The health system failed to guarantee the safety of both professionals and citizens who came to the centers at the beginning of the pandemic. The lack of materials and guidelines for the prevention of infections caused in Spain the worst catastrophe in the history of patient safety and occupational health in healthcare. It also happened in other countries but Spain had the highest rates of infected health workers in the world. It was a largely avoidable event. We review what measures have been taken to prevent infections in primary care centers, such as hand hygiene, masks and personal protection material or the maintenance of social distance, among others. We update the recommendations and raise the perspectives in a situation that requires flexibility and adaptability to maintain quality and safe care.

Background: Quarantine is considered as an effective solution in the early stages of an epidemic. In the case of the coronavirus epidemic, quarantine was also recommended and implemented as a significant guideline to prevent the disease. However, despite the benefits of quarantine, there are also complications and problems. Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the health effects of quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This study was conducted as a literature review through searching the databases Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct for papers published before July 2020. The research was conducted based on the keywords "Coronavirus," "COVID-19," and "quarantine." The references of the papers were also reviewed to find the ones not found in the databases. The guidelines published by reputable organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were used in this study. Results: Although quarantine is applied as an important and primary solution in the outbreak of epidemics, in cases of pandemics, it may not be free of negative effects on individuals and public health. However, because of the need to reopen and restart social and economic activities, some changes should be made in lifestyles and work activities. Using cyberspace and telework can be helpful. As the findings showed, COVID-19 bubbles can be used to restore social communications. Conclusion: Using masks, avoiding unnecessary gatherings, complying with personal and social hygiene, and respecting social distancing can be valuable solutions that, if implemented properly, can decrease the rate of the disease significantly. It is also emphasized that quarantine is still necessary and important as the best solution for sick people and individuals who are suspected carriers of the disease. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

The effectiveness of the next stages of pandemic response will require widespread compliance with vaccination recommendations once effective vaccines become available. Challenges to routine childhood immunization from anti-vaccination activists illustrate the importance of trust for achieving compliance. Unfortunately, we live in a time of political polarization that results in competing distortion of scientific study results. Science should take care to maintain objectivity, or we will lose the common ground of shared facts upon which progress depends.

Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), which is produced by the major human pathogen, Staphylococcus aureus, represents a powerful superantigenic toxin and is considered a bioweapon. However, the contribution of SEB towards S. aureus pathogenesis has never been directly demonstrated with genetically defined mutants in clinically relevant strains. Many isolates of the predominant Asian community-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus (CA-MRSA) lineage ST59 harbor seb, implying a significant role of SEB in the observed hypervirulence of this lineage. We created an isogenic seb mutant in a representative ST59 isolate and assessed its virulence potential in mouse infection models. We detected a significant contribution of seb to systemic ST59 infection that was associated with a cytokine storm. Our results directly demonstrate that seb contributes to S. aureus pathogenesis, suggesting value of including SEB as a target in multi-pronged anti-staphylococcal drug development strategies. Furthermore, they indicate that seb contributes to fatal exacerbation of CA-MRSA infection.

Secondary infections with Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP) are frequently observed following influenza A virus (IAV) infection and have a substantial impact on global health. Despite this, the basis for the disease progression is incompletely understood. To investigate the effect of co-infection on human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDCs) we analysed the expression of clinically important pro-inflammatory and immune-modulatory cytokines. IAV infection or treatment with supernatants from IAV-infected cell cultures resulted in priming of the DCs which subsequently influenced the production of IL-12p70, as well as IL-6, following SP infection. Co-infection of the same cell was not required but this effect was dependent on the time, dose and duration of the infections, as well as pathogen viability, bacterial uptake and endosome acidification. Bacterially infected cells were characterized as the main producers of IL-12p70. Finally, we showed that type I interferons were primarily responsible for the priming of IL-12p70 that was observed by infection with IAV. These results provide a probable mechanism for the elevated levels of particular cytokines observed in IAV and SP co-infected cell cultures with implications for the pathogenic outcome observed during in vivo infection.

