Immunoglobulin G Antibody Titers Research Articles

Antibody to Trichomonas vaginalis in human cervicovaginal secretions.

Human cervicovaginal secretions were obtained from patients at the Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinics at National Taiwan University Hospital and Cathay General Hospital, Republic of China. Among the 500 patients examined, 33 (6.6%) were infected with Trichomonas vaginalis as determined by the culture method. Secretions from 24 of the infected patients and 30 noninfected women were assayed for anti-T. vaginalis immunoglobulins by the indirect immunofluorescent antibody technique. A few serum samples from both infected and noninfected persons were also included in this study. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody against T. vaginalis was detected in 17 (70.8%) secretions from the infected women. Among the 17 positive secretions, anti-parasite IgA was found in two specimens, IgE was found in three, and IgM was found in one. Of the 30 secretions, 7 (23.3%) from noninfected women also contained anti-parasite IgG. Low levels of natural anti-trichomonad IgG and IgM were detected in the sera of normal persons. Infection with T. vaginalis caused an increase in the serum IgG antibody titer. Cross-reaction between T. vaginalis and Pentatrichomonas hominis was also observed.

Sensitive solid-phase radioimmunoassay for detection of human immunoglobulin G antibodies to varicella-zoster virus

A sensitive solid-phase radioimmunoassay for detection of antibodies to varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is described. The antigen consisted of a sonically disrupted extract of VZV-infected human embryo cells. 125I-labeled rabbit anti-human immunoglobulin G (IgG) specific for the Fc portion of human IgG was used to detect human IgG bound to viral antigen. With this technique, 193 human sera were evaluated for their IgG antibody titer against ZVZ. Subjects included 62 healthy adults, 33 young children (12 healthy), and 49 patients. Titers obtained by the radioimmunoassay were compared with those obtained by indirect fluoresence antibody staining of membrane antigen. The radioimmunoassay technique described gave titers approximately 5 X 10(4) times higher than those shown by indirect fluorescence. It can be used for routine diagnosis, but is especially suited to determining immune status to VZV, as defined by presence or absence of antibodies to the virus; for epidemiological studies; or for determining patients at risk who are exposed to the virus. No heterotypic titer rises to VZV were observed in sera with fourfold or greater rises to Epstein-Barr virus or cytomegalovirus. Sera of eight subjects with fourfold or greater titer rises to herpes simplex virus reacted in various ways: in six cases no significant change occurred in titer to VZV; one had a significant decrease in titer by the radioimmunoassay; and one had a significant increase. Possible reasons for these titer changes are discussed.

Immune response to avian leukosis virus infection in chickens: Sequential expression of serum immunoglobulins and viral antibodies

Chickens of a 15I 5 × 7 2 cross that produces endogenous Rous associated virus (RAV-0) were infected with subgroup A lymphoid leukosis virus (RAV-1). Within 3 weeks, before RAV-1 neutralizing antibodies were detected, significantly higher levels of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) were found in infected birds than in uninoculated hatchmates. Immunoglobulin M was significantly elevated only during the late leukotic state. Although most of the inoculated birds tested had RAV-1 neutralizing antibodies, no correlation was found between IgG levels and antibody titers. Tolerance to endogenous virus (RAV-0) and viral group-specific antigen was apparently abrogated by RAV-1 inoculation because significantly higher percentages of iodinated envelope glycoprotein (gpE) of RAV-0 and a viral structural antigen of mol. wt 19,000 daltons (p 19) were precipitated by sera from inoculated birds than from control birds.