Biomedical subjects

D Haase

Publications and source records attributed to D Haase.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

Genetic instability in myelodysplastic syndrome: detection of microsatellite instability and loss of heterozygosity in bone marrow samples with karyotype alterations.

Using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based approach, we examined the prevalence of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and microsatellite instability (MSI) in relation to chromosomal imbalances in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Two of 26 patients displayed MSI (8%), one of them at five loci. LOH was detected in six out of 26 cases (23%), predominantly involving markers IRF1 [5q31] and WT1 [11p]. Two patients displayed a corresponding chromosomal deletion by conventional cytogenetics. Supporting the mutator phenotype hypothesis, a significant coincidence of LOH, MSI and chromosome abnormalities was observed (P < 0.025). Moreover, our data suggest that LOH represents an initial rather than a secondary genetic event in MDS, promoting genetic instability in a subset of patients.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

Differential cellular expression of the human MSH2 protein in normal and myelodysplastic haematopoiesis.

Loss of human MSH2 (hMSH2) protein might be involved in the multistep pathogenesis of haematological malignancies associated with genetic instability. Here, we examine cellular hMSH2 expression in bone marrow samples from 10 haematopoietically normal individuals in comparison with nine patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) [one refractory anaemia (RA), two RA with ringed sideroblasts (RARS), four RA with excess blasts (RAEB) and two RAEB in transformation (RAEB-T)]. HMSH2 protein was predominantly expressed in myeloblasts and promyelocytes. Blast cells from three patients with RAEB and one with RAEB-T displayed absent or very low hMSH2 expression. As no correlation between hMSH2 expression and chromosomal aberrations was observed, further genetic events seem to be required to induce karyotype instability.

Bone Marrow Cells↗

PubMed1999

Double induction strategy for acute myeloid leukemia: the effect of high-dose cytarabine with mitoxantrone instead of standard-dose cytarabine with daunorubicin and 6-thioguanine: a randomized trial by the German AML Cooperative Group.

Early intensification of chemotherapy with high-dose cytarabine either in the postremission or remission induction phase has recently been shown to improve long-term relapse-free survival (RFS) in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Comparable results have been produced with the double induction strategy. The present trial evaluated the contribution of high-dose versus standard-dose cytarabine to this strategy. Between March 1985 and November 1992, 725 eligible patients 16 to 60 years of age with newly diagnosed primary AML entered the trial. Before treatment started, patients were randomized between two versions of double induction: 2 courses of standard-dose cytarabine (ara-C) with daunorubicin and 6-thioguanine (TAD) were compared with 1 course of TAD followed by high-dose cytarabine (3 g/m2 every 12 hours for 6 times) with mitoxantrone (HAM). Second courses started on day 21 before remission criteria were reached, regardless of the presence or absence of blast cells in the bone marrow. Patients in remission received consolidation by TAD and monthly maintenance with reduced TAD courses for 3 years. The complete remission (CR) rate in the TAD-TAD compared with the TAD-HAM arm was 65% versus 71% (not significant [NS]), and the early and hypoplastic death rate was 18% versus 14% (NS). The corresponding RFS after 5 years was 29% versus 35% (NS). An explorative analysis identified a subgroup of 286 patients with a poor prognosis representing 39% of the entire population; they included patients with more than 40% residual blasts in the day-16 bone marrow, patients with unfavorable karyotype, and those with high levels of serum lactate dehydrogenase. Their CR rate was 65% versus 49% (p =.004) in favor of TAD-HAM and was associated with a superior event-free survival (median, 7 v 3 months; 5 years, 17% v 12%; P =.012) and overall survival (median, 13 v 8 months; 5 years, 24% v 18%; P =.009). This suggests that the incorporation of high-dose cytarabine with mitoxantrone may contribute a specific benefit to poor-risk patients that, however, requires further substantiation. Double induction, followed by consolidation and maintenance, proved a safe and effective strategy and a new way of delivering early intensification treatment for AML.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Results of a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial evaluating sequential high-dose cytosine arabinoside/mitoxantrone chemotherapy with or without granulocyte/macrophage-colony-stimulating factor in high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes.

