Anti-Anisakis sp. antibodies in serum of healthy subjects. Relationship with αβ and γδ T cells
Anisakiosis is nowadays one of the nematodoses more prevalent in Spain, with rates that oscillate between 0.43% in Galicia (N.W. Spain), and 15.7% and 22.1% in inland and southern regions, respectively. Likewise, it has been proved that Anisakis larvae have developed mechanisms to modulate the dichotomy of the host immune response for their own benefit. The experimental hypothesis of the present study was that Anisakis sp. larval products can be mediators of immune suppression and induce changes on the populations of αβ+ and γδ+ T cells. In the present study we determined the levels of anti-Anisakis antibodies in the serum of healthy people, and their relationship with the B and T cell subs…
Deficit of interleukin 7 in septic patients.
We recently demonstrated an overall decrease of all αβ and specially γδ T cell subsets in patients with sepsis compared with healthy subjects. IL-7 is a crucial factor for development of γδ T cells and survival in sepsis but its association with sepsis severity, evolution of organ failure and death still has not been investigated. Sera from 78 patients who met criteria for sepsis were analyzed vs control group. Septic patients showed the lowest levels of IL-7. Patients with severe sepsis reached levels of IL-7 higher than those observed in the groups of uncomplicated sepsis and septic shock. The frequency of γδ T cells at admission was lower in septic patients vs control group. At the time …
Microsporidia and Its Relation to Crohn's Disease. A Retrospective Study
Background: The cause of Crohn's Disease (CD) remains unknown. Recently a decrease in the global lymphocyte population in the peripheral blood of CD patients has been reported. This decrease was more evident in gamma delta T lymphocytes, especially gamma delta CD8+T subsets. Furthermore, a decrease of IL-7 was also observed in these patients. We propose the hypothesis that microsporidia, an obligate intracellular opportunistic parasite recently related to fungi, in CD patients can take advantage of the lymphocytes and IL-7 deficits to proliferate and to contribute to the pathophysiology of this disease. Methods and Findings: In this case-control study, serum samples were collected from 36 C…