Marie Ogilvie

Intranuclear virus particles in human genital wart tissue: observations on the ultrastructure of the epidermal layer.

Human genital warts (condylomata acuminata) were examined, and virus particles that had the morphology typical of papilloma virus were located in one specimen. Particles of the same size, but lacking a substructure, that could be viral in nature, were found in two specimens. These particles and the recognizable viruses were closely associated with strands of material possessing regular subunits similar to those described by other authors (23) and which they suggest may be unassembled viral subunits. Certain variations from normal epidermal ultrastructure were noted, but these do not appear to be specific for this condition.

Association between secretor status and respiratory viral illness.

OBJECTIVE--To determine whether non-secretion of blood group antigens is associated with respiratory virus diseases. DESIGN--Study of secretor status in patients with respiratory virus diseases determined by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) developed to identify Lewis (Le) blood group antigen phenotypes (Le(a) non-secretor; Le(b) secretor). SUBJECTS--Patients aged 1 month to 90 years in hospital with respiratory virus diseases (584 nasal specimens). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Criteria for validation of ELISA (congruence between results on ELISA testing of 1155 saliva samples from a previous study and previously established results on haemagglutination inhibition (HAI) testing, proportions of Le(a), Le(b), and Le- phenotypes in 872 samples of nasal washings from a previous study compared with the normal population). Secretor status of patients determined by ELISA and viruses isolated. RESULTS--Agreement between HAI and ELISA for 1155 saliva samples was 97%. Lewis antigens were detected by ELISA in 854 (97.9%) of nasal washings (Le(a) 233 (26.7%), Le(b) 621 (71.2%), and Le- 18 (2.1%)) in proportions predicted for a northern European population. Secretors were significantly overrepresented among patients from whom influenza viruses A and B (55/64, 86%; p less than 0.025), rhinoviruses (63/72, 88%; p less than 0.01), respiratory syncytial virus (97/109, 89%; p less than 0.0005), and echoviruses (44/44, p less than 0.0005) had been isolated compared with the distribution of secretors in the local population. CONCLUSION--Secretion of blood group antigens is associated with respiratory virus diseases.

Serological studies with human papova (wart) virus.

Methods for demonstrating antibody to wart virus by complement fixation and passive haemagglutination tests are described and compared with the precipitin test of Almeida & Goffe (1965). The results reveal the much greater sensitivity of the passive haemagglutination method, particularly in the detection of the immunoglobulin M class of antibody. Both complement-fixing and precipitating antibody were detected in sera from patients whose warts had undergone a spontaneous resolution.The presence of antibody to wart virus was demonstrated in sera from persons who had had warts up to 10 years previously, and in a few cases from those who thought they had never had warts.The antigenic identity of virus from hand warts and plantar warts of the simple and mosaic types was revealed, and some evidence was obtained for similar identity of the virus from genital warts.

Effect of respiratory syncytial virus infection on binding of Neisseria meningitidis and Haemophilus influenzae type b to a human epithelial cell line (HEp-2)

It has been suggested that individuals might be more readily colonized with bacteria that cause meningitis through enhanced binding of the bacteria to virus-infected epithelial cells. As respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) affects infants and children in the age group also susceptible to bacterial meningitis, we tested the hypothesis that infection of HEp-2 cells by RSV might enhance binding of Neisseria meningitidis or Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). Attachment of fluorescein-labelled bacteria to HEp-2 cells was measured by flow cytometry, and RSV-infected cells bound significantly more meningococci (P < 0.001) and Hib (P < 0.01) than uninfected cells. Although the isolates expressed different antigenic characteristics (3 meningococci and 5 Hib), all showed a similar pattern of binding. The results are discussed with reference to the methods used for detection of bacterial binding and to interactions that might explain the increased binding to RSV-infected cells.

