Sublingual vaccination with fusion protein consisting of the functional domain of hemagglutinin A of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Escherichia coli maltose-binding protein elicits protective immunity in the oral cavity

This study demonstrated that sublingual immunization with a fusion protein, 25k-hagA-MBP, which consists of a 25-kDa antigenic region of hemagglutinin A purified from Porphyromonas gingivalis fused to maltose-binding protein (MBP) originating from Escherichia coli as an adjuvant, elicited protective immune responses. Immunization with 25k-hagA-MBP induced high levels of antigen-specific serum IgG and IgA, as well as salivary IgA. High level titers of serum IgG and IgA were also induced for almost 1 year. In an IgG subclass analysis, sublingual immunization with 25k-hagA-MBP induced both IgG1 and IgG2b antibody responses. Additionally, numerous antigen-specific IgA antibody-forming cells were detected from the salivary gland 7 days after the final immunization. Mononuclear cells isolated from submandibular lymph nodes (SMLs) showed significant levels of proliferation upon restimulation with 25k-hagA-MBP. An analysis of cytokine responses showed that antigen-specific mononuclear cells isolated from SMLs produced significantly high levels of IL-4, IFN-γ, and TGF-β. These results indicate that sublingual immunization with 25k-hagA-MBP induces efficient protective immunity against P. gingivalis infection in the oral cavity via Th1-type and Th2-type cytokine production.     

Anti-Rhinosporidial Antibody Levels in Patients with Rhinosporidiosis and in Asymptomatic Persons,in Sri Lanka

The only report hitherto, from India in 1982, on anti-rhinosporidial antibody levels in patients with rhinosporidiosis recorded that antibody was not detected in Indian patients. The present report describes the use of the dot-ELISA assay of serum anti-rhinosporidial IgG, IgM and IgA and salivary sIgA in patients with diverse clinical presentations, in rural asymptomatic persons who had bathed in ground waters that probably harboured the causative pathogen, Rhinosporidium seeberi, and in laboratory persons who were exposed to R. seeberi. Ultrasonic extracts of purified endospores and sporangia of R. seeberi were used as antigen. The geometric mean (reciprocal) titres of serum antibody detected in patients were IgM 142.1, IgG 178.5, IgA 84.6, with ranges of 0-640, 30-960 and 0-160 respectively, salivary sIgA titres ranged from 0 to 18 with a mean of 4.6. The levels of antibody had no correlation with the site, the number of sporangia, duration and recurrence of the disease. Asymptomatic persons from the same endemic area as patients showed mean titres of IgM 89.6, IgG 69.1, IgA 95.5, with salivary sIgA titres of 3.1. Asymptomatic personnel who had been working in a laboratory where rhiniosporidial work was being done, showed mean titres of 169.6 IgM, 62.8 IgG, and 6.5 salivary sIgA. These results indicate that an anti-rhinosporidial antibody response occurs in rhinosporidial patients, as well as in asymptomatic persons who were exposed to R. seeberi in the environment. Anti-R. seeberi antibody does not appear to be protective in rhinosporidiosis since appreciable titres were present in patients with recurrent, single, multiple or disseminated lesions of long duration.     

Evaluation of Serum & Salivary IgA in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes

Background

Diabetes mellitus is a common immune mediated disorder. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the level of serum and salivary IgA levels in patients with Type 1 diabetes.

Material and Method

In this case control study, serum and salivary IgA levels of patients with diabetes type 1 and similar non diabetes subjects were measured. Age, gender, duration of diabetes and the last HbA1c level of diabetic patients were also studied. Data was analyzed by SPSS software.

Results

Two hundred and fifty subjects (126 diabetics and 124 non diabetics) were enrolled in the study. The mean value of serum IgA in patients with Type 1 Diabetes and controls was 1.77± 1.55 g/lit and 2.39± 1.52 g/lit, respectively. The mean salivary IgA level in diabetics and controls was 276 ± 162.5 40 μg/ml and 129 ± 112.2 40 μg/ml, respectively. Selective IgA deficiency was detected in two (1.6%) and three(2.4%)cases of diabetic and control group; respectively (p=0.68). We found low salivary IgA level in 44.4% diabetic and 33.9% control (p=0.08). There was no significant correlation between serum and salivary IgA level. There was also significant association between serum IgA levels with age. Salivary IgA was significantly correlated with HbA1c level. But considering gender, duration of diabetes we didn’t find any association.

