Antibody response to human cytomegalovirus glycoproteins gB and gH after natural infection in humans
Article Abstract:
The cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common cause of infection in patients with AIDS and in patients receiving organ transplants, as these patients have immune systems that are depressed. Current research is focusing on developing methods for preventing CMV infections in immunocompromised patients. Certain types of vaccines, called subunit vaccines, contain proteins from the outer surface or membrane of the virus. These proteins are called glycoproteins, and when they are injected into the human body they activate the immune system (the body's natural defense system for fighting infection) to make antibodies that will destroy the virus (virus-neutralizing antibodies). Five different glycoproteins have been identified on the CMV, but it is not clear which ones, if any, are capable of provoking the production of virus-neutralizing antibodies. A study was performed to determine if blood samples taken from patients with and without CMV infection contained antibodies to two CMV glycoproteins, rgB and rgH. Antibodies to rgB were found in the blood of six of 10 patients who previously had CMV infection, and only one of these patients had antibodies to rgH. When blood samples from three patients who were just recovering from CMV infection were tested, antibodies to both rgB and rgH were present in all of the blood samples. Patients with less severe CMV infection (without symptoms) had lower levels of antibodies to rgB and rgH than patients who had CMV infection with symptoms. Antibodies to rgB and rgH were present in the blood of patients with CMV infections who had undergone organ transplants. Also, antibodies to rgB were present in lots of immune serum globulin used to prevent CMV infection in bone marrow transplant patients. These results indicate that antibody to rgB is present following CMV infection. Further studies are needed to determine if rgB will be useful in a subunit vaccine for preventing CMV infection. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journal of Infectious Diseases
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0022-1899
Year: 1991
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Zidovudine potentiates local and systemic inflammatory responses in the rat
Article Abstract:
Zidovudine appears to increase the inflammatory response to certain agents. Researchers gave zidovudine to rats for 35 days and then injected an inflammatory chemical called carrageenan lambda into a paw. The paw became swollen within a few hours and blood levels of T-kininogen increased. This chemical is involved in the inflammatory response in rats and it was found at elevated levels in the liver also. In rats, the concentration of T-kininogen in the blood and liver increases 10-fold during inflammation.
Publication Name: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes and Human Retrovirology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 1077-9450
Year: 1997
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