α1-Antitrypsin Phenotypes in Patients with Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Positive Vasculitis

1994 ◽  
Vol 87 (6) ◽  
pp. 693-695 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl Lhotta ◽  
Wolfgang Vogel ◽  
Thomas Meisl ◽  
Martina Buxbaum ◽  
Ulrich Neyer ◽  
...  

1. The genetic background of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated systemic vasculitis remains largely unknown. Recently a very high prevalence of medium and severe deficiency of α1-antitrypsin was described in a small group of patients with Wegener's granulomatosis and c-ANCA. c-ANCAs are autoantibodies against proteinase 3, and α1-antitrypsin is the main inhibitor of this enzyme. 2. α1-Antitrypsin phenotypic polymorphism was determined by isoelectric focusing in 32 patients with c-ANCA-associated systemic vasculitis. Twenty-nine patients had Wegener's disease, two had microscopic polyarteritis and one suffered from idiopathic rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. 3. Two patients were homozygous PiZZ and three were heterozygous PiMZ. These phenotype frequencies differed significantly from expected values, assuming Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P < 0.01). Compared with a control group of 868 healthy blood donors, these results meant a significant increase in the PiZ allele (0.0138 versus 0.1094, P< 0.001). 4. Furthermore, the serum of 47 patients with severe α1-antitrypsin deficiency (PiZZ) was tested for the presence of ANCA. All sera were negative for c-ANCA and p-ANCA. None of the patients showed clinical signs of systemic vasculitis. 5. In conclusion, these data indicate that α1-antitrypsin deficiency, despite being significantly more common in patients with c-ANCA-associated systemic vasculitis, is only a minor genetic risk factor for the development of this disease.

2021 ◽  
pp. 2727-2734
Author(s):  
Reham Elnagar ◽  
Rasha Elkenany ◽  
Gamal Younis

Background and Aim: Escherichia coli is the cause of avian colibacillosis, a significant threat to the poultry industry and public health. Thus, this study investigated the prevalence of E. coli in diseased chicken broilers, pathological effects of these bacteria, and interleukin (IL) gene expression of different serotypes of E. coli (O78, O26, O44, and O55) on experimentally infected chickens. Materials and Methods: A total of 295 organ samples (liver, lungs, heart, and spleen) from 59 diseased broiler chickens were used for conventional identification of E. coli. Chickens were orally infected with one of the following E. coli serotypes (O78, O26, O44, or O55) and examined for clinical signs, mortality, macroscopic and microscopic lesions, and IL gene expression using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: E. coli was isolated from 53.2% of broiler chicken organs with a high prevalence in lungs (26.1%). The most prevalent serotypes were O78, O26, O44, O55, O157, and O127 prevalence of 27.8, 22.2, 16.7, 16.7, 5.6, and 5.6%, respectively. In the experimental design, five groups (G1-G5) of birds were established. G1 served as the negative control group, while G2-G5 were challenged orally with E. coli O78, O26, O55, or O44, respectively. Chickens infected with E. coli O78 or O26 showed significant clinical signs in comparison to the other infected birds. Mortality (13.3%) was only observed in birds infected with E. coli O78. Necropsy of dead birds after E. coli O78 infection showed pericarditis, enteritis, airsacculitis, and liver and lung congestion. More severe histopathological changes were observed in intestines, spleen, liver, and lung from chickens infected with either E. coli O78 or O26 than for birds infected with other serotypes. On the 2nd day post-infection, E. coli challenge, particularly with E. coli O78, displayed significantly upregulated levels of ileal IL-6 and IL-8, but ileal IL-10 level tended to be downregulated in comparison to the control group. Conclusion: This study assessed the application of cytokines as therapeutic agents against infectious diseases, particularly colibacillosis.


2016 ◽  
pp. 191-108
Author(s):  
A.A. Sukhanova ◽  
◽  
Yu.M. Melnik ◽  
O.O. Karlova ◽  
◽  
...  

