摘要:

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 bl

ISSN:0146-6615    

DOI:10.1002/jmv.1890210102

出版商:Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company    

年代:1987

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

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 infan

ISSN:0146-6615    

DOI:10.1002/jmv.1890210103

出版商:Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company    

年代:1987

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

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 o

ISSN:0146-6615    

DOI:10.1002/jmv.1890210104

出版商:Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company    

年代:1987

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractCarriers of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) are at a high personal risk of developing chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and primary hepatocellular carcinoma, and they pose a potential health threat to others. Accordingly, erradication of the carrier state is an important therapeutic goal. Several categories of drugs have been evaluated for this purpose, with, at best, limited success. The immune stimulants constitute a drug group considered to have potential benefit, since altered cell‐mediated immunity (CMI) appears to have a pathogenic role in the perpetuation of the carrier state. One such immune stimulant is the thymic hormone, thymosin, which is known to enhance suppressor T‐cell activity. We therefore examined its possible therapeutic role by evaluating its effect on four chronic HBsAg‐ and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)‐positive chimpanzees. After baseline biochemical, serological, immunological, and histochemical studies were conducted, all four chimpanzees received parenteral thymosin for a period of 10–14 weeks; two of them were pretreated for 4 weeks with corticosteroids. All four were then reevaluated in the same manner at regular intervals during the 14‐week period. Neither immunosuppression nor immunostimulation significantly affected biochemical, serological, or histological measures. Indices of CMI were altered, however: both T4 and T8 cells increased with thymosin treatment, although the T4/T8 ratio declined because of the relatively greater increase of the T8 than of the T4 cells. Thymosin did not affect the mitogen assays. Thus, while immunostimulation with thymosin did slightly alter CMI, it had no affect on the HBsAg carrier state or on measures of chronic hepatitis, even when preceded by corticosteroid immuno

ISSN:0146-6615    

DOI:10.1002/jmv.1890210105

出版商:Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company    

年代:1987

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

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 protec

ISSN:0146-6615    

DOI:10.1002/jmv.1890210106

出版商:Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company    

年代:1987

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

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

ISSN:0146-6615    

DOI:10.1002/jmv.1890210107

出版商:Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company    

年代:1987

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractThe availability of cloned varicella‐zoster virus (VZV) DNA probes allows rapid detection of viral‐specific DNA by “dot‐blot” hybridization in lymphocytes or in lesion aspirates. Thirty‐six blood specimens were obtained from 25 patients with suspected varicella or zoster. VZV‐specific DNA was demonstrated in 15 lymphocyte preparations of nine patients with varicella and in one with disseminated zoster out of five patients with zoster. VZV‐specific DNA was detected prior to rise in antibodies, indicating early viremia in these patients. Virus isolation from lesions and serological tests confirmed VZV infections. VZV‐specific DNA was detected in lymphocytes of three patients out of six with active herpetic lesions, whereas it was not detected in lymphocyte specimens from two patients with undiagnosed rash or four with lymphoproliferative diseases, who did not present varicella or zoster, or from 18 healthy controls. No signal was obtained in herpes simplex virus (HSV)‐infected and ‐uninfected cell lines. The hybridization assay proved that specific and viral or cellular DNAs other than VZV did not crosshybridize with the probe. The sensitivity limit of detection was 4–15 pg of homologous DNA, and the assay was accomplished within 72–96 hr. These results point to the possible rapid diagnosis of VZV infection in patients suspected of varicella or generalized zoster. In addition, simultaneous infection with both VZV and HSV seems

ISSN:0146-6615    

DOI:10.1002/jmv.1890210108

出版商:Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company    

年代:1987

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractArgentine hemorrhagic fever (Junín virus) is a human viral disease for which immune therapy proves effective, though a late neurologic syndrome is occasionally associated with the treatment. We attempted to determine in the infected marmoset Cullithrix jacchus whether immune therapy leads to protection and/or CNS damage.Fifteen Cjacchuswere inoculated with 103tissue culture infectious dose 50% (TCID50) of the XJ strain of Junin virus. On day 6 post infection (pi), 12 primates were treated with homologous immune serum. Animals were observed daily; and hematologic, serologic, virologic, and histologic studies were performed.All primates, both treated and controls, presented leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, and weight loss from day 14 pi onward. The three control animals died on days 22, 25, and 32 pi. Among the 12 treated monkeys, 3 died on days 21, 22, and 29. Hematologic values returned to normal during the second month; initial weight was recovered by the fourth month. Three out of the nine survivors showed neurologic alterations of various degrees, with hind‐limb paralysis in the most severe case. Among treated monkeys, viremia and viral titers in the lungs, kidney, and lymph nodes were lower than in controls. Neutralizing antibodies were present in high titers in all treated marmosets, except in the one presenting paralysis in which values were minimal and viral persistence was detected in CNS.In conclusion, immune serum treatment of Junin virus‐infected marmosets was found to reduce mortality from 100% to 25%. Viremia and viral titers in organs were lowered, and late neurologic signs appeared in 30% of treated survi

ISSN:0146-6615    

DOI:10.1002/jmv.1890210109

出版商:Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company    

年代:1987

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

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 confirm

ISSN:0146-6615    

DOI:10.1002/jmv.1890210110

出版商:Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company    

年代:1987

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractA randomised, controlled trial comparing acyclovir, 45 mg/kg/day as a continuous IV infusion for 28 days, with no other therapy, was carried out in 30 stable HBsAg carriers seropositive for HBeAg for more than 6 months. Twenty‐eight had hepatitis B virus DNA‐polymerase activity and/or hepatitis B virus DNA in serum at entry into the study. There were no significant adverse effects of therapy. At 12 months, seroconversion from HBeAg to anti‐HBe had occurred in four of 15 treated patients, one of whom had also developed anti‐HBs, compared with only one of 15 in the untreated group (95 % confidence limits 12 % and 51 %). Seroconversion from HBeAg to anti‐HBe was accompanied by return of serum liver function tests to normal and improved liver histology. The results of this study indicate that acyclovir is of no significant benefit in chronic HBeAg carriers with stabl

ISSN:0146-6615    

DOI:10.1002/jmv.1890210111

出版商:Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company    

年代:1987

数据来源: WILEY