Conclusion

We didn''t find any significant difference in serum and salivary IgA level among diabetic and non diabetics and also, no association between serum and salivary IgA levels.     

Case report. Cervical carcinoma with selective IgA deficiency

A patient with cervical carcinoma was found to have selective IgA deficiency. The intact cell-mediated immunity, normal levels of IgG and IgM, and the absence of serum and salivary IgA established the diagnosis. Contrary to those of normal persons, salivary IgM was elevated and salivary IgA was not detectable in this patient. The patient had no signs attributable to IgA deficiency, but she always had dryness of the mouth. The association between cervical carcinoma and selective IgA deficiency was discussed.     

Immunological characteristics correlating with clinical response to immunotherapy in patients with advanced metastatic melanoma

Current treatment options for advanced metastatic melanoma are limited to experimental regimen that provide poor survival outcomes. Immunotherapy is a promising alternative and we recently reported a clinical trial in which 6 out of 19 patients enrolled had objective clinical responses to a fully autologous melanoma/dendritic cell vaccine. The mechanism of the vaccine is not well understood, but we hypothesized that general immunocompetence may be a determinant of clinical response. We therefore examined the immune status of an expanded series of 21 patients who displayed varying clinical responses to the melanoma/dendritic cell vaccine. Immunocompetence was assessed using in vitro assays of lymphocyte function: survival, proliferation and cytokine responses to mitogen stimulation as well as T-cell receptor zeta expression and lymphocyte subset analysis. Although lymphocytes from patients mostly performed comparably to age-matched and sex-matched controls, in some assays we identified significant differences between complete clinical responders and other patients, both before and following vaccination. Surprisingly, before vaccination, only lymphocytes from clinical responder patients showed impaired in vitro survival. Following vaccination, T lymphocyte survival improved and cells recovered their ability to produce the Th1-associated cytokines TNF and IFN-gamma in response to anti-CD3 stimulation in vitro. No increase in Th1 cytokine production was observed in lymphocytes from patients who experienced partial clinical responses or progressive disease. We conclude that, before vaccination, patients who go on to have complete responses have immune characteristics suggestive of high cell turnover and low Th1-associated cytokine production, and that these can be reversed with vaccination. These results have potential implications for future immunotherapeutic strategies.     

Diagnostic value of dengue virus-specific IgA and IgM serum antibody detection

The diagnostic value of dengue virus (DV)-specific immunoglobulin A (IgA) serum antibody detection, by an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) was evaluated. For this study, the kinetics of DV-specific IgA serum antibodies was analysed in two experimentally immunised macaques, paired samples from 35 patients suspected of a primary or secondary DV infection, paired sera from patients with high levels of IgA specific antibodies against influenza virus (n = 15), sera from patients with other viral infections (n = 40) and healthy blood donors (n = 10), which served as controls. The presence of DV-specific IgA serum antibodies in humans and in monkeys was compared with that of DV-specific IgM demonstrated in a capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The development of DV-specific IgA and IgM antibodies in macaques proved to be similar to that observed in humans with a DV infection. In sera obtained from suspected primary DV patients during the acute phase and convalescent phase, DV-specific IgA was detected in 1/6 (17%) and 6/6 (100%), whereas IgM was detected in 4/6 (67%) and 5/6 (83%), respectively. In sera from suspected secondary DV patients during the acute phase and convalescent phase, DV-specific IgA was detected in 18/29 (62%) and 28/29 (97%), whereas IgM was detected in 20/29 (69%) and 28/29 (97%), respectively. The control group consisted of five paired serum samples from yellow fever vaccinated individuals and a patient with acute tick-borne encephalitis, 15 paired serum samples from patients with high levels of IgA antibodies specific for influenza virus and 40 serum samples from patients with specific IgM antibodies against other viruses. Ten serum samples from healthy blood donors were included. Among the control serum samples, in one patient, both DV-specific IgA and IgM antibodies were present, and in three sera DV-specific IgM antibodies could be demonstrated. These data suggest that detection of DV-specific IgA serum antibodies by IFA may have additional value for the diagnosis of DV infection.     

