Serum IgM Antibodies Research Articles

Local and systemic humoral immune responses to Histophilus somni recombinant antigens administered intranasally and subcutaneously to dairy calves

AbstractBovine respiratory disease (BRD) causes significant economic losses in dairy calves. Induction of an early immune response via parenteral vaccination is complicated by the interference of colostral immunity. In this study, we investigated early immunization against selected conserved bacterial antigens. Calves were vaccinated twice intranasally and then subcutaneously with Histophilus somni recombinant proteins (rOMP40 or rHsp60) mixed with one of two adjuvants: CpG ODN2007 or MPLA. The control group (Con) was treated with PBS. The first immunization was done between 24 and 48 h of life and then twice in two weeks intervals. Blood, nasal, and saliva secretion samples were collected directly before vaccination (S1–S3) and then on 42–44 (S4) and 59–61 (S5) day of life. Antibodies (IgG1/IgG2/IgM/IgA in serum; IgG1/IgA in secretions) against both vaccine antigens were quantified in all samples. Intranasal and subcutaneous vaccinations using the described formulas did not increase antibody reactivity against the tested proteins. The reactivity of serum IgG1, IgM, and IgA anti-rOMP40 antibodies was significantly higher in S1 in all groups than that in the other samplings (p˂0.01). Significant differences in the reactivity of serum anti-rOMP40 antibodies between groups were identified in S1 (IgA reactivity was higher in the CpG vs. MPLA group; p < 0.05), S4 (IgM reactivity was higher in Con vs. CpG group; p < 0.05), and S5 (IgG1 reactivity was higher in MPLA vs. Con group; p < 0.05). The lack of consistent changes in antibodies after immunization (S4 and S5) hinders the drawing of conclusions regarding the effect of immunization on antibody reactivity. In the future, establishing a proper immunization window and adjuvants for nasal vaccines against bacterial pathogens causing BRD in calves remains to be determined.

Factors Associated with IgG/IgM Levels after SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer.

This study evaluated the factors influencing IgG/IgM antibody levels in 120 patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) following vaccination with inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Each patient's demographic and clinical data were documented, and serum IgG and IgM antibodies were detected using a commercial magnetic chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay kit. The results indicated that while all patients had received at least one vaccine dose, 95 tested positive for IgG and 25 were negative. A higher proportion of IgG-positive patients had received three vaccine doses. Comparatively, gamma-glutamyl transferase levels were elevated in IgM-negative patients. The study further differentiated patients based on their treatment status: 46 were treatment-naive and 74 had received chemotherapy combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICT) at enrollment. Despite similar baseline characteristics and time from vaccination to antibody detection, IgM positivity was significantly lower in the ICT group, with no significant difference in IgG positivity between the treatment-naive and ICT groups. A multivariable analysis identified the number of vaccine doses as an independent factor of IgG positivity, while ICT emerged as an independent risk factor for IgM positivity. Additionally, IgG titers generally declined over time, although patients with higher baseline IgG levels maintained higher titers longer. In conclusion, ICT in patients with HNC does not significantly affect IgG levels post-vaccination. However, booster vaccinations have been shown to be associated with higher IgG positivity, although these levels gradually decrease over time.

Analysis of serum IgM antibody and viral nucleic acid test results in measles and rubella cases in China from 2014 to 2023

