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Biomedical subjects

Wolfgang Maurer

Publications and source records attributed to Wolfgang Maurer.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

[Rabies: epidemiology, pre- and postexposure immunization].

In the mid-nineties rabies was eliminated from Austria by mass vaccination of foxes. This has eventually led to a decrease in knowledge about epidemiology, prophylaxis and post-exposure treatment of this deadly disease. In addition, there has been considerable scientific progress in the field of rabies vaccination during the last decade. International travel led to more then twice the amount of people from Austria travelling to rabies endemic countries than ten years ago. Frequent travelling to the new EU member states, amongst them rabies endemic countries, further increased the risk of being exposed to this disease. Formerly mainly emergency units in hospitals had to deal with post-exposure rabies prophylaxis. Now that mostly travellers are exposed, any family physician or travel medicine specialist should be able to provide adequate information and treatment. It seems therefore necessary to refresh actual recommendations and guidelines for rabies vaccination, epidemiology and pos-texposure treatment in order to facilitate the management of suspect cases by physicians in Austria.

Austria↗
PubMed2006

Evidence for an association between mannose-binding lectin 2 (MBL2) gene polymorphisms and pre-term birth.

PURPOSE: Human mannose-binding lectin, encoded by the MBL2 gene, is an important component of innate immunity and an important regulator of inflammatory processes. MBL2 gene polymorphisms are associated with an increased risk of neonatal infections and some data suggest a relation between the maternal MBL2 genotype and the risk of premature delivery. In this study, we evaluated whether there is an association between the fetal MBL2 genotype and prematurity. METHODS: A microarray-based on-chip PCR method was used to simultaneously detect five common MBL2 polymorphisms (codon 52, 54, 57; promoter -550, -221) in 204 DNA samples isolated from archival blood cards. MBL2 genotypes of infants born before the 36th week of pregnancy (N = 102) were compared to a control group of infants born at term after the 37th week (N = 102). RESULTS: The frequency of the codon 52 polymorphism was significantly higher in the pre-term group compared to the term group (10.8% versus 4.9%, P = 0.04), while the frequency of the codon 54 polymorphism was equal in both groups (11.3% versus 11.8%). Interestingly, carriers of genotypes (O/O) likely conferring deficient MBL plasma levels were more common in the group of premature birth (9.8% versus 2.9%, P = 0.05), while the promoter -550 C/C genotype was underrepresented in the pre-term birth group (24.5% versus 39.2%, P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Our data add to the knowledge about genetic predisposition to prematurity and suggest that the fetal MBL2 genotype might be an additional genetic factor contributing to the risk of premature delivery.

Austria↗
PubMed2005

[Adjuvants and additives in vaccines--medical relevance].

Side effects of vaccinations can have different causes. Substances admixed to vaccines may produce allergic or toxic reactions. The significance and importance of causal associations is discussed in this paper. A table is added listing the most important substances in vaccines, such as inactivating substances, preservatives, stabilizers, adjuvants, and residual substances derived from production processes. Among possible allergic reactions, type I reactions, as the most undesirable ones, should be avoided. In this respect, vaccines against yellow fever are the most important ones. With respect to antibiotics, it should be stressed that penicillin and cephalosporins are not contained in any of the vaccines. The significance of side effects caused by ethylmercury as a preservative (thiomersal) is extensively discussed in the literature. Allergy against this substance is common among the population, manifested as type IV reactions following superficial antigen administration. It has been shown that deep intramuscular injection of thiomersal-containing vaccines may be administered even to persons who are allergic to this substance without risk of side effects. Regarding toxic side effects after application of thiomersal, several studies have disproved a causal relation between thiomersal exposure and developmental disorders. Nevertheless, the general recommendation is to use thiomersal-free vaccines, unless no other preparations are available. In these cases risk of morbidity and mortality from the vaccine-preventable diseases outweigh by far any theoretical risk from ethylmercury.

Adjuvants, Pharmaceutic↗
PubMed2005

Microarray-based detection of mannose-binding lectin 2 (MBL2) polymorphisms in a routine clinical setting.

The assessment of allelic variants in the human mannose-binding lectin 2 (MBL2) gene is of great clinical importance in newborns or immune-suppressed patients at high risk for a variety of infections. Here, we present a study on the genotyping accuracy of a DNA microarray-based on-chip PCR method suited for the detection of five different polymorphisms in the MBL2 gene. We tested 153 genomic DNA samples, prepared from archival blood spots on Guthrie cards, for the presence of allelic variants in the human MBL2 gene by the on-chip PCR method and compared the obtained results of three variants to standard DNA capillary sequencing. The genotyping power of the described assay was readily comparable to DNA sequencing (453/459 correct genotype calls in 153 DNA samples; 98.7% accuracy), mainly due to intrinsic technical benefits of microarrays such as high number of test replicates and automated data analysis. This study demonstrates, for the first time, the accuracy and reliability of a microarray-based on-chip PCR genotyping assay for measuring allelic variants in a routine clinical setting.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2003

Mannose-binding lectin: comparison of two assays for the quantification of MBL in the serum of pediatric patients.

Individuals with mannose-binding lectin (MBL)-deficiency are at an increased risk from infections with mannose-bearing microorganisms. We have investigated two quantitative research assays for measuring MBL protein in serum for routine diagnosis. The evaluation of 817 serum samples with a nephelometric assay revealed two deficiencies, a number far below the postulated 5-10% of the population. Reevaluation of 102 serum samples with an MBL-ELISA detected low levels in 27 cases (26.4%) and clear deficiencies in 21 samples (20.4%). In our hands, the MBL-ELISA permitted the detection of decreased levels of MBL in serum, as occurs in individuals with homozygous or heterozygous MBL gene mutations; in contrast, the nephelometric assay appeared to be unsuitable for the detection of MBL deficiencies. We support the routine measurement of MBL in serum, especially in children with frequent infections.

Child↗