bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expression of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in human hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatoblastoma cell lines
Authors: Farshid Mahmood , Tabor Edward
Published: March 2007

The expression of nine oncogenes (c‐myc, N‐myc, N‐ras, H‐ras, k‐ras, abl, fos, src, and raf) and two tumor suppressor genes (p53 and RB) were studied by northern blot hybridization in six human hepatocellular carcinoma or hepatoblastoma cell lines (PLC/PRF/5, HepSB, Hep G2, 2.2.15, HLE, and HLF) and in a human embryonic lung fibroblast cell line (WI‐38) to look for differences that might be associated with the presence (PLC/PRF/5, Hep3B, and 2.2.15) or absence (Hep G2, HLE, and HLF) of integrated hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA. The levels of expression of the oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes were unrelated to the presence or absence of integrated HBV‐DNA. Furthermore, the intensity of expression of these oncogenes was no greater in the 2.2.15 cell line (consisting of Hep G2 cells transfected with hepatitis B virus) than in untransfected Hep G2 cells. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Activation of human herpesvirus‐6 in children with acute measles
Authors: Suga Sadao , Yoshikawa Tetsushi , Asano Yoshizo , Nakashima Toshihiko , Kobayashi Ikuko , Yazaki Takehiko
Published: March 2007

Virological and serological studies were carried out prospectively to evaluate the possible activation of human herpesvirus‐6 (HHV‐6) in 50 infants and children with acute measles by isolation of HHV‐6 from peripheral blood and by determining neutralizing antibodies to the virus. All but 5 patients (90%) were seropositive to HHV‐6 in the acute stage of measles and 18 (40%) had a significant increase in HHV‐6 antibody titers thereafter, whereas only 2 of 27 patients who were initially seropositive to Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) viral capsid antigen (VCA) had a significant rise in antibody titers to EBV VCA. Among 18 patients with a significant increase in HHV‐6 titers, the virus was isolated from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of three patients in the early convalescent stage of measles. These results indicate that activation of HHV‐6 may occur frequently a few weeks after primary infection with the measles virus. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tattooing as a risk of hepatitis C virus infection
Authors: Ko Ying‐Chin , Ho Mei‐Shang , Chiang Tai‐An , Chang Shun‐Jen , Chang Po‐Ya
Published: March 2007

The association of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and tattooing was studied in 87 tattooed and 126 tattoo free healthy young men who did not engage in intravenous drug use or multiple sexual activity. Antibody against HCV (anti‐HCV) was tested in serum specimens by enzyme immunoassay with C100‐3, NS3, and core antigens; 11 of the 87 (12.6%) tattooed and 3 of the 126 (2.4%) tattoo free subjects were positive for anti‐HCV (odds ratio = 5.9, 95% CI = 1.6–22.0). A relationship was demonstrated by an increased risk for HCV infection with an increasing number of tattooed site (Ptrend = 0.002). All but one of the 87 tattooed subjects had been infected by hepatitis B virus (HBV) and 25 were carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). None of the 25 HBsAg carriers was positive for anti‐HCV whereas 11 of the 62 HBsAg non‐carriers had anti‐HCV, suggesting a negative association between the HBsAg carriage and the long lasting anti‐HCV (P = 0.02, Fisher's exact). The status of the tattooer was also an important determinant for HCV infection; the risk was higher if tattooing was done by a non‐professional friend than by a professional tattooist. Tattooing, probably with improperly sterilized needles, can clearly pose an increased risk for HCV infection in Taiwan. This study indicates the need for legal standards for hygienic tattooing as part of preventive measures for the control of parenterally transmitted infections. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hepatitis C virus antibodies among risk groups in a South African area endemic for hepatitis B virus
Authors: Soni P. N. , Tait D. R. , Kenoyer D. G. , Fernandes‐Costa F. , Naicker S. , Gopaul W. , Simjee A. E.
Published: March 2007

The prevalence of anti‐HCV was studied in a South African area endemic for hepatitis B virus. A total of 35,685 volunteer blood donors (22,034 whites, 9,218 Asians, 3,077 Africans, 1,356 coloureds), 71 haemophiliacs, 84 chronic dialysis patients, 100 antenatal attenders, 212 nurses, and 20 HIV‐positive male homosexuals were tested for anti‐HCV. Repeat positive second generation Ortho HCV EIA was used to determine HCV status for the blood donors; Abbott‐II HCV EIA combined with a neutralisation test was used for the other risk groups. Antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti‐HBc) was also tested in the haemophiliacs, nurses, and chronic dialysis patients. Seroprevalence for the blood donor population was 0.16, 0.34, 0.75, and 0.22% for whites, Asians, Africans, and coloureds, respectively. Of the risk groups tested, 39.4% of haemophiliacs and 4.8% of chronic dialysis patients were positive; of the remainder tested none was positive. Fifty percent of nurses, 47.9% of haemophiliacs, and 22.6% of dialysis patients had serological evidence of past exposure to hepatitis B virus (anti‐HBc positive). These findings indicate a low prevalence of anti‐HCV in the blood donor population, thus probably resulting in a low prevalence in groups exposed to blood and blood derivatives. The overall difference in prevalence between the race groups was significant (P < 0.0001). The high prevalence of hepatitis B virus compared to the low prevalence of HCV suggests that the main modes of transmission of the two viruses are probably different. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Serological speciation of human T‐cell leukaemia virus infections using synthetic peptide antigens
Authors: Tosswill Jennifer H. C. , McAlpine Lindsay , Mortimer Philip P.
Published: March 2007

