[Cardiac sarcoidosis: improved prognosis through new diagnostic tests and treatment]. / Cardiale sarcoïdose: betere prognose door nieuwe diagnostiek en behandeling.

Cardiac sarcoidosis was diagnosed in 3 patients: 2 men aged 52 and 51 years, respectively, and a woman aged 55 years. Both men had ventricular tachycardia. In the first man, a right-ventricle biopsy revealed a non-caseating granuloma. The second man had active granulomatous cardiac infiltration, according to a gallium scintigram. The first man recovered after receiving immunosuppression, heart-failure medication, and an implantable defibrillator; the second received the same plus radio-frequency catheter ablation, but experienced serious heart failure. The woman was being treated for pulmonary sarcoidosis but complained of progressive cardiac symptoms. She recovered after receiving heart-failure medication, immunosuppression, and a biventricular pacemaker. Sarcoidosis is a multi-system granulomatous disorder of unknown aetiology with cardiac involvement in 20 to 30% of patients, resulting in severe morbidity and mortality. With the help ofgadolinium MRI and positron emission tomography (PET), these conditions can be detected at an earlier stage, which allows for improved evaluation of the efficacy of available therapies. The use of resynchronisation therapy and implantable defibrillators has improved the prognosis of patients with cardiac sarcoidosis.

Potential role of CagA in the inhibition of T cell reactivity in Helicobacter pylori infections.

The pathogenicity of chronic gastroduodenal diseases is very often related to Helicobacter pylori infections. Most H. pylori strains carry the cagA gene encoding an immunodominant 120- to 128-kDa protein which is considered a virulence marker. The majority of CagA-positive H. pylori isolates also produce a 95-kDa protein cytotoxin (VacA) causing vacuolation and degradation of mammalian cells. In our previous study we have shown that live H. pylori bacteria and their sonicates inhibit PHA-driven proliferation of human T lymphocytes. The H. pylori CagA and VacA proteins were suspected of a paralyzing effect of H. pylori on T cell proliferation. In this report, by using isogenic H. pylori mutant strains defective in CagA and VacA proteins, we determined that CagA is responsible for the inhibition of PHA-induced proliferation of T cells.

[Production of reactive nitrogen and oxygen intermediates in human granulocytes and monocytes during internalization of live BCG bacilli]. / Powstawanie aktywnych form azotu i tlenu w ludzkich granulocytach i monocytach pochlaniajacych zywe pratki BCG.

The production of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen intermediates in granulocytes and macrophages from healthy volunteers, infected in vitro with live Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) mycobacteria, was estimated. Significant differences in the biochemical reactions induced by BCG bacilli in granulocytes and monocytes are described. The activity of phagocytes was also investigated in the cultures with cytokines: IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, GM-CSF, IL-4.

Evaluation of the API test, phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C activity and PCR method in identification of Listeria monocytogenes in meat foods.

The aim of this work was to compare the possibility of identifying Listeria monocytogenes strains isolated from meat and sausage on the basis of the API-Listeria test, production of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for a DNA fragment of the hlyA gene encoding listeriolysin O. Forty-six strains were isolated and examined. The lethality of some Listeria isolates for BALB/c mice was also determined. In this study, all isolates identified as L. monocytogenes in the API test gave a positive signal in the PCR. Listeriae identified as L. innocua or L. welshimeri in the API test were negative in the PCR conducted with the primers for listeriolysin O. All strains identified as L. monocytogenes on the basis of the API test and the PCR produced PI-PLC. However, this activity was not limited to the bacteria of this species. Four out of 17 L. innocua and three out of 10 L. welshimeri isolates were PI-PLC-positive. None of the L. innocua or L. welshimeri isolates (neither PI-PLC+ or PI-PLC-) showed lethality for BALB/c mice. In contrast, two L. monocytogenes isolates as well as a reference L. monocytogenes strain killed all mice used for the experiment.