The origin of immunoglobulins in salivary secretion of sheep.

A comparative study was made on the secretion of IgG1 and IgA into parotid and submaxillary saliva of sheep. The purpose of the study was to examine the suggestion that in the external secretory organs of ruminants there is an inverse relationship between the capacity to selectively transfer IgG1 and the development of the IgA secretory system. Despite a marked difference in the secretion of IgA between the parotid and submaxillary salivary glands, the magnitude of selective transfer of IgG1 was similar. Thus, there appears to be no relationship between the selective transfer of IgG1 and the secretion of IgA into the saliva of sheep.     

Analysis of paraprotein transport into the saliva by using anti-idiotype antibodies

To determine the extent of clonal involvement of the secretory immune system and the origin of salivary immunoglobulins (Ig) in monoclonal gammopathy patients, saliva and serum samples were collected from five affected individuals (two IgA myelomas, one IgG myeloma, one IgG benign monoclonal gammopathy, and one IgM lymphoma) and were assayed for the presence of monoclonal Ig. Purified polyclonal or monoclonal anti-idiotype (Id) antibodies were prepared against each of the isolated serum paraproteins. In all five individuals, the patient saliva samples inhibited the binding of 125I-labeled homologous Ig to the corresponding anti-Id antibodies, but normal saliva did not. The concentration of Id in patients' saliva varied from 1 to 400 micrograms/ml; i.e., 0.004 to 1.0% of the corresponding serum values. Saliva of a lymphoma patient whose IgM kappa protein exhibited rheumatoid factor (RF) activity also contained RF. The salivary Id-bearing molecules were found to have the same Ig isotype as the serum paraproteins. The myeloma IgA represented a minor component (0.4 and 3.9%) of the total salivary IgA. The salivary IgA myeloma proteins were associated at least in part with secretory component, but the salivary IgG paraproteins were not. In an IgA myeloma patient, a minority (17%) of the IgA+ plasma cells found in the lacrymal gland biopsy specimen were Id+, whereas the great majority (98%) of bone marrow IgA plasma cells were Id+. The results suggest active transport rather than passive transudation of myeloma IgA into the patients' saliva, and the integrity of the secretory immune system was not compromised by the neoplastic process.     

Sublingual immunization with an engineered Bacillus subtilis strain expressing tetanus toxin fragment C induces systemic and mucosal immune responses in piglets

Sublingual (SL) and intranasal (IN) administration of a Bacillus subtilis-based tetanus vaccine was tested in piglets, which more closely mimic the human immune system than mice. Piglets were immunized by the SL, IN or oral routes with vaccine expressing tetanus toxin fragment C, or commercial tetanus vaccine given by intramuscular injection as a control. Tetanus toxoid specific ELISA and passive neutralization tests were used to measure IgG and IgA levels in serum and mucosal secretions, and assess protective serum antibodies, respectively. The nature of the immune response was explored by MHC Class II, TGF-β1 expression, and ELISA assays for multiple cytokines. SL or IN immunization of piglets induced neutralizing tetanus toxoid specific serum antibody and local salivary and vaginal IgA responses. Standard tetanus vaccine resulted in systemic antibodies, whereas oral administration of the Bacillus-based vaccine was ineffective. Further analyses indicated a balanced Th1/Th2 response to SL or IN immunization. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates for the first time that SL or IN administration is effective for inducing both systemic and mucosal responses in a piglet model, indicating that SL or IN delivery of a B. subtilis-based tetanus vaccine can be a simple, non-invasive, low cost strategy to induce immunity to tetanus.     

