Reduced Meloidogyne ethiopica Parasitism in Vitis vinifera Grafted on Six Resistant Rootstocks Under Field and Greenhouse Conditions

Meloidogyne ethiopica, an aggressive nematode, causes significant economic losses to Vitis crops. Rootstocks can successfully manage phytoparasitic nematodes. However, no studies exist on M. ethiopica-resistant rootstocks under field conditions. This study assessed the resistance of six Vitis rootstocks to M. ethiopica under field and greenhouse conditions. The number of galls and eggs in vine roots, quantity of second stage juveniles and males in 250 ml of soil, root weight, and shoot weight were determined for the Harmony, SO4, 101-14 MG, 110R, 3309C, and Kober 5BB rootstocks, and the own-root Chardonnay variety as a control. In the field, Harmony, SO4, 101-14 MG, Kober 5BB, and 110R were highly resistant to nematode parasitism and reproduction. In turn, 3309C was the least resistant rootstock. In the greenhouse, all rootstocks similarly limited M. ethiopica attack and reproduction. In both conditions, Chardonnay was the most susceptible vine to nematode attack, with high quantities of galls, eggs, and nematode reproduction. In conclusion, most of the evaluated rootstocks reduced M. ethiopica parasitism. Harmony, SO4, 101-14 MG, 110R, and Kober 5BB rootstocks are options for vineyard use, with final selection dependent on winegrower requirements.

Low-Volume High-Intensity Interval Training as a Therapy for Type 2 Diabetes

Our purpose was to investigate the effects of low-volume, high-intensity interval training (HIT) on cardiometabolic risk and exercise capacity in women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Sedentary overweight/obese T2DM women (age=44.5±1.8 years; BMI=30.5±0.6 kg/m(2)) were randomly assigned to a tri-weekly running-based HIT program (n=13) or non-exercise control follow-up (CON; n=10). Glycemic control, lipid and blood pressure levels, endurance performance, and anthropometry were measured before and after the follow-up (16 weeks) in both groups. Medication intake was also assessed throughout the follow-up. Improvements (P<0.05) on fasting glucose (14.3±1.4%), HbA1c (12.8±1.1%), systolic blood pressure (3.7±0.5 mmHg), HDL-cholesterol (21.1±2.8%), triglycerides (17.7±2.8%), endurance performance (9.8±1.0%), body weight (2.2±0.3%), BMI (2.1±0.3%), waist circumference (4.0±0.5%) and subcutaneous fat (18.6±1.4%) were found after HIT intervention. Patients of HIT group also showed reductions in daily dosage of antihyperglycemic and antihypertensive medication during follow-up. No changes were found in any variable of CON group. The HIT-induced improvements occurred with a weekly time commitment 56-25% lower than the minimal recommended in current guidelines. These findings suggest that low-volume HIT may be a time-efficient intervention to treat T2DM women.

PstS-1, the 38-kDa Mycobacterium tuberculosis glycoprotein, is an adhesin, which binds the macrophage mannose receptor and promotes phagocytosis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the primary causative agent of tuberculosis, infects macrophages and transforms the hostile intracellular environment into a permissive niche. M. tuberculosis infects macrophages using a variety of microbial ligand/cell receptor systems. In this study, binding assays with biotin-labelled mycobacterial cell wall proteins revealed five Concanavalin A-reactive proteins that bind macrophages. Among these proteins, we identified PstS-1, a 38-kDa M. tuberculosis mannosylated glycolipoprotein, and characterized it as an adhesin. Inhibition assays with mannan and immunoprecipitation demonstrated that PstS-1 binds the mannose receptor. We purified PstS-1 to 95.9% purity using ion exchange chromatography. The presence of mannose in purified PstS-1 was demonstrated by Concanavalin A interaction, which was abolished in the presence of sodium m-periodate and α-D-mannosidase. Gas chromatography revealed that purified PstS-1 contained 1% of carbohydrates by weight, which was mainly mannose. Finally, we used fluorescent microbeads coated with purified PstS-1 in phagocytosis assays and discovered that microbead uptake was inhibited by the pre-incubation of cells with GlcNAc, mannan and α-methyl mannoside. The interaction of PstS-1 coated beads with the mannose receptor was confirmed by confocal colocalization studies that showed high Pearson and Manders's colocalization coefficients. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the strategies M. tuberculosis uses to infect host cells, the critical first step in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis 38-kDa lipoprotein is apoptogenic for human monocyte-derived macrophages

