Herpesvirus papio 2: alternative antigen for use in monkey B virus diagnostic assays

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Serologic testing for antibody to monkey B virus (BV) in macaque sera is problematic due to the biohazardous nature of BV and BV antigens. Herpesvirus papio 2 (HVP2), a herpesvirus of baboons, is more closely related genetically and antigenically to BV than is human herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1). The potential for use of HVP2 relative to HSV1 as an alternative test antigen for detection of anti-BV antibody in macaque sera was assessed. METHODS: Standard ELISA formats were developed, using BV-, HVP2-, and HSV1-infected cell extracts. Performance of the HVP2 and HSV1 tests was assessed relative to that of the BV test. RESULTS: Using the BV antigen ELISA, 349 sera from 7 macaque species were tested, and results were classified as positive (253), negative (94), or suspect (2). The ELISA using HVP2 antigen detected 98.0% of BV-positive sera (248 of 253), whereas the HSV1-based ELISA detected only 96.0% (243 of 253). All three ELISAs identified the same two samples as suspect, and the HSV1 ELISA identified three additional BV-positive sera as suspect. CONCLUSIONS: The HVP2 antigen-based ELISA was equal in sensitivity and specificity to the BV antigen-based ELISA and was superior to the HSV1 ELISA for detection of BV-positive macaque sera. In addition, the HVP2 ELISA has greater laboratory safety, compared with BV antigen use for ELISA testing.     

口蹄疫病毒非结构蛋白3AB双抗体夹心ELISA方法的建立

抗原纯净度是口蹄疫(Foot-and-mouthdisease,FMD)灭活疫苗质量检验的一项重要内容,一般采用疫苗2–3次免疫动物后,检测非结构蛋白(Non-structuralprotein,NSP)抗体是否阳转,判断疫苗抗原的纯净度。文中旨在建立定量检测FMD灭活疫苗抗原中NSP3AB含量的ELISA方法,为疫苗质量控制提供参考方法。利用口蹄疫病毒(Foot-and-mouthdiseasevirus,FMDV)NSP3A单克隆抗体和辣根过氧化物酶(Horseradish peroxidase,HRP)标记的3B单克隆抗体,建立定量检测NSP3AB含量的双抗体夹心ELISA检测方法。采用原核表达并纯化的3AB蛋白作为标准品,标准品系列稀释,绘制标准曲线,以标准品与未加抗原的阴性对照吸光值(OD)的比值大于2.0的标准品最低浓度为最低检测限。标准品浓度介于4.7–600.0 ng/mL之间时,测得的OD值与浓度呈线性相关,回归曲线呈直线,相关系数R2=0.99,确定最低检测限为4.7ng/mL。检测12份未纯化灭活抗原中3AB蛋白含量介于9.3–200.0ng/mL之间;而纯化后的...     

ELISA法检测乙型脑炎减毒活疫苗中卡那霉素和庆大霉素的残留量

用ELISA试剂盒检测乙脑减毒活疫苗中卡那霉素和庆大霉素的残留量。以间接竞争ELISA法检测线性范围内加入高、中、低3种浓度的卡那霉素和庆大霉素,测定其在疫苗稳定剂、疫苗稳定剂10倍稀释溶液、试剂盒稀释液中的回收率,以及在10倍稀释乙脑减毒活疫苗中的回收率。高、中、低浓度的卡那霉素在疫苗稳定剂、疫苗稳定剂10倍稀释溶液、试剂盒稀释液中的回收率为101.40%～124.80%之间;原倍疫苗稳定剂对庆大霉素的测定有明显干扰,在原倍疫苗稳定剂中低浓度和中浓度的庆大霉素的回收率高达2280%和575%,但其它测定条件下回收率在90%～125%之间。在10倍稀释的乙脑疫苗中加入一定量的卡那霉素和庆大霉素,回收率分别为124%和103.25%。用10倍稀释法测定1人份规格的乙脑减毒活疫苗17批、5人份规格的乙脑减毒活疫苗19批。乙脑减毒活疫苗10倍稀释后,可用ELISA试剂盒检测卡那霉素和庆大霉素残留量。     