Differential recognition of oral indigenous bacteria by salivary immunoglobulins A and G

Assuming that salivary immunity to indigenous microorganisms could develop, we assessed antibacterial reactivities of natural salivary antibodies in specific pathogen-free inbred mice. An ELISA was set up, using whole bacterial cells, to map reactivities of salivary IgA and IgG which accounted respectively for 91% and 8.7% of salivary Ig's in the BALB/c mouse. Representative strains of seven species from three genera (Lactobacilli, Staphylococci, and Streptococci), including major and minor components of the murine oral flora (38, 43, and 8%, respectively), were used to determine the presence and level of specific antibodies in individual saliva. It was verified that naturally occurring IgA antibodies can display diverse antibacterial reactivities. A characteristic profile emerged for salivary IgA where antibodies to Streptococcus faecalis predominate. Natural salivary IgG antibodies did not show the same reactivity pattern as IgA, anti-Lactobacilli and anti-Staphylococci reactivities being much less frequent in the salivary IgG repertoire. However, antibodies to S. faecalis occurred at the same high frequency for both isotypes (62-70% of the samples). Besides being species-specific, antibacterial reactivities were also found to be strain-specific. Broad variations in antibacterial titers were detected among individual mice under standardized experimental conditions. Present data thus suggest that the dynamics of salivary antibody production in the mouse reflect a differential natural sensitization of the secretory (IgA) versus the systemic (IgG) immune systems by distinct populations of indigenous bacteria.     

Mucosal immune responses to infections in infants with acute life threatening events classified as 'near-miss' sudden infant death syndrome

This study examined the hypothesis that dysregulation of mucosal immune responses to respiratory infections is a critical event, which could be causal in respiratory arrest of some previously healthy infants. To examine this hypothesis, a prospective study was undertaken of infants presenting to the emergency department of a major teaching hospital with acute life threatening events (ALTE) of unknown cause and classified as "near-miss" SIDS. Salivary immunoglobulin concentrations were measured on admission and again after 14 days. The salivary immunoglobulins were compared with three control groups: infants with a mild upper respiratory tract infection (URTI); bronchiolitis; and healthy age-matched infants. The salivary IgA and IgM concentrations in the ALTE infants at presentation to hospital indicated a significant mucosal immune response had already occurred, with nearly 60% of the IgA concentrations significantly above the population-based reference ranges. The hyper-immune response was most evident in the ALTE infants with pathology evidence of an infection; 87% of these infants had salivary IgA concentrations on average 10 times higher that the age-related median concentration. The most prevalent pathogen identified in the ALTE infants was respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (64%). RSV was also identified in all subjects with bronchiolitis. Risk factors for SIDS were assessed in each group. The data indicated that the ALTE infants diagnosed as 'near-miss' SIDS were a relatively homogeneous group, and most likely these ALTE infants and SIDS represent associated clinical outcomes. The study identified exposure to cigarette smoke and elevated salivary IgA concentrations as predictors of an ALTE. The study findings support the hypothesis of mucosal immune dysregulation in response to a respiratory infection in some infants with an ALTE. They provide a plausible explanation for certain SIDS risk factors. The underlying patho-physiological mechanism of proinflammatory responses to infections during a critical developmental period might be a critical factor in infants who have life-threatening apnoea or succumb to SIDS. The study raises the possibility of using salivary IgA to test infants who present with mild respiratory infections to identify a substantial number of infants at risk of developing an ALTE or SIDS, thus enabling intervention management to prevent such outcomes.     

Identification of IL-18 and Th17 cells in salivary glands of patients with Sjögren's syndrome, and amplification of IL-17-mediated secretion of inflammatory cytokines from salivary gland cells by IL-18

