No abstract available.
ABO Blood-Group System/genetics ; Aged ; Agglutination Tests ; Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic/*blood ; Erythrocyte Transfusion ; Erythrocytes/immunology ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Pneumonia/diagnosis/*immunology/therapy

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the prevalence of ocular toxocariasis (OT) in patients with uveitis of unknown etiology who visited a tertiary hospital in South Korea and assessed the success of serum anti-Toxocara immunoglobulin G (IgG) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as a diagnostic test for OT. METHODS: The records of consecutive patients with intraocular inflammation of unknown etiology were reviewed. All participants underwent clinical and laboratory investigations, including ELISA for serum anti-Toxocara IgG. OT was diagnosed based on typical clinical findings. Clinical characteristics, seropositivity, and IgG titers were compared between patients diagnosed with OT and non-OT uveitis. The seropositivity and the diagnostic value of anti-Toxocara IgG was investigated among patients with different types of uveitis. RESULTS: Of 238 patients with uveitis of unknown etiology, 71 (29.8%) were diagnosed with OT, and 80 (33.6%) had positive ELISA results for serum anti-Toxocara IgG. The sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA test were 91.5% (65 / 71) and 91.0% (152 / 167), respectively. The positive predictive value of the serum anti-Toxocara IgG assay was 81.3%. Among patients with anterior, intermediate, posterior, and panuveitis, the prevalence rates of OT were 8.3%, 47.1%, 44.8%, and 7.1%, respectively; the seropositivity percentages were 18.1%, 47.1%, 43.7%, and 17.9%; and the positive predictive values were 38.5%, 95.8%, 92.1%, and 40.0%. The serum anti-Toxocara IgG titer also significantly decreased following albendazole treatment. CONCLUSIONS: OT is a common cause of intraocular inflammation in the tertiary hospital setting. Considering that OT is more prevalent in intermediate and posterior uveitis, and that the positive predictive value of the anti-Toxocara IgG assay is high, a routine test for anti-Toxocara IgG might be necessary for Korean patients with intermediate and posterior uveitis.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Animals ; Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic/*blood ; Aqueous Humor/parasitology ; Child ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Eye Infections, Parasitic/*diagnosis/epidemiology/parasitology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G/blood/*immunology ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies ; *Tertiary Care Centers ; Toxocara canis/*immunology/isolation & purification ; Toxocariasis ; Uveitis/*diagnosis/epidemiology/parasitology ; Young Adult

INTRODUCTIONAnti-BP180 IgG titres were observed to parallel disease activity in case series of bullous pemphigoid (BP). This study aimed to examine whether anti-BP180 titres are an indicator of disease severity, clinical course and outcome in Asian patients with BP.

MATERIALS AND METHODSThis was a prospective observational study conducted between March 2005 and March 2008 in the Immunodermatology Clinic at the National Skin Centre, Singapore. Disease activity and anti-BP180 IgG titres were measured 4-weekly for 12 weeks and during disease flares and clinical remission. Associations between anti-BP180 titres and disease activity, disease flare, clinical remission and cumulative prednisolone dose were examined.

RESULTSThirty-four patients with newly diagnosed BP were recruited. Median follow-up duration was 3 years. Notable correlations between disease activity and anti-BP180 titres were at baseline (r = 0.51, P = 0.002), and disease flare (r = 0.85, P <0.001). Lower titres at Week 12 were associated with greater likelihood of clinical remission (P = 0.036). Post hoc, patients with anti-BP180 titres above 87.5 U/mL at time of diagnosis who reached remission within 2 years of diagnosis received significantly higher cumulative doses (mg/kg) of prednisolone (median, 72.8; range, 56.5 to 127.1) than those with titres <87.5 U/mL (median, 44.6; range, 32.5 to 80.8); P = 0.025).

CONCLUSIONAnti-BP180 titres may be a useful indicator of disease activity at time of diagnosis and at disease flare. Lower titres at Week 12 may predict greater likelihood of clinical remission. Titres above 87.5 U/mL at time of diagnosis may suggest the need for higher cumulative doses of prednisolone to achieve remission within 2 years.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic ; blood ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Autoantibodies ; blood ; Autoantigens ; blood ; Disease Progression ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Non-Fibrillar Collagens ; blood ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Pemphigoid, Bullous ; diagnosis ; ethnology ; immunology ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prospective Studies ; Singapore

