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However, IgE also appears to be important in pathogenesis and targeting IgE autoantibodies may be an interesting and effective treatment option. Future randomized controlled trials are needed to establish omalizumab as effective and safe treatment option for BP patients and to determine which patient subset benefits most from anti-IgE therapy. Elevated serum levels of anti-BP180 and anti-BP230 IgE have been observed in 40-77% of BP patients, and anti-BP180 IgE serum levels have shown correlation with disease activity.2 By direct IF microscopy, IgE deposits have been found in the upper dermis localized on mast cells and/or eosinophils.3 It was observed that patients with IgE deposits along the dermal-epidermal junction had a higher Bullous Pemphigoid Disease Area Index (BPDAI) score compared to patients without linear IgE deposits.4 A direct pro-inflammatory effect of IgE on BMZ has also been proposed. [Extracted from the article]

Summary: Peri‐operative pain management in the neonate with a sacrococcygeal teratoma poses significant challenges to the anaesthetist. Involvement of the sacrococcygeal area by the tumour often prevents the use of conventional regional anaesthetic techniques such as caudal or epidural analgesia, with a subsequent reliance on intravenous opioids and paracetamol. Since opioids are associated with respiratory depression, constipation and urinary retention, there is high incidence of opiophobia with consequent inappropriate dosage prescription, particularly in the paediatric population. We describe the use of an ultrasound‐guided sacral multifidus plane block in two neonates undergoing surgical excision of sacrococcygeal teratoma. The block is technically easy to perform and also avoids traversing critical structures. Hence, it may be regarded as a promising analgesic technique for painful interventions in the sacrococcygeal area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combined reduced-antigen content tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (tdap) vaccine-related erythema nodosum: case report and review of vaccine-associated erythema nodosum. An informed consent was given by the patients for publication of the image and clinical details after reading the manuscript. Erythema nodosum, zoster duplex and pityriasis rosea as possible cutaneous adverse effects of Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine: report of three cases from India. [Extracted from the article]

A single piece of meteorite fell on Kamargaon village in the state of Assam in India on November 13, 2015. Based on mineralogical, chemical, and oxygen isotope data, Kamargaon is classified as an L-chondrite. Homogeneous olivine (Fa: 25 ± 0.7) and low-Ca pyroxene (Fs: 21 ± 0.4) compositions with percent mean deviation of <2, further suggest that Kamargaon is a coarsely equilibrated, petrologic type 6 chondrite. Kamargaon is thermally metamorphosed with an estimated peak metamorphic temperature of ~800 °C as determined by two-pyroxene thermometry. Shock metamorphism studies suggest that this meteorite include portions of different shock stages, e.g., S3 and S4 (Stöffler et al. ); however, local presence of quenched metal-sulfide melt within shock veins/pockets suggest disequilibrium melting and relatively higher shock stage of up to S5 (Bennett and McSween ). Based on noble gas isotopes, the cosmic-ray exposure age is estimated as 7.03 ± 1.60 Ma and nitrogen isotope composition (δ15N = 18‰) also correspond well with the L-chondrite group. The He-U, Th, and K-Ar yield younger ages (170 ± 25 Ma 684 ± 93, respectively) and are discordant. A loss of He during the resetting event is implied by the lower He-U and Th age. Elemental ratios of trapped Ar, Kr, and Xe can be explained through the presence of a normal Q noble gas component. Relatively low activity of 26Al (39 dpm/kg) and the absence of 60Co activity suggest a likely low shielding depth and envisage a small preatmospheric size of the meteoroid (<10 cm in radius). The Kr isotopic ratios (82Kr/84Kr) further argue that the meteorite was derived from a shallow depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linked article: D.M. L Saunte et al. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2019; 33: e393–e394. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.15685 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents case studies of two unrelated children with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (EB) (RDEB) with novel compound heterozygous variations in collagen VII wherein one of whom had a fatal outcome and the other with a better sequel. The clinical diagnosis in the first patient was confirmed on whole-exome sequencing. The authors discuss the molecular diagnosis and confirmation of mutation that are important in EB to offer them counselling and prognosis.

