Edna Kott

Cell-mediated immunity to human myelin basic protein in schizophrenic patients

Cell-mediated immune response to myelin human basic protein was studied by the macrophage migration inhibition test in patients suffering from schizophrenia. Eighteen out of 32 patients with chronic schizophrenia demonstrated human basic protein-induced inhibition of the migration index, while 4 out of 41 acute schizophrenics showed an inhibition of macrophage migration.

Cell‐mediated immunity to polio and HLA antigens in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Cell-mediated immunity to poliovirus was demonstrated in 21 of 33 patients suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), whereas no response to poliovirus was found in patients suffering from other neurologic disorders or in healthy controls. Three of the severe bulbar cases produced a migration inhibition factor (MIF) in the presence of poliovirus, although skin tests to common antigens were negative. An increased incidence (46 percent) of HLA-A3 was found in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Nine of the 13 patients with HLA-A3 antigen also had a positive index of MIF to poliovirus. These findings suggest a strong linkage between HLA-A3 and poliovirus in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Hepatic cirrhosis with post-shunt myelopathy

Abstract Three patients with cirrhosis hepatis who developed myelopathy following shunt operations are reported. The neurological manifestations are described, and the pathological findings in 2 cases are discussed with particular reference to the corticospinal tract involvement which they showed. The literature relating to hepatic myelopathy and its connection with shunt operations is reviewed. Including our 3 cases, 28 patients with hepatic myelopathy have been reported to date.

Cerebral venous thrombosis and chronic active hepatitis as part of the antiphospholipid syndrome

A case of antiphospholipid syndrome, presenting as sinus vein thrombosis together with chronic active hepatitis, is reported in a 35-year-old woman.

Acute Brain Edema due to Water Loading in a Young Woman

Increased intracranial pressure developed in a mentally and physically normal patient following ingestion of 30 glasses of water as a voluntary preparation for ultrasonic gynecological examination. Hyponatremia resulted and induced brain edema which provoked increased intracranial pressure. Hyponatremia was treated by intravenous infusion of hypertonic NaCl and mannitol solutions. Corticosteroids were added and continued for a week. The patient totally recovered 4 days after admission.

Association between Myasthenia Gravis and Malignant Lymphoma

A reticulum cell sarcoma was diagnosed in a myasthenic patient 14 years after the first manifestations of myasthenia gravis. The association of myasthenia and malignancy, especially lymphoreticular, is discussed in view of an increasing number of similar reports in the literature. It is suggested that autoimmune diseases, myasthenia gravis and malignant processes might have a common underlying abnormal immune state related to thymic pathology.

The interferon system in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis and its response to isoprinosine

Plasma interferon activity (IFN) and its spontaneous and stimulated production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was studied in 11 patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) and age-matched healthy controls. The patients, similar to the healthy controls, had no detectable plasma IFN activity. However, their PBMC failed to produce IFN in response to stimulation with poly I:C and PHA. After isoprinosine administration to 7 patients for several days a significant increase in plasma IFN activity was observed and their PBMC responded to stimulation by producing IFN. The long-term effect of isoprinosine on the IFN response was evaluated in 3 patients who had been treated for 57-88 days. Induction of the abolished IFN production was observed with initiation of therapy. However, discontinuation of isoprinosine for 10 days resulted in recurrence of the inactivation state of the IFN system.

Ataxic form of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease Its relation to subacute spongiform encephalopathy

Abstract A 43-year-old man showed a progressive ataxia, myoclonic movements, rigidity and hypertonia with mental deterioration which led to his death after 8 months. Pathological findings showed a spongy state of the occipital lobes, neuronal degeneration and gliosis of the cortex with gliosis of the midbrain reticular formation. The laminar distribution of the cortical lesions, the lesions in the hippocampal gyrus and the possibility of an anoxic episode just before the onset of the disease suggest a possible relationship between Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and subacute spongiform encephalopathy.

Value of Prothrombin Fragment 1.2 (F 1.2) in the Diagnosis of Stroke in Young Patients With Antiphospholipid Antibodies

The presence in the serum of antiphospholipid an tibodies (aPL) is associated with venous and arterial thrombo sis. This observation has led to the search for these antibodies in young patients with ischemic neurologic syndromes. How ever, 1% to 5% of healthy people may be found to have cir culating aPL without necessarily being at increased risk of thromboembolism. Thus, the finding of APLA in a patient with cerebral ischemia does not necessarily provide an explanation for the etiology of the clinical syndrome. The aim of this study was to determine whether the presence of aPL in young patients with stroke or transient ischemic attacks represents a possible cause of hypercoagulability as defined by ongoing thrombin formation with resultant elevation of prothrombin fragment 1.2 (F1.2) levels. This was a retrospective, case-control study involving 57 subjects. Twenty-seven patients had a recent cerebrovascular ischemic event—either TIA or a stroke. Fifteen were positive for aPL, and 12 were aPL-negative. Thirty subjects, matched for age and sex with no history of cerebrovascular disease, served as controls. Of this group, 20 were aPL-positive and 10 were aPL-negative. Causes of hy percoagulability other than aPL were excluded by laboratory testing. A positive test for aPL was repeated after a 6-week interval and two positive tests were required for a patient to be regarded as being aPL-positive. Levels of F1.2 were measured by an ELISA technique. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the mean F1.2 levels between the aPL-positive group with a history of cerebrovascular disease (mean F1.2 = 2.3733) and each of the other study groups. There was no statistically significant dif ference between any of the other study groups. Our findings suggest that F1.2 levels are elevated in young patients with cerebrovascular syndromes who have aPL and in whom other causes of hypercoagulability and atherosclerotic vascular disease are absent. Elevated F1.2 in these patients may be a potential marker of the hypercoagulable state associated with aPL.

Electrocardiographic Abnormalities in Patients with Brain-Stem Tumors

Review of 50 consecutive ECG records obtained from patients with tumors of the brain stem and intracranial hypertension showed only few cases with the ECG changes usually associated with cerebral vasc