Injection Of Antigen Research Articles

The efficacy of cryotherapy compared to the other modalities for the management of palmoplantar warts: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

There are several treatment modalities for Palmoplantar Warts (PPW) introduced, but none have been proven to be significantly effective in all patients. The study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of cryotherapy compared to other modalities for PPW. Searches were conducted in Medline, Embase, Scopus, and CENTRAL databases, along with additional reference and citation tracking from included studies. Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) comparing various treatments for PPW were included. Two independent pairs extracted the data from the included studies. Outcomes assessed included cure rates, pain scores, recurrence rates, and adverse events. Network meta-analysis using Netmeta in R software was utilized, with treatments ranked by p-scores. A total of 27 RCTs that enrolled 2,539 participants were deemed eligible. As per p-scores, needling yielded the highest odd for the cure rate (p=1.00), followed by intralesional injection of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine (p=0.90). For the pain score, 76% topical monochloroacetic acid (p=0.13) showed the lowest mean pain score, while cryotherapy yielded the highest score (p=0.90). Furthermore, cryotherapy showed the highest odds for recurrence rate (p=0.75), followed by intralesional injection of Candida antigen (p=0.61). 0.05% intralesional bleomycin (p=0.93) was the highest agent for adverse events rate, followed by cryotherapy (p=0.61). Needling was the most effective in achieving a cure rate. Cryotherapy has the highest odds for pain score and recurrence rate, while 0.05% intralesional bleomycin has the highest adverse events profile.

The effect of high levels of Glycyrrhiza glabra powder on performance, carcass characteristics, blood parameters, immunity, intestinal microbial flora, intestinal morphology and breast muscle fatty acid profile in broilers

In order to investigate the effect of licorice medicinal plant on performance, carcass characteristics, fatty acid profile of breast muscle, intestinal microbial flora, blood constitutes and immunity of broiler chickens, an experiment using a completely randomized design with 3 treatments, 4 replications, 10 chicks per repetition and a total of 120 pieces of one-day-old male broiler chickens of commercial strain Ross 308 were performed for 42 days. Experimental treatments included three different levels of licorice (0, 300 and 400 mg/kg feed). Data was analyzed using SAS statistical software and averages were compared at the 5% probability level with Duncan's multiple range test. The results showed that although variation in feed consumption, weight gain and feed conversion ratio was not significant in any of the rearing periods (P≥0.05), the highest feed consumption, weight gain and the best feed conversion ratio was observed in the final period of chickens were fed with Diet containing 400mg/kg licorice. Also, according to the data, the best European index was related to this treatment. In addition, the use of two levels of licorice had no significant effect on carcass characteristics or intestinal microbial flora; however, the highest increase in body weight and the lowest number of Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria were observed at the higher level of licorice. However, these high levels did not lead to a decrease in abdominal fat. According to the results obtained, different levels of licorice led to a significant reduction of harmful fats such as cholesterol, triglycerides, VLDL and LDL (P<0.05). Furthermore, although the level of HDL was not significant (P≥ 0.05), its highest amount was seen at high levels of licorice. In addition, the lowest amount of total protein, albumin and globulin was observed at the level of 400 mg/kg of licorice. According to these results, although the amount of glucose was lowest its level was not significant (P≥0.05), Also, the use of this same level of licorice had no significant effect on the function of the humoral immune system in response to antigen injection (SRBC Antibody against sheep red blood cell) or antibody titer against Newcastle virus and influenza (P≥0.05). Nevertheless, according to the data, the highest antibody titer against Newcastle virus and SRBC antigen was associated with this treatment. These results also showed that high levels of licorice led to an increase in the number of Bifidobacterium. Villi width and crypt depth decreased at the high dose of licorice, but the ratio of villi length to crypt depth increased. In addition, the use of different levels of licorice could not reduce the ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids compared to the control group. Therefore, based on the results of this research, it is recommended to use the level of 400 mg/kg of licorice to supplement the diet of broilers of Ross 308 strain.