Objective: To analyze the results of serum IgM antibody and viral nucleic acid testing in measles and rubella cases in China from 2014 to 2023. Methods: Surveillance data on measles and rubella during 2014-2023 were obtained from the Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System, and cases that underwent measles/rubella IgM antibody testing and viral nucleic acid testing were included in the study. Information on the number of cases, vaccination status, and laboratory test results was collected, and laboratory test results were compared among cases with different times of rash or onset and different doses of vaccination. Results: From 2014 to 2023, the total number of measles and rubella surveillance cases was 581 746, and the number of measles and rubella cases that underwent both IgM antibody and viral nucleic acid testing was 39 124 and 21 766, respectively, with a double-positive rate of IgM antibody and viral nucleic acid testing of 63.73% (for measles) and 41.68% (for rubella). The single-positive rate for IgM antibody was 21.12% (for measles) and 27.15% (for rubella). The single-positive rate for viral nucleic acid tests was 13.84% (for measles) and 28.19% (for rubella). According to different days of rash or onset (0-3, 4-5, 6-10 and >10), samples of 24 629 (62.95%) measles cases and 15 785 (72.52%) rubella cases were from within 3 days of rash or onset, and the single positive rate of viral nucleic acid detection was 16.90% (for measles) and 32.07% (for rubella). The single positive rate of IgM antibody increased gradually with the time of onset (measles: χ2trend=314.098, P<0.001, rubella: χ2trend=763.846, P<0.001), and reached 31.66% (for measles) and 53.12% (for rubella) after 10 days of rash or onset. Depending on the number of vaccination doses (1, 2,≥3), the single positive rate of viral nucleic acid detection ranged from 12.93% to 20.29% (for measles) and from 25.30% to 27.88% (for rubella). The single positive rate of IgM antibody detection ranged from 36.89% to 47.47% (for measles) and from 22.81 to 41.15% (for rubella). Conclusions: Combined testing of serum IgM antibody and viral nucleic acids could facilitate laboratory confirmation of measles and rubella cases and was also important for measles and rubella elimination efforts.

Comparative Effectiveness of Various Multi-Antigen Vaccines in Controlling Campylobacter jejuni in Broiler Chickens.

This study was undertaken to evaluate and compare the efficacy of different multi-antigen vaccines, including heat-inactivated, whole lysate, and subunit (outer membrane proteins [OMPs]) C. jejuni vaccines along with the immunostimulant CpG ODN in controlling Campylobacter colonization in chickens. In the first trial, 125 μg of C. jejuni OMPs and 50 μg of CpG ODN were administered individually or in combination, either in ovo to chick embryos or subcutaneously (SC) to one-day-old chicks. In the second trial, different concentrations of C. jejuni antigens (heat-killed, whole lysate, and OMPs) were administered SC to one-day-old chicks. The results of the first trial revealed that SC immunization with the combination of CpG ODN and C. jejuni OMPs elevated interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-13 gene expression in the spleen, significantly increased serum IgM and IgY antibody levels, and reduced cecal C. jejuni counts by approximately 1.2 log10. In contrast, in ovo immunization did not elicit immune responses or confer protection against Campylobacter. The results of the second trial showed that SC immunization with C. jejuni whole lysate or 200 μg OMPs reduced C. jejuni counts by approximately 1.4 and 1.1 log10, respectively. In conclusion, C. jejuni lysate and OMPs are promising vaccine antigens for reducing Campylobacter colonization in chickens.

Pichia pastoris composition expressed aerolysin mutant of Aeromonas veronii as an oral vaccine evaluated in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Vaccines are one of the most practical means to stop the spreading of Aeromonas veronii in aquaculture. In this study, virulence factor aerolysin mutant NTaer which has lost its hemolytic activity was used as a target antigen. Pichia pastoris constitutive secretory expression NTaer (GS115-NTaer) was used as a potential safe oral vaccine to evaluate its effectiveness on zebrafish immunity. The result shows that vaccination of GS115- NTaer for four weeks did not affect the growth performance of the host, while eliciting an effective immune protective response. Compared with the control group, the GS115-NTaer could significantly up-regulate the relative expression level of the intestinal tight junction protein 1α (TJP1α) gene, and significantly increased the contents of lysozyme (LYZ), complement C3 and C4 in the gut, indicating that the innate immune response of the fish was activated. The relative gene expression levels of macrophage-expressed gene 1 (MPEG1) and T cell receptor (TCR-α) in the gut, and MPEG1, CD4, CD8, TCR-α, GATA3, and T-bet in the spleen were all increased significantly, indicating that the cellular immune response of the fish was activated. Furthermore, the contents of serum IgM and intestinal mucosa IgZ antibodies were significantly increased, which showed that humoral immunity was also activated. Moreover, inoculation with GS115-NTaer significantly changed the structure of gut microbiota. In particular, the relative ratio of (Firmicutes + Fusobacteriota + Bacteroidota)/Proteobacteria was significantly higher than that of the control and GS115 groups. Lastly, the vaccinated fish were challenged with A. veronii, and the relative percent survival of GS115 and the GS115-NTear groups was 14.28% and 33.43%. This improvement of immunity was not only due to the specific immune response but also attributed to the improvement of innate immunity and the gut microbiota which was demonstrated by the germ-free zebrafish model. Collectively, this study provides information on the effectiveness of GS115-NTear as an oral vaccine for the green prevention and control of A. veronii infection in fish aquaculture.

