Establishment and characterization of cell lines from liver fluke-associated cholangiocarcinoma induced in a hamster model.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a relatively rare tumor that occurs primarily in tropical countries and particularly in those with a high incidence of liver fluke infection. A hamster model for a liver fluke-associated CCA has been described previously. In the present study, hamster cholangiocarcinoma cell lines were established and characterized in order to obtain information regarding diagnostically useful tumor marker which could shed light for a future investigation for human cholangiocarcinoma.

Identification and potential use of a soluble tumor antigen for the detection of liver-fluke-associated cholangiocarcinoma induced in a hamster model.

A liver-fluke-associated cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), comparable to that occurring in humans, was induced by exposing Opisthorchis viverrini-infected hamsters to dimethylnitrosamine (DMN). Tumor masses were removed and histopathologically identified, then one portion was extracted for antigens used in the production of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). The remaining portions were used to establish CCA cell lines.

A new method for factor VII deficient substrate preparation and coagulation studies in malaria.

A simplified technique using DEAE-cellulose chromatography for the preparation of factor VII deficient substrate was developed in order to reduce the high cost of individual factor VII assay in the routine coagulation laboratory. The substrate prepared from cryo-removed human and bovine plasma had a high correlation (r = 0.9929) with two of the most popular imported commercial substrates available (DADE, Ortho).

Cushing's syndrome caused by Ewing's sarcoma secreting corticotropin releasing factor-like peptide.

Procedures were carried out in a 12-year-old girl to relate Ewing's sarcoma of the left tibia with Cushing's syndrome. Computed tomography revealed a normal pituitary and hypothalamus but bilateral adrenal hyperplasia without focal enlargement, thus readily excluding hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal tumor. Negative results from a high-dose dexamethasone suppression test do not support pituitary-dependent Cushing's disease.

Development of immune-complex glomerulonephritis and amyloidosis in Syrian golden hamsters infected with Opisthorchis viverrini.

Renal disease associated with Opisthorchis viverrini infection was investigated in Syrian golden hamsters. On the fourth week after infection with 100 viable metacercariae; anti-tegumental membrane antibodies were detected in the sera by immunofluorescence antibody technic and by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Six weeks after infection tegumental and anti-tegumental membrane immune-complex and amyloid fibrils were found in the glomeruli.

Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis in Thai children.

Sixteen children with extensive crescentic glomerulonephritis and rapid renal deterioration were selected from 476 patients with glomerulopathy for study. The patients (1-14 yr, M:F = 5:11) presented with edema, oligoanuria, hypertension, gross hematuria and uremic symptoms in 81, 62, 62, 56 and 50 per cent, respectively. The mean Scr was 804 (+/- 436) micromole/L and BUN 38 (+/- 13.

Heterogeneity of antibody response to glomerular basement membrane antigen in patients with different forms of glomerulonephritis.

Antibodies to collagenous and noncollagenous components of glomerular basement membrane (GBM) have been detected by immunoblotting in some sera from patients with various kinds of glomerulonephritis. A half proportion of patients with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN), chronic focal glomerulonephritis (CFGN), idiopathic membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN). IgA nephropathy and lupus nephritis (LE-GN) had IgG antibodies to heterogenous components in acid insoluble fraction of pepsin digested GBM.

Immunological and immunopathological studies of patients with burn scar.

Sera obtained from 5 cases of burn scars (patients group 1) and cases of burn scars with squamous cell carcinoma (patients group 2) of the skin are analysed for anticollagen antibodies. Anticollagen type VI was demonstrable in the serum of one out of 5 cases in group 1 and 4 out of 6 cases in group 2. Collagen type VI was demonstrable in the scar without carcinoma of one patient whose serum contained anticollagen type VI.

Hematological and coagulation studies in malaria.

One hundred and twenty-six patients with malaria (30 cases of P. vivax and 96 cases of P. falciparum) were studied for evidence of hematological coagulation and fibrinolysis abnormalities.

Wilms' tumor, male pseudohermaphroditism and glomerulonephritis: the Drash syndrome. First case report in Thailand and review the literatures.

The Drash syndrome, the first case in Thailand is reported. The patient had male pseudohermaphrodite, Wilms' tumor of the left kidney and mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis. Metastasis of Wilms' tumor was noted in the liver, omentum, pelvic peritoneum and vertebral body.

Establishment and characterization of a cholangiocarcinoma cell line from a Thai patient with intrahepatic bile duct cancer.

