Biomedical subjects

D I Bernstein

Publications and source records attributed to D I Bernstein.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

Safety and immunogenicity of low and high doses of trivalent live cold-adapted influenza vaccine administered intranasally as drops or spray to healthy children.

The safety and immunogenicity of various doses of trivalent cold-adapted influenza vaccine (CAIV-T) administered intranasally by drops or spray to children aged 18-71 months was examined. CAIV-T containing A/Johannesburg/33/94 (H3N2), B/Panama/45/90, and A/Texas/36/91 (H1N1) was safe and well-tolerated. At the highest CAIV-T dose, 90%, 50%, and 16% of initially seronegative subjects seroconverted to the H3N2, B, and H1N1 antigens, respectively. The lower immunologic response to the H1N1 vaccine strain compared with the other strains was associated with a low frequency of H1N1 shedding. No statistically significant differences in reactogenicity or immunogenicity were detected between subjects who received CAIV-T by drops or spray. In conclusion, this CAIV-T was safe and induced acceptable immunologic responses to 2 of the 3 vaccine strains. Studies are needed to confirm previous observations that receipt of two doses of this vaccine results in immunologic responses that confer protection to all 3 circulating influenza virus strains.

Administration, Intranasal↗

PubMed1998

Comparative efficacy and safety of once-daily versus twice-daily loratadine-pseudoephedrine combinations versus placebo in seasonal allergic rhinitis.

The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of Claritin-D 24 Hour (once daily) with that of Claritin-D 12 Hour (twice daily) and placebo in the treatment of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR). In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study, 469 patients with moderate-to-severe SAR symptoms were treated for 2 weeks with one of the following: Claritin-D 24 Hour (a combination tablet formulation of loratadine 10 mg in the coating and pseudoephedrine sulfate 240 mg in an extended-release core), Claritin-D 12 Hour (a combination tablet formulation of loratadine 5 mg in the tablet coating and 120 mg pseudoephedrine sulfate, 60 mg in the coating and 60 mg in the core), or placebo. Claritin-D 24 Hour and Claritin-D 12 Hour were consistently superior to placebo (P < 0.01) in reducing total, nasal, and nonnasal symptom scores. Patients in the Claritin-D 24 Hour and Claritin-D 12 Hour groups also had significantly greater (P </= 0.05) relief of rhinorrhea and nasal stuffiness as compared with placebo. Insomnia was reported significantly more often (P < 0.01) in Claritin-D 12 Hour (15%) patients compared with Claritin-D 24 Hour (4%) and placebo (2%) patients. Dry mouth was reported significantly more often (P < 0.05) in Claritin-D 24 Hour (13%) and Claritin-D 12 Hour (13%) groups compared with placebo (4%). Claritin-D 24 Hour has efficacy comparable to Claritin-D 12 Hour in relieving allergic rhinitis symptoms while producing significantly less insomnia.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Allergic reactions to workplace allergens.

Allergic sensitization to workplace allergens can result in occupational asthma (OA), rhinitis, and dermatoses. Occupational asthma, accounting for 2% to 15% of all new cases of asthma, is caused by more than 240 reactive chemicals or natural proteins. Diisocyanates, used in urethane production and spray painting, are the leading causes of OA. Occupational asthma must be objectively confirmed by demonstrating significant decreases in lung function associated with exposure to a causative agent. An early diagnosis of OA followed by elimination of exposure to a causative agent may be curative and prevent progression to chronic asthma. In the last decade, protein allergens in natural rubber latex gloves have emerged as the leading cause of work-related cutaneous and respiratory allergic disorders in health care workers. In the workplace, occupational allergic contact dermatitis is almost always caused by chemicals, including nickel, chromates, and epoxy resins, whereas contact urticarial reactions are most often due to protein allergens. The primary treatment of occupational allergic disorders is strict avoidance of exposure to the inciting agent.

Allergens↗

PubMed1997

Interferon-gamma enhances resolution of herpes simplex virus type 2 infection of the murine genital tract.

