Correction to: Active human herpesvirus infections in adults with systemic lupus erythematosus and correlation with the SLEDAI score.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Active human herpesvirus infections in adults with systemic lupus erythematosus and correlation with the SLEDAI score.

Background: Human herpesviruses (HHVs) are responsible for a significant number of clinical manifestations in systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) patients. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of active HHV infections in SLE patients and correlating them with disease activity.

Methods: Serum samples were collected from 71 SLE patients and their DNAs were extracted and analyzed to detect HHV-DNA viruses using the nucleic acid amplification technique.

Secretory IgA-mediated immune response in saliva and early detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the lower airways of pediatric cystic fibrosis patients.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) detection in the paranasal sinuses may help to prevent or postpone bacterial aspiration to the lower airways (LAW) and chronic lung infection in cystic fibrosis (CF). We assessed the ability of an ELISA test for measurement of specific Pa secretory IgA (sIgA) in saliva (a potential marker of sinus colonization) to early detect changes in the Pa LAW status (indicated by microbiological sputum or cough swab culture and specific serum IgG levels) of 65 patients for three years, in different investigation scenarios. Increased sIgA levels were detected in saliva up to 22 months before changes in culture/serology.

Serological and molecular inquiry of Chagas disease in an Afro-descendant settlement in Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil.

Furnas do Dionísio is a Brazilian Afro-descendant settlement in the city of Jaraguari, 21.4 miles from Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Approximately 96 families live in this quilombola (Maroon) settlement, also known in Brazil as a remnant community of descendants of African slaves.

Secretory IgA response against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the upper airways and the link with chronic lung infection in cystic fibrosis.

We assessed the diagnostic ability of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test for measurement of specific secretory IgA (sIgA) in saliva to identify cystic fibrosis (CF) patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa chronic lung infection and intermittent lung colonization. A total of 102 Brazilian CF patients and 53 healthy controls were included. Specific serum IgG response was used as a surrogate to distinguish CF patients according to their P.

Toxoplasma-SPECIFIC IgG SUBCLASS ANTIBODY RESPONSE IN CEREBROSPINAL FLUID SAMPLES FROM PATIENTS WITH CEREBRAL TOXOPLASMOSIS.

Cerebral toxoplasmosis can be highly debilitating and occasionally fatal in persons with immune system deficiencies. In this study, we evaluated the Toxoplasma gondii-specific IgG subclass antibody response in 19 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from patients with cerebral toxoplasmosis who had a positive IgG anti-T. gondii ELISA standardized with a cyst antigen preparation.

Assessment of IgG antibodies to Pseudomonas aeruginosa in patients with cystic fibrosis by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Background: The usefulness of serological tests for detection of P. aeruginosa pulmonary infection in cystic fibrosis (CF) is controversial. Here, we assessed the value of detecting anti-P.

Evaluation of cysticercus-specific IgG (total and subclasses) and IgE antibody responses in cerebrospinal fluid samples from patients with neurocysticercosis showing intrathecal production of specific IgG antibodies.

In the present study, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) standardized with vesicular fluid of Taenia solium cysticerci was used to screen for IgG (total and subclasses) and IgE antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from patients with neurocysticercosis showing intrathecal production of specific IgG antibodies and patients with other neurological disorders. The following results were obtained: IgG-ELISA: 100% sensitivity (median of the ELISA absorbances (MEA)=1.17) and 100% specificity; IgG1-ELISA: 72.

Association analysis of anti-Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen-1 antibodies, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies, the shared epitope and smoking status in Brazilian patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Introduction: Epstein-Barr virus exposure appears to be an environmental trigger for rheumatoid arthritis that interacts with other risk factors. Relationships among anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies, the shared epitope, and smoking status have been observed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis from different populations.

Objective: To perform an association analysis of anti-Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen-1 antibodies, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies, the shared epitope, and smoking status in Brazilian patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Simultaneous monitoring of CMV and human herpesvirus 6 infections and diseases in liver transplant patients: one-year follow-up.

Objective: The aim of this study was to simultaneously monitoring cytomegalovirus and human herpesvirus 6 active infections using nested-polymerase chain reaction and, together with clinical findings, follow the clinical status of patients undergoing liver transplant.

Introduction: The human β-herpesviruses, including cytomegalovirus and human herpesvirus 6, are ubiquitous among human populations. Active infections of human herpesvirus 6 and cytomegalovirus are common after liver transplantation, possibly induced and facilitated by allograft rejection and immunosuppressive therapy.

Evaluation of two Taenia solium cysticercal antigenic preparations (vesicular fluid and a glycoprotein fraction with affinity for lentil lectin) for the immunodiagnosis of neurocysticercosis by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Objective: To evaluate the performance of two antigenic preparations (vesicular fluid - VF and a glycoprotein fraction, LLa-Gp fraction, purified from a whole parasite extract by lentil lectin affinity chromatography) from Taenia solium cysticerci for the immunodiagnosis of neurocysticercosis.

Method: Fifty-six cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples (22 from patients with neurocysticercosis and 34 from patients with other neurological disorders) and 57 serum samples (22 from patients with neurocysticercosis, 18 from patients with other infections and 17 from presumably healthy persons) were assayed for anticysticercal IgG antibodies with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results: The VF ELISA showed 100% sensitivity and specificity in CSF and serum samples, whereas the sensitivity and specificity of the LLa-Gp ELISA were, respectively, 90.

