Performance Evaluation of BD FACSPresto Near-Patient CD4 Counter for Monitoring Antiretroviral Therapy in HIV-Infected Individuals in Primary Healthcare Clinics in Thailand.

HIV viral load is more reliable tool for monitoring treatment throughout the course of HIV/AIDS, but the test may be expensive in resource-limited settings. Therefore, enumeration of CD4 T-lymphocyte count remains important in these settings. This study evaluated the performance of BDFACSPresto, a near-patient CD4 counter planned to be used in primary healthcare clinics in Thailand.

Immunogenicity of a Two-Dose Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Schedule in HIV-Infected Adolescents with Immune Reconstitution.

HIV-infected patients are at increased risk of human papillomavirus (HPV) acquisition and HPV-associated diseases. This study set out to determine whether a two-dose (2D) HPV vaccination schedule was sufficient in HIV-infected adolescents with immune reconstitution (IR) following antiretroviral treatment. Participants aged 9-15 years who had CD4 cell counts > 500 cells/mm and HIV-1 RNA < 40 copies/mL for at least one year were assigned to the 2D schedule, while older participants or those without IR received a three-dose (3D) schedule.

EpCAM expression in squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix detected by monoclonal antibody to the membrane-proximal part of EpCAM.

Background: Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is a promising biomarker for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the uterine cervix, because it is over-expressed in various cancers of epithelial origin. However, EpCAM expression reported in previous immunohistochemistry (IHC) studies was inconsistent. We hypothesize that the membrane-distal part of EpCAM may be lost during tissue preparation, leaving only the membrane-proximal part of EpCAM available for antibody binding and IHC staining.

Production, characterization, and in vitro effects of a novel monoclonal antibody against Mig-7.

Development of new cancer therapies based on specific recognition of molecules in cancer cells is a significant challenge, as this requires identification of such molecules (molecular targets) and subsequent development of high-affinity, selective binders (targeting molecules). While several molecular targets for cancer therapies are currently under evaluation in clinical trials, greater selectivity for cancer cells over normal cells is required to enhance efficacy. Migration-inducing gene 7 (Mig-7), a membrane protein found in various types of carcinoma cells, is a cancer-specific biomarker and a promising molecular target for targeted cancer therapies.

Simultaneous discrimination and detection of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and seasonal influenza A viruses using a rapid immunogold biosensor.

A rapid immunogold biosensor for the simultaneous discrimination of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and seasonal influenza A viruses was developed successfully. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that were specific for the hemagglutinin protein of the A(H1N1)pdm09 virus were produced, and the best mAb pairs were selected. Using an mAb that was specific for the influenza A nucleoprotein, a rapid immunogold biosensor for the discrimination and detection of A(H1N1)pdm09/seasonal influenza viruses was developed.

Adult-onset immunodeficiency in Thailand and Taiwan.

Background: Autoantibodies against interferon-γ are associated with severe disseminated opportunistic infection, but their importance and prevalence are unknown.

Methods: We enrolled 203 persons from sites in Thailand and Taiwan in five groups: 52 patients with disseminated, rapidly or slowly growing, nontuberculous mycobacterial infection (group 1); 45 patients with another opportunistic infection, with or without nontuberculous mycobacterial infection (group 2); 9 patients with disseminated tuberculosis (group 3); 49 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (group 4); and 48 healthy controls (group 5). Clinical histories were recorded, and blood specimens were obtained.

Improved sensitivity of influenza A antigen detection using a combined NP, M, and NS1 sandwich ELISA.

A new modified triple-antigen detection test was developed for the direct detection of the influenza A virus. The nucleoprotein (NP), matrix (M), and non-structural (NS1) proteins were used as target antigens because they are abundant in infected cells. Monoclonal antibodies specific to the NP, M, and NS1 proteins were generated.

Cryptococcal osteomyelitis in a child with a novel compound mutation of the IL12RB1 gene.

The IL-12p40/IL-12Rbeta1 and IFN-gammaR1/IFN-gammaR2/STAT1 signaling pathways are important for clearing intracellular bacteria. Genetic defects within these pathways are associated with increased susceptibility to intracellular pathogens. Among these, IL-12Rbeta1 deficiency is the most common defect and leads to infections with Salmonella and Mycobacterium spp.

Flow cytometric CD4 enumeration of four different HIV-infected blood samples at the cost of one monoclonal antibody reagent.

