bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Different forms of hepatitis B virus DNA and expression of HBV antigens in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Bouffard P. , Lamelin J.‐P. , Zoulim F. , Pichoud C. , Trepo C. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe presence of both hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA and HBV antigens (HBsAg, HBeAg) was assessed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 32 patients chronically infected with HBV. Three different molecular forms of HBV DNA were observed: free monomers (5), high‐molecular‐weight free concatemers (11), and integrated HBV DNA (9). The HBV DNA patterns in the PBMC were different from those found in liver and did not correlate with any specific profile of serum HBV markers. When the same PBMC were assayed for HBsAg, 22 of the 25 HBV DNA positive samples, but only three of the seven HBV DNA negative samples, were positive. By contrast, none of the PBMC samples from five healthy HBV vaccine recipients gave any positive signal in the HBV DNA or HBsAg assays. In some patients, T and B cells, monocytes, and polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells were assayed separately, showing that the DNA pattern was similar for these different leucocytes subsets and ruling out the possibility that these patterns might reflect PMN cell contamination. Thus, in chronic HBV infection, 87.5% (28/32) of patients were found to contain at least one HBV marker in their PBMC, and a strong correlation was found between the presence of HBV DNA and viral antigens, suggesting a specific expression of HBV encoded proteins.
Virus excretion and mutation by infants following primary vaccination with live oral poliovaccine from two sources
Authors: Dunn Glynis , Begg Norman T. , Cammack Nicholas , Minor Philip D. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe excretion of virus by 30 children was followed over a period of 28 days after their first vaccination with live oral poliovaccine. The type 1 and type 2 strains were isolated at similar high frequencies throughout this period, while the type 3 strain was not excreted by most children after day 2 post vaccination. Mutations in the 5′ non‐coding region associated with the attenuated phenotype reverted most rapidly for type 3 and least rapidly for type 1. The data are consistent with different degrees of selection against the attenuating mutations in the three serotypes in the gut, but imply that reversion is required for prolonged excretion. The findings also provide a possible explanation for the reported distribution of the rarely occurring vaccine associated cases between recipients and contacts for the three serotypes. A statistically significant difference was not observed between vaccine from the two main suppliers to the UK market.
Antibody responses of adults, adolescents, and children to a plasma‐derived hepatitis B vaccine in a rural African setting
Authors: Tabor Edward , Gerety Robert J. , Cairns James , Bayley Anne C. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractA field trial of a plasma‐derived hepatitis B vaccine in five rural villages in Zambia was analyzed to determine if adults in a rural African setting respond to this vaccine as well as adults in Western countries and to determine the immunogenicity of fewer than the recommended three doses; 255 residents, including 171 who were susceptible to hepatitis B, were vaccinated. Among those who received three vaccine doses, protective levels of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti‐HBs) developed in 67% of adults (ages 21 to 70 years), 87% of adolescents (ages 12 to 19 years), and 100% of children (ages 0 to 11 years). The 67% of vaccinated adults who developed anti‐HBs at the protective level was lower than the 96% reported among adults receiving the same vaccine at the same dose and dosage schedule in studies in Western countries. No difference was seen in the response of those receiving two doses compared with those receiving three doses among adults and adolescents, suggesting that a two‐dose regimen may be acceptable in these age groups in developing countries to reduce costs and improve compliance. Use of hepatitis B vaccine in a region where prevaccination hepatitis B serologic screening was not available did not appear to increase the number or severity of adverse reactions.
