Serological responses to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated antigens were studied in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients in 2 countries non-endemic for the disease: the USSR (77 cases) and Cuba (55 cases). Two age- and sex-matched control groups were available, one consisting of patients with other head-and-neck tumours (OHNT) (171 from the USSR and 56 from Cuba), and the other of normal individuals (blood donors) (83 from the USSR and 80 from Cuba). Unlike the control groups, NPC patients from both countries had high levels of IgG and IgA antibodies, similar to those seen in patients from endemic areas. The only difference between NPC patients in the USSR and those in Cuba was lower (2-2.5 fold) anti-VCA IgG and IgA antibody titres. Using one-factor and multi-factor statistical methods the diagnostic value of different titres of EBV-specific IgG and IgA antibodies and their combinations for NPC patients (in the USSR) was evaluated. It was found that with simple mathematical analysis of EBV-specific antibody titres a differential diagnosis of NPC could be made to a significance level of 90%. The data obtained demonstrated the importance and reliability of EBV serology in the diagnosis of NPC in areas of low incidence of the disease.

Резюме. В работе приведены литературные данные и результаты собственных исследований, посвященных вирусу саркомы Капоши (KSHV) и его ассоциации с саркомой Капоши (СК), первичной выпотной лимфомой (ПВЛ) и мультицентрической болезнью Кастлемана (МБК). Полученные данные свидетельствуют о том, что все 3 основные клинические формы СК, диагностируемые в России, в высокой степени ассоциированы с KSHV, хотя и не в 100% случаев. Среди больных другими формами опухоли и не онкологических больных выявлены отдельные группы лиц с высоким уровнем инфицированности вирусом, что является фактором риска для возникновения СК. Обнаружено, что простата, особенно у больных карциномой простаты и СК, может быть серьезным источником вируса и интимные контакты с этими больными должны быть ограничены. Молекулярные варианты изолятов KSHV, циркулирующие в стране, относятся к двум основным генетическим подгруппам (А и С), широко представленным в Европейских странах и США, что указывает на общее происхождение вируса в этих странах. Приведены литературные данные о современных подходах в лечении.

No abstract

Electron microscopic analysis of the distribution of H-2 (6, d, k ) antigens on the cell surface and viruses of Rauscher, Friend, Grafi, Mazurenko, Gross and S Z leukemia was carried out using the hybrid antibody test, H-2 antigens occupied different areas on the surface of the cells, but their average content per 100 randomly selected cells ranged from 13-24% in different leukemias. The amount of mature viralparficles with H-2 antigens on their surface did not correspond to the average content of these antigens on leukemia cells and amounted to 7-15%. H-2 antigens never covered the entire surface of viral particles and the ferritin label, which made it possible to spot them, was not more than 5-7 molecules. The same was true of viral buds, the majority of which, even on membrane sites with H-2 antigens, were devoid of these antigens. Possible reasons for the absence of H-2 anti'ens on mature and budding viruses are discussed,

The origin of HTL V-I and the ways in which it is spreading are of increasing interest. The detection of new clusters of this infection in different geographic regions is thus of great importance.In 1985 a clusterof HTL V-I infection was found among the Ainu people in Hokkaido (Japan), with a seropositive rate of 45% for individuals over age 40 (Ishida et al., 1985). Taking into consideration the geographical proximity of Hokkaido to the Far Eastern territories of Russia, as well as the past close relationship between native people of both countries, it would be important to investigate the level of HTLV-I prevalence among Far Eastern natives of Russia. The findings would probably help us to better understand the modes of transmission of HTL V-I in this part of the world. The prevulence of HTLV-I was studied in native Mongoloid populations presently inhabiting the Khabarovsk and Primorsk territories, Sakhalin and Kamchatka. Serum samples were collected from 4,118 healthy volunteers and blood donors over I7 years of uge, of both sexes. The native population (1,809 individuals) was represented by 9 ethnic groups. The other 2.309 individuals were Russians, Ukrainians and other immigrants from the central part of the country to Far Eastern Russia. Two commercial screening tests, HTLV-I EM (Ab-bott, North Chicago, I L ) and Serodia HTLV-I (Fujirebio, Tokyo, Japan), as well as confirmatory Western blot (WB) with cellular lysates of the HTL V-I-producing MT-2 cell line, recombinant gp 46 (~4 6 ) andp40 tux (p40) proteins, were used for detection of anti-HTLV-I antibodies. PCR analysis of DNA samples from seropositive individuals was carried out to detect HTLV-I provirus and to discriminate between HTLV-I and The results obtained demonstrated (Table I ) that 4 individuals (3S-I, 3s-5, 3s-10, 2s-708) fulfilled WHO criteria for HTLV-I seropositivity ( I 990). These individuals had high titers by Serodia HTLV-I; they were also repeatedly reactive by Abbott HTLV-I E M , and demonstrated the presence of H T L V-I gag-specific antibodies by viral WB. Recombinant protein-based WB showed seropositivity to a different extent with rgp46 eiiv and all but two with p40 tax.The presence of HTLV-I infection in 7 other individuals was proven on the basis of their serological reactivity to tpg46 env and p 4 0 tax as well as the results of PCR analysis. All 11 DNA samples but one (2s-708) were positive with at least one HTLV-I-specific pairprimer. N o DNA from 2s-708 was available and the latter was recognized us an H T L V-I cam'er on the basis of her immune response to gag and env specific viral