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F Deinhardt

Publications and source records attributed to F Deinhardt.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Characterization of hepatitis A virus structural proteins.

HAV particles isolated from infected cells banded at buoyant densities of 1.42, 1.32, and 1.20 g/ml, and distinctive protein patterns were established by gel electrophoresis and reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography. The relatively higher amounts of p30 in particles with lower buoyant densities suggest that this protein is VP0 and is part of the immature picornavirion. The protein elution profiles obtained by HPLC were virtually identical for all the HAV strains examined but differed from those of other picornaviruses. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of VP1 and VP2 was determined and aligned to the nucleotide sequence. Sequencing VP0 and VP3 was not possible, probably because the amino termini are blocked. VP1, VP3, and VP0 induced specific antibodies in rabbits.

Antibodies, Viral↗

The genomic map of hepatitis A virus: an alternate analysis.

Recently Najarian et al. reported a complete cDNA sequence of the genomic RNA of hepatitis A virus (HAV) and the amino acid sequence inferred from it. As a picornavirus, HAV contains a single-stranded plus-sense RNA encoding a single 'polyprotein' which is post-translationally cleaved to yield the mature structural and non-structural proteins. In order to identify putative cleavage sites a combined function of predicted secondary structure and hydropathy was calculated by Najarian et al. for the polyproteins of HAV and poliovirus type 1 (Mahoney) (PV-1) and the two plots were aligned on the basis of a short homology in capsid protein VP3. Several of the proteins thereby predicted fail to conserve features found in all other picornaviruses that have been examined and, indeed, on the basis of these predictions HAV would hardly be a picornavirus. By an alternate analysis utilizing the computer programs FASTP and PRTALN we find that a putative protein processing map which does preserve these features can be constructed.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Results of immunisation with a recombinant yeast-derived hepatitis B vaccine.

Recombinant hepatitis B virus vaccine was used to immunise groups of healthy adults, dialysis patients, staff of dialysis units and newborn infants. Seroconversion rates, mean titres and decay curves were similar to those induced by plasma-derived vaccine, including somewhat lower responses by dialysis patients. Response to recombinant vaccine was slightly delayed compared to plasma-derived vaccine, but otherwise the recombinant vaccine promises to be at least as effective as plasma-derived vaccine.

Adolescent↗

Immunogenicity of recombinant hepatitis B vaccine in dialysis patients.

Eighty-eight dialysis patients were vaccinated with recombinant hepatitis B vaccine prepared in yeast. Fourty-nine patients were immunized 3 times (months 0, 1, 6) intragluteally with 40 micrograms hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) per dose. Only 32 of them (65.3%) showed anti-HBs concentrations above 10 IU/l with a geometric mean titer (GMT) of 180.7 IU/l after 3 vaccinations, whereas all of the 16 healthy controls, vaccinated 3 times with a 10-micrograms dose of the same vaccine batch, had specific antibodies higher than 10 IU/l (GMT 897.4 IU/l). Responses of patients were slightly higher than those of dialysis patients vaccinated in an earlier study with plasma-derived vaccine according to the same schedule. Results in 20 patients immunized 6 times intragluteally with 40 micrograms HBsAg/dose in monthly intervals were not better (at month 7, 65% showed anti-HBs concentrations greater than 10 IU/l; GMT = 126.6 IU/l), and 19 patients receiving 6 times 20 micrograms HBsAg monthly showed significantly lower responses (anti-HBs greater than 10 IU/l in 42% of vaccinees, GMT = 89.5 IU/l). The vaccine was tolerated well; side-effects were slight, and no serious adverse reactions were observed. In conclusion, recombinant hepatitis B vaccine is comparable to plasma-derived vaccine also in the case of dialysis patients; a 6-dose schedule does not seem to have much advantage compared to the conventional 3-dose regimen.

Adult↗

Epidemiological studies on the prevalence of hepatitis Delta virus infections in the Federal Republic of Germany.

This study evaluated the prevalence of hepatitis Delta virus (HDV) infections in various groups of HBsAg carriers including drug addicts and patients with hemophilia in the Federal Republic of Germany. HDV was found only occasionally (less than 1%) in individuals found HBsAg positive during an examination as potential blood donors or in hemodialysis patients, but in 3% in patients with chronic hepatitis and up to 50% in drug addicts and hemophilia patients. These findings are in agreement with data reported from other European countries. Presence of antibodies to HDV in two hemodialysis patients indicates the presence of HDV in this group and screening for HDV infections in hemodialysis units is indicated to prevent outbreaks of this disease in HBsAg-positive patients with possibly serious consequences.

