bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immunoprophylaxis of perinatal transmission of the hepatitis B virus: Efficacy of hepatitis B immune globulin and hepatitis B vaccine in a low‐prevalence area
Authors: Esteban J. I. , Genesca J. , Esteban R. , Hernandez J. M. , Seijo G. , Buti M. , Muniz R. , Guardia J.
Published: March 2007

One hundred eleven newborn infants born of Spanish hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carrier mothers were consecutively assigned to one of three treatment groups. Group A was treated with three or four doses of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) in one of three different schedules. Group B received one dose of hepatitis B vaccine (Hevac‐B, Pasteur) at birth and at 1, 2 and 12 months. Group C was treated with the same vaccination schedule as group B and in addition received a single dose of HBIG at birth. Comparisons were made in the 85 babies who had strictly completed the immunization schedule and had been followed for at least 12 months. The three immunization protocols were equally effective, since none of the children became a chronic HBsAg carrier or developed acute symptomatic infection. There were five transient and subclinical infections among children who received only HBIG (group A), one transient infection in group B, and one in group C. There seems to be some correlation between anti‐HBs levels and degree of protection, since all transient infections in group A occurred in the subgroups who did not maintain protective antibodies during the first 6 months. Although the percentage of responders in the two vaccinated groups did not differ significantly, children who received only vaccine reached higher antibody levels than those who also received HBIG. Our results suggest that any immunization schedule able to maintain anti‐HBs levels during the first 6 months of life would be useful to prevent mother‐to‐infant transmission of the hepatitis B virus in areas where most of the carrier women are expected to be anti‐HBe positive and hence relatively less infectious.
An inactivated hepatitis A viral vaccine of cell culture origin
Authors: Provost P. J. , Hughes J. V. , Miller W. J. , Giesa P. A. , Banker F. S. , Emini E. A.
Published: March 2007

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) strain CR326, adapted to grow in LLC‐MK2 cells, was highly purified, inactivated with formalin, adsorbed to alum, and tested for capacity to induce antibody to HAV in both mice and marmosets. The minimum dose of HAV antigen necessary to produce antibody in 50% of mice was 10 ng. As little as three doses of 1 ng each produced antibody in 50% of marmosets. Further, all marmosets with any detectable antibody to HAV, as a result of vaccination, were protected against virulent infection on challenge with HAV. Thus a highly efficacious, inactivated hepatitis A vaccine can be produced from virus grown in cell culture. Although LLC‐MK2 cells are unacceptable for use in human vaccine preparation, HAV can also be prepared in a similar manner in MRC‐5 cells, which are acceptable for human vaccine manufacture.
Different immune responses after intradermal and intramuscular administration of vaccine against tick‐borne encephalitis virus
Authors: Zoulek Gert , Roggendorf Michael , Deinhardt Friedrich , Kunz Christian
Published: March 2007

A single multisite intradermal (ID) administration of the same dose used for regular intramuscular (IM) immunisation with vaccine against tick‐borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) resulted in seroconversion of all vaccinees within three weeks: with the regular IM schedule, two vaccinations were necessary for all vaccinees to seroconvert. After the first ID vaccination, antibodies of the IgM class against TBEV (anti‐TBEV‐IgM) were observed in all vaccinees; after the first IM vaccination, only three out of nine vaccinees showed an IgM response. The geometric mean titer (GMT) of anti‐TBEV‐IgM in seropositives was 5–20‐fold higher in the ID group and similar to that after natural infection. The GMT of antibodies of the IgG class against TBEV (anti‐TBEV‐IgG) was also higher in the ID group but with a less marked difference. Hemagglutination‐inhibiting (HI) antibodies appeared earlier and persisted longer after one or two ID injections; after a third vaccination, HI antibody levels were similar in both groups.

Side effects after ID vaccination were limited to local reactions. These results indicate that follow‐up injections may be omitted or at least reduced after ID administration of the vaccine dose usually used for IM vaccination schedules. However, additional studies in larger groups of vaccinees are necessary before ID vaccination can be recommended for general use.
Junin virus access to CNS by extraneural rat inoculation
Authors: Lerman G. D. , Blejer J. L. , Oubiña J. R. , Carballal G. , Nejamkis M. R.
Published: March 2007

This study was carried out to determine the pathways along which two strains of Junin virus (JV), the pathogenic XJV and the attenuated XJC13V, reach the CNS following IP inoculation of 2‐day‐old rats. A sequential study of infectivity and antigen distribution in peritoneal macrophages, spleen, and brain was performed. Mortality was 85% with the former strain, but only 15% with the latter. At 4–7 days PI, XJV‐infected animals had viral antigen in 10% of peritoneal macrophages. Viremia and spleen virus lasted for 10–15 days. Low brain titers were detected at day 7, with a peak at day 15. Brain antigen correlated with virus titers. In contrast, XJC13V‐infected rats, macrophage antigen appeared later and to a lesser degree (1% of cells). Viremia and spleen virus were transient, while both the titer of brain virus and the viral antigen proved lower. Antibody titers were over twofold higher for XJ‐infected animals.

