Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0019163 (hepatitis B)
 38,309 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Immunisation with purified DNA is a powerful technique for inducing immune responses. The concept is very simple, involving insertion of the gene encoding the antigen of choice into a bacterial plasmid, and injection of the plasmid into the host where the antigen is expressed and induces humoral and cellular immunity. This technology can induce immunity to all antigens that can be encoded by DNA; this includes all protein, but not carbohydrate, antigens. DNA immunisation appears to result in presentation of antigens to the host's immune system in a natural form, similar to that achieved with live attenuated vaccines. The most efficacious routes for DNA immunisation are bombardment with particles coated with DNA (gene-gun), followed by intramuscular and intradermal administration. The efficiency of transfection of host cells is low, but sufficient to induce immunological responsiveness. The DNA plasmid is retained in the transfected cells in an unintegrated form for the life of the cell. The majority of transfected cells are eliminated, but residual expression has been detected for longer periods. In animal model systems, DNA immunisation has been shown to induce protective immunity to influenza, herpes, rabies, hepatitis B and lymphocytic choriomeningitis viruses, and to malaria and mycobacteria. However, strategies to induce protective immunity to HIV and other disease agents remain to be developed. DNA vaccines permit modulation of the immune response by altering the route or method of DNA administration, by including immunostimulatory sequences in the plasmid, and by co-administration of cytokine genes with the gene encoding the antigen of interest. A T helper 1 response provides cell-mediated immune killing of infected cells and neutralising antibody production, while a T helper 2 response induces IgE and allergic responses. The advantages of DNA immunisation are: similarity to live attenuated vaccination but without the possibility of contamination with undesirable agents;correct presentation of antigen;combinations of DNA-encoded antigens and/or cytokines may be administered;genetic stability;potential speed of making new vaccines with genetic identity;development of vaccines for agents that cannot be grown in culture;no need for a cold chain; andpossibility of modulation of the immune response. The perceived risks include: integration of the plasmid into the host genome;induction of anti-DNA antibodies and autoimmunity; andinduction of tolerance. The available information concerning safety is encouraging, with the risk of integration being considered to be orders of magnitude below the spontaneous mutation frequency in humans. DNA immunisation offers the possibility of extending the control of infectious diseases far beyond those that are currently controlled by conventional and recombinant vaccines, to include vaccines for parasites and cancer. However, it is currently too early to predict the future extent of use of DNA vaccines in human immunisation programmes because the initial clinical trials are still in progress.
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PMID:DNA vaccines: a review of developments. 1802 May 19

Unselected intramuscular (IM) and intravenous (IV) immunoglobulins, as well as virus-specific hyperimmune globulins, occupy important roles as immunotherapy for viral infections. Standard IM immunoglobulins may be utilised in selected, susceptible patients for the prevention of hepatitis A and measles. Hyperimmune globulins to varicella zoster virus (VZV), hepatitis B virus and rabies have established indications for use as post-exposure prophylaxis. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) hyperimmune globulin has an indication for the prevention of primary CMV-associated disease in kidney transplantation and has been shown to decrease severe CMV-associated disease in liver transplantation. More recently, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) hyperimmune globulin has been developed and is being utilised to prevent RSV disease in high risk infants and children during months of maximum risk for RSV infection. Unselected IV immunoglobulins (IVIg) have proven beneficial in preventing CMV-associated disease and graft-versus-host-disease in allogeneic bone marrow transplant recipients. In addition, IVIg plus ganciclovir is effective therapy for established CMV disease in both bone marrow and solid organ transplantation. IVIg for chronic anaemia associated with parvovirus B19 infection is gaining acceptance, as is the use of IVIg and intraventricular immunoglobulin for chronic meningoencephalitis associated with agammaglobulinaemia. Immunotherapy for the prevention or treatment of several other viral infections has been explored, but without clear conclusions. The use of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) hyperimmune globulins in HIV-infected patients has yielded inconsistent results and the role of such therapy in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy is uncertain. Oral immunoglobulins appear successful for rotaviral infections, but their exact use requires further clarification. Other immunotherapeutic modalities, such as monoclonal antibodies against CMV, RSV and HIV, have been developed but these agents have not undergone extensive clinical evaluation.
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PMID:Antiviral immunotherapy: a review of current status. 1802 May 81

