bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Polymeric Display of Immunogenic Epitopes from Herpes Simplex Virus and Transmissible Gastroenteritis Virus Surface Proteins on an Enteroadherent Fimbria
Authors: Rani D. B. Rajini , Bayer Manfred E. , Schifferli Dieter M. 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT

The strong immunogenicity of bacterial fimbriae results from their polymeric and proteinaceous nature, and the protective role of these immunogens in experimental or commercial vaccines is associated with their capacity to induce antiadhesive antibodies. Fimbria-mediated intestinal colonization by enteropathogens typically leads to similar antibody responses. The possibility of taking advantage of these properties was investigated by determining whether enteroadhesive fimbriae, like the 987P fimbriae of enterotoxigenic
Escherichia coli
, can serve as carriers for foreign antigens without losing their adhesive characteristics. Random linker insertion mutagenesis of the
fasA
gene encoding the major 987P subunit identified five different mutants expressing wild-type levels of fimbriation. The linker insertion sites of these mutants were used to introduce three continuous segments of viral surface glycoproteins known to be accessible to antibodies. These segments encode residues 11 to 19 or 272 to 279 of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) glycoprotein D [gD(11–19) and gD(272–279), respectively] or residues 379 to 388 of the transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) spike protein [S(379–388)]. Studies of bacteria expressing fimbriae incorporating mutated FasA subunits alone or together with wild-type FasA subunits (hybrid fimbriae) indicated that foreign epitopes were best exported and displayed on assembled fimbriae when they were inserted near the amino terminus of FasA. Fimbriated bacteria expressing FasA subunits carrying the HSV gD(11–19) or the TGEV S(379–388) epitope inserted between the second and third residues of mature FasA elicited high levels of foreign epitope antibodies in all rabbits immunized parenterally. Antibodies against the HSV epitope were also shown to recognize the epitope in the context of the whole gD protein. Because the 987P adhesive subunit FasG was shown to be present on mutated fimbriae and to mediate bacterial attachment to porcine intestinal receptors, polymeric display of foreign epitopes on 987P offers new opportunities to test the potential beneficial effect of enteroadhesion for mucosal immunization and protection against various enteric pathogens.
Changes in Immune Parameters Seen in Gulf War Veterans but Not in Civilians with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Authors: Zhang Quanwu , Zhou Xia-Di , Denny Thomas , Ottenweller John E. , Lange Gudrun , LaManca John J. , Lavietes Marc H. , Pollet Claudia , Gause William C. , Natelson Benjamin H. 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to evaluate immune function through the assessment of lymphocyte subpopulations (total T cells, major histocompatibility complex [MHC] I- and II-restricted T cells, B cells, NK cells, MHC II-restricted T-cell-derived naive and memory cells, and several MHC I-restricted T-cell activation markers) and the measurement of cytokine gene expression (interleukin 2 [IL-2], IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, gamma interferon [IFN-γ], and tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α]) from peripheral blood lymphocytes. Subjects included two groups of patients meeting published case definitions for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)—a group of veterans who developed their illness following their return home from participating in the Gulf War and a group of nonveterans who developed the illness sporadically. Case control comparison groups were comprised of healthy Gulf War veterans and nonveterans, respectively. We found no significant difference for any of the immune variables in the nonveteran population. In contrast, veterans with CFS had significantly more total T cells and MHC II+T cells and a significantly higher percentage of these lymphocyte subpopulations, as well as a significantly lower percentage of NK cells, than the respective controls. In addition, veterans with CFS had significantly higher levels of IL-2, IL-10, IFN-γ, and TNF-α than the controls. These data do not support the hypothesis of immune dysfunction in the genesis of CFS for sporadic cases of CFS but do suggest that service in the Persian Gulf is associated with an altered immune status in veterans who returned with severe fatiguing illness.
