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Biomedical subjects

I Orstavik

Publications and source records attributed to I Orstavik.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

[Amantadine and rimantadine against influenza A].

Amantadine and the analogue rimantadine have an antiviral effect on influenza A virus and are approximately 60% effective in preventing illness. The drugs are administered orally, and peak plasma concentration is achieved at two hours after a single dose. Side effects occur in 5-20% of the cases, but generally mild and transient and seen mainly with doses of more than 200 mg a day. This paper describes the mechanism of action and the pharmacokinetics of the drugs, and refers to some important clinical trials. Amantadine has been used in Norway to treat Parkinson's disease since 1972. The licensing of the amantadine and rimantadine for use against influenza A in this country is also discussed.

Amantadine↗
PubMed1991

Genital human papilloma virus infection in Oslo studied by dot blot DNA hybridization and the polymerase chain reaction.

Samples from patients with genital condyloma acuminata or with cervical condylomas and/or dysplasia and from women without cytological/clinical evidence of cervical affection were examined by dot blot DNA hybridization or the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR was much more sensitive than dot blot, more than doubling the human papilloma virus (HPV) findings. HPV DNA, mainly HPV 6/11, was detected in 18 of 19 biopsies of condyloma acuminata, whereas HPV 16 was most frequently detected in the 21 cervices (76%) with condyloma and/or dysplasia. HPV 16 was detected in eight of 103 cervical smears with no signs of infection. The prevalence of HPV 16 in cervical samples was somewhat higher than expected. This suggests that, in Oslo, HPV 16 is a common HPV type in women with cytologically normal cervices. HPV 18 was relatively rare and was detected only in combination with other HPVs.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Strain variation in parainfluenza virus type 4.

Variations in epitopes on structural proteins of four isolates of parainfluenza virus type 4 (PIV-4) and the Mr of polypeptides in these isolates were determined by radioimmune precipitation assay with monoclonal antibodies to parainfluenza virus type 4A (PIV-4A) and type 4B (PIV-4B). Three isolates antigenically resembled the prototype PIV-4A and the sizes of their structural proteins were 72K (HN protein), 61K (F0 protein), 61K (NP protein) and 40K (M protein). However, one virus isolate showed marked antigenic differences from both the 4A and 4B prototype viruses, particularly with regard to properties of the HN and F proteins. In addition, both the NP and F0 proteins of this isolate had a slightly increased Mr of 63K.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Hybridization in situ. A new technic for the demonstration of viruses and gene products in histologic and cytologic specimens].

The use of in situ hybridization for light-microscopic demonstration of specific DNA or RNA-sequences is illustrated with examples. This method is useful for demonstration of viruses and gene products (mRNA) in individual cells in tissue sections or in cells in suspension. In situ hybridization technology is particularly useful in diagnostic pathology as an adjunct to the conventional methods for infectious diseases. In addition, the method is a powerful tool for analysing the interaction between viral infection and the induction and maintenance of certain human neoplasms. We discuss various aspects of tissue handling, fixation, hybridization procedures and detection of the hybridization signal. We also stress the importance of close cooperation between laboratories in the field of gene technology.

DNA, Viral↗
PubMed1989

Norwalk virus in Norway: an outbreak of gastroenteritis studied by electron microscopy and radioimmunoassay.

An outbreak of acute gastroenteritis affected approximately half of 40 children staying at a holiday centre in Southern Norway. By direct electron microscopy Norwalk-like viruses were demonstrated in 4/8 available stool specimens. No other pathogens were detected. Antibody against these viruses was demonstrated by immune electron microscopy in all of 7 convalescent phase sera but in none of 11 acute phase sera collected. Radioimmunoassay examination showed a rise in titre of Norwalk virus antibody in 6 available paired sera. This outbreak of Norwalk virus gastroenteritis in Norway was thus documented by a combined use of direct and immune electron microscopy and radioimmunoassay.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Nebulised beclomethasone dipropionate in recurrent obstructive episodes after acute bronchiolitis.

