scholarly journals Detection of IgG Antibodies to Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) as a Biomarker of Immune Status to Plasmodium species

Author(s):  
Sani, A ◽  
Doko M.H.I. ◽  
Aliyu M.S.

Finding new ways to eliminate malaria is critical and this would greatly be influenced by developing indicators of exposure as well as distribution of effective vaccines against Plasmodium. This study was aimed at detecting Immunoglobulin G(IgG) antibodies, to glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) as a biomarker of immune status to Plasmodium species. In this study, blood samples were gotten from apparently healthy individuals and patients having symptoms of malaria attending Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria. Thick and thin blood smears were prepared and stained with Giemsa stain. The smears were observed microscopically. Parasite densities were estimated on positive slides. Samples positive and some negative for Plasmodium were further tested to detect IgG antibodies to GPI among both the Asymptomatic and Symptomatic participants using ELISA. The prevalence of Plasmodium infection among both asymptomatic and symptomatic participants in this study was 18.9% and the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria was 15.6%. There was a significant association between the level of parasitemia and concentration of IgG antibodies to GPI among the asymptomatic participants and a no significant association among symptomatic participants. Type of housing amongst other risk factors was the only factor significantly associated with malaria in this study. This study suggests PGPI as a biomarker of immunity to Plasmodium and may be a vaccine candidate for programs of malaria control.

2020 ◽  
Vol In Press (In Press) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel David Otobo

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTI) simply the symptomatic or asymptomatic colonization of the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder or/and the urethra by microorganisms, commonly bacteria. When these infections affect the kidneys, it is known as pyelonephritis. Objectives: To calculate the percentile risk of medically inclined apparently healthy individuals acquiring urinary tract infection. Methods: Written consent was sought on every questionnaire. It was carried out within the period of August to November, 2018. The study was done with over 160 persons; 154 questionnaires were accepted as properly filled. The questionnaires were gender specific. Persons cut across doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists, nursing students and medical students. The sampling study used was single blinded method. Areas studied were Plateau state (Jos University Teaching Hospital, Plateau Specialist Hospital and school of Midwifery; Vom), Abuja (University of Abuja Medical College Campus) and Nasarawa state (Bingham University). Data was collected, tabulated and classified into mild, moderate and high risks. (males, N = 71 with an age range of 19 - 45 years; females, N = 83 with an age range of 19 - 44 years). Results: Assessment criteria male/female low risk 42 (59.2%)/10 (12.0%), moderate risk 23 (32.4%)/29 (34.9%) and high risk 6 (08.5%)/44 (53.0%). Conclusions: Hygiene is a crucial factor in predisposition to UTI. Women are at higher risk of acquiring urinary tract infections. Sickle cell may be a predisposing factor to pyelonephritis.


2009 ◽  
Vol 202 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare F Hodkinson ◽  
Ellen E A Simpson ◽  
John H Beattie ◽  
Jacqueline M O'Connor ◽  
David J Campbell ◽  
...  

A reciprocal relationship between the endocrine and immune system has been demonstrated under pathophysiological conditions. However, few studies have assessed the relationship between thyroid hormones and immune function in apparently healthy individuals. Therefore, to clarify our understanding of normal physiological endocrine–immune interactions this study aimed to examine the interrelationships between thyroid hormones and immunity in healthy individuals. Total triiodothyronine (T3), total thyroxine (T4) and markers of immune status were assessed in 93 free-living and apparently healthy individuals aged 55–70 years. T3 and T4 concentrations were determined by commercially available kits. Immune status was assessed using flow cytometry and biochemical markers. Statistical analysis was performed by partial correlation, controlling for age. Thyroid hormone concentration was positively associated with markers of inflammation (P≤0.05), natural killer-like T cells (P≤0.001), expression of interleukin-6 (IL6) by activated monocytes (P≤0.05); percentage expression of memory T-lymphocytes (P≤0.01), memory T-helper lymphocytes (P≤0.05) and memory T-cytotoxic lymphocytes (P≤0.05), and higher IL2 receptor density on CD3+T-lymphocytes (P≤0.05). Thyroid hormone concentration was inversely associated with early lymphocyte apoptosis (P≤0.05) and the ratio of naïve- to memory T-cytotoxic lymphocytes (P≤0.05). The current study provides preliminary evidence of a role for T3 and T4, within normal physiological ranges, in the maintenance of lymphocyte subpopulations, and in mediating the inflammatory response. In conclusion, these findings highlight the potential implications of altered thyroid function in older individuals and the importance of future research examining thyroid–immune interactions.


