T-lymphocyte subpopulations in relation to immunosuppression in measles and varicella

Patients with measles or varicella were studied during the acute phase (first week) of illness and, after recovery, by lymphocyte stimulation tests and determination of T-lymphocyte subpopulations, using the monoclonal antibodies Leu 2a and Leu 3a directed at the suppressor/cytotoxic and the helper T-cell subsets, respectively. Low proliferative responses to phytohemagglutinin were found during the acute phase of both diseases. The response to purified protein derivate of tuberculin was also low in all measles patients tested and in some of the varicella patients. In both infections increased spontaneous DNA synthesis was demonstrated. In the acute phase of measles there was T lymphocytopenia but no change of the ratio between T lymphocytes of helper and suppressor/cytotoxic cell phenotypes. In the acute phase of varicella the percentage and the absolute number of Leu 2-positive (suppressor/cytotoxic) T cells were increased. Measurement of the size of the lymphocytes indicated activation of this subset. Cryopreserved blood mononuclear cells from the acute phase of varicella could suppress the phytohemagglutinin response of autologous convalescent-phase cells. This was not seen when cells from measles patients were tested. The suppression of the lymphocyte stimulation response in varicella is probably in part caused by activation of suppressor cells, whereas the suppression of the stimulation response in measles seems to be due mainly to other mechanisms.</jats:p

Immunosuppression and alterations of T-lymphocyte subpopulations after rubella vaccination

Lymphocyte stimulation tests and determinations of T-lymphocyte subpopulations were undertaken in 11 subjects before and after rubella vaccination and in 11 controls. The lymphocyte stimulation response to phytohemagglutinin was suppressed 7 to 10 days after vaccination. The proportion of T lymphocytes with receptors for the Fc part of immunoglobulin G increased after vaccination, whereas there was no significant change in the proportion of T lymphocytes with immunoglobulin M-Fc receptors.</jats:p

SmiNet-2: Description of an internet-based surveillance system for communicable diseases in Sweden

Electronic systems for communicable diseases surveillance enhance quality by simplifying reporting, improving completeness, and increasing timeliness. In this article we outline the ideas and technologies behind SmiNet-2, a new comprehensive regional/national system for communicable disease surveillance in Sweden. The system allows for reporting from physicians (web form) and laboratories (direct from lab data system) over the internet. Using a unique personal identification number, SmiNet-2 automatically merges clinical and laboratory notifications to case records. Privileged users, at national and county level, work against a common central server containing all notifications and case records. In addition, SmiNet-2 has separate county servers with tools for outbreak investigations, contact tracing and case management. SmiNet-2 was first used in September 2004. Individual counties receive up to 90% of all notifications electronically. In its first year, SmiNet-2 received 54 980 clinical notifications and 32 765 laboratory notifications, which generated 58 891 case records. Since most clinicians in Sweden have easy access to the internet, a general web-based reporting has been feasible, and it is anticipated that within a few years all reporting to SmiNet-2 will be over the internet. In this context, some of the major advantages of SmiNet-2 when compared with other systems are timeliness in the dataflow (up to national level), the full integration of clinical and laboratory notifications, and the capability to handle more than 50 diseases with tailor-made notification forms within one single system.</jats:p