bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treatment of cytomegalovirus pneumonitis with foscarnet (trisodium phosphonoformate) in patients with AIDS
Authors: Farthing C. , Anderson M. G. , Ellis M. E. , Gazzard B. G. , Chanas A. C.
Published: March 2007

Foscarnet was administered to eight AIDS patients for suspected cytomegalovirus (CMV) pneumonitis as a continuous intravenous infusion for a minimum of 8 days. All the patients improved, three showing complete resolution of symptoms. Evidence of CMV infection from bronchoalveolar lavage samples was lacking in two patients. Adverse drug experiences consisted of thrombophlebitis. Transient decreases in haemoglobin concentration, and reversible rises in serum creatinine levels.
Mechanisms of liver cell damage in acute hepatitis B
Authors: Mohite B. J. , Rath S. , Bal Vineeta , Kamat S. A. , Marathe S. N. , Zuckerman A. J. , Kamat R. S.
Published: March 2007

Markers of hepatitis B viral infection and the evolution of immune response to these were compared with serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in adult male and non‐pregnant and pregnant female patients with acute hepatitis B from the time of onset of disease to the seventh week. In the adult male and non‐pregnant female patients, the peak ALT levels of about 360 IU/litre, seen at the time of onset, gradually declined during the course of the disease. Significantly, even in the seventh week, the median ALT level was abnormal (80 IU/litre). In contrast, the disease was mild in pregnant patients and the ALT levels declined rapidly, returning to normal by the third week. Markers associated with HBV replication, i.e., serum HBV‐DNA and HBeAg, declined early in the course of the disease in both groups. The anti‐HBc‐IgM and anti‐HBe responses were well evolved early in the course of the disease in both groups. HBsAg was present in the serum in large amounts (1‐1.5 × 104 AU/100 μl) early in the course of the disease and remained so up to the seventh week. Even the pregnant patients who had recovered clinically by the fourth week continued to have HBsAg in their sera in large amounts in spite of normal ALT levels. LMI and LTT responses to HBsAg, which were practically absent in the first week, gradually increased to a peak during the fourth week and remained elevated up to the seventh week in adult male and non‐pregnant female patients. In contrast, LMI response to HBsAg was absent in pregnant patients with acute hepatitis B even up to the fourth week. Thus, continued liver cell necrosis after the fourth week, as indicated by raised ALT levels. may be associated with T cell responses to HBsAg.
Hepatitis B virus infection of cord blood leukocytes
Authors: Shen Horng‐Der , Choo Kong‐Bung , Wu Tzee‐Chung , Ng Heung‐Tat , Han Shou‐Hwa
Published: March 2007

The presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in the serum and leukocytes obtained from the peripheral blood of 24 mothers and from the cord blood of their newborns was determined by hybridization procedures. HBV DNA was not detected in the serum and leukocytes of six HBsAg‐, HBeAg‐negative and two HBsAg‐positive, HBeAg‐negative mothers and their newborn infants. Among the 16 HBeAg‐positive carrier mothers, HBV DNA was found in 13 cases (81%) in the serum and in two cases (12%) in leukocytes. Though the viral DNA was not present in sera, it was detected in two of the 16 cord blood leukocyte samples. In follow‐up studies, these two infants did not seroconvert up to 15 months of age and they became carriers with elevated serum alanine aminotransferase levels. The results suggest that HBV may be transmitted vertically and such in utero infection may have resulted in immune tolerance leading to a carrier state.
Prevalence of chronic hepatitis B virus infection in pregnant black women living in soweto
Authors: Kew M. C. , Kassianides C. , Berger E. L. , Song E. , Dusheiko G. M.
Published: March 2007

Urban black children have an appreciably lower hepatitis B virus (HBV) carrier rate than rural Black children. The purpose of this study was to determine the carrier rate in the preceding generation of urban‐born Blacks, in order to establish how rapidly the reduction in carrier rate following urbanization has occurred. HBV markers were measured by radioimmunoassay in the serum of 616 urbanborn and 618 rural‐born pregnant Black women living in Soweto. HBV carriage was significantly less frequent in the urban‐born (1.3%) than in the rural‐born women (4.0%: P < 0.05). Total HBV exposure was also less common in the urban‐born women (35.2% compared with 44.7%; P < 0.001). HBV carrier rates were the same in women whose mothers were urban‐born (1.31%) and those with rural‐born mothers (1.68%). Only three rural‐born and no urban‐born women had replicative HBV infection. These findings suggest that the decrease in the HBV carrier rate with urbanization is abrupt occurring in the first generation born in the urban environment.
Immunization of monkeys with varicella‐zoster virus glycoprotein antigens and their response to challenge with simian varicella virus
Authors: Soike Kenneth F. , Keller Paul M. , Ellis Ronald W.
Published: March 2007

African green monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) were immunized with three intramuscular injections of gpI, gpII, or gpIII glycoprotein antigens of varicella‐zoster virus (VZV). Antibody responses to VZV were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELSA) and to simian varicella virus (SVV) by immunofluorescence and by serum neutralization assays. Two weeks following the third immunization with VZV glycoproteins, the monkeys were challenged by inoculation of SVV. Antibodies to gpII or gpIII partially prevented infection by SVV, while the presence of antibodies to gpI was ineffective in preventing disease induced by SVV challenge. Factors affecting the immuogenicity of these antigens in this model are discussed.
Lymphocyte transformation response of calves to respiratory syncytial virus
Authors: Taylor G. , Stott E. J. , Thomas L. H.
Published: March 2007

Virus‐specific cell‐mediated immunity, as determined by in vitro lymphocyte transformation (LT). was demonstrated in calves following infection and vaccination with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). After experimental infection, 4 of 6 gntobiotic calves and 6 of 21 conventional calves developed a significant LT response to RSV.