The importance of a One Health approach in preventing human Rift Valley fever infections in Uganda

Rift valley fever (RVF) is an endemic viral zoonosis in Uganda that causes sporadic outbreaks. In May 2021, a 19-year-old woman from Kasaana Village, Kiruhura District, Western Uganda was diagnosed with RVF. In addition, five case patients identified from the same village were immunoglobulin (Ig) M–seropositive for RVF virus (RVFV), all with a history of contact with livestock. We interviewed farmers in Kasaana Village to find out whether their livestock had recently experienced any sign of RVF (livestock abortions and neonatal mortality). We conducted a veterinary records review at the regional animal diagnostic laboratory and a case search for livestock that had a recent history of abortion or neonatal mortality. Among 162 livestock (94 cattle and 68 goats) from four farms reporting one or more abortions during March-June 2021, 57 (33 cattle and 24 goats) were randomly selected for testing for RVFV using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Verbal reports from farmers and veterinary records review revealed increases in livestock abortions and neonatal mortality during March-May 2021, before the human cases occurred. Serological testing indicated that eight (14%) livestock, including three (9%) cattle and five (21%) goats, were IgM-seropositive for RVFV. The presence of anti-RVFV IgM antibodies in sera suggested current infection in livestock, corroborating livestock abortions within the same period. Hence, human RVFV infections likely resulted from contact with infected animal products. The recurring pattern of livestock abortions observed before human RVFV infections in Uganda indicates a gap in the zoonotic disease surveillance system, through which reports on such events should trigger rapid response to detect disease, control spread among animals, and prevent spillover to humans. An expanded One Health approach on collaboration and information sharing on such events could facilitate RVF risk reduction in humans in Uganda.

No detection of tick-borne encephalitis virus RNA in blood, urine or saliva of hospitalised immunocompetent tick-borne encephalitis patients.

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is usually diagnosed based on the presence of TBE virus (TBEV)-specific IgM and IgG antibodies in serum. However, antibodies induced by vaccination or cross-reactivity to previous flavivirus infections may result in false positive TBEV serology. Detection of TBEV RNA may be an alternative diagnostic approach to detect viral presence and circumvent the diagnostic difficulties present when using serology. Viral RNA in blood is commonly detectable only in the first viremic phase usually lasting up to two weeks, and not in the second neurologic phase, when the patients contact the health care system and undergo diagnostic work-up. TBEV RNA has previously been detected in urine in a few retrospective TBE cases in the neurologic phase, and furthermore RNA of other flaviviruses has been detected in patient saliva. In this study, blood, saliva and urine were collected from 31 hospitalised immunocompetent patients with pleocytosis and symptoms of aseptic meningitis and/or encephalitis, suspected to have TBE. We wanted to pursue if molecular testing of TBEV RNA in these patient materials may be useful in the diagnostics. Eleven of the 31 study patients were diagnosed with TBE based on ELISA detection of TBEV specific IgG and IgM antibodies. None of the study patients had TBEV RNA detectable in any of the collected patient material.

Application of Interferon-γ Release Assay in the Assessment of T-Cell Immunity to SARS-CoV-2 Antigens in the Cohort of Pediatric Patients with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.

Background: an accurate assessment of the immunity against SARS-CoV-2 can facilitate a better understanding and management of not only the recent coronavirus but similar pathogens as well. Objective: the aim of this study was to evaluate T-cell immunity with reference to antibody titers in a group of pediatric patients with autoimmune arthritides utilizing the widely known Interferon-γ Release Assay (IGRA). Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in the cohort of 55 children suffering from Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). This research analyzed the SARS-CoV-2 T-cell response measured by a specific quantitative IGRA, followed by a serological ELISA test measuring the presence and quantity of IgG, IgM, and IgA antibodies in serum. Results: The cellular response to SARS-CoV-2 measured by the IGRA test significantly correlated with the antibody titers, IgA (p < 0.00003, R = 0.537), IgG (p < 0.0001, R = 0.668), and IgG nucleocapsid protein (NCP) (p < 0.003, R = 0.0399), with no correlation with IgM levels. The antibody levels in patients receiving biological agents were significantly lower compared to the rest of the cohort (p = 0.0369), while traditional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs had no such effect. Limitations: the main limitation of the research is the small sample size, mostly due to the specific cohort of patients and the lack of a healthy control. Conclusions: IGRA appears to be a viable tool in the accurate evaluation of T-cell responses to SARS-CoV-2, and serodiagnostics alone is not always sufficient in the assessment of immune responses.

Serum inflammatory cytokine IL-4 and IL-18 Levels in Patients with Typhoid Fever in Baghdad

Background: Gram-negative Salmonella enterica serotype typhi, or S. typhi, is intracellular bacteria belong to Enterobacteriaceae family that infect humans and cause Salmonellosis (typhoid fever), or (enteric fever), this disease is a major public health problem and a life-threatening bacterial infection in developing countries. Every year, there are thought to be between 12 and 33 million cases of typhoid fever, which leads to over 600,000 deaths. Specific immunity both humoral and cellular specific immune response activated to control Salmonella infection. This study aimed evaluate the function of IL-4 and IL18 levels as a diagnostic aid for this infection. Material and methods: Ninety suspected patients with typhoid fever diagnosed by specialist according to sign and symptom and thirty apparently healthy control where enrolled during the study period from September 2023 to February 2024. Blood was taken from both groups (5ml) and serum were gathered using centrifugation (3000 rpm for 5 min) and kept frozen in three Eppendorf for detection of serum IgM, IgG, IL-4 and IL-18 levels. Results: the result showed that out of 90 blood samples only 60 samples were positive to salmonella infection (confirmed by detecting specific salmonella IgM and IgG antibodies using ELIZA kits Sunlong biotech\China). Serum levels of IL-4, and IL18 (pg/ml) was measured in positive samples using ELIZA kits (Cloud-clone corp \USA). There is a significant increase in the level of IgM (0.33 ± 0.13) (mg\dl) and IgG (0.27 ± 0.1) (mg\dl) as compared to the control group in patients (0.16±0.03 and 0.12±0.03) (mg\dl) respectively with P &lt; 0.01, and there was a significant increase in the average IL-4 (334.00 ± 87.49) (pg/ml) and IL-18 level in patients (380.44 ± 68.95) (pg/ml) compared to the control group (83.40 ± 17.44 and 189.66 ± 70.40) (pg/ml) respectively with P &lt; 0.001. The results indicated a direct correlation between IL-4 and IL-18 serum levels with high level of serum IgM antibody compared to their levels in control group.

