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Biomedical subjects

B Zöllner

Publications and source records attributed to B Zöllner.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Detection of TT virus DNA and GB virus type C/Hepatitis G virus RNA in serum and breast milk: determination of mother-to-child transmission.

To investigate the vertical transmission of the newly described TT virus (TTV), serum and breast milk samples from 46 women as well as sera from their 47 newborns were examined for the presence of TTV DNA by PCR. TTV DNA was detected in 47.8% (n = 22) of the women. All but one child born to these women were also viremic for TTV from the first sample onward. TTV DNA was found in 73.9% (n = 17) of the breast milk samples derived from TTV viremic mothers. The one TTV-negative child born to a viremic mother remained negative during follow-up, although it was breast-fed. Our data show that TTV is highly effectively transmitted from mothers to their children during pregnancy. Although the majority of breast milk samples from viremic mothers are positive by TTV PCR, there is no need to discourage women from breast-feeding, because most children are TTV viremic even before breast-feeding begins.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Rapid clearance of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 from ventricular cerebrospinal fluid during antiretroviral treatment.

To understand the pathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus-induced neuropathology, it is critical to know the dynamics of viral replication in the central nervous system. Viral decay kinetics were mathematically analyzed from multiple serial specimens of ventricular cerebrospinal fluid and plasma during antiretroviral therapy in a patient with asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus infection and an external ventricular catheter for hydrocephalus. A rapid exponential decay of virus with an elimination half-life of 4.2 days in ventricular cerebrospinal fluid and 2.3 days in plasma was found. Sequencing the V3 loop-encoding envelope gene of virus in both compartments revealed high sequence homology. The combined data suggest that virus in ventricular cerebrospinal fluid is at least partly contributed by rapidly replicating virus-producing cells recruited from the circulation.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

GB virus C/hepatitis G virus infection in hemodialysis patients: determination of seroprevalence by a four-antigen recombinant immunoblot assay.

GB Virus C/Hepatitis G Virus (GBV-C/HGV) was identified recently and only two assays, consisting of a single recombinant protein, have been described for determination of the seroprevalence of this virus. An immunoblot assay was devised, which contains four recombinant GBV-C/HGV proteins. In this study, serum samples from 154 patients on maintenance hemodialysis were examined to assess the rate of seroreactivity against GBV-C/HGV. All sera were tested for the presence of antibodies by an in-house recombinant immunoblot assay, for GBV-C/HGV viremia by RT-PCR, and for HCV infection by PCR and by serological assays. Antibody reactivity against GBV-C/HGV was detected in 20.8% (n = 32) and viremia was found in 6.5% (n = 10) of the patients. In no case were viremia and GBV-C/HGV antibodies detected in parallel. HCV infection was observed in 15.6% (n = 24) by RT-PCR. In 20 of these patients, HCV antibodies were detected by enzyme immuno assay (EIA) and immunoblot assay. However, four of the HCV PCR-positive patients were negative by both serological tests. Only two patients were viremic for GBV-C/HGV and HCV in parallel. It is concluded that antibody reactivity against GBV-C/HGV is common among patients on maintenance hemodialysis. In contrast to HCV, parallel occurrence of GBV-C/HGV viremia and GBV-C/HGV seroreactivity was not observed. This suggests that GBV-C/HGV infection might be self-limiting.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Examining patients with facial skull fractures from an etiological and legal perspective].

Maxillofacial traumas are common and often associated with other injuries. From a forensic point of view, it is often necessary to relate the traumatic event to the subsequent injuries. The aim of this study was to explore the etiology of maxillofacial injuries due to objective signs and the anamnestic history of patients. In a prospective study over a 1-year period, all patients presenting with mandibular and midface fractures seeking treatment at the University Medical Center in Münster. Germany, were investigated. Demographic data, patient history, and pattern and etiology of injury were recorded, along with evaluations of the patients' descriptions. Thorough clinical and radiological investigation was performed and photographic records were taken. In our study, 122 patients, with a male to female ratio of 2:1 were included. The mean age was 30.7 +/- 13.4 years. Assault was the most common etiology (40%), followed by traffic accidents (29%) and falls (17%). Alcohol was reported to play a role in 40% of all injuries. There was no difference in the number of patients with mandibular or midface fractures. In 75%, maxillofacial fractures were associated with other injuries. The patients' descriptions of the orofacial traumas seemed to be highly. For age, anatomical location, concomitant injuries, and other signs of trauma, we found no statistical association with the underlying etiology.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

