Biomedical subjects

W Kajiyama

Publications and source records attributed to W Kajiyama.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1992

Sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus among female prostitutes and patients with sexually transmitted diseases in Fukuoka, Kyushu, Japan.

The authors investigated the prevalence of antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) in 404 female prostitutes, 428 clinic patients with a history of at least one episode of sexually transmitted disease, and 8,944 blood donors who served as the controls. All subjects were Japanese, and all studies were carried out in Fukuoka, Kyushu, Japan, in 1989. The prevalence of anti-HCV was significantly higher in the prostitutes (6.2%), in the female patients with sexually transmitted diseases (6.1%), and in the male patients with sexually transmitted diseases (2.9%) than in the controls (1.5%). Prevalence of anti-HCV increased with age in prostitutes and in the controls. The prevalence of anti-HCV in those who had been involved in prostitution for 1 year or more (8.1%) was higher than in those who had been involved in prostitution for less than 1 year (1.4%), but the difference was not statistically significant. One of the 152 anti-HCV negative prostitutes seroconverted between 1 and 2 years later. Among the subjects with sexually transmitted diseases, patients with a history of at least one episode of syphilis had a significantly higher prevalence of anti-HCV (4.4%) than the controls. Patients with acute urethritis and cervicitis also showed a high prevalence of anti-HCV (3.6% and 6.7%, respectively). These data support the possibility of sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

The effects of breastfeeding and presence of antibody to p40tax protein of human T cell lymphotropic virus type-I on mother to child transmission.

We examined the effects of various factors, including duration of breastfeeding, the status of mother's anti-p40tax, and titre of mother's anti-human T cell lymphototropic virus type-I (HTLV-I) on mother to child transmission of HTLV-I in 76 HTLV-I carrier mothers and 175 of their children. The overall prevalence of anti-HTLV-I among children was 16.0%. The prevalence of anti-HTLV-I among children breastfed for over 3 months was significantly higher (27.6%) than that of those breastfed for under 3 months (5.1%; P = 0.012). Of the 78 bottle-fed children, 10 (12.8%) were positive for anti-HTLV-I. In the children breastfed for over 3 months, the prevalence of anti-HTLV-I among 37 children of anti-p40tax positive mothers was 37.8% and that of 21 children of anti-p40tax negative mothers was 9.5%, a significant difference (P = 0.044). These data suggest that about 13% of bottle-fed children born to carrier mothers are infected with HTLV-I by routes other than breast milk, and that the mother's anti-p40tax can serve as a marker of infectivity of HTLV-I in the case of breastfeeding for over 3 months.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

[Evaluation of micro particle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA) for the demonstration of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen].

A fully automated microparticle enzyme immunoassay (IMx AUSAB, Abbott) has been recently introduced for the detection of the presence of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs). The present trial was carried out to determine the feasibility of using the IMx AUSAB with sera and plasma, and for comparison with RIA (AUSAB, Abbott) and EIA (AUSAB EIA, Abbott). According to the kinds of vaccines used and locations of residents, the subjects were divided into six groups. Results obtained were as follows; In the test of 642 sera from 446 vaccines and 196 other inhabitants of Okinawa and Miyazaki prefectures, 388 (87.0%) were found positive for anti-HBs using IMx, 392 (87.9%) with RIA and 359 (80.5%) with EIA. Among those vaccinated with recombinant vaccines, 96.6% were found positive with IMx, 96.2% with RIA and 89.4% with EIA. Among subject vaccinated with plasma derived vaccines, 72.9% were found positive with IMx, 75.7% with RIA, and 68.5% EIA. Quantitative agreement between IMx and RIA among the six groups gave linear correlation coefficients ranging from 0.459 to 0.821. In the group vaccinated with the recombinant vaccine by K company (r = 0.459), anti-HBs was confirmed in many sera by IMx compared to that confirmed by RIA and EIA. In addition, anti-HBs was assayed within one hour by IMx and the procedure was simplified by autoanalyser equipped for this method. The results indicate that the sensitivity of IMx is equal to that of RIA and more than that of EIA, and that quantitative linear correlations were obtained between IMx and RIA, and IMx and EIA.