It is suggested that the different replication rate at the inoculation site could account for the greater ability of the XJV strain to reach the CNS. A greater antigen mass and/or more numerous antigenic determinants presented by the macrophage could explain the higher antibody titers found in XJ‐infected rats, which were unable, however, to prevent viral spread.
Mononuclear subsets during cytomegalovirus disease in renal transplant recipients treated with cyclosporine and rabbit antithymocyte globulin
Authors: Metselaar H. J. , Rothbarth Ph. H. , Wenting G. J. , Vaessen L. B. , Masurel N. , Jeekel J. , Weimar W.
Published: March 2007

The effect of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease on mononuclear subpopulations of 49 renal transplant recipients treated with cyclosporine and prednisone are reported. Clinical overt CMV infection developed in 8/21 patients treated for rejection with rabbit antithymocyte globulin. They all showed true inversions of the T helper/T suppressor‐cytotoxic (Th/Ts‐c) ratio. A reduction of T helper cells and increase in T suppressor‐cytotoxic cells preceded clinical symptoms of CMV disease by one week. None of the 26 patients without RATG anti‐rejection treatment developed CMV disease and in only three of them an inversion of Th/Ts‐c ratio was found.
Detection of early hemagglutination inhibitory antibodies to rubella virus by pretreatment of sera with streptococcal cells
Authors: Kawano Kimiko , Yamamoto Seigo , Minamishima Yoichi
Published: March 2007

A technique that is based on absorption of sera with streptococcal cells and hemagglutination inhibition (HI) was evaluated for its feasibility for serologic diagnosis of recent rubella. The mixture of AR1 and AW43 cells removes IgG and IgA from the kaolin‐treated sera, leaving IgM and a trace of IgA, probably oligomeric IgA. Consequently, after the absorption with streptococci, the HI antibodies are detectable exclusively in the early sera of patients with rubella. The streptococci (AR1 and AW43) have several advantages as the absorbent over the staphylucoccus (Cowan I) that has been used routinely.
Immunogenicity of a single dose of trivalent influenza vaccine including A/Philippines (H3N2): Results of a field trial
Authors: Green Manfred S. , Block Colin , Rannon Lotte
Published: March 2007

During 1982, a new A(H3N2) influenza ViNS subtype, A/Philippines/2/82, was identified, and this strain was combined with previous A(HlN1) and B influenza virus strains in the trivalent inactivated vaccine recommended for the 1983‐1984 influenza season. Prior to the widescale use of this vaccine in Israel, a group of 106 young male soldiers was vaccinated under controlled conditions. Before vaccination, antibody titers greater than or equal to 1:40 were found in 14.1% against A/Philippines (H3N2), 18.1 % against A/England/333/80 (HlNl), and 13.3 % against B/Singapore/222/79. Two weeks following vaccination, 78.9% of the vaccinees for whom repeated blood samples were available, had antibody titers in this range for A/Philippines (H3N2), 92.9% for A/England (HlNl), and 80.0% for B/Singapore. The vaccine was only mildly reactogenic, and there were no cases of absence from work following vaccination. Thus the antibody response of young subjects to a single dose of a vaccine containing a new A(H3N2) subtype was found to be satisfactory, and the side effects experienced were minimal.
A combination of four cell types for rapid detection of enteroviruses in clinical specimens
Authors: Dagan Ron , Menegus Marilyn A.
Published: March 2007

Isolation in cell culture is currently the most sensitive and reliable way to demonstrate enterovirus (EV) in clinical specimens. During July‐October 1982 and 1983, we studied the impact of adding two new cell lines, Buffalo green monkey kidney (BGM) and human rhabdomyosarcoma (RD), to the more traditional cell combination used for EV isolation, human embyronic lung (HEL) and primary cynomolgus monkey kidney (CMK) cells; 2,558 specimens were studied: 632 fecal, 677 respiratory, 537 CSF, and 712 blood. An EV was isolated from 417 (16%); of these, 77 (18%) were positive only in BGM or RD; 35% (146/417) of the specimens were positive in BGM, RD, or both, at least one day earlier than in the traditional cells. BGM cells were helpful in isolation of group B coxsackieviruses (CB): 99% of 121 positive specimens were detected in BGM vs 73% in CMK and 23 % in HEL; 72 % of the CB isolates were detected by day 2 in BGM vs 48% in CMK and 0% in HEL. RD cells were helpful in the isolation of echoviruses: 59% of the 189 positive specimens were detected in RD vs 67% in HEL and 58% in CMK. RD was the only positive cell type in 28/ 189 (15 %) positive specimens; 31 % of the echovirus isolates were detected by day 2 in RD, vs 20% in HEL and 19% in CMK. Using the cell types described, we provided the clinician with results in 42% of the EV‐positive specimens by day 2 after inoculation and in 61 % by day 4.
Nucleic acid hybridization for detection of herpes viruses in clinical specimens
Authors: Schuster Volker , Matz Bertfried , Wiegand Helga , Polack Axel , Corsten Brigitte , Neumann‐Haefelin Dieter
Published: March 2007

A diagnostic hybridization assay for detecting varicella zoster virus (VZV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), and Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) in different clinical specimens was developed using cloned viral DNAs as probes. All probes detected at least 5 pg of homologous DNA and did not cross‐react with other viral or cellular DNA. Results of cell culture, serology, and DNA assay were highly concordant. Using a simple standardized protocol for preparation of specimens, hybridization, and washing procedures, this sensitive and specific assay appears to be useful for screening clinical specimens and may be helpful in confirming the serological diagnosis of HSV encephalitis and persistent EBV infections or EBV‐associated diseases.
Neutralization test for bk virus: plaque reduction detected by immunoperoxidase staining
Authors: Flaegstad Trond , Traavik Terje , Christie Karen Elina , Joergensen Jorunn
Published: March 2007

We developed an immunoperoxidase staining test to detect structural antigens of BK virus (BKV) in Vero cell cultures. This test was used to examine the neutralizing activity of human and immunized animal sera. It was shown that sera positive for BKV antibodies measured by hemagglutination inhibition test and enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were able to prevent expression of BKV structural antigens in cell cultures. The correlation between titers in the hemagglutination inhibition test, levels of BKV IgG measured by ELISA, and the titers assayed by the immunoperoxidase neutralization test was high. We suggest that this type of test may be used instead of conventional neutralization tests for other viruses with slowly developing cytopathogenic effects.
Respiratory syncytial virus: Report of a 5‐year study at a children's hospital
Authors: de Silva L. M. , Hanlon M. G.
Published: March 2007

A study over a 5‐year period (1979–1983) of RSV infections in children in Sydney, Australia is reported. In common with findings made elsewhere in the world, annual epidemics of RSV infection commencing in autumn and lasting 4–6 months, with peak activity in mid‐winter, were observed in 1979, 1980, and 1983. However, in 1981 and 1982 virus activity was first detected in midsummer, peaked in autumn, and was present throughout most months of the year.

