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)

Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated nucleocapsid antigen (HB core and HB e) is believed to be a major target for T cell-mediated hepatocellular damage in chronic HBV carriers. Studies were undertaken to determine whether both nucleocapsid Ag could be recognized by T cell lines from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with chronic hepatitis B. After cultivation in the presence of rHBcAg or purified HBeAg, growing cells were cloned by limiting dilution in the presence of PHA, IL-2 and allogenic feeder cells. Four HBcAg-reactive and three HBeAg-reactive T cell lines from two patients were generated by proliferation assays. None of the cell lines responded to HB surface Ag or PPD. Four lines were of the CD8+ CD11b- cytotoxic phenotype, two of the CD4+ Leu8- helper phenotype, and the remaining one consisted of mixed populations of CD4+ Leu8+ and CD4+ Leu8- cells. Cross-reactivity study showed that a HBcAg-induced CD4+ T cell line responded to HBeAg, and similarly a HBeAg-induced CD8+ T cell line responded to HBcAg. The reactions were inhibited by HLA class II antibody, but not by class I Ab.
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PMID:T cell lines reactive with hepatitis B core and E antigens in patients with chronic hepatitis B. 166 81

In contrast to convalescent hepatitis B patients, who exhibit the ability to elicit a specific immune response to HBsAg, patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are markedly hyporesponsive to HBsAg and show a decrease in the normal ratio of OKT4-positive (helper/inducer) to OKT8-positive (suppressor/cytotoxic) lymphocytes. In this study the role of OKT4-positive and OKT8-positive cells on cellular immune response to HBsAg was evaluated in patients with chronic HBV infection and the ability of such patients to develop antigen-specific suppressor lymphocytes after in vitro sensitization to HBsAg. Elimination of OKT8-positive cells markedly improved the in vitro lymphocyte proliferative response to HBsAg without altering the reactivity of cells from the same donor to PPD or Candida. In contrast, the degree of responsiveness to HBsAg was not affected by the depletion of OKT4-positive cells. In vitro co-culture experiments, performed in the seven chronically HBV-infected patients who showed a proliferative response when their PBM were cultured with purified HBsAg or PPD, have demonstrated that lymphocytes from chronic HBV carriers, stimulated with HBsAg, inhibit the response of autologous PBM to HBsAg but not to the unrelated antigen PPD.
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PMID:T-cell subsets in the hyporesponsiveness to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antigen-specific suppressor lymphocytes in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. 257 8

Vietnamese refugees arriving in Hong Kong since 1982 have been confined to restricted areas. In this study, 241 children in one of these areas were screened to identify their health status. Using NCHS standards, 48% were found to be below the fifth percentile for both weight-for-age and height-for-age. Anaemia was found in 8% and hepatitis B antigenaemia in 25%. Intestinal parasites were identified in 62% of faecal specimens and 26% of these contained more than one parasite. Although all children had received BCG, 41% had a negative PPD skin test. Chronic bacterial skin infections, lice and otitis media with perforation were identified as other common problems. Screening of this population revealed a high prevalence of health problems, some of which would respond to appropriate public health measures.
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PMID:Vietnamese child health in a Hong Kong closed camp. 339 4

In order to examine the suitability of leukocyte migration inhibition test (LMIT) in the capacity of in vitro assay system for dialyzable leukocyte extracts (DLE), the effect of DLE on hepatitis B and its antigen-specificity, the migration inhibitory activities to purified hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was measured using the leukocyte MIF test with DLEs obtained from HBsAb-positive or HBsAb-negative blood. The direct LMIT using agarose plate was modified according to the technique of Clausen et al. In spite of our assay system was dose-dependent for PPD, a significant response for purified HBsAg was not observed. However, some meaningful migration inhibition appeared when HBsAg and DLE were added simultaneously to the migration cells. From these results, it is concluded that DLE has antigen-specific and/or antigen non specific influences to the cell-mediated immunity for HBsAg Though some problems remain, we think our results are interesting, since the assay system for DLE has not been established and our study is closely related to the effect of DLE concerning hepatitis B.
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PMID:[Studies of an assay system for dialyzable leukocyte extracts (DLE)--influence of DLE on leukocyte migration inhibition test by HBsAg]. 390 64

It has been shown that (+)-cyanidanol-3 [+)-catechin) is able to stimulate in vitro the cell-mediated immune response specific for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and might contribute to the elimination of hepatitis B virus (HBV) during HBV infection. In the present study, the possible action of two of its derivatives, palmitoyl-3-catechin and heptyl-3-catechin, on this type of immunity was investigated by adding the substances to leucocyte migration inhibition tests performed in presence of PPD and HBsAg, with leucocytes from individuals sensitized to these antigens. In normal individuals sensitized to PPD, the addition of palmitoyl-3-catechin and heptyl-3-catechin amplified the inhibition of migration by resp. 7.2% (p less than 0.05) and 13.5% (p less than 0.001). In patients previously infected by HBV and sensitized to HBsAg, the maximum amplification was resp. 12.7% (p less than 0.001) and 7.6% (p less than 0.05). This effect was dose-dependent. These substances did not modify the leucocyte migration measured in the absence of antigen. Palmitoyl-3-catechin and heptyl-3-catechin therefore seem capable of amplifying the cell-mediated immune response. The effect of the two derivatives, which were selected because of their liposolubility, was more pronounced than the effect of (+)-cyanidanol-3. It is thus possible that the two new catechin-derivatives, not yet in therapeutical use, will also stimulate cell-mediated immunity to HBsAg, and that a more marked clinical effect might be expected.
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PMID:Influence of palmitoyl-3-catechin and heptyl-3-catechin on the leucocyte migration inhibition test carried out in the presence of PPD and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). 399 21

