Objective To explore the differences in lung function, neutrophil polarization, and serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels among bronchial asthma patients, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, and asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACO) patients. Methods The retrospective analysis enrolled 127 patients with respiratory system diseases diagnosed and treated in Wuwei People’s Hospital between March 2016 and March 2019. Among them, 45 patients with moderate and severe bronchial asthma were in included the asthma group, 42 patients with acute exacerbations of COPD were included in the COPD group, and 40 patients with moderately persistent and severely persistent ACO were included in the ACO group. Forty-eight healthy examinees in the same period were selected as the control group. The pulmonary function [forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1 to FVC (FEV1/FVC) ratio, and percentage of FEV1 to predicted value (FEV1%pred)], neutrophil polarization, and serum total IgE levels of the four groups were compared. Results In the control group, the ACO group, the asthma group, and the COPD group, the FEV1 values were (3.65±0.79), (2.04±0.58), (1.81±0.46), and (1.59±0.43) L, respectively, the FVC values were (4.13±0.92), (3.18±0.76), (2.69±0.63), and (2.43±0.58) L, respectively, the serum total IgE levels were (92.36±12.20), (334.81±55.96), (455.61±65.59), and (142.65±28.36) U/mL, respectively, and the between-group differences were all statistically significant (P<0.05). In addition, the FEV1/FVC ratios in the asthma group, the COPD group, and the ACO group were (67.93±11.51)%, (63.81±9.22)%, and (61.28±9.23)%, respectively, the FEV1%pred levels were (74.55±11.70)%, (63.29±8.60)%, and (61.34±7.91)%, respectively, which were lower than those in the control group [(83.60±7.18)% and (94.23±8.21)%] (P<0.05). The spontaneous polarization rates in the ACO group, the asthma group, the COPD group, and the control group were (29.43±5.58)%, (25.11±4.09)%, (16.28±4.51)%, and (7.18±2.12)%, respectively, the arbitrary polarization rates in the ACO group, the asthma group, the control group, and the COPD group were (30.01±5.29)%, (25.76±5.53)%, (21.42±4.36)%, and (19.85±5.00)%, respectively, the directional polarization rates in the asthma group, the ACO group, the control group, and the COPD group were (14.67±2.30)%, (8.21±1.81)%, (5.12±1.10)%, and (2.52±0.63)%, respectively, and the between-group differences were all statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion There are certain differences in lung function, neutrophil polarization, and serum immunoglobulin E level among patients with bronchial asthma, COPD, and asthma-COPD overlap syndrome.
At present, there has been no report in China that novel coronavirus specific immune globulin has been used to treat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Recently, we had successfully treated one COVID-19 patient with intravenous injection of human immunoglobulin (COVID-19-IVIG). The female patient, aged 57 years, had clinical diagnosis: (1) COVID-19, common type; (2) postoperative colon cancer; (3) leukopenia; (4) low cellular immunity. 75 mL COVID-19 human immunoglobulin (Sinoptic Wuhan Blood Products Co., Ltd.) was intravenously injected twice. The patient was hospitalized for 49 days and had a good prognosis.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of combination therapy with lamivudine (LAM) and hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) versus LAM monotherapy in prevention of hepatitis B virus recurrence after liver transplantation. Methods Databases including MEDLINE (Ovid), PubMed, EMbase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), CBM, VIP, and CNKI were searched up to Dec. 2008. Clinical trials including randomized controlled, non-randomized concurrent-control and case-control studies about combination therapy with HBIG and LAM versus LAM monotherapy in prevention of hepatitis B virus recurrence after liver transplantation were screened. Trial selection and data extraction were conducted by two reviewers independently. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.0.18 software. Results Eleven non-randomized concurrent-control studies involving 1 421 patients (1 035 patients in combination therapy group, and 386 patients in LAM monotherapy group) were included. The results of meta-analyses showed: Compared with LAM monotherapy group, the risks of hepatitis B virus recurrence, YMDD mutation, and death associated with HBV recurrence were significantly reduced by 73% (RR=0.27, 95%CI 0.20 to 0.37, Plt;0.000 01), 72% (RR=0.28, 95%CI 0.15 to 0.53, P=0.000 01), and 79% (RR=0.21, 95%CI 0.09 to 0.49, P=0.000 3) respectively in combination therapy group after liver transplantation; overall survival rates of both recipients and grafts in combination therapy group were similar to LAM monotherapy group (RR=1.03, 95%CI 0.95 to 1.11, P=0.51; RR=1.04, 95%CI 0.97 to 1.12, P=0.26). Conclusion Current evidence indicates that compared with LAM monotherapy, combination therapy with LAM and HBIG could reduce the risks of hepatitis B virus recurrence, YMDD mutation, and death associated with HBV recurrence after liver transplantation.
