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British Medical Journal (Clinical... Aug 1986
Topics: Coccidia; Cryptosporidium; Diarrhea; Humans; Immunocompetence
PubMed: 3089487
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.293.6542.287 -
Hematology/oncology Clinics of North... Aug 2021Reversing or preventing immunodeficiency in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is of the highest priority. The past decade of research has met the... (Review)
Review
Reversing or preventing immunodeficiency in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is of the highest priority. The past decade of research has met the challenge of treating CLL for most patients. Patients continue to struggle, however, with infections and second primary malignancies related to immunodeficiency. Strategies addressing this need currently are limited to vaccinations, with suboptimal efficacy, and immunoglobulin replacement. Correlative studies have provided insights into immunologic alterations on treatment. Understanding vulnerabilities in the immune system may help identify potential interventions to boost immunity. An emphasis on systematically testing such interventions is required to restore immunocompetence in patients with CLL.
Topics: Humans; Immunocompetence; Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell; Neoplasms, Second Primary
PubMed: 34174988
DOI: 10.1016/j.hoc.2021.03.010 -
Trends in Cognitive Sciences Dec 2021The dominant theory of facial attractiveness judgments is that they evolved to identify healthy individuals with strong immune systems. Here, we summarize results of...
The dominant theory of facial attractiveness judgments is that they evolved to identify healthy individuals with strong immune systems. Here, we summarize results of recent tests of this hypothesis, concluding that it has little compelling empirical support. We then propose an alternative perspective that emphasizes the effects of lifestyle health.
Topics: Beauty; Face; Humans; Immunocompetence; Judgment
PubMed: 34625347
DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2021.09.003 -
The American Journal of Case Reports Jan 2016Ventriculoperitoneal shunting is an effective treatment for hydrocephalus. Ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) infection is a common complication. Cryptococcus neoformans... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Ventriculoperitoneal shunting is an effective treatment for hydrocephalus. Ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) infection is a common complication. Cryptococcus neoformans as an implicated organism is rare. In this report, we describe a patient with cryptococcal VPS infection.
CASE REPORT
A 52-year-old male with normal pressure hydrocephalus, status post implantation of VPS one year prior to the presentation; who was admitted with a fever, lethargy and confusion for three days. He was treated empirically with intravenous cefepime and vancomycin for VPS infection. The CSF analysis from both the lumbar puncture and the VPS was significant for a low white blood count, low glucose and high protein. Other work-up including India ink and cryptococcal antigen was unrevealing. He remained febrile despite antibiotic treatment for 5 days. The CSF from the shunt was sent for analysis again and it demonstrated similar results from the prior study, but the culture was now positive for Cryptococcus neoformans. The patient was started on oral flucytosine and intravenous liposomal amphotericin B. The VPS was removed and an externalized ventricular catheter was placed. The patient showed rapid resolution of the symptoms.
CONCLUSIONS
To date, there was a total of nine reported cases of cryptococcal VPS infection upon review of the literature. Our presenting case and the literature review highlight the difficulties in making an accurate diagnosis of cryptococcal shunt infection. There were case reports of false negative cryptococcal antigen tests with culture proven cryptococcal meningitis. The CSF culture from the shunt remains a mainstay for identifying cryptococcal shunt infection. Cryptococcal shunt infections are rare and early diagnosis and treatment is essential for patient management which involves shunt replacement with concomitant administration of intravenous antifungal medication. High clinical suspicion is crucial and shunt culture preferably from the valve is recommended.
Topics: Cryptococcosis; Cryptococcus neoformans; Humans; Immunocompetence; Male; Middle Aged; Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt
PubMed: 26778598
DOI: 10.12659/ajcr.896171 -
Microbiome Sep 2022The intestinal microbiota fundamentally guides the development of a normal intestinal physiology, the education, and functioning of the mucosal immune system. The...
BACKGROUND
The intestinal microbiota fundamentally guides the development of a normal intestinal physiology, the education, and functioning of the mucosal immune system. The Citrobacter rodentium-carrier model in germ-free (GF) mice is suitable to study the influence of selected microbes on an otherwise blunted immune response in the absence of intestinal commensals.