Hepatitis B Antibodies↗

PubMed1991

Prevalence of antibody to hepatitis C virus in hemodialysis patients.

The prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in hemodialysis patients in Japan was examined using sera from 418 patients from six dialysis units in 1989. The authors made use of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Ortho Diagnostics). Antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) was detected in 127 patients (30.4%), the frequency varying from 20.0% to 34.9% in different units. The mean prevalence of anti-HCV was 20 times higher than that in blood donors. Anti-HCV positivity was not associated with antibody to hepatitis B core antigen, which was not a surrogate marker for non-A, non-B hepatitis agents in this study. Another striking finding of this study was that 84.3% of the anti-HCV-positive patients had normal liver function. Anti-HCV positivity correlated positively with the number of blood transfusions and increased with the duration of hemodialysis; however, it was 22.1% even in 113 patients never given blood transfusion. Acquisition of hepatitis C virus by dialysis patients is, therefore, not only through blood transfusions but also because of hepatitis C virus present within the unit itself. Liver dysfunction in the anti-HCV-positive patients was rare.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

Glycyrrhizin withdrawal followed by human lymphoblastoid interferon in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B.

Seventeen patients with chronic hepatitis B were treated with a 4-week administration of glycyrrhizin followed by a 4-week treatment with human lymphoblastoid interferon, then followed for 6 months after the end of treatment. All were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), and hepatitis B virus-associated DNA polymerase (DNA-p) for at least 6 months before entry. All patients were Japanese and none of them were homosexuals. Eleven patients lost DNA-p activity and 10 of them lost HBeAg. Three of these 10 patients had antibody to HBeAg. In 10 patients who became HBeAg-negative, alanine aminotransferase levels after glycyrrhizin administration were higher and initial DNA-p activities relatively lower than the levels found in seven patients who remained HBeAg-positive. The immunomodulator provided by a short course of glycyrrhizin before administration of human lymphoblastoid interferon may be an effective treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

[Evaluation of micro particle enzyme immunoassay technique (MEIA)-IMx for the detection of antibody to hepatitis B core antigen].

The new Micro Particle Enzyme Immunoassay technique (MEIA, IMx HBc, Abbott) has been recently introduced for the detection of the antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc). To evaluate the feasibility of using the IMx-HBc, we carried out comparison tests with this method and RIA using various sera. Results obtained were as follows: In the test of 813 sera, 427 (52.3%) were positive by both IMx and RIA, two (0.2%) were positive by RIA only, and the remaining 384 (47.3%) were negative by both methods. A good correlation between IMx and RIA was observed with a coincidence rate of 99.8% and a correlation coefficient of 0.969. Examination of diluted sera using IMx revealed that IMx can be used as efficiently was RIA: high anti-HBc titer was found among HBsAg carriers, but not among non HBsAg carriers. Anti-HBc was assayed within 45 minutes by IMx, and the procedure was simple because of the auto analyser used in this method. These results indicate that the sensitivity of IMx is equivalent to that of RIA, and that it is easier to use than RIA.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

[Evaluation of micro particle enzyme immunoassay technique (MEIA)-IMx for the detection of IgM class antibody to hepatitis B core antigen].

The new Micro Particle Enzyme Immunoassay technique (MEIA, IMx HBc-M, Abbott) had been recently introduced for the detection of IgM class antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (IgM anti-HBc). To evaluate the feasibility of using the IMx HBc-M, we carried out comparison tests between this method. RIA and EIA using sera from acute hepatitis B and type B chronic liver disease. Results obtained were as follows: In the test of 98 sera from acute hepatitis B patients, 92 (93.9%) were positive for IgM anti-HBc by IMx HBc-M, 96 (98.0%) by RIA and 82 (83.7%) by EIA. The four sera which were positive by RIA, but not by IMx were ones obtained from 5 to 12 month after onset. In the test of 267 sera from B type chronic liver disease patients, 93 (34.8%) were positive by IMx HBc-M, 109 (40.8%) by RIA and 23 (8.6%) by EIA. There was a difference in the positive rate between IMx HBc-M and RIA among type B chronic liver disease: the positive rate was higher in RIA than in IMx HBc-M among type B active chronic hepatitis, but only a little higher in IMx HBc-M than RIA among hepatocellular carcinoma. IgM anti-HBc titer was significantly higher in acute hepatitis type B than in chronic liver disease, and was so even in the phase of HBsAg negative in acute hepatitis. IgM anti-HBc was assayed within 45 minutes by IMx, and the procedure was simple because of the auto analyser used in this method.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1991

[An epidemiologic study of anti-HTLV-I (antibody to human T cell lymphotropic virus type I) by category of disease in the Kushima district of Miyazaki prefecture].

