[Use of hepatitis B virus vaccine in volunteer donors already immunized against this virus].

Forty nine blood donors immune to HBV have been volunteers to receive a single dose of hepatitis B vaccine (Hevac B from Pasteur Institute Production). The initial mean level of anti-HBs was 20 IU/ml (from 5 to 75 IU/ml). The maximum level was observed at the consecutive plasma donation usually 1 month and a half after the vaccine injection.

Evidence that hepatitis B virus has a role in liver-cell carcinoma in alcoholic liver disease.

We compared the presence of serologic markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection with the presence of the viral DNA in the livers of patients with alcoholic liver disease with or without hepatocellular carcinoma. Among 51 patients with various kinds of alcoholic liver disease but without hepatocellular cancer, 19 had one or more serologic markers of HBV, but only three had viral surface antigen in their serum. These three patients, as well as three others who had HBV antibodies but no viral antigen in their serum and two others who had no serologic markers of any kind, had HBV DNA in their liver cells.

[Production of monoclonal antibodies against HBs (author's transl)].

Two BALB/c mice were immunized 4 times with a mixture of adw2 and ayw4 subtypes of HBs antigens. Their spleens were then hybridized with mouse myeloma cell line NS1. Using three different radioimmunoassays (RIA), 264 independent hybridomas were screened for anti-HBs activity.

Randomised placebo-controlled trial of hepatitis B surface antigen vaccine in french haemodialysis units: II, Haemodialysis patients.

A vaccine against hepatitis B surface antigen (Institut Pasteur Production) was assessed in 138 haemodialysis patients in a placebo-controlled randomised double-blind trial. In an interim analysis, hepatitis B infections were observed in 21% of the vaccine group and 45% of the placebo group (p less than 0.02).

Randomised placebo-controlled trial of hepatitis B surface antigen vaccine in French haemodialysis units: I, Medical staff.

A vaccine against hepatitis B surface antigen (Institut Pasteur Production) was assessed in staff members from forty-eight French haemodialysis units where the risk of hepatitis B was high. Of 318 subjects who completed the protocol, 164 received three monthly injections of vaccine and 154 received corresponding injections of placebo. Hepatitis B infection was observed in 3.

A non-A non-B hepatitis epidemic in a HB antigen-free haemodialysis unit. Demonstration of serological markers of non-A non-B virus.

One hundred and thirty six patients receiving haemodialysis in a HB antigen-free unit were prospectively studied over a period of 29 months for evidence of hepatitis. Twelve/one hundred and eleven patients who were dialysed in this unit for at least one month developed elevation of ALT which proved to be related to neither toxic hepatitis nor hepatitis due to any of the following viruses: hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis A virus (HAV), cytomegalovirus (CMV) or Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Therefore these cases were considered to be non-A non-B (NANB) hepatitis.

[The "e" antigen system in HBs antigen carriers (author's transl)].

Antigen e and its antibody were sought by radial immunodiffusion in 86 carriers of HBs antigen observed over a period of one year. The antigen was found in 3 cases out of 30 with acute viral hepatitis, 11 cases out of 33 with chronic active hepatitis, 1 case out of 6 with chronic persistent hepatitis and 1 out of 6 healthy carriers. It was not found in the serum of 6 patients with fulminating hepatitis.

[Anti hepatitis A antibodies in the French population and in polyvalent plasma immunoglobulins at a transfusion center (Gamma TS)].

A search for antibodies directed specifically against hepatitis virus A was carried out in 600 blood donors in the Paris region (354 men and 246 women) by a radio-immunological technic in solid phase. 75.3% had a positive test, no difference was found as regards sex on country of origin (57 were not French).

wVariants of the hepatitis B surface antigen in Israeli populations.

A survey of w variants of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) among native and immigrant Israelis revealed that the subtype ayw2 predominated among asymtpomatic HBsAg carriers (69%), and patients with acute (83%) and chronic active hepatitis B (81%). The subtypes ayw3, ayw4 and adw2, uncommon in native populations, were detected in carriage by immigrants and transients. Nevertheless, the high prevalence of ayw2 among native Israeli carriers (87%), and in particular natives with acute 93%) and chronic active hepatitis B (86%), indicates that the introduction of nonindigenous viral strains has not overtly altered the anticipated geographic distribution of hepatitis B viruses.

Prevention of hepatitis B in hemodialysis patients using hepatitis B immunoglobulin. A controlled study.

In a controlled study, the protection effect of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) was evaluated in patients hemodialyzed for less than one month in two collaborating units. Fifteen randomly selected patients received HBIG at five to eight week intervals throughout the study, and 13 other control patients received no immunoglobulin. During a follow-up period of 14 to 30 months, none of the HBIG-treated and 12 of the control patients developed evidence of exposure to virus B hepatitis, including 10 with HBs Ag antigenemia (p is less than 0.