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the main aetiologic agent of tuberculosis, a disease of great concern in less-developed regions. Apoptosis is a conspicuous event in macrophages infected in vitro with mycobacteria, a phenomenon also observed in vivo in granulomas of patients with tuberculosis. To determine its significance, it is important to define the mycobacterial moieties involved and how they cause apoptosis. Here we show that the 38-kDa lipoprotein induces macrophage caspase-dependent apoptosis involving TNF-alpha and FasL and, interestingly, with the upregulation of cell-death receptors TNFR1, TNFR2 and Fas. A role for the Toll-like receptor 2 was also demonstrated. In conclusion, the ability to induce apoptosis of host cells is another property of the 38-kDa lipoprotein, a molecule that has focused attention for being an immunodominant antigen that participates in phosphate transport.

[Study on the venoms of the principal venomous snakes from French Guiana and the neutralization]

We studied some biochemical, toxic and immunological characteristics of the venoms of Bothrops atrox, Bothrops brazili and Lachesis muta, Viperidae responsible for most of the bites of venomous snakes in French Guiana. Chromatographic (HPLC) and electrophoretical profiles (SDS-PAGE), lethal, hemorrhagic, defibrinogenating, coagulant, thrombin like, proteolytic, fibrino(geno)lytic and phospholipase activities were studied. In addition, the neutralization of some toxic activities conferred by four antivenins was compared. The chromatographic and electrophoretic profiles were different for the three venoms, showing differences between Bothrops and L. muta venoms. In general, bothropic venoms showed the highest toxic and enzymatic activities, while the venom of L. muta showed the lowest lethal, hemorrhagic and coagulant activities. The enzymes of bothropic venoms responsible for gelatinolytic activity were around 50-90 kDa. All the venoms were able to hydrolyze a and beta chains of the fibrinogen, showing different patterns of degradation. Although all the antivenoms tested were effective to various degrees in neutralizing the venom of B. brazili and B. atrox, neutralization of L. muta venom was significantly better achieved using the antivenom including this venom in its immunogenic mixture. For the neutralization of L. muta venom, homologous or polyvalent antivenoms that include the "bushmaster" venom in their immunogenic mixture should be preferred.

Coexpression of NRAMP1, iNOS, and nitrotyrosine in bovine tuberculosis

In murine models the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and the natural resistance associated macrophage protein (NRAMP1) play major roles in host defense against mycobacteria. iNOS regulates nitric oxide (NO) production, which is noxious for ingested mycobacteria, and NRAMP1 displays pleiotropic antimicrobial effects, including upregulation of iNOS expression. Little is known about the role of these molecules in bovine tuberculosis (TB). In this work we demonstrate by Western blot a high expression of NRAMP1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), alveolar macrophages (obtained by bronchioalveolar lavage), and lymph node granulomas from 8 Holstein-Freisian cattle with autopsy-proven bovine TB. Immunohistochemistry revealed the abundant expression of NRAMP1 and iNOS in lymph node and lung granulomas. Immunoreactivity was abundant in the cytoplasm of many epithelioid macrophages and multinucleated giant cells of the Langhans type. A striking accumulation of nitrotyrosine (NT), an indicator of iNOS activity and local NO production, was observed in granuloma cells, particularly in multinucleated Langhans cells. This study shows that the expression of NRAMP1 and iNOS is costimulated in granulomas, which are protective T-cell reactions against mycobacteria.

Biocompatibility and toxicological studies of carbon nanotubes doped with nitrogen

In this report, we compare the toxicological effects between pure carbon multiwalled nanotubes (MWNTs) and N-doped multiwalled carbon (CNx) nanotubes. Different doses of tubes were administered in various ways to mice: nasal, oral, intratracheal, and intraperitoneal. We have found that when MWNTs were injected into the mice's trachea, the mice could die by dyspnea depending on the MWNTs doses. However, CNx nanotubes never caused the death of any mouse. We always found that CNx nanotubes were far more tolerated by the mice when compared to MWNTs. Extremely high concentrations of CNx nanotubes administrated directly into the mice's trachea only induced granulomatous inflammatory responses. Importantly, all other routes of administration did not induce signs of distress or tissue changes on any treated mouse. We therefore believe that CNx nanotubes are less harmful than MWNTs or SWNTs and might be more advantageous for bioapplications.

