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Biomedical subjects

D G Woodfield

Publications and source records attributed to D G Woodfield.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

Entire nucleotide sequence and characterization of a hepatitis C virus of genotype V/3a.

The entire nucleotide sequence of a hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome (NZL1) of genotype V/3a was determined from overlapping cDNA clones obtained from a human carrier in New Zealand. It comprised 9425 nucleotides (nt) including a 5'-untranslated region of 339 nt, a single large open reading frame encoding a polyprotein of 3021 amino acids, a 3'-untranslated region of 23 nt, and 3'-terminal poly(U) stretches of variable lengths. The NZL1 genome was compared with 15 HCV isolates of other genotypes for which the full-length sequence has been determined. It differed from them by 31.1 to 34.3% in nucleotide sequence identity and by 24.5 to 29.1% in amino acid sequence identity, confirming the distinction of genotype V/3a from the other isolates.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Identification and genotyping of hepatitis C virus in injectable and oral drug users in New Zealand.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus infections are known to be common in injectable drug users (IDU) both in New Zealand and overseas. Little is known of the hepatitis C genotype frequency in this population. AIMS: To confirm the high incidence of hepatitis C virus infections in IDU and compare this with the frequency in oral drug users (ODU) as well as identify the pattern of hepatitis C genotypes present. METHODS: Use was made of an experimental nucleocapsid assay as well as a conventional anti-HCV assay. HCV-RNA was identified using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique and a variation of this method was used for HCV genotyping. RESULTS: Seventy-four per cent of IDU were reactive for anti-HCV in both types of assay. PCR testing detected several more reactive samples. Dominant genotypes were Types I and V, but Type IV was not detected. Mixed infections were noted in some patients. There was a low frequency of anti-HCV in ODU. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatitis C virus infections are a problem in IDU in New Zealand, and additional public health measures may be required. The distribution of genotypes of HCV-RNA are similar to those seen in other Western countries.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

The genetic affinity of Polynesians: evidence from Y chromosome polymorphisms.

Y-linked polymorphisms were studied in a sample of 60 Polynesians, and results were compared with findings from studies on other major population groups. Three previously unreported 49a/TaqI haplotypes were observed, two of which possess a new polymorphic fragment named I2. Frequency data for the 49a/TaqI, XY275, pDP31 and Y Alu polymorphisms indicate that Polynesians have greater affinity to Caucasoids than to African populations. Similar population frequency trends were not observed for the p21A1/TaqI polymorphism, supporting the hypothesis that this polymorphism has arisen more than once.

Black People↗
PubMed1994

Alpha-2-HS-glycoprotein polymorphism in New Zealand Europeans and New Zealand Maori.

The polymorphism of alpha-2-HS-glycoprotein (AHSG, alpha 2HS) was analysed in a sample of New Zealanders consisting of 194 New Zealand Europeans and 236 New Zealand Maori. Thin layer polyacrylamide gel isoelectric focusing followed by immunofixation revealed four different AHSG phenotypes in New Zealand Europeans and three different AHSG phenotypes in New Zealand Maori. The AHSG*2 frequency of 0.695 for the New Zealand Maori population was found to be one of the highest reported for any population. AHSG*2 appears to be a useful genetic marker for Maori in anthropological studies.

Alleles↗
PubMed1993

The persistence of anti-hepatitis B surface antibodies to three years of age: is a hepatitis B vaccine booster required?

AIMS: To evaluate the persistence of hepatitis B surface antibodies (anti-HBs) after immunisation in early infancy. METHODS: The infants were born to low risk European mothers negative for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). All the children had received 3 doses of 20 micrograms of recombinant DNA hepatitis B vaccine. RESULTS: One month after the third dose all 92 infants were seropositive. The GMT was 1190 mIU/mL and all but one infant had seroprotective titres above 10 mIU/mL. Three years after the vaccination 91% (59 of 65) children who returned for testing still had measurable anti-HBs titres. The GMT was 32 mIU/mL but 26% (17 of 65) had titres less than 10 mIU/ml. Only one child had serologic evidence of contact with the hepatitis B virus but did not develop the disease. CONCLUSION: This vaccine is safe and effective for at least 3 years. The long term duration of protection from vaccination in early infancy requires further studies.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗
PubMed1993

T cell receptor polymorphisms in Caucasians and Polynesians.

The purpose of this study was to find genetic polymorphisms that might be useful in studies of Polynesian-Caucasian racial admixture and Polynesian disease susceptibility. The allele frequencies of six T cell receptor locus RFLP were measured in 73 Caucasians and two Polynesian ethnic groups comprising 86 Maoris and 95 Samoans. The RFLP studied were (locus/enzyme/probe): C alpha/Taq1/Y14, V alpha/Taq1/Y14, C beta/BglII/Y35, C gamma/Pvu II/HGP02, V beta 7/BamHI/V beta 7.4 and V beta 8/Bam HI/V beta 8.1. Racial differences in allele frequency were present with all six RFLP (P < 0.001). The allele frequencies of the V alpha/Taq1/Y14 and the V beta 7/BamHI/7.4 RFLP were similar in the two Polynesian groups, both of which differed from the Caucasians. The 1.4 kb allele of the V alpha/Taq1/Y14 RFLP and the 8.0 kb allele of the V beta 7/BamHI/7.4 RFLP were present in low frequency in both Polynesian groups compared to the Caucasian group, consistent with a gene flow effect. These alleles may be useful in studies of Caucasian-Polynesian racial admixture.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Autologous blood transfusion in Auckland.

AIMS: To review autologous blood collection and transfusion practice in Auckland over the last five years. METHOD: Records of autologous blood collections were obtained from blood collection centre records and results of transfusions on patients from hospital notes. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-four units of blood were collected from 77 patients. Seventy-five percent of the units collected were transfused. Most autologous blood was transfused to private hospital patients. Only 8% of patients required homologous blood. CONCLUSIONS: There has been a slow increase of autologous blood collection and transfusion in the Auckland area, as well as in the rest of New Zealand. The present risks of homologous transfusion, particularly since the introduction of hepatitis C testing, appear very low. A further expansion of the present autologous blood programme would entail increased expenditure and it is suggested that a critical cost benefit analysis would be useful before the programme is expanded.

Blood Transfusion↗
PubMed1992

Blood donation.

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Blood Donors↗
PubMed1991

Hepatitis C.

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Hepatitis C↗
PubMed1991

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in New Zealand.

Preliminary studies of the seroprevalence of hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV) in selected New Zealand populations, reveal similarities to other Western countries. High rates occur in haemophiliacs and intravenous drug users with relatively low rates in routine blood donors. Unlike hepatitis B virus infections anti-HCV does not appear to be more prevalent in Maoris and Pacific Islanders living in New Zealand. Chronic liver disease is associated with anti-HCV. The frequency of anti-HCV in homosexuals and persons attending sexual disease clinics is higher than that found in blood donors. Further detailed studies of the frequency of anti-HCV in New Zealand populations are now required to extend the present baseline data.

Hepatitis Antibodies↗