A cross sectional survey for B virus antibody in a colony of group housed rhesus macaques

A systematic sampling technique was used in combination with a highly sensitive and specific ELISA to provide unbiased age-specific prevalence estimates of B virus antibody in rhesus monkeys housed in three different outdoor breeding corrals. Among 146 sampled monkeys, 97% of animals 2.5 years and older were seropositive, while only 22% of younger animals were seropositive. Neither gender nor social dominance ranking were predictive of B virus antibody status. The strong age association was not inconsistent with hypothesized venereal transmission of B virus. Improvements in the epidemiologic understanding of B virus are necessary to assist efforts to eradicate this agent from breeding colonies of rhesus monkeys.     

Viral hepatitis markers in antepartum and postpartum women in Rio de Janeiro,Brazil

A seroprevalence study was carried out among a group of women in Rio de Janeiro to determine the prevalence of different markers for viral hepatitis given the limited data among healthy populations. Blood samples collected and tested from 874 women before or after delivery in a public county maternity hospital demonstrated age to be directly related to markers for hepatitis A virus and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The prevalence of HBV and hepatitis C virus infection were lower than that observed in the blood donor population and might be explained by the younger age group and gender.     

Immune responses of the common seal (Phoca vitulina) to canine distemper antigens during an outbreak of phocid distemper viral infection

In 1988, there was a marked increase in the mortality rate of the common seal ( Phoca vitulina ) in European waters which was shown to be associated with a canine distemper-like virus (CDV), recently named Phocid Distemper Virus (Cosby et al. , 1988). Investigations were carried out to determine the ability of common seals to respond immunologically and to determine the levels of antibody produced. Common seal immunoglobulins were purified, analysed and shown to be similar to those of other mammals. A simple immunoassay to measure seal antibodies to CDV was developed and showed striking differences between the susceptible seals (low levels of antibodies) and the surviving common seals (high amounts of anti-distemper antibodies). Similar results were obtained with a neutralization test currently used to measure antibody titres to canine distemper virus in the dog. The adult common seals had high antibody titres and may be protected for future years, whereas the younger seals did not develop high levels of antibodies. This may be because either the younger seals had not encountered the virus or had not developed effective immunity.     

Influenza A: From highly pathogenic H5N1 to pandemic 2009 H1N1. Epidemiology and clinical features

The last decade has seen the emergence of two new influenza A subtypes and they have become a cause of concern for the global community. These are the highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza A virus (H5N1) and the Pandemic 2009 influenza H1N1 virus. Since 2003 the H5N1 virus has caused widespread disease and death in poultry, mainly in south East Asia and Africa. In humans the number of cases infected with this virus is few but the mortality has been about 60%. Most patients have presented with severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. The second influenza virus, the pandemic H1N1 2009, emerged in Mexico in March this year. This virus acquired the ability for sustained human to human spread and within a few months spread throughout the world and infected over 4 lakh individuals. The symptoms of infection with this virus are similar to seasonal influenza but it currently affecting younger individuals more often. Fortunately the mortality has been low. Both these new influenza viruses are currently circulating and have different clinical and epidemiological characteristics.     

Frequency of viruses associated with acute respiratory infections in children younger than five years of age at a locality of Mexico City

A locality in the district of Tlalpan, Mexico City, was selected in order to identify the viral agents in children younger than 5 years of age with acute respiratory infection (ARI). A total of 300 children were randomly selected and were included in this study for a period of 13 months. During this period nasopharyngeal exudates were collected for the isolation of viral agents. Monoclonal fluorescent antibodies were used for viral identification after cell culture. Viral infection was detected in 65% of the specimens. The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was the most common virus agent detected. Children required an average of two consultations during the study period. Two high incidence peaks were observed, one during the summer and the other during winter; the most frequent viruses during these seasons were influenza A and RSV, respectively. The largest number of viruses was isolated in the group of children between 1 and 2 years of age and in the group between 4 and 5 years of age. This study demonstrated the presence of ARI and of different viruses in a period of 13 months, as well as the most frequent viruses in children younger than 5 years of age from a community of Mexico City.     