BACKGROUND: Detection methods for ABO antibody (Ab) titers vary across laboratories, and the results are different depending on the method used. We aimed to compare titer values using different detection methods for the measurement of ABO Ab titers. METHODS: For ABO Ab detection, pooled group A or B red blood cells (RBCs) were reacted with each of 20 sera from blood groups A, B, or O without dithiothreitol treatment. The room-temperature (RT) incubation technique and the indirect antiglobulin test (IAT) were used in the tube test and gel card test. Flow cytometry (FCM) was performed by using anti-IgM and anti-IgG Abs. RESULTS: Regardless of the blood groups tested, the FCM assay with anti-IgM showed the highest titer compared to the tube test and gel card test with RT incubation in both. The tube test with IAT showed a higher titer than the gel card test with IAT (Gel-IAT) or FCM with anti-IgG in blood group A and B, while Gel-IAT showed the highest titer relative to the other tests, only for the anti-A Ab in blood group O. CONCLUSIONS: There were significant differences in the titers depending on the detection method used, and each method showed a different detection capacity for each ABO Ab depending on the ABO blood group tested. Therefore, caution should be exercised in interpreting ABO Ab titer results, taking into consideration the detection method used and the blood group.
ABO Blood-Group System/*immunology ; Adult ; Aged ; Agglutination Tests/instrumentation/*standards ; Antibodies/*analysis ; Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic/analysis ; Erythrocytes/chemistry/metabolism ; Female ; *Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Temperature

Swine hepatitis E virus (HEV) is widespread throughout pigs in both developing and industrialized countries. This virus is an important zoonotic agent and a public concern worldwide. Infected pigs are asymptomatic, so diagnosing swine HEV relies on detection of the virus or antibodies against the virus. However, several obstacles need to be overcome for effective and practical serological diagnosis. In this study, we developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that used a purified recombinant capsid protein of swine HEV. The potential clinical use of this assay was evaluated by comparing it with a commercial kit (Genelabs Technologies, Diagnostics, Singapore). Results of the ELISA were highly correlated with those of the commercial kit with a sensitivity of 97% and specificity of 95%. ROC (receiving operator characteristic) analysis of the ELISA data produced a value of 0.987 (95% CI, 0.977~0.998, p < 0.01). The cut-off value for the ELISA was also determined using negative pig sera. In summary, the HEV-specific ELISA developed in the present study appears to be both practical and economical.
Animals ; Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic/*analysis/blood/genetics ; Capsid Proteins/*genetics/metabolism ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/*methods/veterinary ; Hepatitis E/diagnosis/immunology/*veterinary/virology ; Hepatitis E virus/genetics/*isolation & purification/metabolism ; Immunoglobulin G/blood/genetics ; ROC Curve ; Recombinant Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Swine ; Swine Diseases/*diagnosis/immunology/virology

With the development of bio-technological drugs, drug immunogenicity evaluation has become key factor of clarifying safety and efficacy of these drugs. It has become the focus to establish a stable and reliable evaluation system. Due to the advantages such as continuous real-time monitoring, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology has been widely used in bio-technological drugs immunogenicity assessments. Our study applied this technology to detect anti-drug antibody (ADA) of a recombinant human anti-rabies monoclonal antibody NM57 in the sera of 48 volunteers admitted in phase I clinical trials. This method could satisfy the basic requirements of detection of ADA.
Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic ; analysis ; blood ; immunology ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; analysis ; blood ; immunology ; Antibodies, Viral ; analysis ; blood ; immunology ; Humans ; Rabies virus ; immunology ; Recombinant Proteins ; analysis ; blood ; immunology ; Surface Plasmon Resonance

The elastin metabolism in systemic sclerosis (SSc) has been known to be abnormal. The authors investigated relationship between the clinical manifestations of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and serum levels of soluble elastin-derived peptide (S-EDP) and anti-elastin antibodies. Serum samples were obtained from 79 patients with SSc and 79 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Concentrations of serum S-EDP and anti-elastin antibodies were measured by ELISA. The serum concentrations of S-EDP in SSc patients were significantly higher than in healthy controls (median, 144.44 ng/mL vs 79.59 ng/mL, P < 0.001). Serum EDP concentrations were found to be correlated with disease duration in SSc (P = 0.002) and particularly in diffuse cutaneous SSc (P = 0.005). Levels of anti-elastin antibodies were found to be more elevated in SSc patients than in healthy controls (median, 0.222 U vs 0.191 U, P = 0.049), more increased in diffuse cutaneous SSc than limited cutaneous SSc (median, 0.368 U vs 0.204 U, P = 0.031). In addition, levels of anti-elastin antibodies were also found to be negatively associated with presence of anti-centromere antibody (P = 0.023). The S-EDP levels were not found to be correlated with levels of anti-elastin antibodies. The increased S-EDP and anti-elastin antibody levels and association with clinical and laboratory characteristics may reflect the abnormal metabolism in SSc.
Adult ; Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic/*blood/immunology ; Centromere/immunology ; Elastin/*blood/immunology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peptides/*blood/immunology ; Scleroderma, Systemic/*metabolism/pathology

OBJECTIVETo study the immunoregulation effects of Tiaomian No. 3 (TM3) for recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) caused by shortage of blocking antibodies.

METHODSTotally 61 patients with RSA caused by shortage of blocking antibodies were randomly assigned to the treatment group (31 cases) and the control group (30 cases) by lot method. Patients in the treatment group were treated with TM3, while those in the control group were treated with active immunotherapy using lymphocytes of their spouses. The therapeutic course for all was 3 months. Another 10 healthy females in the same age ranges were recruited as the healthy control group. The blocking antibodies (Ab1), anti-idiotypic antibodies (Ab2), T-lymphocyte cell subsets (CD4 and CD8), serum interleukin 10 (IL-10), and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) levels were determined before and after treatment.

