Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:2.6.1.2 (alanine aminotransferase)
 26,722 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

29 Trypanozoon stocks from Liberian pigs and dogs were screened for human plasma resistance and electrophoretic isoenzyme patterns of eleven enzymes. Two stocks from pigs were found both to be resistant to human plasma and to have an isoenzyme marker, a slow alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) pattern, previously found only in Trypanosoma brucei gambiense from man. This constitutes evidence that the pig is a reservoir of human trypanosomiasis in West Africa. The T.b.gambiense ALAT was also found in stocks from 5 other pigs and a dog, but none of these stocks was resistant to human plasma; conversely, 9 further isolations from pigs and 2 from dogs were plasma resistant but did not have the T.b.gambiense ALAT. The lack of correspondence between the two characteristics is discussed. A T.b.gambiense stock from man in Zaire had the ALAT pattern characteristic of T.b.gambiense from Senegal and Nigeria, together with the ASAT triplet found in most T.b.gambiense stocks. Peptidase polymorphism was shown in trypanosomes for the first time.
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PMID:The identification of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense in Liberian pigs and dogs by isoenzymes and by resistance to human plasma. 72 46

The red cell GPT phenotypes have been determined in two village populations in Gambia, West Africa. A total of 887 people have been investigated. The results confirm the previous observations that the frequency of the GPT gene is far higher in African populations than Caucasian populations.
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PMID:Red cell glutamate-pyruvate transaminase gene frequencies in Gambia, West Africa. 122 48

Donated blood is currently screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc), antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels to prevent posttransfusion hepatitis. A prospective study of 2368 blood donors was carried out in Guadeloupe (French West Indies) with a view to determining the risk factors associated with serologic abnormalities. Blood donors included in the study had to complete a questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed on the data thus obtained: 571 donations (24%) were positive for at least one of the four analyzed markers. The results were that 3.2 percent were positive for HBsAg, 22 percent for anti-HBc, and 0.8 percent for anti-HCV, and 1.4 percent had ALT > or = 45 IU per L. A good correlation was found between anti-HCV and elevated ALT. Transfusion history and two socioeconomic categories (working class, military personnel) were found to be risk factors. Other risk factors were lifelong residence in Guadeloupe (with risk increasing with the number of years), birthplace and current residence in the southern part of the island, and the existence of gastrointestinal discomfort unrelated to viral hepatitis (odds ratio = 2.98). The results of this study illustrate the difficulty of implementing a preventive policy against posttransfusion hepatitis in a tropical area. The unique epidemiologic situation of Guadeloupe as regards hepatitis B virus has led to more restrictive criteria for the acceptance of blood donors.
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PMID:Risk factors associated with hepatitis B or C markers or elevated alanine aminotransferase level among blood donors on a tropical island: the Guadeloupe experience. 141 85

We studied the prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies in a population of 2,367 pregnant women attending three public Parisian suburban hospitals. Of this group, 1,614 (68 percent) were French and 753 (32 percent) were immigrant women. The geographic origin of the immigrant population was North Africa (40 percent), West Africa (33 percent), Asia (14 percent), and South Europe (13 percent). Anti-HCV antibodies were tested by the Ortho ELISA second generation test. If present, the Ortho's four-antigen RIBA test and serum alanine aminotransferase determinations were done routinely. The overall prevalence was 1.73 percent. It was 1.55 percent in French women and 2.13 percent in immigrant women. Risk factors associated with anti-HCV were found in 68 percent of the anti-HCV positive French women and in 44 percent of the positive immigrant women. Risk factors were significantly more frequent in anti-HCV positive women in both groups. Among the 41 women with a positive ELISA test, 16/25 French women (64 percent) and 8/16 immigrants (50 percent) had a positive four-antigen RIBA test. Thus, the prevalence of a positive RIBA test was similar in both groups (0.99 and 1.06 percent), due to a higher proportion of false positive ELISA tests observed in the immigrants. These results show that, in French pregnant women: a) the prevalence of anti-HCV is twice as high as that found in blood donors and is a better estimation of the actual prevalence of these antibodies in France; b) positive ELISA 2 tests are most often confirmed by a positive RIBA 2 test.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:[Prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies (tests ELISA 2 and RIBA 2) in a population of pregnant women in France]. 158 42