A prospective, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial was designed to evaluate the impact of granulocyte/macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) on the efficacy of sequential high-dose cytosine arabinoside/mitoxantrone chemotherapy (S-HAM) in adult patients with high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). GM-CSF or placebo was given subcutaneously once daily at a dose of 250 microg/m2, starting 48 h prior to chemotherapy, and continued until neutrophil recovery. Owing to high toxicity and slow patient recruitement the study was closed and unblinded after 31 patients had been enrolled; 15 were randomized to receive placebo and 16 to receive GM-CSF. A total of 29 patients were evaluable for response; their median age was 57 years. Ten patients achieved a complete remission (34.5%), 9 patients had persistent MDS (31%), 10 patients died within 6 weeks after the onset of treatment (early death) (34.5%). The median remission duration was 190 days (range: 2.5-45 months). Among the 29 evaluable patients no significant differences could be found between the two study arms regarding complete remission rate [GM-CSF: 31% (5/16) versus placebo: 38% (5/13) P = 0.45], rate of persistent MDS [GM-CSF: 25% (4/16) versus 38% (5/13) P = 0.35), early death rate [44% (7/16) versus 23% (3/13) P = 0.22] and remission duration (GM-CSF: 87 days versus placebo 221 days). Duration of granulocytopenia (median: 33 days with GM-CSF) versus 35 days with placebo) and frequency of infectious episodes were not significantly influenced by GM-CSF. The small number of patients finally analyzed means that no definite conclusions about the effect of GM-CSF can be reached.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Clonal chromosomal abnormalities in the stem cell compartment of patients with acute myeloid leukemia in morphological complete remission.

Acute myeloid leukemia arises from the clonal expansion of a malignant transformed progenitor cell. Despite intensive chemotherapy, final disease eradication is achieved by a small proportion of cases only and 50-70% of adults with AML will ultimately relapse and die from their disease. Hence residual disease below the level of morphological detectability must be assumed in clinical and morphological complete remission. CD34+/CD38- and CD34+/CD38+ subpopulations of seven patients in morphological complete remission were isolated by FACS (purity >98%) and were analyzed by conventional cytogenetics or FISH for chromosomal aberrations. In five of seven patients, clonal chromosomal abnormalities were detected in the CD34+/CD38+ subpopulation and in one patient with AML M2 (add (2)(q37)) in the most immature CD34+/CD38- stem cell compartment. One patient with AML M4Eo (inv(16),+8), showed a normal karyotype by conventional cytogenetic analysis, whereas four of 15 metaphases of the sorted CD34+/CD38+ subpopulation revealed the inversion 16. These observations underline that leukemic cells can survive intensive chemotherapy in the niche of the stem cell compartment. In some patients the sensitivity for the detection of persistent leukemic cells seems to be higher in FACS-sorted subpopulations than conventional cytogenetic analysis of the unseparated bone marrow. Immunophenotyping revealed minimal residual disease in four of the patients. Functional analysis has to be performed to investigate the leukemogenic potential of these residual cells.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase↗

PubMed1999

Prediction and visualization of structural switches in RNA.

There are various cases where the biological function of an RNA molecule involves a reversible change of conformation. paRNAss is a software approach to the prediction of such structural switching in RNA. It is based on three hypotheses about the secondary structure space of a switching RNA molecule, which can be evaluated by RNA folding and structure comparison. In the positive case, the predicted structures must be verified experimentally. Additionally, we give an animated visualization of an energetically favourable transition between the predicted structures. paRNAss is available via the Bielefeld Bioinformatics Server. This paper explains the underlying model and shows that the approach performs well in a variety of applications.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1998

MLL and CALM are fused to AF10 in morphologically distinct subsets of acute leukemia with translocation t(10;11): both rearrangements are associated with a poor prognosis.

