The influence of HIV I p24 antigen immune complexing with anti-p24 antibodies of the assessment of their respective levels in HIV-positive sera was studied. ELISA tests were used for evaluating anti-p24 and p24 antigenemia, with or without acid dissociation. We have observed that: 1. p24 antigenemia usually coexisted with low anti-p24 levels, an inverse correlation between these two parameters being traced; acid dissociation increased the percentage of p24 positive sera, especially when anti-p24 titers are low; 2. on contrary, after acid dissociation, p24 Ag remain undetectable in 55.56% of patients presenting high titers and 29.41% of those with low levels of anti-p24; acid dissociation do not increase anti-p24 titers. Whereas the first group of observations suggests that p24 Ag and anti-p24 Ab may be involved in immune complexes, the second set indicates that p24 Ag and Ab were not inevitably linked in such complexes. So, they may be indicative for two distinct biological phenomena.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Epidemiological observations on the evolution of influenza in the city of Iaşi in the epidemic season of 1993-1994].

The epidemiological, clinical and laboratory data of influenza and other respiratory diseases recorded during the epidemic season 1993-1994, as they resulted from the comparative analysis of the cases reported weekly and those recorded through the "sentinel" collectivities method, are presented. The findings at admissions to the Infectious Diseases Hospital, Military Hospital, Diagnosis and Treatment Centre for Pupils and Students and the solicitation for medical care at the Emergency Ambulance Service were also interpreted. The involvement of A/Beijing/32/92/(H3N2) influenza virus was confirmed by evidencing the seroconversion on two serum samples tested through RIH, while for others antigens anamnestic reactions were recorded. The influenza epidemic had affected all age groups, with horizontal extension, a first rise in December 1993 followed by the decline determined by winter vacation being notice. A second epidemic rise, much stronger, started beginning with the last month of January and reached a peak at mid February, followed by a marked decline.

Acute Disease↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[An epidemiological assessment of acute diarrheal diseases in Iaşi city and County (1985-1994)].

Acute diarrhoea, with a remarkable etiologic, clinic and epidemiologic polymorphism represents, for various reasons, an important concern for health preservation both in industrialised countries and, mainly, in the developing ones. It is that, at world level, 1.2-1.5 milliards of diarrhoea episodes, of which 750-950 millions in children, causing death in over 4 millions aged 0-5 years, are recorded. In Romania, although the real data of morbidity by acute diarrhoea are not known, the reports show a significant decrease in the past 10 years. In 1993, 420.2 cases at 100,000 inhabitants were reported, the most commonly affected being the children age 0-4 years. In Moldavia (Romania), numerous extensive studies on the epidemiology of acute diarrhoea have been carried out. This paper present and aims rendering evident some epidemiological aspects of acute diarrhoea cases reported in the interval 1985-1994 in Iaşi County and town.

Acute Disease↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The epidemiological considerations of the evolution of HIV/AIDS in Iaşi County in 1990-1995].

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Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Epidemiological evaluations of the incidence of posttransfusion hepatitis in Iaşi County in 1985-1995].

In the interval 1985-1995 the morbidity rate of viral hepatitis of various causes showed yearly variations, an average of 181 cases being recorded. The performed investigations revealed markers for viral hepatitis B in an yearly average of 154 cases for the 11 years under study. Posttransfusion hepatitis had an average incidence of 43 cases per year, in 59.1% the markers for viral hepatitis B being absent. 93.3% of the cases with posttransfusion hepatitis belonged to the age groups over 20 years and workers presented a mean yearly incidence of 28.3% of all cases. In 1995 the blood donors with viral hepatitis C antibodies represented 4.05% and 75% of them belonged to the age groups 21-60 years, 50% of them being industrial workers and 40% having the A II blood group. Of the 321 admitted cases, 26.7% presented AgHBs, 8.4% AcVHC, in 2.3% markers for both viruses were evidenced and in 62.8% of the cases the diagnosis was made on epidemiological criteria and serologic exclusion (non A, B, C) without excluding the possible intervention of other hepatitic viruses.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Seroepidemiological considerations of the incidence of viral hepatitis C in some population groups].

In the interval 1985-1994, in the Iaşi district, the reported cases of viral hepatitis (VH) have recorded annual morbidity rates ranging between 67/100,000 inhabitants in 1993 and 373/100,000 in 1990. VH attributed to HAV and HBV has represented, with yearly differences, 62% to 94% of all cases. Posttransfusion viral hepatitis (PTVH) has determined a morbidity of 0.51/100,000 inhabitants in 1986 and 8.34/100,000 in 1994. PTVH without AgHBs ranged from 16.3% in 1993 to 94.0% in 1987, as compared to 6.0% in 1987 and 1988 and 75.0% in 1985 for PTVH with AgHBs. In the interval under study 70.9% of the PTVH cases were most likely determined by HCV and 28.9% by HBV (AgHBs+). From all PTVH cases, 64.0% were from urban areas, 59.3% were females, 92.5% belonged to over 20 years age groups, and 31.3% were industrial workers, the remainder belonging to other 5 occupational groups. In 241 patients (18.2%) admitted for liver disorders, posttransfusion hepatitis included, AcHCV was present in 39.4%, of which 45.2% belonged to the age groups 20-60 years. The results of some investigations carried out on 4471 blood donors (72.4% males, 85.4% aged between 21 ad 50 years, 86.4% from urban areas, 62.1% workers in industry and building) are presented. Out of these, 217 (4.9%) presented to hepatitis C virus (AcHCV). Occupational distribution of AcHCV possessors shows that 44.2% are workers in the heavy industry, 14.8% in the light industry and 12.9% unemployed. Sera were tested by Monolisa New Antigens, and those with AcHCV were reassessed with Monolisa, Murex anti HCV, ORTO-HCV 3.0 and confirmed by Immunoblot DECISCAN, with 5 antigens.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Multiple false-positive reactions in anti-CD4 ELISA testing of dystrophic children.

BACKGROUND: Anti-CD4 autoantibodies are present in up to 10% of HIV infected patients and, until present, they were not recorded in other pathological circumstances. AIM: To test the presence of anti-CD4 autoantibodies in HIV-infected children, using an indirect ELISA test. DESIGN: Cross-sectional controlled study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study group: 9 HIV infected dystrophic children--3 AIDS (P2A), 6 P1C. Control groups: 9 HIV seronegative dystrophic children; 14 HIV seronegative eutrophic patients presenting chronic hepatopathies, or dialysed patients. METHODS: 1. Indirect ELISA using as antigen sCD4 molecules; 2. Western blot (sCD4); 3. "Antigenic displacement": sera preincubation with sCD4, followed by indirect ELISA. RESULTS: Indirect ELISA revealed anti-CD4 reactivities in all the dystrophic patients (9 HIV+ and 9 HIV-). WB sCD4 did not confirmed none of these reactivities. Sera preincubation with sCD4 did not significantly modified ELISA CD4 reactivities. CONCLUSIONS: False positive results (FPR) rate following testing of the presence of anti-CD4 in dystrophic children recommends prudence for the interpretation of such tests. "Antigenic displacement" could be an accessible and easy to perform method in order to eliminate the FPR.

Antibody Specificity↗