scholarly journals Prevalence and Persistence of Chlamydia pneumoniae Antibodies in Healthy Laboratory Personnel in Finland

2005 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 654-659 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mika Paldanius ◽  
Aini Bloigu ◽  
Marianne Alho ◽  
Maija Leinonen ◽  
Pekka Saikku
Keyword(s):  
Chlamydia Pneumoniae ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Annual Incidence ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Iga Antibodies ◽  
Laboratory Workers ◽  
Commercial Enzyme Immunoassay ◽  
Species Specific

ABSTRACT The rates of Chlamydia pneumoniae seroconversions suggesting acute primary infections or reinfections and the prevalences of antibodies were followed up among healthy laboratory workers. Annual serum samples were collected from 47 persons in Helsinki from 1958 to 1990 and from 40 persons in Oulu from 1994 to 1999. C. pneumoniae species-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgA, and IgM antibodies were measured by microimmunofluorescence (MIF) in 407 sera from Helsinki. The 185 sera collected in Oulu were tested both by MIF and by commercial enzyme immunoassay (EIA). During the follow-up periods of 31 years in Helsinki and 6 years in Oulu, seroconversions were demonstrated by MIF in 45% and 15% of the study groups, respectively. In Helsinki 9% of the persons seroconverted twice during the follow-up period. By MIF, the total incidence rate per 100 person-years at risk was 6.9 in Helsinki and 4.9 in Oulu, and annual incidence rates varied from 0 to 15.4. By EIA, annual incidence rates in Oulu varied from 0 to 10.8. The seroconversions by MIF were usually not confirmed by EIA and vice versa. Prevalence and persistence rates, respectively, of IgA antibodies were higher in EIA (62% and 26%) than in MIF (26% and 17%), whereas the figures for IgG were quite similar. The prevalence of IgG and IgA antibodies was higher in older persons than in younger ones. The presence of antibodies did not offer protection from reinfection.

Sensitivity and specificity of three new commercially available Chlamydia trachomatis tests

2002 ◽  
Vol 13 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 23-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
R P Verkooyen ◽  
M F Peeters ◽  
J H Van Rijsoort-Vos ◽  
W I Van Der Meijden ◽  
J W Mouton
Keyword(s):  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Chlamydia Pneumoniae ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Igg Antibodies ◽  
Active Infection ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Iga Antibodies ◽  
Donor Population ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Species Specific

In order to determine the value of new Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) specific tests for routine serological diagnosis of Ct infections, we evaluated several commercially available assays (C. trachomatis enzyme immunoassay (EIA), Labsystems (CtL); SeroCT, Savyon (CtS); pELISA, Medac (CtMp)) in various study populations. The prevalence of C. trachomatis-specific IgA antibodies in a blood donor population (n=443) as determined by the peptide based tests CtL, the CtS and the CtMp was 5%, while for IgG antibodies this was 6% (CtL and CtS) and 12% (CtMp) respectively. Prevalence was negatively correlated with age, concording with C. trachomatis specificity. None of the three tests showed significant titre rises in serum samples taken from patients with a proven infection of Chlamydia pneumoniae (n=22), indicating species-specificity for all three tests. In patients with a polymerase chain reaction proven (n = 324) Ct infection, 75%, 70% and 68% were positive for IgG and 45%, 38% and 47% positive for IgA as determined by the CtMp, CtL and CtS respectively. We conclude that the new synthetic peptide-based EIA tests are able to detect species-specific Ct antibodies, which are strongly correlated to (active) infection.

scholarly journals Antigenic diversity and seroprevalences of Torque teno viruses in children and adults by ORF2-based immunoassays

2013 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 409-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tingting Chen ◽  
Elina Väisänen ◽  
Petri S. Mattila ◽  
Klaus Hedman ◽  
Maria Söderlund-Venermo
Keyword(s):  
Serum Samples ◽  
Phylogenetic Groups ◽  
Single Strain ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Antiviral Antibody ◽  
Specific Igg ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Multiple Strains ◽  
Antigenic Relationships