The translocation t(10;11)(p13;q14) has been observed in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) as well as acute myeloid leukemia (AML). A recent study showed a MLL/AF10 fusion in all cases of AML with t(10;11) and various breakpoints on chromosome 11 ranging from q13 to q23. We recently cloned CALM (Clathrin Assembly Lymphoid Myeloid leukemia gene), the fusion partner of AF10 at 11q14 in the monocytic cell line U937. To further define the role of these genes in acute leukemias, 10 cases (9 AML and 1 ALL) with cytogenetically proven t(10;11)(p12-14;q13-21) and well-characterized morphology, immunophenotype, and clinical course were analyzed. Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed with 2 YACs flanking the CALM region, a YAC contig of the MLL region, and a YAC spanning the AF10 breakpoint. Rearrangement of at least one of these genes was detected in all cases with balanced t(10;11). In 4 cases, including 3 AML with immature morphology (1 AML-M0 and 2 AML-M1) and 1 ALL, the signals of the CALM YACS were separated in interphase cells, indicating a translocation breakpoint within the CALM region. MLL was rearranged in 3 AML with myelomonocytic differentiation (2 AML-M2 and 1 AML-M5), including 1 secondary AML. In all 3 cases, a characteristic immunophenotype was identified (CD4+, CD13-, CD33+, CD65s+). AF-10 was involved in 5 of 6 evaluable cases, including 1 case without detectable CALM or MLL rearrangement. In 2 complex translocations, none of the three genes was rearranged. All cases had a remarkably poor prognosis, with a mean survival of 9.6 +/- 6.6 months. For the 7 AML cases that were uniformly treated according to the AMLCG86/92 protocols, disease-free and overall survival was significantly worse than for the overall study group (P = .03 and P = .01, respectively). We conclude that the t(10;11)(p13;q14) indicates CALM and MLL rearrangements in morphologically distinct subsets of acute leukemia and may be associated with a poor prognosis.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1998

[Primary pulmonary plasmacytoma. Case report of a rare lung tumor].

HISTORY AND CLINICAL FINDINGS: A 45-year old man, suffering from dry cough without haemoptysis, was admitted for evaluation of pulmonary changes of uncertain aetiology. A chest radiograph and computed tomography (CT) had shown a large space-occupying lesion in the left hilus. His general condition was poor and he had resting dyspnoea and stridor. On auscultation of the lung there were decreased breath sounds and dry rales over the left and vesicular breathing over the right lung. INVESTIGATIONS: CT revealed a 7.0 x 6.0 cm space-occupying lesion in the left hilus and ipsilaterally a tumour in the dorsolateral lower lobe surrounding the left lower lobe bronchus. Initial bronchoscopy showed this bronchus to be involved in the tumour process. Biopsy demonstrated monomorphic proliferating plasma cells which on immunochemical testing showed selective staining to lambda-light chains and immunoglobulin G. The first serum electrophoresis was unremarkable, but a later repeat discovered a small amount of paraprotein for IgG-lambda type. Bence-Jones protein was demonstrated in the urine. On the basis of these findings an extramedullary plasmacytoma of the lung (PPP) was diagnosed. TREATMENT AND COURSE: At first the patient was given i.v. chemotherapy, and to prevent a threatening bronchial occlusion oral dexamethasone was given. Pericardial effusion and recurrent retention pneumonia developed. 6 month after onset of symptoms radiotherapy was begun and the tumour became markedly smaller. CONCLUSION: PPP should be included in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary space-occupying lesions even when initial serum protein electrophoresis is negative for monoclonal paraproteinaemia. Pericardial effusion may be caused by pulmonary involvement of the plasma cell tumours.

Biopsy↗

PubMed1998

Intensive therapy for high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes and the biological significance of karyotype abnormalities.

Therapy for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) has been less than effective when based on low-dose treatment or supportive measures only, including hematopoietic growth factors. Recently, based on the percentage of bone marrow blasts, the number of cytopenic cell lines and cytogenetics, clinical risk groups have been defined more precisely. Recent studies applying intensive acute myeloid leukemia (AML)-type therapy to high-risk MDS have produced remissions ranging from 45 to 79%. Advances in the understanding of the biology of MDS clearly point to cytogenetics rather than morphologic subtype as being of prognostic relevance. Hence, new treatments need to be developed for patients with unfavorable karyotypes and complex abnormalities in particular. These MDS subtypes are characterized by low spontaneous proliferative activity and low autocrine production of hematopoietic growth factors. The subtypes are, however, highly sensitive to external stimulation by granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). New therapies could emerge from these findings, for example, priming high-risk MDS patients with hematopoietic growth factors in combination with intensive AML-type treatment. Recent studies suggest that incorporating high-dose AraC into an intensive drug combination could further improve the outcome of high-risk MDS.