It has been contended that limited data exist on sex-difference in immune response with vaccines in humans. However, a comprehensive search of the literature retrieved 97 studies with 14 vaccines influenza (7 studies), hepatitis A (15 studies), hepatitis B (50 studies), pnuemococcal polysaccaride (4 studies), diphtheria (4 studies), rubella (3 studies), measles (2 studies), yellow fever (3 studies), meningococcal A (1 study), meningococcal C (1 study), tetanus (1 study), brucella (1 study), Venezuelan equine encephalitis (1 study) and rabies (4 studies), with sex-difference in humoral (antibody) response. These differences are associated with sex-difference in the clinical efficacy of influenza, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, pneumococcal polysaccharide and diphtheria vaccines and significant adverse reactions with rubella, measles and yellow fever vaccines. The genesis of these differences is uncertain but not entirely related to gonadal hormones (differences are seen in pre-pubertal and post-menopausal subjects not on hormone replacement therapy) or female sex (males had greater serological response for pneumococcal, diphtheria, yellow fever, Venezuelan equine encephalitis and in some studies with rabies vaccine. As sex-difference in humoral immune response was seen with most vaccines which cover the spectrum of mechanisms by which infectious agents cause disease (mucosal replication, viral viraemia, bacterial bacteraemia, toxin production and neuronal invasion), it is mandatory that vaccine trialists recruit a representative sample of females and males to be able to assess sex-differences which may have clinical implications.
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PMID:Sexual dimorphism of humoral immunity with human vaccines. 1852 33

Diploid cells (WI-38, MRC-5) vaccines have their origin in induced abortions. Among these vaccines we fi nd the following: rubella, measles, mumps, rabies, polio, smallpox, hepatitis A, chickenpox, and herpes zoster. Nowadays, other abortion tainted vaccines cultivated on transformed cells (293, PER.C6) are in the pipeline: flu, Respiratory Syncytial and parainfluenza viruses, HIV, West Nile virus, Ebola, Marburg and Lassa, hepatitis B and C, foot and mouth disease, Japanese encephalitis, dengue, tuberculosis, anthrax, plague, tetanus and malaria. The same method is used for the production of monoclonal antibodies and other proteins, gene therapy and genomics. Technology enables us to develop the aforementioned products without resorting to induced abortion. Full disclosure of the cell origin in the labelling of vaccines and other products must be supported. There are vaccines from non-objectionable sources which should be made available to the public. When no alternative vaccines exist, ethical research must be promoted. Non-objectionable sources in the production of monoclonal antibodies, gene therapy and genomics must be encouraged. It is not be consistent to abstain from products originated in embryonic stem cells and at the same time approve of products obtained from induced abortions. It is of paramount importance to avoid that induced abortion technology seeps into every field of Medicine.
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PMID:[Vaccines, biotechnology and their connection with induced abortion]. 1861 Oct 78

The first virus vaccines against smallpox and rabies proved their effectiveness even before the ultra microscopic viruses had been identified as a new world of infectious agents. To date most antibacterial and antiviral vaccines have not been designed but rather built step by step. Designer vaccines with T cell epitopes and adjuvants which stimulate innate or acquired immune responses to will are now under serious investigation but have yet to impact on the practical world of infection. The latter is not small, with millions of deaths annually in the world from not uncommon microbes such as enterforms, pneumococci, respiratory and hepatitis viruses and HIV. But can vaccines be used in more social directions to control birth or prevent addiction? Polio should join smallpox this year in the pantheon of eradicated viruses. The infectious disease community can then turn attention to hepatitis B. War has been declared on pandemic influenza but with this zoonotic virus containment is key, with vaccines used alongside antivirals and social distancing. Undoubtedly "we have the guns, and now we can finish the job".
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PMID:The end of the beginning: vaccines for the next 25 years. 1877 58