IL-18 is a proinflammatory cytokine and plays an important pathogenic role in inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. IL-17 is also a proinflammatory cytokine and IL-17-secreting Th17 cells are involved in autoimmunity. However, the pathological roles of IL-18 and Th17 cells in Sj?gren's syndrome (SS) remain to be elucidated. This study showed that the expression of IL-18 was detected in acinar cells, intraducts, and CD68(+) macrophages in salivary glands of SS patients, but not in those of healthy subjects or patients with chronic graft-vs-host disease, by immunohistochemistry, and immunoblot analysis revealed that 24-kDa precursor form of IL-18 (proIL-18) and 18-kDa mature IL-18 were detected in SS salivary glands. The majority of the infiltrating cells in the salivary glands of SS patients were CD4(+) T cells, and CD8(+) T cells were infiltrated to a lesser extent. The predominant expression of IL-17 was found in infiltrating CD4(+) T cells, whereas a small number of infiltrating CD8(+) T cells expressed IL-17. Human salivary gland HSY and acinar AZA3 cells constitutively expressed proIL-18 and caspase-1, and a calcium ionophore A23187 induced the secretion of IL-18 from the cells. HSY and AZA3 cells expressed IL-18R and IL-17R on the cell surface, and IL-18 amplified the secretion of IL-6 and IL-8 that were induced by low amounts of IL-17. Primary salivary gland cells from normal subjects partially confirmed these findings. These results suggest that IL-18 and Th17 cells detected in the salivary glands in SS patients are associated with the pathogenesis of SS in the salivary glands.     

HIV mucosal vaccine: nasal immunization with gp160-encapsulated hemagglutinating virus of Japan-liposome induces antigen-specific CTLs and neutralizing antibody responses

Nasal immunization of normal mice with HIVgp160-encapsulated hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ)-liposome induced high titers of gp160-specific neutralizing IgG in serum and IgA in nasal wash, saliva, fecal extract, and vaginal wash, along with both Th1- and Th2-type responses. HIVgp160-specific IgG- and IgA-producing cells were also detected in mononuclear cells isolated from spleen, nasal cavity, salivary gland, intestinal lamina propria, and vaginal tissue of nasally immunized mice. In addition, CD8(+) CTLs were induced in mice nasally immunized with gp160-HVJ-liposome. These findings suggest that two layers of effective HIV-specific humoral and cellular immunity, in mucosal and systemic sites, were induced by this nasal vaccine. In immunodeficient mice, nasal immunization with gp160-HVJ-liposome induced Ag-specific immune responses for the systemic and mucosal compartments of both Th1 (IFN-gamma(-/-)) and Th2 (IL-4(-/-)). In vitro Ag-specific serum IgG Ab and vaginal wash samples possessing IgA and IgG Abs that had been induced by nasal immunization with gp160-HVJ-liposome were able to neutralize a clinically isolated strain of HIV-MN strain isolated from Japanese hemophiliac patients. Taken together, these results suggest that, for the prevention and control of AIDS, nasally administered gp160-HVJ-liposome is a powerful immunization tool that induces necessary Ag-specific immune responses at different stages of HIV infection.     

Isotypic analysis of specific antibody response in serum, saliva, gastric and rectal homogenates of Helicobacter pylori-infected patients

Abstract The relationship between systemic and local humoral immune response to Helicobacter pylori is poorly understood. To further address this issue we measured, using ELISA, H. pylori -specific IgG and IgA antibodies in serum, saliva, gastric and rectal homogenates of H. pylori -infected patients. A total of 107 patients who underwent upper GI endoscopy and/or sigmoidoscopy were studied. The isotypic pattern of H. pylori -specific antibodies appeared to differ at the serum, salivary, gastric and rectal mucosa level. Serum H. pylori IgG titers were higher than those of the serum-specific IgA. On the contrary, in saliva samples. H. pylori IgA titers were higher than specific IgG titers. In gastric homogenates, specific IgG and IgA titers were similar. H. pylori -specific IgG were detectable in rectal homogenates but no or very low H. pylori -specific IgA were found in the same material. Furthermore, no difference was found in H. pylori IgG and IgA in serum, saliva and gastric homogenates between duodenal ulcer and non-ulcer dyspepsia patients. Data of the present study indicate that, in H. pylori -infected patients, the specific immune response is as follows: (1) it involves the secretory immune system; (2) it is paralleled by the specific salivary IgA; (3) it does not differentiate duodenal ulcer from non-ulcer dyspepsia patients; and (4) it does not take place in the large bowel.     

Characterization of anti-Cryptosporidium IgA antibodies in sera from immunocompetent individuals and HIV-infected patients.

