[Neutralizing antibodies to Coxsackie virus group B 1986-1988]. / Neutralisuca antitela za Coxsackie viruse B grupe 1986-1988. godine.

Presence of neutralizing antibodies to Coxsackie B viruses (CBV) 1-5 were examined in 2885 human sera by the neutralization test. The most frequently detected antibodies were to B4 viruses (in 1495 sera--51.82%) and to B3 (1371--47.52%). Antibodies to other serotypes were found in lower percentage: to B1 in 387 samples (13-41%), to B2 in 404 sera (14%) and in B5 in 332 sera (11.5%). Presence of neutralizing antibodies to human CBV in heart diseases were also analysed in 67 serum pairs. In this group of examinees the antibody titer dynamics was found in 41.79% sera.

[Acute gastroenteritis of viral etiology]. / Akutni gastroenteritisi virusne etiologije.

Retrospective analysis of own experiences and investigations concerning the role of the viral etiology in acute gastroenteritis were presented. Stools of children and soldiers with acute gastroenteritis were examined by electron microscopy. The most frequent causative agents were rotaviruses and much less frequently found were other viral particles of: coronaviruses, adenoviruses, Norwalk-like viruses, astroviruses, caliciviruses and "small round viruses".

[Detection of antibodies to cytomegaloviruses, herpes simplex viruses and varicella-zoster viruses in persons positive for human immunodeficiency virus antibodies]. / Nalaz antitela prema cytomegalovirusima, herpes simpleks virusu i virusu varicela zoster kod osoba s pozitivnim antitelima na virus humane imunodeficijencije.

Forty-seven anti-HIV positive sera and 47 sera of normal individuals were analyzed to the presence of IgG and IgM antibodies versus CMV, HSV and VZ. IgG antibodies in comparison to CMV were found in 27 cases (57.44%); in comparison to HSV in 40 (85.1%) subject and to VZ in 33 anti-HIV positive subjects. The mean absorbance value was higher in anti-HIV positive cases than in controls. IgM antibodies in comparison to CMV were found in 3, and in comparison to HSV in 2 anti-HIV positive sera. No IgM antibodies were found in the control group.

[Analysis of herpes simplex virus DNA using restriction endonucleases]. / Analiza DNK herpes simpleks virusa pomocu restrikcionih endonukleaza.

DNA of herpes simplex virus was analysed by restriction endonucleases EcoRI, BgII and HindIII. By this method it is possible to differentiate type 1 and type 2 of viruses. DNA of herpes simplex virus was prepared according to the method of Kinnunen and his collaborators which is described in detail.

Hepatitis B virus in tissue culture systems. I. Serial propagation of virus in human macrophages.

Human peritoneal macrophages, originating from peritoneal dialysis fluid and growing in vitro, support the growth and serial propagation of hepatitis B virus (HBV). The evidence for virus growth is based on the regular detection of HB core antigen in twenty-one passages of macrophages by a complement fixation test using rabbit anti-HB core serum; detection of HB core and e antigen in the twenty-first passage, using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; the detection of HB antigen in cultured macrophages in the fourteenth passage by an indirect immunofluorescence test using human convalescent serum; and detection of HB core antigen in the twenty-second passage by immunofluorescence test using rabbit anti-HB core serum. No CPE was observed through twenty-one passages. It is believed that this is the first successful cultivation and serial propagation of HBV in a cell culture system in vitro. Practical aspects of this finding are discussed.

[IgM class antibodies against hepatitis A viruses in the differentiation of viral hepatitis]. / Antitela IgM klase prema virusu hepatitisa A u razlikovanju virusnih hepatitisa.

The sera of 64 patients with acute viral hepatitis which were previously HbsAG negative by rPHA were tested by RIA methods for the presence of HBsAG and anti-HBc, by EIA method for HBc and anti-HBc and also by RIA method for the presence of IgM antibodies against hepatitis A virus. The pairs of sera were tested also for the presence of antibodies against cytomegalovirus and EB viruses. Of the total of 64 patients, markers of fresh HB viral infection were proved in 5 patients, sera positive to IgM antibodies to hepatitis A virus were found in 51 and no positive tests to any of the tested viruses were found in 8. The authors consider that they belonged to "non-A, non-B" viral hepatitis.

[The presence and significance of HBe antigens and anti-HBe antibodies in HBs antigen positive patients]. / Prisustvo i znacaj HBe antigena i anti HBe antitela u HBs antigen pozitivnih ispitanika.

There have been examined 105 sera of HBeantigen carriers, 30 of patients with chronic persistent hepatitis, 17 of patients with active hepatitis and 30 of HBeantigen-positive patients on chronic hemodialysis) for the presence of HBeantigen and antiHBe antibodies. A high percentage of HBeantigens was found in patients with chronic active hepatitis (88,2%) as well as in patients on chronic hemodialysis (86,7%) while the finding of antiHBeantigen in these two groups was low, 11,8% and 3,3%, respectively. The presence of HBeantigen in other two groups was lower, 26,7% in patients with chronic persistent hepatitis and 28,5% in patients with asymptomatic HBe antigenemia. AntiHBe antibodies were present in a higher percentage in patients with chronic persistent hepatitis (70%) than in asymptomatic HBeantigen carriers (57,1%). The presence of HBeantigens is not always sign of severe liver function disorder as well as the presence of anti HBe antibodies is not always sign of preserved liver function.

[Appearance of hepatitis B in a family environment]. / Javljanje hepatitis B infekcije u porodicnoj sredini.

The study comprised 20 families with total of 83 members of whom 45 with hepatitis B. The selection was made of families with at least two members diseased which was the most common case, the marital couples being in question. Of other families, three families had three members and one family four members with hepatitis B virus infection. The largest number had severe clinical picture (44%) and 13 (28%) chronic active hepatitis. Four patients with the most severe clinical picture of chronic active hepatitis, together with HBeantigens, had positive HBeantigen for more than two years since the onset of the disease. Importance of damaged skin and mucosa in spreading of hepatitis B infection in family environment has been pointed out.