scholarly journals The relationship between neopterin and hepatitis B surface antigen positivity

Pteridines ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Songül Ü Ünüvar ◽  
Hamza Aslanhan ◽  
Zübeyde Tanrıverdi ◽  
Fuat Karakuş

Abstract Hepatitis B is a life-threatening viral liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus. Neopterin is regarded as an immunologic biomarker of several diseases related to activation of the cellular immune system. Hepatitis B infection is associated with increased production of cellular immune system markers. We aimed to investigate whether there is a relationship between hepatitis B surface antigen-positivity (HBsAg +) and neopterin to determine the role of neopterin in the early diagnosis of hepatitis B infections. Seventy-two HBsAg (+) patients with normal liver function tests and forty-three controls were included in the study. Neopterin levels were 17.6 ± 0.13 nmol/L in HBsAg (+) patients; and 9.12 ± 0.09 nmol/L in infection-free controls, respectively. Compared to the control group, a statistically significant increase (p < 0.001) in the serum neopterin levels of the patients was observed. No significant relationship was determined between neopterin levels and age/sex (both, p > 0.05). With overstimulation of interferon-gamma, the production of neopterin increases by monocytes/macrophages. Likewise with other diseases associated with an activated cellular immune system, this study shows that neopterin can be a predictive biomarker for persistent carriers of hepatitis B infection.

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 83 (6) ◽  
pp. 1041-1048
Author(s):  
Solko W. Schalm ◽  
J. Adriaan Mazel ◽  
Gijsbert C. de Gast ◽  
Rudolf A. Heijtink ◽  
Meindert J. Botman ◽  
...  

Beginning in 1982 all pregnant women undergoing prenatal routine blood analysis in three large city hospitals and one large rural area were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Infants of all HBsAg-positive mothers received hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIg), 0.5 mL/kg of body weight within two hours of birth and, after randomization, 10 µg of hepatitis B vaccine either at 0, 1, 2, and 11 months of age (schedule A) or at 3, 4, 5, and 11 months of age (schedule B). A second injection of HBIg (1 mL) was given to infants on schedule B at 3 months of age. Blood samples were obtained at 3, 6, 11, 12, 24, and 36 months. In a two-year period, 28,412 pregnant women were tested for HBsAg; screening efficiency varied between 85% and 98%. The overall prevalence of HBsAg was 0.8%, with a marked variation between urban centers (2.2%) and the rural area (0.3%). Vaccinations were received by 180 of 193 infants of HBsAg-positive mothers (90 on schedule A and 90 on schedule B). Concentrations of hepatitis B surface antibody less than 10 IU/L were observed in nine instances in five children from group A and in seven instances in six children from group B. Four hepatitis B viral infections (two HBsAg carriers, two who underwent antihepatitis B core seroconversions) were recorded in group A v one infection (antihepatitis B core seroconversion) in group B. The protective efficacy of the program (screening plus passive immunization and delayed vaccination) was 94%. The estimated cost of preventing one case of hepatitis B infection in neonates was $3,000 (US currency). It is concluded that screening all pregnant women for HBsAg can be introduced effectively at reasonable costs in a country with a low prevalence of HBsAg and a high proportion of home deliveries. Delayed active vaccination starting at 3 months of age may be an effective and, for reasons of high compliance and low cost, attractive alternative to early active vaccination.


1982 ◽  
Vol 116 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
ROGER H. BERNIER ◽  
RICHARD SAMPLINER ◽  
ROBERT GERETY ◽  
EDWARD TABOR ◽  
FRANK HAMILTON ◽  
...  

1992 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 204-211
Author(s):  
Zbigniev Maćkiewicz ◽  
Hanna Świderska ◽  
Maria Kalmanowa ◽  
Zygfryd Smiatacz ◽  
Adam Nowosławski ◽  
...  

Four novel analogs of hepatitis B virus surface antigen (14-32)Pre-S2 region fragment attached covalently to N-acetylmuramic acid, N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine, N-acetylnormuramic acid, and N-acetylnormuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine were synthesized by the solid phase method. The ability of analogs to induce cellular and humoral immunity to native HBsAg was tested on rabbits. Cellular immune response occurred in vitro, and HBs antibodies were detected in all immunized animals. No additional adjuvants were used in the tests.


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