scholarly journals Human Case Infected With Babesia venatorum: A 5-Year Follow-Up Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin Zhao ◽  
Ruiruo Jiang ◽  
Na Jia ◽  
Nianzhi Ning ◽  
Yuanchun Zheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Human Case ◽  
Human Immune System ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Cytokines And Chemokines ◽  
Human Immune ◽  
Babesia Venatorum ◽  
Positive Results ◽  
Human Babesiosis

Abstract Background Human babesiosis is a common zoonosis caused by Babesia and is attracting an increasing concern worldwide. The natural course of babesiosis infection and how the human immune system changes during the course of babesiosis infection are not clear. Methods We followed up 1 case infected with Babesia venatorum for 5 years. The patient was immune-intact and received no standard treatment. Clinical data were obtained from medical records. Microbiological tests, ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequence, and serum cytokines and chemokines were detected at different time points. Results The patient was confirmed as B venatorum infection based on his tick-bite history, clinical manifestations, and positive results of microbiological tests. The parasitemia of the patient persisted for approximately 2 months. With flu-like symptoms aggravating, most cytokines and chemokines in RNA and protein levels increased progressively and reached the peak when fever occurred; and their concentrations decreased to baseline during the same time as clearance of babesia parasites. Conclusions Babesia venatorum infection could take a mild self-limited course in immune-intact individuals. The natural changes of most cytokines and chemokines demonstrated very similar trends, which correlated with blood parasitemia and clinical manifestations. Cytokine profiles involving multiple inflammatory cytokines might be a good indicator of babesia infection.

scholarly journals Anti-N-methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis Mimicking Sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob Disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiao Liu ◽  
Liyan Chen ◽  
Jing Yang ◽  
Lan Wang ◽  
Huifang Shang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Progressive Dementia ◽  
Memory Problems ◽  
Aspartate Receptor ◽  
Nmdar Encephalitis ◽  
Jakob Disease ◽  
Laboratory Investigations ◽  
Positive Results

Objectives: Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis and sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (sCJD) share similar clinical features. Here, we present two unusual cases of anti-NMDAR encephalitis who were misdiagnosed as sCJD at first.Methods: We described two patients' clinical manifestations, as well as the string of symptomatological evolution, treatments, and follow-up results.Results: Our patients presented with rapidly progressive dementia, memory problems, psychiatric symptoms, and movement disorders, and we considered all these symptoms as a presenting feature of sCJD at first, but the cerebrospinal fluid examination showed positive results for both the 14-3-3 protein and antibodies against NMDAR. Immunomodulatory treatment led to a resolution of these deficits, and both of them remained in remission after treatment.Conclusion: Anti-NMDAR encephalitis can present with rapidly progressive cognitive decline, and sometimes laboratory investigations can be misleading. The examination for the presence of NMDAR antibodies is necessary, even with the presence of 14-3-3 protein. Early immunomodulatory therapy should be considered, especially for patients with high titers of NMDAR antibodies.

Coronavirus disease 2019, allergic diseases, and allergen immunotherapy: Possible favorable mechanisms of interaction

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 187-197
Author(s):  
Désirée E. Larenas-Linnemann ◽  
José A. Ortega-Martell ◽  
María V. Blandón-Vijil ◽  
Noel Rodríguez-Pérez ◽  
Jorge A. Luna-Pech ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Allergen Immunotherapy ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Allergic Diseases ◽  
Allergic Patient ◽  
Human Immune System ◽  
Human Immune ◽  
The Moment ◽  
Immune Changes