2021 ◽  
pp. 13-16
Author(s):  
Vladyslav Bereznyakov ◽  
Oleksiy Korzh ◽  
Sergiy Krasnokutskiy

The aim of our work was to study the characteristics of the immune status based on the analysis of the cellular, humoral links of immunity and dynamics of immunoglobulins in adults with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), and their importance in the pathogenesis and prognosis of the disease. Materials and methods. The study was carried out in the period 2017-2020 on the basis of the therapeutic department of the Municipal non-profit enterprise “City Clinical Multidisciplinary Hospital № 25” of Kharkiv City Council. The study involved 20 adult patients with CAP aged 18 to 80 years (mean age 36.5±10.3). The control group consisted of 20 apparently healthy individuals (mean age 39.5±12.5). The study of the immune status of patients was carried out by determining the phagocytic index, the content of lymphocytes, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD16+, CD20+ and the level of immunoglobulins of classes A, G, M in the dynamics of the disease: on the first and tenth days after hospitalization. Results. On the first day of hospitalization, there was a significant imbalance in phagocytosis, T- and B-links of immunity. On the tenth day of treatment, the phagocytic index, the number of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD16+ and CD20+ increased. An increase in Ig M, a decrease in Ig A and Ig G were also noted. Thus, standard therapy for patients with CAP leads to its clinical and radiological resolution, but is not accompanied by the normalization of immunity parameters. Conclusions. The features of immune disorders in patients with CAP were revealed: pneumonia increases the imbalance in the cellular link of immunity, the level of CD3+ and CD4+ decreases, there is no dynamics of the relative amount of CD20+. There are no significant changes in the humoral link of the immune status. For the treatment of patients with CAP, in addition to standard pharmacotherapy, it is necessary to include drugs that stimulate the immune system


Author(s):  
Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu ◽  
Ayomiposi Ibironke Busari ◽  
Getrude Uzoma Obeagu ◽  
Chukwuma J. Okafor ◽  
Pat Uzo Okpala ◽  
...  

The study was done to evaluate the variations of haematological parameters of patients with asymptomatic malaria based on gender. The study is a cross-sectional study among asymptomatic malaria patients and patients who are apparently healthy individuals. The subjects were selected using a well-structured questionnaire who were age and sex matched. This study was conducted on asymptomatic malaria patients and apparently healthy individuals in the Oda Road area of Akure, Ondo State. Two hundred (200) asymptomatic malaria patients, 100 subjects each for males and females were recruited for this study. 5ml of venous blood was collected from each participant into an EDTA bottle which was then used for the determination of full blood count and Malaria. The results showed increase in PCV (p=0.000), RBC (p=0.000), Hb (p=0.000) and no significant difference in WBC (p=0.180), LYM (p=0.841), GRAN (p=0.986), MID (p=0.395), MCV (p=0.111), MCH (p=0.191), MCHC (p=0.791), Plt (p=0.959) when compared between male and female respectively. The study showed increase in packed cell volume, haemoglobin and red blood cells of male compared to females of asymptomatic malaria patients. There were no variations in other haematological parameters studied. The changes in the red cell line may be associated to bone marrow activity difference in the patients and effects of hormonal difference on the males and females.


Author(s):  
Jasem Saki ◽  
Karim Mowla ◽  
Reza Arjmand ◽  
Forough Kazemi ◽  
Somayeh Fallahizadeh

Introduction: Parasitic myositis is caused by some parasites such as T. gondii and T. canis. So, the aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence T. gondii and T. canis in patients with myositis and healthy individuals. Methods: A total of 108 samples were randomly selected as the control (54 healthy individuals) and test (54 myositis patients) groups. IgG and IgM antibodies against T. gondii and IgG antibodies against T. canis were measured by the ELISA. The detection of chronic and acute toxoplasmosis was performed by the ELISA IgG avidity. The presence of T. gondii in blood was evaluated by the nested-PCR. Results: Of 108, 33 (30.6%) cases were detected positive for IgG against T. gondii that 19 (35.2%) and 14 (25.9%) were observed in myositis patients and healthy individuals, respectively (P=0.296). Of 19 positive cases, 12 (63.2%) and 7 (36.8%) cases were detected as chronic and acute toxoplasmosis, respectively, while, all positive cases in the control group had chronic toxoplasmosis (P=0.013). One (1.9%) sample was detected positive for anti- Toxoplasma gondii IgM and two (3.7%) samples were found positive for IgG against T. canis by the ELISA that these positive cases were observed only in myositis patients (P=1.000 P=0.495, respectively). B1 T. gondii gene was amplified in 12 (63.2%) and 1 (7.1%) in myositis patients and healthy subjects (P=0.001). Conclusions: Our findings showed that there was a relatively high prevalence of acute toxoplasmosis in myositis patients in comparison with the control subjects in southwest of Iran.


