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Biomedical subjects

J L Sever

Publications and source records attributed to J L Sever.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

The relation of cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus antibodies to T-cell subsets in homosexually active men.

Eighty-nine homosexual men participated in a study of sexual practices, T-cell subsets, and antibody titers to cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The prevalence of antibody to CMV was 96% and to EBV, 94%. Titers to CMV were higher in those practicing receptive anal intercourse. The CMV antibody titers were positively correlated with the T-helper/suppressor ratio, number of partners and venereal disease episodes, number of T-suppressor cells, and EBV titers. Twelve percent of the participants had a low ratio only, 18% T-suppressor augmentation, and 3% T-helper deficiency. The CMV titer and prevalence of receptive anal intercourse were higher in those with a low ratio only, T-suppressor augmentation, and T-helper deficiency. These results suggest that CMV infection is acquired through receptive anal intercourse and is associated with an increase in T-suppressor cells and, in some persons, a decrease in T-helper cells.

Adult↗

Intravenous immunoglobulin in neonatal group B streptococcal disease. Pharmacokinetic and safety studies in monkeys and humans.

Numerous studies have suggested that opsonic antibody is important in neonatal immunity to group B streptococci. Immunoglobulin G is primarily transferred from the mother to the fetus across the placenta in the last few weeks of pregnancy. Premature babies may, therefore, not acquire sufficient opsonic antibody to protect them from infection with group B streptococci. Although maternal immunization may provide adequate maternal opsonic antibody, premature infants with antibody deficiency may remain susceptible to infection. Intravenous immunoglobulin administered to term pregnant rhesus monkeys did not provide reliable levels of serum opsonic activity to group B streptococci in their offspring. Pharmacokinetic and safety studies were also performed in human neonates. Significant elevations in group B streptococcal-specific IgG did occur in human neonates given 500 mg/kg intravenous immunoglobulin and the infusions appeared safe and well tolerated. The availability of intravenous immunoglobulin with functional activity against group B streptococci may provide a rapid and effective method of delivering opsonic antibody to neonates.

Adult↗

Transmission of simian acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (SAIDS) with blood or filtered plasma.

Simian acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (SAIDS), a disease clinically and pathologically similar to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in humans, was transmitted from diseased rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) to normal monkeys by inoculation with heparinized whole blood or plasma that had been passed through filters of 0.45 micrometer pore size. This suggests that the causative agent is small and most probably a virus. No viruses, however, were isolated by standard cell culture techniques from the blood or filtered plasma which caused SAIDS. Both cellular and humoral immunity were markedly depressed in animals with advanced SAIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Evaluation of various plastic microtiter plates with measles, toxoplasma, and gamma globulin antigens in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

Seventeen lots of microtiter plates which differed in lot, batch, plastic type, or manufacturer were evaluated as solid-phase carriers in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for antibodies to measles, toxoplasma, and human gamma globulin. Most plates of polystyrene or polyvinyl chloride were found to give acceptable binding. The final choice depended on the antigen to be attached. Variations in binding between lots, batches, and types of plastic were found. Well-to-well variation was found to be of greater statistical significance than edge effect and should be a consideration in selection of a plate lot for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Lots of plates should be pretested by the investigator to determine whether there is good binding of the antigen to be used and whether there is low plate-to-plate and well-to-well variation.

Antibodies↗

Comparison of standard tissue culture, tissue culture plus staining, and direct staining for detection of genital herpes simplex virus infection.

Genital herpes simplex virus infection in women was studied by using conventional tissue culture (TC) virus isolation compared with short-term (24-h) TC on Lab-Tek chamber slides followed by fluorescent-antibody (FA) staining. Three different staining techniques were used after TC: (i) staining with biotin-avidin (TC-BA/FA), (ii) direct FA (TC-FA), and (iii) indirect FA. The TC-BA/FA method showed complete correlation with the TC method. The TC-FA method showed no false-positive results but 31.5% false-negative results compared with the TC method. In contrast, the TC-indirect FA method showed 11.9% false-positive results and 11.7% false-negative results. The direct staining of specimens by the biotin-avidin technique (direct BA/FA) without prior tissue culture showed 37.7% false-positive results and 11.1% false-negative results. The TC-BA/FA technique thus was as sensitive as, but more rapid than, the TC method. The quality of fluorescence was far superior in TC-BA/FA staining as compared with TC-FA or TC-indirect FA procedures. The TC-BA/FA appears to be a valuable technique in laboratory diagnosis of genital herpes infections, especially in clinical situations requiring rapid detection of the virus.