Chromosome Aberrations↗

PubMed1998

Synthesis of an unsaturated fatty acid analogue (18-(4'-azido-2'-hydroxybenzoylamino)-oleic acid) and its interaction with lysophosphatidylcholine: acyl-CoA-O-acyltransferase.

Acylation/deacylation reactions represent a basic requirement of triglyceride as well as phospholipid metabolism, and maintenance of membrane lipid composition. In order to examine enzymes participating in these pathways, we synthesized 18-(4'-azido-2'-hydroxybenzoylamino)-oleic acid, an iodinable photoaffinity analogue of oleic acid as a new tool for analyzing enzymes, especially those binding unsaturated fatty acids or acyl-CoAs. For the synthesis of omega-amino-oleic acid, coupling two bifunctional Cg-components was used. The described synthesis scheme is also suited for the specific generation of other fatty acid analogues with distinct positions of the double bond. The functionality of 18-(4'-azido-2'-hydroxybenzoylamino)-oleic acid was investigated with the enzyme lysophosphatidylcholine:acyl-CoA-O-acyltransferase (LAT) [EC 2.3.1.23], an enzyme that shows high specificity towards (poly)unsaturated fatty acyl-CoAs. It could be shown that the photolabel, esterified with coenzyme A, acts in the dark as a reversible inhibitor of the enzyme activity, but photolysis of the label results in irreversible inactivation of LAT. This inactivation could be prevented by addition of the native substrate arachidonyl-CoA during photolysis. Several proteins could be specifically visualized using the iodinated analogue. The data indicate that this new photoaffinity label may have application to identify and characterize lipid biosynthetic enzymes using unsaturated fatty acids as well as acyl-CoA binding proteins and the active site of these proteins.

1-Acylglycerophosphocholine O-Acyltransferase↗

PubMed1997

Induction of a hematological and cytogenetic remission in a patient with a myelodysplastic syndrome secondary to Fanconi's anemia employing the S-HAM regimen.

We report on a patient with Fanconi's anemia (FA) who developed a myelodysplastic syndrome (RAEB-T) with complex karyotypic abnormalities (trp 1q23q42, monosomy 20, trisomy 13) at the age of 28. The patient achieved a complete hematological and cytogenetic remission after treatment with sequential high-dose cytosine arabinoside/mitoxantrone followed by G-CSF (5 micrograms/kg). Bone marrow hypoplasia was prolonged with 38 days of granulocytopenia < 500/microliters and 62 days of platelet transfusion dependency. Nonhematological toxicity did not exceed that of patients without underlying FA. Remission duration was 7 months. This observation shows the feasibility of high-dose Ara C treatment in patients with FA and MDS. Although hematopoiesis remained clonal in remission, the suppression of the cytogenetically abnormal clones transiently reversed the antecedent long-lasting pancytopenia.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Cytogenetic analysis of CD34+ subpopulations in AML and MDS characterized by the expression of CD38 and CD117.

It has been supposed in de novo AML that malignant transformation occurs at the level of committed progenitors. Recent data of our group and others provide evidence that in AML malignant transformation may regularly occur at the level of stem cells. These cells can be discriminated by function and specific surface molecules. CD34, a glycophosphoprotein, is a cellular surface antigen characteristically expressed by stem cells. CD34+ stem cells can be further subdivided by the expression of additional surface molecules like CD38 and CD117. In this article we present results from cytogenetic examinations of FACS-isolated stem cell subpopulations in eight patients (four AML and four MDS). Six of them displayed clonal karyotype abnormalities at the time of first diagnoses in the native bone marrow (5q-; 5q- and complex abnormalities; +8; inv(16) and +8; i(17q) and -21; i(21q)). We used CD117, the receptor for the stem cell factor (also KIT oncogene) as a new cellular surface marker. CD34+/CD117+/- stem cell subpopulations were examined in two patients with AML and three patients with MDS. We found leukemic stem cells in every type of stem cell subpopulation examined (CD34+/CD38-, CD34+/CD38+, CD34+/CD117-, CD34+/CD117+). Secondary, progression-associated chromosome abnormalities likewise were demonstrable in CD34+ cells. In three patients a mosaic of normal and abnormal metaphases was found in the highly purified stem cell subpopulations. We conclude that in AML and MDS stem cells are the target of leukemogenic genetic defects. CD117 as a new marker to isolate different CD34+ subpopulations was not sufficient to discriminate between normal and leukemic stem cells. Our findings have implications for autologous stem cell transplantation, high-dose chemotherapy and the pathogenetic concept of leukemogenesis.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase↗

PubMed1997

The significance of trisomy 8 in de novo acute myeloid leukaemia: the accompanying chromosome aberrations determine the prognosis. German AML Cooperative Study Group.

