Untitled - D Ank Unlimited

PMN 579 POEMS syndrome
PMN
Abbreviation for polymorphonuclear leukocyte.
PM-Scl autoantibodies
Autoantibodies that react with nucleoli and with a complex
of 16 (2- to 110-kDa) proteins. They are detected in subjects
with homogeneous overlap connective tissue disease
marked by Raynaud’s phenomenon, scleroderma, myositis,
arthritis, and pulmonary restriction. These autoantibodies
are closely linked to the major histocompatibility complex
(MHC) class II antigen, HLA-DR; PM-Scl autoantibodies
represent a good prognostic sign.
pneumococcal 7 valent conjugate vaccine
A pneumococcal vaccine employed to actively immunize
infants and small children. The immunizing preparation
is composed of antigens derived from seven capsular serotypes
of Streptococcus pneumoniae.
pneumococcal polysaccharide
A polysaccharide found in the Streptococcus pneumoniae
capsule that is a type-specific antigen and virulence factor.
Serotypes of this microorganism are based upon different
specificities in the capsular polysaccharide composed of
oligosaccharide repeating units. Glucose and glucuronic
acid are the repeating units in type III polysaccharide.
pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine
A 23-valent vaccine containing capsular polysaccharides
of Streptococcus pneumoniae. It counters 85 to 90% of
the serotypes causing invasive pneumococcal infections.
Elderly, immunocompromised, and chronically ill persons
are advised to receive the vaccine every 3 years.
pneumococcal vaccine polyvalent (injection)
For vaccination against pneumococcal disease caused by
pneumococcal types included in the vaccine. It does not
prevent disease caused by capsular types of pneumococcus
other than those contained in the vaccine. Purified pneumococcal
capsular polysaccharides induce synthesis of an
antibody effective in prevention of pneumococcal disease.
Clinical trials have proven the immunogenicity of each of
the 23 capsular types when tested in polyvalent vaccines.
Investigations employing 12-, 14-, and 23-valent pneumococcal
vaccines in children 2 years of age and older
and adults of all ages revealed immunogenic responses.
Protective capsular type-specific antibody usually appears
by 3 weeks following vaccination. Antibodies induced by
bacterial capsular polysaccharides are mainly by T cellindependent
mechanisms. Therefore, responses are generally
poor in children below 2 years of age whose immune
systems have not yet reached maturity.
pneumococcal 7-valent conjugate vaccine
(diphtheria CRM 197 protein, injection)
A sterile solution of saccharides of the capsular antigens of
Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C,
19F, and 23F individually conjugated to diphtheria CRM 197
protein. The polysaccharides are activated chemically to yield
saccharides that are directly conjugated to the protein carrier
CRM 197 to form the glycoconjugate by reductive amination.
CRM 197 is a nontoxic variant of diphtheria toxin prepared from
Corynebacterium diphtheriae strain C7 (β197) cultures grown
in a casamino acid and yeast extract-base medium.
Pneumocystis jiroveci (formerly carinii)
A fungus that infects immunocompromised subjects such
as transplant recipients, patients with AIDS, lymphoma,
or leukemia, and other immunosuppressed individuals. It
Pneumocystis jiroveci, formerly Pneumocystis carinii.
is diagnosed in tissue sections stained with the Gomori–
methenamine silver stain. A mannose receptor facilitates
uptake of the organism by macrophages. Approximately half
of those hospitalized with a first infection by Pneumocystis
jiroveci pneumonia die. The organism has two major forms
(trophozoite and cyst). The trophic form is the smaller (1 to 4
μm), pleomorphic, and present in clusters. The cyst stage is
larger (5 to 8 μm) and contains as many as eight intracystic
bodies. The two groups of P. jiroveci antigens include a large
surface complex, designated major surface glycoprotein
(MSG), gpA, or gp120, with a molecular weight of 95 to 140
kDa found in organisms derived from human subjects. MSG
facilitates the interaction of the microorganisms and host.
The other major antigen complex is a glycoprotein of 35 to 45
kDa in human P. jiroveci.
PNH
Abbreviation for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.
PNH cells
Red blood cells of patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.
At weakly acid pH, PNH cells disrupt spontaneously.
The ability of complement to lyse these cells is much
more pronounced than its action on normal erythrocytes subjected
to conditions that promote their lysis by complement.
P nucleotides
Palindromic or P nucleotides are short inverted repeat
nucleotide sequences in V–D–J junctions of rearranged
immunoglobulin and T cell receptor genes. They are generated
from a hairpin intermediate during recombination
and contribute to junctional diversity of antigen receptors.
Nicking hairpin loop-joining gene segments undergoing
V(D)J recombination in the intervening DNA instead of at
the precise ends of the coding sequences, a recessed strand
end and an overhang are formed. The nucleotides that fill in
the spaces on both strands are known as P nucleotides.
POEMS
Abbreviation for polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy,
monoclonal gammopathy, and skin alterations;
refer to POEMS syndrome.
POEMS syndrome
A condition that manifests polyneuropathy, organomegaly,
endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, and skin alterations.
It occurs on a background of sclerosing myeloma,
Castleman’s disease, and occasionally other lymphoproliferative
disorders. The neuropathy is initially distal, symmetrical,
mixed, demyelinating, and axonal and involves both
motor and sensory fibers. It is progressive and ultimately
fatal unless treated. The myeloma is always of the immunoglobulin
G (IgG) or IgA type and almost always γ. Elevated
cytokine levels may account for many of the symptoms
P