An IgG antibody response to the antigen 85 complex is associated with good outcome in Mexican Totonaca Indians with pulmonary tuberculosis

SETTING

It is generally accepted that antibodies do not protect against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, as this role relies upon T-cell reactivity. Hence, most studies on antimycobacterial antibodies have been aimed at developing serologic tests, and few explore their role in disease pathogenesis.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the IgG antimycobacterial antibody response of 55 Mexican Totonaca Indians with pulmonary tuberculosis and its correlation with some features of the disease.

DESIGN

Study of the profile of antigen recognition by immunoblot and ELISA with isolated antigen 85 complex (Ag85) and whole culture filtrate proteins. Correlation of immunoblot and ELISA results with BCG vaccination, tuberculin reactivity, extent of the disease, clinical setting, and response to treatment.

RESULTS

On immunoblot, band reactivity was very poor and the most frequently recognized antigen was the 30-32 kDa, antigen 85 complex (45.8% of serum samples). ELISA with this antigen showed a sensitivity of 72% and a specificity of 100%. Positive antibody titers to Ag85 were observed in 79.4% of patients with non-cavitary tuberculosis (P = 0.012) and in 95.8% of patients who were cured with anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy (P = 0.0001). By contrast, an antibody response to whole culture filtrate antigens had no correlation with the presence of cavitations or with prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data show that an antibody response to Ag85, aside from having great potential to develop a serologic test for tuberculosis, was associated with a positive outcome in a cohort of tuberculous Mexican Indians.

High-level expression of NRAMP1 in peripheral blood cells and tuberculous granulomas from Mycobacterium bovis-infected bovines

By Western blotting, we demonstrate high-level expression of NRAMP1 proteins in peripheral blood cells and granulomas of Mycobacterium bovis-infected bovines. Immunohistochemistry of granulomatous lesions showed heavily labeled epithelioid macrophages and Langhans cells. These data suggest that M. bovis infection enhances NRAMP1 expression and that active tuberculosis can occur despite this response.

Binding and activation of human plasminogen by Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The first evidence of the interaction of Mycobacterium tuberculosis with the plasminogen system is herein reported. By FACScan analysis and affinity blotting, lysine-dependent binding of plasminogen to M. tuberculosis was demonstrated. The binding molecules were 30-, 60-, and 66-kDa proteins present in cell wall and soluble protein extracts. The activation of plasminogen, which occurred only in presence of fibrin and was not inhibited by the host serpin, alpha(2)-antiplasmin, was also demonstrated.

Co-stimulatory signals increase the reactivity of gammadelta T cells towards mycobacterial antigens

Although it has been shown that gammadelta T lymphocytes are able to react with different cell-associated or soluble antigens, the immune repertoire of these cells appears to be skewed to the recognition of mycobacterial antigens. We have studied the number and reactivity of gammadelta T cells towards several mycobacterial antigens in patients with tuberculosis and leprosy, as well as their healthy contacts and control individuals. We found an increased number of Vdelta2+ cells in healthy contacts (PPD+ and lepromin+) and tuberculoid leprosy patients. The gammadelta T cells from lepromatous leprosy showed a decreased response to all antigens tested, but some of these patients exhibited a significant response to the 30-kD glycoprotein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Interestingly, the reactivity of gammadelta T cells against mycobacterial antigens was significantly increased by costimulatory signals generated through CD7, LFA-1, CD50 and CD69 in all groups. However, signalling through CD69 did not enhance the responsiveness of gammadelta lymphocytes from lepromatous patients. On the other hand, the in vitro blockade of IL-10 with a specific antibody enhanced the cell proliferation of gammadelta lymphocytes from lepromatous leprosy patients, whereas exogenous IL-10 had an opposite effect in most individuals studied. These results suggest the potential role of different cell membrane receptors in the regulation of gammadelta T cell proliferation induced by mycobacteria, as well as the possible involvement of IL-10 in this phenomenon.