The aim of the study: to study the efficacy and safety of use Mastofemin in the treatment of various forms of mastitis in women of reproductive age. Materials and methods. The study included 62 women of reproductive age (mean age of 33.5±2.3 years) who were screened in the Kiev city center reproductive and perinatal medicine. Women were divided into 2 groups. The first (main) group consisted of 32 patients who received the proposed treatment using herbal remedies Mastofemin 1 capsule 2 times per day for 3 months; 30 patients of the second (control) group were under observation and received no treatment. These groups were representative and homogeneous on age, clinical symptoms and sonographic characteristics. The clinical method included evaluation of complaints of patients, anamnesis, presence of concomitant gynecologic pathology, inspection, palpation of the lymph nodes and the breast and obtaining a discharge from the nipples to conduct cytological examination, which allowed excluding from the study women with suspected malignancy of the process. All the patients were performed ultrasound examination of the breast. The review was supplemented with vaginal gynecological examination and ultrasound examination of small pelvis organs to assess the condition of the uterus and its appendages, the diagnosis of gynecological diseases. Results. Summarizing obtained in this study results one should stress the positive long-term effect of applying Mastofemin for the treatment of proliferative changes of the breast in women of reproductive age. This is manifested by a decrease in the intensity of clinical signs of mastitis, consistent with the results of sonographic control. Established positive dynamics in the treatment of cystic mastitis, dectective and when combined cystic mastopathy with dectective. In the control group of patients for a given observation period (6 months) no significant changes in clinical signs of mastitis and sonographic characteristics. Regression of disease has not occurred in any of the patients, in 2 patients increased sensitivity of the breast after 6 months moved to the soreness. Sonographic characteristics of mastitis during the observation period did not change. Thus, the use of Mastofemin aimed at pathogenetic treatment of mastitis and prevention of breast cancer. Conclusion. Application of Mastofemin during the treatment of mastitis in women of reproductive age significantly improves the clinical condition of patients; reduce the subjective and objective symptoms of the disease. The positive effect of the treatment with Mastofemin proved in the case of the treatment of sonographic following forms of mastitis: cystic mastopathy, cystic mastopathy with dectectasy. Mastofemin may be the drug of choice for complex conservative monotherapy in women of reproductive age with proliferative changes in the breast, and can also be used as part of complex treatment in patients with diffuse changes of the breast when combined with hyperplastic processes of the myometrium and endometrium. Keywords: mastopathy, breast gland, herbal medicine, herbal remedies, Mastofemin.


Author(s):  
А.В. Бойко ◽  
Н.Д. Олтаржевская ◽  
В.И. Швец ◽  
Л.В. Демидова ◽  
Е.А. Дунаева ◽  
...  

