidas tanto por IgA como IgG fueron VacA y CagA, y la respuesta a las otras proteínas investigadas fue mayor al aumentar el daño histológi-co. La cepa tipo I fue la que predominó en la población en estudio con 66% (136/206). Se deben continuar con los estudios de prevalencia de la cepa tipo I del H. pylori y del reconocimiento de sus antígenos en la población guatemalteca a fin de determinar su utilidad en el diagnóstico y pronóstico de la infección.

The immune response to recombinant Helicobacter pylori proteins was determined in dyspeptic patients (adults and children), patients with gastric cancer and their asymptomatic adults' relatives living with them. The recomLine® Helicobacter IgG and IgA test was used and based on the recognition of the virulence factors VacA and CagA, it was determined whether the H. pylori strain was type I or II. The data analysis was descriptive and analytic, and 95% confidence intervals were estimated, with an error level of 0.05, and Odds ratio. The patients that presented the bacterium in histological biopsy were 58.7% (121/206), positivity that decreased with age and histological damage. The frecuency of response to IgG antibodies was higher than IgA, in both cases it was lower in children. VacA and CagA were the H. pylori proteins most recognized by both IgA and IgG and it was observed that the number of recognized proteins was greater with increasing histological damage. The type I strain was the one that predominated in the study population 66% (136/206). Prevalence studies of the type I strain of H. pylori ant the recognition of its antigens in the Guatemalan population should continue in order to determine its usefulness in the diagnosis and prognosis of infection.

Acupoint thread-embedding as adjuvant therapy for bronchial asthma in children and its effect on pulmonary function, serum IgA and IgE levels / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the efficacy of acupoint thread-embedding combined with fluticasone propionate aerosol for chronic persistent bronchial asthma of lung-spleen @*METHODS@#A total of 120 children with chronic persistent bronchial asthma were randomly divided into an observation group (60 cases, 9 cases dropped off) and a control group (60 cases, 7 cases dropped off). The control group was treated with fluticasone propionate aerosol (125 μg per inhalation), twice a day; based on the control group treatment, the observation group was treated with acupoint thread-embedding at Dingchuan (EX-B 1), Feishu (BL 13), Zusanli (ST 36) and Danzhong (CV 17), once half a month. Both groups were treated for 3 months. The pulmonary function, serum IgA, IgE levels and TCM symptom score were compared between the two groups before and after treatment, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the large airway function (peak expiratory flow [PEF], forced expiratory volume at the first second [FEV1]) and small airway function (maximal expiratory flow at 25% of the forced capacity [MEF25%], maximal expiratory flow at 50% of the forced capacity [MEF50%], maximal expiratory flow at 75% of the forced capacity [MEF75%] and midexpiratory flow 25%-75% [MEF25%-75%]) were higher than those before treatment (@*CONCLUSION@#Acupoint thread-embedding combined with fluticasone propionate aerosol could improve the pulmonary function, TCM symptoms and serum IgA and IgE levels in children with chronic persistent bronchial asthma of lung-spleen

Changes of serum immunoglobulin level in healthy pregnant women and establishment of its reference interval / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVES@#Pregnant women in a special physiological period, the body's blood indicators will change to a certain extent. This study aims to explore the changes of serum immunoglobulin levels in healthy pregnant women and establish its reference interval (RI).@*METHODS@#A total of 369 healthy pregnant women, who underwent pregnancy examination in the Department of Obstetrics, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from August 2019 to October 2019, were enrolled for this study. They were divided into an early pregnancy group, a middle pregnancy group, and a late pregnancy group according to the pregnancy period, and 123 healthy non-pregnant women were selected as the controls. The levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM), and immunoglobulin A (IgA) were determined by immune transmission turbidities. The level of immunoglobulin E (IgE) was determined by electrochemiluminescence. The differences in immunoglobulin levels between pregnant women and non-pregnant women and among different gestational periods were analyzed, and the RI of serum immunoglobulin level during pregnancy was established.@*RESULTS@#Compared to the non-pregnant women, the levels of serum IgG, IgM, IgA, and IgE in pregnant women were significantly decreased (all @*CONCLUSIONS@#The levels of immunoglobulin in pregnant women are decreased significantly. The establishment of RIs of IgG, IgM, IgA and IgE in healthy pregnant women could provide scientific basis for clinical decision-making.

Determination of Immunoglobulin Content in Humoral Immunity Evaluation of Biomedical Material Products by Cytometric Beads Array / 中国医疗器械杂志

In this study, cytometric beads array(CBA) was used to determine the immunoglobulin content in humoral immunity evaluation of biomedical materials. The bovine-derived acellular dermal matrix was selected as a test sample and implanted into Balb/C mice subcutaneously to 4 weeks according to the high, medium and low dose groups. Four weeks later, IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, IgG3, IgA, and IgM were measured by CBA. The data of the test group and the control group were analyzed statistically. The results showed that compared with the negative control group, there was no significant difference in the IgG3, IgA content in the positive control group, while the IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, and IgM contents were significantly higher than the negative control group; no significant differences were seen in the sample groups. The results show that the method is suitable for analysis of immunoglobulin content in humoral immunity evaluation of biomedical materials.