Serum Viral Titers Research Articles

Hepatitis C virus RNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells: Comparing acute and chronic hepatitis C virus infection

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) can infect peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of patients with chronic HCV infection. No data are available on PBMC testing for HCV RNA in acute hepatitis C. This study investigated the presence of HCV RNA in PBMC of patients with acute posttransfusion hepatitis C, compared with those with chronic HCV infection. Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was applied to detect HCV RNA in 111 and 48 paired samples of serum and PBMC of 11 patients with acute posttransfusion hepatitis C and 48 patients with chronic HCV infection, respectively. In patients with acute posttransfusion hepatitis C, HCV RNA was detected in 17 of 29 (59%) and 67 of 82 (82%) serum samples collected during the incubation period and acute phase, respectively. Meanwhile, of the 48 patients with chronic HCV infection, 41 had serum HCV RNA (85%). HCV RNA was not detected in PBMC samples from incubation period or from acute-phase hepatitis, although it was detected in 12 of the 48 PBMC samples of chronically infected patients (25%) P < .005). Of the 12 PBMC specimens positive for positive-stranded HCV RNA, 6 were also positive for negative-stranded HCV RNA. Among patients with chronic HCV infection, HCV infection of PBMC was not related to age, sex, blood transfusion, serum alanine transaminase (ALT) levels, or serum virus titers. In conclusion, HCV infection of PBMC rarely exists in patients with acute hepatitis C. As HCV infection persists, the incidence of HCV infection of PBMC becomes higher.

Effect of human, recombinant interleukin 2 on Punta Toro virus infections in C57BL/6 mice

The effect of human recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) on Punta Toro virus (PTV) infection was investigated in C57BL/6 mice. Immunologic and viral parameters were assessed after mice were treated i.p. with rIL-2 for 5 days. Treatment of mice with 25000 and 12500 units/mouse of rIL-2 resulted in significant inhibition of the disease as indicated by increases in survival of mice as well as decreases in liver and serum virus titers. Serum glutamic oxalic acid and pyruvic acid transaminase levels were also lowered indicating reduced liver damage. Murine IL-2 production returned to normal or above-normal levels in rIL-2 treated mice. Natural killer cell activity was also moderately stimulated by rIL-2 treatment. Significant amounts of interferon were not detected in the sera of treated mice. Weight gain and survival rates were similar for both toxicity and normal controls indicating that rIL-2 treatments had no toxic effect.

Prophylactic and therapeutic activities of 7-thia-8-oxoguanosine against Punta Toro virus infections in mice

The biological response modifier 7-thia-8-oxoguanosine was evaluated in mice against the hepatotropic Adames strain of Punta Toro virus. When administered intraperitoneally in divided doses, significant protection from death was conferred at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg/day given 24 and 17 h pre-virus inoculation, 25–100 mg/kg/day administered 4 h pre- and 3 h post-virus challenge, and 12.5 to 100 mg/kg/day administered 24 and 31 h after virus inoculation. These doses preventing death reduced liver icterus scores, serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels, and liver and serum virus titers relative to placebo controls. Full daily doses administered at 24 h were somewhat less protective to mice than divided daily doses starting at the same time. The initiation of treatment could be delayed as late as 36 h after virus inoculation, resulting in complete protection from mortality at 100 mg/kg/day. This prevention of death occurred despite the acute nature of the infection which resulted in deaths by 96 h in the placebo-treated controls. These results show that 7-thia-8-oxoguanosine has both prophylactic and therapeutic potential as an anti-Phlebovirus agent. Interferon induction appears to be the reason for antiviral activity in this model, since up to 10000 units of interferon/ml were induced in mice 1 h after treatment with 100 mg 7-thia-8-oxoguanosine per kg, and antibody to interferon α/β administered shortly after treatment with the nucleoside negated the antiviral effect.

Viral Antibodies in Multiple Sclerosis

Serum viral antibody titers against 21 viruses were studied in 19 of 23 same-sex twin pairs with multiple sclerosis derived from the Finnish Twin Cohort. Thorough neurologic examinations showed two monozygotic pairs to be concordant, whereas all dizygotic pairs were discordant. Special attention was given to measles, mumps, and rubella viruses, against which the antibody levels were determined with the complement fixation, hemagglutination inhibition, hemolysis-ingel, and enzyme immunoassay methods. Epstein-Barr virus antibody levels were determined by enzyme assay. In pairwise comparisons, the measles, mumps, and Epstein-Barr virus-IgG antibody levels were more often elevated in the patients with multiple sclerosis, compared with the healthy co-twins. The same antibody levels were more often above the median in the diseased twin, compared with the healthy twin, but the difference was not significant. No human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I antibodies were found in any of the individuals examined. The total IgG, IgA, and IgM levels did not differ between the diseased and healthy subjects. The HLA types, severity of the disease, and cell-mediated immunity parameters did not influence antibody levels.