HTLV-I seroprevalence in the southern part of Miyazaki prefecture was reported to be high in many seroepidemiological surveys. In order to determine the distribution of antibody to Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (anti-HTLV-I) in the Kushima district of Miyazaki prefecture and evaluate the relation between the HLTV-I carrier and disease, determination of anti-HTLV-I status of patients in a hospital in Kushima City, Miyazaki prefecture was carried out from March to July, 1985. Sera from 542 patients was tested for presence of anti-HTLV-I by particle agglutination (PA) and indirect immunofluorescence (IF). Results obtained area as follows 1) Overall prevalence of anti-HTLV-I was 31.2 per cent (169 of 542 individuals). It increased gradually with age and elevated remarkably in the 60-69 age group, showing the highest rate of 39.6 per cent. 2) Prevalence of anti-HTLV-I was 28.6 per cent (65 of 227) in males and 33.0 per cent (104 of 315) in females. A significant difference by sex was not recognized. 3) No significant difference was found in the geographical distribution of anti-HTLV-I, but prevalence in the Toi area was relatively low. 4) Anti-HTLV-I was prevalent in the patients with tuberculosis (46.2 per cent), most of whom had a history of blood transfusion. In this study, the relation between HTLV-I carriers and diseases was not analysed. 5) Seroprevalence of anti-HTLV-I in the patients who had had blood transfusions was significantly higher than that of those who had not had blood transfusions (p less than 0.01).

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Prevalence of IgM anti-HBc among HBsAg carriers in Okinawa, Japan.

To evaluate the presence of IgM antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (IgM anti-HBc) in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers, serial serum specimens of 698 carriers in Okinawa, Japan, from infants to adults, were studied by radioimmunoassay. IgM anti-HBc was detected in 7.6% of these carriers, with no difference between the sexes. The prevalence of IgM anti-HBc was higher in the age groups 0-9, 50-59 and over 60 than in the age group 20-29 and 30-39 years. In hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positive carriers, the prevalence of IgM anti-HBc was 15.4%, a value significantly higher than in the HBeAg-negative carriers at 6.6%. In carriers with liver damage, the prevalence of IgM anti-HBc was 33.3%, a level significantly higher than the 6.3% in carriers without liver damage. However, IgM anti-HBc was detected in 34 carriers with neither HBeAg nor liver damage. These carriers are being closely followed. We discussed the presence of IgM anti-HBc in association with HBeAg or liver damage. The presence of IgM anti-HBc among HBsAg carriers was closely associated with liver damage.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Marked decrease of hepatitis B virus infection among children in Okinawa, Japan.

During the period 1980-1989 in Okinawa, Japan, serologic markers of hepatitis B infection (hepatitis B surface antigen; HBsAg, antibody to hepatitis B core antigen; anti-HBc) were investigated in nursery school children (1-4 years of age). Prevalences of HBsAg were 1.1-1.5% in the period from 1980-1984, but decreased to under 1.0% in the period from 1985. In 1989 there were two carriers in nursery schools, both born in 1985 or fathers who were HBsAg carriers. Prevalences of anti-HBc were 3.3-7.1% in the period from 1980-1983 with a decrease to 0.5% by 1988. Since hepatitis B vaccine was available for neonates whose mothers were HBsAg carriers with hepatitis Be antigen (HBeAg) and for nursery school children in 1983, hepatitis B virus infection among nursery school children and HBsAg carriers due to transmission from mother-to-child were markedly reduced. This strategy for immunization is useful in endemic areas. Immunization for children whose fathers are HBsAg carriers may also be necessary.