Forty four children with recurrent obstructive episodes after acute bronchiolitis in infancy were treated with nebulised beclomethasone dipropionate or placebo for eight weeks in a randomised double-blind study. They were seen monthly for a year afterwards, and also if they had acute respiratory illnesses with or without bronchopulmonary obstruction. The two treatment groups were well matched. The children receiving active treatment had significantly fewer symptomatic respiratory illnesses and fewer episodes of bronchopulmonary obstruction during the follow up period. The children given placebo had significantly higher obstructive scores during the study period, and they were treated with inhaled beta 2 agonists and theophylline for longer periods of time during the follow up period. The results suggest that nebulised beclomethasone dipropionate may have prolonged effects on subsequent asthmatic symptoms after termination of treatment in children with recurrent obstructive episodes after acute bronchiolitis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1987

Blood donor selection can prevent cytomegalovirus infection after open heart surgery.

Thirty-four patients without IgG antibodies against cytomegalovirus (CMV) prior to open heart surgery were studied. The patients were randomized to receive blood either from unselected donors, or from donors without detectable CMV antibodies. Fresh whole blood was mainly used. Eleven patients received CMV seronegative blood only. All had an uneventful convalescence period and remained seronegative. Ten of the 23 patients who received blood from unselected donors had typical CMV disease with the onset of symptoms in the third or fourth postoperative week, and fever lasting for two to three weeks. They all had liver enzyme release and later seroconversion against CMV. Four patients were hospitalized during this period. The incidence of symptomatic CMV infection after open heart surgery was higher than usually reported among the CMV seronegative patients. Selection of blood donors who lack antibodies against CMV may be an adequate protective measure. Avoidance of fresh blood and reduced use of blood products are presumably also of importance.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1987

Acute bronchiolitis in infancy. The relationship to later recurrent obstructive airways disease.

Fifty-one infants admitted to hospital because of acute bronchiolitis were followed until 2 years of age. Sixty per cent had three or more attacks of bronchopulmonary obstruction, and the remainder two or less attacks. The children with three or more attacks also had more respiratory infections. They had younger parents and their close relatives more often had respiratory atopic illness. The children with three or more attacks wheezed for a longer time after the bronchiolitis. No difference was found for breast-feeding, neonatal respiratory complications, crowded homes, parental smoking and other social factors. To detect children at risk of recurrent obstructive airways disease after bronchiolitis, a discriminant analysis was performed. The discriminant function classified 28 of the 31 children with recurrent obstructive episodes as belonging to the risk group, and 18 of the 20 children with two or less episodes to the non-risk group.

Airway Obstruction↗
PubMed1986

Neutralizing activity in human milk fractions against respiratory syncytial virus.

Neutralizing activity against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was measured in milk samples from 17 healthy women whose infants had an acute infection with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and from 27 women with healthy infants. All milk samples were obtained 2-8 months post partum. Neutralizing activity was detected in 36 samples. No major difference in neutralizing titers was observed between the two groups, and the titers were low. RSV-specific IgA was found in two samples, and RSV-specific IgG in one sample. RSV-specific IgM was not detected. In gel filtration studies, the neutralizing activity was eluted with an apparent molecular weight above 400,000. The neutralizing activity remained after removal of IgA by affinity chromatography. These findings suggest that both immunoglobulin and non-immunoglobulin components in human milk can neutralize RSV.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1985

Primary cytomegalovirus infection following open heart surgery.

Among 674 patients undergoing open heart surgery in 1981-82, 86 (13%) were cytomegalovirus (CMV) antibody-negative when tested by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay prior to operation. At follow-up, 54 (67%) of 80 patients restudied had seroconverted after the operation, and 35 of the 54 seroconvertants had been ill with fever and elevated liver enzymes. Among the latter 35 patients, 26 demonstrated a significant rise in CMV antibody titre, most often detected in the third week following the onset of illness. The older patients were more susceptible to illness and seroconversion, and there was a positive correlation between age and the number of blood units given. Thus, at least one third of the seronegative patients developed symptomatic CMV illness after open heart surgery. This is a much higher incidence than earlier reported.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Identification of patients at risk of symptomatic cytomegalovirus infection after open-heart surgery.