TLR8 mediates antiviral immunity by recognizing ss RNA viruses and triggers potent antiviral and antitumor immune responses. In this study, approximately 3.5 Kb nucleotide sequence data of caprine TLR8 gene were generated from one sample each of twelve different Indian goat breeds belonging to different geographical regions. Cloning and characterization of c DNA synthesized from RNA purified from goat spleen revealed TLR8 ORF to be of 3102 nucleotides long coding for 1033 amino acids similar to other ruminant species, that is sheep, buffalo and cattle. The sequence analysis at nucleotide level revealed goat TLR8 to be closer to buffalo sharing 99.6% homology, followed by cattle and sheep. Simple Modular Architecture Research Tool ( SMART) used for the structural analysis of goat TLR8 showed the presence of 16 leucine-rich repeats ( LRRs) along with single Toll/interleukin-1 receptor ( TIR) domain. TIR domain when compared with other livestock species was found to be conserved in ruminant species goat, sheep, cattle and buffalo. The phylogenetic analysis also revealed grouping of all ruminant species together, goat being closer to buffalo followed by cattle and sheep. Total 4 polymorphic sites were observed in TLR8 gene of one specimen goat representing each of 12 different breeds studied, all of which were synonymous and present within the coding region. Of these 4 SNPs, two were in ectodomains, one in TIR domain and one was found to be present in transmembrane domain. PCR- RFLP genotyping of two of the SNPs indicated variations in allele frequencies among different goat breeds. The expression profiling in 13 tissues of goat showed maximum expression of TLR8 gene in kidney followed by spleen, lung and lymph node. Overall, our results indicate conservation of TLR8 gene among the ruminant species and low variation within Indian goat breeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chest wall tuberculosis is a rare entity especially in an immunocompetent patient. Infection may result from direct inoculation of the organisms or hematogenous spread from some underlying pathology. Infected lymph nodes may also transfer the bacilli through lymphatic route. Chest wall tuberculosis may resemble a pyogenic abscess or tumour and entertaining the possibility of tubercular etiology remains a clinical challenge unless there are compelling reasons of suspicion. In tuberculosis endemic countries like India, all the abscesses indolent to routine treatment need investigation to rule out mycobacterial causes. We present here a case of chest wall tuberculosis where infection was localized to skin only and, in the absence of any evidence of specific site, it appears to be a case of primary involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To describe the clinical profile, microbiological aetiologies, and management outcomes in patients with liver abscess. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted from May, 2011, to April, 2013, on 200 consecutive liver abscess patients at PGIMER and Dr. RML Hospital, New Delhi. History, examination, and laboratory investigations were recorded. Ultrasound guided aspiration was done and samples were investigated. Chi-square test and multivariate regression analysis were performed to test association. Results. The mean age of patients was 41.13 years. Majority of them were from lower socioeconomic class (67.5%) and alcoholic (72%). The abscesses were predominantly in right lobe (71%) and solitary (65%). Etiology of abscess was 69% amoebic, 18% pyogenic, 7.5% tubercular, 4% mixed, and 1.5% fungal. Percutaneous needle aspiration was done in 79%, pigtail drainage in 17%, and surgical intervention for rupture in 4% patients. Mortality was 2.5%, all reported in surgical group. Solitary abscesses were amoebic and tubercular whereas multiple abscesses were pyogenic (P = 0.001). Right lobe was predominantly involved in amoebic and pyogenic abscesses while in tubercular abscesses left lobe involvement was predominant (P = 0.001). Conclusions. The commonest presentation was young male, alcoholic of low socioeconomic class having right lobe solitary amoebic liver abscess. Appropriate use of minimally invasive drainage techniques reduces mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a three-step preparation of a polymer-supported oxidizing reagent, polyethylene- g- N-bromosuccinimide (PE- g-NBS), through the graft copolymerization of maleic anhydride (MAn) onto polyethylene (PE) by a photochemical method with 1% benzophenone as a photosensitizer. The postgrafting treatment of polyethylene- g-maleic anhydride (PE- g-MAn) with urea on fusion gives polyethylene- g-succinimide (PE- g-succinimide), which, on further treatment with an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide and bromine, gives the required reagent, PE- g-NBS. The maximum percentage grafting (25%) was obtained with 3.57 mol of MAn and 0.5 mL of 1% benzophenone in 120 min. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis methods were used to characterize the graft copolymer PE- g-MAn, PE- g-succinimide, and the polymeric support, that is, PE- g-NBS. The grafted PE and the polymeric support were found to be thermally stable. The polymer-supported N-bromosuccinimide was used successfully for the efficient oxidation of a series of alcohols, including 2-propanol, n-butanol, ethylene glycol, cyclohexanol, poly(vinyl alcohol), benzoin, benzyl alcohol, and chloromycetin, to their corresponding aldehydes and ketones. The selectivity of PE- g-NBS toward the oxidation of secondary alcoholic groups without the disturbance of the primary alcoholic groups was reflected during the oxidation of chloromycetin. The oxidized products were characterized by Fourier transform infrared and H-NMR spectral methods. The reagent was reused for the oxidation of fresh alcohols, and it was found to oxidize them successfully, although with a little lower product yield. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) is an important Solanaceae vegetable. It is a good source of minerals and vitamins and has medicinal properties. India, being a primary center of origin, possesses large variability for growth habit; leaf blade lobing; calyx color; fruit shape, size, and color; and color distribution. The objective of this study was to develop a core set of brinjal germplasm to facilitate access, conservation, and utilization. Germplasm accessions (1798) were evaluated in 2005 and 2006. Data were recorded for 28 morphological (14 qualitative and 14 quantitative) descriptors. The accessions were classified into 15 groups based on the regions and continents of their origin. Ten percent accessions were allocated to different groups, in direct proportion to the diversity summed across all qualitative descriptors in a group. From each group, accessions were selected by the "principal component score strategy" (PCSS). A comparison of means, variances, and phenotypic correlations for quantitative descriptors, and the Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index (H') for qualitative descriptors indicated that the genetic variation for these descriptors was conserved in the core set. This core set can be evaluated intensively for agronomic traits, economic traits including resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses to identify accessions with desirable traits for use in crop improvement research and genomic studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Psoriasis is a chronic, recurring inflammatory disease affecting the skin, joints and nails that has a significant negative impact on the quality of life. Efficacy of combination of methotrexate/narrowband ultraviolet B (NBUVB) phototherapy in the treatment of psoriasis has been rarely assessed. Objectives To compare the efficacy of methotrexate/NBUVB phototherapy combination vs. NBUVB phototherapy in the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis. Methods Forty patients with chronic plaque-type psoriasis (body surface area involvement >10%) were randomized to receive either methotrexate/NBUVB phototherapy (group A) or placebo/NBUVB phototherapy (group B). End point of treatment was 75% reduction in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) Score or upto 6 months, whichever was earlier. Patients were then followed up for a period of 12 weeks for assessment of relapse. Results Of 40 patients, 37 completed the treatment period and 29 both the treatment period and follow-up. PASI 75 was achieved in 19/20 patients in group A and 14/20 patients in group B ( P < 0.04). The mean number of weeks( P = 0.001), the mean cumulative dose of NBUVB ( P = 0.001) and the mean number of phototherapy sessions ( P = 0.0001) required to achieve PASI 75 were significantly less in group A compared with group B. There was no significant difference in the number of patients who relapsed during the follow-up period ( P = 0.68). Conclusion Combination of methotrexate and NBUVB phototherapy provides more rapid clinical improvement compared with NBUVB monotherapy in the treatment for chronic plaque-type psoriasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on a study which described the synthesis of a graft copolymer of cellulose and poly(4-vinyl pyridine) [CellO-g-poly(4-VP)] with ceric ions as a redox initiator. A review of the related literature on polymer-supported (PS) reactions is given. It describes the methods utilized to prepare [CellO-g-poly(4-VP)] , the polymeric reagent [CellO-g-poly(4-VP)] borane and for the reduction of carbonyl compounds. A detailed discussion on the research findings is presented.