In order to assess the specificity and sensitivity of two peptide‐based assays (SynthTM HTLV‐I and HTLV‐II enzyme‐linked immunoassay [EIA] [UBI] and Select‐HTLVTM EIA [IAF]) in discriminating between antibody to HTLV‐I and HTLV‐II infection, a panel of 186 well‐characterised serum/plasma samples was tested by the two assays. The panel comprised 160 samples that by Western blot were confirmed to contain antibodies to HTLV‐I/II and 26 samples that showed reactivity with gag but not env gene products. Both assays were found to be specific in that they did not misclassify any of the 80 specimens from cases of tropical spastic paraparesis or adult T‐cell leukaemia/lymphoma, diseases believed to be HTLV‐I associated, as anti‐HTLV‐II positive. Of the 160 specimens confirmed as anti‐HTLV‐I/II positive by Western blot, 6.2% were negative or untypable in the Synth EIA compared with 13.7% in the Select EIA. Of the 26 Western blot indeterminate samples, 16 were negative by both assays. Five were typed as anti‐HTLV‐I by both assays and 5 as anti HTLV‐II by Select EIA only. The peptide based EIAs offer an economical and, in most cases, reliable means of discriminating between anti‐HTLV‐I and anti‐HTLV‐II. However, they should only be applied to sera that have been confirmed by Western blot or other methods as anti‐HTLV‐I/II positive. Even then they may fail to speciate sera from non‐Japanese, non‐Afrocaribbean populations. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Response of hemophilic patients to poliovirus vaccination: Correlation with HIV serology and with immunological parameters
Authors: Varon David , Handsher Rachel , Dardik Rima , Gitel Sanford , Ra'anani Pia , Heim Michael , Martinowitz Uri
Published: March 2007

Hemophilic patients may present immunological dysfunctions resulting from either human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, or other factors like impure factor VIII concentrate and other viral infections. We evaluated prospectively the serologic response to polio vaccination of Israeli hemophilic patients who were vaccinated during an outbreak of poliomyelitis. Eighty‐two hemophilic patients, 43 seronegative and 39 seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), were vaccinated with enhanced inactivated poliovirus (elPV). Titers of antibodies for poliovirus types 1–3 were determined before and 4 weeks after immunization. T helper and suppressor lymphocytes (T4 and T8), B and T lymphocyte mitogenic response, and natural killer cells were tested and correlated with the response to vaccination. Both groups responded to vaccination with increased titers of antibodies to the three viral types, 4 weeks after immunization. HIV‐seronegative patients, however, exhibited higher titers than the HIV‐seropositive group. The same pattern was found when 21 patients were tested 1 year after the exposure to elPV. HIV seropositive patients were grouped according to their T4 count (between 16/μ and 500/μ). There was no statistically significant difference in the response of these different groups to vaccination. No correlation was found between the response to vaccination and other immune parameters. These results suggest that asymptomatic HIV‐seropositive hemophilic patients respond well to elPV, irrespective of their T4 count. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Antibody responses of children to the C‐terminal peptide of the SH protein of respiratory syncytial virus and the immunological characterization of this protein
Authors: Åkerlind‐Stopner B. , Hu A. , Mufson M. A. , Utter G. , Norrby E.
Published: March 2007

The SH protein of RSV, a small integrated hydrophobic membrane protein, consists of 64 amino acid residues in the polypeptide of subgroup A and 65 amino acid residues in the polypeptide of subgroup B. We synthesized five peptides, representing the SH protein of each RSV subgroup comprised of the following amino acid residues: 2–16, 12–26, 35–49, 45–60, and for subgroup A, 51–64 and for subgroup B, 51–65. Peptides 2–16 and 51–64/65 represented the N‐terminal and C‐terminal ends of the protein, respectively. In RIPA, under reducing conditions with mercaptoethanol, hyperimmune guinea pig (GP) serum against C‐terminal peptide of the two subgroups precipitated the homologous 7.5 kDa and 21–30 kDa SH proteins. Under nonreducing conditions, the GP antipeptide sera precipitated all three SH proteins, suggesting that the 13–15 kDa protein exists as a dimer. The subgroup A 7.5 and 13–15 kDa proteins had apparent molecular weights about 1–2 kDa higher than the corresponding subgroup B proteins. The C‐terminal peptides of subgroups A and B were used to characterize the immune response of 11 children, age 1 month to 1 year, with presumed primary RSV infection. Three of 4 children with subgroup A infection and 4 of 7 children with subgroup B infection developed homologous 4‐fold rises in antibody to C‐terminal peptide (aa 51–64/65) during convalescence. Except for one child with subgroup A and one child with subgroup B infection, the other 5 children developed heterologous rises also. The antibody levels to C‐terminal peptide were low suggesting that the SH protein was a weak stimulus of antibody in children with naturally acquired infection. Thus, it appears that the C‐terminal peptides of the SH protein are not useful as ELISA antigens in characterizing the subgroup‐specific immune responses to RSV infection. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Electrophoretic typing of nosocomial rotavirus infection in a general paediatric unit showing the continual introduction of community strains
Authors: Steele A. D. , Mnisi Y. N. , Williams M. M. , Bos P. , Aspinall S.
Published: March 2007