The requirement for interferon-gamma (IFN gamma) in resolution of an HSV-2 vaginal infection and the cellular sources of this cytokine in the vaginal mucosa were assessed. IFN gamma levels in vaginal secretions peaked on Days 2 and 5 following HSV-2 inoculation. Natural killer (NK) cell depletion greatly diminished the early production of IFN gamma but had no significant effect on the rate of virus clearance. CD4+ T cells were primarily responsible for the second peak of IFN gamma levels and neutralization of this IFN gamma beginning 3 days after virus inoculation delayed, but did not prevent, virus clearance from the vagina. HSV-2 persisted in mice depleted of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells while clearance was delayed in CD4+, but not CD8+ T cell-depleted mice, demonstrating the T cell dependence and predominant role of CD4+ T cells in resolution of the infection. Together, these data suggest that IFN gamma is not essential for virus clearance but plays an important role in enhancing T cell-mediated clearance mechanisms. The implication of these results is that IFN gamma produced locally in the genital tract enhances virus clearance and may ultimately be important for reducing the amount of virus available to infect sensory ganglia.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Efficacy and safety of fexofenadine hydrochloride for treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: H1-receptor antagonists are effective for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. In rare circumstances, some second-generation H1-receptor antagonists have been associated with prolongation of the corrected QT interval (QTc), thus increasing the risk of ventricular arrhythmias. Fexofendine HCl, the carboxylic acid metabolite of terfenadine, is a new second-generation antihistamine that is nonsedating and does not cause electrocardiographic effects. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of fexofenadine HCl in the treatment of ragweed seasonal allergic rhinitis and to characterize the dose-response relationship of fexofenadine HCl at dosages of 60, 120, and 240 mg bid. METHODS: A multicenter, 14-day, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial was conducted with patients suffering from moderate to severe ragweed seasonal allergic rhinitis who met symptom severity criteria after a 3-day placebo baseline period. Patients with minimal or very severe symptoms during the baseline period were excluded. Patients were randomized to receive fexofenadine HCl (60, 120, or 240 mg bid) or placebo at 12-hour dosing intervals (7:00 AM and 7:00 PM). The primary efficacy measure was patient-assessed 12-hour reflective total symptom score before the evening dose (trough). RESULTS: Five hundred seventy patients completed the trial. Fexofenadine HCl at each dosage provided significant improvement in total symptom score (P < or = .003) and in all individual nasal symptoms compared with placebo. The frequency of adverse events was similar among fexofenadine HCl and placebo groups, with no dose-related trends. No sedative effects or electrocardiographic abnormalities, including prolongations in QTc were detected. CONCLUSIONS: Fexofenadine HCl is both effective and safe for the treatment of ragweed seasonal allergic rhinitis. Because there was no additional efficacy at higher dosages, 60 mg bid appears to be the optimal therapeutic dosage for these patients.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Prevalence of human seminal plasma hypersensitivity among symptomatic women.

BACKGROUND: Experience with human seminal plasma hypersensitivity in the last decade has led to increased physician awareness of symptoms consistent with human seminal plasma sensitization in women. Incidence and prevalence of human seminal plasma hypersensitivity in women are unknown. OBJECTIVE: A questionnaire survey was distributed to determine the prevalence of human seminal plasma hypersensitivity among a population of women suspected of having this disorder. METHODS: A questionnaire designed to elicit age, symptoms, duration of symptoms, number of sexual partners, time to onset of symptoms after first human seminal plasma exposure, onset of symptoms after first intercourse, recent gynecologic procedures, history of atopy, vaginitis, food or drug allergy and family history of atopy was distributed to 1,073 women who suspected they had symptoms consistent with human seminal plasma hypersensitivity. Women were considered "possible" for human seminal plasma hypersensitivity if they reported two or more symptoms consistent with localized or systemic human seminal plasma hypersensitivity. Women were considered "probable" for disease if they fulfilled the "ultimate criterion" defined as complete prevention of symptoms with a condom. Women with "possible" localized or systemic human seminal plasma hypersensitivity who had persistent symptoms despite use of a condom served as cohort control groups. RESULTS: Two-hundred sixty-six women reported symptoms "possible" for human seminal plasma hypersensitivity (88 localized and 178 systemic). When the "ultimate criterion" was applied, 130 (46 localized and 84 systemic) of the 266 women were identified as having "probable" human seminal plasma hypersensitivity. The responses to most of the questions from each group were very similar. A significantly shorter time interval to symptom onset after initial human seminal plasma exposure was more common for women with "probable" localized human seminal plasma hypersensitivity compared with their cohort control group (49 months versus 108 months; P < .02) whereas a significantly increased number of women with "probable" systemic human seminal hypersensitivity gave positive food allergy histories compared with their cohort control group (31 versus 20; P < .05). Atopy did not appear to be a risk factor for human seminal plasma hypersensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of women with symptoms suggestive of human seminal plasma hypersensitivity using a validated questionnaire indicates that this disorder is more common than previously recognized.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 and cytomegalovirus in adolescents.