Potential biomarkers for evaluating the BCG vaccination response based on humoral immunity

BackgroundThe current prophylactic tuberculosis vaccine Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG), was derived in the 1920s, but the humoral immune responses induced by BCG vaccination have not been fully elucidated to date. In this study, our aim was to reveal the profiles of antibody responses induced by BCG vaccination in adults and identify the potential biomarkers for evaluating the BCG vaccination response. MethodsProteome microarrays were performed to reveal the serum profiles of antibody responses induced by BCG vaccination in adults. ELISA was used to validate the potential biomarkers in validation cohort (79 healthy controls and 58 BCG-vaccinated subjects). Then combined panel was established by logistic regression analysis based on OD values of potential biomarkers. ResultsMultiple antigens elicited stronger serum IgG or IgM antibody responses in BCG vaccinated subjects than healthy subjects at 12 weeks post BCG vaccination; among the antigens, Rv0060, Rv2026c and Rv3379c were further verified using 137 serum samples and presented the moderate performance in assessment of the BCG vaccination response by receiver operating characteristic analysis. Furthermore, a combined panel exhibited an improved AUC of 0.923, and the sensitivity and specificity were 77.59 % and 91.14 %, respectively. In addition, the antibody response against Rv0060, Rv2026c and Rv3379c was related to the clinical background to a certain extent. ConclusionsThe novel antigens identified in our study could offer better knowledge towards developing a more efficacious vaccine based on humoral immune responses, and they could be potential biomarkers in assessments of BCG vaccination responses.

Frequency of Herpes Simplex Virus Types 1 and 2 and Cytomegalovirus in Perilymph and Peripheral Blood Samples of Cochlear-Implanted Children Using the Polymerase Chain Reaction Method

Background and Aim: Inner ear infection with some viruses may be one of the possible causes of Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL). This study aims to determine the frequency of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and 2 (HSV-1, HSV-2) and Cytomegalovirus (CMV) in perilymph and peripheral blood samples of cochlear-implanted children. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 30 children with severe-to-profound SNHL (aged 1.1–5 years) underwent cochlear implantation surgery. During surgery, their perilymph and peripheral blood samples were collected. The samples were analyzed separately for the presence of herpes HSV-1, HSV-2, and CMV by real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method. The load of IgG and IgM antibodies against these viruses was determined using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. Results: The frequency of CMV in perilymph samples was 16.7% (5 patients) and in peripheral blood samples was 3.3% (1 patient). The IgG antibody against CMV and HSV- 1 was positive in 80% and 46.7% of the patients, respectively. The IgM antibody against CMV was positive in 10%. The mean IgM serum antibody load against HSV-1, HSV-2, and CMV was 2.70, 1.70, and 5.47, respectively, and the mean IgG antibody load against these viruses was 56.07, 2.50, and 23.67, respectively. Conclusion: The IgG test is positive in cochlear-implanted children with CMV in their perilymph samples, and the CMV genome is not present in their peripheral blood. This may indicate the previous presence of this virus in the ear and its role in hearing loss. Keywords: Sensorineural hearing loss; perilymph fluid; cytomegalovirus; herpes simplex

Persistence of Treponema pallidum IgM antibodies in serum: What is their meaning?

We studied the detection of Treponema pallidum (TP)-IgM antibodies in the serum of 69 patients treated for syphilis. The persistence of TP-IgM antibodies in serum for more than 3 years was the only clue to suspect an active infection and, therefore, to investigate a central nervous system involvement.

A novel indirect ELISA for serodiagnosis of mucormycosis using antigens from Rhizopus arrhizus.