禽波氏杆菌外膜蛋白的提取及其免疫原性的检测

为研究禽波氏杆菌OMP的免疫原性,试验采用超声波破碎、TritonX-100处理技术提取了禽波氏杆菌OMP,采用Bradford方法测定禽波氏杆菌OMP含量,进行了SDS-PAGE检测,然后制备油乳剂OMP免疫抗原,对1日龄雏鸡分别以0.3mL(OMP90μg)、0.5mL(OMP150μg)、0.8mL(OMP240μg)的剂量颈部皮下接种。结果:禽波氏杆菌OMP含量为300μg/mL;禽波氏杆菌OMP最佳免疫剂量为0.5mL/只;通过免疫抗体与攻毒保护相关性测试,抗体效价在1:28以上能抵抗致死量禽波氏杆菌的攻击。据间接ELISA法检测的抗体水平可知,抗体的持续时间足以保护雏鸡避过易感日龄,试验发现OMP具有良好的免疫原性。本试验结果将为禽波氏杆菌OMP单克隆抗体的制备、快速诊断试剂盒的研制、亚单位疫苗的开发奠定良好的基础。     

Quantitation of poliovirus antigens in inactivated viral vaccines by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using animal sera and monoclonal antibodies

Recent advances in methods for the manufacture of inactivated poliovirus vaccines have resulted in increased vaccine immunogenicity. In conjunction with this capability it is important to have available highly sensitive and quantitative potency assays. The potential suitability of enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) was evaluated using animal sera with neutralizing antibodies or neutralizing monoclonal antibodies for antigen detection in potency tests. The monoclonal antibodies developed, which bound D antigen but not C antigen, were neutralizing unless relatively weakly reactive. Those that bound C antigen only were non-neutralizing. Those that bound both C and D antigens were sometimes neutralizing. D-specific and D/C-specific neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against type-2 poliovirus protected mice on passive immunization against paralytic disease and death from the MEF strain virus. Potency measurements by ELISA using either D-specific neutralizing monoclonal antibodies or type-specific goat sera for antigen detection were sensitive and precise. Tests using C-specific monoclonal antibodies for antigen detection indicated that increased C antigen content may result in falsely elevated reactivities of animal sera with some vaccines. Monoclonal antibodies may be useful ELISA reagents for IPV potency testing.     

Thermal Stability of an Oral Killed-Cholera-Whole-Cell Vaccine Containing Recombinant B-Subunit of Cholera Toxin

An oral killed cholera vaccine containing 1×10¹¹ cells of Vibrio cholerae O1 (heat- or formalin-killed) representing the Ogawa and Inaba biotypes and containing 1 mg of B-subunit of cholera toxin (CTB) produced by recombinant DNA technology (the WC/rCTB vaccine) was subjected to temperatures of 4 C, 30 C or 42 C for up to 6 months time. Lipopolysaccharide antigen (LPS) and CTB content of the vaccine samples determined at various times remained unchanged during the study except for the CTB component which decreased by about 50% after 6 months of storage at 42 C. Immunogenicity determined by immunization of rabbits with the vaccine in Freund's complete adjuvant and measuring anti-LPS and anti-CTB antibody titers in the serum by an ELISA was also found to be unaltered. Lyophilization of the vaccine and storage at room temperature for 7 days also did not have any adverse effect on antigen content or immunogenicity as tested above. There was up to one log reduction in serum antibody titers after immunization without using any adjuvant or using Freund's incomplete adjuvant, and up to two logs following oral immunization. Immunization by oral feeding of the vaccine followed by RITARD challenge with a virulent V. cholerae O1 strain showed evidence of protection against severe or lethal diarrhea. The results suggest that the vaccine retains its antigen content and ability to induce antibodies unchanged when maintained at elevated temperatures for relatively long periods of time.     

Evaluation of recombinant adenovirus vaccines based on glycoprotein D and truncated UL25 against herpes simplex virus type 2 in mice

The high prevalence of herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV‐2) infections in humans necessitates the development of a safe and effective vaccine that will need to induce vigorous T‐cell responses to control viral infection and transmission. We designed rAd‐gD2, rAd‐gD2ΔUL25, and rAd‐ΔUL25 to investigate whether recombinant replication‐defective adenoviruses vaccine could induce specific T‐cell responses and protect mice against intravaginal HSV‐2 challenge compared with FI‐HSV‐2. In the present study, recombinant adenovirus‐based HSV‐2 showed higher reductions in mortality and stronger antigen‐specific T‐cell responses compared with FI‐HSV‐2 and the severity of genital lesions in mice immunized with rAd‐gD2ΔUL25 was significantly decreased by eliciting IFN‐γ‐secreting T‐cell responses compared with rAd‐gD2 and rAd‐ΔUL25 groups. Our results demonstrated the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of recombinant adenovirus vaccines in acute HSV‐2 infection following intravaginal challenge in mice.     

