bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the Neutralizing and ELISA Antibody Titres to Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in Human Sera and in Gamma Globulin Preparations
Authors: And Herbert Schmitz , Essuman Suliman 
Published: March 2007

AbstractAdministration of anti‐cytomegalovirus gamma globulin has been reported to prevent acute human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection in immunocompromised patients. Most likely the gamma globulin acts by its neutralizing activity. However, the antibody titer to HCMV in hyperimmune gamma globulin is usually detected by an enzyme immunoassay (ELISA). We, therefore, compared the ELISA titres with the neutralizing antibody titres in the sera of blood donors and in hyperimmune gamma globulins. A poor correlation between both titres was found. Gamma globulin preparations with identical ELISA titres clearly differed in the neutralizing titre. If neutralization is the important mechanism by which the hyperimmune gamma globulins work, our results would favour a routine testing of the neutralizing antibody titre in HCMV hyperimmune gamma globulins.
Immunochemical Characterization of Hepatitis B e Antigen Subtypes, HBeAg/l and HBeAg/2, in Sera of Hepatitis B Virus Carriers
Authors: Matsuda Keizaburoh , Ohori Hitoshi , Kanno Atsushi 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe interrelation between HBeAg subtypes, HBeAg/l and HBeAg/2, in sera was examined immunochemically. The detection of HBeAg subtypes in immunodiffusion (ID) depended upon the amount of HBeAg determined by reversed passive haemagglutination (RPHA), ie, the titres of HBeAg in sera positive for both HBeAg/l and HBeAg/2, positive for only HBeAg/l and negative for both HBeAg/ 1 and HBeAg/2 were 29.8 ± 1.5 27.0 ± 1.6 and 25.6 ± 1.3, respectively. When the sera belonging to the latter two groups were concentrated up to 2″ RPHA titre, the precipitin line corresponding to that of HBeAg/2‐anti‐HBeAg/2 was visualized in ID.Monoclonal anti‐HBeAg antibody that absorbed only the precipitin line of HBeAg/1‐anti‐HBeAg/1 in ID was prepared for the characterization of HBeAg subtypes. A linear correlation (r = 0.91) between titres of HBeAg determined by the RPHA cells prepared with monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies was found in almost all HBeAg‐positive sera. The reactivities of this monoclonal anti‐HBeAg antibody to both HBeAg/l and HBeAg/2 were demonstrated in affinity chromatography experiments using a Sepharose 4B column conjugated with this antibody.These results suggest that both HBeAg/l and HBeAg/2 are constantly present in HBeAg‐positive sera and that they are closely associated. Based upon these results, a hypothetical model for the elucidation of the immunological relationship between HBeAg/l and HBeAg/2 is proposed.
Hepatitis B and D Virus Infection Among Drug Abusers in Taiwan
Authors: Lee Shou‐Dong , Wang Jiin‐Yu , Wu Jaw‐Ching , Tsai Yang‐Te , Lo Kwang‐Juei , Chiang Ying‐Te 
Published: March 2007

AbstractApproximately 15 to 20% of the general population in Taiwan are chronic hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers. However, the incidence of hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection is low (5–8%) in patients with HBsAg‐positive chronic liver diseases in this area. To evaluate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HDV infection among drug abusers in Taiwan, serum samples were collected from 152 drug abusers at the Taipei Municipal Anti‐Narcotic Institute and test for HBV and HDV markers. Of these, 24 (15.8%) were HBsAg positive, and only 15 (9.9%) were seronegative for all HBV markers. Of the 115 intravenous drug abusers, serum antibody to hepatitis D antigen (anti‐HD) was positive in 78.9% of 19 persons who were HBsAg positive, and in 7.5% of 80 persons who were positive for antibody to HBsAg (anti‐HBs). Anti‐HD was not detected in the sera from all 37 nonintravenous drug abusers regardless of the status of their HBV markers. Also, none of 63 asymptomatic HBsAg carrier pregnant women or 23 patients with acute type B viral hepatitis had measurable anti‐HD in their sera. Thus, the high frequency of HDV detected among Chinese HBsAg carrier intravenous drug abusers in Taiwan is similar to that reported in Western countries.
Diagnostic Significance of Anti‐HBcIgM Prevalence Related to Symptoms in Canadian Patients Acutely or Chronically Infected With Hepatitis B Virus
Authors: Chernesky Max , Mahony James , Castriciano Santina , Sekla Laila , Bishai Fouad , Vas Stephan 
Published: March 2007

