No description available.

A contagem de células somáticas (CCS) é o padrão ouro de avaliação da integridade da glândula mamária e da qualidade do leite. A haptoglobina (Hp) é uma das principais proteínas de fase aguda que se eleva em processos inflamatórios, infecciosos e de estresse em ruminantes. Este estudo avaliou a relação entre os níveis séricos de Hp e a CCS, através de coletas de amostras de leite e sangue de vacas leiteiras de rebanhos do Noroeste do estado do Rio Grande do Sul. As amostras foram obtidas, entre fevereiro e outubro de 2008 de 150 animais da raça Holandesa, sem distinção de idade e número de lactação, divididos em três grupos de 50 animais separados conforme o valor da CCS. O grupo 1 (G1) incluiu vacas com CCS abaixo de 600.000 cel/mL; o grupo 2 (G2), vacas com CCS superior a 600.000 cel/mL e, o grupo 3 (G3), vacas que apresentavam sinais clínicos de mastite. Para cada amostra de leite, foi determinada a CCS, a contagem bacteriana total (CBT) e os níveis de proteína, gordura, lactose e sólidos totais. Coletouse 5 mL de sangue através de punção da veia coccígea para avaliar contagem total e diferencial de leucócitos, fibrinogênio, hematócrito, proteínas plasmáticas totais e haptoglobina. A análise estatística demonstrou diferença significativa entre os três grupos quanto à CCS, CBT e lactose. A proteína apresentou diferença significativa entre G1 para G2 e G3. Nos sólidos totais, G1 e G2 apresentaram diferença significativa para G3. A gordura não apresentou diferença significativa entre os grupos. Análises não paramétricas demonstraram forte correlação positiva entre CCS e CBT (r=0,852, P<0,005). Quanto às análises hematológicas, o leucograma e as proteínas plasmáticas totais não apresentaram diferença significativa entre os grupos. Fibrinogênio e hematócrito se diferenciaram estatisticamente nos grupos 1 e 3. Na análise do diferencial, os monócitos do G1 e G3 apresentaram diferença estatística para G2. Além disso, o fibrinogênio apresentou correlação leve, mas significativa (r= 0,270, P<0,001), em relação ao valor de CCS. Análises não paramétricas apresentaram correlação média entre CCS e concentração de Hp (r= 0,357, P<0,001), demonstrando associação entre as variáveis. Quanto à concentração de Hp, houve diferença significativa do G1 (0,41 g/L) e G2 (0,41 g/L) para G3 (0,70 g/L), ou seja, se comprovou a elevação dos níveis séricos de Hp em vacas com processo inflamatório instalado; entretanto, a Hp não se mostrou sensível para detecção de mastite subclínica. Sugere-se que estudos adicionais possam elucidar tais associações. / Somatic cell count (SCC) is the gold standard of both the mammalian gland and milk quality evaluation. The haptoglobin (Hp) is one of the main acute phase proteins, which increase in inflammation, infectious and stress processes of ruminants. This work evaluated the relation between Hp serum level and SCC, through the analysis of milk and blood samples from dairy cows from herds in the northwest Rio Grande do Sul state. Samples were obtainned, between February and October 2008, from 150 Holstein cows, without age or milking number discrimination and that were separate in three different groups with 50 animals each, according SCC value. Group 1 (G1) included cows with SCC below 600.000 cells/mL; group 2 (G2), cows with SCC above 600.000 cells/mL and group 3 (G3), cows with signs of clinical mastitis. For each milk sample, it was determined SCC, total bacteria count (TBC), and the protein, fat, lactose, and total solid contents. A 5 mL blood sample was collected by puncturing coccigeal vein to evaluate total and differential leucocytes counts, fibrinogen, hematocrit, total serum protein, and haptoglobin. Statistic analysis showed significant differences among the three groups for SCC, TBC, and lactose. The protein average showed significant difference among G1 to G2 and G3. Total solid contents from G1 and G2 were significantly different to that from G3. Fat content had not significant differences among groups. Not parametric analysis demonstrated strong positive association between SCC and TBC (r= 0,852, P< 0,005). For the hematological analysis, leucograma and total serum protein had no significant differences among groups. Both, fibrinogen and hematocrit showed statistical differences in G1 and G3. Regarding the differential analysis, the monocytes of G1 and G3 showed statistical differences to that of G2. Moreover, although short, there was significant correlation (r= 0,270, P<0,001) between fibrinogen and SCC. Not parametric analysis displayed mean correlation between SCC and Hp concentration (r= 0,357, P<0,001), demonstrating association between the variables. For the concentration of Hp, there was significant differences between G1 (0,41 g/L) and G2 (0,41 g/L) to G3 (0,70 g/L) proving the Hp increase in cows affected by clinical mastitis; nevertheless, the Hp was not a sensible marker to subclinical mastitis. It is suggested that further studies may elucidate those associations.