The Effect of Respiratory Virus Infection on Expression of Cell Surface Antigens Associated with Binding of Potentially Pathogenic Bacteria

Serious secondary bacterial infection can occur following illness due to respiratory viruses and viral infections have also been suggested to be predisposing factors for bacterial meningitis [Moore et al., 1990; Cartwright et al., 1991]. Respiratory virus infection can compromise host defences against bacterial infection in a number of ways: immune suppression; diminished phagocytosis by polymorphonuclear leucocytes; local tissue injury; loss of mucociliary function and decreased bacterial clearance; formation of exudates that enhance bacterial growth; and increased bacterial binding to virus infected cells. Most investigators have studied associations of influenza virus and respiratory pathogens such as Streptococcus pneumoniae [Plotkowski et al., 1986], Staphylococcus aureus [Musher and Fainstein, 1981] and Haemophilus influenzae [Bakeletz et al., 1988; Fainstein et al.,1980].

Molluscum contagiosum of the sole. A rare diagnosis or a rare condition

SUMMARY.— A case is reported of molluscum contagiosum on the sole of the foot, which was diagnosed virologically. The difficulty of making the diagnosis on clinical grounds in this site is emphasized. The diagnosis may rather be missed than rare.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV)

Hepatitis B is endemic in areas such as eastern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa where infection is acquired perinatally from carrier mothers or early in childhood. Most of these infections are sub-clinical and in a high proportion (70–90% of infected neonates, 20–50% of those infected as children) a persistent carrier state is established. HBV infection in the West occurs mostly in adults, transmitted sexually, or by percutaneous exposure or mucosal contamination. Half the adults present with a clinical illness, including immune complex related rash or arthritis preceding hepatitis, but persistent infection occurs in less than 10% of adults. The HBV carrier may remain asymptomatic over many years, later developing an active hepatitis during spontaneous immune clearance of the infection, or have a mild persistent hepatitis, or there may be more significant chronic active hepatitis followed by cirrhosis.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) (Non-A, Non-B hepatitis)

The hepatitis C virus genome was cloned in 1989, but the association of this virus with post transfusion hepatitis in which hepatitis A and B had been excluded lead to earlier use of the term non-A non-B hepatitis. HCV is classified as a distinct genus; animal pestiviruses are the closest known viruses. Infection with HCV is predominantly acquired from blood, blood products and organs, and is prevalent in all with multiple exposures to such sources before screening began in 1990–91, particularly haemophiliacs, and IV drug users. Much community-acquired hepatitis is also due to HCV, linked to household, occupational or other contact with infected blood. There is no reliable evidence that HCV is sexually transmitted, although a small proportion of infections may be acquired by this means; saliva is a possible vehicle of spread.

Treponema pallidum sub-species pallidum (Syphilis)

Syphilis is spread principally by sexual intercourse and is a venereal disease: it may be acquired congenitally and by blood transfusion. The incubation period is 9–90 days. The organisms penetrate mucous membranes or abraded skin where they multiply locally as well as disseminating via the lymphatic and circulatory systems. Infection is systemic from the onset and is characterised by periods of latency, often in excess of 20 years. In the early infectious stage, moist mucocutaneous lesions occur, particularly on the genitalia. If untreated the lesions tend to heal and the disease becomes ‘hidden’ or latent. The latent or noninfectious stage (greater than two years duration) may persist for decades without producing obvious clinical changes.

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus (Adult T-cell leukaemia)

Infection with the human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type I is endemic in areas such as Southwest Japan, the Caribbean, Melanesia and parts of Africa, where it is carried in T lymphocytes by 5–15% of the population in certain regions. Seropositivity increases in adult women, with spread occurring by sexual transmission from men to women, spread in the opposite direction being less common. The other modes of transmission are by blood transfusion and from mother to infant. However this retrovirus (subfamily: oncovirus) is very cell-associated, free virus has low infectivity and transmission requires transfer of infected cells. Breast-feeding is the principal risk factor in transmission from mother to infant. Infection with HTLV-I is mainly asymptomatic, but associated with development of adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma (ATL) in 2–4% of carriers some 4–6 decades later.