Effect of the injection of protoscolex antigens for hydatid cysts on some immunological parameters and the protection of injury

This study aimed to that capability of preparation of antigens from protoscolex found inside the hydatid cyst and likewise possibility of preparing antigen providing protection of the injury of this cysts. Cystic echinococcosis is the more important parasitic disease caused by a cestode tapeworm of species Echinococcus granulosus, spreading a lot in Iraq and the Eastern Mediterranean Countries in addition to its world distribution. The protoscolex found inside hydatid cysts results from the germinal layer of hydatid cyst isolated from people by the surgery section at the Fallujah teaching hospital to find out the extent of its influence on both of the cellular and humeral immunity. 20 white mice (Balb/c) were divided into two groups, the first group of white mice (Balb/ c) was injected subcutaneously with a concentration of 0.1ml of antigen and it measured antibodies IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE as well as injected with complement C3, C4 and the insulation of neutrophil cells and measuring percentage of phagocytosis, reduction of a dye NBT and viability of neutrophil cells and in the second group, the protoscolex was injected in the liver with a concentration 0.1ml to find out the extent of prevention provided by the antigen to prevent or to reduce injury. The results showed a significant increase for all types of antibodies and complements C3 , C4 and reduction of a dye NBT and phagocytosis especially at the time 60 minute and the results were not showing significant differences on viability of neutrophil cells. As for prevention of injury, the results have shown a significant difference at the level < 0.05 and reached the percentage of prevention 56.4 % compared to the subordinate control. The results showed small size of the hydatid cyst in the experience parameters compared to the subordinate control.

Extracellular vesicle-based anti-HOXB7 CD8+ T cell-specific vaccination strengthens antitumor effects induced by vaccination against Her2/neu.

We previously developed an innovative strategy to induce CD8+ T lymphocyte-immunity through in vivo engineering of extracellular vesicles (EVs). This approach relies on intramuscular injection of DNA expressing antigens of interest fused at a biologically-inactive HIV-1 Nef protein mutant (Nefmut). Nefmut is very efficiently incorporated into EVs, thus conveying large amounts of fusion proteins into EVs released by transfected cells. This platform proved successful against highly immunogenic tumor-specific antigens. Here, we tested whether antigen-specific CD8+ T cell immune responses induced by engineered EVs can counteract the growth of tumors expressing two "self" tumor-associated antigens (TAAs): HOXB7 and Her2/neu. FVB/N mice were injected with DNA vectors expressing Nefmut fused to HOXB7 or Her2/neu, singly and in combination, before subcutaneous implantation of breast carcinoma cells co-expressing HOXB7 and Her2/neu. All mice immunized with the combination vaccine remained tumor-free, whereas groups vaccinated with single Nefmut-fused antigens were only partly protected, with stronger antitumor effects in Her2/neu-immunized mice. Double-vaccinated mice also controlled tumor growth upon a later tumor cell re-challenge. Importantly, co-vaccination also contained tumors in a therapeutic immunization setting. These results showed the efficacy of EV-based vaccination against two TAAs, and represent the first demonstration that HOXB7 may be targeted in multi-antigen immunotherapy strategies.

Comparison of immunoglobulin Y antibody production in new and spent laying hens.

Immunoglobulin (Ig)Y, a specific type of Ig found in chicken eggs, has potential use in the diagnosis of human and animal diseases. This study assessed the feasibility of using spent laying hens to produce IgY. In addition, the effects of antigen injection on egg and antibody production in new and spent laying hens were compared. Hens were intramuscularly injected with three booster shots of antigens. IgY was extracted from egg yolks using polyethylene glycol 6000 precipitation followed by dialysis. Spent laying hens (83 weeks) consistently showed lower egg production than new laying hens (27 weeks) throughout the study. Post-immunization, a further decline in egg production was observed in spent laying hens, and egg production stopped after the second antigen injection. Eggs from spent laying hens were less dense than eggs from new hens. Despite lower IgY levels in eggs from spent laying hens, the heavy-to-light chain ratio remained consistent in both groups. Notably, IgY from spent and new laying hens demonstrated effective hemagglutination against cat erythrocytes in the A blood group. This study demonstrated the potential of using spent laying hens to produce IgY, with significant implications for future research, immunotherapy, and diagnostic applications, despite the observed reduction in egg production compared with new laying hens.

