lactoferrin and Acute-Disease

Despite recent advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis of enteric diseases, acute infectious diarrhea remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Infection is the most common cause of acute diarrhea. Some causes of infectious diarrhea also result in serious long-term sequelae such as hemolytic uremic syndrome, Guillain-Barré syndrome and malnutrition. A better understanding of bacterial pathogenesis has grown increasingly important because of the emergence of new pathogens and the growing problems of resistance among enteric pathogens and other enteric flora. Non-antimicrobial approaches to therapy have become increasingly important with the emergence of serious antimicrobial resistance, such as vancomycin-resistant enterococcal colonization of the gastrointestinal tract. Finally, new understanding of how intestinal bacteria cause disease is revealing that enteric infections might trigger damage to epithelial cells or the intestinal barrier, or disrupt intestinal barrier and absorptive function (without necessarily causing overt diarrhea); thus, enteric infections might be far more important as emerging causes of malnutrition than has been previously appreciated. Therefore, diarrhea is both a cause and an effect of malnutrition. Treatment in most cases of bacterial and viral diseases consists of correcting fluid loss and electrolyte imbalance by oral or parenteral rehydration. Prevention of enteric illness by virtue of improved hygiene and provision of sanitation and water treatment is impractical in most developing countries, where morbidity and mortality rates are highest. For this reason, development of vaccines against the most important gastrointestinal infections remains a high priority.

Topics: Acute Disease; Diarrhea; Feces; Fluid Therapy; Humans; Infections; Lactoferrin; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Probiotics; Vaccines

Topics: Acute Disease; Alcoholism; Calcinosis; Cholecystitis; Chronic Disease; Enzyme Activation; Humans; Kinins; Lactoferrin; Pancreatitis; Protein Biosynthesis; Protein-Energy Malnutrition; Shock; Trypsin; Trypsinogen

Acute diarrhea is a major cause of childhood morbidity and an economic burden for families. The aim of this study is to explore the effect of probiotics on clinical symptoms, intestinal microbiota, and inflammatory markers during childhood diarrhea.. Children (. Data were collected from 81 individuals across three different time points. Total fecal IgA levels in fecal extracts of the probiotics group were higher than those in the control group, reaching statistical significance (. Fecal IgA increased during acute diarrhea under Lc treatment; in contrast, fecal lactoferrin and calprotectin were downregulated during acute diarrhea under Lc treatment. Probiotic Lc may be a useful supplement for application in children during acute diarrhea to reduce clinical severity and intestinal inflammatory reaction.

Topics: Acute Disease; Age Factors; Child; Child, Preschool; Diarrhea; Down-Regulation; Feces; Female; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Immunoglobulin A; Infant; Inflammation Mediators; Lacticaseibacillus casei; Lactoferrin; Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex; Male; Probiotics; Prospective Studies; Taiwan; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome

To compare glucose and rice-based oral rehydration solution with rice-based oral rehydration solution containing recombinant human lactoferrin and recombinant human lysozyme in diarrhea outcomes.. We conducted a randomized, double-blind controlled trial in children with acute diarrhea and dehydration. One hundred and forty children 5 to 33 months old were block randomized to receive low osmolarity WHO-ORS (G-ORS), rice-based ORS (R-ORS), or rice-based ORS plus lactoferrin and lysozyme (Lf/Lz-R-ORS). Intake and output were monitored for 48 h in the ORU, with continued monitoring through home and clinic follow-up for 14 d.. The G-ORS and R-ORS groups did not show any differences in diarrhea outcomes and were therefore combined as the control group. Intent-to-treat analysis showed a significant decrease in duration of diarrhea (3.67 d vs 5.21 d, P = 0.05) in the Lf/Lz-R-ORS group as compared with the control group and a significant increase in the number of children who achieved 48 h with solid stool, 85% vs 69% (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences [corrected] in volume of diarrhea or [corrected] the percentage of children who had a new diarrhea episode after achieving the endpoint.. Addition of recombinant human lactoferrin and lysozyme to a rice-based oral rehydration solution had beneficial effects on children with acute diarrhea.

Topics: Acute Disease; Administration, Oral; Child, Preschool; Dehydration; Diarrhea; Double-Blind Method; Fluid Therapy; Glucose; Humans; Infant; Lactoferrin; Male; Muramidase; Oryza; Peru; Prospective Studies; Treatment Outcome

Strongly pronounced argyrosis caused by adding AgCl to the feed of laboratory rats efficiently mimics the deficiency of ceruloplasmin (CP) ferroxidase activity. Bringing the concentration of AgCl in the feedstuff of lactating rats to 250 mg % and keeping their progeny (Ag-rats) for 3 months on the same silver-containing feed provided the serum iron content 1.4 times lower than that in the control group. Besides, the ferroxidase activity of CP dropped to zero. In CP purified from sera of Ag-rats two copper ions were substituted with two silver ions. Using rat models of both post-hemorrhagic and hemolytic anemia we showed that the deficiency of CP ferroxidase activity in Ag-rats affects the iron content in serum, though does not prevent the recovery of hemoglobin level accompanied by exhaustion of iron caches in liver and spleen. When apo-lactoferrin (apo-LF) was administered to Ag-rats suffering from either post-hemorrhagic or hemolytic anemia, both hemoglobin and serum iron were restored more rapidly than in the control animals. In independent experiments Ag-rats were compared with those fed on regular diet and the former displayed a prolonged 3-day stabilization of hypoxia-inducible factors 1 and 2 alpha (HIF-1a and HIF-2a) along with an increased serum concentration of erythropoietin. Introduction to Ag-rats of active CP separately or together with apo-LF reduced that effect to 1 day only. It is concluded that saturation of apo-LF with iron, provided by active CP, can strongly affect its protective capacity.

Topics: Acute Disease; Anemia; Animals; Ceruloplasmin; Diet; Female; Hemorrhage; Iron; Lactoferrin; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Silver Compounds

The objective of the present study was to estimate the influence of isolated and combined acute suppurative Highmore maxillary sinusitis on the serum lactoferrin (LF) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels in the children. A total of 70 children at the age varying from 4 to 15 years were available for the examination. Twenty of them constituted the control group, 29 presented with acute suppurative Highmore maxillary sinusitis, in 21 cildren this condition was combined with frontitis, ethmoiditis, otitis, and adenoiditis. Serum lactoferrin and interleukin-8 levels were measured by solid phase enzyme-linked immunoassay. It was shown that all the aforementioned forms of rhinosinusitis were associated with a significant increase of the serum LF level, an universal factor inactivating the propagation of bacterial, viral, and fungal pathogens. The level of IL-8 known to activate chemotaxis was increased only in the children presenting with combined forms of suppurative Highmore maxillary sinusitis. It is concluded that this difference can be used for the purpose of dufferential diagnostics of different forms of suppurative maxillary sinusitis.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Child; Child, Preschool; Humans; Interleukin-8; Lactoferrin; Maxillary Sinusitis; Suppuration