High rate of chronicity in HCV infection determined by antibody confirmatory assay and PCR in 4110 patients during long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND: It is still unclear how many patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies have viremia and hence are infectious. OBJECTIVES: To determine the chronicity of HCV infection by correlation of HCV antibodies with presence of viremia in long-term follow-up. STUDY DESIGN: In a longitudinal study sera of 4110 patients were analyzed with second generation HCV-enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Only those patients were included in this study in whom sequential serum samples over a period of 2 years were available. To avoid preanalytical and analytical failures, we used a transport solution to prevent RNA degradation and a four-antigen recombinant immunoblot assay, established in our laboratory, for confirmation of antibody reactivity. RESULTS: Of 2815 patients with confirmed HCV antibodies 2784 (98.9%) were also positive in HCV-PCR assay. False reactive EIA results were detected in 177 (13.7%) individuals as shown by confirmatory assay and PCR. Only one patient (0.04%) spontaneously lost detectable HCV viremia and subsequently HCV-specific antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: Our study clearly demonstrates that presence of confirmed HCV-specific antibodies correlates significantly (98.9%; P < 0.001) with HCV viremia, and that spontaneous loss of viremia is a very rare event in HCV infection. We also found that elimination of HCV infection is not sufficiently predicted by the loss of detectable viremia in PCR, but can be concluded from the disappearance of virus-specific antibodies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Low risk of vertical transmission of hepatitis C virus by breast milk.

To evaluate the risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission via breast milk, we collected 76 samples of breast milk from 73 chronically HCV-infected women and serum samples from their 76 perinatally HCV-exposed children. Enzyme immunoassay and strip immunoblot assay were used for detection of antibodies to HCV, and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis was used for detection of HCV RNA. None of the 76 samples of breast milk contained HCV RNA, whereas 37 (59.7%) of 62 mothers tested for HCV RNA had HCV viremia. Only 1 of the 76 breast-fed infants had evidence of HCV infection. Because HCV infection in this child was detected 1 month after birth, it seems unlikely that it was transmitted by breast-feeding. These results indicate that HCV infection in pregnant women should not be a contra-indication for breast-feeding.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMed1999

Definition of false-positive reactions in screening for hepatitis C virus antibodies.

The rate of false-positive hepatitis C virus enzyme immunoassay results was determined to be at least 10% among 1,814 reactive serum samples based on (i) negative results in an independent confirmation assay, (ii) negative PCR results, and (iii) no patients developing clinical or biochemical signs of hepatitis during a 1-year follow-up.

False Positive Reactions↗
PubMed1999

Age-dependent acquisition of hepatitis G virus/GB virus C in a nonrisk population: detection of the virus by antibodies.

Until now there have been few seroepidemiological data for hepatitis G virus/GB virus type C (HGV/GBV-C). A four-antigen HGV/GBV-C immunoblot was established to examine 446 serum specimens from healthy individuals without risk factors for parenteral viral transmission. These individuals were divided into seven groups according to age. Seroprevalence rates were low for children and adolescents (5.6%) and increased for the age groups assumed to be the most sexually active (15.3 to 26.8%). Remarkably, none of the 80 individuals who tested positive for HGV/GBV-C antibodies were simultaneously positive for HGV/GBV-C viremia. From our data we conclude that HGV/GBV-C infection is widespread in the general population (16 to 25%). The development of an antibody response is associated with clearance of HGV/GBV-C viremia. Due to the lack of risk factors for HGV/GBV-C infection of blood, other efficient transmission routes must exist. It must be assumed that HGV/GBV-C transmission may be linked to sexual activity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Serological determination of hepatitis C virus subtypes 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, and 4a by a recombinant immunoblot assay.

Serological determination of hepatitis C virus (HCV) subtypes has been hampered by the lack of suitable assays. Therefore, a recombinant immunoblot assay has been established for serological differentiation of HCV subtypes 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, and 4a. It consists of recombinant HCV proteins from the NS-4 region propagated in Escherichia coli. To confirm the serotyping assay results, the results were compared with those obtained by nucleotide sequencing of the NS-5 region. Sera from 157 patients with chronic HCV infection were examined by this assay, and specific antibodies could be detected in 86% (n = 135) of them. The HCV genotype was determined correctly in all but one sample, and the subtypes determined by the serotyping assay corresponded to the HCV subtypes detected by nucleotide sequencing for 95% (n = 128) of the samples. These data indicate that HCV subtypes can be distinguished serologically. The assay that is described provides an easier means of identification of infection with different HCV subtypes for wider clinical and epidemiological applications.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Evaluation of the results of delayed rhinoplasty in cleft lip and palate patients. Functional and aesthetic implications and factors that affect successful nasal repair.

Patients born with cleft lip and palate (CLP) present with a variety of nasal deformities. These are either congenital or iatrogenic. Our aim was to establish a correlation between aesthetic and functional nasal impairments in patients with CLP whose nasal reconstruction had been delayed. Fifty-four randomly selected patients with CLP deformities, all of whom had delayed nasal repairs were evaluated objectively, aesthetically in three planes, and functionally for symptoms of nasal obstruction, chronic maxillary sinusitis, and olfactory disturbances. Aesthetically the patients were analysed from 1:1 life-size full face, profile, and submental-vertex photographs, and full skull cephalograms. Nasal patency was assessed by rhinomanometry. The presence of chronic maxillary sinusitis and olfactory disturbances were deduced from the history. The degree of nasal dismorphism correlated with the severity of nasal functional impairments. Delayed nasal repairs in patients with CLP did not produce satisfactory aesthetic or functional results, probably because growth was retarded and midfacial development was disturbed at the time of delayed rhinoplasty and resulted in asymmetry. In CLP the nose should be repaired during the early primary cheilorhinoplasty, as this is essential for the restoration of a normally functioning and aesthetically pleasing nose.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Application of nested PCR and mass spectrometry for DNA-based virus detection: HBV-DNA detected in the majority of isolated anti-HBc positive sera.

