Effects of ginseng treatment on neutrophil chemiluminescence and immunoglobulin G subclasses in a rat model of chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia.

Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients is almost impossible to eradicate with antibiotic treatment. In the present study, the effects of treatment with the Chinese herbal medicine ginseng on blood polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) chemiluminescence and serum specific antibody responses were studied in a rat model of chronic P. aeruginosa pneumonia mimicking CF. An aqueous extract of ginseng was administered by subcutaneous injection at a dosage of 25 mg/kg of body weight/day for 2 weeks. Saline was used as a control. Two weeks after the start of ginseng treatment, significantly increased PMN chemiluminescence (P

[Malignant melanoma--a warning. How to reduce mortality?]. / Malignt melanom--et varsko. Hvordan redusere dødeligheten?

Incidence of malignant melanoma of the skin has risen rapidly during the last decades. Mortality rates are also rising, although not so much as incidence rates. There is strong evidence that exposure to sunlight is a major factor in the etiology of melanomas. There appears to be no direct cumulative dose-response relationship, except in the case of lentigo maligna melanoma. Episodes of sunburn among children and young individuals seem to be more important as an etiologic factor for melanoma than chronic exposure to the sun. Very high risk of melanoma exists in persons with dysplastic nevus syndrome. Persons with giant congenital nevi are also at increased risk. However, many melanomas arise de novo. It is our intention to reduce mortality by screening families at risk, by early detection and treatment of melanomas, and by education.

Factors mediating the binding of immune complexes to cryostat sections of psoriatic lesions.

Sheep erythrocytes sensitized with rabbit IgG, or complexes of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and rabbit IgG antibodies to HRP bound to cryostat sections of psoriatic and other skin lesions (lichen planus, discoid lupus erythematosus, sarcoidosis, and mycosis fungoides). Immune complexes with reduced and alkylated IgG (RA-IgG) reacted with preparations of soluble rheumatoid factors (RF) and with sections of RF-coated sheep erythrocytes equally well as did untreated IgG. However, RA-IgG did not react with sections containing FcR-positive cells. These complexes bound either weakly or not at all to skin sections. IgG inhibited the binding of immune complexes to all skin control sections, while RA-IgG only inhibited the binding of complexes to sections of RF-coated cells. Anti-Clq did not inhibit the binding of immune complexes to any section. Periodic acid and formaldehyde abolished FcR activity, whereas neither the activity of soluble RF nor of RF in sections was affected. Only sections of lesional skin from patients with highly active psoriasis and sarcoidosis showed some binding of immune complexes after treatment with periodic acid or formaldehyde. Apparently, the binding of immune complexes in vitro to sections of psoriatic and other skin lesions is mainly mediated by FcR.

In situ identification of mononuclear cells in cutaneous infiltrates in discoid lupus erythematosus, sarcoidosis and secondary syphilis.

The inflammatory mononuclear cell infiltrates observed in lesional skin from patients with discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), sarcoidosis, and secondary syphilis have been characterized in situ. Immunological markers (human T lymphocyte antigens and receptors for sheep erythrocytes, C3b, C3d and Fc gamma) were studied by using immunofluorescence tests with IgG F (ab')2 preparation of anti-T lymphocyte serum, hemadsorption with tissue sections, and tests with soluble immune complexes of peroxidase. In DLE, T lymphocytes were the dominant cell type. In sarcoidosis, the epithelioid cells, including giant cells, had markers similar to macrophages. The lymphohistiocytic cells consisted mainly of macrophages, some T lymphocytes and a few B lymphocytes. In secondary syphilis (condylomata lata), macrophages and T lymphocytes were the dominant cell types, and relatively few B lymphocytes were detected.

Characterization of mononuclear cell infiltrates in psoriatic lesions.

The dermal mononuclear cell infiltrates of psoriatic lesions were characterized by receptors for sheep erythrocytes (T-lymphocytes), C3b receptors (macrophages and B-lymphocytes) and C3d receptors (B-lymphocytes), using hemadsorption to cryostat sections in a closed chamber. T-lymphocytes and macrophages were the predominant inflammatory cells. Very few B-lymphocytes were detected. These findings are discussed in relation to the possible pathogenetic signficance of cellular immunity in psoriasis.

Identification of mononuclear cells in situ in skin lesions of lichen planus.

Cryostat sections of lesional skin of lichen planus were examined for receptors for sheep erythrocytes (T lymphocytes), Fcgamma and C3b receptors (B lymphocytes and macrophages) and C3d (B lymphocytes). The indicator cells were applied using a closed chamber technique. The combination of the closed chamber technique and treatment of the sheep erythrocytes with a strong sulphydryl reagent enabled us to detect T lymphocytes by their membrane receptors in situ. T lymphocytes were the predominant mononuclear cells in the dermal infiltrate, with less macrophages and only a few B lymphocytes.

Comparison of human stratum corneum, callus and psoriatic scales by means of serological methods.

Homogenated stratum coreum, callus and psoriatic scales were extracted with (1) phenol water (PW) and (2) the combined use of trypsin digestion and phenol water extraction (TPW). The serological properties of the various preparations obtained were compared, using indirect haemagglutination, absorption and inhibition tests. The PW and TPW water phases contained two different antigens which were common to all three tissues. In addition, the periodate-treated TPW water phase of stratum corneum contained an erythrocyte-sensitizing antigenic determinant. This, however, cross-reacted with the untreated and periodate-treated preparation of psoriatic scales, whereas callus lacked the determinant present after treatment with periodate. Apparently callus and psoriatic scales lacked some components present in stratum corneum, but determinants specific for callus or psoriatic scales were not detected.

Human orf.

Human orf is usually considered a rare disease caused by a virus belonging to the paravaccinia subgroup of pox viruses and transmitted to man from sheep and goats. This paper presents 119 new human cases with epidemiological, clinical, histopathological and ultrastructural findings. Erythema multiforme was found to be a common complication of human orf. Other complications tended to be caused by overtreatment. Electron microscopy of negatively stained suspensions from lesions was found to be the best and most rapid diagnostic method available.

Specificity of antigens in aqueous phenol extracts of skin examined by means of guinea pig and rabbit immune sera.

Human, guinea pig and rabbit skin homogenates were digested with trypsin and extracted with phenol water. Antisera were raised in guinea pigs and rabbits by immunization with extract recovered from the water phase (TPW extract). All sera showed increased titres in indirect haemagglutination tests. The results of absorption and inhibition experiments indicated antibodies against a common antigenic determinant. These antibodies also agglutinated erythrocytes sensitized with autologous antigen. In addition, serum from rabbits immunized with human or guinea pig skin extract contained antibodies against species-specific determinants. Rabbit antiserum precipitated guinea pig skin extract. The antigen involved had specificity identical with that of an antigen in the human, but not in the rabbit skin, extract. Oxidation of the human TPW extract with periodate destroyed the precipitinogen and the species-specific haemagglutinogen while the common determinant was not affected.