Rapid screening test for tuberculosis using a 38-kDa antigen from Mycobacterium tuberculosis

A screening test for the diagnosis of tuberculosis by immunodot (IDt) is described, using an antigen of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, namely, a 38-kDa glycoprotein which has shown great specificity in previous serologic analyses. The test was used to examine 28 sera from patients with lung tuberculosis. Of these, 85% were positive by micro-ELISA and by the IDt test herein described. Control sera from healthy subjects (n = 20) gave negative results for ELISA and for IDt, which indicates that the screening test is highly specific. The test is easy to handle and requires no equipment and is therefore particularly useful for field studies.

Mycobacterium fortuitum glycolipids for the serodiagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis

Glycolipids belonging to the family of acylated trehaloses were isolated from Mycobacterium fortuitum, a rapidly growing mycobacterial species, and tested in the serologic diagnosis of human pulmonary tuberculosis by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Di- and tri-O-acylated trehaloses from M. fortuitum reacted with serum antibodies of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis at higher titers than did with sera from healthy donors. With both glycolipids, the sensitivity of the test was above 0.80 at a chosen specificity of 0.98. Individuals with treated tuberculosis showed lower antibody titers compared with their initial reactivities. These data show that M. fortuitum could be used as a surrogate source of antigens for tuberculosis serodiagnosis.

T-cell lung granulomas induced by sepharose-coupled Mycobacterium tuberculosis protein antigens: immunosuppressive phenomena reversed with cyclophosphamide and indomethacin

We induced lung granulomas in BALB/c mice by intratracheal instillation of Sepharose beads coated with a Mycobacterium tuberculosis protein extract. Granulomas composed of macrophages and lymphocytes were induced. The granulomatous reaction reached its peak 3-7 days after challenge and lasted for approximately 1 month. Immunolabelling of tissue sections and bronchial washings revealed that granulomas were predominantly composed of T lymphocytes with the cytotoxic-suppressor phenotype (CD8+). Granulomas were associated with a significant decrease in anti-mycobacterial immunity manifested by a drop in delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions and antibody titres. The immunosuppressive phenomena were abolished with cyclophosphamide or indomethacin. Control granulomas induced with methylated bovine serum albumin (BSA) were smaller and composed by similar numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ cells. BSA granulomas did not alter antibody titres but they decreased delayed-type hypersensitivity to BSA which was restored to normal with indomethacin but not with cyclophosphamide. Our findings show that mycobacterial proteins anchored to Sepharose beads are granulomatogenic and that they preferentially recruit CD8+ cells which, together with locally produced prostaglandins, down-modulate cell-mediated and humoral immunity to mycobacterial antigens.

Mammary 5'deiodinase (5'D) during the breeding cycle of the rat: indirect evidence that 5'D type I is specific to the alveolar epithelium

The present study analyses the activity of 5'deiodinases type I and II in mammary gland during the breeding and estrous cycle of the rat, and includes indirect evidence that 5'D-I is present only in the alveolar epithelium. Data show that the mammary gland exhibits 5'D-II activity throughout the developmental period and its activity varies along the allometric growth of the gland. 5'D-I is detected during the differentiation stages of the alveolar epithelium (puberty, late pregnancy) and its activity rises significantly (10-fold) 24 h after delivery. Data also show that 5'D-I activity is not present in the fat pads of the gland. These findings suggest that during its differentiation and functional stages, the mammary gland requires an elevated and compartmentalized production of T3.

Antigenic and structural similarities between Mycobacterium tuberculosis 50- to 55-kilodalton and Mycobacterium bovis BCG 45- to 47-kilodalton antigens

The relationship between Mycobacterium tuberculosis 50- to 55-kDa protein and Mycobacterium bovis BCG 45- to 47-kDa antigen was examined by using immunological and biochemical criteria. Reciprocal cross-reactivity with a rabbit polyclonal antiserum against the M. bovis BCG protein and with a monoclonal antibody raised against the M. tuberculosis antigen was observed. The epitope recognized by this antibody was apparently present only in proteins of M. tuberculosis and M. bovis BCG among the 11 mycobacterial species tested. The amino-terminal sequences and total amino acid contents of these proteins showed strong similarities. Both antigens are glycoproteins as assessed by binding of concanavalin A, labeling of carbohydrate moieties with biotin-hydrazide, and digestion of carbohydrates with jack bean alpha-D-mannosidase, which produced a reduction of the molecular weights of the proteins and totally eliminated concanavalin A binding. Both M. tuberculosis and M. bovis BCG proteins are secreted, since they were found mainly in the culture medium. Analysis of M. tuberculosis 50- to 55-kDa antigen by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis showed at least seven different components, as previously described for the M. bovis BCG antigen. Solid-phase immunoassays showed that the purified M. tuberculosis 50- to 55-kDa protein was recognized by serum specimens from 70% of individuals with pulmonary tuberculosis from a total of 77 Mexican patients examined.

