Pox protection May 28, 2008
A natural infection leads to immunity for life in almost all immunocompetent people. Newborn babies of immune mothers are protected by passive immunity, from maternal antibodies, in the first few months of life. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- News)
New Tuberculosis Blood Test Spots Hidden Infection Mar 17, 2007
"Approximately 5 to 15 percent of immunocompetent persons with latent TB infection will develop TB disease.". The researchers studied 785 supermarket customers who'd been in contact with a TB-infected supermarket employee who'd been contagious since February 2004. (MEDLINEplus)
MHC-matched parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells created Dec 22, 2006
Researchers have created major histocompatible complex (MHC)-matched parthenogenetic embryonic stem (pES) cells in mice that successfully engraft in an immunocompetent system, according to a in Science ... The protein analyses of tissues provided what Cibelli considers to be "proof of the principle that pES cells can be suitable transplant material." Teratoma tumor formation, which indicates an acceptance of the transplant, appeared in 100% of the immunocompetent mice. (The Scientist)
Diagnosis of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Dec 22, 2006
Methods In a multicenter trial, we randomly assigned immunocompetent adults who were receiving mechanical ventilation and who had suspected ventilator-associated pneumonia after 4 days in the intensive care unit (ICU) to undergo either bronchoalveolar lavage with quantitative culture of the bronchoalveolar-lavage fluid or endotracheal aspiration with nonquantitative culture of the aspirate. Patients known to be colonized or infected with pseudomonas species or methicillin-resistant... (New England Journal of Medicine)
Stelic Discovers New Treatment Method for Acute Liver Failure Oct 27, 2006
Each receptor is uniquely expressed on a specific cell, and migration and adhesion to a specific site on an immunocompetent cell is regulated by chemokines and chemokine receptors. 2. (JCN Network, Japan)
New Blood Tests Aid Detection Of Latent Tuberculosis Oct 12, 2006
"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended that the QuantiFERON-TB Gold test can generally be substituted for the tuberculin skin test. I agree with this recommendation except that I favor continued use of the tuberculin skin test in populations with depressed cell-mediated immune responses. In Europe, when both gamma-based tests are available, I believe that the T-SPOT.TB test should be used for persons in whom cell-mediated immunity may be depressed. For immunocompetent... (Science Daily)
