[Interferon system status in hemodialysis patients infected with hepatitis B and C viruses]. / Sostoianie sistemy interferona u patsientov na gemodialize, infitsirovannykh virusami gepatita B i C.

The production of alpha- and gamma-interferon (IFN) by peripheral blood cells in vitro and the concentration of serum IFN were studied in patients treated by hemodialysis at the Pelgulinna Tallinn Hospital and compared to controls. Out of 108 patients on hemodialysis, 19.4% were infected with hepatitis B (HBV), and antibodies to hepatitis C virus (HCV) were detected in 7.4%. During 3.5 years of observation, cases of hepatitis B and C infection among patients and medical staff were rare. The production of alpha- and gamma-IFN in 23 patients with HBV and/or HCV markers on hemodialysis and in 38 patients without markers was similarly decreased in comparison with the controls and the titers of serum IFN were similarly increased. Lack of reliable difference between IFN status of two groups of patients may be explained by the absence of clinical symptoms of hepatitis, confirmed by laboratory findings.

[Functional status of the interferon system in inapparent and clinical infection with hepatitis B and C viruses]. / Funktsional'noe sostoianie sistemy interferona pri innaparantnoi i klinicheskoi infektsii virusnymi gepatitiami B i C.

In vitro production of alpha- and gamma-interferon (IF) by peripheral blood cells and the concentrations of serum IF were studied in 47 intravenous drug users infected with hepatitides viruses B and C (HBV and HCV) and in 50 inpatients with verified diagnosis of hepatitides B or C, 16 of these narcomaniacs. In acute disease, the capacity of cells to produce alpha- and gamma-IF was suppressed, while the concentration of IF circulating in the blood was increased. Suppression of alpha-IF production was more expressed in patients with hepatitides C and B+C than in those with hepatitis B. HBV and/or HCV infection without clinical signs of disease did not affect the production of IF. In narcomaniacs using opiates and ephedrine drugs for up to 5 years IF system did not depend on drug addiction.

[Experimental study of the prophylactic anti-influenza and interferon-inducing activity of epsilon-aminocaproic acid]. / Eksperimental'noe izuchenie profilakticheskoi protivogrippoznoi i interferonindutsiruiushchei aktivnosti épsilon-aminokapronovoi kisloty.

Epsilon-aminocaproic acid, an original antifibrinolytic had a rapid and prolonged protective effect, thus lowering the death rate of experimental mice contaminated with virulent strains of the influenza virus. The protective effect of the acid was observed after its intraperitoneal administration in a dose of 20 mg/mouse 24 hours before contamination by the strain with the H3N2 antigenic formula and after intranasal application of 15 mg of epsilon-aminocaproic acid divided into 2 doses 2 days before contamination by the strain with the H1N1 antigenic formula. In the animals contaminated by the H1N1 influenza virus 5 days after subcutaneous administration of the drug in a dose of 30 mg there was detected in the lungs a much lower number of the infectious viruses 3 days after the contamination. It was shown that 3 and 6 weeks after initiation of the 5-day treatment course with subcutaneous administration of epsilon-aminocaproic acid in a daily dose of 90 mg/mouse the animal resistance to the H1N1 influenza virus increased. No interferonogenic activity after administration of epsilon-aminocaproic acid was observed in the mice.

[Interferon-inducing and anti-influenzal properties of 3-(2,2,2-trimethylhydrazine)propionate in an experiment]. / Interferonindutsiruiushchie i protivogrippoznye svoistva 3-(2,2,2-trimetilgidrazinii)propionata v éksperimente.

An original compound, 3-(2,2,2-trimethylhydrazine)propionate, belonging to the class of hydrazine betaines, is an active interferon inducer in mice and shows a protective effect against influenza virus when used according to therapeutic and preventive schedules. The survival of the animals depends on the dose, time, and route of administration of the compound.

[Experimental study of the interferonogenic and antiviral activity of biologically active substances]. / Eksperimental'noe izuchenie interferonogennoi i protivovirusnoi aktivnosti nekotorykh biologicheski aktivnykh veshchestv.

The results of screening of five national preparations for the interferon-inducing activity in white mice by various doses, schedules and routes of administration are presented. Their capacity to protect the animals against influenza, tick-borne encephalitis, and herpes viruses was evaluated. Cuthizon, zimosan, tiloron and its analogue IC-32 induced in mice endogenous interferon production in amounts from 40 to 640 IU50/ml. Tiloron, prodigiozin, and zimosan were found to be effective against influenza. Protective effect of zimosan in combination with polyguacyl was observed against tick-borne encephalitis.

[Interferon-inducing and antiviral activity of levamisole]. / Interferonindutsiruiushchaia i protivovirusnaia aktivnost' levamizola.

It was shown that levamisol administered orally to mice induced production of interferon with its maximum level in 4-6 hours and prolonged subsequent circulation in the host (the observation period of 5 days). Antiviral activity of levamisol in experimental forest-spring encephalitis was shown (protection of 35-40 per cent). When levamisol were used in combination with polyguacyl, an additive effect was recorded.

[Production of lymphotoxin by human lymphocytes. II. Stimulation by purified tuberculin]. / Produktsiia limfotoksina limfotsitami cheloveka. Soobshchenie II. Stimuliatsiia ochishchennym tuberkulinom.

A total of 43 lymphocyte culture (LC) from 12 adults (aged 32--48 years) and 21 children 6--7 years of age were studied. In PPD-stimulated adults LC stimulation ratio ranged from 8 to 39%; their cytotoxic activity, i.e. lymphotoxin (LT) production, was determined by staining target L cells with crystal violet and measuring protein synthesis in surviving target cells by radioactive amino acid incorporation. In children blastogenic response occurred in 11 out of 21 PPD-stimulated LC studied, but only 8 supernatant culture fluids were toxic to L cells and 3 were not. These findings were confirmed by repeated tests 3 weeks later. Probable correlation of BTL and LT production with the functional state of specific immunity to tuberculosis is discussed.