Diagnosis of acute appendicitis (AA) remains a surgical dilemma, with negative appendectomy rates of 5% to 40% and perforation suggestive for late operative intervention in 5% to 30%. The aim of this study is to evaluate new plasma markers, representing early neutrophil activation, to improve diagnostic accuracy in patients suspected for AA.. Fifty-one patients who underwent surgery for AA were included (male-female = 28:23), and blood was sampled. Plasma concentrations of 2 neutrophil proteins were measured: lactoferrin (LF) and calprotectin (CP). Controls consisted of 27 healthy volunteers. C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell count (WBC) concentrations were measured for routine patient care.. Median plasma concentrations for LF and CP were significantly higher in 51 patients with proven AA (665 and 766 ng/mL, respectively) than in 27 healthy volunteers (198 and 239 ng/mL, respectively, P < .001). No clinically relevant correlation exists between the plasma levels of LF and CP and the conventional laboratory tests for CRP and WBC.. Circulating LF and CP levels are significantly elevated in patients with appendicitis and are detectable in plasma using relatively simple and low-cost enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Furthermore, plasma levels of LF and CP give additional information to conventional markers WBC and CRP, making them potential new markers for AA diagnosis.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Appendicitis; Biomarkers; C-Reactive Protein; Case-Control Studies; Child; Child, Preschool; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Humans; Lactoferrin; Leukocyte Count; Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex; Male; Middle Aged; Neutrophil Activation; Pilot Projects; Young Adult

Acute radiation proctitis is a relevant complication of pelvic radiation. The purpose of this study was to investigate two markers of gut inflammation as non-invasive diagnostic tools to evaluate acute radiation proctitis.. Twenty patients who underwent radiotherapy for prostate cancer took part in this prospective study. Radiation-induced toxicity was evaluated weekly during radiotherapy in compliance with the CTC toxicity criteria. Stool samples from patients were examined before treatment, weekly during radiotherapy and 2 weeks after the end of radiotherapy using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for calprotectin and lactoferrin and correlated with the CTC toxicity.. Calprotectin and lactoferrin faecal values increased significantly during radiation treatment and decreased about 2 weeks after cessation of radiation. Faecal concentrations of calprotectin and lactoferrin correlated with the documented radiation proctitis symptoms (all grades together) in 15/20 patients (75%). With respect to changes in faecal concentrations and correspondence to proctitis symptoms, both markers showed parallel results in 90% of the patients. On comparing calprotectin and lactoferrin concentrations between the 4th week of radiation and the 1st week, it was found that patients with any grade of toxicity exhibited a significantly higher increase in calprotectin (p = 0.044) and lactoferrin (p = 0.05), respectively, compared with those without toxicity.. Calprotectin and lactoferrin faecal values changed during radiation treatment and after cessation of radiation, with correlation to acute proctitis symptoms in most of the patients. Before markers are used to monitor acute radiation proctitis, further experience should be acquired. Patients will be followed to determine the predictive value of the two tested markers for chronic radiation proctitis.

Topics: Acute Disease; Biomarkers; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Feces; Humans; Lactoferrin; Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex; Male; Monitoring, Physiologic; Proctitis; Prospective Studies; Prostatic Neoplasms; Radiation Injuries

Non-invasive diagnostic tools to evaluate the severity of acute, radiation-induced proctitis are not readily available. The faecal excretion of eight markers of gut inflammation was therefore examined. Five proteins and three lipid derivates were analysed in sequential stool samples taken before and during radiation therapy.. Stool samples from 15 patients with prostate cancer scheduled for radiation therapy were examined. Pretreatment and in-treatment samples (2nd and 6th weeks) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (calprotectin, lactoferrin, transferrin, leukotriene B4, prostaglandin E2, thromboxane B2 and TNF alpha) or nephelometry (alpha 1-antitrypsin).. Calprotectin and lactoferrin concentrations increased significantly during radiation treatment (P = 0.0005 and P = 0.019). Transferrin was detected in only 9 out of 45 samples. There were no changes in tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), leukotriene B4, prostaglandin E2 and thromboxane B2 during treatment. alpha 1-antitrypsin could not be detected in any sample.. This study indicates that faecal calprotectin and lactoferrin concentrations could be markers of acute, radiation-induced proctitis. Patient compliance and stability of the markers make this a promising method for clinical research. Eicosanoids could be measured in stool samples, but the concentrations did not increase with increasing radiation dose.

Topics: Acute Disease; Aged; alpha 1-Antitrypsin; Biomarkers; Dinoprostone; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Feces; Humans; Lactoferrin; Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex; Leukotriene B4; Male; Middle Aged; Pilot Projects; Proctitis; Prostatic Neoplasms; Radiation Injuries; Transferrin; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Faecal lactoferrin, an iron-based glycoprotein found concentrated in secondary granules of neutrophils, may serve as a surrogate marker of inflammation in the intestine. We evaluated the usefulness of faecal lactoferrin as a predictor of infection with invasive enteropathogens in 262 children with diarrhoea. Lactoferrin at a dilution of 1:50 had the highest sensitivity for detection not only of conventionally cultured invasive enteropathogens but also of all other enteropathogens. Neither individual clinical symptoms nor the identification of faecal leucocytes by microscopy significantly predicted isolation of invasive enteropathogens from the faeces of children with diarrhoea. Faecal lactoferrin is a simple test which showed promise in predicting which children with diarrhoea are likely to be infected with invasive pathogens and can be incorporated as a screening test before faecal cultures are undertaken in this population.

Topics: Acute Disease; Bacterial Infections; Biomarkers; Child; Child, Preschool; Diarrhea; Escherichia coli Infections; Feces; Female; Humans; India; Infant; Lactoferrin; Leukocytes; Male; Predictive Value of Tests; Sensitivity and Specificity

Oral and pharyngeal cavities harbor a commensal bacterial flora which is kept in check by several innate and acquired agents. In this study, we focused on the proportions in which some antibacterial moderators (lysozyme, lactoferrin, IgG and S-IgA) coat the tonsillar surface bacteria in healthy individuals, in patients with acute tonsillitis (AT) culture-positive for Streptococcus pyogenes, and in patients with infectious mononucleosis (IM) caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).. Bacterial samples were collected for aerobic culturing and immunocytochemical evaluation from the tonsillar surfaces of eight healthy individuals (four males, four females; age range 16-22 years), eight patients with current AT (two males, six females; age range 16-29 years) and seven patients with IM (four males, three females; age range 15-21 years). The immunocytochemical assay was based on gold-labeled antiserum to human lysozyme, lactoferrin, IgG and S-IgA followed by gold particle tracing in the transmission electron microscope.. During AT, a significant increase in lysozyme coating (P<0.05) and lactoferrin coating (P<0.0005) of the bacteria was noted, whereas the S-IgA coating was significantly reduced (P<0.0005). During IM infection, a significant increase in lactoferrin coating was noted (P<0.0005) whereas immunoglobulin coating was significantly reduced (IgG P<0.025; S-IgA P<0.0005) compared with healthy controls. During IM, all antibacterial moderators evaluated were significantly reduced compared with the situation during AT.. Noticeable changes in the local innate and acquired bacterial defence system were observed during tonsillar infections, particularly during IM.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Case-Control Studies; Female; Herpesvirus 4, Human; Humans; Immunity, Innate; Immunoglobulin A; Immunoglobulin G; Immunohistochemistry; Infectious Mononucleosis; Lactoferrin; Male; Muramidase; Palatine Tonsil; Streptococcal Infections; Streptococcus pyogenes; Tonsillitis