Identification of Common Lipooligosaccharide Types in Isolates from Patients with Otitis Media by Monoclonal Antibodies against NontypeableHaemophilus influenzae9274
Authors: Ueyama Tomoyo , Gu Xin-Xing , Tsai Chao-Ming , Karpas Arthur B. , Lim David J. 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACTTwenty-one murine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were induced by nontypeableHaemophilus influenzae(NTHi) 9274. Nineteen MAbs were specific for the lipooligosaccharide (LOS) as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot analysis. When the MAbs were assayed with five LOS prototype strains by ELISA, all bound to strain 3198 LOS (type III), while six of the MAbs were also reactive with LOSs from strain 1479 (type I), 5657 (type IV), or 7502 (type V). Ten MAbs had complement-mediated bactericidal activity, and three MAbs were opsonophagocytic against the homologous strain. Five LOS MAbs with different specificities were used to analyze 155 NTHi clinical isolates from the United States and from Japan. These isolates were classified into nine groups by ELISA. Only four isolates (2.6%) were not recognized by any of the five MAbs. Most of the isolates (91.6%) were in four groups which bound three of the five MAbs. One of three MAbs, 6347C11, had strong activity against the homologous strain and was also bactericidal to 45 clinical isolates (29%) which belonged to the four common patterns (25 belonged to pattern 1). These data indicate that these MAbs can be used for LOS typing in which almost all NTHi strains can be typed according to the LOS antigenicity. Among NTHi, at least one conserved LOS epitope which is a target of bactericidal antibodies exists. We conclude that strain 9274 LOS, which is the target for bactericidal antibodies, is a candidate for LOS-based NTHi vaccines.
Phagocytosis of
Vibrio cholerae
O139 Bengal by Human Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes
Authors: Albert M. John , Qadri Firdausi , Bhuiyan Nurul A. , Ahmad Shaikh M. , Ansaruzzaman M. , Weintraub Andrej 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT

Capsulated bacteria exhibit serum (complement) resistance and resistance to phagocytosis, which result in disseminated infections.
Vibrio cholerae
O139 strains possess a thin capsule and have been found to be partially serum resistant in a previous study. In the present study, compared to a standard capsulated
Klebsiella pneumoniae
strain, which showed total resistance to killing by phagocytosis,
V. cholerae
O139 strains were shown to be only partially resistant, with most strains showing <40% survival. These findings may explain the relative rarity of
V. cholerae
O139 bacteremia in cholera caused by this organism.
Restricted Isotypic Antibody Reactivity to Hepatitis C Virus Synthetic Peptides in Immunocompromised Patients
Authors: Devesa Marisol , de Saez Arlette , León Graciela , Sirit Firelei , Cosson Clarisa , Bermúdez Henry , Liprandi Ferdinando , Noya Oscar , Pujol Flor H. 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT
An enzyme immunoassay based on three synthetic peptides from the core, NS4, and NS5 regions of hepatitis C virus allowed the detection of antibodies in 100% of immunocompetent infected patients and in 91% of immunocompromised patients (hemodialysis and hemophiliac patients). Immune impairment seemed to restrict the spectrum of antibody isotypes reacting to the core peptide.
Comparison of the Frequencies and Levels of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Markers in Specimens from Chronically Infected Human T-Lymphocyte Cultures and from Patients
Authors: Witt Donald J. , Ginocchio Christine C. , Wang Xue-Ping , Kaufman Mi Khinkhin Soe 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT

Together with CD4
+
-cell counts as an indicator of immune function, the use of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) RNA levels as a direct marker of viral load has gained widespread attention for evaluation of patient clinical status. Results obtained with other HIV-1 markers for this purpose are often inconsistent. This study examined the relationship between various HIV-1 markers by using clinical specimens (plasma) from HIV-1-infected individuals at different stages of disease progression and supernatant fluid from four human T-lymphocyte cell lines chronically infected with HIV-1. Cell culture specimens were collected periodically over 7 days and were tested for HIV-1 RNA levels with a nucleic acid amplification assay, for p24 with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and for reverse transcriptase activity by isotope uptake. An increase in the level of each marker was observed over the 7-day period with each of the four HIV-1 strains tested (LAV1, HTLV-IIIB, MN, and ARV2); with these specimens, the frequency of detection for each marker was 100%. In the clinical specimens, HIV-1 RNA was detected more often (143 of 183 specimens [78%]) than was p24 (87 of 183 [48%]); little correlation between the levels of the two markers was seen. In these clinical specimens evaluated, CD4
+
-cell counts were better correlated with the frequency and levels of HIV-1 RNA than with p24. In specimens (
n
= 38) collected serially from six HIV-1-infected subjects, HIV-1 RNA was detected more often (33 of 38 [85%]) than p24 (23 of 38 [59%]). When reported by the assays used, the levels of both HIV-1 markers fluctuated over time for each of the subjects. Although the markers correlated in the in vitro systems studied, the observed differences in the correlation of levels and frequencies of HIV-1 markers in vivo indicate that p24 has less clinical utility than does viral load testing when used in conjunction with CD4
+
-cell counts as a measure of immune system functioning.