Due to a delay in diagnosis by conventional techniques and high mortality, the development of a standardised and rapid non-culture-based technique is an unmet need in pulmonary, gastrointestinal, and disseminated forms of mucormycosis. Though limited studies have been conducted for molecular diagnosis, there are no established serologic tests for this highly fatal infection. To develop and evaluate an indirect in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) utilising antigens of Rhizopus arrhizus for detecting anti-Rhizopus antibodies (IgG and IgM) in sera of patients with mucormycosis. We extracted both secretory and mycelial Rhizopus antigens using standardised protocols. Bradford assay was used for protein quantification. We then standardised an indirect ELISA using R. arrhizus mycelial and secretory antigens (10.0 μg/mL in bicarbonate buffer pH 9.2) for detecting anti-Rhizopus IgG and IgM antibodies in patient sera. We included patients with mucormycosis, other fungal infections, and healthy controls. Antibody index value (E-value) was calculated for each patient sample. Asparagine broth culture filtrate utilising 85% ammonium sulphate salt fractionation and mycelial homogenate grown in yeast extract peptone dextrose (YPD) broth precipitated with trichloroacetic acid (TCA) yielded a large amount of good-quality protein for the assay. We included 55 patients with mucormycosis (rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis [ROCM, n = 39], pulmonary [n = 15], gastrointestinal [n = 1]), 24 with other fungal infections (probable aspergillosis [n = 14], candidiasis [n = 10]), and healthy controls (n = 16). The sensitivity of the antibody test for diagnosing mucormycosis ranged from 83.6-92.7% for IgG and 72.7-87.3% for IgM, with a specificity of 91.7-92.5% for IgG and 80-82.5% for IgM. The sera from patients with other fungal infections and healthy individuals did not show significant cross-reactivity. The detection of anti-Rhizopus IgG antibody performed significantly better in comparison to IgM-based ELISA for diagnosing both ROCM (sensitivity of 84.6% vs. 69.2%) and pulmonary cases (86.6% vs. 80.0%). More extensive studies are required to confirm our findings.

Previous hepatitis E virus infection is associated with increased liver stiffness in patients with autoimmune hepatitis.

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic, progressive liver disease that, in most cases, may require lifelong immunosuppression. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a leading cause of acute, typically self‑limited hepatitis worldwide, although immunocompromised patients may develop chronic hepatitis. We aimed to evaluate the impact of HEV seropositivity on the clinical course of AIH. The study involved a group of 374 adult patients with AIH (68% women; median [interquartile range] age, 34 [18-83] years; 38% with liver cirrhosis). Serum HEV immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgM antibodies were measured by enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay, liver fibrosis was assessed by liver stiffness measurement (LSM), and liver cirrhosis was confirmed with liver histology or LSM. Fifty‑five patients (15%) with AIH were HEV IgG‑positive. These patients were older (P <0.001), had higher body mass index, and higher value of LSM (both P <0.05). In a multivariable model including the levels of alanine aminotransferase and IgG, the HEV seropositive status was associated with an increased risk of advanced liver fibrosis with odds ratio of 3.69 (95% CI, 1.26-10.77; P = 0.02), as reflected by liver stiffness equal to or above 10.5 kPa. HEV IgG seropositivity was, however, not linked with the type of treatment or worse AIH outcome. Seroprevalence of HEV in the patients with AIH was lower than in the general population of Polish blood donors (43%). Patients with AIH and HEV IgG‑positive status seem to be at risk of more advanced liver fibrosis. However, the overall seroprevalence of HEV IgG is lower in patients with AIH than in blood donors in Poland.

Comparison of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in children admitted with community acquired pneumonia before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective study at a tertiary hospital of southwest China.

The COVID-19 pandemic has notably altered the infection dynamics of various pathogens. This study aimed to evaluate the pandemic's impact on the infection spectrum of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) among children with community acquired pneumonia (CAP). We enrolled pediatric CAP patients admitted to a tertiary hospital in southwest China to compare the prevalence and characteristics of M. pneumoniae infections before (2018-2019) and during (2020-2022) the COVID-19 pandemic. Detection of M. pneumoniae IgM antibodies in serum were conducted using either indirect immunofluorescence or passive agglutination methods. The study included 1505 M. pneumoniae-positive and 3160 M. pneumoniae-negative CAP patients. Notable findings were the higher age and frequency of pneumonia-associated symptoms in M. pneumoniae-positive patients, alongside a lower male proportion and fewer respiratory co-infections. The year 2019 saw a notable increase in M. pneumoniae infections compared to 2018, followed by a decline from 2020 to 2022. The COVID-19 pandemic period witnessed significant alterations in age distribution, male proportion, and co-infections with specific pathogens in both M. pneumoniae-positive and negative patients. The M. pneumoniae infections were predominantly seasonal, peaking in autumn and winter during 2018 and 2019. Although there was a sharp drop in February 2020, the infection still peaked in cold months of 2020 and 2021. However, the typical seasonal pattern was nearly absent in 2022. The COVID-19 pandemic has markedly changed the infection landscape of M. pneumoniae in pediatric CAP patients, with shifts observed in infection rates, demographic profiles, co-infections, and seasonal patterns.