The role of vascular tone in determining cerebral perfusion pressure is increasingly being appreciated. It has been suggested that zero flow pressure, the arterial pressure at which blood flow ceases, represents the effective downstream pressure of the cerebral circulation. Nitrous oxide is a cerebral vasodilator and may therefore decrease zero flow pressure and increase cerebral perfusion pressure. However, these effects may be opposed by the increase in intracranial blood volume produced by cerebral vasodilation. We studied eight healthy volunteers at normocapnia and studied the effects of the inhalation of nitrous oxide 50% on estimated cerebral perfusion pressure and zero flow pressure using transcranial Doppler ultrasonography. We found that nitrous oxide 50% significantly increased estimated cerebral perfusion pressure (p = 0.03), whilst decreasing zero flow pressure (p = 0.01). These results suggest that the vasomotor effects of nitrous oxide predominate in determining the effective downstream pressure of the cerebral circulation in healthy individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zero flow pressure is the arterial pressure at which blood flow ceases in the cerebral circulation and may represent the effective downstream pressure of this system. We used a bench model of pulsatile fluid flow to determine whether simulated changes in downstream pressure may be detected by estimation of zero flow pressure. A Doppler probe was used to record flow velocity and a pressure transducer was used to measure driving pressure. Eight different configurations of the circuit were produced, and at each configuration the external pressure around a collapsible segment of the circuit was changed in order to simulate intracranial pressure. Perfusion pressure and zero flow pressure were estimated for each configuration and each level of external pressure. The sensitivity of the model in predicting the change in external pressure from the change in zero flow pressure was 94%. This indicates that estimation of zero flow pressure by this method is a sensitive way of monitoring trends in changes in downstream pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infection withresults in high mortality worldwide. Studies on the cytokine response in symptomatic and asymptomatic amoebiasis (caused by, the pathogenic species and, the non-pathogenic species) subjects and their correlation with symptomatology are lacking. The present study reports the cytokine response (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-β) in such subjects as measured by RT-PCR. The results showed significantly (< 0·05) higher expressions of IL-10 and TGF-β in the symptomatic group as compared to the asymptomatic and healthy controls. The cytokine profile indicated the role of suppressive immune response in symptomatic amoebiasis patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have evaluated a mechanical glottis in healthy volunteers and in patients with bulbar motor neurone disease. In healthy volunteers, the mechanical glottis increased peak flow rate and decreased the time to peak flow during forced expiration, but cough produced even higher flow rates and shorter times to peak flow. In patients, the mechanical glottis increased peak flow rate and decreased the time to peak flow. The mechanical glottis also produced higher peak flow rates when compared to the cough manoeuvres, and the time to peak flow was also significantly shorter with the mechanical glottis. We have shown that the use of a mechanical glottis tends to convert the airflow profile of a peak expiratory flow manoeuvre into that of a cough in both healthy volunteers and patients with motor neurone disease. Its potential role as an aid to clearance of airway secretions in patients with impaired laryngeal function remains to be seen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cerebral dysfunction in sepsis is common in critically ill adults. However, little is known of the effects of sepsis on cerebral haemodynamics. We studied 12 sedated and ventilated patients in whom sepsis had been established for > 24 h. Transcranial Doppler measurements of the middle cerebral artery flow velocity were made at normocapnia, then hypocapnia (-1 kPa) and hypercapnia (+1 kPa). From these data, cerebrovascular reactivity to carbon dioxide was calculated. Variables indicating disease severity, systemic cardiovascular status and outcome were also recorded. We found significant changes in cerebrovascular reactivity to carbon dioxide. Only three of 12 patients had a cerebrovascular reactivity to carbon dioxide in the normal range; seven patients had a reduced cerebrovascular reactivity to carbon dioxide, whereas in two patients it was raised. In this smaD sample, we could not find any trend of association between altered cerebrovascular reactivity to carbon dioxide and severity of illness, cardiovascular status or outcome. This study suggests that established sepsis profoundly affects the vascular tone and reactivity, not only of the systemic circulation, but also of the cerebral vasculature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in developed and developing countries. The diagnosis of this disease remains a problem. We report the detection of specific antigenic fraction (antigen B) of Cysticercus cellulosae by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in