A contagem de células somáticas (CCS) é o padrão ouro de avaliação da integridade da glândula mamária e da qualidade do leite. A haptoglobina (Hp) é uma das principais proteínas de fase aguda que se eleva em processos inflamatórios, infecciosos e de estresse em ruminantes. Este estudo avaliou a relação entre os níveis séricos de Hp e a CCS, através de coletas de amostras de leite e sangue de vacas leiteiras de rebanhos do Noroeste do estado do Rio Grande do Sul. As amostras foram obtidas, entre fevereiro e outubro de 2008 de 150 animais da raça Holandesa, sem distinção de idade e número de lactação, divididos em três grupos de 50 animais separados conforme o valor da CCS. O grupo 1 (G1) incluiu vacas com CCS abaixo de 600.000 cel/mL; o grupo 2 (G2), vacas com CCS superior a 600.000 cel/mL e, o grupo 3 (G3), vacas que apresentavam sinais clínicos de mastite. Para cada amostra de leite, foi determinada a CCS, a contagem bacteriana total (CBT) e os níveis de proteína, gordura, lactose e sólidos totais. Coletouse 5 mL de sangue através de punção da veia coccígea para avaliar contagem total e diferencial de leucócitos, fibrinogênio, hematócrito, proteínas plasmáticas totais e haptoglobina. A análise estatística demonstrou diferença significativa entre os três grupos quanto à CCS, CBT e lactose. A proteína apresentou diferença significativa entre G1 para G2 e G3. Nos sólidos totais, G1 e G2 apresentaram diferença significativa para G3. A gordura não apresentou diferença significativa entre os grupos. Análises não paramétricas demonstraram forte correlação positiva entre CCS e CBT (r=0,852, P<0,005). Quanto às análises hematológicas, o leucograma e as proteínas plasmáticas totais não apresentaram diferença significativa entre os grupos. Fibrinogênio e hematócrito se diferenciaram estatisticamente nos grupos 1 e 3. Na análise do diferencial, os monócitos do G1 e G3 apresentaram diferença estatística para G2. Além disso, o fibrinogênio apresentou correlação leve, mas significativa (r= 0,270, P<0,001), em relação ao valor de CCS. Análises não paramétricas apresentaram correlação média entre CCS e concentração de Hp (r= 0,357, P<0,001), demonstrando associação entre as variáveis. Quanto à concentração de Hp, houve diferença significativa do G1 (0,41 g/L) e G2 (0,41 g/L) para G3 (0,70 g/L), ou seja, se comprovou a elevação dos níveis séricos de Hp em vacas com processo inflamatório instalado; entretanto, a Hp não se mostrou sensível para detecção de mastite subclínica. Sugere-se que estudos adicionais possam elucidar tais associações. / Somatic cell count (SCC) is the gold standard of both the mammalian gland and milk quality evaluation. The haptoglobin (Hp) is one of the main acute phase proteins, which increase in inflammation, infectious and stress processes of ruminants. This work evaluated the relation between Hp serum level and SCC, through the analysis of milk and blood samples from dairy cows from herds in the northwest Rio Grande do Sul state. Samples were obtainned, between February and October 2008, from 150 Holstein cows, without age or milking number discrimination and that were separate in three different groups with 50 animals each, according SCC value. Group 1 (G1) included cows with SCC below 600.000 cells/mL; group 2 (G2), cows with SCC above 600.000 cells/mL and group 3 (G3), cows with signs of clinical mastitis. For each milk sample, it was determined SCC, total bacteria count (TBC), and the protein, fat, lactose, and total solid contents. A 5 mL blood sample was collected by puncturing coccigeal vein to evaluate total and differential leucocytes counts, fibrinogen, hematocrit, total serum protein, and haptoglobin. Statistic analysis showed significant differences among the three groups for SCC, TBC, and lactose. The protein average showed significant difference among G1 to G2 and G3. Total solid contents from G1 and G2 were significantly different to that from G3. Fat content had not significant differences among groups. Not parametric analysis demonstrated strong positive association between SCC and TBC (r= 0,852, P< 0,005). For the hematological analysis, leucograma and total serum protein had no significant differences among groups. Both, fibrinogen and hematocrit showed statistical differences in G1 and G3. Regarding the differential analysis, the monocytes of G1 and G3 showed statistical differences to that of G2. Moreover, although short, there was significant correlation (r= 0,270, P<0,001) between fibrinogen and SCC. Not parametric analysis displayed mean correlation between SCC and Hp concentration (r= 0,357, P<0,001), demonstrating association between the variables. For the concentration of Hp, there was significant differences between G1 (0,41 g/L) and G2 (0,41 g/L) to G3 (0,70 g/L) proving the Hp increase in cows affected by clinical mastitis; nevertheless, the Hp was not a sensible marker to subclinical mastitis. It is suggested that further studies may elucidate those associations.