Cells, Cultured↗

Rapid detection of herpes simplex virus in clinical specimens by use of a capture biotin-streptavidin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

A sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent capture assay with biotin and streptavidin (capture B/SA ELISA) was developed to detect herpes simplex virus (HSV) antigen. Rabbit anti-HSV antibody (immunoglobulin G fraction) was coated on flat-bottom, irradiated, 96-well polystyrene microtiter plates and served to capture HSV antigen. Clinical specimens from patients with genital herpes were added. Biotin-linked rabbit anti-HSV immunoglobulin G was used as the second antibody. The antigen-antibody complex was detected with alkaline phosphatase-conjugated streptavidin, which linked to the biotin. With clinical specimens, the test had a sensitivity of 95.6% and a specificity of 91.4% when compared with the tissue culture method. The presence of HSV antigen in specimens devoid of infectivity was confirmed by blocking the reaction with unlabeled rabbit and human antibody to HSV. The level of antigen detected by the capture B/SA ELISA did not necessarily correlate with the infectivity titer of the specimens. HSV antigens could be detected by the capture B/SA ELISA when the virus infectivity was destroyed at 37 degrees C, by UV irradiation, or by Triton X-100 treatment, but not when hypochlorite treatment was used. Greater sensitivity was obtained when HSV-1- and HSV-2-specific antibody reagents were used simultaneously in each test. The capture B/SA ELISA provides a relatively rapid method (4.5 h) which is quite sensitive and specific when compared with other non-tissue culture, direct assay methods.

Antigens, Viral↗

Polycarbonate-coated microsticks as solid-phase carriers in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for rubella antibody.

We evaluated the use of microsticks as solid-phase carriers in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for rubella antibody. The microstick enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was found to be equal in sensitivity to plate and disk enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and presumably more sensitive than hemagglutination and immunofluorescence assays. The microstick as a solid-phase carrier offers advantages over both plate and bead carriers.

Antibodies, Viral↗

Transmission of simian acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (SAIDS) with type D retrovirus isolated from saliva or urine.

Saliva and urine specimens from rhesus monkeys with SAIDS were found to contain a type D retrovirus related to Mason-Pfizer monkey virus (MPMV) which has been linked etiologically to SAIDS. Virus isolates from saliva and urine were shown to have the characteristics of the SAIDS agent by their reverse transcriptase divalent cation preference for synthetic template-primers, production of characteristic cytopathology in Raji cells and antigenic relatedness to MPMV as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and competition radioimmunoassay (RIA). Electron micrographs of parotid tissue from an animal with SAIDS also showed budding particles with type D retrovirus morphology. A tissue culture grown virus isolate from urine of an animal with SAIDS, produced SAIDS when inoculated into two normal juvenile rhesus monkeys. Since saliva and urine of monkeys with SAIDS contain infectious SAIDS virus, they are likely sources of virus by which the disease is naturally transmitted. Thus, care should be taken to avoid contact of normal and infected animals.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Morphology of the retroviruses associated with AIDS and SAIDS.

Thin section electron microscopy of tissue culture preparations of viruses associated with AIDS and SAIDS have shown that the mature particles have a similar morphology following budding from the cell membrane. The model provided explains the various core morphologies seen in section and provides a basis for identifying these agents in clinical tissues.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Serologic study by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of the IgM antibody response in the patas monkey following experimental simian varicella virus infection.