various fractions of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained by high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) separation, for the diagnosis of human NCC. Forty patients attending or admitted to Nehru Hospital, Chandigarh were included in the study: 10 with suspected NCC, 20 with other neurological diseases and 10 undergoing surgery under spinal anaesthesia for non-neurological conditions, who served as controls. CSF samples collected from all patients and controls were subjected to chromatographic separation on an HPLC system. Antigen B (AgB) was detected in separated fractions by an ELISA test and compared with the detection of antibody response in CSF samples by indirect haemagglutination (IHA) technique. Antigen B was detected in 9 out of 10 patients with suspected NCC based on clinical symptoms and radioimaging reports, but in none of the control subjects. However, antigen B was also detected in 9 out of 20 patients with other neurological disorders, mostly tubercular meningitis. Antibody response by IHA was found positive in only 2 of 10 cases clinically suspected of NCC. In conclusion, antigen B detection in CSF samples may be a useful adjunct to clinical suspicion and radiological reports for the diagnosis of NCC as there is no gold standard criteria to confirm this disease. However, the test needs to be evaluated on more patients in countries where tuberculosis and cysticercosis are endemic due to the high cross reactivity with samples from tubercular meningitis patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the effects of adding 50% nitrous oxide to propofol anaesthesia administered by target-controlled infusion on middle cerebral artery flow velocity and autoregulatory indices derived from transient hyperaemic response tests. Nine healthy (ASA 1) adult patients scheduled to undergo elective surgery were recruited. A standardised anaesthetic comprising alfentanil 10 µg.kg-1, propofol via a target-controlled infusion pump and vecuronium 0.1 mg.kg-1 was used. Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography was used to measure middle cerebral artery (MCA) blood flow velocity and the transient hyperaemic response test was used to assess cerebral autoregulation. These measurements were performed while awake and then at an ‘induction’ target concentration of propofol (the target at which consciousness was lost, mean 6.2 (SD 1.1) µg.ml-1). The measurements were repeated after the addition of 50% nitrous oxide to the breathing gas mixture. Propofol caused a significant decrease in MCA flow velocity and a significant increase in the strength of autoregulation. The addition of nitrous oxide had no significant effect on MCA flow velocity or cerebral autoregulation. These results suggest that addition of 50% nitrous oxide does not influence propofol-induced changes in cerebral haemodynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the alternative technique for retrograde larynx intubation. Limitation of retrograde intubation technique; Procedure of retrograde intubation technique; Comparison between retrograde and alternative technique.

This paper expands upon reported methods for utilizing prior knowledge for reducing complexity of input–output relationships that an ANN must learn. Previously, two simple methods, difference method and prior knowledge input method, were demonstrated for new model developments. This paper utilizes knowledge-based modeling techniques for novel microwave modeling applications. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE 9: 254–260, 1999. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate whether or not the use of intermittent positive pressure ventilation via the laryngeal mask airway is associated with a higher risk of gastro-oesophageal reflux when compared with intermittent positive pressure ventilation via a tracheal tube in patients undergoing day case gynaecological laparoscopy in the head down position. Sixty healthy women were randomly allocated to receive either the laryngeal mask or cuffed tracheal tube for intra-operative airway maintenance. Using continuous oesophageal pH monitoring, four patients in the tracheal tube group and none in the laryngeal mask group had evidence of gastro-oesophageal reflux (as indicated by a decrease in oesophageal pH to below 4). The difference in the incidence of reflux did not achieve statistical significance (p = 0.11). In conclusion, we found no evidence to suggest that the use of intermittent positive pressure ventilation via the laryngeal mask increases the risk of gastro-oesophageal reflux in patients undergoing elective day case gynaecological laparoscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of Plasmodium falciparum and activated blood motiocytes in bringing about erythrocyte membrane lipid peroxidation and in altering the enzyme activity associated with Ca2+ and K+ efflux was studied. An attempt was made to investigate the role of parasite and monocyte-mediated reactive oxygen species (ROS) in inhibiting Ca2+-Mg2+ ATPase and Na+-K+ ATPase in order to find out the cause of reported high intra-erythrocytic calcium and depleted potassium levels in parasitized erythrocytes (PRBC). The PRBC showed enhanced lipid peroxidation as indicated by increased malonyldialdehyde (MDA) formation which coincided with the maturity of the