A common complication of virus-induced upper respiratory tract infections is acute otitis media caused by bacterial pathogens. Simultaneously, increased bacterial colonization in the nasopharynx occurs. Our intention in this study was to identify the causes of this increased colonization of bacteria by evaluating their coating with the antibacterial substances lysozyme, lactoferrin and immunoglobulins IgG, S-IgA and IgM and their ability to penetrate epithelial cells during infectious mononucleosis (IM) caused by Epstein-Barr virus.. Cellular samples were collected from the oropharynx of 21 patients (16 males, five females; age range 10-21 years) with current IM. An immunocytochemical assay using gold-labelled antiserum to human lysozyme, lactoferrin, IgG, S-IgA and IgM followed by gold particle and epithelial cell tracing in the transmission electron microscope.. A significant reduction in bacterial coating with IgG (P<0.05) and S-IgA (P<0.01) was noted, whereas there was a significant increase in coating with lactoferrin (P<0.01) and IgM (P<0.01). No significant change in lysozyme coating of the bacteria was noted, compared with healthy controls. Bacterial penetration into epithelial cells was seen particularly in patients culture-positive for beta-haemolytic streptococci.. Reduced bacterial coating with IgG and S-IgA immunoglobulins, combined with bacterial penetration into epithelial cells, may exacerbate the bacterial colonization on oropharyngeal mucosal membranes observed during IM.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Case-Control Studies; Child; Data Interpretation, Statistical; Epithelial Cells; Female; Herpesvirus 4, Human; Humans; Immunity, Mucosal; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin M; Infectious Mononucleosis; Lactoferrin; Male; Microscopy, Electron; Muramidase; Nasal Mucosa; Nasopharynx; Otitis Media; Pharyngitis

The objective of this forensic autopsy study was to determine the immunohistochemical expression pattern of lactoferrin (LF) in pulmonary tissue sections deriving from fatal slow-onset asthma (time interval between onset of asthma attack and death >2.5 h) and fatal sudden-onset asthma (cases in which death occurred within 1 h of the onset of an asphyxic asthma attack) relative to controls (sudden death due to diseases other than respiratory disorders). LF was applied to paraffin sections using a standard peroxidase-labelled streptavidin-biotin technique. LF immunoreactivity was graded semi-quantitatively in relation to different histoanatomic distribution sites of LF on a five category ordinal scale (maximum score of 15). We found a statistically significant difference between an enhanced expression of LF in both asthma groups relative to the controls (P<0.004 and P<0.001, respectively). When comparing both asthma groups, there was a statistically significant difference in LF immunoreactivity between the slow-onset and sudden-onset asthma group (P<0.001). Since LF immunoreactivity was far less intense in the sudden-onset asthma group (mean expression +/-SD: 7.3+/-1.3) than in the slow-onset asthma group (12.5+/-1), and an absent or weak LF expression pattern was observed in the control group (1.4+/-1.3), we assume that our results permit the following cautious estimations: (1) pulmonary LF expression is enhanced in asthma attacks with fatal outcome relative to controls and (2) a different expression pattern of LF can be observed in fatal sudden-onset asthma compared to slow-onset asthma in so far as the pulmonary expression of LF seems to be positively correlated with the preceding period of time between the asphyxic asthma attack and death. Further clinicopathologic studies including in-patient asthma fatalities with a well-known medical history are required to scrutinize if the pulmonary expression of LF is in fact positively associated with the time span of the asthma attack, thus possibly providing further therapeutic opportunities to intervene in severe asphyxic asthma.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Asthma; Cause of Death; Child; Chronic Disease; Death, Sudden; Female; Forensic Medicine; Humans; Lactoferrin; Lung; Male; Middle Aged

Investigations were carried out to study the production of factors associated with the innate immune response in the systemic and mucosal compartments in adults and children infected with Vibrio cholerae O1 and V. cholerae O139. The levels of nonspecific mediators of the innate defense system, i.e., prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)), and lactoferrin (Lf), as well as myeloperoxidase (MPO), were elevated at the acute stage of the disease in stools obtained from both O1- and O139-infected adults and children. In the systemic compartment, the levels of Lf were increased after onset of disease, which in children remained elevated up to convalescence compared to the healthy controls. Increased concentrations of C-reactive protein were seen in the sera of adult cholera patients at the acute stage of infection. Elevated levels of the nitric oxide (NO*) metabolites (nitrite and nitrate [NO(2)(-) and NO(3)(-)]) were detected in plasma but not in urine. The activity of the scavenger of reactive oxygen species, superoxide dismutase, was higher in the plasma of adults immediately after the onset of disease, suggesting that an active scavenging of reactive oxygen species was taking place. The concentration of 8-iso-prostaglandin F(2 alpha) remained unchanged in the systemic and mucosal compartments in the study subjects. After the recovery of patients from cholera, the concentration of the majority of the metabolites decreased to baseline levels by day 30 after the onset of infection. Immunohistochemical staining showed increased tissue expression of MPO, Lf, and inducible nitric oxide synthase at the acute stage in the duodenal biopsies of adults and rectal biopsies obtained from children with cholera. Very little difference was seen in the levels of the different inflammatory mediators in patients infected with V. cholerae O1 or the encapsulated V. cholerae O139. In summary, these results suggest that elevated concentrations of Lf, MPO, PGE(2), LTB(4), and NO*, as well as other metabolites, during the acute stage of the disease indicate that the innate defense system, as well as the inflammatory process, is activated in both adults and pediatric patients infected with V. cholerae O1 and O139.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Biopsy; C-Reactive Protein; Child, Preschool; Cholera; Creatinine; Dinoprostone; Feces; Female; Humans; Inflammation Mediators; Intestinal Mucosa; Lactoferrin; Leukocyte Count; Leukotriene B4; Male; Nitrates; Nitric Oxide Synthase; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; Nitrites; Oxidative Stress; Peroxidase; RNA, Messenger; Superoxide Dismutase; Vibrio cholerae

Examination of immunological status in patients with acute destructive pancreatitis with uncomplicated (14 patients) and complicated (infectious-inflammatory processes--18 patients) postoperative period illustrated depression of T- and B-links of immunity, reduction of absolute and relative number of TFU- and TFC-lymphocytes. All the patients demonstrated reliable elevation of phagocytic rate, phagocytic index and number of circulating immune complexes. These changes were more significant in patients with complicated postoperative period. Level of lactoferrin in patients with complicated period was by 10% higher than in patients without complications. Significant elevation of tumor necrosis factor Ia in blood was registered in patients of both groups. During all the periods of examination the level of interleukin-8 was higher in patients with complicated postoperative period than in the patients with favorable postoperative period. This interleukin-8 is a reliable marker of postoperative complications in acute destructive pancreatitis.