Serological monitoring of a Toxoplasma infection after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

We report a primary response to Toxoplasma gondii following a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in a patient with multiple myeloma. The primary response to T. gondii was supported by IgM, IgG and IgA seroconversion.

Determination of alpha 1-antitrypsin levels and of the presence of S and Z alleles in a population of patients with chronic respiratory symptoms.

Objective: To determine the levels of alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) and the presence of S and Z alleles in patients with chronic respiratory symptoms.

Methods: Patients with chronic cough and dyspnea were submitted to clinical evaluation, pulmonary function tests, high-resolution computed tomography, nephelometric determination of AAT and determination of S and Z alleles by polymerase chain reaction. Smoking and AAT levels were considered the dependent variables.

Assessment of the value of detecting specific IgA antibodies for the diagnosis of a recently acquired primary Toxoplasma infection.

Objective: To assess the value of detecting IgA antibodies for the diagnosis of a recently acquired primary Toxoplasma infection.

Methods: IgA antibodies were screened in sera from 87 women with different serological profiles of Toxoplasma gondii IgM and IgG antibodies and Toxoplasma-specific IgG avidity. The IgM and IgG antibodies and the IgG avidity were measured with an automated Vitek Immuno Diagnostic Assay System (VIDAS).

Comparison of serology, antigenemia assay and the polymerase chain reaction for monitoring active cytomegalovirus infections in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation patients.

Forty-six allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients were monitored for the presence of CMV antibodies, CMV-DNA and CMV antigens after transplantation. Immunoenzymatic serological tests were used to detect IgM and the increase in CMV IgG antibodies (increase IgG), a nested polymerase chain reaction (N-PCR) was used to detect CMV-DNA, and an antigenemia assay (AGM) was used to detect CMV antigens. The presence of CMV-IgM and/or CMV-increase IgG antibodies was detected in 12/46 (26.

Intrathecal synthesis of specific immunoglobulin G antibodies in neurocysticercosis: evaluation of antibody concentrations by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using a whole cysticercal extract and cyst vesicular fluid as antigens.

The demonstration of intrathecal antibody production has proven useful for showing the involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) in several diseases. In the present study, the intrathecal synthesis of cysticercus-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies was investigated in 30 patients with neurocysticercosis based on calculation of the specific IgG antibody index (AI(IgG)). An AI(IgG) > or =1.

Surveillance of cytomegalovirus infection in haematopoietic stem cell transplantation patients.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe our experience in the control of active CMV infection following HSCT using two strategies of CMV infection treatment: ganciclovir universal prophylaxis at low doses and pre-emptive therapy with ganciclovir.

Methods: The surveillance was based on the monitoring of antigenaemia (AGM) and on a nested polymerase chain reaction (N-PCR) for the detection of CMV in both strategies. Forty-five recipients with malignant diseases and with a risk for CMV disease received universal prophylaxis (Group A).

Evaluation of an in-house specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) avidity ELISA for distinguishing recent primary from long-term human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection.

This article describes the standardization and evaluation of an in-house specific IgG avidity ELISA for distinguishing recent primary from long-term human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection. The test was standardized with the commercial kit ETI-CYTOK G Plus (Sorin Biomedica, Italy) using 8 M urea in phosphate-buffered saline to dissociate low-avidity antibodies after the antigen-antibody interaction. The performance of the in-house assay was compared to that of the commercial automated VIDAS CMV IgG avidity test (bioM rieux, France).

Negative immunodiffusion test results obtained with sera of paracoccidioidomycosis patients may be related to low-avidity immunoglobulin G2 antibodies directed against carbohydrate epitopes.

Immunodiffusion (ID) is the serologic test most frequently used for the diagnosis and posttherapy follow-up of patients with paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM). The ID test is highly specific (100%), but its sensitivity is relatively low (90%), leading to false-negative results. The aim of this study was to determine the profiles of antibodies in sera from patients with proven PCM and with negative results in the ID test (IDneg) versus positive results in the ID test (IDpos).

A rapid latex agglutination test for the detection of anti-cysticercus antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Simple and rapid latex-based diagnostic tests have been used for detecting specific antigens or antibodies in several diseases. In this article, we present the preliminary results obtained with a latex agglutination test (LAT) for diagnosing neurocysticercosis by detection of antibodies in CSF. A total of 43 CSF samples were assayed by the LAT: 19 CSF samples from patients with neurocysticercosis and 24 CSF samples from patients with other neurologic disorders (neurosyphilis, n = 8; neurotoxoplasmosis, n = 3; viral meningitis, n = 4, chronic headache, n = 9).

Evaluation of serological markers for the immunodiagnosis of acute acquired toxoplasmosis.

The detection of specific IgM antibodies has been the most frequently used serological marker for diagnosing recent toxoplasmosis. However, the persistence of specific IgM antibodies in some patients and the use of tests with a low specificity have complicated the interpretation of serological results when toxoplasmosis is suspected. The purpose of the present study was to determine the value of newer serological techniques in the diagnosis of acute acquired toxoplasmosis.