During 1989 stool specimens from hospitalised children with gastroenteritis at Ga‐Rankuwa Hospital in South Africa were examined for the presence of rotaviruses. Overall 16% of the children were positive for rotavirus. However, 43% of the rotavirus positive patients were infected in the hospital. Further characterisation of the rotavirus strains was performed by electrophoresis of the RNA genome and hybridisation analysis of the VP7 and VP4 genes present. The strains associated with nosocomial infection were similar to those strains acquired in the community. The majority of the strains, both community‐ or hospital‐ acquired, were associated with a serotype 1 strain with a long electrophoretype and bearing the Wa‐like VP4 gene. Three minor rotavirus strains with a long electrophoretype were also observed to be circulating bearing serotype 1 or 4 VP7 genes and the Wa‐like VP4 gene. Interestingly, a serotype 4 strain bearing the M37‐like VP4 gene was identified to occur almost exclusively in neonates although the gene was associated with diarrhoea in these cases. Two strains with differing short RNA electrophoretypes were also observed, members of which hybridised to VP7 serotype 2 and VP4 DS‐1 type probes. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nested polymerase chain reaction assay for the detection of B19 parvovirus DNA in human immunodeficiency virus patients
Authors: Musiani M. , Azzi A. , Zerbini M. , Gibellini D. , Venturoli S. , Zakrzewska K. , Re M. C. , Gentilomi G. , Gallinella G. , La Placa M.
Published: March 2007

Persistent B19 parvovirus infection has been recognized in immunocompromised patients, often occurring with a low‐titer viremia. In this study, nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of B19 parvovirus DNA was carried out on the sera of 49 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐1‐seropositive patients, negative for the detection of B19 DNA at dot blot hybridization assay and with different values of serum anti‐ B19 IgM (27 patients proved positive and 22 negative). Of the 49 HIV‐seropositive samples tested by nested PCR, seven were positive for the detection of B19 DNA. All seven belonged to the group of subjects seropositive for specific anti‐B19 IgM. The study shows that, in the presence of specific B19 IgM, circulating virus may still be present but can be detected only by PCR. In that B19 infection can occur with low‐titer viremia in immunocompromised patients, PCR may be the only method for virus detection. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Low risk of sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus
Authors: Hallam N. F. , Fletcher M. L. , Read S. J. , Majid A. M. , Kurtz J. B. , Rizza C. R.
Published: March 2007

Sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) was studied between 104 anti‐HCV positive index cases (99 haemophilic men, five women) who have attended the Oxford Haemophilia Centre and 104 (98 female, 6 male) longstanding sexual partners. Ninety‐one percent of the index cases were HCV RNA positive by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and 56% were anti‐human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive.

Three (2.9%) sexual partners (each a female partner of a different HCV RNA positive haemophilic man) were anti‐HCV, and HCV RNA, positive. All had other risk factors for HCV infection. Of 59 partners who were tested for anti‐HIV four (7%) were positive and only one of these was also anti‐HCV positive. There was no association between HIV positivity in the index cases and HCV positivity in their partners.

Our results confirm a low risk of sexual transmission of HCV. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diagnostic significance of antibodies to hepatitis B virus polymerase in acutely and chronically HBV‐infected individuals
Authors: Kann Michael , Köchel Heinrich G. , Uy Angela , Thomssen Reiner
Published: March 2007

The prevalence and time course of the occurrence of antibodies to the hepatitis B virus polymerase (anti‐HBpol) were investigated in acutely and in chronically HBV‐infected individuals by using recombinant HBpol protein for Western blot analysis. One group consisted of 19 patients who were acutely infected and recovered completely. Five of these patients (26%, 69 serum samples examined) exhibited anti‐HBpol. Among those anti‐HBpol positive patients, recovery from the disease was combined with a complete loss of this antibody. In contrast, in a second group of 15 individuals who developed chronic hepatitis B, 13 (87%, 102 serum samples examined) had anti‐HBpol during the acute phase of the disease. The difference between the anti‐HBpol prevalence rates of the two patient groups is statistically significant (Exact Fisher test, P < .002), implying that the occurrence of anti‐HBpol may be indicative of a potential chronic course of hepatitis B. Remarkably, anti‐HBpol was found in one case of a clinically suspected hepatitis B in which no other serological HBV parameters were found. This serum sample was positive in HBV PCR, supporting a possible diagnostic value of anti‐HBpol. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Minimal role of hepatitis C virus infection in childhood liver diseases in an area hyperendemic for hepatitis B infection
Authors: Chang Mei‐Hwei , Lee Chin‐Yun , Chen Ding‐Shinn
Published: March 2007

To investigate the role of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in childhood liver disease in Taiwan, an area hyperendemic for hepatitis B, we studied antibody to HCV (anti‐HCV) with a second generation enzyme immunoassay in 195 infants and children, including 96 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive children (66 with chronic hepatitis B, 23 children with hepatocellular carcinoma, and 7 with fulminant hepatitis B), 6 children with fulminant non‐A, non‐B hepatitis, 42 infants with neonatal hepatitis, 11 with biliary atresia, and 40 prospectively followed blood recipients. For comparison, another 748 apparently healthy children (from neonates to 12 years) were also screened for anti‐HCV.