Protection of Mice against Lethal Challenge with 2009 H1N1 Influenza A Virus by 1918-Like and Classical Swine H1N1 Based Vaccines

The recent 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus infection in humans has resulted in nearly 5,000 deaths worldwide. Early epidemiological findings indicated a low level of infection in the older population (>65 years) with the pandemic virus, and a greater susceptibility in people younger than 35 years of age, a phenomenon correlated with the presence of cross-reactive immunity in the older population. It is unclear what virus(es) might be responsible for this apparent cross-protection against the 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus. We describe a mouse lethal challenge model for the 2009 pandemic H1N1 strain, used together with a panel of inactivated H1N1 virus vaccines and hemagglutinin (HA) monoclonal antibodies to dissect the possible humoral antigenic determinants of pre-existing immunity against this virus in the human population. By hemagglutinination inhibition (HI) assays and vaccination/challenge studies, we demonstrate that the 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus is antigenically similar to human H1N1 viruses that circulated from 1918–1943 and to classical swine H1N1 viruses. Antibodies elicited against 1918-like or classical swine H1N1 vaccines completely protect C57B/6 mice from lethal challenge with the influenza A/Netherlands/602/2009 virus isolate. In contrast, contemporary H1N1 vaccines afforded only partial protection. Passive immunization with cross-reactive monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) raised against either 1918 or A/California/04/2009 HA proteins offered full protection from death. Analysis of mAb antibody escape mutants, generated by selection of 2009 H1N1 virus with these mAbs, indicate that antigenic site Sa is one of the conserved cross-protective epitopes. Our findings in mice agree with serological data showing high prevalence of 2009 H1N1 cross-reactive antibodies only in the older population, indicating that prior infection with 1918-like viruses or vaccination against the 1976 swine H1N1 virus in the USA are likely to provide protection against the 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus. This data provides a mechanistic basis for the protection seen in the older population, and emphasizes a rationale for including vaccination of the younger, naïve population. Our results also support the notion that pigs can act as an animal reservoir where influenza virus HAs become antigenically frozen for long periods of time, facilitating the generation of human pandemic viruses.     

Hepatitis A virus and hepatitis E virus prevalence relates to human immunodeficiency virus infection in Japanese male blood donors

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) has begun to spread globally among men who have sex with men (MSM). Hepatitis E virus (HEV) also may be transmitted through sexual contact among MSM. To assess the current status of these viruses among MSM in Japan, the seroprevalence of both viruses using 503 plasma samples collected between 2009 and 2018 from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive male donors who were presumed to be mainly MSM was investigated. Our results suggested that HAV may be spreading within this population, as reported elsewhere. By contrast, the spread of HEV was confirmed only among younger HIV-positive donors.     

Primary Culture of Human Embryonic Kidney Cells as the Medium for Isolation of ECHO 6 Virus

A large epidemic of aseptic meningitis due to ECHO 6 virus swept over Japan in the summer months of 1965. In our studies on 89 cases of aseptic meningitis in the epidemic, primary culture of human embryonic kidney cells was shown to provide a highly sensitive host system for isolation of ECHO 6 virus from clinical materials. Virus was recovered from cerebrospinal fluid in 72% of 89 cases, from throat swabs in 64% of 36 cases, and from rectal swabs in 59% of 37 cases. Most significant is the finding that the rate of virus isolation from cerebrospinal fluid in this host system was considerably higher as compared with that obtained by other investigators in other host systems such as primary monkey kidney cells or human amniotic cells (primary or EL). This finding should be emphasized particularly because isolation of a virus from cerebrospinal fluid, in contrast to throat secretions or feces, is of much greater importance in establishing the etiologic relationship to the disease in the diagnosis of aseptic meningitis. The neutralization test was shown to be efficient in detecting ECHO 6 virus infection; acute serums should be taken preferably by the 4th day of illness and convalescent serums in the second week. Epidemiologic findings, such as the predominance of male patients and occurrence of the epidemic in summer months, generally coincide with the previous reports. However, our cases were in much younger age groups in contrast with the previous reports; 90% of our 89 patients were 6 years of age or younger, and 15 children or 17% were less than 1 year of age, including 3 less than 6 months of age. The clinical observations on our cases confirmed the previous reports.     

EXPERIMENTS WITH A VIRUS DISEASE OF THE COTTON BOLLWORM HELIOTHIS ARMIGERA (HBN.)

Laboratory tests with a nuclear polyhedral virus disease of Heliothis armigera indicated that it was more infective and had a shorter incubation period in the younger instars than in the older larvae.
Larvae on cotton plants sprayed with an aqueous suspension of the virus became infected; mortality depended on the number of polyhedra applied to the plant irrespective of the concentration in the suspension. Spraying with the virus seems unlikely to control bollworm in Uganda, but might do so where it is not already endemic and where bollworm numbers fluctuate more during the year.     