Minimal Determinants for Lifelong Antiviral Antibody Responses in Mice from a Single Exposure to Virus-like Immunogens at Low Doses.

The durability of an antibody (Ab) response is highly important for antiviral vaccines. However, due to the complex compositions of natural virions, the molecular determinants of Ab durability from viral infection or inactivated viral vaccines have been incompletely understood. Here we used a reductionist system of liposome-based virus-like structures to examine the durability of Abs from primary immune responses in mice. This system allowed us to independently vary fundamental viral attributes and to do so without additional adjuvants to model natural viruses. We show that a single injection of protein antigens (Ags) orderly displayed on a virion-sized liposome is sufficient to induce a long-lived neutralizing Ab (nAb) response. The introduction of internal nucleic acids dramatically modulates the magnitude of Ab responses without an alteration of the long-term kinetic trends. These Abs are characterized by very slow off-rates of ~0.0005 s-1, which emerged as early as day 5 after injection and these off-rates are comparable to that of affinity-matured monoclonal Abs. A single injection of these structures at doses as low as 100 ng led to lifelong nAb production in mice. Thus, a minimal virus-like immunogen can give rise to potent and long-lasting antiviral Abs in a primary response in mice without live infection. This has important implications for understanding both live viral infection and for optimizing vaccine design.

Prediction of antigen-responding VHH antibodies by tracking the evolution of antibody along the time course of immunization.

Antibody maturation is the central function of the adaptive immune response. This process is driven by the repetitive selection of mutations that increase the affinity toward antigens. We hypothesized that a precise observation of this process by high-throughput sequencing along the time course of immunization will enable us to predict the antibodies reacting to the immunized antigen without any additional in vitro screening. An alpaca was immunized with IgG fragments using multiple antigen injections, and the antibody repertoire development was traced via high-throughput sequencing periodically for months. The sequences were processed into clusters, and the antibodies in the 16 most abundant clusters were generated to determine whether the clusters included antigen-binding antibodies. The sequences of most antigen-responsive clusters resembled those of germline cells in the early stages. These sequences were observed to accumulate significant mutations and also showed a continuous sequence turnover throughout the experimental period. The foregoing characteristics gave us >80% successful prediction of clusters composed of antigen-responding VHHs against IgG fragment. Furthermore, when the prediction method was applied to the data from other alpaca immunized with epidermal growth factor receptor, the success rate exceeded 80% as well, confirming the general applicability of the prediction method. Superior to previous studies, we identified the immune-responsive but very rare clusters or sequences from the immunized alpaca without any empirical screening data.

Intralesional injection of tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) versus measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine in treatment of molluscum contagiosum: a comparative study

Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a skin and mucous membrane infection caused by the molluscum virus (MCV). To evaluate safety and efficacy of intralesional injection of tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) antigen injection versus MMR (mumps, measles, rubella) antigen for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum (MC). A total of thirty clinically confirmed patients of molluscum were recruited for this trial. Patients who were divided into three groups (A, B and C). Each group consisted of (30) patients. Group (A) subjects received intralesional MMR injections, group (B) subjects received intralesional PPD injection and group (C) received intralesional saline injection. The results of the present study revealed complete clearance of the injected lesions in 12 patients (80%), partial response in 3 patients (20%) of group (A). In group (B), complete clearance of the treated warts was observed in 11 patients (73.3%) and partial response in 4 (26.7%) of patients. In group (C), the majority of patients 8 (53.3%) demonstrated no response while 7 (46.7%) patients showed only partial clearance. We established a good safety and efficacy profile for tuberculin PPD and MMR antigens in treatment of molluscum contagiosum.