AbstractA total of 362 sera from 295 Canadian patients were examined for HBsAg, anti‐HBs, anti‐HBc, anti‐HBcIgM, HBeAg, and anti‐HBe using commercial immunoassays. Serial samples from 70 acutely infected patients demonstrated that anti‐HBcIgM may detect 10% more positives than HBsAg within 4 months after the onset of clinical symptoms, and all except two were negative for anti‐HBcIgM after the fourth month. None of 66 asymptomatic (HBeAg rate 18.2%) and two of 14 (14.3%) symptomatic (HBeAg rate 64.3%) carriers of HBsAg were positive for anti‐HBcIgM (P = 0.029). Elevated marker responses were measured in two symptomatic carriers for a 20‐month period. Anti‐HBcIgM was not detected in either 100 asymptomatic patients positive for total anti‐HBc, negative for HBsAg and negative for or possessing low levels of anti‐HBs, 25 patients with liver disorders not caused by HBV, or 20 healthy milk donors. In diagnostic laboratory practice this anti‐HBcIgM test may be useful in the following situations: to supplement HBsAg testing, providing a theoretical 10% increase in positives within 4 months following onset of acute viral hepatitis; to replace testing for anti‐HBc and anti‐HBs in symptomatic HBsAg‐negative patients; to confirm whether a patient is experiencing acute or chronic HBV infection or symptoms superimposed upon asymptomatic HBsAg carriage by another cause, such as nonA‐nonB viral hepatitis.
Fulminant Hepatitis in Asymptomatic Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Carriers in Greece
Authors: Tassopoulos Nicolaos C. , Papaevangelou George J. , Roumeliotou‐Karayannis Anastasia , Ticehurst John R. , Feinstone Stephen M. , Purcell Robert H. , Smedile Antonina , Engle Ronald 
Published: March 2007

AbstractEleven male fulminant hepatitis (FH) patients (mean age: 47.7 ± 16 years) positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) but negative for IgM antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (IgM anti‐HBc) were admitted consecutively to the Athens Hospital for Infectious Diseases between May 1981 and November 1983. Because of the absence of IgM anti‐HBc, determined by an enzyme immunoassay, these patients were considered to be HBsAg carriers with a superimposed acute hepatitis. Three of the 11 patients received immunosuppressive chemotherapy during the six months before the onset of the acute hepatitis. None of the patients was homosexual or a drug addict. Infection with hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), or hepatitis delta virus (HDV) was detected with serologic markers and/or molecular hybridization techniques.Fulminant hepatitis was attributed to spontaneous reactivation of chronic hepatitis B in four patients, chemotherapy‐induced reactivation of chronic hepatitis B in three patients, HDV superinfection in one patient and possible superinfection by non‐A, non‐B agent(s), HDV, or HDV‐like agents in three patients. Reactivation of chronic hepatitis B was an important cause of apparent acute hepatitis in heterosexual male HBsAg carriers from an area with a high prevalence of HBV infection.
Intrauterine transmission of hepatitis B virus is closely related to placental leakage
Authors: Ohto Hitoshi , Tohyama Hiroshi , Lin Ho‐Hsiung , Kawana Takashi , Etoh Takashi 
Published: March 2007

AbstractHepatitis B virus (HBV), transmitted by hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)‐positive mothers by intrauterine infection, infecting newborns, is closely related to signs and symptoms associated with miscarriage. However, no correlation was observed between intrauterine infection of infants and the presence of antibodies of immunoglobulin M (IgM) class antibodies against hepatitis B core antigen (anti‐HBc) in maternal blood, nor was HBeAg found in maternal or cord sera. These results indicate that contamination by the mother's blood, through placental leakage, plays an important role in HBV infection in utero. Without placental leakage, maternal blood could not pass through the placenta and enter fetal circulation, and so intrauterine infection would not occur, even if very high titers of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HBeAg were present in maternal blood.
Effect of breast feeding on responses of systemic interferon and virus‐specific lymphocyte transformation in infants with respiratory syncytial virus infection
Authors: Chiba Yasuo , Honjo Takashi , Mito Kazuaki , Suga Kazuhiro , Nakao Tooru , Minagawa Tomonori , Nakane Akio 
Published: March 2007