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:23:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-03-01Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:30:22Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 nogueira_afs_me_jabo.pdf: 474641 bytes, checksum: fa1d22177f28628ebd508fc2adfc16f4 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / A síndrome cólica é uma das urgências mais frequentes na clínica de equinos. Os estágios iniciais da reação inflamatória incluem alterações denominadas resposta de fase aguda. Com o objetivo de avaliar esta resposta realizou-se o perfil eletroforético das proteínas séricas e do líquido peritoneal de equinos submetidos obstrução intestinal experimental. Utilizaram-se 21 equinos, cuja obstrução intestinal foi instituída em segmentos de duodeno - GD (n=6), íleo - GI (n=6) ou cólon dorsal esquerdo - GM (n=6). Além disso, instituiu-se um grupo controle instrumentado - GC (n=3). As colheitas das amostras de sangue e de líquido peritoneal foram realizadas antes (T0), durante as obstruções (T1-T3) e, após as desobstruções (T4-T174). A proteína total foi determinada pelo método do biureto e as frações protéicas obtidas por eletroforese em SDS-PAGE identificaram as proteínas de fase aguda (PFA) IgA, ceruloplasmina, transferrina, albumina, IgG-CP, haptoglobina, alfa-1-glicoproteína ácida, IgG-CL e P24. Houve aumento nas concentrações sérica e peritoneal de todas as PFA nos quatro grupos. Os resultados foram associados à lesão entérica, resultante do modelo de obstrução e à laparotomia. O fracionamento eletroforético das PFA, no líquido peritoneal, foi padronizado de modo a estabelecer a curva padrão para equinos hígidos; ademais, verificou-se que o referido fracionamento protéico mostrou-se mais sensível e eficaz no diagnóstico de processos inflamatórios abdominais e, portanto, deve ser priorizado no monitoramento da evolução do processo de cura abdominal e no diagnóstico de complicações pós-operatórias em equinos com cólica / The colic syndrome is one of the most frequent urgencies in the clinic of horses. The initial stages of the inflammatory reaction include a series of modifications called the acute phase reaction. Aiming to evaluate this kind of reaction the electrophoretic profile of the serum proteins and peritoneal fluid of horses submitted to experimental obstruction of the intestine was performed. Twenty one horses were submitted to intestinal obstruction at the duodenal portion - GD (n=6), ileum GI (n=6) or dorsal left colon GM (n=6). A control group was also instituded - GC (n=3). The blood and peritoneal fluid samples were obtained before (T0), during the obstructions (T1-T3) and after the desobstructions (T4-T174). The total protein was determined by the biuret method and the protein fractions were obtained by electrophoresis in SDS-PAGE wich identified the acute phase proteins (APP) IgA, ceruloplasmin, transferrin, albumin, IgGCP, haptoglobin, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein, IgG-CL and P24. There was an elevation in all acute phase proteins studied in the serum and peritoneal fluid of all four groups observed. The results were associated to hepatic lesion due to the kind of experimental model of obstruction adopted and laparotomy. The electrophoretic fractioning of the APP in the peritoneal fluid was standardized to establish a standard curve to healthy horses. It was also verified that the protein fractioning showed to be more sensitive and efficient in the diagnosis of abdominal inflammatory processes therefore it should be prioritized in the monitoring of the process of abdominal healing evolution and in the diagnose of post-operative intercurrence in horses with colic