Torque teno viruses (TTVs) circulate widely among humans, causing persistent viraemia in healthy individuals. Numerous TTV isolates with high genetic variability have been identified and segregated into 29 species of five major phylogenetic groups. To date, the diversity of TTV sequences, challenges in protein expression and the subsequent lack of serological assays have hampered TTV seroprevalence studies. Moreover, the antigenic relationships of different TTVs and their specific seroprevalences in humans remain unknown. For five TTV strains – belonging to different species of four genogroups – we developed, using recombinant glutathione S-transferase (GST)-fused TTV ORF2 proteins, glutathione–GST capture enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) detecting antibodies towards conformational epitopes. We then analysed serum samples from 178 healthy adults and 108 children; IgG reactivities were observed either towards a single strain or towards multiple strains, which pointed to antigenic distinction of TTV species. The overall seroprevalence for the five TTVs peaked at 43 % (18 of 42) in children 2–4 years of age, subsequently declined, and again reached 42 % (74 of 178) among adults. TTV6 species-specific IgG predominated in children, whereas that for TTV13 predominated in adults. During a 3 year follow-up of the same children, both species-specific seroconversions and seroreversions occurred. This is the first EIA-based study of different TTVs, providing a new approach for seroepidemiology and diagnosis of TTV infections. Our data suggest that different TTVs in humans may differ in antiviral antibody profiles, infection patterns and epidemiology.

scholarly journals Seroepidemiology of Chlamydia Pneumoniae in Northern Greece

2009 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 139-144
Author(s):  
D. Chatzidimitriou ◽  
M. Exidari ◽  
G. Gioula ◽  
P. Papakonstantinou ◽  
A. Melidou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chlamydia Pneumoniae ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Healthy Population ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Igg Antibody ◽  
Northern Greece ◽  
Specific Antibodies ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Iga Antibodies ◽  
One Year

The prevalence of IgG and IgA antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae was evaluated in a group of an apparently healthy population in northern Greece. Serum samples were obtained over a period of one year (June 2006 to May 2007) from 530 individuals (300 males and 230 females, aged from 1 month to 90 years). The sera were tested for specific antibodies to C. pneumoniae by two commercial methods, an ELISA and a micro-IF assay based on the principles of MIF. The prevalence of IgG and IgA antibodies to C. pneumoniae was 53.2% and 45.9%, respectively, and was found to be unrelated to gender, even in the elderly >61 years old. The IgG antibody prevalence was low in children under 5 years old (7.7%), sharply increased by the age of 20 (40%) and continued to increase, gradually, to reach 80.1% in the elderly. IgA antibodies also increased with similar kinetics to IgG, although at a lower level (3.8–66.1%). Our results show that infection with C. pneumoniae is common in northern Greece. The high prevalence of IgA specific antibodies reported in the present study is due to primary infection at a young age, while in the elderly is probably due to infection or reinfection, although the option of persistence cannot be excluded.

scholarly journals Detection of Antibodies toChlamydia trachomatisWith Peptide-Based Species-Specific Enzyme Immunoassay

1997 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 349-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ale Närvänen ◽  
Mirja Puolakkainen ◽  
Wu Hao ◽  
Kohsuke Kino ◽  
Jukka Suni
Keyword(s):  
Enzyme Immunoassay ◽  
Blood Donors ◽  
Positive Culture ◽  
Specific Enzyme ◽  
Antibody Prevalence ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Iga Antibodies ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Culture Positive ◽  
Culture Negative