The positive rate of anti‐HCV was low in both apparently healthy children (0.13%) and patients with various liver disorders (0 to 4.4%) except fulminant hepatitis. The seropositive rate in 6 cases of non‐A, non‐B fulminant hepatitis was higher (16.7%) although the case number was too small. We conclude that HCV is generally not a major etiologic factor in the liver diseases of Taiwanese children. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Detection of hepatitis C virus RNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and in saliva
Authors: Young Kung‐Chia , Chang Ting‐Tsung , Liou Tai‐Cherng , Wu Hua‐Lin
Published: March 2007

The nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was applied to investigate hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), saliva, and serum of patients with chronic type C hepatitis. The specificity of the amplified products was analyzed and confirmed by agarose gel electrophoresis, Southern blot hybridization, and restriction endonuclease pattern analysis. HCV RNA was detectable in the PBMCs of 24% (12/50) of the patients. The HCV RNA detected in PBMCs was not due to the contamination from plasma, since no viral sequences could be detected in the third washing of PBMCs. Of the 12 patients with HCV RNA in PBMCs, five were negative for HCV RNA sequences in the serum. Thus the presence of HCV RNA in PBMCs was not strictly correlated to the results for sera. Among 25 patients with HCV RNA in their saliva, 18 were negative for PBMCs. Among 25 patients without HCV RNA in their saliva, five had HCV RNA in PBMCs. In conclusion, PBMCs are an extrahepatic target for chronic HCV infection. However, we do not suggest that PBMCs act as a vehicle for carrying HCV to saliva, since the presence of HCV RNA in PBMCs and in saliva was not closely correlated.
Inactivation of hepatitis a virus by heat treatment in aqueous solution
Authors: Murphy Paula , Nowak Thomas , Lemon Stanley M. , Hilfenhaus Joachim
Published: March 2007

Hepatitis A virus infections have been reported recently among hemophilic patients in Italy and Germany, leading to speculation that infectious hepatitis A virus (HAV) might have been present in some factor VIII concentrates. In both cases, the implicated factor concentrates had been treated by a solvent/detergent method, which inactivates enveloped viruses but which would not be expected to inactivate HAV, a nonenveloped picornavirus. To determine whether HAV would be inactivated during pasteurization of factor VIII concentrate, an alternative method employed for virus inactivation, we determined the extent to which the infectivity of cell culture‐adapted HAV, suspended either in cell culture medium or in a proprietary stabilizing buffer, was reduced by heat treatment at 60°C for 10 hr. The titer of infectious HAV declined rapidly at 60°C, but the stabilizer considerably delayed HAV inactivation. In cell culture medium, HAV was inactivated by >3.6 log10 within 30 min, but 3.6 log10 inactivation of HAV was reached only after 6 hr in the presence of the stabilizer. Residual infectious HAV was present after even 10 hr of heat treatment in the stabilizer, indicating that <5.2 log10 infectious HAV particles are inactivated under these conditions. In the presence of the stabilizer, HAV was significantly more stable than poliovirus type 1, which has been used to validate virus inactivation by pasteurization. We conclude that pasteurized factor VIII concentrate should pose little if any risk for transmission of HAV if pooled plasma used for its manufacture contained low levels of the virus.
Lymphocyte responses and virus excretion as risk factors for intrauterine infection with cytomegalovirus
Authors: Fernando S. , Pearce J. M. , Booth J. C.
Published: March 2007

Serological screening of pregnant women in this and a previous study identified 28 cases of primary infection with cytomegalovirus, 7 (25%) of whom transmitted the infection to their fetuses. Risk factors for intrauterine infection were 1) age less than 20 years, 2) Caucasian rather than nonCaucasian race, 3) a weak response to cytomegalovirus antigen in the lymphocyte transformation test, and 4) the excretion of cytomegalovirus in the urine. The greatest risk was when a weak lymphoproliferative response was detected in combination with a positive result for virus isolation, in which case the chance of fetal infection was 83%. Despite these associations, there was one important anomalous result of a woman who demonstrated a strong lymphocyte response during pregnancy and a negative result for virus isolation, but who gave birth to an infected baby who developed unilateral hearing loss.
Herion addicts infected by HBV and HIV have a low prevalence of HBV DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells
Authors: Delfini Carlo , Garbuglia Anna Rosa , Alfani Elena , Caro Antonino Di , Sette Pietro , Benedetto Arrigo
Published: March 2007

Several reports show that the prevalence of HBV (hepatitis B virus) carriers in HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infected populations is significantly higher than in HIV seronegative individuals, independent of the risk group for HIV, that is, homosexuals or drug abusers. In this context, evaluation of the simultaneous presence of HBV and HIV in PBMCs (peripheral blood monuclear cells) is of particular interest for at least 2 reasons: 1) the possible reciprocal influence of the 2 viruses when they infect the same cell; 2) the possibility that HIV‐iduced hematological disorders could indirectly influence the settling of HBV in blood cell populations.

We report data on the frequency of PCR positivity for HBV DNA in PBMCs from 62 HIV infected patients, rigorously selected by risk group, that is, intravenous use of heroin for at least 3 years and syringe promiscuity. Sixtyseven HIV negative individuals who never used any drug formed the control group. The analysis of the cases positive for HBV DNA in PBMCs showed that 1) the overall prevalence of PCR positivity found in HIV infected patients was significantly lower than that registered in the control group; 2) PCR positivity among the subjects who were HBsAg negative and anti‐HBV positive was extremely low in the HIV infected patients (3.7%) but quite frequent in the HIV negative subjects (37.0%). The results support the hypothesis that, unlike the HIV negative individuals, our HIV infected patients exhibited HBV DNA in PBMCS almost exclusively when they presented with active HBV replication.
Novel assay for the detection of immunoglobulin G antihuman immunodeficiency virus in untreated saliva and urine
Authors: Connell Jeffrey A. , Parry John V. , Mortimer Philip P. , Duncan Julian
Published: March 2007