RESULTS
Here, we describe that colonization of adult carrier mice with 14 selected commensal microbes (OMM + MC) was sufficient to reestablish the host immune response to enteric pathogens; this conversion was facilitated by maturation and activation of the intestinal blood vessel system and the step- and timewise stimulation of innate and adaptive immunity. While the immature colon of C. rodentium-infected GF mice did not allow sufficient extravasation of neutrophils into the gut lumen, colonization with OMM + MC commensals initiated the expansion and activation of the visceral vascular system enabling granulocyte transmigration into the gut lumen for effective pathogen elimination.
CONCLUSIONS
Consortium modeling revealed that the addition of two facultative anaerobes to the OMM community was essential to further progress the intestinal development. Moreover, this study demonstrates the therapeutic value of a defined consortium to promote intestinal maturation and immunity even in adult organisms. Video Abstract.
Topics: Animals; Citrobacter rodentium; Immune System; Immunocompetence; Intestinal Mucosa; Intestines; Mice
PubMed: 36171625
DOI: 10.1186/s40168-022-01353-5 -
British Journal of Haematology Apr 2007Acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is a frequent complication of allogeneic haemopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI). Its... (Review)
Review
Acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is a frequent complication of allogeneic haemopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI). Its incidence and severity depends on several factors, such as prophylaxis method, donor/recipient matching, intensity of the conditioning regimen and composition of the graft. Significant progress has been made in recent years in understanding the pathogenesis of the disease, and some of these advances have been translated into clinical trials. First-line treatment of acute GvHD is based on corticosteroids, and produce sustained responses in 50-80% of patients depending on the initial severity. Non-responders are offered second-line therapy, with combinations of immunosuppressive agents, but 1-year survival is 30% in most large trials. New strategies explored include infusion of expanded mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), down regulation of antigen-presenting cells (APC) and suicide gene transduced T cells. Acute GvHD is complicated by severe immunodeficiency causing life-threatening infections. To date, GvHD has not been differentiated from the graft-versus-leukaemia effect. The present review will discuss some of these aspects.
Topics: Acute Disease; Graft vs Host Disease; Humans; Immunocompetence; Severity of Illness Index
PubMed: 17391488
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2007.06533.x -
Scientific Reports Jun 2020The significant risk of disease transmission has selected for effective immune-defense strategies in insect societies. Division of labour, with individuals specialized...
The significant risk of disease transmission has selected for effective immune-defense strategies in insect societies. Division of labour, with individuals specialized in immunity-related tasks, strongly contributes to prevent the spread of diseases. A trade-off, however, may exist between phenotypic specialization to increase task efficiency and maintenance of plasticity to cope with variable colony demands. We investigated the extent of phenotypic specialization associated with a specific task by using allogrooming in the honeybee, Apis mellifera, where worker behaviour might lower ectoparasites load. We adopted an integrated approach to characterize the behavioural and physiological phenotype of allogroomers, by analyzing their behavior (both at individual and social network level), their immunocompetence (bacterial clearance tests) and their chemosensory specialization (proteomics of olfactory organs). We found that allogroomers have higher immune capacity compared to control bees, while they do not differ in chemosensory proteomic profiles. Behaviourally, they do not show differences in the tasks performed (other than allogrooming), while they clearly differ in connectivity within the colonial social network, having a higher centrality than control bees. This demonstrates the presence of an immune-specific physiological and social behavioural specialization in individuals involved in a social immunity related task, thus linking individual to social immunity, and it shows how phenotypes may be specialized in the task performed while maintaining an overall plasticity.
Topics: Animals; Bees; Grooming; Immunocompetence; Social Behavior
PubMed: 32488140
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-65780-w -
JAMA Dermatology Jun 2022Vaccine-derived and wild-type rubella virus (RuV) has been identified within granulomas in patients with inborn errors of immunity, but has not been described in...
IMPORTANCE
Vaccine-derived and wild-type rubella virus (RuV) has been identified within granulomas in patients with inborn errors of immunity, but has not been described in granulomas of healthy adults.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the association between RuV and atypical granulomatous inflammation in immune-competent adults.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
This case series, conducted in US academic dermatology clinics from January 2019 to January 2021, investigated the presence of RuV in skin specimens using RuV immunofluorescent staining of paraffin-embedded tissue sections, real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, whole-genome sequencing with phylogenetic analyses, and cell culture by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rubella immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin M enzyme-linked immunoassay, and viral neutralization assays were performed for the sera of immunocompetent individuals with treatment refractory cutaneous granulomas and histopathology demonstrating atypical palisaded and necrotizing granulomas. Clinical immune evaluation was performed.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Identification, genotyping, and culture of vaccine-derived and wild-type RuV within granulomatous dermatitis of otherwise clinically immune competent adults.