The proliferation of human T lymphocytes stimulated by Helicobacter pylori antigens.

Fractionated mononuclear cells (MNCs) were obtained from peripheral blood of healthy human volunteers, seronegative for H. pylori antibodies. The MNCs were stimulated in culture with whole live or heat-killed H. pylori cells or with bacterial cell surface (SA) or cytoplasmic (CA) antigens. There was a marked proliferative response of T cells in cultures stimulated with 10(5) cells/well of live H. pylori, 5 micrograms/well of CA or 5-20 micrograms/well of SA. However, no proliferation was observed in MNC cultures containing higher "doses" of live H. pylori organisms (10(7)/well) or CA (20 micrograms/well). Moreover, higher "doses" of the bacteria or CA entirely inhibited the response of T cells to PHA.

The cells of monocyte-macrophage lineage in mice with the 2-month polyethylene implantation.

End-point-attached heparinized polyethylene (H-PE) was implanted for 2 months into the peritoneum of C57B1/6 mice. The proliferation of bone marrow cells (BMCs) from implanted and non-implanted mice was investigated in M-CSF supplemented medium, in the presence or absence of macrophage-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). The mAb HC 7.67.B, recognizing a surface determinant on immature monocytoid cells, inhibited the proliferation of BMCs from H-PE implanted mice without any influence on the proliferation of BMCs from non-implanted animals. The peritoneal macrophages from H-PE implanted mice demonstrated enhanced production of fibronectin (Fn) in comparison to the macrophages from non-implanted animals. Our results suggest changes in the differentiation of murine monocyte-macrophage lineage in the mice bearing H-PE implants for 2 months.

Effects of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) on biomaterial-associated staphylococcal infection in mice.

Staphylococcal infections are a major complication in the usage of biomaterials. Different modifications of polymers have been made to reduce the incidence of such infections. We studied the effects of modifying heparinized polyethylene (H-PE) with mouse recombinant granulocyte-macrophage stimulating factor (rGM-CSF). The elimination of staphylococci (Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis) from the peritoneum of mice implanted with rGM-CSF-coated H-PE was slightly more effective than the elimination of the bacteria from the peritoneum of animals implanted with uncoated H-PE. Most interestingly, the number of staphylococci present in the biofilms covering rGM-CSF-coated implants were significantly lower than the number of bacteria detected on the surface of H-PE not coated with rGM-CSF. In vitro, rGM-CSF restored the anti-bacterial potency of the phagocytes, which had been reduced by surface contact with H-PE. The results suggest that modification of biomaterials with rGM-CSF could be one way of preventing staphylococcal infections; especially in neutropenic disorders, which constitute the highest risk factor for foreign body-associated infections.

The role of heparan sulphate-binding activity of Helicobacter pylori bacteria in their adhesion to murine macrophages.

The aim of this study was to determine the role of heparan sulphate (HS)-binding activity of Helicobacter pylori microbes in their adhesion to and ingestion by inflammatory peritoneal macrophages. Two H. pylori strains expressing sialic acid-specific haemagglutinins but differing in the expression of heparan sulphate-binding capacity were chosen for investigation. The attachment to an ingestion by macrophages of the H. pylori bacteria were estimated by ELISA using anti-H. pylori antibodies. The adhesion of both H. pylori strains could be inhibited by pretreatment of the bacteria with heparin (H), HS or fetuin, as well as by preincubation of the macrophages with heparinase or neuraminidase. However, detailed analysis of the data on the inhibition of bacterial adhesion to macrophages led to the conclusion that the attachment of H. pylori 25 bacteria, which expressed a high heparan sulphate binding, was mainly determined by HS-binding structures. In contrast, the adhesion to macrophages of H. pylori bacteria 17874 microbes, which expressed a weak heparan sulphate binding, was more dependent on the exhibition of sialic acid-dependent haemagglutinins. The described variation in H. pylori bacterial surface structures mediating their adhesion to macrophages could suggest a similar variation in bacterial adhesion to stomach mucosa and maybe in the pathogenicity of H. pylori strains.