Topics: Acute Disease; Antigen-Antibody Complex; B-Lymphocytes; Data Interpretation, Statistical; Humans; Immune System Diseases; Immunoglobulins; Interleukin-8; Lactoferrin; Lymphocyte Count; Pancreatitis; Postoperative Period; T-Lymphocytes; Time Factors; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

To study the frequency and distribution of antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA) among patients with reactive arthritis (ReA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and ulcerative colitis (UC) using different immunological methods.. Fifty serum samples from patients with reactive arthritis (26 with acute disease and 24 with chronic disease-that is disease of more than one year) were analysed for ANCA with indirect immunofluorescence, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with six different neutrophil granule proteins as antigens, and immunoblotting on whole neutrophil extract and extracts of azurophil and specific granules. Thirty serum samples from patients with RA and UC served as controls in ELISA and indirect immunofluorescence.. Sixteen per cent of patients with ReA were positive in immunofluorescence compared with 30% of patients with RA, and 70% of patients with UC. Thirty two per cent of patients with ReA were positive in ELISA. Antibodies directed against lactoferrin occurred in 20%, antibodies against bactericidal permeability increasing protein (BPI), elastase, cathepsin G, myeloperoxidase, and proteinase 3 were found in 8%, 2%, 2%, 8%, and 6%, respectively. Overall, 50% of RA sera and 53% of UC sera were positive in one or more ELISA assays, the corresponding figures for antibodies against individual antigens were for RA 7%, 3%, 0%, 13%, 47%, 17% and for UC 13%, 20%, 0%, 23%, 10%, and 17%. In immunoblotting, bands corresponding to lactoferrin and BPI were recognised in 44% and 22% of ReA sera.. Antibodies against neutrophil granule antigens are often found in patients with ReA, primarily among those with chronic disease. The different methods detect various subsets of antibodies, with immunoblotting being the most and immunofluorescence the least sensitive.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic; Arthritis, Reactive; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Chronic Disease; Colitis, Ulcerative; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Epitopes; Female; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; Humans; Immunoblotting; Lactoferrin; Male; Middle Aged; Prohibitins; Sensitivity and Specificity

Estimate under "real life" conditions the operating characteristics of several stool tests for determining whether a diarrheal episode is invasive-inflammatory.. Determination of operating characteristics of diagnostic tests against a standard in a prospectively gathered sample.. The emergency room of the largest Social Security Pediatric Hospital in Colombia serving referred and nonreferred patients.. Stool samples from children attending the emergency room because of acute diarrhea (three or more loose stools per day lasting <7 days). Patients receiving antibiotics or antiparasitic medications were excluded.. Samples were collected in sterile containers and examined immediately for protozoa, fecal leukocytes, occult blood and lactoferrin. Specimens were inoculated onto culture media for common bacterial fecal pathogens except enteroinvasive Escherichia coli and Clostridium difficile.. Sensitivity, specificity and likelihood ratios of several cutoff levels for fecal lactoferrin, fecal leukocytes and occult blood.. Stool samples from 500 infants and children with diarrhea were collected. Patients' median age was 2.66 years (range, 0.5 to 13 years), and 261 (52.2%) were males. In 155 (31%) cases enteroinvasive bacteria and/or Entamoeba histolytica were documented. Fecal leukocytes >5 had the best sensitivity (63.2%; 95% confidence interval, 55.4 to 70.5) and specificity (84.3%; 95% confidence interval, 80.2 to 87.9), although not statistically or clinically significantly different from lactoferrin.. No single test or combination had satisfactory operating characteristics. Nevertheless the use of likelihood ratios derived here can help clinicians identify invasive-inflammatory diarrheal episodes in many instances.

Topics: Acute Disease; Child; Child, Preschool; Clinical Laboratory Techniques; Colombia; Developing Countries; Diarrhea; Diarrhea, Infantile; Feces; Female; Humans; Infant; Lactoferrin; Leukocyte Count; Likelihood Functions; Male; Occult Blood; Prospective Studies; Sensitivity and Specificity

Vascular occlusion is the main cause of the morbidity and mortality observed in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Increasing evidence indicates that (activated) neutrophils could play an important role in the initiation and propagation of vaso-occlusive processes in SCD. In this study, the activation state of neutrophils in sickle cell patients was analyzed by determining the level of expression of neutrophil antigens such as CD62L, CD11b, CD66b, CD63, and Fcgamma receptors. We also analyzed plasma levels of lactoferrin, elastase, soluble (s)CD16 (sFcgammaRIII), and serum levels of soluble (s)CD62L (sL-selectin) as neutrophil activation markers in these patients. Significant differences were observed in the activation state of neutrophils in non-symptomatic sickle cell patients compared to healthy HbAA controls as exemplified by significant decrease in L-selectin expression, enhanced expression of CD64, and increased levels of soluble markers like sL-selectin, elastase, and sCD16. During vaso-occlusive crisis the differences were even more pronounced. These results show neutrophils to be activated in sickle cell patients, suggesting a role of importance in the pathophysiology of sickle cell disease.

Topics: Abdomen, Acute; Acute Disease; Anemia, Sickle Cell; Antigens, CD; Antigens, Surface; Biomarkers; Cytokines; Humans; Immunophenotyping; Lactoferrin; Leukocyte Elastase; Neutrophils; Receptors, IgG; Respiratory Burst; Vascular Diseases

Murine antibody responses to soluble proteins are generally restricted to the immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) isotype. When mice were infected with Toxoplasma gondii Beverley and concomitantly immunized with a soluble unrelated protein antigen, a modification in the isotypic distribution of antibodies directed against this nonparasite antigen was observed, with a preferential production of IgG2a. Interestingly, when mice were immunized with a soluble protein antigen during the chronic phase (day 40) of infection with T. gondii Beverley, a similar modification in the isotypic distribution of antiprotein antibodies was observed.

