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Biomedical subjects

C Kunz

Publications and source records attributed to C Kunz.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources
PubMed1978

[A new influenza subunit vaccine: hemagglutinating antibodies one year after vaccination (author's transl)].

The antibody response to a new influenza subunit vaccine was compare d one year after vaccination with the responses induced by two other influenza vaccines. The subunit vaccine was given either in a high dose form containing 2100 IU, or in a low dose form containing 700 IU. As comparison a split vaccine was used containing 800 IU and AI(OH)3 as adjuvant and a whole virus vaccine containing 2100 IU. Of the 399 vaccinated subjects which had taken part in this study 151 were available for hemagglutination inhibiting (HAI) antibody determinations one year after vaccination. Protection rates assessed for the respective groups on the assumption that serum HAI titers of 1 : 32 or greater confer protection. With the high dose of subunit vaccine 85% of volunteers were considered still to have protective titers one year after vaccination, compared with 77% of those who received the whole virus vaccine. Although the high dose subunit vaccine and whole virus vaccine induced similarly high protective levels lasting at least one year, the reactions observed on vaccination were significantly less with the subunit preparation. The lower dose of subunit vaccine induced lower levels of protection (60%) after one year, and lower mean HAI titers than the high dose subunit vaccine. Nevertheless protection was superior to that of the split virus adjuvant vaccine. The addition of adjuvant thus does not seem materially to improve the immune response to influenza virus antigens. An increase of antigen content can however be seen as a practical alternative for achieving higher antibody levels. The subunit vaccine would appear to be particularly suitable in this respect as even with a higher dose there is no increase in reactogenicity.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1978

[Solid-phase radioimmunoassay for class specific immunoglobulins against tick-borne encephalitis virus (author's transl)].

By adsorbing purified Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus antigen onto beads of polystyrene, a solid-phase radioimmunoassay (RIA) for specific antibodies of the IgM- and IgG-class in untreated and nonfractionated human sera could be developed. The antibodies were measured by antihuman-gamma and antihuman-mu globulin labelled with 125 I. The RIA was about 20 times as sensitive as the hemagglutination-inhibition test. About 10% more cases of TBE could be diagnosed with the RIA than with the 2-mercaptoethanol test.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1977

[IgM diagnosis of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections by means of the immunofluorescent method].

Sera were investigated of patients possibly suffering from an EBV infection, without showing clinical features characteristic of infectious mononucleosis. The method of investigation was the detection of antibodies of the IgM-type by means of the immunofluorescent method using a three-layer technique. Diagnosis of EBV infection was established in 10 out of 90 patients with facial palsy, one with myelitis, one with sudden deafness and one with polyneuritis. In addition, 4 out of 19 cases of hepatitis (Hbs-negative) proved to be due to infection with EBV. The specific IgM test proved to be superior to the heterophil agglutination test.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1977

Concentration and purification of tick-borne encephalitis virus grown in suspensions of chick embryo cells.

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus grown in suspensions of chick embryo cells was precipitated by various concentrations of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000. Quantitative recovery was obtained at PEG concentrations of 5% and higher. As precipitation of contaminating non-viral protein increases with increasing PEG concentrations, best results with respect to purity and recovery were obtained at 5% PEG 6000. Analysis of virus concentrates by rate zonal centrifugation revealed two peaks--rapidly sedimenting haemagglutinin (RHA) associated with infectivity and slowly sedimenting haemagglutinin (SHA)--characteristic of Flaviviruses. Purification factors after PEG precipitation followed by rate zonal centrifugation in sucrose density gradients ranged from 50 to 200 for HA activity and from 40 to 50 for infectivity.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

Characterization of tick-borne encephalitis virus and immunogenicity of its surface components in mice.

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus grown in chick embryo cells and purified by rate-zonal centrifugation was shown to have a density of 1.195 g/cm3 in sucrose density gradients. Under the conditions used, CsCl centrifugation caused disruption of the virus and less than 5% of input infectivity could be recovered from the virus peak at 1.23 g/cm3. As in other fiaviviruses, three polypeptides (V1, V2, V3) were detected by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in radioactively labelled purified TBE virus. After disruption of TBE virus with Nonidet P-40, Tween-80/Tri-(n-butyl)-phosphate or sodium deoxycholate, a 120--130 S nucleoprotein could be separated by rate zonal centrifugation from more slowly sedimenting haemagglutinins. Immunization of mice with these haemagglutinins showed that they induced haemagglutination inhibiting, neutralizing and complement fixing antibodies. A pronounced increase in immunogenicity could be observed by the use of Al(OH3) as an adjuvant.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1976

[Field trial with a new type of influenza subunit vaccine (author's transl)].

