Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:6.2.1.7 (BAL)
 1,977 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Infection of Pseudomonas BAL-31 with the lipid-containing bacteriophage PM2 resulted in no detectable change in the rate of phosphatidylglycerol (PG) or phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) biosynthesis. An increase in the PG content of infected cultures was not seen until the cultures began to lyse, and this increase was in fact only a relative increase resulting from the extensive turnover of PE at the onset of culture lysis. Turnover studies revealed that the glycerol, phosphorus fatty acid, and ethanolamine moieties of PE turned over simultaneously at the time of lysis, and therefore made it unlikely that there was a PE to PG conversion during the latent period of the phage. The lipid found in the bacteriophage did not reflect a preferential selection for lipid synthesized before or after infection, but in fact reflected the composition of the host membrane at the time the phage were assembled. The use of a modified medium that allowed the cultivation of Pseudomonas BAL-31 as a prototroph and resulted in reliable lysis times of infected cultures led us to the conclusion that PM2 infection effects little change in host phospholipid metabolism, and that there is sufficient PG in the host cytoplasmic membrane to account for a full burst of phage. As a result of the reliable lysis times that we have achieved, we concluded that certain metabolic events, i.e., PE turnover, are lytic phenomena and must not be confused with events relevant to the biosynthesis and maturation of the phage.
 ...
PMID:Phospholipid metabolism in Pseudomonas BAL-31 infected with lipid-containing bacteriophage PM2. 95 79

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) in HIV-infected patients remains a life-threatening complication in the course of HIV infection. Despite effective treatment, mortality may still be as high as 10%. The identification of risk factors associated with a lethal outcome might be helpful as a guide to therapy for patients at risk and in the evaluation of new drugs with anti-pneumocystic activity. In a retrospective study 58 first episodes of HIV-associated PCP without prophylaxis were analyzed. Variables associated univariately with higher mortality were identified. A prognostic rule was established in a multivariate approach using canonical discriminant analysis. Cut-off values for parameters included were determined in order to allow a clinically applicable estimate of the individual risk. Variables associated with early mortality were hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelet count, albumin, total protein, gamma-globulins, and AaDO2. LDH values, percentage of neutrophils in the BAL, as well as the cellular immunologic state as indicated by CD4-cell count were not significantly associated with the outcome. The discriminant function yielded the best classification results with the inclusion of hemoglobin, albumin, and gamma-globulins (overall accuracy 86%). Two or more of the following parameters were associated with a 14-fold increased risk of in-hospital mortality: hemoglobin less than 10 g/dl, albumin less than 3 g/dl, and gamma-globulins less than 1.2 g/dl. This prognostic rule was 80% sensitive and 94% specific with a negative predictive value of 94%, yielding an overall accuracy of 91%. Patients with HIV-associated PCP with a positive prognostic rule have a 14-fold increased risk for in-hospital lethal outcome. This discriminant rule may be helpful in identifying patients at risk.
Infection
PMID:Predicting in-hospital outcome in HIV-associated Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. 855 84

A recently developed sandwich ELISA, which detects Aspergillus galactomannan, was tested retrospectively in serial serum samples from an allogeneic bone marrow transplant recipient with proven invasive aspergillosis (patient 1) and another with suspected disease (patient 2). Galactomannan was detected in the serum 4 and 28 days, respectively, before pulmonary infiltrates suggestive of fungal infection first became apparent on the chest X-ray. Aspergillus was detected by ELISA and PCR in BAL fluid samples from both patients, and in CSF from patient 1. The diagnosis was confirmed at autopsy for patient 1 by histopathology and the recovery of Aspergillus fumigatus from the lung and brain. Furthermore, in both patients the course of the antigen titer in the serum during antifungal treatment corresponded with the clinical outcome. These results confirm that the sandwich ELISA appears to be useful for the early diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis. The value of the test for monitoring the response to antifungal treatment remains to be established in prospective trials.
Infection
PMID:Serial monitoring of Aspergillus antigen in the early diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis. Preliminary investigations with two examples. 910 82

