Heightened measures of immune complex and complement function and immune complex-mediated granulocyte activation in human lymphatic filariasis.

The presence of circulating immune complexes (CICs) is a characteristic feature of human lymphatic filariasis. However, the role of CICs in modulating granulocyte function and complement functional activity in filarial infection is unknown. The levels of CICs in association with complement activation in clinically asymptomatic, filarial-infected patients (INF); filarial-infected patients with overt lymphatic pathologic changes (CPDT); and uninfected controls (EN) were examined.

Major histocompatibility complex class III (C2, C4, factor B) and C3 gene variants in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

The complement system is an integral part of the host immune system and plays an immunoregulatory role at the interface of innate and acquired immune responses. Limited data are available on the influence of variations in complement genes in infectious diseases such as pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). The aim of this study was to investigate the role of genetic variations in complement system components C2, C4, BF, and C3 in PTB (n = 125) compared with healthy controls (n = 125) in the Indian population.

Concordant proficiency in measurement of T-cell immunity in human immunodeficiency virus vaccine clinical trials by peripheral blood mononuclear cell and enzyme-linked immunospot assays in laboratories from three continents.

The gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay is used routinely to evaluate the potency of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccine candidates and other vaccine candidates. In order to compare candidates and pool data from multiple trial laboratories, validated standardized methods must be applied across laboratories. Proficiency panels are a key part of a comprehensive quality assurance program to monitor inter- and intralaboratory performance, as well as assay performance, over time.