Epidemiological evidence and laboratory studies indicate that human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV 1) is rarely, if ever, transmitted in saliva or urine. In that both specimens are easy to collect, each may be a useful alternative to serum specimens for anti‐HIV screening. A rapid, simple, and robust IgG‐capture enzyme‐linked immunsorbent assay (GACELISA) suitable for the detection of anti‐HIV 1 and 2 in saliva and urine was developed. Following optimisation of the assay, 177 salivary and 568 urine specimens collected from individuals of known serostatus were investigated. The assay was 100% sensitive on 50 salivary (median OD/CO = 8.9) and 126 urinary (median OD/CO = 8.6) specimens collected from anti‐HIV‐positive patients. The specificity was 100% on 127 salivary specimens (median OD/CO = 0.37) and 422 urinary specimens (median OD/CO = 0.39) collected from anti‐HIV‐negative individuals. These findings demonstrate that GACELISA HIV 1 + 2 tests on saliva or on urine are an accurate alternative to a conventional anti‐HIV test of blood. This assay is satisfactory for surveillance purposes and, with appropriate precautions, could be used clinically.
Cervical HPV infection among HIV‐infected prostitutes addicted to hard drugs
Authors: van Doornum G. J. J. , van den Hoek J. A. R. , van Ameijden E. J. C. , van Haastrecht H. J. A. , Roos M. Th. L. , Henquet C. J. M. , Quint W. G. V. , Coutinho R. A.
Published: March 2007

An investigation into the prevalence of human papilloma virus (HPV) infection, abnormal cervical cytology and the relationship between HIV‐and HPV infection was done in a group of intravenously (IV) and non‐IV drug‐using prostitutes. From July 1991 through May 1992, hard drugaddicted prostitutes attending a sexually‐transmitted‐disease (STD) clinic in Amsterdam were recruited. A questionnaire was administered to obtain demographic characteristics, and medical and STD history. Apart from routine STD examination, cervical scrapes for cytology and samples for HPV DNA detection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were collected. Some of the women included in this study also participated in HIV studies among drug users. Their data on HIV‐ and immunologic status could be combined.

A total of 121 women entered the study; 25 women were HIV‐seropositive, 44 women were HIV‐negative, and the HIV status of 52 women was unknown. All 25 HIV‐positive women had normal Pap smears, two of the 44 HIV‐negative women had a Pap smear III A, and in the HIV‐unknown group, two women with Pap III A and one with Pap III B were found. Eight of the 25 (32%) HIV‐positive women were HPV DNA‐positive, three of the 44 (7%) HIV‐negative women and 10/52 (19%) of the HIV‐unknown group. Logistic regression analysis showed that in the total group, presence or cervical HPV DNA was associated with HIV infection (order ratio [OR] for HIV‐positives 7.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.8 to 34.6) and with diagnosis of condylomata acuminata at entry to the study (OR 7.5, 95% CI 1.5 to 36.5). The mean of the calculated minimal duration of HIV infection was 6.5 years for HPV‐positive women vs. 4.2 years for the HPV‐negative women (P = 0.001, OR 1.8 per year, 95% CI 1.1 to 3.2). The difference of CD4 T‐cell counts between HPV‐positive and negative women (all HIV‐positive) was statistically not significant (557/mm3 vs. 486/mm3).

Our data indicate that in this group of hard drug‐addicted prostitutes, HIV infection is associated with a higher prevalence of HPV infection but not with a higher rate of abnormal cervical cytology. In the group of HIV‐infected women, an association between CD4 T‐cell counts and HPV infection was not established.
Sensitive assays for hepatitis a antibodies
Authors: Miller W. J. , Clark W. , Hurni W. , Kuter B. , Schofield T. , Nalin D.
Published: March 2007

Two commercial assay kits for detecting antibody to hepatitis A virus (anti‐HAV) have been modified in order to increase their sensitivity. These modifications are made by less dilution of the test serum, in the case of Abbott HAVAB‐M assay, or by an increase in the volumetric ratio of the test serum to the labeled anti‐HAV in the case of the Abbott HAVAB assay. These modifications result in 5‐ to 20‐fold increases in test sensitivity and enable the detection of anti‐HAV at 2–3 weeks following vaccination. The earlier detection of anti‐HAV is important to vaccine development in assuring the presence of antibody levels in travelers sooner after vaccination.
Markers of hepatitis C virus infection in sardinian blood donors: Relationship with alanine aminotransferase levels
Authors: Lai Maria Eliana , Mazzoleni Anna P. , Farci Patrizia , Melis Antonello , Porru Antonella , Orgiana Giuseppina , Arnone Michele , Balestrieri Angelo
Published: March 2007

