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V Brinovec

Publications and source records attributed to V Brinovec.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Second-generation Hybrid capture test and Amplicor monitor test generate highly correlated hepatitis B virus DNA levels.

The performance of the Digene Hybrid Capture II HBV DNA Test HC II and the Roche Cobas Amplicor Monitor Test (Cobas-HBV) was evaluated on 252 serum samples. One hundred and seventy-three samples were HBV DNA positive and 75 HBV DNA negative by both assays. Four samples were HBV DNA positive by Cobas-HBV only. Linear regression analysis showed that the HBV DNA concentrations obtained from both assays were significantly related (n=173, r=0.976, P<0.0001). The results of the study show that Hybrid capture II and Cobas-HBV could be used equally in the management for patients with chronic HBV infection.

Automation↗
PubMed2001

Comparative evaluation of semiautomated COBAS AMPLICOR hepatitis B virus (HBV) monitor test and manual microwell plate-based AMPLICOR HBV MONITOR test.

Comparative evaluation of the semiautomated COBAS AMPLICOR hepatitis B virus (HBV) MONITOR Test (COBAS-HBV) and manual AMPLICOR HBV MONITOR Test (AMPLICOR-HBV) on 208 serum samples revealed no significant difference in the sensitivities of the two assays. Twenty samples tested HBV DNA negative and 183 samples tested HBV DNA positive by both assays. Three samples tested positive by COBAS-HBV only and two samples tested positive by AMPLICOR-HBV only. HBV DNA concentrations determined by the two assays were significantly related (n = 183, r = 0.97, P < 0.0001), which indicates that COBAS-HBV could replace AMPLICOR-HBV. The major inconvenience of COBAS-HBV is the required performance of appropriate predilutions of high-titer samples in order to extend the narrow dynamic range of the assay.

Automation↗
PubMed2001

Detection of hepatitis C virus RNA from gingival crevicular fluid and its relation to virus presence in saliva.

BACKGROUND: To search for a possible source of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in saliva, the presence and shedding patterns of HCV in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and saliva of HCV viremic patients were assessed based on clinical, biochemical, histological, virological, and oral health parameters. METHODS: Saliva and GCF samples of 50 HCV viremic patients were collected to detect HCV RNA by a modified commercial polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Clinical oral examination was performed and periodontal status at the collection sites was monitored. The results were correlated to specified parameters. RESULTS: HCV RNA was detected in 59% (29/49) of the GCF specimens and in 35% (17/48) of the saliva specimens. In saliva specimens, HCV RNA was detected only in cases which also had detectable HCV RNA in the GCF samples (P=0.00002) and was significantly related to the presence of blood in saliva (P=0.03). Higher, but not significant, values of oral clinical parameters at the sites of fluid collection were found in GCF specimens harboring HCV RNA. In GCF specimens with no blood detected, HCV RNA was more often present in cases with higher plasma viral load (P=0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that besides blood, the other most probable source of HCV in saliva is GCF. Unknown endogenous HCV inhibitory mechanisms in the oral cavity may explain the discrepancies in HCV appearance between saliva and GCF. The results provide a biologic basis for further investigation of the role of HCV in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

The contribution of HLA-Class II antigens in humoral non-response and delayed response to HBsAG vaccination.

The variability in the immune response modulated by HLA alleles may be an important factor for the induction of the protective effect of HBsAg vaccines. We present here the analysis of HLA-DRB1, DQB1 and DQA1 alleles and their combinations in the group of 36 individuals with poor humoral immmune response to HBsAg vaccination. Comparison with the control group, consisted of 60 randomly choosen healthy subjects, revealed that the DRB1*1601, DQB1*0502, DQA1*0102 haplotype is overrepresented in the group of hyporesponders and may therefore be regarded as a factor influencing poor antibody responsiveness. We observed that after revaccination two of three individuals who failed to develop anti-HBs antibodies carry the same phenotype DRB1*0101,DRB1*0301;DQB1*0501,DQB1*0201;DQA1+ ++*0101,DQA1*0501, which supports the conjecture that immunogenicity of the HBsAg vaccine depends on specific combination of HLA DR and DQ molecules on antigen presenting cells.

Alleles↗
PubMed1997

Distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes in Slovenia.

To determine the prevalence of HCV genotypes in Slovenia, 203 subjects infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) were studied using the Inno-Lipa HCV II assay (Innogenetics, Belgium). Of 21 patients infected by blood transfusion 19% had HCV subtype 1a, 81% had subtype 1b, and none of them was infected with genotype 3. In chronic hepatitis C patients infected by unknown cause subtype 1b was the most prevalent (54.4%), followed by subtype 1a (24.6%), genotype 3 (15.8%) and genotype 2 (5.2%). Genotype 3 (45.9%) and subtype 1a (43.2%) predominated among 74 intravenous drug users. In 37 haemodialysis patients genotypes 1 and 2 were almost equally frequent (40.5% and 37.8%, respectively), followed by genotype 3 (21.6%). Significant differences in HCV genotype distribution among distinct epidemiological groups observed in Slovenia indicate a close relationship between certain HCV genotypes and particular routes of viral transmission.

Chi-Square Distribution↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Treatment of chronic hepatitis C: our experience.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: While an optimal treatment of chronic hepatitis C has not yet been established, it has been demonstrated that the interferon alpha/ribavirin combination is more effective than interferon alpha monotherapy. METHODOLOGY: One hundred and forty-three patients with chronic hepatitis C received the following treatment: eighty patients an 18-month monotherapy (3-month follow-up) and sixty-three patients a 12-month combined therapy (6-month follow-up). Therapeutic efficacy and adverse effects were compared. RESULTS: In 80 patients in the monotherapy group, complete response was achieved in 49.2%. This was reduced to 27.5% three months after therapy. Significant differences were observed in HCV 3 genotype where complete response was achieved in 12 out of 14 patients (p=0.01). With the combined therapy administered to 63 patients, complete response was achieved in 54.5%. This was reduced to 43.2% after 6 months of follow-up. Among the responders or partial responders, significant differences were observed with regard to age (p=0.0047) and subtype 1b (p=0.012). Comparing the groups of naive patients and relapsers, a statistically significant difference (p=0.027) was found in therapeutic efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: In the treatment of chronic hepatitis C, combined therapy proved more effective than monotherapy. This is, however, not yet a satisfactory solution.

Adolescent↗