乙型肝炎病毒前S1抗原(1-42)与核心抗原(1-144)在大肠杆菌中表达的融合蛋白CS1的免疫原性研究

对重组乙型肝炎（乙肝）病毒前S1抗原（1－42）及核心抗原（1－144）表达的融合蛋白CS1进行了免疫原性的研究分析,以便为探索HBV治疗性疫苗地研制提供实验依据。用脂质体转染的方法转染小鼠肥大细胞瘤细胞系P815,用乳酸脱氢酶的方法检测了该融合蛋白诱导小鼠的细胞毒T淋巴细胞（CTL）反应,用ELISA方法测定了小鼠的体液免疫反应。结果表明,用脂质体转染的方法建立了表达乙肝核心和前S1抗原的细胞系（P99－815）,该融合蛋白诱导出小鼠的细胞毒T淋巴细胞（CTL）反应,小鼠的体液免疫反应也较好。这为今后进一步探索慢性乙肝治疗性疫苗奠定了必要的基础。     

Immunogenicity,Protective Efficacy,and Non-Replicative Status of the HSV-2 Vaccine Candidate HSV529 in Mice and Guinea Pigs

HSV-2 vaccine is needed to prevent genital disease, latent infection, and virus transmission. A replication-deficient mutant virus (dl5-29) has demonstrated promising efficacy in animal models of genital herpes. However, the immunogenicity, protective efficacy, and non-replicative status of the highly purified clinical vaccine candidate (HSV529) derived from dl5-29 have not been evaluated. Humoral and cellular immune responses were measured in mice and guinea pigs immunized with HSV529. Protection against acute and recurrent genital herpes, mortality, latent infection, and viral shedding after vaginal HSV-2 infection was determined in mice or in naïve and HSV-1 seropositive guinea pigs. HSV529 replication and pathogenicity were investigated in three sensitive models of virus replication: severe combined immunodeficient (SCID/Beige) mice inoculated by the intramuscular route, suckling mice inoculated by the intracranial route, and vaginally-inoculated guinea pigs. HSV529 immunization induced HSV-2-neutralizing antibody production in mice and guinea pigs. In mice, it induced production of specific HSV-2 antibodies and splenocytes secreting IFNγ or IL-5. Immunization effectively prevented HSV-2 infection in all three animal models by reducing mortality, acute genital disease severity and frequency, and viral shedding. It also reduced ganglionic viral latency and recurrent disease in naïve and HSV-1 seropositive guinea pigs. HSV529 replication/propagation was not detected in the muscles of SCID/Beige mice, in the brains of suckling mice, or in vaginal secretions of inoculated guinea pigs. These results confirm the non-replicative status, as well as its immunogenicity and efficacy in mice and guinea pigs, including HSV-1 seropositive guinea pigs. In mice, HSV529 produced Th1/Th2 characteristic immune response thought to be necessary for an effective vaccine. These results further support the clinical investigation of HSV529 in human subjects as a prophylactic vaccine.     

In vitro markers and biological activity in mice of seed lot strains and commercial Brucella melitensis Rev 1 and Brucella abortus B19 vaccines.

Four seed lots and fourteen batches of Brucella melitensis Rev 1 and B. abortus B19 living anti-Brucella commercial vaccines obtained from six Spanish laboratories were tested in vitro and in vivo in the reference mouse model for quality control. All the strains tested showed the characteristic morphology of their respective Rev 1 or B19 reference strains with the exception of three Rev 1 strains: seed lot SL2 and commercial vaccine R3, in which giant colonies were predominant, and commercial vaccine R5, in which 5% rough colonies were detected. Strains SL2 and R5 (but not the R3) had a deficient activity when tested in the mouse model. All strains but two (Rev 1 strain R1 and B19 strain B2) had standard resistance/ sensitivity patterns to streptomycin and penicillin G. Strains R1 and B2 had an increased resistance to penicillin when incubated in a 10% CO2 atmosphere and both strains showed an increased residual virulence in mice. As residual virulence and immunogenicity in mice were not always correlated one another nor with the in vitro tests, all tests should be performed to control properly the anti-Brucella live vaccines. A computerized statistical procedure to calculate the residual virulence of vaccines is proposed as an alternative to that used in the current method.     