parasite. This was further enhanced following exposure of PRBC to activated blood monocytes. The Ca2+-Mg2+ ATPase activity was decreased as the parasite matured and was further hampered significantly in mature parasiteinfected red cells exposed to activated blood monocytes. There was a good negative correlation between MDA formation and Ca2+-efflux from red blood cells suggesting the negative influence of ROS on Ca2+-efflux. The Na+-K2+ ATPase activity did not reveal any significant change, both during parasite maturation as well as upon exposure to ROS from activated monocytes. We therefore suggest that inhibition of Ca2+-efflux and the resulting increased cytosolic Ca2+ in PRBC might have a role in structural and functional abnormalities of red blood cell, thus enhancing the red cell loss during P. falciparum infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The in vitro antileishmanial activity of sodium stibogluconate (SSG) and pentamidine in peritoneal macrophages from three different groups of animals (i.e. normal, Leishmania donovani-infected and drug-treated BALB/c mice) is reported. Peritoneal macrophages were extracted from all these animals and infected in vitro with L. donovani promastigotes. After 24 h, the infected macrophages (with amastigotes) were exposed to various concentrations of SSG (10–90 μg/mL) and pentamidine (0.1–5.0 μg/mL). The in vitro infection could he cured readily with 80 μg/mL of SSG and 4 μg/mL of pentamidine in macrophages from normal animals. But even higher dosages of these drugs added in vitro could not reduce the amastigote loads in macrophages from infected animals. In contrast, incubation in vitro of infected macrophages with very low dosages of these drugs (40 μg/mL of SSG and 1.0 μ/mL of pentamidine) could eliminate the parasites present within macrophages obtained from drug-treated animals. This was probably because the macrophages from drug-treated animals tackled the parasites themselves by their microbicidal mechanisms and the in vitro infection was tackled by the drug in vitro. This implies that a well-developed specific immunity in leishmaniasis helps in the antileishmanial activity of these drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the percentage of lymphocyte subpopulations and their relation to T cell subsets was estimated during acute and chronic Plasmodium berghei malaria. During acute infection, a decreased percentage of T lymphocytes was observed, whereas no change was observed during chronic infection. However, no change in the percentage of B cells was observed in both types of infection. The T cell population was characterized by an increased percentage of T suppressor cytotoxic (CD8+) cells and a decreased percentage of T helper cells (CD4+) during acute infection. This resulted in an inversion of the CD8+/CD4+ cell ratio. During chronic infection no change in the CD8+ cell percentage was observed; however some increase in CD4+ cell percentage was observed in later stages. Thus failure of the immune system to overcome acute infection may be due to an increase in T suppressor cells, and maintenance of parasites at subpatent levels during chronic infection may involve the normal CD8+/CD4+ cell ratio with some increase in CD4+ cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of lymphocytotoxic antibodies in elimination of lymphocytes and characterization of these antibodies during Plasmodium berghei infection was examined in BALB/c mice. When assayed at 15°, an increase in lymphocytotoxic levels above base line values was detected in acute infection when parasitaemia exceeded 10%. There was an increase in lymphocytotoxins with increase in parasitaemia to a plateau beyond 25% parasitaemia. When assayed at 37°, lymphocytotoxic activity during acute infection was tower than at 15° but the increase detected was significant. During chronic infection there was a lower increase in the activity detected at 15° and no significant increase in activity assayed at 370 (P >0.05). In addition, peripheral blood lymphocyte counts also dropped during acute infection while there was little change in lymphocyte numbers in the chronic infection group. The lymphocytotoxic antibodies present in sera of infected mice were predominantly of IgM class during acute infection and IgM or IgG class during chronic infection. The relevance of these observations to plasmodium infection is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The immunopharmacokinetics of chloroquine were studied in Plasmodium Knowlest-infected and uninfected rhesus monkeys. In control monkeys, chloroquine depressed the percentage of lymphocyte subpopulation and their proliferative response after the third dose of drug administration. The effect was maximum during day 6 to 10 after initiation of treatment. During thin period the plasma level of chloroquine was high. The drug was slowly excreted and recovery in immune functions was noticed by the 20th day of treatment. On the other hand, the drug caused an irreversible effect on the proliferative response of normal lymphocytes following in vitro exposure of cells. Interestingly, while the drug depressed the immune luncheons of normal animals. It reversed the immunosuppression caused by malarial parasites in infected animals. The probable mechanism of action of the drug has been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]