We determined IgG antibodies against Human Herpesvirus-6 (strain Uganda 1102, M. D. Griffin, London) in the indirect immunofluorescence test in sera from 1105 persons of various age groups. Of these sera 570 were retested using HHV-6 strain St. W. (Prof. Schneweis, Bonn). We could confirm that maternal antibodies decrease between birth and six months of age and the seropositive rate rises rapidly between seven months and five years of age up to 79.5%. Between six and ten years and up to 40 years, the antibody-positive rate lies around 81.3% and 66%, respectively. To confirm the causal nature of human herpes virus type 6 (HHV-6) for exanthema subitum we could demonstrate eight seroconversions testing sera from 14 patients with roseola infantum. In addition, the virus was isolated from peripheral blood lymphocytes of children during the acute fever phase in four cases in tissue culture and in six cases the virus was detected by positive hybridization. In single and some paired sera from patients with acute exanthematous diseases, rubella (n = 28), parvovirus B 19 (n = 24), measles (n = 17), mumps (n = 27), adenovirus (n = 27) and parinfluenza virus type 3 (n = 28) and in sera from patients with Kawasaki syndrome (n = 20), acute varicella-zoster- (n = 27), acute herpes simplex- (n = 18) and HIV-1 infection (n = 50), we found no HHV-6 IgM antibodies and no HHV-6 IgG antibody rises. We could only demonstrate an HHV-6 seropositive rate according to our age-prevalence study.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Measles, mumps and rubella are common childhood diseases. Therefore, frequent and intense contact with children of preschool age may be associated with a higher infection risk for childcare providers. This overview summarizes current knowledge on possible adverse effects of these infections on pregnant women, pregnancy outcome and the fetus. Acute rubella or mumps virus infections are apparently not more severe in pregnant than non-pregnant women. In contrast, measles virus infection in pregnancy is linked to a higher incidence of pneumonitis and hospitalization. Evidence of congenital defects due to fetal infection is only provided in case of rubella virus infection in early pregnancy. Following rubella virus infection in the first trimester an increased fetal loss rate was reported. In 1966, a prospective study showed also a significant association between maternal mumps in the first trimester and an increased risk of abortion. But other investigators could not confirm this association. Measles and rubella but not mumps virus infections are linked to an increased premature birth rate. Occurring in late pregnancy, all three infections can result in birth of an infected infant. But severe disease occurs rarely and is mostly reported for premature infants with early neonatal measles. Preventive measures, aimed to reduce the risk of infection or severe complications for pregnant childcare providers, should consider the individual history of the employee (e.g. previous immunizations or antibody test results), the current epidemiological situation and possible interventions like passive immunization in case of exposure to measles.
A weakly positive titre (1:20) in the Treponema pallidum haemagglutination test and a highly positive titre (1:1280) in the fluorescence Treponema antibody absorption test, but negative result for IgM antibodies, were found in the serum of a 23-year-old pregnant woman. The cardiolipin microflocculation test was at first borderline positive, but negative on repeat. In the absence of a history of syphilis tests for Borrelia antibodies were performed. Those for antibodies against B. burgdorferi were highly positive in the ELISA test (550 units), in the indirect Borrelia immunofluorescence test 1:1280 for IgG antibodies and 1:160 for IgM antibodies. In the Borrelia-specific indirect haemagglutination test, which measures both IgG and IgM antibodies, the titres were 1:640 to 1:1280. These results confirmed the presence of an infection with B. burgdorferi and not with Treponema pallidum.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.