muramidase and Measles

The current state of knowledge of lung defenses has been reviewed. First, mechanical factors such as aerodynamic filtration and mucociliary transport were considered. Then, in general terms, the contributions of alveolar macrophages, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and immunoglobulins, and the roles of complement, antiproteases, lysozyme, and fibronectin were examined. Interactions between these components may regulate their effect. Finally, the responses to five specific microorganisms were reviewed to illustrate different aspects of the lung's defenses. Streptococcus pneumoniae was selected as a representative extracellular bacterial pathogen, Mycobacterium tuberculosis as an intracellular bacterial pathogen, Mycoplasma pneumoniae because it elicits significant humoral and cell-mediated immunity, respiratory syncytial virus as an example of a local viral pathogen, and measles as a viral pathogen that causes generalized disease. It was shown that these responses may not always be beneficial for the host. For each of the five infections, recommendations for improving the outcome were made.

Topics: Cilia; Complement System Proteins; Fibronectins; Filtration; Humans; Immunoglobulins; Lung; Lymphocytes; Macrophages; Measles; Mucus; Muramidase; Neutrophils; Phagocytosis; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma; Pneumonia, Pneumococcal; Pneumonia, Viral; Protease Inhibitors; Respiratory Tract Infections; Respirovirus Infections; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

The mechanism of pathogenesis underlying the development of corneal lesions in measles was investigated in 125 children suffering from measles and 66 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Forty age-matched children with bronchopneumonia were investigated on similar lines to delineate the role played by vitamin A and measles individually in the development of corneal lesions. The results indicate that the pathogenesis of corneal lesions in measles is indeed multifactorial. Vitamin A deficiency alone or measles keratitis per se may not explain the mechanism completely. The immunosuppression induced by the local proliferation of the measles virus in the eye might trigger the invasion of pathogenic microbes which damage the cornea. The structural integrity of the cornea is already compromised by vitamin A deficiency and lesions of measles keratitis.

Topics: Bronchopneumonia; Child; Cornea; Corneal Diseases; Eye; Humans; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; Keratitis; Measles; Muramidase; Tears; Vitamin A

Topics: Absorption; Antibody Specificity; Antigens, Viral; Cardiolipins; Cell Line; Cell Membrane Permeability; Epitopes; Erythrocytes; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Formaldehyde; gamma-Globulins; Hemagglutination Tests; Humans; Immune Sera; Immunoglobulin M; Lipids; Lysophosphatidylcholines; Measles; Measles virus; Multiple Sclerosis; Muramidase; Papain; Periodic Acid; Phospholipases; Pronase; Solvents; Trypsin

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Child, Preschool; Humans; Infant; Measles; Muramidase

Topics: Anti-Infective Agents, Local; Antiviral Agents; Dermatologic Agents; Measles; Muramidase