Immunological disorders of increased severity in children with AIDS associated with hepatitis B and C infections.

Two groups of children were set up: children infected with HIV and hepatitis viruses and children infected with HIV, but not with hepatitis viruses, too. The immunological aspects investigated referred to the Ig serum value, the absolute number of T CD4 lymphocytes and the T CD4/T CD8 ratio. The subjects of the first group (in whom hepatitis markers were present) displayed increased IgA and IgM values at a higher rate than those of the second group (54.87% against 32%, 83.3% against 53%), as well as a lowering below 300/ml of the number of T CD4 lymphocytes (50% against 29.4%). On the other hand, increased IgG levels and values below 0.8 of the T CD4/T CD8 ratio were found at similar rates in the two groups of children (77.4% against 80% and 70.5% against 70% respectively). By means of the data obtained, the authors try to point out one of the ways by which hepatitis viruses, considered as a potential cofactor in the AIDS development, contribute to the course of this disease, namely by intensifying the immunological disorders.

The evidence of circulation of some viruses in a great town of Romania during the first half of 1992.

Complex serological survey performed in the town B. during the first half of 1992 emphasized an active circulation of some respiratory viruses, especially of parainfluenza type 3 and 1, influenza subtypes A(H3N2) and A(H1N1), adeno and syncytial respiratory as well as of Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Less important was the frequence of antibodies against Chlamydia psittaci, East equine, West Nile and tick-borne encephalitis as well as parainfluenza type 2 and influenza type B viruses.

[A seroprevalence study of the hepatitis C virus among multiply transfused patients]. / Etudes sur la séroprévalence du virus de l'hépatite C chez les polytransfusés.

A study was conducted on 61 polytransfused patients, 24 patients submitted to long lasting parenteral treatments, 116 blood donors and 132 controls. Immuno-enzymatic tests were used for detection of antibodies against hepatitis C virus (HCV). They were found in 56 (91.8%) out of the 61 polytransfused patients, in 5 (4.3%) of the donors, in 5 (20.8%) of the patients with multiple treatments and in 5 (3.7%) controls. The VHB markers were detected at variable rates in all investigated groups. The high rate of seropositivity indicates that hepatitis C is becoming an important public health problem in Romania.

[Seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus among the multiply transfused]. / Etudes sur la séroprévalence du virus de l'hépatite C chez les polytransfusés.

A study was conducted on 61 polytransfused patients, 24 patients submitted to long lasting parenteral treatments, 116 blood donors and 132 controls. Immuno-enzymatic tests were used for detection of antibodies against hepatitis C virus (HCV). They were found in 56 (91.8%) out of the 61 polytransfused patients, in 5 (4.3%) of the donors, in 5 (20.8%) of the patients with multiple treatments and in 5 (3.7%) controls. The VHB markers were detected at variable rates in all investigated groups. The high rate of seropositivity indicates that hepatitis C is becoming an important public health problem in Romania.

Approximate formulae (deduced from a mathematical model) for the characteristics of the interepidemic and epidemic periods of some virus diseases.

By a qualitative analysis of the solutions of the mathematical model equations (describing the morbidity and susceptibility evolution in a viral epidemics), approximate formulae for the extreme values of the variables and for the duration of the main phases of a multiannual cycle are deduced. These formulae were validated by numerical simulation of the solutions, leading to the exact values of the mentioned essential characteristics of the diseases propagation.

[The involvement of microbes in the etiology of respiratory diseases in infants 0 to 12 months old]. / Implications de quelques inframicrobes dans l'étiologie des maladies respiratoires de l'enfant de 0 à 12 mois.

A study was worked out on the etiopathogenic relations and a more exact evaluation of the incidence of some agents: viruses, chlamydiae, mycoplasmas and rickettsiae, in the respiratory diseases of 0- to 12-month-old children. Serological analysis and immunofluorescence examination of pharyngeal cells were done. Results showed that parainfluenzae and respiratory syncytial viruses, chlamydiae, rickettsiae and mycoplasmas had an important part in the outbreak and maintaining of severe respiratory diseases in the 0- to 12-month-old children population.

[Inframicrobiological research on cases of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus]. / Investigations inframicrobiologiques sur quelques cas de diabète sucré insulinodépendant.

A group of 55 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, aged from 8 to 40 years, was followed and compared to a group of controls, in view of detecting a possible relation between the presence of inframicrobial agents and diabetes pathogenesis. The investigations revealed, in patients, significantly higher positivity rate of antibodies against mumps (27% versus 16.3% in controls), parainfluenza type 1 (45.4% versus 29.1%) and Epstein-Barr (54.5% versus 10.9%) viruses, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae (43.6 versus 18.2%).