Associations between Cerebrospinal Fluid Parameters and High Degrees of Anxiety or Depression in United States Air Force Personnel Infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus

The relationship between anxiety and depression, and serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) immune parameters was studied in 98 patients randomly selected from those undergoing routine medical evaluation for human immunodeficiency virus seropositivity as part of the U.S. Air Force's mandatory screening program. A total of 95% of the sample did not have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The population was subdivided into high and low anxiety or depression groups for statistical purposes. Significant correlations were obtained between high Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression scores (greater than 10) and CSF nucleated cell count and protein levels. High Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (greater than 10) scores were positively correlated with CSF nucleated cell count and absolute CD4a counts. There were no statistically significant group differences with respect to mean laboratory values between high and low anxiety or depression subgroups. Serum viral titers to Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus were not correlated with anxiety or depression scores. These results suggest a complex relationship between CSF and systemic immune abnormalities and degree of anxiety and depression.

Pharmacokinetics of azidothymidine during late pregnancy in Long-Evans rats

Azidothymidine (Zidovudine) is used to treat symptomatic human immunodeficiency virus infection. It has the ability to reverse seropositivity as well as decrease serum viral titers, and perhaps decrease potential for transmission of the virus. An animal model (pregnant Long-Evans rats) was used to investigate the potential for placental transmission of azidothymidine. The drug crosses the placenta to reach concentrations in the placenta and fetus that are comparable to 75% and 58%, respectively, of those in the maternal serum by 2 hours after administration. By 4 to 6 hours after administration azidothymidine concentrations in the placenta and fetal liver significantly exceed maternal concentrations.

Serovirological study of vestibular neuronitis.

A serovirological study to clarify the pathogenesis of vestibular neuronitis was made on 44 patients. The diagnosis of vestibular neuronitis was made under the diagnostic criteria. Sera from all 44 cases were collected twice or more at defined intervals. Of these, 36 cases were treated as paired sera. Seventeen out of 36 paired cases showed significant change in serum viral antibody titer (HSV, 2 cases; CMV, 1 case; EBV, 7 cases; rubella, 2 cases; adeno., 2 cases; influ. A, 1 case; influ. B, 2 cases). It was assumed that infection caused by these detected viruses played an important role in the onset of vertigo in each case.

Investigation of serum viral antibody titers in vestibular neuronitis

Forty-four patients with vestibular neuronitis were investigated serologically. The serum viral antibody titers were examined for the following viruses: herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella-zoster virus (VZV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), EB virus (EBV), rubella virus, adenovirus, influenza virus A, influenza virus B, parainfluenza virus 3, mumps virus, measles virus and mycoplasma. The methods for measuring serum viral antibody titer in this study were complement fixation test (CF), hemagglutination inhibition test (HI), neutralization test (NT), indirect fluorescent antibody technique (FA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The sera from all 44 cases were measured twice. Of these, 36 cases were treated as so-called “paired sera” in serological statistics. In 27 cases (61.4%) we performed a first serum examination within 2 weeks after onset of vertigo. Seventeen among the 36 paired cases showed significant change (four-fold of higher rise) in serum viral antibody titer (HSV: 2 cases, CMV: 1, EBV: 7, rubella: 2, adeno.: 2, influ. A: 1, influ. B: 2). HSV 1 IgM (ELISA) was detected in only one case, in serum of the acute stage. We assumed that the detected viruses played some role in the onset of vertigo in each case.During the follow-up significant chages in serum viral antibody titer were observed in several cases including the cases investigated long after the initial onset, but none showed a recurrent vertigo attack or aggravation of dizzy sensation.Twenty-one patients (47.7%) showed some symptoms of upper respiratory infection or inflammatory findings prior to or during vertiginous attack. Most of these patients demonstrated significant changes in serum viral antibody titer.

前庭神経炎の臨床

Vestibular neuronitis, a vestibular disorder that causes dizziness, was reviewed epidemiological using a survey sponsored by the Ministry of Welfare and a preliminary survey by Yamaguchi University Hospital. Follow-up data of the clinical symptoms and examinations at Yamaguchi University Hospital are reported, especially on the computed galvanic body sway test, serum viral antibody titers, CSP changes (biochemical and virological), vertical writing test (Square drawing test) and the prognoses. In addition one case is presented and a newly developed combined galvanic test is described.

Psychiatric symptoms and transient cognitive impairment in an adolescent with oral conraceptive-induced chorea

A case is presented of a 16-year old girl who developed chorea memory loss and psychiatric symptoms within 21 days of initiating oral contraception with Ortho novum 1/35 (ethinyl estradiol 0.35 mg and norethindrone 0.015 mg). From the 3rd day of pill intake she developed slurred speech and poor grasp evolving to chorea of the upper and lower extremities predominating on the right. She became withdrawn depressed defiant and emotionally labile. She was admitted to a psychiatric hospital for inappropriate affect then to a university hospital on day 21 for suspected organic etiology of her movement disorder. Pills were discontinued on day 10. Her psychiatric history included attempted suicide and family history of alcoholism and abuse. All laboratory findings were normal including serum copper ceruloplasmin cerebrospinal fluid myelin basic protein and oligoclonal bands collagen vascular screen serum and cerebrospinal fluid viral titers pregnancy test anti-streptolysin O titers anti-hyaluronidase titers and anti-caudate nuclear antibodies. Re-exam 12 days after admission during treatment with haloperidol 0.25 mg showed improvement in memory chorea and dysarthria. She was still mildly depressed. She was discharged 25 days after admission with a normal neurologic exam to a foster home. The findings suggest that although memory impairment in a patient with oral contraceptive-associated chorea is novel the suspected lesion site the basal ganglia may involve memory function. Pill patients with chorea should be evaluated for cognitive dysfunction.