An improved understanding of medical problems of alcoholic patients can be gained from commonly encountered laboratory test results. Liver function tests--such as measures of alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase--may provide evidence of altered hepatic activity of different types, such as obstruction and hepatocellular injury. Other test results may indicate impaired hepatic function, such as measurements of albumin, bilirubin, prothrombin time, and blood urea nitrogen. Alterations are also common in electrolytes, blood glucose, magnesium, phosphate, uric acid, and acid-base balance. Disturbances in hematologic function are not infrequent in alcoholic patients, including anemias from many causes, altered granulocyte responses, and thrombocytopenia.
West J Med 1992 Mar
PMID:Clinical significance in alcoholic patients of commonly encountered laboratory test results. 159 68

The most common toxicities of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are gastropathy, renal dysfunction, and liver function abnormalities. We outline an approach to monitoring patients on long-term NSAID therapy, focusing on the early detection of complications. Gastropathy caused by NSAID use is more common in elderly patients or those with a history of dyspepsia, peptic ulcer disease, or alcohol abuse. Fecal occult blood testing and hemograms are less accurate in detecting gastropathy than direct visualization but are convenient and relatively inexpensive. We recommend the periodic use of these tests to detect NSAID-induced acute or chronic blood loss. Renal toxicity is seen in patients with preexisting renal disease or functional volume depletion and in the elderly. Complications include renal insufficiency, hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, and protein-uria. Renal function should be monitored during the first few weeks of NSAID therapy, especially in high-risk patients, with periodic testing thereafter. Hepatic toxicity is less common but warrants occasional determinations of alanine aminotransferase levels. Elderly patients and those with renal insufficiency or alcohol abuse have a higher risk of complications. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should be used cautiously in those patients at high risk for complications. Strategies can be used to limit toxicity. Patients taking these drugs long term should be monitored periodically for signs of blood loss, renal dysfunction, and hepatic dysfunction.
West J Med 1991 Jul
PMID:Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Proposed guidelines for monitoring toxicity. 187 28

A total of 166 volunteers for an AIDS vaccine study (Vaxsyn, baculovirus produced recombinant GP160; MicroGeneSys Inc, West Haven, Connecticut, USA) were interviewed and examined. Blood was collected for routine laboratory testing as well as T-cell counts, HIV ELISA (EIA), Western blot (WB) and p24 Ag. Eighty-five men (mean age 22.2 years, range 18-42) and 81 women (mean age 23.9 years, range 17-50) volunteered; 130/166 (78%) were university students. Most had learned of the study from news media (55%), friends or workplace (37%). The most common causes for exclusion were the presence of indeterminate WB (26.5%) or a change of mind after the initial interview (24%). Other causes were abnormal cell count and differential (7.2%), elevated alanine aminotransferase (3.6%), positive hepatitis B antibody (3.6%), abnormal urinalysis (3.4%), recent venereal disease (3.0%), T4 cell count less than 400 (1.9%), abnormal chest X-ray (1.7%), recognized high-risk behaviour (1.7%), multiple sex partners (1.2%), positive rapid plasma reagin test (1.2%), failure to meet age criteria (1.2%), unable to be available for entire study (1.2%), abnormal physical examination (0.6%) and positive p24 Ag (0.6%). No volunteers had positive EIA, but 14.5% had more than one reason for exclusion. Even in a community with low prevalence for HIV, a large majority of healthy heterosexual volunteers can be expected to be ineligible for enrollment in HIV vaccine trials. An average of 4.8 volunteers were screened for each of 12 vaccinees chosen.
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PMID:Characteristics of a population volunteering for human immunodeficiency virus immunization. NIAID AIDS Clinical Trials Network. 209 87