Background: Both, allergen immunotherapy (AIT) and SARS-COV-2 infection cause a set of immunologic changes that respectively vary during the course of the treatment or the disease. Objective: To review immune changes brought along by each of these entities and how they might interrelate. Methods: We start presenting a brief review of the structure of the new coronavirus and how it alters the functioning of the human immune system. Subsequently, we describe the immune changes induced by AIT and how these changes could be favorable or unfavorable in the allergic patient infected with SARS-CoV-2 at a particular point of time during the evolving infection. Results: We describe how a healthy immune response against SARS-CoV-2 develops, versus an immune response that is initially suppressed by the virus, but ultimately overactivated, leading to an excessive production of cytokines (cytokine-storm-like). These changes are then linked to the clinical manifestations and outcomes of the patient. Reviewing the immune changes secondary to AIT, it becomes clear how AIT is capable of restoring a healthy innate immunity. Investigators have previously shown that the frequency of respiratory infections is reduced in allergic patients treated with AIT. On the other hand it also increases immunoregulation. Conclusion: As there are many variables involved, it is hard to predict how AIT could influence the allergic patient's reaction to a SARS-CoV-2 infection. In any case, AIT is likely to be beneficial for the patient with allergic rhinitis and/or allergic asthma in the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic as controlling allergic diseases leads to a reduced need for contact with healthcare professionals. The authors remind the reader that everything in this article is still theoretical, since at the moment, there are no published clinical trials on the outcome of COVID-19 in allergic patients under AIT.

scholarly journals Contribution of Human Lung Parenchyma and Leukocyte Influx to Oxidative Stress and Immune System-Mediated Pathology following Nipah Virus Infection

2017 ◽  
Vol 91 (15) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivier Escaffre ◽  
Tais B. Saito ◽  
Terry L. Juelich ◽  
Tetsuro Ikegami ◽  
Jennifer K. Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Acute Lung Injury ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Human Lung ◽  
Nipah Virus ◽  
Small Airways ◽  
Virus Spread ◽  
Human Immune System ◽  
Cytokines And Chemokines ◽  
Human Immune

ABSTRACT Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic emerging paramyxovirus that can cause fatal respiratory illness or encephalitis in humans. Despite many efforts, the molecular mechanisms of NiV-induced acute lung injury (ALI) remain unclear. We previously showed that NiV replicates to high titers in human lung grafts in NOD-SCID/γ mice, resulting in a robust inflammatory response. Interestingly, these mice can undergo human immune system reconstitution by the bone marrow, liver, and thymus (BLT) reconstitution method, in addition to lung tissue engraftment, giving altogether a realistic model to study human respiratory viral infections. Here, we characterized NiV Bangladesh strain (NiV-B) infection of human lung grafts from human immune system-reconstituted mice in order to identify the overall effect of immune cells on NiV pathogenesis of the lung. We show that NiV-B replicated to high titers in human lung grafts and caused similar cytopathic effects irrespective of the presence of human leukocytes in mice. However, the human immune system interfered with virus spread across lung grafts, responded to infection by leukocyte migration to small airways and alveoli of the lung grafts, and accelerated oxidative stress in lung grafts. In addition, the presence of human leukocytes increased the expression of cytokines and chemokines that regulate inflammatory influx to sites of infection and tissue damage. These results advance our understanding of how the immune system limits NiV dissemination and contributes to ALI and inform efforts to identify therapeutic targets. IMPORTANCE Nipah virus (NiV) is an emerging paramyxovirus that can cause a lethal respiratory and neurological disease in humans. Only limited data are available on NiV pathogenesis in the human lung, and the relative contribution of the innate immune response and NiV to acute lung injury (ALI) is still unknown. Using human lung grafts in a human immune system-reconstituted mouse model, we showed that the NiV Bangladesh strain induced cytopathic lesions in lung grafts similar to those described in patients irrespective of the donor origin or the presence of leukocytes. However, the human immune system interfered with virus spread, responded to infection by leukocyte infiltration in the small airways and alveolar area, induced oxidative stress, and triggered the production of cytokines and chemokines that regulate inflammatory influx by leukocytes in response to infection. Understanding how leukocytes interact with NiV and cause ALI in human lung xenografts is crucial for identifying therapeutic targets.

scholarly journals Novel Mutations of TYK2 Leading to Divergent Clinical Phenotypes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ge Lv ◽  
Gan Sun ◽  
Peilin Wu ◽  
Xiao Du ◽  
Ting Zeng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Primary Immunodeficiency Disease ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Human Immune System ◽  
Novel Mutations ◽  
Hyper Ige Syndrome ◽  
Human Immune ◽  
Immunodeficiency Disease ◽  
High Throughout Sequencing ◽  
Combined Defects