Administration sequence- and formation-dependent vaccination using acid-degradable polymeric nanoparticles with high antigen encapsulation capability.

Vaccines aim to efficiently and specifically activate the immune system via a cascade of antigen uptake, processing, and presentation by antigen-presenting cells (APCs) to CD4 and CD8 T cells, which in turn drive humoral and cellular immune responses. The specific formulation of vaccine carriers can not only shield the antigens from premature sequestering before reaching APCs but also favorably promote intracellular antigen presentation and processing. This study compares two different acid-degradable polymeric nanoparticles that are capable of encapsulating a moderately immunogenic antigen, GFP, at nearly full efficacy via electrostatic interactions or molecular affinity between His tag and Ni-NTA-conjugated monomners. This resulted in GFP-encapsulating NPs composed of ketal monomers and crosslinkers (KMX/GFP NPs) and NTA-conjugated ketal monomers and crosslinkers (NKMX/GFP NPs), respectively. Encapsulated GFP was found to be released more rapidly from NKMX/GFP NPs (electrostatic encapsulation) than from KMX/GFP NPs (affinity-driven encapsulation). In vivo vaccination studies demonstrated that while repeated injections of either NP formulation resulted in poorer generation of anti-GFP antibodies than injections of the GFP antigen itself, sequential injections of NPs and GFP as prime and booster vaccines, respectively, restored the humoral response. We proposed that NPs primarily assist APCs in antigen presentation by T cells, and B cells need to be further stimulated by free protein antigens to produce antibodies. The findings of this study suggest that the immune response can be modulated by varying the chemistry of vaccine carriers and the sequences of vaccination with free antigens and antigen-encapsulating NPs.

4-Octyl itaconate alleviates experimental autoimmune prostatitis by inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome-induced pyroptosis through activating Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

Chronic prostatitis demonstrates a prevalence rate of nearly 5%-10% among young and middle-aged individuals, significantly affecting their daily lives. Researchers have obtained significant outcomes investigating the anti-inflammatory properties of itaconic acid (IA) and its derivative, 4-Octyl itaconate (4-OI), against diverse chronic inflammatory disorders, such as osteoarthritis and airway inflammation. Nevertheless, whether IA can also exert anti-inflammatory effects in chronic prostatitis requires extensive research and validation. Human prostate tissues obtained through transurethral prostate resection (TURP) from individuals were divided into three groups based on different levels of inflammation using hematoxylin and eosin staining (H&E). Subsequently, immunohistochemistry (IHC) was employed to detect the expression of immune-responsive gene 1 (IRG-1) in these different groups. The animal experiment of this study induced experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP) in nonobese diabetic mice through intradermal prostate antigen injection and complete Freund's adjuvant. Then, the experimental group received intraperitoneal injections of different doses of 4-OI, while the control group received injections of saline. Western blot (WB), H&E staining, and TUNEL staining helped analyze the prostate tissues, while enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) helped evaluate serum inflammatory factors. Reactive oxygen species, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were assessed for oxidative stress across experimental groups. IHC analysis of human prostate tissue depicts that IRG-1 expression enhances as prostate inflammation worsens, highlighting the critical role of IA in human prostatitis. The application of 4-OI increased Nrf2/HO-1 expression while inhibited NLRP3 expression following the WB results, and its application resulted in a decrease in cell pyroptosis in prostate tissue, demonstrated by the results of TUNEL staining. Administering a Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 1 h before intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg 4-OI reversed the previous conclusion, further confirming the above conclusion from another perspective. Meanwhile, the ELISA results of serum inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α), as well as the measurements of oxidative stress markers MDA and SOD, further confirmed the specific anti-inflammatory effects of 4-OI in EAP. The present study indicates that 4-OI can alleviates EAP by inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome-induced pyroptosis through activating Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, which may facilitate a novel approach toward prostatitis treatment.