An Observational Study on Clinical Profile and Outcome of Japanese Encephalitis Patients Admitted in the Department of Medicine of a Tertiary Care Hospital of North Bank of Assam, India

Background: A significant public health issue in India is Japanese encephalitis (JE), which has a high fatality rate and causes residual neurological damage in survivors. The goal of the current study was to examine JE positive among patients who had been admitted with acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) and to analyse the differences in clinical profile, disease severity, neurological consequences, and mortality rate in Tezpur Medical College and Hospital. Methods: This study is a retrospective observational study in a patients who were diagnosed as Japanese encephalitis on the basis of JEV-specific IgM antibodies in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. The study included 32 Japanese Encephalitis positive patients admitted in Tezpur Medical College and Hospital (who met the clinical case definition of AES) and thus, their clinical profile and outcome were analysed. Result: A total 32 JE cases were enrolled in the study diagnosed with CSF and Serum IgM ELISA antibody test. All of them were Serum IgM ELISA antibody positive, 9(28%) cases were both Serum and CSF IgM antibody positive. Most common age group affected was 12-20 years(31%). 59.37% cases recovered completely, 21.87% had neurological sequelae at the time of discharge and 18.75% died at ward. Conclusion: Japanese Encephalitis is one of the leading cause of AES in India. In our study it has been seen that GCS score on presentation and CSF cell counts has positive association with mortality and disease sequale. Adequate care and treatment should be provided in order to avoid subsequent complications/sequale. Proper vaccination and vector control can prevent or mitigate this disease.

Seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among children with autism

BackgroundToxoplasmosis is considered one of the most common public health troubles. Among these health troubles, toxoplasmosis was recently linked to many neuropsychiatric and behavioral disorders, especially autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The purpose of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in children with ASD.MethodsThe study was conducted on 100 children, grouped in two groups; group 1 (patient group) included 50 children with ASD and group 2 (control group) included 50 healthy children. ASD in the patient group was diagnosed according to DSM 5 criteria of ASD. Every child involved in this study underwent a history taking, a clinical examination, and laboratory investigations to detect serum anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies using ELISA. Children of the patient group were further assessed using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale to evaluate the severity of their symptoms.ResultsThe seroprevalence of IgG among ASD children was highly significant compared to the healthy children. The detected difference between the 2 groups regarding seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgM antibodies was insignificant. No significant correlation could be demonstrated between Toxoplasma infection and severity of autistic symptoms in the ASD group. Furthermore, the study revealed an increase in anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies in ASD children with positive family history of ASD rather than those with no such history. In addition, an increase in seroprevalence of both anti-Toxoplasma antibodies among children with low socioeconomic standards compared to children with moderate or high standards.ConclusionsThe study revealed that the old but not the recent infection with Toxoplasma in children could be linked to their ASD.

Etiological diagnostic methods and research progress of forest encephalitis

Forest encephalitis is a natural focal disease transmitted through the bite of hard ticks, and its pathogen is the tick-borne encephalitis virus from the Flaviviridae family. The mortality rate of forest encephalitis is relatively high, making laboratory testing significant in diagnosing this disease. This article elaborates on the etiological diagnostic methods and recent research progress in forest encephalitis. Laboratory tests for forest encephalitis mainly include routine examinations, serological tests, virus isolation, and molecular biological testing. The detection of serum-specific IgM antibodies against the forest encephalitis virus is of great importance for early diagnosis, and specific IgG antibodies serve as a "gold standard" for differentiation from other diseases. Techniques such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or indirect immunofluorescence assay for detecting specific IgM antibodies in serum and/or cerebrospinal fluid, the serum hemagglutination inhibition test or serum complement fixation test, and the double serum hemagglutination inhibition test or complement fixation test all contribute to the early diagnosis. The development of molecular testing methods is rapid, and techniques such as metabolomics, digital PCR, and matrix metalloproteinases are also applied in the early diagnosis of forest encephalitis.