The time course of IgM and IgG antibody appearance in sera following experimental simian varicella virus infection in the patas monkey was studied. Serum IgM and IgG antibody to Delta herpes virus (DHV) were measured by a double indirect and indirect ELISA test, respectively. IgM antibody was detected 5-8 days postinfection (p.i.) and IgG antibody was present 10-14 days p.i., which was 5-7 days after IgM. Viremia preceded detectable IgM antibody by 2 days. Sucrose gradient separation of serum IgM and IgG was carried out to determine whether IgG competed significantly with IgM. Results of these studies indicated that competition by IgG with IgM antibody did not occur except when IgM had declined to a low level some 40 days p.i. Comparison of the double indirect ELISA test with a double indirect immunofluorescent antibody test for detection of IgM antibody to DHV antigen indicated the ELISA test was more sensitive.

Animals↗

Acute and subacute demyelination induced by mouse hepatitis virus strain A59 in C3H mice.

Mouse hepatitis virus (MHV, strain A-59), a coronavirus, induced acute and subacute demyelinating disease in the central nervous system of weanling C3H mice that were reported to be genetically resistant to MHV. Subtle clinical signs developed in greater than 90% of animals 5-7 days after intracerebral inoculation of 25 PFU, and foci of demyelination were detected from 1 to 4 weeks postinoculation (p.i.) by histopathology and immunolabeling with antibody directed against myelin basic protein. Infectious virus could be isolated only during the first 10 days p.i., but viral antigens persisted in the cytoplasm of oligodendrocytes in the demyelinating lesions for up to 4 weeks p.i. Serum antibody titers against MHV-A59 rose by 2 weeks p.i. and persisted at high levels for months. This infection of genetically "resistant" animals by a normally hepatotropic strain of MHV can serve as a highly reproducible model for the study of acute and subacute demyelination by a coronavirus.

Animals↗

Genital herpes infection in pregnant women near term.

A study of 215 middle income, predominantly white, suburban women for herpes simplex virus infection revealed that ten (4.6%) had positive herpes cultures near term and thus were at risk for transmission of herpes simplex virus to their newborn. Eight of these women had a previous history of herpes simplex virus infection, and seven of the eight had lesions suggestive of herpes simplex virus at the time of study. Only one patient had lesions at delivery. On the basis of past history of genital herpes or partners with herpes, 25 of the 215 women were at high risk for genital herpes near term. Thus, careful questioning identified a high-risk group of 25 patients in which eight (32%) were shedding virus near term, and this group included the majority (eight of ten) of the herpes simplex virus-infected women in the study population. There were no cases of neonatal herpes in the children born from the 215 pregnancies.

Adolescent↗

Clinical features of simian acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (SAIDS) in rhesus monkeys.

A syndrome of acquired immunodeficiency has been identified in a group of rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) which died at the California Primate Research Center. Clinical evaluation of these animals revealed that 50% or more had lymphadenopathy, weight loss, and diarrhea. At least 30% had splenomegaly, fever, cutaneous abscesses and/or arthritis/myositis. Two animals had fibrosarcomas. Anemia was seen in 19 animals, lymphopenia in 14, granulocytopenia in four and thrombocytopenia in three. Hepatitis was diagnosed histopathologically in 13. Electrophoresis revealed hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia and hypogammaglobulinemia. Numerous bacterial, protozoal, and viral agents were identified including cytomegalovirus and leukocyte-associated herpesvirus. Pathologic lesions included severe post-reactive depletion of lymphocytes in germinal centers and paracortical regions of lymph nodes. Clinical and pathologic changes indicate an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome which has some similarities to AIDS in humans. This disease in monkeys may provide a model for studying that disease.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Survival of herpes simplex virus in water specimens collected from hot tubs in spa facilities and on plastic surfaces.

