[Experience of application of pneumococcus vaccines for studies of humoral immunity].

AIM: Evaluate possible use of Pneumo-23 pneumococcus polysaccharide vaccine and Prevenar-7 conjugated vaccine in EIA as antigens for determination of IgG levels against capsule polysaccharides. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Solid phase EIA method with sorption on polystyrol of commercial vaccines Penumo-23 and Prevenar-7 was used in the study. Blood sera of 41 children before immunization and sera of 8 children before and after vaccination with Pneumo-23 and Prevenar-7 were analyzed. IgG level was determined in standard units (u.). RESULTS: Mean level of antibodies in groups of unimmunized children against antigens of both vaccines were in the range of 52.3-69.1 u. (p > 0.05). The number of children with diagnostically significant level of antibodies (114 - 120 u.) was 2.4% in the control group (1/41) when Pneumo-23 antigens were used and 7.3% (3/41) when Prevenar-7 antigens were used. After vaccination with Pneumo-23 the fraction of diagnostically significant level of antibodies against Pneumo-23 antigens was on average higher by 1.8 times than in pre-vaccination period in 62.5% of children, and against Prevenar-7 antigens - by 1.6 times higher in 75% of children. After immunization with Prevenar-7 vaccine the level of antibodies increased by 3-4 times against antigens of both vaccines and reached diagnostically significant in 100% of cases. CONCLUSION: Pneumo-23 and Prevenar-7 pneumococcal vaccines may be used as antigens for determination of antibodies against capsule polysaccharides of Streptococcus pneumoniae in EIA. Higher sensitivity of EIA based on Prevenar-7 allows to recommend this test for studies of postvaccination immunity in immunized with both conjugated and non-conjugated polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccines.

[Study of cross-activity of Streptococcus pneumoniae antigen preparations].

AIM: Study cross-activity of S. pneumoniae antigen preparations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Antigen preparations were obtained by ultrasound disintegration (from bacteria in R-form), extraction with water (from serotype 3 bacteria), cetavlon and trichloroacetic acid (from serotype 6A bacteria). Chemical composition and immunochemic properties of preparations were studied by contemporary methods as well as in experiments with direct and cross-protection of mice from infection. RESULTS: 3 of 4 preparations (except ultrasound disintegrate) had approximately 30% of protein. In immunodiffusion reaction they interacted with hyper immune rabbit sera obtained against 12 various pneumococcus serotypes--1, 3, 4, 6A, 6B, 9V, 9N, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F and 23F. In animal experiments 30 - 70% of mice were protected from subsequent infection with knowingly high dose of homologous and 3 heterologous pneumococcus strains. In immunoblotting the highest number of components serologically active with heterologous sera was formed by cetavlon extract (12 - 23). Addition of capsule polysaccharides to the preparation increased its cross-protective activity. CONCLUSION: By data set and the highest yield, water extract is reasonable for isolation of cross-reactive proteins of pneumococcus. Development of another method of extraction from cultural fluid is necessary for obtaining extracellular protein antigens. Generation of vaccines containing cross-reactive proteins of pneumococcus and capsule polysaccharides is a promising direction.

[Influence of nutrient medium composition on the production of capsule polysaccharide by Streptococcus pneumonia 19A serotype].

AIM: Evaluate accumulation of capsule polysaccharide by Streptococcus pneumoniae 19A strain in semisynthetic nutrient medium including various amino acid sources. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Comparative evaluation of the production of capsule polysaccharide by the strain belonging to one of the most widespread S. pneumoniae serotype (19A) was performed by using rocket immunoelectrophoresis. The bacteria were cultivated in semisynthetic liquid nutrient media of varying composition. RESULTS: Among 4 sources of nitrogen (aminopeptide, acid and pancreatic hydrolysate of casein, soy peptone) added to salt nutrient medium supplemented with glucose and vitamins, casein and soy peptone were shown to promote the maximum synthesis of capsule polysaccharide independently of the cultivation time. Supplementation of the medium with sulfates of iron, zinc and manganese, as well as pH decrease to acid values significantly reduced the level of capsule polysaccharide in the culture liquid. The maximum growth of bacteria was observed at 11 hours after the start of cultivation in a 10 L volume fermenter in semisynthetic nutrient medium with soy peptone. Accumulation of capsule polysaccharide in the culture liquid continued to the end of the observation period (24 hours) and by the end of the process reached 193 mcg/ml. CONCLUSION: Further study of influence of vitamins, carbohydrates, CO2 concentration on the synthesis of high molecular capsule polysaccharide by bacteria belonging to various pneumococcus serotypes is reasonable.

