Sociocultural and psychological determinants in migrants for noncompliance with occlusion therapy for amblyopia

Background: Compliance with occlusion therapy for amblyopia in children is low when their parents have a low level of education, speak Dutch poorly, or originate from another country. We determined how sociocultural and psychological determinants affect compliance. Methods: Included we

Clinical course of cone dystrophy caused by mutations in the RPGR gene

Contains fulltext : 97720.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access)BACKGROUND: Mutations in the RPGR gene predominantly cause rod photoreceptor disorders with a large variability in clinical course. In this report, we describe two families with mutations in this gene and cone involvement. METHODS: We investigated an X-linked cone dystrophy family (1) with 25 affected males, 25 female carriers, and 21 non-carriers, as well as a small family (2) with one affected and one unaffected male. The RPGR gene was analyzed by direct sequencing. All medical records were evaluated, and all available data on visual acuity, color vision testing, ophthalmoscopy, fundus photography, fundus autofluorescence, Goldmann perimetry, SD-OCT, dark adaptation, and full-field electroretinography (ERG) were registered. Cumulative risks of visual loss were studied with Kaplan-Meier product-limit survival analysis. RESULTS: Both families had a frameshift mutation in ORF15 of the RPGR gene; family 1 had p.Ser1107ValfsX4, and family 2 had p.His1100GlnfsX10. Mean follow up was 13 years (SD 10). Virtually all affected males showed reduced photopic and normal scotopic responses on ERG. Fifty percent of the patients had a visual acuity of <0.5 at age 35 years (SE 2.2), and 75% of the patients was legally blind at age 60 years (SE 2.3). Female carriers showed no signs of ocular involvement. CONCLUSIONS: This report describes the clinical course and visual prognosis in two families with cone dystrophy due to RPGR mutations in the 3' terminal region of ORF15. Remarkable features were the consistent, late-onset phenotype, the severe visual outcome, and the non-expression in female carriers. Expression of RPGR mutations in this particular region appears to be relatively homogeneous and predisposed to cones

Association of HIV-1 Gag-Specific IgG Antibodies With Natural Control of HIV-1 Infection in Individuals Not Carrying HLA-B*57: 01 Is Only Observed in Viremic Controllers.

To expand upon our previous observation that HIV-1 Gag-specific IgG antibodies were highest in HIV controllers not carrying HLA-B*57:01, we analysed these antibodies in a larger cohort of viremic controllers (VCs) or elite controllers (ECs) considering carriage of ‘protective’ HLA-B alleles. HIV-1 p24-specific IgG1 and IgG2 antibodies were higher only in HLA-B*57:01− VCs but there were no differences in ECs. Associations of HIV-1 gp140-specific IgG antibodies with HLA-B*57:01 carriage were inconsistent amongst VCs and ECs

Viremic HIV Controllers Exhibit High Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell–Reactive Opsonophagocytic IgG Antibody Responses against HIV-1 p24 Associated with Greater Antibody Isotype Diversification

Identifying the mechanisms of natural control of HIV-1 infection could lead to novel approaches to prevent or cure HIV infection. Several studies have associated natural control of HIV-1 infection with IgG antibodies against HIV-1 Gag proteins (e.g. p24) and/or production of IgG2 antibodies against HIV-1 proteins. These antibodies likely exert their effect by activating anti-viral effector cell responses rather than virus neutralization. We hypothesized that an opsonophagocytic IgG antibody response against HIV-1 p24 that activates plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) through FcγRIIa would be associated with control of HIV and that this would be enhanced by antibody isotype diversification. Using the Gen2.2 pDC cell line, we demonstrated that pDC-reactive opsonophagocytic IgG antibody responses against HIV-1 p24 were higher in HIV controllers (HIV RNA <2000 copies/mL) than non-controllers (HIV RNA >10,000 copies/mL) particularly in controllers with low but detectable viremia (HIV RNA 75–2000 copies/mL). Opsonophagocytic antibody responses correlated with plasma levels of IgG1 and IgG2 anti-HIV-1 p24 and notably, correlated inversely with plasma HIV RNA levels in viremic HIV patients. Phagocytosis of these antibodies was mediated via FcγRIIa. Isotype diversification (towards IgG2) was greatest in HIV controllers and depletion of IgG2 from immunoglobulin preparations indicated that IgG2 antibodies to HIV-1 p24 do not enhance phagocytosis, suggesting that they enhance other aspects of antibody function, such as antigen opsonization. Our findings emulate those for pDC-reactive opsonophagocytic antibody responses against coxsackie, picorna and influenza viruses and demonstrate a previously undefined immune correlate of HIV-1 control that may be relevant to HIV vaccine development

Viremic HIV Controllers Exhibit High Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell–Reactive Opsonophagocytic IgG Antibody Responses against HIV-1 p24 Associated with Greater Antibody Isotype Diversification

Identifying the mechanisms of natural control of HIV-1 infection could lead to novel approaches to prevent or cure HIV infection. Several studies have associated natural control of HIV-1 infection with IgG Abs against HIV-1 Gag proteins (e.g., p24) and/or production of IgG2 Abs against HIV-1 proteins. These Abs likely exert their effect by activating antiviral effector cell responses rather than virus neutralization. We hypothesized that an opsonophagocytic IgG Ab response against HIV-1 p24 that activates plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) through FcγRIIa would be associated with control of HIV and that this would be enhanced by Ab isotype diversification. Using the Gen2.2 pDC cell line, we demonstrated that pDC-reactive opsonophagocytic IgG Ab responses against HIV-1 p24 were higher in HIV controllers (HIV RNA &lt; 2000 copies/ml) than noncontrollers (HIV RNA &gt; 10,000 copies/ml), particularly in controllers with low but detectable viremia (HIV RNA 75-2000 copies/ml). Opsonophagocytic Ab responses correlated with plasma levels of IgG1 and IgG2 anti-HIV-1 p24 and, notably, correlated inversely with plasma HIV RNA levels in viremic HIV patients. Phagocytosis of these Abs was mediated via FcγRIIa. Isotype diversification (toward IgG2) was greatest in HIV controllers, and depletion of IgG2 from Ig preparations indicated that IgG2 Abs to HIV-1 p24 do not enhance phagocytosis, suggesting that they enhance other aspects of Ab function, such as Ag opsonization. Our findings emulate those for pDC-reactive opsonophagocytic Ab responses against coxsackie, picorna, and influenza viruses and demonstrate a previously undefined immune correlate of HIV-1 control that may be relevant to HIV vaccine development