HIV-1 infection leads to a disease that attacks the central regulatory mechanisms of the immune response. As mucosal tissue is one of the primary sites infected with HIV in vivo, we examined the effects of HIV exposure on human mast cells, important components of mucosal defense. Using the human mast cell line, HMC-1, which expresses CXCR4 but not CCR5 on the cell surface, we found that several HIV-1 X4 tropic lab (IIIB, RF) and primary isolates but not R5 (BAL, ADA) isolates productively infected these cells. Furthermore, stem cell factor-dependent mast cells derived from primary fetal liver or cord blood cultures were also productively infected with both X4 and R5 HIV-1 strains. Infection was blocked at the level of viral entry using monoclonal antibodies to CXCR4 and CD4. Treatment of HMC-1 with TNF-alpha and TGF-beta stimulated cell surface expression of CCR5 and up-regulated expression of both CCR5 and CXCR4 on primary mast cells, leading to increased susceptibility to both X4 and R5 viral isolates. HIV-1 infection also resulted in histamine release from these mast cells, most due in part to HIV-mediated cell death. These results demonstrate that X4 viruses can use CD4 and the CXCR4 receptor to infect mast cells, suggesting that mast cell-T cell interactions may contribute to HIV mediated immune dysfunction in the mucosa.
 ...
PMID:Alterations in mast cell function and survival following in vitro infection with human immunodeficiency viruses-1 through CXCR4. 1559 22

To evaluate the role of BAL, CTB, and OLB in the management of pulmonary infiltrates in pediatric HSCT recipients, we conducted a retrospective review of clinical records of pediatric HSCT recipients. Data were analyzed using Chi-square for dichotomous and anova for continuous variables. Logistic regression was used to adjust confounding variables for diagnostic yield. Forty patients underwent 44 separate procedures. Infections were the prevailing cause of infiltrates with a positive diagnostic yield (96%). CTB and OLB were performed more often in patients with focal infiltrates compared with BAL (100%, 71% vs. 22%; p < 0.01). Adverse events were not significantly different across the three procedures. OLB more often yielded information that led to change in medical management (71% vs. 0%, 34%; p < 0.05) compared with CTB and BAL. Patients who had a positive diagnostic yield had no apparent survival advantage when compared with those in whom a procedure yielded no information. Logistic regression demonstrated that focal infiltrate was the only independently predictive variable for identifying a cause of pulmonary infiltrate. In conclusion, all three invasive diagnostic procedures were safe. Having a focal infiltrate was independently and significantly associated with having a positive diagnostic yield.
 ...
PMID:Invasive diagnostic procedures for pulmonary infiltrates in pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. 1791 Jun 50

Infection is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the first year following lung transplantation. HG after adult lung transplantation has been associated with increased infections and hospitalization as well as decreased survival. The purpose of this study is to define the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of HG in the first year following pediatric lung transplantation. A retrospective review of all lung transplant recipients at a single pediatric center over a four-yr period was performed. All serum Ig levels drawn within one yr of transplantation were recorded. An association between HG during the first year after transplantation and age, race, gender, diagnosis leading to transplantation and clinical outcomes including hospitalization, infections requiring hospitalization, viremia, fungal recovery from BAL lavage, and mortality was sought. HG was defined using age-based norms. Fifty-one charts were reviewed. Mean (+/-s.d.) post-transplantation levels for IgG, IgA, and IgM were 439.9 +/- 201.3, 82.3 +/- 50.2, and 75.2 +/- 41.4 mg/dL, respectively. HG was present in 48.8%, 12.2%, and 17.1% of patients for IgG, IgA, and IgM, respectively. Patients with HG for IgG were older (14.3 +/- 3.8 vs. 9.2 +/- 5.4 yr; p < 0.01). IgA and IgM HG were associated with invasive aspergillosis (p < 0.01 and p = 0.05, respectively). IgG and IgM levels inversely correlated with bacterial infections and hospital days, respectively (p < 0.01, p < 0.05). HG is a frequent complication following pediatric lung transplantation. Low Ig levels are associated with increased infections and hospital stay.
 ...
PMID:Hypogammaglobulinemia: Incidence, risk factors, and outcomes following pediatric lung transplantation. 1906 16

Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous disease of unknown origin, with pulmonary findings in more than 90% of patients. Extrapulmonary involvement is common and all organs can be involved (especially lymph nodes, eyes, joints, central nervous system) but it is rare to find an isolated extrapulmonary disease (less than 10% of patients). Granulomatous inflammation of the spleen and the liver is common in patients with systemic sarcoidosis, while hepatosplenic enlargement is unusual and splenic involvement rare. We report two cases of systemic sarcoidosis, that onset with splenic and hepatosplenic disease, and one case with splenic sarcoidosis without pulmonary involvement. In the first case a 53-year-old woman with mild abdominal pain underwent sonography and CT, which revealed one hypoechoic/hypodense splenic lesion. Laboratory tests were normal. In order to exclude a lymphoma, splenectomy was performed: histology revealed a sarcoid granuloma. After surgery the patient was asymptomatic and now, after two years, disease is silent. The second case is a 66-year-old woman with a recent weight loss (8 kg in two months) and alterated liver function tests (AST 61 U/l, ALT 72 U/l, Alkaline phosphatase 748 U/l, g-GT 381 U/l). Since she had a familiar history of colon cancer, abdominal US scan, abdominal CT scan and MRI were performed and showed inter-aorto-caval lymphadenopathies and discreet multiple bilobar hepatic and splenic substitutive lesions, with no signs of primary tumor. Upper and lower GI endoscopy, full gynecological workup, complete set of tumor markers, bone marrow biopsy were performed. All resulted negative for neoplasia. Small pulmonary infiltrations were observed on chest-CT scan but cytology on BAL was normal. Infections were also excluded. An exploratory laparotomy showed whitish peritoneal, hepatic and splenic nodules. The histological exam revealed chronic granulomatous lesions typical for sarcoidosis. During a two-year follow-up after the splenectomy the patient feels well without any treatment. The third patient is a 32-year-old woman with mild epigastric pain after meals. Neck-thoracic CT, bone scintigraphy and upper GI endoscopy were negative. Abdominal US and MR showed splenomegaly with multiple splenic lesions. Splenectomy was performed and histological exam showed chronic granulomatous lesions typical for sarcoidosis. Further laboratory tests were normal, except for ACE (66 UI/l). After the surgery ACE became normal and now, three years later, the patient is still asymptomatic. We conclude that hepatosplenic involvement is less rare than it is thought. It is often oligosymptomatic or accompanied with unspecific manifestations and laboratory abnormalities. The diagnosis could be difficult; in fact typical laboratory findings of sarcoidosis such as ACE, lysozyme, calcium, were not diagnostic. Ultrasonography and CT were important but the diagnosis was established only with the histological examination of suspected lesions. This latter required to differentiate liver and/or spleen sarcoidosis from tuberculosis and other infections, primary biliary cirrhosis, metastasis or malignant lymphoma.
 ...
PMID:Atypical sarcoidosis: case reports and review of the literature. 2138 7