Gamma Interferon Treatment of Patients with Chronic Granulomatous Disease Is Associated with Augmented Production of Nitric Oxide by Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils
Authors: Åhlin Anders , Lärfars Gerd , Elinder Göran , Palmblad Jan , Gyllenhammar Hans 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT

Treatment with gamma-interferon (IFN-γ) is associated with reduced frequency and severity of infections in chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), but the mechanism is unknown. Since the inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase can be amplified by IFN-γ in murine macrophages, for example, we hypothesized that IFN-γ might modulate NO release from polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) in patients with CGD. Eight patients with CGD and eight healthy controls were studied. Each patient was given either 50 or 100 μg of IFN-γ per m
2
on two consecutive days. The production of NO from
N
-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP)-stimulated PMNs was assessed as the
N
G
-monomethyl-
l
-arginine-inhibitable oxidation of oxyhemoglobin to methemoglobin in the presence of catalase and superoxide dismutase. Prior to IFN-γ treatment, the PMNs from CGD patients produced 372 ± 27 (mean ± standard error of the mean) pmol of NO/10
6
PMNs at 45 min, while the control PMNs produced 343 ± 44 pmol. On day 1 after IFN-γ treatment, NO production increased to 132% ± 25% of that for controls, and on day 3 it reached 360% ± 37% (
P
< 0.001) of that for controls. On day 8, the values still remained higher, 280% ± 78% more than the control values. Likewise, the bactericidal capacity of PMNs increased on day 3. The present data show that IFN-γ treatment of CGD patients is associated with an increased production of NO from PMNs when activated by fMLP. Since these PMNs lack the capacity to produce superoxide anions, it is conceivable that this increase in NO release could be instrumental in augmenting host defense.
Protective Effects of Pertussis Immunoglobulin (P-IGIV) in the Aerosol Challenge Model
Authors: Bruss Jon B. , Siber George R. 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACTPertussis in infants is often severe, resulting in prolonged hospitalization. Treatment is limited to supportive care. Antibiotics do not significantly alter the course of the disease unless administered during the catarrhal phase. Therapies directed at pertussis toxin, a major virulence factor ofBordetella pertussis, may be beneficial. This study uses the aerosol challenge model to further examine the protective effects of P-IGIV, a new intravenous immunoglobulin product, which has high levels of pertussis toxin antibodies. P-IGIV was prepared as a 4% immunoglobulin G (IgG) solution from the pooled donor plasma from donors immunized with inactivated pertussis toxoid. The IgG pertussis toxin antibody concentration in P-IGIV is >7-fold higher than conventional intravenous immunoglobulin products. In the aerosol challenge model, P-IGIV-treated mice exhibited a dose-dependent decrease in mortality when monitored for 28 days postchallenge. P-IGIV in doses of 2,800, 1,400, and 350 mg/kg significantly reduced mortality compared to saline (P< 0.01)- and human IGIV (P< 0.01)-treated controls. The 50% protective dose of pertussis toxin antibodies in P-IGIV was 147 μg/ml. Recovery of weight gain and normalization of leukocyte counts occurred in all P-IGIV-treated groups but did not exhibit dose-dependent characteristics. Even after 7 days of infection, P-IGIV reversed the effects of pertussis in mice. This study provides further evidence that pertussis toxin antibodies not only play a role in passive protection but can also reverse symptoms of established disease in mice. We feel that P-IGIV deserves further evaluation in children hospitalized with severe pertussis.
Serological Diagnosis of Human Cysticercosis by Use of Recombinant Antigens from
Taenia solium
Cysticerci
Authors: Hubert Kerstin , Andriantsimahavandy Abel , Michault Alain , Frosch Matthias , Mühlschlegel Fritz A. 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT

A
Taenia solium
metacestode cDNA expression library in the lambda ZAPII vector was screened with pooled sera from patients with neurocysticercosis. Sixty primary clones were identified and shown to belong to two classes. The clones NC-3 and NC-9 did not reveal any significant homologies to sequences deposited in the databases and were further characterized. Both recombinant antigens were expressed as glutathione
S
-transferase fusion proteins and applied for serological diagnosis of human cysticercosis. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was established and evaluated with 27 serum samples of La Réunion and Madagascar patients with cysticercosis. Diagnosis in these patients was established with radiological and serological procedures. For antigen NC-3 a sensitivity of 96.3% and a specificity of 91.5% for the serodiagnosis were achieved. In contrast, the sensitivity of antigen NC-9 was only 33.3%.
