A mathematical model predicting anti-hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBs) decay after vaccination against hepatitis B.

The determination of serum levels of antibodies against hepatitis B virus surface antigen (anti-HBs) after hepatitis B vaccination is currently the only simple test available to predict the decay of protection and to plan the administration of booster doses. A total of 3085 vaccine recipients of plasma-derived and recombinant vaccine have been followed for 10 years to determine the kinetics of anti-HBs production and to construct a mathematical model which could efficiently predict the anti-HBs level decline. The anti-HBs peak level was reached 68 days after the last dose of recombinant vaccine and 138 days after the last dose of plasma-derived vaccines.

[Expression of the interleukin-2 receptor in T lymphocytes of the rheumatoid synovial membrane].

Indirect immunofluorescence was used to stain DR antigen and interleukin-2 receptor (Tac) of T-lymphocytes (Leu 4+). Tissue samples of synovial membrane were cut from arthroscopic biopsies of inflamed knees in four patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Consecutive cryostatic sections of rheumatoid sinovium were analysed using monoclonal antibodies.