• Journal of Veterinary Science
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.30.1-30.15
• /
• 2021

Background: New-generation adjuvants for foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) vaccines can improve the efficacy of existing vaccines. Chinese medicinal herb polysaccharide possesses better promoting effects. Objectives: In this study, the aqueous extract from Artemisia rupestris L. (AEAR), an immunoregulatory crude polysaccharide, was utilized as the adjuvant of inactivated FMDV vaccine to explore their immune regulation roles. Methods: The mice in each group were subcutaneously injected with different vaccine formulations containing inactivated FMDV antigen adjuvanted with three doses (low, medium, and high) of AEAR or AEAR with ISA-206 adjuvant for 2 times respectively in 1 and 14 days. The variations of antibody level, lymphocyte count, and cytokine secretion in 14 to 42 days after first vaccination were monitored. Then cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response and antibody duration were measured after the second vaccination. Results: AEAR significantly induced FMDV-specific antibody titers and lymphocyte activation. AEAR at a medium dose stimulated Th1/Th2-type response through interleukin-4 and interferon-γ secreted by CD4⁺ T cells. Effective T lymphocyte counts were significantly elevated by AEAR. Importantly, the efficient CTL response was remarkably provoked by AEAR. Furthermore, AEAR at a low dose and ISA-206 adjuvant also synergistically promoted immune responses more significantly in immunized mice than those injected with only ISA-206 adjuvant and the stable antibody duration without body weight loss was 6 months. Conclusions: These findings suggested that AEAR had potential utility as a polysaccharide adjuvant for FMDV vaccines.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.1-25
• /
• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the anti-arthritis effects of Jeonsaenghwalhyeoltanggamibang(JHTG) on collagen-induced arthritis(CIA) in mice. Methods: To assess the effects of JHTG on CIA in mice, we conducted several experiments such as analysis of arthritis index, cell count of draining lymph node(DLN) and paw joint, measurement of serum antibody levels and observation of the histological changes of joint. Results: 1. JHTG extract had a suppressive effect on the arthritis index of paw joints in CIA mice. 2. JHTG extract increased the total cell number of DLN, and decreased the total cell number of paw joints in CIA mice. 3. JHTG extract increased the absolute number of various cell surface receptors in DLN, and decreased the absolute number of B220+/CD23+ cells in DLN in CIA mice. 4. JHTG extract decreased the absolute number of CD3+, CD4+, CD11b+/Gr-1 cells in paw joint in CIA mice. 5. JHTG extract didn't decrease the absolute number of CD4+/CD25+ cells in paw joints in CIA mice. 6. JHTG extract decreased levels of total IgM in the serum of CIA mice, but had no effect on levels of collagen II specific antibody. 7. JHTG extract decreased the destruction of articular cartilages and collagen fibers and the proliferation of synovial cells in paw joints from CIA mice. Conclusion: These results indicate that JHTG has clinical potential for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis by modulating the immune response.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.78 no.3
• /
• pp.253-257
• /
• 2015

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of mortality among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients and the majority of them occur in developing countries. The aims of the present study were to determine the frequency of HIV/TB co-infection and other probable associated factors. Methods: This 10 year retrospective study was conducted on 824 HIV patients in the south-west of Iran. HIV infection was diagnosed by the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and confirmed by Western blot. TB diagnosis was based on consistency of the clinical manifestations, chest X-ray, and microscopic examination. Drug susceptibility testing was done by the proportional method on $L{\ddot{o}}wenstein$-Jensen media. Results: Of 824 HIV patients, 59 (7.2%) were identified as TB co-infected and the majority (86.4%) of them were male. Of the overall TB infected patients, 6 cases (10.2%) showed multidrug-resistant with the mean CD4+ lymphocyte count of $163{\pm}166cells/mm^3$. The main clinical forms of TB were pulmonary (73%). There was a significant (p<0.05) correlation between TB infection and CD4+ lymphocyte counts ${\leq}200cells/mm^3$, gender, prison history, addiction history, and highly active anti-retroviral therapy. Conclusion: We reported novel information on frequency of HIV/TB co-infection and multidrug resistant-TB outcome among co-infected patients that could facilitate better management of such infections on a global scale.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.125-134
• /
• 1992