Comparative clinical trial of vaccines against avian influenza

Scientic-production association "Microgen" has finished 1st phase of clinical trials of candidate vaccines against avian influenza in order to assess their reactogenicity, safety, and immunogenicity. Two vaccines constructed from NIBRG-14 vaccine strain [A/Vietnam/1 194/2004 (H5N1)], obtained from World Health Organization, were studied: "OrniFlu" (inactivated subunit influenza vaccine adsorbed on aluminium hydroxide) and inactivated polymer-subunit influenza vaccine with polyoxydonium (IPSIV). Clinical trial of the vaccines with different quantity of antigen (15, 30, and 45 mcg of H5N1 virus hemagglutinin) was carried out in Influenza Research Institute (St. Petersburg) and in Mechnikov Research Institute of Vaccines and Sera (Moscow). Analysis of results allowed to conclude that both vaccines were safe, well tolerated and characterized by low reactogenicity. Two-doses vaccination schedule was needed to meet required seroconversion and seroprotection rates (> or =1:40 in > or =70% of vaccinated volunteers). "Orni-Flu" vaccine containing 15 mcg of hemagglutinin and optimal quantity of aluminium hydroxide (0.5 mg) in one dose as well as IPSIV containing 45 mcg of hemagglutinin and 0.75 mg of polyoxydonium in one dose were most immunogenic after 2 doses - seroprotection rates in microneutralization assay were 72.2% and 77.0% respectively. Marked influence of aluminium hydroxide content on immunogenicity of the "OrniFlu" vaccine was confirmed in the study. Optimal quantity of adjuvant was 0.5 mg per dose. According to basic concept of vaccine development, preference is given to vaccine that under minimal quantity of antigen induces sufficient specific immune response and is safe in volunteers. "OrniFlu" vaccine containing 15 mcg of H5N1 virus hemagglutinin and optimal quantity of aluminium hydroxide (0.5 mg) corresponded to these requirements that allowed researchers to recommend it for clinical trials of 2nd phase.     

真核细胞表达单纯疱疹病毒I型包膜糖蛋白B及其抗原性与免疫原性分析

为在真核细胞中表达并纯化I型单纯疱疹病毒（HSV I）包膜糖蛋白gB,并分析其抗原性和免疫原性,化学合成了包膜糖蛋白gB1胞外区基因片段,构建真核表达载体,并转染至HEK293细胞,表达的蛋白用羊抗HSV1+HSV2血清作为一抗,用ELISA检测其抗原性;用纯化的gB1蛋白免疫昆明小鼠,观察诱发抗体产生的时间及其效价,并用ELISA和Western blot检测小鼠抗gB1多克隆抗体特异性识别重组gB1抗原的能力,评价其免疫原性。结果显示在HEK293细胞中成功表达重组gB1蛋白,ELISA证实羊抗HSV1+HSV2多抗能够识别重组gB1蛋白;重组gB1蛋白免疫小鼠7周后,小鼠血清中多克隆抗体效价达到5×103,表明在真核细胞中高效表达并纯化的重组gB1蛋白具有良好的抗原性和免疫原性,为HSV检测试剂和疫苗研究提供了理论基础。     

Prevalence of human papillomavirus and herpes simplex virus type 2 infection in Korean commercial sex workers

In order to investigate the prevalence of sexually transmitted viruses such as human papillomavirus (HPV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV) in Korean commercial sex workers (CSWs), we selected 188 CSWs (age range 20-44 years, median age 24 years) who regularly visited one public health center in Seoul, Korea. HPV genotypes were analyzed by using a HPV DNA chip, and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect type-specific IgG against HSV2 antibody identifying seropositivity for HSV2 infection. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed with specific primers to detect HPV and HSV1/2 in cervical swabs from the CSWs. The prevalence of HPV infection was 83.5% in 188 cervical swab specimens and the main high-risk HPV genotypes were HPV16, 18, 56, and 58. The principal low-risk HPV genotypes were HPV6 and 11. The prevalence of HSV1/2 DNA was 13.8% and HSV2 seroprevalence was 86.2%. These results suggest that high frequencies of HPV and HSV2 infection might contribute to the rapid spread of STD viruses in CSWs in Korea. Additionally, an understanding of why high-risk HPV genotypes are so prevalent could provide guidelines for prophylactic vaccine development in Korea.     