Yellow eels (Anguilla anguilla L.) with an average weight of 60 g were used in this experiment. The fish were caught in June/July at the Aveiro Lagoon on the Portuguese West Coast, transported to the Department of Biology, Aveiro University, and kept in aerated aquaria for 1 week before the experiment started. The eels were then exposed for 1 and 3 weeks to 75 and 50% of the kraft pulp mill effluent. The eels exposed to the kraft pulp mill effluent developed an increase in red blood cell number per cubic millimeter and several biochemical changes, such as an increase in plasma lactate and sodium and a decrease in plasma pyruvate and potassium. Histological examination of the experimental eels exposed to the 50% kraft pulp mill effluent revealed deep alteration of the tissue structure, such as disruption of the skin and edematous hypertrophy of covering epithelial cells in secondary gill lamellae. The kidney had damage of the renal tubules. The liver developed necrosis supported by a significant decrease in GOT and GPT activity. The spleen had an increase in blood content as well as in pigment centers. Previous results indicated the kraft pulp mill effluent causes tissue damage and consequent metabolic changes in the eel Anguilla anguilla L.
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PMID:Metabolic effects of kraft mill effluents on the eel Anguilla anguilla L. 222 39

One of the main concerns of blood transfusion centers is viral hepatitis as a direct result of blood transfusion. Ninety-five percent of these cases are non-A, non-B hepatitis. In order to prevent this disease, blood collections were screened for antibody anti-HBc as well as the level of activity of the alanine aminotransferase in 3,051 blood donors in Guadeloupe. this revealed a particular epidemiological situation, which caused this French country to be rated among moderate endemic zones for hepatitis B virus. As a result of this new screening procedure, 25 percent of the blood collected had to be discarded and was classified with prevalence rates of 21.8 percent HBc antibody, 2.9 percent HBs antigen, and 2.6 percent alanine aminotransferase (45 IU/l). Differences were noted according to sex, age, social-economical level and geographical origin of the blood donors. These data raised many significant questions regarding the vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus, the epidemiological situation of hepatitis B virus in the Guadeloupe population as well as in the rest of the French West-Indies, and also the type of action which must be taken against non-A, non-B hepatitis in a moderate endemic zone for HBV.
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PMID:[Prevention of post-transfusion hepatitis in Guadeloupe: results after application of new measures for detecting blood donors potentially at risk]. 231 51

In my opinion, independent, carefully conducted scientific studies indicate that an accurate, rapid, relatively sensitive, and inexpensive laboratory test substantially reduces the major long-term risk of blood transfusion in the United States; donor ALT has emerged as one of the most effective laboratory determinants for reducing the incidence of NANB PTH. Despite its nonspecificity and limited predictive value, ALT screening may prevent up to 30 percent of cases, one-half of which would progress to chronic liver disease and then possibly to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Blood donors appear to understand and accept the testing rationale as a reasonable precaution. Admittedly, ALT screening is not a perfect solution. It has not been validated by prospective studies and probably never will be. Determination of the proper cutoff value remains controversial. However, the risk of PTH progresses with increasing ALT levels, so that the real issue is not whether to test, but how best to configure the test to exclude the fewest false-positive donors while detecting the most true-positive donors. It is undesirable and expensive to discard safe units of blood, but the primary responsibility of blood collectors is to ensure an adequate supply of safe components. Some still consider the ALT assay technically too demanding for routine use. However, technical concerns regarding performance and interpretation are not insurmountable, and both quality control and proficiency testing are being addressed at the national level. The assay is capable of great precision, and a system employing a national standard and single cutoff has already been described and tested with excellent results. Circumstances have changed since donor screening with ALT was widely implemented in 1986. More thorough screening and testing have eliminated many high-risk donors. Public expectations have changed as well. While it is neither reasonable nor responsible to promise the public blood transfusions without risk, neither is it prudent to propose any major change in management of the blood supply without compelling evidence that such a change will not impair transfusion safety. It is hard to defend discontinuing the ALT screen at this time, especially when the costs of retaining it are minimal and the benefits clearly greater than those of screening for HTLV-I and for Treponema pallidum (in the United States) or HIV-2 (in West Germany). A first-generation assay specific for antibody to hepatitis C will probably be available within a year.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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PMID:Controversies in transfusion medicine. Alanine aminotransferase screening of blood donors: pro. 234 35


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