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Biomedical subjects

A M Courouce

Publications and source records attributed to A M Courouce.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

The use of labeled fusion protein for detection of B19 parvovirus IgM antibodies by an immunocapture test.

A new anti-B19 IgM ELISA was developed taking advantage of antibody-capture with biotinylated fusion protein as antigen. Specificity was examined using serum IgM antibody positive for rubella, hepatitis B core antigen, cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus as well as with sera positive for rheumatoid factors or antinuclear antibodies. The specificity was found to be 96%. Of one hundred serum samples compared using the new ELISA or the standard MACRIA tests for the presence of B19 IgM, 88 gave the same results. Fifty-three were negative and 35 were positive. Six sera were ELISA-negative MACRIA-positive, and six MACRIA-negative ELISA-positive. Thus, the ELISA gave 90% agreement with MACRIA. In a clinical study with 725 sera from suspected B19 infections, 161 (22%) were found positive by ELISA. The positive sera were from patients suffering from arthritis (35%), rash (35%), acute or chronic erythroblastopenia (21%), pancytopenia (5%), vascular purpura (2%) and lymphadenopathy (2%). A series of serum specimens obtained from two-B19 infected individuals were also studied. The IgM antibody became undetectable after four months.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1991

[Practical approach to the discovery of serum markers for infection by hepatitis B virus (HBs antigen or anti HBc antibody). Hypertransaminasemia or the two anomalies in a blood donor].

By now in France HBV seric markers (Ag HBs and Ac HBc) and transaminases level (ALT) screenings are compulsory by law in blood donors. People whose blood donation is discarded should be informed. A clinical, epidemiological and virological survey of such donors is required to differentiate healthy Ag HBs carriers and patients suffering from hepatitis B (who may eventually be treated). Similar guidelines may be recommended for the blood donors presenting high transaminases level without HBV seric markers in order to find a cause for such impaired biochemical tests: overweight, alcohol, drug consumption, auto-immune liver disease, genetic disorder, Non-A, Non-B, Non-C hepatitis....

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed1991

Recombinant human alpha-interferon in patients with chronic non-A, non-B hepatitis: a multicenter randomized controlled trial from France.

We have conducted a multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing two doses of recombinant human alpha-interferon for efficacy in 60 patients with chronic non-A, non-B hepatitis. The source of infection appeared to be transfusion in 30 patients, intravenous drug abuse in 16 patients and was unknown in 14 patients. Patients were randomly assigned to no treatment or to treatment with either 1 or 3 MU of alpha-interferon given three times a week for 24 wk. Forty-five patients (75%) were positive for antibody to hepatitis C virus. During the 24-wk treatment period, mean serum ALT levels decreased in both treatment groups, but the decrease was statistically significant only in the 3 MU group. However, at 24 wk, the proportion of patients with normal ALT levels was similar in the 3 MU group (39%) and the 1 MU group (45%), and both were significantly higher than in controls (0%). Repeat liver biopsy specimens showed a significant decrease in the severity of histological changes in the 3 MU group but not in the 1 MU group or in controls. Responses to alpha-interferon did not correlate with patient's age, gender, source of infection, pretreatment serum ALT, presence of anti-hepatitis C virus or cirrhosis. After treatment, the mean ALT levels rose in both treated groups. The proportion of patients with normal ALT levels at wk 48 was 28% in the 3 MU group and 20% in the 1 MU group. In conclusion, a dose of 3 MU was superior to 1 MU of alpha-interferon given three times weekly for 24 wk in inducing improvements in serum ALT levels and liver histological examinations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Significance of isolated anti-HBs antibodies in subjects not vaccinated against hepatitis B viruses].

The significance of isolated anti-HBs antibodies in subjects not vaccinated against the hepatitis B virus (HBV) was investigated in 13 healthy blood donors. All were European and none had any risk factor for hepatitis B infection. Serological assays included HBV-DNA and anti-preS 2 antibody determinations which were all negative. After injection with hepatitis B vaccine (Hevac B), only one out of the 13 subjects exhibited an anamnestic response in favor of secondary immunization. Neutralization tests for serum anti-HBs antibody were positive in only 6 subjects. Our data suggest that in most cases isolated anti-HBs positivity does not correspond to true antibody; booster injection of HBV vaccine seems to be the best way of verifying that antibodies are really protective.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Development of an IgM antibody capture test using labelled fusion protein as antigen for diagnosis of B19 human parvovirus infections.