Blood Donors↗

Recent advances in viral hepatitis.

The current status of research in viral hepatitis is reviewed, in the context of an introduction to papers on various aspects of viral hepatitis.

Hepatitis A↗

[Frequency of delta infections in Heidelberg].

The frequency of delta infection was studied in sera of 203 patients with acute hepatitis B, further 461 hepatitis B virus surface antigen-(HBsAg)-positive patients and 117 HBsAg-negative controls by determination of anti-delta by a competitive enzyme immunoassay. Sera have been collected since 1974. None of the sera of acute hepatitis B was anti-delta-positive whereas seven of the HBsAg-positive carriers were anti-delta-positive. Two of the anti-delta-positive patients had chronic hepatitis, four had liver cirrhosis. One of the anti-delta-positive patients with liver cirrhosis died of liver failure. Risk factors included Italian origin and parenteral routes of infection. All sera of 19 relatives of three anti-delta-positive index cases remained anti-delta-negative.

Antibodies, Viral↗

[Persistence of antibodies against hepatitis B surface antigens after vaccination against hepatitis B].

In 195 patients vaccinated against hepatitis B the course of anti-HBs concentration was followed over 4 years. Persistence of anti-HBs proved to be dependent on the level of anti-HBs concentration after basal immunization: in 14 subjects with a maximal anti-HBs level between 10 and 100 IU/l the level had dropped to less than 10 IU/l (considered to be the lowest prophylactic concentration), while 7 were anti-HBs negative. Of those who had 101-1000 IU/l after initial immunization 49% had anti-HBs levels under 10 IU/l after 4 years, while 18% were negative. Among subjects with concentrations 1001-10 000 IU/l after the third immunization only 7% had values below 10 IU/l after 4 years, 4.2% were negative. All those who, after the third immunization, had had anti-HBs levels above 10 000 IU/l, 4 years later still had anti-HBs levels of more than 100 IU/l (mean 581 IU/l). Quantitative anti-HBs determination after triple vaccination against hepatitis B thus makes it possible to predict the duration of protection and to determine the timing of re-vaccination.

Adult↗

Presence of antibodies to human lymphoma-leukemia virus (HTLV-I) in Germans with symptoms of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Sera from German patients exhibiting symptoms compatible with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or the lymphadenopathy syndrome (LAS) were assayed for antibodies against human T-cell lymphoma/leukemia virus (HTLV-I)-related antigens by enzyme immunoassay, indirect immunofluorescence, and radioimmunoprecipitation. Antibodies against HTLV were detected in 3 out of 31 sera.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus: role of maternal HBeAg and anti-HBc IgM.

The development of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carrier states in newborns of HBsAg-positive mothers was correlated to the presence of anti-HBc IgM and HBeAg in the mothers. There was a positive correlation between infection of the newborn and the presence of HBeAg, as shown previously, but no correlation with anti-HBc IgM.

Carrier State↗

Demonstration of a transient rheumatoid factor in the acute phase of hepatitis non A, non B.

The evaluation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test designed to detect antigens of hepatitis non A, non B (HNANB) revealed that a rheumatoid factor (RF)-like reaction was interfering. This RF-like reaction was not detectable by routine screening methods for RF, such as latex agglutination or the Waaler Rose test. Testing of sequential sera of chimpanzees with acute HNANB showed that this RF-like reaction was present in the acute phase of HNANB simultaneously with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevations. Characterization of this RF-like reaction revealed the presence of an IgM antibody against human IgG that banded in CsCl at 1.3 g/ml and at 19S in sucrose gradients. Absorption with IgG-coated latex particles and anti-human IgM gave further evidence of an RF. By testing sera of patients with different forms of acute viral hepatitis, it was demonstrated that an RF-like factor was also present in seven sera from 9 patients with acute hepatitis A, in two sera from 11 patients with hepatitis B, and seven sera from 11 patients with acute HNANB. The rise of RF in the acute phase of hepatitis A may be an effect of polyclonal stimulation of IgM producing B lymphocytes. The high prevalence of RF in HNANB remains unclear as no polyclonal stimulation of IgM has been observed.

Alanine Transaminase↗