The non-specific and specific cellular immune responses in vitro were investigated in 26 patients infected with Leishmania braziliensis guyanensis and compared with those of 12 healthy donors. An absence of marked suppression of lymphocyte proliferation in vitro to Con A, PHA and PWM mitogens, and a high variability in the cellular responsiveness to Leishmania antigens were detected in the infected patient group. The occurrence of relapses seemed to be associated with a lower lymphocyte transformation assay and a high number of lesions. The influence of delayed type hypersensitivity responses on the pattern of infection is considered.
An assessment of the Gram, the Methylene blue, and the Ziehl‐Neelsen procedures in diagnosing Pneumocystis carinii has been performed. By using heat and methanol as fixatives and phase‐contrast microscopy we found the procedures valuable in detecting the pneumocysts, especially in the Gram staining. The diagnosis should, however, be confirmed by a re‐staining with a specific staining, viz. the toluidine blue 0 or the silver impregnation a.m. Gomori‐Grocott. It is additionally shown that the staining a.m. Gomori‐Grocott is dependent on the density of the preparation.
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