Immunogenicity of hepatitis B vaccine simultaneously administered with the expanded programme on immunisation (EPI)
Authors: Tsega E. , Tafesse B. , Nordenfelt E. , Wolde‐Hawariat G. , Hansson B‐G. , Lindberg J. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractTo assess the immunogenicity of hepatitis B vaccine simultaneously administered with the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) vaccines, a total of 300 consecutive infants, ranging in age between 6 weeks and 6 months, were alternatively assigned to the revised EPI and to EPI plus plasma‐derived hepatitis B vaccine (Hevac B Pasteur). Four dosages (2 mcg or 0.5 ml each) of hepatitis B vaccine were given intramuscularly. HBsAg, anti‐HBc, and anti‐HBs were determined at day 0 and at day 210 in both groups by radioimmunoassay methods. The anti‐HBs titre levels and geometric mean titres (GMTs) were determined at day 180 and day 210. There were three new hepatitis B virus infections in the control group and none in the study group by day 210. The seroconversion rates in the study group were 66% a day 180 and 84% at day 210, the respective GMTs being 116 and 940. Although the duration of observation is short (7 months) and the difference in the rate of infection between the two groups is not statistically significant (P>0.05), the immunogenicity of the vaccine appears to be good. The simultaneous administration of hepatitis B vaccine and the EPI vaccines is logistically ideal. However, we suggest a further study using a larger dose of the Hevac B Pasteur vaccine to find out if a higher seroconversion rate than the 84% observed in this study could be achieved.
Prevalence of hepatitis C in South Africa: Detection of anti‐HCV in recent and stored serum
Authors: Ellis L. A. , Brown D. , Conradie J. D. , Paterson A. , Sher R. , Millo J. , Theodossiadou E. , Dusheiko G. M. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe prevalence of anti‐HCV was studied in a cohort of 2,072 South Africans. The results were compared in selected recently collected sera and in stored sera. The serum ALT and anti‐HBc were also studied as surrogate markers in this population. The following groups were tested: (a) 948 urban, black blood donors (b) 500 white blood donors (c) 500 Asian blood donors (d) 216 rural hospitalized patients (e) 358 rural mineworkers. Sera found positive by the original ELISA were retested, and reproducibly positive tests in rural black men (group d) were confirmed both by recombinant immunoblot assay and by a second ELISA. An anti‐HCV prevalence of 1.2%, 0.8%, and 0.6% in urban blacks, Asians, and whites was found. Antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen were found in 42.9%, 3.4%, and 1.2% of black, Asian, and white donors, respectively; 76% of donors positive for anti‐HCV were anti‐HBc negative. In rural African men, 17% of stored serum samples and 9.2% of recently collected serum samples were positive for anti‐HCV. In this cohort 3.84% were positive by all three assays. These results suggest that the prevalence of anti‐HCV in low and high‐risk South African urban blood donors is comparable to high and low prevalence areas in Europe, the United States, and Japan, but indicates a relatively high degree of exposure to hepatitis C in rural African men. The reactivity of stored, frozen sera in this population requires further investigation. In South African urban blood donors, surrogate marker testing will not expedite HCV screening.
Diagnosis of herpes encephalitis via Southern blotting of cerebrospinal fluid DNA amplified by polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Klapper Paul E. , Cleator Graham M. , Dennett Carol , Lewis Alfor G. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractHerpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of DNA extracted from lumber cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and Southern blotting (SB) were evaluated as a method for the diagnosis of herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE). Positive PCR‐SB results were obtained with CSF samples from 9 of 10 patients (11 of 12 CSF specimens) with proven herpes encephalitis as early as 2 days after onset of neurological illness. Our data support the suggestion that PCR techniques may provide a clinically relevant “non‐invasive” method for the diagnosis of HSE.
Detection of specific IgA antibodies against BK virus by ELISA
Authors: Nilsen Ingard , Flægstad Trond , Traavik Terje 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe development and evaluation of an ELISA for analysis of anti‐BKV specific IgA antibodies in human sera are described. All children with cancer with a primary BKV infection developed specific IgA antibodies, without any specific symptoms during the infection. Specific IgA was found in 61% of sera from healthy persons containing BKV IgG antibodies, using the chosen cut‐off value, and BKV IgM in 4%. These results indicate that IgA production is more persistent than IgM. The high frequency of specific IgA antibodies could either be explained by frequent reactivations or long‐lasting persistence of anti‐bodies.
