Giugno 2000 - Volume XIX - numero 6
Pagina verde
IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”, Trieste
616 patients with clinical signs compatible with a diagnosis of celiac disease, 30 parents or brothers of celiac patients and 200 control children hospitalised for surgical causes were administered an ELISA dosage of IgG and IgA antibodies against cloned htTG (human tissue transglutaminase), expressed and purified from intestinal biopsies. Then a comparison was made with EMA antibodies (anti-endomysium) tested on human umbilical cord vein. Out of these patients, 99 were positive to anti-htTG IgGs and IgAs, but only 88 were also positive to the EMA technique. All the patients which turned out to be anti-htTG positive had an intestinal biopsy positive to celiac disease. Therefore, the anti-htTG technique we conceived was at least 10% more sensible than the EMA technique.
Vuoi citare questo contributo?
Pagina verde
IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo”, Trieste
The celiac disease is characterized by the production of tTG (antitransglutaminase) antibodies. These antibodies could only be a marker of the disease, or, which is more likely, could be involved in the pathogenesis of intestinal lesions (inhibition of enterocyte differentiation) as well as of a secondary tumour and immunologic disease (inhibition of apoptosis). To assay this possibility, apoptosis was induced in PHA pre-challenged lymphocyte cells and 3T3 cells, by adding dexamethasone and by subtracting serum to the medium. The cells were then incubated with anti-htTG monoclonal antibodies. Anti-HIV monoclonal antibodies were the controls. The addition of anti-htTG antibodies inhibited apoptosis in a very significant way. The results were consistent with the idea that, even in vivo, anti-htTG antibodies do have an anti-apoptotic effect on the immune system, thus favouring the development of self-aggressive clones.
Vuoi citare questo contributo?
Pagina verde
Clinica Pediatrica De Marchi, Università di Milano
Description of a case of idiopathic erythromelalgia, started at about 5 years, which dramatically developed over many years, with painful crises to the feet (and then also to the hands) mitigated in cold conditions only, with trophic alterations to the lower members, up to the emergence of deep ulcers, incapability to walk, painful crises mitigated by cool baths only, leucocytoclasic vasculitis, hypertension. The attempts to treat the disease with corticosteroids and immunosuppressives produced transient remissions only. A treatment based on GH of an associated hypopituitarism and a symptomatic treatment almost corrected the situation.
Vuoi citare questo contributo?
Pagina verde
Clinica Pediatrica De Marchi, Milano
Description of a very instructive case of chronic asthma, scarcely sensible to bronchodilators and environmental prophylaxis. An antibiotic treatment for concurrent sinusitis cured the latter, but not asthma which kept on worsening, despite of a heavy treatment, started with chromones, continued with chronically administered inhalant steroids and bronchodilators. A pathologic gastroesophageal reflux was identified. Asthma and reflux were permanently cured with a treatment based on omeprazole+cisapride to stop the asthma>GER>asthma vicious circle.
Vuoi citare questo contributo?
