bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus: Role of maternal HBeAg and anti‐HBc IgM
Authors: Hwang Lu‐Yu , Roggendorf Michael , Beasley R. Palmer , Deinhardt Friedrich
Published: March 2007

The development of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carrier states in newborns of HBsAg‐positive mothers was correlated to the presence of anti‐HBc IgM and HBeAg in the mothers. There was a positive correlation between infection of the newborn and the presence of HBeAg, as shown previously, but no correlation with anti‐HBc IgM.
Demonstration of a transient rheumatoid factor in the acute phase of hepatitis non A, non B
Authors: Roggendorf M. , Deinhardt F. , Böhm B. , Tabor E.
Published: March 2007

The evaluation of an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test designed to detect antigens of hepatitis non A, non B (HNANB) revealed that a rheumatoid factor (RF)‐like reaction was interfering. This RF‐like reaction was not detectable by routine screening methods for RF, such as latex agglutination or the Waaler Rose test. Testing of sequential sera of chimpanzees with acute HNANB showed that this RF‐like reaction was present in the acute phase of HNANB simultaneously with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevations. Characterization of this RF‐like reaction revealed the presence of an JgM antibody against human IgG that banded in CsCl at 1.3 g/ml and at 19S in sucrose gradients. Absorption with IgG‐coated latex particles and anti‐human IgM gave further evidence of an RF. By testing sera of patients with different forms of acute viral hepatitis, it was demonstrated that an RF‐like factor was also present in seven sera from 9 patients with acute hepatitis A, in two sera from 11 patients with hepatitis B, and seven sera from 11 patients with acute HNANB. The rise of RF in the acute phase of hepatitis A may be an effect of polyclonal stimulation of IgM producing B lymphocytes. The high prevalence of RF in HNANB remains unclear as no polyclonal stimulation of IgM has been observed.
Transfusion‐acquired cytomegalovirus infection in cardiac surgery patients
Authors: Preiksaitis J. K. , Grumet F. C. , Smith W. K. , Merigan T. C.
Published: March 2007

The incidence of transfusion‐acquired primary cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection was studied in 483 cardiac surgery patients. Ninety‐six patients (20%) were found to lack antibody to CMV [CMV Ab(−)] as measured by radioimmunoassay. Sixty‐eight CMV Ab(−) were followed by viral culture and/or serology from eight weeks to one year after transfusion. Transfusion requirements in CMV Ab(−) patients were as follows: whole blood/packed red blood cells, mean 4.7 ± 2.6 units; platelets (20 patients), 6.9 ± 3.8 units; fresh frozen plasma (25 patients), mean 3.3 ± 1.6 units. Forty‐nine percent of 235 donor units tested had antibody to CMV. One donor unit (0.4%) had CMV‐specific IgM. This was not associated with CMV infection in the recipient. One patient (1.5%) demonstrated evidence of seroconversion to CMV during the follow‐up period. This is significantly less than reported in previously published studies (P <.01). Serological methods used, the age of the transfused blood, the immune status of the transfusion recipient, and the administration of passive antibody in fresh frozen plasma are factors that may be responsible for the low incidence observed.
Clinical evaluation of a monoclonal assay for hepatitis B surface antigen:Identification of “HBsAg‐like” polypeptides non‐reactive in conventional radioimmunoassays
Authors: Karayiannis P. , Goodall A. H. , Waters J. A. , Galpin S. , Lok A. , Thorp R. , Thomas H. C.
Published: March 2007

An immunoradiometric assay for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) that employs monoclonal antibodies directed against the common epitope(s) of HBsAg was used to analyse 3,694 samples of human serum. Further analysis of those sera identified as HBsAg‐positive in this assay demonstrated that the findings with the monoclonal‐antibody‐based assay correlated with the presence of HBsAg as determined by Ausria II. A small proportion of apparently false‐positive reactions were observed, in that some sera, although reactive with the monoclonal antibodies, were not positive in conventional immunoassays using polyclonal antisera, nor were they neutralisable with polyclonal anti‐HBs. The material purified by monoclonal immunoabsorbants from representative “true” and “false‐positive” sera was run on polyacrylamide gels and examined under the electron microscope. The antigen in the apparently false‐positive sera contained some polypeptides of similar size to those found in HBsAg, but no virus particles were seen by electron microscopy. The majority of patients with this monoclonal‐antibody‐reactive antigen gave either a history of hepatitis B virus (HBV) contact or had signs of liver disease.
The development of monoclonal antibodies to respiratory syncytial virus and their use in diagnosis by indirect immunofluorescence
Authors: Routledge E. G. , McQuillin J. , Samson A. C. R. , Toms G. L.
Published: March 2007

Twelve clones of murine hybridoma cells secreting antibody specific for respiratory syncytial (RS) virus were classified into four groups on the basis of their pattern of staining of unfixed RS virus‐infected HEp‐2 cells in an indirect immunofluorescence test. Three of the groups reacted with virus antigens present on the membrane of the cells, whilst the fourth group failed to stain most live cells, suggesting specificity for an antigen expressed internally. Representative monoclonals from the membrane antigen staining groups immunoprecipitated the 86K glycoprotein (G), 50K plus 19K glycoprotein (F1,2) and a 23K non‐glycosylated protein (VP23). A representative monoclonal from the fourth group that appeared to stain an internally expressed protein immunoprecipitated the virion 34K phospho‐protein (P).

