Immunological profile of women suffering from recurrent candidal vaginitis

The pathogenesis of recurrent vaginal c and idosis in women with no predisposing factors is still poorly understood. Twenty women [20-45 years] suffering from this syndrome and 22 healthy females [control group] were included in this study. There was a decrease in the percentage of total T-cells in 65% of the patients and a decrease in the percentage of phagocytes in 80% of them, with a statistically significant decrease in their mean percentages compared to the controls. On assessing the T-cell function by the macrophage migration inhibition test, no significant difference between patients and controls was found on using the phytohemagglutinin as a mitogen. While a significant defect was found in the T-cell function among the patients compared to the controls when C and ida albicans antigen was used. The percentage of B-cells and T-helper, T-suppressor and TH:TS ratio were found not to be different when the patients and controls were compared

Is there a relationship between longevity, blood group type, and secretor status of blood group substances?

Blood and saliva were collected from 150 old individuals [60 years and over, 76 were males and 74 females], as well as from 100 young controls. The blood was used for grouping by the tile technique, while the saliva was used for testing the secretion of ABH substances by the agglutination-inhibition test. Eighty of the non- secretors [50 old individuals and 30 controls] were also tested for the presence of Lewis substance in saliva. Fifty out of the 150 old individuals were group "O" phenotype [33.3%], while only 15 out of the 100 young controls had this phenotype [15%]. Ninety out of 150 elderly individuals were non-secretors [60%], but only 24 out of the 100 controls were non-secretors [24%]. The majority of the elderly and young non-secretors of ABH were secretors of Lewis substance. Ten cancer patients were similarly tested and none of them was of group "O", and they were all secretors of ABH substances. It seems that there is hope for group "O" non-secretors to live long

Immunological parameters in rheumatoid arthritis patients

This study aimed at assessing the changes in the humoral and cellular immune responses in active rheumatoid arthritis and observing the effect of some drugs on it. Thirty healthy control subjects and 30 patients with seropositive RA were included. There were 10 untreated [group 1] and 20 treated patients [group 2]. Group 2 included 4 subgroups, each received either gold, D-penicillamine [DP], prednisone [P], or indomethacin for 6-12 months. The percentage of total T cells was significantly high in group 1 and significantly low in patients receiving DP and P. The percentage of TH was significantly high in groups 1 and 2. While, the TH/TS was significantly high in groups 1 and 2 with a significant decrease in patients treated with P only. The percentage of B cells was significantly high in group 1 and so was the IgA level, which was significantly low with gold and P treatment. The IgM was also significantly high in group 1 but diminished significantly in group 2. The C3 level was significantly high in group 1, while cICs were significantly high in both groups 1 and 2. It was concluded that although the used drugs induced moderate clinical improvement, they did not correct completely the underlying immunological abnormalities

Compliment [C3] in the bilharzial and non-bilharzial ascitic fluid

The C3 level of ascitic fluid and serum of 20 bilharzial patients and of 10 Non-bilharzial, was estimated by radial immunodiffusion. The C3 in the serum of 10 healthy individuals was also estimated. The serum controls contained significantly higher values than that of both bilharzial and non-bilharzial patients. The C3 level in ascitic fluid of bilharzial patients was significantly lower than non-bilharzial ones; this may be attributed to complement consumption in the defense mechanism against bacterial invasion

Effect of smoking on the percentage of peripheral blood phagocytes, T and B lymphocytes

Twenty asymptomatic apparently healthy adult male smokers, 20 to 60 years of age, ranging from mild to heavy smokers were compared to ten apparently healthy non-smokers of the same sex and age range as regards the total leucocytic count, percentage of lymphocytes, the peripheral blood. Statistical analysis of the results revealed that the total WBC count and percentage of lymphocytes increased with smoking. The increase in leucocytic count was significant in moderate and heavy smokers compared to controls. The percentage of T-lymphocytes increased significantly in moderate and heavy smokers, while that of B-lymphocytes and phagocytes showed statistically insignificant changes

Immunological study on cigarette smokers Part I effect of smoking on the serum immunoglobulin levels

Twenty asymptomatic apparently healthy adult male smokers, 20 to 60 of age, ranging from mild to heavy smokers were compared with 10 apparently healthy non-smokers of the same sex and age range as regards serum immunoglobulin levels. The results obtained revealed a significant increase, in serum IgE level in smokers compared to non-smokers irrespective of the extent of smoking. Serum IgG and IgM levels declined with smoking and this decline was statistically significant in heavy smokers for IgG and in moderate and heavy smokers as well as in smokers in general for IgM. Serum IgA ana IgD levels showed no significant changes