Enzyme Immunoassay In Patients Research Articles

Could SP-A and SP-D Serum Levels Predict COVID-19 Severity?

Given the various clinical manifestations that characterize Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the scientific community is constantly searching for biomarkers with prognostic value. Surfactant proteins A (SP-A) and D (SP-D) are collectins that play a crucial role in ensuring proper alveolar function and an alteration of their serum levels was reported in several pulmonary diseases characterized by Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and pulmonary fibrosis. Considering that such clinical manifestations can also occur during Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, we wondered if these collectins could act as prognostic markers. In this regard, serum levels of SP-A and SP-D were measured by enzyme immunoassay in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection (n = 51) at admission (T0) and after seven days (T1) and compared with healthy donors (n = 11). SP-D increased in COVID-19 patients compared to healthy controls during the early phases of infection, while a significant reduction was observed at T1. Stratifying SARS-CoV-2 patients according to disease severity, increased serum SP-D levels were observed in severe compared to mild patients. In light of these results, SP-D, but not SP-A, seems to be an eligible marker of COVID-19 pneumonia, and the early detection of SP-D serum levels could be crucial for preventive clinical management.

Detection of antibodies to <i>B. burgdorferi</i> by enzyme immunoassay in patients with Lyme borreliosis

The detection of antibodies to borrelia by enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) significantly depends on the time from the onset of the disease.Purpose: analysis of the results of antibodies determination to borrelia by ELISA in children and adults with Lyme borreliosis (LB) at various periods from the onset of the disease.Material and methods. We conducted a retrospective, non-randomized, single-center cohort study, based on the analysis of data from 178 outpatient records of patients with a confirmed diagnosis of LB and the presence of antibody detection results by ELISA. Immunological confirmation of the diagnosis of LB was carried out by using ELISA and western blot test systems registered in the territory of the Russian Federation for the separate determination of immunoglobulins to Borrelia burgdorferi antigens of classes M and G. Results. When counting from the date of the onset of the disease, IgM and/or IgG were determined in 76% of patients at 4-6 weeks, and starting from the 7th week – in 95%. When counting from the date of tick bite, IgG with or without IgM was determined in 83% of patients starting from 7th week. At the same time, a significantly large proportion of seronegative patients among children was revealed. We have clarified the duration of antibody persistence after antibacterial therapy. In the interval from 1 to 6 months, antibodies are detected in 73% of patients. For a period of 6 months or more, antibodies can be detected in 42% of patients.Conclusion. The optimal time for detecting antibodies from the disease onset is 4-6 weeks. Antibodies after antibiotic therapy can persist for a long time, in a third of patients up to 6 months or more.

Interleukin 27 is increased in carotid atherosclerosis and promotes NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

AimInterleukin-27 (IL-27) is involved in different inflammatory diseases; however, its role in atherosclerosis is unclear. In this study we investigated the expression of IL-27 and its receptor in patients with carotid atherosclerosis and if IL-27 could modulate the inflammatory effects of the NLRP3 inflammasome in vitro.MethodsPlasma IL-27 was measured by enzyme immunoassay in patients with carotid stenosis (n = 140) and in healthy controls (n = 19). Expression of IL-27 and IL-27R was analyzed by quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry in plaques from patients and in non-atherosclerotic vessels. THP-1 monocytes, primary monocytes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were used to study effects of IL-27 in vitro.ResultsOur main findings were: (i) Plasma levels of IL-27 were significantly elevated in patients with carotid atherosclerotic disease compared to healthy controls. (ii) Gene expression of IL-27 and IL-27R was significantly elevated in plaques compared to control vessels, and co-localized to macrophages. (iii) In vitro, IL-27 increased NLRP3 inflammasome activation in monocytes with enhanced release of IL-1 β.ConclusionsWe demonstrate increased levels of IL-27 and IL-27R in patients with carotid atherosclerosis. Our in vitro findings suggest an inflammatory role for IL-27, which can possibly be linked to atherosclerotic disease development.

The Significance of Isolated Reactive Treponemal Enzyme Immunoassay in the Diagnosis of Early Syphilis.

