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The influence of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) overexpression on the development of tumours has been well documented. The underlying mechanism however has still not been completely elucidated. An escape of proliferating cells from the regulatory influence of TGF-beta for example in the intestine has been discussed as well as a preponderance or prolongation of growth factor stimulation. The experiments presented here demonstrated that COX-2 transfection of a TGF-beta-sensitive cell line abrogates the growth inhibitory effects of TGF-beta. However, analysis of the TGF-beta/Smad-signalling pathway clearly revealed that COX-2 overexpression did not interfere with that. Neither TGF-receptor expression nor Smad phosphorylation and signal transfer into the nucleus were influenced by COX-2 overexpression. In addition, a TGF-beta reporter assay revealed no difference between controls and COX-2-transfected cells. Thus, the proliferation inhibiting effects must have been well compensated by growth-inducing stimuli. Indications for this came from experiments showing an induction of TGF-alpha expression and secretion with a higher and prolonged stimulation of the ERK 1/2 (p42/44) pathway in COX-2 transfectants. This effect could have been triggered by direct prostaglandin receptor stimulation or changes in intracellular lipid mediators. An increase in PPAR signalling as proven by a reporter assay is indication for the latter. Therefore, inhibiting both COX-2 as well as the PPAR and TGF/EGF pathway could be effective in the inhibition of adenoma or even carcinoma development in the intestine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a discussion on the technique of surgical research conducted for Helicobacter pylori infection. Boost in the pathological research of the diseases by molecular biological methods; Impact of Payers' patches on the immune system in the intestine; Role of TNF-α and IL1-β Reports of severe chemokine production during the early phase of infection; Beneficial effects of H. pylori infection.

After the surgical removal of Peyer's patches (PP) in rats, the IgA-containing cells in the thoracic duct, mesenteric lymph nodes and lamina propria of the small intestine are decreased, as shown by immunohistology. The analysis of the immunoglobulin secretion in agar of single-cell suspensions confirmed these results. Using lipopolysaccaride (LPS) 055B5 as antigen, it could be demonstrated that this reduction may be the result of an inadequate presentation of antigen and/or impaired migration of locally primed antigen (AG)-specific cells. The oral application of heat-inactivated Escherichia coil 055B5 to PP-deprived rats resulted almost exclusively in anti-LPS-secreting cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen, whereas in control animals these cells were distributed along the intestine. Therefore, in rats PP have an important function in the regulation of the intestinal immune responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The induction of oral tolerance after ingestion of antigen has been reported in several animal models. The precise mechanisms responsible for this unresponsiveness are not well understood. As some investigations have suggested a key role of Peyer's patches suppressor T cells, an animal model was developed in which the PP were surgically removed. Using this model, the influence of the PP on the induction of oral tolerance against SRBC was investigated. In order to induce tolerance, the rats were fed SRBC on four consecutive days. On Day 5 they were i.p. challenged by injection of SRBC, and 5 days later the number of immunoglobulin-secreting cells against SRBC was determined within the spleen. Using this protocol, the oral tolerance induction could be shown very clearly in control animals as well as in rats without PP. Therefore, tolerance induction is possible in the absence of PP-T cells. Other mechanisms must be responsible for the tolerance induction in this model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To estimate the risk of congenital cytomegalovirus infection and disease following primary maternal infection around the time of conception compared with the risk during later stages of pregnancy.Cohort study between 1990 and 2003.Germany.One hundred and sixty-six pregnant women with serologically confirmed primary cytomegalovirus infection and known outcome.Timing of primary cytomegalovirus infection by analysing the kinetics of cytomegalovirus-specific IgG and IgM antibodies, the IgG avidity index and neutralising antibodies.Onset of maternal primary infection in relation to congenital infection and disease.Preconceptional (between eight and two weeks before onset of the last menstrual period) was determined in three women and did not lead to congenital infection. Periconceptional infection (between one week before and five weeks after last menstrual period) occurred in 20 women with congenital infection in nine cases (45%). Timing was less precise (between eight weeks before and five weeks after last menstrual period) in an additional 10 women, three cases of which resulted in congenital infection. Of the 12 pregnancies in which congenital infection occurred, seven were terminated, six before the 12th week of gestation (WG 12) and one at WG 19 due to fetal hyperechogenic bowel. One of the five infected live-born infants delivered to a mother with periconceptional infection showed dystrophy and mild microcephaly at birth, but had a rather normal development at two years of age. Primary infections occurring between WG 6–20 and WG 20–38 resulted in transmission rates of 30% (27/89) and 58% (18/31), respectively.Counselling of women with periconceptional primary cytomegalovirus infection should be adjusted to offer prenatal diagnosis and high-level ultrasound controls due to the considerable risk for fetal infection and uncertainty of clinical outcome and disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the expression ot the CD45RO antigen, which characterizes the antigen primed/memory phenotype of T lymphocytes, as a marker for congenital infection in blood samples of newborns and fetuses. CD45RO expression on T cells was determined by triple-colour fluorescence flow cytometry. In total 537 blood samples of newborns and infants up to an age of 3 months and 89 fetal blood samples from gestational weeks 19-31 were analysed. Of the newborns and infants. 74 had a clinically, serologically and/or antigenically evident infection, and four of the fetuses had a confirmed intra-uterine infection. In 35 infants with acute predominantly bacterial infections such as sepsis or pneumonia. 