Hajime Goto

Airborne Beta-1,3-Glucan May Be Related to Symptoms in Sick Buildings

Airborne endotoxin and β-1,3-glucan were measured in buildings in which complaints of eye and airway irritation as well as fatigue and skin symptoms had been numerous. The presence of symptoms was evaluated using question naires. Dose-response relationships were found between levels of β-1,3-glucan and eye and throat irritation, dry cough and itching skin. The data suggest that β-1,3-glucan may be responsible for symptoms seen among persons in sick buildings.

Acute pulmonary toxicity of inhaledβ-1,3-glucan and endotoxin

The number of inflammatory cells was studied in lung walls and airways after inhalation of endotoxin or β-1,3-glucan. In the water unsoluble form, β-1,3-glucan caused a delayed response in terms of a decrease in macrophages and lymphocytes in the lung wall, 1 to 7 days after exposure but no invasion of neutrophils into the airways. When solubilized in 0.02 N NaOH, the cell response was the same as that observed after exposure to endotoxin.

Quantitative analysis of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 DNA in asymptomatic carriers using the polymerase chain reaction

A method for detecting human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) provirus DNA in lymphocytes with improved sensitivity and reproducibility was developed using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Amplified HIV-1 DNA was hybridized with a 32P-labeled probe and quantitated with a beta-scanner after electrophoresis. A linear relationship was obtained between the common logarithms of the counts detected and the number of HIV-1 DNA copies applied to the PCR. Detectability was from 3 copies/10(5) lymphocytes, and linearity was maintained from 10 to 10(3) copies. HIV-1 DNA was detected in all 9 asymptomatic carriers tested (18 to 2,857 copies/10(5) CD4+ T lymphocytes). The viral burden was inversely related to the CD4+ lymphocyte count, suggesting that quantitation of provirus levels may serve as a predictor of progress in early HIV infection.

Quantitative estimation of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 provirus in CD4+ T lymphocytes using the polymerase chain reaction

The proviral burden of peripheral blood lymphocytes in 29 patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) was estimated using a polymerase chain reaction method which we recently refined. The mean numbers of HIV-1 provirus in eight patients with AIDS and AIDS-related complex treated with zidovudine (AZT), in 10 asymptomatic patients treated with AZT, and in 11 asymptomatic untreated patients were 892, 436, and 406 copies in 1 x 10(5) CD4- T lymphocytes, respectively. These results demonstrate that patients may have more HIV-1 provirus copies in an advanced than early stage of disease, and that the fraction of the infected lymphocytes is much higher than previously thought, especially in asymptomatic patients. There was no difference in the viral burden in CD4+ T lymphocytes regardless of whether AZT had been administered or not. These findings validate the method used here to quantitate HIV-1 provirus DNA and confirm that AZT is not effective in reducing the amount of provirus DNA in lymphocytes.