On the diversity and richness of understory bryophytes at Nectandra Cloud Forest Reserve, Costa Rica.

Background: A survey of the understory bryophytes in the Nectandra Cloud Forest Preserve yielded 1083 specimens distributed among 55 families, represented by 74 genera of mosses, 75 genera of liverworts and 3 of hornworts. We studied and analyzed the bryophytic distribution on six types of substrates: 1) corticolous, 2) epiphyllous, 3) saxicolous, 4) terricolous, 5) aquatic and 6) lignicolous. The richness and composition of bryophyte genera are compared to those of other previous bryophyte surveys from 4 other sites with different oceanic exposures, climatic and geographic conditions in Costa Rica.

Atypical prediagnosis Epstein-Barr virus serology restricted to EBV-positive Hodgkin lymphoma.

An altered anti-Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) serologic profile preceding diagnosis is associated with an increased risk of Hodgkin lymphoma. It is unknown whether this atypical pattern predicts Hodgkin lymphoma risk further subdivided by determination of EBV in tumor cells. A nested case-control study of 128 incident Hodgkin lymphoma cases and 368 matched controls from active-duty military personnel with archived serum in the US Department of Defense Serum Repository was conducted to determine whether a panel of anti-EBV antibody titers differed in EBV(+) and EBV(-) Hodgkin lymphoma.

Antibody titers against EBNA1 and EBNA2 in relation to Hodgkin lymphoma and history of infectious mononucleosis.

A role for Epstein Barr virus (EBV) in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) pathogenesis is supported by the detection of EBV genome in about one-third of HL cases, but is not well defined. We previously reported that an elevated prediagnosis antibody titer against EBV nuclear antigens (EBNA) was the strongest serologic predictor of subsequent HL. For the present analysis, we measured antibody levels against EBNA components EBNA1 and EBNA2 and computed their titer ratio (anti-EBNA1:2) in serum samples from HL cases and healthy siblings.

Association of Epstein-Barr virus antibody levels with precancerous gastric lesions in a high-risk cohort.

We evaluated associations between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibody levels and precancerous gastric lesions (chronic atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, and dysplasia) in 183 subjects from Linqu, China. Immunoglobulin G antibody titers to EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA) and viral capsid antigen (VCA) were determined by two-fold serial dilution using immunofluorescence assays. Histological progression and regression were assessed by gastroscopic examination at the time of phlebotomy and at follow up 2 years later.

Epstein-Barr virus serology and gastric cancer incidence and survival.

Among 185 cases of gastric cancer and 200 controls in Linxian, China, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) seropositivity was not associated with increased risk of gastric cancer. High EBV nuclear antigen titres were associated with longer survival in cardia cancer cases, possibly due to chance.

Epstein-Barr virus and multiple sclerosis: evidence of association from a prospective study with long-term follow-up.

Objective: To determine whether serum titers of anti-Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibodies are elevated in blood specimens collected up to 30 years prior to onset of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: Individuals with MS were identified among members of the Kaiser Permanente Northern California health plan who participated in the multiphasic examinations administered between 1965 and 1974. Stored serum samples were used to compare anti-EBV antibody titers in 42 individuals who developed MS with age-matched and sex-matched controls.

Potential herpesvirus interaction during HIV type 1 primary infection.

One hundred twenty-three subjects with documented HIV-1 primary infection were followed for over a year; 96 received highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) at recruitment; 27 declined treatment. Fifty uninfected subjects served as baseline controls. HIV-1 viral load, CD4 and CD8 T cell numbers, and serologic changes to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), and cytomegalovirus (CMV) were monitored.

Temporal relationship between elevation of epstein-barr virus antibody titers and initial onset of neurological symptoms in multiple sclerosis.

Context: Infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been associated with an increased risk of multiple sclerosis (MS), but the temporal relationship remains unclear.

Objective: To determine whether antibodies to EBV are elevated before the onset of MS.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Nested case-control study conducted among more than 3 million US military personnel with blood samples collected between 1988 and 2000 and stored in the Department of Defense Serum Repository.

Serologic assessment of type 1 and type 2 immunity in healthy Japanese adults.

