BACKGROUND Neutralizing antibodies (NAb) to interferon-beta (IFN-β) are associated with reduced bioactivity and efficacy of IFN-β in multiple sclerosis (MS). The myxovirus resistance protein A (MxA) gene expression is one of the most appropriate markers of biological activity of exogenous IFN-β. We hypothesized that therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) can restore the ability of IFN-β to induce th...

When blood plasma proteins are depleted by bleeding, with return of the washed red cells (plasmapheresis) it is possible to bring dogs to a steady state of hypoproteinemia and a uniform plasma protein production on a basal low protein diet. These dogs are clinically normal with normal appetite, no anemia and normal nitrogen metabolism. These dogs become test subjects by which various factors re...

BACKGROUND Plasmapheresis can be useful in myasthenia gravis, Guillain Barré syndrome and chronic demyelinating inflammatory polyradiculoneuritis. AIM To report our experience with plasmapheresis in patients with neurological diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS Retrospective review of plasmapheresis procedures done between 1995 and 2001, in a public hospital. Indications criteria, clinical resul...

IMPORTANCE Cryoglobulins are cold-precipitating immunoglobulins that occur secondary to lymphoproliferative disorders, chronic viral infections, and autoimmune disorders. The treatment of cryoglobulinemia should target the underlying disorder; however, such an approach may be difficult, and therapeutic options remain limited for type I cryoglobulinemia. OBSERVATIONS We report a case of recalc...

Chylomicronemia is a severe type of hypertriglyceridemia characterized by chylomicron accumulation that arises from a genetic defect in intravascular lipolysis. It requires urgent and proper management, because serious cases can be accompanied by pancreatic necrosis or persistent multiple organ failure. We present the case of a 1-month-old infant with chylomicronemia treated by plasmapheresis. ...

Title:Comparison of double filtration plasmapheresis with immunoadsorption therapy in patients with anti-glomerular basement membrane nephritis Title: Comparison of double filtration plasmapheresis with immunoadsorption therapy in patients with anti-glomerular basement membrane nephritis After reading through your manuscript, we feel that the quality of written English needs to be improved befo...

We present a case study of a 29-year-old male who presented with abdominal pain typical for pancreatitis. Detailed history and investigations revealed that the cause of abdominal pain was secondary to the raised triglyceride levels. It was difficult to distinguish whether he had hypertriglyceridemia-induced abdominal pain or acute pancreatitis, given that he had only a mildly raised lipase and ...

Thyrotoxicosis is a rare clinical syndrome resulting from an exacerbation of hyperthyroidism, with various etiology and triggering factors. Its approach may be accomplished by blocking the synthesis of hormones, their secretion and/or inhibition of their peripheral action, besides treating the triggering factors. However, in refractory cases, plasmapheresis appears as an important option for tr...

Two patients with severe generalised myasthenia gravis of childhood were successfully treated with immunoadsorption plasmapheresis. One patient was a 5 year old girl and the other was a 12 year old girl. A dramatic improvement in bulbar symptoms and generalised muscle weakness was achieved without any side effects. Plasma exchange may also yield clinical improvement for myasthenia gravis, but t...

UNLABELLED Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare, life-threatening disease of late pregnancy and early puerperium among previously healthy women. Management of this challenging disease is similar to other forms of systolic heart failure. Unfortunately, only 30% to 50% of patients recover completely. Among the remaining patients, continued poor ejection fraction indicates irreversible cardi...