Child, Preschool↗

PubMed1990

Antibody to p40tax protein of human T cell leukemia virus 1 and infectivity.

To investigate the physiologic significance of antibody to human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) tax gene product (p40tax), 147 male and 243 female HTLV-1 carriers were examined for anti-p40tax, and 104 carriers were checked for anti-p40tax an average of 5.4 times during an 8-year period. Prevalence of anti-p40tax was significantly higher in female (62.6%) than in male subjects (51.0%; P less than .05). Anti-p40tax status did not change in most during the observation period. There were significantly more HTLV-1 carriers among children of anti-p40tax-positive mothers (45.3%) than among those from anti-p40tax-negative mothers (20.0%; P less than .01). However, no significant difference was observed between wives of p40tax-positive and -negative men. The p40tax antibody may be a marker of relative infectivity of HTLV-1, albeit an imperfect one.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Study of seroconversion of antibody to human T-cell lymphotropic virus type-I in children of Okinawa, Japan.

From 1983 to 1986, 1,813 children in nursery schools in Ishigaki Island and 1,228 children under 15 years old in the rural area in the Yaeyama District of Okinawa, Japan, were tested for anti-HTLV-I; 18 children (1.0%) in Ishigaki Island and 39 children (3.2%) in the rural area were positive. In order to survey when anti-HTLV-I developed in these children, their older serum samples were investigated retrospectively for 1 to 5 years. Two cases of seroconversion from anti-HTLV-I negative to positive were found between the age of 2 and 4, and there were no cases of seroconversion over 4 years old. Among the children who suffered maternal transmission of HTLV-I and developed anti-HTLV-I before the age of 15, about 80% of the children were considered to have anti-HTLV-I before the age of 2, and the remainder developed anti-HTLV-I before the age of 4.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

[An epidemiologic study of anti-ATLA (antibody to adult T-cell leukemia-associated antigen) by category of disease in the Karatsu and Higashimatsuura districts of northern Kyusyu by enzymeimmunoassay].

The Kyusyu district is known as an endemic area of HTLV-I. But the prevalence of anti-ATLA in Saga prefecture was reportedly relatively low. In this study, in order to determine the distribution of antibody to ATL-associated antigen (anti-ATLA) in the Karatsu and Higashimatsuura districts of the northern Kyusyu, the determination of anti-ATLA status of patients in Karatsu Red Cross Hospital was carried out from September to October, 1985. Sera from 757 patients were tested for presence of anti-ATLA by Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) prepared by Eisai Co., Ltd. Tokyo, Japan. Results obtained are as follows: 1) Overall prevalence of anti-ATLA was 13.7 per cent (104 of 757 individuals). Prevalence of anti-ATLA increased with age, reaching a maximum of 21.1 per cent for people from 60 to 69 years old. 2) Prevalence of anti-ATLA was 9.5 per cent (36 of 376) in males and 17.8 per cent (68 of 381) in females. A significant difference by sex was recognized. (p less than 0.001) 3) The positive rates of patients with non-malignant diseases were high in the Chinzei, Hizen, and Hamatama areas facing the Sea of Genkai. The positive rate of the seaside area was significantly higher than that of the mountain area. (p less than 0.001). 4) Anti-ATLA was most prevalent in the patients with neoplasms (26.1%). The positive rate of ATL patients was 100 per cent, and that of patients with malignancies other than ATL was 25.9 per cent. These results suggest that HTLV-I infection is likely to increase the incidence of other types of malignancy.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

Intradermal hepatitis B vaccination for mentally retarded patients.

We investigated immune responses in 63 mentally retarded patients each given a low-dose (4 micrograms) intradermally of plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine made in Japan and which was repeated after 1 and 6 months. Two doses of the vaccine induced antibodies in 85.5% these patients. A further dose 6 months later induced antibodies in 93.5% of the recipients and markedly increased the proportion of recipients with acceptable or high concentrations of antibody. The numbers of acceptable and high responders decreased slightly during a period of 12 months. The rate of acquiring antibody was significantly higher in the males. No significant differences in antibody response with regard to age and type of disease were observed. One patient with Down's syndrome, who acquired a low concentration of antibody after vaccination, was infected with hepatitis B virus. Supplementary vaccination may be necessary for poor responders in order to obtain protection. Side-effects resulting from the vaccination were not severe in any patients. These results suggest that low-dose, intradermal hepatitis B vaccination is safe and effective.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

High risk of mother-to-child transmission of HTLV-I in p40tax antibody-positive mothers.