Цель исследования. Разработка методов сопроводительной терапии для защиты нормальных органов и тканей, входящих в зону облучения. Методы. В исследование включено 112 больных раком шейки и тела матки после комбинированного или самостоятельного лучевого лечения с 2012 по 2016 гг. У 71 пациентки основной группы в качестве терапии сопровождения применяли гидрогель с деринатом и у 41 больной группы контроля - традиционные методы профилактики (масло оливковое, подсолнечное, метилурациловая мазь). Для профилактики эпителиита слизистой влагалища и шейки матки в основной группе использовали гидрогель в виде аппликаций с первого дня облучения. Для профилактики лучевого ректита гидрогель вводили в прямую кишку 1 раз в день с первого дня облучения. Инстилляции гидрогеля в мочевой пузырь начинали только при развитии первых признаков клинической картины цистита. Пациенткам контрольной группы для профилактики лучевых реакций проводились масляные, мазевые аппликации во влагалище, масляные микроклизмы в прямую кишку с первого дня облучения. Лечение лучевого цистита проводили с помощью растительных диуретиков, уросептиков. Результаты. Применение гидрогеля с деринатом позволило провести курс лучевой терапии без перерыва у 84,5% (60/71) больных, в контрольной группе - лишь у 48,8% (20/41). Лучевые циститы возникали в 2,5 раза реже (25,3% ± 3,3 против 63,4% ± 2,7, р<0,01). Анализ степени выраженности лучевого цистита по RTOG в двух группах показал, что у 75% больных основной группы наблюдалась I степень, у 25% - II степень, III и IV степени не отмечено, тогда как в контрольной группе лучевой цистит I степени развился у 44% пациенток, II - 40% и III - 16% больных. Применение гидрогеля снизило частоту лучевых ректитов в 2 раза (26,7% ± 3,3 против 53,7% ± 3,2 р<0,1).При использовании ежедневных аппликаций гидрогеля с деринатом со стороны слизистой оболочки влагалища и шейки матки преобладали эпителииты I степени (53,5%), II степень наблюдалась у 29,5% и III степень лучевой реакции - лишь в 16,9% случаев, IV степень реакции не отмечена. В контрольной группе эти показатели составили 26,8%, 24,3%, 31,7% и 17,2% соответственно. Разработаны цитологические критерии оценки течения лучевых реакций слизистой влагалища. Выделены три степени изменения цитограммы, которые коррелировали с клинической картиной. В основной группе лучевые изменения I степени зафиксированы в 4,5 раза чаще (52 ± 9,9% против 11,5 ± 6,3%, р<0,002), а III степень представлена в 3,8 раза реже, чем в контрольной группе (12 ± 6,5% против 46,1 ± 9,8%, р<0,003). Заключение. Применение гидрогелевого материала с деринатом в качестве препарата сопроводительной терапии во время курса облучения позволяет уменьшить частоту и степень выраженности лучевых повреждений со стороны слизистой влагалища, мочевого пузыря и прямой кишки, провести курс лучевой терапии без перерыва и улучшить качество жизни пациенток. Objective. Development of methods for accompanying therapy to protect normal organs and tissues in the irradiation zone. Method. The study included 112 patients with cervical and endometrial cancer after combined or independent radiotherapy from 2012 to 2016. In 71 female patients of the main group, Derinat with hydrogel was applied as a supportive therapy and in 41 patients of the control group, conventional prevention methods (olive oil, sunflower oil, methyluracyl ointment) were applied. For prevention of vaginal mucosal and cervical epitheliitis in the main group, hydrogel was used as applications from the first radiation day. For prevention of radiation proctitis, hydrogel was injected into the rectum once daily from the first radiation day. Hydrogel instillations into the bladder were started only with the first clinical signs of cystitis. For prevention of radiation reactions, vaginal oil and ointment and rectal oil micro-enema were administered to patients of the control group from the first day of irradiation. Radiation cystitis was treated with vegetable diuretics and uroseptic drugs. Results. Using the hydrogel with Derinat allowed to administer a course of radiotherapy without interruption in 84.5% (60/71) of patients and only in 48.8% (20/41) in the control group. Radiation cystitis occurred 60% less frequently (25.3% ± 3.3 versus 63.4% ± 2.7, p <0.01). Analysis of radiation cystitis severity in two groups (according to RTOG) showed that 75% of patients in the main group had grade I and 25% had grade II. Grade III and grade IV did not occur. At the same time, in the control group, grade I radiation cystitis developed in 44% of patients, grade II - in 40%, and grade III - in 16% of patients. The hydrogel treatment halved the frequency of radiation proctitis (26.7% ± 3.3 vs. 53.7% ± 3.2 p <0.1). With daily application of the hydrogel with Derinat, grade I epitheliitis (53.5%) predominated in vaginal and cervical mucosa, grade II was observed in 29.5%, and grade III radiation reaction - only in 16.9% of cases; grade IV reaction was not observed. In the control group, these proportions were 26.8%, 24.3%, 31.7%, and 17.2%, respectively. Cytological criteria were developed to evaluate the course of radiation reactions in the vaginal mucosa. Three degrees of change in the cytogram were identified, which correlated with clinical picture. In the main group, incidence of grade I radiation-induced changes was increased by more than 350% (52 ± 9.9% vs. 11.5 ± 6.3%, p <0.002), and incidence of grade III was decreased by more than 70% compared to the control group (12 ± 6.5% vs. 46.1 ± 9.8%, p <0.003). Conclusion. Using the hydrogel material with Derinat as an accompanying therapy during the course of irradiation allows to reduce frequency and severity of radiation injuries of the vaginal mucosa, bladder, and rectum, administer an uninterrupted course of radiotherapy, and improve the quality of life of patients.


Author(s):  
Bugero N.V. ◽  
Ilyina N.A. ◽  
Aleksandrova S.M.