Risk of hepatitis B infection among young injection drug users in San Francisco: opportunities for intervention

Objective To compare the demographic characteristics and risk behaviors for hepatitis B infection among injection drug users younger than 30 years with those aged 30 or older and to evaluate participants'' knowledge, attitudes, and experiences of infection, screening, and vaccination against hepatitis B virus. Design A systematic sample of injection drug users not currently in a treatment program were recruited and interviewed at needle exchange programs and community sites. Participants 135 injection drug users younger than 30 years and 96 injection drug users aged 30 or older. Results Injection drug users younger than 30 were twice as likely as drug users aged 30 or older to report having shared needles in the past 30 days (36/135 [27%] vs 12/96 [13%]). Injection drug users younger than 30 were also twice as likely to report having had more than two sexual partners in the past 6 months (80/135 [59%] vs 29/96 [30%]). Although 88 of 135 (68%) young injection drug users reported having had contact with medical providers within the past 6 months only 13 of 135 (10%) had completed the hepatitis B vaccine series and only 16 of (13%) perceived themselves as being at high risk of becoming infected with the virus. Conclusion Few young injection drug users have been immunized even though they have more frequent contact with medical providers and are at a higher risk for new hepatitis B infection than older drug users. Clinicians caring for young injection drug users and others at high risk of infection should provide education, screening, and vaccination to reduce an important source of hepatitis B infection.     

Isolation of a new foamy retrovirus from orangutans.

We have isolated a new foamy virus from blood samples taken from two apparently healthy orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus). The older orangutan has since died with encephalopathy after a brief acute illness, while the younger one, his grandson, remains well. These animals and 12 other orangutans had specific antibodies to foamy virus as measured by immunofluorescence. The new foamy virus and the antisera showed strong and specific neutralization, with only weak cross-reaction with other simian foamy virus strains. Southern blotting with gag and env probes of human foamy virus and PCR amplification showed that the new foamy virus, designated SFV-11, is related to, yet distinct from, previously characterized strains from humans, chimpanzees, and monkeys.     

Herpangina surveillance in Japan, 1982-1989. A report of the national epidemiological surveillance of infectious agents in Japan.

In Japan, herpangina cases increase every summer with an incidence peak in July. During the past eight years from January, 1982 to December, 1989, a total of 3,974 viruses from herpangina cases were reported from 47 participating laboratories, and coxsackie A (CA) viruses accounted for most of them, 3,055 (76.9%). The major types associated with herpangina were, in order of frequency, CA4, 10, 5, 6, 2 and 3, representing 87.2%-80.8% of total isolations reported for each respective type in this period. Eighty-four point four percent of the total virus isolations were from children at four years of age or younger. More than 80% of total CA virus isolations were from nasopharyngeal specimens and nearly 90% of the viruses were isolated in mice.     

Differences in Patient Age Distribution between Influenza A Subtypes

Since the spring of 1977, two subtypes of influenza A virus (H3N2 and H1N1) have been seasonally infecting the human population. In this work we study the distribution of patient ages within the populations that exhibit the symptomatic disease caused by each of the different subtypes of seasonal influenza viruses. When the publicly available extensive information is pooled across multiple geographical locations and seasons, striking differences emerge between these subtypes. We report that the symptomatic flu due to H1N1 is distributed mainly in a younger population relative to H3N2. (The median age of the H3N2 patients is 23 years while H1N1 patients are 9 years old.) These distinct characteristic spectra of age groups, possibly carried over from previous pandemics, are consistent with previous reports from various regional population studies and also findings on the evolutionary dynamics of each subtype. Moreover, they are relevant to age-related risk assessments, modeling of epidemiological networks for specific age groups, and age-specific vaccine design. Recently, a novel H1N1 virus has spread around the world. Preliminary reports suggest that this new strain causes symptomatic disease in the younger population in a similar fashion to the seasonal H1N1 strains.     

Vaccine-Induced Boosting of Influenza Virus-Specific CD4 T Cells in Younger and Aged Humans

Current yearly influenza virus vaccines induce strain-specific neutralizing antibody (NAb) responses providing protective immunity to closely matched viruses. However, these vaccines are often poorly effective in high-risk groups such as the elderly and challenges exist in predicting yearly or emerging pandemic influenza virus strains to include in the vaccines. Thus, there has been considerable emphasis on understanding broadly protective immunological mechanisms for influenza virus. Recent studies have implicated memory CD4 T cells in heterotypic immunity in animal models and in human challenge studies. Here we examined how influenza virus vaccination boosted CD4 T cell responses in younger versus aged humans. Our results demonstrate that while the magnitude of the vaccine-induced CD4 T cell response and number of subjects responding on day 7 did not differ between younger and aged subjects, fewer aged subjects had peak responses on day 14. While CD4 T cell responses were inefficiently boosted against NA, both HA and especially nucleocaspid protein- and matrix-(NP+M) specific responses were robustly boosted. Pre-existing CD4 T cell responses were associated with more robust responses to influenza virus NP+M, but not H1 or H3. Finally pre-existing strain-specific NAb decreased the boosting of CD4 T cell responses. Thus, accumulation of pre-existing influenza virus-specific immunity in the form of NAb and cross-reactive T cells to conserved virus proteins (e.g. NP and M) over a lifetime of exposure to infection and vaccination may influence vaccine-induced CD4 T cell responses in the aged.     