Author(s):  
R. Metlas ◽  
D. Trajkovic ◽  
T. Srdic ◽  
V. Veljkovic ◽  
A. Colombatti

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 297.2-297
Author(s):  
Y. Akhverdyan ◽  
E. Papichev ◽  
В. Zavodovsky ◽  
L. Seewordova ◽  
J. Polyakova

Background:The main mechanism of the effect of fetuin-A (FeA) on bone metabolism is its ability to bind calcium and proteins of the TGF-β family. It has been proven that the optimal concentration of TGF-β is necessary for the differentiation of bone tissue, and a high concentration inhibits bone mineralization. Thus, adequate osteogenesis is based on a complex balance between FeA and TGF-β levels. It can be assumed that the determination of the FeA level in the blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) will help to optimize the diagnosis and predict the severity of osteoporosis (OP).Objectives:to study the possibility of predicting the development of osteoporosis and osteoporetic fractures in patients with RA, depending on the level of FeA in blood serum.Methods:We examined two groups of patients (52 patients with RA complicated by OP, 58 patients with RA without OP) and 30 apparently healthy individuals. The age of the surveyed ranged from 18 to 72 years, the average duration of the disease was 7.53±0.89 years. In both groups, the FeA level was determined by an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using a commercial test. Bone mineral density (BMD) was also measured in both groups (Lunar DPX-NT GE).Results:The average FeA level in the group of RA patients was lower than in the group of conventionally healthy individuals (731.21±109.9 μg/ml and 812.9±76.2 μg/ml, respectively; F=13.34; p=0,0004). The normal FeA level was calculated using the formula M±2σ in the group of apparently healthy individuals and ranged from 653.55 μg/ml to 972.19 μg/ml.A decreased level of FeA was found in 20 patients (86.96%) in the group of patients with OP and only in 3 (13.04%) patients with RA who did not suffer from OP (p<0.001). It can be concluded that patients with RA and a low concentration of FeA in the blood serum have a higher risk of developing OP.In the group of patients with normal FeA level, osteoporetic fractures were observed in 12 (13.79%) patients and were absent in 75 (86.21%) patients (p<0.001). Thus, RA patients with normal serum FeA levels have a lower risk of osteoporetic fractures.We also found a positive significant correlation between the level of FeA and BMD in the femoral neck area. In the group of patients with a reduced FeA level (23 people), the mean BMD values were 0.732±0.022 g/cm2, and in the group of patients with a normal FeA level (87 patients) - 0.890±0.014 g/cm2 (p<0.001, F=27.663). The obtained values are in agreement with the literature data on the effect of the serum FeA concentration on the BMD values.Conclusion:We consider it expedient to determine the serum FeA concentration in patients with RA. At a FeA level of 653.55 μg/ml and below, a higher risk of developing OP and osteoporetic fractures can be predicted. In this case, the patient is shown a standard examination for osteoporosis. At values of 653.55 μg/ml and above, a more expectant management of the patient is allowed. Thus, by determining the serum concentration of FeA, it is possible to implement an integrated approach to the patient and to optimize the schemes for the diagnosis of OP in patients with RA.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


Author(s):  
Peter G. Kremsner ◽  
Philipp Mann ◽  
Arne Kroidl ◽  
Isabel Leroux-Roels ◽  
Christoph Schindler ◽  
...  

Summary Background We used the RNActive® technology platform (CureVac N.V., Tübingen, Germany) to prepare CVnCoV, a COVID-19 vaccine containing sequence-optimized mRNA coding for a stabilized form of SARS-CoV‑2 spike (S) protein encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNP). Methods This is an interim analysis of a dosage escalation phase 1 study in healthy 18–60-year-old volunteers in Hannover, Munich and Tübingen, Germany, and Ghent, Belgium. After giving 2 intramuscular doses of CVnCoV or placebo 28 days apart we assessed solicited local and systemic adverse events (AE) for 7 days and unsolicited AEs for 28 days after each vaccination. Immunogenicity was measured as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV‑2 S‑protein and receptor binding domain (RBD), and SARS-CoV‑2 neutralizing titers (MN50). Results In 245 volunteers who received 2 CVnCoV vaccinations (2 μg, n = 47, 4 μg, n = 48, 6 μg, n = 46, 8 μg, n = 44, 12 μg, n = 28) or placebo (n = 32) there were no vaccine-related serious AEs. Dosage-dependent increases in frequency and severity of solicited systemic AEs, and to a lesser extent local AEs, were mainly mild or moderate and transient in duration. Dosage-dependent increases in IgG antibodies to S‑protein and RBD and MN50 were evident in all groups 2 weeks after the second dose when 100% (23/23) seroconverted to S‑protein or RBD, and 83% (19/23) seroconverted for MN50 in the 12 μg group. Responses to 12 μg were comparable to those observed in convalescent sera from known COVID-19 patients. Conclusion In this study 2 CVnCoV doses were safe, with acceptable reactogenicity and 12 μg dosages elicited levels of immune responses that overlapped those observed in convalescent sera.


2003 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 180-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Simón ◽  
G. Prieto ◽  
R. Morchón ◽  
C. Bazzocchi ◽  
C. Bandi ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The dog parasite Dirofilaria immitis can infect humans. Patients with pulmonary dirofilariasis were tested for immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against the surface protein of Wolbachia, the bacterial endosymbiont of D. immitis. These patients showed significantly higher IgG titers than healthy individuals from areas in which D. immitis was endemic as well as areas in which it was not endemic. Titration of anti-Wolbachia surface protein IgG could become useful for diagnostic applications.


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