17 (48.6%) had elevated CD45RObright expression. In 39 infants with proven pre-, peri- or early post-natal infections with toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus (CMV). rubella, herpes simplex virus (HSV) or human herpes virus type 6 (HHV6), 25 (64.1%) exhibited enhanced CD45RObright expression. Three of four fetuses with confirmed intra-uterine infection (three with CMV, one with parvovirus 819) exhibited elevated CD45RObright expression. The specificity of the CD45RO assay for detecting microbial infections was 94.6% for newborns and infants up to 3 months and 90.6% for fetuses. It is concluded that elevated numbers of CD45RObright T cells in infants tip to 3 months of age strongly suggest an infection. However, the sensitivity of the CD45RO assay is not sufficient to enable the test to be used as a general marker for prescreening infants to detect pre-, pen- or early post-natally acquired infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To report on a case of fetal varicella infection following the diagnosis of maternal infection at 16 weeks of gestation. Methods: Diagnosis was based on serology testing and prenatal ultrasound, confirmed by DNA detection in amniotic fluid (Lightcycler-PCR). Serial ultrasound examinations were performed. Results: Sonographic anomalies included borderline ventriculomegaly, intracerebral, intrahepatic and myocardial calcifications, limb deformities, articular effusions, and intrauterine growth retardation (confirmed postpartally). The newborn showed a severe encephalopathy and could not be stabilized sufficiently. The child died 23 days after birth. Conclusion: The outcome of an affected fetus may be very serious and prenatal ultrasound is a helpful tool to recognize the severity of the infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diagnosis of active and latent tuberculosis (TB) remains a challenge; however, over the last few years, a new approach based on detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific T cells has shown much promise. In particular, there is substantial published evidence showing that the detection of ESAT-6- and CFP-10-specific T cells using the ex vivo enzyme-linked immunospot technique is a marked improvement over the existing tuberculin skin test. This technique, which detects gamma interferon-producing T cells, is now available as the commercial assay T SPOT-TB (Oxford Immunotec, Oxford, UK). In the present study, the usefulness of the T SPOT-TB test for diagnosis of TB in “real-world” clinical practice was investigated. Ninety patients of a southern German referral centre for TB with confirmed or suspected TB were randomly selected for this study. The results of the T SPOT-TB test were compared with the results of conventional diagnostic tools. The T SPOT-TB test detected 70 of 72 patients with pulmonary or extrapulmonary TB, indicating a sensitivity of 97.2% (95% confidence interval, 90.3–99.7). For 45 of these patients, tuberculin skin test (TST) results were also available. Only 40 (89%) of these 45 patients were positive in the TST compared to all 45 (100%) in the T SPOT-TB test ( p=0.056). Among 12 of 90 patients for whom active TB disease was ruled out, the T SPOT-TB test was negative for 11 (92%), allowing the rapid exclusion of TB in patients suspected to have active TB disease. The T SPOT-TB test is a sensitive assay for detection of TB and represents a useful addition to the diagnostic algorithm available for detecting TB in low-incidence settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the appearance of a Mycoplasma haemocanis infection in laboratory dogs, which has been reported previously, yet, never before in Europe. Outbreak of the disease was triggered by a splenectomy intended to prepare the dogs for a hemorrhagic shock study. The clinical course of the dogs was dramatic including anorexia and hemolytic anemia. Treatment included allogeneic transfusion, prednisone, and oxytetracycline. Systematic follow-up (n = 12, blood smears, antibody testing and specific polymerase chain reaction) gives clear evidence that persistent eradication of M. haemocanis is unlikely. We, therefore, had to abandon the intended shock study. In the absence of effective surveillance and screening for M. haemocanis, the question arises whether it is prudent to continue shock research in splenectomized dogs. Copyright © 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Fetal infection as a consequence of recurrent disease is uncommon. We present a case of recurrent cytomegalovirus infection in the second trimester of pregnancy. Fetal infection was detected through severely abnormal findings on ultrasound examination and verified by detecting cytomegalovirus DNA in the amniotic fluid and cytomegalovirus-specific immunoglobulin M antibodies in the fetal blood and associated pancytopenia. Because of the severity of the infection, a fatal outcome was predicted. A Cesarean section was performed at 33+5 weeks of gestation; the child died shortly after birth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The aim of our study was to determine the outcome of pregnancies after intrauterine management of fetal parvovirus B[sub 19] infection. Design Retrospective study. Subjects A total of 37 cases of maternofetal parvovirus B[sub 19] infection, 35 of which were associated with hydrops fetalis, were referred to our tertiary level center between 1989 and 1996. With regard to fetal hydrops, no apparent cause other than parvovirus B[sub 19] infection was found in any patient. Methods In all patients, cordocentesis was performed to assess the degree of fetal anemia. When anemia was pre-sent, cordocentesis was followed by intrauterine transfusion with packed red cells into the umbilical vein. Further management depended on the degree of fetal anemia and gestational age and included follow-up fetal blood sampling/transfusion as well as ultrasound examinations as deemed appropriate. Results Packed red cell transfusion was performed in 30 patients with significant fetal anemia (Z-score 1.6–7.8 below the mean for gestational age). The fetal hemoglobin values ranged from 2.1 to 9.6 g/dl. Serum levels of platelets in the transfusion group were 9–228 × 10[sup 9]/l with Z-scores in the range of < 1 to 3.8 below the mean. During treatment and follow-up, there were five intrauterine deaths (13.5%), one neonatal death (2.7%) and 31 live births (83.8%). Conclusions Fetal parvovirus infection can lead to marked anemia and hydrops formation. Cordocentesis allows precise assessment of fetal anemia which can then be corrected by intravenous transfusion. Under this regimen, the outcome proved favorable in the majority of fetuses, even those that were severely anemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A dual collection device containing flocked and wrapped rayon swabs was used to collect vaginal and cervical samples from 494 women. The swabs were separated into individual tubes and sent to the laboratory in a dry state, where they were hydrated and tested for high risk HPV DNA [Digene-Qiagen hybrid capture 2] and Chlamydia trachomatis using in-house real-time PCR. The flocked swabs identified more high risk HPV and C. trachomatis infections from both sampling sites. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]