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Biomedical subjects

G Haukenes

Publications and source records attributed to G Haukenes.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Hepatitis B virus markers in the population of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

A total of 542 serum samples from healthy adults (medical students and medical staff, blood donors and pregnant women) residing in or near the city of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania were examined for markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Of these samples, 95 (17.5%) were not found to contain any HBV marker when examined by enzyme-linked immunoassay for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) and antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc). HBsAg was demonstrated in 52 (9.6%) samples of which 7 (13.5%) were positive for hepatitis Be antigen (HBeAg) and 17 (32.7%) were positive for anti-HBc IgM. None of 9 HBsAg positive pregnant women were carriers of HBeAg. These results show that hepatitis B infection is very common in this country. The relatively low prevalence of HBeAg among HBsAg carriers may indicate that transmission of hepatitis B at birth is not of major importance.

Adolescent↗

Anti-HIV seroconversion: initial appearance of antibodies to core proteins and rapid raise in antibody levels. Case report.

Anti-HIV seroconversion was recorded in a patient by means of Western blot, immunofluorescence and ELISA analysis on sera taken at one to five day intervals. Seroconversion was first detected in the Western blot by antibodies to p15 and p24 and was followed by a rapid increase in levels of antibodies during the following days and weeks.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

IgM antibodies in sera from patients with chronic active hepatitis reacting with the measles virus matrix protein and nucleoprotein.

The antigenic specificity of measles virus IgM antibodies in sera from patients with chronic active hepatitis not caused by hepatitis B virus has been examined. An immunosorbent column containing antihuman IgM covalently bound to Sepharose was used to pick up IgM from the sera. Radiolabelled measles virus antigens were then allowed to react with the IgM antibodies. The immune complexes were eluted and analysed by sodium dodecyl sulfate [SDS]-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Four sera from patients with hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg]-negative chronic active hepatitis with high measles virus haemagglutination inhibition [HI] and complement fixation [CF] antibody titres and positive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] for measles-virus-specific IgM were examined. The results were compared with those obtained using sera from patients with an acute measles virus infection and from healthy controls. In both patient groups, IgM antibodies with specificity against the matrix protein represented the major portion of the measles virus IgM. IgM antibodies against the measles virus nucleoprotein and probably against host-cell-derived actin were also present. The patient sera contained only traces of IgM antibodies with specificity against the measles virus haemagglutinin or fusion protein. No specific IgM antibodies were found in sera from healthy controls.

Actins↗

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and rubella virus infection during pregnancy. A study of CMV and rubella virus antibodies in 2014 pregnant women and follow-up studies of infants at risk for intrauterine CMV infections.

Two blood samples, one in the first and one in the third trimester, were collected from 2014 pregnant women. Serological tests for CMV and rubella antibodies were performed in the paired samples. Seroconversion by the CF test for CMV antibodies was demonstrated in 15 women. However, seroconversion also by the IF test was found in only one of these. A rise in titer during pregnancy by the CF test was found in 16 woman. None of these specimens contained specific IgM. High CMV-CF antibody titer (greater than 128) in the first serum sample was found in 28 women, but none of the sera contained specific IgM. It is concluded that no single serological test can serve at present as a screening test for the diagnosis of CMV infection during pregnancy. In children thought to be at risk contracting congenital CMV infection, no case with CNS malfunction that could be attributed to a congenital CMV infection could be demonstrated at the age of 7-8 years. One case of seroconversion in the examination for rubella antibodies was found. The infant of this mother showed no clinical signs of rubella infection.

Adolescent↗

Measles virus-specific IgM antibodies in sera from patients with chronic active hepatitis.

The occurrence of measles virus-specific IgM antibodies in sera from patients with chronic active hepatitis not caused by Hepatitis B virus was examined by a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Using whole serum, specific IgM antibodies were detected in 12 of 23 sera from patients with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-negative chronic active hepatitis. In nine of these sera the finding of specific IgM antibodies was verified by separation of IgM by density gradient centrifugation and examination of the fractions by ELISA. Most of the sera from the patients with measles virus-specific IgM antibodies had an elevated level of specific IgG antibodies compared to the level of IgG found in control sera. The significance of these findings in view of a possible persistent measles virus antigen production in patients with chronic active hepatitis is discussed.

Adolescent↗

Characterization of measles virus-specific antibodies in sera from patients with chronic active hepatitis.