RESULTS(1) After treatment the positive conversion rate of Ab1 and/or Ab2 was 87.1% (27/31) in the treatment group and 86.7% (26/30) in the control group, showing no statistical difference (P > 0.05). (2) In the two groups, CD4 decreased and CD8 increased. The CD4/CD8 ratio was in the normal level after treatment, showing statistical difference when compared with before treatment (P < 0.05). (3) In the two groups, IL-10 and M-CSF levels were higher after treatment, showing statistical difference when compared with before treatment (P < 0.05). (4) The 1-year conception rate was 58.1% (18/31) in the treatment group, significantly higher than that in the control group (46.7%, 14/30, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTM3 could promote the positive conversion rate of Ab1, promote the production of IL-10 and M-CSF cytokines, thus strengthening the protection for fetus by the mother and the normal maintenance for pregnancy. The 1-year successful pregnancy rate obviously increased in the treatment group.

Abortion, Habitual ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Adult ; Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic ; Antibodies, Blocking ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Immunotherapy, Active ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; blood ; Phytotherapy ; Pregnancy ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets

Total mRNA was extracted from lymphocytes separated from the peripheral blood of allergic patients, and then variable region of heavy chain (VH) and variable region of light chain (VL) cDNA library were constructed by RT-PCR. Human scFv templates for rabbit reticulocyte lysate ribosome display were assembled by primers and linker peptide (Gly4Ser)3. mRNA bound in antibody-ribosome-mRNA complexes was recovered using in-situ single primer RT-PCR, and three rounds of anti-IgE scFv DNA were enriched. The target DNA fragments were double enzyme digested and ligated into plasmid pET22b (+), followed by transformation in E. coli Rosseta (DE3). Positive clones were screened using clone PCR, Dot blotting and antigen ELISA. The correct lengths of VH (400 bp) and VL (710 bp) PCR products were obtained. The expected 1,000 bp ribosome display templates were also observed in agarose gel electrophoresis. After three rounds of ribosome display target sequences were effectively enriched, leading to a library of 10(13) members. Antibodies with the highest ELISA value for IgE were generated in the strain pET-IgE-6. A human anti-IgE scFv library was successfully constructed as described herein. Ribosome display using single primer in-situ RT-PCR as the recovery procedure effectively enriched target sequences. Anti-IgE scFv with high affinity and specificity were identified. The prepared human anti-IgE scFv fragment might be self-developed to a lead drug for treating asthma. Our study provides an alternative method for rapid discovery of human antibodies of therapeutic importance.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Antibody Affinity ; Asthma ; blood ; Base Sequence ; DNA, Complementary ; metabolism ; Escherichia coli ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains ; genetics ; Immunoglobulin Light Chains ; genetics ; Immunoglobulin Variable Region ; genetics ; Lymphocytes ; chemistry ; Peptide Library ; RNA, Messenger ; isolation & purification ; Recombination, Genetic ; genetics ; Ribosomes ; chemistry ; genetics ; immunology ; Single-Chain Antibodies ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Transformation, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo investigate the risk factors for sensitization of anti-MICA antibodies and their impact on the outcomes of renal transplantation.

METHODSLuminex flow cytometry were used to identify 10 MICA antibodies and evaluate the antibody specificity in 98 uremic patients positive or negative for anti-MICA antibodies undergoing kidney transplantation. The factors contributing to MICA sensitization were analyzed, and the incidence of acute rejection and graft function recovery time were compared between the positive and negative cases for anti-MICA antibodies.

RESULTSOf the 98 uremic patients, 16 (16.3%) were positive for anti-MICA antibodies. The positive and negative cases showed significant differences in the history of blood transfusion, pregnancy, transplantation, and PRA status (P<0.05). In the 38 renal transplant recipients, 6 experienced acute graft rejection, which was reversed by methylprednisolone pulse therapy; of the 10 recipients positive for anti-MICA antibodies, 4 showed acute graft rejection as compared to 2 out of the 28 recipients negative for anti-MICA antibodies (P=0.031). The cases positive for anti-MICA antibodies showed a significantly longer graft function recovery time than the negative cases (14.6∓4.7 vs 8.2∓4.5 days, P=0.001).

CONCLUSIONSBlood transfusion, pregnancy, and transplantation all contribute to the production of anti-MICA antibodies. Patients positive for anti-MICA antibodies may require strict HLA matching and more potent immunosuppressive drugs to prevent renal graft rejection and improve graft survival.

Adult ; Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic ; immunology ; Antibody Specificity ; Blood Transfusion ; Female ; Genes, MHC Class I ; immunology ; Graft Survival ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I ; immunology ; Histocompatibility Testing ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pregnancy ; Risk Factors ; Uremia ; immunology ; surgery