AbstractIn order to elucidate the mechanisms of breast‐feeding‐induced resistance to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, groups of breast‐fed and bottle‐fed infants with this infection were tested at the onset of illness and then again 1 and 2 weeks later for the presence of interferon (IFN) as well as of virus‐specific lymphocyte transformation (LTF) activity. Alpha‐IFN was detected in nine out of ten breast‐fed infants, while it was found in only 11 out of 21 bottle‐fed subjects. The rate of the detection of IFN was significantly higher in the former group (P ≤.05). Mean levels of IFN activity were also higher in breast‐fed infants than in bottle‐fed subjects during the course of the illness. It was noted, however, that previous breast feeding elicited little enhancing effect on the IFN response of infants with RSV infection. Combining the two feeding groups, suppressed LTF activity to RSV seemed to be related to a positive IFN response, although the association was not statistically significant. These observations suggest that breast feeding has unique mechanisms for modulating the immune response of infants with RSV infection.
Detection of HBV infectivity by spot hybridization in HBeAg‐Negative chronic carriers: HBV DNA in sera from asymptomatic and symptomatic subjects
Authors: Carloni G. , Colloca S. , Delfini C. , Manzin A. , Clementi M. , Galibert F. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractDNA of hepatitis B virus (HBV DNA) in sera from HBeAg‐positive carriers is now the most important and reliable marker of infectivity, but its significance in the progression of chronic hepatitis in anti‐HBe carrier status is still under discussion. In this study, viral DNA was tested by a simplified spot hybridization method in sera of 206 HBeAg‐negative Italian subjects. In a group of 153 HBsAg carriers, we found that 15.6% of anti‐HBe‐positive and 10.5% of anti‐HBe‐negative samples contained viral DNA. No HBV DNA was revealed in 38 HBsAg‐negative nor in 15 anti‐HBs‐positive subjects with different serological markers of HBV. Viral DNA in sera of HBeAg‐negative patients with severe chronic liver disease was correlated with increased alaninetransferase activity and IgM anti‐HBc. Thus the presence of HBV DNA in these sera not only predicts which subjects are potentially infectious but also indicates chronic progression of hepatitis. Finally, viral DNA extracted from Dane particles of nine anti‐HBe‐positive sera was characterized by the Southern blot technique. The hybridization pattern shows bands indicating the presence of replicative intermediates.
Protective effect of preexisting rotavirus‐specific immunoglobulin A against naturally acquired rotavirus infection in children
Authors: Hjelt Karsten , Paerregaard Anders , Nielsen Ole H. , Krasilnikoff Peter A. , Grauballe Per C. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe preexisting levels of rotavirus IgA and IgG were measured in 225 children aged 6 months to 7 years in November, ie, before the „rotavirus season”︁ from January to April. During the following 6 months, all episodes of acute gastroenteritis (GE) were evaluated clinically according to a score system and feces was examined for rotavirus, pathogenic bacteria, and parasites. Furthermore, rotavirus GE (n = 45) as well as asymptomatic rotavirus infections (n = 29) were diagnosed serologically. The preexisting concentrations of rotavirus IgA and IgG measured by ELISA were similar in these two groups. However, preexisting rotavirus IgA in the group of children who developed rotavirus GE correlated with less severe symptoms. Thus vomiting was found in 24% and 63% of the children with detectable and undetectable rotavirus IgA, respectively (P ≤ 0.025). Moreover, according to the total symptom score of rotavirus GE, 52% of the children with detectable preexisting rotavirus IgA had mild symptoms compared with only 13 % of those with undetectable concentrations (P ≤ 0.025). Rotavirus IgG did not have any protective effect. Age per se had a protective effect; older age (≥ 1.5 years) was related to mild symptoms. According to previous studies of local and intestinal antibody response to a rotavirus GE, it is suggested that rotavirus IgA in serum reflects the immunological status of the intestine concerning rotavirus. It is recommended that studies of rotavirus vaccines include rotavirus IgA response and its protective effect.
How sensitive are the commercial assays for anti‐ HTLV III/LAV?