The Treponemal test algorithm for syphilis screening is widely used. A diagnostic challenge between identifying early syphilis versus a false positive signal occurs in cases where the treponemal enzyme immunoassay (EIA) is reactive and confirmatory T. pallidum particle agglutination assay is negative. We investigated the diagnostic outcome of isolated reactive EIA in patients attending a sexual health clinic. Results of syphilis serology tests carried out at Birmingham Whittall Street Clinic between August 10, 2010, and November 31, 2014, were reviewed. Cases with isolated EIA were routinely invited for repeat syphilis serology. Outcomes of patients with isolated EIA were reviewed and the proportion with confirmed positive syphilis serology on their repeat test identified. The number of isolated EIA cases needed to retest to identify 1 case of early syphilis was calculated. A total of 121,724 syphilis screening tests were performed. Among the 1561 individual patients with reactive EIA sera, 316 (20% of total reactive tests) had isolated reactive EIA. Repeat syphilis serology results of 163 patients were reviewed; 106 patients remained with isolated reactive EIA, 50 had negative EIA test and 7 (4.3%) had confirmed reactive EIA. Of the 7 patients, 2 had evidence of early syphilis infection. The number of isolated EIA needed to retest to identify 1 case of early syphilis was 81.5 (95% confidence interval, 22.9-671.4). Routine recall of patients with isolated EIA sera is not warranted. Risk of acquisition or presence of early syphilis should be assessed independently and irrespective of a negative syphilis screening test or isolated EIA.

Diagnosis and Management of Clostridium difficile Infection

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is increasing in frequency and severity in and out of the hospital, with a high probability of recurrence after treatment. The recent literature on CDI was reviewed using PubMed to include recent publications dealing with diagnosis and therapy. Real-time polymerase chain reaction is a sensitive and useful diagnostic test for CDI but there are growing concerns of false-positive test results if the rate of CDI is low in the patient population providing samples and/or if the population being studied commonly includes people with C difficile colonization. Recommended therapy of CDI includes oral metronidazole for milder cases of CDI and oral vancomycin or fidaxomicin for more severe cases, each given for 10 days. Colectomy is being performed more frequently in patients with fulminant CDI. For treatment of first recurrences the drug used in the first bout can be used again and for second recurrences longer courses of vancomycin often are given in a tapered dose or intermittently to allow gut flora reconstitution, or other treatments including fidaxomicin may be used. Bacteriotherapy with fecal transplantation is playing an increasing role in therapy of recurrent cases. Metagenomic studies of patients with CDI during successful therapy are needed to determine how best to protect the flora from assaults from antibacterial drugs and to develop optimal therapeutic approaches. Immunotherapy and immunoprophylaxis offer opportunities to prevent CDI, to speed up recovery from CDI, and to eliminate recurrent infection. Humanized monoclonal antitoxin antibodies and active immunization with vaccines against C difficile or its toxins are both in development and appear to be of potential value.

Circulating angiopoietins and cardiovascular mortality in cardiogenic shock

Vascular integrity is disturbed in shock contributing to clinical appearance and serious outcomes. While angiopoietin (Ang)-1 protects from vascular inflammation and leakage, Ang-2 disrupts endothelial barrier function. The imbalance of Ang-1 and Ang-2, their association to haemodynamic deterioration, and their prognostic relevance are not known and, thus, were prospectively evaluated in patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) in this study. Plasma Ang-1 and Ang-2 were determined by the enzyme immunoassay in patients with CS (n = 96), uncomplicated acute myocardial infarction (AMI, n = 20) and age-matched healthy controls (HC, n = 20). Angiopoietin-2 was three-fold elevated in CS compared with HC (P < 0.001), remained elevated in non-survivors, and decreased in survivors (P < 0.001). In contrast, Ang-1 decreased up to 35-fold in CS (P < 0.001). Angiopoietin-1 was correlated and Ang-2 was inversely related to a cardiac power index and mixed venous oxygen saturation, respectively (P < 0.001 for all). To assess the prognostic relevance, two outcome variables were considered: the 28-day mortality and the survival time (follow-up time 1 year). For Ang-2 at admission a cut-off point of 2500 pg/mL had a sensitivity of 61% and a specificity of 80% to determine 28-day mortality in CS (confirmed by receiver operating characteristic analysis, area under the curve = 0.71 ± 0.06, P < 0.001). Angiopoietin-2 levels >2500 pg/mL at admission were observed to be an independent predictor for 1-year mortality in CS confirmed by Cox proportional hazard analysis [hazard ratio (HR) 2.11; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03-4.36; P = 0.042]. Circulating Angs are closely related to outcome and severity in CS. Angiopoietin-2 emerged as an independent predictor of 28-day and 1-year mortality in CS. Larger studies are required to define the cut-off and predictive values for Ang-2. Angiopoietins may be prognostic biomarkers for survival in CS and might represent a novel therapeutic target.

