SARS-CoV Antibody Prevalence in All Hong Kong Patient Contacts

A total of 1,068 asymptomatic close contacts of patients with severe acute respiratory (SARS) from the 2003 epidemic in Hong Kong were serologically tested, and 2 (0.19%) were positive for SARS coronavirus immunoglobulin G antibody. SARS rarely manifests as a subclinical infection, and at present, wild animal species are the only important natural reservoirs of the virus

Phosphorylcholine antibodies preserve cardiac function and reduce infarct size by attenuating the post-ischemic inflammatory response

Phosphorylcholine monoclonal immunoglobulin G antibody attenuates the immediate post-ischemic inflammatory response by reducing the proinflammatory chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 chemokine and circulating Ly-6C(hi) monocytes. This subsequently enhances the post-ischemic repair process, resulting in limited adverse cardiac remodeling and preservation of cardiac function. Therefore, phosphorylcholine monoclonal immunoglobulin G antibody therapy may be a valid therapeutic approach against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. (C) 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier on behalf of the American College of Cardiology Foundation.Cardiolog

Method for X and Y Spermatozoa Separation

A method for separating male and female determining spermatozoa includes the initial step of exposing freshly ejaculated spermatozoa in a substantially protein free diluent to an excess concentration of a monoclonal antibody directed against H-Y antigen that binds substantially exclusively with male determining spermatozoa. The method continues with the suspending of the exposed spermatozoa together with a conjugate of (1) an immunoglobulin G antibody that binds substantially exclusively to the monoclonal antibody and (2) an immunoabsorbant substrate in a substantially protein free diluent. This forms a conjugate/spermatozoa preparation. The method concludes with the recovering of the separated male and female determining spermatozoa

Determination of dilution and quality control of total and anti-measles immunoglobulin G antibody assays

Objective: To determine the correct dilution and Quality control commercial ELISA of total and anti-measles antibodies for HIV infected pregnant women.Design: A laboratory based studySetting: The University of Nairobi, Department of Paediatrics laboratory.Subjects: HIV infected pregnant women enrolled and exposed to different ARVs depending on their degree of immunosuppression for prevention of mother-child transmission of HIV-1.Results: The dilution used in this study, was 1:400000. Tight error bars of +/-0.1 were produced hence testing was done in singles not in duplicates as recommended. Validation steps did not pass for measles ELISA.Conclusion: Despite the recommendations of the manufacture each laboratory should always optimize an assay before performing tests and reporting the result. Every laboratory should determine the best dilution to use for quantitative TIgG assays and should perform internal and external quality control before reporting the results. These results will give insight on good laboratory practice during trouble shooting while assays are failing

Cytomegalovirus chronic infection as a risk factor for stroke : A prospective study

Funding Information: This research was supported by European Social Fund.Stroke is the second most common cause of death in the world and a major cause of long-term disability. Chronic infection is an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke and related forms of atherosclerotic vascular disease. The aim of our study was to compare the plasma Cytomegalovirus (CMV) immunoglobulin G antibody level in a patient and control group, and to determine the association of CMV chronic infection with ischemic stroke, and with stroke subtype. The present study does not present a cogent demonstration that cytomegalovirus chronic infection is a risk factor of stroke. Further studies are necessary to clarify the effective prophylactic measures to determine other significant risk factors for stroke.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Experimental mouse model of optic neuritis with inflammatory demyelination produced by passive transfer of neuromyelitis optica-immunoglobulin G.

Background Although optic neuritis (ON) is a defining feature of neuromyelitis optica (NMO), appropriate animal models of NMO ON are lacking. Most NMO patients are seropositive for immunoglobulin G autoantibodies (NMO-IgG) against the astrocyte water channel aquaporin-4 (AQP4). Methods Several approaches were tested to develop a robust, passive-transfer mouse model of NMO ON, including NMO-IgG and complement delivery by: (i) retrobulbar infusion; (ii) intravitreal injection; (iii) a single intracranial injection near the optic chiasm; and (iv) 3-days continuous intracranial infusion near the optic chiasm. Results Little ON or retinal pathology was seen using approaches (i) to (iii). Using approach (iv), however, optic nerves showed characteristic NMO pathology, with loss of AQP4 and glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity, granulocyte and macrophage infiltration, deposition of activated complement, demyelination and axonal injury. Even more extensive pathology was created in mice lacking complement inhibitor protein CD59, or using a genetically modified NMO-IgG with enhanced complement effector function, including significant loss of retinal ganglion cells. In control studies, optic nerve pathology was absent in treated AQP4-deficient mice, or in wild-type mice receiving control (non-NMO) IgG and complement. Conclusion Passive transfer of NMO-IgG and complement by continuous infusion near the optic chiasm in mice is sufficient to produce ON with characteristic NMO pathology. The mouse model of NMO ON should be useful in further studies of NMO pathogenesis mechanisms and therapeutics

Liver failure occurring as a component of exertional heatstroke.

An unusual case of an exertional heatstroke in a healthy 25-year-old man is presented. Initially, the patient was deeply comatose and developed severe rhabdomyolysis and massive hepatic necrosis. Subsequently, he received a liver transplant with remarkable improvement in his mental status, although the rhabdomyolysis continued. The patient died 41 days after the transplant due to a complicating infection. Providing that infections can be effectively controlled, liver transplants might be a promising therapeutic alternative for the few patients who survive the initial neurological consequences of this unusual event