Objective To assess the effectiveness of intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIG) in reducing the need for exchange transfusion in neonates with proven haemolytic disease due to Rh and/or ABO incompatibility. To evaluate the effectiveness of IVIG in reducing the duration of phototherapy and hospital stay. Methods We electronically searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE (1966 to May 2008), EMBASE (1992 to May 2008), CBMdisc (November 1979 to May 2008), and also checked the reference lists of all papers identified. According to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of interventions, randomized controlled trials comparing IVIG and phototherapy with phototherapy alone in neonates with Rh and/or ABO incompatibility were identified and analyzed. Results Six RCTs were included. The meta-analysis showed that, IVIG can significantly decrease the requirements of exchange transfusion (RR=0.27, 95%CI 0.18 to 0.42), the duration of hospitalization (WMD= –1.11, 95%CI –1.60 to –0.63) and the duration of phototherapy (WMD= –0.82, 95%CI –1.16 to –0.47). Conclusions Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is recommended for treating hemolytic disease of the newborn because it is effective in decreasing the requirements of exchange transfusion, the duration of hospitalization and phototherapy. Well designed studies with large sample in multi-center are required for further proving.
Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune neuromuscular junction disorder primarily mediated by autoantibodies against the acetylcholine receptor (AChR). It is now widely recognized that the total titer of anti-AChR antibodies does not correlate directly with clinical severity and shows significant interindividual variability. This review focuses on the structure of the AChR, the three major pathogenic mechanisms mediated by anti-AChR antibodies, the pathogenic differences associated with distinct antigenic epitopes, the characteristics of various immunoglobulin subclasses, and the limitations of current antibody detection methods. It further explores future directions in antibody profiling and functional assessment. By systematically analyzing the complexity and heterogeneity of anti-AChR antibodies, this article underscores the critical role of precision medicine in the management of myasthenia gravis.
Monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS) is a group of diseases with different renal damage. It is a new type of renal disease with various types of diseases and complex disease mechanism. In MGRS, due to the clonal proliferation of B lymphoid cells or plasma cells, a large number of monoclonal immunoglobulin (MIg) and/or a large number of free light chain (FLC) appear. Intact MIg can interact with intrinsic cells of glomerulus to change its biology in order to promote the development of renal disease, while monoclonal FLC can potentially alter the function of various cells throughout the nephron. Given the relationship of MIg and monoclonal FLC to MGRS, inhibition of MIg and monoclonal FLC would be a promising approach for the treatment of MGRS. This paper reviews the pathogenesis of MGRS from the sites of renal involvement, including glomerulus, renal tubule-interstitium and renal blood vessel.