We determined the prevalence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) antibodies in a cohort of adolescents 12 to 22 years of age in anticipation of the development of vaccines to control HSV and CMV infections. For the overall study population, we found that 62% were seropositive for HSV type 1 (HSV-1), 12% were seropositive for HSV type 2 (HSV-2), and 65% were seropositive for CMV. Race was not related to HSV-1 seropositivity, but African-American adolescents were more likely than Caucasian adolescents to be seropositive for HSV-2 and CMV. Girls also were more likely than boys to be seropositive for HSV-2 and CMV. For boys, history of a sexually transmitted disease was identified as a risk factor for HSV-2 seropositivity; for girls, a greater number of sexual partners increased the risk of being seropositive for HSV-2. Our data demonstrating a high prevalence of infection during adolescence suggest that immunization for HSV-1, HSV-2, and CMV may need to occur in childhood.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Vaccine antigen interactions after a combination diphtheria-tetanus toxoid-acellular pertussis/purified capsular polysaccharide of Haemophilus influenzae type b-tetanus toxoid vaccine in two-, four- and six-month-old infants.

OBJECTIVE: The safety and immunogenicity of a diphtheria-tetanus toxoid-acellular pertussis vaccine (DTaP; Trepedia)/Haemophilus influenzae b polysaccharide (PRP-T; ActHib) combined vaccine (TriHibir; Pasteur Mérieux Connaught) was compared with DTaP and PRP-T given at the same visit but at separate sites in a prospective multicenter, open label trial. METHODS: Infants were randomized to four groups (three consistency lots of DTaP/PRP-T vs. one of the consistency lots given as separate vaccines); injections were administered at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. Pre-Dose 1 and post-Dose 3 sera were assayed for antibody titers against all antigens. Reactions to the vaccinations were assessed by parent questionnaire for 30 days after each injection visit. RESULTS: Four hundred eighty-five infants were enrolled; 296 evaluable infants were included in the DTaP/PRP-T group compared with 70 infants in the DTaP and PRP-T vaccine group. Infants who received the combined vaccine had higher post-Dose 3 geometric mean antibody titers to diphtheria antitoxin (P < 0.01) and pertussis filamentous hemagglutinin (P < 0.05) and lower geometric mean antibody titers to tetanus antitoxin (P < 0.05) and Haemophilus influenzae b (Hib) polysaccharide (PRP) (P < 0.05). The geometric mean anti-PRP antibody titer in the DTaP/PRP-T group was 4.3 micrograms/ml compared with 7.0 micrograms/ml in the separate vaccine group (P < 0.05), and the percentage of infants with antibody titers > or = 0.15 and 1 microgram/ml were, respectively, 95 and 86%, whereas they were 100% for both titers in the separate vaccines group. DTaP/ PRP-T vaccine given concomitantly or 1 month apart from hepatitis B vaccine and oral poliomyelitis vaccine caused no significant differences in immunogenicity or safety. The safety assessments for the DTaP/PRP-T vaccine showed no consistent differences in systemic or local injection site reactions compared with DTaP and PRP-T administered separately. CONCLUSION: Although the antibody responses to tetanus and Hib polysaccharide in the evaluated DTaP/PRP-T combined vaccine were significantly lower than those seen after separate DTaP and PRP-T administration, the combined vaccine elicited an immune response against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and Haemophilus influenzae b likely to confer protection.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1997

Effect of foscarnet cream on experimental UV radiation-induced herpes labialis.