Background: The frequency and absolute number of CD4+ T-lymphocytes continue to be one of the major clinical markers for management of HIV/AIDS. The present standard dual-platform (DP) three-color and two-color PanLeucogating flow cytometric (FCM) methods for most developing countries are either expensive if manufacturers' monoclonal antibody reagents are used or limited due to an insufficient supply of generic reagents. Clearly, more affordable FCM methods are needed.

Performance evaluation of the Alere PIMA CD4 test for monitoring HIV-infected individuals in resource-constrained settings.

Background: Enumeration of CD4+ T-lymphocytes is important in the management of HIV. However, standard laboratory systems based on flow cytometry are expensive, complicated, and thus unavailable to most resource-limited settings where a low-cost and fully automated point-of-care CD4 testing system is required. In attempts to address this issue, a study was conducted to validate the Alere PIMA point-of-care CD4 test.

A novel mutation of the IL12RB1 gene in a child with nocardiosis, recurrent salmonellosis and neurofibromatosis type I: first case report from Thailand.

Genetic defects of interleukin (IL)-12/23-and interferon (IFN)-gamma-mediated immunity can cause increased susceptibility to intracellular microbes. Among these defects, a mutation of the gene encoding the IL-12 receptor beta1 (IL-12Rbeta1) is the most common worldwide. A 12-year old Thai boy with pre-existing neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) was evaluated for primary immunodeficiency after a history of tuberculous lymphadenitis, recurrent Salmonella infections and nocardiosis.

Comparison of 5 flow cytometric immunophenotyping systems for absolute CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts in HIV-1-infected patients living in resource-limited settings.

Enumeration of CD4+ T lymphocytes is important in management of HIV-infected patients. However, CD4 testing by current gold standard bead-based flow cytometer (FCM) system is expensive for developing countries. This study compared 2 affordable volumetric FCMs with the 3 predicate FCM systems.

A novel mutation of the CYBB gene resulting in severe form of X-linked chronic granulomatous disease.

We evaluated a boy who had multiple Salmonella septicemia, Aspergillus pneumonia and brain abscesses. His nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) test was reportedly abnormal. The dihydrorhodamine (DHR) flow cytometry assay was compatible with typical X-linked chronic granulomatous disease (X-CGD).

New BD FACSCount CD4 reagent system for simultaneous enumeration of percent and absolute CD4 T-lymphocytes in HIV-1-infected pediatric patients.

Background: Absolute CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts are used in the initiation and monitoring of antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected patients. Becton Dickinson's (BD) FACSCount system was introduced 12 years ago as a dedicated instrument for enumeration of absolute CD4+ T-lymphocytes. However, this system does not provide percent CD4+ T-lymphocyte that is the required monitoring parameter in pediatric patients.

Evaluation of a single-platform microcapillary flow cytometer for enumeration of absolute CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts in HIV-1 infected Thai patients.

Background: Various assays are used to enumerate peripheral blood absolute CD4+ T-lymphocytes. Flow cytometry is considered the gold standard for this purpose. However, the high cost of available flow cytometers and monoclonal antibody reagents make it difficult to implement such methods in the resource-poor settings.

Serodiagnosis of melioidosis by a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using a lipopolysaccharide-specific monoclonal antibody.

Burkholderia pseudomallei is the causative agent of melioidosis, a severe and potentially fatal infectious disease in humans known to be endemic in Southeast Asia and northern Australia. The infection is also increasingly recognized in various animal species with a potential to spread to humans. With the potential as a biological warfare agent, specific serodiagnosis of melioidosis for surveillance in large populations at risk, humans or animals, would be highly valuable.

A multicenter evaluation of the PanLeucogating method and the use of generic monoclonal antibody reagents for CD4 enumeration in HIV-infected patients in Thailand.

Background: The current method of CD4 enumeration in Thailand, based on the three-tube, three-color method recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is expensive and thus unavailable to most patients who have the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Less expensive, simpler protocols (i.e.

Low-cost CD4 enumeration in HIV-infected patients in Thailand.

In Thailand, over one million people have been infected with HIV since the beginning of the epidemic. This has created a great burden on the country's limited health care budget. Monitoring CD4+ T-lymphocytes is important to determine the success of any antiretroviral therapy as well as HIV vaccine trials.