Biken journal最新文献

The factor that determines the antigenic type of IFN produced in human lymphoblastoid cell lines was examined using live Sendai virus, ultraviolet (UV)-irradiated virus, HANA spikes exposed on L cells persistently infected with Sendai virus (L-HVJ) and poly-inosinic acid poly-cytidylic acid (poly I: C). When Sendai virus was irradiated with UV-light for 300 sec, its abilities to infect chicken eggs and induce IFN were diminished, but its HA activity was unaffected. HANA spikes exposed on L-HVJ could not induce IFN in human lymphoblastoid cell lines, although they induced IFN in mouse spleen cells. These results suggest that the induction of IFN in human lymphoblastoid cells is closely related to viral nucleic acid. Poly I: C also induced IFN in some human lymphoblastoid cell lines in which IFN production is induced by Sendai virus. The antigenic types of IFN induced by poly I: C were the same as those induced by Sendai virus. These results suggest that the antigenic type of IFN produced depends on the nature of the IFN producer cells rather than on the kind of IFN inducer.

Attenuated liver varicella vaccine (Oka strain) was used to vaccinate 242 children and 5 adults between August 1976 and December 1982; namely emergency vaccinations were given to 163 cases, including 35 high risk children, on 17 occasions, and non-emergency vaccinations were given to 84 cases including 7 high risk ones in remission. The viral doses varied from 250 to 3,000 PFU. Vaccinations prevented subsequent infection in all cases. Emergency vaccinations were given within 100 h after contact of the subjects with cases of varicella. Humoral and/or cellular immunity was acquired in 97.6% (40/41) of the high risk group and 91.8% (179/195) of the non-high risk group. As clinical reactions, rashes and fever developed in 43.9% (18/41) and in 17.0% (7/41) of high risk patients, and 7.8% (16/204) and 1.0% (2/204) of the non-high risk patients respectively. Reactions were generally slight, but were severe or atypical in 3 immunocompromized patients. Follow-up studies were carried out every year since 1980. Among the 41 high risk patients, herpes-zoster developed in 4, and varicella in 5 patients. Among the 179 non-high risk patients, there were no cases of herpes-zoster but 21 cases (12.3%) of varicella, which were mostly extremely mild. Six patients were revaccinated because of their humoral and/or cellular immunity decreased, and as a result acquired an immune response again. Criteria for varicella vaccination and details of the results of vaccination and follow-up studies are described.

Twenty-six sick children in a neonatal unit received passive immunization against varicella shortly after close contact with varicella in the ward, with the aim of preventing nosocomial infection. Because zoster immune globulin was not available at the time, the babies were given transfusion of whole blood from donors. All these donors had a history of varicella in childhood, and had received live varicella vaccine, Oka strain, to increase their immunological status before use of their blood for transfusion. Only one of the recipients contracted varicella after the passive immunization. No adverse reaction attributable to the transfusion was observed.

Since 1977, we have used a live attenuated varicella vaccine to immunize 10 children with acute leukemia. 8 patients had no adverse clinical reaction but 2 patients developed mild fever and papulovesicular rash after vaccination. All 9 tested children became seropositive after the vaccination. Also in all 3 children who were observed for more than 4 years, persistence of neutralizing antibody was detected. Most of the recipients were prevented from developing symptoms of varicella in spite of contact exposure. Two patients developed varicella when they were in severe immunosuppressive states but their symptoms were mild. None of the children developed herpes-zoster during the 6 year follow-up period. The results suggest that the varicella vaccine is effective in children with acute leukemia, and that long-term effectiveness can be expected.

A total of 663 children with various underlying diseases were immunized with a live varicella vaccine at the vaccine clinic of Osaka University Hospital during a period of seven years from October, 1975. Clinical reactions after vaccination occurred in 32.4% (24/74) of the children with malignancies and in 0.3% (2/591) of those in other groups. Vaccine-induced immunity was detected for more than 6 years, by FAMA (fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen) and IAHA (immune adherence hemagglutination) tests, and a skin-test for varicella-zoster virus (VZV). During an observation period of more than 7 years, clinical varicella developed in 12 children, 8 of whom were in the group with malignancies. Zoster occurred in only 4 (9.1%) of 44 vaccinees with acute leukemia, this incidence being significantly less (p less than 0.05) than that (21.6%, 8/37) in un-vaccinated leukemic children.

A total of 239 children, including 22 high-risk children and 55 non-high risk diseased children have been immunized with a live varicella vaccine (Oka strain) since June, 1978. No clinical reaction attributable to the vaccine has been observed. Of these children, 87 received emergency vaccination. Of 47 children receiving emergency vaccination because they had been in contact with varicella patients either in hospital, school or a playground, only 5 developed varicella and their symptoms were mild. Of 40 children receiving emergency vaccination because of exposure to varicella in their home, 10 developed mild varicella and 30 were protected. Clinical symptoms of varicella when seen seemed to be due to incomplete protection because the vaccine was given too late rather than to clinical reactions to the vaccine. During follow-up period of 6 to 66 months after vaccination, 8 children showed very mild rashes without fever as the result of exogenous varicella infection.

Twenty-two institutionalized handicapped children who were susceptible to varicella were vaccinated with live varicella vaccine of the Oka strain and their immune status was followed for 5 years under conditions without exposure to natural varicella. Simultaneously, 7 children infected with natural varicella were followed. Of the 22 vaccinees, 16 showed sero-positive conversion by the fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen (FAMA) test, the other 6 remaining seronegative during 5 years of observation period. All the 16 cases showing seroconversion had detectable antibody for 5 years after vaccination, and 14 of them gave a positive reaction in the varicella skin test. All the 7 cases after natural varicella gave positive reactions in both the FAMA and skin test. These results suggest that immunity conferred by the vaccination would persist long even in the absence of exposure to natural varicella, though further follow-up studies are needed.