scholarly journals Detection of Quebec Polyomavirus DNA in Samples from Different Patient Groups

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 1082
Author(s):  
Carla Prezioso ◽  
Marijke Van Ghelue ◽  
Valeria Pietropaolo ◽  
Ugo Moens
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Patient Groups ◽  
Capsid Protein Vp1 ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis Patients ◽  
Human Polyomaviruses

Polyomaviruses infect many species, including humans. So far, 15 polyomaviruses have been described in humans, but it remains to be established whether all of these are genuine human polyomaviruses. The most recent polyomavirus to be detected in a person is Quebec polyomavirus (QPyV), which was identified in a metagenomic analysis of a stool sample from an 85-year-old hospitalized man. We used PCR to investigate the presence of QPyV DNA in urine samples from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients (67 patients; 135 samples), multiple sclerosis patients (n = 35), HIV-positive patients (n = 66) and pregnant women (n = 65). Moreover, cerebrospinal fluid from patients with suspected neurological diseases (n = 63), nasopharyngeal aspirates from patients (n = 80) with respiratory symptoms and plasma samples from HIV-positive patients (n = 65) were examined. QPyV DNA was found in urine from 11 (16.4%), 10 (15.4%) and 5 (14.3%) SLE patients, pregnant women, and multiple sclerosis patients, respectively. No QPyV DNA could be detected in the other samples. Alignment with the only available QPyV sequence in the GenBank revealed amino acid substitutions in the HI-loop of capsid protein VP1 in 6/28 of the isolates. Our results show that QPyV viruria can occur, but whether it may cause clinical symptoms in the patients remains to be determined.

scholarly journals VP1 DNA sequences of JC and BK viruses detected in urine of systemic lupus erythematosus patients reveal no differences from strains expressed in normal individuals

2000 ◽  
Vol 81 (11) ◽  
pp. 2625-2633 ◽  
Author(s):  
Signy Bendiksen ◽  
Ole Petter Rekvig ◽  
Marijke Van Ghelue ◽  
Ugo Moens
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Urine Samples ◽  
Virus Reactivation ◽  
Systemic Lupus ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis Patients ◽  
Urine Specimens

The ubiquitous human polyomaviruses BK (BKV) and JC (JCV) persist with no adverse effects in immunocompetent individuals. Virus-induced pathogenesis has been linked to virus reactivation during impaired immune conditions. Previous studies have shown a significant difference between the VP1 DNA sequences of JCV obtained from control urine samples and those in progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy brain samples. This difference could not be detected when comparing normal control urinary JCV DNA with DNA sequences from chronic progressive multiple sclerosis patients. Since BKV and JCV are readily activated in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, the presence of specific strains, related to VP1 DNA sequences, was investigated in these patients. VP1 DNA sequences in 100 urine samples from 21 SLE patients and 75 urine samples from 75 healthy pregnant women were analysed and compared to previously reported sequences. The results show that the VP1 sequence profiles of JCV and BKV excreted by SLE patients do not differ significantly from those excreted by immunocompetent individuals. The European JCV subtypes 1A or 1B were represented among all JCV-positive urine specimens, while BKV VP1 sequences showed complete, or almost complete, identity with the MM or JL strains. Different urine samples from the same patient collected over a 1 year period were predominantly stable. BKV VP1 DNA in urine specimens from healthy pregnant women was only detected during the third trimester of their pregnancy. These results argue against SLE-specific JCV and BKV strains and suggest reactivation of the viruses rather than recurrent re-infections of patients with SLE.