Ability of ELISA and a toxin neutralization assay to detect changes in immunogenicity of a recombinant Bacillus anthracis protective antigen vaccine upon storage

We examined the capability of a mouse immunogenicity assay to detect improper storage of a recombinant protective antigen (rPA)-based anthrax vaccine formulated with an aluminum adjuvant, using ELISA and a toxin neutralization assay (TNA) to measure the antibody response to rPA. The vaccine was stored at 4 °C, room temperature (RT) or 37 °C for one, four and eight weeks and used for immunization, along with freshly prepared vaccine. Results showed that, contrary to ELISA, TNA is suitable to detect a loss of immunogenicity of the rPA vaccine following its exposure to RT for a period of eight weeks and to 37 °C for a period as short as 1 week.     

鼠伤寒结合疫苗研制的初步探讨

通过对鼠伤寒沙门菌LH株的发酵培养,热酚水法提取脂多糖LPS,1%乙酸沸水浴水解90m in脱毒,Super-dex 200柱层析,收集第一峰为鼠伤寒O-SP抗原;然后用CDAP对O-SP活化、ADH衍生后,在EDAC的缩合作用下,结合到破伤风类毒素TT上,制备出鼠伤寒结合疫苗;用含2.5μg多糖鼠伤寒结合疫苗免疫小鼠,以2.5μgO-SP多糖生理盐水溶液以及生理盐水溶液为对照组,间隔14天,免疫三针;以LPS为包被抗原,用间接ELISA法测定血清中抗鼠伤寒LPS IgG抗体。鼠伤寒结合疫苗三针免疫后,小鼠血清抗鼠伤寒LPS IgG抗体效价达到1:80以上的比例为84.2%,而总的几何平均滴度(GMT)达到796;说明制备的鼠伤寒结合疫苗有良好的免疫原性,而且鼠伤寒结合疫苗在小鼠和豚鼠体内有良好的安全性。     

流行性出血热(EHF)双价纯化灭活疫苗——I 期临床观察

根据卫生部药审(91)特申体第02号文件,本品纯化灭活双价疫苗92年完成了Ⅰ期人体反应及血清学效果观察。91001批双价疫苗以0,1,2月和0,14,35天程序免疫,91002批以0,1,2月程序免疫,各接种15人。接种后未出现任何不良反应,与Ⅰ型,Ⅱ型单价疫苗相同,是安全可靠的。两种免疫程序,二针次免疫后皆能产生较高免疫抗体,接种后半年仍保持一定抗体水平。中和抗体(PRNT)均在1∶10～1∶20,ELISA1∶478～1∶549(GMT),阳转率100％,再次证明本型纯化疫苗安全有效,并具有较高免疫活性,本型疫苗也可采用二针次(0,1月),总量2ml免疫。     

DTaP-Hib联合疫苗中Hib-TT免疫原性研究

考查DTaP-Hib联合疫苗中Hib-TT的免疫原性,对其剂量、免疫持久性和抗原相容性进行分析。将不同剂量的Hib-TT、DTaP-Hib联合疫苗分别免疫小鼠,设单价的Hib-TT结合疫苗为对照,末次免疫后1、2、4、6、8、10w分别采集血清测定血清中Hib多糖抗体滴度。结果显示,不同剂量的Hib-TT和DTaP疫苗联合后均具有较好的免疫原性,血清中Hib多糖抗体阳转率达100%,并具有剂量效应和较好的免疫持久性。2.5μg剂量Hib-TT的DTaP-Hib联合疫苗免疫小鼠后1~2w诱导产生的Hib多糖抗体水平显著性地低于单价Hib-TT(P<0.05),4~10w,二者的Hib多糖抗体水平无显著性差异(P>0.05)。5μg剂量Hib-TT的DTaP-Hib联合疫苗在免疫小鼠后1w诱导产生的Hib多糖抗体水平与单价2.5μg剂量Hib-TT无显著性差异(P>0.05),免后2~10w则显著性地高于单价2.5μg剂量Hib-TT(P<0.001)。Hib-TT和DTaP疫苗联合后,仍然具有较好的免疫原性、剂量效应和免疫持久性;其抗原性干扰只是暂时的。     

Phase I trial of an alhydrogel adjuvanted hepatitis B core virus-like particle containing epitopes of Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein

The objectives of this non-randomized, non-blinded, dose-escalating Phase I clinical trial were to assess the safety, reactogenicity and immunogenicity of ICC-1132 formulated with Alhydrogel (aluminum hydroxide) in 51 healthy, malaria-naive adults aged 18 to 45 years. ICC-1132 (Malariavax) is a recombinant, virus-like particle malaria vaccine comprised of hepatitis core antigen engineered to express the central repeat regions from Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein containing an immunodominant B [(NANP)(3)] epitope, an HLA-restricted CD4 (NANPNVDPNANP) epitope and a universal T cell epitope (T*) (amino acids 326-345, NF54 isolate). We assessed an Alhydrogel (aluminum hydroxide)-adjuvanted vaccine formulation at three ICC-1132 dose levels, each injected intramuscularly (1.0 mL) on study days 0, 56 and 168. A saline vaccine formulation was found to be unstable after prolonged storage and this formulation was subsequently removed from the study. Thirty-two volunteers were followed for one year. Local and systemic adverse clinical events were measured and immune responses to P. falciparum and hepatitis B virus core antigens were determined utilizing the following assays: IgG and IgM ELISA, indirect immunofluorescence against P. falciparum sporozoites, circumsporozoite precipitin (CSP) and transgenic sporozoite neutralization assays. Cellular responses were measured by proliferation and IL-2 assays. Local and systemic reactions were similarly mild and well tolerated between dose cohorts. Depending on the ICC-1132 vaccine concentration, 95 to 100% of volunteers developed antibody responses to the ICC-1132 immunogen and HBc after two injections; however, only 29-75% and 29-63% of volunteers, respectively, developed malaria-specific responses measured by the malaria repeat synthetic peptide ELISA and IFA; 2 of 8 volunteers had positive reactions in the CSP assay. Maximal transgenic sporozoite neutralization assay inhibition was 54%. Forty-seven to seventy-five percent demonstrated T cell proliferation in response to ICC-1132 or to recombinant circumsporozoite protein (rCS) NF-54 isolate. This candidate malaria vaccine was well tolerated, but the vaccine formulation was poorly immunogenic. The vaccine may benefit from a more powerful adjuvant to improve immunogenicity. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00587249.     

Variation in the divalent cation requirements of influenza a virus N2 neuraminidases

Influenza virus N2 neuraminidases were chromatographically purified from several vaccine candidate strains from 1957 to 1994. Enzymatic kinetic parameters and immunogenicity were tested for each strain. For each NA tested, with ionic strength held constant, Ca(2+) or Mg(2+) increased the initial rate of enzymatic activity. Earlier N2-NA strains had the highest initial velocity, V(max)/K(m) and V(max). There were significant differences among the influenza virus strains in enzymatic activity before and after addition of Ca(2+) or Mg(2+): V(max)/K(m) varied from 0.54 M(-1) s(-1) to 0.88 M(-1) s(-1) and V(max) varied from 2.45 s(-1) to 4.3 s(-1) before the addition of a divalent cation; and increased approximately 2-fold each of these kinetic parameters for each strain after the addition of exogenous Ca(2+) or Mg(2+). Exhaustive dialysis with EDTA reduced the initial velocity of each strain with significant differences found among strains, with a range of 0.1% to 8% of original activity. Activity was partially restored by the addition of exogenous Ca(2+) or Mg(2+), varying from 8% to 60% of pre-dialysis levels, but original rates were not achieved. This reduction in enzymatic activity for the tested strains (i.e., A/Japan/57 and A/Johannesburg/94) was accompanied by a parallel decrease in NA-immunogenicity, with antibody response decreasing by as much as 76% as measured by NI titer, and ELISA titer decreasing by as much as 68%. The addition of Ca(2+) or Mg(2+) to the post-dialysis sample restored immunogenicity to as much as 80% of pre-dialysis NI titers and as much as 78% of pre-dialysis ELISA titers. Dialysis had the least effect on early strains as measured by enzymatic kinetic parameters and immunogenicity studies. Zn(2+) had a slight inhibitory effect on the activity of all tested strains. Review of the nucleic acid sequence of each of these strains could not predict their enzymatic activity, immunogenicity or response to dialysis. If immunity against neuraminidase is desirable in vaccination against influenza, selection of vaccine candidate strains must include not only analysis of antigenic changes and sequence analysis but also enzymatic studies and determination of the requirement of divalent cations to maintain immunogenicity and activity during production.     

Development of inactivated poliovirus vaccine derived from Sabin strains.

In the course of Sabin-inactivated poliovirus vaccine (S-IPV) development, we have established high-yield virus production techniques based on Vero cell micro-carrier cultures. Development of specific ELISA tests to quantify the antigen content of S-IPV has been achieved. To adjust the immunogenicity of S-IPV so as to be comparable with the conventional-IPV, a new formulation was determined using a potency test using rats. The reformulated S-IPV was shown to be efficacious for the immunization of monkeys.