Objective To explore the inducing factors, the serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and specific IgE of bronchial asthma in Mianyang children, for better control of childhood asthma. Methods A total of 1 288 cases of asthma who were hospitalized in pediatric respiratory ward or asthma clinic from March 2013 to February 2016 were enrolled in the study. All cases complied with the diagnostic criteria for acute episode of childhood bronchial asthma revised in 2008 by the National Children’s Asthma Cooperative Group. The causes of asthma attack were asked by doctors, and the patient’s serum total IgE and specific IgE was tested. Results Respiratory tract infections were the most common cause (1 057 cases, 82.1%), which was followed by weather changes and exposure to cold air (694 cases, 53.9%), and then food (304, 23.6%). The risk of asthma induced by respiratory infections was highest in <2-year old group (358 cases, 97.5%), and lowest in 10-14-year old group (42 cases, 33.3%), with a decreasing trend with age (χ2trend=239.865, P<0.001). Food was also an important inducing factor, and seafood was the most frequent (121 cases, 39.8%). Total serum IgE was positive in 868 cases (67.4%). The positive rate in <2-year old group (52.6%) was the lowest, and the positive rate in 10-14-year old group (89.7%) was the highest, with an increasing trend with age (χ2trend=88.055, P<0.001). Serum specific IgE was positive in 733 cases (56.9%). The positive rate in <2-year old group (37.1%) was the lowest, and the positive rate in 10-14-year old group (92.6%) was the highest, with an increasing trend with age (χ2trend=150.361, P<0.001). The progressive rate of dust mites in inhalation and dietary allergens was highest (668 cases, 51.8%), which was followed by house dust (431 cases, 33.4%). Conclusions The most common inducing factor for bronchial asthma in Mianyang children is respiratory tract infection, followed by the weather changes and cold air exposure, and then food. Detection of serum total IgE and specific IgE is more valuable in elderly children with bronchial asthma.
In recent years, with the improvement and popularization of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) detection technology, more and more patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) have been tested positive for serum ANCA. The clinical value of ANCA is still unclear, and there is a lack of consensus on diagnosis and treatment strategies. This article reviews the clinical and pathological characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment features of IgAN patients with serum ANCA positivity through literature reading and analysis, aiming to provide a reference for standardized diagnosis and individualized management of this type of patient.
Objective To elucidate current research status of immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) and cancer immunity. Method The relevant literatures of relationship between IgG4 and cancer immunity were collected and reviewed. Results The IgG4 high-level and the intratumoral infiltration of the IgG4-positive plasma cells were the predictors for a worse prognosis in the cancer patients. The relationship between the serum IgG4 level and the prognosis in the cancer patients was unclear. The IgG4 related immunity might contribute to the tumor-associated escape from the immune surveillance. Conclusions Recent studies implicate that IgG4 might play a role in tumor progression. Specific mechanisms for IgG4 in tumor immune microenvironment need to be further explored. Dissecting relationship between IgG4 and cancer immunity might provide a novel idea for cancer therapy.
ObjectiveTo investigate the diagnosis, clinical features, treatment and outcome of pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) caused by human parvovirus B19 (HPV-B19) infection in kidney recipients. Method The clinical courses of six patients with PRCA caused by HPV-B19 infection after renal transplantation in West China Hospital between May 2018 and April 2019 were retrospectively investigated. Results The six patients showed obvious anemia symptoms, lacking rash, joint pain and other clinical symptoms of viral infection. The hemoglobin level of five patients got totally remission from a course of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment, and anemia symptoms like fatigue, weakness got notable improvement. One patient had no improvement after two courses of IVIG treatment, and his anemia was significantly improved after the third IVIG course combined with immunosuppressant conversion(from tacrolimus to cyclosporine), and one patient with recurrence accepted a repeated course of IVIG treatment and obtained remission of severe anemia again. The median time of reticulocyte firstly rose to above 0.084×1012/L from the day of IVIG treatment ended was 3.50 (1.25, 5.00) days, and the median time required for a 30 g/L increase in hemoglobin to the end of IVIG treatment was 16.00 (9.25, 31.25) days. No serious adverse reactions occurred and all patients had stable graft function. Conclusions The main clinical manifestations of PRCA caused by HPV-B19 infection after kidney transplantation are anemia symptoms, lacking other clinical symptoms of viral infection. HPV-B19 DNA detection combined with blood routine examination, reticulocyte count and bone marrow cytology (or none) can diagnose HPV-B19 infection. High dose of IVIG is effective and safe, and a repeated course is still effective when the infection recurs. For refractory PRCA that IVIG monotherapy fail, a combination with conversion from tacrolimus to cyclosporine can effectively improve the anemia without graft dysfunction.