All four monoclonals stained acetone‐fixed tissue culture cells infected with either the Long strain of RS virus or with strains isolated in Newcastle during the 1965, 1972, and 1983 winter epidemics. The anti‐fusion protein antibody stained acetone‐fixed cells from all of 26 nasopharyngeal secretions from infants with RS virus infection. The anti‐G glycoprotein antibody and the anti‐VP23 antibody stained cells from secretions poorly or not at all, whilst the anti‐P protein antibody stained cells in half the secretions tested but reacted with only a small proportion of cells in comparison with the anti‐F or polyclonal antibodies. A pool of all four monoclonals produced more intense staining than the anti‐F monoclonal alone and gave a more clearly defined staining reaction than the polyclonal antiserum used for routine diagnosis in over half the secretions. These results indicate that monoclonal antibodies will be of value in the diagnosis of RS virus by indirect immunofluorescence if care is taken in the selection of a suitable pool.
Comparative sequence analysis of duck and human hepatitis B virus genomes
Authors: Sprengel Rolf , Kuhn Christa , Will Hans , Schaller Heinz
Published: March 2007

We have cloned and sequenced an infectious, functionally active genome of a duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV). It is 3,021 base pairs (bp) in length and shows little DNA sequence homology to the genome of human hepatitis B virus (HBV). However, the amino acid sequences of predicted viral gene products are similar between DHBV and HBV, and the genome organization present in DHBV reflects that of HBV. As in the mammalian virus the long minus strand of the DHBV genome encodes three long overlapping reading frames designated as P, S, and C. The fourth open reading frame, termed X, is absent in DHBV. A comparison with a sequence of a second DHBV isolate [Mandart et al, Journal of Virology 49:782–792, 1984] revealed a nucleotide sequence variation of 5.6% and confirmed the presented overall gene organization of DHBV.
Rotavirus infection in a small community
Authors: Holdaway M. D. , Kalmakoff J. , Todd B. A. , Jennings L. C.
Published: March 2007

Serial titres of rotavirus specific IgG and IgM have been measured in children and adults living in a small community over a 21/4‐year period. In all age groups the mean titres of rotavirus specific IgG and IgM rose and fell in parallel with the changes in frequency of gastroenteritis symptoms in the communily bul after the time when respiratory symptoms reached their peak.

Gastroenteritis symptoms were seen most commonly in the children but were also frequent in adults, especially the women. Titres of rotavirus specific IgG changed with age, increasing through childhood into early adult life, but decreased thereafter only to increase again in those over the age of 50 years. Females had higher levels of IgG in all age groups but especially among the children and 30–49‐year‐old women. The high levels of IgG did not protect the young adults from symptomatic gastroenteritis.

Detectable levels of rotavirus specific IgM occurred in all age groups but more commonly in children aged under 10 years and in young adults. Raised levels of IgM were uncommon in the elderly, who rarely suffered gastroenteritis symptoms.

An epidemiological model is proposed in which the older members of the community act as a reservoir of rotavirus, passing the infection to the chidren, who then infect the young adults.
Presence of HBV DNA in spermatozoa: A possible vertical transmission of HBV via the germ line
Authors: Hadchouel M. , Scotto J. , Huret J. L. , Molinie C. , Villa E. , Degos F. , Brechot C.
Published: March 2007

Using molecular hybridization we studied the presence and state of HBV DNA in sperm samples obtained from 17 patients with HBV infection (eight HBsAg chronic carrier, nine acute hepatitis B). Presence of HBV DNA was detected in three samples of seminal fluid from three patients with acute hepatitis. Restriction enzyme patterns of cellular DNA were consistent with presence of integrated HBV DNA sequences in spermatozoa from two of these three patients. The results indicate that HBV DNA may be present in the semen, at least during the acute phase of HBV infection. The presence of HBV DNA in seminal fluid confirms the possibility of venereal transmission. The presence of integrated sequences in spermatozoa suggests the possibility of true vertical transmission of HBV via the germ line.
Detection of enteric adenoviruses by dot‐blot hybridization using a molecularly cloned viral DNA probe
Authors: Takiff Howard , Seidlin Mindell , Krause Philip , Rooney James , Straus Stephen E. , Brandt Carl , Rodriguez William , Yolken Robert
Published: March 2007

Enteric adenoviruses (EAds) (candidate adenoviruses 40 and 41, subgroups F and G) have been implicated in the etiology of gastroenteritis in infants, but their clinical significance has been unclear because a rapid test to distinguish these agents from other adenovirus (Ad) types has not been available. We developed a dot‐blot hybridization assay for EAd DNA using a cloned DNA fragment that has little homology to non‐EAd DNAs. The dot‐blot system detected less than 20 pg of EAd DNA, while showing minima cross hybridization to representative strains from all other Ad groups. There was no detectable hybridization to extracts of samples known to contain other enteric viruses. It was further shown that low levels of EAds in specimens could be amplified by culturing for 1 day in 293 cells. Stool samples and tissue culture lysates prescreened by electron microscopy, cell culture or ELISA were tested in a blind fashion. Using endonuclease analysis as the standard for typing the isolates, we found the dot‐blot system to have a 91% sensitivity and 71% specificity for detecting EAds and distinguishing them from other Ads. False‐positive and equivocal dot‐blot results appeared to be caused by other Ads.
Detection of adenoviruses in stool specimens by nucleic acid spot hybridization
Authors: Stålhandske Per , Hyypiä Timo , Allard Annika , Halonen Pekka , Pettersson Ulf
Published: March 2007