Objective:We have evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of a new synthetic peptide-based species-specific enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for detection ofChlamydia trachomatisIgG and IgA antibodies.Methods:Synthetic peptides derived from variable domain IV of major outer membrane protein (MOMP) were used as antigen in indirect EIA. IgG and IgA antibodies were measured in parallel with serum samples fromC. trachomatisculture positive, culture negative, and antigen positive patients, and women with suspectedC. trachomatisinfection and blood donors. Sera from children under 15 years of age were used as controls.Results:Culture positive women, culture positive men, and antigen positive women had positive peptide serology in 84.2%, 61.3%, and 93.1% of the cases, respectively. AmongC. trachomatissuspected women, the antibody prevalence was 63.6%. Randomly collected blood donors showed a prevalence of 21.5%. Children withC. pneumoniaeantibodies determined with the microimmuno-fluorescence (MIF) method did not show any reactivity in theC. trachomatispeptide EIA.Conclusions:The results suggest that the new EIA test is highly specific forC. trachomatis, andC. pneumoniaeantibodies do not interfere. Both IgG and IgA antibodies appear within at least 2 weeks in acute phase of infection among both culture positive and culture negative patients.

A One-Year Follow-Up Study of Depression in Dementia Sufferers

1996 ◽  
Vol 168 (3) ◽  
pp. 287-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. G. Ballard ◽  
A. Patel ◽  
M. Solis ◽  
K. Lowe ◽  
G. Wilcock
Keyword(s):  
Major Depression ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Vascular Dementia ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Annual Incidence ◽  
Minor Depression ◽  
Follow Up Study ◽  
One Year

BackgroundLittle data are available about the course or incidence of depression in dementia sufferers.MethodMonthly follow-up data over one year is reported regarding depression in a cohort of 124 dementia sufferers. Dementia was diagnosed according to DSM–III–R criteria. Depression was assessed with the Cornell Depression Scale and diagnosed according to RDC criteria. Cognitive functioning was assessed with the CAMCOG.ResultsEighty-nine of the 124 patients completed the follow-up. The annual incidence rates of RDC major depression and RDC minor depression were 10.6% and 29.8%, respectively. Twenty per cent of patients with depression experienced these symptoms for six months or longer. Patients with vascular dementia were significantly more likely to experience three or more months of depression than patients with other dementias. RDC minor depression was highly persistent among 23.8% of sufferers.ConclusionsDepression is persistent in patients with vascular dementia. Some patients with minor depression have a dysthymia-like disorder.

scholarly journals Measurement of Chlamydia pneumoniae-Specific Immunoglobulin A (IgA) Antibodies by the Microimmunofluorescence (MIF) Method: Comparison of Seven Fluorescein-Labeled Anti-Human IgA Conjugates in an In-House MIF Test Using One Commercial MIF and One Enzyme Immunoassay Kit

2003 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mika Paldanius ◽  
Aini Bloigu ◽  
Maija Leinonen ◽  
Pekka Saikku
Keyword(s):  
Enzyme Immunoassay ◽  
Chlamydia Pneumoniae ◽  
Immunoglobulin A ◽  
Method Comparison ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Iga Antibodies ◽  
Specific Immunoglobulin ◽  
Antibody Titers ◽  
Iga Antibody

ABSTRACT For the serological diagnosis of acute Chlamydia pneumoniae infection, the microimmunofluorescence (MIF) test is the most commonly used method and also the “gold standard” for the measurement of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM antibodies. The role of IgA antibodies in diagnosis has not been established. Commercially available fluorescein-labeled anti-human IgA conjugates have not been systematically compared to each other, and this situation may cause considerable variations in IgA results. Therefore, we tested 261 serum samples from 122 patients with pneumonia for IgA antibodies by using six α-chain-specific anti-IgA conjugates in our in-house MIF test, one commercial MIF test, and one enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Interfering IgG antibodies were removed with Gullsorb reagent before the measurement of IgA antibodies. Altogether, 14 significant IgA antibody increases in serum samples between the acute phase and the convalescent phase were detected by at least one of the conjugates in the MIF test, while no increases were found in the IgA EIA. Only one patient showed a significant IgA antibody increase with all of the fluorescein-labeled conjugates. Five significant titer changes were detected by at least two conjugates, and in nine instances, the titer increase was detected by one conjugate only. The titer agreement indicated by kappa coefficients was very good or good for all of the fluorescein-labeled conjugates and the EIA with low antibody titers but decreased with increasing titers.

