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Biomedical subjects

E Lissen

Publications and source records attributed to E Lissen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[An evaluation of the efficacy of different commercial kits in the serological diagnosis of the early phase of human immunodeficiency virus infection].

The aim of the present study was to identify the most useful serum markers for the early identification of the infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). To this end, sequential serum samples of 19 individuals who later had seroconversion to anti-HIV were evaluated. The p24 antigen (Ag-HIV) was the earliest marker of the infection, although it could only be detected in five of the 19 individuals: in two as an isolated marker and in the remaining four associated to anti-HIV (first generation Western blot: WB-1, and recombinant enzyme immunoanalysis: EIA-2G). In 12 of the 19 individuals, WB-1G (Pasteur) was the technique which permitted the earliest detection of anti-HIV: in five cases with bands which made the unequivocal diagnosis of the infection, and in seven with indeterminate results (anti-HIV against core or envelope antigens). The second earliest test was the detection of anti-HIV against envelope antigens with a competitive EIA-2G (Abbott). WB-1G (Sorin) detected anti-HIV in a late phase, as it was the case for EIA-1G or EIA-2G for anti-HIV against antigens encoded by the GAG gene. These results indicate that there may be remarkable differences in sensitivity among the different commercial kits. The use of EIA for Ag-HIV together with WB-1G shortens the gap period of HIV infection, even if seroconversion is identified with EIA-2G for global anti-HIV.

AIDS Serodiagnosis

Hepatitis C virus infection in sexually promiscuous groups.

As there is insufficient data available on the spread of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection by sexual transmission, the prevalence of anti-HCV was determined in several sexually promiscuous groups (78 female prostitutes, 55 clients of prostitutes and 146 homosexual men) who denied intravenous drug abuse. The overall HCV infection rate was much higher in the sexually promiscuous groups (8.97%, 16.36% and 5.48% respectively) than in voluntary blood donors (0.48%), suggesting that HCV infection can be transmitted by sexual intercourse. Consequently, promiscuity may be a risk factor for this infection.

Blood Donors

[Serum and immunological markers of progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in hemophiliacs].

In a cohort of 30 randomly selected hemophiliacs who were prospectively controlled for four years the predictive value of AIDS development was evaluated for serum markers of HIV infection and for lymphocytic subpopulations in peripheral blood. The patients were evaluated with a mean of 15.79 +/- 5.74 months, and overall antibodies, specific antibodies (anti-ENV and anti-p24), HIV antigen (Ag HIV) and lymphocyte subpopulations were determined. 50% of the hemophiliacs with positive serum Ag HIV (2/4) developed AIDS during the study, whereas this progression was not recorded in any anti-HIV positive, nonantigenic patient. The presence of Ag-HIV was detected at least two years before the diagnosis in these patients, and it was associated with the absence of anti-p24 in one or more determinations. The immune regulation parameters were not significantly different, at the beginning of the study, in the hemophiliacs who developed AIDS and in those who did not. However, the progression to AIDS was associated with a significantly smaller T4/T8 ratio at least one year before the diagnosis. Our results show that the development of AIDS in hemophiliacs is associated both with the presence of Ag-HIV in the serum and a reduction in the T4/T8 ratio, although the detection of the former appears to be earlier than that of the latter in this risk group.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Predictive value of the presence of P24 antigen in persons with antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus in Spain.

In a prospective study of 37 individuals in Spain who did not have AIDS or AIDS-related complex but were positive for antibody to HIV, 164 sequentially taken serum samples were tested for the presence of the p24 antigen of HIV. Six of the subjects were antigenemic at entry to the study and five of the remaining 31 subjects seroconverted for HIV antigen during follow-up. Six (55%) of the 11 antigenemic patients but none of those without antigenemia developed AIDS. The interval from the time of first detection of HIV antigen to the diagnosis of AIDS varied greatly. The results confirm that individuals with HIV antigenemia run a significantly higher risk of developing AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Prevention of post-transfusion non-A, non-B hepatitis by non-specific immunoglobulin in heart surgery patients.

To evaluate the effectiveness of immune serum globulin (ISG) in preventing non-A, non-B hepatitis, 291 heart surgery patients who received blood from voluntary donors were randomly assigned to receive either ISG or no additional protection. ISG was given intramuscularly before and 1 week after transfusion. 98 controls and 100 in the ISG group completed the study. Post-transfusion non-A, non-B hepatitis developed in 11 (11.2%) controls but in only 3 (3.0%) of the ISG group (p = 0.0203). 8 (72.7%) of control group with hepatitis had symptoms, and in 5 (45.4%) the disease became chronic. The disease was self-limiting in all 3 ISG patients affected, and only 1 of them had symptoms. Among those with non-A, non-B hepatitis aminotransferase levels were higher in the controls than in the ISG patients. Incubation periods longer than 8 weeks correlated with a tendency for the disease to become chronic. ISG recipients had shorter as well as more homogeneous incubation periods. ISG could be a safe, low-cost means for preventing post-transfusion non-A, non-B hepatitis which does not call for the discarding of donated blood.

Adolescent