Hepatitis A vaccination: schedule for accelerated immunization.

Hepatitis A vaccine, strain HM175, was investigated for immunogenicity and tolerability in a prospective multicentre trial. The following vaccination schedules and antigen contents were evaluated: days 0 and 14 with 720 ELISA units (El.U) of antigen, days 0 and 28 with 720 El.U and days 0 and 28 with 360 El.U. In all study groups, the seroconversion rates following two vaccinations were between 95 and 100%. Higher geometric mean concentrations of antibody to hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV) were reached by the vaccine containing 720 El.U of HAV antigen. The vaccine was equally well tolerated in all groups. In addition, an abbreviated schedule, in which 720 El.U of HAV antigen was given on days 0 and 14, resulted in 100% seroconversion by day 28 and a level of anti-HAV that was substantially higher than that observed after passive immunization. This implies that such a vaccine could replace immune globulin administration if time permits.

Reactogenicity and immunogenicity of three different lots of a hepatitis A vaccine.

To study the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of an inactivated hepatitis A vaccine, 204 healthy individuals were randomized into three equal groups, each to receive a different vaccine lot. Each subject received a total of three doses, each of 720 ELISA units of hepatitis A vaccine HM175, according to a 0 and 1 month primary vaccination schedule, with a booster dose given at month 6. Side effects were low and were < 30% after the second injection. All subjects but one had antibodies to hepatitis A virus two months after the first dose of vaccine. At month 6 all vaccinees had seroconverted. There were no differences between the three vaccine lots with respect to side effects, seroconversion rates and geometric mean titre of antibodies. We conclude that the three lots of inactivated hepatitis A vaccine are safe, well tolerated and equally immunogenic.

[Traveling with children--what should be considered?]. / Kinder auf Reisen--Was ist zu beachten?

A holiday shared by parents and children can be a delightful experience, provided the parents give due attention to the needs of their children dictated by age, mind, psychology and physique. If this is done, the children are more likely to look back on the holiday with pleasure rather than finding it a harrowing experience best forgotten. In particular in the case of very young and pre-school children, long journeys with young children are not a good idea, and may be associated with numerous disadvantages and health risks. The psychological and physical situation in to tropical and subtropical regions are discussed with respect to the planning of a suitable holiday.

[Injury to the immune system by food contaminated by environmental toxins]. / Schädigung des Immunsystems über kontaminierte Nahrung durch Umweltgifte.

Immunity may be used as bioindicator for environmental toxic substances: Low level concentration of Pb, Cd, nitrosamines, Benzopyrene, nicotine and saturated fatty acids in food lead after application over months to a reduction of cellular and humoral immune response. After challenge by different infectious agents mortality was higher in the experimental group of mice. Up to date, investigations with low level doses of toxic agents in food running over a longer time had not been performed.

[Change in acylneuraminic acid content of T-lymphocytes and in plasma in breast cancer]. / Veränderung der Acylneuraminsäuregehalte auf T-Lymphozyten und im Plasma bei Erkrankung an Mamma-Karzinom.

Increased sialic acid levels reflecting tumor burden are found on the surface of T-lymphocytes and in the plasma of patients with carcinoma of the mammary gland. The data of the determinations of sialic acid content and distribution on T-cells, using microanalytical methods such as HPLC and a colorimetric test, show that the total sialic acid content is increased by about 60% and that nearly 80-90% of the sialic acids consist of N-acetyl-9-O-acetyl-neuraminic acid, in comparison to the healthy controls (not containing O-acetylated neuraminic acid). Investigations on lymphocytes of malignant melanoma patients show similar changes of sialic acid content and distribution on the cell surface. Increased sialic acid levels are also found in the plasma of patients with cancer but no O-acetylated derivative can be found. Furthermore the examinations show that the separation of the T-lymphocytes from the total lymphocyte fraction is not required. Determination of sialic acids in the total lymphocyte fraction can be a simplification in carrying out further diagnostic investigations. A high level of sialic acids as "antirecognition factor" seems to be not only a marker of tumor cells but also an attribute of T-lymphocytes, involved in the defence against the malignoma (malignant melanoma, breast cancer). Considering the possible contribution of sialic acid to the immunoregulatory protective mechanism during the first stage of pregnancy, sialic acid content and distribution on T-cells of pregnant women are investigated. Both an increase and a change in the distribution of sialic acids can be excluded.

