Methods: A pair of primers was designed to amplify herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2 (HSV-1/-2), EpsteinBarr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV). At last, we used the PCR-RFLP technique to differentiate four different herpesviruses. Meanwhile, 75 clinical blood specimens from infants of suspected viral infection and 38 blood specimens from healthy children were evaluated for herpesviruses DNA...

The reference method for immunoglobulin G (IgG) avidity determination includes reagent-consuming serum titration. Aiming at better IgG avidity diagnostics, we applied a logistic model for the reproduction of antibody titration curves. This method was tested with well-characterized serum panels for cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, rubella virus, parvovirus B19, and Toxoplasma gondii. This ap...

The human cytomegalovirus glycoprotein gp68 functions as an Fc receptor for host IgGs and can form antibody bipolar bridging (ABB) complexes in which gp68 binds the Fc region of an antigen-bound IgG. Here we show that gp68-mediated endocytosis transports ABB complexes into endosomes, after which the complex is routed to lysosomes, presumably for degradation. These results suggest gp68 contribut...

This descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out to explore the frequency of contamination with TORCH agents in neonates with congenital malformations in a referral centre in Gorgan city, Islamic Republic of Iran. Blood samples were taken from 64 neonates and their mothers over a 20-month period in 2003-04. Serologic tests showed that 4/64 infants born with congenital malformations (6%) ...

Homosexual and heterosexual patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome were compared by risk group. Race; diagnoses; history of sexually transmitted diseases, sexual behavior, and drug use; and socioeconomic indicators differed considerably among risk groups, suggesting different risk factors for acquisition of the syndrome. Patients in the homosexual, intravenous drug user, and Haiti...

Indirect hemagglutination test for detection of antibodies to cytomegalovirus is highly sensitive and reproducible, if employed in well-defined conditions. Standardization of the various factors involved is necessary as well as their reciprocal equilibrium : sheep erythrocytes, antigen, dilution of tanin, buffers quality. The hemagglutination test can be performed on small volumes such as blood...

Background: Strain-specific antibodies to human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) glycoproteins B and H (gB gH) have been proposed as a potential diagnostic tool for identifying reinfection. We investigated genotype-specific IgG antibody responses in parallel with defining the gB gH genotypes of infecting viral strains. Methods: Subjects primary (n = 20) or non-primary 25) HCMV infection were studied. The...

  Background and Objective: Sinusitis is one of the most common hygienic problems and a large part of the budget has been allocated to its diagnosis and treatment yearly. In this study, the presence of cytomegalovirus in sinuses of patients, undergone operation for treatment, with or without sinusitis, was studied. Materials and Methods: This study was an applied and case-co...

A phase I randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was done with a cytomegalovirus (CMV) vaccine based on the envelope glycoprotein, gB, combined with a novel adjuvant, MF59. Participants received CMV gB vaccine with MF59 or CMV gB with alum or placebo at 0, 1, and 6 months. A fourth vaccine was given at 12 months to a subgroup. Levels of neutralizing antibody and antibody to gB 2 wee...

Attachment of, and cell-cell fusion induced by, human cytomegalovirus were studied in the presence of neutralizing monospecific antibodies against antigenic domains 1 (AD-1) or 2 (AD-2) of glycoprotein B (gB, gpUL55). Efficient inhibition of the virion-mediated fusion event was consistently observed for the human AD-2-specific antibody as determined by a reporter gene activation assay based on ...