[Immune-regulating Th1- and Th2-cytokines in chronic infections caused by hepatitis B and C viruses].

The serum levels of Th1 (gamma-IFN and sIL-2r) and of Th2 (IL-10) cytokines were measured in 33 patients (23 males and 10 females, mean age 23.1 +/- 1.9) with chronic viral hepatitis (CVH) according to a disease etiology (6 patients with hepatitis B--CVHB, 15 patients with hepatitis C--CVHC, and 12 patients with a mixed form of chronic hepatitis B and C--HBV + HCV).

[Th1-cytokines in chronic hepatitis B and C].

Forty-four patients with chronic HBV and HCV were observed. Serum levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and soluble IL-2 receptor (IL-2r) were measured by enzyme immunoassay in 29 patients divided into 3 groups: group 1 (n = 9) with chronic HBV, group 2 (n = 9) with chronic HCV, and group 3 (n = 11) with mixed HBV + HCV infection. Control group consisted of 10 normal subjects without HBV, HCV, or HIV infection markers.

[Hepatitis A in Estonia (1990-1999)].

During recent 10 years (1990-1999) essential changes occurred the epidemiology of viral hepatitis A (VHA) in Estonia: simultaneously with a decreased level of morbidity (morbidity rate per 100,000 of the population was 78.4 in 1990 and 7.7 in 1996, or 1,241 and 112 cases, respectively), a shift in the age structure of patients from children of preschool age to older age groups took place.

[Functional and metabolic activity of peripheral blood neutrophils in acute viral hepatitis B and C].

The functional metabolic activity of peripheral blood neutrophils in acute virus hepatitis B (VHB) and/or virus hepatitis C (VHC) was evaluated. 48 patients were examined; of these, VHB was diagnosed in 28 patients and VHC was diagnosed in 9 patients and the mixed form of virus hepatitis (VHB + VHC), in 11 patients. Determination of adhesive capacity of neutrophils, production of superoxidase anion in the nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) test, activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and acidic phosphatase (AP), the amount of cation proteins (CP) was made.

[Interferon system status in hemodialysis patients infected with hepatitis B and C viruses].

The production of alpha- and gamma-interferon (IFN) by peripheral blood cells in vitro and the concentration of serum IFN were studied in patients treated by hemodialysis at the Pelgulinna Tallinn Hospital and compared to controls. Out of 108 patients on hemodialysis, 19.4% were infected with hepatitis B (HBV), and antibodies to hepatitis C virus (HCV) were detected in 7.

[Functional status of the interferon system in inapparent and clinical infection with hepatitis B and C viruses].

In vitro production of alpha- and gamma-interferon (IF) by peripheral blood cells and the concentrations of serum IF were studied in 47 intravenous drug users infected with hepatitides viruses B and C (HBV and HCV) and in 50 inpatients with verified diagnosis of hepatitides B or C, 16 of these narcomaniacs. In acute disease, the capacity of cells to produce alpha- and gamma-IF was suppressed, while the concentration of IF circulating in the blood was increased. Suppression of alpha-IF production was more expressed in patients with hepatitides C and B+C than in those with hepatitis B.

[Live enteroviral vaccines for the emergency nonspecific prevention of mass respiratory diseases during fall-winter epidemics of influenza and acute respiratory diseases].

The results of the 3-year controlled trials of a new method of nonspecific urgent prophylaxis of influenza and acute respiratory diseases (ADR) by immunization of healthy adults with standard live enterovirus oral vaccines, introduced in 2-3 administrations at intervals of 7-10 days, at the initial stages of autumn and winter epidemics are presented. Observations, carried out in three republics, covered more than 150,000 persons immunized with enterovirus interferonogenic vaccines. A considerable decrease in morbidity rate among the vaccinees was achieved (on the average, by 3.

[Experimental study of the prophylactic anti-influenza and interferon-inducing activity of epsilon-aminocaproic acid].

Epsilon-aminocaproic acid, an original antifibrinolytic had a rapid and prolonged protective effect, thus lowering the death rate of experimental mice contaminated with virulent strains of the influenza virus. The protective effect of the acid was observed after its intraperitoneal administration in a dose of 20 mg/mouse 24 hours before contamination by the strain with the H3N2 antigenic formula and after intranasal application of 15 mg of epsilon-aminocaproic acid divided into 2 doses 2 days before contamination by the strain with the H1N1 antigenic formula. In the animals contaminated by the H1N1 influenza virus 5 days after subcutaneous administration of the drug in a dose of 30 mg there was detected in the lungs a much lower number of the infectious viruses 3 days after the contamination.

[Interferon-inducing and anti-influenzal properties of 3-(2,2,2-trimethylhydrazine)propionate in an experiment].

An original compound, 3-(2,2,2-trimethylhydrazine)propionate, belonging to the class of hydrazine betaines, is an active interferon inducer in mice and shows a protective effect against influenza virus when used according to therapeutic and preventive schedules. The survival of the animals depends on the dose, time, and route of administration of the compound.

[Antiviral immunity in disseminated sclerosis].

Titres of antibodies to various viral antigens, levels of immunoglobulins, and the rate of detection of specific IgM to measles virus were studied in the blood sera of 50 patients with multiple sclerosis and 50 normal subjects. High antibody titres to measles, mumps, rubella and parainfluenza type 3 virus antigens were revealed. Specific IgM to measles virus were detected in 50% of multiple sclerosis patients and in none of the normal subjects.

[Experimental study of the interferonogenic and antiviral activity of biologically active substances].

The results of screening of five national preparations for the interferon-inducing activity in white mice by various doses, schedules and routes of administration are presented. Their capacity to protect the animals against influenza, tick-borne encephalitis, and herpes viruses was evaluated. Cuthizon, zimosan, tiloron and its analogue IC-32 induced in mice endogenous interferon production in amounts from 40 to 640 IU50/ml.

[Formation of immune interferon and blast transformation in stimulated cultures of human lymphocytes].

Lymphocyte blast transformation (LBT) and interferon (IF) production were studied in 55 phytohemagglutinin- and dry purified tuberculin-stimulated lymphocyte cultures obtained from normal subjects (7 adults and 24 children). A relationship has been disclosed between LBT and interferon production. However, in some of the culture with marked LBT there occurred a defective IF production.

[Interferon production in multiple sclerosis].

The interferon-synthesizing activity of the peripheral blood leukocytes and serum interferon in the blood of patients with multiple sclerosis were studied. A reverse relationship was found between antibody production (high titers of measles antibody) and the interferon-synthesizing activity of peripheral blood leukocytes in these patients. A 3-fold decline in serum interferon titers was observed in patients with multiple sclerosis as compared with the control group.

[Production of interferon and virus-neutralizing antibodies in adult mice infected with enteroviruses during the neonatal period].

Newborn albino mice were inoculated with enteroviruses and in 6 weeks reinfected with homologous or heterologous strains. Strains moderately pathogenic for newborn mice led to formation of specific immunologic memory. Mice infected after birth with highly pathogenic strains produced specific antibodies for a long time and lacked secondary response.