By means of a whole blood assay, the LT responses of calves were examined after vaccination with an inactivated vaccine, which consisted of glutaraldehyde‐fixed bovine nasal mucosa cells persistently infected with a bovine strain of RSV (GC), a live modified bovine strain of RSV (MV), or a live temperature‐sensitive mutant of a human strain of RSV (ts‐1). Three weeks after vaccination, a virus‐specific LT response was detected in 6 of 6 calves given the GC vaccine. 0 of 4 calves given the MV vaccine, and 2 of 4 calves given the ts‐1 vaccine. The magnitude of the response was greatest in those animals given the GC vaccine. There was no significant correlation between the magnitude of the LT response and levels of serum neutralising antibody. However, the LT response did correlate with serum antibody measured by the single radial haemolysis test 3 weeks after the first vaccination. LT activity to RSV was associated with T and not B lymphocytes.

The development of a virus‐specific LT response in calves given an inactivated RSV vaccine was not associated with an increase in respiratory disease following challenge with live virus. but rather was related to increased resistance to RSV infection.
Monoclonal antibodies demonstrate heterogeneity in the G glycoprotein of prototype strains and clinical isolates of respiratory syncytial virus
Authors: Storch Gregory A. , Park Chung S.
Published: March 2007

In order to study variation among prototype strains and clinical isolates of respiratory syncytial (RS) virus. four prototype strains (Long, A2, CH 18537. 9320) were used to produce monoclonal antibodies to this virus. The majority of monoclonals reacted with all four prototype strains by fluorescent antibody staining. Among the non‐cross‐reacting monoclonals, five additional patterns of reactivity with the prototype strains were recognised. Fourteen monoclonals, including ones representative of each of the patterns of reactivity with the prototype strains. were selected to use for typing prototype strains and community isolates. All 14 were found by immunoprecipitation to recognise the RS virus G glycoprotein. These monoclonals could uniquely identify each of the prototype strains. In addition to the antigenic differences among the prototype strains detected by the monoclonals. differences were also detected in the migration of the G glycoprotein of the prototype strains in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Fluorescent antibody staining with panels of monoclonals distinguished two antigenic types among 114 isolates of RS virus recovered from children in St. Louis during the period 1981 86. The predominant type (80% of isolates) had a pattern of reactivity that resembled but differed from that of either the Long or A2 strains. The second type had a pattern of reactivity identical with that of 9320. The possible significance of this heterogeneity must be considered in developing diagnostic tests as well as active or passive immunotherapy for infections caused by RS virus.
Correlation of serum HIV antigen and antibody with clinical status in HIV‐I infected patients
Authors: Paul Deborah A. , Falk Lawrence A. , Kessler Harold A. , Chase Robert M. , Blaauw Bernard , Chudwin David S. , Landay Alan L.
Published: March 2007

An enzyme immunoassay (EIA) has been developed which detects antigen(s) (Ag) of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the serum of patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), AIDS‐related complex (ARC), and patients at high risk for HIV infection. The test has a sensitivity of approximately 50 pg/ml of HIV protein. The specificity of the assay was determined with various virus infected cell lines, normal human sera/plasma, and serum from patients not known to be at risk for HIV infection. No false‐positive HIV‐Ag results were seen. Sera from 69% of patients with AIDS were positive for HIV‐Ag as were 46% of patients with ARC and 19% of asymptomatic, HIV‐antibody‐positive individuals. There were significant associations between the stage of HIV infection–ie, AIDS vs ARC vs asymptomatic‐and the detection of HIV‐Ag in serum (p < 0.0001) and the lack of detection of antibody to HIV core Ag (p < 0.0001). HIV‐Ag was also found in the serum of two asymptomatic antibody‐negative individuals who were at high risk for AIDS and who later developed HIV antibody. The presence of HIV‐Ag in sera was confirmed by an inhibition procedure. Thus. HIV‐Ag can be detected in the serum of infected individuals prior to antibody production and correlates with the clinical stage of HIV infection.
First report of an epidemic of diarrhoea in human neonates involving the new rotavirus and biological characteristics of the epidemic virus strain (KMB/R85)
Authors: Guo‐zhen Dai , Mao‐sheng Sun , Shi‐qing Liu , Xue‐feng Ding , Yuan‐ding Chen , Li‐chun Wang , Dan‐ping Du , Gang Zhao , Ye Su , Jun Li , Wei‐ming Xu , Tai‐hua Li , Xiao‐xian Chen
Published: March 2007

An outbreak of diarrhoea in neonates occurred at the nurseries of the Department of Obstetrics of Zhao Tong Regional Hospital, Yunnan Province, from the middle of August to the end of November, 1985. Fifty‐one percent of children were affected 2–8 days after birth. The clinical symptoms were mild; patients mainly had diarrhoea and did not vomit. Rotaviruses were detected in 66.7% by RNA PAGE and in 72.7% by EM. The virus strain designated as KMB/R85 had a typical morphology, which was indistinguishable from that of infantile rotaviruses by EM. The viral RNA genome was composed of 11 segments. The buoyant density in CsCl was 1.377 g/cm3. The KMB/R85 strain possessed a hemagglutinin for rhesus monkey erythrocytes. By ELISA, IEM, and HAI, it was found that KMB/R85 strain did not possess the common group antigen shared by group A rotaviruses and was antigenically similar to the Chinese adult diarrhoea rotavirus (serogroup B).
Isolation frequency and growth properties of HIV‐variants: Multiple simultaneous variants in a patient demonstrated by molecular cloning
Authors: von Briesen H. , Becker W. B. , Henco K. , Helm E. B. , Gelderblom H. R. , Brede H. D. , Rübsamen‐Waigmann H.
Published: March 2007

The biological properties and efficiency of isolation of different HIV (LAV/HTLV III, ARV, and AAV) subtypes were evaluated by recovering and growing HIV on fresh peripheral human lymphocytes. Cultures for virus isolaton were performed from more than 180 German AIDS, ARC, LAS, and virus‐exposed asymptomatic patients. The virus isolation rate depended on the state of health of the patients being close to 80% in AIDS patients, 3040% in ARC/LAS patients, and lower in asymptomatic HIV seropositive patients.