Topics: Acute Disease; Animals; Antibodies, Protozoan; Chronic Disease; Cytokines; Female; Immunoglobulin Isotypes; Interleukin-12; Lactoferrin; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; RNA, Messenger; Spleen; Toxoplasmosis, Animal

1. One hypothesis for the link between inflammatory bowel disease and primary sclerosing cholangitis is that neutrophil activators, such as bacterial chemotactic peptides or neutrophil granule products themselves, pass from the inflamed colon to the liver via an enterohepatic circulation. However, there are no data on biliary concentrations of neutrophil granule products in patients with active and inactive inflammatory bowel disease.2. Gall bladder bile was obtained at laparotomy from 42 patients with ulcerative colitis and 21 patients with Crohn's disease. Biliary lactoferrin and myeloperoxidase concentrations were quantified by ELISA.3. In active ulcerative colitis, the mean lactoferrin concentration in gall bladder bile of 2.8+/-0.40 mg/l was higher than that seen after colectomy (1.2+/-0.11 mg/l; P<0.0001) or in patients with pouchitis (1.8+/-0.34 mg/l; P=0.06). In active Crohn's colitis, the mean lactoferrin concentration was 3.7+/-0.9 mg/l, compared with 1.1+/-0. 24 mg/l in the post-colectomy group (P<0.05) and 3.1+/-0.71 mg/l in those with active ileitis or ileocolitis. In contrast, biliary myeloperoxidase concentrations were low and comparable in all groups, with a mean concentration in the 42 patients with ulcerative colitis of 11.2+/-1.9 microgram/l.4. In contrast to myeloperoxidase, biliary lactoferrin concentrations are increased in active ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, and fall with colectomy and with disease remission. These findings indirectly support the hypothesis that bacterial chemotactic peptides (which induce selective degranulation of neutrophil secondary granules), and/or lactoferrin itself, undergo an enterohepatic circulation.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Bile; Bile Acids and Salts; Cholangitis, Sclerosing; Chromatography, Gel; Colectomy; Colitis, Ulcerative; Crohn Disease; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Gallbladder; Humans; Lactoferrin; Male; Middle Aged; Peroxidase; Pouchitis; Statistics, Nonparametric

In our study we used a new proposed system of CD45 monoclonal antibody in combination with the side scatter (SSC) parameter as a very useful gating method allowing myeloblast detection especially in cases with low blasts percentage in examined samples. Immunological demonstration of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the cytoplasm of AML blasts is considered to be a reliable and highly sensitive marker. Using a direct single and double immunofluorescence staining method and flow cytometry we evaluated the intracellular expression of two granular constituents of myeloid cells--MPO and lactoferrin (LF) in leukemia cells from 18 patients at AML diagnosis, two patients in remission after allogenic bone marrow transplantation and in six controls. Two different fixation/permeabilization techniques were used: Fix&Perm, paraformaldehyde and saponin prior to monoclonal antibody staining in order to verify the sensitivity of two labeling methods for MPO. Although both reagents used in this study proved to be efficient tools for the fixation and permeabilization of leukemia cells, the second one was characterized by higher sensitivity in detection of MPO. By double staining of MPO and LF we were able to distinguish undifferentiated cells from the granulomonocytic maturation compartments in bone marrow, since LF is proposed to be selectively expressed from the myelocyte stage of differentiation onward. Cytoplasmic CD13 expression was detectable in AML blasts after their buffered-formaldehyde-acetone fixation/permeabilization. According to our results the detection of MPO and CD13 markers in the cytoplasm of leukemia cells is of great importance in the definition of FAB M0-M1 subtype of AML. Furthermore we described overexpression of CD34 antigen in AML and revealed the characteristic marker combination when CD34 was studied simultaneously with MPO. This finding also coincided with some atypical phenotypic features (CD15/MPO, CD7/cCD13, CD2/cCD13, CD33/cCD13, MPO/cCD13) contributing to the differential diagnosis and allowing the immunologic monitoring of patients for the presence of residual disease.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antigens, CD34; Biomarkers, Tumor; CD13 Antigens; Child; Cytoplasm; Flow Cytometry; Humans; Immunophenotyping; Lactoferrin; Leukemia, Myeloid; Leukocyte Common Antigens; Permeability; Peroxidase; Tissue Fixation

Granule protein deficiencies in morphologically mature neutrophil cells of peripheral blood from human patients with acute myeloid leukemia was demonstrated using post-embedding immunocytochemistry. Abnormal immunoreactivity of granule proteins was detected in seven of nine patients. Decreased immunoreactivity patterns were found more for the primary granule markers elastase and myeloperoxidase than for the secondary granule marker lactoferrin. Leukemias with a predominant myeloid component, in contrast to those with a predominant monocytoid component, had more neutrophil cells showing immunodeficiencies for one or more granule markers. The proportion of neutrophil cells showing immunodeficiencies varied greatly for each granule marker; more variation was obtained for elastase, lactoferrin and myeloperoxidase than for lysozyme, possibly because lysozyme is a marker for both granule types. In addition, no correlation could be found between any of the immunoreactivity deficiencies for the neutrophil granule glycoproteins elastase, lactoferrin, lysozyme and myeloperoxidase and the abundance of a particular set of ultrastructural features in the circulating leukemic cells from any of the nine patients. Nonetheless, most of the immature myeloid cells from peripheral blood of leukemic patients showing neutrophil protein immunoreactivity abnormalities in one or more granule markers often and randomly displayed one or more unusual ultrastructural features. The clinical and pathological significance of neutrophil granule protein deficiencies and the abundance of fibrillar structures in malignant myeloid cells presently is uncertain.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Aged; Cytoplasmic Granules; Female; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Lactoferrin; Leukemia, Myeloid; Leukocyte Elastase; Male; Microscopy, Electron; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Neutrophils; Pancreatic Elastase; Peroxidase

The aggregation of non-serotypable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHI) by whole saliva from patients with chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD) was investigated. Significant differences were observed between salivary aggregating activity of a control and COLD population (P < 0.001). Saliva from patients less prone to acute exacerbations had a greater capacity to aggregate bacteria compared with saliva from patients with a predilection to infection. The mechanism of saliva-mediated aggregation of NTHI was investigated and shown to be related to lysozyme content. Lysozyme activity in saliva was measured by the turbidimetric technique and results showed that patients with chronic bronchitis had increased levels of salivary lysozyme, with a subpopulation within the non-infection-prone group having greater amounts. A significant difference was observed in salivary lysozyme between controls and non-infection-prone (P < 0.005) and infection-prone (P < 0.05) patients, respectively: the non-infection-prone patients having significantly (P < 0.005) more than the infection-prone patients. There was significant correlation (r = 0.742, P < 0.001) between salivary aggregation of NTHI and lysozyme activity. Chromatographically purified human lysozyme had a similar aggregation profile to that of saliva. There was no difference in serum and saliva lactoferrin concentrations between groups, but there was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in serum lysozyme concentration in the non-infection-prone group. This study suggests that the level of salivary lysozyme derived from macrophages may play an important role in determining resistance or susceptibility to acute bronchitis.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Aged; Bronchitis; Chronic Disease; Communicable Diseases; Female; Haemophilus influenzae; Humans; Inflammation; Lactoferrin; Lung Diseases, Obstructive; Macrophages; Male; Middle Aged; Monocytes; Muramidase; Neutrophils; Saliva; Salivation

