bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An epidemic of influenza in the population of niue
Authors: Nemaia H. , Tukuitonga C. , Kennett M. , White J. , Rodger S. , Gust I. , Taylor R. , Levy S.
Published: March 2007

An epidemic of influenza A occurred in the Niue population during May‐June 1983. The infection was introduced by two index cases returning from New Zealand to the village of Makefu. The epidemic started in this village and then spread rapidly around the island. The incidence of infection was calculated to be 41 per 100 population based on 1981 census figures.

There was no predilection for the infection to affect any particular age bracket, although the elderly were over‐represented amongst the hospital admissions because of greater severity of illness in this age group. Two deaths occurred, and 3.4% of cases received treatment in hospital.

Apart from generalised symptoms (fever, body pain, and headache), respiratory symptoms, particularly cough, were prominent. Gastrointestinal symptoms were reported in a minority. The average duration of illness was 6 days.

Virology results indicated that the epidemic was due to influenza A/Bangkok/ 1/79(H3N3). Paired serological studies also revealed five cases of dengue fever.

Previous records reveal that epidemics of influenza are a frequent occurrence in Niue, although not a major cause of mortality since the 1950s.

It is suggested that early treatment of complications is the most important measure to decrease the impact of influenza and that measures such as isolation of cases, restriction of population movement and quarantine of incoming cases may be useful to prevent the propagation of epidemics in a small and isolated population.
Diagnosis of parainfluenza virus infection in children and older patients by detection of specific IgM antibody
Authors: Van Der Logt J. T. M. , van Loon A. M. , Heessen F. W. A. , van der Veen J.
Published: March 2007

The significance of detecting specific antibody of the IgM class for the diagnosis of parainfluenza infections was examined. Paired sera from 763 children and adults admitted to the hospital for acute respiratory disease were tested for significant antibody titer rises in the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test and for specific IgM antibody with the hemadsorption immunosorbent techniques (HIT). Sera were collected during two 6‐month periods, January through June, 1982 and 1983.

Evidence of parainfluenza infections was found in 122 patients (16%): 83 (25%) in 1982 and 39 (9.1%) in 1983. The HIT was superior to the HI test for detection of parainfluenza infection, in particular in infants and aged patients, 94 patients were positive only in the HIT test, 12 in the HI test, and 16 in both tests.

In a control group of 120 persons (time‐and age‐matched to the patients of 1982) admitted for nonrespiratory illness, six (5%) showed parainfluenza IgM in their serum. Blocking experiments and retrospective clinical information indicated that the IgM antibody detected in these individuals is specific IgM acquired after a mild parainfluenza infection.

Most (66%) patients showed IgM antibody titer rises or high titers (> 1,280) in both sera, and in 23%, a fall in IgM antibody titer was found. Detection of specific IgM antibody by HIT permitted early presumptive diagnosis in 71% of the patients with parainfluenza infection. IgM antibody persisted for 2–11 weeks. The HIT appears to be an important supplement for the diagnosis of parainfluenza infections.
Intrathecal synthesis of IgG antibodies to varicella‐zoster virus in two cases of acute aseptic meningitis syndrome with no cutaneous lesions
Authors: Martínez‐Martín Pablo , García‐Sáiz Alfredo , Rapún José L. , Echevarría José M.
Published: March 2007

IgG antibodies to varicella‐zoster virus (VZV) were detected by indirect enzymeimmunoassay (EIA) in CSF of two patients with acute aseptic meningitis syndrome (AAMS) not associated with evident cutaneous lesion or recent history of zoster infection. Their characteristic features and serological data are compared with those observed in two patients with AAMS and zoster cutaneous lesions, and in 13 patients with AAMS of unknown or other etiology. According to several indexes applied to assess the origin of the detected antibodies, it is concluded that VZV IgG antibodies are of intrathecal production. The possible etiologic relationship between the neurological syndrome and the detection of VZV antibodies in CSF is discussed. Routine serological procedures are proposed for the diagnosis of CNS acute infections of probable viral etiology that should provide additional data on these rarely described cases.
Lack of oral HSV‐2 in a college student population
Authors: Docherty J. J. , Trimble J. J. , Roman S. R. , Faulkner S. C. , Naugle F. P. , Mundon F. K. , Zimmerman D. H.
Published: March 2007

A population of individuals with a high incidence of genital herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV‐1), due most likely to oro‐genital contact, was examined to determine the incidence of oral herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV‐2) infection. Herpes simplex virus was isolated from the oral cavity of 43 college students whose symptoms ranged from singular lesions of the lips with minimal discomfort to severe oral disease with systemic involvement resulting in lymphadenopathy, chills, sweat, myalgia, and fever. The virus isolated from each case was identified by serum neutralization and typed as HSV‐1 or HSV‐2 using (E)‐5‐(2‐bromovinyl)‐2′‐deoxyuridine (BVDU) sensitivity, monoclonal antibody immunofluorescence, and restriction endonuclease EcoRI digestion of viral DNA. In every instance the isolate was HSV‐1. Additional identification and typing of head and neck isolates as well as oral samples from nonuniversity patients demonstrated that all were also HSV‐1. Therefore, while HSV‐1 appears to be readily transmitted to the genitalia in this group of individuals, the transmission of HSV‐2 to the oral cavity may not be as common, even though clinical histories revealed that several of these patients were engaging in oro‐genital contact.
Serological diagnosis of influenza A/USSR/77 H1N1 infection: Value of ELISA compared to other antibody techniques
Authors: Van Voris Lee P. , Betts Robert F. , Menegus Marilyn A. , Murphy Brian R. , Roth Frieda K. , Douglas R. Gordon
Published: March 2007