A topical 3% foscarnet cream formulation was evaluated for its ability to treat experimental UV radiation (UVR)-induced herpes labialis in a double-blind study. Healthy adult volunteers with a history of sunlight-induced herpes labialis were randomly assigned at four centers to receive either foscarnet cream (n = 152) or a vehicle control (n = 150). Following measurement of the minimal erythematous dose (MED), the subjects' lips were exposed to 4 MEDs of UV light. Subjects applied the cream on the UVR-exposed area approximately eight times daily beginning immediately after UVR exposure and continuing for 7 days, or until all lesions had a minimum of 4 days of treatment. There were no significant differences between groups in the percentages of subjects that developed any lesion, aborted lesions (did not progress beyond a papule), immediate lesions (developed within 48 h of UVR), or delayed classic lesions (developed 48 h to 7 days after UVR). Treatment with foscarnet significantly reduced the mean lesion area (49 versus 81 mm2; P = 0.01), the maximum lesion area (80 versus 141 mm2; P = 0.01), and the time to healing (P = 0.03) of the delayed classic lesions (n = 78). There was also a trend for a decrease in the mean duration of these lesions (156 versus 191 h; P = 0.08) and the duration of pain (3.9 versus 4.3 days; P = 0.06) in foscarnet-treated subjects. There were no clinically significant adverse reactions. These data suggest that topical foscarnet can be efficacious and deserves further evaluation for the treatment of herpes labialis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Attenuation of a human rotavirus vaccine candidate did not correlate with mutations in the NSP4 protein gene.

The NSP4 protein of a simian rotavirus was reported to induce diarrhea following inoculation of mice. If NSP4 is responsible for rotavirus diarrhea in humans, attenuation of a human rotavirus may be reflected in concomitant mutations in the NSP4 gene. After 33 passages in cultured monkey kidney cells, a virulent human rotavirus (strain 89-12) was found to be attenuated in adults, children, and infants. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the NSP4 protein gene revealed only one base pair change between the virulent (unpassaged) and attenuated 89-12 viruses, which resulted from a substitution of alanine for threonine at amino acid 45 of the encoded NSP4 protein. Because both threonine and alanine have been found at position 45 of NSP4 in symptomatic and asymptomatic human rotaviruses, neither amino acid in this position could be established as a marker of virulence. Therefore, attenuation of rotavirus strain 89-12 appears to be unrelated to mutations in the NSP4 gene.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Impact of demographics, sexual history, and psychological functioning on the acquisition of STDS in adolescents.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are associated with significant morbidities for adolescents. This study sought to determine the relationship of demographic characteristics, sexual history, and psychological characteristics to actual acquisition of STD. Adolescents were recruited from their source of primary care: 44 males and 88 females matched on age and race. A series of logistic regression analyses were used to determine which of the independent variables were significantly associated with self-reported STD occurrences. When age, race, and gender were pretested, older age and being female were found to be associated with more episodes. The final model consisted of older age, female gender, greater number of lifetime partners, perceived greater frequency of STDs among adolescents in general, less negative feelings about STD acquisition, and being less likely to believe your friends would think you were bad. The findings indicate that acquisition of an STD is related to the demographic characteristics of age and gender, as well as to the number of lifetime partners and attitudes about STD acquisition. This information can be used to develop intervention programs.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

Characterization of histamine releasing factors in diisocyanate-induced occupational asthma.

Immunologic mechanisms contributing to diisocyanate-induced occupational asthma (OA) are poorly defined. There is a relatively low incidence of diisocyanate-specific IgE antibody responses. The frequent occurrence of delayed onset asthmatic responses in workers with diisocyanate asthma suggests a role for cellular immune mechanisms. We have shown in vitro production of antigen-specific mononuclear cell-derived histamine releasing factors (HRF) by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of workers with OA. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and RANTES (acronym for "regulated on activation normal T expressed and secreted") are chemokines found in PBMC supernatants that express HRF activity. Diisocyanate-exposed workers were tested for diisocyanate antigen-stimulated enhancement of HRF, MCP-1, and RANTES production in supernatants of PBMCs and for serum specific IgE and IgG antibody levels to diisocyanate antigens bound to human serum albumin (HSA). PBMCs of workers with diisocyanate OA showed significantly increased production of antigen-specific HRF activity and MCP-1 ( > 300 ng/ml) compared to diisocyanate-exposed asymptomatic workers (P < 0.05). Antigen-stimulated enhancement of MCP-1 mRNA was demonstrated by reverse-transcription PCR. RANTES mRNA and chemokine secretion ( < 1 ng/ml) was also demonstrated in PBMCs, but did not show antigen enhancement in OA workers. Hapten specificity for the diisocyanate chemical to which a patient had been exposed was demonstrated for HRF enhancement and for IgG antibody reactions, but not for IgE reactions. HRF production was demonstrated in PBMC subpopulations, including lymphocytes and purified T cells. OA subjects showed increased CD8+ cells by immunofluorescence (mean CD4+: CD8+ = 1.2 +/- 0.2). The results suggest that diisocyanate antigen enhancement of HRF and MCP-1 production are stimulated by hapten-specific T cell reactions. Since a weak association has been found between IgE antibody synthesis and induction of diisocyanate OA, the role of T cell cytokines and chemokines in the pathogenesis of OA requires further investigation.

