Immunität und Infektion 

About: Immunität und Infektion is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Antigen & Antibody. Over the lifetime, 425 publications have been published receiving 2699 citations.

Monoclonal antibodies in diagnosis and therapy

Abstract: The value of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) produced against renal, bladder and prostate cancer antigens is demonstrated. These mAb allow a molecular classification of urological cancers as well as therapeutic approaches in cancer treatment. Anti-T-cell mAb can also be used in cellular rejection of kidney transplants.

Infections in diabetes mellitus

Abstract: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most frequent metabolic distortions predisposing for infectious diseases. Characteristic features of patients with diabetes mellitus are dysfunctions of professional phagocytes, in particular of polymorphonuclear leucocytes. Infections of skin and soft tissue in particular of the lower extremities, rhinocerebral mucormycosis, invasive external otitis and urinary tract infections are typically associated with diabetes mellitus. Frequently, a rapidly progressive infection requires urgent surgical intervention and parenteral antimicrobial therapy. Short-interval metabolic controls, improvement of metabolic functions, extended vaccination and strict hygiene measures are supportive to prevent infections or to reduce a complicated outcome of infections.

Mycobacteria in the environment

Abstract: Mycobacteria typically are free-living environmental saprophytes and strict pathogens such as M. tuberculosis and M. leprae, which do not proliferate in the inanimate environment form rare exceptions within the genus Mycobacterium. Many free-living mycobacteria such as M. avium and M. kansasii have been described as potential human pathogens and there is evidence that they are usually transmitted by inhalation, inoculation and ingestion from environmental sources. Soil, bogs, surface water, ground water and sea water have been described as natural habitats of environmental mycobacteria. In addition, artificial habitats such as tap water and sewage sludge are colonized by a considerable spectrum of mycobacterial species. Aquatic mycobacteria tend to colonize biofilms at air-water and solid-water interfaces and the latter seem to be an important proliferation site in oligotrophic habitats. Outside the host tissue M. chelonae ssp. abscessus, M. kansasii, M. simiae, and M. xenopi have so far almost exclusively been isolated from artificial oligotrophic aquatic habitats, i.e. tap water and drinking water; their natural reservoir is unknown. Some species have not yet been isolated from the environment although epidemiological data suggest that infections caused by these organisms are acquired from environmental sources.

[Cell transformation by viruses and the development of tumours (author's transl)].

Abstract: The history of tumour virology and some main points of recent experimentation are described. First, a definition of the term virus is presented. Subsequently, four main topics are discussed: The tumour virus and the integration of its nucleic acid; The mechanism of transformation; The genes of the tumour virus and their products; The importance of the genetic background of animals and cells for transformation and tumour development. The mutual influence of cell and virus genomes is in the focus of consideration. The particulare tumour virus, at least for limited periods of time, comes under the influence of the cell genome. The theories about tumour development by viruses and the possibility of prophylactic measures are described.