Subcutaneous Injection of Bacterial Antigen to Induce Systemic Inflammation in a Murine Model

Subcutaneous Injection of Bacterial Antigen to Induce Systemic Inflammation in a Murine Model

Subcutaneous Injection of Bacterial Antigen to Induce Systemic Inflammation in a Murine Model

Subcutaneous Injection of Bacterial Antigen to Induce Systemic Inflammation in a Murine Model

Heterologous DNA-prime/protein-boost immunization with a monomeric SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen redundantizes the trimeric receptor-binding domain structure to induce neutralizing antibodies in old mice.

A multitude of alterations in the old immune system impair its functional integrity. Closely related, older individuals show, for example, a reduced responsiveness to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines. However, systematic strategies to specifically improve the efficacy of vaccines in the old are missing or limited to simple approaches like increasing the antigen concentration or injection frequencies. We here asked whether the intrinsic, trimeric structure of the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) antigen and/or a DNA- or protein-based antigen delivery platform affects priming of functional antibody responses particularly in old mice. The used S-antigens were primarily defined by the presence/absence of the membrane-anchoring TM domain and the closely interlinked formation/non-formation of a trimeric structure of the receptor binding domain (S-RBD). Among others, we generated vectors expressing prefusion-stabilized, cell-associated (TM+) trimeric "S2-P" or secreted (TM-) monomeric "S6-PΔTM" antigens. These proteins were produced from vector-transfected HEK-293T cells under mild conditions by Strep-tag purification, revealing that cell-associated but not secreted S proteins tightly bound Hsp73 and Grp78 chaperones. We showed that both, TM-deficient S6-PΔTM and full-length S2-P antigens elicited very similar S-RBD-specific antibody titers and pseudovirus neutralization activities in young (2-3 months) mice through homologous DNA-prime/DNA-boost or protein-prime/protein-boost vaccination. The trimeric S2-P antigen induced high S-RBD-specific antibody responses in old (23-24 months) mice through DNA-prime/DNA-boost vaccination. Unexpectedly, the monomeric S6-PΔTM antigen induced very low S-RBD-specific antibody titers in old mice through homologous DNA-prime/DNA-boost or protein-prime/protein-boost vaccination. However, old mice efficiently elicited an S-RBD-specific antibody response after heterologous DNA-prime/protein-boost immunization with the S6-PΔTM antigen, and antibody titers even reached similar levels and neutralizing activities as in young mice and also cross-reacted with different S-variants of concern. The old immune system thus distinguished between trimeric and monomeric S protein conformations: it remained antigen responsive to the trimeric S2-P antigen, and a simple change in the vaccine delivery regimen was sufficient to unleash its reactivity to the monomeric S6-PΔTM antigen. This clearly shows that both the antigen structure and the delivery platform are crucial to efficiently prime humoral immune responses in old mice and might be relevant for designing "age-adapted" vaccine strategies.

Engineered MCM-48 nanoparticles as potential carriers for oral vaccine delivery

Although convenient, oral vaccination presents challenges due to low antigen stability and limited targeting efficiency in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. To address these issues, we specifically engineered the MCM-48 nanoparticles (NPs) as carriers for oral vaccine delivery. To accommodate large molecule antigens, the MCM-48 NPs were processed to expand their pores (MCM-48-EP NPs). To provide the muco-penetrating property and facilitate efficient delivery to M cells in the Peyer’s patches, the surface of the MCM-48-EP NPs was grafted with polyethylene glycol (PEG). When loaded with a model antigen, ovalbumin (OVA), the engineered NPs retained approximately 75% of the antigens without significant release under simulated GI conditions. In vivo studies demonstrated that oral administration of the OVA-loaded engineered MCM-48 NPs elicited similar efficacy in systemic and mucosal immunization compared to subcutaneous injections of the same dose antigens. Therefore, we propose the PEG-grafted, pore-expanded MCM-48 NPs as promising carriers for oral vaccine delivery.