More than 0.5 million refugees from Southeast Asia have immigrated to the United States. We undertook a prospective evaluation of 709 refugees within two months of their resettlement in San Diego. The sample included 164 Vietnamese, 356 Cambodians, 139 Laotians, and 50 Hmong. The prevalence of abnormalities was high: intestinal parasites, 61%; positive tuberculin test (PPD) results 55%; anemia, 37%; hepatitis B antigenemia, 14%; and abnormal VDRL test results, 12%. Except for hepatitis, significant differences were noted among the Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian, and Hmong subjects on each of these health status indicators. The refugee population should not be considered a homogeneous group of Indochinese, particularly by those responsible for their health care.
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PMID:Health status of refugees from Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. 706 47

This study assessed the safety of inactivated Mycobacterium vaccae as a candidate vaccine to prevent disseminated mycobacterial disease in children with HIV infection. 35 children ages 1-8 with CD4 counts > or =300/mm3 in New Hampshire, Boston and Chicago were randomised in a 2:1 schedule to receive a 3-dose series of intradermal M. vaccae vaccine (MV) or hepatitis B vaccine (HBV) at 2-month intervals. Immunisation was safe and well tolerated; 2-day median vaccine site in duration was 5 mm in MV recipients and 0 mm in HBV recipients (p < 0.001). There were no significantly different changes in viral load or CD4 count between the two vaccine groups. No PPD skin test conversions occurred after immunisation. MV is safe and well tolerated and deserves further evaluation as a vaccine to prevent mycobacterial disease in HIV-infected children.
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PMID:Randomised trial of intradermal Mycobacterium vaccae or intradermal hepatitis B immunisation in children with HIV infection. 1041 6

Frequently clinicians are faced with screening and providing preventive care to immigrants, refugees, and international adoptees. Evidence-based medicine on which to base screening protocols for these populations is lacking. It is important to review all health and vaccination records of the patient. In addition to acute symptoms, one should inquire about the symptoms of diseases prevalent in the country of origin or transit (e.g., hematuria). Many unexpected pathologic conditions may be detected by a thorough physical examination. If a reliable immunization record is presented, one need not repeat the vaccines or check titers. Remaining vaccines should be administered according to ACIP guidelines, except for certain populations (e.g., adoptees). Routine laboratory screening tests should include CBC with differential, stool for ova and parasites, urinalysis, general chemistry profile, serology for hepatitis B, and tests for HIV and syphilis. A tuberculin skin test should be performed on all immigrants, and a chest radiograph should be obtained for any patient with symptoms or a positive PPD. Lead level, hepatitis C, and TSH should be obtained for all children and most adoptees. In addition, special screening tests (e.g., for malaria, hepatitis C, and STIs) may be indicated in high-risk populations. A more organized screening system that emphasizes evidence-based and population-specific screening protocols and better communication between international, federal, state, and local levels is needed in the United States.
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PMID:Screening of international immigrants, refugees, and adoptees. 1268 98

The Nef gene is a major determinant of HIV-1 pathogenicity. Several immunomodulatory functions have been reported for Nef, including down-regulation of CD4 and class I MHC in T-lymphocytes, and the ability to enhance viral transmission from macrophages and dendritic cells (DC) to T-lymphocytes. In this study, HIV-1 (SF2 strain) Nef was expressed in human monocyte-derived dendritic cells, using an adenovirus based delivery system. Nef expression resulted in decreased CD4 levels, but no change to class I MHC, and no impairment in the ability of DC to stimulate recall PPD responses, mixed leukocyte responses, or hepatitis B-specific CD8 responses. The adenovirus vector itself stimulated a strong recall CD4 response in all individuals tested, and also induced up-regulation of class I MHC, CD86 and CD40 on the dendritic cell surface. The study provides no evidence that HIV Nef impairs the function of human dendritic cells, and suggests that delivery of Nef to dendritic cells may be one strategy with which to stimulate an HIV-1 immune response.
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PMID:The functional consequences of delivery of HIV-1 Nef to dendritic cells using an adenoviral vector. 1467 Mar 36

Data on health status of immigrants and practice recommendations for providers are scarce. We evaluated 99 recent immigrants from developing nations in an immigrant clinic in New York City to assess epidemiology of diseases and to recommend potential screening. Providers received ongoing training. Majority patient was from West Africa and Central America with a mean of 2.1 years in the US. Two thirds were uninsured. Half had positive PPD. Half had prior hepatitis B infection, which was higher in Africans. One quarter had intestinal parasites. Two thirds were overweight; 33% had hypercholesterolemia, 26% were hypertensive, and 25% of women had a Pap smear previously. Eosinophila was higher in African and males (P < 0.05) but didn't predict stool O&P. Recent immigrants were at risk for chronic non-communicable diseases, similar to the US population. Providers should balance their focus on communicable and non-communicable diseases. We recommend practice-based training and on-site comprehensive health services.
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PMID:Communicable and non-communicable diseases among recent immigrants with implications for primary care; a comprehensive immigrant health approach. 2157 48


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