DNA preparations from three different groups of serum samples were examined for HBV-DNA via a nested polymerase chain reaction assay (lower detection limit: 10 viral genomes in 100 microliters serum): Group I consisted of 11 uninfected control sera, group II consisted of sera obtained from 11 HBV infected patients and group III consisted of 21 isolated anti-HBc positive samples. The 21 samples from group III were HBV-DNA negative according to a conventional non-nested PCR assay and hybridization with a 32P-labelled probe. Using nested PCR and mass spectrometry, HBV-DNA was detected in none of group I and in all of group II samples. In 11 out of 21 (52%) of the isolated anti-HBc positive sera from group III, HBV-DNA was detected. No correlation was observed between HBV-DNA positivity and anti-HBc titers. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry provided a fast, sensitive and non-radioactive assay for the detection of PCR products without the need for gel electrophoresis or hybridization with labelled probes.

DNA, Viral↗
PubMed1998

Serological differentiation between HCV subtypes 1a and 1b by a recombinant immunoblot assay.

Until now, no serological assay has been available for the differentiation of HCV subtypes. Since there is evidence that the subtypes differently influence the clinical course of HCV infection and the outcome of interferon therapy, we established a strip immunoblot assay (NS-4 IBA) with recombinant HCV proteins of the nonstructural 4 (NS-4) region propagated in Escherichia coli. Using this NS-4 IBA, we were able to distinguish HCV subtypes 1a and 1b, which are the most prevalent subtypes in Europe and the U.S.A. The results of the serotyping assay were compared with those obtained by nucleotide sequencing from the NS-5 region. Concordant results were observed to match 94.9% (n=100) by the NS-4 IBA and nucleotide sequencing. Discrepant results were obtained in only 5.1% (n=6). These data indicate that HCV subtypes can be serologically distinguished, providing the possibility for easier identification of infection with different HCV subtypes.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1998

Transient dissociation between infectious HIV-1 titer and viral RNA during the early phase of AZT treatment.

The short-term kinetics of infectious HIV titers, HIV copy numbers and p24-antigen during the first 28 days of AZT monotherapy were evaluated. In three of four patients, infectious HIV was culturable and infectious titers rose 2- and 4-fold compared to baseline values. This increase was neither associated with mutations conferring resistance to AZT nor a switch from NSI to SI phenotypes. Two patients showed an increase of plasma infectivity associated with a reduction of HIV copies and p24-antigen. We conclude that transient dissociations of plasma infectivity and HIV copy numbers occur during early AZT monotherapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Asymptomatic HIV infection is characterized by rapid turnover of HIV RNA in plasma and lymph nodes but not of latently infected lymph-node CD4+ T cells.

OBJECTIVES: To study the kinetics of plasma viraemia and HIV-infected lymph-node cells in stable asymptomatic HIV infection with high CD4+ T-cell counts. METHODS: Nine asymptomatic HIV-infected patients with stable CD4+ T-cell counts (510-1350 x 10(6)/l) were treated with a triple-drug combination. Plasma viraemia was determined at days 0, 3, 7, 10, 14, 21 and 28 of treatment [Roche polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and ultrasensitive PCR assay]. Sequential lymph-node biopsies were examined in four patients before and after 4 weeks of treatment. Productively infected cells were counted in lymph-node sections (in situ hybridization). The infection rates of FACS-sorted CD4+ lymph-node T cells and the expression of single-spliced, double-spliced and full-length HIV transcripts were determined. RESULTS: HIV plasma RNA half-lives ranged from 1.4 to 2.7 days. Viral turnover varied between 0.07 and 7.54 x 10(8) copies per day. The number of productively infected lymph-node cells as well as the amount of extracellular virus in germinal centres was markedly reduced during treatment, paralleled by a clearance of single-spliced, double-spliced and full-length HIV transcripts from CD4+ lymph-node T cells. Plasma viraemia remained detectable with an ultrasensitive PCR assay in three out of four patients. The percentage of lymph-node CD4+ T cells harbouring proviral DNA decreased only slightly. CONCLUSIONS: The kinetics of HIV replication are rapid in stable asymptomatic infection, and the magnitude of replication varies considerably. Productively infected lymph-node cells and extracellular virus in germinal centres undergo a rapid turnover, whereas latently infected CD4+ T cells have a lower rate of turnover. The latter may contribute substantially to viral persistence during therapy.

Adult↗