Hepatitis B virus infection in Cameroon: A seroepidemiological survey in city school children
Authors: Chiaramonte M. , Stroffolini T. , Ngatchu T. , Rapicetta M. , Lantum D. , Kaptue L. , Chionne P. , Conti S. , Sarrecchia B. , Naccarato R. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractA pilot survey conducted in Cameroon comprising 702 children of primary school age revealed that 58.5% of the children were positive for at least one HBV marker. An overall HBsAg prevalence of 19.9% was observed. Both any HBV marker and HBsAg prevalences increased with age (P < 0.01). Of the HBsAg‐positive subjects, 28.4% were positive for HBV‐DNA; none was positive for anti‐HDV. There was no significant difference among sexes for either any HBV marker or for HBsAg prevalence. However, a significant difference by sex was found in the percentage ratio HBsAg+/and any marker + (41.0% in males against 28.2% in females; P < 0.05). No significant difference with respect to the father's occupation and family size was observed. When the zone of location of school was taken into consideration it was observed that suburban school children had a higher prevalence of any HBV marker as compared to central town school children (73.9% vs. 56.6%; P < 0.001). These results place Cameroon among countries of high endemicity for HBV. The results also indicate an early acquisition of infection, a high infectivity, and probably continuous infection even in the primary school ages.
Incidence of hepatitis B viraemia, detected using the polymerase chain reaction, after successful therapy of hepatitis B virus carriers with interferon–α
Authors: Carman William F. , Dourakis Spyros , Karayiannis Peter , Crossey Mary , Drobner Rita , Thomas Howard C. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThirty‐nine patients (62 sera) who, after interferon‐α therapy for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, were seronegative for HBeAg and HBV‐DNA by dot blot hybridisation, were tested using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for residual viraemia. Overall, 59% of the HBsAg‐positive sera and 43% of the HBsAg‐negative sera were positive by PCR. All except one of the HBsAg‐negative patients had seroconverted to anti‐HBs. Between 13 and 18 months after therapy, 33% of the HBsAg‐positive and 20% of the HBsAg‐negative patients remained viraemic. Eighteen months after the end of treatment, no patient tested was positive. Twenty‐three patients were tested sequentially over periods from 1 to 43 months: Thirteen lost HBV‐DNA by PCR, three remained positive, five remained negative, and two patients relapsed. The merits and disadvantages of PCR for assessing interferon treatment of HBV carriers are discussed.
Natural seroconversion from hepatitis be antigen to antibody among hepatitis B virus carriers in Okinawa islands
Authors: Sakugawa Hiroshi , Ohwan Tomohisa , Yamashiro Akihiro , Oyakawa Tominori , Kadena Keizo , Kinjo Fukunori , Saito Atsushi 
Published: March 2007

AbstractIn the Okinawa Islands, the great majority of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers have already acquired antibody to hepatitis Be antigen (anti‐HBe) by the age of 30 years (preliminary cross‐sectional data). To elucidate natural seroconversion from hepatitis Be antigen (HBeAg) to anti‐HBe among HBsAg carriers found in the islands of Okinawa Prefecture, 34 HBeAg‐positive HBsAg carriers were followed for 1–6 years with serial measurements of aminotransferase levels, HBeAg, and anti‐HBe. The 34 subjects included 24 patients with chronic hepatitis (group 1) and ten asymptomatic HBsAg carriers (group 2). During the follow‐up period, HBeAg disappeared from 14 subjects in group 1 with the cumulative clearance rate of HBeAg of 56.3% within the first 2 years and with 10 of the 14 subsequently developing anti‐HBe. Moreover, the aminotransferases in 12 of the 14 spontaneously seroconverted fell into the normal range. The annual clearance rates of HBeAg among group 1 and group 2 were 25.6% and 9.3%, respectively. The tendency for early disappearance of HBeAg during a carrier's life time or in the course of chronic hepatitis may lead to the low death rate from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) particularly HCC associated with hepatitis B virus infection in this area.
Preparation of monoclonal antibodies to JC virus and their use in the diagnosis of progressive multifocal leucoeneephalopathy
Authors: Knowles W. A. , Sharp I. R. , Efstratiou L. , Hand J. F. , Gardner S. D. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractSeven monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to polyomavirus JC were produced, and one was selected for use in immunofluorescence (IF) tests on brain material from patients with suspected progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy (PML). The selected MAb (5. 12.2) reacted by IF with JC‐infected primary human foetal glial (PHFG) cell cultures (titre 1/200,000) but not with BK‐infected human embryo lung (HEL) fibroblasts (titre <1/20). Its haemagglutination‐inhibition (HI) titre was high (>1/5 × 106) against JC virus but low (<1/5)against BK virus. A diagnosis of PML was confirmed on brain biopsy or at postmortem in four patients, two of whom were also infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In one of the patients, specific detection of JC virus antigen had not been possible using our routine high titred JC and BK human sera due to interference by JC antibody present in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Viral antigen was, however, detected with the MAb 5. 12.2.