Raised agalactosyl IgG and antimycobacterial humoral immunity in Takayasu's arteritis

OBJECTIVE

Takayasu's arteritis is an inflammatory occlusive disease of the aorta and its main branches of unknown etiology. Some suggested causes include inapparent infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, or autoimmunity evoked by this organism. We have therefore sought links with mycobacterial disease.

METHODS

We assayed the % agalactosyl IgG, antibody to a tuberculosis-specific 38 kDa protein, and antibody to the mycobacterial 65 kDa heat shock protein (HSP), in patients with active or inactive Takayasu's arteritis, in whom the diagnosis of tuberculosis was excluded. The results were compared with findings in tuberculosis (positive controls), normal donors and patients with Wegener's granulomatosis.

RESULTS

The % agalactosyl IgG in patients with active arteritis was in the range previously seen only in rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, and the mycobacterioses. Similarly, significantly raised antibody to the purified 38-kDa protein of M. tuberculosis, and to the 65-kDa HSP of M. leprae, was found in 78% of patients with Takayasu's arteritis, and the levels were higher in those with active disease.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that Takayasu's arteritis particularly clearly illustrates the occasional relationship between mycobacteria and diseases of superficially autoimmune pathogenesis.

Antigenic characterization of Plasmodium vivax with monoclonal antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies were produced against Plasmodium vivax obtained from patients living in southeastern Mexico, where P. vivax malaria is endemic. Nine hybridomas specific for this parasite were obtained. By an indirect immunofluorescence assay, seven antibodies were found to react with epitopes present in the cytoplasm of the infected erythrocyte and two with the parasite itself. By immunoblotting, five monoclonal antibodies reacted with a 17-kD protein band, three with an 85-kD band, and two with one of 45 kD. By immunogold electron microscopy, two antibodies that reacted with the cytoplasm of infected erythrocytes by immunofluorescence also labeled cytoplasmic clefts, and one, in addition, recognized caveola-vesicle complexes and the parasite matrix. These results demonstrate the value of monoclonal antibodies in identifying P. vivax antigens and disclosing their subcellular distribution.

[Takayasu's arteritis. A seroimmunological test of its relationship to mycobacterial infection]

Takayasu's arteritis is an inflammatory arteritis of unknown origin. It affects the aorta, its main branches and at times the pulmonary artery. Takayasu's arteritis is a worldwide disease, however, there is predilection to affect young women of mongoloid ancestry, therefore most cases do occur in the Far East and Latin America. For more than 50 years a relationship with mycobacterial infection has been sought without definite proof. In this investigation we found a circulating IgG antibody in the sera of Takayasu's arteritis patients, which recognizes a 38 kD glycoprotein of M. tuberculosis. This glycoprotein is an specific antigen in the human immune response against mycobacterial infection.

Phosphate starvation enhances expression of the immunodominant 38-kilodalton protein antigen of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: demonstration by immunogold electron microscopy

In this work, we grew Mycobacterium tuberculosis in an enriched Proskauer-Beck-Youmans culture medium in the presence and in the absence of phosphate salts. Immunoblot analysis of sonic extracts showed overexpression of the 38-kDa protein antigen by bacilli grown in the medium without phosphate. These observations were confirmed by immunogold electron microscopy, which showed that the number of gold particles was significantly higher in bacilli grown in medium without phosphate than in bacilli grown in medium with phosphate. The 38-kDa protein was located mainly in the wall and on the cell surface.