Several health spas were closed temporarily because of possible nonvenereal spread of herpes simplex virus (HSV) in spa water at these facilities. We collected water specimens from two health spas and studied them for (1) the presence of HSV; (2) bromine (Br2), chlorine (Cl2), and pH levels; and (3) the ability of HSV to survive in water. No HSV could be isolated from the spa water specimens. Spa water had high levels of Cl2 and Br2, tap water specimens had low levels of Cl2, and distilled water had no detectable Cl2 or Br2. The addition of spa water to laboratory stock virus immediately inactivated the virus. The HSV survived four hours in the tap water and 24 hours in distilled water. The survival of HSV appeared to be related to the free halogen content of water. To approximate the conditions of survival of HSV on plastic-coated benches and seats in spa facilities, HSV was placed on plastic surfaces in a humid atmosphere at 37 to 40 degrees C. The virus was found to survive up to 4.5 hours under these conditions. The survival of HSV from human lesions may be different due to the presence of tissue secretions and proteins. Furthermore, transmission may require other factors, such as rubbing of skin or penetration through abrasions. However, survival of significant amounts of virus for 4.5 hours on plastic surfaces suggests that fomites such as these may be nonvenereal routes of HSV transmission.

Baths↗

Experimental transmission of simian acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (SAIDS) and Kaposi-like skin lesions.

A disease that is similar to human AIDS may occur in monkeys. Simian AIDS (SAIDS) was experimentally transmitted from 2 rhesus monkeys dying of the disease to 4 cytomegalovirus (CMV) antibody-negative rhesus monkeys. The inocula consisted of the supernatant fluid from 10% homogenates of various tissues with or without buffy-coat cells from blood. Lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, neutropenia, polymyositis, and other signs of the disease appeared in recipients within a few weeks after inoculation. Two animals developed Kaposi-like "patch" and "plaque" skin lesions and one died of sepsis and profound lymphoid depletion. A second animal also died with lymphoid depletion. All animals became infected with CMV but antibody levels were low in two animals, appeared and then disappeared in one, and never developed in the second monkey which died.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Antibody to type III group B Streptococcus in the rhesus monkey.

Susceptibility to infection due to intra-amniotic type III group B streptococcal infection was studied in 27 rhesus monkeys. Sera from mothers and their offspring were tested to determine the concentration of antibody to the native type III group B Streptococcus antigen. Among 17 controls there was a statistically significant association between the concentration of maternal antibody prior to infection and both the neonatal survival rate and survival time (P less than 0.05). Neonatal survival was decreased to less than or equal to 6 hours (P = 0.005) if the maternal antibody concentration was less than 0.5 micrograms/ml. Modified immune serum globulin was given intravenously to the mothers prior to intra-amniotic infection with (five animals) or without (five animals) neonatal modified immune serum globulin. Neither of the modified immune serum globulin groups demonstrated a significant reduction in the neonatal mortality rate; however, the addition of the modified immune serum globulin provided protection against rapid neonatal death among those animals born to mothers which had low or no detectable antibody. All maternal groups developed a significant increase in the concentration of antibody in postpartum sera. These results indicate that both naturally acquired and passive (modified immune serum globulin) antibodies to type III group B Streptococcus antigen are partially protective against intra-amniotic infection.

Animals↗

Successful immunization of children with and without maternal antibody by aerosolized measles vaccine. I. Different results with undiluted human diploid cell and chick embryo fibroblast vaccines.

Inhalation of undiluted, aerosolized measles vaccine was immunogenic in 100% of 4- to 6-month-old and older children with and without residual maternal antibody when the human diploid cell (HDC) vaccine containing the Ikić (Edmonston-Zagreb) strain and 1% human albumin was used but in a smaller percentage of infants given a chick embryo fibroblast (CEF) vaccine, which contained the Edmonston-Schwarz strain, ten times more virus, and hypertonic sugar solution but no added protein. Prevaccination residual placentally transmitted plaque-neutralizing antibody titers of 25 to 512 that can prevent an immune response after subcutaneous injection of measles vaccine did not prevent an immune response after inhalation of aerosolized vaccine. There were no immediate clinical reactions in the 160 children who inhaled the aerosolized vaccines, and no significant subsequent reactions among the 96 children who were successfully immunized. There were no contact infections.

Adult↗