Serologic diagnosis of influenza is an important but imperfect tool. During an outbreak of natural H1N1 A/USSR/77 infection, volunteers who received either amantadine, rimantadine, or placebo were tested to determine serologic response to infection by four different antibody techniques. Hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) and complement fixation (CF) were least sensitive, detecting only about half of the virus‐positive subjects, whereas neutralization detected 81 % and enzyme‐linked immune peroxidase (ELISA) detected 95 %. Failure to detect significant antibody response was associated with a higher titer of antibody in acute serum specimens and with a history of receipt of A/New Jersey/76 Hsw1N1 vaccine. Although antibody response measured by ELISA was of lower magnitude in vaccinees, it still was sufficient to be diagnostic. Thus, in situations where there is no access to viral isolation facilities, ELISA antibody techniques appear to be an excellent measure of assessing the rate of influenza infection.
Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay for detection of enteric adenovirus 41
Authors: Johansson Mats E , Uhnoo Ingrid , Svensson Lennart , Pettersson Carl‐Axel , Wadell Göran
Published: March 2007

An enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for direct detection of enteric adenovirus 41 (Ad41) in stool specimens was developed and compared with an Ad40‐specific ELISA described previously [Johansson et al, 1980]. Rabbit antiserum to Ad41 was obtained by immunization with purified virions. To eliminate genus‐specific reactivity the serum was passed through an immunosorbent column containing soluble adenovirus components of members of subgenera A to E. The anti‐Ad41 serum still displayed high reactivity against Ad40 and had to be immunoabsorbed with soluble virus components of Ad40 to be rendered type‐specific. The absorbed antiserum was used in an indirect ELISA and proved to be specific for Ad41. No heterotypic reactivity against Ad40 or Ad1 through Ad35 was found. The Ad41‐specific ELISA proved to be of equal sensitivity to electron microscopy. The type‐specific ELISAs for Ad40 and Ad41 were evaluated by testing 76 stool specimens containing enteric adenoviruses originating from England and Scandinavia. All specimens could be typed‐41 (54%) as Ad40 and 35 (46%) as Ad41. These results were confirmed by DNA restriction site analysis.

The type‐specific ELISA proved to be a specific, sensitive, and a rapid technique for detection of Ad41 and allowed clear‐cut discrimination from Ad40 in clinical specimens.
Hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) in serum of patients with chronic hepatitis B detected by a modified radioimmunoassay
Authors: Chemello L. , Pontisso P. , Fattovich G. , Schiavon E. , Alberti A. , Realdi G.
Published: March 2007

Serum hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) was investigated in 85 patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection using a modified radioimmunoassay technique, based on high molarity treatment of samples to avoid masking of the antigen by the excess homologous antibody. Eighty‐eight percent of HBeAg‐positive cases and 19% of anti‐HBe‐positive cases were HBcAg positive in serum, with a positive correlation with the presence of HBcAg in the liver. Although the sensitivity of the method for the presence of complete virions was not absolute, as shown by the comparison with serum HBV‐DNA testing, this technique may be helpful for assessing virus synthesis in patients with HBV infection.
State of hepatitis B virus DNA in leucocytes of hepatitis B patients
Authors: Gu Jian‐Ren , Chen Yuan‐Ching , Jiang Hui‐Qiu , Zhang Yu‐Lian , Wu Shan‐Ming , Jiang Wei‐Lun , Jian Jia
Published: March 2007

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in leucocytes from 50 hepatitis patients with various patterns of HBV serological markers and serum HBV DNA and 13 normal controls were examined by Southern blot hybridization with 32P‐labeled 3.2 Kb HBV DNA. A free form of HBV DNA was observed in leucocytes of 8 patients, 7 of whom were positive for serum HBeAg, and in 6 patients an integrated form of HBV DNA was identified. HBV DNA was not identified in leucocytes from 13 normal controls.

The free form of HBV DNA in leucocytes existed as a heterogenous smear from 2.0 to 3.2 Kb, similar to the pattern in liver and hepatocellular carcinoma cells but different from serum HBV DNA in which the 3.2 Kb band was absent. The banding pattern of the integrated form of HBV DNA in leucocytes varied among different patients. During preparation of white blood cells and purification of HBV DNA probes, it was important to remove plasma contamination and traces of pBR322, respectively. The presence of extrachromosomal DNA sequences partially homologous to pBR322 could cause false results.

The presence of a free and integrated form of HBV DNA in leucocytes is important for explaining the biology of HBV, the harbouring and replication sites of extrahepatic origin, the mechanism of recurrent infection, and the rationale of the treatment of hepatitis B.
Cellular reactivity to respiratory syncytial virus in human colostrum and breast milk
Authors: Scott R. , Scott M. , Toms G. L.
Published: March 2007

Colostrum and breast‐milk samples were taken from 23 mothers between 2 days and 7 weeks postpartum and were examined for the presence of cellular reactivity to respiratory syncytial (RS) virus using a lymphocyte transformation assay. Positive responses were detected in nine of the 23 (39%) samples taken at 2–5 days postpartum, but this reactivity was undetectable at 3 weeks. Positive responses developed in a further three mothers during the 3–7‐week period of lactation, suggesting a response to virus infection. Colostral whey was found to suppress the cellular response to RS virus and inhibition was related to the level of specific IgA antibody to RS virus present in the whey. The role of colostral cellular reactivity in protection of breast‐fed infants from RS virus bronchiolitis is discussed.
Respiratory syncytial virus infection in immunosuppressed animals: Implications in human infection
Authors: Wong David T. , Rosenband Michael , Hovey Karen , Ogra Pearay L.
Published: March 2007