Authors: Oldham L. J. , Moulsdale H. J. , Mortimer P. P. , Tedder R. S. , Morgan‐Capner P. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe sensitivity of nine commercial assays, Western blot, and a newly developed monoclonal antibody‐based assay for antibody to human T lymphotropic virus type III/lymphoadenopathy associated virus (anti‐HTLV III/LAV) were evaluated using a panel of mainly weak‐positive sera. In tests on 20 sera three commercial assays and a monoclonal‐based assay, representing two different solid‐phase methodologies, were found to be more sensitive than Western blot. Our findings suggest that Western blot cannot be depended upon as the sole confirmatory test for anti‐HTLV III/LAV. The continued use of the more sensitive enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), particularly those of dissimilar methodology, would be a more valid approach to confirmatory testing.
Antiviral antibodies in the sera of homosexual men: Correlation with their lifestyle and drug usage
Authors: Nerurkar Lata S. , Wallen William , Becker Paul , West Frank , Tzan Nancy , Traub Renee , Madden David L. , Sever John L. , Lee Young Jack , Botelar William , Fuccillo David , Goedert James J. , Biggar Robert J. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractHealthy homosexual men between the ages of 21 and 65 years, from the Washington, DC (n = 162), and New York City (n = 89) areas, were studied for antibodies in the serum against cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2, and Epstein Barr virus (EBV) viral capsid antigen (VCA). CMV‐specific antibodies were assayed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), anti‐HSV‐1 and ‐2 antibodies were measured by indirect hemagglutination (IHA), and antibodies to EBV VCA were measured by the immunofluorescence assay. Antibodies to human T lymphotrophic virus III (HTLV‐III) were detected by ELISA and Western blot procedures. T lymphocytes were enumerated using OKT4 monoclonal antibody. Healthy male volunteer blood donors (n = 90) matched for age range and race proportions were used as controls. The percentage of seropositive individuals in the homosexual group was higher (90–98 %) for all the viruses tested than in the control group (47–87%). Comparisons of the geometric mean titers, expressed as reciprocal serum dilutions, of seropositive individuals in homosexual (H) vs control (C) group were as follows: CMV‐IgG (ELISA) H = 1:794, C = 1:68; HSV‐1 (IHA) H = 1: 248, C = 1:14; HSV‐2 (IHA) H = 1:56, C = 1:17; EBV‐VCA (IFA) H = 1:385, C = 1:131. The homosexual group also showed a higher frequency of individuals with elevated titers than the control group. The CMV IgM antibody was prevalent in 17.7% of the homosexual group and 5% of the control group; arithmetic means for ELISA values for CMV IgM were 0.207 for the homosexual group and 0.05 for the control group. In the homosexual group, the anti‐CMV antibody titers increased with age (P = 0.01) and with numbers of sex partners (P = 0.06). Both anti‐HSV‐1 and anti‐HSV‐2 antibodies correlated with the number of sex partners (P = 0.04 and P = 0.05, respectively). Neither age nor partner number correlated with response to EBV, and no particular sex act was related to the EBV VCA titer level. HTLV‐III seropositivity was associated with higher herpes virus group antibody titers, probably because of life style cofactors. Among the HTLV‐111‐seropositive subjects, those with ≤ 400 T‐helper lymphocytes/mm3 had lower antibody titers than those with ≥ 400 T‐helper lymphocytes/mm3 counts, suggesting an impaired immune response secondary to immunosuppression.
Detection of serum antibody responses to RIT 4237 rotavirus vaccine by ELISA and neutralization assays
Authors: Delem A. , Vesikari T. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractImmunoglobulin class‐specific determination by ELISA and a virus neutralization test (NT) were compared for the detection of the serum antibody responses after vaccination of infants with the RIT 4237 rotavirus vaccine (of bovine origin). A capture method was applied for specific IgM determination by ELISA because of its greater sensitivity and reproducibility over the conventional ELISA‐IgM test. NT was improved through the use of an enzyme‐labelled antibody for the detection of non‐neutralized virus. In 6–12‐month‐old children, the most sensitive single test to detect an antibody response was the ELISA‐IgM capture method, but the combination of ELISA‐IgM and IgG tests or ELISA‐IgM and NT detected the highest seroconversion rate of 79%.In newborn infants high levels of maternal antibody made the ELISA‐IgG test unsuitable. ELISA‐IgM gave a response rate of 31%, but NT with homologous virus was the most sensitive indicator of a serological response to the vaccine in this age group, yielding a 45% response rate.
A comparison of acetaminophen and rimantadine in the treatment of influenza A infection in children
Authors: Thompson Juliette , Fleet William , Lawrence Eileen , Pierce Elizabeth , Morris Laurie , Wright Peter 
Published: March 2007