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Ginseng saponin on the cadmium which is widely distributed in the environment, results in immune system alteration. For the experiments, 125 mice of ICR strain were used. The experimental groups were divided into 5 groups a control, a cadmium alone treatment group, three Cd and saponin (10, 50, 100 mg/kg) combined treatment groups. The mice were allocated 25 to each group and observed for 8 weeks. The results of experiment are as follows: 1. Body weight growth rates during 8 weeks were as this control group 36.47%, Cd alone group 32.48%, saponin combined treatment group (10, 50, 100 mg/kg) 32.49%, 39.17%, 24.27% respectively. 2. In all groups, the relative weights of liver and kidney were increased, compared with control group. In the case of spleen, saponin combined treatment group (50, 100 mg/kg) was high to the significant level compared with a control group (p<0.05). Thymus was not. 3. On blood lymphocyte count observation, Cd alone treament group has 25.6% less than control group, and saponin combined treatment group have increasing trends. but in thymus and spleen, there was no trends like blood. 4. On antibody titer, there was no difference among groups. 5. On total serum protein, saponin (100 mg/kg) combined treatment group was high to significant level compared with control group (p<0.05), and other treatment groups have increasing trends. 6. Cd accumulation in kidney was higher than in liver, and all treatment groups were high to the very significant level compared with the control group (p<0.05), but there was no difference among groups. From the results of this study, it can be concluded that the oral administration of Cd results in alteration of immune system and Ginseng saponin prevents this effect. But, Cd accumulation was not affected by saponin.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.6
• /
• pp.3903-3907
• /
• 2013

Background: Patients with colorectal cancer are usually treated with chemotherapy, which reduces the number of blood cells, especially white blood cells, and consequently increases the risk of infections. Some research studies have reported that aromatherapy massage affects the immune system and improves immune function by, for example, increasing the numbers of natural killer cells and peripheral blood lymphocytes. However, there has been no report of any study which provided good evidence as to whether aromatherapy with Thai massage could improve the immune system in patients with colorectal cancer. The objectives of this study were to determine whether the use of aromatherapy with light Thai massage in patients with colorectal cancer, who have received chemotherapy, can result in improvement of the cellular immunity and reduce the severity of the common symptoms of side effects. Materials and Methods: Sixty-six patients with colorectal cancer in Phichit Hospital, Thailand, were enrolled in a single-blind, randomised-controlled trial. The intervention consisted of three massage sessions with ginger and coconut oil over a 1-week period. The control group received standard supportive care only. Assessments were conducted at pre-assessment and at the end of one week of massage or standard care. Changes from pre-assessment to the end of treatment were measured in terms of white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, CD4 and CD8 cells and the CD4/CD8 ratio and also the severity of self-rated symptom scores. Results: The main finding was that after adjusting for pre-assessment values the mean lymphocyte count at the post-assessment was significantly higher (P=0.04) in the treatment group than in the controls. The size of this difference suggested that aromatherapy with Thai massage could boost lymphocyte numbers by 11%. The secondary outcomes were that at the post assessment the symptom severity scores for fatigue, presenting symptom, pain and stress were significantly lower in the massage group than in the standard care controls. Conclusions: Aromatherapy with light Thai massage can be beneficial for the immune systems of cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy by increasing the number of lymphocytes and can help to reduce the severity of common symptoms.

• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.26-29
• /
• 2022

Cryptococcus neoformans infection usually occurs in patients with advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection or with a CD4 T lymphocyte count of <100 cells/µL. Pulmonary and central nervous system infections are the most frequently encountered forms of cryptococcosis; however, colonic cryptococcosis is uncommon. We describe the case of a 41-year-old antiretroviral-naïve man with HIV infection diagnosed eight years prior and intermittent diarrhea for 4 months who presented to the emergency department with a 1-day history of low-grade fever and confusion. Brain magnetic resonance imaging and cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed normal results; however, he was diagnosed with Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia based on chest computed tomography and bronchoalveolar lavage analysis. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole administration was initiated followed by antiretroviral treatment. Although his condition gradually improved, he developed fever and abdominal discomfort, and the diarrhea worsened. Endoscopy revealed a small ulcer in the distal transverse colon. Histopathological examination of a colon tissue sample revealed cryptococcal infection. He improved substantially during liposomal amphotericin B and fluconazole treatment. We encountered a rare case of colonic cryptococcosis that caused chronic diarrhea in a patient with advanced HIV infection. Colonic cryptococcosis should be considered when patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome present with gastrointestinal symptoms.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.49 no.6
• /
• pp.394-405
• /
• 2016

Objectives: The survival outcomes of antiretroviral treatment (ART) programs have not been systematically evaluated at the state level in India. This retrospective study assessed the survival rates and factors associated with survival among adult human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients in Andhra Pradesh, India. Methods: The present study used data from 139 679 HIV patients aged ${\geq}15$ years on ART who were registered from 2007 to 2011 and were followed up through December 2013. The primary end point was death of the patient. Mortality densities (per 1000 person-years) were calculated. Kaplan-Meier and Cox-regression models were used to estimate survival and explore the factors associated with survival. Results: The overall median follow-up time was 16.0 months (2.0 months for the deceased and 14.0 months for those lost to follow-up). Approximately 13.2% of those newly initiated on ART died during follow-up. Of those deaths, 56% occurred in the first three months. The crude mortality rate was 80.9 per 1000 person-years at risk. The CD4 count (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR],4.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.36 to 5.46 for < $100cells/mm^3$ vs. > $350cells/mm^3$), functional status (aHR, 3.05; 95% CI, 2.82 to 3.30 for bedridden vs. normal), and body weight (aHR, 3.69; 95% CI, 3.42 to 3.97 for <45 kg vs. >60 kg) were strongly associated with the survival of HIV patients. Conclusions: The study findings revealed that high mortality was observed within the first three months of ART initiation. Patients with poor baseline clinical characteristics had a higher risk of mortality. Expanded testing and counseling should be encouraged, with the goal of ensuring early enrollment into the program followed by the initiation of ART in HIV-infected patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.50 no.3
• /
• pp.367-372
• /
• 2001