[Specific antibodies in children with recurrent respiratory infections immunized with pneumo 23 and Act-HIB vaccines].

AIM: Assessment of specific IgG levels in children with recurrent respiratory infections after immunization with Pneumo 23 and Act-HIB vaccines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Concentrations of IgG to polysaccharide capsular antigens and cell wall antigens of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae were measured by solid-phase ELISA in sera of 256 immunized children. RESULTS: Increase of levels of IgG to cell wall antigens and certain polysaccharide antigens was observed in patients with low or intermediate antibody levels at baseline. CONCLUSION: Obtained results allow to conclude that vaccination of children with recurrent respiratory and middle ear infections results in induction of IgG production that proves immunological effect of performed vaccination.

[Immunobiologic characteristics of carbohydrate-containing preparations of Haemophilus influenzae].

AIM: Comparative assessment of immunobiological characteristics of 3 antigenic preparations containing capsular polysaccharide of Haemophilus influenzae type b (CPS Hib). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The following preparations were assessed: CPS Hib obtained by using cetavlon; hydroxylamine preparation of Hib (HAP Hib); mixture of CPS Hib and lipooligosaccharide of non-typeable H. influenzae (LOS NTHi) detoxified by hydroxylamine hydrochloride. Effects of these preparations on immunophenotype of mononuclear leukocytes of mice spleen as well as on spectrum and level of cytokines in serum were studied. RESULTS: It was shown that mixture of CPS Hib and detoxified LOS NTHi has low toxicity and most protective activity during Hib challenge leading to activation of innate immunity effectors and initiation of adaptive immune response. CONCLUSION: Obtained data provide perspective for development of preparation able to protect from infections caused by both capsular and acapsular strains of H. influenzae.

[Subtyping of lipooligosaccharides of non-typeable haemophilus influenzae isolated from children with bronchopulmonary diseases].

AIM: Subtyping of lipooligosaccharides (LOS) of non-typeable strains of Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) isolated from children with bronchopulmonary diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lipooligosaccharides obtained from 62 acapsular strains of H. influenzae were studied by vertical SDS-electrophoresis in PAAG. RESULTS: Majority of LOS formed electrophoretically mobile components in low molecular mass zone. Obtained results allowed to differentiate 23 subtypes of LOS. Lipooligosaccharides of majority of strains (67.7%) belonged to one of 10 main subtypes, 30.6% of strains belonged to mixed subtypes because they had signs of 2-3 subtypes. CONCLUSION: Strains possessing LOS of three subtypes--VI, VII, and X--were significantly more prevalent in pediatric patients (p < 0.05). More than one third (43.5%) of studied NTHi strains belonged to these subtypes.

[Effect of recombinant heat-shock protein (rHSP70) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis on immunogenicity of Haemophilus influenzae type B capsular polysaccharide].

AIM: To study effect of recombinant heat-shock protein (rHSP70) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis on immunogenicity of Haemophilus influenzae type b capsular polysaccharide (CPSHib). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Capsular polysaccharide was obtained by precipitation with cetavlon, antibody titers and Toll-like receptors (TLRs) were detected by enzyme immunoassay and flow cytometry respectively. RESULTS: rHSP70 modified immune response to chemically conjugated and unconjugated CPSHib. rHSP70 enhanced expression of TLRs 2, 4, 9 on mice splenocytes; increased levels of CD3+, CD8+, NK, CD3/NK (NKT) lymphocytes. Levels of CD4+, CD25+ (markers of early activation of T-helpers) as well as MHC class II molecules were increased that could be appraised as a shift from T-independent to T-dependent immune response. Difference in antibody titers after 2- or 3-dose immunization of mice with 5 mcg/dose of CPSHib in mixture or conjugated with rHSP70 was not revealed. Level of antibodies to rHSP70 in serum samples of mice immunized with CPSHib conjugated with rHSP70 was 6.55 - 8.4 times higher compared to unimmunized animals. Antibodies, which have common antigenic epitopes to human organs and tissues, were not detected. CONCLUSION: rHSP70 modifies immune response to CPSHib.