Practice Effects in Mobile Tests of Cognition, Dexterity & Mobility in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: Data Analysis of a Smartphone–Based Observational Study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim Woelfle ◽  
Silvan Pless ◽  
Andrea Wiencierz ◽  
Ludwig Kappos ◽  
Yvonne Naegelin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Practice Effect ◽  
Practice Effects ◽  
Linear Phase ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis Patients ◽  
Personalized Health ◽  
Changes Over Time ◽  
Minute Walk

BACKGROUND Smartphones and their inbuilt sensors allow for the collection of a wealth of data about their owners. While passively collected data such as step counts can already provide meaningful insights, active tests allow for measuring function in more specific tasks. This could improve disease characterization and monitoring and could potentially support treatment decisions in multiple sclerosis (MS), a multifaceted chronic neurological disease with highly variable clinical manifestations. One challenge that has to be overcome in the assessment of changes over time is the analysis and interpretation of practice effects. OBJECTIVE In this study, we aimed to identify practice effects in active tests for cognition, dexterity, and mobility in user–scheduled, high–frequency, smartphone–based testing. METHODS We analyzed data from 251 self–declared persons with MS with a minimum of 5 weeks of follow–up and at least 5 tests per domain in the Floodlight Open study, a self–enrolment study accessible by smartphone owners from 16 countries. The collected data are openly available for scientists. Using bounded growth mixed models and quantile regression, we characterized practice effects for three different tests: Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) for cognition, Finger Pinching for dexterity, and Two Minute Walk for mobility. RESULTS Strong practice effects were found for N=4388 SDMT and N=17945 Finger Pinching tests with modelled boundary improvements of 39.6% (38.6%–40.9%) and 85.9% (83.2%–88.9%) over baseline, respectively. Half of the practice effect was reached after 9 repetitions for SDMT and 27 repetitions for Finger Pinching, 90% were reached after 31 and 89 repetitions, respectively. While baseline performance levels were highly variable across participants, no significant differences between the practice effects in low–performers (5th and 25th percentile), median performers and high performers (75th and 95th percentile) were found for SDMT (β = 1.0–1.2 additional correct responses per repetition in the linear phase). Only small differences were observed for Finger Pinching (β = 0.3–0.7 additional successful pinches per repetition in the linear phase). For N=12997 Two Minute Walk tests, no practice effects were observed at all. CONCLUSIONS Smartphone–based tests promise to help monitor disease trajectories of MS and other chronic neurological diseases. Our findings suggest that strong practice effects in cognitive and dexterity functions have to be accounted for in order to identify disease–related changes in these domains, especially in the context of personalized health and in studies with no comparator arm. In contrast, changes in mobility may be more easily interpreted due to the absence of practice effects.

Depletion of biotin using streptavidin-coated microparticles: a validated solution to the problem of biotin interference in streptavidin–biotin immunoassays

2017 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 216-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Trambas ◽  
Zhong Lu ◽  
Tina Yen ◽  
Ken Sikaris
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Safe Alternative ◽  
Specific Patient ◽  
Analytical Interference ◽  
Free Thyroid Hormone ◽  
Patient Groups ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis Patients ◽  
General Community

Background Biotin interference in streptavidin-based immunoassays causes widespread analytical distortions that may lead to clinical confusion, inappropriate patient management and, ultimately, adverse events. Its prevalence has increased recently due to the increased use of high-dose biotin therapy in specific patient groups (notably multiple sclerosis) and possibly the general community. Methods We have developed a method to deplete biotin from samples using the streptavidin-coated magnetic microparticles that are a component of most susceptible assays. Results We show that high concentrations of spiked biotin can be adequately depleted from serum using this approach, and that gross biochemical derangements can be restored to normality. We also show that biotin in samples derived from multiple sclerosis patients receiving 300 mg biotin daily can be adequately depleted to remove associated analytical interference and restore normal results. The method is applicable to competitive and sandwich immunoassays and importantly, because it does not change the volume of the sample, suitable for the measurement of free thyroid hormone assays. Application of the method does not significantly change the precision of measurement, and for the majority of analytes, the accuracy is not substantially altered. Conclusions Adopting this method enables laboratories to confirm biotin interference in the appropriate clinical setting. Moreover, it enables laboratories to remove the interference and report accurate and reliable results, without the need for patients to withhold beneficial therapy prior to blood tests. Until the biotin tolerance of susceptible assays is improved, our method gives laboratories a safe alternative for reporting results using streptavidin-based methods.

