Naturally occuring antibodies against nerve growth factor in human and rabbit sera: comparison between control and herpes simplex virus-infected patients

Antibodies against nerve growth factor (NGF) in sera were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), by their isolation after passage of sera through NGF immunoadsorbent columns and by their specificity to bind and immunoprecipitate mouse NGF as well as to stain by immunohistochemical methods cellular sites of NGF synthesis. Increased levels of anti-NGF antibodies were found in sera of herpes simplex virus (HSV)-infected patients but not in HSV-inoculated rabbits. As HSV latency is known to be promoted by NGF in vitro, these results may suggest that anti-NGF antibodies modulate the cytokine function of NGF and thus might play a role in HSV infection. The biological function of circulating antibodies against NGF, in general, is now open to future investigation.     

新疆出血热病毒与流行性出血热病毒的生物学特性比较

本文通过免疫荧光(IF)和电镜(EM)技术对新疆出血热(XHF)及流行性出血热(EHF)病毒的生物学特性在Vero E_6及LLC-MK_2两株传代细胞上进行了比较。两种病毒感染两株细胞后免疫荧光染色有两种不同的荧光形态特征,两种病毒对细胞的敏感性明显不同,XHF病毒在LLC-MK_2细胞上感染后6～8天可出现明显的细胞病变,而EHF病毒感染此细胞后则不引起病变。电镜观察到两种病毒在LLC-MK_2细胞中都能形成与布尼病毒相似的形态特征。     

Immunogenicity study of low-dose administration of hepatitis B virus vaccine in newborn infants: A cost reduction trial

Different doses of hepatitis B virus vaccine—prepared by Korea Green Cross Corporation, were given to healthy infants born to HBsAg-negative mothers at birth, 1 and 6 months of age. A dose of 2 μg was administered intradermally in Group A and, in the three other groups, the vaccine was given intramuscularly (i.m.). An adequate follow-up observation was possible for 9 months after birth in 22, 25, 23 and 21 infants in Groups A, B, C and D, respecvely.
Group C (5 μg, i.m.) produced seroconversion most rapidly, showing the highest rate (96%) at 9 months of age. The lowest seroconversion rate (5%) was found at the age of 1 month in Group A subjects, but the rate increased to 91% after a booster dose was given at 6 months of age.
While it can be concluded that a 5 μg i.m. dose of vaccine at 0, 1 and 6 months of age is optimum for the immunization of infants in efficacy and economy, a 2 μg intradermal dose can also be considered as an immunogenic and economical regimen, though the immune response is slower and a special technique is required for immunization.     

Hepatitis B virus genetic diversity and its impact on diagnostic assays

Summary.  Hepatitis B virus (HBV) circulates in blood as closely related, but genetically diverse molecules called quasispecies. During replication, HBV production may approach 10¹¹ molecules/day, although during peak activity this rate may increase 100–1000 times. Generally, DNA polymerases have excellent fidelity in reading DNA templates because they are associated with an exonuclease which removes incorrectly added nucleotides. However, the HBV-DNA polymerase lacks fidelity and proofreading function partly because exonuclease activity is either absent or deficient. Thus, the HBV genome and especially the envelope gene, is mutated with unusually high frequency. These mutations can affect more than one open reading frame because of overlapping genes. The S gene contains an exposed major hydrophilic region (residues 110–155), which encompasses the 'a' determinant that is important for inducing immunity. Nucleotide substitutions in this region are common and result in reduced binding or failure to detect hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in diagnostic assays. Adaptive immunity also depends on the recognition of HBsAg by specific antibody and variants pose a threat if they interfere with binding to antibody. Finally, genomic hypervariability allows HBV to escape selection pressures imposed by antiviral therapies, vaccines and the host immune system, and is responsible for creating genotypes, subgenotypes and subtypes.     

BKV in Simultaneous Pancreas-Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Leading Cause of Renal Graft Loss in First 2 Years Post-Transplant

With the introduction of more potent immunosuppressive agents, rejection has decreased in simultaneous pancreas/kidney transplant (SPK) recipients. However, as a consequence, opportunistic infections have increased. The purpose of this report is to outline the course of SPK patients who developed polyomavirus-associated nephropathy (PVAN). A retrospective review of 146 consecutive SPK recipients from January 1, 1996 to December 31, 2002 was performed. Immunosuppression, rejection and development of PVAN were reviewed. Nine patients were identified. All received induction with either OKT3 or thymoglobulin. Immunosuppression included tacrolimus/cyclosporine, MMF/azathioprine and sirolimus/prednisone. Two patients were treated for kidney rejection prior to the diagnosis of PVAN. Time to diagnosis was an average of 359.3 days post-transplantation. Immunosuppression was decreased but five ultimately lost function. However, none developed pancreatic abnormalities as demonstrated by normal glucose and amylase. Two underwent renal retransplantation after PVAN diagnosis and both have normal kidney function. PVAN was the leading cause of renal loss in SPK patients in the first 2 years after transplantation and is a serious concern for SPK recipients. The pancreas, however, is spared from evidence of infection, and no pancreatic rejection occurred when immunosuppression was decreased.     