Evaluation of a chimpanzee colony for antibodies to hepatitis C virus
Authors: Lanford Robert E. , Notvall Lena , Barbosa Luiz H. , Eichberg Jorg W. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe chimpanzee is the only species other than man that is generally susceptible to infection by hepatitis C virus (HCV). Aspects of future studies on vaccines and therapeutics for HCV may continue to depend on the chimpanzee. In an attempt to determine the HCV status of the animals in a chimpanzee colony, the recently developed enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for antibodies to HCV was used. The results of the assay indicated that only 31.3% of the animals that had previously been inoculated with a non‐A, non‐B hepatitis agent were currently positive in the assay. A retrospective analysis suggested that an additional 20% of the chimpanzees had been positive at some time following infection. Seroconversion to an anti‐HCV antibody response using this assay did not appear to correlate with the severity of the initial disease or the development of chronic liver damage. Examination of the EIA‐positive samples using the second generation recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA) containing four HCV antigens suggested that chimpanzees responded differentially to these antigens. Examination of serum samples from 139 uninoculated animals by EIA revealed seven positive samples and ten samples with borderline values. The nature of the reactivities in most of the positive samples could not be resolved, but analysis by RIBA indicated that at least one animal in the breeder colony had been exposed to HCV. Due to the low seroconversion rate and the uncertainties surrounding many of the positive reactions, this assay cannot be used to determine the initial source or extent of spread of HCV infections in the uninoculated animals.
Genital human papilloma virus infection in oslo studied by dot blot DNA hybridization and the polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Gjøen Kirsti , Siebke Jens C. , Flikke Magne , Háger Renate , Ertzeid Gudvor , Halsos Arne , Ekgren Josef , Norling Berit , Grinde Bjørn , Ørstavik Ivar 
Published: March 2007

AbstractSamples from patients with genital condyloma acuminata or with cervical condylomas and/or dysplasia and from women without cytological/ clinical evidence of cervical affection were examined by dot blot DNA hybridization or the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR was much more sensitive than dot blot, more than doubling the human papilloma virus (HPV) findings. HPV DNA, mainly HPV 6/11, was detected in 18 of 19 biopsies of condyloma acuminata, whereas HPV 16 was most frequently detected in the 21 cervices (76%) with condyloma and/or dysplasia. HPV 16 was detected in eight of 103 cervical smears with no signs of infection. The prevalence of HPV 16 in cervical samples was somewhat higher than expected. This suggests that, in Oslo, HPV 16 is a common HPV type in women with cytologically normal cervices. HPV 18 was relatively rare and was detected only in combination with other HPVs.
Enzymatic amplification and sequence analysis of precore/core DNA in HBsAg‐positive patients
Authors: Ljunggren Karin , Kidd Alistair H. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractSerum or plasma from 69 HBsAg‐positive patients was tested for the presence of precore/core gene specific DNA by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In both healthy individuals (n = 26) and chronic carriers (n = 25), there was a strong correlation between presence of circulating anti‐HBe and the absence of detectable HBV genome in serum. In 18 serum samples where HBsAg was the only detectable marker, i.e., anti‐HBc‐negative specimens, HBV DNA could be detected in three samples. HBV strains from 21 of the 24 PCR‐positive samples were sequenced over the precore/core junction. A stop codon at the end of the precore region, described by other workers, was found in strains from two blood donors, one of whom had detectable HBeAg in serum. Conversely, HBV strains from the three anti‐HBc‐negative patients where DNA of the HBV precore region could be amplified and who had no detectable serum HBeAg or anti‐HBe did not have this stop codon. The study indicates that further investigations are required before lack of HBeAg can be correlated with evidence of mutations in the precore region.