The isolation of nonpolio enteroviruses from serum

Enteroviruses were isolated from 14 of 31 frozen serum specimens obtained from hospitalized patients with enterovirus infection, which had been previously documented by recovery of virus from stool, throat, or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Virus was detected in 71% of the positive sera within 3 days of specimen inoculation and serum virus titers ranged from 1.0 × 10 1 to 9.2 × 10 3 plaque-forming units/ml. The data suggest that blood cultures may be useful in the diagnosis of acute enterovirus disease and that use of RD and BGM cells may improve the speed and rate of virus recovery.

Virological and serological studies of Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis in humans.

During the 1971 epidemic of Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis (VEE) in south Texas, 203 suspect VEE cases were evaluated by the Center for Disease Control. Sixty-seven were confirmed as cases of VEE. Laboratory confirmation was accomplished by isolation of VEE virus from a serum specimen taken during the acute illness in 50 (75%) of the confirmed cases. Serological confirmation was obtained in 17 cases (25%). Virus isolations were most often obtained from sera collected during the first 3 days of illness. Peak serum virus titers (algebraic mean, 10(5-7) suckling mouse intracranial 50% lethal doses [SMICLD50] per ml) occurred on day 2 of illness. One-half of the sera from which virus was isolated contained at least 10(5) SMICLD50/ml, which has been shown to be sufficient to infect some vector mosquitoes. Blood from 13 virus-positive VEE cases was obtained 1 and 11 months after illness. Hemagglutination-inhibiting, complement-fixing, and neutralizing antibodies were formed by all 13 patients 1 month after illness. Hemagglutination-inhibiting antibody titers were essentially unchanged 11 months after illness. Complement-fixing antibody was undetectable 11 months after illness in 23% of cases and was detectable at dilutions of 1:8 or 1:6 in 77%. Neutralizing antibody (measured by log neutralization index) was not detectable 1 year after illness in one person (8%); titers had declined from 1.0 to 2.0 in 46%, were unchanged in 39%, and were not tested in one person (8%). No evidence of intrafamilial spread of VEE virus was obtained in either of two illness and antibody surveys. A randomized household illness and antibody survey of 681 Port Isabel residents revealed an inapparent infection ratio of 1:11 and an overall antibody prevalence of 3.2%.

Immunogenetic Analysis and Serum Viral Antibody Titers in Multiple Sclerosis

In order to investigate the possible relationships between multiple sclerosis (MS) and the factors of genetic predisposition and exposure to infectious agents, studies were undertaken in 59 male patients with MS to determine the histocompatibility antigen (HL-A) type and the serum antibody titer to rubeola hemagglutinin (HA), rubeola envelope antigen (V), rubeola nucleocapsid antigen (S), rubella, herpes simplex, cytomegalovirus, and parainfluenza 1. The incidence of HL-A7 was significantly higher, and HL-A12 incidence was significantly lower, in the MS group than in control groups. The geometric mean titers to rubeola HA and to the V and S antigens were lower in the HL-A7 positive control patients than in either the non-HL-A7 controls or the MS patients. There were no specific relationships of the rubeola titer to HL-A12. Antibody titers to the other viruses studied were not significantly different in MS patients as compared to controls, nor was there any relationship of HL-A7 or HL-A12 and serum titer to those viruses. This study provides further evidence of a genetic predisposition to MS, and of a relationship between rubeola and this disease. These findings suggests that the failure of MS to appear in individuals who might be genetically predisposed to this disorder may be related to their immune response to rubeola.

Viral antibodies in patients with primary myocardial disease ∗

Serum viral antibody levels to coxsackieviruses B1–6, echoviruses 6 and 9, influenza A and B, mumps, herpes simplex and psittacosis were studied in 34 patients with primary myocardial disease and 71 paired control subjects, two for each patient. There was no difference in the incidence of elevated viral antibody titers between the patient and control groups. Subdivision of the patients and control groups by race, sex, or age also revealed no difference in viral antibody titers. The patients with primary myocardial disease showed no difference in viral antibody titer related to duration of disease or history of alcohol intake. This study shows no apparent association between infections with coxsackieviruses B1–6, echoviruses 6 and 9, influenza A and B, mumps, herpes simplex and psittacosis as determined by serum viral antibody titer and the occurrence of primary myocardial disease. However, previous viral infection no longer reflected by elevated antibody titer cannot be eliminated as an etiologic factor in primary myocardial disease.