Improved diagnostic evaluation of suspected tuberculosis.

Background: The role of new T-cell-based blood tests for tuberculosis in the diagnosis of active tuberculosis is unclear.

Objective: To compare the performance of 2 interferon-gamma assays and tuberculin skin testing in adults with suspected tuberculosis.

Design: Prospective study conducted in routine practice.

Dynamic relationship between IFN-gamma and IL-2 profile of Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific T cells and antigen load.

Distinct IFN-gamma and IL-2 profiles of Ag-specific CD4(+) T cells have recently been associated with different clinical disease states and Ag loads in viral infections. We assessed the kinetics and functional profile of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Ag-specific T cells secreting IFN-gamma and IL-2 in 23 patients with untreated active tuberculosis when bacterial and Ag loads are high and after curative treatment, when Ag load is reduced. The frequencies of M.

Regulatory T cells are expanded in blood and disease sites in patients with tuberculosis.

Rationale: T-cell responses during tuberculosis (TB) help contain Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vivo but also cause collateral damage to host tissues. Immune regulatory mechanisms may limit this immunopathology, and suppressed cellular immune responses in patients with TB suggest the presence of regulatory activity. CD4+CD25(high) regulatory T cells mediate suppressed cellular immunity in several chronic infections but have not been described in TB.

Hippocampal infection with HSV-1-derived vectors expressing an NMDAR1 antisense modifies behavior.

Herpes simplex virus-derived amplicon vectors simultaneously expressing the open reading frame encoding NR1 subunit of the NMDA receptor, either in sense or antisense orientation, as well as the open reading frame encoding the green fluorescent protein (GFP), as distinct transcription units, were constructed. Vector expression in cells was demonstrated by GFP-fluorescence, immunofluorescence, Western blots and RT-PCR. The vectors were inoculated into the dorsal hippocampus of adult male rats, which were then trained for habituation to an open field and for inhibitory avoidance to a foot-shock.

Gene transfer of NMDAR1 subunit sequences to the rat CNS using herpes simplex virus vectors interfered with habituation.

1. The aim is to study some roles of the hippocampal NMDA receptor, by modifying the expression of the essential NR1 subunit, with temporal and spatial restrictions in the central nervous system (CNS) of the rat. 2.