Repeat stool testing for Clostridium difficile using enzyme immunoassay in patients with inflammatory bowel disease increases diagnostic yield

Background:The incidence and severity of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing. CDI is diagnosed by toxin enzyme immunoassay (EIA) or real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) performed on stool samples. An earlier study evaluating EIA in IBD patients with CDI suggested that more than one stool sample be tested to increase diagnostic yield. We investigated whether repeat stool testing improves diagnostic accuracy for CDI in hospitalized IBD patients compared to hospitalized patients with CDI and no IBD.Methods:We performed retrospective data analysis from January 2005–May 2011 on 63,086 hospitalized patients who were tested for CDI using EIA or PCR. Of these, 2579 patients had IBD. Transition probabilities were calculated based on results from repeated tests.Results:Inclusive of all inpatients tested for CDI, 56,583 were tested using toxin EIA and 6503 were tested using PCR. In patients with no IBD, the first stool sample tested was positive in 90% and 94% with EIA and PCR respectively. In IBD patients tested using EIA, 101 were diagnosed with CDI. The first stool sample tested was positive in 81% of patients. Successive second and third stool samples yielded additional 14% and 5% CDI positive IBD patients.Conclusions:Approximately one in five IBD patients with CDI required repeat testing to yield a positive result with EIA. There are minimal diagnostic gains of repeat testing by EIA or PCR in patients without IBD. We recommend repeat stool testing for CDI when using EIA to increase diagnostic yield in IBD patients.

Evaluation of IgM ELISA using a sonicate and a lipopolysaccharide antigen for the serodiagnosis of melioidosis

Melioidosis, caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, has variable manifestations. The disease can present as an acute or a chronic form or localized or disseminated or can remain latent for many years. Acute septicaemic melioidosis has a high fatality rate when untreated and therefore, an early diagnosis is critical. Lack of testing facilities and of an awareness of the manifestations of the disease makes it likely that it is underreported in India. A sonicate and a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) antigen were evaluated by an IgM enzyme immunoassay in patients with culture-confirmed melioidosis (n = 29), fever of unknown origin (n = 214) and healthy controls (n = 109). Patients with melioidosis had significantly higher optical density values than both control categories, but the sensitivity of both tests was low (25% for sonicate, 62% for LPS). These data highlight the problems with serodiagnosis in endemic settings, where high cut-off values are required for specificity, and result in low sensitivity.

Studies on the diurnal variations of 17-hydroxyprogesterone in saliva by enzyme immunoassay in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

The diurnal rhythm of 17-hydroxyprogesterone concentration in the saliva was determined in 11 patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia ranging in age from 9 to 20 years. A total of 21 tests were performed using a 17-OHP-enzyme immunoassay. The investigations were carried out during normal school or working days. The tests were done 16 times in patients with optimal therapeutic control and 5 times in patients with undertreatment. The concentrations of saliva 17-OHP in the morning were significantly lower after a therapy interval during the night of 8 hours than of more than 10 hours. In patients with poor substitution all values of the days were higher than in patients with optimal therapy control. The morning values are appropriate for the evaluation of the therapy control. With regular 8 hours' therapy intervals the limit between normal and pathological values may be about 500 pmol/l saliva.

Diagnosis of American cutaneous leishmaniasis by enzyme immunoassay in patients from Northern Paraná State, Brazil

American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) is an endemic disease caused by Leishmania parasites. The ACL diagnosis is commonly accomplished by parasitological and immunological methods. The objective of this work was to evaluate the enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for ACL laboratory diagnosis. IgG antibodies against Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis promastigotes were researched. For the method standardization 240 sera were used: 72 from patients with positive parasitological diagnosis, 38 from normal individuals and 113 from individuals with other pathologies. The sensibility was 93% and the specificity was 70%. Regarding diagnosis, EIA showed 97% positivity in patients with ACL and 97% negativity in patients with other cutaneous lesions. The EIA presented a good performance when used for diagnosis, thus, it may become an important tool for it and for further ACL epidemiological studies in endemic areas.

