Biomedical subjects

Matthew W Lewis

Publications and source records attributed to Matthew W Lewis.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Multiple diagnostic techniques identify previously vaccinated individuals with protective immunity against monkeypox.

Approximately 50% of the US population received smallpox vaccinations before routine immunization ceased in 1972 for civilians and in 1990 for military personnel. Several studies have shown long-term immunity after smallpox vaccination, but skepticism remains as to whether this will translate into full protection against the onset of orthopoxvirus-induced disease. The US monkeypox outbreak of 2003 provided the opportunity to examine this issue. Using independent and internally validated diagnostic approaches with >or=95% sensitivity and >or=90% specificity for detecting clinical monkeypox infection, we identified three previously unreported cases of monkeypox in preimmune individuals at 13, 29 and 48 years after smallpox vaccination. These individuals were unaware that they had been infected because they were spared any recognizable disease symptoms. Together, this shows that the US monkeypox outbreak was larger than previously realized and, more importantly, shows that cross-protective antiviral immunity against West African monkeypox can potentially be maintained for decades after smallpox vaccination.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

A novel method for static equation-of state-development: equation of state of a cross-linked poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) network to 10 GPa.

Pressure-volume-temperature (PVT) equation-of-state (EOS) information for polymers and polymeric composites is valuable for predicting their response to extreme conditions. An obstacle in determining equations of state for polymeric materials is the lack of a simple, static experimental method for acquiring PVT data for solid networks and liquids at pressures greater than several kilobars. Here, we report a novel approach in determining static EOS for polymers using high-pressure diamond-anvil cells coupled with optical microscopy and image analysis. Results are presented for a cross-linked poly(dimethylsiloxane) polymer, Sylgard 184. Static isothermal results were fitted to empirical and semiempirical equations of state, including the Tait, Birch-Murnaghan, and Vinet forms. Static PV data were also converted to pseudoshock velocity-pseudoparticle velocity (U(s)-u(p)) for comparison to dynamic Hugoniot data. A linear Rankine-Hugoniot fit U(s)=s(T)u(p)+c(T) gives c(T)=1.572 km/s and s(T)=1.703. s(T) is related to the pressure derivative of the bulk modulus B(0) (') by s(T)=(B(0) (')+1)/4 and B(0) (')=5.8. A comparison of the static and shock data is given, along with an estimate of the Grüneisen parameter, and a discussion of the free volume content in the polymer network, and limitations of this novel method.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2003

Duration of antiviral immunity after smallpox vaccination.

Although naturally occurring smallpox was eliminated through the efforts of the World Health Organization Global Eradication Program, it remains possible that smallpox could be intentionally released. Here we examine the magnitude and duration of antiviral immunity induced by one or more smallpox vaccinations. We found that more than 90% of volunteers vaccinated 25-75 years ago still maintain substantial humoral or cellular immunity (or both) against vaccinia, the virus used to vaccinate against smallpox. Antiviral antibody responses remained stable between 1-75 years after vaccination, whereas antiviral T-cell responses declined slowly, with a half-life of 8-15 years. If these levels of immunity are considered to be at least partially protective, then the morbidity and mortality associated with an intentional smallpox outbreak would be substantially reduced because of pre-existing immunity in a large number of previously vaccinated individuals.

Adult↗