Current seroepidemiology of hepatitis A in Hong Kong
Authors: Chin Kenneth P. , Lok Anna S. F. , Wong Loretta S. K. , Lai Ching‐Lung , Wu Pui‐Chee 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe current seroepidemiology of hepatitis A in Hong Kong was examined by testing stored sera from 702 healthy subjects, collected between 1987–1989, for antibody to hepatitis A virus (anti‐HAV). The overall prevalence of anti‐HAV antibody was 45.6%. There were significant increases in prevalence of anti‐HAV antibody with every 10‐year increase in age up to age 40. The prevalence of anti‐HAV antibody was 24% for subjects below age 30 and 89.2% for those above age 30 (P ≤ 0.0001). Socioeconomic factors did not appear to have any influence on the prevalence of anti‐HAV antibody. In comparison with another study conducted in Hong Kong 10 years ago, the prevalence of anti‐HAV antibody in the current study was significantly lower in every age group from 0 to 30 years.In summary, it was shown that HAV infection is no longer highly endemic in Hong Kong. In view of the changing epidemiology, postexposure prophylaxis will be necessary for young adults and children, and hepatitis A vaccine may be indicated for high risk groups when it is generally available.
Hepatitis C virus: Buoyant density if the factor VIII‐derived isolate in sucrose
Authors: Bradley D. , McCaustland K. , Krawczynski K. , Spelbring J. , Humphey C. , Cook E. H. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractPhysicochemical and molecular characterization studies of hepatitis C virus (HCV), the major causative agent of parenterally transmitted non‐A, non‐B hepatitis (PT‐NANBH), strongly suggest that it is a pesti‐/flavivirus‐like virus. Additional studies show that the buoyant density of plasmaderived HCV in sucrose is significantly lower than that of most tissue culture‐derived flaviviruses (1.20g/cm3). Our finding suggests, but does not prove, that at least one physicochemical property of HCV is more similar to that of the pestiviruses, bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and hog cholera virus (HogCV), than that of the flaviviruses.
Prevalence and significance of antibodies to hepatitis c virus among Saudi haemodialysis patients
Authors: Ayoola E. A. , Huraib S. , Arif M. , Al‐Faleh F. Z. , Al‐Rashed R. , Ramia S. , Al‐Mofleh I. A. , Abu‐Aisha H. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractSeventy‐four patients who were maintained on chronic haemodialysis in King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia were tested using the recently available ELISA to determine the prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti‐HCV) in a haemodialysis unit.The prevalence rate of anti‐HCV antibodies of 41.9% in the haemodialysis patients was significantly higher than the rate of 3.9% detected in 488 asymptomatic blood donors who were similarly tested. In the haemodialysis patients, anti‐ HCV positivity was related to previous blood transfusion ( >5 units of blood) and to the duration of haemodialysis (> 4 years); but was unrelated to sex, age, positive HBV markers or to past or current elevation of serum ALT. The results indicate a relatively higher prevalence of anti‐ HCVantibodies in our patients compared to rates of 1‐20% reported from Europe and the U.S.A. An effective control strategy for HCV infection in this high risk group is urgently indicated.
Similar subclass antibody responses after intranasal immunization with UV‐inactivated RSV mixed with cholera toxin or live RSV
Authors: Reuman Peter D. , Keely Scott P. , Schiff Gilbert M. , Gamble James N. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractTo determine the effect of cholera toxin as a mucosal adjuvant on the class and subclass antibody response to RSV, mice were immunized intranasally with different doses of live RSV or V‐inactivated RSV mixed with cholera toxin. A single lo6 pfu dose of live RSV and a single 50 ú dose of UV‐inactivated RSV mixed with cholera toxin produced comparable serum IgG and respiratory secretion IgG and IgA antibody titers. Subclass antibody titers to whole RSV were also comparable between these two immunizing regimens. A predominance of IgG2a subclass to whole RSV was found for both reg‐ imens. The quantitiy of serum total IgG antibody to glycoprotein F or glycoprotein G did not differ between these regimens. The serum IgG subclass antibody response to both glycoprotein F and G was also not significantly different between regimens. Cholera toxin as a mucosal adjuvant can stimulate class and subclass antibody responses to UV‐inactivated RSV that are similar in quantity and distribution to those after live RSV infection.