Silver staining of unconcentrated cerebrospinal fluid in agarose gel (Panagel) electrophoresis.

1984 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 735-736 ◽  
Author(s):  
P D Mehta ◽  
S P Mehta ◽  
B A Patrick
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Silver Staining ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Agarose Gel ◽  
Oligoclonal Igg ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis Patients ◽  
Coomassie Brilliant ◽  
Oligoclonal Igg Bands

Abstract We subjected cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 20 patients with multiple sclerosis and 20 patients with other neurological diseases to agarose gel ( Panagel ) electrophoresis followed by staining with silver. Ten microliters of unconcentrated CSF from multiple sclerosis patients containing 0.4 to 0.8 microgram of immunoglobulin G was found to be optimum for detection of oligoclonal IgG bands, so identified by immunofixation. The band patterns for unconcentrated CSF stained with silver were almost identical to those for the same CSF concentrated 40-fold and stained with Coomassie Brilliant Blue. Silver staining thus enables the clinical laboratory to electrophorese unconcentrated CSF on commercially prepared ( Panagel ) plates.

Physical Activity in Prevention of Risk and Disability in Some Neurological Diseases

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-27
Author(s):  
Józef Opara
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Physical Disability ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Disability Progression ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Abstract The question of the role of physical activity in preventing disability in neurological diseases is the issue which is not in doubt. There is well known that physical activity in Parkinson`s disease and in Multiple Sclerosis patients is less than is the case in the general population. Numerous scientific studies have confirmed the low physical activity of people with PD and MS. Improving physical activity delays the progress of physical disability and has the effect on increasing the quality of life in those two diseases. In this paper an descriptive review of the literature devoted to the effect of physical activity on risk of PD and its impact on disability progression in PD and MS has been presented. The different recommendations for physical activity and different methods of assessment have been described.

scholarly journals The Vibration Quantitation Scale (VQS): A Simple, Reproducible Bedside Measure of Sensory Function in Multiple Sclerosis

2004 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 490-493
Author(s):  
J. Carter ◽  
T. Wasser ◽  
S. Statler ◽  
A.D. Rae-Grant
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Tuning Fork ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Sensory Function ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Sensory Abnormalities ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis Patients ◽  
Disability Severity ◽  
Normal Controls

Objectives:To assess the utility of a bedside measure of sensation (the Vibration Quantitation Scale (VQS)) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and in normal controls. To correlate the VQS with the Kurtzke Expanded Disability Severity Score (EDSS) and sensory abnormalities in these patients.Methods:We developed the VQS and tested its performance in patients with MS of various ages, MS types, and EDSS scores. We compared this with controls (normal volunteers or patients with other neurological diseases) who did not have sensory symptoms. In a subgroup, two examiners measured VQS independently at the same patient visit. Astandard C-128 tuning fork was used for the VQS measurement.Results:The VQS had a good inter-observer reproducibility (r=0.920, p<0.001). The VQS fell with increasing age in normals consistent with declining sensory function. The VQS was significantly lower in the multiple sclerosis patients compared with age - matched controls (p<0.001). Abnormalities in VQS were present in patients with brief duration of MS (<5 years) and low EDSS scores, correlating with the presence of sensory abnormalities early in the disease course in some patients. There was a strong correlation between the VQS and EDSS (r=-0.509). The VQS correlated with abnormal sensation in the hands (r=0.310), but did not meet statistical significance for abnormal sensation in the feet or face. Asecond cohort of MS patients was studied using a modified VQS measure (single stimulation, omitting forehead measurement). This reconfirmed the correlation between the modified VQS and EDSS as well as with age. The modified VQS may be useful in clinical practice since it takes little time and is strongly correlated with the EDSS (r=0.578).Conclusion:The VQS provides a continuous sensory scale applicable in most patients with MS, which is measurable with standard bedside equipment, and which may avoid some of the pitfalls of sensory scoring in MS.

