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Objective: To explore the association between infections with HIV and Schistosoma japonicum, and to determine the influences of the HIV-S. japonicum coinfections on the immune system of Yi people.Methods: A block design study was conducted in a Yi county in southwestern China, one of the endemic areas of both HIV/AIDS and S. japonicum in China. All participants were screened for HIV antibodies and S. japonicum antibodies (SjAb) and were classified into four groups: HIV(+)/S. japonicum(-), HIV(-)/S. japonicum (+), HIV(+)/S. japonicum(+), and HIV(-)/S. japonicum(-).Results: There were significant differences among the four groups in both CD4+ T lymphocytes and CD8+ T lymphocytes, but no significant difference in CD3+ T lymphocytes. Both the CD4+ T lymphocyte counts and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ were lower in HIV-infected people compared with those uninfected. People infected with S. japonicum had increased CD4+ T lymphocyte counts but reduced CD8+ T lymphocyte counts. Similarly, the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ was higher in S. japonicum-infected people compared with those uninfected. People coinfected with HIV and S. japonicum had lower CD4+ T lymphocyte counts, lower ratio of CD4+/CD8+, and higher CD8+ T lymphocyte counts compared with those infected with HIV only or S. japonicum only. People infected with HIV only and those coinfected with HIV and S. japonicum had a higher level of IFN-γ compared with people with no infection. There were no significant differences between people infected with HIV only and with S. japonicum only in the levels of IFN-γ and IL-10.Conclusions: People coinfected with HIV and S. japonicum might have a suppressed immune function because of a decrease in CD4+ T lymphocyte counts, a lowered ratio of CD4+/CD8+, and an increase in CD8+ T lymphocyte counts. Coinfection with HIV and S. japonicum would alter the level of IFN-γ in plasma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To study the influence of apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells occurring as a result of reperfusion after burn shock on the intestinal barrier.Methods: Fifty Wistar rats were subjected to a 30% TBSA full thickness burn, and normal saline (40 ml/kg) was given intraperitoneally immediately after the injury (group A). Ten rats served as a sham control group. The experimental group B consisted of 50 rats with identical injuries, but the normal saline was not given until 6 h after the injury. Apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells was verified by DNA fragmentation, DNA agarose gel electrophoresis, TUNEL and electron microscope (EM), and DNA fragmentation rate was expressed as ap%. The d-lactic acid in portal vein blood and intestinal diamine oxidase (DAO) were determined to evaluate the permeability and integrity of intestinal mucosal epithelium.Results: The ap% of intestinal epithelium group B was higher than in that of group A (P<0.05 or 0.01), and its amplitude peaked at 12 h for both groups. Typical DNA ladder pattern was seen in electrophoresis in both groups. Apoptotic cells were discerned on the tips of the ileal villi at 3 h postscald by TUNEL and EM in the group B, and they appeared earlier than in the group A. There was a significant positive correlation between the ap% and the level of d-lactic acid (group A: r=0.817, P<0.05; group B: r=0.727, P<0.05). On the other hand, a significant negative correlation was found between the ap% and the DAO values (group A: r=−0.937, P<0.01; group B: r=−0.836, P<0.05).Conclusion: Apoptosis occurred in enterocytes after scald injury this pathological change might contribute to a breach of integrity of intestinal epithelium, leading to a compromise in its barrier function. Delayed fluid resuscitation might lead to an earlier and higher degree of apoptosis of the intestinal epithelial cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]