Immunogenicity, manufacturing feasibility, and safety of a novel, autologous dendritic cell (DC)-based immunotherapy (AGS-004) was evaluated in ten human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected adults successfully treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART). Personalized AGS-004 was produced from autologous monocyte-derived DCs electroporated with RNA encoding CD40L and HIV antigens (Gag, Nef, Rev, Vpr) derived from each subjects's pre-ART plasma. Patients received monthly injections of AGS-004 in combination with ART. AGS-004 was produced within a mean of 6 weeks and yielded 4-12 doses/subject Full or partial HIV-specific proliferative immune responses occurred in 7 of 9 evaluable subjects. Responses were specific for the AGS-004 presented HIV antigens and preferentially targeted CD8 + cells. Mild adverse events included flulike symptoms, fatigue, and injection site reactions. No evidence of autoimmunity, changes in viral load, or significant changes in absolute CD4 + and CD8 + T cell counts were observed. This pilot study supports the further clinical investigation of AGS-004.

-Background -Infection with hepatitis-B virus has been a significant cause of morbidity claiming more than a million lives every year. Epidemiological data reveals that there are 360 million carriers of hepatitis-B virus throughout the globe and 78% of the world populations' hail from Asia. Though several studies from Indian sub-continent have provided an estimate of the prevalence of this viral infection, there exist only few studies, which reflect the status in the general population. Aim -The present study was designed to investigate the prevalence of hepatitis-B infection in North Indian general population. Methods -The study population comprised of 20,000 healthy blood donors who were screened for hepatitis-B surface antigen (HBsAg) status using third generation ELISA kit. Seroprevalence rate of seropositive donors was calculated and stratified by age, sex and blood groups. Statistical analysis was performed using tests of proportions, chi-square and confidence interval. Results -The study showed that out of 20,000 donors, 450 (2.25%) were HBsAg positive (95% confidence interval (CI), 2.0445-2.4554). Higher prevalence of HbsAg was found among males (440/19235) than females (10/765). The age specific prevalence rose from 1.78% (108/6058) in donors aged 19-25 years to a maximum of 3.03% (96/3161) in donors aged 35-45 years and decreased in older age groups. The peaks were detected in male donors aged 35-45 years and in females aged 25-35 years. Rh-negative blood group donors (21/873) and Rh-positive group donors (429/19127) had almost equivalent prevalence rates of HBsAg. HBsAg was more prevalent in blood group B donors (174/7426) and less prevalent in AB blood group donors (38/2032). Conclusion -It was found that variables including gender and age were significantly associated with HBsAg positivity. HBsAg positivity in our population was statistically not associated with ABO blood groups.

This study aimed to determine the relationship between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and ABO/Rhesus blood groups, age and sex. A total of 20 000 patients who came to donate blood in the blood bank of GSVM Medical College, Kanpur were enrolled in the study. Demographic data recorded for each patient included age, sex and blood group. Blood samples were tested for anti-HCV antibodies and ABO/Rhesus blood group antigen typing was performed. The overall positive rate of anti-HCV was 0.34%. We found that seropositivity for HCV increased with age. Anti-HCV antibodies were detected in 1/765 women (0.13%), compared to 67/19 235 men (0.35%). Seroprevalence of HCV was found to be higher in blood group O individuals (0.42%) and lowest in blood group AB individuals (0.04%). The results of this study demonstrate that that HCV infection may not be related to age and sex but the possible association of blood group antigens with HCV infection cannot be ruled out.

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Viral hepatitis transmitted by parenteral route is emerging as a far more dreaded public health challenge than any other illness. We have collected the data of HBV and HCV seropositivity in replacement and voluntary donors in our Blood Bank during the period January 1997 to December 2005. The results were as follows: Total number of cases studied in 1997 to 2005 -115073 HbsAg positive cases -1976 (1.7172%) Anti HCV positive cases -463 (0.4024%) The overall picture is showing a more or less stable prevalence rate of hepatitis cases among blood donors, who were apparently healthy.

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