Trisomy 8 is the most frequent numerical chromosome aberration in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). It occurs either as the sole anomaly or together with other clonal chromosome aberrations. We investigated whether accompanying chromosome anomalies influence the clinical outcome in patients with trisomy 8 and de novo AML. Since 1986, in 713 AML cases treated according to the protocols of the German AMLCG trials, chromosome analyses have been successfully performed. The overall incidence of trisomy 8 was 7.6%. Complete clinical follow-up data were available for 51 patients who were divided into three different categories: group 1: trisomy 8 as the sole cytogenetic anomaly (n = 20); group 2: trisomy 8 in addition to favourable chromosome aberrations (t(8;21)(q22;q22), t(15;17)(q22;q21), inv(16)(p13q22)) (n = 10); and group 3: trisomy 8 accompanied by other anomalies, in most cases of complex type (n = 21). Complete remission (CR) rates were 70%, 90% and 67% for groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Event-free survival (EFS) at 3 years differed significantly between patients with trisomy 8 only (37.5%), patients with trisomy 8 in combination with favourable aberrations (55.0%) and patients with trisomy 8 and other accompanying anomalies, mostly complex chromosome aberrations (9.0%) (group 1 v group 2: P=0.12; group 1 v group 3: P=0.005; group 2 v group 3: P=0.05). In this study patients with +8 as the sole cytogenetic anomaly had an intermediate prognosis, patients with +8 in addition to favourable chromosome aberrations maintained a good clinical outcome, and patients with +8 in combination with other abnormalities showed the worst prognosis.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1997

[HBV-DNA positive findings in HBsAg negative blood donors and patients].

There have been repeated discussions as to whether the implementation of anti-HBc screening of blood donations in Germany would be useful. We present several cases of HBsAg-negative patients and blood donors in whose plasma HBV-DNA was mainly found only after enrichment of virus particles by ultracentrifugation. In the case of a seroconverting blood donor, 3 of 4 HBsAg tests could not detect HBsAg. 90% of our HBsAg-negative, but HBV-DNA containing samples (n = 10) were positive for anti-HBc. The 'nested' PCR without previous ultracentrifugation was positive in only under 30% of the samples. Ultracentrifugation is an expensive method and will not be practicable for the testing of all blood donations. We conclude that the HBsAg tests which are available should be subjected to improvement. In addition, the implementation of anti-HBc screening could decrease the risk of posttransfusion HBV infection more effectively than PCR testing from nonenriched serum.

Blood Donors↗

PubMed1996

Incidence and implication of additional chromosome aberrations in acute promyelocytic leukaemia with translocation t(15;17)(q22;q21): a report on 50 patients.

Acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) is characterized by the translocation t(15;17)(q22;q21). Usually t(15;17) is the sole cytogenetic abnormality, but some patients show other chromosome aberrations in addition to t(15;17). The influence of additional chromosome aberrations on the clinical outcome of patients with t(15;17) is unclear. We have analysed 50 cases of APL carrying the translocation t(15;17). Additional chromosome aberrations were observed in 17/47 patients (36%) studied at initial diagnosis and in all three patients studied at relapse. In nine cases (18%) an additional chromosome 8 and in six cases (12%) an isochromosome of the long arm of the derivative chromosome 17 was observed. Various structural rearrangements in addition to t(15;17) were detected in nine patients (18%). Clinical follow-up data were available for 44 patients studied at diagnosis. A complete remission (CR) was achieved in 34 patients (77%). 10 patients (23%) died within 1 month after diagnosis due to infection or bleeding, eight (24%) relapsed within 10-18 months after initial diagnosis. 28 patients are alive 2-93 months after diagnosis (25 in first CR, two in second and one in third CR) (median follow-up 18.5 months). Bone marrow transplantation was performed in six patients (three in first CR, two in second CR, one in third CR), all are alive and in CR. An influence of secondary chromosome anomalies on prognosis was not observed. However, if a higher rate of long-term remission can be reached, specific secondary chromosome aberrations might turn out to be of prognostic value.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

De novo AML with dysplastic hematopoiesis: cytogenetic and prognostic significance.