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:23:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-02-18Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:50:59Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 simplicio_kmmg_me_jabo.pdf: 522000 bytes, checksum: 0f12308255102eb2961d3cb0999bf46e (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Foi avaliada a importância de proteínas de fase aguda (PFA) como biomarcadores de enfermidades em ruminantes domésticos. Para tal se determinou o proteinograma sérico e leucograma de 15 bovinos sadios e 15 doentes, 15 ovinos sadios e 15 doentes, e 15 caprinos sadios e 15 doentes. Todos foram submetidos a colheitas diárias de sangue durante sete dias, enquanto permaneciam internados no Hospital Veterinário da FCAV-UNESP, Câmpus de Jaboticabal. Em bovinos a haptoglobina teve destaque como biomarcador precoce e confiável de foco inflamatório/infeccioso. Em ovinos ceruloplasmina, haptoglobina, 1-glicoproteína ácida mostraram moderada atividade frente às enfermidades avaliadas. Caprinos acometidos por ectima contagioso não apresentaram boa responsividade das PFAs. No entanto, ceruloplasmina, haptoglobina, 1-glicoproteína ácida destacaram-se como biomarcadores de foco inflamatório/infeccioso em caprinos acometidos por mastite e artrite secundária à infecção pelo vírus da artrite encefalite caprina. Transferrina, embora tenha se mostrado biologicamente como uma PFA negativa em todos os grupos estudados, apenas apresentou comportamento estatisticamente diferenciado em bovinos acometidos por mastite. Por fim, o proteinograma sérico obtido por meio da técnica eletroforética SDS-PAGE, mostrou-se mais útil como exame complementar ao diagnóstico das enfermidades avaliadas que o leucograma / The importance of acute phase proteins (APP) as biomarkers of disease was evaluated in domestic ruminants. It was determined the serum proteinogram and leucocyte count of 15 healthy and 15 clinically ill cattle; 15 healthy and 15 clinically ill sheep and 15 healthy and 15 clinically ill goats. All animals were submitted to daily blood sampling during 7 days, while kept interned in the Veterinarian Hospital from FCAV-UNESP, Jaboticabal campus. In cattle, haptoglobin was a very reliable inflamatory/infeccious early biomarker. In sheep ceruloplasmin, haptogobin and 1-acid glycoprotein showed moderate activity to the diseases studied. Goats with contagious ectima did not show a good response in APP serum concentrations. However, ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin and 1-acid glycoprotein showed to be reliable soon biomarkers in goats with mastitis and arthritis due to caprine arthritis encephalitis. Alhtough transferrin biologically behaved as a negative APP in all diseases and species studied, it only showed a statistically significant behaviour as such in cows with mastitis. Moreover, the assessment of APP profile through the electrophoretic SDS-PAGE technique was more useful as a complementary tool to the establishment of diagnosis than the leucocyte count

Resumo: A síndrome cólica é uma das urgências mais frequentes na clínica de equinos. Os estágios iniciais da reação inflamatória incluem alterações denominadas resposta de fase aguda. Com o objetivo de avaliar esta resposta realizou-se o perfil eletroforético das proteínas séricas e do líquido peritoneal de equinos submetidos obstrução intestinal experimental. Utilizaram-se 21 equinos, cuja obstrução intestinal foi instituída em segmentos de duodeno - GD (n=6), íleo - GI (n=6) ou cólon dorsal esquerdo - GM (n=6). Além disso, instituiu-se um grupo controle instrumentado - GC (n=3). As colheitas das amostras de sangue e de líquido peritoneal foram realizadas antes (T0), durante as obstruções (T1-T3) e, após as desobstruções (T4-T174). A proteína total foi determinada pelo método do biureto e as frações protéicas obtidas por eletroforese em SDS-PAGE identificaram as proteínas de fase aguda (PFA) IgA, ceruloplasmina, transferrina, albumina, IgG-CP, haptoglobina, alfa-1-glicoproteína ácida, IgG-CL e P24. Houve aumento nas concentrações sérica e peritoneal de todas as PFA nos quatro grupos. Os resultados foram associados à lesão entérica, resultante do modelo de obstrução e à laparotomia. O fracionamento eletroforético das PFA, no líquido peritoneal, foi padronizado de modo a estabelecer a curva padrão para equinos hígidos; ademais, verificou-se que o referido fracionamento protéico mostrou-se mais sensível e eficaz no diagnóstico de processos inflamatórios abdominais e, portanto, deve ser priorizado no monitoramento da evolução do processo de cura abdominal e no diagnóstico de complicações pós-operatórias em equinos com cólica / Abstract: The colic syndrome is one of the most frequent urgencies in the clinic of horses. The initial stages of the inflammatory reaction include a series of modifications called the acute phase reaction. Aiming