Clinical and experimental immunology
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Clin. Exp. Immunol. · Mar 1987
Neutrophil phagocytic and bactericidal function in primary biliary cirrhosis and other chronic liver diseases.
We have examined neutrophil phagocytosis and intracellular killing of Staphylococcus aureus in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, alcoholic liver disease and chronic active hepatitis in comparison with age and sex matched controls. Significant decrease in neutrophil phagocytosis was found in both early and advanced primary biliary cirrhosis while impaired phagocytosis was seen in alcoholic cirrhosis but not in alcoholic fatty liver. In both disorders the effect appeared to be mediated by the patient's serum as there was no difference between patient and control neutrophil function when the test was performed in AB serum. ⋯ Intracellular killing was not affected in any of the liver disease groups. These results support the view that serum factors exist in patients with liver disease which inhibit neutrophil phagocytosis. While these studies confirm earlier finding in alcoholic liver disease, this is the first demonstration of such a defect in primary biliary cirrhosis.
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Clin. Exp. Immunol. · Aug 1984
Association of anti-heart antibodies and circulating immune complexes in the post-pericardiotomy syndrome.
The post-pericardiotomy syndrome (PPS) is a common complication of cardiac surgery. In order to better understand the pathogenesis of this complication we undertook a prospective, triple blind study of consecutive long term survivors of cardiac surgery. We followed 82 patients and determined anti-heart antibodies (AHA), circulating immune complexes (CIC) and anti-viral antibodies (AVA) on sera pre-operatively and serially post-operatively. ⋯ Development of post-operative AHA and increased CIC were also more frequently found. We found a good correlation between PPS, positive AHA and increased CIC. No correlation was found between PPS and virus serology.
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Clin. Exp. Immunol. · Jun 1983
Case ReportsAssociation of Sjögren's syndrome with C4 deficiency, defective reticuloendothelial function and circulating immune complexes.
A case of Sjögren's syndrome with the sicca complex is presented which was associated with persistently low or absent C4 levels, high levels of circulating immune complexes and abnormal reticuloendothelial clearance of damaged or IgG antibody sensitized autologous red blood cells (RBCs). Investigation of normal relatives of the patient revealed low C4 levels and abnormal reticuloendothelial clearance of damaged or sensitized RBCs. ⋯ These results suggest that the C4 deficiency and the abnormal reticuloendothelial function in the patient was in part genetically determined and may have predisposed to the development of Sjögren's syndrome. These findings serve to emphasize the possible importance of abnormal macrophage function in the pathogenesis of Sjögren's syndrome and suggest that further investigation of these aspects may increase understanding of this disease.
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Clin. Exp. Immunol. · Dec 1982
Differentiation of benign monoclonal gammopathy and smouldering multiple myeloma from frank myeloma.
Circulating immunoglobulin (Ig) secreting cells of each type of the different Ig classes were enumerated using a reverse haemolytic plaque assay in nine subjects with the pre-clinical phase of IgG myeloma (six with benign monoclonal gammopathy and three with smouldering multiple myeloma). A shift in the ratio of IgG kappa to IgG lambda secreting cells without a significant increase in the total number of IgG secreting cells, that is the number of IgG kappa plus IgG lambda secreting cells, was a constant feature noted in every subject.
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Clin. Exp. Immunol. · Jun 1982
Comparative StudyImmunological responsiveness after transurethral resection of the prostate: general versus spinal anaesthetic.
The effects of surgery on the immune response (as measured by a variety of parameters) were examined in patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for benign disease. Two groups were assessed, one having the procedure performed under a general anaesthetic and the other under a spinal anaesthetic. ⋯ Cortisol levels were not elevated in either group after surgery. The immunodepression occurring after TURP appears to be due to general anaesthesia rather than the trauma of the surgery.