Serum samples from 1,765 consecutive Sardinian blood donors, negative for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and for antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (anti‐HIV), were evaluated for the presence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti‐HCV) by second‐generation ELISA. Anti‐HCV was detected in 25 (1.45%) of the 1,765 donors examined. Anti‐HCV was found in 15 of the 1,690 (0.9%) donors with normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and in 10 of the 75 (13%) donors with elevated ALT (P < 0.0001). Of the 15 anti‐HCV‐positive donors with normal ALT, only five (33%) were confirmed to be positive by second‐generation RIBA, six (40%) were indeterminate, while four (27%) were RIBA negative. HCV RNA, as detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using a set of primers from the 5′‐noncoding region, was found in six of the 15 (40%) donors with normal ALT, including five RIBA, positive and one indeterminant. Of the 10 anti‐HCV‐positive donors with elevated ALT, all were RIBA positive and eight (80%) had detectable HCV RNA. Thus, among ELISA‐reactive donors, those with elevated ALT had a significantly higher probability of being positive for secondgeneration RIBA and HCV RNA compared to those with normal ALT levels (P = 0.028). None of the 65 donors with elevated ALT but negative for anti‐HCV by ELISA had detectable serum HCV RNA, as compared to eight of 10 anti‐HCV ELISApositive donors (P < 0.0001). However, although negative for HBsAg, 12 of the 65 (18%) had serum HBV DNA by PCR. This study demonstrates that the combined use of second‐generation ELISA and RIBA anti‐HCV assays is highly effective in identifying HCV infection, whereas the specificity of ELISA alone for the screening of blood donors with normal ALT values appears to be limited. In contrast, in donors with elevated ALT levels, there is a positive correlation between second‐generation assays (ELISA and RIBA) and HCV viremia. The high proportion of inapparent HBV infection in blood donors with elevated ALT levels underlines the importance of this test for the prevention of transfusion‐associated viral hepatitis.
Blood in saliva of patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: Possible implication in sexual transmission of the disease
Authors: Piazza Marcello , Chirianni Antonio , Picciotto Ludovico , Cataldo Pietro Tullio , Borgia Guglielmo , Orlando Raffaele
Published: March 2007

The presence and concentration of haemoglobin in saliva of anti‐human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive subjects, anti‐HIV‐negative subjects at high risk of infection, and healthy controls were studied. One hundred eighty‐eight subjects were anti‐HIV‐positive intravenous drug abusers (IVDA), 22 were anti‐HIV‐positive homosexual men, 23 were anti‐HIV‐positive heterosexual contacts, 132 were anti‐HIV‐negative IVDA, 35 were anti‐HIV‐negative homosexual men, and 154 were healthy controls. Two milliliters of saliva was collected in the morning before brushing teeth, and the presence and the concentration of haemoglobin were determined. Based on hemoglobin, the data show that the anti‐HIV‐positive IVDA have the highest tendency to bleeding. The difference between this group with respect to anti‐HIV‐negative IVDA (P < 0.05) and compared with healthy controls (P < 0.01) is statistically significant. This is also true of anti‐HIV‐positive heterosexual contacts with respect to healthy controls (P < 0.01). Our data show that all at‐risk groups, both anti‐HIV positive and anti‐HIV negative, have higher haemoglobin concentration than the control group; this difference reaches statistical significance only between anti‐HIV‐positive IVDA and controls (P < 0.01). The concentration of haemoglobin is significantly higher in subjects with CD4+ lymphocytes < 200/mm3 compared to subjects with CD4+ lymphocytes > 200/mm3 (P < 0.01), in subjects with AIDS‐related complex (ARO/AIDS compared to asymptomatic/PGL subjects (P < 0.01), and in subjects with stomatitis compared to subjects without stomatitis (P < 0.05). The possibility that subjects with AIDS, particularly IVDA, could transmit infection through saliva in traumatic and repetitive sexual context (e.g., passionate kissing, insertive fellatio, etc.) is discussed. © 1994 Wiiey‐Liss, Inc.
Investigation of varicella‐zoster virus DNA by the polymerase chain reaction in healthy children with varicella vaccination
Authors: Ozaki Takao , Masuda Susuniu , Asano Yoshizo , Kondo Kazuhiro , Namazue Junko , Yamanishi Koichi
Published: March 2007

Investigation of varicella‐zoster virus (VZV) DNA in 20 healthy children with varicella vaccination was carried out by using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nested double PCR. Samples of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and throat swabs were simultaneously collected 3 times (before, 1 week, and 4 weeks after vaccination) for PCR analysis. One sample of PBMC was also obtained from each of the 12 healthy children with varicella during the acute phase as a positive control. VZV DNA was not found by the first PCR in any samples except one PBMC of a control subject. The nested double PCR, which is a more sensitive method for VZV DNA detection, was applied to the same samples. The viral DNA was detected in every PBMC of the controls, and in 2 (16.7%) PBMC at 1 week and in 6 (50%) PBMC at 4 weeks after vaccination in the 12 vaccinees with seroconversion. In 3 of 4 vaccinees who were seropositive before vaccination, VZV DNA was detected in PBMC at 1 or 4 weeks after vaccination. The three vaccinees showed a booster immunization with a significant increase in antibody liters. In contrast, no VZV DNA could be detected in any throat swabs of all the vaccinees nor in PBMC of the vaccinees who did not Seroconvert. © 1994 Wiiey‐Liss, Inc.
Completely or nearly identical hepatitis B virus strains replicate between patients with acute or fulminant hepatitis B and their respective infectious sources
Authors: Aye Thein Thein , Uchida Toshikazu , Becker Sven O. , Shikata Toshio , Mima Satoaki
Published: March 2007

Five patients with acute hepatitis B and four with fulminant hepatitis B were selected for sequencing of the precore/core gene of the virus strains. Furthermore, identical sequencing was done with the HBV of the infectious sources, i.e., the sexual partner in eight cases and a natural child (chronic carrier) infecting the mother in one case. Of the subjects responsible for the infection, four were healthy HBV carriers, three suffered from chronic hepatitis B, and one from acute and one from fulminant hepatitis B. The nucleotide sequences of HBV from both the patients and the implicated sources of infection exhibited perfect identity of the precore region and perfect or high identity of the core region. The completely or nearly identical strain of virus seemed to proliferate successively in the patients following the transmission from the infecting individuals regardless of sequence variations and infectious status. In two cases a peculiar pattern of infection and disease was found: In one married couple the husband, during the incubation period of acute hepatitis B, infected his wife, who developed fulminant hepatitis. In another married couple, both partners ultimately developed fulminant hepatitis (the wife being the source of the infection). © 1994 Wiiey‐Liss, Inc.
Sequential change of the hypervariable region of the hepatitis C virus genome in acute infection
Authors: Sakamoto Naoya , Enomoto Nobuyuki , Kurosaki Masayuki , Marumo Fumiaki , Sato Chifumi
Published: March 2007