[Influence of the different detoxifying agents on toxic characteristics of Haemophilus influenzae lypooligosaccharides].

AIM: To study toxicity of lypooligosaccharides (LOS) of non-typable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) strain and products of their detoxication obtained using different reagents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: LPS was obtained from the NTHi strain grown on solid brain-heart infusion nutrient medium using previously described method of isolation and purification of LOS. Obtained LPS was treated in same conditions by one of the 3 detoxifying agents: anhydrous hydrazine (AH), alkali (NaOH), and hydrochloric hydroxylamine (HH). Toxicity of LOS and its detoxified derivatives was measured on outbred mice which were administered 0.5 ml of actinomycin D intraperitoneally 1 day before immunization. Death of animals was assessed on day 2 after immunization. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used for study the influence of detoxifying agents on physico-chemical properties of LOS. RESULTS: As a result of treatment of NTHi No.45 LOS by different detoxifying agents, 3 preparations of detoxified LOS (d-LOS) and 3 preparations from precipitates (nd-LOS) were obtained. Preparation d-LOSAH was the least toxic. Toxic properties of nd-LOSHH did not reliably change. PAAG electrophoresis showed that virtually all detoxified preparations were characterized by higher migration of lypooligosaccharide components compared to original LOS of NTHi No. 45, which indicates the lowering of LOS molecular weight after treatment by detoxifying agents, associated with elimination of lipid A higher fatty acids. CONCLUSION: Analysis of effects of detoxifying agents indicates the need to select individual conditions for treatment by each of them.

[Pertussis toxin and cross-reactive antigens in dynamics of Bordetella pertussis cultivation].

Cultures of Bordetella pertussis from phases of exponential growth, retarded growth and from stationary phase were obtained during periodic dynamic cultivation. Preparations for intravenous immunization of rabbits were made from these cultures. Levels of IgG to pertussis toxin, cell walls preparations from 12 bacterial species, 4 organo-specific antigens, and 7 organospecific human antigens were measured in obtained sera. It was shown that higher levels of IgG to pertussis toxin were found in sera of rabbits immunized with cultures from exponential growth phase whereas decrease of this level in 8 times was observed in sera of rabbits immunized with cultures from retarded growth phase or end of stationary phase. After immunization with culture from exponential growth phase increase of IgG levels to cross-reactive antigens was not observed compared to levels of these antibodies in control sera obtained before immunization. After immunization with cultures from retarded growth phase or end of stationary phase increase of IgG levels to preparations of cell walls of Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, to denaturated DNA, elastin, and renal and liver microsomal fractions was detected compared to control sera. Described data can substantiate usefulness of obtaining the most specific diagnostic sera and test-systems using cultures of B. pertussis from the phase of exponential growth.

[Monitoring for antibacterial and anti-tissue antibodies in persons with normal status and different diseases].

Monitoring of antibodies in healthy and ill persons with various diseases has been performed using ELISA systems. Features of antibacterial and anti-tissue immunity which depended from type of disease as well as significant differences from the same characteristics in healthy donors were revealed. Results of the monitoring point to fundamental importance of microorganisms in the development of non-infectious and autoimmune diseases, whereas absence of elevated levels of antibodies to 14 species of opportunistic bacteria - to the role of other bacteria and viruses in the pathogenesis of such diseases. Frequent simultaneous detection of antibodies to bacterial and tissues' antigens confirms the important role of opportunistic bacteria in the induction of autoimmune processes.

[Effect of vaccination against pneumococcal infection in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus].

