Analysis of Immunoglobulin G subclasses in Hepatitis C virus patients: Correlation with disease activity and viraemia

Hepatitis C virus antibodies are found in the serum of most patients with chronic hepatitis C. However, the significance of the humoral response is still uncertain. There is no reliable and simple diagnostic marker available to diagnose recent hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection. It has been shown that the avidity of specific IgG antibody is low in primary viral infection and increases with time. In this study, in vitro IgG anti-hepatitis C virus secretion by peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with hepatitis C was analyzed. To assess the effect of elicited HCV antigen-specific IgG antibody subclasses on the clinical outcome of HCV infection. The study protocol was approved in Damnhour National Medical Institute, and patients provided written informed consent. Forty-five [45] hepatitis C patients [5ml blood for each pt.] were divided into 3 groups: the first HCV Patients with variable degrees of viraemia [low-moderate-high], second: HCV patients with end stage complications [cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma] third: HCV sero-positive individuals without viraemia or complications; 15 patients [5ml blood for each pt.] were randomized into the normal group [HCV sero-negative could subjects]. Hepatitis C patients with [in vitro] IgG anti-hepatitis C virus secretion had higher AFP and IgG levels in serum than did patients without such secretion in vitro [p<0.002]. Furthermore, there is correlation between IgG antibody secretion levels and activity and degree of HCV patients [p<0.001]. The mean-counts of IgG plasma cells in 3 studied groups hepitits C patient were significantly correlated with activity of disease. Whereas IgG plasma cells resulted more correlated with normal group. IgG plasma cells on hepatitis C can be a valuable parameter for better diagnosis of degree of hepatitis C disease and also for follow up the patients

Study of the immune effects in hemodialysis patients receiving erythropoietin

Recombinant human erythropoietin [rHuEpo] [Clinical Pathology Department] may affect the human immune system. Partial correction of anemia by erythropoietin improves hemodialysis [HD]-[Immunology Department]. associated immunosuppression. It is not known whether hemoglobin normalization improves immune status further. All in Damanhour National Numerous studies have investigated the immune effects Medical Institute, of recombinant human erythropoietin [rHuEPO] used in the treatment of anemia of ESRD to hematocrits of 28 to 31%, showing improvement in cell-mediated and humoral immunity. The aim of the study: In the present study, we compared prospectively the immune system parameters of hemodialysis [HD] patients who received rHuEPO and were randomized to normal hemoglobin versus anemic hemoglobin. The study protocol was approved in Damanhur National Medical Institute, and patients provided written informed consent. Each patient was followed for 12 months with serum sample obtained at 12 months. During the course of the study, the slope of CD8 cells increased significantly from baseline in the anemic group [P<0.0001], whereas there was no change in the normal hemoglobin group. Our study sought to determine whether the immune system of HD patients with normalized hemoglobin differed from that of HD patients with partially corrected anemia

Study of INF-gamma and IL-6 in patients with Helicobacter pylori

Helicobacter pylori evade host immune defenses and causes chronic gastritis. Immunity against intestinal pathogens is largely mediated by dendritic cells, yet the role of dendritic cells in acute H pylori infection is largely unknown. The current study was to determine the serum/plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-alpha in H pylori patients and explain the correlation with disease state, helicabacter pylori Ab IgG and 1gM and urea Breath test. We examined the levels of serum cytokines IL-6 and INF-gamma in 50 patients. Mean serum/plasma levels of IL-6 and INF-gamma in H. pylori patients were significantly higher than those in the healthy controls [P<0.05]. There was a statistically significant correlation between IL-6 levels and INF-alpha in group of positive and negative, IgM. levels of IL-6 and INF-gamma can be used as important parameters for clinical diagnosis and follow up of Helicobacter pylori cases. CRP and ESR is a useful marker ongoing infection but there is Correlation with disease state

Study of the Hemodialysis on Immunomodulation of TH1/TH2 balance

Patients on chronic intermittent haemodialysis [HD] show an impaired cellular and humoral immune response that clinically appears with frequent infectious complications and low vaccination responses. This immune defect strongly correlates with reduced in vitro proliferative responses of T cells. The defect is localized in antigen presenting cells, which show a decreased co-stimulatory activity. Furthermore, the impaired immune response correlates with an increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In response to primary, activation, CD4 positive T helper [Th] cells mainly differentiate into either Th1 or Th2 cells. Th1 cells support cell mediated immunity whereas Th2 cells enhance humoral immune responses. Since both types of responses mutually inhibit each other, the impaired humoral immune response seen in HD patients could either be due to a reduced number of Th2 cells or to a predominant Th1 response. The current study was to analyze the outcome of the Th1 or Th2 cell responses in HD patients compared with healthy controls and to place them in the context of the altered cellular characteristics and impaired immune status seen in HD patients. The study protocol was approved in 50 Patients in Damnhour National Medical Institute. In HD patients, a significantly higher percentage of CD4 cells are characterized by a Th1-type cytokine secretion pattern compared with healthy controls. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of impaired cellular immune functions in dialysis patients. They provide a link between overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines [IL-12] and imbalanced T-cell activation

Evaluation of different Rheumatoid factors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: correlation with disease activity and response to therapy

Antibodies to citrullinated proteins have been described in patients with rheumatoid arthritis [RA] and these appear to be the most specific markers of the disease. Our objective was to determine the frequency of antibodies to cyclic citrullinated [CCPs] in patients with RA and investigate that. Comparison of available serologic rheumatoid markers in patient with rheumatoid arthritis [anti-CCP and rheumatoid factor]and correlation of the relevance of these markers to disease activity and their sensitivity to anti rheumatoid drugs. Patients divide into two groups 1[st] group contain 30 patients with RA [Newly diagnosed], 2[nd] group contain 30 patients with RA [Receiving different therapies] and 10 consider as healthy control group, median age of patient 25 years, range [10-35 years]. This study was conducted in the outpatient rheumatology unit of Damanhour Medical Institute. There was no significant difference between the anti-CCP positive and negative patients with RA. There was also no significant correlation between anti-CCP antibody and ESR, CRP. A small but significant correlation was found between RF and anti-CCP antibody. Anti-CCP antibodies had a better diagnostic value than RF for RA. However the moderate sensitivity and high specificity of anti CCP antibodies for RA, along with the appearance of anti-CCP antibodies before disease onset, suggest that anti-CCP antibodies be included in the classification criteria for RA