Antinuclear antibodies measured by enzyme immunoassay in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: relation to disease activity

To evaluate the correlation between measurements of antinuclear antibodies serum levels by enzyme immunoassay (ANA-EIA), and the degree of systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity. To retest the performance of the test compared to measurement of antinuclear antibodies by immunofluorescence (ANA-IIF). Eighty-five sera from 71 patients with SLE were tested. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and SLEDAI status were collected. The sera were tested for ANA-EIA and by ANA-IIF at 1:40 and 1:160 dilutions. Serum levels of ANA-EIA were compared to the overall SLEDAI score and to each of its components. A SLEDAI score of > or =6 was considered clinically significant. The sera of fifty-one healthy volunteers served as controls. Serum levels of ANA-EIA were significantly higher in patients with a SLEDAI score of > or =6 compared to the group of patients with a SLEDAI score of <6 (P = 0.004). High serum levels of ANA-EIA correlated significantly with elevated anti DS-DNA antibodies (P < 0.001), low C(3) or C(4) levels (P < 0.001), pyuria (P < 0.011), arthritis (P = 0.019), and new rash (P = 0.019). Levels of ANA-EIA were significantly higher in patients tested positive by IIF compared to those who tested negative. Higher serum levels of ANA-EIA correlated with clinically significant disease activity in patients with SLE. Higher serum levels of ANA-EIA also correlated with some single items of the SLEDAI. The results also reiterated the validity of ANA-EIA testing in patients with SLE. Further longitudinal studies are needed in order to test the hypothesis that serum ANA-EIA levels might reflect fluctuations in disease activity.

Effect of mutation in the hepatitis C virus nonstructural 5B region on HCV replication.

We have reported that the presence of a mutation at the hepatitis C virus (HCV) nonstructural protein 5B (NS5B), defined as a change in amino acids at sites specific for a different reported genotype, was related to complete response (CR) to interferon (IFN) therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) with genotype 1b. The present study assessed the impact of the NS5B mutation on the replication of HCV in these patients. Genotype-specific mutations of HCV NS5B were determined by direct sequencing. We measured HCV-RNA titers in serum by real-time detected polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and serum HCV core protein levels (as a marker of HCV-RNA replication) were measured using an enzyme immunoassay in patients with CHC genotype 1b. RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) activity was measured by Behrens' method in liver cirrhosis patients infected with HCV (n = 13) and in those infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV; n = 2). The titers of HCV-RNA (n = 44) and the levels of HCV core protein (n = 41) were significantly lower in patients with the HCV genotype 1b mutant compared with wild-type HCV (P < 0.05). RdRp activity in liver tissue did not show any correlation with the HCV NS5B mutation. HCV NS5B genotype-specific mutations in HCV genotype 1b may influence HCV replication.

Anti-heparin-platelet factor 4 antibody is a risk factor for vascular access obstruction in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Since heparin is an anticoagulant commonly used in hemodialysis and the patients on hemodialysis are repeatedly exposed to heparin, heparin may be the cause of the development of heparin-dependent antibodies and thrombotic complications in patients on hemodialysis. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and the clinical significance of the antibodies against heparin-platelet factor 4 complexes as determined by enzyme immunoassay in patients on maintenance hemodialysis. The prevalence of anti-heparin-platelet factor 4 antibodies was higher in hemodialysis patients than in normal subjects (8.8 vs 0.0%, p<0.05). The number of past episodes of vascular access obstruction per year was significantly higher in the anti-heparin-platelet factor 4 antibody positive group than antibody negative group. Anti-heparin-platelet factor 4 antibody positive patients experienced more frequent vascular access obstructions than control subjects. In conclusion, anti-heparin-platelet factor 4 antibody might be a risk factor for vascular access obstructions in patients with end-stage renal disease on maintenance hemodialysis.

Comparison of serum thyrotrophin concentrations determined by a third generation assay in patients with various types of overt and subclinical thyrotoxicosis.