Immune response and protective efficacy of Streptococcus agalactiae vaccine coated with chitosan oligosaccharide for different immunization strategy in nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

In the past decade, the outbreak of Streptococcus agalactiae has caused significant economic losses in tilapia farming. Vaccine immunization methods and strategies have gradually evolved from single-mode to multi-mode overall prevention and control strategies. In this study, an inactivated vaccine of S. agalactiae with a chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) adjuvant was constructed using different administration methods: intraperitoneal injection (Ip), immersion combined with intraperitoneal injection (Im + Ip), immersion combined with oral administration (Im + Or), and oral administration (Or). Safety analysis revealed no adverse effects on tilapia, and the vaccine significantly promoted fish growth and development when administered through Im + Or or Or immunization. Following vaccination, innate immunity parameters including SOD, ACP and CAT activities were all significantly enhanced. Additionally, specific serum IgM antibodies reached their highest level at the 6th week post vaccination. Skin and intestinal mucus IgT antibodies reached peaked at the 6th and 7th week post vaccination, respectively. The relative peak expression values for IL-8, IL-12, MHC-I, MHC-II, IgM, IgT, CD4, CD8, TNFα, IFNγ from Im + Ip group were significantly higher than those in Ip group, Im + Or group and Or group in most cases (p < 0.05). Importantly, the relative protection survival of Im + Ip group was the highest (78.6%), followed by the Ip group (71.4%), the Or group (64.3%) and the Im + Or group (57.1%). In summary, this study encourages further research on multi-channel immunization strategies of other kinds of vaccines in other aquatic economic animals to improve their disease resistance.

Seroprevalence of the specific antibody against Toxoplasma gondii among patients with hematological diseases

To investigate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infections among patients with hematological diseases, so as to provide insights into improving the prognosis and quality of life among patients with hematological diseases. A total of 240 patients with hematological diseases (including 170 patients with hematological tumors and 70 patients with non-tumor hematological diseases) admitted to The Affiliated Hospital of Putian University during the period from January 1, 2021 through October 10, 2023 and 500 healthy volunteers in the hospital during the same period were enrolled. Subjects' demographics and serum samples were collected, and serum specific IgG and IgM antibodies against T. gondii were detected using the chemiluminescence assay, with any of a positive IgG or IgM antibody defined as a positive T. gondii infection. The seroprevalence of specific IgG and IgM antibodies against T. gondii was compared between patients with hematological diseases and healthy volunteers. The mean age (F = 2.034, P > 0.05) and gender distribution (χ2 = 0.462, P > 0.05) were comparable among patients with hematological tumors, patients with non-tumor hematological diseases and healthy volunteers, and there was no significant difference in the proportion of history of cat or dog contacts between patients with hematological diseases and healthy volunteers (χ2 = 0, P > 0.05). The seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii antibody was significantly higher among patients with hematological diseases than among healthy volunteers (15.8% vs. 0.6%; χ2 = 71.902, P < 0.01), and there was a significant difference in the seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii antibody among patients with hematological tumors (18.2%), patients with non-tumor hematological diseases (10.0%) and healthy volunteers (χ2 = 78.327, P < 0.01). The seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii antibody was significantly higher among patients with hematological tumors and non-tumor hematological diseases than among healthy volunteers (both P values < 0.05), while no significant difference was seen in the seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii antibody between patients with hematological tumors and non-tumor hematological diseases (P > 0.05). In addition, the proportion of history of cat or dog contacts was significantly higher among patients with hematological diseases that were positive for serum anti-T. gondii anti-body than among those negative for serum anti-T. gondii antibody (21.1% vs. 5.4%; χ2 = 8.653, P < 0.05). There is a high seroprevalene rate of T. gondii infections among hematological diseases, which is significantly greater than that among healthy volunteers.