Neonatal cotton rats were treated with cyclophosphamide parenterally for three weeks before intranasal inoculation of live respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Immunosuppressive therapy resulted in severe depletion of lymphocytes from the peripheral circulation, the spleen, and the thymus. In contrast to normal rats, immunosuppressed animals developed severe pulmonary pathology with marked infiltration of foamy macrophages. Persistent degeneration and regeneration of bronchial epithelial cells were also observed, in which RSV antigens could be demonstrated by the immunoperoxidase technique. In addition, large quantities of live virus were recovered from the respiratory tract of these animals for as long as six weeks after infection. Systematic dissemination of RSV, which has never been documented in immunocompetent control rats, was found in four of the cyclophosphamide‐treated animals. These results support clinical observations that cellular immunity may be very important in the pathogenesis of RSV infection in the human host.
Detection of respiratory syncytial virus in nasopharyngeal secretions by a biotin‐avidin ELISA more sensitive than the fluorescent antibody technique
Authors: Hornsleth Allan , Friis Birgitte , Krasilnikof Peter Andreas
Published: March 2007

The presence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was investigated by immunofluorescent antibody (IF) technique and by a biotin/avidin (BA) ELISA in 156 samples of nasopharyngeal secretions (NPS) obtained from infants and small children with acute respiratory disease. Of 70 RSV‐IF‐positive NPS, 68 were positive by BA‐ELISA. Of 86 RSV‐IF‐negative NPS, eight were positive by BA‐ELISA. BA‐ELISA could detect 0.5–1.0 ng RSV‐protein.
Multicenter trial on the efficacy of HBIG and vaccine in preventing perinatal hepatitis B. Final report
Authors: Zanetti A. R. , Dentico P. , Del Vecchio Blanco C. , Sagnelli E. , Villa E. , Ferroni P. , Bergamini F.
Published: March 2007

In an attempt to interrupt perinatal transmission of hepatitis B, 92 infants born to HBsAg carrier mothers (49 to HBeAg‐positive mothers, 30 to anti‐HBe‐positive with abnormally elevated ALT levels, and 13 to HBeAg/anti‐HBe‐negative mothers) received 0.5 ml/kg BW of HBIG at birth and at 1 month of age. Three IM injections of hepatitis B vaccine were given at 3, 4, and 9 months of life. All babies who were given the three doses of vaccine developed an active anti‐HBs response: of these, 53 (62.3%) had antibody titers higher than 1,000 mIU/ml, 29 (34.2%) had levels between 100 and 1,000 mIU/ml, and the other three (3.5%) were below 100 mIU/ml. At the end of the 2‐year follow‐up, these three poor responders became anti‐HBs negative, whereas the others still had antibody.

All but three babies were protected by HBIG plus vaccine treatment. Two chronic HBV infections occurred within 6 months of life presumably because the babies were already infected when prophylaxis started. The third baby became an HBsAg carrier at 9 months of age in spite of a previous response to the vaccine. Simultaneous presence of HBsAg of y specificity and anti‐HBs (anti‐a) was still detectable at 24 months of age. The vaccine was well tolerated. Passive plus active immunization is an effective procedure for preventing perinatally transmitted HBV infection.
An outbreak of epidemic diarrhoea in adults caused by a new rotavirus in anhui province of China in the summer of 1983
Authors: Chengqin Su , Yilun Wu , Hongkai Shen , Daibao Wang , Yunhua Chen , Dogmin Wu , Lina He , Zaolun Yang
Published: March 2007

Shexian County of Anhui Province in East China experienced a severe outbreak of nonbacterial diarrhoea in May and June of 1983. Over 20,0000 cases were reported. Most were adults of 20 to 50 years old. The isolated virus was morphologically indistinguishable from ordinary infantile rotavirus, but CF and ELISA tests showed that the new virus lacked the common group‐A antigen shared by ordinary rotavirus. Nine of 10 convalescent‐phase and three paired sera of patients showed antibody positive, with a greater than four‐fold antibody rise against new rotavirus in the CF test. Seventeen faecal samples from patients showed identical, and special, electropherotype. They all had a double‐stranded RNA with 11 discrete segments. The RNA profiles were quite different from those of reference rotavirus Wa strain and ordinary infantile rotaviruses. Third and 4th segments were near to each other, 5th and 6th segments were very close, but 7th, 8th, and 9th segments were widely separated. This study indicates the new virus can be identified as part of a new group of rotaviruses. This new rotavirus has been incriminated as the causative agent of the epidemic.
Routine use of μ‐antibody‐capture elisa for the serological diagnosis of coxsackie b virus infections
Authors: McCartney R.A. , Banatvala J.E. , Bell Eleanor J.
Published: March 2007

The role of coxsackie B viruses (CBV) in myo/pericarditis has been well documented; however, interpretation of static high neutralising antibody titres in individual patients has always been difficult. In introducing the m̈‐antibody capture ELISA test for the detection of CBV‐specific IgM, we hoped to overcome this problem. A regimen for the routine serological diagnosis of CBV infections was introduced, using the CBV IgM ELISA as a screening test, followed by neutralization tests (NT) to confirm the positive results. Seven hundred and sixty patients and 304 healthy adult controls were tested. The percentage CBV IgM positive in each of the clinical categories myo/pericarditis (33%) chest pain (22%), myalgic encephalomyelitis (3 1 %), myalgia/Bornholm (19 %) and controls (9%) was similar to those found in previous studies using NT alone. Cross‐reactions with other enteroviruses, including hepatitis A (Enterovirus 72), were observed but did not prove to be a problem in the illnesses studied, since most involved adults. Both homotypic and heterotypic CBV IgM responses were found. Matching IgM and NT indicated a recent CBV infection. Positive IgM with negative NT titres suggested a recent infection with an enterovirus other than a CBV.
Response to a hepatitis b polypeptide vaccine in micelle form in a young adult population
Authors: Blaine Hollinger F. , Troisi Catherine , Heiberg Dorothy , Sanchez Yanuario , Dreesman Gordon R. , Meinick Joseph L.
Published: March 2007