Previous pet ownership and Paget's disease

The relationship between pet ownership and Paget's disease (PD) of bone was investigated in 112 patients with PD who were matched with a similar number of community-based controls. There was a significantly increased frequency of dog ownership by patients with PD aged <60 years. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that there was a significant age-related increase in risk of PD associated with past or present ownership of either dogs or cats, with younger patients having the greatest risk. These results suggest that slow virus infection of osteoclasts by paramyxoviruses acquired from pets may contribute to the development of Paget's disease in the younger patient.     

Adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma with mediastinal involvement and an asymptomatic chronic phase.

A black, West Indian woman with adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma (ATLL), hypercalcemia, peripheral and retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy, and serum antibodies to human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV) was found to have massive mediastinal adenopathy, a feature not previously reported in patients with ATLL. In addition, she had had asymptomatic leukocytosis with marked lymphocytosis for at least 6 years before presenting with full-blown ATLL. These findings broaden the clinical picture of ATLL. Cell surface-marker studies and close follow-up are recommended for patients with apparent chronic lymphocytic leukemia, especially if they have pleomorphic lymphocytosis, are younger than usual or are from the Caribbean or Japan.     

Virulence of a nucleopolyhedrovirus to Neodiprion abietis (Hymenoptera: Diprionidae)

Different larval stages of balsam fir sawfly, Neodiprion abietis (Harris) (Hymenoptera: Diprionidae), were challenged by different concentrations of a nucleopolyhedrovirus in the laboratory to determine larval susceptibility to the virus and to test treatment effects of the virus on the sawfly survivors. The results indicated that younger larvae were more susceptible to the virus than older instars. The speed of larval death depended on the larval age and the virus concentration. Generally, the virus killed second or third instars in approximately 5 d and fourth or fifth instars in 10-12 d at concentrations of 10(7) polyhedral inclusion bodies (PIB) /ml. The virus had profound treatment effects on sawfly survivors. Feeding activity of the survivors was reduced by > 40% compared with that of the control group, pupal weight by approximately 25%, and adult emergence by > 30%. There was also a higher percentage of male adults in the virus-treated groups than in the control.     

Awareness and Attitude towards Breastfeeding among Two Generations of Indian Women: A Comparative Study

IntroductionPresent study was aimed to analyze the impact of education, employment and financial independence in breastfeeding practices among Indian women.MethodologyPresent explorative questionnaire based survey included 256 women (128 pairs) in the final analysis. A pair means – a) pregnant lady (in her third trimester) representing younger generation and b) her mother/mother in law representing the elder generation.ResultsWe found that the overall awareness regarding ‘breast milk’ being the best food for baby was excellent (overall 97.3%; younger generation: 96.9%; elder generation: 97.7%). Overall knowledge regarding the correct technique (28.9% younger generation and 21.9% elder generation) and frequency of breastfeeding (20.3% of younger generation and 34.4% of elder generation) was very poor. Less than 60% (younger generation: 57.8%; elder generation: 58.6%) were aware that the only major contraindication for breastfeeding is a mother infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). On comparing responses obtained from the two generations of women, difference was not statistically significant among most of the issues related to breastfeeding. With regards to the attitude, despite better awareness, only 94.5% women in younger generation and 89.1% women in elder generation were planning to give mother’s milk as the first feed to the newborn. Similarly, less than 75% of women were ready to breast-feed the newborn immediately after birth. This was contradictory to the fact that 86% of pregnant women were aware that the baby should be breast-fed within an hour of birth.ConclusionAwareness with regards to breastfeeding issues had not changed significantly with the educational progress of Indian women. Despite the good level of awareness in the society regarding breastfeeding, attitude to practice the same is lacking.     

Respiratory viruses and sudden infant death.

Viruses were shown to be present in the respiratory tract in 200 of 763 cases of the sudden infant death syndrome studied in the nine years 1974-82. Epidemiological and pathological evidence suggested that the distribution of viruses in the sudden infant death syndrome differs between infants aged 3 months or less and those aged over 3 months: the incidence of detection of virus was 14% in the younger group compared with 39% in the older group. The distribution of the viruses in these two groups was compared with that in 1341 live infants with respiratory virus infections. Adenovirus, influenza virus, parainfluenza virus, and rhinovirus had similar distribution among the victims of the sudden infant death syndrome and live controls. The incidence of detection of respiratory syncytial virus was increased in the older infants dying of the sudden infant death syndrome (90% of the cases detected) compared with the older group of live infants (53%). Antibody studies, detection of virus, and epidemiological data suggest that respiratory syncytial virus may be a precipitating factor of sudden death in older infants.