Purpose. To describe the presence of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI), a
cationic peptide with antimicrobial and antiprotease activity in the innate immune
reaction in a rat model of Staphylococcus aureus keratitis.
Methods. Forty female Lewis rats were divided into 2 groups: the infectious keratitis and
the epithelial defect groups. Eyes were processed for immunohistochemical studies for
SLPI, interleukin-1, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and matrix
metalloproteinase-8.
Results. Immunohistochemical studies confirmed high levels of SLPI, IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α,
and MMP-8 expression in eyes with S. aureus keratitis and with epithelial defects, in
contrast to undetectable SLPI expression in the normal control corneas.
Conclusions. To our knowledge, this paper is the first to demonstrate the presence of
SLPI with increased amounts of proinflammatory cytokines in inflamed and infected
corneas.
Primary immunodeficiencies (PID) are low-prevalence diseases. There are warning signs that may raise clinical suspicion. The objectives of this study were to describe the clinical characteristics and warning signs of patients with PID and to compare the clinical differences between selective immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency and other PIDs. Eighty-nine patients were studied; their median age at the time of diagnosis was 6 years old (4.08-11.67). Fifty-three (59.5%) patients were male. Fifty-four (60.7%) patients had selective IgA deficiency, and 35 (39.3%) had other PIDs. The main clinical manifestations were rhinopharyngitis in 65 (73.03%) patients and atopy in 39 (43.82%). Twenty- four (26.97%) patients showed warning signs, and none had selective IgA deficiency. Patients with other PIDs had a higher incidence of lower respiratory tract infection, sepsis, skin infections, mucocutaneous candidiasis, dental alterations, cardiovascular malformations, angioedema, hospitalizations and death. Ten (28.57%) patients received intravenous gammaglobulin, 15 (42.85%) antibiotic prophylaxis, and 2 (2.24%) antifungal prophylaxis.
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