Polypeptide micelles with relative molecular weights of 25,000 (p25) and 30,000 (gp30) daltons were prepared from native 22‐nm hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) particles. This p25/gp30 complex was alum‐adsorbed, and three dosage levels (20 m̈g, 4 m̈g, and 0.8 m̈g) were administered at 0, 1, and 6 months to 51 human volunteers. Local and systemic reactions were clinically insignificant, and all vaccinees seroconverted, regardless of dose. As anticipated, antibody responses diminished as the dosage was reduced. Seroconversion rates and geometric mean antibody levels for the 20 m̈g dosage group were significantly better than those observed with a commercial vaccine and were comparable to those achieved after immunization with 40 m̈g of the intact 22‐nm particles used to prepare the polypeptides. By 2 weeks, an anti‐HBs response was elicited in 80% of the group receiving 20 m̈g of the polypeptide vaccine. This rapid response to immunization may be particularly beneficial for postexposure prophylaxis where the early development of immunity is advantageous.
Humoral immune response in hereditary and overt diabetes mellitus
Authors: Montgomery Louise B. , Loria Roger M.
Published: March 2007

The inbred diabetic mutant mouse, C57BL/KsJ db+/db+ (db+/db+), spontaneously develops diabetes mellitus when allowed food ad libitum. However, restriction of food intake prevents the expression of this genetic predisposition for diabetes. This experimental design has been used previously to demonstrate a deficient neutralizing antibody response to coxsackievirus B4 (CB4) in mutants with the genetic predisposition only.

These observations demonstrate that in the genetically predisposed diabetic mutant, deficient humoral immunity extends further to a general impairment in both total IgM and IgG production after CB4 infection. Furthermore, these mice are unable to produce a virus‐specific IgG response but do show a high level of nonspecific antibody suggesting a polyclonal activation following CB4 challenge.

In addition, we observed an increase in the number of spleen IgM antibody‐forming cells to sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) in the overtly diabetic animal following CB4 infection with little change apparent in the genetically predisposed animal after infection. These results were identical to the changes seen in total spleen cell numbers. Our animal model provides an opportunity to distinguish between the genetic predisposition to diabetes and the overt disease and suggests that some of the immune impairment found prior to diabetes onset may be partially diminished afterwards.
Simultaneous administration of hepatitis B and yellow fever vaccines
Authors: Yvonnet B. , Coursaget P. , Deubel V. , Diop‐Mar I. , Digoutte J. P. , Chiron J. P.
Published: March 2007

In most developing countries, hepatitis B prevention is carried out early in life. In these countries, mobile immunization teams have a limited number of sessions to devote to each rural community; simultaneous administration of multiple antigens is thus normal practice. We compared the immune responses of Senegalese children to the separate or simultaneous injections of yellow fever and hepatitis B vaccines. Injections were given at the time of booster injection for hepatitis B vaccine. Yellow fever antibodies were detected in similar proportions in infants immunized with either yellow fever vaccine alone or yellow fever and hepatitis B vaccines simultaneously. However, a lower proportion of high yellow fever antibody levels were observed when the two vaccines were injected simultaneously. No reduction in the anamnestic response of antibodies against the surface antigen of hepatitis B virus (anti‐HBs) was observed when yellow fever vaccine was injected at the same time as the booster dose of hepatitis B vaccine. Since no untoward reactions were noted, it is concluded that hepatitis B and yellow fever vaccines can be administered at the same time.
Isolation of variants of lymphocytopathic retroviruses from the peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with ARC or AIDS
Authors: Rübsamen‐Waigmann H. , Becker W. B. , Helm E. B. , Brodt R. , Fischer H. , Henco K. , Brede H. D.
Published: March 2007

LAV/HTLV‐III/AAV viruses were isolated from 20 German patients with ARC/ AIDS in order to investigate strain variation. Virus was isolated from the peripheral blood and/or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in umbilical cord peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) cultures. Isolates were identified by their cytopathic effect (CPE), by reverse transcriptase assays on cell‐free infected culture supernatant fluid (SNF), and one or more of the following: immunofluorescence assays on infected cells for viral antigen using HTLV‐I11 reference sera, Western blot analysis of cell‐free infected culture SNF, electron microscopy of infected cells, and Southern blot restriction analysis and specific HTLV‐I11 probing of DNA extracted from infected cultured PBL. The isolates could be classified into three groups according to differences in growth rate and cytopathic effect: Most showed what was regarded as the typical CPE, while some either grew rapidly and induced a striking CPE and others grew slowly with minimal CPE. In one patient, virus producing typical CPE was isolated from the peripheral blood while the isolate from his filtered cell‐free CSF produced atypical slow CPE, suggesting that antigenic variation may occur with persistent infection or that superinfection may occur. Southern blot DNA restriction analysis of the DNA of three selected isolates showed that two of the isolates were similar but that the restriction pattern of all three differed from patterns previously published. Our results supplement the accumulating evidence of genetic variation among LAV/HTLV‐I11 strains. The extent of this variation needs to be evaluated for any effect on the sensitivity of diagnostic tests, on the strategy of vaccine development, on tissue tropism by altering the viral surface receptor‐binding sites, and possibly on the development of specific chemotherapy.
Detection of IgM antibodies against rubella virus: Comparison of two indirect ellsas and an anti‐IgM capture immunoassay
Authors: Enders Gisela , Knotek Frank
Published: March 2007