The alteration in virus activity in 1981 and 1982 was not associated with changes restricted to these 2 years in factors such as the age groups or sex ratio of patients affected or in the clinical categories predominantly affected. A study of climatic variables, however, indicated unusually low rainfall in 3 of 4 years encompassing this period.

Study over a longer period is indicated to determine if these observed alterations in seasonal activity of RSV will be repeated in future years. Any possible relationship of such a change to rainfall could then also be better assessed.
Characterization of monoclonal antibodies against human rotavirus hemagglutinin
Authors: Kitaoka Setsuko , Fukuhara Norio , Tazawa Fumiyo , Suzuki Hiroshi , Sato Tetsuo , Konno Tasuke , Ebina Takusaburo , Ishida Nakao
Published: March 2007

Three monoclonal antibodies capable of specifically inhibiting hemagglutination of human rotavirus were produced. Their hemagglutination inhibition (HI) activity was specific to the homologous strain (KUN) used for immunization. The monoclonal antibodies with HI activity were highly effective in neutralizing the infectivity of the KUN strain. These antibodies reacted with Vp80, an 80,000 molecular weight (MW) protein present in the viral outer shell. It was confirmed by immunoblotting assay with the monoclonal antibodies that the antigenic site of human rotavirus hemagglutinin (HA) resides on Vp80 and on its smaller trypsin cleavage products Vp30 (MW 30,000) and Vp24 (MW 24,000). Immunofluorescence studies using the antibodies revealed that the HA antigen of the KUN strain developed at the final stage of virus maturation.
Use of N‐acetylethyleneimine [AEI] for the inactivation of semliki forest virus in vitro
Authors: Amor Sandra , Webb H. E.
Published: March 2007

N‐Acetylethyleneimine (AEI) was used to inactivate the avirulent Togavirus Semliki Forest virus (A774 strain) grown in chick embryo, Vero, and brain cell cultures. The purity of the virus preparation affected the kinetics of inactivation. The rate of inactivation increased with a rise in temperature from 5 to 40°C and in concentration of AEI from 0.025 to 0.1%.

The resultant vaccine was inoculated into adult mice to test its antigenicity and into suckling mice to test for the presence of infective virus. Semliki Forest virusspecific IgG was produced equal to that of mice given live virus, and mice were protected against the lethal SFV L10 strain. No suckling mice died, and the brains of the adult mice showed no pathology.
Excretion of Cytomegalovirus in Semen Associated with HTLV‐III Seropositivity in Asymptomatic Homosexual Men
Authors: Rinaldo Charles R. , Kingsley Lawrence A. , Lyter David W. , Bodner Anne J. , Weiss Stanley H. , Carl Saxinger W.
Published: March 2007

We studied 56 asymptomatic homosexual male volunteers in Pittsburgh for 11/2 yr for relationships between cytomegalovirus (CMV) and human T‐lymphotropic virus type III (HTLV‐III) infections. CMV was most frequently isolated from semen (8%) as compared with throat washings (5.9%) and urine (0%) on initial testing of CMV‐seropositive subjects. Other viruses commonly isolated from immunosuppressed patients (herpes simplex virus, adenovirus) were rarely detected in this cohort. Seropositivity to HTLV‐III was significantly associated with isolation of CMV from semen in our asymptomatic cohort (odds ratio = 9.5, p = .008). These results suggest that HTLV‐III infection is associated with selective, temporal activation of CMV in the genital tract of asymptomatic homosexual men.
Non‐A, Non‐B Hepatitis Related AN6520 Ag Is a Normal Cellular Protein Mainly Expressed in Liver. II
Authors: Akatsuka Dr.Toshitaka , Tohmatsu Jun‐Ichi , Abe Kenji , Shikata Toshio , Ishikawa Takashi , Nakajima Katsuyuki , Yoshihara Namiko , Odaka Takeshi
Published: March 2007

Detection of AN6520 Ag/Ab in human sera had indicated a close association with non‐A, non‐B hepatitis (NANBH). In this study, we investigated the immunochemical nature of AN6520 Ag and measured the amounts in various human and chimpanzee organs in order to clarify the association with NANBH.

AN6520 Ag was found to be composed of polypeptide(s) with an apparent molecular weight of 45,000 daltons (45 kD), which are noncovalently linked together. Human antibodies in convalescent sera from NANBH patients as well as monoclonal antibodies were found to recognize only the high‐order structure of the antigen, whereas rabbit antibody recognized both the high‐order structure and the reduced form of 45 kD polypeptide(s).

AN6520 Ag could be detected in most of the livers tested including those without any liver damage and fetal livers; their amounts varied considerably from each other. The antigen could be detected also in organs other than liver, but in contrast to liver, the amounts were small and did not vary as much between individuals. From the data of immunoblotting using rabbit antibody, our observed variation of antigen content in liver was considered to be due to the difference in expression of 45 kD polypeptide(s).

