In vitro cultivation and cryopreservation of duck embryonic hepatocytes.

Hepatitis B-virucidal testing of biocides in quantitative suspension tests using duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) requires primary duck embryonic hepatocytes for viral propagation. To improve the test system and availability of these cells, commercial culture plates with different growth surfaces were tested for cell cultivation and different approaches for cryopreservation of hepatocyte suspension were examined. After 12 days of culture, the largest amounts of hepatocytes were grown in CellBIND and TTP plates and CellBIND surface showed the lowest tendency of monolayer detachment nearly comparable with collagen 1-coated CELLCOAT plates. For cryopreservation of hepatocyte suspension, the use of growth medium supplemented with fetal calf serum (FCS) and dimethyl sulfoxide (ME(2)SO), FCS supplemented with ME(2)SO or cryosafe-1 as cryoprotective agents provided the highest rates of surviving cells after thawing. The freezing-thawing process did not significantly reduce the susceptibility of hepatocytes to infection with DHBV. In conclusion, plates without collagen 1 such as CellBIND are recommended for cultivation of primary duck embryonic hepatocytes in infectivity experiments of DHBV for virucidal testing of biocides. The use of cryopreserved hepatocytes is possible when freshly isolated cells from the liver of duck embryos are not available.

Validation of biocides against duck hepatitis B virus as a surrogate virus for human hepatitis B virus.

The use of a surrogate virus, namely duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV), has been recommended for testing the virucidal activity of chemical biocides against hepatitis B virus. To date, however, this model has not been recognized as a standard test in European countries, as its laboratory use is associated with considerable difficulties. As previous studies have demonstrated, several alternative procedures may improve the validation of DHBV infection in a cell culture system. Using indirect immunofluorescent antigen staining and the light cycler real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, the virucidal activity of peracetic acid (PAA), povidone-iodine (PVP-I) and formaldehyde was tested against DHBV obtained from congenitally infected ducks or prepared from the transfected hepatoma D2 cell line. The results demonstrated that inactivation of DHBV from the D2 cell line was achieved with lower concentrations of the biocides and within shorter exposure time intervals. These lower concentration-exposure time values for DHBV from D2 cells in comparison with DHBV from infected ducks indicated a higher sensitivity of the virus derived from D2 cells. In addition, concentrations of PAA and PVP-I that significantly inactivated DHBV in suspension tests were not able to destroy the viral genome. In conclusion, DHBV from congenitally infected ducks should be used for virucidal testing of chemical biocides against DHBV; DHBV prepared from D2 cells is unsuitable due to its higher sensitivity to biocides. Indirect immunofluorescent staining allows reliable detection of DHBV infectivity, whereas the hepadnavirucidal effect can be evaluated by quantitative PCR.

Alternative methods for validation of cell culture infection with duck hepatitis B virus.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an important virus used in disinfection procedures for blood spillage. However, validation of HBV inactivation is difficult, since there are no feasible infectivity assays. In some countries, the duck HBV (DHBV) is recognized as a suitable model for testing antiviral activity of chemical biocides against HBV. Currently, DHBV-infected ducks are required for preparation of the test virus as well as eggs from DHBV-free flocks for testing DHBV infectivity. To improve the practicality of the system, we suggested to use commercially available embryonated duck eggs for preparation of DHBV-susceptible hepatocyte cultures and to exclude infected hepatocytes by pre-screening with qualitative detection of DHBV DNA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A standardized DHBV test virus was prepared from the DHBV DNA-transfected hepatoma cell line D2, which contained 10(11)DHBV DNA molecules per mL detected by light cycler real-time PCR. Infection of cell cultures was most efficient 4 days after plating. The best identification of infected cultures was possible 6 days after infection with immunofluorescence using an antiserum against DHBV surface antigen.

Immunofluorescence test for sensitive detection of varicella-zoster virus-specific IgG: an alternative to fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen test.