BACKGROUND: Within-consultation recruitment to primary care trials is challenging. Ensuring procedures are efficient and self-explanatory is the key to optimising recruitment. Trial recruitment software that integrates with the electronic health record to support and partially automate procedures is becoming more common. If it works well, such software can support greater participation and more efficient trial designs. An innovative electronic trial recruitment and outcomes software was designed to support recruitment to the Runny Ear randomised controlled trial, comparing topical, oral and delayed antibiotic treatment for acute otitis media with discharge in children. A qualitative evaluation investigated the views and experiences of primary care staff using this trial software. METHODS: Staff were purposively sampled in relation to site, role and whether the practice successfully recruited patients. In-depth interviews were conducted using a flexible topic guide, audio recorded and transcribed. Data were analysed thematically. RESULTS: Sixteen staff were interviewed, including GPs, practice managers, information technology (IT) leads and research staff. GPs wanted trial software that automatically captures patient data. However, the experience of getting the software to work within the limited and complex IT infrastructure of primary care was frustrating and time consuming. Installation was reliant on practice level IT expertise, which varied between practices. Although most had external IT support, this rarely included supported for research IT. Arrangements for approving new software varied across practices and often, but not always, required authorisation from Clinical Commissioning Groups. CONCLUSIONS: Primary care IT systems are not solely under the control of individual practices or CCGs or the National Health Service. Rather they are part of a complex system that spans all three and is influenced by semi-autonomous stakeholders operating at different levels. This led to time consuming and sometimes insurmountable barriers to installation at the practice level. These need to be addressed if software supporting efficient research in primary care is to become a reality. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12875-021-01498-6.

INTRODUCTION: Recent studies showed that SARS-CoV-2 RNA may be found in fecal specimens of COVID-19 patients, but the sample size is limited. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the detection rate of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in fecal specimens of these patients according to their clinical characteristics. METHODS: MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and three Chinese biomedical databases were searched up to 25 March 2020 with no language restriction. We included original observational studies that reported the detection rate of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in fecal specimens of COVID-19 patients. Two separate reviewers conducted the review. Metaprop was adopted to conduct a meta-analysis of prevalence with variances stabilized by Freeman-Tukey Double Arcsine Transformation. A random-effects model was used. Heterogeneity across different studies was computed using Cochran's Q test and chi square statistics. RESULTS: From 17 studies, the pooled detection rate of fecal SARS-CoV-2 RNA was 43.7% (95% CI 32.6%-55.0%) and 33.7% (95% C.I. 33.7%, 95% C.I. 20.1%-48.8%) by patient and number of specimens as a unit count, respectively. Female individuals (59.6% vs. 53.5%), those who presented with gastrointestinal symptoms (77.1% vs. 57.7%), and patients with more severe disease (68.3% vs. 34.6%) tended to have a higher detection rate. DISCUSSION: A significant proportion of COVID-19 patients carry SARS-CoV-2 in their intestinal tract. Feces being a self-collected specimen bears a potential to improve case identification in community, especially for young children where proper respiratory sampling at home is difficult. Specific infection control strategies focusing on spread via fecal contamination and faulty toilet drainage are urgently needed.

Companies have shown social responsibility towards their stakeholders through corporate philanthropic efforts, known as Corporate Social Responsibility (?CSR?). These efforts aim to maximise the welfare of the stakeholders and take care of the needs of society. The parent legislation for the Indian companies, that is, the Companies Act, brought a paradigm shift in 2013 when it mandated certain companies to spend mandatorily on CSR activities. Since then, the CSR legislation has been subject to frequent changes through amendments and clarifications. Various changes were brought to CSR policies in the past 2 years during COVID-19, including allocation of CSR funds towards COVID-19 relief funds, carry forward of excessive CSR expenditure and 100% tax deduction on COVID-19-related activities. This has affected how companies allocate their CSR funds.To study this change, this empirical study analyses the shifts in CSR expenditure of the top 25 companies of the Fortune 500 list in pre-COVID-19 financial year 2017?2018 and COVID-19 hit financial year 2020?2021. The study uses a secondary data collection method, that is, self-reported annual reports, to arrive at ratios given as percentages or fractions, and a comparison is made across the two periods. The authors deliberate upon the limitations of the CSR regime as revealed by the COVID-19 pandemic and address questions relating to the CSR regime?s efficiency in providing societal good. Furthermore, the authors study the modified CSR expenditure pattern adopted by several companies consequent of COVID-19. This study concludes by offering recommendations that strive to inspire a more sustainable, efficient and pragmatic CSR regime in India.JEL Codes: G39, D22, M14