Although no specific relationship was found between the amount of the antigen in liver and NANBH, the antigen was found to increase several times in livers of chimpanzees after the inoculation of NANBH virus.

These data suggest that AN6520 Ag is a normal cellular protein existing mainly in liver and that its quantity may vary under some conditions such as NANBH.
Preliminary Characterisation of Torovirus‐Like Particles of Humans: Comparison With Berne Virus of Horses and Breda Virus of Calves
Authors: Beards, D.W.G. G. M. , Green Brown, J. , Flewett T. H.
Published: March 2007

Pleomorphic virus‐like particles have been observed by electron microscopy in the faeces of children and adults with diarrhoea. Some of these particles were approximately 100 nm in diameter and had a “fringe” of closely applied peplomers approximately 10 nm long; they closely resembled Berne virus of horses and Breda virus of calves, the two representatives of a newly proposed family called the Toroviridae. In one sample a toroidal nucleoprotein‐like structure was observed within the particles. For two samples a buoyant density of 1.14 g/ml was determined by centrifugation through a sucrose density gradient. One sample possessed a haemagglutination for rat erythrocytes. The serological relationship between these different viruses was observed by immune electron microscopy, haemagglutination inhibition, and serum neutralisation. The role of these viruslike particles as candidate pathogens of humans is discussed.
Treatment of Junin Virus‐Infected Guinea Pigs With Immune Serum: Development of Late Neurological Disease
Authors: Kenyon Richard H. , Green David E. , Eddy Gerald A. , Peters Clarence J.
Published: March 2007

Guinea pigs infected with Argentine hemorrhagic fever virus (Junin) were treated with pooled, homologous convalescent sera. Use of 15,000 or 5,000 therapeutic units of immune sera prevented all signs of illness when administered within 24 hr of infection. We could also prevent illness and death in infected guinea pigs as late as 6 days after infection if we used more antisera (30,000 therapeutic units/ kg). In some treatment groups, surviving animals developed a late neurological syndrome with prominant rear‐limb paralysis. Treated animals typically expressed higher viral titers in the brain than in any other organ. There appeared to be no acute exacerbation of disease by antibody administration. Our data suggest that, after replicating peripherally, Junin virus infects the brain where circulating immunoglobulins may not eliminate viable virus. Subsequent replication of virus in the brain may generate a neurological phase of the illness. Histological examination of brains from guinea pigs in treatment groups favoring the neurological phase of illness showed encephalitis, meningitis, and swollen astrocytes, suggestive of neuronal degeneration. There is likely a delicate balance among presence of virus in the brain, the amount of antibody transported into the central nervous system, and the occurrence of this late neurological aspect of experimental Argentine hemorrhagic fever. Further study of this model may elucidate factors relevant in understanding the continuing problem of the late neurological syndrome seen in some human cases of Argentine hemorrhagic fever treated with immune plasma.
Therapeutic Effect of the Antiviral Agent Ribavirin in Junin Virus Infection of Primates
Authors: Weissenbacher Mercedes C. , Calello Miguel A. , Merani Maria S. , Rodriguez Marcos , McCormick Joseph B.
Published: March 2007

In order to assess the effect of the antiviral Ribavirin on the course of Junin virus infection in Callithrix jacchus, seven inoculated monkeys were treated with 15 mg of the drug, twice a day, starting 6 days after infection when all animals were viremic. The three untreated controls showed typical signs of Junin virus infection at 14 days pi and their mean time of death was 18 days. In contrast, no signs of illness were detected in Ribavirin‐treated animals until 24 days pi, when marmosets showed signs of neurological involvement: 5 of these animals died (mean day of death: 36) but the two remaining treated monkeys improved and survived infection without sequelae. The comparison of survival rates (0% vs 28%) and the delay of the mean day of death observed indicates that the Ribavirin treatment used has therapeutic effect on Junin virus infection in vivo.
Replication of Hepatitis B Virus in Culture Systems With Adult Human Hepatocytes
Authors: Shimizu Yukihiro , Nambu Shuji , Kojima Takashi , Sasaki Hiroshi
Published: March 2007

We developed a technique for isolation and primary culture of adult human hepatocytes from surgical liver biopsy specimens by in situ perfusion and a shaking method. Cultured hepatocytes were maintained in monolayers for more than three weeks and showed morphological and functional characteristics in vivo. The cultured human hepatocytes were inoculated with hepatitis B virus (HBV). Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in the medium was detected for about three weeks after inoculation, which was longer than that reported in previous studies. In one case of high attachment efficiency, hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) was detected in the medium five to eight days after inoculation. HBsAg and HBeAg were also detected in the extracts of inoculated human hepatocytes. Immunofluorescence study revealed HBsAg in 20–30% of hepatocytes and hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) in 2–3% of the cultured human hepatocytes four days after inoculation. Free HBV DNA was identified in the human hepatocytes for at least two weeks after inoculation, although single‐stranded HBV DNA was not detected. These studies suggest that HBsAg was actively produced and that HBV replicated in a small number of inoculated adult human hepatocytes in primary culture. However, further improvement of culture systems is needed for active replication of HBV in vitro.
Significance of Specific Epstein‐Barr Virus IgA and Elevated IgG Antibodies to Viral Capsid Antigens in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients
Authors: Hadar Tuvia , Sidi Jack , Rahima Menashe , Rakowsky Erika , Kahan Ernesto , Sarov Batya , Sarov Israel
Published: March 2007