A new enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detecting the antibody to a human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) tax gene product, p40tax, has been developed. By this ELISA method, we have investigated the relationship between the presence of p40tax antibody in HTLV-I-infected mothers and the virus transmission rate from mothers to their children. The rate of mother-to-child transmission of HTLV-I was higher in p40tax antibody-positive mothers than in antibody-negative ones. Thus, the presence of p40tax antibody may indicate an increased risk of vertical transmission of HTLV-I.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

Hepatitis B virus infection among mentally retarded patients in institutions, Okinawa, Japan.

To determine whether transmission of hepatitis B virus occurs among mentally retarded patients in six institutions, from 1986 to 1988, 373 patients (males 203, females 170, 18-53 years of age, mean age 29.9) were tested for hepatitis B markers. Seventy five of them had Down's syndrome. Overall prevalences were 9.1% for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), 39.7% for antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs) and 48.0% for antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc). Prevalence of HBsAg was significantly higher in patients with Down's syndrome than in other mentally retarded patients. Five patients (three males and two females) in four institutions were infected with hepatitis B virus during the two years of observation. Four of these five patients were the other mentally retarded and became both anti-HBs and anti-HBc positive. The remaining one, who was 29 years old and Down's syndrome, became an HBsAg carrier. These observations indicate that hepatitis B virus transmission frequently occurs among mentally retarded patients in institutions and therefore vaccination of susceptible institutionalized patients is necessary. Vaccination to patients with Down's syndrome is particularly warranted, because they are uniquely predisposed to develop chronic hepatitis B infection following exposure.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1988

Hepatitis B virus DNA polymerase activity and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)/anti-HBe status among type B chronic liver diseases.

To investigate the relationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication and chronic liver disease, age-specific prevalences of HBeAg, anti-HBe, and HBV DNA polymerase (DNAP) activity were studied in 295 asymptomatic HBV carriers and 183 patients with B-type chronic liver diseases. DNAP activity decreased with age, and there was no difference in the overall prevalence of DNAP activity between the asymptomatic carriers (27.8%) and the chronic liver disease patients (27.3%). The prevalence of DNAP activity in the 40-and-over age group was significantly higher for the chronic liver disease patients (17.5%) than for the asymptomatic carriers (1.7%). The prevalence of HBeAg in the 40-and-over age group was also significantly higher for the chronic liver disease patients (33.8%) than for the asymptomatic carriers (2.6%). These data suggest that viral replication decreased with age and that viral replication occurring in older persons closely related to chronic liver disease.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1988

Comparison of results of recombinant and plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccines in Japanese nursery-school children.

Results obtained with a recombinant hepatitis B vaccine were compared with those obtained with a plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine in separate studies conducted in nursery schools in which at least one child had hepatitis B e antigen associated with surface antigen. Recombinant vaccine (5 micrograms), made in Japan and prepared from antigen expressed in yeast, was given to 118 children (aged 0-5 years of age, mean age 2.9 years). Plasma-derived vaccine (10 micrograms) was given to 243 children. Side-reactions were not observed with either vaccine. Seroconversion rates for the recombinant vaccine group were 8.5% after 1 month, 98.3% after 9 months and 100% after 12 months. For the plasma-derived vaccine group, the rate after 1 month was 26.3% after 9 months 82.3%, and after 12 months 77.9%. Although in the recombinant vaccine group the immune response developed more slowly during the early phase, seroconversion rates were significantly higher than in the plasma-derived vaccine group after 6 months. Titres of antibodies also were significantly higher in the recombinant vaccine group after the third injection. None of the children in either group became infected with hepatitis B virus. These results confirm the high immunogenicity, safety and efficacy of the recombinant vaccine given to these nursery school children.

Carrier State↗