[10 years' of production and use of human rabies immunoglobulin in Yugoslavia]. / Deset godina proizvodnje i primene humanog imunoglobulina protiv besnila u Jugoslaviji.

Application of the rabies immunoglobuline is a compulsory part of the prophylaxis of rabies in all severe, transdermal lesions caused by rabies infected animals. Sylvatic rabies has spread in the past few years throughout the whole Yugoslavia, and human cases of rabies have also been reported in other East European countries. In order to achieve the highest level of rabies prophylaxis, apart from postinfective rabies vaccination, it is necessary to provide passive immunization using specific antibodies against rabies. After successful immunization of the young, healthy volunteers in 1990, National Blood Transfusion Institute, in cooperation with the Pasteur Institute from Novi Sad, prepared the first quantities of immunized plasma by plasmapheresis procedure and human rabies immunoglobuline. Without national production, sufficient quantities of human rabies immunoglobuline could not be provided, since the price on the world market is rather high (over $1000 per patient).

Hepatitis C virus RNA testing by nested PCR in blood preparations in Yugoslavia.

Patients receiving any kind of human blood preparations are in permanent danger of any infection including hepatitis C (HCV) infection. Testing for the presence of HCV in blood preparations is one of the steps towards safe medical treatment. One of the approaches for this testing is a detection of HCV nucleic acid. In this paper we describe a simple method for isolation of HCV RNA from blood preparations and control of HCV RNA presence in 19 intravenous and intramuscular products, manufactured in the National Blood Transfusion Institute in Belgrade. RT-PCR was performed according the rules saving RNA. Primers were located in 5' conserved region. Seven out of 19 batches of gamma-globulin, albumin, anti-tetanus and anti-rabies immunoglobulin preparations were found to be HCV RNA positive. For the time being, the PCR method is too expensive for routine HCV RNA testing of hundreds of blood donors per day. Serological screening test of blood donors and nested PCR testing for HCV RNA in blood preparations could be an efficient combination of tests in prevention of posttransfusion hepatitis C.

[Detection of the presence of the hepatitis C viral genome in immunoglobulin preparations using RT-PCR]. / Provera prisustva genoma virusa hepatitisa C u imunoglobulinskim preparatima pomocu metode RT-PCR.

Contemporary methods of molecular genetics were used to investigate the presence of hereditary matter, i.e., virus hepatitis C genome in immunoglobulin preparations of the Institute for blood transfusion of the Republic of Serbia. ELISA test in immunoglobulin preparations indicated the presence of antibodies to an antigen of hepatitis C virus. After RNA isolation and reverse transcription (RT), double reaction of in vitro DNA amplification (PCR) was done using two pairs of oligonucleotide. After several repeated tests and positive control from blood of the diseased it was concluded that neither of 11 investigated immunoglobulin preparations contained the nucleic acid (RNA) of the HCV origin, that meant that all preparations could be used with no danger of virus hepatitis C infection. Regarding the current experience in relation to the use of PCR for testing of contamination by hepatitis C virus in preparations from human blood, that are used in the therapy of various conditions and diseases, it is recommendable to use this method due to its sensitivity and specificity.

[Preparation of human albumin preparations]. / Pripremanje humanih albuminskih preparata.

Structure, physical and biochemical characteristics of albumin have already been investigated and described in full detail. Preparation of albumin solution preparations of various concentrations for human application started more than 40 years ago. Person deserving most credit for it is E. Cohn, who first used ethyl alcohol on low temperatures for the separation of certain fractions among which albumin took the largest part. Many modifications of Cohn's method are used today, though the most frequently used one is modification by Kistler and Nitschman. Some new methods appeared recently, ensuring higher degree of economy and efficacy, better yield of albumin and higher purity of final preparations. One of those methods--chromatography method--is recommended by Swedish authors (J. Curling et al.). Thanks to its multiple physiological functions and stability, albumin takes very important place in therapy of many diseases, both in peace and in states of emergency.