Recombinant adenovirus vectors expressing the entire gag (p55) or CA (p24) region of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) were constructed by inserting the appropriate HIV DNA sequences into the E3 region of human adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) with and without an exogenous SV40 early promoter. The infectious recombinant adenoviruses Adgag1, AdSVgag1, and AdSVCA1 were shown to express the appropriate HIV-1 antigens in human cells in vitro, as measured by immunoprecipitation and p24 antigen capture assays. Using the p24 antigen capture assay, HIV antigen expressed by AdSVCA1 was detected earlier in infection and in greater amounts than that produced by either Adgag1 or AdSVgag1. In studies concerning the immunogenicity of these vectors, Balb/c (H-2d) mice given a single intraperitoneal injection of 10(7) or 10(8) plaque-forming units of purified vector developed serum antibodies to p24, detected by Western blotting, by 2 weeks postinjection. In the preliminary test of the immunogenicity of the recombinant adenovirus vectors in primates, two of four rhesus macaque monkeys generated antibodies to HIV-1 p24 following two injections of AdSVCA1. As expected, monkeys injected with control adenovirus failed to show any anti-HIV response, and none of the monkeys showed any adverse reactions following infection with either recombinant or control adenoviruses. These results suggest that adenovirus vectors have considerable potential in the study of possible immune therapies for HIV infection.

Adenoviruses, Human↗

PubMed1990

Hospital communication about drugs: the effect of language on accuracy.

OBJECTIVE: To review some of the problems associated with the prescription, supply and administration of drugs in a multicultural environment. METHOD: Staff questionnaire. RESULTS: Most respondents indicated the information received from the pharmacy was satisfactory, that they had read a recent therapeutic bulletin and that they could describe prescription handwriting as 'clear and reasonable'. There was general difficulty in understanding the meaning of Latin abbreviations and a demonstrated failure to absorb recently circulated information.

Culture↗