Serologic responses to Schistosoma japonicum: evaluation of total and parasite-specific immunoglobulins during the course of murine infection.

Mice with a primary infection of Schistosoma japonicum develop high levels of both total immunoglobulins and parasitic-specific antibodies, beginning about 1.5 wk after the onset of oviposition in the host. Radial immunodiffusion demonstrated an 18-fold, fivefold, and threefold increase in the levels of IgG1, IgM, and IgA, respectively, during the course of infection.

Ct of congenital anomalies of the inferior vena cava.

The authors report six congenital abnormalities of the inferior vena cava detected on computed tomography (CT). The CT findings of one of these, the left inferior vena cava, have not been previously reported. The embryology of the inferior vena cava and the possible congenital abnormalities that can occur are discussed.

Left subclavian arteriography via the translumbar approach.

Selective left subclavian arteriography and thoracic aortography were performed via the translumbar approach. The resultant studies were technically and diagnostically satisfactory. This approach can be used when the femoral and axillary arteries are not available for vascular access.

Primary in vitro sensitization to heterogeneous soluble antigens of Schistosoma mansoni adult worms.

Primary in vitro sensitization of normal mouse spleen cells was accomplished using a saline soluble heterogeneous antigenic preparation from the whole adult worms (SWAP) of Schistosoma mansoni. A SWAP-specific rosette-forming cell (RFC) assay, using antigen on sheep erythrocytes, was used to detect sensitization due to S. mansoni infection and primary in vitro SWAP exposure.

Somnofluoroscopy.

In the past 30 years, numerous studies have increased our knowledge of the physical process of sleep. One sleep disorder, sleep apnea, has been studied and found to be a serious and life-threatening condition. Diagnosis of sleep disorders is very difficult and requires the use of sophisticated equipment, highly trained personnel, and a unique environment.

Percutaneous catheter biliary decompression.

Percutaneous catheter biliary decompression was performed in 42 patients with obstructive jaundice. Internal drainage was accomplished in 27 patients (64.3%), and external drainage in 15 patients (35.

CT of malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a rare tumor. Although the chest film findings of pleural mesothelioma are well described, there are few descriptions of the findings of computed tomography (CT). This report describes the CT findings in five cases of pleural mesothelioma.

Acute arterial gastrointestinal hemorrhage: efficacy of transcatheter control.

Sixty-five sites of arterial gastrointestinal hemorrhage in 63 patients were managed with transcatheter therapy. Arterial vasopressin infusion was attempted primarily for all but three sites; embolization was used in these cases and in those for whom vasopressin infusion failed to control bleeding. The results obtained suggest that this regimen, that is, primary vasopressin infusion with embolization reserved for infusion failures or contraindications, is more effective for control of arterial gastrointestinal hemorrhage than the use of either method alone.

Computed tomographic demonstration of cervical abscess and jugular vein thrombosis. A complication of intravenous drug abuse in the neck.

Cervical abscess and internal jugular vein thrombosis occurred in a 36-year-old man with a history of drug abuse. Computed tomography (CT) and angiography correctly identified the pathologic abnormalities that were surgically confirmed. We stress the use of CT in the evaluation of this condition.

Congenital anomalies in relation to the use of doxylamine/dicyclomine and other antenatal factors: an ongoing prospective study.

Recent publicity regarding possible teratogenic effects of the doxylamine/dicyclomine/pyridoxine combination (Debendox) has led to a degree of apprehension in women for whom the drug is prescribed, and in doctors who prescribe it. This study, based on an ongoing epidemiological surveillance programme, reports an analysis of the records of 1817 women for whom the drug was prescribed compared with 5771 non-users. The object of the study was to evaluate the outcome of pregnancy against exposure to the drug, taking into account the coexistent influences of other factors.

T lymphocytes that contribute to the immunoregulation of granuloma formation in chronic murine schistosomiasis.

Immunoregulation of Schistosoma mansoni egg-induced granuloma formation in the mouse occurs as chronic infection is being established. Three different modes of manipulation that are known to affect immuno-regulatory T lymphocytes were applied to this model. Adult thymectomy (AdTx) of CBA/J mice, 6 wk after infection, did not affect the size of their granulomas at 8 or 12 wk after infection.

Modulation of Schistosoma mansoni egg-induced granuloma formation: I-J restriction of T cell-mediated suppression in a chronic parasitic infection.

Newly formed hepatic granulomas around Schistosoma mansoni eggs become progressively smaller during the chronic (greater than or equal to 15 weeks after infection) phase of the disease. This reduction in granuloma size, termed "modulation," is known to be caused in part by a T lymphocyte that can adoptively transfer modulation to 6-week-infected mice. The present study examines a possible role for the I-J locus in regulating the suppressor T lymphocyte aspects of modulation.

Comparison of whole blood cultures and peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures for evaluation of lymphocyte reactivity during chronic schistosomiasis.

Lymphocyte blastogenesis during chronic schistosomiasis has been evaluated previously by either whole blood or peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMN) culture techniques. These two methods were compared in the present study. Blastogenesis to the mitogen phytohaemagglutinin was greater in the whole blood cultures at the time assayed.

Transcatheter embolization of hepatic arteriovenous fistulas for control of hemobilia.

Two cases of traumatic hemobilia are presented in which hemorrhage was controlled by transcatheter vascular occlusion with stainless steel coils. Embolic therapy was safely performed without liver necrosis, despite the presence of portal hypertension in 1 patient. The technique is a useful alternative to surgery, which did not control hemorrhage in 1 case.

The eosinophil in the inflammatory response to cercarial challenge of sensitized and chronically infected CBA/J mice.

Sensitized or chronically infected CBA/J mice were challenged percutaneously with cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni. Early inflammatory response was characterized by edema and neutrophil infiltration directed toward penetration tracks; chief pathology associated with schistosomula was localized disruption of epithelial cell relationships, except in areas of desmosomes. By 24 hours eosinophils were the prominent cells in the inflammatory reaction, with large numbers replacing neutrophils in penetration tracks.

Differences in adult Schistosoma mansoni worm burden requirements for the establishment of resistance to reinfection in inbred mice. I. CBA/J and C57BL/6 mice.

Schistosoma mansoni infections of CBA/J and C57BL/6 mice provided the hosts with partial protection against reinfection by S. mansoni cercariae. The level of protection, assayed by perfusion 21-25 days after challenge, varied over the course of infection.