Diagnosis of Rickettsial Diseases Using Samples Dried on Blotting Paper
Authors: Fenollar Florence , Raoult Didier 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACTThe use of filter paper is an inexpensive and convenient method for collecting, storing, and transporting blood samples for serological studies. In addition, samples occupy little space and can be readily transported without refrigeration. Rickettsial diseases often evolve according to an epidemic mode and are now considered reemerging diseases, especially in developing countries, under conditions where fieldwork could be difficult. The suitability of collecting whole-blood specimens on filter paper discs for rickettsial antibody assay was evaluated. Dried blood specimens from 64 individuals with antibodies toCoxiella burnetii,Bartonella quintana, orRickettsia conoriiwere tested for rickettsial antibodies by microimmunofluorescence. Although occasional titers were 1 or 2 dilutions lower than those of tested serum samples, no statistically significant differences were observed. Among patients with negative serology, no false positives were found. This study demonstrated that the recovery of antibodies from finger-stick blood dried on filter paper after elution produces results comparable to those obtained by recovering antibodies from serum. Storing paper samples for 1 month at room temperature or at 4°C did not significantly affect the level of antibodies recovered. This report shows the utility of this sample collection method in developing countries where refrigeration is not possible and venipuncture is problematic.
Immunological Diagnosis of Human Cystic Echinococcosis: Utility of Discriminant Analysis Applied to the Enzyme-Linked Immunoelectrotransfer Blot
Authors: Gadea I. , Ayala G. , Diago M. T. , Cuñat A. , de Lomas J. García 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT

An enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot for the diagnosis of human hydatid disease was performed, and the different antibody responses were analyzed by a discriminant analysis. This multivariate technique gave us, first, a selection of the most important responses against
Echinococcus granulosus
infection and, second, a procedure for the classification of patients into two groups: patients with hydatid disease and patients without a history of hydatid disease. This method was applied to 67 patients, 25 with active hydatid cysts (24 hepatic and 1 pulmonary) and 42 without a history of hydatid disease and was compared with the results obtained by conventional serology: indirect hemagglutination, latex particle agglutination, and basophil degranulation. An immunoelectrotransfer blot coupled to a discriminant analysis was more sensitive than conventional serological diagnosis and detected 100% of patients with an active hepatic hydatid cyst with a specificity of 100%. This method, however, failed to detect an uncomplicated hyaline pulmonary hydatid cyst.
Identification ofBartonella-Specific Immunodominant Antigens Recognized by the Feline Humoral Immune System
Authors: Freeland R. L. , Scholl D. T. , Rohde K. R. , Shelton L. J. , O’Reilly K. L. 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACTThe seroreactivities of both naturally and experimentally infected cats toBartonella henselaewas examined. Serum samples collected weekly from nine cats experimentally infected withB. henselaeLSU16 were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot analysis. The magnitude and isotype of the antibody response were investigated by ELISA. Western blot analysis allowed the identification of at least 24Bartonella-specific antigens recognized by the cats during infection. Antibody titers to specific antigens, as determined by Western blot analysis, ranged from 10 to 640 and varied among the different antibody-antigen interactions. Absorption of sera from an experimentally infected cat, using whole cells and cell lysates of variousBartonellaspecies and other bacteria that commonly colonize cats, supported the identification of thoseBartonella-specific antigens recognized by the experimentally infected cats. Furthermore, a number of possible species- and type-specific antigens were identified. Finally, sera obtained from cats at local animal shelters were screened for the presence of antibodies directed against theBartonella-specific bands identified in the experimentally infected cats. A number ofBartonella-specific antigens have been identified to which strong antibody responses are generated in both experimentally and naturally infected cats, some of which may be useful in diagnosing species- and/or type-specific infections. In addition, the results from these experiments will lead to the development of monoclonal antibodies targeted against those genus-, species-, and type-specific antigens.