We assessed the informativeness of several serologic biomarkers of immune function using serum specimens collected in the Miyazaki Cohort Study from subjects who were seronegative for anti-human T-cell lymphotrophic virus I and anti-hepatitis C virus. To broadly characterize type 1 immune status, we measured EBV antibody titers, because titer profiles associated with cellular immune suppression are well described. We also tested for three type 2 biomarkers: total serum IgE, soluble CD23, and soluble CD30.

Heterogeneity of risk factors and antibody profiles in epstein-barr virus genome-positive and -negative hodgkin lymphoma.

Background: Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) tumors that contain the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome may differ etiologically from EBV-negative HL tumors.

Methods: A case-case study examining heterogeneity of risk factors between disease subgroups compared personal characteristics and EBV antibodies between 95 EBV-positive and 303 EBV-negative patients with HL.

Results: We confirmed previous associations of EBV-positive HL with older age, male sex, and mixed-cellularity (MC) histological subtypes.

Mycoplasma disease and acute chest syndrome in sickle cell disease.

Background: Acute chest syndrome (ACS) is the leading cause of hospitalization, morbidity, and mortality in patients with sickle cell disease. Radiographic and clinical findings in ACS resemble pneumonia; however, etiologies other than infectious pathogens have been implicated, including pulmonary fat embolism (PFE) and infarction of segments of the pulmonary vasculature. The National Acute Chest Syndrome Study Group was designed to identify the etiologic agents and clinical outcomes associated with this syndrome.

Multiple sclerosis and Epstein-Barr virus.

Context: Infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been associated with an increased risk of multiple sclerosis (MS), but the temporal relationship remains unclear.

Objective: To determine whether antibodies to EBV are elevated before the onset of MS.

Design, Setting, And Population: Nested case-control study conducted among more than 3 million US military personnel with blood samples collected between 1988 and 2000 and stored in the Department of Defense Serum Repository.

Acarologic risk of exposure to emerging tick-borne bacterial pathogens in a semirural community in northern California.

An acarologic study was conducted in a semirural community in northern California to determine the relative abundance of, and the prevalence of infection with, three emerging bacterial pathogens in the western black-legged tick (Ixodes pacificus). These included the agents causing Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi), human granulocytic ehrlichiosis [Ehrlichia phagocytophila (formerly Ehrlichia equi)], and human monocytic ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia chaffeensis). The study area in Sonoma County consisted of two properties each with four residents and an uninhabited adjacent comparison area.

Epstein-Barr virus antibodies and risk of multiple sclerosis: a prospective study.

Context: Epidemiological studies suggest an association between infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and risk of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objective: To determine whether elevation in serum antibody titers to EBV viral capsid antigen (VCA), nuclear antigens (EBNA, EBNA-1, and EBNA-2), and diffuse and restricted early antigen (EA-D and EA-R) as well as to cytomegalovirus (CMV) precede the occurrence of MS.

Design, Setting, And Subjects: Prospective, nested case-control study.

Antibodies to human herpesvirus 8 latent and lytic antigens in blood donors and potential high-risk groups in Sweden: variable frequencies found in a multicenter serological study.

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is a herpesvirus associated with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). An immunofluorescence assay was used for detection of IgG, IgM, and IgA antibodies against lytic and latent HHV-8 antigens to analyse samples from KS patients (n = 8), healthy blood donors (n = 162), individuals with a high risk sexual behaviour (n = 114), and bone marrow transplant patients (with high risk for bloodborne infections) (n = 34) in Sweden. Of the KS patients, 88% had IgG antibodies to both lytic and latent antigens by immunofluorescence.

The restricted cellular host range of human herpesvirus 8.

Design: A selection of primary and transformed cell types were evaluated for their susceptibility to infection with human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8)/Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus.

Methods: Sources of HHV-8 included Kaposi's sarcoma lesion punch biopsies that were either cocultured directly with target cells or that were first cocultured with human lymphocytes to derive HHV-8-containing fluids that were inoculated onto target cells. HHV-8 was also obtained from primary effusion lymphoma-derived cell lines.

Causes and outcomes of the acute chest syndrome in sickle cell disease. National Acute Chest Syndrome Study Group.

