THF gamma 2 stimulates cytokine release by peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection.

A recent study indicated that thymic hormones have antiviral effects in human hepatitis B virus infection and woodchuck hepatitis virus infection. These hormones are known to exert immunomodulatory effects on lymphocyte maturation and function; because these are abnormal in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection, we have examined the effects of a thymic hormone (THF gamma 2) on peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection. THF gamma 2 (50 or 150 ng/ml) alone was without effect; in the presence of low doses of the mitogen phytohaemagglutinin, it had a broad effect in patients and controls. The effect on interleukin-2 production was greater in patients than controls with a significant increase in production at 150 ng/ml for patients alone (p = 0.037). Tumour necrosis factor alpha production was enhanced in all patients and controls, with a greater effect seen at 150 ng/ml THF gamma 2 than 50 ng/ml. There was no effect on interferon gamma production or on the expression of membrane markers of T-cell activation. THF gamma 2 has substantial immunomodulatory activity in chronic hepatitis B virus carriers and in vivo assessment of THF gamma 2 in chronic hepatitis B virus is indicated.

In vivo protective effect of tumour necrosis factor alpha against experimental infection with herpes simplex virus type 1.

C57BL/6 mice, which differ genetically from other strains by their resistance to herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection, were inoculated intraperitoneally with different doses of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). Mice pretreated with 100 ng, or even 10 ng, of TNF-alpha showed prolonged survival compared to control mice that were infected with 10(7) p.f.u. of HSV-1. Significant protection was observed in mice injected 4 or 8 h prior to or after HSV-1 inoculation, respectively. Protection was also observed when mice which differed at their H-2 locus were treated with TNF-alpha after infection with HSV-1. Interferon could not be detected in the sera of mice at different time points after infection with HSV-1 or injection of TNF-alpha and there was no enhanced interferon titre in mice treated with both TNF-alpha and HSV-I, suggesting some interferon-independent protection. However, mice treated with TNF-alpha showed a marked activation of natural killer (NK) cells compared to untreated control mice or mice that were treated with HSV-1 alone. To test whether enhanced NK cell activity is responsible for TNF-alpha-induced protection, mice were injected with the NK cell-specific antibody anti-asialo Gm-1. In this experimental protocol the survival rate was almost unaffected, indicating that the observed protection was not due to activation of NK cells and that TNF-alpha is involved in the regulation of antiviral mechanisms other than the activation of interferons. Although additional production of interferon induced by TNF-alpha cannot be excluded, an antiviral effect of TNF-alpha on the course of HSV-1 infection may be postulated from our data.

[Immunopathology of HTLV III infection in drug addicts]. / Immunopatologia della infezione da HTLV III in pazienti tossicodipendenti.

The authors are herewith reporting the results of an immunological screening performed on 15 drug addicts presenting serological positivity for anti HTLV III (Elisa and WB). The study has been carried out determining populations and subpopulations of lymphocytes (T3, T4, T8 and T4/T8) and performing cutaneus tests with multiple antigens (Tetanus--Candida--Diphtheria--Proteus--Streptococcus and Tricophyton). The results achieved by mean of the above mentioned tests seem to indicate the presence of an immunodeficit hitting mainly the cell-mediated immunity in all the patients examined.

[Comparative evaluation of the diagnostic specificity and sensitivity of various 3d generation tests for the detection of markers of hepatitis B virus in serum--II--anti-HBc IgM]. / Valutazione comparativa sulla specificità e sensibilità diagnostica di alcuni tests di 3a generazione per il depistage dei markers di virus epatite B nel siero--II--anti-HBc IgM.

The authors have evaluated comparatively the diagnostic reliability of four RIA or ELISA tests for the determination of the anti-HBc IgM in serum. Statistically it has been possible to point out significant differences as regards the various Kits.

[Immunohepatologic and clinical monitoring of neuramide therapy in acute viral hepatitis B]. / Monitoraggio immunoepatologico e clinico di una terapia con neuramide nella virus epatite acuta tipo B.

The authors carried out a double blind therapeutic trial with neuramide in 20 drug addicts affected by acute type B anti-delta negative viral hepatitis. The H/S ratio together with the most important clinical and hepatological parameters seem to improve following treatment.

[Comparative evaluation of the diagnostic specificity and sensitivity of third generation tests by the detection of hepatitis B virus markers in the serum. I. HBsAg]. / Valutazione comparativa sulla specificità e sensibilità diagnostica di alcuni tests di terza generazione per il depistage dei markers di virus epatite B nel siero. I. HBsAg.

The authors have evaluated comparatively the diagnostic reliability of the most recent RIA and ELISA mono-polyclonal techniques for the determination of HBsAg in serum by means of in vivo and in vitro tests. Statistically, no difference has been found as regards the various methods.

[Monitoring of lymphocyte classes and subclasses during lymphocyte plasmapheresis]. / Monitoraggo delle classi e sottoclassi linfocitarie in corso di plasmalinfocitoaferesi.

The authors have investigated the immunological picture in one group of patients affected by immune mediated diseases treated with lymphoplasmapheresis. The immunomodulatory effects of the therapy were controversial after a single procedure, paradoxical after a complete cycle of 4 procedures.

[Determination of antibody titers in subjects passively immunized with specific anti-hepatitis B gamma globulins]. / Valutazione dei titoli anticorpali adottivi in soggetti sieroprofilassati con gamma globuline specifiche anti-epatite B.

The authors have evaluated the effects of specific Immunoglobulins administration in order to prevent type B viral hepatitis. 34 members of care units entered a program of epidemiological surveillance after an occasional contamination with biological samples obtained from patients affected by type B viral hepatitis. All these subjects have been treated with two injections of specific immunoglobulins at the dose of 0.06 ml/kg. i.m.; the first was administered immediately after contamination and the second after one month. Serum antibody titres were determined by RIA techniques in a six months follow-up. The results seem to indicate that the degree of protectivity after passive immunization is poor and rather incostant.

[Effects of a treatment with a thymus extract (thymostimulin) in acute viral hepatitis B in drug-dependent patients]. / Effetti di un trattamento con estratto timico (timostimolina) nella virus epatite acuta tipo B in pazienti tossicodipendenti.

The authors carried out a controlled therapeutic trial with Thymostimulin in 43 drug addicts affected by acute type B anti-Delta negative viral hepatitis. Both clinical and immunological picture seem to improve following treatment.

Immunomicrobiological monitoring of orovaccinal therapy in acute intestinal infections.

A double blind study in 42 patients (treated and controls) affected by acute uncomplicated salmonellosis was performed. The treatment consisted of an oral inactivated tetravaccine at the dose of 1 ampoule twice a day for 15 consecutive days. Microbiological and serological techniques (determination of intestinal secretory IgA by means of immunofluorescence, titration of copro and serum antibodies, quali-quantitative coprocultures) have shown that the administration of oral vaccine improved both the clinical and the immunomicrobiological picture in treated patients.

[Preliminary results on the effects of pretreatment with thymic extract on experimental endotoxin hepatitis in the mouse]. / Risultati preliminari sugli effetti di un pretrattamento con estratto timico nell'epatite sperimentale da endotossina nel topo.

The Authors wish to examine the protective effects which a period of pre-treatment with thymostimulin, would have on endotoxin hepatitis, induced in thymectomized and non-thymectomized animals. The test showed that the histological picture and the degree of endotoxinemia, measured with the Lymulus test, benefited from treatment with a thymic extract. This therapy was effect (and was statistically significant) in obtaining an immunorestoring effect (in the thymectomized mouse) and in inducing an immunostimulating effect (in the normal mouse).