Recent increases in the sensitivity of methods used to measure TSH, especially third generation assays, have enabled separation of partial from complete pituitary suppression in patients with thyrotoxicosis. We have investigated the use of a sensitive chemiluminescent enzymeimmunoassay in the differential diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis. Serum TSH concentrations were determined by chemiluminescent enzymeimmunoassay in patients with various types of overt and subclinical thyrotoxicosis. The assay was highly sensitive with an analytical sensitivity of 0.0016 mU/l. Among 45 hyperthyroid patients with untreated Graves' disease, 37 (82.2%) showed undetectably low levels (< 0.002 mU/l). Serum TSH in the remaining 8 patients (17.8%) was 0.003-0.005 mU/l. In contrast, TSH was undetectably low in only 5 (20.0%) of 20 patients with painless thyroiditis and in 2 (12.5%) of 16 patients with subacute thyroiditis. Eleven (55.0%) with painless thyroiditis and 12 (75.0%) with subacute thyroiditis had TSH values greater than 0.005 mU/l (0.006-0.032 and 0.006-0.228 mU/l, respectively; normal range 0.5-5.0 mU/l). Serum TSH levels were subnormal in 10 of 12 patients with euthyroid ophthalmic Graves' disease, including 4 with undetectably low levels. Among 11 patients with an autonomously functioning thyroid nodule 6, including 1 with normal free T4 and free T3 and 2 with normal free T3, showed TSH values less than 0.002 mU/l. No significant correlation was observed between serum free T4 or free T3 and TSH concentrations in thyrotoxic patients. Together with the incomplete suppression of TSH observed in those with destructive thyroiditis, this suggests that the grade of TSH suppression was influenced by the duration of illness at the time of blood sampling. The third-generation TSH assay is useful for the differential diagnosis of various types of thyrotoxicosis, especially between Graves' disease and destructive thyroiditis.

Plasma c-erbB2 concentrations in relation to chemotherapy in breast cancer patients

Amplification and overexpression of the C-ERBB2 oncogene have been associated with a poor prognosis and a lower response to chemotherapy in human breast cancer. In this study, plasma c-erbB2 concentrations were determined using an enzyme immunoassay in patients with breast cancer. The links between c-erbB2 concentration and tumoral response to chemotherapy were established. The patients with a c-erbB2 concentration higher than the cut-off value (27 U/ml) were considered as c-erbB2+. Ten of the 33 metastatic breast cancers were c-erbB2+. No statistically significant difference in response to chemotherapy was noted between c-erbB2+ and c-erbB2— patients (4/10 objective responses versus 10/23). Variations in c-erbB2 concentrations during treatment were not related to response to treatment.

Cathepsin D serum mass concentrations in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and/or liver cirrhosis.

Cathepsin D serum mass concentrations were determined by enzyme immunoassay in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 51) and/or liver cirrhosis (n = 92) or benign steatosis (n = 16) and correlated with some biochemical and clinical properties of these diseases. Increased cathepsin D serum mass concentrations (P < 0.001) were observed in all these groups of patients as compared to normal subjects (n = 98). However, patients with steatosis had serum mass concentrations of this enzyme significantly lower (mean 2-3 fold) than those measured in cancer patients (P < 0.05) or cirrhotic patients (P < 0.001). Interestingly, significantly higher cathepsin D serum mass concentrations (mean + 62%) (P < 0.006) were determined in the cirrhosis group as compared to cancer patients. No correlation between cathepsin D and a number of clinical and biochemical properties examined, namely, alpha-foetoprotein, number of neoplastic lesions and tumour size in cancer patients or, Child-Pugh grade of severity of cirrhosis and other enzymes of liver function tests in the cirrhotic group was found. The present data and those from other studies which indicate that cathepsin D may be involved in carcinogenesis suggest that this enzyme may be potentially useful as an additional biochemical marker to identify cirrhotic patients who may develop precancerous hepatic nodules.

Basic fibroblast growth factor as a candidate tumor marker for renal cell carcinoma.

