HCV transmission can be caused by donations that escape NAT detection even when tested in an individual donation. Comparison of different assays led to results that did not necessarily reflect the expected sensitivities. The need for standard materials representing further HCV genotypes is discussed.
The three morphological forms (20-nm particles, filaments, virions) of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were isolated from serum of chronic virus carriers or from transfected cell lines. BALB/c mice and guinea pigs were immunized with the antigens and the antibody responses against the three antigenic domains of the viral envelope were assayed. The proportion of pre-S1, pre-S2 and gene S antibodies was similar to the molar proportion of the domains in the immunogens. The major gene S and pre-S1 epitopes were conformational, and the major epitopes of the pre-S2 domain were sequential. The immunogenicity of natural and recombinant antigens was identical. The proportion of subtype-specific antibodies was high. The results suggest that recombinant HBsAg filaments containing both subtypes ad and ay may be optimal hepatitis B vaccines.
A needle-free, transdermal injection device was evaluated for effectiveness of vaccine delivery and for injection site lesions in swine. A total of 130 pigs were vaccinated for pseudorabies virus (PRV) and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyopneumoniae). Pigs were divided into three groups; one group served as unvaccinated controls, the second group was vaccinated with conventional hypodermic needles and the third group was vaccinated with a needle-free, airpowered transdermal injection device. Blood samples collected for up to 36 days post-injection showed that both injection methods produced similar serological responses that were significantly greater than for unvaccinated controls. Injection sites, collected at slaughter from each carcass, showed minimal development of lesions and no carcass defects. The results show the needle-free, transdermal injection system to be effective and safe. Elimination of needles will prevent residual needle fragments in carcasses and associated carcass defects that develop from needle-induced injection-site lesions.
is an artist and independent researcher whose current project includes archiving the writings of the Australian 'proto-extropian ' poet & philosopher Harry Hooton (1908-1961. He founded this project after observing the lack of historical representation of the literary underground that once flourished during the 1940s and 1950s in Australia. Before being kicked out asked to leave two universities (thus far), Frank studied sound, video art, web design and photography. As his collage artwork has been deemed too pornographic to exhibit, he now prefers to live and work in idiosyncratic isolation (www.hootonics.com).
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