The feasibility of using elevated Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) specific‐IgG antiviral capsid antigen (VCA) and IgA anti‐VCA antibody levels as an aid in diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) was analyzed by determination of serum anti‐body titers to EBV in 54 NPC patients, 114 healthy blood donors, and 40 family members by the immunoperoxidase assay (IPA). No significant difference was found in the prevalence rate of EBV IgG anti‐VCA antibodies (titer ≥20) between the patient group and the control and family groups (100% vs 92% and 90%, respectively). The prevalence rate of elevated EBV IgG anti‐VCA titers (≥ 80, ≥ 160, ≥ 320, and≥ 640) was significantly higher in the NPC patients than in controls. For example, at an IgG titer of ≥320, the prevalence rate was 82% in the NPC patient group and 1.7% in the controls (P <0.0001). The prevalence of EBV IgA anti‐VCA antibodies (≥ 10) was significantly higher in the NPC patients than in control and family groups (82% vs 6.1% and 0%, respectively). The prevalence rate for elevated EBV IgA anti‐VCA (≥20) was found to be significantly higher (P <0.0001) in NPC patients than in the control group (70% vs 1.7%). A significantly high proportion (P = 0.0004) of NPC patients who had serum EBV IgA anti‐VCA titers of <20 had elevated IgG titers to VCA ≥ 320 (21 % vs 1.7% among controls). It appears that testing for IgG antibodies at a serum dilution of 1:320 and for IgA antibodies at a dilution of 1:20 by the IPA technique comprises the best combination for the differentiation between NPC patients and health controls (91% vs 3.4%), and it is suggested that these be used as screening markers for NPC patients.
Unusual Monocyte‐Lymphocyte Interactions Determine the Specificity of the Immune‐specific Interferon Response Induced by Newcastle Disease and Herpes Simplex Viruses
Authors: Green Jon A.
Published: March 2007

Virus‐induced immune‐specific interferon (IS‐IFN) is produced by previously sensitized peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes (PBML) three to five days after they are placed in tissue culture. This IS‐IFN is readily identified on the basis of its time of production and its synergistic composition of alpha and gamma interferons. The current studies demonstrate that circulating monocytes control the specificity and magnitude of the IS‐IFN response. No IS‐IFN is produced by PBML that are heavily depleted of monocytes. Immune‐specific IFN production is enhanced in PBML cultures that are partially depleted of monocytes. Partial monocyte depletion permits virus to induce the production of IS‐IFN by unsensitized PBML.
Hepatitis B vaccine: Immunogenicity and follow‐up including two year booster doses in high‐risk health care personnel in a London teaching hospital
Authors: Fagan Elizabeth A. , Tolley Philippa , Smith Heather M. , Williams Roger , Eddleston Adrian L. W. F. , Peters Marion P. , Coleman Jocelyn , Elliott Patricia
Published: March 2007

One hundred forty‐four adult health care personnel (aged 18–62 years, median 33 years) considered at high risk of future HBV infection were vaccinated with a plasma‐derived hepatitis B vaccine (20 μg HBVax at 0, 1, and 6 months) and followed‐up for 2 years. Anti‐HBs was present in only 6.9% prior to vaccination, and prescreening to detect this group would not have been cost‐effective. At 9 months, 8.3% were nonresponders and a further 9% had anti‐HBs levels ≥ 50 mIU/ml. Multivariate analysis showed that age was the single most important determinant of a poor response. In 47 of 52 individuals retested 2 years later, anti‐HBs levels had fallen by 80% or more, and in four it had become undetectable. Response to a booster dose at this stage was excellent, with anti‐HBs levels 3 months later much higher than at the end of the initial course. Additional booster doses of vaccine in two of the initial nonresponders at 14 and 22 months, respectively, also led to seroconversion. Although a significant proportion of health care workers in this study did not make a satisfactory response to the hepatitis B vaccine, later booster doses were very effective in subsequently increasing anti‐HBs levels.
Characterization of the polymerised and monomeric human serum albumin binding sites on hepatitis B surface antigen
Authors: Ishihara K. , Waters J. A. , Pignatelli M. , Thomas H. C.
Published: March 2007

Receptors for polymerised human albumin are present on the pre‐S sequence of the envelope protein of HBV and on the hepatocyte membrane and are thought to be involved in uptake of the virus by hepatocytes. Using a solid phase radioimmunoassay we demonstrate binding of HBsAg to polymerised human serum albumin (pHSA) in both HBe antigen‐positive and ‐negative patients, and this binding is linearly related to the HBsAg titre in both groups. There are probably several modes of interaction between HBsAg and pHSA. Here we show that pHSA binds to the 22,000‐dalton polypeptide of HBsAg, which does not contain the pre‐S sequence. This pHSA‐HBsAg interaction is inhibited by physiological concentrations of human serum albumin, suggesting that the albumin known to be present in the envelop of HBsAg plays a role in this binding. The inhibition of pHSA/HBsAg interaction by native albumin suggests that this interaction is probably not an important mechanism of virus uptake during infection of hepatocytes.
Presence of episomal and integrated human papillomavirus DNA sequences in cervical carcinoma
Authors: Choo Kong‐Bung , Pan Chao‐Chih , Liu Ming‐Sun , Han Shou‐Hwa , Ng Heung‐Tat , Chen Cyre‐Ping , Lee Yi‐Nan , Chao Chung‐Faye , Meng Ching‐Leung , Yeh Ming‐Yang
Published: March 2007