The present investigation was conducted to determine serum levels of basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF) by enzyme immunoassay in patients with various urogenital tumors. Renal cell carcinoma had a higher tendency (28 of 52, 53.8%) toward increased serum levels of basic FGF than any of the other urogenital tumors, and increased serum basic FGF was detected more frequently in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma. Analysis of histological pattern indicated that renal cell carcinoma with a solid or tubular component is more likely to produce basic FGF. However, no significant difference was seen between the percentage of clear cell type tumor patients with increased serum basic FGF (50.0%) and the percentage of granular cell type tumor patients with increased serum basic FGF (66.7%). Five of 8 patients with renal cell carcinoma who underwent selective renal venous sampling before nephrectomy showed increased serum basic FGF in the renal vein from the affected kidney. After resection of the affected kidney to remove the cancer, serum basic FGF disappeared within 2 weeks. However, residual huge tumor or postoperative disease prolonged the increased levels of basic FGF in 2 patients, indicating that basic FGF is produced from and secreted by tumor tissue itself. These findings suggest that serum basic FGF can be useful in the diagnosis, and in evaluating the prognosis, of patients with renal cell carcinoma.

Hepatitis C virus infection in Taiwan

To investigate the epidemiology of HCV in Taiwan, anti-HCV was studied by radioimmunoassay or enzyme immunoassay in patients with chronic liver disease, healthy adults, and subjects at risk. The anti-HCV prevalence was 0.95% in 420 volunteer blood donors, 90% in 100 hemophiliacs and 81% in 58 parenteral drug abusers. Anti-HCV was present in 6 (7.7%) of 78 HBsAg-positive and 28 (65%) of 43 HBsAg-negative patients with chronic hepatitis, 3 (10%) of 31 HBsAg-positive and 13 (43%) of 30 HBsAg-negative cirrhotics, and 7 (17%) of 42 HBsAg-positive and 15 (63%) of 24 HBsAg-negative patients with HCC. An outbreak of non-A, non-B hepatitis revealed 18% of 57 patients to be positive for anti-HCV. In a prospective study of PTH, 37 or 13% patients contracted hepatitis and 22 (60%) were due to HCV, and at least 17 (77%) of them became chronic. Cloning of HCV genome in a Taiwanese patient with acute posttransfusion non-A, non-B hepatitis by using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was performed, and partial characterization of the nucleotide sequences showed 80% and 92% homology as compared to HCV sequences from Chiron and one of the published Japanese isolates, respectively. It is concluded that HCV infection plays a relatively minor role in HBsAg-positive liver decrease in Taiwan, but is strongly associated with HBsAg-negative chronic liver disease and HCC. It is also important in PTH, and the infection is extremely common in hemophiliacs and parenteral drug abusers. The Taiwanese strain of HCV seems more similar to that from Japan, as revealed by nucleotide sequences.

C-reactive protein in patients with lymphatic filariasis: Increased expression on lymphocytes in chronic lymphatic obstruction

Levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) were evaluated by enzyme immunoassay in patients infected with the filarial parasite Wuchereria bancrofti. Significantly elevated levels of CRP (P less than 0.001) were demonstrated in patients with chronic lymphatic pathology (CP; n = 18) compared to patients with asymptomatic microfilaremia (MF; n = 13) and normal volunteers (NV; n = 29). Serum levels of CRP showed an inverse correlation (rs = -0.37; P less than 0.05) with phosphocholine (PC)-containing filarial antigen that was present in the circulation of patients with bancroftian filariasis. Marked elevations in the percentage of CRP-binding lymphocytes were observed in patients with CP (mean = 44%; P less than 0.001) compared to those with MF (mean = 18%) or NV (mean = 3%). The increased percentage of surface CRP was not due to an abnormal change in major lymphocyte subset (CD5, CD4, CD8, or CD19). No significant correlation was noted between surface CRP and serum CRP; however, an inverse correlation was observed between surface CRP and PC-bearing circulating filarial Ag (rs = -0.64; P less than 0.001). Biosynthetic labeling and immunoprecipitation with anti-CRP antibodies indicated quantitative differences in the synthesis of CRP in patients with CP compared to MF and CP. Complexing of CRP with PC-containing Brugia malayi antigen (CRP-BmA) caused increased binding to normal lymphocytes (less than 8%), but not close to the extent seen in patients with CP (44%), suggesting de novo synthesis of CRP in these patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies as assessed by a second generation enzyme immunoassay in patients on chronic hemodialysis

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies as assessed by a second generation enzyme immunoassay in patients on chronic hemodialysis