to evaluate this kind of reaction the electrophoretic profile of the serum proteins and peritoneal fluid of horses submitted to experimental obstruction of the intestine was performed. Twenty one horses were submitted to intestinal obstruction at the duodenal portion - GD (n=6), ileum GI (n=6) or dorsal left colon GM (n=6). A control group was also instituded - GC (n=3). The blood and peritoneal fluid samples were obtained before (T0), during the obstructions (T1-T3) and after the desobstructions (T4-T174). The total protein was determined by the biuret method and the protein fractions were obtained by electrophoresis in SDS-PAGE wich identified the acute phase proteins (APP) IgA, ceruloplasmin, transferrin, albumin, IgGCP, haptoglobin, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein, IgG-CL and P24. There was an elevation in all acute phase proteins studied in the serum and peritoneal fluid of all four groups observed. The results were associated to hepatic lesion due to the kind of experimental model of obstruction adopted and laparotomy. The electrophoretic fractioning of the APP in the peritoneal fluid was standardized to establish a standard curve to healthy horses. It was also verified that the protein fractioning showed to be more sensitive and efficient in the diagnosis of abdominal inflammatory processes therefore it should be prioritized in the monitoring of the process of abdominal healing evolution and in the diagnose of post-operative intercurrence in horses with colic / Orientador: Aureo Evangelista Santana / Coorientador: Paula Alessandrta Di Filippo / Banca: José Correa lacerda Neto / Banca: Alessandra Kataoka / Mestre

A contagem de células somáticas (CCS) é o padrão ouro de avaliação da integridade da glândula mamária e da qualidade do leite. A haptoglobina (Hp) é uma das principais proteínas de fase aguda que se eleva em processos inflamatórios, infecciosos e de estresse em ruminantes. Este estudo avaliou a relação entre os níveis séricos de Hp e a CCS, através de coletas de amostras de leite e sangue de vacas leiteiras de rebanhos do Noroeste do estado do Rio Grande do Sul. As amostras foram obtidas, entre fevereiro e outubro de 2008 de 150 animais da raça Holandesa, sem distinção de idade e número de lactação, divididos em três grupos de 50 animais separados conforme o valor da CCS. O grupo 1 (G1) incluiu vacas com CCS abaixo de 600.000 cel/mL; o grupo 2 (G2), vacas com CCS superior a 600.000 cel/mL e, o grupo 3 (G3), vacas que apresentavam sinais clínicos de mastite. Para cada amostra de leite, foi determinada a CCS, a contagem bacteriana total (CBT) e os níveis de proteína, gordura, lactose e sólidos totais. Coletouse 5 mL de sangue através de punção da veia coccígea para avaliar contagem total e diferencial de leucócitos, fibrinogênio, hematócrito, proteínas plasmáticas totais e haptoglobina. A análise estatística demonstrou diferença significativa entre os três grupos quanto à CCS, CBT e lactose. A proteína apresentou diferença significativa entre G1 para G2 e G3. Nos sólidos totais, G1 e G2 apresentaram diferença significativa para G3. A gordura não apresentou diferença significativa entre os grupos. Análises não paramétricas demonstraram forte correlação positiva entre CCS e CBT (r=0,852, P<0,005). Quanto às análises hematológicas, o leucograma e as proteínas plasmáticas totais não apresentaram diferença significativa entre os grupos. Fibrinogênio e hematócrito se diferenciaram estatisticamente nos grupos 1 e 3. Na análise do diferencial, os monócitos do G1 e G3 apresentaram diferença estatística para G2. Além disso, o fibrinogênio apresentou correlação leve, mas significativa (r= 0,270, P<0,001), em relação ao valor de CCS. Análises não paramétricas apresentaram correlação média entre CCS e concentração de Hp (r= 0,357, P<0,001), demonstrando associação entre as variáveis. Quanto à concentração de Hp, houve diferença significativa do G1 (0,41 g/L) e G2 (0,41 g/L) para G3 (0,70 g/L), ou seja, se comprovou a elevação dos níveis séricos de Hp em vacas com processo inflamatório instalado; entretanto, a Hp não se mostrou sensível para detecção de mastite subclínica. Sugere-se que estudos adicionais possam elucidar tais associações. / Somatic cell count (SCC) is the gold standard of both the mammalian gland and milk quality evaluation. The haptoglobin (Hp) is one of the main acute phase proteins, which increase in inflammation, infectious and stress processes of ruminants. This work evaluated the relation between Hp serum level and