In a prospective study, 58 consecutive patients submitted to open-heart surgery were followed from the preoperative period up to 3 months postoperatively with regard to clinical status, cytomegalovirus (CMV) antibodies and signs of enzymatic liver damage. Forty-eight patients (83%) were seropositive prior to operation. Of the ten (17%) preoperatively seronegative patients, five became CMV-seropositive during follow-up. Of the 48 initially seropositive patients, nine showed heightened CMV-antibody titers after the operation. Significant symptomatic CMV illness with protracted fever developed in four patients, all from the group of five with seroconversion. All five of these patients had enzymatic liver damage. The incidence of symptomatic CMV infection after open-heart surgery in CMV-negative patients probably is higher than previously assumed, while CMV-positive patients seem to have complete protection against CMV morbidity.

Cardiac Surgical Procedures↗
PubMed1984

Antibodies to cytomegalovirus-induced pre-early nuclear antigen in the anticomplement-immunofluorescent test in comparison to IgG and IgM antibodies in the indirect and direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in diagnosing cytomegalovirus infections.

Development of antibody to pre-early nuclear antigen (anti-PENA) in persons with primary cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection was tested in serial serum specimens of four renal transplant patients and four patients undergoing open heart surgery using the anticomplement-immunofluorescent test (ACIF). In patients undergoing open heart surgery seroconversion of anti-PENA was mostly concomitant with the rise of IgG or IgM antibodies determined in the indirect or direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) whereas in all renal transplant patients developing anti-PENA a delayed rise of this antibody compared to IgG and IgM antibodies was observed. Significant rise of anti-PENA accompanied by an increase of IgG and IgM antibodies in indirect and direct ELISA was also found in three patients undergoing open heart surgery with recurrent CMV-infection. Anti-PENA was shown to persist longer than IgM antibody. Moreover, anti-PENA was present in the serum of nearly two-thirds of 30 persons with IgG antibody but without IgM antibody. It is concluded that antibody determination to PENA can serve as an additional means of diagnosing primary and recurrent CMV infections. Because of its long persistence only seroconversion or significant rise of this antibody may be considered evidence of infection. In some patients a delayed development of anti-PENA must be taken into consideration.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Respiratory virus infections and aeroallergens in acute bronchial asthma.

Two hundred and fifty six attacks of acute bronchial asthma occurring in 169 children aged over 2 years were studied during a two year period. More attacks occurred during spring and autumn than at other times of the year. In 73 patients (29%) a respiratory virus infection was diagnosed, with the same seasonal variation as the asthmatic attacks. Most of the virus infections were caused by rhinovirus (45%) and respiratory syncytial virus (19%). There was no significant correlation between asthmatic attacks in patients with birch pollen, grass pollen, or Cladosporium herbarum allergy and counts of the respective pollen or spores in the air. More seasonal attacks occurred in patients with cladosporium allergy than in patients without cladosporium allergy but there was no seasonal variation among birch or grass pollen allergic patients. Information about exposure to animals was obtained in only 12% of attacks occurring in 121 patients with allergy to animal dander. The single precipitating factor most frequently associated with acute asthma was respiratory virus infection.

Allergens↗
PubMed1984

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and rubella virus infection during pregnancy. A study of CMV and rubella virus antibodies in 2014 pregnant women and follow-up studies of infants at risk for intrauterine CMV infections.

Two blood samples, one in the first and one in the third trimester, were collected from 2014 pregnant women. Serological tests for CMV and rubella antibodies were performed in the paired samples. Seroconversion by the CF test for CMV antibodies was demonstrated in 15 women. However, seroconversion also by the IF test was found in only one of these. A rise in titer during pregnancy by the CF test was found in 16 woman. None of these specimens contained specific IgM. High CMV-CF antibody titer (greater than 128) in the first serum sample was found in 28 women, but none of the sera contained specific IgM. It is concluded that no single serological test can serve at present as a screening test for the diagnosis of CMV infection during pregnancy. In children thought to be at risk contracting congenital CMV infection, no case with CNS malfunction that could be attributed to a congenital CMV infection could be demonstrated at the age of 7-8 years. One case of seroconversion in the examination for rubella antibodies was found. The infant of this mother showed no clinical signs of rubella infection.

Adolescent↗