A commercial antibody capture enzyme immunoassay (Rubenz M) was compared to two commercial indirect enzyme immunoassays (Enzygnost IgM, Rubazyme‐M) for the detection of rubella‐specific IgM. Five hundred and fifty‐two sera collected between the day of onset and 272 days after the onset of the exanthem of primary rubella were tested. Rubenz M was more sensitive early and late after the onset of the exanthem than the two indirect ELISAs. Rubenz M also appeared more sensitive when 240 sera were examined from patients with possible rubella in pregnancy, reinfection in pregnancy, suspected intrauterine infection, and recent vaccination. However, 5.5% of 968 pregnant women with no history of rubellalike symptoms or recent vaccination, the majority with elevated HAI titers, gave a low‐positive or borderline result with Rubenz M. None of these women delivered a congenitally infected child. Therefore, borderline and low‐positive results must be interpreted with caution, as for any assay for rubella‐specific IgM.
Potential Treatment of Herpes Simplex Virus Encephalitis by Brain‐Specific Delivery of Trifluorothymidine Using a Dihydropyridine ⇆ Pyridinium Salt Type Redox Delivery System
Authors: Rand Kenneth H. , Bodor Nicholas , Ei Koussi Alaaeldin A. , Raad Issam , Miyake Akio , Houck Herbert , Gildersteeve Nancy
Published: March 2007

A newly described, drug‐carrier delivery system in which a lipophilic derivative is enzymatically converted to a hydrophilic compound was used to treat experimental herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis. Because trifluorothymidine (TFT) does not cross the blood brain barrier, the lipophilic dihydropyridine derivative 3 ′hyphen;(N‐methyl‐ 1, 4‐dihydronicotinoyl)hyphen;5hyphen;'pivaloyltrifluorothymidine (DHTFT) was synthesized and characterized by HPLC. After intravenous administration of 20 mg/kg of DHTFT to rats, the quaternary, intermediate compound 3'‐N‐methyl‐1,4‐nicotinoyltrifluorothymidine was measured at levels of 7–8 m̈/g brain at 1 hour and 13.5 ± 0.8 m̈g/g brain at 4 hours. This compound had antiviral activity equivalent to that of TFT against HSV‐1 in a plaque reduction assay (ID 50 = 0.5–1.0 m̈g/ml), either directly or by conversion to TFT. Although survival was not prolonged in a rat model of HSV encephalitis, a statistically significant reduction in titer of HSV/g brain was achieved with daily intravenous treatment with DHTFT. TFT was not detected in brains of rats at 1 and 4 hours after intravenous DHTFT, but a low level was observed at 18 hours, 0.3 ± 0.05 pg/g brain. These data suggest that the lipophilic compound DHTFT or a lipophilic metabolite crossed the blood brain barrier and was converted to a quaternary.
Lack of Complement‐Dependent Cytolytic Antibodies in Hepatitis A Virus Infection
Authors: Gabriel Peter , Vallbracht Angelika , Flehmig Bertram
Published: March 2007

Sera collected from patients with acute hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection and convalescent sera were examined for cytolytic activity against HAV‐infected human‐embryo lung fibroblasts (HAV carrier fibroblasts).

Using the 51chromium release assay, no complement dependent antibody mediated cytolytic activity against HAV carrier cells could be detected. In control experiments with identical cell strains, anti‐herpes simplex virus (HSV) positive sera and complement caused specific lysis of HSV type 1 infected target cells.

The data presented here do not support the hypothesis that in the possible immunopathogenesis of HAV infection, complement‐dependent cytolytic antibodies play an essential role.
Monoclonal Radioimmunoassay for Hepatitis B Surface Antigen in Sera of Children With Acute Leukemia
Authors: Locasciulli A. , Schiavon E. , Masera G. , Pontisso P. , Sala E. , Chemello L. , Alberti A.
Published: March 2007

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was detected by a monoclonal antibody radioimmunoassay in sera from five of 43 children (11.6%) with acute leukemia, who were negative by conventional assay. None of the nine positive sera had evidence of reactivity for HBV‐DNA or DNA‐polymerase activity. No correlation was found between the presence of HBsAg in serum by monoclonal RIA and the behaviour of anti‐viral antibodies. Twenty‐two children could be studied for liver HBsAg by immunofluorescence, and nine of them (40.9%) were positive, including three patients having HBsAg reactivity in serum. These data indicate that monoclonal antibodies increase the sensitivity of RIA for the detection of serum HBsAg in children with acute leukemia, who previously have frequently been found to have an atypical hepatitis B virus (HBV) serology.
Significance of Postnatal Mother‐to‐Child Transmission of Human T‐lymphotropic Virus Type‐I on the Development of Adult T‐cell Leukemia/Lymphoma
Authors: Sugiyama Hidenori , Doi Hiroshi , Yamaguchi Kyoko , Tsuji Yoshiro , Miyamoto Tsutomu , Hino Shigeo
Published: March 2007

In order to shed light on the mode of HTLV‐I infection by mother‐to‐child transmission, we examined sera of school children in a highly endemic town on two separate occasions at a 6‐year interval. The carrier rates in ages 15–17, 8.7 and 2.1%, were significantly higher than that in ages 6–8, 1.7 and 0.4%, in studies. The latter survey showed a significantly lower carrier rate in each age group. Moreover, the carrier rates of those students born in 1965–1967 and 1968–1970 were stable in the interval. The data suggested that carrier rates of children at certian ages are reflected by the date of birth rather than by age.