Human antibody response to Cryptosporidium parvum has been previously shown as involving immunoglobulin (Ig)M and IgG isotypes. The interest in anti-cryptosporidial IgA antibody response has been recently stimulated by studies on the therapeutic effects of secretory IgA antibodies to Cryptosporidium in animal models and in patients. In the present study, isotypes of serum anti-Cryptosporidium antibodies have been characterized in donors of the following categories: (a) healthy adults, (b) healthy children, (c) immunocompetent children with transient cryptosporidial diarrhea, (d) HIV-infected patients without clinical and parasitological evidence of Cryptosporidium infection and (e) AIDS patients with cryptosporidial diarrhea. Antibodies were detected using C. parvum oocysts purified by density gradient centrifugation from bovine faeces. The IgA antibodies were revealed using alpha-chain specific antibodies. Indirect immunofluorescence analysis with oocysts was used as control. Although high levels of serum antibodies of the IgA class were detected in some donors in the group of healthy adults, elevated values were consistently found in HIV-infected patients. Higher values were found in HIV patients with clinical cryptosporidiosis. The presence of a secretory component in serum IgA antibodies in these patients has been documented. Data indicate that IgA serum antibodies are produced as well as IgM and IgG antibodies upon contact with the parasite, and suggest that elevated IgA serum antibodies to Cryptosporidium are not associated with protection in HIV patients.     

Salivary immunoglobulin classes in Nigerian smokers with periodontitis

AIM:To determine the levels of salivary immunoglobulin classes in Nigerian smokers and non-smokers with periodontitis.METHODS:Sixty-nine individuals were recruited into this study after obtaining informed consent.They were subdivided into three groups that consisted of 20(aged 46 ± 11 years) cigarette smokers with periodontitis(S+P);24(40 ± 12 years) smokers without periodontitis(S-P);and 25(53 ± 11 years) non-smokers with periodontitis(NS+P).An oral and maxillofacial surgeon used radiographs for periodontal probing for the diagnosis of periodontitis.The smokers included subjects who smoked at least six cigarettes per day and all the periodontitis patients were newly diagnosed.About 5 mL of unstimulated saliva was expectorated by each subject into plain sample bottles.Salivary immunoglobulin levels were estimated using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.Student's t test was used to deter-mine significant differences between the means.Values of P 0.05 were regarded as significant.RESULTS:No significant differences were observed in the mean salivary levels of the immunoglobulin classes(IgG,IgA,IgM and IgE) when S+P was compared with S-P.Mean salivary levels of IgA(520.0 ± 155.1 ng/mL vs 670.0 ± 110 ng/mL,P = 0.000) and IgM(644.5 ± 160.0 ng/mL vs 791.4 ± 43.7 ng/mL,P = 0.000) were significantly lower in the S+P compared with NS+P group.Salivary IgA(570.4 ± 145.6 ng/mL vs 670.0 ± 110 ng/mL,P = 0.008) and IgM(703.1 ± 169.3 ng/mL vs 791.4 ± 43.7 ng/mL,P = 0.012) levels were significantly lower in the S-P compared with NS+P group.Only one(5%) periodontal patient had detectable levels of salivary IgE(0.20 IU/mL).Similarly,only one smoker(4.17%) had detectable levels of salivary IgE(0.04 IU/mL) and two non-smokers(9.52%) had detectable levels of IgE(0.24 IU/mL).CONCLUSION:Our study suggests that reduced salivary IgA and IgM levels in smokers with periodontitis could enhance increased susceptibility to periodontitis.     

Multiple patterns of alloantigen presenting/stimulating cell dysfunction in patients with AIDS.

The APC/stimulating cell (APC/SC) potential of PBMC from Walter Reed stage 1 and 2 patients and patients with AIDS was tested by using these PBMC as stimulators in an allogeneic MLR. The responding cells were PBMC from unrelated, HIV- donors that were either unfractionated or depleted of APC by plastic and nylon wool adherence. Using this approach, we observed no defect in the APC/SC potential of PBMC from Walter Reed stage 1 and 2 patients. However, PBMC from AIDS patients used as allogeneic stimulators exhibited three different patterns of APC/SC function: 1) no defect in alloantigen (ALLO) APC/SC potential; 2) a defect in ALLO APC/SC function that was detected only if the responder cells were depleted of APC (presenting cell defect); and 3) a defect in ALLO APC/SC function, irrespective of whether the responder cells were depleted of APC (stimulating cell defect). These results indicate that in addition to Th cell defects associated with AIDS, the PBMC from AIDS patients can also exhibit a defect in APC/SC function. This study provides an approach that permits the testing of Ag-presenting function in all AIDS patients, and is therefore not limited to testing patients for whom HIV-, HLA-identical T cells and APC are available.     

