Immunological Bases for Superior Survival of Females

Purtilo, David T.; Sullivan, John L.

doi:10.1001/archpedi.1979.02130120043008

Cited by 44 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…The finding of stronger space -time clustering amongst 'male : any' pairs may be consistent with an infectious aetiology since males are more susceptible to infections (Washburn et al, 1965;Purtilo and Sullivan, 1979). The association of space -time clustering with more densely populated areas is also consistent with a role for infections.…”

Section: Epidemiologymentioning

confidence: 88%

An infectious aetiology for childhood brain tumours? Evidence from space–time clustering and seasonality analyses

et al. 2002

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To investigate whether infections or other environmental exposures may be involved in the aetiology of childhood central nervous system tumours, we have analysed for space -time clustering and seasonality using population-based data from the North West of England for the period 1954 to 1998. Knox tests for space -time interactions between cases were applied with fixed thresholds of close in space, 55 km, and close in time, 51 year apart. Addresses at birth and diagnosis were used. Tests were repeated replacing geographical distance with distance to the Nth nearest neighbour. N was chosen such that the mean distance was 5 km. Data were also examined by a second order procedure based on K-functions. Tests for heterogeneity and Edwards' test for sinusoidal variation were applied to examine changes of incidence with month of birth or diagnosis. There was strong evidence of space -time clustering, particularly involving cases of astrocytoma and ependymoma. Analyses of seasonal variation showed excesses of cases born in the late Autumn or Winter. Results are consistent with a role for infections in a proportion of cases from these diagnostic groups. Further studies are needed to identify putative infectious agents. British Journal of Cancer (2002) In the developed world central nervous system (CNS) tumours are the second most common group of malignancies in children (Parkin et al, 1998). The aetiology of childhood CNS tumours is far from clear. Heritable syndromes are the only established causes, but these account for a minority of cases (Bondy et al, 1991). A number of statistically significant associations with certain exposures have been noted from case -control studies, including: consumption of cured meats/fish during pregnancy; insecticides/pesticides; farm residence; and electro-magnetic fields (Little, 1999). However, there is inconsistency between studies, and relative risks were all small.There has been much speculation about the role of certain viruses in human brain tumours (Barbanti-Brodano et al, 1997), but very few epidemiological studies have addressed the possibility of an infectious aetiology. If infections are involved in the aetiology of childhood brain tumours, the distribution of cases may be predicted to exhibit space -time clustering. Space -time clustering is said to occur when excess numbers of cases are observed within various small geographical locations, but only at limited points in time. The presence of seasonal variation would also provide evidence for an infectious aetiology. We have therefore examined incidence data from the Manchester Children's Tumour Registry (MCTR) for presence of space -time clustering and seasonal variation. This registry is population based with consistently high ascertainment and contains verified diagnostic data over a 45 year period (Birch, 1988). The aims of our study were to test predictions of space -time clustering and seasonal patterns which might arise as a result of infectious mechanisms and to distinguish between exposures around the times of birth ...

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Section: Epidemiologymentioning

confidence: 88%

An infectious aetiology for childhood brain tumours? Evidence from space–time clustering and seasonality analyses

et al. 2002

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“…H7 infection is related to difference in host response. It has been appreciated for some time that the immunoregulatory genes on the X-chromosome confer both an advantage for females in combating infection [29,30], and a disadvantage in predisposing them to autoimmune disease [31]. Girls have higher concentrations of specific antibodies to E. coli antigens than boys [32,33]; IgM concentrations in females exceed those in males by a factor of 30 % [34], and serum IgM concentrations correlate with the number of X chromosomes [35].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Haemolytic anaemia after childhoodEscherichia coliO 157.H7 infection: are females at increased risk?

et al. 1991

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SUMMARYWe conducted a 4-year retrospective cohort study to better define the risk of haemolytic anaemia and haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) in children following sporadic gastrointestinal infection with the 0 157. H7 serotype of Escherichia coli. Of the 72 children infected with this organism, 9 (12 5 %) developed haemolytic anaemia, 6 of whom had HUS. No child in a cohort of 72 age-matched controls with Campylobacter jejuni gastroenteritis developed haemolytic anaemia (P = 0 003). Females had a significantly greater risk of developing haemolytic anaemia after E. coli 0 157. H7 infection than did males (8/29 females v. 1/43 males; P = 0003). In a logistic regression model, female gender emerged as the only statistically significant risk factor for haemolytic anaemia (odds ratio 3-85; 95% confidence interval 124-12). These results are consistent with recent reports of a moderate increase in the risk of HUS for females.

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“…Thus, males are clearly at a heightened risk to inherit mutated genes central to thwarting infectious agents. This led to the concept that there exists an immunologic basis for the superior survival of females (43).…”

Section: The X Chromosome and Immunodeficiencymentioning

confidence: 99%