To investigate the potential effects of maternal infection during lactation on breast-milk quantity and composition, we examined low-income Peruvian women who had an acute febrile infection and were exclusively breast-feeding a child from 1 to 6 mo of age (n = 36). Women who were not ill (n = 38) served as controls; all women had body mass indexes (in kg/m2) > 19.5. Blood and milk samples were collected on days 1, 7, and 14 after identification of the episode of illness. C-reactive protein in maternal serum was significantly elevated by infection, whereas two other acute-phase reactants, ceruloplasmin and alpha 2-macroglobulin, showed no change. Serum zinc concentrations were significantly lower in ill women than in women who were not ill, whereas serum copper concentrations were elevated initially in ill women. Serum iron concentrations increased significantly with time, but there was no significant difference between groups. Milk intake, as assessed by 12-h test-weighing, was not affected by the infection. Concentrations of milk total protein, casein, and whey proteins were similar in the two groups and there was no significant effect of illness on milk trace element concentrations. Thus, acute maternal infections during established lactation did not affect milk volume, milk protein, or trace element concentrations, despite expected changes in serum protein and trace element concentrations.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; C-Reactive Protein; Female; Humans; Lactation; Lactoferrin; Milk Proteins; Milk, Human; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Trace Elements

The role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of pneumonia is still poorly understood. In a previous study the diagnostic value of measuring blood concentrations of interleukin 6 and interferon gamma was established. In the present study the value of blood concentrations of interleukin 8, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, and lactoferrin as markers of bacteraemic pneumonia is evaluated.. The circulating concentrations of interleukin 8 (IL-8), granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), and lactoferrin were measured in 14 patients with bacteraemic pneumococcal pneumonia and 49 patients with atypical pneumonia or influenza A infection using enzyme immunoassays.. Serum G-CSF concentrations were higher in the group with bacteraemic pneumococcal pneumonia, and G-CSF values correlated with the white blood cell count and levels of C-reactive protein (CRP). The levels of IL-8 were higher in the group with bacteraemic pneumococcal pneumonia than the groups with Chlamydia pneumonia, Legionella pneumonia, or influenza A infection, but there was no difference when compared with the group with Mycoplasma pneumonia. A white blood cell count of > 15 x 10(9)/l was highly suggestive of bacteraemic pneumonia. The concentrations of lactoferrin were raised in all groups except those with influenza A infection, but no difference was found between the different aetiological groups. A correlation was found between lactoferrin and white blood cell counts.. Serum G-CSF and IL-8 concentrations are potential markers of bacteraemic pneumonia.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biomarkers; Chlamydia Infections; Cytokines; Female; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; Humans; Influenza A virus; Influenza, Human; Interleukin-8; Lactoferrin; Legionnaires' Disease; Leukocyte Count; Male; Middle Aged; Pneumonia, Bacterial; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma; Pneumonia, Pneumococcal

Serum granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) was measured with an ELISA method in patients with acute bacterial and viral infections, or with an atypical pneumonia. Before initiation of antibiotic treatment, G-CSF was found to be significantly increased (799 +/- 1501 ng/l) in sera from 34 patients with an acute bacterial infection compared with the 27 patients with a viral infection (58 +/- 34 ng/l; P < 0.001) and with the eight patients with an atypical pneumonia (60 +/- 33) ng/l; P < 0.001). No significant difference in G-CSF levels was seen between gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial infections. In septic shock, increased G-CSF levels were seen both in patients with leucocytosis and leucopenia. In uncomplicated bacterial infections, both G-CSF and IL-6 were increased on day 0, and decreased rapidly after initiation of antibacterial therapy and before the patients became afebrile. In bacterial infections on day 0, G-CSF levels correlated with mononuclear cells (rs = -0.62, P < 0.001), IL-6 (rs = 0.40, P < 0.05) and S-MPO (rs = -0.5, P < 0.01). In viral infections, G-CSF was correlated with mononuclear cells (rs = 0.41, P < 0.05), white blood cell counts (rs = 0.56, P < 0.01), neutrophils (rs = 0.41, P < 0.05) and CRP (rs = 0.47, P < 0.05). We conclude that G-CSF is rapidly raised in the blood in acute bacterial infections but not in acute viral infections or in infections with Mycoplasma pneumonia. Our results also support the theory that G-CSF is involved in the mechanisms of mobilization of neutrophils into the peripheral circulation.

Topics: Acute Disease; Bacterial Infections; C-Reactive Protein; Follow-Up Studies; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; Humans; Interleukin-6; Kinetics; Lactoferrin; Leukocyte Count; Peroxidase; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma; Virus Diseases

Topics: Acute Disease; Diarrhea; Feces; Humans; Infant; Lactoferrin; Leukocytes

In rats we studied the effects of lactoferrin on experimental acute pancreatitis caused by a single subcutaneous injection of 100 micrograms/kg body weight of caerulein. Lactoferrin isolated from human milk was given intraperitoneally to rats immediately after the injection of caerulein. The injection of 100 mg/kg body weight of lactoferrin significantly reduced the elevation of the serum amylase level and pancreatic wet weight; histological alterations of the pancreas were markedly suppressed. These results suggested that lactoferrin had a protective effect on the biochemical and histological alterations in this model.

Topics: Acute Disease; Amylases; Animals; Ceruletide; Female; Humans; Injections, Intraperitoneal; Iron; Lactoferrin; Male; Milk, Human; Pancreas; Pancreatitis; Rats; Rats, Wistar

Recurrent sinusitis (RS) is a very common clinical problem for which no underlying cause can generally be ascertained. We examined nasal mucosal responses in 14 patients with RS to determine if a relative deficiency in secretion of glandular antimicrobial factors might play a role. Twenty-four subjects with no history of sinusitis were studied concurrently as normal control (NC) subjects. RS was defined by two or more episodes of acute sinusitis per year for 2 or more years. After provocation with 25 mg of methacholine or 1 mg of histamine, nasal washings were analyzed for total proteins: the plasma protein albumin, IgG, and nonsecretory IgA (nsIgA), and the glandular proteins secretory IgA (sIgA), lactoferrin (LFN), and lysozyme (LZM). Although baseline secretions in patients with RS were relatively enriched with LFN and LZM as compared to that of secretions in NC subjects, patients with RS had a blunted cholinergic response with decreased secretion of albumin, IgG, nsIgA, sIgA, and LZM. Histamine responses were equivalent in both patients with RS and NC subjects. After 4 to 12 months of medical treatment, the abnormal cholinergic responses improved on repeat methacholine challenge in all eight subjects with RS rechallenged. Thus, patients with RS have a reversible reduction in nasal mucosal secretory responses to cholinergic stimulation. Since glandular secretions are rich in antimicrobial factors, such as LFN, LZM, and sIgA, it appears possible that the inability to secrete glandular proteins normally may predispose to recurrent infections.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Female; Humans; Immunoglobulin A; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; Immunoglobulin G; Lactoferrin; Male; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Nasal Mucosa; Nasal Provocation Tests; Recurrence; Serum Albumin; Sinusitis

