Natural Killer Cell Characteristics in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Infection Are Associated With HBV Surface Antigen Clearance After Combination Treatment With Pegylated Interferon Alfa-2a and Adefovir.

Background: The role of natural killer (NK) cells in the process of hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance and whether their phenotype is related to treatment outcome in patients with chronic hepatitis B are currently unknown.

Methods: Patients with chronic hepatitis B (HBV DNA load, >17 000 IU/mL) were treated with pegylated interferon alfa-2a and adefovir for 48 weeks. NK cell phenotype and function were analyzed in 7 responders (defined as individuals with HBsAg clearance by week 72; 3 HBV e antigen [HBeAg]-positive and 4 HBeAg-negative), 7 matched nonresponders, and 7 healthy controls.

HBsAg loss in patients treated with peginterferon alfa-2a and adefovir is associated with SLC16A9 gene variation and lower plasma carnitine levels.

Background & Aims: Achievement of HBsAg loss remains the hallmark of chronic hepatitis B treatment. In order to identify host factors contributing to treatment-induced HBsAg loss, we performed a genome-wide screen of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and studied its immunological consequence.

Methods: Chronic hepatitis B patients (40 HBeAg-positive and 44 HBeAg-negative) treated with peginterferon alfa-2a and adefovir were genotyped for 999,091 SNPs, which were associated with HBsAg loss at week 96 (n = 9).

Induction of Staphylococcus aureus-specific IgA and agglutination potency in milk of cows by mucosal immunization.

Lactating cows were immunized with inactivated Staphylococcus aureus strains and concentrated culture supernatants. Application of a repeated mucosal immunization scheme resulted in significant levels of S. aureus-specific IgA in milk of dairy cows.