A prospective survey of children born of carrier mothers found the overall carrier rate to be approximately 25%, which did not increase with their age. There was no sexual difference in the carrier rate of children: 5/25 in male and 9/34 in females (χ2 = 0.3). Carrier mothers could be separated into two groups: HTLV‐I antigen‐positive mothers and negative mothers. Nine out of 19 antigen‐positive mothers (47%) and 2 of 19 antigen‐negative mothers (11 %) had carrier children (χ2 = 6.3). Twelve of 30 children born of antigen‐positive carrier mothers (40%) were carriers, in contrast to 2 of 24 children (8%) of antigen‐negative mothers (χ2 = 7.8). Furthermore, 12 of 14 carrier children (86%) were of antigen‐positive mothers. This suggests that postnatal but early transmission of HTLV‐I plays a significant role in the maintenance of HTLV‐I endemy and the development of adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma.
Subclass reactivity to epstein‐barr virus capsid antigen in primary and reactivated EBV infections
Authors: Linde Annika , Wahren Britta , Andersson Jan , Lundgren GÖRan
Published: March 2007

A new method for analysis of virus‐specific Immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclasses was developed using indirect immunofluorescence. Three hundred thirty‐three serum samples from patients with different types of Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV)‐associated diseases and healthy controls were examined for subclass distribution to the virus capsid antigen (EBV VCA). EBV‐VCA‐expressing cell preparations were incubated with patient serum followed by monoclonal antibodies to human IgG1 through IgG4 and labelled anti‐mouse IgG. Virus‐specific IgG1 was found to be the dominant antibody. The titers for IgG1 and total Ig to EBV VCA correlated well. EBV VCA‐specific IgG2 was not found. EBV VCA‐specific IgG3 in a titer of ≥ 10 was found in 33% of healthy seropositive donors, in 97% of patients with suspected reactivated EBV infection, and in 100% of symptomatic patients with suspected reactivated EBV infection. EBV VCA specific IgG3 occurred in 90% of placebo‐treated compared to 30% in long‐term acyclovir‐treated bone marrow transplant recipients, indicating more frequent reactivations in the former group. IgG4 to VCA was infrequently found in seropositive persons. In serum samples from patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and high EBV VCA Ig and IgA titers, IgG4 to VCA was always present. Analysis of EBV VCA specific IgG subclasses seems to be valuable for the diagnosis of reactivated EBV infection.
Dynamics and impact of perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus in North India
Authors: Nayak N. C. , Panda S. K. , Bhan M. K. , Guha D. K. , Zuckerman A. J.
Published: March 2007

The magnitude and significance of perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) were assessed in infants of 8,575 women, of whom 3.7% were seropositive for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg). The e antigen of HBV (HBeAg) was found in 7.8% of these carriers, the antibody to HBeAg (anti‐HBe) was found in 30.1 % of them, and HBsAg alone was found in 62.1 % of them. The estimated incidence of HBsAg positivity by 6 months of age in infants of carrier women was significantly (P >.001) higher than in controls (18.6% vs 3.0%). Transmission was most frequent (87.5%) if the carrier mother was HBeAg positive and was much less so if she was positive for anti‐HBe (17.5%) or for HBsAg alone (9.6%). Toward the end of infancy incidence of HBsAg positivity among offspring of carriers and among controls was not different. Most infants positive for HBsAg and HBeAg continued with the infection beyond 6 months of age. It is estimated that about one‐third of the adult asymptomatic HBV carriers in India evolve directly from perinatal infection, while the majority become infected during childhood or early adulthood.
Qualitative analysis of the humoral immune response to the “a” determinant of HBs antigen after inoculation with plasma‐derived or recombinant vaccine
Authors: Waters J. A. , O'Rourke S. M. , Thomas H. C. , Richardson S. C. , Papaevangelou G.
Published: March 2007

Competitive inhibition assays using monoclonal antibodies reacting with defined sequence of the “a” determinant of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) indicate that the humoral response to plasma‐derived and recombinant HBsAg vaccine is similar in quantitative and qualitative terms. Both vaccines evoke an antibody response to the RFHBs 1 epitope, which is known in animal experiments to be protective.
Guillain‐barré syndrome and other neurologic syndromes in hepatitis A, B, and non‐A, non‐B
Authors: Tabor Edward
Published: March 2007

Guillain‐Barré syndrome and other neurologic syndromes occur rarely as complications of viral hepatitis, although a causal association has not been established. Seven cases of serologically documented hepatitis A have been reported with Guillain‐Barré syndrome; all recovered, with mild neurologic residua in four. Eight cases of serologically documented acute hepatitis B have been reported with Guillain‐Barré syndrome; all recovered, with mild neurologic residua in two. In one case, immune complexes of hepatitis B surface antigen and its antibody were present in the cerebrospinal fluid. Other neurologic syndromes have also been reported in patients with serologically defined viral hepatitis, including mononeuritis, auditory neuritis, and seizures. Chronic hepatitis B and mononeuritis multiplex are found together in 31‐54% of patients with periarteritis nodosa.