Measles virus-specific antibodies in sera from patients with HBsAg-negative chronic active hepatitis and raised antibody titres against measles virus, have been examined by crossed immunoelectrophoresis. The immunoprecipitates were further analysed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Five measles virus-specific precipitation lines were demonstrated using measles virus-infected cells solubilized with Triton X-100. The three major precipitation lines were analysed by SDS-PAGE and contained the virus polypeptides: nucleoprotein, NP (MW approximately 60 000); haemoagglutinin, H (MW approximately 80 000) and fusion protein F1 (MW approximately 40 000). Considerably higher amounts of antibodies against these three virus polypeptides were demonstrated in the patient sera than in sera from healthy controls. By SDS-PAGE analysis of radiolabelled immune complexes adsorbed to Sepharose-protein A, antibodies against five measles virus polypeptides: NP, H, F1, P protein (MW approximately 70 000) and matrix protein, M (MW approximately 37 000) were demonstrated in the patient sera.

Antibodies, Viral↗

Lack of cross-reactivity between antibody against smooth muscle and antibodies to measles virus in sera from patients with chronic active hepatitis.

A majority of patients with HBsAg-negative chronic active hepatitis (CAH) show considerably raised titres of serum antibodies against measles virus antigens. Since these patients often have high titers of antiactin specific antibodies against smooth muscle, and since actin is also incorporated into the measles virion during replication, we have examined whether there was any cross-reactivity between the two antigen-antibody systems. Cross-absorptions of sera from patients with CAH were performed using measles virus antigens and smooth muscle from human uterus. The corresponding specific antibodies were removed from serum without significantly affecting the titres of the other antibodies. Absorption had no influence on the total amount of IgG in serum. The raised titres of antibodies against measles virus seen in CAH can therefore not be explained by cross-reaction with antibodies to smooth muscle.

Antibodies, Viral↗

Purification of measles virus H polypeptide and of F polypeptide.

Measles virus was disrupted by Tween 80 and ether and subjected to isoelectric focusing in granular gel. The two surface envelope polypeptides, the one showing haemagglutinating activity (H) and the one making up the structural basis of the haemolytic and fusion activity (F) banded together at pH 5.2. The two envelope polypeptides were also isolated together after adsorption to a Lentil-lectin column. Separation of the two polypeptides was performed by gel filtration on Sephadex G-150 in the presence of 8 M urea. After separation both the H and F polypeptides fixed to the lectin column. It was demonstrated that the column, after having fixed the two polypeptides, absorbed anti-H and anti-F antibodies from a rabbit anti-measles virus immune serum. Thus the antigenic reactivity of the isolated surface polypeptides remained intact.

Chromatography, Affinity↗

Antibodies to cytomegalovirus among personnel at a children's hospital.

Among 161 individual personnel at Children's Hospital, serum complement fixing antibodies were found more frequently (77%) in those who were in close contact with the patients than (39%) in those with less contact. This difference was most pronounced in the young age group. Most (80%) of the personnel at an age of 30 years or older, were seropositive, The results indicate that young personnel, working in close contact with infants and children in hospital, are at great risk of acquring cytomegalovirus infection. Student nurses, being exposed to these patients only for a few weeks, also were at risk of being infected. Seronegative pregnant women, working in a children's hospital, should therefore take measures to protect themselves from close contact with the patients since virus excretion occurs frequently, even without clinical signs of CMV-infection.

Adult↗

Activation of complement by antibodies to the keratosulphate-like host antigen of Sendai virus.

Sendai virus is haemolytic against erythrocytes from different species. Pre-treatment of Sendai virus with antibody and complement (C) enhances the haemolytic activity of the virus. This property was used to examine the pathway by which C is activated by Sendai virus antigen-antibody complexes. Antibody against the keratosulphate-like host antigen was used in a monospecific antigen-antibody system. Evidence is presented that both the classical and the alternative pathway is activated; the alternative to a much lower extent.

Animals↗

Experience with an indirect (passive) haemagglutination test for the demonstration of rubella virus antibody.

A new indirect (passive) haemagglutination technique (Rubacell, Abbott) has been evaluated on the basis of a material of 1,792 sera sent for serological diagnosis of a rubella infection or determination of immunity status. The test procedure is very simple. IHA antibodies appeared about two weeks later than HI antibodies and seemed to persist for life. Two fields of application for the IHA technique are discussed: 1. As a supplement to other tests because of the late appearance of the antibodies; 2. In screening for immunity status. The IHA combines ease of performance with high sensitivity.

Antibodies, Viral↗

A rubella haemagglutination inhibition test not requiring removal of non-specific inhibitors. 1. Elaboration of the test.

The rubella haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test can be simplified and the probelm of non-specific inhibitors circumvented by allowing the haemagglutinin to react with erythrocytes before addition of the serum specimen. The elaboration of the test procedure is described, and preliminary studies indicate that the new method may prove useful both in the diagnosis of rubella infection and for determination of immunity status.

Animals↗