A new human cholangiocarcinoma cell line (HuCCA-1) was established from cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) tissue fragments surgically removed from a Thai patient with intrahepatic bile duct cancer. The growth medium used for the primary cell culture was Ham's F12 supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and 10 ng/ml epithelial growth factor (EGF). Approximately one month later, the cells were subcultured in Ham's F12 supplemented with only 10% FBS.

Basement membrane antibodies in Alport's syndrome.

By the indirect immunofluorescent technique, sera from patients with Alport's syndrome showed a reaction with the basement membrane of the capillary wall of glomeruli and peritubular vessels and nearby interstitial tissue of normal monkey and mouse kidney as a substrate. It also revealed bright staining to the matrix surrounding the clusters of EHS tumor cells and stromal tissues. These reactions were caused by autoantibodies present in these sera.

An immunofluorescence study of cerebral malaria. A correlation with histopathology.

Histopathologic and immunopathologic features of cerebral malaria have been defined in a study of six autopsy cases with severe Plasmodium falciparum infection. In five cases, immunofluorescent studies demonstrated intense deposition of P falciparum antigen, IgG, and fibrin in cerebral vessels associated with the histopathologic finding of hemorrhage in the white matter of cerebrum and cerebellum regardless of the presence of parasitized erythrocytes in the cerebral vessels. Immunofluorescent study also demonstrated the extravascular deposits of P falciparum granular antigen associated with acute inflammatory lesion in cerebral tissue in one case.

The primary nephrotic syndrome in children at Ramathibodi Hospital: clinical and clinicopathological study.

Mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MesPGN) is the most common histopathological finding of primary nephrotic syndrome in Thai children. Prediction of glomerular morphology is possible by the clinical characteristics: the age at onset older than 6 years old, occurring mostly in males, with or without hematuria, no hypertension, normal serum creatinine level, response to initial corticosteroid therapy but frequent relapses. Epidemiological study pertaining to associated environmental factors and immunological response of Thai children is needed.

A characteristic immunoblotting pattern for Opisthorchiasis sera with metacercarial antigens.

The protein compositions of homogenized metacercaria and adult Opisthorchis viverrini were characterized by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The two different stages of O. viverrini parasite contained several protein components with very similar mobilities on SDS-PAGE gel.

Enhancement of DEN-induced hepatocellular nodule development by Opisthorchis viverrini infection in Syrian golden hamsters.

The influence of Opisthorchis viverrini liver fluke infection on development of diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocellular nodules was investigated in Syrian golden hamsters. Infection with 60 metacercariae, 4 weeks prior to administration of DEN for 12 weeks in the drinking water at dose levels of 10, 20 and 40 p.p.

Detection of antibodies in sera from patients with Opisthorchiasis.

The indirect immunofluorescent antibody technique (IFA) was used for detection of antibodies in sera of patients with Opisthorchiasis. Antibodies to fluke worm and egg antigens were detected in 166 of 205 (81%) patients. The test showed that only the IgG class of antibodies reacting exclusively with integumental wall of the worm (AW) were positive in 46.

Unusual protein pattern of Opisthorchis viverrini.

The proteins of homogenized adult Opisthorchis viverrini were separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing in the presence of detergents. By far the most abundant component(s) had a Mr of 18,000 to 19,000, represented about 47% of the total parasite protein, and did not separate in isotypes.

IgA nephropathy associated with enteric fever.

3 cases of enteric fever (2 paratyphoid and 1 typhoid) associated with IgA nephropathy were reported. Salmonella Vi antigen was demonstrated in the glomeruli. The clinical syndrome disappeared after enteric fever was treated.

Autoantibodies in sera of Thai patients with Plasmodium falciparum infection.

Serum from 98 Thai adults infected with Plasmodium falciparum were examined for the presence of autoantibodies. Malarial containing antibodies sera were also revealed positive for anti-nuclear antibodies with fluorescence speckled pattern, anti-smooth muscle antibodies, anti-mitochondria antibodies and rheumatoid factor. There was no detectable antibody to double stranded DNA.

Immunological studies on acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease.

The results of immunologic studies in 27 cases of acute rheumatic fever and 11 cases of chronic rheumatic heart disease are reported. In both groups, there are elevation of peripheral B lymphocytes and depression of T lymphocytes when compared to the normal control subjects. Circulating immune complexes and autoantibodies including anti-smooth muscle antibody, antimitochondria antibody and anti-parietal cell antibody are detectable in certain cases of both groups.