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To summarize the role of adjuvants in eliciting desirable antibody responses against HIV-1 with particular emphasis on both historical context and recent developments. RECENT FINDINGS: Increased understanding of the role of pattern recognition receptors such as Toll-like receptors in recruiting and directing the immune system has increased the variety of adjuvant formulations being tested in animal models and humans. Across all vaccine platforms, adjuvant formulations have been shown to enhance desirable immune responses such as higher antibody titers and increased functional activity. Although no vaccine formulation has yet succeeded in eliciting broad neutralizing antibodies against HIV-1, the ability of adjuvants to direct the immune response to immunogens suggests they will be critically important in any successful HIV-1 vaccine. SUMMARY: The parallel development of adjuvants along with better HIV-1 immunogens will be needed for a successful AIDS vaccine. Additional comparative testing will be required to determine the optimal adjuvant and immunogen regimen that can elicit antibody responses capable of blocking HIV-1 transmission.

BACKGROUND: Mortality in critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID\19) is high, therefore, it is essential to evaluate the independent effect of new\onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) on mortality in patients with COVID\19. We aimed to determine the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of NOAF in a cohort of critically ill patients with COVID\19. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study on patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with a diagnosis of COVID\19. NOAF was defined as atrial fibrillation that was detected after diagnosis of COVID\19 without a prior history. The primary outcome of the study was the effect of NOAF on mortality in critically ill COVID\19 patients. RESULTS: NOAF incidence was 14.9% (n = 37), and 78% of patients (n = 29) were men in NOAF positive group. Median age of the NOAF group was 79.0 (interquartile range, 71.5\84.0). Hospital mortality was higher in the NOAF group (87% vs 67%, respectively, P = .019). However, in multivariate analysis, NOAF was not an independent risk factor for hospital mortality (OR 1.42, 95% CI 0.40\5.09, P = .582). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of NOAF was 14.9% in critically ill COVID\19 patients. Hospital mortality was higher in the NOAF group. However, NOAF was not an independent risk factor for hospital mortality in patients with COVID\19.

BACKGROUND: After the declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic last March 2020, several adjustments in surgical services were implemented. Plans are now being formulated for restarting bariatric surgery. The aim of this survey is to capture the practice during the pandemic and the readiness to restart to provide a framework to deal with the backlog of bariatric cases. METHOD: A survey was delivered to consultant surgeon members of the British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society and non-bariatric surgery consultant members of the Association of Upper GI Surgeons. RESULTS: The survey elicited a response rate of 40% (n = 66) among bariatric surgeons and 15.5% (n = 34) between non-bariatric surgeons. The average question response rate was 93% (88-100%). Most of the elective bariatric surgeries and clinics were cancelled early after declaration of the pandemic. Remote technologies for patient education evolved and were used heavily during the pandemic. The average cancelled elective bariatric surgery operations per week was 9. Nearly a quarter of responders reported performing emergency bariatric surgery during the pandemic. Most of the bariatric surgeons reported being ready to restart the service within 1-2 months. Responders recommended using private sector beds to increase NHS capacity and using the link between obesity and poor COVID-19 outcomes to push for prioritisation of bariatric patients. CONCLUSION: This survey is an attempt to understand the impact of COVID-19 on UK bariatric service and the preparedness to restart. It expressed the bariatric surgery consultants' view of prioritisation of bariatric patients on clinical basis rather than the first-come-first-served basis.