RESULTS
Of the 4 total immunocompetent participants, 3 (75%) were women, and the mean (range) age was 61.5 (49.0-73.0) years. The RuV capsid protein was detected by immunohistochemistry in cutaneous granulomas. The presence of RuV RNA was confirmed by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction in fresh-frozen skin biopsies and whole-genome sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis of the RuV sequences showed vaccine-derived RuV in 3 cases and wild-type RuV in 1. Live RuV was recovered from the affected skin in 2 participants. Immunology workup results demonstrated no primary immune deficiencies.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
The case series study results suggest that RuV (vaccine derived and wild type) can persist for years in cutaneous granulomas in clinically immunocompetent adults and is associated with atypical (palisaded and necrotizing type) chronic cutaneous granulomas. These findings represent a potential paradigm shift in the evaluation, workup, and management of atypical granulomatous dermatitis and raises questions regarding the potential transmissibility of persistent live RuV.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Connective Tissue Diseases; Dermatitis; Female; Granuloma; Humans; Immunocompetence; Male; Middle Aged; Phylogeny; Rubella; Rubella virus; United States
PubMed: 35338705
DOI: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2022.0828 -
The Journal of the American Osteopathic... Mar 1996Although further research is needed with larger study groups and improved study designs, a review of the literature indicates that there are some scientific bases to... (Review)
Review
Although further research is needed with larger study groups and improved study designs, a review of the literature indicates that there are some scientific bases to suggest that heavy or exhaustive exercise may be predisposing to upper respiratory tract illness while moderate amounts may be protective. There exists no convincing evidence suggesting that moderate exercise poses a demonstrable negative influence on the frequency of common respiratory tract infections or adversely influences the course of certain chronic viral illnesses, including viral hepatitis and human immunodeficiency virus infection. Constitutional symptoms secondary to infectious diseases appear to compromise human performance. Exhaustive exercise appears to be a predisposing factor for the development of common respiratory tract infections and may potentially adversely affect the course of certain infectious diseases. Very limited data suggest an enhancement of resistance to respiratory tract infections from moderate exercise training. Although biologically plausible, data to support unequivocal exercise-induced enhancement or suppression of immunologic function are inconclusive at this time.
Topics: Causality; Exercise; Humans; Immunocompetence; Infections; Sports
PubMed: 8932593
DOI: 10.7556/jaoa.1996.96.3.166 -
Comparative Biochemistry and... Nov 2016During the breeding season, male anuran amphibians produce advertisement calls. Androgens play a permissive role in the activation of calling activity, which is often...
During the breeding season, male anuran amphibians produce advertisement calls. Androgens play a permissive role in the activation of calling activity, which is often positively correlated to androgen plasma levels and testes mass. Additionally, calling effort is also correlated to corticosterone plasma levels (hereinafter referred to as CORT), which is associated with the mobilization of energy substrates to sustain the high energy flux associated with this activity. However, high CORT also has many immunosuppressive effects and might interfere with reproduction. Consequently, CORT might mediate a compromise between reproductive effort and immunocompetence in anurans. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between calling rate, immunocompetence, and CORT in Hypsiboas albopunctatus, a midsize anuran occurring in South America. To understand these relationships, we conducted focal observations of calling behavior, followed by blood collection for CORT measurements and evaluation of some immune parameters. Our results showed that individuals with larger testes had higher calling rates, and those with higher calling rates showed lower cell-mediated immune response (swelling response to phytohaemagglutinin), although these relationships were not mediated by CORT. Furthermore, males calling early in the evening showed high CORT, and individuals with lower body condition index had higher CORT. We conclude that calling activity shows a cost in terms of cellular immune response in H. albopunctatus, but this compromise does not appear to be mediated by glucocorticoid plasma levels.
Topics: Androgens; Animals; Anura; Behavior, Animal; Corticosterone; Female; Immunity, Cellular; Immunocompetence; Male; Reproduction; Sexual Behavior, Animal; Vocalization, Animal
PubMed: 27364933
DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2016.06.023