SCC, through the analysis of milk and blood samples from dairy cows from herds in the northwest Rio Grande do Sul state. Samples were obtainned, between February and October 2008, from 150 Holstein cows, without age or milking number discrimination and that were separate in three different groups with 50 animals each, according SCC value. Group 1 (G1) included cows with SCC below 600.000 cells/mL; group 2 (G2), cows with SCC above 600.000 cells/mL and group 3 (G3), cows with signs of clinical mastitis. For each milk sample, it was determined SCC, total bacteria count (TBC), and the protein, fat, lactose, and total solid contents. A 5 mL blood sample was collected by puncturing coccigeal vein to evaluate total and differential leucocytes counts, fibrinogen, hematocrit, total serum protein, and haptoglobin. Statistic analysis showed significant differences among the three groups for SCC, TBC, and lactose. The protein average showed significant difference among G1 to G2 and G3. Total solid contents from G1 and G2 were significantly different to that from G3. Fat content had not significant differences among groups. Not parametric analysis demonstrated strong positive association between SCC and TBC (r= 0,852, P< 0,005). For the hematological analysis, leucograma and total serum protein had no significant differences among groups. Both, fibrinogen and hematocrit showed statistical differences in G1 and G3. Regarding the differential analysis, the monocytes of G1 and G3 showed statistical differences to that of G2. Moreover, although short, there was significant correlation (r= 0,270, P<0,001) between fibrinogen and SCC. Not parametric analysis displayed mean correlation between SCC and Hp concentration (r= 0,357, P<0,001), demonstrating association between the variables. For the concentration of Hp, there was significant differences between G1 (0,41 g/L) and G2 (0,41 g/L) to G3 (0,70 g/L) proving the Hp increase in cows affected by clinical mastitis; nevertheless, the Hp was not a sensible marker to subclinical mastitis. It is suggested that further studies may elucidate those associations.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / Background: Malnutrition is a risk factor for the development of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and may be responsible for the premature deaths of patients with active disease. An adequate nutritional status may therefore be protective in delaying the onset from latent infection to active disease. In South Africa, very little data is available on the nutritional status of adults who present with tuberculosis. This study therefore aims to compare the nutritional status of newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis patients with TB-free controls.Study population & Design: This is a community based case-control study. Forty-three newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis patients were recruited as cases and matched according to age,gender and race to 43 TB-free close contacts. HIV positive subjects were excluded from the study.Methods: Each participant was interviewed and completed a structured questionnaire to obtain demographic information. Weight was measured to the nearest 0.1kg and height to the nearest 1mm. A 24-hr dietary recall method was used to obtain dietary information. Biochemical analysis was carried out to measure concentrations of transferrin, albumin, CRP, ferritin, zinc,copper, vitamin A and E.Results: The median Body Mass Index (BMI) for cases was 18.80kg/m² (IQR 14.35, 32.11) and TB-free contacts 21.17 kg/m² (IQR 16.75, 34.98) with a significant difference between the groups of p=0.001. There was significant difference in weight (p=0.002) and MUAC (p=0.000)between groups. No significant difference in dietary intake of energy (KJ) (p=0.695), protein(p=0.804), CHO (p=0.801) and fat ( p=0.796) was found between groups. There was a statistically significant increase in ferritin (p=0.000) and C-reactive protein (CRP) (p=0.000) in TB patients, while albumin (p=0.000), serum zinc (p=0.000) and serum vitamin A (p=0.000) were statistically significantly lower among cases. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the macronutrient intake of TB cases and TB-free contacts, although a significant difference was seen in BMI, MUAC and weight between groups, with all these parameters being lower in TB patients. Ferritin and CRP levels were markedly increased in TB cases while serum zinc, vitamin A and albumin are all significantly lower in TB patients than TB free contacts.