High antibody levels to the mycobacterial fibronectin-binding antigen of 30-31 kD in tuberculosis and lepromatous leprosy

Immunoblot assays showed that mycobacterial fibronectin-binding antigens are important targets of the humoral immune response in tuberculosis and leprosy. Using culture filtrate antigens of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, strong reactivity with the fibronectin-binding of 30-31 kD (Fn 30-31) was demonstrated in 55.9% of tuberculosis sera and in 56.5% of lepromatous leprosy sera. Sera from patients with tuberculoid leprosy and control sera gave very weak binding. Reactivity of tuberculosis and lepromatous leprosy sera with the fibronectin-binding antigen of 58-60 kD (Fn 58-60) was less conspicuous. The ability to react with fibronectin of the antigens of 58-60 and 30-31 kD was demonstrated by parallel labelling with a fibronectin-biotin conjugate. Fn 30-31 was purified to homogeneity by a two-step procedure and used for ELISA. Positive titres were found in 63% out of 65 tuberculosis sera and in 60.5% out of 43 lepromatous leprosy sera. Antibody titres in lepromatous leprosy sera were higher than in tuberculosis sera. Our observations indicate indirectly that M. leprae possess a highly immunogenic molecule homologous to M. tuberculosis Fn 30-31, which elicits a high antibody response in lepromatous leprosy but not in tuberculoid leprosy. In this investigation, direct evidence for the presence of this antigen in M. leprae was obtained by immunochemistry of lepromatous leprosy lesions with a monospecific antibody raised against M. tuberculosis Fn 30-31.

Characterization of the raphe nuclei of the reptile Ctenosaura pectinata

The brain stem of the lizard Ctenosaura pectinata was studied in 10 microns thick sections following the Nissl and eosin-hematoxilin techniques. Furthermore, the distribution of serotonin-containing neuronal somata in this encephalic region was determined by means of an indirect immunofluorescence technique using a specific antibody to serotonin. Two of the cellular groups of the brain stem were identified as the superior and inferior raphe nuclei, which show serotonergic cells of variable size (between 17 and 30 microns). The results obtained in the present study together with information coming from other authors, suggest that serotonergic neuronal systems placed at brain stem level of vertebrates are phylogenetically ancient.

The antigenic structure of Mycobacterium tuberculosis examined by immunoblot and ELISA. Influence of the age of the culture and of the obtaining method on the composition of the antigenic extracts

In this study we have examined by immunoblot (IB) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) the humoral immune response in pulmonary tuberculosis. As a previous step, in an attempt to obtain the optimal antigen preparation for these studies, the influence of the culture age and of the obtention method on the composition of the extracts was analyzed. The highest number of antigenic bands was found in culture filtrates of 6 and 8 weeks; at these times two thick bands of 65 and 63 kilodaltons (kDa) were identified. These bands were absent from younger and older cultures. When analyzing the source of antigens, we found that culture filtrates contained more antigenic bands than sonic extracts. In view of these findings, culture filtrates of 6 weeks of age were used as test antigens. With 19 tuberculous sera a total of 16 antigenic bands were observed by IB. The response was very heterogeneous with respect to the intensity of the detected reactions and the number of reacting bands. The most frequently recognized bands were those of 31, 32, 38, 58 and 94 kDa. By ELISA with 49 tuberculous sera and with 48 control sera, a specificity of 0.98 and a sensitivity of 0.70 were obtained.

Identification, isolation and partial characterization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis glycoprotein antigens

In Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture filtrates, three concanavalin A (ConA)-binding bands of 55, 50 and 38 kilodaltons (kD) were identified by labelling blotted proteins with a ConA-peroxidase conjugate. Binding was inhibited by the competitor sugar alpha-methyl mannoside and by reduction with sodium m-periodate. Bands of 55, 50 and 38 kD stained with Coomasie blue were sensitive to digestion with proteases, thus indicating that they are proteins. Glycoproteins were isolated by lectin affinity chromatography or by elution from nitrocellulose membranes. On the isolated form, the 55-50 kD doublet glycoprotein was 65.4% protein and 34.6% sugar. The purified 38 kD molecule was 74.3% protein and 25.7% carbohydrate. By immunoblot, antibodies against mycobacterial glycoproteins were demonstrated in immunized rabbits and in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, but not in healthy individuals. Treatment with sodium m-periodate abolished binding of rabbit antibodies to the 38 kD glycoprotein. Reactivity of the 55-50 kD doublet glycoprotein was not altered by reduction. By immunoblot with monoclonal antibodies TB71 and TB72, a carbohydrate-dependent and a carbohydrate-independent epitope could be identified on the 38 kD glycoprotein.