Nucleic acid hybridization was used for the detection of adenovirus DNA in stool specimens, and the results were compared with those obtained by a radioimmunoassay (RIA) for adenovirus hexon antigen. DNA from 40 specimens, 18 of which were positive by RIA, were spotted onto nitrocellulose filters and analyzed by hybridization using radioactively labeled adenovirus‐2 DNA or a cloned DNA fragment from enteric adenovirus‐41 as probes. With the adenovirus‐2 DNA probe, 15 of the 18 RIA‐positive specimens were also positive in the hybridization assay, and one of the RIA negative specimens was also scored as positive. The cloned adenovirus‐41 fragment gave a positive signal with five specimens, all of which were also detected with the adenovirus‐2 DNA probe. The results show that hybridization is an alternative method for detection of adenovirus in stool specimens. The sensitivity of the assay is comparable to that of the RIA.
Natural killing (NK) of cytomegalovirus (CMV)‐infected fibroblasts: A comparison between two strains of CMV, uninfected fibroblasts, and K562 cells
Authors: Waner Joseph L. , Nierenberg Julia A.
Published: March 2007

Spontaneous cytolysis of uninfected human fibroblasts (HF), K562 cells, and HF cells infected with cytomegalovirus (CMV) was associated with nonadherent peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) that passed through a nylon wool column, and rosetted with sheep erythrocytes at low affinity; cytolysis was further associated with enriched preparations of large granular lymphocytes (LGL). The Leu‐7 marker did not correlate as a cell phenotype with functional activity in normal donors. The HF cells infected with the AD169 strain of CMV were as sensitive to cytolysis as K562 cells, although the kinetics of cytolysis differed; HF cells infected with the Davis strain of CMV were generally less sensitive to cytolysis than uninfected fibroblasts.

Equivalent amounts of interferon were detected in NK assays containing Davis targets, AD169 targets, or K562 cells; interferon was not detected in NK assays of HF cells. Neither uninfected nor infected HF cells competed effectively against51Cr‐labeled K562 cells in cold competition experiments; K562 cells, however, competed effectively against51Cr‐labeled AD169‐CMV targets. Uninfected HF cells were efficient competitors of AD169‐CMV targets. Davis‐CMV‐infected cells were less effective, however, than uninfected HF cells in competition experiments, suggesting that fewer receptors for NK cells were present on these targets.
Immunostimulatory function of herpes simplex virus isolates from patients with frequent herpes labialis and a deficiency in immunespecific interferon production
Authors: Klieman Rachel L. , Green Jon A. , Spruance Spotswood L.
Published: March 2007

Approximately 30% of persons with frequent episodes of herpes labialis are deficient in the production of HSV‐induced immunespecific interferon (IFN) (Green, 1985). Herpes simplex virus (HSV) strains isolated from persons who make immunespecific IFN and from persons who do not make it were examined for their immunostimulatory capabilities. HSV isolated from the primary oral lesions of two patients deficient in immunespecific IFN production, one person with an intact immunespecific IFN response, HSV types 1 and 2 laboratory strains, and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) were added to cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBML) from HSV seropositive donors. All HSV‐isolates induced comparable titers of immunespecific IFN. These studies suggest that failure of some patients to develop an immunespecific IFN response is determined by the host, not the virus.
Detection of RS‐virus IgG‐subclass‐ specific antibodies: Variation according to age in infants and small children and diagnostic value in RS‐virus‐infected small infants
Authors: Hornsleth Allan , Bech‐Thomsen Niels , Friis Birgitte
Published: March 2007

The variation according to age of RS‐virus IgG‐subclass specific antibodies was investigated by ELISA in 140 acute phase sera from 140 infants and children 1–47 mo of age who were hospitalized with acute respiratory disease. Sixty‐nine of these serum samples were obtained from patients with RS‐virus infections. Mean OD values of IgG‐1 antibodies decreased corresponding to the decrease in maternal antibodies. In patients with RS‐virus infections, the mean IgG‐1 OD values increased in children who were 3 yr old, but in patients without RS‐virus infections this increase was observed in children at 1 yr of age. RS‐virus IgG‐3 antibodies were detected only in children 1–3 yrs of age, and only in 18% of samples from children without RS‐virus infections. The concept of the transient nature of RS‐virus IgG‐3 antibodies as compared with RS‐virus IgG‐1 antibodies is supported by these results.

RS‐virus subclass specific antibodies were studied in paired serum samples from 12 infants 1–5 mo of age with acute lower RS‐virus disease. IgG‐1 antibodies developed in six infants, but only in one of six infants aged 1–3 mo. IgG‐3 antibodies developed in nine infants, including four of six infants who were 1–3 mo old. These results suggest that in small infants with RS‐virus infections the detection of IgG‐3 antibodies is of higher diagnostic value than the detection of IgG‐1 antibodies.
Detection of BK virus antibodies measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and two haemagglutination inhibition methods: A comparative study
Authors: Flaegstad Trond , Traavik Terje
Published: March 2007

We developed a solid phase enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detecting IgG antibodies to BK virus (BKV). This test was compared to two haemagglutination inhibition methods, one using receptor‐destroying enzyme and the other NaIO4 to remove nonspecific inhibitors. The results show that this single dilution ELISA is a sensitive and specific test. The inherent advantages of this method make it an attractive alternative for the seroepidemiology of BKV.
Detection of cytomegalovirus in urine samples by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay
Authors: McKeating J. A. , Stagno S. , Stirk P. R. , Griffiths P. D.
Published: March 2007

An enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the detection of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in urine using monoclonal antibodies directed against CMV as a capture for viral antigen. The assay was capable of detecting virus at 102.3TCID50/ml as determined by titration of stock virus, strain Ad169.

