HIV-1 recombinant gp160 vaccine induced antibodies in serum and saliva. The NIAID AIDS Vaccine Clinical Trials Network.

As part of a phase I safety and immunogenicity trial of a vaccinia-expressed HIV-1 recombinant gp160 (rgp160) candidate vaccine, we measured serum and saliva antibody responses in low risk, uninfected volunteers. Six healthy adult volunteers received 50 micrograms doses of rgp160 vaccine adjuvanted in alum and deoxycholate at months 0, 1, 6, and 12. A 200 micrograms rgp160 immunization was given to four volunteers at 18 months. The vaccine induced anti-envelope glycoprotein IgG and IgA serum antibodies in all six volunteers. Saliva antibodies to envelope glycoprotein appeared in some volunteers at certain timepoints. Three volunteers appeared to transiently develop vaccine-induced secretory IgA antibody to envelope glycoprotein in whole saliva.

Parvalbumin-, calretinin- and calbindin-D28k-immunoreactivity and GABA in a forebrain region involved in auditory filial imprinting.

The distribution and morphology of neurons containing the Ca-binding proteins parvalbumin (PV), calbindin-D28k (CaBP) and calretinin (CaR) are described in a rostral forebrain region (MNH) of the chick, known to be involved in auditory filial imprinting. PV immunoreactivity is chiefly a marker for numerous large to medium-sized neurons in the neostriatal part of MNH. They show patchy staining of their dendrites, but PV-positive spines are not visible. CaBP is represented in a different neuron population with on the average slightly smaller-sized somata, which carry long, spiny, CaBP-positive dendrites. In contrast to PV and CaBP, CaR immunoreactivity is a marker chiefly for neuropil in MNH but only for few stained neurons. They may be spiny and show the largest size variations. The density of CaR-immunoreactive neuropil is highest in the hyperstriatal part of MNH. Double immunostaining for PV and CaBP reveals that these proteins are expressed mostly in different neuron populations, with only few neurons containing both proteins. These neuron populations appear to form an interconnected network within MNH. A possible relationship between the expression of either Ca-binding protein and the presence of the inhibitory transmitter GABA is also examined. The GABA-antibody labels scattered, very small to medium-sized neurons and dense punctate neuropil. The comparison of the area histograms of somata reveals an overlap with all 3 Ca-binding protein containing cell populations, except for a large proportion of small GABA-positive neurons. The characteristics of immunostained neuron populations are compared to the previously described 3 Golgi-types of neurons in MNH, and possibilities of a functional implication of the proteins in MNH plasticity are examined.

Cefazolin in the treatment of pneumonia.

Cefazolin is a semi-synthetic derivative of cephalosporin C that has a lower cross-immunogenicity with penicillins than do the other cephalosporins. This agent was evaluated as an alternative to penicillin in the therapy of patients with pneumococcal pneumonia. Thirty patient were treated with cefazolin, most receiving 125 or 250 mg IM every 12 hours for 5-10 days. Satisfactory clinical responses were obtained in 29 of these 30 patients, and none complained of pain following IM injections. Three patients developed eosinophilia while receiving cefazolin, and one of these also had a maculopapular eruption that may have been an allergic reaction to cefazolin. Serum levels of cefazolin were measured at 1, 6, and 12 hours after administration. Susceptibilities of 100 isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae, including these patients' organisms, were determined by broth dilution. Both cefazolin and cephalothin were bactericidal for all 100 isolates at concentrations of 2 microgram/ml or less. Cefazolin appears to be an entirely adequate alternative to penicillin for the therapy of pneumococcalpneumonia. This agent is effective in low dosages, and adequate serum levels are maintained for long periods of time, permitting twice-daily administration.