Vaccination with polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine "Pneumo 23" (Sanofi Pasteur, France) was performed in 31 children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) as well as in 19 children with respiratory tract diseases (asthma, chronic pneumonia), which formed comparison group. Fourty-three unvaccinated children with DM1 were included in the control group. Dynamics of IgG levels to mixture of pneumococcal polysaccharides (PS) included in the vaccine as well as to PS of serotypes 3, 6B, 9N, 23F, and to cell wall polysaccharides of Streptococcus pneumoniae were assessed. Using ELISA method, significant increase of IgG levels to mixture of PS and to PS of pneumococcal serotype 3 was detected. Although intensity of immune response to vaccination in children with respiratory diseases was significantly higher compared to children with DM1 (mean geometric titer of antibodies, proportion of patients with high antibody titers, and with 4-fold seroconversion). Development of methods to strengthen immune response in children with DM1 vaccinated against pneumococcal infection is required.

[Klebsiella pneumoniae secreted protein-containing antigens in the system of adaptive immunity].

The study was aimed at the evaluation of the antigenic properties of K. pneumoniae secreted protein-containing antigens with a molecular weightt of 21 and 34-35 kD, obtained from supernatant culture fluid. As confirmed by the method of flow cytofluorimetry, the protein-containing fractions belonged to the secreted components of the microbial cell. The fraction with a molecular weight of 34-35 kD possessed high antigenic activity and contributed to the formation of specific antibodies after the immunization of mice. At the same time none of the protein fractions lead to an increase in the level of autoantibodies in mouse blood sera to organ-unspecific and organ-specific antigens. As revealed by the method of solid-phase, in 6 (27.3%) from 22 patients of patients with rhizomelic spondylitis had an increased level of IgG to K. pneumoniae cell-wall antigens with a molecular weight of 34-35 kD. An increase in the level of IgG to the secreted protein-containing fraction with a molecular weight of 34-35 kD was detected only in one patient (4.5%) (p<0.05).

[Immunologic autoagression in patients with diabetic retinopathy under type I diabetes mellitus].

Presence of IgG autoantibodies to broad spectrum of tissues' antigens in patients with diabetic retinopathy under type I diabetes mellitus was studied. Increased levels of antibodies to different antigens were observed in 56% of patients. Increased levels of antibodies to hypophysis, denaturated DNA, and myelin basic protein were detected most frequently. Correlation in presence of autoantibodies of different specificity with diabetes length as well as with frequency of respiratory infections was established. There was relation between level of antibodies to DNA and increased permeability of microvascular network of retina as well as between presence of autoantibodies to myelin basic protein and encephalopathy in patients with type I diabetes mellitus.

[Level of IgG antibodies to bacteria of 12 species in the blood sera of rabbits, immunized with preparations obtained from Neisseria meningitidis, grown under the stress conditions].

The blood sera of rabbits, immunized with preparations obtained from N. meningitidis of serogroups A, B or C, cultivated under the stress conditions, were studied. These sera were found to contain IgG antibodies not only to N. meningitidis antigens, but also to the bacterial antigens of 12 species. The sera of rabbits, immunized with meningococcal preparation of serogroup A, were found to have the elevated levels of IgG antibodies, in comparison with the control, to the antigens of 3 other bacterial species; the blood sera of rabbits, immunized with meningococcal preparation of serogroup B, were found the elevated levels of IgG antibodies to the antigens of 11 other bacterial species; and the blood sera of rabbits, immunized with meningococcal preparation of serogroup C, to the antigens of 9 other bacterial species. The study of serogroup B meningococci, used as an example, revealed the influence of the growth phase of the culture on the content of cross-reacting antigens. Their greatest amount was determined at the stationary phase when the stressor effect on the culture reached its maximum and their least amount, at the exponential phase when the stressor effect on the culture was minimal. It was, therefore, found to be expedient to obtain immunodiagnostic and test systems from N. meningitidis cultures, grown to middle of the exponential phase of growth.

[Influence of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and hemin concentrations on the growth of Haemophilus influanzae type b and the synthesis of capsular polysaccharide].