A 38-kD Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen associated with infection. Its isolation and serologic evaluation

To identify antigens that could be specifically associated with tuberculosis infection, the antibody response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and of healthy individuals were compared by immunoblot. In healthy individuals, serum antibodies were found in the majority of cases. Bands of 60 and 32-31 kilodaltons (kD) were the antigens more frequently recognized by antibodies of normal sera (55.8 and 64.7%, respectively). In patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, the number and intensity of the developed antigen bands were much higher than in normal individuals. Antigens reacting preferentially with tuberculosis sera were also identified. Furthermore, a unique disease-associated protein antigen of 38 kD was found to react with 57% of patients' sera but with none of the controls. This antigen was isolated by elution from nitrocellulose membranes and tested as an ELISA reagent in the serodiagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. A specificity of 0.96 and sensitivity of 0.68 were obtained.

Immunoglobulin and complement in tissues of mice infected with Nocardia brasiliensis

Two weeks after mice had been infected in the footpad with cells of Nocardia brasiliensis, immunoglobulin and C3 deposits were observed in tissue from the inoculation site. Both immunoglobulin and C3 were found in the actinomycotic granules that characterize the mycetoma and in the surrounding inflammatory zones, in which plasma cells were also present. Although anti-N. brasiliensis specificity was evidenced at 14 days postinfection in an eluate of infected tissue by an immunoenzymatic assay, no such antibody was found in the serum until 45 days postinfection. Immune complexes in the lesions, as indicated by the presence of C3, may also contribute to the pathology of the disease.

Diverse clinical manifestations of pheochromocytomas

Many difficulties are encountered by clinicians in attempting to diagnose pheochromocytomas. We describe several patients with unusual clinical features. These include sudden death, cerebral hemorrhage, refractory congestive heart failure, acute abdominal pain, and hypercalcemia. In 2 patients, the rare association of this tumor and pregnancy was observed. Two subjects had sudden death, 1 during a pneumoencephalogram and another during an epidural block. The clinicians should be aware of these manifestations of pheochromocytomas.

Nonsecretory multiple myeloma. Immunohistologic and ultrastructural observations on two patients

Two well documented examples of nonsecretory multiple myeloma were studied by electron microscopic and immunohistologic methods. In one case, repeat studies revealed no intracytoplasmic immunoglobulins, and the cells displayed a "plasmacytoid" appearance with poor development of rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi regions. In the other case, most cells contained intracytoplasmic immmunoglobulins of a monoclonal type and the ultrastructural appearance was that of cells actively engaged in protein synthesis. These findings and others in the literature suggest that myelomas without an M component can be separated into nonproducers and true nonsecretors of immunoglobulins. In one case, immunofluorescence of bone marrow smears with double labels demonstrated three different plasma cell populations: those producing either monoclonal immunoglobulins M (IgM) or A (IgA) and those synthesizing simultaneously IgM and IgM. Dual immunoglobulin production, although known to occur in myelomas with paraproteinemia, has not been previously documented in the nonsecretory variety.

Acute interstitial nephritis. A clinical and pathologic study based on renal biopsies

To define interstitial nephritis without preselection bias, 25 consecutive renal biopsy specimens from patients with tubular damage, interstitial damage and interstitial inflammation were analyzed in detail. In four patients (all with acute renal failure), tubulitis, and interstitial eosinophil and lymphocyte infiltration were found, but no glomerular abnormalities. In four others, the findings were similar but some glomerular abnormalities were noted. Two patients had probable healed interstitial nephritis. The clinical presentation varied from transient renal insufficincy to oliguric renal failure. Three of the patients with glomerular abnormalities had significant proteinuria. When the 10 patients with interstitial nephritis were compared with the other 15 serving as controls, striking features in the former group were skin rash, eosinophilia, the absence of hypertension and the frequency of administration of penicillin and its analogs. Serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels were elevated in three of the patients. The striking eosinophilia, interstitial eosinophil infiltration and increased IgE levels suggest that allergen-reaginic complexes may be involved in the pathogenesis of the lesion.