Dysplastic hematopoiesis is the morphological hallmark of myelodysplastic syndromes. Dysplastic features in one or more lineages are also found frequently in bone marrow aspirates from patients with de novo AML and have been associated with an unfavorable prognosis. We asked whether dyshematopoiesis is an independent prognostic factor or an indicator of unrecognized secondary leukemia, identified by characteristic chromosomal abnormalities. Bone marrow aspirates from 102 patients with newly diagnosed AML were analyzed. Morphological analysis was obtained in all patients, flow cytometric analysis in 96 and successful cytogenetic analysis in 65 bone marrow aspirates. Dysgranulopoiesis (DysG) was found in 55, dysmegakaryopoiesis (DysM) in 32 and dyserythropoiesis (DysE) in 23 patients. Decreased side scatter signals of neutrophils in the flow cytometric analysis (DysS) were detected in 32 patients. DysG and DysS showed a highly significant correlation (P = 0.0005). DysG was an adverse negative prognostic factor for remission rate and event-free survival (P = 0.04, P = 0.02). An unfavorable karyotype was associated with a significantly lower chance for event-free survival (P = 0.002). The incidence of an unfavorable karyotype was significantly higher in patients with DysG (P = 0.01), DysM (P = 0.02) and DysS (P = 0.01). In patients with an unfavorable karyotype, dysplasia had no additional prognostic influence, however, in patients with a normal, favorable or prognostically uncertain karyotype DysG remained a predictor of lower remission rate (P = 0.03). We conclude that dysgranulopoiesis, dysmegakaryopoiesis and decreased side scatter signals of neutrophils are indicators of secondary leukemias in bone marrow aspirates from patients with de novo AML.

Bone Marrow↗

PubMed1996

Fifty-one patients with acute myeloid leukemia and translocation t(8;21)(q22;q22): an additional deletion in 9q is an adverse prognostic factor.

The translocation t(8;21)(q22;q22) occurs in 6 to 12 percent of patients with AML, and usually predicts a good response to chemotherapy with a high remission rate and a relatively long median survival. The influence of additional chromosome aberrations on the clinical outcome of patients with t(8;21) is unclear. We analyzed 51 cases of acute myeloid leukemia carrying a translocation t(8;21)(q22;q22); 23 female and 28 male patients. The complete remission rate was 92 percent and median overall survival was 52.4 months. The median overall survival of female patients was significantly worse than of male patients (37.2 months vs not reached, P = 0.025). Additional chromosome aberrations were detected in 41 patients at diagnosis (80 percent), 31 (61 percent) had lost a sex chromosome, seven (14 percent) showed a partial deletion of the long arm of chromosome 9 and in three patients (6 percent) a gain of chromosome 8 was observed. Whereas the loss of a sex chromosome had no influence on prognosis, a partial deletion of the long arm of chromosome 9 was an unfavorable prognostic factor. The median overall survival of the seven patients with del(9q) was only 12.5 months and thus significantly shorter than in patients with only t(8;21) or with t(8;21) and additional sex chromosome loss (median survival not reached: P = 0.0010).

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1996

[Prevalence of hepatitis C virus in blood donors and comparison of 4 different anti-HCV differentiation tests].

In 1994 we tested 30,208 blood donations in Lübeck with the Abbott HCV EIA 2.0. 88 specimens of 47 blood donors who were repeatedly reactive were the basis of comparative investigations with the Chiron RIBA HCV 2.0 and 3.0, the Abbott Matrix HCV, the Wellcozyme HCV Western Blot (Murex) and the PCR (Amplicor HCV Test, Roche Diagnostic Systems). Our results suggest that the minimal prevalence of HCV RNA amounts to approximately 0.13%, the incidence per year to 0.013%. The minimal prevalence of anti-HCV amounts to 0.27%. Anti-core antibodies are the most frequent anti-HCV antibodies. They may be the only detectable antibodies during the early phase of the infection. The Chiron RIBA HCV 3.0 with the synthetic peptide c22p is not sufficiently sensitive for anti-core antibodies and may therefore fail to recognize viremic specimens.

Blood Donors↗