The assay was found to have a sensitivity of 65% and a specificity of 100% when 73 coded stored urine specimens were examined. Assuming that the poor sensitivity was due to loss of antigen following storage, we proceeded to analyse fresh urine specimens. Surprisingly, the assay gave negative results with 46 fresh urines known to contain CMV; however, following storage at +4°C for two weeks, 35 (76%) of these samples gave ELISA results in the positive range. This detection of CMV, after storage at +4°C, could be due to degradation of virus particles leading to release of soluble glycoproteins into the medium or to the presence of an inhibitory substance in fresh urine that is destroyed during storage.
Relative frequency of human rotavirus subgroups 1 and 2 in Japanese children with acute gastroenteritis
Authors: Nakagomi Osamu , Nakagomi Toyoko , Oyamada Hajime , Suto Tsunehisa
Published: March 2007

Recently developed monoclonal antibodies against the 42,000‐dalton major inner capsid protein were used in an enzyme immunoassay to subgroup a total of 156 rotavirus specimens obtained from Japanese infants and young children with acute gastroenteritis during the period between December 1981 and April 1983. Only 2 specimens (1.3%) were identified as subgroup 1, whereas 154 specimens (98.7%) were identified as subgroup 2. The percentage of subgroup 2 rotaviruses obtained in this study was the highest among similar studies thus far performed in different areas of the world. One of the subgroup 1 isolates had fast‐moving 10th and 11th gene segments (the “long” pattern) typical of the subgroup 2 human rotaviruses.
Human antibody response to immunization with 17D yellow fever and inactivated TBE vaccine
Authors: Kayser M. , Klein H. , Paasch I. , Pilaski J. , Blenk H. , Heeg K.
Published: March 2007

The antibody response against flaviviruses tick‐borne encephalitis (TBE), Kyasanur Forest disease (KFD), Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE), West Nile fever (WNF), Japanese B encephalitis (JE), dengue 2 (DEN‐2), and yellow fever (YF) was studied in humans after administration of an inactivated TBE virus vaccine. Individuals were either prevaccinated with 17D yellow fever (experimental group) or without any previous exposure to flaviviruses (control group). The appearance of serum titres of homologous and heterologous haemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibodies, heterotypic DEN‐2 neutralizing antibodies, and TBE enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) antibodies were examined.

Individuals prevaccinated with the 17D yellow fever developed an antibody pattern that contrasted with that of the control group. This pattern was characterized as follows: (1) Predominantly anti‐TBE IgG antibodies appeared earlier and in higher titres than in the control group, (2) heterologous HI antibodies crossreacting with the WN flavivirus subgroup preceded the appearance of homologous HI antibodies, (3) a broad spectrum HI response was observed against all flaviviruses tested, and (4) low titre heterotypic DEN‐2 neutralizing antibodies were formed in about half of the cases. These observations are discussed in the context of cross‐reactivity, cross‐protection and virus infection enhancement.
Genetic relatedness among human rotaviruses
Authors: Flores Jorge , Perez‐Schael Irene , Boeggeman Elizabeth , White Laura , Perez Mireya , Purcell Robert , Hoshino Yasutaka , Midthun Karen , Chanock Robert M. , Kapikian Albert Z.
Published: March 2007

The genetic relatedness of 81 clinical rotavirus isolates to the human rotavirus prototype strains Wa (subgroup 2, serotype 1) and DS‐1 (subgroup 1, serotype 2) was examined by RNA hybridization techniques. Labeled single‐stranded ( + ) transcripts of Wa or DS‐1 virus were incubated with denatured genomic rotaviral RNAs, and the resulting hybrids were subjected to gel electrophoresis and autoradiography. Nineteen of the specimens contained subgroup 1 rotavirus with a “short” RNA migration pattern. These viruses were found to be closely related to the DS‐1 strain and were associated with illness of short duration. The remaining 62 isolates belonged to subgroup 2 and exhibited a “long” RNA migration pattern. Fifty‐four of these isolates exhibited significant hybridization with the Wa strain probe. Four isolates yielded multiple hybrid bands with the Wa probe but also possessed at least one gene segment homologous to the DS‐1 strain. The remaining four subgroup 2 rotaviruses did not exhibit significant homology in the form of labeled hybrid bands when tested with either the Wa or DS‐1 probe. These findings suggest that most clinical rotavirus isolates belong to one of two human rotavirus “families” defined as Wa‐like or DS‐1‐like. Our observations also suggest that reassortment occurs in vivo between rotaviruses belonging to the two human rotavirus “families” and that there are one or more additional families of human rotavirus.
Relationship between HBcAg in serum and liver and HBV replication in patients with HBsAg‐positive chronic liver disease
Authors: Pontisso Patrizia , Chemello Liliana , Fattovich Giovanna , Alberti Alfredo , Realdi Giuseppe , Brechot Christian
Published: March 2007

The expression of hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) in serum and in hepatocytes was evaluated in relation to HBV replication. Fifty chronic HBsAg carriers with histological evidence of liver disease were studied, including 24 HBeAg‐positive patients, 2 HBeAg/anti‐HBe‐negative patients, and 24 anti‐HBe‐positive cases, two of them with evidence of delta agent infection. Serum HBV‐DNA was evaluated in all patients and related to HBcAg examined at the same time in frozen liver biopsies by immunofluorescence and to HBcAg detected in the corresponding serum by a recently developed radioimmunoassay.