Microbiological methods for detection of antibiotic residues in milk give no explanations regarding the identity of the inhibitory substance(s). Natural antibacterial substances, present at higher concentrations in mastitic milk and in colostrum, occasionally cause false positive results in antibiotic assays. In an earlier investigation, lysozyme and lactoferrin were shown to inhibit the growth of Bacillus stearothermophilus var. calidolactis spores, used as test organism in Delvotest P. To study the effect of high lysozyme and lactoferrin concentrations in milk on the Delvotest P, cows were subjected to acute experimental mastitis by infusion of Salmonella typhimurium SH 4809 endotoxin. Milk samples were collected up to 11 h postinfusion. Concentrations of lactoferrin and lysozyme, somatic cell count, and effect on Delvotest P were determined. A positive reaction in the Delvotest correlated well with an increase in lactoferrin and lysozyme concentrations. The nature of the inhibitory effect is briefly discussed.

Topics: Acute Disease; Animals; Cattle; Cell Count; Female; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Mastitis, Bovine; Milk; Muramidase

Lactoferrin, as measured in the pancreatic juice, has been thought to be of diagnostic value in chronic pancreatitis, but due to the hazards in cannulation of the pancreatic duct in the acute phase of pancreatitis the behavior of lactoferrin has remained obscure. In this study, lactoferrin levels were studied in pancreas tissue specimens obtained in ablative surgery for acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) and in serum samples. A higher pancreatic lactoferrin content was found in ANP than in normal pancreas. Lactoferrin seemed not to leak from a necrotic pancreas in any considerable amounts into the circulation, as no differences were found in serum lactoferrin concentrations between ANP and controls. It remains an open question whether the lactoferrin increase is only an unspecific reaction in inflammation or is something specific for pancreatitis.

Topics: Acute Disease; Alkaline Phosphatase; Amylases; Humans; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Necrosis; Pancreas; Pancreatitis

The effect of parenteral hydrocortisone on plasma lactoferrin concentration, neutrophil count and lactoferrin:neutrophil ratio was assessed in 10 volunteer subjects. Administration of a single dose of corticosteroid was followed by a significant rise in the circulating neutrophil count, a significant but proportionately smaller rise in the plasma lactoferrin concentration and a significant fall in the lactoferrin:neutrophil ratio. Acute viral infections were found to be associated with a disproportionately low plasma lactoferrin concentration relative to the circulating neutrophil count. The relatively low lactoferrin concentrations in both these situations could be of significance in regard to the propensity to bacterial infection and superinfection which these 2 groups of subjects display. Compared to patients with viral infection, those suffering from Plasmodium falciparum malaria showed a significantly elevated lactoferrin:neutrophil ratio, although this ratio was not significantly different when malarial patients were compared to normal individuals. These findings suggest that the pathogenesis of relative neutropenia in viral and protozoal illnesses is fundamentally different. Finally, it was found that the temperature at which specimen collection takes place does not appear to be a significant variable determining the plasma lactoferrin concentration.

Topics: Acute Disease; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Leukocyte Count; Malaria; Male; Neutrophils; Plasmodium falciparum; Specimen Handling; Temperature; Time Factors; Virus Diseases

The hemorheologic changes in three groups of patients suffering from acute and chronic cerebrovascular diseases were studied. Firstly, a horizontal study on 57 patients with definite stroke and on 49 patients with TIA was made. Plasma viscosity, whole blood filtration rate, fibrinogen concentration and hematocrit were evaluated as markers of the rheological property of blood. Blood samples were drawn within 6 h from the onset of vascular syndrome. The findings were compared with values obtained in 112 as controls. At the same time, washed red cell filtration rate, together with lactoferrin, betaglucuronidase and beta-thromboglobulin plasma level were assayed. In both groups the onset of the vascular storm was associated with a marked increase of plasma fibrinogen and of blood and plasma viscosity and a significant decrease of whole blood filterability. Lactoferrin, betaglucuronidase and beta-thromboglobulin levels were also significantly increased. Following this, a longitudinal study was performed on 27 patients with definite stroke and 32 patients with TIA. The clinical regression of acute stroke was associated with the progressive reduction of rheological abnormalities. Finally, 81 patients with clinical diagnosis of cerebrovascular disease due to previous stroke or repeated TIA were studied together. An increase of blood viscosity, of fibrinogen concentration and of hematocrit and a decrease of blood filtration rate together with higher levels of beta-thromboglobulin were registered. These results confirm the existence of an association between CVD and hemorheological alterations and suggest more in depth research directed towards identifying the significance of these alterations in the pathogenesis of tissue ischemia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Aged; beta-Thromboglobulin; Blood Viscosity; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Chronic Disease; Erythrocyte Deformability; Female; Hematocrit; Humans; Ischemic Attack, Transient; Lactoferrin; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Middle Aged; Rheology

Immunohistochemical detection of lactoferrin (LF), lysozyme (LZ) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was made in obstructive adenitis of the submandibular glands. Atrophic and altered acinar cells in the early stage of the lesion stained strongly for LF, whereas they were unreactive or stained slightly for LZ. Ductal cells usually stained for LZ. Staining for CEA was strong and irregularly distributed in altered acinar cells. Duct-like structures and dilated ductal segments in the chronic stage were generally negative for LF, LZ and CEA. Secretory components in luminal cavities gave abundant staining for LF, LZ and CEA. Histocytes which infiltrated into the connective tissue in the later stage showed a positive LZ reaction.

Topics: Acute Disease; Carcinoembryonic Antigen; Chronic Disease; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Muramidase; Salivary Gland Diseases; Sialadenitis; Submandibular Gland; Submandibular Gland Diseases

Serum lactoferrin concentrations were elevated in 22 out of 49 newborn infants with suspected and verified severe bacterial as well as viral infections, suggesting that this protein resembled an acute phase reactant. In the infants suspected of having septicemia, high concentrations of C-reactive protein appeared to indicate a severe bacterial infection. Like lactoferrin, however, haptoglobin, orosomucoid, alpha 1-antitrypsin and alpha 1-antichymotrypsin discriminated only poorly or not at all between infants with severe bacterial infections and those in which such infections were unlikely. Thus, serum CRP concentrations remained the most valuable of the acute phase reactants tested as an aid in ruling out septicemia in the neonatal period.

