[Novel vaccines. Vaccinations in the near and distant future]. / Neuartige Impfstoffe. Impfen in naher und ferner Zukunft.

Easy-to-develop vaccines usually induce antibodies against acute, self-limiting infections by stable pathogens. Today, most of these vaccines have been made, and the future diseases to tackle are more challenging: highly variable pathogens, rapidly emerging new infections with the potential of developing into pandemics, or therapeutic applications for chronic infections and cancer which most likely require complex immune responses beyond the induction of antibodies. The impact of scientific and technological progress on vaccinology has multiplied the strategies to improve vaccines. Here, we describe how genome-based approaches have revolutionized the way to identify vaccine antigen candidates, how the vast numbers of candidates can be further ranked by sophisticated gene- and protein-array based screening methods, and how surface proteomics may accelerate this target identification process. Increased structural knowledge of antigens will allow exposing or stabilizing those antigen parts relevant for protection and thereby direct the immune response to them. Improved adjuvants will enhance and bias the immune response to induce the relevant arms of the immune system. In conclusion, thanks to conceptual and biotechnological progress, future vaccines will be safer, more efficient and more complex than those today.

Comparison of ion chromatographic methods based on conductivity detection, post-column-reaction and on-line-coupling IC-ICP-MS for the determination of bromate.

An established method for the determination of the disinfection by-product bromate is ion chromatography (IC). This paper presents a comparison of three IC methods based on either conductivity detection (IC-CD), a post-column-reaction (IC-PCR-VIS) or the on-line-coupling with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (IC-ICP-MS). Main characteristics of the methods such as method detection limits (MDL), time of analysis and sample pretreatment are compared and applicability for routine analysis is critically discussed. The most sensitive and rugged method is IC-ICP-MS, followed by IC-PCR-VIS. The photometric detection is subject to a minor interference in real world samples, presumably caused by carbonate. The lowest sensitivity is shown by the IC-CD method as slowest method compared, which, in addition, requires a sample pretreatment. The highest amount of information is delivered by IC-PCR-VIS, which allows the simultaneous determination of the seven standard anions and bromate.

Studies on uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase of etiolated Euglena gracilis Z.

1. A 423-fold purified fraction of uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.37) showing a specific activity of 770 units/mg protein has been employed in order to study some properties in etiolated Euglena gracilis Z. 2. Uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase has a relative molecular mass of 54,000, an optimum pH of 7.2 and exhibits Michaelis-Menten kinetics, employing both uroporphyrinogen I and uroporphyrinogen III as substrates. 3. Anaerobic conditions seem not to be necessary for uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase activity. Neither EDTA nor cysteine affected enzyme activity, whereas dithiothreitol produced a remarkable activation of coproporphyrinogen formation. 4. Kinetic data employing both substrates showed an accumulation of porphyrinogen (i.e. hexa- and hepta-porphyrin) containing six or seven COOH groups, depending on the uroporphyrinogen concentration used. 5. An unusual elution profile of the intermediates on Sephacryl S-200 was found.

Quincke's edema in a dialysis patient after administration of acrylic bone cement: possible role of ethylene oxide allergy.

A 33-year-old female dialysis patient suffered from osteomyelitis and luxation of the dens axis with cervical myelopathy. In the past she had had three attacks of anaphylaxis after treatment with dialyzers that had been sterilized with ethylene oxide. IgE-type antibodies directed against human serum albumin-ethylene oxide complexes could be demonstrated in the patient's serum by radioallergosorbent techniques. Immediately after an operation in which acrylic bone cement (Palacos-R) sterilized with ethylene oxide was implanted for stabilization of the cervical spine, the patient developed massive edema of the larynx, pharynx, and tongue, suggesting Quincke's edema. It is concluded that ethylene oxide present in acrylic bone cement may induce acute allergic reactions in sensitized patients. Dialysis patients may be at special risk, since the incidence of ethylene oxide allergy in this patient population is about 10%.

Association of ethylene-oxide-induced IgE antibodies with symptoms in dialysis patients.

IgE-type antibodies to human serum albumin/ethylene oxide conjugates were determined in 153 patients (140 unselected, 13 selected for presence of eosinophilia) on regular dialysis treatment by radioallergosorbent test (RAST) techniques. In 10.7% of unselected patients and 30.8% of selected patients, RAST values suggested ethylene oxide sensitisation. High RAST values were commonly associated with anaphylactoid reactions during dialysis and with chronic asthma. Ethylene oxide antibodies should be sought routinely in patients presenting with these symptoms and the necessity of ethylene oxide sterilisation of disposable dialysis equipment should be re-evaluated.