Attachment, ingestion and intracellular killing of Helicobacter pylori by human peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes and mouse peritoneal inflammatory macrophages.

The different steps of phagocytosis, attachment, ingestion and intracellular killing of cells of Helicobacter pylori strain 17874 (expressing sialic acid-specific haemagglutinin) and cells of H. pylori strain 17875 (expressing non-sialic acid-specific haemagglutinin) have been studied. More cells of sialopositive H. pylori strain 17874 have been found attached to human peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes (PBM) and mouse peritoneal inflammatory macrophages (PIM) than cells of sialonegative H. pylori strain 17875. Binding of cells of H. pylori strain 17874 has been significantly inhibited by treatment of phagocytes with neuraminidase. Inhibition of adhesion of these bacteria preincubated with foetuin to normal phagocytic cells has also been found. Well adhering cells of H. pylori strain 17874 were more resistant to killing mechanisms of human PBM and mouse PIM than cells of strain 17875. Good, probably sialic acid-specific haemagglutinin dependent, adhesion of H. pylori bacteria to phagocytes can be considered as an important virulence factor which facilitates the pathogen to avoid the defence mechanisms.

[Usefulness of the microcolorimetric method of XTT reduction for evaluation of intracellular killing of pathogens]. / Przydatnosc mikrokolorymetrycznej metody redukcji XTT do oceny wewnatrzkomórkowego zabijania patogenów.

The aim of this study was to evaluate a XTT assay in testing the killing activity of mouse phagocytes in vitro. Live microorganisms converted XTT to water soluble orange formazan in the presence of CQ. Absorption of formazan measured at 492 nm was directly related to the number of viable cells. The percentage of staphylococci killed by granulocytes and macrophages was 10-40% (1 h- and 2 h-respectively), in the cultures containing 10 bacteria/phagocyte. Killing of Candida albicans (1-3 blastospors/phagocyte) was seen after 2 h of incubation. The percentage of Listeria and Mycobacterium killed by phagocytes depended on pathogenicity of the tested strains. The bactericidal activity of phagocytes estimated in the XTT assay and by the CFU method was quite similar.

Specific cellular and humoral reactions as markers of Listeria monocytogenes infections.

The purpose of the study was to test in experimental mouse model if some immunological parameters could be helpful in recognizing Listeria infections. Delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) and ELISA tests carried out with soluble fractions of L. innocua (serotype 6a) or L. monocytogenes (serotype 4b) seem to be useful in detecting listeriosis at an early stage. Although crude antigen fractions were used in this study, very weak only nonspecific DTH reactions were observed in unifected animals and they could be easily distinguished from the DTH reactions developed by the animals infected with Listeria. However, genetic factors influenced specific anti-listerial reactivity and it was especially observed when DTH test was used as an indicator of Listeria infection. In contrast to DTH and ELISA tests, determination of antibodies active in agglutination or passive haemagglutination assay seem useless in detecting listeriosis at an early stage of infection.

[Protective action of anti-listeria IgG]. / Protekcyjne dzialanie przeciwlisteriowych IgG.

It was found that single injection into mice of 70 micrograms IgG against Listeria innocua protected them against lethal action of virulent cell of L. monocytogenes, if antibodies were injected 1-3 weeks before infection. Immune IgG did not exert the protective effect when injected one day before infection. Mice T lymphocytes receiving immune IgG three weeks before infection, exhibited increased ability to direct interactions (cluster formation) with dendritic cells presenting Listeria antigen (LA). At the same time, sera obtained from these animals were blocking the reaction of indirect haemagglutination occurring between antibodies against L. innocula and LA-covered sheep erythrocytes. These results suggest that anti-listerial IgG are inducing in mice production of anti-idiotypic antibodies. Most probably, some of these immunoglobulins imitate determinants of Listeria antigens, copying their three-dimensional structure. They could activate T cells specific against bacterial antigens (1st signal of activation). Introduction of virulent L. monocytogenes cells into mice possessing T cells activated by anti-idiotypic antibodies, could create a second antigenic signal, resulting in intensive elimination of bacteria by mechanisms of specific cellular immunity.