In addition to the classical pathogens, which are well understood and well identified, new pathogens with the potential to spread epidemiologically are being identified. Some of these little-known organisms are the simplest Blastocystis spp. blastocystostosis. The clinical significance of Blastocystis spp. and its pathogenicity are still under discussion. This parasite belongs to a group of single-celled eukaryotic organisms living in the colon of the human intestine. Blastocystis spp. is known to be found both in people with reduced immune status and in individuals without any clinical manifestation. It has been established that a sufficiently high degree of invasiveness is observed in persons with gastrointestinal tract diseases, dermatosis, allergic reactions, in patients with carriers of the human immunodeficiency virus, etc. Possessing persistence factors, protozoa blastocysts contribute to the inactivation of host defensive mechanisms, providing a stable anthogonistic effect. In recent years, many works have been devoted to the characteristics of the persistent properties of Blastocystis spr., however, individual properties of blastocysts, in particular, anticytokine activity (ACA), have not yet been studied. In this regard, the work studied the anticytokine activity of microorganisms isolated from healthy subjects and patients with gastrointestinal tract diseases. A high prevalence of the studied characteristic in the subjects was shown. The expression of anticytokine activity in the obtained isolates of blastocysts was the highest in the group of persons with gastric ulcer disease, which decreased in the order of duodenal ulcer, chronic cholecystitis, chronic gastritis, etc. The data obtained in this work on the high level of ACA expression in blastocyst isolates obtained from individuals with gastrointestinal diseases as compared with the control group enables to conclude that their exometabolites may influence the local cytokine balance [1], which supports the inflammatory process.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (9) ◽  
pp. 815-822
Author(s):  
Maryam Safary ◽  
Sevil Hakimi ◽  
Noushin Mobaraki-Asl ◽  
Paria Amiri ◽  
Habib Tvassoli ◽  
...  

Introduction: Atrophic vaginitis is a common problem in postmenopausal women and results from decreased levels of blood estrogen. It is associated with symptoms of itching, burning, dyspareunia, and postmenopausal bleeding. The present study evaluated the effects of fenugreek extract on atrophic vaginitis. Materials and Methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial was performed on 60 postmenopausal women in Ardabil, Iran, in 2018. The participants were selected using block randomization with the allocation ratio 1:1. Those in the intervention group received 0.5g (the applicator filled to the half-full mark) fenugreek vaginal cream 5% twice a week for 12 weeks. The control group received conjugated estrogens vaginal cream at the dose of 0.625 mg (the applicator filled to the half-full mark) containing 0.3 mg of conjugated estrogens. Atrophic vaginitis was evaluated before and after the treatment through clinical examination, clinical signs, and measurement of Vaginal Maturation Index (VMI). Findings: After the 12-week intervention and modification of the baseline score, the mean (standard error) score for atrophic vaginitis signs was 3.100 (1.43-4.75). This difference was statistically significant in intragroup comparison and in favor of the control group in intergroup comparison (p=0.001). VMI was less than 49% in 86.7% and 46.7% of the participants in the intervention and control groups, respectively. This was a significant difference in favor of the control group (p=0.001). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that total fenugreek extract could be effective in treating signs of atrophic vaginitis, but it was not as effective as ultra-low-dose estrogen.


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.


Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 47
Author(s):  
Giovanni Franzo ◽  
Michele Drigo ◽  
Matteo Legnardi ◽  
Laura Grassi ◽  
Maria Luisa Menandro ◽  
...  

Differently from alpha- and betaherpesviruses affecting swine, interest in the recently discovered Suid gammaherpesvirus 3, Suid gammaherpesvirus 4, and Suid gammaherpesvirus 5, also known as porcine lymphotropic herpesviruses (PLHV-1, PLHV-2, and PLHV-3), has largely focused on their role as potential zoonotic agents in cases of xenotransplantation. However, their role as primary pathogens of swine or as co-factors for other lymphotropic infections has essentially been neglected. The present study aims at filling this gap, evaluating the association between PLHVs infection and different clinical conditions and/or porcine circovirus (PCV) co-infection. One hundred seventy-six samples were obtained from different animals located in a high-density pig area of Northern Italy in the period 2017–2020. The presence of PLHVs and PCVs was tested and quantified by specific real-time PCR: PLHVs were widespread among pigs (PLHV-1, PLHV-2, and PLHV-3 prevalence was 28.97%, 10.79%, and 4.54%, respectively) and detected in all considered tissues and clinical conditions. Frequent co-infections were also observed among PLHVs and with PCVs, although a significant association was not detected with the exception of a positive interaction between PLHV-1 and PLHV-3, and a negative one between PLHV-2 and PCV-2. Significantly, no association between PLHVs, alone or in co-infection, emerged with any of the considered clinical signs, their frequency being comparable between healthy and diseased animals. Based on these pieces of evidence and despite their high prevalence, PLHVs’ relevance for the swine industry appears negligible, either as primary pathogens or as predisposing factors for circovirus-induced diseases.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 30
Author(s):  
Luis Emilio Fazzio ◽  
Santiago José Raggio ◽  
Juan Facundo Romero ◽  
Juver Membrebe ◽  
Antonio Humberto Hamad Minervino