The ongoing pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is one of the most devastating outbreaks witnessed in the last 100 years. The outbreak started in China and spread rapidly to almost every country, culminating in woefully overwhelmed health-care systems in most countries. The only approved diagnostic test to accompany radiographic evaluation is reverse transcription PCR. However, the applicability of this test in diagnosis and surveillance is challenged by a global shortage of reagents and the lack of well-equipped laboratories with specialized staff in several low- and middle-income countries. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification and CRISPR-based diagnostic assays have developed and expected to play a role however, their accuracy is still inferior to the recommended PCR approach. The need for the development of accurate and rapid diagnostic assays became apparent. Immunodiagnostic tests and other molecular approaches were developed and tested. Other recently developed point-of-care molecular tests are expected to be helpful in pandemic management as no particular skills are required from the operator. Fortunately, a number of serological tests have been granted authorization for use under the emergency situation by the US FDA for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2. The majority of recently authorized serological tests detect IgG and IgM in blood of infected individuals by on ELISA, chemiluminescence platforms or lateral flow cassettes.

This paper evaluates and quantifies the short-term impact of the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) on stock market performance in thirteen (13) African countries, using daily time series stock market data spanning 1st October 2019 to 30th June 2020. We employ a novel Bayesian structural time series approach (a state-space model) to estimate the relative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on stock market performance in those countries. Generally, our Bayesian posterior estimates show that, in relative terms, stock market performances in Africa have significantly reduced during and after the occurrence of the COVID-19, usually between -2.7 % and -21 %. At the heterogeneous level, we find that 10 countries have their stock markets significantly and adversely affected by the COVID-19, whereas the remaining 3 countries see no significant impact (or a rather short-lived negative significant impact) of the COVID-19 pandemic on their stock markets. We find that, within our sample period, there is almost no chance that the COVID-19 pandemic would have positive effects on the stock market performance in Africa. Our findings contribute to the discussion and research on the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic by providing empirical evidence that the pandemic has restrictive effects on stock market performance in African economies.

Introduction: The ARGEN-IC registry allowed knowing the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of acute heart failure (AHF) in our country;however, there are no available national data of the consequences on AHF of social, preventive and mandatory distancing due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients admitted to the ARGEN-IC registry during confinement and social distancing due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Methods: Patients included in the ARGEN-IC registry during March-June 2019 (group A: Non-COVID era) were compared with those admitted in the same period of 2020 (group B: COVID era). Affiliation data, clinical, biochemical, imaging and therapeutic characteristics during hospitalization and the associated complications (cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular mortality) were recorded. Results: A total of 361 patients were included in the study: 222 in group A and 139 in group B. Significant differences were observed between both populations in terms of age (group A: 70.9 14.8 years vs. group B: 75 13.3, p = 0.008), history of hypertension (group A: 70.2 % vs. group B: 87.7%, p <0.001), history of ischemic stroke (group A: 4.5% vs. group B: 10.07%, p = 0.039), and left ventricular hypertrophy (group A: 4.9 % vs. group B: 1.5 %, p = 0.021). No significant differences were found between the two populations regarding other variables such as etiology, triggering factors, and forms of clinical presentation, although there was a trend towards greater history of depression in group B. There was no difference in the length of hospital stay or mortality. Conclusions: During compulsory social distancing in our country, we observed a decrease in hospitalizations for AHF in 2020 compared with those registered in the same period of 2019, but the population requiring hospitalization was older and with more comorbidities. No differences were observed in overall and cardiovascular mortality, or in the length of hospital stay.