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is characterized by persistence of liver inflammation that often leads to end‐stage liver disease, although the mechanisms are not fully understood. A hyper‐variable region (HVR) has been reported in the E2/NS1 region of the HCV genome, in which striking diversity is found among different HCV isolates. To investigate the association of the HVR alterations with the clinical courses of HCV infection, a longitudinal analysis of the HVR in patients with acute HCV infection was carried out. Plasma samples were obtained at several times in three patients with acute hepatitis C. Plasma RNA was extracted and reverse transcribed, and DNA fragments that included the HVR were amplified by PCR. The sequences of the HVR were directly determined from the PCR products by the dideoxy chain termination method, from which amino acid sequences were deduced. In all cases, plasma HCV‐RNA disappeared with the improvement of the initial alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation, but HCV‐RNA reappeared about 1 year later with or without deterioration of the hepatitis. In a case of sporadic acute hepatitis, the HCV in the recurrent phase had seven amino acid substitutions in the HVR compared with that in the acute phase, although no amino acid changes were noted during the initial acute phase. In a case of posttransfusion hepatitis, a marked difference was observed between the acute and the recurrent phases, with an amino acid homology of 30% (8/27). The mutation rate of the HVR had a tendency to accelerate as the HCV infection progressed to the chronic stage. In conclusion, the HVR changes serially during the course of acute HCV infection, and these HVR changes may play a part in the chronicity of HCV infection. © 1994 Wiiey‐Liss, Inc.
Molecular epidemiological studies of human herpesvirus 6 in families
Authors: Mukai Tetsu , Yamamoto Takeshi , Kondo Toshio , Kondo Kazuhiro , Okuno Toshiomi , Kosuge Haruhiko , Yamanishi Koichi
Published: March 2007

The mode of transmission of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV‐6) was investigated by molecular epidemiological techniques in four families. HHV‐6 was isolated from the peripheral blood of seven infants with exanthem subitum, including siblings, and from the saliva of two mothers. These isolates were examined for genetic relatedness by means of restriction enzymes analysis of purified DNA. While the profiles of the digestion patterns differed among families, they were very similar in a particular family. These results may suggest that HHV‐6 is transmitted primarily from mother to child. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Seroepidemiology of human T‐lymphotropic virus type I infection among intravenous drug abusers in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Chien‐Jen , Hsieh Shu‐Feng , Yang Czau‐Siung
Published: March 2007

In order to assess seroprevalence of human T‐lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV‐I) infection among intravenous drug abusers in Taiwan, serum samples were collected from 858 male study subjects. Antibodies against HTLV‐I (anti‐HTLV‐l) in sera were tested by enzyme‐linked immu‐nosorbent assay and confirmed by Western blotting. The overall prevalence of anti‐HTLV‐l (2.3%) in drug abusers was significantly higher than that in the general population in Taiwan with a relative risk of 4.9, but it was only slightly higher than that in prostitutes (1.9%). There was a statistically significant increase in prevalence with age. Drug abusers engaged in prostitution had a significantly higher prevalence (18.2%) than those who were not (2.1%). No significant association with anti‐HTLV‐l positivity was observed with marital status and educational level. Tattooed abusers had an increased prevalence (2.7%) compared with the untattooed (1.4%). Drug abusers tattooed before 1980 had a significantly higher prevalence (3.5%) than those tattooed after 1980 (0.8%). Anti‐HTLV‐l prevalence was higher for those who had been blood transfused (4.5%) than untransfused abusers (2.0%). © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Detection of hepatitis c virus rna genome in liver tissue by nonisotopic in situ hybridization
Authors: Lau Johnson Y. N. , Davis Gary L.
Published: March 2007

A rapid technique for the detection of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in liver section using noniso‐topic in situ hybridization was described. Only 3 of the 10 patients seropositive for antibody to HCV and HCV RNA had detectable HCV RNA in the hepatocytes (1%, 2%, and 15% of cells positive). No specific signal was detected in sinusoidal, biliary epithelial, and mononuclear cells. The positive hepatocytes were scattered in the liver lobule with occasional clusters. The positive signal was confined to the cytoplasmic compartment. These data support the previous observation of the hepatocyte tropism of HCV. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genotypes and titers of hepatitis C virus for predicting response to interferon in patients with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Hino Kunihiko , Sainokami Shigehiko , Shimoda Kazumi , Iino Shiro , Wang Yu , Okamoto Hiroaki , Miyakawa Yuzo , Mayumi Makoto
Published: March 2007

