Immune

Objectives: This study examined the relationship between psychological distress, subjective sleep disturbance and immune status among HIV-positive men and women. Methods: Fifty-seven participants (41 men, 16 women) without AIDS-related illness and currently on combination antiretroviral therapy were recruited through community advertisement and physician referral. Participants completed the Impact of Events Scale (IES) to assess symptoms of psychological distress and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to assess quality of sleep over the past month. T-lymphocyte subpopulations were also assessed from early morning blood samples. Results: Participants reporting greater psychological distress also reported more pronounced sleep disruption. Higher levels of distress and greater sleep disturbance were also significantly related to lower T-cytotoxic/suppressor (CD3+CD8+) cell counts. Path analysis revealed that the association between distress level and CD3+CD8+ cell counts was mediated by poorer subjective sleep quality. Conclusions: These findings suggest that psychological distress may impact upon the immune system through its effects on sleep quality.

“Refractory” autoimmune thrombocytopenia represents a life-threatening condition, having failed to respond to a variety of therapeutic measures. We report a series of cases, all failing splenectomy and multiple therapeutic programs, including, in two patients, marrow transplant. Five of the six cases reported responded to a recombinant antibody to the lymphocyte membrane antigen CD20 (rituximab), an agent commonly employed in the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Our experiences over a period of 4 years are documented. The results support the use of this product, rituximab, in the treatment of patients with autoimmune thrombocytopenia who have not attained a hemostatically effective platelet count following splenectomy and require a continuing therapeutic management program. Am. J. Hematol. 74:263–267, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

BACKGROUND: Vaccines have virtually eliminated many diseases, but public concerns about their safety could undermine future public health initiatives. OBJECTIVE: To determine Canadians' attitudes and knowledge about vaccines, particularly in view of increasing public concern about bioterrorism and the possible need for emergency immunizations after weaponized anthrax incidents and the events of September 11, 2001. METHOD: A 20-question survey based on well-researched dimensions of vaccine responsiveness was telephone-administered to a random sample of N = 1330 adult Canadians in January, 2002. RESULTS: 1057 (79.5%) completed the survey. Respondents perceived vaccines to be highly effective and demonstrated considerable support for further vaccine research. However, results also indicate a lack of knowledge about vaccines and uncertainty regarding the safety. CONCLUSIONS: Support for vaccines is broad but shallow. While Canadians hold generally positive attitudes about vaccines, ...

Several approaches have been explored to eradicate HIV; however, a multigene vaccine appears to be the best option, given their proven potential to elicit broad, effective responses in animal models. The Pr55Gag protein is an excellent vaccine candidate in its own right, given that it can assemble into large, enveloped, virus-like particles (VLPs) which are highly immunogenic, and can moreover