Anticardiolipin Antibodies Are Elevated in HIV-1 Infected Haemophiliacs but Do Not Predict for Disease Progression

1989 ◽  
Vol 61 (01) ◽  
pp. 081-085 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Panzer ◽  
Christoph Stain ◽  
Hubert Hartl ◽  
Robert Dudczak ◽  
Klaus Lechner
Keyword(s):  
Normal Values ◽  
Anticardiolipin Antibodies ◽  
Haemophilia A ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Factor Viii Concentrates ◽  
Patient Groups ◽  
Anti Hiv ◽  
Hiv 1 ◽  
Cd4 Lymphocytes

SummaryLevels of anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA) were measured in 55 patients with haemophilia A in serum samples obtained in 1983 and in 1987. Twenty-one patients were negative for anti HIV-1 antibodies in 1983 and remained negative in 1987; 34 patients had anti HIV-1 antibodies in 1983; 17 of these latter patients remained asymptomatic, whereas 17 patients developed ARC or AIDS during the 4 years follow-up. Thirteen anti HIV-1 negative patients had elevated ACA levels in 1983; subsequently, a significant decrease was observed in all these subjects (p <0.001). All anti HIV-1 positive patients had elevated ACA levels in 1983; normal values were found in 9 patients in 1987. Yet, these changes were not significant (p >0.05). ACA levels were significantly higher in HIV-1 infected patients than in those without anti HIV-1 antibodies (p <0.05). There was no difference of ACA levels between the two anti HIV-1 positive patient groups, be it in 1983 or be it in 1987 (p >0.05). There was no correlation of ACA levels with serum IgG concentrations, CD4+ lymphocytes, or the consumption of factor VIII concentrates.

SKIN MELANOMA INCIDENCE IN WORKERS OCUPATIONALLY EXPOSED TO IONIZING RADIATION OVER A PROLONGED PERIOD

2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 441-446
Author(s):  
Valentina Rybkina ◽  
Tamara Azizova ◽  
Yevgeniya Grigoreva
Keyword(s):  
Ionizing Radiation ◽  
Gamma Rays ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Study Cohort ◽  
Calendar Period ◽  
Skin Melanoma ◽  
Melanoma Incidence ◽  
Occupationally Exposed

Purpose of the study. The study is aimed to investigate skin melanoma incidence in workers occupationally exposed to radiation over a prolonged period. Materials and methods. Skin melanoma incidence was studied in a cohort of workers first employed at nuclear facility Mayak Production Association (PA) between 1948 and 1982 who had been followed up till 31.12.2013 (22,377 individuals). Mean cumulative doses from external gamma-rays over the whole follow-up period were 0.54±0.001 Sv in males and 0.44±0.002 Sv in females. Incident rates for skin melanoma were analyzed by sex, attained age, calendar period of diagnostics and radiation dose using worldwide standard and the direct standardization technique. Results. 60 skin melanoma cases (37 in males and 23 in females) were registered in the study cohort over the whole follow-up period. The standardized skin melanoma incident rate was 8.51±1.46 in males and 8.78±2.27 in females per 100000 workers revealing statistically higher rates compared to corresponding rates for general populations of the Russian Federation, Urals Federal District and Chelyabinsk region. Skin melanoma incidence was significantly increased in the period of 1994 - 2013 as compared to the period of 1974 - 1993. Skin melanoma incidence excess in females was greater than that for males. Skin melanoma incidence increment in females was mostly driven by modifications of disease occurrence risk while in males it was driven by a combined effect of age pattern modifications in the study cohort and increase of disease risk. Conclusions. Skin melanoma incidence rates in the cohort of workers occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation over a prolonged period were associated with sex and attained age workers and the calendar period of diagnostics. No significant association of skin melanoma incidence with dose from external gamma-rays was observed. A significantly increasing trend was observed for skin melanoma incidence by the end of the follow-up in both males and females.