A highly sensitive indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT) has been developed on the basis of varicella-zoster virus (VZV)-infected human lung carcinoma (A549) cells and evaluated for the determination of immunity to VZV. Different serum panels with negative, low, moderate or high anti-VZV IgG levels detected by the fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen (FAMA) assay were investigated. As a result, the sensitivity and the specificity of IFAT were 100% compared to FAMA test. In anti-VZV IgG-positive sera, a significant correlation between the results of FAMA procedure and IFAT could be shown. However, there were considerably higher antibody titers by the IFAT than by FAMA. Whereas the FAMA test had a detection limit of 250 mIU/ml anti-VZV IgG, the limit of detection of IFAT was 50 mIU/ml. In conclusion, the IFAT using VZV-infected A549 cells as antigen allows a highly sensitive, specific, and rapid detection of anti-VZV IgG class antibodies. This simple technique can replace the labor-intensive FAMA procedure for laboratory determination of immunity to VZV.

Establishment and cidofovir sensitivity of a cell line from a heart transplant recipient with multiple cutaneous tumors.

A new cell line, designated as Tuwei00, is described. It originated from an Epstein-Barr virus-positive skin tumor biopsy of a heart transplant recipient, whose numerous cutaneous neoplasms were treated with the antiviral drug cidofovir what caused at least transient remissions. The cell line was established in vitro and maintained for more than 70 passages. Cells of early passages were characterized by a slower growth, the inability to form colonies and a higher sensitivity to cidofovir. After overcoming a crisis, the cells grew faster, to a higher density and were able to form adherent colonies from single cells as well as colonies in soft agar. Chromosome analysis showed diploidy/hyperdiploidy at the earlier and hypodiploidy at the later passages. Sensitivity to cidofovir was distinctly higher in early passages of Tuwei00 cells than in later passages and was characterized by distinct decline of cell survival after long term cidofovir exposure. Established normal human keratinocytes, HaCaT cells, which were checked for comparison, showed a low cidofovir sensitivity similar to late passage Tuwei00 cells.

Molecular characterisation of varicella-zoster virus strains in Germany and differentiation from the Oka vaccine strain.

With the introduction of varicella vaccination, surveillance of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) strains occurring in cases of chickenpox or zoster should be considered. Differentiating Oka vaccine strain from wild-type VZV can be achieved only using molecular genotyping. In the present study, the VZV genotype was examined in 53 VZV strains isolated from patients with varicella or zoster and in 73 samples from skin eruptions, cerebrospinal fluid, and throat swabs obtained from patients with VZV infections in Germany. The polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphisms analysis using DNA fragments of the open reading frames 38, 54, 62, and the R5 repeat region were used. Whereas all VZV isolates could be typed, direct genotyping of viral DNA in patients' samples was achieved in 63 of 73 cases (86.3%). The dominant genotype of VZV found in 88.8% of 116 patients had the wild-type pattern PstI(+) BglI(-) R5A followed by the wild-genotype PstI(+) BglI(+) R5A in 6.0%, the wild-genotype PstI(+) BglI(-) R5B in 3.4%, the wild-genotype PstI(+) BglI(-) R5C and the Oka vaccine genotype PstI(-) BglI(+) R5B in 0.9% of patients each. BglI(-) wild-types were found in 90.7% of patients with zoster and in 9.3% of patients with varicella. By contrast, the BglI(+) wild-type was diagnosed in five patients with varicella and in two patients with zoster. In conclusion, VZV strains found in Germany are similar to strains circulating in the United States and the United Kingdom. VZV wild-type strains containing a BglI restriction site in ORF 54 as well as Oka vaccine strains can rarely be detected.

Anti-HSV-1 activity of synthetic humic acid-like polymers derived from p-diphenolic starting compounds.

A panel of ten humic-acid-like polymers was synthesized by oxidation of p-diphenolic compounds and characterized by relative molecular weights, FT-IR spectra and functional group analysis. Using the XTT-based tetrazolium reduction assay EZ4U, both the low-molecular starting compounds and the synthesized polymers were examined for antiviral and cytotoxic activities in HSV-1-infected Vero cells. With the exception of hydroquinone, 2,5-dihydroxytoluene and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoquinone, the starting compounds failed to inhibit herpesvirus replication. The polymeric oxidation products, however, developed anti-HSV-1 activity with EC50 values in the range of 0.65 (2,5-DHPOP) and 322 microg/ml (2,5-DHBQOP). The CC50 values of the polymers varied among 32.0 (TMHYDROP) and >512 microg/ml (2,5-DHBQOP, HYDSULFOP). The most effective polymers were found to be 2,5-DHPOP 2,5-DHTOP and GENOP (EC50: 0.65, 1.6 and 2.2 microg/ml, respectively, and SI: > or = 400, > or = 80 and > or = 58, respectively). Functional group analysis revealed that increasing numbers of carboxyl groups together with a high content of hydroxyl groups tend to enhance the antiviral activity of polymers derived from p-diphenolic compounds.