Plastic bronchitis is an uncommon disorder generally associated with congenital heart disease or sickle cell acute chest syndrome. During the winter outbreak of 2009 influenza A(H1N1) [influenza A(H1N1)] virus infection, we cared for three children who developed plastic bronchitis without the typical underlying conditions. The diagnosis of plastic bronchitis was made using flexible bronchoscopy and was confirmed by histopathology. These children had influenza-like illness, and the assay for influenza A(H1N1) virus was positive in their nasopharyngeal swab and BAL fluid. The chest imaging showed consolidation or atelectasis. After bronchoscopic extraction of casts and antiviral treatment, all of the patients recovered, and there has been no recurrence of the plastic bronchitis. Infection with influenza A(H1N1) is known to cause inflammation and decreased mucociliary clearance, and this may place some patients, especially children, at risk for airway obstruction.
 ...
PMID:Plastic bronchitis in three children associated with 2009 influenza A(H1N1) virus infection. 2113 85

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an uncommon cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), but a common cause of hospital-acquired pneumonia. Controversies exist for diagnostic methods and antibiotic therapy. We review the epidemiology of CAP, including that in patients with HIV and also in hospital-acquired pneumonia, including ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and bronchoscope-associated pneumonia. We performed a literature review of clinical studies involving P aeruginosa pneumonia with an emphasis on treatment and prevention. Pneumonia due to P aeruginosa occurs in several distinct syndromes: (1) CAP, usually in patients with chronic lung disease; (2) hospital-acquired pneumonia, usually occurring in the ICU; and (3) bacteremic P aeruginosa pneumonia, usually in the neutropenic host. Radiologic manifestations are nonspecific. Colonization with P aeruginosa in COPD and in hospitalized patients is a well established phenomenon such that treatment based on respiratory tract cultures may lead to overtreatment. We present circumstantial evidence that the incidence of P aeruginosa has been overestimated for hospital-acquired pneumonia and reflex administration of empirical antipseudomonal antibiotic therapy may be unnecessary. A diagnostic approach with BAL and protected specimen brush using quantitative cultures for patients with VAP led to a decrease in broad-spectrum antibiotic use and improved outcome. Endotracheal aspirate cultures with quantitative counts are commonly used, but validation is lacking. An empirical approach using the Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score is a pragmatic approach that minimizes antibiotic resistance and leads to decreased mortality in patients in the ICU. The source of the P aeruginosa may be endogenous (from respiratory or GI tract colonization) or exogenous from tap water in hospital-acquired pneumonia. The latter source is amenable to preventive measures.
 ...
PMID:Pneumonia due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa: part I: epidemiology, clinical diagnosis, and source. 2146 58

Brucella is amongst the top 5 causes of zoonotic disease worldwide. Infection is through ingestion, inhalation or contact exposure. Brucella is characterized as a class B pathogen by Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Currently, there are no efficacious vaccines available in people. Currently available USDA approved vaccines for animals include B. abortus strain RB51 and B. melitensis Rev1. Protection is mediated by a strong innate and CD4 Th1, CD8 Tc1 immune response. If protective vaccines can be developed, disease in people and animals can be controlled. While strain RB51 protects in cattle, and against intraperitoneal challenge in mice, it does not protect against respiratory challenge. Therefore, we assessed the efficacy of strain RB51 combined with different TLR agonists, and O-side chain from LPS, to enhance protection against respiratory challenge with strain 2308. We hypothesized that TLR agonists and O-side chain would enhance protection. Strains RB51 with TLR2 agonist, RB51 with TLR4 agonist and strain 19 provided significant protection in the lung. Protection using strain RB51 with TLR agonists was associated with increased IgG2a and IgG1 in the (bronchoalveolar lavage) BAL and serum, and increased IgA (serum). Splenocytes from strain RB51 with TLR2 vaccinated mice up-regulated antigen specific interferon-gamma and TNF-alpha production. Vaccination and challenge resulted in significant increases in activated dendritic cells (DCs), and increased CD4 and CD8 cells in the BAL. Overall, this study demonstrates the ability of TLR agonists 2 and 4 to up-regulate strain RB51 mediated protection in the lung to respiratory challenge against strain 2308.
 ...
PMID:Protection to respiratory challenge of Brucella abortus strain 2308 in the lung. 2384 17


1 2 Next >>