The mechanisms for these associations are unknown, but may include direct cytotoxicity of the virus or immune‐mediated damage. Vasculitis of the vasa nervorum plays an intermediate role in at least some cases.
Cloning and characterization of BK virus‐related DNA sequences from normal and neoplastic human tissues
Authors: Knepper Janice E. , Dimayorca Giampiero
Published: March 2007

DNA homologous to that of the known papovavirus BK was cloned from the high molecular weight DNA of two human tissues: a normal liver and a kidney carcinoma. The clone isolated from human liver consisted of DNA indistinguishable from prototype BK by restriction enzyme analysis that used ten different enzymes. The DNA cloned from the human carcinoma of the kidney was subject to rearrangement in recombination‐deficient bacteria, and exhibited a deletion of a small segment of DNA localized to the BK late region. Restriction fragments representing the BK origin and promoter regions are overrepresented in the tumorderived clone. The possible significance of retrieval of defective viral genomes from tumor tissues is discussed.
Study of the distribution of antibody‐ dependent enhancement determinants on dengue 2 isolates using dengue 2‐derived monoclonal antibodies
Authors: Morens David M. , Larsen Linda K. , Halstead Scott B.
Published: March 2007

Dengue 2 (DEN‐2) strains isolated from children during the 1980 metropolitan Bangkok epidemic were shown to possess antigenic homogeneity when studied for determinants mediating antibody‐dependent infection enhancement using DEN‐2 monnoclonal antibodies. All isolates possessed multiple enhancing determinants, but those associated with mild and severe dengue syndromes could not be distinguished. Either the basis of disease severity in dengue is more complex than the mere presence or absence of virus epitopes involved in enhanced infection or enhancing epitopes have differences not detected in this system with monoclonal antibodies raised to the same serotype.
Disease severity‐related antigenic differences in dengue 2 strains detected by dengue 4 monoclonal antibodies
Authors: Morens David M. , Halstead Scott B.
Published: March 2007

Low‐passage epidemic Thai isolates of dengue 2 (DEN‐2) were distinguished on the basis of associated disease severity by detection of virus determinants involved in enhanced macrophage infection when incubated with a panel of monoclonal antibodies derived from a DEN4 strain associated with grade II dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). DEN‐2 strains associated with DHF typically had multiple determinants that were involved in antibody‐dependent enhancement of infection, whereas those associated with uncomplicated disease had few. These data provide further evidence that in epidemic areas where DHF is associated with prior circulation of low‐level monotypic antibody, severe dengue disease could represent antibody‐enhanced infection of human monocyted macrophages.
Protective immunisation against hepatitis B with an internal antigen of the virus
Authors: Murray Kenneth , Bruce Sandra A. , Wingfield Paul , van Eerd Peer , de Reus Arie , Schellekens Huub
Published: March 2007

Preparations of hepatitis B virus (HBV) core antigen (HBcAg) synthesised in Escherichia coli have been shown previously to confer partial immunity against infection by the virus Murray, Bruce, Hinnen, Wingfield, van Eerd, de Reus, and Schellekens: EMBO Journal 3: 645–450, 19841. In a further experiment reported here, immunisation of chimpanzees with a similar preparation of HBcAg that had been treated with sodium dodecyl sulphate in order to expose e antigen epitopes was found to protect one animal completely and another quite substantially upon challenge with the virus. The results are used to support the argument for trials in humans of a vaccine against HBV based upon or containing HBcAg and its e antigen derivative, and in discussion of a more general role for internal antigens in generating immunity against viral infection.
Parenteral antischistosomal therapy: A potential risk factor for hepatitis B infection
Authors: Hyams Kenneth C. , Mansour Moustafa M. , Massoud Ahmed , Dunn Michael A.
Published: March 2007

To study the association between hepatitis B and schistosomiasis, 1,234 Egyptian males, ages 18 to 24, were interviewed, examined, and tested for Schistosoma mansoni infection and HBsAg. Sera from 91 (7.4%) of the study subjects were positive for HBsAg, and S. mansoni was found in the stools of 26.3%. There was no correlation between S. mansoni infection, with or without hepatosplenomegaly, or a history of schistosomiasis, and HBsAg. An association was found between HBsAg positivity and a previous history of parenteral antischistosomal therapy (P < 0.01). The results of the study indicate that parenteral therapy for schistosomiasis may be a risk factor for hepatitis B antigenemia. Further studies are indicated to determine the importance of parenteral therapy in the transmission of hepatitis B.
Hepatitis B virus DNA in asymptomatic HBsAg carriers: Comparison with HBeAg/anti‐HBe status
Authors: Berris Barnet , Sampliner Richard E. , Sooknanan Roy , Feinman S. Victor
Published: March 2007

Sera of 17 HBeAg positive and 104 anti‐HBe positive asymptomatic HBsAg carriers from two cohorts were tested for HBV DNA. HBV DNA was found in 13 of 17 HBeAg positive carriers (76.5%) and in only 7 of 104 of anti‐HBe positive carriers (6.7%). Eleven of the 17 HBeAg positive carriers were retested for HBV DNA over a period of 7 to 36 months after the initial test. HBV DNA disappeared from the serum in 2 patients in spite of persistence of the HBe antigen. Of the 104 anti‐HBe carriers, 89 were retested for HBV DNA over a period of 6 to 52 months after the initial test. HBV DNA disappeared from the serum in 5 of the 7 who were previously positive for HBV DNA, and persisted in 2. These findings indicate that there is an inconstant relationship between the time of seronversion of HBeAg to anti‐HBe and the disappearance of HBV DNA. In one HBeAg positive patient, HBV DNA, which was absent in the serum on first testing, was present on retesting. This suggests that the presence of HBV DNA in the serum of some patients may be intermittent. The presence of HBV DNA in the serum of some anti‐HBe positive carriers accounts for the finding that they may be infective. All but one of the HBV DNA positive anti‐HBe carriers were born outside North America, most in Asia. HBV DNA were found more frequently in the serum of anti‐HBe positive carriers who had biochemical and histological evidence of liver disease than in carriers without such evidence.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositivity in intravenous (IV) drug abusers in three cities of Italy: Possible natural history of HIV infection in IV drug addicts in Italy
Authors: Titti Fausto , Lazzarin Adriano , Costigliola Paolo , Oliva Carlo , Nicoletti Loredana , Negri Cristina , Ricchi Ennio , Donati Guido , Uberti‐Foppa Caterina , Re Maria Carla , Verani Paola , Chiodo Francesco , Rossi Giovanni B. , Moroni Mauro
Published: March 2007

The prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibodies and the symptoms induced [persistent generalized lymphadenopathy (PGL), AIDS‐related complex (ARC), acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)] was evaluated in several groups of intravenous (IV) drug abusers in three large Italian cities (Milan, Bologna, and Rome). The earliest evidence of seropositivity in sera collected from patients with acute viral hepatitis dates back to 1979 in Milan and to 1981 in Bologna with peaks in 1983 in both cities. In two groups of IV drug addicts on methadone‐maintenance treatment at assistance centers, the prevalence of seropositivity differed sharply between Rome (33.3%) and Milan (69.3%) in 1985. Rates of seroconversion were also found to be higher in Milan than in Bologna and Rome. When a population of IV drug abusers voluntarily attending centers for surveillance of AIDS and/or ARC were investigated, high levels (range 55.2‐81.5%) of seropositivity were found in the three cities. ARC prevalence among seropositives was very high (range 48.144.2% in 1985) in the three cities. The evolution rate to AIDS in Milan was higher among those attending a center for AIDS surveillance (7.4%) than among those attending an assistance center for methadone treatment (0.9%). These data are compatible with the hypothesis that virus infection among IV drug abusers originated in and then spread widely in Northern Italy (Milan first and then Bologna). Both the first appearance and subsequent spread of virus infection are in keeping with the reported occurrence of AIDS cases in the corresponding three regions of Milan, Bologna, and Rome.
Inactivation of 12 viruses by heating steps applied during manufacture of a hepatitis B vaccine
Authors: Lelie P. N. , Reesink H. W. , Lucas C. J.
Published: March 2007

The efficacy of two heating cycles (90 sec at 103°C and 10 hr at 65°C) used during manufacture of a plasma‐derived hepatitis‐B vaccine was validated for the inactivation of 12 virus families. A period of 15 min warming up to 65°C had already completely inactivated representatives of nine virus families, ie, poxvirus (vaccinia), picornavirus (encephalomyocarditis virus), togavirus (sind bis virus), coronavirus (mouse hepatitis virus), orthomyxovirus (influenza virus), rhabdovirus (vesicular stomatitis virus), herpes virus (cytomegalovirus), lentivirus (human immunodeficiency virus), and retrovirus (murine leukemia virus). After prolonged heating at 65°C or heating for 90 sec at 103°C, parvovirus (canine parvovirus) and the phage phiX174 were also completely inactivated. Papovavirus represented by simian virus 40 (SV‐40) was the most heat‐resistant virus evaluated. The infectivity of SV‐40 was reduced by 104 Tissue Culture Infectious Doses (TCID50) per ml after 90 sec at 103°C, but a marginal residual activity (<5 TCID50 per ml) was observed. Subsequent pasteurization for 10 h at 65°C did not further reduce the infectivity of SV‐40. This study shows that the two heat‐inactivation steps used during the production of this vaccine kill a wide variety of viruses that might be present in human blood.
Incidence and prognosis of cytomegalovirus infections following allogenic bone marrow transplantation
Authors: Guyotat D. , Gibert R. , Chomel J. , Archimbaud E. , Bossard S. , Maupas J. , Fiere D. , Aymard M.
Published: March 2007

The incidence and the outcome of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections were evaluated in 83 adult recipients of allogenic bone marrow transplantation. Virological and serological surveillance was performed weekly for 3 months posttransplant, and then every other week or every month until 1 year. CMV infection occurred in 45 patients, with a cumulative risk of 62% at 1 year and 66% at 2 years. In multivariate analysis, two factors significantly influenced the incidence of CMV infection: patients with pretransplant positive anti‐CMV titres had a risk of infection of 72% at 1 year versus 33% for patients with negative titres. Patients with acute myeloid leukemia were also infected more frequently (85% at 1 year) than patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (56%), chronic granulocytic leukemia (45%), or aplastic anemia (47%). In both univariate and multivariate analysis, CMV infection was not associated with a worse prognosis. However, 5 (out of 10) cases of lethal interstitial pneumonitis were associated with CMV, and two patients died of possible CMV encephalitis. All these patients had been suffering from severe acute or chronic graft versus host disease.
Prevalence of CMV antibodies among women of childbearing age in different social environments in southern Israel
Authors: Urkin J. , Sarov B. , Naggan L. , Haikin H. , Sarov I.
Published: March 2007

The prevalence rate of IgG antibodies to cytomegalovirus (CMV) was determined in a sample of 567 women of childbearing age in the southern part of Israel by the immunoperoxidase assay to membrane antigen (IPAMA) technique. Urban Jewish women of Afro‐Asian origin showed significantly higher rates of seropositivity than urban Jewish women of European‐American origin (80% vs 65%, respectively, P < 0.001), closely resembling the level of CMV seropositivity found in Afro‐Asian and European‐American countries in the same age and sex population groups. The Bedouin women showed slightly lower rates of CMV seropositivity (75%) than Jewish women of Afro‐Asian origin. Particularly high rates of CMV seropositivity were detected in women who live in a kibbutz environment: 96% in women of Afro‐Asian origin and 80% in women of Euro‐American origin. Multiple discriminant analysis also singles out the kibbutz environment as a major contributor to the variance between the groups tested (P < 0.003).