Australia antigen and hepatitis: a comprehensive review

Vaccination Campaign against Hepatitis B Virus in Italy: A History of Successful Achievements

In Italy, the vaccination campaign against hepatitis B virus has been characterized by two phases. In the first phase (1984-1991), vaccination with plasma-derived vaccines was first recommended for the high-risk group. In the second phase (1991-nowadays), recombinant vaccine targeted, by law, infants 2 months old and teenagers 12 years old (limited to the first 12 years of campaign); screening for HBsAg became compulsory for all pregnant women during the third trimester of pregnancy. Successful achievements have been attained: No acute HBV case has been observed in the age group targeted by vaccination, the pool of chronic HBsAg carriers is strongly reduced, perinatal HBV transmission is under control, and acute delta virus hepatitis cases are nearly eliminated. The key point of this success has been the peculiar vaccination policy adopted. The combined vaccination of teenagers has generated an early immune cohort of youths, who are no longer at risk of acquiring HBV infection by sources of exposure (i.e., drug use and unsafe sex practices) typical of the young adults. Vaccination of household contacts with HBsAg-positive subjects represents an area of improvement; providing migrants and refugees access to healthcare services is also a focal point. In 2020, Italy became the first country in Europe to achieve the WHO's regional hepatitis targets.

Mortality and morbidity among military personnel and civilians during the 1930s and World War II from transmission of hepatitis during yellow fever vaccination: systematic review

During World War II, nearly all US and Allied troops received yellow fever vaccine. Until May 1942, it was both grown and suspended in human serum. In April 1942, major epidemics of hepatitis occurred in US and Allied troops who had received yellow fever vaccine. A rapid and thorough investigation by the US surgeon general followed, and a directive was issued discontinuing the use of human serum in vaccine production. The large number of cases of hepatitis caused by the administration of this vaccine could have been avoided. Had authorities undertaken a thorough review of the literature, they would have discovered published reports, as early as 1885, of postvaccination epidemics of hepatitis in both men and horses. It would take 4 additional decades of experiments and epidemiological research before viruses of hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E were identified, their modes of transmission understood, and their genomes sequenced.

The hybrid EIA test: a specific and sensitive assay for the detection of woodchuck antibody to hepatitis surface antigen (anti-WHs)

'Ausria II' polystyrene beads (Abbott Labs, N. Chicago) are reacted with woodchuck serum positive for WHsAg in a dilution predetermined by titration. This modified bead is used in a blocking assay to detect the presence of antibody to the surface antigen of woodchuck hepatitis virus (anti-WHs). Serum containing woodchuck anti-WHs and commercial horseradish peroxidase (HRP) labeled anti-HBs are sequentially added. A drop in optical density at 492 nm of 50% or more due to the blocking of HRP conjugated anti-HBs by anti-WHs compared with a control (negative woodchuck serum) is a measure of anti-WHs. The ease and simplicity of converting readily available 'Ausria II' beads to specific reagents for detecting anti-WHs should be welcomed by investigators studying WHV. The method described is both sensitive and reproducible.

Viral hepatitis A and B: a seroepidemiological study of a non-hepatitic Sydney population

The age-specific prevalence rates of hepatitis A and B virus markers in 683 patients of all ages with non-hepatitic illnesses admitted to a Sydney hospital over the period from 1971 to 1974 were determined. The pattern of prevalence rates of hepatitis A antibody (anti-HAV) appeared to be a cumulative one, with steadily increasing rates in patients up to the age of 40 years. Thereafter a large increase in prevalence occurred. In contrast, prevalence rates for hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers were fairly uniform for all age groups. Antibody to core antigen (anti-HBc) was the most frequent marker of HBV infection. Prevalence rates in subjects of non-Anglo-Saxon origin were higher for both HAV and HBV markers.

Neutrophil function in children who are carriers of hepatitis-B surface antigen

The functional capacity of neutrophils of twenty children who are chronic carriers of hepatitis-B surface antigen (HBsAg) was investigated by histochemical and quantitative nitroblue tetrazolium tests (N.B.T.), an assay of bactericidal capacity against Encherichia coli, and an immunofluorescence test for HBsAg in neutrophils, The histochemical N.B.T. test showed that there was a higher proportion of stimulated neutrophils in chronic HBsAg carriers than in controls, but HBsAg particles were not detected in these cells. Bactericidal activity was significantly reduced in chronic carriers. If the defects in neutrophil function in the HBsAg carrier children preceded their hepatitis-B infections they could have influenced the development of the carrier state. Newborn infants infected with hepatitis-B virus are likely to become chronic carriers and neutrophil functions in uninfected newborn infants are similar to those seen in these carriers of HBsAg.

Hepatitis-B: a review

The recent literature on various aspects of hepatitis-B is reviewed with emphasis on the interrelationships of viral structure, antigenic components, and host immune response in acute, chronic, and asymptomatic carrier states of the infection. The mode of replication and mechanisms of transmission are discussed. Special attention is paid to potential non-parenteral routes of spread. The role of hepatitis-B in associated immune complex diseases and in hepatoma is outlined. A guide to the interpretation of serologic tests for hepatitis-B associated antigen and antibody patterns is presented in relation to the clinical stage and prognosis of the infection. Therapy, except in conceptual terms, is not covered but a summary of the current status of active and passive immunization is given. The unresolved question of the infectivity of carrier medical staff for their patient contacts, and the reverse, is discussed.

Acute viral hepatitis: a comparative study of clinical, biochemical, morphological and immunological features in patients with and without Australia Antigen

500 consecutive patients with acute viral hepatitis verified by biopsy were divided into groups of 202 patients with detectable Australia (Au) antigen and 298 patients without antigenaemia at the time of admission to hospital. Comparison was made of the initially recorded clinical, biochemical, histological and serological variables in the two groups. Judged by both histological and biochemical criteria, the acute disease was more severe in the 202 patients with Au antigen than in the 298 patients without Au antigen. Evidence is presented that this difference is possibly due more to qualitative aetiological differences between the two groups than to the duration of antigenaemia or the time of hospitalization. Thus, the demonstration of Au antigenaemia provides not only epidemiological but also relevant clinical information.