BACKGROUND: Xenotrasplantation is a possible alternative for organ shortage in clinical transplantation, but hyperacute xenograft rejection has been a big huddle. Pre-existing natural xenoreactive antibodies and consequent activation of the complement system are thought to play major roles in hyperacute rejection. To set a monitorig test for the hyperacute rejection in xenotransplantation, we optimised a complement hemolytic assay and evaluated its in-vitro precisions and clinical implications. METHODS: Complement hemolytic activities of normal human sera on rabbit or porcine red blood cells (RBCs) in each gelatin veronal buffer with or without dextrose were compared to retrieve optimal conditions for assay. The precision and activity range of normal human sera were evaluated at a given optimum condition. And we also assayed complement hemolytic activities of the sera obtained from various models of xenotransplantated animal, and assessed its association with other clinical parameters. RESULTS: The assay with rabbit RBCs in gelatin veronal buffer containing dextrose showed linear hemolytic reactions in the broadest range of serum dilutions with the least background hemolysis. Its intra- and inter-assay coefficient variation was 1.3% and 8.1%, respectively. The complement hemolytic activity was dependent on the serum levels of C3 and IgM. Severe hyperacute rejection in lung xenotransplantation was accompanied with a rapid decline of serum complement hemolytic activities compared to the basal level. CONCLUSIONS: The complement hemolytic assay using rabbit red cells has a clinically acceptable range of precision, and seems to be useful for the evaluation of hyperacute rejection in clinical xenotransplantation.
Animals ; Antibodies ; Barbital ; Complement System Proteins* ; Erythrocytes ; Gelatin ; Glucose ; Hemolysis ; Heterografts ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; Lung ; Transplantation, Heterologous*

BACKGROUND: Bokildo (Islet) has been well known as an endemic area of paragonimiasis in Korea, and still crayfishes caught from this area are used as source of intermediate host of experimental paragonimiasis. For the reason, this study was carried out to elucidate the present status of human paragonimiasis in this region and intestinal parasitoses were studied at the same time. METHODS: From June 9 to June 12, 1999 authors visited Buyong-ri and Buwhang-ri which are located in the endemic area. All possible inhabitants including nursery children, primary and middle school children were examined by intra-dermal skin test with veronal buffered saline (VBS) antigen of Paragonimus westermani and Clonorchis sinensis. Sputa were collected from 22 adults of positive reactors. Stool examination was done for the intestinal parasites, and anal swabs with adhesive tape for the pinworm were carried out simultaneously. RESULTS: Overall positive rate in skin test was 9.5% in inhabitants, and higher rate was observed in older age groups. On microscopic examination of sputa for pargonimiasis, 2 egg-positive cases from 55-year old man and woman were detected. Prevalence rate of intestinal parasites was 7.8% (26/332) and the most predominant infected parasite was Trichuris trichiura (4.2%). The pinworm infection rate was 29.7% (nursery school children 30.0%, primary school children 29.6%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Through this study human paragonimiasis was confirmed and the life cycle of Paragonimus westermani was known to be maintained continuously in this region. Meanwhile control of intestinal parasites should be performed, especially in school children.
Adhesives ; Adult ; Astacoidea ; Barbital ; Child ; Clonorchis sinensis ; Enterobius ; Female ; Humans* ; Korea* ; Life Cycle Stages ; Middle Aged ; Nurseries ; Paragonimiasis* ; Paragonimus westermani ; Parasites ; Prevalence ; Skin Tests ; Trichuris