16 research outputs found
Viral Load, Clinical Disease Severity and Cellular Immune Responses in Primary Varicella Zoster Virus Infection in Sri Lanka
BACKGROUND: In Sri Lanka, varicella zoster virus (VZV) is typically acquired during adulthood with significant associated disease morbidity and mortality. T cells are believed to be important in the control of VZV replication and in the prevention of reactivation. The relationship between viral load, disease severity and cellular immune responses in primary VZV infection has not been well studied. METHODOLOGY: We used IFNgamma ELISpot assays and MHC class II tetramers based on VZV gE and IE63 epitopes, together with quantitative real time PCR assays to compare the frequency and phenotype of specific T cells with virological and clinical outcomes in 34 adult Sri Lankan individuals with primary VZV infection. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Viral loads were found to be significantly higher in patients with moderate to severe infection compared to those with mild infection (p<0.001) and were significantly higher in those over 25 years of age (P<0.01). A significant inverse correlation was seen between the viral loads and the ex vivo IFNgamma ELISpot responses of patients (P<0.001, r = -0.85). VZV-specific CD4+ T cells expressed markers of intermediate differentiation and activation. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, these data show that increased clinical severity in Sri Lankan adults with primary VZV infection associates with higher viral load and reduced viral specific T cell responses
Acquired perforating dermatosis of renal failure
SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe
Fatal varicella in an immunocompromised adult.
A fatal case of disseminated varicella in a 28-year-old immunocompromised woman is reported. Abdominal pain was the first manifestation of the disease, generalized vesicular eruption developed later. The cutaneous lesions became purpuric, and spontaneous hematomas appeared as a result of disseminated intravascular coagulation. Primary varicella infection remains a serious problem in immunocompromised patients.Case ReportsJournal ArticleSCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe
Local administration of alpha-MSH exerts a trophic effect on the 200-kDa neurofilament in sciatic rat nerve
Journal ArticleSCOPUS: ar.kFLWNAinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedThe Melanotropic Peptide