Investigations on the role of some viral, chlamydian, rickettsian and mycoplasmic agents in several gynecological diseases.

This work presents the results of a study on some viral, chlamydial, rickettsial and mycoplasmal agents incidence and their role on several gynecological ailments: vulvovaginitis, cervicitis, cervicovaginitis. The presence of some viral, chlamydial, rickettsial and mycoplasmal antigens in the vaginal secretion was investigated by immunofluorescence technique, isolation on selective media for Mycoplasma, and MGG staining in a group of 60 women with gynecopathies (group A) and in a control group (also 60 clinically healthy women) (group B). This study pointed out to higher incidence of chlamydial and mycoplasma antigens as well as of parainfluenza virus types I and III, adenovirus and herpes virus type II in group A. The serological screening revealed significant differences between the specific antibodies to antigens found in vaginal secretions to prove the presence of an immunological response on the same category of subjects.

[Assessment of the epidemiological parameters of the most widespread viral diseases in the Socialist Republic of Romania and in Sibiu County for period 1967-1986]. / Estimation des paramètres épidémiologiques des viroses les plus répandues en R.S. de Roumanie et dans le département de Sibiu pour l'intervalle 1967-1986.

Essential peculiarities of the kinetics of the morbidity evolution of most frequent virus diseases were explained using a determinant mathematical model. The main epidemiological parameters for the whole territory of the S.R. of Romania and of Sibiu County were evaluated for the 1967-1986 period.

Computerized studies of influenza epidemiology in the Sibiu county between 1968 and 1986.

The report presents a statistical synthesis (a microcomputer Junior was used) concerning the incidence of various acute infections of the upper respiratory tract (AIURT), the stages of their evolution, the distribution of cases among the population groups, the seasonal incidence and the values of epidemiologic parameters. We used clinical and epidemiologic data on AIURT of viral etiology (especially influenza). The structure of a data base on the epidemiology of AIURT of viral etiology is also presented.

[Virological research on appendicitis]. / Investigations virologiques sur certaines appendicites.

Investigations were conducted on groups of subjects hospitalized in surgery services with a clinical diagnosis of acute or chronic appendicitis, to detect the presence of inframicrobial antibodies and antigens, as well as that of the C reactive protein in these patients as compared with a control group. The results of serological tests and of the examination of pieces of appendix are also presented. The obtained data are used as arguments for the theory of an inframicrobial infection part in some acute and chronic forms of appendicitis.

[Presence of C-reactive protein in the development of acute mumps infection. Preliminary report]. / Observations sur la présence de la protéine C réactive durant l'évolution de l'infection ourlienne aiguë. Rapport préliminaire.

Investigations conducted on subjects with epidemic parotitis serologically confirmed (hemagglutination inhibition) allowed the detection of amounts of C reactive protein (Crp) higher than the normal level in 34% of the serum samples collected during the first twelve days of illness. After that, the Crp gradually decreased. The results showed that Crp is present in more than 40% of the subjects with uncomplicated mumps and in 55 to 75% of the cases with such complications as meningitis or orchitis. In most of the subjects, the Crp was found only in the first sample, but not in the second. Nevertheless, high amounts were found later, simultaneously with anti-mumps antibodies.

Evaluation of the prematurity risk on the ground of severity scores reflecting the action of different factors, maternal virus infection included.

A mathematical methodology is suggested which allows the a priori calculation of the risk of premature delivery, by a formula relying on the scores attributed to different specific risk factors (maternal virus infections included). The scores are estimated either directly, or starting from the scores of nonspecific factors. The statistical significance of the different scores, correlations and formulas is analyzed.

Studies of human cytomegalovirus complement-fixing antigen.

Various techniques are described for the preparation of complement-fixing(CF) antigen from the cell-associated phase of two strains of human cytomegalovirus. Preliminary results regarding the preparation of CF antigen from extracellular virus are also presented. The qualities and shortcomings of each of the biological preparations obtained by the different procedures are outlined.

Trends in the rapid diagnosis of viral infections.

The authors discuss different aspects of the rapid diagnosis of viral infections: its necessity, its characteristics, the recent advances having allowed the development of modern techniques. Further, the main categories of procedures used in rapid viral diagnosis are reviewed: 1) electron microscopy, 2) immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase techniques; 3) solid-phase systems with labelled reactants; 4) agglutination with supporting particles; 5) counterimmunoelectrophoresis; 6) rapid/early serological diagnosis. Data are discussed as regards the possibility of the large-scale application of rapid viral diagnosis procedures in Romania.