Asp f I CD4+ TH2-like T-cell lines in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a hypersensitivity lung disease caused by bronchial colonization with Aspergillus fumigatus (Af) characterized by elevated serum total and Af-specific IgE levels and eosinophilia. In order to examine T-cell reactivity to Af antigens, six T-cell lines were established from the peripheral blood of patients with ABPA to Asp f I, an 18 kd protein purified from Af extracts. The Asp f I-specific T-cell lines, analyzed by flow cytometry, were 100% CD3+ CD4+. Lymphoproliferative responses of the T-cell lines were specific for Asp f I stimulation, 28,999 cpm (stimulation index = 12.2), and showed no response to tetanus toxoid stimulation, 2178 cpm (stimulation index = 1.1) (p < 0.001). Furthermore, Asp f I-stimulated lymphoproliferation was inhibited in two experiments by monoclonal anti-interleukin (IL)-4 antibody in a dose-response fashion, 78% and 84% inhibition at 5% concentration of anti-IL-4. In contrast, anti-IL-2 antibody did not inhibit Asp f I-stimulated proliferation. Asp f I-stimulated T-cell lines synthesized predominantly IL-4 (mean, 21.5 ng/ml) after 48 hours of culture, and nondetectable quantities of interferon-gamma and IL-2. In summary, Asp f I-specific T-cell lines established from patients with ABPA were characterized as being CD4+ TH2-like in their cytokine synthesis pattern, and secreted IL-4 behaved in an autocrine fashion, stimulating proliferation.

Ultrasonic study to see the effect of topical pilocarpine and homatropine on anterior chamber depth in phakic cases.

Pilocarpine and Homatropine are the drugs having known effect on the depth of anterior chamber. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the time of onset, peak effect and its duration of action as well as shallowing/deepening of the anterior chamber, after single instillation of pilocarpine 2% or homatropine bromide 2%, topically in one eye. Also we tried to see if there is any effect on the contralateral eye, due to systemic absorption of pilocarpine, homatropine after topical instillation of the drug in one eye. Pilocarpine causes a measurable shallowing of the anterior chamber with onset of effect with in 20 minutes and a peak in 60 minutes, the average narrowing being 0.26 mm. (range 0.20-0.29 mm.). Homatropine has a measurable deepening effect on the anterior chamber, due to axial flattening of the lens because of cycloplegia, with a range of 0.33 to 0.36 mm. In 70% of the cases the effect passes away with in 24 hours., but in 30% it comes to normal in 48 hours.

Kajal eye staining for early detection of vitamin A deficiency in the field.

Staining of the eyes with carbon black ("kajal") was tried out in 500 children, age 1--15 years, partly urban and partly rural, in Jaisalmer District. Of the eyes of 280 rural boys 21.4% took the stain, of 50 girls 16.0%. In the urban groups the figures were 5.7% of 88 and 9.7% of 82, respectively. These figures conincided nearly wholly with the cases diagnosed X1A (conjunctival xerosis) or X1B (conjunctival xerosis with Bitot's spots) clinically. All Bitot's spots were stained black; in addition also 2.6% of cases diagnosed X1A. Eight cases presenting only nightblindness also stained. Since kajal application is harmless, cheap, and acceptable to Indian custom it is proposed as a diagnostic procedure suitable for the general duty doctor and paramedical staff in the field.