Role of amylase, mucin, IgA and albumin on salivary protein buffering capacity: A pilot study

It has been suggested that proteins serve as major salivary buffers below pH?5. It remains unclear, however, which salivary proteins are responsible for these buffering properties. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the correlation between salivary concentration of total protein, amylase, mucin, immunoglobulin A (IgA), albumin and total salivary protein buffering capacity at a pH range of 4–5. In addition, the buffering capacity and the number of carboxylic acid moieties of single proteins were assessed. Stimulated saliva samples were collected at 9:00, 13:00 and 17:00 from 4 healthy volunteers on 3 successive days. The buffering capacities were measured for total salivary protein or for specific proteins. Also, the concentration of total protein, amylase, mucin, IgA and albumin were analysed. Within the limits of the current study, it was found that salivary protein buffering capacity was highly positively correlated with total protein, amylase and IgA concentrations. A weak correlation was observed for both albumin and mucin individually. Furthermore, the results suggest that amylase contributed to 35% of the salivary protein buffering capacity in the pH range of 4–5.     

Serological study on Chlamydophila pneumoniae in patients with community-acquired pneumonia

This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of Chlamydophila pneumoniae antibodies in patients with community acquired pneumonia (CAP) by a new ELISA test (EIA CP-IgG, IgA, IgM--Eurospital, Trieste, Italy). From January 1999 to July 2001 141 patients with clinical signs of CAP were enrolled in sixteen Italian Hospitals. Specific IgM and IgG antibodies anti-C. pneumoniae in serum and IgA in both serum and sputum were detected. At a primary inspection (time T-0) serum and sputum samples were taken from 115/141 patients, whereas serum was collected from only 100/141 patients after 30 days (time T-30). At T-0 24/115 (20.8%) patients showed serological markers thus suggesting an acute C. pneumoniae infection. In 23/24 patients the overall serological pattern found at T-0 was confirmed at T-30. In 32/115 patients (27.8%) serological markers of C. pneumoniae past infection were found positive and were confirmed 30 days later. These data support the role of C. pneumoniae as an important aetiological agent of CAP throughout different geographic areas of Italy. The test was suitable for the laboratory diagnosis of C. pneumoniae infection. In particular, the presence of specific IgA anti- C. pneumoniae in both serum and sputum proved useful to define different stages and evolution of infection.     

白癜风患儿抗核抗体、免疫球蛋白及补体检测的临床分析

目的:探讨白癜风患儿中抗核抗体(ANA)、免疫球蛋白(IgG、IgA、IgM)以及补体(C3、C4)的表达及临床意义。方法:收集2014年10月至2016年5月我院收治的30例白癜风患儿为病例组,并于同期随机选取30例健康体检儿童为对照组,患儿的血清ANA、12种自身抗体谱分别采用间接免疫荧光法及免疫印迹法进行检测,IgG、IgA、IgM,C3、C4水平采用免疫透射比浊法进行检测。结果:病例组中ANA阳性率为13.33%(4/30),与对照组的3.33%(1/30)比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。12种自身抗体谱中,分别有1例(3.33%)患儿dsDNA、SmDNA、SS-A/Ro60KD、SS-B/La、CENP-B阳性,与对照组比较,差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。病例组患儿血清IgG、IgA、C4水平低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。ANA阳性患儿血清IgG、IgA、IgM水平高于ANA阴性患儿,而补体C3、C4水平低于ANA阴性患儿,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:白癜风患儿ANA阳性表达与健康儿童无明显区别,体液免疫功能有明显异常,临床有重要的参考价值。