A new anti-B19 IgM ELISA was developed using the antibody-capture principle. Biotinylated fusion protein was used as antigen. The specificity of the test was analysed using sera IgM positive to rubella, hepatitis B core antigen, cytomegalovirus and Epstein Barr virus as well with sera positive for rheumatoid factors, antinuclear antibodies and with sera from normal blood donors. The specificity of the test was 96.18%. One hundred serum samples were tested by the new ELISA and the standard MACRIA tests for the presence of B19 IgM. Eighty-eight sera gave the same results with both tests. Fifty-three were negative and 35 were positive. Six sera were ELISA negative MACRIA positive and six MACRIA negative ELISA positive. In a clinical study with 725 sera from suspected B19 infections, 161 (22%) were recorded as positive by the ELISA test. The positive sera were from patients suffering from arthritis (35%), rash (35%), acute or chronic erythroblastopenia (21%), pancytopenia (5%), vascular purpura (2%) and lymphadenopathy (2%).

Capsid↗
PubMed1990

[Carrier state for HBs antigen and HBc antibody in Brazzaville (congo): sero-epidemiological study in the hospital and non-hospital environment].

In Brazzaville (Congo), the prevalence of chronic carriage of HBs Ag (7.31%) we observed, is similar to the ones previously reported in 1981, 1982 and 1988. The sero-prevalence of anti-HBc is 67.21%. Anti-HBc are considered to be very relevant for the screening of VHB infection. Our study clearly points out that the highest prevalence of HBs Ag was observed among midwives. In all, the frequency distribution of the two serological markers we studied was similar in health workers and general population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[DNA amplification using the polymerase chain reaction method applied to the detection of HIV-1 in seropositive subjects and in seronegative subjects at risk].

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) allows the amplification of specific segments of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) genome. This technique is of interest for direct detection of HIV-1 DNA sequences in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In our study, 54 out of 55 HIV-1 seropositive subjects were found positive with PCR assay. No detection of HIV DNA was observed in 36 seronegative at risk subjects (16 homosexuals and 20 polytransfused haemophiliacs), in 20 subjects with isolated and persistent anti-core antibodies, in 20 thalassemic polytransfused children and in 74 HIV seronegative blood donors (negative controls). These results are consistent with those of classical HIV serology and indicate that latent HIV-1 infection in seronegative at risk subjects is not a frequent event, if it exists.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

HIV 2 infection among blood donors and other subjects in France. The "Retrovirus" Study Group of the French Society of Blood Transfusion.

During a 3 year period, from August 1985 to August 1988, 18 HIV 2-infected blood donors were detected in France as a result of systematic HIV 1 screening. These sera were characterized as HIV 2 by specific Western blot and synthetic peptides. Within the same period, 40 other HIV 2 infected subjects were identified by our study group, independently of blood donations. Thirty of these 58 subjects living in France originate from West Africa (8 blood donors), 3 (I blood donor) are Portuguese men who had lived in West Africa and 25 (9 blood donors) are of French origin; among these, 16 have had a known close contact with West Africa. When HIV 2-infected subjects were asymptomatic, cross reactivity between antibodies to HIV 2 and HIV 1 proteins was generally observed with the two-step ELISA assays using total HIV 1 proteins; it was poor with the competitive assays and variable with the assays using recombinant proteins. When the subjects had signs of immunodeficiency, cross reactivity decreased. The data confirm that HIV 2 is not widespread in France and that most of HIV 2-infected but asymptomatic subjects are recognized by several HIV 1 ELISA assays. Accordingly, systematic screening for HIV 2 with an additional test cannot be recommended at the present time, but a combined HIV 1 and HIV 2 test will be useful when available.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

An epidemiological and clinical study of transaminase levels and hepatitis B antibodies in 1,100 blood donors.

In order to provide epidemiological and clinical information on surrogate testing of blood donations, the respective prevalences of serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers and elevated transaminase levels were studied in 1,100 blood donors according to their geographic origin and socioeconomic level. The frequency of serum HBV markers varied as a function of HBV endemicity in the country of origin; however, it was inversely correlated (p less than 0.05) to the socioeconomic level of the donors, even in those originating from countries of low HBV endemicity. There was no association between serum HBV markers and the increased transaminase level which was observed in 48 (4.3%) donors. Twenty-five of these accepted further clinical evaluation. A diagnosis appeared probable in 12 of the 25: alcohol in 5; drugs in 6; non-A, non-B hepatitis in 1. Seven of the remaining 13 subjects were more than 25% above ideal body weight. Transaminase activities determined at the time of clinical assessment were normal in 14. In addition, serum HBV DNA was found in 5 of 247 donors, even in the absence of any usual HBV marker and/or hypertransaminasemia. This could account for the few cases of B and B-like posttransfusion hepatitis which are known to still occur despite careful HBsAg screening of blood donors.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed1989

Clinical and biological features in the 12 months preceding onset of AIDS in HIV-infected subjects.

Biological markers of HIV infection were studied in 17 asymptomatic HIV seropositive subjects in the 12 months preceding the onset of the disease. No single marker of HIV infection preceded the development of AIDS. Therefore, the clinical care of asymptomatic seropositive subjects should include a number of tests to evaluate HIV activity and immune suppression.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1988

[HTLV-1 in France].

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Deltaretrovirus Infections↗