Virucidal and chlamydicidal activities of eye drops with povidone-iodine liposome complex.

Povidone-iodine (PVP-I) is a broad-spectrum microbicide with in vitro activity against bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoans. A 5% solution of PVP-I proved to be highly effective in ophthalmic surgery for the prophylaxis of endophthalmitis. For the antiseptic treatment of eye infections a novel application form of PVP-I has been developed by using a PVP-I liposome complex which demonstrated an excellent antimicrobial efficacy. In this study it could be shown that the novel liposomal formulations containing 2.5 or 5% PVP-I were as active as the aqueous solution against herpes simplex virus type 1, adenovirus type 8, coxsackievirus A9 and Chlamydia trachomatis in cell culture referring to equal PVP-I concentrations. Long-term cytotoxicity experiments demonstrated a moderate cytotoxicity for both formulations with a better tolerability of the liposomal PVP-I formulation compared with the aqueous solution. There is no evidence for a genotoxic activity of these agents.

Laboratory diagnosis of herpes zoster.

Virological diagnosis of zoster should be rapid when effective antiviral chemotherapy is being considered. In the present study, vesicle specimens of 100 patients with zoster were analysed by detecting viral DNA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The findings were compared with those obtained by traditional virological and serological methods. PCR results confirmed the clinical diagnosis of zoster in 95%. Primers selected from varicella-zoster virus (VZV) gene 28 proved to be most sensitive. The sensitivity of virus culture was 20% (specificity 100%), of direct immunofluorescent VZV-specific antigen staining in vesicle samples 82% (specificity 76%), and in 48% there was a serological response to specific IgM and IgA antibodies within 4 days after the onset of rash. These findings suggest that PCR is the method of choice for rapid laboratory diagnosis of zoster.

Cytogenetic genotoxicity of antiherpes virostatics in Chinese hamster V79-E cells. I. Purine nucleoside analogues.

The antiherpes virostatics acyclovir (ACV), valaciclovir (VACV), penciclovir (PCV), famciclovir (FCV) and ganciclovir (GCV), which belong to the group of purine acyclic nucleoside analogues, were tested for clastogenic and sister chromatid exchange (SCE)-inducing activity in Chinese hamster V79-E cells upon chronic application with and without a recovery period. ACV induced borderline effects in both cytogenetic assays, a dose-dependent reduction of the mitotic index and an increasing cell cycle delay. With VACV and PCV only a decrease of the mitotic index and an increase of cell cycle delay were observed. FCV was negative with respect to the four parameters studied, presumably due to the incapacity of the target cells of metabolizing FCV to PCV. GCV was a very potent genotoxin in both assays. It induced a statistically significant SCE response even in the range of the cytomegalovirus IC50 of < 10 microM. By variation of the experimental protocol it was shown that SCEs are induced in the second cell cycle following exposure to GCV but not in the first one. It is assumed that the drugs under study are metabolized to their respective triphosphates and then inhibit DNA replication as detected by decreasing mitotic index and increasing cell cycle delay. In the case of GCV it is suggested that GCV-TP is incorporated into the target cell DNA and that chromosomal aberrations and SCEs are secondary lesions due to repair processes at the substituted template.

[Ego disturbances in mentally retarded children--beginnings of an understanding]. / Ichstörungen bei Geistigbehinderten--Ansätze zu einem Verständnis.

The disturbed person has a structured, subjective logical inner-world, but we fail in understanding, because our mentality structures the world in a way, which is not analogue with that of the disturbed. It's required therefore first the reflexion of our own limitation and second the search for sense in the disturbedness of the other. This new and enhanced form of understanding is a joint starting-point of all workers in psychology and will remove the bounds between theory and practice and between theory and lack of understanding.