1,721,012 research outputs found
Immunological aspects of sarcoidosis
No full textAbstract
The results are reported of an immunological study conducted on 37 cases of active sarcoidosis, in which some in vivo and in vitro tests related to the cell-mediated immunitary response were effected. The results are discussed, with relation to the clinical use of the immunological tests adopted, and their immunopathogenetic significance. In particular, the occurrence of false-positive and false-negative results in the in vitro Kveim antigen test (LMT) using the antigen preparations currently available, limit its use in clinical practice
The spectrum of human tuberculosis
No full textAbstract
Clinical, morphological and immunological studies of human tuberculosis have enabled the spectrum of the disease to be determined. We have investigated the cell-mediated immune responses by means of skin tests and leucocyte migration inhibition to PPD, and the humoral immune responses by means of immunodiffusion and haemagglutination tests. Patients with tuberculosis can be classified into two polar groups--reactive (RR) and unreactive (UU), the former showing good cell-mediated immunity and little or no antibody formation and the latter poor cellular responses and exuberant antibody production. The intermediate forms show characteristics of the neighbouring polar groups. The existence of a spectrum of immune response in tuberculosis, which has long been suspected, is now demonstrated.
[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] PMCID: PMC154078
Studies on bronchoalveolar cells in human diseases. II General morphology and ultrastructure of pulmonary macrophages and small mononuclear cells in sarcoidosis
No full textData are presented from light and electron microscopic studies on bronchoalveolar lavage (BAC) in sarcoidosis, with particular emphasis on the ultrastructural morphology and functional characteristics of pulmonary macrophages (PM) and small mononuclear cells (SMC). Light microscopy showed an average of over 77% of the BAC to be PM, range 99-51%. SMC populations were also extremely variable. These variations may relate directly to the degree of disease activity. Electron microscopy demonstrated a wide range of morphological and implied functional (biosynthetic and phagocytic) characteristics of PM. Some of these are morphologically comparable to cells found in tissue granulomata. Our ultrastructural study has shown that the SMC population is made up of lymphocytes, monocytes and cells with intermediate characteristics (precursors).
[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE
Hypersensitivity to pets in Italy
No full textEight hundred and two consecutive symptomatic outpatients (with asthma and rhinitis) were studied to evaluate the incidence of prick test positivity to cat and dog danders and the association of exposure to these animals in the home, as revealed by a standard questionnaire. 14.3% were found to be skin positive to cat and/or dog danders. The incidence of cutaneous hypersensitivity to cat and/or dog danders was 25% in the 216 subjects who kept animals, significantly higher (p less than 0.0005) than the 10.4% of 586 subjects who did not keep animals. In the 57 subjects who owned both dogs and cats, a significantly higher incidence of skin hypersensitivity was found compared to the other subjects. Our data does not demonstrate a greater incidence in sensitivity to cat danders compared to dog danders, or increased sensitization to dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, nor a different incidence of clinical manifestations (asthma and rhinitis) between those with animals in the house and those without.
[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE
Bronchoalveolar lavage diagnosis of bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma
No full textDifferentiation between diffuse lung tumours and interstitial pulmonary diseases often requires open lung biopsy. We report two cases of bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma presenting as diffuse pulmonary disease, in which the diagnosis was made by cytological examination of bronchoalveolar lavage. Bronchoalveolar lavage can, thus, differentiate between diffuse lung tumours and interstitial pulmonary diseases
Studies on bronchoalveolar cells in humans. I Preliminary morphological studies in various respiratory diseases
No full textA preliminary investigation has been carried out on bronchoalveolar cells obtained following lavage in various respiratory diseases. Of 23 cases observed, 7 have been studied in detail, 6 cases provided insufficient material for investigation, and the data obtained from the remaining 10 cases were inconclusive. Considerations are made with regard to the value of bronchial lavage in clinical diagnosis and cell studies.
[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE
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