Immunoreactivity to Putative B-Cell Epitopes of Hepatitis G Virus Polyprotein in Viremic and Nonviremic Subjects
Authors: Toniutto Pierluigi , Fabris Carlo , Barbone Fabio , Tisminetzky Sergio G. , Liani Dario , Galai Tiziana , Barillari Giovanni , Biffoni Franco , Gasparini Vinicio , Pirisi Mario 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT

The hepatitis G virus (HGV) polyprotein was scanned by computer-aided prediction of antigenicity to search for B-cell epitopes. Four polypeptide sequences, V37D (amino acids [aa] 1685 to 1721), V36S (aa 2102 to 2137), P37R (aa 2156 to 2192), and C40P (aa 2280 to 2319), were identified and synthesized for use in immunoassays. Antibodies to these peptides were searched for in a panel of 239 serum samples, which were also tested for anti-E2 antibodies and HGV RNA. Furthermore, the course of HGV markers was studied prospectively in four patients who had been transfused with HGV RNA-positive blood. There was a negative association between immunoreactivity to V37D and P37R and presence of HGV RNA (2 of 53 and 1 of 53, respectively;
P
< 0.05); none of the subjects with dual antibody positivity was HGV RNA positive. Anti-V37D and anti-P37R antibodies compared favorably with anti-E2 antibodies as markers of recovery from HGV infection. These results might be useful for the development of new, more sensitive diagnostic assays.
Cellular Immune Responses to ESAT-6 Discriminate between Patients with Pulmonary Disease Due toMycobacterium aviumComplex and Those with Pulmonary Disease Due toMycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Lein A. David , von Reyn C. Fordham , Ravn Pernille , Horsburgh C. Robert , Alexander Lorraine N. , Andersen Peter 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACTESAT-6 (for 6-kDa early secreted antigenic target) is a secreted antigen found almost exclusively in organisms of theMycobacterium tuberculosiscomplex. We compared in vitro gamma interferon (IFN-γ) responses by peripheral blood mononuclear cells to this antigen in patients with pulmonary disease due to eitherMycobacterium aviumcomplex (MAC) orMycobacterium tuberculosiswith those in healthy, skin test-negative, control subjects. Significant IFN-γ responses to ESAT-6 were detected in 16 (59%) of 27M. tuberculosispulmonary disease patients, 0 (0%) of 8 MAC disease patients, and 0 (0%) of 8 controls. Significant IFN-γ responses toM. tuberculosispurified protein derivative were detected in 23 (85%) of 27M. tuberculosisdisease patients, 2 (25%) of 8 MAC disease patients, and 5 (63%) of 8 healthy controls.M. aviumsensitin was recognized in 24 (89%) of 27M. tuberculosisdisease patients, 4 (50%) of 8 MAC disease patients, and 1 (13%) of 8 controls. IFN-γ responses to ESAT-6 are specific for disease due toM. tuberculosisand are not observed in patients with MAC disease or in healthy controls.
Serum Antibody Responses to
Helicobacter pylori
and the
cagA
Marker in Patients with Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma
Authors: Taupin Anne , Occhialini Alessandra , Ruskone-Fourmestraux Agnès , Delchier Jean-Charles , Rambaud Jean-Claude , Mégraud Francis 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT

The lymphoma of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) of the stomach has been linked to
Helicobacter pylori
infection, but the mechanisms involved in B-cell proliferation remain elusive. In a search for putative
H. pylori
-specific monoclonal immunoglobulin production, an
H. pylori
strain was isolated from 10 patients with MALT lymphoma and used to detect the specific serum antibody response to the homologous strain by immunoblotting. Moreover, the antigenicity of the different strains was compared by using each of the 10 sera. We found that the different strains induced highly variable patterns of systemic immunoglobulin G antibody response, although several bacterial antigens, such as the 60-kDa urease B, were often recognized by the different sera. The
cagA
marker was detected in the strains by PCR with specific primers and by dot blot analysis, and the CagA protein was found in the sera of 4 of the 10 patients by immunoblotting. In conclusion, MALT lymphoma patients, like other patients with
H. pylori
gastritis, exhibit a polymorphic systemic antibody response, despite an apparently similar antigenic profile. The CagA marker of pathogenicity is not associated with this disease.