The cytopathic effects of the HIV isolates obtained on lymphocyte‐cell cultures ranged from no effect to marked syncytia formation and cytopathogenicity. Marked differences were also observed in the replication rate of the various isolates. These properties were stable in all in vitro passages of the viruses performed so far and allowed to tentatively define four subtypes of HIV. In the majority of AIDS cases with neurological symptoms well‐growing strains were obtained from peripheral blood, while all but two isolates from the cerebrospinal fluid of the same patients grew remarkably slowly and to only low titres on lymphocytes, suggesting that selection of variants for growth at specific sites of the body occurs.

For one of the most cytopathogenic strains the influence of several variables of culture conditions (cell type, corticosteroids, IL‐2, and polybrene) on virus replication was studied. Apart from polybrene, all parameters strongly influenced replication.
Isolation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from plasma during primary HIV infection
Authors: Albert Jan , Gaines Hans , Sönnerborg Anders , Nyström Gunnel , Pehrson Pehr Olov , Chiodi Francesca , von Sydow Madeleine , Moberg Lars , Lidman Knut , Christensson Bertil , Åsjö Birgitta , Fenyö Eva Maria
Published: March 2007

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been isolated from plasma in 6 of 7 patients showing clinical symptoms of a primary HIV infection. Parallel cultures from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) yielded virus in 5 patients. In one case, virus could only be isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid but not from peripheral blood. Detectable viremia was transient and preceded the appearance of HIV specific antibodies. After cessation of acute symptoms, the frequency of HIV isolations was similar to that of asymptomatic carriers (23 and 26%, respectively). The role of the immune response in terminating detectable viremia remains to be established.
Virological markers and antibody responses in fulminant viral hepatitis
Authors: Bal V. , Amin S. N. , Rath S. , Kamat S. A. , Zuckerman A. J. , Marathe S. N. , Kamat R. S.
Published: March 2007

Clinical profiles, serological markers, and antibody responses to antigens of hepatitis B virus (HBV) were studied in patients with fulminant viral hepatitis. Whereas hepatitis A and B were found to be uncommon causes (6.9% and 12.2%, respectively), non‐A, non‐B (NANB) hepatitis was found to be the most common cause of fulminant hepatitis (80.9%). As against this, the incidence of hepatitis B and NANB hepatitis was very similar in nonfulminant acute viral hepatitis in adults (41.2% and 51.9%, respectively). Pregnancy with labour was an important precipitating factor for development of fulminant hepatitis of the NANB type only; 32% of fulminant NANB hepatitis patients were pregnant women and 22.6% had a history of labour preceding hepatic coma. Only 0.8% of nonfulminant NANB hepatitis cases were pregnant women. Another major precipitating factor for the development of the fulminant form of NANB hepatitis was concomitant chronic HBV carrier state. A total of 38.6% of fulminant NANB hepatitis patients were HBV carriers, whereas only 19.2% of nonfulminant acute NANB hepatitis cases were HBV carriers. Sera of 32 chronic HBV carriers with fulminant NANB hepatitis and 10 cases of fulminant hepatitis B were tested for delta antibody, and all were nonreactive.

The antibody responses of the fulminant hepatitis B patients to the antigens of HBV were found to be greater compared to those of patients with nonfulminant acute hepatitis B. Antibody responses of chronic HBV carriers with fulminant NANB hepatitis to antigens of HBV were found to be depressed in comparison with those of chronic asymptomatic carriers.
Direct detection of rhinoviruses by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay
Authors: Dearden C. J. , Al‐Nakib W.
Published: March 2007

This paper describes the first enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of rhinovirus antigens in clinical specimens (nasal washings), either directly or following overnight cell culture amplification. The assay takes approximately 48 hours to perform and utilizes the same rabbit antirhinovirus hyperimmune serum as both the capture and detecting antibody. The latter has been biotin‐labelled and is detected via a streptavidin 3‐galactosidase preformed complex. This new assay has been found to be very sensitive, detecting human rhinovirus (HRV)‐EL and HRV‐2 at titres as low as 101.8 TCID50 100 μl−1 and < 101 TCID50 100 μl−1, respectively. Furthermore, when 57 different human rhinovirus serotypes were tested in both the HRV‐EL and HRV‐2 ELISA systems a total of 49 (86%) were found to be cross‐reactive. Of 36 clinical specimens tested by virus isolation, cell‐culture‐amplified (CCA) ELISA, and direct ELISA, 15 were positive by isolation, 11 by CCA‐ELISA, and 11 by direct ELISA. The overall correlation of the CCA and direct ELISA techniques with virus isolation was found to be 88.9% and 66.7%, respectively. The present study demonstrates that the ELISA system developed is a sensitive technique for the diagnosis of rhinovirus infections.
Comparison of two commercially available anti‐HIV ELISAs: Abbott HTLV III EIA and Du Pont HTLV III‐ELISA
Authors: Burkhardt U. , Mertens Th. , Eggers H. J.
Published: March 2007

Serum specimens were tested for HIV antibodies by two commercially available ELISAs (Abbott HTLV III EIA and Du Pont HTLV III‐ELISA). The specificity and sensitivity of these assays were determined by comparison with indirect immunofluorescence and Western blot analysis. Specificity ranged from 94.3% in the Abbott assay to 97.9% in the Du Pont‐ELISA. The sensitivity was 100% in the Abbott‐ELISA and 99% in the Du Pont test. With both tests, false‐positive results occurred predominantly in sera from patients with immunological disorders (kidney transplant recipients, lymphoma, Stevens‐Johnson syndrome, etc.), whereas symptomatic AIDS‐patients, patients with ARC, and persons with a defined risk for HIV infection could be diagnosed unequivocally. Specificity and sensitivity of anti‐HIV ELISAs seemed to depend not only on definition of the cutoff value but also on other factors, such as antigen preparation and inactivation measures. Testing of ELISA‐reactive sera by confirmatory tests remains necessary.
Endogenous production of infectious Inoue‐Melnick virus in a human meningioma cell line
Authors: Nishibe Y. , Inoue Y. K. , Hollinshead A. C.
Published: March 2007

We investigated continuous production of Inoue‐Melnick virus (IMV) in the MG‐1 cell line, established from human meningioma. The infectious virus, identified as a type 1 virus, was mostly recovered extracellularly. Assay of MG‐1 cells as infective centers indicated that most of the cells were capable of producing infectious virus. By immunofluorescence, more than 90% of the cells were found to have IMV‐associated cytoplasmic antigen(s) (IMCA).
Tacaribe virus: A new alternative for Argentine hemorrhagic fever vaccine
Authors: Carballal Guadalupe , Calello Miguel A. , Laguens Rubén P. , Weissenbacher Mercedes C.
Published: March 2007

Tacaribe virus is know to protect guinea pigs and primates against lethal challenge with Junín virus. A long‐term study on the effect of Tacaribe virus infection in the guinea pig was carried out to determine the extent of cross‐protection and whether antigen and/or viral persistence and tissue damage could be detected in immune animals. Viral titers, antigen expression in organs, and histologic lesions were sequentially searched for up to 540 days postinfection (pi). Neutralizing antibodies (Abs) and cross‐protection to Junín virus were evaluated up to 660 days pi. Tacaribe virus titers and antigen peaked at 7–10 days pi to become undetectable after 30 days pi, except for a transient viral recovery from salivary gland. Virus was undetectable by coculture at 365 and 540 days pi.

No immunoglobulins or C3 deposits were detected by immunofluorescence in brain or kidney at any stage, and histologic lesions were absent throughout. Anti‐Tacaribe and anti‐Junín neutralizing Abs were detected up to 660 days and full protection against challenge was achieved at 365 and 540 days, declining to 33% at 660 days pi. The results warrant consideration of Tacaribe virus as potential heterologous vaccine against Argentine hemorrhagic fever.
Therapeutic effect of (E)‐5‐(2‐bromovinyl)‐2′‐deoxyuridine, caffeic acid oxidation product, and trisodiumphosphonoformate on cutaneous herpes simplex virus type 1 infection in guinea pigs
Authors: Helbig Bjorn , Sauerbrei Andreas , Klöcking Renate , Wutzler Peter , Wicht Norbert , Wiedemann Uwe , Herrmann Gottfried
Published: March 2007

The influence of (E)‐5‐(2‐bromovinyl)‐2′‐deoxyuridine (BVDU), caffeic acid oxidation product (KOP), and trisodiumphosphonoformate (TPF) on the course of the primary cutaneous herpes simplex virus infection was investigated by means of a guinea pig test model. The antiviral substances were applied in an ointment with 10% urea as a penetration mediator.

When the treatment was initiated 15 minutes after virus inoculation, 3% BVDU effectively inhibited the development of herpetic vesicles and 0.1% BVDU prevented the appearance of herpetic satellites. Under the same conditions 1% and 3% KOP ointments inhibited the appearance of satellites; and 0.5% TPF ointment completely inhibited the development of cutaneous herpes lesions. Prophylactic drug administration given 24, 20, and 4 hours before virus inoculation was without any protective effect.
Varicella in a gorilla
Authors: Myers Martin G. , Kramer Lynn W. , Stanberry Lawrence R.
Published: March 2007

Naturally occurring varicella was observed in a young gorilla in captivity. The isolate was demonstrated to be varicella‐zoster virus by restriction enzyme analysis.
BK virus specific humoral and cell mediated immunity in allogeneic bone marrow transplant (BMT) recipients
Authors: Drummond James E. , Shah Keerti V. , Saral Rein , Santos George W. , Donnenberg Albert D.
Published: March 2007

BKV specific humoral and cell mediated immunity was examined weekly in 19 allogeneic BMT recipients and correlated with the occurrence of BKV shedding. Responses to staphylococcal antigen (SPL) and tetanus toxoid (TET) were measured as specificity controls. Responses and virus shedding were assayed weekly for up to 15 weeks after BMT. Fourteen of 19 patients enrolled in this study were immunized with TET on the day of transplant. Significant rises in TET specific IgG were observed in TET immunized, but not in unimmunized, subjects. Similarly, TET specific lymphoproliferative responses were observed only in TET immunized subjects when they emerged from aplasia 3 to 4 weeks later. In contrast, all subjects had positive lymphoproliferative responses to SPL, an antigen derived from a ubiquitous agent. All subjects were assayed weekly for the presence of BKV in the urine as detected by ELISA. By 15 weeks, 11 (58%) of these patients shed detectable quantities of BKV antigen at least once. Subjects who excreted BKV (BKV +) maintained BKV specific IgG at pretransplant levels, whereas levels steadily declined in those who did not (BKV‐) (p < 0.001). Lymphoproliferative responses to BKV, TET, and SPL antigens were not significantly different across time or between excretion groups. The temporal relationship of BKV shedding and the expression of BKV specific immunity was investigated by examining average responses measured in 5‐week intervals surrounding positive and negative antigen detection assays. Both BKV specific IgG and BKV specific lymphoproliferative responses were higher (1.8 fold, p < 0.005 and 2.5 fold, p = 0.06, respectively) surrounding positive detection assays. These findings indicate a strong association between BKV excretion and the development of indicators of virus specific immunity following BMT.
Serologic characteristics of a human rotavirus isolate, AU‐1, which has a “long” RNA pattern and subgroup I specificity
Authors: Kitaoka S. , Nakagomi T. , Fukuhara N. , Hoshino Y. , Suzuki H. , Nakagomi O. , Kapikian A. Z. , Ebina T. , Konno T. , Ishida N.
Published: March 2007

An unusual human rotavirus (HRV) isolate, designated AU‐1, has a “long” RNA electrophoretic pattern and subgroup I specificity, in contrast to properties common to HRVs previously isolated. Hemagglutination activity of the AU‐1 strain was demonstrated using erythrocytes of 1‐day‐old chicken. Neutralization assays revealed that the AU‐1 strain was crossneutralized by hyperimmune antisera against the MO strain (serotype 3). However, antiserum directed against a reassortant in which the gene for Vp7 was replaced by the corresponding AU‐1 gene neutralized the AU‐1 strain to a significantly higher titer than the MO strain.
Nosocomial rotaviral diarrhea: Pattern of spread on wards in a children's hospital
Authors: Pacini David L. , Brady Michael T. , Budde Christopher T. , Connell Mary J. , V. Hamparian Vincent , Hughes John H.
Published: March 2007

Noscomial gastroenteritis in a 315‐bed hospital for children was examined prospectively from January 11 through May 31, 1985. There were 85 cases of nosocomial diarrhea during the study period, and these were identified on each of the 13 hospital wards. Rotavirus was identified in 40% of cases. Incidence of nosocomial rotavirus was highest on wards where most children were less than 2 years of age, except for the infectious diseases (isolation) ward (0.24 versus 2.30 cases per 100 admissions, p= 1.70 × 10−4, Fisher exact test). The lower incidence on the infectious diseases ward occurred despite the greater potential for exposure to rotavirus, since 70% of children admitted with community‐acquired rotavirus diarrhea were placed on the infectious diseases ward. Better infection control, especially hand washing, aided by the structure of the infectious diseases ward, may have been responsible for this difference.
Detection of human cytomegalovirus DNA in human tonsillar lymphocytes
Authors: David Daniella , Ravid Zohar , Morag Abraham
Published: March 2007

The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) was first isolated in cell cultures from the oropharynx, which is thought to be a site of primary infection. Although HCMV can be recovered from the oropharynx during reactivation phases, its exact site of latency is not known. In the present study we demonstrated evidence suggesting the presence of latent HCMV in this anatomic region‐in the palatine tonsils.

Samples from 30 tonsils obtained by tonsillectomy were screened for the presence of HCMV. Out of the 30 tonsil donors, 23 were seropositive for HCMV.

Three methods were used in attempts to demonstrate HCMV's presence in the tonsils: (1) viral isolation attempts on various cell cultures, (2) immunohistochemical staining‐immunoperoxidase method‐designed to detect viral antigens, and (3) DNA dot hybridization with a HCMV‐DNA probe designed to detect viral DNA.

Neither infectious HCMV nor other viruses were isolated in cell cultures. No viral antigens were detected by immunoperoxidase staining in the tonsillar tissue.

Four out of the 30 tonsils studied were found to contain viral DNA. In one case in which the tonsillar mononuclear (MN) fraction was separted from the polymorphonuclear (PMN) fraction, only the first fraction contained the viral DNA.
Use of cRNA probes for the detection of enteroviruses by molecular hybridization
Authors: Cova L. , Kopecka H. , Aymard M. , Girard M.
Published: March 2007

Subgenomic fragments of cDNA from poliovirus type 1 were inserted downstream from the SP6 or the T7 promoter in a Gemini riboprobe vector and their in vitro synthesized RNA transcripts were used as radiolabeled probes for the detection of enteroviral RNAs by molecular hybridization. The cRNA transcripts appeared to be more sensitive probes than the corresponding cDNAs. In vitro transcripts of the 5′ noncoding region (5′ nc riboprobe) were able to detect all of 14 reference enterovirus strains tested, as well as human rhinovirus 2, by dot blot hybridization with infected cell lysates. The same riboprobe also detected the enteroviral RNAs present in 16 of 18 samples of successive passages of stools in tissue culture and in some cases even in crude stool extracts. A riboprobe from the VP 1 region detected specifically poliovirus types 1,2, and 3 in lysates of infected cells and in 50% of the infected stool specimens tested. These probes could be of particular interest for the epidemic survey of poliovirus infections.
Detection of mononuclear cells expressing hepatitis B virus in peripheral blood from HBsAg positive and negative patients by in situ hybridisation
Authors: Hadchouel M. , Pasquinelli C. , Fournier J. G. , Hugon R. N. , Scotto J. , Bernard O. , Brechot C.
Published: March 2007

In situ hybridisation was used to detect RNA of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) in peripheral mononuclear blood cells. Presence of HBV‐RNA was detected in 10/17 HBsAg positive HBeAg positive patients, in 8/18 HBsAg positive HBeAg negative patients, in 1/3 anti‐HBs positive subjects. Four control subjects were negative. The frequency of labelled cells varied from 1 to 10% of mononuclear cells. These results indicate that the DNA detected so far in mononuclear blood cells may be transcriptionally active.
Use of serotype‐specific monoclonal antibodies to study the epidemiology of rotavirus infection
Authors: Birch C. J. , Heath R. L. , Gust I. D.
Published: March 2007

The development of an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) capable of serotyping human rotavirus (HRV) in faecal extracts has enabled us to retrospectively study the epidemiology of rotavirus infection in Melbourne. Of 552 stored specimens obtained from individuals with rotavirus‐associated gastroenteritis between 1975 and 1986, the serotype could be determined in 62%. Infection was most prevalent in two groups, neonates and children aged between 12 and 24 months. In these groups infection was due to different serotypes, type 1 in older children and an untypable virus in infants. Serotype 1 strains were detected in greater numbers than the other serotypes and circulated in each year of the study. Serotype 2 rotaviruses were associated with a large epidemic in 1978, but have been detected only rarely since.
Presence of a partially acid‐labile alpha‐interferon in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of patients with cytomegalovirus pneumonitis is associated with a poor prognosis
Authors: Lever A. M. L. , Milburn Heather J. , du Bois R. M. , Griffiths P. D. , Grundy Jane E.
Published: March 2007

In 30 patients with pneumonitis, 16 of whom had undergone bone marrow transplantation, 13 episodes of cytomegalovirus (CMV) pneumonitis were diagnosed. In three of these, alpha‐interferon, which in two cases was partially acid‐labile, was detected in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. All three of these patients died. Only two deaths occurred in ten patients without detectable levels of alpha interferon in the lavage fluid. CMV pneumonitis in immunocompromised patients appears to stimulate the local production of a partially acid‐labile alpha‐interferon, and its presence is associated with a poor prognosis. Gamma‐interferon was not found in the lavage fluid of any patient with pneumonitis.
Two new genome types of adenovirus 7c
Authors: Kannemeyer Jennifer R. , Brooks Louise A. , Dumbell K. R. , Keen G. A.
Published: March 2007

Adenovirus type 7 is the type most frequently associated with serious disease. Eighteen different genome types of adenovirus type 7 had been reported up to October 1986. The genome type Ad7c, based on the restriction enzyme profiles of SmaI and BamHI, has been reported from Europe prior to 1969 and more recently from South Africa. Here, we report two new genome types of adenovirus 7c that have not previously been identified and that have been isolated in South Africa between 1975 and 1986 from children with postmeasles pneumonia. The two new genome types differ from the prototype Ad7c virus in having two (Ad7c1) or one (Ad7c2) extra cleavage sites for the restriction endonuclease EcoRI. These sites have been located at 3.68kb and 5.32kb from the left terminus of the genome map published for the prototype Ad7c strain. A strain resembling the prototype Ad7c was also isolated in 1986 from a case of post measles pneumonia.
An electron microscopical investigation of faecal small round viruses
Authors: Oliver A. R. , Phillips A. D.
Published: March 2007

A retrospective study of small round featureless viruses (SRVs) initially identified by negative‐staining electron microscopy of stool samples was performed. A variety of techniques, including immunoelectron microscopy and caesium chloride gradient centrifugation, was applied in an attempt to classify further these viruses.

Over a four‐year period, 64 SRV‐positive samples were reported (1.8% of the stool samples sent for electron microscopy and 6.2% of the total number of positive samples), of which 53 were available for further study. A significant degree of misclassification was found. Viruses previously identified as SRVs were shown to be astrovirus (n = 14), calicivirus (n = 2), and “Norwalk‐like” virus (n = 1). The majority of the 36 remaining samples were identified as parvovirus‐like (n = 27) (75%), 14 of which were associated with the presence of adenovirus particles. Enteroviruses (n = 3) and hepatitis A virus (n = 1) were infrequently detected. The remaining viruses (n = 5) could not be adequately classified.

Parvovirus may be the predominant SRV associated with acute diarrhoeal disease in childhood.
Immunoreactivity of human and rabbit antisera to hepatitis A virus
Authors: Gauss‐Müller Verena , Deinhardt Friedrich
Published: March 2007

Rabbit antibodies produced by immunization with complete hepatitis A virions (HAV) recognized all the viral structural proteins and neutralized HAV infectivity in cell culture. Rabbit antibodies to chromatographically purified individual viral proteins and to synthetic peptides representing epitopes on the structural viral protein VP1 neither recognized whole virus nor neutralized infectivity, indicating that native epitopes on the virus surface are necessary for virus recognition and neutralization. Human anti‐HAV‐positive sera of the acute and convalescent phase of disease recognized and neutralized viral particles. Analysis of the immunoreactivity of these human sera in immunoblot showed that the IgM antibody preferentially recognizes the structural viral proteins VP0 and VP3 of HAV, whereas IgA and IgG antibodies reacted more strongly with VP1.
Serial assay for IGM anti‐HBc in patients with anti‐HBe‐positive chronic hepatitis and its significance for long‐term prognosis
Authors: Kiyosawa Kendo , Sodeyama Takeshi , Franca Suenia T. M. , Yoda Hidetoshi , Ohike Yoshimoto , Imai Haruhiko , Imai Yasuharu , Furuta Seiichi
Published: March 2007

Serial assays for immunoglobulin M antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (IgM anti‐HBc) were performed in 51 patients with antibody to hepatitis B e antigen (anti‐HBe) in their sera. IgM anti‐HBc was detected periodically and persistently in 8 (53%) of 15 patients with chronic hepatitis whose serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) levels were elevated and was not detected in 36 patients with normal serum GPT levels. Antibody to delta agent was not detected in any of the patients. Of the eight patients positive for IgM anti‐HBc, four had a high titer of IgM anti‐HBc and either developed liver cirrhosis (three cases) or died due to massive hepatic necrosis (one case); the other four showed a low level of IgM anti‐HBc and either recovered (two cases) or developed chronic persistent hepatitis (two cases). Of seven patients negative for IgM anti‐Hbc, two had a fatty liver, and five, who had a history of blood transfusion, had chronic hepatitis. Thus, even though anti‐HBe may be present, if the titer of IgM anti‐HBc is high, the histological activity can be expected to increase, and the prognosis will be poor. If the titer of IgM anti‐HBc is low, the histological activity may be expected to decrease, and the prognosis may be good. In patients with abnormally high serum GPT but without IgM anti‐HBc, another type of hepatitis or a secondary form of liver disease should be considered.
Antibody‐Mediated enhancement of BK virus infection in human monocytes and a human macrophage‐like cell line
Authors: Traavik T. , Uhlin‐Hansen L. , Flægstad T. , Christie K. E.
Published: March 2007

We have monitored BK virus (BKV) antigen expression and multiplication in human monocytes and in a human macrophage (Mo)‐like cell line (U937) in the presence or absence of dilution series of human or rabbit anti‐BKV antisera.

After infection with BKV alone, restricted expression (structural antigens and T‐antigen) and multiplication was recorded in monocytes from some donors, while in U937 cells and monocytes from other donors, no signs of viral activity were detected. Monocyte cultures established from the same donor at different times demonstrated antigen expression/multiplication on two occasions but not on the third.

A pronounced enhancement of BKV expression/multiplication in human monocytes and multiplication in U937 cells was seen with some dilutions of all antisera (human and rabbit) used. The pattern of enhancement and the dilution resulting in maximum viral activity was constant and seemed to be determined by the serum, but the exact level of enhancement for a given serum differed considerably in monocytes from different donors and seemed to be determined by the cells. In the latter respect, monocytes taken from the same donor some weeks apart showed variations at the same level, as did cells from different donors. PMA (phorbol‐12‐myristate‐13‐acetate) stimulation of monocytes and U937 cells resulted in stronger antibody enhancement in terms of infectivity, without affecting the number of monocytes showing antigen expression. No expression/multiplication of BKV was detected in the murine Mo‐like cell line P338 DI.
Recombination in tissue culture between varicella‐zoster virus strains
Authors: Dohner Dennis E. , Adams Susan G. , Gelb Lawrence D.
Published: March 2007

Several clinical varicella‐zoster virus isolates obtained during testing of a live varicella vaccine had DNA restriction fragment patterns resembling neither vaccine nor wild‐type virus [Gelb et al., J Infect. Dis. 155, 633–640, 1987]. One explanation for these isolates was recombination in vivo. To determine if such recombination is likely, two strains of varicella‐zoster virus, distinguishable by restriction endonuclease fragment size differences (wild‐type strain EF and the OKA vaccine strain), were grown together in tissue culture. After three passages, the mixed infection virus was plaque‐purified. DNA from about 13% of the plaque‐purified isolates had one or more BglI fragments found in neither parental virus. Hybridization studies showed that isolates containing one of the new BglI fragments were recombinants of the two parental strains. The BglI restriction fragment pattern of these recombinants resembled those of the unusual varicella isolates from individuals either vaccinated with the live attenuated OKA varicella vaccine and later exposed to natural varicella, or simultaneously exposed to both a recent recipient of the vaccine and natural varicella.
Complement‐mediated cytolytic activity associated with cytomegalovirus complement‐fixing IgM antibody
Authors: Booth J. C. , Mohammed H. S.
Published: March 2007

Cytomegalovirus‐specific complement‐fixing IgM (CMV CF‐IgM) antibody was detected in 12/84 (14.3 percent) sera containing CMV‐specific IgM. Higher titres were obtained by using a purified antigen preparation containing enveloped virus particles and membrane fragments when compared with a crude extract of infected cells, suggesting that the CF component of CMV IgM reacts predominantly with antigens on the surface of the infected cells. This also accounts for its complement‐mediated cytolytic activity. Neither CMV‐specific non‐complement‐fixing IgM nor CMV‐specific IgG demonstrates cytolytic activity.
Enhancement of hepatitis A propagation in tissue culture with 5,6‐dichloro‐1‐β‐D‐ribofuranosylbenzimidazole
Authors: Widell Anders , Hansson Bengt Göran , Nordenfelt Erik , Öberg Bo
Published: March 2007

The adenosine analog 5,6‐dichloro‐1‐β‐D‐ribofuranosylbenzimidazole (DRB) was found to increase the production of hepatitis A (HAV) antigen in two monkey kidney cell lines (Frhk‐4 and Vero cells). DRB, a known inhibitor of the synthesis of messenger RNA, caused moderate changes in cell morphology. However, Frhk‐4 cells could be maintained for several weeks at 80 μM of DRB, the concentration that caused maximal enhancement on HAV. DRB should be present from about the time of virus inoculation and its strongest effect was seen at low multiplicities of infection. Using radioimmunofocus assay it could be shown that DRB increased the amount of infectious virus. DRB treatment was applied in primary isolation of HAV from feces. In nine of ten strains HAV antigen expression was strongly increased and in six of the ten strains infectivity of harvested material increased by one 10log or more. DRB thus seems to be a useful enhancer of HAV growth in tissue culture.
Occurrence of cytomegalovirus hepatitis in liver transplant patients
Authors: Bronsther Oscar , Makowka Leonard , Jaffe Ronald , Demetris A. Jake , Breinig Mary Kay , Ho Monto , Esquivel Carlos O. , Gordon Robert D. , Iwatsuki Shunzaburo , Tzakis Andreas , Marsh James W. , Mazzaferro Vincenzo , Van Thiel David , Starzl Thomas E.
Published: March 2007

The differential diagnosis of liver dysfunction after orthotopic liver transplantation can be difficult. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) hepatitis is one possibility. This report reviews our experience with 17 cases of pathologically proven CMV hepatitis following liver transplantation and demonstrates the need for percutaneous liver biopsies to establish the diagnosis. There were seven pediatric patients (ages 2–11 years, five males, two females) and ten adult patients (ages 17–53 years, eight males, two females). The most common symptoms were prolonged fever (15 patients, with a mean duration of 22 ± 5.5 days), elevation in total bilirubin (14 patients), and elevation in liver enzymes (15 patients); all symptoms were also found in rejection. Leukopenia and thrombocytopenia, reported to frequently occur with CMV infection, were found in only three and five patients, respectively.

Twelve patients with the above symptoms underwent percutaneous biopsy on one or more occasions to differentiate CMV hepatitis from rejection. The diagnosis was made at retransplantation in five patients. CMV hepatitis followed treatment for acute rejection in 14 patients and occurred without additional immunosuppression in three patients. All patients were maintained on cyclosporine and prednisone. Acute rejection episodes were treated with a 5‐day tapering dose of steroids (17 courses in 12 patients), OKT3 monoclonal antibody [Ortho (4 patients)] antithymocyte globulin [Upjohn (2 patients)], and azathioprine (1 patient).

CMV was isolated from urine (nine patients), blood (nine patients), throat (seven patients), lungs (two patients), and other organs (two patients). CMV was cultured from the liver biopsy specimens in five of the seven attempts in pediatric patients. When the diangosis was confirmed in the absence of rejection, immunosuppression was routinely lowered. When rejection occurred concomitantly with CMV hepatitis, therapy had to be individualized. Retrospectively, three patients treated for rejection were noted at retransplantation to have only CMV hepatitis, and all three paients died.

A high index of suspicion and the judicioususe of liver bopsies is essential in order to differentiate CMV hepatitis from other causes of posttransplant liver dysfunction.
Prevalence of genital HPV infections in a regularly screened population in the netherlands in relation to cervical cytology
Authors: Melchers Willem J. G. , Herbrink Paul , Quint Wim G. V. , Walboomers Jan M. M. , Meijer Chris J. L. M. , Lindeman Jan
Published: March 2007

To determine the prevalence of human papilloma virus (HPV) genotypes in relation to cervical cytology, 1,290 cervical samples from a regularly screened population of 30‐55‐year‐old women were investigated. Gynaecological specimens, obtained from the cervix, were cytologically classified and screened for the presence of HPVs 6/11 and 16/18 using dot‐spot DNA hybridisation. Of the cervical samples containing unequivocally normal cells, 21 of 1,271 (1.6%) were found positive for HPV, and of the cervical samples containing cells with mild dysplasia, 6 of 14 (43%) were found positive for HPV. All five samples containing cells consistent with severe dysplasia or carcinoma in situ were found positive for HPV. Approximately 50% of the HPV positive samples contained HPV 16 and/or HPV 18 DNA.
Systemic lymphoproliferative responses to rotavirus
Authors: Totterdell B. M. , Banatvala J. E. , Chrystie I. L. , Ball G. , Cubitt W. D.
Published: March 2007

In comparison with healthy adults, elderly patients and patients who had received renal transplants had significantly lower lymphoproliferative responses to rotavirus (P = 0.04, P = 0.002, respectively) and phytohaemagglutinin (P = 0.001). However, following acute rotavirus infection, elderly persons mounted good lymphoproliferative and specific antibody responses to rotavirus. No lymphoproliferative response or specific antibody to rotavirus was detected in a child with cartilage hair hypoplasia. In cord blood samples, specific antibodies were detected in the absence of a lymphoproliferative response to rotavirus. Increases in lymphoproliferative responses as well as specific antibodies were not detected in immune adult recipients of a human rotavirus vaccine (RIT 4375), but a recipient of a bovine vaccine (RIT 4237) had an increase in lymphoproliferative response to rotavirus between 13 and 28 days postvaccination. Stimulation indices for both rotavirus and phytohaemagglutinin within the vaccine groups were comparable to the healthy laboratory personnel group.
History of recurrent mucocutaneous herpes correlates with relatively low interferon production by herpes simplex virus‐exposed cultured monocytes
Authors: Linnavuori Kimmo H.
Published: March 2007

Monocytes separated from blood specimens of healthy voluntary blood donors were infected with herpes simplex virus (HSV) 1 or 2. The amount of interferon produced by the HSV‐exposed monocytes was found to be donor‐specific and was similar whether tested with HSV 1 or HSV 2. The interferon levels in repeated blood specimens from a given donor were relatively stable within an observation period of a few months. The survey was expanded by testing 27 persons with history of recurrent herpes disease and 16 control persons without such history. HSV‐exposed monocytes of the controls produced significantly higher amounts of interferon than those of the patients with lesions of recurrent herpes (mean levels 145 and 58 IU/ml, respectively; P < 0.05). A correlation was also found between the antibody status of the cell donor and the capability of the monocytes to produce interferon when infected with HSV 1 or HSV 2: the interferon responses of monocytes of seronegative cell donors were significantly higher than those of cultures from donors with complement fixing antibodies against HSV (P < 0.01).