AbstractRimantadine was compared with acetaminophen in a double‐blind randomly assigned therapeutic trial in 63 children presenting with influenzal symptoms. Fortynine of the children were proven to have influenza A by culture on presentation. Forty‐three of the cultures, 88%, were influenza A/H1N1 strains. Both drugs were well tolerated. Rimantadine lowered the amount of virus shed in the first 2 days after initiation of therapy. Clinical resolution of illness was not different between the two therapeutic modalities. In individuals who shed virus for 4 days, strains recovered on the last day were relatively resistant to rimantadine.
Intracerebral infection of cebus apella with the XJ‐clone 3 strain of Junín virus
Authors: Carballal Guadalupe , Oubiña José R. , Videla Cristina , Molinas Felisa C. , Nagle Carlos , De La Vega María T. , Elsner Boris 
Published: March 2007

AbstractTo assess the usefulness of the South American primate Cebus apella as a model for neurovirulence of Junín virus, eight monkeys were inoculated with 105 LD50 of the attenuated XJ‐Clone 3 Junín virus strain by the intrathalamic route. After the second week, weight loss and polyadenopathies were observed in most animals, one‐half of which had a transient leukothrombocytopenia.Moderate clinical central nervous system (CNS) involvement was present in four of eight monkeys, while the rest had only mild neurologic signs. All recovered except one, which developed a deep coma and was killed in a pre‐mortem stage at 18 days post‐infection (pi).Junín virus was isolated from the throat from five, from the blood from three, and from the brain from two monkeys. In the most severely ill animal, virus titers higher than viremia were detected in both inoculated and contralateral brain hemispheres, as well as in lung, lymph node, and small intestine.Junín antigens and “in vivo” bound immunoglobulins were detected by immunofluorescence (IF) in the brain of four animals at 18, 21, 40, and 155 days pi. Moderate lymphocytic parenchymal and meningeal infiltration were observed in the brain of four animals, and gliosis was also present in the most affected monkey. Although the clinical response to infection was not uniform, all infected monkeys developed high IF antibodies.Cebus apella cannot be used as a highly sensitive model for Argentine hemorrhagic fever (AHF). However, the results obtained show that the XJ‐Clone 3 strain can replicate in the primate CNS and to induce lesions and immunoglobulin deposition. In addition, viral persistence is suggested by the late detection of viral antigens in brain at 40 and 155 days pi.
Etiological types and clinical and epidemiological features of acute viral hepatitis in Xi'an in China
Authors: Xu De‐Zhong , Zhou Wen‐Yan , Zou Hong‐Kai , Chen You‐Ji 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe etiological types and some features of 163 in‐patients with acute viral hepatitis in Xi'an in China are reported. Hepatitis A (HA) accounted for 89.2% in the age group 0–15 years, whereas hepatitis B (HB) mainly occurred at the age of 16 to 30 and non‐A, non‐B hepatitis 31 to 50. This is different from the age distribution in western countries. The cause of the difference is discussed. The transmission factors of NANB hepatitis might be different from those of HA and HB. Fever was more often seen in HA than in HB and NANB, while the maximal bilirubin was higher in HB than in NANB. Hepatic dysfunction of all three types of hepatitis seemed to be closely associated with the age of the patients. Of ten cases with fulminant hepatitis, none was due to hepatitis A; nine were adults.
Diagnosis of enterovirus 70 infection by demonstration of IgM antibodies
Authors: Wulff Herta , Anderson Larry J. , Pallansch Mark A. , De Souza Carvalho Renato Piza 
Published: March 2007

AbstractSince outbreaks of severe acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis occur worldwide [Hierholzer and Hatch], 19851 and the majority of the epidemics are caused by enterovirus 70 (EV‐70), we developed an EV‐70 IgM ELISA to simplify the diagnosis of these outbreaks. The test is based on the capture antibody technique and the use of monoclonal antibodies to EV‐70. We detected EV‐70 IgM antibodies in 55% of 76 convalescent‐phase sera from an outbreak of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis in a Brazilian community. Among the 71 acute‐ and convalescentphase serum pairs from this outbreak, 49 (69%) demonstrated a 4‐fold or greater rise in neutralizing antibody titer. The titer of IgM antibody began to drop by the fifth week after onset of illness. EV‐70 IgM antibodies were not detected in 53 serum pairs with a 4‐fold or greater rise in antibodies to other picornaviruses. The EV‐70 ELISA proved to simple and relatively rapid to perform, appeared to be specific, and should be sensitive enough to diagnose outbreaks of EV‐70 when multiple serum specimens can be tested.
Seroepidemiological survey of the prevalence of antibodies to a strain of human calicivirus
Authors: Cubitt W. D. , McSwiggan D. A. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractBatches of pooled immune globulins and sera were tested by immune electron microscopy (IEM) for the presence of antibodies to a strain of human calicivirus (HCV, UK1). The results show that this strain of HCV is prevalent throughout many parts of the world anti that the majority of the population experience infection by the age of 12 years. The survey carried out in the United Kingdom indicates that the presence of maternal antibody correlates with some degree of protection during the first few weeks of life; the peak incidence of cases and acquisition of antibody occur between 3 months and 6 years. Tests on sera from Japan show a similar pattern of acquisition of antibodies and demonstrate that infection with more than one strain of HCV commonly occurs during childhood.