Anthropozoonotic (human to nonhuman animal) transmission of infectious disease poses a significant threat to wildlife. A large proportion of travelers to tropical regions are not protected against vaccine-preventable illnesses, and a majority of these travelers demonstrate poor recall of actual vaccination status. Here we characterize self-perceived vaccination status among a large sample of ecotourists at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Sabah, Malaysia. Despite their recognized travel itinerary to view endangered animals, tourists at wildlife sanctuaries are not adequately protected against vaccine-preventable illnesses. Of 633 surveys, over half reported being currently vaccinated against tuberculosis, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, polio, and measles. Fewer participants reported current vaccination status for influenza, rabies, and chickenpox. Despite the fact that the majority of visitors to Sepilok are from temperate regions where influenza is relatively more prevalent, 67.1% of those surveyed with medical-related occupations reported not being currently vaccinated for influenza. Ecotourists concerned about environmental protection are themselves largely unaware of their potential contribution to the spread of diseases to animals. The risks of negatively affecting animal populations must be communicated to all concerned parties, and this may begin by urging travelers to examine their actual vaccination status, particularly as the ecotourism industry continues its rapid expansion, and is seen increasingly as a possible tool to save great ape populations from extinction.
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PMID:Perceived vaccination status in ecotourists and risks of anthropozoonoses. 1881 May 50

The dermis and epidermis are alternative sites for prophylactic vaccination that have received renewed interest in recent years, not only because of the ease of access to the skin, but also its unique immunological properties. This review discusses the characteristics of the skin, current knowledge on skin immunity and clinical experience with cutaneous immunization against infectious diseases, with a special focus on intradermal immunization. The most widely accepted paradigm explaining the efficacy of cutaneous immunization is reviewed and recent research suggesting where this paradigm may need some refinement is highlighted. Clinical investigations that have concentrated on the intradermal route to vaccinate against influenza, rabies or hepatitis B support the current knowledge on skin immunity and, when combined with recent progress made in the development of user-friendly injection systems, have stimulated the ongoing clinical development of novel vaccines.
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PMID:Intradermal, epidermal and transcutaneous vaccination: from immunology to clinical practice. 1884 94

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that is usually considered a monophasic disease. ADEM forms one of several categories of primary inflammatory demyelinating disorders of the central nervous system including multiple sclerosis, optic neuropathy, acute transverse myelitis, and neuromyelitis optica (Devic's disease). Post-infectious and post-immunisation encephalomyelitis make up about three-quarters of cases, where the timing of a febrile event is associated with the onset of neurological disease. Post-vaccination ADEM has been associated with several vaccines such as rabies, diphtheria-tetanus-polio, smallpox, measles, mumps, rubella, Japanese B encephalitis, pertussis, influenza, hepatitis B, and the Hog vaccine. We review ADEM with particular emphasis on vaccination as the precipitating factor. We performed a literature search using Medline (1976-2007) with search terms including "ADEM", "acute disseminated encephalomyelitis", "encephalomyelitis", "vaccination", and "immunisation". A patient presenting with bilateral optic neuropathies within 3 weeks of "inactivated" influenza vaccination followed by delayed onset of ADEM 3 months post-vaccination is described.
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PMID:Post-vaccination encephalomyelitis: literature review and illustrative case. 1897 24

The innovation of vaccines has allowed for one of the greatest advancements in the history of public health. The first of the vaccines have been the antiviral vaccines, in particular the smallpox vaccine that was first developed by Edward Jenner in 1796. This article will review vaccination for the following viral diseases: measles, mumps, rubella, polio, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, rotavirus, rabies, monkeypox, smallpox, Japanese encephalitis, and yellow fever.
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PMID:Existing antiviral vaccines. 1933 23

Corneal transplantation safety is widely dependent on clinical donor selection. Donor-to-host transmission of rabies and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is well established, and it is lethal for the recipient. Taking into consideration this latter figure, contraindications to ocular tissue transplantation include not only rabies, contact with rabies virus, spongiform encephalitis, family history of spongiform encephalitis, recipients of human pituitary-derived hormones before 1987, surgery using dura mater and brain/spinal surgery before 1992, but also CNS diseases of unknown etiology or those with unknown risk of transmission. It has been established that hepatitis B virus and herpes simplex virus can be transmitted by corneal transplantation, and both diseases are contraindications to transplantation. HIV infection, syphilis, hepatitis C, hepatitis A, tuberculosis, HTLV-1 and -2 infection, active leprosy, active typhoid, smallpox and active malaria are also contraindications to ocular tissue transplantation even if no evidence of donor-to-recipient transmission has been demonstrated. A history of corneal refractive surgery in the donor eye, ocular inflammation, retinoblastoma, and malignant tumors of the anterior segment are contraindications to keratoplasty.
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PMID:Donor selection, retrieval and preparation of donor tissue. Donor selection. 1949 34


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