The comparative evaluation of cellular localization of viral antigens with microscopic changes in the ileum of cattle infected with bovine viral diarrhea

The correlation between microscopic changes with cellular localization of viral antigens was studied in the ileum of 16 cases infected with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). Microscopic lesions in the ileum included multifocal erosive and ulcerative ileitis, severe congestion and hemorrhage, crypt dilation and mucus engorgement, epithelial debris and leukocytes, lymphoid depletion of Peyer’s patches, herniation of mucosal epithelium into depleted Peyer’s patches, and fibrinoid vasculitis of submucosal vessels. BVDV antigen was detected by immunohistochemistry in macrophages, dendritic cells, smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, epithelial cells of crypts, and mucosal epithelium, together with other mononuclear cells including lymphocytes, plasma cells, fibroblasts, and intramural ganglial cells. No consistent correlation between the presence of BVDV antigen and vascular lesions in the ileum was identified. The intensity and distribution of the immunoperoxidase stain in the ileum was graded as highly positive (18.7%), moderately positive (56.3%), and mildly positive (25%). In conclusion, the pattern and density of distribution and localization of BVDV antigen in the ileum was not consistently correlated with the severity of microscopic lesions.     

Epstein-Barr virus DNA in Reed-Sternberg cells of Hodgkin''s disease is frequently associated with CR2 (EBV receptor) expression

We studied 44 cases of Hodgkin's disease for the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA, its localization and the expression of the EBV receptor on the tumour cells. EBV DNA was found in 52% (16/31) of the Hodgkin's lymphomas using the polymerase chain reaction. With a very sensitive non-radioactive DNA in situ hybridization technique in combination with immunohistochemistry for CD 30 or CD 15 antigens, EBV DNA was localized to Reed-Sternberg cells and its mononuclear variants. The relationship between the presence of EBV DNA and the expression of the EBV-receptor CR2 (CD 21) on Reed-Sternberg cells was studied using the same techniques and two different monoclonal anti-CD 21 antibodies. CR2 could be detected on a substantial number of the Reed-Sternberg cells in EBV DNA positive Hodgkin's lymphomas (9/12; 75%), whereas in EBV negative cases positivity with anti-CD 21 was rare (1/13; 8%). The results indicate that CR2 expression on Reed-Sternberg cells and the presence of EBV DNA sequences are frequently associated in Hodgkin's lymphomas.     

D2-43病毒E蛋白在酵母细胞表面的展示

目的：在酵母细胞表面展示登革2型病毒43株(D2—43)的E基因，探索利用酵母表面展示系统建立DNA改组筛选平台的可行性。方法：通过RT-PCR扩增获得D2-43的E基因，将该基因亚克隆至T载体后，再克隆至酵母表面展示载体pYDI，于酿酒酵母EBY100中利用半乳糖进行诱导表达。表达产物采用间接免疫荧光法和FACS进行检测。结果：酵母表面展示产物可与D2-43的腹水抗体特异性地结合；在半乳糖诱导后24h，展示E蛋白的酵母细胞百分数达22．07％。结论：本研究为建立基于酵母表面展示系统的DNA改组筛选平台奠定了基础。     

Chronic delta hepatitis in haemophiliacs

The seroepidemiological profile of HBV and HDV was investigated in 640 male haemophiliacs. Twenty-seven of forty-four HBsAg carriers were anti-HDV-IgG positive, 22 were also anti-HDV-IgM positive. A markedly lower prevalence of HDV infection was found in patients with anti-HBc in the absence of HBsAg and anti-HBs (6/41). Repeated detection of anti-HDV-IgM in 5/41 individuals of this group indicates that circulating HBsAg is not an absolute prerequisite for chronic HDV infection. Overall, chronically active HDV infection was detected more frequently in quiescent than in active chronic HBV infections. Anti-HDV-IgM was not detected in the absence of anti-HDV-IgG antibodies. Anti-HDV-IgG may disappear after resolution of HDV infection, as indicated by the low prevalence (1/42) in such individuals with past HBV infection as well as by loss of anti-HDV-IgG observed in two patients.     

血清乙型肝炎病毒标志物不同表现模式及肝功能异常对肾移植受者存活率的影响

目的　探讨血清乙型肝炎病毒标志物不同表现模式对肾移植受者长期存活的影响。方法　对 62例血清乙型肝炎病毒标志物阳性者及 1 96例血清乙型肝炎病毒标志物全阴性者肾移植术后的肝功能、人肾均存活的存活率等指标进行随访和回顾性分析。结果　术后早期血清乙型肝炎病毒标志物阳性组与血清乙型肝炎病毒标志物阴性组比较 ,肝功能异常发生率的差异无显著性 (P >0 .0 5) ;术后中远期 ,HBsAg、HBeAg及抗 HBc阳性者的肝功能受损率明显高于血清乙型肝炎病毒标志物阴性组及HBsAg、抗 HBe、抗 HBc阳性者 (P <0 .0 5) ,其人肾均存活的存活率也最低 (P <0 .0 5)。结论　对HBsAg、抗 HBe及抗 HBc阳性者进行肾移植应慎重 ,而HBsAg、HBeAg及抗 HBc阳性者则不适宜接受肾移植