Mycobacterium leprae-induced interferon-gamma production by household contacts of leprosy patients: association with the development of active disease

Article Abstract:

Leprosy, also called Hansen's disease, is a skin disease caused by an infection with Mycobacterium leprae. It has been reported that people who come in close contact with individuals who have leprosy are three to six times more likely to show signs of infection than people who are not in contact with infected individuals. Also, it has been reported that a person may be infected with M. leprae without developing the symptoms of leprosy (a subclinical infection). The risk of developing leprosy is related to the ability of the immune system to fight an infection with M. leprae. The results of a study designed to identify people at high risk for developing leprosy are described. The study included 273 people living in the same household as someone with leprosy. To determine the risk of developing leprosy, the ability of the immune system to respond to M. leprae was tested. This was done by adding M. leprae to blood samples and measuring the ability of the blood cells to make interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma, a protein that is made when the immune system fights an infection). Thirty-five percent of the subjects did not make sufficient amounts of IFN-gamma, and were classified as being at risk for developing leprosy. During the following two years, five of these subjects went on to develop leprosy. It is concluded that individuals at risk for developing leprosy can be identified and this may allow earlier detection of new cases of leprosy and improve the ability to control the disease. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Measurement, Risk factors, Interferon gamma, Blood, Leprosy, Mycobacterium leprae

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Serovars and serum resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae from disseminated and uncomplicated infections

Article Abstract:

Two specific groups of proteins have been identified on the outer membranes of the gonococcal bacteria. Protein IA correlates with the ability of strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to produce disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI). This serogroup expresses resistance to the bactericidal action of normal human blood serum, and the strain has been correlated with a requirement for the nutrients arginine, hypoxanthine and uracil (AHU auxotype). Specific antisera (blood tests involving serum containing specific antibodies) are available that permit the differentiation of these strains of N. gonorrhoeae into serovars, or serotypes classified as to specific reaction patterns. Protein IB correlates with uncomplicated gonorrhea (UG). The study group included 272 patients, DGI and suspected DGI cases and matched controls with UG. Two different sets of coagglutinating reagents were used to differentiate the 274 isolates into protein IA and IB groups. Susceptibility to the bactericidal action of normal human serum was also determined. When strains containing protein IA and having auxotypes other than requiring AHU were found, differences in the distribution of two types among DGI, suspected DGI and UG groups were observed. The two different typing systems produced both antigenic similarities and differences in the strains from the local facility and strains from other countries. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Sexually transmitted diseases, Causes of, Identification and classification, Neisseria gonorrhoeae

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Administration of recombinant interleukin-2 reduces the local parasite load of patients with disseminated cutaneous leishmaniasis

Article Abstract:

Disseminated cutaneous leishmaniasis (DCL) is an uncommon infection and is not well understood. DCL is a rare from of Leishmania that is caused by the bite of an infected sandfly. It is endemic in Asia Minor, northern Africa, and India. The infection causes disfiguring skin lesions in the form of raised lumps or nodules (amastigotes) that can appear on the face, upper body, and extremities. These clinical symptoms can be confused with those occurring during leprosy. The effectiveness of recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) in the treatment of DCL was evaluated in three patients. The rIL-2 was injected directly into the skin nodules every 48 hours for seven days. As a control, several nodules were injected with dextrose-water. After 7 and 14 days, biopsy samples were taken from the injected nodules and examined. The nodules that were injected with rIL-2 showed an increase in the number of T-lymphocytes (cells that stimulate antibody production) and plasma cells. By day seven, the nodules were slightly reduced, and by day 14 the number of nodules was significantly reduced. In two of the three patients, the nodules were free of Leishmania infection. It is concluded that local application of rIL-2 in patients with DCL increases cellular immunity by increasing the number of T-lymphocytes, and reduces parasite infections in the skin lesions. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Physiological aspects, Drug therapy, Interleukin-2, Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous, Cutaneous leishmaniasis

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