Thirty surgical samples of squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix obtained from Chinese women were analysed for the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18 using Southern blot hybridization procedure. HPV16 was detected in 53% while HPV18 was found in only 6% of the samples analyzed. When compared with other reports, variation in the geographic distribution of these two HPV types in association with cervical carcinoma is noted. Thirty‐seven and a half percent of the HPV16‐positive samples contained this HPV type in episomal form and an equal number in cellular DNA‐integrated form. The simultaneous presence of both episomal and integrated forms was found in the remaining 25 % of the positive samples. The two HPV18‐positive cases harbored only episomal viral genome and were not superinfected by HPV16. Analysis of the HPV16. integration samples showed that single integration events had probably occurred and some of the viral sequences had been lost on or subsequent to integration.
Hepatitis delta (δ) cDNA clones: Undetectable hybridization to nucleic acids from infectious non‐A, non‐B hepatitis materials and hepatitis B DNA
Authors: Weiner A. J. , Wang K.‐S. , Choo Q.‐L. , Houghton M. , Bradley D. W. , Gerin J. L.
Published: March 2007

Hepatitis Delta(δ) cDNA clones were hybridized to RNA extracted from livers of chimpanzees infected with the blood‐borne Non‐A, Non‐B hepatitis (NANBH) agent(s) and to total nucleic acids extracted from chimpanzee plasma containing a high titer of these NANBH agent(s). Since no hybridization was observed, the data suggests that the hepatitis Delta viral genome is not closely related to the genome(s) of the NANB agent(s). Our studies, in which the Hepatitis B virus genomic DNA was hybridized to hepatitis Delta cDNA clones, also confirm and extend previous studies [Hoyer et al, 1983], which report a lack of detectable homology between the hepatitis Delta genome and HBV DNA.
A sequential study of viral DNA in serum in experimental transmission of duck hepatitis B virus
Authors: Fukuda Ryo , Fukumoto Shiro , Shimada Yoshihiro
Published: March 2007

To understand the relationship among the time of infection, infection patterns, and liver diseases, experimental transmission of duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) utilizing 165 Japanese white domestic ducklings was performed. Twenty to 25 ducklings were each inoculated with DHBV‐positive serum intravenously at day one, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14 posthatch and were sacrificed during the 1st, 2nd, 3rd. and 4th (and 24th in those inoculated on day one and day 3 posthatch) week after inoculation to obtain sera and the liver. The sera served for the measurement of DHBV DNA by spot hybridization test and DNA polymerase activity, and the liver was subjected to morphological examination including immunostaining for DHBV.

The ducklings inoculated with DHBV on 1 day and 3 days posthatch always revealed persistent viremia, whereas those on and after 5 days posthatch showed persistent or transient viremia. The hepatitis activity in the liver was seen in ducklings inoculated with DHBV on and after 3 days posthatch and was very weak consistent with the diagnosis of mild acute hepatitis of humans. The serum transaminase activity was not significantly elevated at the time of occurrence of histological hepatitis activity.

Since host immune mechanism establish at 3 to 5 days posthatch in birds, the host immune response seemed to determine whether DHBV infection was persistent or transient and thc occurrence of hepatitis activity as seen in human hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.
Analysis by immunoblotting of human cytomegalovirus antibody in sera of renal transplant recipient
Authors: Shimokawa Keiko , Murayama Tsugiya , Ishida Shigeo , Furukawa Toru
Published: March 2007

Human cytomegalovirus‐infected cell polypeptides were immunoreacted by sera of renal transplant recipients and compared with those reactive with sera of healthy adult donors by means of the Western immunoblotting technique. At least 15 polypeptides with molecular weights of 155K, 123K, 102K, 89K, 79K, 71K, 65K, 60K, 55K, 50K, 46K, 42K, 38K, 33K, and 28K were immunoreacted. Sera obtained serially from renal transplant recipients reacted with most of these polypeptides and reacted more frequently and intensely with the smaller polypeptide species such as 38K, 33K, and 28K, compared with sera of healthy seropositive adults. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Immunogenicity of a hepatitis A virus vaccine
Authors: Flehmig Bertram , Haage Angelika , Pfisterer Mechthild
Published: March 2007

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) strain HAV/HFS/GBM was adapted to and grown in human diploid fibroblast cells. The HAV was concentrated by ammonium sulphate precipitation and high‐speed centrifugation. The virus was inactivated by β‐propiolacton and purified by sedimentation through a 20% solution of sucrose and by CsCI gradient centrifugation. The immunogenicity of different preparations was tested in mice, guinea pigs, and goats. The immune response after vaccination was tested by determination of anti‐HAV with RIA and of neutralizing antibodies with an appropriate test system. Results showed that anti‐HAV titers of 1: 1,000 and greater. as well as neutralizing antibody titers of 1: 1,000 and greater, were found in sera of animals vaccinated with different preparations. It became evident that good anti‐HAV titers persisted over a period of at least 1.5 years in goats and mice after immunization with a semipurified HAV vaccine, and titers up to 1: 200 were present in mice 2 years after vaccination with a highly purified HAV vaccine.
Effect of antiviral substances on hepatitis A virus replication in vitro
Authors: Biziagos Evangelos , Crance Jean‐Marc , Passagot Jacques , Deloince Robert
Published: March 2007

The effect of protamine, atropine, selenocystamine, taxifolin, and catechin on the infectivity and antigenicity of the cell culture‐adapted hepatitis A virus (HAV) strain CF 53 was studied. The toxicity on uninfected PLC/PRF/5 cells was examined for each antiviral compound by morphological and biochemical methods, in order to determine concentrations without cytotoxic effect. At these concentrations, protamine and taxifolin, added to infected cells for a 15‐day period, caused concentration‐dependent reductions in the infectivity and antigenicity of HAV. Atropine also caused a concentration‐dependent reduction of HAV infectivity but did not affect the antigenicity of the virus. At the highest concentration used, 50 μg/ml of protamine, 59 μg/ml of taxifolin, and 50 μg/ml of atropine, the infectious viral titer reduction was 1.56, 0.77, and 0.68 log10, respectively. Selenocystamine and catechin had no effect on HAV replication.
In situ hybridization of human immunodeficiency virus (HTLV‐III) in cryostat sections of lymph nodes of lymphadenopathy syndrome patients
Authors: Pezzella M. , Pezzella F. , Galli C. , Macchi B. , Verani P. , Sorice F. , Baroni C. D.
Published: March 2007

