Characterization of protective immunity induced against Schistosoma mansoni via DNA priming with the large subunit of calpain (Sm-p80) in the presence of genetic adjuvants.

Despite advances in control via snail eradication and large-scale chemotherapy using praziquental, schistosomiasis continues to spread to new geographic areas particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Presently, there is no vaccine for controlling this disease. We have concentrated on a functionally important schistosome antigen Sm-p80 as a possible vaccine candidate for schistosomiasis. Here we report the proliferation of spleen cells in response to the recombinant Sm-p80 protein and cytokine (IFN-gamma and IL-4) production by the splenocytes. These spleen cells were obtained from groups of mice that were vaccinated with a DNA vaccine formulation containing Sm-p80 and one of the Th-1 (IL-2 or IL-12) or Th-2 (GM-CSF, IL-4) enhancer cytokines. The splenocytes from the groups of mice vaccinated with Sm-p80 DNA in the presence of Th-2 enhancer cytokines showed moderate but detectable proliferation. The splenocytes obtained from mice vaccinated with Sm-p80 DNA with Th-1 enhancer cytokines IL-2 and IL-12 provided the highest proliferation. The IFN-gamma production by splenocytes was found to follow the similar pattern [(Sm-p80) < (Sm-p80 + IL-4) < (Sm-p80 + GMCSF) < (Sm-p80 + IL-12) < (Sm-p80 + IL-2)], as has been observed for the proliferation and protection data. However, the elevated IL-4 production was inversely correlated to Sm-p80-induced splenocyte proliferation or the protection. These results show again that protective immune response induced by Sm-p80 is of Th-1 type.

Alcohol on campus: alcohol-related emergencies in undergraduate college students.

OBJECTIVES: We reviewed demographic factors associated with alcohol-related disorders in undergraduates seen in the emergency department (ED) and determined the incidence of alcohol-related ED visits among undergraduates. METHODS: This prospective, observational study was done in a university-affiliated emergency department. Demographic variables and incidence of students with alcohol-related disorders were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 616 students seen in the ED during 1 academic year, 101 (16%) had an alcohol-related disorder. White students and freshmen were overrepresented. There were equal numbers of male and female students. The overall annual incidence for an alcohol-related visit among undergraduates was 1.7% per academic year. The incidence for freshmen was 2.9%. Four students were admitted; one died of a severe head injury. CONCLUSIONS: We estimate that 1 of every 15 undergraduates at our college comes to our ED with an alcohol-related problem during their 4-year college career. Younger and nonminority students were more commonly seen; there was no difference by sex. Serious outcomes included one death. This study probably underestimates the true incidence of alcohol-related disorders among students on campus.