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Biomedical subjects

S Leventon-Kriss

Publications and source records attributed to S Leventon-Kriss.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Varicella-zoster virus immune status in CAPD and chronic hemodialysis patients.

Patients on chronic dialysis who are supposed to disclose an impairment of the immune potential, seldom show clinical viral illnesses. Since severe varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection develops in immunocompromised patients, we have examined the proliferative activity to VZV in the blood lymphocytes of 16 patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and compared it to healthy matched controls. The cellular in vitro response of these patients to specific VZV antigens was essentially normal. The mean stimulation index for CAPD patients was 7.06, and for matched controls 3.68 (p greater than 0.05). The mean percentage of lymphocytes in CAPD patients as determined by CD3 monoclonal antibodies was 57%, the CD4 helper and CD8 suppressor cells were 41 and 21%, respectively. When those 16 CAPD patients were followed up for the presence of anti-VZV IgA, IgM and IgG immunofluorescent antibody to membrane antigen antibodies during a period of 6 months, the recrudescence of VZV was documented by the appearance of IgA and IgM antibodies and/or fourfold increase in IgG titer in some patients, but no clinical illness was observed. The frequent reactivation of the virus without clinical symptoms in patients undergoing long-term intermittent chronic hemodialysis (HD) or CAPD was strengthened by the presence of increased anti-VZV geometric mean titers (52.68 and 53.00, respectively) in these patients as compared to control subjects (11.75).

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Infection and persistence of varicella-zoster virus in lymphoblastoid Raji cell line.

Infection of Raji cells by varicella-zoster virus (VZV) resulted in permissive infection with establishment of a persistently infected lymphoblastoid cell line. VZV antigens of the membrane and nuclear type, as detected by the indirect immunofluorescence membrane antigen (IFAMA) and anticomplement immunofluorescence (ACIF) tests, were observed. Minute amounts of infectious virus were detected by co-cultivation of VZV-infected Raji cells (Raji-VZV), with permissive human embryo fibroblasts (HEF). The virus isolated was found to be similar to the parent strain. Transient induction of Epstein-Barr viral capsid antigen (EB-VCA) was also observed. The persistently infected Raji-VZV cell line, when free of EB-VCA, was found suitable for measuring antibodies to varicella-zoster virus. The possible interaction in the infected Raji cells between EBV, which is implicated in human malignancy, and VZV which belongs also to the herpes group of viruses, is discussed.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1979

Antibody to varicella-zoster virus-induced membrane antigen: immunoperoxidase assay with air-dried target cells.

A technique using indirect immunoperoxidase antibody to membrane antigen (IPAMA) was developed for detection of IgG antibody to varicella-zoster virus (VZV). The IPAMA technique utilizes glass slides with air-dried VZV-infected cells, which can be stored at -70 C and used for several months without loss of sensitivity. Antibody titers measured by the IPAMA technique were comparable to those measured by the technique using indirect fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen (IFAMA) for sera obtained from 63 medical students as well as sera from three patients with chicken pox and nine with herpes-zoster infection, and the sensitivity of the IPAMA was equal to that of the IFAMA technique. No cross-reactivity with antibodies to other herpesviruses was observed.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1979

Sensitive solid-phase radioimmunoassay for detection of human immunoglobulin G antibodies to varicella-zoster virus.

A sensitive solid-phase radioimmunoassay for detection of antibodies to varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is described. The antigen consisted of a sonically disrupted extract of VZV-infected human embryo cells. 125I-labeled rabbit anti-human immunoglobulin G (IgG) specific for the Fc portion of human IgG was used to detect human IgG bound to viral antigen. With this technique, 193 human sera were evaluated for their IgG antibody titer against ZVZ. Subjects included 62 healthy adults, 33 young children (12 healthy), and 49 patients. Titers obtained by the radioimmunoassay were compared with those obtained by indirect fluoresence antibody staining of membrane antigen. The radioimmunoassay technique described gave titers approximately 5 X 10(4) times higher than those shown by indirect fluorescence. It can be used for routine diagnosis, but is especially suited to determining immune status to VZV, as defined by presence or absence of antibodies to the virus; for epidemiological studies; or for determining patients at risk who are exposed to the virus. No heterotypic titer rises to VZV were observed in sera with fourfold or greater rises to Epstein-Barr virus or cytomegalovirus. Sera of eight subjects with fourfold or greater titer rises to herpes simplex virus reacted in various ways: in six cases no significant change occurred in titer to VZV; one had a significant decrease in titer by the radioimmunoassay; and one had a significant increase. Possible reasons for these titer changes are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Detection of antibodies to varicella zoster virus by radioimmunoassay and enzyme immunoassay techniques.