Chromatic discrimination losses in multiple sclerosis patients with and without optic neuritis using the Cambridge Colour Test

2008 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 463-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANA LAURA DE ARAÚJO MOURA ◽  
ROSANI APARECIDA ANTUNES TEIXEIRA ◽  
NESTOR N. OIWA ◽  
MARCELO F. COSTA ◽  
CLAUDIA FEITOSA-SANTANA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Optic Neuritis ◽  
Color Vision ◽  
Color Discrimination ◽  
Demyelinating Diseases ◽  
Color Test ◽  
Age Related ◽  
History Of ◽  
Patient Groups ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis Patients

We assessed chromatic discrimination in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients both with (ON) and without (no ON) a history of optic neuritis using the Cambridge color test (CCT). Our goal was to determine the magnitude and chromatic axes of any color vision losses in both patient groups, and to evaluate age-related changes in chromatic discrimination in both patient groups compared to normals. Using the CCT, we measured chromatic discrimination along the protan, deutan and tritan axes in 35 patients with MS (17 ON eyes) and 74 age matched controls. Color thresholds for both patient groups were significantly higher than controls' along the protan and tritan axes (p < 0.001). In addition, the ON and no-ON groups differed significantly along all three-color axes (p < 0.001). MS patients presented a progressive color discrimination impairment with age (along the deutan and tritan axes) that was almost two times faster than controls, even in the absence of ON. These findings suggest that demyelinating diseases reduce sensitivity to color vision in both red-green and blue-yellow axes, implying impairment in both parvocellular and koniocellular visual pathways. The CCT is a useful tool to help characterize vision losses in MS, and the relationship between these losses and degree of optic nerve involvement.

T cells from multiple sclerosis patients recognize immunoglobulin G from cerebrospinal fluid

2003 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 228-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Holmøy ◽  
B Vandvik ◽  
F Vartdal
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
T Cells ◽  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Affinity Maturation ◽  
Peripheral Blood Mononuclear ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Idiotopic sequences are created after V, D and J recombinations and by somatic mutations during affinity maturation of immuglobulin (Ig) molecules, and may therefore be potential immunogenic epitopes. Idiotope-specific T cells are able to activate and sustain the B cells producing such idiotopes. It is therefore possible that idiotope-specific intrathecal T cells could help maintain the persisting intrathecal synthesis of oligoclonal IgG observed in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). This study was undertaken to examine T-cell responses to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) IgG. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 14 of 21 MS patients and four of 17 control patients with other neurological diseases proliferated upon stimulation with autologous C SF IgG, while five and three, respectively, responded to serum IgG. By comparison, responses to myelin basic protein were recorded in only four MS and three control patients. Data from a limited number of patients indicate that the C SF IgG responsive cells were CD4+ and human leucocyte antigen DR restricted, that PBMC also respond to C SF IgG from other MS patients and that the C SF may contain T cells responding to autologous C SF IgG. This suggests that C SF IgG, or substances bound to this IgG, may represent T-cell immunogens, which could contribute to the intrathecal immune response in MS.

An MRI study of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in Italian multiple sclerosis patients

2003 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 467-471 ◽  
Author(s):  
L ME Grimaldi ◽  
A Pincherle ◽  
F Martinelli-Boneschi ◽  
M Filippi ◽  
F Patti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Chlamydia Pneumoniae ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Disease Onset ◽  
Progressive Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Relapsing Remitting ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis Patients ◽  
Mri Study

We amplified sequences of the Chlamydia pneumoniae (C P) major-outer membrane protein in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 23 of 107 (21.5%) relapsing-remitting or secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and two of 77 (2.6%) patients with other neurological diseases (OND) (P =0.00022). C P+ patients showed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evidence of more active disease (P =0.02) compared to CP-MS patients and tended to have an anticipation of age at disease onset (32.39-12 versus 28.59-10 years; P =ns) causing a longer disease duration (7.59-5 versus 4.49-4 years; P =0.016) at the time of clinical evaluation. These findings, although indirectly, suggest that C P infection of the central nervous system (C NS) might affect disease course in a subgroup of MS patients.

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