[UV spectrum of natural light and tanning equipment. How can physical damage be prevented?]. / UV-Spektrum des natürlichen Lichts und von Bräunungsgeräten. Wie lassen sich Gesundheitsschäden vermeiden?

Health-related problems of cosmetic tanning are presented and discussed on the basis of our own studies and the latest state of our knowledge in this field. Whenever tanning lamps are employed for cosmetic tanning with UV light, a controlled light spectrum ranging from 340 to 440 nm should be applied.

[The effect of Echinacea purpurea Moench on phagocytosis in granulocytes measured by chemiluminescence]. / Untersuchungen zum Einfluss von Echinacea purpurea Moench auf die Phagozytose von Granulozyten mittels Messung der Chemilumineszenz.

Chemiluminescence was used as an indicator for phagocytic activity of granulocytes induced by zymosan in whole blood. Luminol was used to amplify the luminescence measured. Methods and conditions of the trial were varied and the dependence on the methods applied became evident. The effects of echinacea-extract (Echinacin) and phorbolester (PMA) in various concentrations on phagocytic activity of whole blood heparinized with 10 I.E./ml heparin as well as on phagocytic activity of erytrocytolized blood were investigated. The reaction of the granulocytes--phagocytis and therefore chemilumenescence--under the influence of echinacea extract depends on the doses and methods applied. Therefore standardized methods and investigations of various immunoparameters as well as clinical investigations are necessary to prove the immunostimulative effect of socalled immunotherapeutics. This has not been undertaken up to now. Dose and method dependent single results cannot be a convincing justification for specific therapeutic medication.

[Is there a paraspecific effect of influenza vaccination?]. / Gibt es eine paraspezifische Wirkung der Influenza-Impfung?

In a placebo-controlled pilot trial no paraspecific effects of influenza vaccination were evident. An activation of unspecific immune defence in the sense of "biological immune response modifiers" is discussed in literature as a possible positive side effect of the vaccination. According to the authors the trial shows the progress achieved in the production of vaccines, which is the better tolerance of the vaccine.

Alterations of acyl-neuraminic acids on T-lymphocytes in cases of melanoma.

Content and distribution of the different sialic acids on human lymphocytes, isolated from 7-10 ml of fresh human blood, were determined using microanalytical methods, such as HPLC and a colorimetric test. Comparison of the data of patients with melanoma with those of healthy persons shows an evident increase of the sialic acid content combined with a shift of the sialic acid distribution to higher O-acetylated derivatives.

[The effect of air pollution on the microbial colonization of the palatine tonsils]. / Der Einfluss von Luftverunreinigungen auf die Keimbesiedelung der Gaumenmandeln.

The prevalence of some facultatively pathogenic microorganisms in the tonsillar flora was studied in 10-years old children living in areas with different grades of air pollution during the years 1984-1986. Samples were examined for beta-hemolytic Streptococci, Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas spp., Candida spp. and molds. Colonization by these microorganisms occurred more frequently in highly polluted towns (Frankfurt and Wiesbaden) than in less polluted areas (Freiburg and Starnberg). It is supposed that alteration of immune response or other defense mechanisms induced by some environmental pollutants enhance colonization by facultatively pathogenic bacteria and fungi.

[Effect of PIND-AVI on various ratios of helper and suppressor T lymphocytes]. / Einfluss von PIND-AVI auf unterschiedliche Ausgangsverhältnisse von Helfer- und Suppressor-T-Lymphozyten.

The immunomodulating effect of a new heterologous antigen (PIND-AVI) on helper (inducer) and suppressor T cells was investigated. Primarily decreased T4 values (less than or equal to mean T4 - 2 S.D.) increased after treatment with PIND (P less than 0.005, using Student's t-test; n = 15). Primarily increased T 8 values (greater than or equal to mean T8 + 2 S.D.; obtained for normal persons) decreased after therapy (P less than 0.001; n = 10). An increase of T4/T8 ratio (P less than 0.005 and less than 0.001) to normal values was observed in both cases. T4 and T8 values within the mean +/- 2 S.D. were not influenced significantly (n = 13). In spite of different primary values, the amount of lymphocytes/mm3 was not significantly influenced. It appears advisable to check the results of treatment continuously every few weeks.

[The third generation vaccines]. / Impfstoffe der dritten Generation.

The introduction of a new Hepatitis B-vaccine as the first licensed vaccine which is manufactored by gentechnological methods has encouraged generally to discuss advantages and problems of vaccines of the "Third Generation".