African Journal of Immunology Research

African Journal of Immunology Research ISSN 9431-5833 Vol. 5 (2), pp. 308-313, February, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of whether immune complexes from symptomatic individuals activate macrophages than immune complexes from asymptomatic individuals

Tebekeme Okoko

Department of Chemical Sciences, Biochemistry Programme, Niger Delta University, P. M. B. 71, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 09 September, 2017

Abstract

Pigeon fanciers©lung is an immunologically-mediated lung disease as a result of inhaling pigeon derived materials. High antibody titres are observed for symptomatic and asymptomatic pigeon fanciers. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether immune complexes from individuals with pigeon fanciers’ lung were better at activating macrophages than immune complexes from asymptomatic pigeon fanciers. Serum samples were obtained from fifteen individuals with pigeon fanciers’ lung, fifteen asymptomatic pigeon fanciers and fifteen non-farming controls. Solid immune complexes were generated with these serum samples with the pigeon derived antigen mucin. The immune complexes were then incubated with macrophage U937 cells. The supernatants of the cell culture were thereafter analysed for tumour necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), interleukin 6 (IL 6), interleukin 1 (IL 1), nitric oxide and catalase as indices for the activation of macrophages. The activation by lipopolysaccharide was used as a positive control. The results showed that the immune complexes from symptomatic pigeon fanciers activated macrophages significantly better than immune complexes from asymptomatic pigeon fanciers (P < 0.05). Immune complexes from non-farming controls exhibited the least propensity in activating the macrophages. The findings suggest that immune complex activation of macrophages could be used to assign farmers to been symptomatic and asymptomatic.

Key words: Pigeon fanciers’ lung, macrophages, activation, immune complexes, mucin.

African Journal of Immunology Research ISSN 9431-5833 Vol. 5 (5), pp. 346-348, May, 2018. © International Scholars Journals 

Short  Communication

Clinical, laboratory aspects and therapy response of patients with a rare complication of the EBV infection

Mehmet Akın*, Özlem ẞahin, Kazim Küçükta ci, Burçin Kaya, Ersin Gozkeser, Murat Çağlar and Firat Erdoğan

Department of Pediatric Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University,

Denizli, Turkey.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +90 505 3945276.

Accepted 06 July, 2016

Abstract

Primary Epstein-Barr virus infection in children is usually asymptomatic, but some children or young adults manifest infectious mononucleosis with typical symptoms of fever, pharyngitis, lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly and a typical lymphocytosis. The infection caused by Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) can be followed by immunological complications. One of these is autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) that it is rare but well known ~1:1000 patients with infectious mononucleosis. Two male patients, aged 2 and 2.5 years old with autoimmune hemolytic anemia caused by Epstein-Barr virus admitted to our hospital with pallor, palpitation, fever and scleral icterus. Viral capsid antigen -IgM was positive in both cases, indicating the presence of primary Epstein-Barr virus infection. AIHA risk of EBV infection in the first two weeks might be considered closely because of life threatining complications such as autoimmune hemolytic anemia.

Key words: Epstein-Barr Virus, coombs positive, autoimmune hemolytic anemia.

African Journal of Immunology Research ISSN 9431-5833 Vol. 5 (4), pp. 328-332, April, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Increased incidences of Salmonella, Plasmodium falciparum and hepatitis C viral specific circulating immune complexes in participants from malaria endemic and HIV prevalent area of Nigeria

Chukwudi M. Ezeani¹, Chinedum C. Onyenekwe²*, Confidence K. Wachukwu³, Chukwuemeka S. Meludu⁴, Ositadimma M. Ifeanyichukwu², Nkiruka R. Ukibe⁴,

¹Department of Immunology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.

²Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.

³Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port-Harcourt. Nigeria.

⁴Department of Human Biochemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.

*Corresponding  author.  E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 22 April, 2017

Abstract

The present study used dissociated circulating immune complexes (CIC) to identity the burden of exposure to certain infectious agents. The participants were divided into HIV seropositive group (n=100) and HIV seronegative group (n=100). Polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 and phosphate buffer techniques were used for precipitation and dissociation of CIC in sera. The dissociated CIC were tested for Salmonella typhi antibody, Plasmodium falciparum histidine rich protein (Pf-hrp)- 2 antigen and HCV antibody using commercially available kits. Result showed that Salmonella typhi antibody was detected in 76 (76%) of the HIV seropositive participants; Plasmodium falciparum histidine rich protein-2 (Pf-hrp-2) antigen was detected in 48 (48%) of HIV seropositive participants while Hepatitis C viral antibodies was detected in 20 (20%) of the HIV seropositive participants. Similarly, Salmonella typhi antibody was detected in 24(24%) of the HIV seronegative participants, Pf- hrp-2 antigen was detected in 47(47%) of the participants while Hepatitis C viral antibody was detected in 5(5%) of the HIV seronegative participants. There were significant differences between the number of HIV seropositive and seronegative participants with positive Salmonella typhi (P<0.05) and HCV antibody (P<0.05). The rates of homogeniuty and heterogeniuty of CIC in HIV seropositive participants was; 26 (34%) and 50 (66%) for Salmonella typhi antibody, 3 (6%) and 45 (94%) for Pf-hrp- 2 antigen and 0 (0%) and 20 (100%) for HCV antibody, respectively. While the rates of homogeniuty and heterogeniuty of CIC in HIV seronegative participants was 1 (4.2%) and 23 (95.8%) for Salmonella typhi antibody; 25 (53%) and 22 (47%) for Pf-hrp-2 antigen and 3 (60%) and 2 (40%) for HCV antibody respectively in all cases. The finding of the present study suggest that HIV infection may enhance susceptibilty to both salmonella typhi and HCV infection but not Plasmodium falciparum. The study thus revealed that Salmonella and HCV infections may constitute the major secondary infection in HIV infected patients and could be a cause for concern as HIV progressed to AIDS.