BACKGROUND: A severe form of pneumonia, named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by the World Health Organization is widespread on the whole world. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was proved to be the main agent of COVID-19. In the present study, we conducted an in depth analysis of the SARS-COV-2 nucleocapsid to identify potential targets that may allow identification of therapeutic targets. METHODS: The SARS-COV-2 N protein subcellular localization and physicochemical property was analyzed by PSORT II Prediction and ProtParam tool. Then SOPMA tool and swiss-model was applied to analyze the structure of N protein. Next, the biological function was explored by mass spectrometry analysis and flow cytometry. At last, its potential phosphorylation sites were analyzed by NetPhos3.1 Server and PROVEAN PROTEIN. RESULTS: SARS-COV-2 N protein composed of 419 aa, is a 45.6 kDa positively charged unstable hydrophobic protein. It has 91 and 49% similarity to SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV and is predicted to be predominantly a nuclear protein. It mainly contains random coil (55.13%) of which the tertiary structure was further determined with high reliability (95.76%). Cells transfected with SARS-COV-2 N protein usually show a G1/S phase block company with an increased expression of TUBA1C, TUBB6. At last, our analysis of SARS-COV-2 N protein predicted a total number of 12 phosphorylated sites and 9 potential protein kinases which would significantly affect SARS-COV-2 N protein function. CONCLUSION: In this study, we report the physicochemical properties, subcellular localization, and biological function of SARS-COV-2 N protein. The 12 phosphorylated sites and 9 potential protein kinase sites in SARS-COV-2 N protein may serve as promising targets for drug discovery and development for of a recombinant virus vaccine. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12866-021-02107-3.

Objectives: Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has spread rapidly around the world, and many risk factors including patient demographics, social determinants of health, environmental variables, underlying health conditions, and adherence to social distancing have been hypothesized to affect case and death rates. However, little has been done to account for the potential confounding effects of these factors. Using a large multivariate analysis, this study illuminates modulators of COVID-19 incidence and mortality in U.S. counties while controlling for risk factors across multiple domains. Methods: Data on COVID-19 and various risk factors in all U.S. counties was collected from publicly available data sources through April 14, 2020. Counties with at least 50 COVID-19 cases were included in case analyses and those with at least 10 deaths were included in mortality models. The 661 counties meeting inclusion criteria for number of cases were grouped into quartiles and comparisons of risk factors were made using t-tests between the highest and lowest quartiles. Similar comparisons for 217 counties were made for above average and below average deaths/100,000. Adjusted linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the independent effects of factors that significantly impacted cases and deaths. Results: Univariate analyses demonstrated numerous significant differences between cohorts for both cases and deaths. Risk factors associated with increased cases and/or deaths per 100,000 included increased GDP per capita, decreased social distancing, increased age, increased percent Black, decreased percent Hispanic, decreased percent Asian, decreased health, increased poverty, increased diabetes, increased coronary heart disease, increased physical inactivity, increased alcohol consumption, increased tobacco use, and decreased access to primary care. Multivariate regression analyses demonstrated Black race is a risk factor for worse COVID-19 outcome independent of comorbidities, poverty, access to health care, and other mitigating factors. Lower daily temperatures was also an independent risk factor in case load but not deaths. Conclusions: U.S. counties with a higher proportion of Black residents are associated with increased COVID-19 cases and deaths. However, the various suggested mechanisms, such as socioeconomic and healthcare predispositions, did not appear to drive the effect of race in our model. Counties with higher average daily temperatures are also associated with decreased COVID-19 cases but not deaths. Several theories are posited to explain these findings, including prevalence of vitamin D deficiency. Additional studies are needed to further understand these effects.

Purpose: To assess the magnitude severity and determinants of eyestrain and the use of digital devices in a Saudi population during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Methods: This web-based survey was conducted in September 2020 and enrolled only Saudi nationals 15 years or older. Data were collected on demographics, eye strain related symptoms, severity, and the use of optical aids during the COVID-19 lockdown. The frequency and severity of eye strain were calculated. A Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) score was graded as none/ mild moderate and severe, based on the sum of 15-eye strain related signs and symptoms. Correlation analysis was performed for determinants of CVS. Results: The study sample was comprised of 2,009 individuals with median age of 20 years. Among those who used digital devices for more than 6 hours daily, the main reasons for use were, work and social purposes among 68.4%, and 61% of respondents respectively. The prevalence of knowledge on CVS and the 20-20 rule for using digital devices was 9.4% and 6.9 respectively. The most common symptoms of eye strain from digital device usage were, headache, burning, itching, tearing, and redness of eyes. Six hours of daily usage of digital devices was positively associated to the grade of eye strain severity during the COVID-19 lockdown ( P <0.05)). Conclusion: The Saudi population experienced eye strain during COVID-19 lockdown due to excessive digital devices usage. Longer duration of digital device usage was associated to eye strain. Health care providers should educate the general population on measures to mitigate eye strain due to digital devices.