Abstract TYK2 deficiency is a rare Primary immunodeficiency disease caused by loss of function mutations of TYK2 gene, which is initially proposed as a subset of Hyper IgE syndrome (HIES). However, accumulating evidence suggest TYK2 deficient patients do not necessarily present with HIES characteristics, indicating a vacuum of knowledge on the exact roles of TYK2 in human immune system. Here we describe five more TYK2 deficient cases presenting with or without hyper IgE levels, atopy and distinct pathogen infection profile, which are caused by novel TYK2 mutations. These mutations were all found by high throughout sequencing and confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Pathogenic effects were confirmed by qRT-PCR and western blot. Peripheral blood mononulear cells (PBMCs) from these patients showed heterogenous responses to various cytokines treatment, including IFN-a/b/g, IL-6, IL-10, IL12 and IL-23. The homeostasis of lymphocytes is also disrupted. Based on our findings, we propose that TYK2 works as a multi-tasker in orchestrating various cytokines signaling pathways, differentially combined defects of which account for the expressed clinical manifestations.

Monogenic Diabetes: Genetics and Relevance on Diabetes Mellitus Personalized Medicine

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 807-819 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madalena Sousa ◽  
Jácome Bruges-Armas
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Complex Disease ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Neonatal Diabetes ◽  
Monogenic Diabetes ◽  
Diabetes Genetics ◽  
Individualize Treatment

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a complex disease with significant impression in today's world. Aside from the most common types recognized over the years, such as type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM), recent studies have emphasized the crucial role of genetics in DM, allowing the distinction of monogenic diabetes. Methods: Authors did a literature search with the purpose of highlighting and clarifying the subtypes of monogenic diabetes, as well as the accredited genetic entities responsible for such phenotypes. Results: The following subtypes were included in this literature review: maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY), neonatal diabetes mellitus (NDM) and maternally inherited diabetes and deafness (MIDD). So far, 14 subtypes of MODY have been identified, while three subtypes have been identified in NDM - transient, permanent, and syndromic. Discussion: Despite being estimated to affect approximately 2% of all the T2DM patients in Europe, the exact prevalence of MODY is still unknown, accentuating the need for research focused on biomarkers. Consequently, due to its impact in the course of treatment, follow-up of associated complications, and genetic implications for siblings and offspring of affected individuals, it is imperative to diagnose the monogenic forms of DM accurately. Conclusion: Currently, advances in the genetics field allowed the recognition of new DM subtypes, which until now, were considered slight variations of the typical forms. Thus, it is imperative to act in the close interaction between genetics and clinical manifestations, to facilitate diagnosis and individualize treatment.

Mother Culture, Meet Mother Nature

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luc Faucher ◽  
Pierre Poirier
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Algorithms ◽  
Cultural Change ◽  
Evolutionary Information ◽  
Multiple Forms ◽  
Human Immune System ◽  
Units Of Selection ◽  
Pluralistic Approach ◽  
Human Immune ◽  
Plausible Theory ◽  
Different Time Scales

Research on the adaptive characteristics of the human immune system reveals that evolutionary algorithms are not strictly matters of replication. And research in genomics suggests that there is no a single source of evolutionary information that carries the same content in every environment. A plausible theory of cultural evolution must acknowledge the possibility that multiple selective algorithms are operating at different time-scales, on different units of selection, with different logical structures; but it must explain how different selective processes are interfaced to yield culturally stable phenomena. This paper advances an empirically plausible approach to memetics that recognizes a wider variety of evolutionary algorithms; and it advances a pluralistic approach to cultural change. Finally, it shows that multiple forms of processing, operating at different timescales, on different units of selection, collectively sustain the human capacity to form and use certain types of representations.

scholarly journals Macrolide-Resistant and Macrolide-Sensitive Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia in Children Treated Using Early Corticosteroids

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1309
Author(s):  
Hye Young Han ◽  
Ki Cheol Park ◽  
Eun-Ae Yang ◽  
Kyung-Yil Lee
Keyword(s):  
Mycoplasma Pneumoniae ◽  
Serological Test ◽  
Corticosteroid Treatment ◽  
23S Rrna ◽  
Laboratory Parameters ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Domain V ◽  
Positive Results ◽  
Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Pneumonia