The presence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV. or HTLV‐III) genome sequence was investigated by means of in situ hybridization in cryostat sections of lymph nodes from lymphadenopathy syndrome (LAS) patients. The technique employed involved the modification of the DNA probe by chemical insertion of an antigenic sulfone group in cytosine moieties and the visualization of DNA by a double‐antibody immunohistochemical reaction. The hybrid formation was revealed in five out of ten cases: in all positive samples, HIV was mainly observed in the cytoplasm of lymph node cells. The method of in situ hybridization described in the present paper is specific and has some advantages if compared with other techniques based on the use of DNA probes labelled with radioisotopes or biotin by nick translation.
Anti‐Delta antibody in various HBsAg positive argentine populations
Authors: Fay O. , Tanno H. , Gatti H. , Basualdo J. A. , Ciocca M. , Fainboin H. , Fainboin L. , Jorge A. , Motta A. , Naval M. , Palazzi J. , Ramonet M. , Rey J. , Rojman J. , Schujman L. , Sileoni S. , Terg R. , Villamil F.
Published: March 2007

One thousand five hundred and seventeen HBsAg carriers from different cities of Argentina were studied for the presence of anti‐Delta antibody (anti‐HDV) in their sera. One thousand one hundred and sixty‐eight were volunteer blood donors and 349 were patients with liver disease. Different liver diseases were diagnosed by clinical, biochemical, and histological parameters. Among blood donors, 16 (1.4%) were positive for the antibody and none was Delta‐antigen positive. In 130 patients with acute hepatitis, one (0.77%) was positive for anti‐HDV. as well as three (2.22%) out of 135 patients with chronic active hepatitis (CAH), and three (5.77%) out of 52 patients with cirrhosis (C). No anti‐HDV positive was found among seven fulminant hepatitis (FH) cases.

The presence of HBeAg and anti‐HBe was studied in anti‐HDV positive sera; eleven (69%) volunteer blood donors were anti‐HBe positive, and five (31%) were HBeAg positive. HBeAg was positive in the three CAH cakes, and in one out of three C Cases with anti‐HDV positive. Hepatitis Delta antigen was also positive in the hepatocytic nuclei in the three patients with C and two of the three CAH cases. The present results show that Delta infection is rare among blood donors in Argentina. A small variation without statistical significance could be found within different geographical areas. Among patients with HBsAg related liver disease, the presence of HDV markers was also low.
Antibodies to Epstein‐Barr virus‐specific DNase in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and control groups
Authors: Chen Jen‐Yang , Chen Chien‐Jen , Liu Mei‐Ying , Cho Show‐Mei , Hsu Mow‐Ming , Lynn Tsong‐Chou , Shieh Ti , Tu Shieh‐Mien , Lee Hong‐Hsin , Kuo Shiow‐Ling , Lai Ming‐Yang , Hsieh Chang‐Yao , Hu Cheng‐Po , Yang Czau‐Siung
Published: March 2007

Serum samples from 154 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), 374 with other cancers, 1,000 normal controls from Government Employees' Clinic Center (GECC), and 3,642 individuals of various ethnic‐dialect groups living in high‐risk areas for NPC were collected and the concentration of antibodies to Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV)‐specific DNase activity was determined. Taking a serum sample where 1 ml will neutralize two or more units of the DNase activity as positive, 24 units as low level, 446 units as medium level, and more than 6 units as a high level of antibody, 90.3% of the NPC patients contained significant amounts of antibodies to EBV‐specific DNase activity and most of those had high levels of the antibody. In contrast, only 11% of sera from patients with cancers other than NPC contained antibodies to EBV‐specific DNase activity, and high levels were very rare (2.1%). The difference in positive rates between these two groups is highly significant according to the χ2 test (P < 0.001). The positive rate of this antibody in the control group (GECC) was 5.3% with 0.076, 0.8%, and 4.5% having high, medium, and low levels of antibodies, respectively. Again, the difference in positive rates between the GECC group and the NPC group is statistically significant (P < 0,001).

Taken separately, the positive rates of anti‐EBV DNase activity in the three high‐risk groups were 11.7%, 13.0%, and 13.1%. No significant difference in age distribution for the levels of this antibody was observed in the control GECC group or the three high‐risk groups. However, the positive rates of the three high‐risk groups are more than twice those of the GECC group (11.7% ∼ 13.1% vs 5.3%). This ratio coincides with the ratio of the probability of developing NPC in high‐risk groups compared to that of the GECC group (also more than two times). The significance of this coincidence is discussed.
Rapid detection of infectious cytomegalovirus in blood with the aid of monoclonal antibodies
Authors: Schirm Jurjen , Timmerije Wilma , van der Bij Wim , The T. Hauw , Wilterdink Jan B. , Tegzess Adam M. , van Son Willem J. , Schroder F. Peter
Published: March 2007