HBV‐DNA was present in serum in 20 (83%) HBeAg‐positive patients, all positive for serum HBcAg, whereas liver core antigen was detected in 14 (73%) of 19 cases. Among HBeAg‐negative patients, 50% showed the presence of circulating DNA viral sequences, and HBcAg was identified in five of 26 (19%) cases in serum and in six of 24 (25%) in the liver respectively. In 15 patients, liver fragments permitted examination in parallel by immunofluorescence for HBcAg and molecular hybridization for viral DNA in liver cells. A DNA pattern characteristic of viral replication was found in cases with evidence of active virion production, independently from HBeAg and anti‐HBe, and in these patients HBcAg was present both in serum and in hepatocytes. In two cases with free HBV‐DNA, without evidence of replicative activity, core antigen was not detected in the liver, but in one patient HBcAg was found in the serum. A similar finding was also noted in another patient, in whom the hybridization pattern was consistent with integration of viral genome into high‐molecular‐weight cellular DNA. Whether serum HBcAg detected in these patients without HBV‐DNA in serum reflects the presence of defective viral particles or of core antigen released as a viral protein remains to be determined.
Detection of BK virus IgM antibodies by two enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and a hemagglutination inhibition method
Authors: Flaegstad Trond , Traavik Terje
Published: March 2007

We have used an antigen solid‐phase enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (SP‐ELISA) and an IgM antibody capture ELISA (MACELISA) for detecting IgM antibodies to human polyomavirus BK (BKV). These tests were compared with the standard hemagglutination inhibition test (HAI) of IgM serum fractions following sucrose density gradient fractionation. The SP‐ and MACELISA were not influenced by concomitant BKV‐IgG, but high levels of both BKV‐IgG and rheumatoid factor could cause false positive results by SPELISA, but not by MACELISA. The MACELISA gave much higher positive to negative ratios than the SPELISA.

The sensitivity and specificity of the two tests were high compared to the IgM‐HAI method. The sera could be tested in a single dilution (1:160), and thus the ELISA‐tests are useful for testing large numbers of sera.
Identification of genital tract papillomaviruses HPV‐6 and HPV‐16 in warts of the oral cavity
Authors: Naghashfar Zohreh , Sawada Edward , Kutcher Mark J. , Swancar James , Gupta Jean , Daniel Richard , Kashima Haskins , Woodruff J. Donald , Shah Keerti
Published: March 2007

Warty lesions of the oral cavity were examined for etiologic association with genital tract papillomaviruses HPV‐6, HPV‐11, and HPV‐16. DNAs extracted from ten oral biopsies were screened for HPV genomic sequences by Southern transfer hybridization with 32P‐labeled viral DNA probes. Nonstringent hybridization with an HPV‐6 probe revealed papillomavirus DNA sequences in four of seven tissues with histologic evidence of papillomatosis, in none of two tissues without histologic evidence of papillomatosis, and in one tissue that was not examined by histology. Stringent hybridization tests with HPV‐6 and HPV‐16 probes identified the genome in one tissue as being HPV‐16, in a second tissue as being HPV‐6 subtype a, and in a third tissue as HPV‐6 (subtype unidentified); papillomavirus DNA sequences in two tissues are as yet not identified. An additional case of HPV‐6 or HPV‐11 related oral cavity lesion was diagnosed by in situ hybridization of paraffin sections with a 35S‐labeled, mixed HPV‐6 + HPV‐11 probe. The hybridization in the positive section was extensive and confined to epithelial nuclei. The oral lesions associated with genital tract papillomaviruses were asymptomatic, multiple or single, and were located in different parts of the oral cavity, for example, on the gingivae, on the tongue, on the lip, on the tonsillar pillar, and on the floor of the mouth.
Comparison of long‐term systemic and secretory antibody responses in children given live, attenuated, or inactivated influenza A vaccine
Authors: Johnson Philip R. , Feldman Sandor , Thompson Juliette M. , Mahoney Josephine D. , Wright Peter F.
Published: March 2007

A comparison of inactivated intramuscular and live intranasal influenza A vaccines in young children undergoing primary immunization might be expected to show differences in serum and local mucosal antibody responses. To demonstrate such differences, serum and local respiratory tract antibody responses of young children vaccinated with intranasal live, attenuated, cold‐adapted (H3N2 or HINI), or intramuscular inactivated (H3N2) influenza A vaccines were examined for one year after vaccination. Antibody responses were measured by hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) and class‐specific enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). One year after vaccination, live intranasal vaccinees had significantly less decay of serum HAI (p = 0.025) and IgG antibody (p = 0.01) directed against the influenza hemagglutinin and neuraminidase than did intramuscular inactivated vaccinees. Nasal secretory IgA developed almost exclusively in live vaccinees and persisted for up to one year. Persistent nasal secretory IgG was detected in both live and inactivated vacinees. Live vaccination not only stimulates a more durable serum antibody response, but also induces long‐lasting local respiratory tract IgA antibody that may play an important role in host protection.
Cellular immune responses in mice challenged with an amyocarditic variant of coxsackievirus B3
Authors: Lutton C. W. , Gudvangen R. J. , Nealon T. J. , Paque R. E. , Gauntt C. J.
Published: March 2007

