Low risk for hepatitis C in hemophiliacs given a high-purity, pasteurized factor VIII concentrate

Article Abstract:

Hemophilia is a genetic disease that results in the inability of the blood to clot, and can lead to life-threatening bleeding (hemorrhage). The administration of a clotting factor called factor VIII is required to prevent such hemorrhages. Clotting factor concentrates are made from large pools of donated blood, and these blood products are sometimes contaminated with viruses that can cause life-threatening diseases, such as hepatitis C or the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes a condition characterized by inflammation and decreased function of the liver, and is the major cause of post-transfusion disease in hemophiliacs. Heating factor VIII concentrates for 10 hours at 60 degrees centrigrade (pasteurization) decreases the transmission of hepatitis, but it is unclear if this method completely prevents transmission of the hepatitis C virus. Recently, a method was developed that allows the level of antibodies to the hepatitis C virus to be measured; antibodies are produced by the immune system of the body to bind and inactivate foreign substances such as viruses. This study examined whether the hepatitis B virus (HBV), HCV or the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are transmitted by high-purity factor VIII concentrates that have been pasteurized. None of the 29 hemophiliac patients had antibodies to the HCV, HIV or HBV, and none of the patients had changes in liver function. This study indicates that the pasteurization of clotting factor concentrates yields a very low risk for transmitting the HCV. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Safety and security measures, Risk factors, Drug therapy, Diseases, Hepatitis C, Disease transmission, Blood coagulation factor VIII, Factor VIII (Blood coagulation), Hemophiliacs, Hepatitis C virus

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Long-term immunogenicity of a plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine in HIV seropositive and HIV seronegative hemophiliacs

Article Abstract:

Some studies have shown that hepatitis B vaccine is safe and provides immunity against hepatitis B (inflammation of the liver, usually transmitted by blood contamination) for patients with hemophilia. However, these patients are immunocompromised (less ability to fight infection) as a result, and the length of time that they retain immunity against hepatitis B after vaccination is not known. Seventy-eight hemophiliac patients were followed two, three and four years after receiving the hepatitis B vaccination. The duration of immunity depended upon whether or not the patients were infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In patients who tested negative for HIV there was a progressive decline in the amount of antibodies (disease-fighting proteins in the blood) to hepatitis B, but antibodies were still present four years later. In patients who tested positive for HIV there were smaller amounts of antibody from the beginning, and almost 50 percent of the patients lost all antibody resistance against hepatitis B. It is concluded that a schedule of hepatitis B vaccine, which is provided, gives a satisfactory duration of immunity for the HIV negative hemophiliac patients. Those patients who are HIV positive have a risk of losing immunity early.

Methods, Prevention, HIV (Viruses), HIV, Hepatitis B, Immunization, Hepatitis B vaccine, Hepatitis B vaccines

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Absence of clinical, virological, and immunological signs of progression in HIV-1-infected patients receiving active anti-interferon-alpha immunization: a 30-month follow-up report

Article Abstract:

A vaccine against interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) may slow the progression of HIV infection. An over-production of interferon-alpha has been implicated in the progression of AIDS early in HIV infection. In a follow-up study of 27 HIV-infected patients who were vaccinated against IFN-alpha, no further signs of deterioration from HIV infection or decreasing CD4+ count were recorded. Eleven of the patients were in the advanced stage of infection.

Development and progression, HIV infection, HIV infections, AIDS vaccines, Interferon alpha

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