The recently developed early antigen immunofluorescence (IF) method for the detection of infectious cytomegalovirus (CMV) in clinical specimens has hardly been applied on blood samples. We compared the CMV early antigen detection technique with the conventional cell culture method in 415 different buffy coat samples from 85 different immunocompromised patients. Duplicate coverslips were stained with two different monoclonal antibodies 46 days after inoculation. The conventional cultures were examined for typical cytopathic effects (CPE) during 10 weeks. Forty samples from 19 patients were positive by the IF technique, most of them with both monoclonal antibodies. Only 22 of these samples were positive in the conventional cell culture assay, on average after 15.8 days. CMV viraemia was detected exclusively by the IF method in 18 samples, 7 of which were from five patients without any further evidence of an active CMV infection. CMV viraemia was detected exclusively by the CPE method in eight samples, on average after no less than 36.6 days. CMV viraemia was not found in blood samples from 10 patients with laboratory proven active CMV infections and 53 patients without any evidence of an active CMV infection. In our hands the early antigen method for the detection of infectious CMV in blood is nearly as specific (at least 98.1%) and clearly much faster and more sensitive than the conventional cell culture method. The early CMV antigen detection method is therefore a very useful tool for the rapid detection of infectious CMV in blood.
Regeneration of humoral immunity to herpes simplex virus following T‐cell‐depleted allogeneic bone marrow transplantation
Authors: Wimperis J. Z. , Berry N. J. , Prentice H. Grant , Lever A. , Griffiths P. D. , Brenner M. K.
Published: March 2007

We investigated the adoptive transfer of immunity to herpes simplex virus (HS V) in 61 recipients of T‐cell‐depleted marrow allografts. Up to 3 months after bone marrow transplantation (BMT), high titres of HSV antibody (Ab) are passively acquired from blood products. This antibody has a half‐life of 40.3 days, so that determination of recipient immunity to HSV cannot be made during the early post‐transplant period. By 4 months after the allograft, seronegative recipients of seronegative donors had near‐background levels of HSV Ab. Seropositive recipients, whether they were excreting virus or not, had high titres of HSV Ab regardless of donor status. Surprisingly, the seronegative recipients of HSV seropositive donors remained seronegative, a result at variance with observations made in the recipients allografts from which T‐cells had not been removed. Thus, T‐cell depletion modifies the adoptive transfer of humoral immunity to HSV, and an immune donor alone no longer ensures continued antibody production in the recipient.
Cytomegalovirus infections in adult T‐cell leukemia patients
Authors: Eizuru Yoshito , Tamura Kazuo , Minamishima Yoichi , Ogata Katsumi , Tada Shigeru , Inoue Shohei , Takeshita Morishige , Kikuchi Masahiro
Published: March 2007

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection frequently occurred in patients with malignant lymphoma of T‐cell origin, especially with adult T‐cell leukemia (ATL). This was evidenced by histopathological examination at autopsy, isolation of CMV, and detection of CMV antibodies that indicate recent or active infection. Cellular immune response was suppresssed in most ATL patients when examined by skin hypersensitivity reaction to purified protein derivatives (PPD), streptococcal antigens (SUPS), and phytohaemoagglutinin (PHA). None of the CMV‐positive patients reacted to them. Thus, the presence of tumor cells of T‐cell origin and the absence of skin hypersensitivity reaction seem to be risk factors for CMV infection. Each CMV isolate exhibited unique DN A fingerprints, suggesting that cross‐infection of CMV did not occur among the ATL patients on the same ward.
Analysis of the IgM and IgG antibody response against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV‐1) structural and nonstructural proteins
Authors: Kühn Joachim E. , Dunkler Gabriele , Munk Klaus , Braun Rü Diger W.
Published: March 2007

In the present study the reactivity of IgG and IgM antibodies against HSV‐I structural and nonstructural proteins was analyzed by Western blot analysis (WBA) and radioimmunoprecipitation followed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (RIPA‐PAGE). It was demonstrated that IgM and IgG antibodies were directed against viral immediate‐early, early, and late proteins.

Following acute primary HSV infection, the early IgM antibody response in general was found to be directed against nonglycosylated structural proteins, viral early and immediate‐early polypeptides. IgM antibodies against viral glycoproteins were found inconsistently. IgG antibodies against viral glycoproteins and other structural proteins with an apparent molecular weight of 56 kD, 45 kD, and 39 kD could be detected early in infection. Viral early and immediate‐early proteins were poorly recognized by IgG antibodies in acute primary infections. In recurrent HSV infections, IgM antibodies revealed a less complex reaction with viral polypeptides. Thus, such IgM antibodies reacted predominantly with viral nonglycosylated structural proteins. In contrast, IgG antibodies from patients with recurrent infections strongly recognized viral structural, early, and immediate‐early proteins. In seropositive individuals without obvious symptoms of acute infection, the most prominent antibody response was directed against gB and gD.
Serotyping and subgrouping of some rotavirus strains in China
Authors: Liu Ji‐Chang , Tian Ye , Qiu Fu‐Xi , Li Feng , Hao Yan‐Peng , Zhang Xin‐Sheng
Published: March 2007

This article reports for the first time in China the results of serotyping and subgrouping of some rotavirus strains obtained from faecal fluids of cases with infant diarrhoea. Infant diarrhoea rotavirus serotype 1 (Wa strain)‐specific and serotype 2 (KUN strain)‐specific hyperimmune sera, and infant diarrhoea rotavirus serotype 3‐specific, rotavirus subgroup I‐specific and subgroup II‐specific monoclonal antibodies were used in serotyping and subgrouping by means of enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay of 14 rotavirus strains which had been identified by electron microscopy. Results showed that three out of four Beijing strains in 1982 belonged to serotype 2 and subgroup I rotavirus, one belonged to serotype 3 and subgroup II rotavirus; one out of nine Beijing strains in 1984 belonged to serotype I and subgroup II rotavirus, seven belonged to serotype 2 and subgroup I rotavirus, one belonged to serotype 3 and subgroup II rotavirus; and one Kunming strain in 1984 belonged to serotype 3 and subgroup II rotavirus.