Investigation of immunotoxicity of supercypermethrin forte in the Wistar rat.

The study was done to find out whether subacute exposure to supercypermethrin forte (SCM) affected cellular and humoral immunity. Groups of 10 male Wistar rats were given SCM by gavage for 28 days at 12.5 mg kg-1 day-1 (1/14 LD50), 8.75 mg kg-1 day-1 (1/20 LD50) and 4.38 mg kg-1 day-1 (1/40 LD50) and the response of splenocytes to mitogens, natural killer cell activity, plaque forming cell assay and phagocytosis were examined. The response of splenocytes to the mitogens phytohaemagglutin and concanavalin A, and to a T-dependent antigen (sheep red blood cells), was enhanced at 1/40 LD50 SCM, and at 1/20 and 1/14 LD50 these variables were suppressed. In the group exposed to 1/14 LD40 SCM the suppression was statistically significant. A non significant but dose-related increase in NK-cell activity was observed. The phagocytic activity of polymorphes was not significantly affected. Thus, SCM at 1/14 LD50 had significant adverse effects on a number of immunological functions in rats, but lower doses had no effect on these activities.

Immunological consequences of burn injury in children.

The authors investigated immunological changes after burn injury in children. Relevant findings were observed in the following immunological factors: phagocytose activity, T-lymphocytes, active T-lymphocytes, test of blastic transformation of lymphocytes and immunoglobulins. The findings confirm from an immunological point of view the requirement of early necrectomy (at the latest on day 4 or 5 after injury). Later necrectomy cannot prevent immunosuppression after burn injury but itself causes deterioration of the immunological status of patient. Adequate therapy can improve the immunological status of burned patients.

[Treatment of nephrotic syndrome with cyclosporin A]. / Liecba nefrotického syndrómu cyklosporínom A.

The authors treated eight children with corticoid dependent syndrome caused by minor abnormalities of the glomeruli with Cyclosporin A. They administered Cyclosporin, 5 mg/kg/24 h., for a period of 8-16 weeks. In three patients they used Cyclosporin A alone, 5 children were given in addition 10 mg Prednisone per day. They achieved complete remission in all patients. During treatment they monitored haematological and biochemical parameters as well as Cyclosporin A levels; before treatment and after its termination they examined also immunological indicators. They did not observe any serious side effects of treatment.

Transient increase of HBsAg levels following human IFN alpha treatment signalises the patient's response in chronic active hepatitis B.

Eleven patients in early stages of chronic active hepatitis B (CAH-B) were treated for weeks or months with a natural or recombinant human interferon alpha (Hu IFN alpha). Changes of serum levels of selected hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers were observed after Hu IFN alpha administration. Increase of HBsAg level accompanied by more or less simultaneous HBeAg level depression was the most interesting observation. These changes were well expressed in 5 reactive patients only; they usually ceased after withdrawal of IFN therapy. Reaction of the remaining 6 patients was either poor or not demonstrable. The possible mechanism for HBsAg/HBeAg serum level changes during the IFN therapy of CAH-B is discussed.

Immunological markers in patients with different forms of viral hepatitis B treated by "conventional" therapy or with HuIFN alpha.

Selected immunological, biochemical, and other viral hepatitis B (VH-B) markers were followed and analysed during "conventional" or human interferon alpha (HuIFN alpha) therapy of patients with different forms of VH-B. The immunological data obtained from "conventionally"-treated acute hepatitis B (AH-B), prolonged acute hepatitis B (AH-BP) or chronic active hepatitis B (CAH-B) patients disclosed differences unsatisfactory for comparison of the influence of HuIFN alpha therapy on changes of the immunological markers. More valuable data were obtained through continuous registration of the dynamics of selected blood markers. Partial effects on immunological parameters were seen after HuIFN alpha administration to 2 patients with developing CAH-B infection. Progression of the disease was markedly halted in these both patients after IFN treatment.

[Selected immunologic indicators in malignant bone tumors]. / Vybrané imunologické ukazatele pri kostních maligných nádoroch.

In patients with the malignant tumor of bone (17 osteosarcomas, 8 Ewing tumors) longterm observations were made, and namely at the beginning of the disease, after the surgical removal of the tumor, during chemotherapy and in the terminal phase of the disease. The observations concentrated on the following selected immunology parameters: active lymphocytes T, lymphocytes T, lymphocytes B, large granular lymphocytes, IgG, IgA, IgM and circulating immune complexes. In non-treated patients prior to diagnosing the disease, reduction of active lymphocytes T was found out while the total lymphocytes T remained unchanged. However, no significant differences were found out between benign and malignant tumors. The surgical removal of the tumor results in the change in imunologic indicators, the increase of active lyphocytes T, lymphocytes T and the decrease in the circulating immune complexes. The change is of temporary nature, the subsequent deterioration is caused by both the progression of the disease and chemotherapy. The values of immunoglobulins and lymphocytes B fluctuated during the whole course of the disease in physiological levels. The observation of active lymphocytes T and lymphocytes T can be used for monitoring of the immunosuppression in cytostatic treatment. The levl of IgG is differentially diagnostically used to distinguish between the tumor and inflammatory processes.