Molecular Cloning, Expression Analyses, and Physiological Roles of Cathelicidins in the Bursa of Fabricius of the Japanese Quail, Coturnix japonica

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) act directly on pathogens and maintain the anti-inflammatory effects and activation of immunocompetent cells. Therefore, the activation of the immune system in poultry via the elevation of endogenous AMPs has been attempted. In this study, we focused on the host defense mechanisms in the bursa of Fabricius (BF) of Japanese quail, cloned the cDNA of cathelicidin (CATH)-1 to -3, and analyzed their expression sites. In situ hybridization experiments revealed the mRNA expression of the CATHs in the interfollicular epithelium surrounding the lumen of the quail BF, which suggests that each CATH may exert its antimicrobial action directly in the BF. The intravenous injection of bacterial lipoteichoic acid and lipopolysaccharide endotoxins into the quail promoted the mRNA expression of CATH-1 and CATH-3 in the BF. The addition of CATH-1 or CATH-2 at the time of the antigen injection into mice resulted in antiserum with high antibody titers. Ad libitum administration of butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid, in the drinking water induced an increase in CATH-2 mRNA expression in the BF under certain conditions. These results may improve the defense mechanisms of quail by stimulating CATH expression in the BF through their diet.

Fingertip ischemia following intralesional injection of Candida albicans antigen for treatment of a subungual wart.

Subungual or periungual cutaneous warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). These lesions can be refractory to destructive therapy, necessitating the use of intralesional immunotherapies such as Candida albicans antigen. In this case report, we present a 23-year-old female who sustained distal fingertip soft tissue necrosis following intralesional injection of Candida albicans antigen for the treatment of a refractory subungual wart. While this patient recovered appropriately with conservative bedside debridement and local wound care, intralesional injections to the digit, or hand are not without sequela. It's important to inject intradermally while avoiding the digital vasculature underneath. In this case, the radial digital vessels were traumatized upon injection, leading to digital ischemia and soft tissue necrosis. While isolated soft tissue ischemia without compromised perfusion can be treated conservatively, these injuries should be evaluated by a hand surgeon to determine the need for emergent revascularization, or future soft tissue reconstruction.

Effect of Stress on the Production of Antibodies and IL-2, IL-4, and IFNγ Depending on the Time of Antigen Administration and Evaluation of the Role of Opioid Receptors.

The time of stress exposure relative to the moment of immunization affects the direction of the immunoregulatory effect of stress. In case of stress exposure preceding immunization, rotation stress stimulated the production of antibodies, while immobilization depressed it. After antigen injection, these types of stress had no significant effect on the formation of antibody-producing cells. Acute cold stress did not affect the number of antibody-forming cells before immunization, but stimulated the humoral response after it. At the same time, the effect of stress on the production of antibodies was leveled by blockade of opioid receptors with naloxone for rotation and immobilization, but was not canceled for acute cold stress. A similar pattern was revealed when analyzing the effect of stress exposure on cytokine production. Cold stress before antigen administration to mice had almost no effect on the production of IL-2, IL-4, IFNγ, while rotational and immobilization stress naloxone-dependently modulated the synthesis of IL-2 and IL-4. On the contrary, in animals subjected to stress after antigen administration, only cold stress significantly modulated the production of IL-2 and IL-4.

The Development of Cutaneous Lesions in Tropically Adapted Beef Cattle Is Associated with Hypersensitive Immune Response to Buffalo Fly Antigens.

