Hyperthermic treatment of chromomycosis with disposable chemical pocket warmers

A case of chromomycosis in which hyperthermia proved effective is reported. The patient was a 56-year-old male bean curd maker who, without any previous history of minor trauma, developed on the extensor side of the left upper arm an eczematous lesion that underwent gradual radial expansion. The lesion showed a well-defined, 7×10 cm infiltrated erythematous plaque with the central area healed and, at the upper and lower borders, adherent scales and crusts on the surface. Histological examination revealed granulomatous changes in the dermis, as well as sclerotic cells within giant cells and microabscesses. On culturing,Fonsecaea pedrosoi was isolated. The patient was treated with disposable chemical pocket warmers, which were secured over the lesion with a rather tight elastic bandage, so that they kept the affected area warm for 24 hours a day. After a month of such hyperthermic treatment, the erythema and infiltration had decreased considerably, and microscopic examination and culture of the crusts both yielded negative results. Examination of biopsy specimens of the lesion after the third month showed that it had cicatrized. The treatment was stopped after 4 months, and no relapse occurred. We also summarize the published results of local hyperthermic treatment of chromomycosis in Japan.     

Identification of HLA-B44 subtypes associated with extended MHC haplotypes

The HLA class I antigen B44 is found in each of two different extended major histocompatibility haplotypes (allele combinations of HLA-B, HLA-DR, and complement genes BF, C2, C4A, and C4B in linkage disequilibrium). Using isoelectric focusing, two variants of HLA-B44 were identified. The basic variant was found in all cell lines with the extended haplotype HLA-B44, DR7, FC31, and the acidic variant in all cell lines with the extended haplotype HLA-B44, DR4, SC30. The occurrence of each antigen variant with a unique extended haplotype explains previous observations concerning the nonrandom association of B44 variants with DR antigens.     

Ovine trophoblast protein-1 and human interferon alpha reduce prostaglandin synthesis by ovine endometrial cells

Ovine trophoblast protein-1 (oTP-1), a protein secreted by the sheep conceptus immediately prior to implantation has sequence homology with alpha interferon. We have previously shown that, in parallel with human alpha interferon (IFN), oTP-1 reduces the release of prostaglandins (PG) E and F2 alpha from cultured ovine endometrial cells. Here we have examined the time and dose dependence of these actions and the possible site of action of the peptides. The concentrations of oTP-1 and IFN required for 50% inhibition of PGE release were 92 pg/ml and 0.88 pg/ml and for PGF2 alpha release, 165 pg/ml and 1.12 pg/ml respectively. Significant effects on PG release were not measured before 12 h after addition of peptide to culture dishes. Following removal of the peptides, the cells released less PGs for a further 18 h but then recovered. A large increase in PG synthesis and release occurred from cells cultured with added serum or arachidonic acid (AA) and an interactive effect was demonstrated between them, AA having a greater stimulatory effect on PG released in the presence of serum. However, in all cases oTP-1 and IFN continued to attenuate prostaglandin release. We conclude that the IFNs act directly or indirectly on the prostaglandin synthase enzyme.     

A study of functionally active amino acids involved in the interaction of HLA-A2 or HLA-A3 molecules with cytolytic T lymphocytes

A large series of HLA-A2/HLA-A3 recombinant genes were generated by using the in vivo recombination technique. These genes have each been modified in the last two-thirds of the third exon such that one or several HLA-A2-specific substitutions have been made in the HLA-A3 gene and vice versa. The recombinant genes were transfected into the murine cell line P815 and the transfectants were used as targets for a series of 20 human CTL lines or clones specific for HLA-A2 or HLA-A3, or restricted by HLA-A2 and specific for influenza A. Several patterns of anti-HLA-A2, anti-HLA-A3, and HLA-A2-restricted anti-influenza CTL activity were observed and when uncloned cell lines were studied, a progressive selection of some clones with a similar pattern of activity was regularly found. From the comparison of these different patterns the following conclusions can be drawn: 1) In most but not all cases both domains of the class I molecule were essential for CTL recognition, but residue 152 was critically important for the majority of CTL tested; 2) amino acids 114/116 were also critical in most cases, and their position close to amino acid 152 in the tertiary structure of the molecule may have some functional significance; and 3) amino acid 161, although highly conserved, plays an unexpected but very important role in CTL function.     

Pulmonary paracoccidioidomycosis in immunized mice

Paracoccidioidomycosis was induced in immunized (IM) and non-immunized (NI) mice. The histopathology, the number of fungi in the lungs, the cellular (footpad test — FPT and macrophage inhibition factor assay — MIF) and humoral (immunodiffusion test) immune response were investigated serially postinfection. In the IM mice, at days 1 and 3, there was intense and predominant macrophagic-lymphocytic alveolitis with loose granulomatous reaction; at day 30, inflammation was mild. In the NI group, up to day 3, the lesions were focal; later there was formation of extensive epithelioid granuloma. The number of fungi in IM mice were always smaller than those of NI group. Immunization alone induced positive FPT and MIF indices with low titer of antibody. After infection, there was a significant decrease of the FPT indices in the IM group, which we interpreted as desensitization due to trapping of sensitized lymphocytes in the lungs. In conclusion, (1) The lesional pattern of pulmonary paracoccidioidomycosis in IM mice was similar to that of a hypersensitivity pneumonitis. This reaction was probably effective in reducing the extension of the infection and decrease the number of fungi. (2) In this model, pulmonary resistance against P. brasiliensis seems to be related to local and systemic delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction.