bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HIV and HBV infection in intravenous drug addicts from northeastern Italy
Authors: Conte D. , Ferroni P. , Lorini G. P. , Aimo G. P. , Mandelli C. , Cesana M. , Brunelli L. , Bignotti G. C. , Bianchi P. A. , Zanetti A. R.
Published: March 2007

Three hundred and two intravenous drug addicts (IVDA) from five towns in Northeastern Italy were studied. Of the males, 37/249 (14.8%) were homosexuals and of the females, 29/53 (54.7%) were prostitutes; 118 (39.0%) were alcoholics. AST levels were abnormal in 31.876, ALT in45.7%, GTP in 36.4%, and bilirubin in 14.6%. The prevalence of HBsAg (13.9%) and HBeAg (21.4% of HBsAg positive) was significantly higher than in 2,983 controls (4.2% and 6.3%. p < .001 and p < .02, respectively). Of the HBsAg posi:ive subjects, 51.7% had anti‐HDV antibodies. Among 260 HBsAg negative cases, 146 (56.2%) were anti‐HBs and anti‐HBc positive, 76 (29.2%) were anti‐HBc positive and anti‐HBs negative (25 anti‐HBe positive and 51 anti‐HBe negative), and 38 had no HBV markers. Anti‐HIV ELISA positive subjects came to 70.5% (triplicate determination with absolute concordance) and Western blot analysis confirmed the results in 99.1% of ELISA positive and 100% of ELISA negative subjects. The prevalence of anti‐HIV was significantly higher in anti‐HBc positive than negative cases (p < .02), even excluding HBsAg positive subjects. Cases negative for HIV and HBV had a significantly lower median duration of drug abuse than those with past or present infection (36 vs 60 months, p < .001). HIV‐related diseases were present in 56.3% of the cases (120/213; PGL in 94, ARC in 24, and AIDS in two). The absolute T4 + cell count correlated inversely with the prevalence and severity of HIV‐related diseases‐9/10 had less than 400 T4+ cells/ml (one PGL, seven ARC, and one AIDS), 33/47 had 400‐800 T4+ cells/ml (27 PGL, five ARC, and one AIDS), and 25/40 had over 800 T4+ cells/ml (25 PGL). Geographical differences were observed in the distribution of the ratio between symptomatid infected cases.
Low‐dose vaccination against hepatitis B in children: One‐year follow‐up
Authors: Milne Alexander , Dimitrakakis Mary , Campbell Carolyn , Lucas Ron , Allwood Geoff , Goldwater Paul , Pearce Neil , Krugman Saul
Published: March 2007

Six hundred forty‐three children, negative for markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections. were given three × 2‐μg doses of Merck, Sharp and Dohme (MSD) plasma derived hepatitis B vaccine (H‐B‐Vax) at monthly intervals. Twelve months after the first dose of vaccine, antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti‐HBs) was detected in 89% of children by radioimmunoassay (RIA) and in 83% by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Seroconversion rates and anti‐HBs titres were significantly greater in 1‐4‐year‐olds than in older children (p < 0.01). Eighteen children with no anti‐HBs or other markers of HBV at this time were given 10 pg of vaccine and tested one month later. Seventeen developed anti‐HBs. 12 at levels consistent with an anamnestic response.

Forty‐nine HBV‐marker‐negative children seroconverted for antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti‐HBc) in the 8‐month period before or the 12–month period following vaccination. Forty‐six of these children were positive for anti‐HBs, and one has been confirmed as a chronic carrier of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Three cases of clinical hepatitis B in children have been seen in the community since the vaccination programme began. Two of these were amongst the estimated 5% of children who were not vaccinated. The third was in a vaccine and occurred 4½ months after the last dose of vaccine.

These findings suggest that under the conditions of this programme, three intramuscular doses of 2 μg H‐B‐Vax given at monthly intervals provided effective protection for most children for at least 24 months, especially younger children who are at greatest risk of becoming HBsAg carriers.
Site‐directed ELISA with synthetic peptides representing the HIV transmembrane glycoprotein
Authors: Chiodi Francesca , von Gegerfeldt Agneta , Albert Jan , Fenyö Eva Maria , Gaines Hans , von Sydow Madeleine , Biberfeld Gunnel , Parks Elliot , Norrby Erling
Published: March 2007

Two partially overlapping 19 and 22 amino acids long peptides representing a highly immunogenic site of the transmembranous glycoprotein (gp41) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were used as antigen in ELISA tests. The results of antibody determination with this assay were compared with those of three or more conventional ELISAs and Western blot (WB) tests and radioimmunoprecipitation assay. Twenty six sera from patients with AIDS or LAS and from asymptomatic carriers of HIV infection all showed a pronounced reaction in the peptide ELISA as well as positive results with other tests. In contrast, 27 sera from laboratory workers and blood donors were negative by all tests. A group of 39 blood donor sera, which had shown false positive or ambiguous results in the ELISAs and sometimes in WB tests employed for confirmation, also were negative in all cases with the peptide ELISA. Consecutive samples collected from individuals with primary HIV infection were also analyzed. In 6 out of 9 cases, the peptide ELISA revealed an antibody response within one month after onset of clinical symptoms and sensitivity for antibody detection equaled that of other ELISA tests. Eight sera from five West African persons infected with HIV related viruses did not react in the peptide ELISA, reflecting differences in properties of the envelope components. The peptide ELISA used in this study appears to represent a simple technique employing chemically synthesized antigen for accurate and sensitive estimation of antibodies to the HIV group of nontransforming human retroviruses.
Cell‐mediated immunity to varicella‐zoster virus infection in strain 2 guinea pigs
Authors: Jenski Laura , Myers Martin G.
Published: March 2007

Young adult male strain 2 guinea pigs were inoculated intramuscularly with varicella‐zoster virus (VZV) cultured in fetal guinea pig tissue cultures. Lymphocyte proliferation and interleukin 2 secretion in response to viral antigen challenge in vitro were measured at weekly intervals for 2 months and periodically thereafter. VZV‐specific immunity was apparent 2 weeks after infection, peaking after 2 weeks (lymphoproliferation) or 1–2 months (interleukin 2 secretion). Diminished but significant anamnestic responses were detected as late as 30 months after infection.
Spread of human T‐cell leukemia virus (HTLV‐I) in the Dutch homosexual community
Authors: Goudsmit Jaap , de Wolf Frank , van de Wiel Bart , Smit Lia , Bakker Margreet , Lent Nel Albrecht‐van , Coutinho Roel A.
Published: March 2007

Sequential sera of 697 homosexual men, participating in a prospective study (1984–1986) of the risk to acquire human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or AIDS, were tested for antibodies to human T‐cell leukaemia virus (HTLV‐I) by particle agglutination and immunoblotting. No intravenous drug users were included in this trial. Three men (0.4%) were HTLV‐I antibody positive at intake and an additional 2 at the end of the observation period, resulting in an attack rate of approximately 0.3%. One of the 3 men with HTLV‐I antibodies at intake was a Brazilian. One man had an acute HTLV‐I infection after sexual intercourse with a Brazilian during holiday in Brazil. No serological cross‐reactivity with HIV was observed nor a relationship with other sexually transmissible viral or bacterial infections. In contrast to HIV no relationship with anogenital intercourse was noted; both primary HTLV‐I infected men practiced only orogenital intercourse. This suggests that HTLV‐I was imported in the Dutch homosexual community after HIV was introduced in the Netherlands. HTLV‐I appears to spread slower within the homosexual community than HIV and possibly by other routes.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐DNA‐positive hepatocellular carcinoma following hepatitis B virus infection in a child
Authors: Giacchino R. , Pontisso P. , Navone C. , Alberti A. , Dini G. , Facco F. , Ciravegna B.
Published: March 2007

Integrated hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA sequences were found in neoplastic liver tissue of a hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)‐negative child who had previously suffered from HBsAg‐positive chronic active hepatitis and was anti‐HBs and anti‐hepatitis B core (HBc) positive at the time of tumor development. Reintegration pattern was consistent with the presence of a single integration site of the HBV genome into cellular DNA, and clonal proliferation of such infected cells. A normal liver, tested in the same experiment with the same amount of total DNA, was negative for viral DNA sequences.

These findings support the possible oncogenic role of HBV in the development of liver cancer, not only in adults, but also in children, even in patients who are negative for HBsAg at the time of tumor diagnosis.
Detection of flavivirus antibodies in human serum by epitope‐blocking immunoassay
Authors: Burke Donald S. , Nisalak Ananda , Gentry Mary Kay
Published: March 2007

Human flavivirus group‐reactive, dengue complex‐reactive, and encephalitis virus complex‐reactive antibodies were detected using epitope‐blocking immunoassays in which the binding of selected mouse monoclonal antibodies to flavivirus antigens was blocked by human serum. When late (> 6 months after illness) convalescent sera were tested, the epitope‐blocking immunoassays were superior to the hemagglutination inhibition test and comparable to the plaque reduction neutralization for identifying subjects immune to dengue, to Japanese encephalitis, or both viruses.
Detection of antibody to viral proteins following primary infection with herpes simplex virus
Authors: Simmonds P. , Smith I. W. , Peutherer J. F.
Published: March 2007

Sera from patients with primary genital infection with herpes simplex virus (HSV) were tested by immunoblotting (IB) and radioimmunoprecipitation (RIP) analysis to determine the protein targets of antibody elicited by infection. The two tests detected antibody to different antigens: IB primarily detected reactivity with p40, a phosphorylated capsid protein, and RIP detected antibody to glycoprotein B, a viral envelope component. Furthermore, RIP detected antibody at an earlier stage of infection then IB. A nondenaturing version of IB was developed and used to investigate the role that the solubilisation of antigen plays in the sensitivity of each test for antibodies with different specificities.
Differentiation of a human monocytic cell line associated with increased production of Rift Valley fever virus by infected cells
Authors: Lewis Richard M. , Cosgriff Thomas M. , Peters Clarence J. , Morrill John C.
Published: March 2007

Rift Valley fever (RVF) virus is a cause of significant human and animal disease in many parts of Africa. In some cases, it causes a hemorrhagic fever, which is frequently fatal. Prior studies have shown that RVF virus productively infects peritoneal macrophages from susceptible rat strains. The U937 human monocytic cell line was used to determine the effect of monocytic cell differentiation on the degree of viral production by cell cultures infected with RVF virus. Differentiation of U937 cells to more mature monocytic cells by phorbol ester resulted in production of 10 times more infectious virions in comparison with undifferentiated cells. These studies imply that monocytic cell differentiation increases permissiveness for RVF virus production.
Prolonged excretion of an identical cytomegalovirus strain by two siblings and the intermittent isolation of an adenovirus from the urine of one of them
Authors: McFarlane E. Sandra , Goldbloom Alan L. , Embil Juan A.
Published: March 2007

Restriction endonucleases were used to show the excretion of an identical strain of cytomegalovirus (CMV) by two brothers over a 21/2‐yr period. The same enzymes were used to show that the younger brother, case report, excreted an adenovirus over at least a 3‐mo period. We are unable to determine the contribution of each virus to this child's clinical picture; however, this is the first report of a prolonged excretion of an adenovirus associated with CMV excretion in an immunocompetent host.
Detection of parvovirus B19 DNA, antigen, and particles in the human fetus
Authors: Clewley J. P. , Cohen B. J. , Field Anne M.
Published: March 2007

Human parvovirus B19 commonly infects children, causing erythema infectiosum (fifth disease). However, there is a significant adult population which has not been exposed to the virus and, consequently, does not have protective antibody. Recent reports have associated B19 infection during pregnancy with fetal death, although normal outcome of pregnancy is more common. To characterise further the role of B19 infection in fetal deaths, a series of laboratory investigations has been undertaken on tissues obtained at autopsy. These have demonstrated the presence of virion‐sized DNA by Southern blotting, viral antigen by radioimmunoassay, and viral particles by electron microscopy, all from tissues of hydrops fetalis. These data confirm that the human parvovirus B19 can cross the placenta and replicate in fetal tissues.
Correlation between plaque size and genetic variation of type 3 poliovirus from a vaccinate
Authors: Hamada Nobuyuki , Imamura Yoshihiro , Shingu Masahisa
Published: March 2007

Vaccine strain derivatives could be serially isolated from the feces of a healthy infant for about 30 days after the second administration of a trivalent poliovirus vaccine. These were all identified as poliovirus type 3, and no other types were detected. The titer in feces increased gradually until day 19, when it reached a maximum, after which it decreased. The plaque size altered roughly in parallel with the changes in the titer. On day 11 it began to increase, becoming the highest abruptly on day 15, and then fell again. Oligonucleotide mapping analysis of RNAs of isolated viruses showed that the samples from days 1 and 11 exhibited the same patterns as those shown by the vaccine strain RNA. However, on day 15 many of the preexisting spots had decreased, and new ones appeared. On day 27, the pattern was again similar to that of the original virus, rather than that of the day‐15 virus. A nonmetric distance scaling and cluster analysis suggested that all the strains were derived from the same origin and that the polioviruses on days 1, 11, 21, and 27 had closer relationships, but the poliovirus on day 15 was different.
Intrauterine infection with human parvovirus B19: A light and electron microscopy study
Authors: Caul E. Owen , Usher M. Jane , Burton Patricia A.
Published: March 2007

Recent reports have documented human parvovirus B 19 infection in pregnancy, which may lead to spontaneous abortion, stillbirth or hydrops fetalis. Transplacental infection in a case of hydrops fetalis is demonstrated by light and electron microscopy observation of virus inclusions in all tissues examined. Parvovirus particles measuring approximately 20 nm were observed within the nuclei of erythropoietic cells. The parvovirus virions were observed most commonly as randomly distributed particles and rarely in crystalline assays. Thus definitive evidence of fetal infection confined to red cell precursors is documented.
Presence of antibodies to the polymerase gene product(s) of hepatitis B and woodchuck hepatitis virus in natural and experimental infections
Authors: Feitelson Mark A. , Millman Irving , Duncan Gail D. , Blumber Baruch S.
Published: March 2007

Antibodies against synthetic peptides derived from the polymerase gene of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) were present in 80% of renal dialysis patients infected with HBV and in woodchucks infected with woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV). Polymerase antibody (anti‐pol) appeared as the earliest marker of both HBV and WHV infections in approximately half of the individuals tested, suggesting that these antibodies were generated following early viral replication in the liver during the incubation period and prior to the appearance of virus in the blood. Many HBV‐ or WHV‐infected individuals negative for surface antigen throughout infection also had anti‐pol, but anti‐pol appeared only after anti‐surface, anti‐core and/or anti‐e. The presence of anti‐pol did not correlate with other serologic markers of HBV or WHV infection, nor did it correlate with histologically confirmed hepatitis in woodchucks. However, there was a significant correlation between the presence of anti‐pol and elevated liver enzyme levels in the sera of renal dialysis patients. In several cases, anti‐pol was the sole marker of infection, suggesting that underlying infection and low levels of virus replication were present. Most individuals with anti‐pol had antibodies to one of the three synthetic peptides, suggesting it may be immunodominant in natural infections. In human populations, groups with a high frequency of HBV infection have a high frequency of polymerase antibodies, and groups with a low frequency of HBV infection have a low frequency of polymerase antibodies. A standard assay for the detection of polymerase antibodies is described, and possible clinical applications are discussed.
Antigenic variation of wild and vaccine rabies strains of Egypt
Authors: Botros Boulos A. M. , Salib Adel W. , Mellick Paul W. , Linn Jeffery M. , Soliman Atef K. , Scott Robert McN.
Published: March 2007

Nineteen street rabies virus strains, isolated in Egypt from humans (two), dogs (nine), cats (two), farm animals (two), gerbils (three), and a jackal were antigenically analyzed. The Pasteur strain used for the preparation of human rabies vaccine, the Flury high and low egg passage stains (HEP, LEP) used for animal vaccines, and the challenge virus standard (CVS) strain were also assayed. All were examined by the indirect fluorescent antibody test, using a panel of 20 monoclonal antibodies against the nucleocapsid of rabies and rabies‐related viruses. The rabies isolates demonstrated patterns of reactivity with the antinucleocapsid panel different from those of the Pasteur, HEP, and CVS strains.

Representative human, dog, and rodent isolates were analyzed by neutralization tests in mice, with a second panel of 19 monoclonal antibodies against rabies and Mokola envelope glycoproteins. With this panel, the isolates demonstrated patterns of reactivity different from the vaccine strains. These data indicate antigenic variation between wild virus and vaccine strains.
Maternal‐infant transmission of hepatitis B in Egypt
Authors: Hyams Kenneth C. , Osman Nadia Mohamed , Khaled Eman Mohamed , Abd El‐Wahab Koraa Afaf , Imam Imam Zagloul , El‐Ghorab Nemat M. , Dunn Michael A. , Woody James N.
Published: March 2007

In order to determine whether maternal‐infant (vertical) transmission of hepatitis B is a common route of infection leading to chronic antigenemia in Egypt, 901 asymptomatic women in labor were evaluated. Forty‐three women (4.8 percent) were positive for HBsAg, but only one woman was positive for HBeAg. From one year of observation of children born to 13 of the HBsAg‐positive mothers, vertical transmission of hepatitis B was estimated to have occurred in approximately 1.7% of births, with chronic antigenemia resulting from 0.6% of births. It was also possible to observe 29 children born to women negative for HBsAg. Horizontal transmission of hepatitis B occurred in 17.2 percent of these children during the first year of life. Maternal‐infant transmission of hepatitis B at birth does not appear to be the predominant mechanism of hepatitis B transmission or a common cause of chronic antigenemia in Egypt. The first year after birth appears to be a more important period of hepatitis B transmission. Therefore, vaccination of all children at birth with hepatitis B vaccine could be an effective vaccine strategy despite a low incidence of vertical hepatitis B transmission.
Long‐term protection against Argentine hemorrhagic fever in Tacaribe virus infected marmosets: Virologic and histopathologic findings
Authors: Samoilovich Sergio R. , Calello Miguel A. , Laguens Rubén P. , Weissenbacher Mercedes C.
Published: March 2007

Tacaribe virus may represent a better alternative than attenuated strains of Junin virus (JV) for immunization against Argentine hemorrhagic fever (AHF) because of possible risk of persistent infection or disease associated with live, attenuated strains. Callithrix jacchus marmosets, which suffer 100% mortality if inoculated with the pathogenic XJ strain of JV, were used to evaluate possible Tacaribe virus persistence, subclinical, or long‐term disease and the duration of protection against challenge with JV. Histologic studies did not show pathogenic changes due to Tacaribe virus in primates sacrificed from 7 to 480 days postinoculation (pi). No virus was recovered in tissue samples after primary culture or cocultures with sensitive cells. The presence of anti‐Tacaribe neutralizing serum antibodies and protection against pathogenic JV were detected up to 480 days after a single dose of Tacaribe virus. However, anti‐Junin antibodies were detected only after challenge. In other experiments, protection against JV was evaluated histologically and virologically. Two primates were immunized with Tacaribe virus, challenged with JV, and sacrificed 18 or 21 days later. Subclinical histopathologic findings were associated with recovery of JV only by the sensitive primary culture‐coculture techniques. The immunogenicity, degree of protection, and safety of Tacaribe virus indicate its potential as a vaccine against human AHF.
Preliminary characterization of a mutant of herpes simplex virus type 1 selected for acycloguanosine resistance in vitro
Authors: Palú Giorgio , Summers Wilma P. , Valisena Sebastiano , Tognon Mauro
Published: March 2007

In this paper we report on the preliminary characterization of a mutant of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV‐1) selected for acycloguanosine (acyclovir, ACV) resistance in vitro. The ACVr virus was examined for a series of parameters that include chemosensitivity assay, thymidine kinase (TK) activity, in vitro and in vivo growth, and mutation mapping. The data obtained indicate that a mutated TK gene is responsible for the ACVr phenotype. A distinctive feature of this mutant is the high level of resistance exhibited to ACV (100 μM) and the concomitant presence of a functional TK activity. Such a property makes this virus useful as a model for the study of viral resistance to nucleoside‐type analogues in HSV.
Spumaviruses isolated from sources containing agents of non‐A, non‐B (NANB) hepatitis do not cause NANB hepatitis
Authors: Williams Bolanle , Prince Alfred M. , Huima Tellervo , Brotman Betsy
Published: March 2007

Serum and liver tissue containing infective non‐A, non‐B hepatitis virus were shown to contain a retrovirus‐like agent that replicated when inoculated into chimpanzee liver cell cultures in vitro. The virus appeared to assemble its core particles in association with tubular structures reminiscent of those characteristically seen in non‐A, non‐B hepatitis virus‐infected chimpanzee liver in vivo, and produced syncytial cytopathic effects in a number of continuous and a primary mammalian liver cells.

The agents were neutralized by acute and convalescent sera from human and chimpanzee cases of non‐A, non‐B hepatitis, as well as by antisera against simian spumavirus type 7, but not type 6. Aluminum chloride failed to abolish viral infectivity. There was no evidence of virus replication or hepatitis in chimpanzees inoculated with a seventh passage of one of the isolates. Thus the data suggest that the isolates are not causally related to non‐A, non‐B hepatitis, as was previously postulated.
Comparative seroepidemiology of cytomegalovirus infection in the Canadian Arctic and an Urban center
Authors: Preiksaitis Jutta K. , Larke R. P. Bryce , Froese Glory J.
Published: March 2007

We conducted a seroepidemiologic study of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection among 9,928 Inuit (Eskimo), Dene (Indian) and non‐native inhabitants of the Northwest Territories (NWT) of Canada between April 1983 and March 1985. 4,184 inhabitants of Edmonton, a large predominantly white urban center served as controls. Sera were screened for antibody to CMV by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The prevalence rates of CMV antibody increased with age in all ethnic groups. By the age of two years 69.2 percent of Dene, 63.5 percent of Inuit, 33.3 percent of non‐native and 22.9 percent of Edmonton children had CMV antibody. Over the age of five years Inuit children had higher rates of CMV antibody than Dene children (P < .05) reflecting differences in infant adoption, breastfeeding practices and patterns of child care in the two native groups. By the age of 15 to 19 years 81.1 percent of Dene and 88.5 percent of Inuit women had CMV antibody compared to 48.8 percent of non‐native and 50.9 percent of Edmonton women (P < .05). Native children had higher prevalence rates than non‐native children living in the NWT (P < .05). Compared to similarly aged Edmonton residents, non‐native children in the NWT 2 to 4 years and 5 to 9 years of age had a higher prevalence of CMV antibody (P < .05). We observed a higher prevalence rate of CMV antibody among non‐native children (10‐14 years) and young women (15‐19 years) living in predominantly native communities compared to those living in predominantly non‐native communities in the NWT (P < .05). The seroprevalence in 60 non‐native female health care workers in the NWT was not significantly different from that seen in comparably aged Edmonton women.
Significance of maternal and infant serum antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen in hepatitis B virus infection of infancy
Authors: Panda S. K. , Bhan M. K. , Guha D. K. , Gupta A. , Datta R. , Zuckerman A. J. , Nayak N. C.
Published: March 2007

The significance of IgM and IgG class antibodies to hepatitis B virus (HBV) core component (anti‐HBc) was investigated in a study of maternal‐fetal HBV transmission. An IgM anti‐HBc response was lacking in the majority (49/53) of HBV‐infected infants. This antibody thus cannot be used as an indicator of transplacental infection. However, most infants who became HBsAg positive during the first 6 months of life acquire infection in the perinatal period rather than transplacentally. Passively transferred maternal IgG anti‐HBc in the infant and additional IgM anti‐HBc positively in the carrier mother have no modulating influence on HBV infection of infants born to HBV carrier women.
Application of the single radial complement fixation test for serodiagnosis of influenza, respiratory syncytial, mumps, adeno type 3, and herpes simplex type 1 virus infections
Authors: Sato S. , Ochiai H. , Niwayama S.
Published: March 2007

A stabilized modification of the single radial complement fixation (SRCF) test in gel was developed for detecting various virus antibodies. The principle of the test is based on the use of a single‐stage procedure with an agarose plate containing virus antigens and antibody‐coated erythrocytes, and thin plastic film coated with complement. By filling the wells in the agar plate with a 1:4 diluted heat‐inactivated sera and covering the agar surface with a complement film, a zone of unlysed cells surrounded by a hemolytic area appears after incubation overnight at 4°C and then for 1–2 h at 37°C, depending on the antibody titers. The SRCF antibody titer is calculated numerically from the square of the diameter of the unlysed cell zone. The stability of reagents could be significantly improved using thin complement film and several stabilizers.

When this test was used for serodiagnosis of influenza, respiratory syncytial (RS), mumps, adeno virus type 3 and herpes simplex type 1 virus infections (using a total of 400 sera), excellent correlations were demonstrated for antibody titers between conventional complement fixation (CF) and SRCF titers. Furthermore, the expression of antibody titer as an SRCF unit with consecutive value, produced results sensitive to fluctuations in the antibody titers.

The simplicity of the procedure, stability of the reagents, and excellent correlation with the conventional CF test might make this a useful test for routine serodiagnosis and seroepidemiological survey of various virus infections.
Prognostic significance of adenosine deaminase determinations in subjects with the lymphoadenopathy syndrome
Authors: Casoli Claudio , Magnani Giacomo , Scovassi Ivana , Bertazzoni Umberto , Starcich Riccardo
Published: March 2007

The association between human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV‐I) infection and high levels of erythrocyte adenosine deaminase (ADA) has been suggested by Cowan et al [1986]. We have analyzed the specific activities of the same enzyme during different stages of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), including asymptomatic subjects at high risk and patients with lymphoadenopathy syndrome (LAS), AIDS‐related complex (ARC), full‐blown AIDS, and AIDS encephalopathy (AIDS enc). The ADA activities were significantly higher (P < .05) in asymptomatic HIV‐I serum‐positive individuals (13.1 U ± 1.1) and in different groups of patients (LAS = 23.6 U ± 10.2; ARC = 23.7 ± 4.1) than those found in controls (9.5 U ± 1.8) and in HIV‐I serum‐negative subjects (10.4 ± 1.5). In patients with AIDS the mean ADA activity was of 32.3 U ± 7.1, whereas in two cases with AIDS enc it was of 10 U. A tendency to increase in median ADA values with the progression of the disease was observed.

In LAS patients the ADA values presented two distinct subsets falling below and above the cut‐off line of 15 U/109 erythrocytes, respectively. A specific correlation to drug addition and its duration was observed: LAS subjects who discontinued drug abuse (median addiction time: 3 years) presented ADA values (median = 13 U) that are lower than for addicts (median = 27.2 U; median addiction time = 7 years) and are close to those observed for asymptomatic HIV‐I serum‐positive group. Evidence was also obtained for a progressive increase of ADA values of LAS patients with disappearance of the product of gag gene. These results suggest that LAS subjects with elevated ADA activities present a longer history of HIV‐I infection and a higher probability of developing AIDS.
Low and high molecular weight cytomegalovirus‐specific immunoglobulin M antibody in renal transplant patients with cytomegalovirus infections
Authors: O'Neill H. J. , Shirodaria P. V. , Simpson D. M.
Published: March 2007

Sera from 27 renal transplant patients with primary and recurrent CMV infections and which were known to contain CMV‐specific IgM antibodies were investigated by indirect immunofluorescence for the presence of virus‐specific high molecular weight IgM (19S IgM) and low molecular weight IgM (7S IgM). After sucrose gradient fractionation of the sera, 19S IgM was found in all 27 patients, whereas 7S IgM was present in 11 out of 19 (56%) patients with primary CMV infection and in 1 out of 8 (12%) patients with recurrent CMV infection. The presence of 7S IgM was unrelated to the titre of the virus‐specific IgM in whole serum. The presence of IgM rheumatoid factor was monitored by a sensitive fluorescence assay using measles virus antigen/antibody complexes. The absorption of the serum fractions with heat‐aggregated gamma globulin failed to remove the specific IgM staining indicating that it was not due to IgM rheumatoid factor. On the other hand adsorption with protein A/sepharose removed the specific IgM staining from the 7S IgM fractions but not from the 19S IgM fractions. This suggests that specific 19S and 7S IgM antibodies may belong to different subclasses of IgM.
Clearance of pre‐S2 antigen: A marker of successful interferon therapy in hepatitis B virus infection
Authors: Brahm Javier , Alexander Graeme J. M. , Fagan Elizabeth A. , Smith Heather M. , Daniels Helena M. , Eddleston Adrian L. W. F. , Williams Roger
Published: March 2007

The relation between viral replication, the presence of HBsAg and pre‐S2 in serum and eventual clinical outcome has been investigated in fourteen patients undergoing treatment with lymphoblastoid interferon for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. In four patients permanent loss of pre‐S2 was accompanied by loss of serum HBV‐DNA in association with a marked elevation of serum aspartate aminotransferase activity and in each of these cases HBsAg was subsequently cleared from serum. In contrast there was no significant fluctuation in the concentration of either pre‐S2 or HBsAg in four cases not responding to therapy although substantial or complete inhibition of viral replication had been observed during treatment. In the third group, permanent loss of HBV‐DNA was observed but in these cases pre‐S2 and HBsAg persisted in serum, albeit at lower concentrations, while in this group loss of HBV‐DNA from serum was not accompanied by a flare in disease activity.

These results suggest first, that assay of pre‐S2 is a further measure of the response to interferon and second that in some cases interferon enhances immune recognition of both the pre‐S2 and HBsAg polypeptides.
IgG subclass reactivity against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and cytomegalovirus in cerebrospinal fluid and serum from HIV‐infected patients
Authors: Mathiesen Tiit , Sönnerborg Anders , Sydow Madeleine Von , Gaines Hans , Wahren Britta
Published: March 2007

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum samples from 17 patients seropositive for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were analysed for specific IgG1‐4 against HIV and cytomegalovirus (CMV). Measles IgG was studied as a reference to detect blood‐brain barrier (BBB) defects. All patients had IgG1 antibodies against HIV in both CSF and serum, and all had CMV IgG1 in serum (16 in CSF). Anti‐HIV IgG was synthesised intrathecally in 11 patients, IgG3 in three patients, and IgG4 in three patients. Intrathecal production of anti‐CMV IgCl was found in three patients, IgG2 in one, IgC3 in three, and IgG4 in one. Intrathecal anti‐HIV IgG synthesis could be demonstrated in all stages of the disease. Analysis of all IgG subclasses allowed intrathecal HIV and/or IgG production to be detected also in patients in whom intrathecally synthesised IgG was restricted to IgG2, 3, or 4. The expression of HIV‐specific IgG subclasses in CSF and serum was more restricted in AIDS patients than in HIV‐infected persons without clinical AIDS. On the contrary, the largest number of CMV‐specific IgG subclasses was found in AIDS patients. Intrathecal HIV or CMV IgG subclass production was seen both with and without neurological symptoms. The peripheral T4 cell counts were not obviously related to neurological symptoms. Even patients with low peripheral T4 cell counts had evidence of intrathecal antibody synthesis against HIV and sometimes CMV, suggesting a retained helper function of T cells in the central nervous system.
Genome type analysis of adenovirus 37 isolates
Authors: Adrian Th. , de Jong J. C. , Wermenbol A. G. , Van Der Avoort H. G. A. M. , Wigand R.
Published: March 2007

Seventy‐six strains of adenovirus type 37 (AV37), isolated during a period of 10 years from 73 patients on three continents, were analysed with eight DNA restriction endonucleases. Strains identical with the prototype (56 strains) prevailed; four deviating genome types were found, which differed only slightly from the prototype, with one exception. Half of the strains were tested in detail by neutralisation and haemagglutination inhibition. Minor differences in neutralisation were not reflected by differences in DNA restriction patterns. In comparison to genome types of other subgenera, field strains of adenovirus 37 showed only a moderate genetic variability.
Synthesis of human rotavirus polypeptides in cell culture
Authors: Heath R. L. , Birch C. J.
Published: March 2007

The replication strategy of a human serotype 1 rotavirus, adapted to rapid growth in CV‐1 cells, was investigated. A single cycle growth curve revealed eclipse and latent periods of 3 and 4 hours, respectively. Although the extent of reduction of host cell protein synthesis was directly related to the multiplicity of infection of the virus, incorporation of actinomycin D and excess NaCl into the medium resulted in significant reduction in host cell background and enabled observation of viral polypeptides as early as 2 hours post infection. Five polypeptides were found to be structural components of the virion, and a further eight appeared to be nonstructural proteins or intermediates. Five polypeptides were glycosylated during virus replication, but only one of these, VP7, was a definite structural glycoprotein. Pulse‐chase experiments revealed that four low molecular weight polypeptides underwent posttranslational modifications.
Antibody response to epstein‐barr virus antigens in patients with chronic viral infection
Authors: Roubalová Kateřina , Roubal Jaroslav , Skopový Petr , Fučiková Terera , Domorázková Eva , Vonka V.
Published: March 2007

We tested antibody titres against Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) antigens in patients suffering from chronic viral disease and compared them with those determined in sex‐and age‐matched healthy controls. Patient sera showed signs of active EBV infection [antibodies against early antigen (EA) and/or viral capsid antigen (VCA) in the IgM or IgA classes] significantly more frequently than the control group. Correspondingly, geometric mean titres (GMT) of antibodies against all viral antigens were elevated in the patients. The strongest association with EBV was observed in patients whose clinical symptoms closely resembled infectious mononucleosis: 92% of the Subjects in this subgroup possessed anti‐EA and 41 and 25% had IgM and IgA anti‐VCA antibody, respectively. In patients with signs of lymphoproliferation only and in those suffering from frequent respiratory infections the association with EBV was less marked but still significant. Patients with transient defects in humoral and cellular immunity mounted higher titres against VCA in the IgG class than those without immune defects.
Status of hepatitis B virus DNA in hepatocellular carcinoma: A study based on paired tumor and nontumor liver tissues
Authors: Lai Ming‐Yang , Chen Ding‐Shinn , Chen Pei‐Jer , Lee Sheng‐Chung , Sheu Jin‐Chuan , Huang Guan‐Tarng , Wei Ta‐Cheng , Lee Chue‐Shue , Yu Sen‐Chang , Hsu Hey‐Chi , Sung Juei‐Low
Published: March 2007

To investigate the hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA status in the liver when hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has developed, 35 paired nontumorous and tumorous liver tissues from 27 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)‐seropositive and 8 HBsAg‐negative patients with HCC were studied by Southern blot analysis. The hybridization patterns of HBV DNA were different in the nontumor and tumor parts in 26 (96.3%) of the 27 HBsAg‐positive patients. In the nontumor parts, integration of HBV DNA into the host genome was significantly less when compared to the tumor parts (15/27 vs. 25/27, P < 0.05), whereas free replicative viral forms were significantly more frequent (17/27 vs. 7/27). The integrated HBV DNA in the nontumor parts showed discrete band patterns in the majority of cases (13/15). Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) was significantly associated with the expression of free replicative forms of HBV DNA in the tumor tissues. An integrated HBV DNA sequence was detected in the tumor part of one HBsAg‐negative patient, but not in her nontumor counterpart. Our observation that discrete integrated HBV DNAs are present in the nontumor part, representing subclinical clonal expansion that precedes the development of HCC, suggests the risk of future new tumor growth from these cell clones.
Rabbit model for mucosal immunity in the bowel: I. establishment of virus‐infected ileal loops
Authors: Holmes Michael John , Ramsay Alistair John
Published: March 2007

An animal model was designed for use in studies of initial cellular immune responses to virus infection of the intestinal mucosa. The animal chosen was the New Zealand White rabbit and the mucosal site the subterminal ileum, isolated in a Thiry‐Vella loop. The antigen used was parainfluenzavirus type 3, which would normally be destroyed by bile salts if ingested. Loops approximately 20 cm in length, each containing at least one Peyer's patch, were exteriorised through left paramedian stomata. Atrophic changes began to appear in the loops by 7 days, but no observable diminution in their associated lymphoid tissues was evident.

The genesis of parainfluenzavirus type 3 infection in the loops was monitored by assay of sequential loop washings for infectious virus and in fluorescent antibody studies of cells from infected loop epithelia. Infectious virus was recovered for up to 13 days after inoculation and specific intracytoplasmic immunofluorescence was detected in loop epithelial cells. There was little serological evidence of systemic spread of the virus.

A localised cellular immune response against parainfluenzavirus type 3 was mounted in the lymphoid tissues associated with the infected loops by day 14, but was not detected in systemic lymphoid tissues. No reactivity was detected in rabbits given inactivated virus via their loops or in those receiving infectious virus intravenously.

This model appears to be capable of generating mucosal cellular responses to infection and may therefore be suitable for further studies in this field.
Randomized prospective trial of ganciclovir maintenance therapy for cytomegalovirus retinitis
Authors: Jacobson Mark A. , O'Donnell James J. , Brodie Howard R. , Wofsy Constance , Mills John
Published: March 2007

We report the first randomized prospective comparative study of long‐term maintenance ganciclovir (9‐[2‐hydroxy‐1‐(hydroxymethyl)ethoxymethyl]guanine, BW759U, DHPG) therapy for cytomegalovirus retinitis in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Eleven retinitis patients who received a 10‐day course of ganciclovir induction therapy and then were randomized to receive either immediate daily ganciclovir maintenance therapy or deferred maintenance (eight deferred maintenance, three immediate maintenance) were evaluated for drug efficacy. Median time to retinitis progression was 42 days for the immediate maintenance group compared with 16 days for the deferred maintenance group, (P = 0.07). After crossing over to maintenance therapy, patients in the deferred group had a median time to retinitis progression of 58 days compared to 16 days while not on maintenance therapy (P = 0.13). Only 9% of cultures obtained while patients received maintenance therapy were positive for cytomegalovirus, vs 40% of those obtained off maintenance (P < 0.001). We can state then that maintenance therapy with ganciclovir delays, but does not halt, progression of cytomegalovirus retinitis and suppresses, but does not eradicate, cytomegalovirus shedding in patients with AIDS.
Immunogenicity and pathogenicity of temperature‐sensitive modified respiratory syncytial virus in adult volunteers
Authors: McKay Elizabeth , Higgins Peter , Tyrrell David , Pringle Craig
Published: March 2007

Single temperature‐sensitive (ts) mutants of a subgroup A strain of respiratory syncytial (RS) virus whose multiplication is restricted at 39°C in MRC‐5 cells and double ts mutants that are restricted at 38°C, were obtained following mutagenesis using 5‐fluorouracil and acridine‐like compounds. Isolation and propagation of the parental RSS‐2 strain of RS virus and its derived ts mutants were carried out entirely in MRC‐5 human diploid cells.

The immunogenicity and disease‐producing ability of four of these mutants and the parental unmodified strain have been assessed by intranasal administration into groups of about 20 adult volunteers. The results of these trials indicate that the capacity of the parental RSS‐2 strain to produce upper respiratory tract infection in adults was not diminished by limited propagation in MRC‐5 cells. The mutants on the other hand were impaired in this respect to varying extents. The double mutant tslB in particular has characteristics that suggest that it may be suitable for further development as a live RS virus vaccine. It retained near normal immunogenicity and replicative ability in the upper respiratory tract, while exhibiting greatly reduced disease‐producing potential.
Frequent integration of hepatitis B virus DNA in noncancerous liver tissue from hepatocellular carcinoma patients
Authors: Tanaka Y. , Esumi M. , Shikata T.
Published: March 2007

To investigate the relationship between hepatocarcinogenesis and integration of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in the cellular DNA of the liver, we studied the integration of HBV DNA in various noncancerous regions of the liver from 31 patients using Southern blot analysis. Of 13 patients without hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 4 had heterogeneously integrated HBV DNA. Of the latter four patients, two had chronic liver disease, and two had nonspecific histological changes. In contrast, integration of HBV DNA was found in noncancerous tissue from 11 of 18 patients with HCC. In eight patients, homogeneous integration was found in noncancerous tissue, and restriction fragments of integrated HBV DNA were different from those found in cancerous tissue. Moreover, integration of HBV DNA was found in all portions examined from the same liver, and homogeneously integrated HBV DNA showed different restriction patterns in different areas. These results suggest that integration of HBV DNA may occur in heterogeneous sites of cellular DNA before hepatocarcinogenesis. Subsequently, multifocal clonal populations develop from these hepatocytes, especially frequently in the case of HCC. Integrated HBV DNA may play an important role in the clonal growth of hepatocytes, although the development of HCC requires additional factors.
Genome types of adenovirus types 19 and 37 isolated from patients with conjunctivitis in Hiroshima city
Authors: Noda Mamoru , Otagaki Yasushi , Ikeda Yoshifumi , Matsuishi Takeaki , Ogino Takeo
Published: March 2007

A total of 74 strains out of 33 strains of adenovirus type 19 (Ad19) plus 103 strains of type 37 (Ad37) isolated from patients with conjunctivitis at two ophthalmology clinics in Hiroshima City during the period March 1983 to December 1986 were analyzed by eight DNA restriction endonucleases in comparison with their prototype strains. All 27 Ad19 isolates examined displayed identical DNA cleavage patterns with all enzymes used (HindIII, KpnI, PstI, XhoI, BamHI, SacI, EcoRI, and SmaI), but their cleavage patterns were different from those of the prototype except with HindIII. The genome type of these isolates was tentatively named Ad19a. Forty‐seven Ad37 isolates examined were divided into three genome types. They were tentatively named Ad37p, Ad37a, and Ad37b: 16 isolates (Ad37p) displayed DNA cleavage patterns identical with those of the prototype with all eight enzymes described above. Thirty isolates (Ad37a) showed the same patterns as the prototype except with EcoRI. One isolate (Ad37b) showed the same patterns as the prototype except with SmaI. The most frequently isolated genome type during the period studied was Ad37a, but the change of the predominant genome type in yearly incidences was observed.