This study investigated the role of cattle immune responses in the pathogenesis of buffalo fly (Haematobia irritans exigua) (BF) lesions. Brangus steers phenotyped for lesion development were divided into three groups: high lesion susceptibility (HL), low lesion susceptibility (LL) and no lesions (NL), based on lesion severity scores. Each steer was injected intradermally with different concentrations of BF, Onchocerca gibsoni (Og), and Musca domestica (Md) antigens. At 1 h post-injection, wheal areas at BF injection sites were found to be significantly larger in HL than NL cattle, but there were no significant differences (p < 0.05) found between either the HL or NL cattle and LL cattle. At 24, 48, and 72 h post-injection, the skinfold thickness response to both BF and Md antigens was significantly greater in the HL group than the NL group. However, skin thickness was significantly greater for the BF antigens than the Md antigens (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences found between the LL and NL animals in response to the BF antigens at any time, and no significant differences were determined between any of the lesion groups in response to the Og antigens. Histological examination of skin sections taken from the BF antigen injection sites in HL cattle at 72 h post-injection revealed necrosis of the epidermis and superficial dermis, along with severe eosinophilic inflammation. This study suggests that differences in the hypersensitivity to BF antigens underlie differences amongst the cattle in their susceptibility to the development of BF lesions, and breeding for immune-related biomarkers may assist in selecting more BF lesion-resistant cattle.

Propolis Silver Nanoparticles as an Adjuvant in Immunization of Rats with Citrobactor Freundii Antigens.

This study aimed to examine the impact of Citrobacter freundii killed whole cell sonicated antigen (KWCSAg) alone and in combination with propolis nanoparticles on humoral immunoglobulin (IgG) and cellular immune responses of rats. The ELISA interleukin 4 (IL4) and IgG, delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) skin test, and phagocytosis activity tests were used in this study. In total, 45 rats were divided into five groups of 9 rats. The first group received a 1,000 μg\ml dose of KWCSAg-CF. The second group received an injection of 1,000 μg/ml of KWCSAg-CF antigen and 30 mg/ml of propolis AgNPs. The third group received an injection of 1,000 μg/ml of KWCSAg-CF antigen along with 10 mg/ml of propolis AgNPs. The fourth group was subjected to 30 mg/ml of propolis AgNPs. One ml of phosphate-buffered saline (pH 7.2) was injected into the fifth group (the negative control group). The rats received booster injections of the same antigens after 14 days. Blood was obtained from them to detect immunoglobulin and interleukin 4 (IL-4) on days 21, 28, 32, 46, 50, and 60 following the injection. The second group showed the most significant rise in IL-4 and IgG concentration, followed by the third group, the first group, and the fourth group, compared to the negative control group (fifth group). In all immunized groups, the DTH test results demonstrated an increase in the means of induration with significant differences (P<0.05) of the concentrated antigen after 24 and 48 h, and subsequently a decrease after 72 h, compared to the negative control group. At 48 h after the concentrated antigen was indurated, the second group displayed the most significant increase in diameter.

Evaluation of needling-induced autoinoculation in the management of genital warts.

Genital warts caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) are one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. Long latency, lesions' multiplicity, high recurrence rate, and the tendency to malignant transformation are essential challenges during management. Traditional treatment modalities are known to be lesion-directed while intralesional immunotherapy was introduced to act beyond individual lesions and to confront the previous challenges through injection of known antigens,such as measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, to stimulate the immune system against HPV. Needling-induced autoinoculation is also considred as an immunotherapeutic procedure that does not include the injection of antigens. We evaluated the efficacy of needling-induced autoinoculation in the management of genital warts. Fifty patients with multiple recurrent (≥4) genital warts were divided into two equal groups. One group was subjected to needling-induced autoinoculation and the other was subjected to intralesional MMR injection every 2 weeks for a maximum of three sessions. Follow-up was done for 8 weeks after the last session. Both needling and MMR showed statistically significant therapeutic outcome. Needling showed significant improvement with regard to thenumber (P = 0.000) and size (P = 0.003) of lesions. In parallel, MMR showed significant improvement with regard to the number (P = 0.001) and size (P = 0.021) of lesions. There was no statistically significant difference between both treatments outcomes in regard to number (P = 0.860) and size (P = 0.929) of lesions. Both needling and MMR are effective immunotherapeutic modalities in management of genital warts. Needling-induced autoinoculation, being more safe and inexpensive, may be considered as a competing choice.