An amyocarditic variant of a temperature‐sensitive (ts) mutant derived from the parent myocarditic variant Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3m) was studied in a murine model of CVB3m‐induced myocarditis to assess virus‐induced antigens and their possible role in the disease process. Amyocarditic variant ts5R induced a heart tissue antigen(s), extractable by hypertonic KCI, which inhibited migration of peritoneal exudate cells from CVB3‐inoculated myocarditic mice in an agarose droplet cell‐migration‐inhibition assay. The ts5R variant was amyocarditic at inoculum doses of 103 to 108 plaque‐forming units per mouse, but in cyclophosphamide‐immunosuppressed mice, ts5R induced myocarditis. Viable ts5R served as a vaccine and protected mice against CVB3m‐induced myocarditis. Murine neonatal skin fibroblasts (MNSF) infected with either virus served as in vitro targets and were lysed by splenic cytotoxic T lymphocytes from mice inoculated with either virus variant. ts5R and CVB3m replicated to similar titers in murine neonatal skin fibroblasts (MNSF) at 24 hr postinoculation (pi), but differences in titers were found by 72 hr pi. Levels of natural killer cell activities in spleens of ts5R‐inoculated mice were slightly lower than in spleens of CVB3m‐inoculated mice at 7 days pi. The data suggest that viral induction of new antigens on target cells and viral induction of specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes that recognize these antigenic changes do not always result in induction of myocarditis.
Oral bromovinyldeoxyuridine therapy for herpes simplex and varicella‐zoster virus infections in severely immunosuppressed patients: A preliminary clinical trial
Authors: Tricot G. , De Clercq E. , Boogaerts M. A. , Verwilghen R. L.
Published: March 2007

Twenty‐five patients with haematological diseases were treated orally with the highly potent and selective anti‐herpes agent, bromovinyldeoxyuridine (BVDU), in a dosage of 7.5 mg/kg/day (divided over three or four doses a day) for 5 days for an intercurrent mucocutaneous herpesvirus infection. Of these 25 patients, 8 were severely granulocytopenic at the time of the viral infection, and 12 recently had undergone bone‐marrow transplantation; 5 were under cytotoxic therapy for a lymphoproliferative disorder; 13 had herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV‐1); 1 had herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV‐2); and 11 had varicella‐zoster virus (VZV) infection. In all but two patients, BVDU arrested progression of the HSV or VZV infection within 1–2 days after treatment was started. One of the two patients who failed to respond to BVDU had an HSV‐2 infection. The other had an HSV‐1 infection, which was highly sensitive to BVDU in vitro; BVDU may have failed in this patient because of incomplete drug intake or profuse diarrhoea, or both. The results of this preliminary uncontrolled clinical trial suggest that BVDU may be an effective and safe drug for the oral treatment of HSV‐1 and VZV infections in severely immunosuppressed patients.
Analysis of the genome of molluscum contagiosum virus by restriction endonuclease analysis and molecular cloning
Authors: Darai G. , Reisner H. , Scholz J. , Schnitzler P. , de Ruiz H. Lorbacher
Published: March 2007

Virions of molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV), a member of the poxviridae, were isolated directly from lesions of individual patients and characterized by restriction enzyme analysis. The comparative analysis of the cleavage patterns and Southern blot hybridization of 14 independently isolated virus samples revealed that MCV isolates can be classified into two different types. The majority of MCV isolated from clinically typical skin lesions (13 of 14) showed similar DNA cleavage patterns and were termed MCV type 1, whereas one isolate derived from a vaginal lesion showed a completely different DNA cleavage pattern and therefore was termed MCV type 2. For detailed investigation of the viral genome, a defined gene library of MCV DNA sequences was established. The Bam HI DNA fragments of the viral genome of MCV type 1 prototype isolate 1/80 was inserted into the bacterial plasmid vector pAT153. With the exception of terminal fragments (fragments A and B) of the viral genome, all other DNA fragments were cloned. All cloned Bam HI DNA fragments were individually identified by digestion of the recombinant plasmid DNA with different restriction enzymes and screened by hybridization of plasmid DNA to viral DNA.
Age‐specific prevalence of antibodies to pyrimidine kinase enzymes of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, and of varicella zoster virus
Authors: Bardy Bernhard , Seuna Leila , Hovi Tapani
Published: March 2007

The age‐specific prevalence of antibodies to pyrimidine kinase enzymes of herpes simplex virus types 1 (HSV‐1) and 2 (HSV‐2) and of varicella zoster virus (VZV) was measured in serum specimens from 360 persons. Specific inhibition of viral enzyme activity by the serum was used as an indication of the presence of antibodies to the enzyme. For HSV‐1 and HSV‐2 together the overall prevalence of positive sera increased with age and reached about 50% in the older age groups, the major part of the positive sera being HSV‐1 positive. Sera inhibitory to the VZV pyrimidine kinase enzyme were detected only sporadically. Six percent of the tested sera repeatedly inhibited the cytosolar corresponding enzyme of uninfected host cells by an unidentified mechanism. The results of the pyrimidine kinase antibody‐assay test were compared to those obtained by complement fixation (CF) and enzyme immunoassay (EIA) in a separate set of 50 sera. The correlation between the CF and the EIA tests was good in this selected serum set with CF titres from < 8 to 64. Twenty‐four percent of the CF positive sera were negative by the pyrimidine kinase antibody assay, while all pyrimidine‐kinase‐antibody‐positive sera also had antibodies detectable by the two other methods. These results confirm and extend earlier observations on the occurrence of antibodies in human sera to HSV and VZV pyrimidine kinase enzymes.
A controlled trial for evaluating two live attenuated mumps‐measles vaccines (Urabe Am 9‐Schwarz and Jeryl Lynn‐Moraten) in young children
Authors: Popow‐Kraupp Therese , Kundi Michael , Ambrosch Franz , Vanura Hanns , Kunz Christian
Published: March 2007