We have found that early corticosteroid therapy was effective for reducing morbidity during five Korea-wide epidemics. We evaluated the clinical and laboratory parameters of 56 children who received early corticosteroid treatment for pneumonia that was caused by macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) or macrolide-sensitive M. pneumoniae between July 2019 and February 2020. All subjects had dual positive results from a PCR assay and serological test, and received corticosteroids within 24–36 h after admission. Point mutation of residues 2063, 2064, and 2067 was identified in domain V of 23S rRNA. The mean age was 6.8 years and the male:female ratio was 1.2:1 (31:25 patients). Most of the subjects had macrolide-resistant M. pneumoniae (73%), and all mutated strains had the A2063G transition. No significant differences in clinical and laboratory parameters were observed between macrolide-resistant and macrolide-sensitive M. pneumoniae groups that were treated with early dose-adjusted corticosteroids. Higher-dose steroid treatment may be needed for patients who have fever that persists for >48 h or increased biomarkers such as lactate dehydrogenase concentration at follow-up despite a usual dose of steroid therapy.

scholarly journals A New Multiplatform Model for Outpatient Prenatal and Postpartum Care in a Cohort of COVID-19-Affected Obstetric Patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 5144
Author(s):  
Mar Muñoz-Chápuli Gutiérrez ◽  
Ana Durán-Vila ◽  
Javier Ruiz-Labarta ◽  
Pilar Payá-Martínez ◽  
Pilar Pintado Recarte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Good Adherence ◽  
Major Morbidity ◽  
Reference Hospital ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Discharge From Hospital ◽  
Over Time

Spain was one of the epicenters of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. We describe in this article the design and results of a new telephone-and-telematic multiplatform model of systematic prenatal and postpartum follow-up for COVID-19-affected women implemented in a tertiary reference hospital in Madrid. We included patients with RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 during pregnancy or delivery from 10 March 2020 to 15 December 2020. We had a total of 211 obstetric patients: 148 (70.1%) were tested at the onset of suspicious clinical manifestations and 62 (29.4%) were tested in the context of routine screening. Of all the patients, 60 women (28.4%) were asymptomatic and 97 (46%) presented mild symptoms. Fifty-one women (24.2%) were admitted to our hospital for specific treatment because of moderate or severe symptoms. We had no missed cases and a good adherence. The mean number of calls per patient was 2.3. We performed 55 in-person visits. We analyzed the complexity of our program over time, showing a two-wave-like pattern. One patient was identified as needing hospitalization and we did not record major morbidity. Telemedicine programs are a strong and reproducible tool to reach to pregnant population affected by COVID-19, to assess its symptoms and severity, and to record for pregnancy-related symptoms both in an outpatient regime and after discharge from hospital.

scholarly journals Metabolic Swifts Govern Normal and Malignant B Cell Lymphopoiesis

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (15) ◽  
pp. 8269
Author(s):  
Aikaterini Poulaki ◽  
Stavroula Giannouli
Keyword(s):  
B Cell ◽  
B Lymphocytes ◽  
Control Program ◽  
Memory B Cells ◽  
Immunologic Memory ◽  
Human Immune System ◽  
B Cell Malignancies ◽  
Stringent Control ◽  
Human Immune ◽  
New Research

B lymphocytes are an indispensable part of the human immune system. They are the effective mediators of adaptive immunity and memory. To accomplish specificity against an antigen, and to establish the related immunologic memory, B cells differentiate through a complicated and strenuous training program that is characterized by multiple drastic genomic modifications. In order to avoid malignant transformation, these events are tightly regulated by multiple checkpoints, the vast majority of them involving bioenergetic alterations. Despite this stringent control program, B cell malignancies are amongst the top ten most common worldwide. In an effort to better understand malignant pathobiology, in this review, we summarize the metabolic swifts that govern normal B cell lymphopoiesis. We also review the existent knowledge regarding malignant metabolism as a means to unravel new research goals and/or therapeutic targets.

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