The hepatic acute phase response (APR), stimulated by injury or inflammation, is characterized by significant changes in circulating acute phase protein (APP) concentrations. While individual functions of liver-derived APPs are known, the net consequence of APP changes is unclear. Pneumonia and sepsis elicit systemic inflammation and induce a robust APR. Although APR activation is regarded as a hallmark of infection, direct contributions of liver activation to pulmonary defense during pneumonia and sepsis-induced pneumonia remain unclear. Pneumonia causes a pulmonary inflammatory response coordinated largely by alveolar macrophages, and is typified by cytokine production, leukocyte recruitment and plasma extravasation, the latter of can enable delivery of hepatocyte-derived APPs to the infection site. To determine the functional significance of the hepatic APR during pneumonia, we challenged APR-null mice lacking hepatocyte signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) and RelA with 106 colony-forming units (CFU) Escherichia coli intratracheally. HepSTAT3/RelA-/- mice displayed ablated APP induction, significantly increased mortality, tumor necrosis factor-dependent hepatotoxicity, and pulmonary bacterial burdens. Following a lower (4x105 CFU) E. coli inoculum, hepSTAT3/RelA-/- mice had decreased APP concentrations with reduced pulmonary inflammation and diminished airspace macrophage activation. Similar results were obtained in the context of endotoxemia and pneumonia. We employed an endotoxemia/pneumonia model, whereby 18 hours of intraperitoneal E. coli lipopolysaccharide (5 mg/kg) was followed by intratracheal E. coli (106 CFU) in mice lacking hepatocyte STAT3 (hepSTAT3-/-) or control hepSTAT3+/+ mice. Following endotoxemia and pneumonia, hepSTAT3-/- mice, with significantly reduced levels of circulating and airspace APPs, exhibited significantly elevated lung and blood bacterial burdens and mortality. While neither recruited airspace neutrophils nor lung injury were altered in endotoxemic hepSTAT3-/- mice, in vivo production of reactive oxygen species in alveolar macrophage was significantly decreased. Additionally, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from this group of hepSTAT3-/- mice allowed greater bacterial growth ex vivo. These results identify a lung-liver axis, whereby the liver response enhances macrophage activation and pulmonary host defense during pneumonia and sepsis-induced pneumonia. Taken together, induction of liver acute phase gene expression programs contributes to countering the deleterious consequences of pneumonia, whether it is alone or in the context of sepsis-induced infection.

C-reactive protein (CRP), a component of the innate immune system, is an antipneumococcal plasma protein. Human CRP has been shown to protect mice against infection with lethal doses of Streptococcus pneumoniae by decreasing bacteremia. in vitro, CRP binds to phosphocholine-containing substances, such as pneumococcal C-polysaccharide, in a Ca2+-dependent manner. Phosphocholine-complexed human CRP activates the complement system in both human and murine sera. The mechanism of antipneumococcal action of CRP in vivo, however, has not been defined yet. In this study, we tested a decades-old hypothesis that the complement-activating property of phosphocholine-complexed CRP contributes to protection of mice against pneumococcal infection. Our approach was to investigate a CRP mutant, incapable of activating murine complement, in mouse protection experiments. We employed site-directed mutagenesis of CRP, guided by its three-dimensional structure, and identified a mutant H38R which, unlike wild-type CRP, did not activate complement in murine serum. Substitution of His38 with Arg in CRP did not affect the pentameric structure of CRP, did not affect the binding of CRP to pneumococci, and did not decrease the stability of CRP in mouse circulation. Employing a murine model of pneumococcal infection, we found that passively administered H38R CRP failed to protect mice against infection. Infected mice injected with H38R CRP showed no reduction in bacteremia and did not survive longer, as opposed to infected mice treated with wild-type CRP. Thus, the hypothesis that complement activation by phosphocholine-complexed CRP is an antipneumococcal effector function was supported. We can conclude now that complement activation by phosphocholine-complexed CRP is indeed essential for CRP-mediated protection of mice against pneumococcal infection.