A prospective, randomised clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of two live attenuated mumps‐measles vaccines, the Urabe Am 9‐Schwarz and the Jeryl Lynn‐Moraten vaccine, in 400 young children aged 9 months‐4.5 years (median 13.4 months). Antibody responses to both vaccine components were measured by the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); 96.9% of the seronegative children who received the Urabe Am 9‐Schwarz vaccine showed satisfactory mumps antibody responses compared to 90% of the Jeryl Lynn‐Moraten vaccine recipients (P < .01). Similar proportions of both groups, 98.5% and 96.8%, respectively, developed measles virus specific antibodies. Both vaccines were equally well tolerated and clinically acceptable.
Serological diagnosis of acute delta hepatitis
Authors: Buti María , Esteban Rafael , Jardí Rosendo , Esteban Juan‐Lgnacio , Guardia Jaime
Published: March 2007

Sixty‐three intravenous drug addicts with HBsAg positive hepatitis were studied to evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) markers for diagnosis of acute HDV infection. Patients were tested for HBsAg, anti‐HBc‐IgM, and anti‐HD‐IgM by radioimmunoassay (RIA), and for hepatitis delta antigen (HD‐Ag) by a commercial enzyme‐linked immunoassay (ELISA). At least two serum samples at a mean interval of 4 wk were examined from each patient. HDV markers were found in 41 cases. In the first serum sample (obtained within 1–5 wk after onset of illness) HD‐Ag was found in 32 cases and was the only HDV marker in 22; in the remaining 10 cases, HD‐Ag was found along with total anti‐HD, and in 6 of them anti‐HD‐IgM was also detected. Five additional patients were only positive for total anti‐HD, and anti‐HD of the IgM class was the only marker in one patient. HD‐Ag was found more often in the patients studied during the first 2 wk of illness.

In the second serum sample, HD‐Ag was never the only marker detected, seven patients were still positive, and in all of them anti‐HD was also present. Thirty patients were only positive for anti‐HD. Seroconversion from HD‐Ag to anti‐HD occurred in 20 of 22 (91 %) patients.

The results suggest that HD‐Ag determination by ELISA in the initial serum sample, during the first 2 wk of illness, may be the most sensitive test for the diagnosis of acute delta infection, and that seroconversion to anti‐HD usually occurs after the sixth week of illness.
Development of a competitive enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay for detecting cytomegalovirus antibody
Authors: Wreghitt T. G. , Hicks Joanna , Gray J. J. , O'Connor Candice
Published: March 2007

A competitive enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detecting cytomegalovirus (CMV) antibody was developed. The competitive ELISA was five times more sensitive than the complement fixation test (CFT) and twice as sensitive as indirect ELISA. Testing of paired sera from cardiac transplant patients taken before and after transplantation showed good correlation between results of competitive and indirect ELISA and CFT. The competitive ELISA was more successful than CFT or indirect ELISA in detecting passively acquired antibody, but detection of CMV antibody by competitive ELISA immediately after primary CMV infection was unreliable, possibly because of the high affinity of the monoclonal antibody chosen for the horseradish peroxidase conjugate. However, competitive ELISA may well prove to be more suitable than indirect ELISA for detecting CMV antibody in blood donations.
Immunological reactivity of human sera with individual herpes simplex proteins: A comparative study of sera from patients with preinvasive or invasive cervical cancer and from controls
Authors: Teglbjaerg Christense S. , Feldborg Ruth , Norrild Bodil
Published: March 2007

Forty‐three human sera collected from patients with preinvasive or invasive cervical carcinoma were analyzed for their repertoire of herpes simplex virus (HSV) specific antibodies reactive with individual viral HSV‐1 and HSV‐2 proteins. The reactivity was compared to that of sera from 27 control persons.

The patients and controls were clinically and histologically characterized in a previous study we carried out, where the analysis of the HLA‐antigen pattern was compared among the groups [Vass‐Sørensen, 1984]. Immunoprecipitation analysis showed that only a subset of the infected cell proteins was precipitable by the human sera. The major proteins identified in the polyacrylamide gels were the glycoproteins B and D, the ICP‐5 and ICP‐8. There was no difference between the results obtained with patients and control sera. Immunoblot analysis showed that a different subset of HSV proteins reacted with the human sera, but the variability among individuals was significant. Rank data showed that sera from both patients and controls reacted most frequently with proteins belonging to the “35‐family” [Braun et al, 1984] and with the glycoproteins B and D of HSV‐1 and HSV‐2.
Diagnostic significance of anti‐HBc IgM (RIA) in healthy HBsAg carriers and in chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Surrenti C. , Ambu S. , Patussi V. , Milani S. , Casini A. , Zacchi P. , Ceccatelli P. , Cefaratti C. , D'Agata A.
Published: March 2007

The diagnostic significance of IgM antibody against hepatitis B core antigen (anti‐HBc) in healthy hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers and in subjects affected by chronic hepatitis B was evaluated. IgM anti‐HBc was sought and found in all nine patients examined who were affected by acute HBsAg‐positive hepatitis. It was also detected in 2 out of 18 patients with HBsAg‐positive chronic persistent hepatitis and in 12 out of 42 patients affected by HBsAg‐positive chronic active hepatitis. The absence of this marker was noted in all 26 HBsAg healthy carriers and in the subjects with HBsAg‐positive cirrhosis.