Asthma↗

PubMed1996

Effect of age and route of inoculation on outcome of neonatal herpes simplex virus infection in guinea pigs.

The morbidity and mortality of neonatal herpes simplex virus infection remains unacceptably high despite antiviral therapy. A better understanding of factors that might contribute to this poor outcome is needed but has been hindered by a lack of a good animal model. The recently described guinea pig model of neonatal HSV-2 infection was used to explore the effect of age and route of inoculation on the outcome of infection. After intranasal inoculation the onset, extent, and severity of the primary disease, as well as the number of recurrent lesion days, varied inversely with age. The route of inoculation also affected the outcome. Newborn animals were inoculated either intradermally on the scalp or by the intranasal, oral or corneal route. Animals inoculated on the scalp had the best outcome with no deaths or evidence of neurologic disease while the intranasal route produced the most severe disease, 88% mortality. Neurologic disease was common after oral (41%) and corneal (56%) inoculation but resolved spontaneously whereas following intranasal (39%) inoculation all animals with neurologic disease died. Recurrent disease manifest by cutaneous lesions was observed in all survivors of each group but also differed by the route of inoculation. The guinea pig model of neonatal HSV-2 disease appears to mimic human disease. The studies presented here show that the outcome of infection is influenced by the age and route of inoculation.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1996

Multiple chemical sensitivity: state of the art symposium. The role of chemical allergens.

Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) has been defined as "an acquired disorder of recurrent symptoms, referable to multiple organ systems, occurring in response to chemically unrelated compounds at doses far below those established in the general population to cause harmful effects" [Cullen, State Art Rev. Occup. Med. 2, 655 (1987)]. The pathophysiologic basis for the MCS syndrome has not been clearly defined. However, allergic reactions to specific chemicals encountered in the environment are much better understood.

Allergens↗

PubMed1996

A placebo-controlled multicenter study of auranofin in the treatment of patients with corticosteroid-dependent asthma. Auranofin Multicenter Drug Trial.

BACKGROUND: Previous clinical studies have demonstrated that injectable gold salts and the oral gold compound, auranofin, possess significant steroid-sparing effects in the treatment of asthma. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this investigation were to determine whether auranofin could reduce oral corticosteroid requirements and to evaluate the safety of auranofin in the treatment of chronic corticosteroid-dependent asthma. METHODS: Patients with asthma were eligible if they required at least 10 mg of prednisone per day for control and prevention of asthma exacerbations. Two hundred seventy-nine patients with chronic corticosteroid-dependent asthma (requiring > or = 10 mg/day) were randomized to receive auranofin, 3 mg twice daily, or placebo during an 8-month clinical trial, which was divided into three phases including: a 4-week baseline period (phase I), a 6-month double-blind treatment and steroid reduction period (phase II), and a 4-week posttreatment observation period during which steroid and auranofin doses or placebo doses were maintained at levels achieved by the end of phase II (phase III). The primary efficacy variable was "therapeutic success" or reduction of daily corticosteroid use by 50% or more. RESULTS: The proportion of patients in the auranofin group achieving therapeutic success (41%) was significantly higher than that in the placebo group (27%) (p = 0.01). This effect was greatest in patients requiring 10 to 19 mg of oral prednisone per day at baseline (p < 0.001). In all treated patients, including those who did and did not complete the trial, significant reduction (> or = 50% of baseline) in oral corticosteroid dosage was achieved in the auranofin group (60%) compared with the placebo group (32%) (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences between treatment groups in symptoms, concomitant medication use, or lung function. Mean serum total IgE levels decreased significantly from baseline in the auranofin group (-44.63 IU/ml) compared with the placebo group (p = 0.001). Gastrointestinal and cutaneous adverse events were greater in the auranofin group. CONCLUSIONS: Auranofin demonstrated a steroid-sparing effect without concomitant worsening of symptoms or lung function and appeared to be more effective in patients dependent on 10 to 19 mg of prednisone per day. Therefore this study has demonstrated that auranofin is useful as a steroid-sparing agent in the treatment of chronic corticosteroid-dependent asthma.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1996