A safety study on ketoprofen 10% was carried out on pigs using a different dosing and treatment scheme. Forty healthy crossbreed pigs with similar age, weight, and body condition score were distributed into five treatment groups. The pigs were intramuscularly injected once with different doses of ketoprofen: 3 mg/kg (group 1X), 6 mg/kg (group 2X), 9 mg/kg (group 3X). In addition, the 3 mg/kg dosis was administered on three consecutive days (group 1X ext.). Intramuscular injections of saline solution were used in control group (CTL). The pigs were clinically examined throughout the trial and blood samples were taken for hematological and biochemical evaluation on days −4 (before treatment), +3, +7, and +14 (the end of the trial). Any unusual behaviour or clinical signs were reported as potential toxic effects of ketoprofen. Serum measurements showed that none of the ketoprofen doses produced changes in renal or hepatic biochemical parameters, liver enzymes, or total bilirubin. Likewise, hematological assessment indicated no altered parameters or hematocrit percentage in the study groups. These results demonstrate that ketoprofen has no adverse effects in pigs when the doses and scheme evaluated in this study are applied.


Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 228
Author(s):  
Michaela Projahn ◽  
Jana Sachsenroeder ◽  
Guido Correia-Carreira ◽  
Evelyne Becker ◽  
Annett Martin ◽  
...  

Cefotaxime (CTX)-resistant Enterobacteriaceae are still an ongoing challenge in human and veterinary health. High prevalence of these resistant bacteria is detected in broiler chickens and the prevention of their dissemination along the production pyramid is of major concern. The impact of certain on-farm interventions on the external bacterial contamination of broiler chickens, as well as their influence on single processing steps and (cross-) contamination, have not yet been evaluated. Therefore, we investigated breast skin swab samples of broiler chickens before and during slaughter at an experimental slaughter facility. Broiler chickens were previously challenged with CTX-resistant Escherichia coli strains in a seeder-bird model and subjected to none (control group (CG)) or four different on-farm interventions: drinking water supplementation based on organic acids (DW), slow growing breed Rowan × Ranger (RR), reduced stocking density (25 kg/sqm) and competitive exclusion with Enterobacteriales strain IHIT36098(CE). Chickens of RR, 25 kg/sqm, and CE showed significant reductions of the external contamination compared to CG. The evaluation of a visual scoring system indicated that wet and dirty broiler chickens are more likely a vehicle for the dissemination of CTX-resistant and total Enterobacteriaceae into the slaughterhouses and contribute to higher rates of (cross-) contamination during processing.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 2122
Author(s):  
Magdalena Krajewska-Włodarczyk ◽  
Zbigniew Żuber ◽  
Agnieszka Owczarczyk-Saczonek

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of retinoid treatment on the morphological changes in the nail apparatus in patients with nail psoriasis. Material and methods: 41 patients aged 32 to 64 with nail psoriasis, without clinical signs of psoriatic arthritis, started on acitretin 0.6 to 0.8 mg kg b.w./d, for six months and 28 people in the control group were included in the study. Both groups had ultrasound examination of fingernails and digital extensor tendon in the distal interphalangeal joints. In psoriatic patients, US examination was conducted before starting the treatment and after six months. A total of 685 nails were examined. Results: After six months of treatment, there was a reduction in the thickness of the nail bed and nail matrix (p = 0.046 and p = 0.031, respectively). The thickness of the nail plates decreased, although it was statistically insignificant (p = 0.059) and it was higher than in the control group (p = 0.034). The reduced severity of clinical nail changes after six months of retinoid treatment did not correlate with the reduction in extensor tendon thickness in any group of patients. Conclusions: In patients with nail psoriasis, acitretin treatment resulted in a rapid decrease in the thickness of the nail bed and matrix, but it did not affect the thickness of the nail plate after six months. There was no effect of acitretin on the digital extensor tendon thickness or the increased blood supply to the tendon area. The results of the study may indicate the usefulness of ultrasound nail examinations in patients with nail psoriasis not only to assess the advancement of morphological changes and response to treatment, but also to choose the potential treatment.


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