Cellular immune response to Listeria in genetically resistant and susceptible mouse strains.

Relatively Listeria-resistant C57B1/6 mice and more susceptible to the infection DBA/2 mice were immunized with Listeria-antigen (LA). Immunized DBA/2 mice developed weaker delayed hypersensitivity to LA and still eliminated listeriae less effectively than identically immunized C57B1/6 mice. An accessory function of LA-pulsed macrophages of normal C57B1/6 mice was only slightly enhanced as compared with LA-pulsed macrophages of DBA/2 mice. It is suggested that some suppressor lymphocytes, IgM+ and/or FcR+, could be responsible for the enhanced susceptibility of DBA/2 mice to listeriosis.

[Intestinal arginase in the phylogenetic development of animals]. / Arginaza jelitowa w rozwoju filogenetycznym zwierzat.

The activity of intestinal arginase was studied in 31 species belonging to the types Annelides, Arthropoda and Chordata. Large variations of the enzyme activity were tested. The differences were of 2 orders of magnitude--100 times. Four groups were selected: animals with very low arginase activity up to 0.20 microM of ornithine/mg of protein/15 min; this group comprises both phylogenetically lower and higher animals (cockroach, locust, frog, duck, domestic hen, broiler chicken, horse, hyppopotamus, ox, sheep, antelope); animals with rather low activity up to 0.22 to 0.60 microM of ornithine/mg of protein/15 min (crayfish, herring, salmon, bream, cod, pike-perch, mink, fox, dog. man); animals with moderate activity up to 0.63 to 1.15 microM of ornithine/mg of protein/15 min (pigeon, coypu, guinea-pig, hog); animals with high activity up 1.15 to 9.26 microM of ornithine/mg of protein/15 min (rabbit, rat, hamster, mouse). According to the profile the activity of the enzyme along the long axis of the intestine two groups of animals could be separated: one in which arginase activity is the same over the whole length of the intestine, in animals with very low and rather low arginase activity, and the second in which there is a distinct topographical differentiation of activity (the highest in the jejunum decreasing gradually with differing gradients) in animals with moderate and high arginase activity. Intestinal arginase activity in quails in ontogenic development from the birth up to 233 days, show 2 peaks--one at 9 and the second at 23 days.

Incorporation of uridine and leucine by the germinal discs of quail eggs kept cool or warmed periodically during storage.

Nucleic acid and protein biosyntheses are characteristic of the fertilised germinal disc and continue during storage at 20 degrees C though at a reduced rate. There is no comparable activity in unfertilised eggs. 2. Warming the fertilised eggs for 30 min/d during storage increased the rate of incorporation of uridine and leucine into proteins and nucleic acids by a factor of three.

The gene of golden plumage colour linked with lower fertility in Mangurian Golden quail.

Relation between golden plumage colour and lowered fertility has been found in quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Golden colour of plumage is due to the presence of a single gene G, while its recessive alleles gg determine partridge-like colour. Homozygotic birds of GG pattern die during incubation.

[4-year-observation of results of VM 26 treatment of pathologic syndromes from the lymphoma malignum group]. / Czteroletnie obserwacje dotyczace wyników leczenia preparatem VM 26 zespolów chorobowych z grupy "lymphoma malignum

The authors used the preparation VM 26 in 66 patients with various pathological syndromes belonging to the group of malignant lymphoma. The patients were divided into three groups. Group A received only VM 26, group B VM 26 and ultracorten, group C VM 26, cyclophosphamide, methylhydrazine and glycocorticosteroids. In all observed groups a therapeutic activity of VM 26 was demonstrated. The best therapeutic results were obtained in group C, in group B they were slightly worse.