Bacillus Calmette-Guerin(BCG) has been widely used for the prophylaxis of superficial bladder tumor recurrence and for the treatment of bladder carcinoma in situ. More than 95% of patients who receive BCG instillation tolerate the treatment well and side reactions have been reported in less than 5% of patients. Most side effects are minor and self-limiting. However, a rare occurrence of severe systemic reactions have been reported. Among the severe systemic reactions, hypersensitivity pneumonitis should be considered in patients with pneumonic complications after BCG instillation in cases where the culture for mycobacteria is negative in the sputwn, brochoalveolar lavage and blood specimen. In addition, a fiberoptic bronchoscopy with transbronchial lung biopsy demonstrates a fibrosis of the alveolar septums, where there is and an increased lymphocyte count with out tuberculous inflammatory changes, the and CD4 : CD8 ratio is increased and no symptomatic response to antituberculosis chemotherapy is observed. Here we report a 68 years old man with interstitial pneumonitis following intravesical BCG instillation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.61 no.6
• /
• pp.554-561
• /
• 2006

Background: In AIDS patients, the respiratory tract is one of the most frequently involved site of by an opportunistic infection, and an even common, casual pulmonary infection manifests in a peculiar ways in AIDS patients. In Korea, because of the low prevalence of AIDS, there is insufficient data compared with other Southeast Asian counties. However, considering the sexual behavior of the younger generation, it is expected that it will not be long before AIDS becomes a major public health issue in Korea. This study examined the clinical manifestation of HIV positive people and AIDS patients. The pulmonary manifestion of HIV-positive was evaluated. This study focused on the differences in the clinical manifestation between AIDS patients with pulmonary disease and simple HIV positive people. The characteristics of common pulmonary infections in AIDS patients were also analyzed. Method: The medical records of 28 HIV positive patients who visited the hospital of ChungAng University Hospital from January, 2001 to February, 2006 were analyzed retrospectively. Result: Twenty-seven patients out of 28 HIV positive patients were male and the average age was 40.6(23-65). Patients in their thirties were most commonly affected. Elven patients had pulmonary diseases. Pulmonary tuberculosis (4 cases) and pneumocystis pneumonia (4 cases) were the most common respiratory infection. One patient showed a peculiar type of systemic cryptococcus. which was accompanied by lung and pleural dissemination. The CD4+lymphocyte count of patients with a pulmonary infection was significantly lower in patients with a pulmonary manifestation than those with only a HIV infection ($79.5/mm^3$ vs $400/mm^3$, respectively)(p<.05). Patients with pulmonary disease were in a more severe immunosuppressive state. There were 4 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, 4 with pneumocystis pneumonia, 4 with secondary syphilis, 2 with primary syphilis, and 2 with HZV infection. The average CD4 lymphocyte counts was $56/mm^3$ in those with pulmonary tuberculosis, $42/mm^3$ in those with pneumocystis pneumonia, and $455/mm^3$ in those with secondary syphilis. Conclusion: This study examined the clinical manifestation of HIV positive patients, particularly AIDS patients with pulmonary disease, A more severe immunosuppressive status was observed in HIV-related pulmonary compared with those with HIV-related extrapulmonary disease, and the frequency of pulmonary tuberculosis in pulmonary disease was higher than expected. Respiratory infection in AIDS manifest in uncommon ways e.g. disseminated cryptococcosis involving the lung and pleura. Evidently, AIDS patients with a respiratory infection have a more severe form of immunosuppression than those with a simple HIV infection. As expected, patients with a pulmonary infection were in a more severe immunosuppressed state than those with a simple HIV infection. Opportunistic infections can show peculiar clinical presentations in AIDS patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.68 no.2
• /
• pp.97-100
• /
• 2010

A 73-year-old man was admitted with a sudden onset of dyspnea. He had never smoked. The chest radiograph and computed tomography revealed bilateral ground glass opacity and an enlarging perihilar consolidation with lymphadenopathies. There was a higher percentage of eosinophils (72%) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) than normal. The patient was diagnosed with acute eosinophilic pneumonia and managed with steroid. Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) was diagnosed by an examination of the BALF, and the patient was treated with trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole. The patient tested positive to the HIV antibody and the peripheral blood CD-4 positive lymphocyte count was only $33/{\mu}L$. The percentage of eosinophils in the BALF can increase in some cases of PCP that is complicated with AIDS. Only a few cases of eosinophilic pneumonia associated with PCP pneumonia have been reported in patients with AIDS but there are no case reports in Korea. This case highlights the need to consider PCP when the percentage of eosinophils in the BALF is elevated.