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To define the role of memory T cells in a non-persistent viral infection, we have delineated the phenotype of memory CD8+ T cells specific for influenza A virus (FluA; matrix protein M158−66) based on the expression of several memory/effector lineage markers and relevant chemokine receptors. We found a majority of FluA-specific CD8+ T cells expressed CD27 and CD28, and variably expressed CD45RA, CD62L, CD94 and granzyme A. A majority of FluA-specific CD8+ T cells expressed high levels of CXCR3, and moderate levels of CCR5 and CXCR4, whereas a limited proportion expressed CCR7, CCR6 and CXCR5. A phenotypic profile based on these observations showed that there are both immature and mature memory CD8+ T cells specific for FluA.

37.4 ± 3.5 vs 38.4 ± 1.8 (P = 0.006); rate of preterm birth < 34 wks: 11 cases vs 4 cases (P < 0.001); SGA: 32 cases vs 17 cases (P < 0.001). At the logistic regression the abnormal UtA was the only variable significantly releated with adverse outcome. An abnormal UtA Doppler is significantly related to PE, preterm birth below 34 weeks and rate of newborns SGA. At the logistic regression the abnormal UtA Doppler remained the only variable statistically releated with severe pregnancy complications. The PPV of the method is 61% with a sensitivity of 57% and a specificity of 82%. Conclusions: Unless these results are unsatisfactory for a screening test this method permain an useful predicting test if compared with the only previous clinical history (10%); in fact patients with an abnormal test have a risk to develop severe complications of pregnancy 6 times higher than patients with a normal Doppler.

The Taiwanese strain of Leucocytozoon caulleryi was isolated from an infected chicken in Taipei, Taiwan, and established in chickens and biting midges Culicoides arakawae from Japan. Sporogony of the strain in C. arakawae was completed on day 3 after the infective blood meals at 25 degrees C. Sporozoites isolated from the salivary glands of C. arakawae on days 3 or 4 after feeding caused infection in all the chickens inoculated. The strain showed high pathogenicity for chickens. Mortality of chickens rose with an increase in the number of sporozoites inoculated. The prepatent period for chickens inoculated with sporozoites was 14 days. Parasites appeared in the peripheral blood of chickens on day 15 and disappeared on day 26 after sporozoite inoculation. Soluble antigens were found in the sera of chickens infected with the strain between 10 and 17 days after inoculation, and homologous antibodies appeared after 17 days. Antigens prepared from sera, schizonts, merozoites, and gametocytes of the Taiwanese strain reacted with the sera of chickens infected with the same strain or the strain isolated in Japan. The chickens that recovered from a primary infection with the Taiwanese strain demonstrated complete resistance to reinfection with the same strain or the the strain isolated in Japan.

SUMMARY In N. Ireland Diaporthe perniciosa March is a common inhabitant of the dead wood of Bramley's Seedling apple trees, and its pycnospores, extruded throughout the growing season, are responsible for fruit infections which result in stalk-end rots during storage. Pycnidia were produced in culture only after exposure to light, near-UV radiation being particularly favourable. The carbon source in the medium influenced pycnidia production: high yields were obtained where mannitol was used. Only a-spores germinated under the conditions tested, giving optimum germination at 25 dC. in a water film. No germination occurred at less than 98% R.H. Germ tubes and hyphae developed appressoria after germination on artificial surfaces but on apple skin most spores produced only a protuberance from which penetration hyphae developed directly. The cuticle and epidermal cells of apples of all ages were penetrated within a few days of inoculation. Intact surfaces and lenticels were penetrated equally. Susceptibility to further rotting increased with age of the fruit. Apples loaded with spores early in the season rotted later than similar apples loaded just before picking. Polygalacturonase was detected in sap expressed from rotted apples of various ages, the level of activity being correlated with the susceptibility of the fruit.