Comparison of triamcinolone acetonide nasal inhaler with astemizole in the treatment of ragweed-induced allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: Few clinical trials have directly compared the efficacy of antihistamines with topical nasal corticosteroids. OBJECTIVE: The study was performed to compare the efficacy and safety of triamcinolone acetonide nasal spray at a dose of 110 micro g in each nostril once daily with 10 mg of oral astemizole once daily for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. METHODS: A multicenter, double-blind, parallel-group study was conducted in 239 patients who were randomized to receive either triamcinolone acetonide or astemizole. A 5-day, drug-free, lead-in period was followed by 4 weeks of double-blind treatment. One hundred four patients treated with triamcinolone acetonide and 105 patients treated with astemizole could be evaluated. RESULTS: Overall, triamcinolone acetonide was more effective than astemizole in reducing total nasal symptoms, nasal stuffiness, nasal itching, and sneezing (p </= 0.01). Triamcinolone acetonide was superior to astemizole at weeks 1, 2, and 3 in reduction of the total nasal symptom score (p </= 0.0401) and in reduction of nasal stuffiness (p </= 0.05). Improvements in individual nasal symptoms (itching, postnasal drip, runny nose, and sneezing) were greater for triamcinolone acetonide at week 2 (p </= 0.01). Ocular symptoms improved from baseline in both groups. When pollen counts were correlated to mean nasal rhinitis scores, the triamcinolone acetonide group showed continued improvement from week 1 to week 2 in nasal symptoms when pollen counts were at their highest. During the same period, patients treated with astemizole failed to show improvement from week 1 to week 2. This study demonstrated that once daily administration of triamcinolone acetonide was more effective than astemizole for controlling nasal symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis, especially during the peak pollination period.

Administration, Intranasal↗

PubMed1996

DNA immunization confers protective immunity on mice challenged intravaginally with herpes simplex virus type 2.

The immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a nucleic acid vaccine encoding the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) glycoprotein D (gD) gene under the control of the CMV immediate early gene promoter was examined. Mice immunized three times by intramuscular injection with the vaccine developed an HSV specific IgG but not IgA antibody response detectable in both serum and vaginal secretions. In addition, antigen-specific cellular immune responses were detected in splenic lymphocytes isolated from DNA immunized animals. Immunization reduced virus replication in the genital tract following a lethal intravaginal HSV-2 challenge. Furthermore, symptomatic genital HSV disease was reduced in immunized mice and the animals were completely protected from death. We conclude that a nucleic acid vaccine expressing HSV-1 gD induced both humoral and cell mediated immune responses in mice which proved highly protective against disease following virus challenge.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Effect of antibody alone and combined with acyclovir on neonatal herpes simplex virus infection in guinea pigs.

Neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection produces severe disease with unacceptable morbidity and mortality with current antiviral therapies. The effect of therapy with passive anti-HSV antibody and acyclovir was evaluated using a guinea pig model of neonatal HSV. Newborn animals were inoculated intranasally and treated with acyclovir (60 mg/kg/day) or antibody (or both), beginning on days 0, 2, or 3 after HSV-2 inoculation. Acyclovir alone was effective only when begun on day 0, and antibody alone was effective when begun on or before day 2. Only combination therapy was effective on day 3, reducing mortality from 82% (14/17) in controls to 44% (7/16; P < .05). Combined therapy also significantly reduced the duration of skin, eye, and mouth disease and respiratory symptoms but not recurrent disease. These data suggest that addition of antibody therapy to acyclovir may improve the outcome of neonatal HSV disease.

Acyclovir↗