Shiro Ishii

Establishment of two distinct anti-cardiolipin antibody-producing cell lines from the same individual by Ebstein-Barr virus transformation

Two anti-cardiolipin antibody (ACA)-producing cell lines were established, using Epstein-Barr virus transformation followed by a repeated cluster-picking from the same individual with antiphospholipid syndrome who had a history of 8 consecutive fetal losses and deep venous thrombosis. Characterization of the two ACAs derived from these cell lines revealed that one (Ab-019, subclass IgM, kappa) reacted exclusively with cardiolipin and showed strong lupus anticoagulant activity, while the other (Ab-226, subclass IgM, lambda) reacted with negatively charged phospholipids such as phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylglycerol, as well as cardiolipin. Furthermore, Ab-226 showed reactivity with human umbilical vein endothelial cells whereas Ab-019 did not. It is suggested that ACA is heterogeneous even in the same individual, and that reactivity against negatively charged phospholipids corresponds to reactivity against endothelial cell.

Is an additional vaccination necessary for a successful second pregnancy in unexplained recurrent aborters who were successfully immunized with their husband's lymphocytes before the first pregnancy?

PROBLEM: Is an additional immunotherapy necessary or not for patients who have obtained successful results after initial immunotherapy?

A typical case of reproductive autoimmune failure syndrome in which a patient experienced recurrent abortion, preeclampsia, and intrauterine growth retardation

In the past few years a new concept concerning reproductive failure caused by autoimmune mechanisms has been recognized and accepted as a reproductive autoimmune failure syndrome (RAFS). I RAFS was first reported to include spontaneous abortion, endometriosis, and unexplained infertility, Recently, preeclampsia and intrauterine growth retardation have also been included in RAFS.2-4 In this report, the clinical course of a patient who was considered to be a typical case of RAFS is described, and the possibility of prophylactic therapy for patients of RAFS is discussed.

Significant Compatibility Does Not Exist at the HLA-DQB Gene Locus in Couples With Unexplained Recurrent Abortions

ABSTRACT: The polymerase chain reaction‐restricted fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) method was used for both examining compatibility at the HLA‐DQB1 gene locus and determining HLA‐DQ antigen polymorphism in spouses of unexplained recurrent abortions. Genomic DNA samples were prepared from peripheral mononuclear cells from patient and control couples. Two hundred and thirty base pair fragments of the second exon of the HLA‐DQB genes were selectively amplified. Amplified DNAs were digested with the restriction endonucleases, Fok I, Hae III, Hha I, Rsa I and Sau3A I, and subjected to electrophoresis in a polyacrylamide gel. The RFLPs showed that habitual aborters and their husbands had neither significantly frequent alleles nor shared common alleles at the HLA‐DQB locus when compared to the control group.

Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome in an extremely low-birth-weight neonate: Molecular characterization and rapid detection by multiplex and real-time PCR of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Background:  Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS), caused by methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) producing exfoliative toxin (ET), is a life‐threatening infection for neonates in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). SSSS in extremely low‐birth‐weight (ELBW) neonates is rare. A new class of MRSA (community‐acquired MRSA, CA‐MRSA) has been emerging in the community. The aim of this study was to characterize MRSA from an ELBW neonate with SSSS, and to develop rapid detection methods for SSSS‐associated and emerging pediatric MRSA.

Vertical transmission of hepatitis C virus infection

We investigated the prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) in 303 pregnant women by a screening program conducted from August, 1989 to March, 1991. Anti-HCV was positive in 0.99% of the cases (31303). No positive babies were observed to have a high titer of antiHCV antibodies during the neonated period. We later experienced a case of active chronic hepatitis in which no anti C-100 antibodies were detected and which was diagnosed as HCV by cDNA/PCR assay. Her baby’s anti-Cl00 antibody turned positive 1 month after delivery and no cDNA/PCR signal or serological liver dysfunction has been detected thus far. These results indicate that antibodies to HCV are present in 1% of the population of pregnant women and vertical transmission from mother to infant might exist in active cases, In one study, conducted on a population of children under the age of 10 years, the positive rate of anti-Cl00 was found to be significantly low [l]. Such findings led to the opinion that vertical transmission of HCV rarely occurs in spite of the fact that the HCV can maintain high carrier rates worldwide (0.2-2.6%) and especially in Japan [2]. Our preliminary data suggest that the positive rate of anti-HCV antibodies is 1% of the gestational population and that transmission from a carrier mother to her infant rarely occurs. In active hepatitis, however, HCV transfer may occur from mother to infant and obstetricians should be aware of the need for treatment in these cases.