In a field trial a new influenza subunit vaccine was tested in parallel with a vaccine prepared from the whole virus. The subunit vaccine essentially contained only the proteins of the viral envelope, haemagglutinin and neuraminidase, which had been selectively solubilized by treatment with cetyl trimethylammonium bromide. Both vaccines contained 700 IU of strain A/Port Chalmers/73 in 0.5 ml. They were given to volunteers by the subcutaneous route with and without the addition of Al (OH)3 as adjuvant. Blood samples were taken on days 0, 28 and 90. Development of antibodies was assayed in the haemagglutination-inhibition (HI) and neuraminidase-inhibition (NI) test. All vaccines exhibited a very good immunogenic effect as judged from the number of volunteers with at least a four-fold rise in antibodies in the HI-test and those reaching titres that are considered to be sufficiently high for protection against disease. The best results were obtained with the aqueous subunit vaccine. All four vaccines also stimulated the formation of neuraminidase-inhibiting antibodies. The vaccines were well tolerated by the volunteers. The incidence of minor local reactions such as redness, swelling and pain varied according to the vaccine used, as shown on statistical evaluation. The aqueous subunit vaccine clearly proved to be superior in this respect.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

[A new influenza subunit vaccine: reactogenicity and antigenicity in comparison to split and whole virus vaccines (author's transl)].

The reactogenicity and immunogenicity of a new influenza subunit vaccine essentially containing only haemagglutinin and neuraminidase was studied in man. The vaccine was compared to commercially available vaccines, an adjuvant containing tween-ether split vaccine (800 IU per dose), and a fluid whole-virus vaccine (2100 IU per dose). Two dosages (700 and 2100 IU) of the fluid subunit vaccine were compared. All vaccines contained the virus strains recommended by the WHO for the 1975/76 season. In a double-blind study 399 volunteers were randomly selected to receive one of the four vaccines. The volunteers were examined for side-effects 24 and 48 hr after vaccination. Antibodies inhibiting haemagglutination were determined prior to and four weeks after vaccination. The sudunit vaccine at 700 IU per dose caused significantly fewer local side effects than the comparable split vaccine, and resulted in significantly higher antibody titers against both influenza A strains. A comparison of the subunit and whole virus vaccines containing high dosages (2100 IU) showed striking differences in reactogenicity. Subunit vaccine was very well tolerated. whereas whole virus vaccine caused systemic reactions, including fever and headache, in 15% of the volunteers. No significant reactogenicity was seen with a high dosage of subunit vaccine (2100 IU) although this is a three-fold increase on the currently used European dosage. Antibody titers were significantly enhanced however.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

[Effect, hazards and risks of the new vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) as calculated by special formulas (author's transl)].

The effect and risks of the vaccination against TBE virus was calculated by means of formulas for Q and D. Q considers the relation between total risk of unvaccinated and vaccinated persons and D the yearly difference in risks between unvaccinated and vaccinated members of a community. In recommendable vaccinations Q should exceed 1,0 and D should be greater than 0. Vaccination against TBE was performed by 2 injections at an interval of 4 weeks followed by a 3rd injection after 9 months. No major side effects were observed in vaccinations of about 50,000 persons. After one injection only, the conversion rate was 76% and Q 4,17, after 2 injections the conversion rate was 96% and Q 25 and after the total course of 3 injections the conversion rate was 98% and Q was calculated to be 50. With respect to morbidity DM was 7,18 X 10(-5) and regarding mortality DL was 1,1 X 10(-6). That means that proper vaccination of persons at risk in Austria could prevent 500-600 cases of encephalitis and approximately 8 deaths due to TBE per year. It was concluded that the new vaccination is effective and recommendable. Revaccinations will be necessary probably at intervals of 2-3 years, the exact time period still being under study.

Encephalitis, Tick-Borne↗
PubMed1976

[Field studies with a new tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) vaccine].

The vaccine used contained formalin-inactivated TBE virus that was grown in chick embryo cells and adsorbed to Alhydrogel. In a first study, conducted in 1973, a total of 81 volunteers were given subcutaneously two doses of vaccine 4 weeks apart, and a third dose 7-9 months later. After each vaccination, the rates of seroconversion were assayed in the hemagglutination inhibition test. The values obtained were 76%, 96% and 98%, respectively. The geometric mean titers found were 1:26, 1:36 and 1:44. The vaccine was well tolerated locally and systematic reactions such as fever headache and fatigue were only recorded after the first dose of vaccine. In 1974 and 1975 a total of 30,000 persons were vaccinated in areas where the disease is endemic. Most of the vaccinees work in forests and are, therefore, at high risk of infection. Circumstantial evidence indicates that the vaccine is protective.

Encephalitis, Tick-Borne↗