An enzyme assay for the detection of antibodies to varicella-zoster membrane antigen (IPAMA) and a solid phase radioimmunoassay (RIA) which utilizes infected cell lysates as antigen are described. The results have been compared with those obtained by the indirect fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen (IFAMA) technique. It was found that IPAMA was equal in sensitivity to IFAMA. No cross-reactivity was found with other herpes group viruses. The IPAMA appears to give objective results, is easily and rapidly performed, and is recommended as a routine test for serological diagnosis of varicella-zoster infection. The RIA method is about 100 times more sensitive than IPAMA and IFAMA. The RIA is specific and has the potential of determining lower levels of antibody than other serological methods currently in use.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1978

Seroepidemiologic aspects of varicella zoster virus infections in an Israeli Jewish population.

Sera from 872 healthy subjects among the Jewish population of Israel were examined for antibodies to varicella zoster virus (VZV) by a simplified technique for the detection of immunofluorescent antibody to membrane antigen. The difference in the geometric mean titer of antibodies to the virus among the the different age groups was highly significant (P less than 0.0001). The highest titers were found in the five-to-seven-years and 21-to-30-years age groups. In 211 subjects, aged 17 to 40 years, the antibody titres were not influenced by sex or ethnic origin. The percentage of seronegative subjects (titer less than 2) was relatively high--between 18.7 and 32.9% in the 21-to-60-years age groups--and it was 19.5% in the population of childbearing age. The importance of screening for VZV immune status in pregnant women is emphasized.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Herpes simplex encephalitis simulating systemic embolism.

A case of herpes simplex virus encephalitis is described in a patient known to suffer from chronic atrial fibrillation and whose clinical symptoms suggested cerebral embolism of cardiac origin. The final diagnosis was based on the presence of herpes simplex virus type 1 antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid and a significant rise in antibody titers in the serum. The patient regained consciousness after craniotomy and treatment with idoxuridine. The case emphasizes that the possibility of herpetic encephalitis should be considered in patients presenting with typical signs of a cerebrovascular accident.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Fluorescence and neutralizing antibodies to herpes simplex virus in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with central nervous system diseases.

Herpes simplex virus antibodies were studied in 73 patients with various diseases of the central nervous system. In 29 patients, there were rising titers of fluorescence and neutralizing antibodies to herpes simplex virus in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The CSF antibodies were predominantly IgG. In one patient, IgM was found during the fourth, but not during the eighth week of illness. The CSF antibody titers did not correlate with the serum antibody titers or with the severity of the neurologic defect. No fluorescence antibodies were found in the CSF of 52 of 53 control patients. The presence of CSF fluorescence antibodies may be of considerable value in the diagnosis of herpes simplex encephalitis. However, the absence of these antibodies in the early stage of the disease does not exclude the possibility of infection with herpes simplex virus.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

Antibodies to Herpes simplex virus in Jewish women with cervical cancer and in healthy Jewish women of Israel.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) antibody titers were examined in sera from 39 Jewish women with squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix (CaCx) and in sera from controls matched by age and country of origin. Highly significant differences were found between the cases and controls for both HSV type 1 (HSV-1) and HSV type 2 (HSV-2). Compared to findings in other demographic areas, the geometric mean titer (GMT) of HSV-1 among the CaCx cases were considerably higher, whereas the GMT for HSV-2 was in the same range. The percentage of HSV-2-positive patients, as defined by the HSV-2/HSV-1 antibody titer ratio was low compared to that found in other demographic areas; this was presumably due to the high incidence of HSV-1 infection in the population. The HSV-1 and HSV-2 infection rate in the Israeli Jewish female population was estimated by antibody titers for 94 healthy subjects. The GMT of HSV-1 was considerably higher, whereas the GMT of HSV-2 was lower, than those reported elsewhere. The association found previously between HSV-2 and CaCx remained true for Jewish women. Their low incidence of CaCx, which did not seem to result from lower susceptibility, might be explained by the low incidence of HSV-2 infection.

Adolescent↗