In the process the cultivation of H. influenzae, type b, in semisynthetic nutrient medium with aminopeptide base the growth of the bacteria and the synthesis of capsular polysaccharide were shown to depend on the concentrations of aminopeptide, nicotinamide adenine nucleotide (NAD) and hemin. An increase in the concentrations of NAD and hemin stimulated the growth of H. influenzae and inhibited the synthesis of capsular polysaccharide. Similar effect was observed in the simultaneous increase of NAD and hemin concentrations. At elevated concentrations of NAD and hemin and the content of aminopeptide equal to 350 mI/l the maximum weight of biomass was achieved. The increase of hemin concentration had no influence on the growth of H. influenzae, type b, and the synthesis of capsular polysaccharide.

[Influence of the aminopeptide concentration on the growth of Haemophilus influenzae, type b, and the synthesis of its capsular polysaccharide].

The influence of the aminopeptide concentration on the growth of H. influenzae b culture and the synthesis of H. influenzae b capsular polysaccharide was determined. The maximum amount of capsular polysaccharide was accumulated at the concentration of aminopeptide in the culture fluid reaching 50 ml/l. An increase in the aminopeptide concentration led to a decreased amount of synthesized polysaccharide and an increased amount of biomass. The decrease of the aminopeptide concentration to 10 ml/l resulted in decreased amounts of both biomass and synthesized polysaccharide.

[Influence of the growth phase of Neisseria meningitidis on the accumulation of antigens cross-reacting with human antigens in the culture].

The content of N. meningitidis antigens with epitopes cross-reacting with human antigens was studied in the dynamics of the meningococci cultivation. The absence of these antigens in the culture in the middle of the exponential phase of growth and their presence in the culture at the end of the stationary growth phase of growth were shown. Thus the expediency of using the culture in the middle of the exponential phase of growth for obtaining meningococcal (serogroups A, B and C) vaccines was demonstrated. The trend, found to be promising for the development of immunologically safe vaccines which contained no antigens having common epitopes with human antigens, was determined.

[Specific features of humoral immunity in cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis patients]. / Osobennosti gumoral'nogo immuniteta u bol'nykh kriptogennym fibroziruiushchim al'veolitom.

Cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis (CFA) is a severe autoimmune disease of unclear etiology and prognostically unfavorable. The complexity of the diagnostics of this disease makes it necessary to search for new methods; for this reason immunity in CFA patients must be studied. The study of humoral organ-specific, organ-unspecific and antibacterial immunity of CFA patients revealed that the latter differed from the members of the groups used for comparison by a higher frequency of positive reactions in EIA determinations of IgG antibodies to cytokeratin-8 and Moraxella catarrhalis antigens. In addition, only in CFA patients a high degree of correlation (r=0.88) between these results was established. This made it possible to propose to use these reactions for confirming the diagnosis of CFA and suggested the probable role of M. catarrhalis in triggering autoimmune reactions characteristic of this disease.

[Cross-reactions between the antigens of healthy pulmonary tissue and Moraxella catarrhalis]. / Perekrestnye vzaimodeistviia mezhdu antigenami zdorovoi legochnoi tkani i Moraxella catarrhalis.

The study of cross-reactions between healthy pulmonary tissue antigens and Moraxella catarrhalis with the use of SDS-electrophoresis and immunoblotting revealed that in the component of healthy pulmonary tissue with a mol. wt. of 40 kD epitopes existed to which antibodies were produced, capable of cross reaction with the components of M. catarrhalis with a mol. wt. of 35 kD and 70 kD. In addition, the presence of cross-reactions between cytokeratin-8, protein contained in healthy pulmonary tissue, and M. catarrhalis antigens was established.

[Postvaccinal immunity and immunological aspects of Haemophilus influenzae carrier state in children of different age groups after the administration of "Act-HIB" vaccine]. / Postvaktsinal'nyi immunitet i immunologicheskie aspekty bakterionositel'stva Haemophilus influenzae u detei razlichnykh vozrastnykh grupp posle vvedeniia vaktsiny "Akt-khib".

The article deals with H. influenzae (different serotypes) carrier state and immune response before and after the administration of the vaccine "Act-HIB" to children of different age groups. Children aged up to 1 year and over 1 year have been found to differ in the dynamics of carrier state and in the concentration of antibodies of different classes to the antigens of this infective agent, which makes it necessary to carry out their early immunization with a view to ensure their protection from H. influenzae infection.