The Significance of Renal Function in Response to Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy – The Piece of a Much Larger Puzzle

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Dębska-Kozłowska ◽  
Izabela Warchoł ◽  
Marcin Książczyk ◽  
Andrzej Lubiński
Keyword(s):  
Renal Function ◽  
Nyha Class ◽  
Heart Association ◽  
Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Creatinine Concentration ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Cardiac Resynchronisation ◽  
Resynchronisation Therapy

Background: Although cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) is an important player in the treatment of heart failure (HF) patients, the proportion of CRT patients with no improvement in either echocardiographic or clinical parameters remains consistently high and accounts for about 30% despite meeting CRT implantation criteria. Furthermore, in patients suffering from HF, renal dysfunction accounts for as many as 30-60%. Accordingly, CRT may improve renal function inducing a systemic haemodynamic benefit leading to increased renal blood flow. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the importance of renal function in response to resynchronisation therapy during a 12-month follow-up period. Materials and methods: The study consisted of 46 HF patients qualified for implantation of cardiac resynchronisation therapy defibrillator (CRT-D). A CRT responder is defined as a person without chronic HF exacerbations during observation whose physical efficiency has improved owing to New York Heart Association (NYHA) class improvement ≥1. Results: A statistically significant difference was noted between responders and non-responders regarding creatinine level at the 3rd month (p=0.04) and, particularly, at the 12th month (p=0.02) of follow-up (100±23 vs 139±78 μmol/l). Moreover, there was a remarkable difference between both study groups with regard to GFR CKD-EPI (glomerular filtration rate (GFR) assessed using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) formula) at the 6th (p=0.03) and 12th month (p=0.01) of follow-up. The reference values for initial creatinine concentrations (101 μmol/l) as well as GFR CKD-EPI (63 ml/min/1.73m2 ) were empirically evaluated to predict favourable therapeutic CRT response. Conclusions: Predictive value of GFR CKD-EPI and creatinine concentration for a positive response to CRT were found relevant.

scholarly journals Sphingolipid Analysis Indicate Lactosylceramide as a Potential Biomarker of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Children

Biomolecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1083
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Filimoniuk ◽  
Agnieszka Blachnio-Zabielska ◽  
Monika Imierska ◽  
Dariusz Marek Lebensztejn ◽  
Urszula Daniluk
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Bowel Disease ◽  
Bowel Disease ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Specificity And Sensitivity ◽  
Potential Biomarker ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel

An altered ceramide composition in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been reported recently. The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentrations of sphingolipids in the serum of treatment-naive children with newly diagnosed IBD and to determine the diagnostic value of the tested lipids in pediatric IBD. The concentrations of sphingolipids in serum samples were evaluated using a quantitative method, an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in children with Crohn’s disease (CD) (n=34), ulcerative colitis (UC) (n = 39), and controls (Ctr) (n = 24). Among the study groups, the most significant differences in concentrations were noted for C16:0-LacCer, especially in children with CD compared to Ctr or even to UC. Additionally, the relevant increase in C20:0-Cer and C18:1-Cer concentrations were detected in both IBD groups compared to Ctr. The enhanced C24:0-Cer level was observed only in UC, while C18:0-Cer only in the CD group. The highest area under the curve (AUC), specificity, and sensitivity were determined for C16:0-LacCer in CD diagnosis. Our results suggest that the serum LacC16-Cer may be a potential biomarker that distinguishes children with IBD from healthy controls and differentiates IBD subtypes. In addition, C20:0-Cer and C18:0-Cer levels also seem to be closely connected with IBD.

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