Identification of cross-reactive antibodies with low opsonophagocytic activity for Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Opsonophagocytic capacity and concentrations of antibodies to the capsular polysaccharide (PS) of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 6A, 6B, 19F, and 19A were determined for sera from adults immunized with 14- and 23-valent S. pneumoniae capsular PS vaccines. The concentration of anticapsular PS antibodies strongly correlated (r = .72 to r = .91) with the opsonophagocytic activities. However, 10%-20% of serum samples display strikingly less opsonophagocytic activity for the cross-reactive serotypes than expected on the basis of their antibody concentrations to the cross-reactive serotypes. From 1 poorly opsonic serum sample, kappa and lambda fractions of anti-6B antibodies were purified by affinity chromatography. Kappa (but not lambda) type antibody was found to have less opsonophagocytic capacity than expected. Thus, ELISA measurements of antibody responses to pneumococcal capsular PSs may not be reflective of opsonophagocytic function of the antibody.

[The value of detecting eosinophil cationic protein in various dermatoses]. / Az eosinophil cationos protein meghatározás jelentösége különbözö dermatosisokban.

Recent data have proved that eosinophil cells actively contribute to the pathogenesis of numerous inflammations, including that of atopic dermatitis. The expression of the activated secreted forms of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) as well as the determination of the rise and fluctuation of the ECP level of the serum make it very easy to follow their activity. Influencing the activation of the eosinophil cell may lead to important alterations in the treatment of these diseases.

Immunohistological characterization of the cellular infiltrate in dermatophytosis.

The local cell composition of skin infections caused by Trichophyton rubrum (13 cases) and Microsporum canis (2 cases) was examined using monoclonal antibodies and the ABC immunoperoxidase technique. The number of Langerhans cells increased both in the epithelium and in the dermis of the mycotic area. Apart from these, only T cells were found in the dermis, among which helper cells were predominant. The helper/suppressor ratio showed variations depending upon the pathogen.

Papular acrodermatitis of childhood (Gianotti-Crosti disease).

An 11-year-old boy had lentil-sized lichenoid papules, localized to the limbs and trunk, together with acute, nonicteric, hepatitis B surface antigen-positive hepatitis. The clinical picture and course were typical of Gianotti-Crosti disease. Monoclonal antibodies were used to study the lymphocyte subpopulations and surface antigens in the inflammatory infiltrate in frozen sections of a skin biopsy specimen. The results provide data on the pathogenic mechanism of the papular exanthem.

[Disseminated cicatricial pemphigoid]. / Disseminiertes vernarbendes Pemphigoid.

The authors describe a typical case of a rare disease, disseminated cicatricial pemphigoid. At the site of the subepidermal bulla excessive scarring in seen. Electron microscopic examination reveals elastic fibrin deposition and incipient vacuolation under the basement membrane. The indirect immunoperoxidase study shows increased numbers of positive Langerhans cells, which support their antigen-presenting role.

[Cutaneous manifestation of Hodgkin's disease associated with verrucosis plantaris of unusual appearance]. / Cutan manifesztációjú M. Hodgkin és szokatlan megjelenésü verrucosis plantaris.

The association of malignant lymphoma (M. Hodgkin) and verrucosis plantaris of abnormal extent was found in a young woman patient whose death was due to an underlying disease. In connection with this case the authors discuss the immunopathogenesis of malignant lymphomas (among them that of M. Hodgkin), the biology of human papilloma viruses as well as the common etiological aspects of the above immune deficient condition and the associated virus infection.

[A case of erythrokeratodermia figurata variabilis successfully treated with tigason]. / Ein Fall von mit Tigason erfolgreich behandelter Erythrokeratodermia figurata variabilis.

We report on a young man having suffered from infiltrated, scaly, hyperkeratotic, erythematous skin eruptions since his birth, varying in its course. Histologic examination revealed erythrokeratodermia. Therapy with Etretinate led to rapid regression; on keeping the maintenance dose for a year, we did not observe any recurrences. Light and electron microscopical investigations were carried out both before and 7 weeks after treatment.