Evaluation of a supplemental assay for the diagnosis of hepatitis C virus infections.

OBJECTIVES: A supplemental test was evaluated for hepatitis C virus (HCV). METHODS: One hundred forty-six sera that were inconclusive or discrepant in two screening tests for HCV infection were evaluated using a supplemental test, MATRIX-HCV2 (Abbott Laboratories, Chicago, IL, USA). Results of the supplemental test were compared to the detection of HCV RNA by a nested polymerase chain reaction after a step of reverse transcription (RT-PCR). RESULTS: Thirty-nine RNA-containing sera (positive with RT-PCR) of 40 (97%) reacted with at least one antigen in the supplemental test. Reactivity with one to three antigens also was observed with 77 PCR-negative sera (66%). Twenty-nine sera were found negative with both techniques. CONCLUSIONS: Despite clear results and good sensitivity, the MATRIX-HCV2 assay was poorly predictive of viremia in patients with indeterminate results in initial screening assays.

Seminal cytokine concentrations (IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-6, sR IL-2, sR IL-6), semen parameters and blood hormonal status in male infertility.

Several lines of evidence indicate that cyokines are involved in male fertility. They are secreted by different parts of the male genital tract and may exert effects on steroidogenesis, spermatogenesis and sperm functions. We measured the concentrations of interleukins (IL-beta, IL-2, IL-6) and those of interleukin soluble receptors (sR IL-2, SR IL-6) in semen of fertile subjects (n = 21) and of patients with a range of andrological diseases (n = 119). The seminal concentrations of cytokines were analysed according to semen parameters as well as to the blood hormonal profiles of follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and testosterone. An increase of IL-1beta was observed in the group of patients with infertility. No difference was found between the different subgroups defined on the basis of progressive motility, percentage of abnormal forms and diagnosis of infection. The seminal cytokine concentrations were independent of the blood hormonal status. Our data suggest that the determination of interleukins (-1beta, -2 and -6) or interleukin soluble receptors (sR IL-2, sR IL-6) in human spermatozoa does not provide convenient information in male routine infertility work-up.

[Cytokines in human semen. A new approach to male fertility]. / Les cytokines dans le sperme humain. Une nouvelle voie d'approche de la fertilité masculine.

Multifactorial regulation of testicular endocrine and exocrine functions depends on gonadotropin control and cross-talk between different types of cells. Evidence is accumulating that cell-cell interactions between Leydig, Sertoli and peritubular myoid cells involved in male reproductive function may implicate several factors such as cytokines which play an important role in untercellular communication and exert broad pleiomorphic activities. In reproductive pathophysiology, the role of certain cytokines has been under intense scrutiny since their expression and production by the different parts of the male genital tract appear to be at least partially hormone-dependent Cytokines also modulate hormone activity. In vitro, they modulate steroidogenesis and affect spermatogenesis and sperm functions. Human seminal plasma contains several cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin, transforming growth factor...) and their soluble receptors. A better understanding of these mediators in semen of normal men and patients with andrological diseases will contribute to a new approach to the management of male fertility.

Hepatitis C after renal transplantation: histopathological correlations.

This study evaluates the correlations between liver histology, cytolysis, cryoglobulinaemia, co-infection with hepatitis B virus, and immunosuppressive treatment in renal transplant patients with HCV infection. Forty-five of 378 kidney recipients (January 1973-September 1993) had anti-HCV antibodies (prevalence = 11.9%) detected by second generation ELISA (Abbott Pasteur). Viral RNA was detected in those patients by RT-PCR in serum and liver. HCV-positive patients underwent liver biopsy to assess their liver tissue lesions according to Knodell's score. Patients were also screened for Hbs, Hbc and Hbe antigens (ELISA, Abbott) and cryoglobulins (immunobinding, SEBIA). Of the 45 HCV+ patients, 38 (84.4%) had persistent viral replication in the serum and 29 of the 30 patients having undergone liver biopsy had PCR-positive liver tissue. The liver biopsies revealed no active hepatitis lesion in 14 patients (46.6%, Group CAH-), 16 (53.3%) had chronic active hepatitis (Group CAH+) and 3 (10%) had signs of cirrhosis. Comparing groups CH+ and CH- showed that viral replication was detected in all 16 patients with chronic active hepatitis, versus 10/14 patients in the CAH- group (P < 0.05). Patients were more frequently treated with azathioprine in the CH+ group (12/16 vs 8/14; P < 0.05). The duration of renal transplantation was significantly longer in patients with a Knodell score > 5 (58 +/- 56 months vs 35 +/- 29 months, P < 0.001). Incidence of co-infection with HBV was similar in both groups. The mean values of alanine aminotransferase correlated with the Knodell score (r = 0.4, P = 0.03). Mixed cryoglobulinaemia was more common in the replicant forms of HVC infection (12/38 vs 1/7, P < 0.0001). This study shows that liver histological lesions are correlated with HCV viral replication, are more frequent in patients treated with azathioprine and are more severe as the duration of transplant is longer.

