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Biomedical subjects

G R Noble

Publications and source records attributed to G R Noble.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Cytomegalovirus infection in a volunteer blood donor population.

Among 223 volunteer blood donors who were studied for evidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, 58 percent had complement-fixing antibody and 59 percent had indirect hemagglutinating antibody to CMV. No virus was isolated from any donor's washed leukocytes or leukocyte-rich plasma in fibroblast monolayer culture. In seven asymptomatic donors (3 percent), CMV was recovered from urine cultures obtained at the time of blood donation. However, at the time of reexamination, viruria was no longer present and serum antibody titers had not changed. In the three patients studied who received blood from three of the cytomegaloviruric donors, serological evidence of CMV infection developed (fourfold or greater indirect hemagglutinating antibody rise), and one recipient also developed cytomegaloviruria; no illnesses was associated with these infections. Further study is needed to establish that the detection of viruria in donors may identify potentially infective blood.

Antibodies, Viral↗

Summary of clinical trials of inactivated influenza vaccine - 1978.

This report summarizes the clinical trials of the A/USSR/77 (H1N1) influenza vaccines performed in 1978. A total of 2,091 subjects participated in these trials. The results of these clinical trials indicated that two doses of H1N1 viral antigen were necessary to produce serum titers of hemagglutinin-inhibiting (HAI) antibody of greater than 1:40 in 80% or more of the test subjects younger than 25 years of age, who were unlikely to have experienced natural infection during the earlier period of prevalence of H1N1 virus (1947-1957). Only one dose of the A/Texas/77 (H3N2) or B/Hong Kong/72 antigen was necessary to stimulate equivalent titers of HAI antibody in serum. Thus, previous natural exposure to H1N1 viruses primed individuals 26 years of age or older to respond to H1N1 antigens. No major differences in antigenicity were noted between whole-virus and split-virus vaccines. No differences in reaction indexes measuring systemic reactions were noted when vaccine types were compared. Only one vaccine was associated with a reaction index appreciably higher than that of placebo. The relatively uniform antibody responses observed were attributed to the newer methods of vaccine standardization introduced after the clinical trials in 1976. No cases of vaccine-related neurological problems, including Guillain-Barré syndrome, were found during these trials. Vaccines containing 7-21 micrograms of each viral antigen were antigenic and were well tolerated.

Adolescent↗

How the response to the epidemic of HIV infection has strengthened the public health system.

Since acquired immunodeficiency virus (AIDS) was first identified in 1981, it has become one of the leading causes of death in men and women 25-44 years of age in the United States. The urgent public health response to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and AIDS epidemic has required the development of new prevention programs; these efforts have significantly strengthened the public health system itself. A major part of CDC's mission is to prevent HIV infection and reduce the incidence of HIV-associated illness. In fighting HIV infection and AIDS, as in all successful public health programs, CDC has four important goals: (a) to assess risks, (b) to develop prevention technologies, (c) to build prevention capacities, and (d) to implement prevention programs. The urgency of the need to prevent HIV infection and AIDS has in many instances added impetus or substance to programs already under way, as well as prompting the development of new initiatives to meet the four goals. Examples of ways in which the public health system has benefited from HIV-related programs and activities are detailed in this article. Although the HIV epidemic has created significant stresses in many areas of public health and medical services, the experience gained in dealing with this epidemic will strengthen the nation's response to other health crises that arise. Despite the huge challenges, lessons learned thus far provide direction and hope for the future.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.↗