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Biomedical subjects

A Milne

Publications and source records attributed to A Milne.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

A seroepidemiological study of the prevalence of hepatitis B infections in a hyperendemic New Zealand community.

The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and its antibody (anti-HBs) were studied in 93% of the population of the New Zealand township of Kawerau. Sera were collected from 7901 subjects over six months old, and 3318 (42%) had markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections. Five hundred and nineteen (6.6%) were positive for HBsAg and 485 (96.4%) of 503 retested were confirmed as chronic carriers. HBsAg prevalence was 5.4% in the 0-4 years age group but only 1 of 66 children under one year old was positive suggesting that later cross infection, rather than perinatal transmission was the major factor responsible for the high pre-school carrier rate. Total HBV marker prevalence increased dramatically in early school years and peak marker prevalence was 67.7% in the 15-19 year age group. Prevalence of HBsAg was more than four times higher in non-europeans than in Europeans (Caucasians). Other factors significantly associated with hepatitis B virus marker prevalence in children were: number of years spent in Kawerau, which was associated with anti-HBs prevalence; and size of household, which was associated with HBsAg prevalence. Number of siblings was not a significant risk factor over and above the effect of size of household. Factors associated with marker prevalence in adults were: number of years spent in Kawerau, which was associated with anti-HBs; birth in the Northern half of the North Island, which was associated with both HBsAg and anti-HBs; size of household, which was more strongly associated with HBsAg prevalence; and amateur tattoos, which were associated with anti-HBs prevalence but not with HBsAg prevalence.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Hepatitis B markers in 14-15 year olds in Bay of Plenty.

Fourteen-fifteen year olds throughout the eastern Bay of Plenty were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody (anti-Hbs). Overall 44.7% showed evidence of infection with hepatitis B, and 9.2% were HBsAg positive, rates being higher in Maoris and in males. Maori rates were very similar through most of the region, with greater variation amongst Europeans. However, the infection rates are very high in all groups and areas, confirming that hepatitis B is highly endemic throughout.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Low dose hepatitis B vaccination in children.

One hundred and sixty-nine children negative for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody (anti-HBs), were given three doses of hepatitis B vaccine at monthly intervals. Doses were two micrograms or four micrograms given intradermally (ID) or intramuscularly (IM). All children were tested for HBsAg, anti-HBs and antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) one month after the second dose of vaccine. Overall, 74% of children on two micrograms doses and 71% of children on four micrograms doses responded to two doses of vaccine by the production of anti-HBs. At this point, mass immunisation of other susceptible children was commenced. Four of 92 (4%) three to five year old subjects and 20 of 77 (26%) nine to 12 year olds were found to be anti-HBc positive alone, indicating prior infection. All 77 older children were further tested two months after the third dose of vaccine. All 20 who were anti-HBc positive, sero-converted for anti-HBs. Of the remaining 57, 52 (91%) produced anti-HBs at acceptable geometric mean titres (GMT). Three doses of two micrograms of H-B-VAX, given at monthly intervals were chosen for mass vaccination of high risk susceptible children in this mobile community, providing over 90% sero-conversion at low cost with a minimum of side effects.

Antibody Formation↗
PubMed1985

Prevalence of hepatitis B infections in a multiracial New Zealand community.

Plans to control hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections in a high risk mixed race community, included the need for prevalence studies of HBV markers. Accordingly 7901 subjects, 93% of the population of Kawerau, where European and non-European children are present in almost equal numbers, were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs). Positive HBsAg sera were titred and tested for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg). Highest rates for HBsAg and anti-HBs combined, were found in the 15-19 year old age groups; 61.6% in Europeans and 74.5% in non-Europeans. HBsAg prevalence was 4.2% and 18.2% respectively in the same groups. Ninety-six point four percent of 503 HBsAg positives followed up were confirmed as carriers. Infectivity as shown by HBeAg prevalence and HBsAg titre was highest in 0-10 year olds and declined with age. Prevalences were low in children aged less than one year old, suggesting that perinatal transmission was not a major factor in childhood carriage. Therefore attempts to control acquisition of carriage by vaccinating only those children of HBeAg positive mothers are unlikely to be successful.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Efficient production of hepatitis B surface antigen using a bovine papilloma virus-metallothionein vector.

We have developed a highly efficient system for producing hepatitis B virus surface antigen in cultured mammalian cells. This system utilizes a recombinant bovine papilloma virus in which the hepatitis surface antigen coding sequences are inserted into the 5' untranslated region of the mouse metallothionein-I gene. Mouse fibroblasts stably transformed with this molecule produce surface antigen at levels as high as 10 mg/L/24 h and can be maintained in continuous culture for up to 85 days.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Hepatitis B carriage in children.

Prevalance of hepatitis B surface antigen carriage amongst children in the Bay of Plenty was high, with rates in Maoris five times that found in Europeans. (12.0% versus 2.6%). Carrier rates were highest in children aged 6-10 years. This age group also had the peak incidence of acute hepatitis B. Infectivity was greatest amongst younger children and diminished with age. Transmission between children within family units may be a major route of spread of hepatitis B.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

An evaluation of 'Inpharma', a drug literature abstracting service.

This study aimed to provide data on the characteristics of the drug literature abstracting service 'Inpharma'. Journal coverage, article yield and timeliness for a 3-year period were examined; the reliability and information content of 100 abstracts were also assessed. It was found that although 'Inpharma' is claimed to monitor a very large number of journals, over 98% of the abstracts were from 'core' journals of which there are approximately 350. Over 80% of the abstracts appeared within 4 months of publications of the original and abstracts from some of the American journals were available in the United Kingdom before the relevant primary journal. Sixteen errors were detected in 100 abstracts; five of these were typographical errors and nine deviations in accuracy. The publication is a good 'current awareness tool' but it should not be used where a comprehensive coverage of the literature is required. It is also important that the primary journal is consulted when detailed information is required.

Abstracting and Indexing↗
PubMed1980

Viral hepatitis in the eastern Bay of Plenty.

Three hundred and fifty-three patients diagnosed as viral hepatitis and 2100 obstetric patients were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Forty-three percent of the acute cases were HBsAg positive. The age distribution of hepatitis B closely matched that for hepatitis unspecified and the highest incidence of both was in the age-group 6-10 years. Two-thirds of all cases of viral hepatitis in Maoris were children less than 15 years old, compared with one-third for Europeans. Infants of obstetric patients thought to be carriers of HBsAg were tested for this antigen five months or more after birth. Seven of 30 infants were carriers of HBsAg, all of high titre, as were their mothers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Viral hepatitis.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Hepatitis A↗