Interferon induces remission in about 50% of patients with chronic hepatitis C, but it is difficult to predict which patients will respond. Host and viral factors were evaluated for correlation with response to interferon in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Recombinant interferon alpha‐2b with a total dose of 480‐560 million units was given to 136 patients, of whom 74 (54%) responded. Genotypes of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in sera, I, II, III, IV, and V, were determined by poly‐merase chain reaction (PCR) with type‐specific primers. In 72 patients, pretreatment levels of HCV RNA were titrated by PCR in serial tenfold dilutions of RNA extracted from serum. Response to interferon occurred in 34 (40%) of 85 patients infected with HCV of genotype II, less frequently than in 22 (85%) of 26 with genotype III (P < 0.001) or in 7 (70%) of 10 with genotype IV. Of 51 patients with genotype II HCV, 6 of 8 (75%) with HCV RNA titers <106 responded, more frequently than 4 of 43 (9%) with titers ≥ 106 (P < 0.001). Responders were younger than non‐responders (45.7 ± 11.7 vs. 50.3 ± 9.6 yr) and had received transfusions less frequently (26/74 or 35% vs. 37/62 or 60%, P < 0.01). Response to interferon correlated inversely with the severity of liver histopathology. These results indicate that response to interferon is influenced by HCV genotypes and pretreatment levels of HCV RNA in serum. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hepatitis type E in Italy: A seroepidemiological survey
Authors: Zanetti A. R. , Dawson G. J.
Published: March 2007

The seroprevalence of antibodies to HEV was determined in three different Italian populations (volunteer blood donors, normal healthy individuals, and intravenous drug users [IVDUs]). The seroprevalence in the populations ranged from 0.74% to 1.94%, with higher rates among IVDUs and individuals over 40 years of age. None of 35 patients diagnosed with acute hepatitis A but 10 of 153 (6.5%) patients with acute nonA, nonB, nonC hepatitis were found to be positive for anti‐HEV antibody. One of these antibody positive cases was linked to travel, while the remaining 9 were not associated with travel to endemic areas. These data suggest a possible low circulation Of HEV in Italy. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In vivo production of tumour necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐6 in BALB/c mice inoculated intranasally with a high dose of respiratory syncytial virus
Authors: Hayes P. J. , Scott R. , Wheeler J.
Published: March 2007

Intranasal administration of an inoculum of 107 focus‐forming units (FFU) of respiratory syncy‐tial (RS) virus induced disease in BALB/c mice with signs of anorexia, cachexia, ruffled fur, and pneumonia. Mice displayed mild signs of illness on day 1 postinoculation (PI), followed by a transient recovery phase of 3 days. Disease rapidly reappeared on day 5 PI and worsened on subsequent days, with mortalities by day 7 PI. Mice inoculated with 5 × 106 FFU exhibited milder signs of disease, while those inoculated with 2 × 106 FFU and control mice given only Hep‐2c cell suspension exhibited no noticeable signs of illness. High levels of bioactive tumour necrosis factor‐a (TNF‐a) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) were detected in both lungs and sera of mice inoculated with 107 FFU of virus. Peak levels of both cyto‐kines were detected at day 1 PI but remained detectable throughout the 7 day period studied postinoculation. Cytokine levels were much lower or were undetectable in control mice. These results suggest that the macrophage is stimulated in vivo to produce inflammatory cy‐tokines in response to RS virus infection. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification of a human group C rotavirus in Malaysia
Authors: Rasool Nassar B. G. , Hamzah M. , Jegathesan M. , Wong Y. H. , Qian Y. , Green Kim Y.
Published: March 2007

Stool specimens from 334 infants and young children hospitalized with diarrhea in the General Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia between August and November, 1987 were analyzed for the presence of rotavirus double‐stranded (ds) RNA by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Of the 334 specimens analyzed, 32 (9.6%) were positive for rotavirus RNA. One specimen (designated G147) exhibited ads RNA electrophero‐type profile characteristic of Group C rotavirus and was selected for further characterization. In Northern blot hybridization studies, the gene 5 segment of strain G147 hybridized with a cDNA probe generated from the cloned gene 5 (which encodes the VP6 inner capsid protein that is group specific) of porcine Group C rotavirus strain Cowden, confirming the classification of strain G147 in Group C. The association of Group C rotavirus with diarrheal illness in Malaysia is consistent with earlier studies that suggest a global distribution of this virus and supports the need for additional epidemiologic studies. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hepatitis C virus genotypes, reactivity to recombinant immunoblot assay 2 antigens and liver disease
Authors: Ichimura H. , Tamura I. , Kurimura O. , Koda T. , Mizui M. , Tsuchie H. , Kurimura T.
Published: March 2007

To clarify the relationship between hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes and liver disease, we typed HCV genomes in the sera of 151 blood donors, 180 patients with type C chronic liver disease (CLD), and 30 haemophiliacs residing in Hiroshima, Japan. All of the subjects were positive for anti‐HCV and HCV‐RNA, and were examined for seroreactivity to HCV‐specific antigens. The HCV genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with type‐specific primers deduced from the putative core region of the HCV genome. Significantly more (P< 0.001) type II HCV was found in the samples from the CLD patients (80%) than in those from the blood donors (55%). Significantly more (P< 0.001) type III HCV was found in the samples from the blood donors (29.1%) than in those from the CLD patients (11.7%). There was no significant difference in the distribution of the HCV types among the patients with chronic active hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. A four‐antigen recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA‐2) assay was used to compare the serum samples for their reactivity to a range of structural and nonstructural peptides specific for HCV (5–1–1, C100‐3, C33c, and C22‐3). The frequency of serop‐ositivity to 5–1–1 and C100‐3 was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in type II HCV‐infected blood donors than in type III HCV‐infected donors (68.2% and 65.9% vs. 4.5% and 22.7%, respectively). Among the type III HCV‐infected individuals, the CLD patients had a significantly higher (P<0.01) frequency of seropositivity to 5–1–1 than the blood donors (33.3% vs. 4.5%). These results suggest that type II HCV is more likely than type III HCV to induce clinical disease, and further, that the difference in the extent of synthesis of the viral protein (5–1–1) between these types may play a role in the pathogenicity of HCV. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.