Topics: Acute Disease; Acute-Phase Proteins; Bacterial Infections; Blood Proteins; C-Reactive Protein; Humans; Immunoglobulin M; Infant, Newborn; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Sepsis

Lactoferrin as assayed by a radial immunodiffusion technique was studied in pure pancreatic juice collected at endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography from 23 patients with chronic pancreatitis, 12 with acute pancreatitis, 21 with pancreatic cancer, and 29 cases of nonpancreatic gastrointestinal disease. No clear difference between lactoferrin concentrations in the chronic pancreatitis patients and other groups was found. Moreover, most lactoferrin levels were below the limit of detection in our assay. In addition, lactoferrin total protein ratios did not appear to be of value in the differential diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis. These results seem to be in contrast to the findings of other authors, who measured lactoferrin in duodenal fluid--which is unreliable, in our opinion--or who mainly studied chronic pancreatitis patients and few other pancreatic diseases. Lactoferrin might well be a nonspecific marker for serious pancreatic inflammation.

Topics: Acute Disease; Cholelithiasis; Chronic Disease; Female; Humans; Immunodiffusion; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Male; Pancreatic Juice; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Pancreatitis

Serum lactoferrin concentrations were elevated in almost all children with meningococcal septicemia, in whom the disease had been clinically apparent for less than 18 hours, while the concentrations were normal or only moderately elevated in patients who had had the disease longer before being admitted. Concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) were markedly elevated, even with a time lapse of less than six hours, making this the most suitable parameter for the early diagnosis of severe meningococcal infection. Following an operative injury on children the lactoferrin concentrations changed very little. More than six hours after an operation, however, a marked increase in CRP-values was observed, possibly indicating differentiation of this response from that of bacterial infection. The concomitant study of serum alpha 1-antitrypsin, alpha 1-antichymotrypsin, orosomucoid and haptoglobin did not uncover results of great significance with regard to early changes.

Topics: Acute Disease; alpha 1-Antichymotrypsin; alpha 1-Antitrypsin; C-Reactive Protein; Chymotrypsin; Haptoglobins; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Meningococcal Infections; Orosomucoid; Sepsis; Time Factors

A quantitative cytochemical study has been made, using scanning-integrating microdensitometry, of 1000 toxic granulation blood neutrophils from 20 infected patients, in comparison with 1250 normal blood neutrophils. Myeloid precursor cells in 10 normal marrows were also studied. Normal bone marrow granulocyte maturation was associated with a progressive decrease in azurophilic granule enzymes (myeloperoxidase, beta-glucuronidase, acid phosphatase, chloroacetate esterase), and also Alcian blue staining from acid mucosubstance, but an increase in the specific granule marker lactoferrin. Toxic granulation blood neutrophils showed minor changes in the enzyme content of their azurophilic and specific granules, consistent with cell immaturity, and an increase in acid mucosubstance in azurophilic granules. Abnormal maturation of azurophilic granules, with persistence of acid mucosubstance, is the likely explanation for the intense Romanowsky dye staining of the toxic granulation neutrophil.

Topics: Acute Disease; Bacterial Infections; Bone Marrow Cells; Cell Differentiation; Cytoplasmic Granules; Densitometry; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Lactoferrin; Leukocytosis; Lysosomes; Neutrophils

Using our recently described model of acute lung injury in rats after systemic activation of complement by cobra venom factor (CVF), we demonstrated that pretreatment of animals with human milk apolactoferrin (in its native or derivatized form), but not iron-saturated lactoferrin, provides significant protection against complement- and neutrophil-mediated lung injury. The synthetic iron chelator deferoxamine mesylate also affords protection from lung injury. The protective effects of apolactoferrin are not related to a blocking of CVF-induced complement activation. We also demonstrated that infusion of ionic iron, especially Fe3+, greatly potentiates lung vascular injury after systemic complement activation. Finally, protection from lung injury occurs in animals pretreated with the potent scavenger of hydroxyl radicals (OH.), dimethyl sulfoxide. Based on transmission electron microscopy, CVF-treated rats show leukoaggregates and endothelial cell destruction in interstitial pulmonary capillaries, along with intraalveolar hemorrhage and fibrin deposition. In animals protected with apolactoferrin, deferoxamine mesylate, or dimethyl sulfoxide, the morphological studies reveal leukoaggregates but no endothelial cell damage, hemorrhage, or fibrin deposition. These data support the concept that tissue injury that is complement and neutrophil dependent may be related to generation of OH. derived from H2O2 after leukocytic activation.

Topics: Acute Disease; Animals; Capillaries; Complement Activation; Complement C3; Complement System Proteins; Deferoxamine; Dimethyl Sulfoxide; Elapid Venoms; Free Radicals; Humans; Lactoferrin; Lung; Lung Diseases; Male; Neutrophils; Rats

Topics: Acute Disease; Bronchi; Bronchiectasis; Bronchitis; Child; Child, Preschool; Chronic Disease; Humans; Immunoglobulin A; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin M; Immunoglobulins; Infant; Lactoferrin; Muramidase; Pneumonia, Staphylococcal

Human granulocytes release 25-30% of the granular neutral proteases, collagenase and elastase, to the exterior of the cell during phagocytosis of yeast cells or immune complexes. Similar amounts of myeloperoxidase and lactoferrin are released. Crossed immunoelectrophoresis demonstrated that collagenase and elastase released extracellularly formed complexes with serum alpha1-antitrypsin. The presence of alpha1-antitrypsin complexes with granulocyte collagenase and elastase were also demonstrated in inflammatory processes, e.g. in the peritoneal exudate of acute peritonitis. The reactivity of neutrophil proteases with natural plasma protease inhibitors must be considered in assessing the role of these proteases as the etiologic agent of tissue damage and degradation during the inflammatory process.

Topics: Acute Disease; alpha 1-Antitrypsin; Ascitic Fluid; Extracellular Space; Granulocytes; Humans; Immunoelectrophoresis; Lactoferrin; Leukocytes; Microbial Collagenase; Pancreatic Elastase; Peritonitis; Peroxidase; Phagocytosis

An experimentally induced Escherichia coli infection of a bovine mammary gland resulted in a 30-fold increase in lactoferrin (Lf) concentration in the mammary secretion by 90 h postinoculation and a 4-fold increase in total daily production of Lf by 264 h postinoculation in the infected quarter. A simultaneous rise and fall of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations occurred during the acute phase of the infection. Peak BSA and IgG levels were reached 36 h before peak Lf levels. BSA concentrations declined rapidly after the acute phase, whereas IgG and Lf levels remained elevated and decreased slowly as the infection subsided. A decline in alpha-lactalbumin concentration by 48 h postinoculation indicated decreased synthetic capability. The increased Lf production may be a result of a specific response of secretory tissue to inflammatory agents and thus the infectious process. Analogous changes in Lf, IgG, and BSA were observed during a natural coliform infection. Sephadex G-200 chromatography of mastitis skim milk showed that Lf approximated the monomer (molecular weight 77,100) early in infections progressed and abated, the apparent molecular weight of Lf increased to approximately that of the trimer and subsequently decreased to about 1.5 times that of the monomer.

Topics: Acute Disease; Animals; Cattle; Cell Count; Escherichia coli Infections; Female; Immunoglobulin G; Lactalbumin; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Mastitis, Bovine; Milk; Molecular Weight; Serum Albumin, Bovine