Long-term metabolic effects of pentylenetetrazol-induced status epilepticus in the immature rat.

The present study was devoted to the long-term effects of seizures induced by pentylenetetrazol in immature rats on cerebral metabolic rates in young adult animals. Seizures were induced by repetitive intraperitoneal injections of subconvulsive doses of pentylenetetrazol either in 10- (P10) or in 21- (P21) day-old rats. The long-term metabolic effects of the seizures were studied at P60 in 54 cerebral structures by means of the [14C]deoxyglucose method. At P60, metabolic activity was decreased in 10 brain regions of rats exposed to pentylenetetrazol at P10 and in 29 structures in rats exposed to seizures at P21. Among the structures whose metabolic activity was reduced at P60 by seizures occurring either at P10 or at P21 were mainly sensory, cortical and hippocampal regions plus mammillary body, i.e. all the structures metabolically characterized as most vulnerable to pentylenetetrazol-induced status epilepticus in our previous study [Pereira de Vasconcelos A. et al. (1992) Devl Brain Res. 69, 243-259]. In the animals exposed to seizures at P21, metabolic activity was also reduced at P60 in additional sensory and cortical regions, as well as in limbic, thalamic and hypothalamic nuclei, also considered as highly sensitive to short-term pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures [Pereira de Vasconcelos A. et. al. (1992)]. Rates of glucose utilization were also reduced in a few additional areas such as the monoaminergic cell groupings. In conclusion, there are some parallels between the structures metabolically most sensitive during pentylenetetrazol-induced status epilepticus in immature rats and the long-term regional metabolic decreases recorded at P60. Our data also confirm the well-known higher sensitivity to seizures during the third postnatal week in rodents.

[Interleukin-2 and human seminal fluid]. / Interleukine-2 et liquide séminal humain.

Involvement of the cytokines in male infertility were considered from in vitro studies, however the nature and the role of the mediator susceptible of arising in vivo is not completely elucidated. The purpose of this study is to measure the concentrations of interleukin-2 (IL-2) in normal and pathologic seminal fluid and to analyse their relationship with semen parameters. Our results demonstrate the presence of IL-2 in seminal fluid. Comparatively to normal seminal fluid, significant lower IL-2 concentrations were observed in infected semen samples or with sperm antibodies. No correlation was found between the cytokines values and the sperm parameters.

Tumour necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 2 in normal and infected human seminal fluid.

The presence of cytokines such as the tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and interleukin 2 (IL2) in human spermatozoa is still to be defined. The aim of this study was to measure the concentration of both soluble factors in seminal fluid. Data from normal semen samples (n = 24) confirmed the presence of IL2 (258 +/- 84 fmol/ml corresponding to 953 +/- 369 fmol/total volume of ejaculate) and TNF alpha (62.2 +/- 16.4 fmol/ml corresponding to 231.3 +/- 86 fmol/total volume of ejaculate). A significant positive correlation (r = 0.59; P < 0.01) was observed between the TNF alpha and the IL2 concentrations. The concentrations of these cytokines were not related to sperm parameters. In contrast, IL2 concentrations (196.9 +/- 60.4 fmol/ml; 686.2 +/- 236.7 fmol/total volume of ejaculate) evaluated in 16 seminal fluids with identified bacterial agents were lower than in the control group, whereas TNF alpha concentrations (68.6 +/- 12.3 fmol/ml; 241.3 +/- 78.9 fmol/total volume of ejaculate) were not significantly different from the controls. Further studies are needed to determine the potential role of these cytokines in the physiology of semen and their usefulness as indicators of reproductive pathology.

[Ventilation mechanics as an aid to diagnosis of early emphysematous disease (author's transl)]. / Aide au diagnostic de la maladie emphysémateuse débutante. Arguments fournis par la mécanique ventilatoire.

Respiratory function in 27 subjects with at least one anomaly in ventilation mechanics suggestive of emphysema was compared with that of a control population by means of plethysmographic indices. Results showed that static compliance to CRF and compliance for a volume nil for the elastic properties of the lung on the one hand and alveolar compression for dynamic properties on the other hand, appear to be valid criteria for early diagnosis of emphysema.