Key words: Antigen, antibody, complexes, HIV, malaria HCV and participants.

African Journal of Immunology Research ISSN 9431-5833 Vol. 5 (5), pp. 337-345, May, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of the effect of garlic on growth and immune parameters of hybrid tilapia

Diegane Ndong¹* and Jean Fall²

¹Agence Nationale de l'Aquaculture, 146 Sotrac Mermoz, BP1496 –Dakar, Sénégal.

²Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Gakuen Kibanadai Nishi 1-1, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 11 April, 2017

Abstract

Garlic (Allium sativum) was incorporated into diets (0 (control group), 0.5 and 1 g/kg (test groups) of juvenile hybrid tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus x O. aureus. The fish initial weight was 25.5 ± 1.0 g (mean SD) with no significant size difference among the treatments. Innate immune response responses were evaluated for 2 to 4 weeks. Total leucocyte count, respiratory burst, phagocytic activity, phagocytic index and lysozyme activity were enhanced in garlic 0.5 g/kg treated groups compared to the control group after 4 weeks. Fish fed with garlic supplemented diets at 0.5 g/kg showed decreased on weight gain at 2 and 4 weeks as compared to those fed with control diet.

Key words: Hybrid tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus x O. aureus, juvenile, garlic, Allium sativum, innate immune response.

African Journal of Immunology Research ISSN 9431-5833 Vol. 5 (6), pp. 358-365, June, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Kidney function trends in seropositive patients and baseline data for clinical management of HIV/AIDS patients

H. L. F. Kamga*, J. C. N. Assob, A. L. Njunda, P. Nde Fon, D. S. Nsagha, M. B.S. Atanga, P. Weledji, D. P. Puinta and E. A. Achidi

Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, P. O. Box, 63, Buea, Republic of Cameroon.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +23799721972.

Accepted 03 October, 2017

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) related kidney disease is one of the leading causes of death and affects predominantly people of black descent. Data is unavailable on the presence of kidney disease amongst HIV positive patients in Cameroon and a high prevalence of the disease depicts a high incidence of HIV associated nephropathy. A cohort study was carried out from May to August 2010 at the Nylon District Hospital Douala to investigate the Kidney function trends amongst seropositive individuals. Kidney function tests like serum urea, serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, proteinuria and urine chemistry was measured amongst 329 participants amongst whom 100 (30.4%) were HIV negative and 229 (69.6%) were HIV positive. The age range of the study population was 18 to 60 years, with mean age of 35.122 ± 0.543. There were 94(28.6%) males and 235 (71.5%) females. The percentage of HIV seropositivity was higher in females than in males (74.3% vs. 25.7% p < 0.05). Although, Serum creatinine, creatinine clearance and proteinuria were significantly higher in the control group than in the HIV infected subjects (p < 0.0001, p = 0.046 and p = 0.001, respectively), these values were not indicative of renal pathology. Considering only HIV positive individuals the mean serum creatinine was significantly higher in the Antiretoviral treatment (ART) naïve group when compared to those who were already on ART. These findings indicate that renal function is not affected by the seropositivity status of individuals.

Key words: Kidney function, human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) seropositivity, Cameroon.

African Journal of Immunology Research ISSN 9431-5833 Vol. 5 (1), pp. 285-295, January, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Formulating a micronutrient rich supplement to combat anemia, immune profile and class performance of children in school 

Narayanasamy Sangeetha¹* and S. Premakumari²

¹Department of food science and technology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry- 605 014

²Department of food science and nutrition, Avinashilingam University for Women, Coimbatore - 641 043

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: 9444993091.

Accepted 12 July, 2017

Abstract

Iron deficiency anemia is a major public health problem in India widely prevalent among children. The present study was aimed to reduce the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia and also to improve the immune status, school performance through dietary supplementation with micronutrient rich foods (wheat germ, rice flakes, gingelly seeds, microwave oven dehydrated carrot powder, jaggery).The present study was conducted on children in the age group of 7 - 9 years (N: 1675) from primary corporation school located in the urban areas of Chennai district. Out of 1675 children, 1151(68.7%) children had exclusive signs and symptoms of anemia. The blood hemoglobin levels revealed that 662 children were moderately anemic and the remaining 15 and 74 children showed severe and mild signs and symptoms of anemia respectively. Out of 662 children who were moderately anemic, 150 children were randomly selected for the supplementation study. They were further divided into three groups of 50 children each to receive the food based supplement (Micronutrient rich balls), synthetic supplement (Riconia tablet, a micronutrient fortified tablet) and the third group constituted the control group. The supplementation study was for a period of six months. The impact of supplementation was studied initially and at the end of 6 months in terms of anthropometric measurements, morbidity pattern, dietary assessment and biochemical analysis. The results revealed that, supplementation in the food form resulted in significant improvement in the parameters studied. The findings of this research leads to the conclusion beyond doubt that the food based approach will serve as an effective strategy to combat deficiencies and to promote health and well being of the children and ensure global security.

Key words: Childhood malnutrition, blood hemoglobin, serum retinol, serum zinc, immune profile.