Background: The acute chest syndrome is the leading cause of death among patients with sickle cell disease. Since its cause is largely unknown, therapy is supportive. Pilot studies with improved diagnostic techniques suggest that infection and fat embolism are underdiagnosed in patients with the syndrome.

Serologic prevalence of antibody to human herpesvirus type 8 in patients with various monoclonal gammopathies.

Both viral and serologic studies have consistently shown an association of human herpesvirus type 8 (HHV-8) with Kaposi's sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma, and Castleman's disease. The presence of HHV-8 DNA in patients with myeloma has been reported by some investigators but not substantiated by others. In addition, variable results have been obtained with serologic studies for HHV-8 in patients with myeloma and certain other monoclonal gammopathies (MG).

Increased human herpesvirus 8 seroprevalence in young homosexual men who have multiple sex contacts with different partners.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the behavioral risks that are associated with human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) infection in a cohort of young homosexual men. Seventy-nine subjects (ages 22-33 years) who completed a questionnaire about their sexual and drug use behavior over the preceding year were recruited from the San Francisco Young Men's Health Study. Plasma samples were tested for anti-HHV-8 antibodies using an indirect IFA.

Interassay correlation of human herpesvirus 8 serologic tests. HHV-8 Interlaboratory Collaborative Group.

To standardize human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) antibody assays for application to asymptomatic infection, a blinded comparison was done of seven immunofluorescence assays and ELISAs. Five experienced laboratories tested a serum panel from 143 subjects in 4 diagnostic groups. Except for a minor capsid protein ELISA, the other six tests detected HHV-8 antibodies most frequently in classic (80%-100%) and AIDS-related (67%-91%) Kaposi's sarcoma, followed by human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive patients (27%-60%), and least frequently in healthy blood donors (0-29%).

Prevalence and determinants of anti-lytic and anti-latent antibodies to human herpesvirus-8 among Italian individuals at risk of sexually and parenterally transmitted infections.

Three hundred seventy-nine individuals [137 non-injecting drug using (non-IDU) heterosexuals, 130 homosexual men and 112 IDU] attending the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing program of a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic in Rome were studied to estimate the prevalence and to identify the modalities of transmission of human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) infection. Serological analysis was performed by using an immunofluorescence assay able to detect anti-latent and anti-lytic HHV-8 antibodies. Twelve acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) patients and 94 blood donors were tested as reference population groups.

Restricted expression of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded, growth transformation-associated antigens in an EBV- and human herpesvirus type 8-carrying body cavity lymphoma line.

A body cavity lymphoma-derived cell line (BC1), known to carry both Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human herpes virus type 8 (HHV-8; or Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, KSHV), was analysed for the expression of EBV-encoded, growth transformation-associated antigens and cellular phenotype by immunofluorescence staining, Western blotting, RT-PCR and flow cytometry. A similar phenotypic analysis was also performed on another body cavity lymphoma line, BCBL1, that is singly infected with HHV-8. Phenotypically, the two lines were closely similar.

Human herpesvirus 8 detection in nasal secretions and saliva.

The presence of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in nasal secretions and saliva from 14 HHV-8-seropositive persons, including 8 Kaposi's sarcoma patients: 7 were human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected, 6 of whom were asymptomatic. HHV-8 was detected in one or both body fluids in 8 (57%) of 14 subjects. Parallel PCR testing revealed the concomitant presence of cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and HHV-6 in various combinations in these body fluids.

Humoral immune response to functional regions of human cytomegalovirus glycoprotein B.

Sera from patients with primary human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infections, both acute and convalescent phase, and from HCMV-seropositive healthy subjects were analyzed to determine whether the sera would recognize antigenic domains on HCMV glycoprotein B (gB) that function in virion infectivity and spread of virus from cell to cell. The intact gB molecule, amino-terminal derivatives of different lengths, and internal deletion derivatives were expressed in eukaryotic cells and reacted by immunofluorescence with the sera. All convalescent-phase sera and most sera from healthy seropositive individuals reacted with full-length gB and with an amino-terminal derivative containing 687 amino acids (aa), gB-(1-687); approximately half of the sera recognized an amino-terminal derivative of 447 aa, gB-(1-447), and one-third reacted with the shortest deletion derivative of 258 aa, gB-(1-258).