No relationship was found between the presence of IgM anti‐HBc and the degree of inflammatory activity in the patients with HBsAg‐positive chronic active hepatitis. A correlation was not found between the presence of IgM anti‐HBc and the presence of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) in the same patients.

These data show that the absence of IgM anti‐HBc may be useful in identifying healthy carriers of HBsAg. The presence of this antibody may be a suitable indication of acute HBsAg‐positive hepatitis.

In patients with chronic active hepatitis B the presence of IgM anti‐HBc cannot be used as diagnostic tool in predicting the severity of liver disease.
Typing and subtyping of herpes simplex isolates by monoclonal fluorescence
Authors: Sutherland S. , Morgan B. , Mindel A. , Chan W. L.
Published: March 2007

The type specificity of 16 herpes simplex monoclonal antibodies was tested on 50 isolates previously typed by endonuclease restriction. A panel of antibodies was selected and used to type isolates from 50 primary and 50 recurrent genital infections. Sixty‐four isolates from 18 patients followed up for six months were subtyped by using a larger panel of monoclonal antibodies and predominant HSV1 and HSV2 subtypes were demonstrated. In addition to confirming recurrences, four possible reinfections were identified. Type‐specific differences in the location of viral antigens in infected cells were noted and a possible association of this finding with the type‐specific differences in rates of recurrence of genital infections discussed.
Role of Calomys musculinus peritoneal macrophages in age‐related resistance to junin virus infection
Authors: Coulombié Félix C. , Alché Laura E. , Lampuri Jorge S. , Coto Celia E.
Published: March 2007

In nature, the cricetid Calomys musculinus is the principal host of Junin virus, the etiological agent of Argentine hemorrhagic fever. In the experimental infection, adult C. musculinus survived whereas newborns died after intraperitoneal inoculation with the XJ.Cl3 strain of Junin virus. The role of peritoneal macrophages in this age‐related resistance was studied.

Junin virus multiplied in cultivated macrophages from either neonatal or adult animals and, therefore, it was not possible to correlate the susceptibility of peritoneal macrophages to Junin virus infection with the age‐dependent resistance. When adult and neonatal animals were treated with silica prior to Junin virus infection, deaths occurred in the adults, while a delay and decrease in the mortality rate were observed in neonatals.

These results suggest that in neonatal C. musculinus macrophages could be permissive cells for Junin virus multiplication, whereas in adult cricetids, these cells would act as a barrier against viral infection by means of an extrinsic antiviral activity.
Baseline seroepidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection in children in Taipei, 1984: A study just before mass hepatitis B vaccination program in Taiwan
Authors: Hsu Hong‐Yuan , Chang Mei‐Hwei , Chen Ding‐Shinn , Lee Ching‐Yun , Sung Juei‐Low
Published: March 2007

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers were studied by radioimmunoassays in serum samples of 1,200 (647 male, 553 female) apparently healthy children under 15 years of age in Taipei between June and October 1984. The prevalence rate of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was 5.1% in infancy, increased to 10.7% between 1 and 2 years of age, and then remained constant at about 10% thereafter. The prevalence rate of surface antibody (anti‐HBs), core antibody (anti‐HBc), and seropositivity (at least one marker of hepatitis B detectable) were 39.0, 30.5, and 52.5%, respectively, in infancy, then decreased to 10.7, 14.3, and 17.9%, respectively, between 1 and 2 years of age. Thereafter, the antibody prevalence increased in parallel with age. By the age of 13–14 years, nearly half of the children were infected by HBV. The results suggested that in our children, most HBsAg carriers resulted from infections before 3 years of age, and HBV infections after 3 years of age infrequently resulted in a carrier state. One hundred (83.3%) of the 120 HBsAg‐positive children had hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), indicating high prevalence in young asymptomatic HBsAg carriers. The prevalence rate of HBeAg tended to decrease with age and a reversed trend was observed with anti‐HBe. Our study, just before our government extends mass hepatitis B vaccination program from newborns to children, provides background seroepidemiologic data of HBV infections in the healthy children in Taiwan.
Prevalence of delta infection in the western pacific region
Authors: Dimitrakakis Mary , Crowe Suzanne , Gust Ian
Published: March 2007

The prevalence of coinfection and superinfection with the delta agent was studied in 2,645 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)‐positive subjects from six countries and nine islands in the Western Pacific region. The study group comprised 262 patients with acute hepatitis B and 2,383 chronic carriers of HBsAg, of whom 278 were suffering from chronic liver disease or primary hepatocellular carcinoma. While major foci of infection were observed in Nauru, Niue, and Western Samoa, delta infection appears to be uncommon in other parts of the region.
Epstein‐barr virus serology in bone marrow transplantations: A one‐year retrospective study with detection of EBV IgM‐VCA‐specific antibodies
Authors: Morinet F. , Icart J. , Ruelle C. , Gluckman E. , Perol Y.
Published: March 2007

The specific antibody response to Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) antigens of 41 bone marrow transplant recipients with leukemia or aplastic anemia was examined retrospectively by immunofluorescence test (IF) over 1 year. We observed high titers (> 640) of IgG‐viral capsid antigen (VCA) with emergence of IgG‐early antigen (EA) and frequent absence or low levels of Epstein‐Barr nuclear antigen (EBNA) antibodies. After absorption to remove rheumatoid factor (RF), five of the 41 recipients had IgM‐VCA antibody to EBV, which appeared between weeks 26 and 48 after BMT and persisted for 1–4 months. No heterophil antibodies were detected in these sera, and none of the five recipients had a history of infectious mononucleosis.