Ammonia (NH[Formula: see text] ) from manure is a concern in raising broiler due to possible damages to production and the environment. Brazil is the main exporter of chicken meat in the world and is also responsible for large waste of poultry litter. The country, likewise, figures as top 5 producers of green coconut, which results in considerable volumes of waste, since 80%-85% of the fruit is unusable. This work analyzes the ammonia concentration profile of two bedding substrates for raising broiler, to know, coir-husk fiber and a commonly used pine wood shavings in a Brazilian climate. A differential home-made photoacoustic cell combined with a diode laser was employed for sensing ammonia at trace levels. Such combination confers selectivity as well as lower limits of detection to the system. The chemical compositions pH, N, C, Ca, Mg, P[Formula: see text] O[Formula: see text] and K[Formula: see text] O were also determined, in addition to the moisture, dry matter and mineral content of substrates and litters. NH[Formula: see text] concentrations varied from (0.9 0.3) ppmv to (19 3) ppmv and from (2.1 0.5) ppmv to (21 3) ppmv for the coir-husk fiber and wood shavings substrates, respectively. Results showed the feasibility of using coconut fiber as poultry litter in regions where this material is a common waste. Moreover, as NH[Formula: see text] concentrations were lower for coconut fiber bedding compared to shavings, this coir-husk fiber is a potential residue to guarantee the environmental sustainability by Brazilian poultry farming. Coir-husk fibers presented significantly higher amounts of P and K in comparison to pine wood. NH[Formula: see text] profiles revealed that coir-husk fiber emitted lower quantities than wood shavings. Besides, a delay on the NH[Formula: see text] emission pattern was clearly seen when the coconut waste was the bedding material. Such a tendency was confirmed by the logistic model. Our findings, in turn, make the coir-husk an environmentally friendly alternative low-cost product for poultry litter as well as its potential use as natural fertilizer. The later deserves attention since there is a need to accurately assess the emissions of methane, nitrous oxide, and carbon dioxide during the composting process. In Brazil, the waste generated by the high production of green coconut is an environmental liability. The cost of poultry production has been high, reducing the profit of producers, who seek to make production cheaper. Measuring NH[Formula: see text] from poultry activity in Brazil, a tropical country, aims to control management and reduce production losses, since NH[Formula: see text] is a harmful gas to birds. The measurement of NH[Formula: see text] concentrations at trace levels from raising broilers by photoacoustic diode laser spectroscopy, to the best of our knowledge, has been reported for the very first time.

This article discusses the important role of physical therapy or physiotherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Presented in this article are: COVID-19 and the need of physiotherapy;evidence on rehabilitation;exercise of medicine;and exercise considerations. In conclusion, physiotherapy interventions are tailored toward holistic rehabilitation to address all system impairments and play a crucial role in facilitating functional recovery, resumption to work, and social normalcy. The post-clinical stabilization it brings helps to support and empower patients as they lack insights in their own difficulty. As a key strategy, physiotherapy can help minimize the negative impact of COVID-19 on the health and functionality.

An assay system was developed to measure feline hybridoma growth factor (HGF)/interleukin\6 (IL\6) activity in biological samples containing many kinds of cytokines by using the proliferation of the newly established mouse\rat hybridoma clone. B3B1. The proliferative response of this B3B1 clone was IL\6\specific, and could not be promoted by other cytokines including IL\1, IL\2, IL\3, and granulocyte\colony\stimulating factor (G\CSF), The anti\human B\cell stimulatory factor 2 (BSF\2)/IL\6 antiserum did not neutralize feline HGF/IL\6 activity in conditioned media prepared from feline con A\stimulated splenocytes and unstimulated alveolar macrophages, indicating antigenic differences between species. Feline HGF/IL\6 was eluted into the fractions corresponding to a molecular weight of 30,000C40,000 in gel filtration, and into the fractions at a salt concentration of 0.2C0.3 M NaCI in anion exchange chromatography. The physicochemical properties of feline HGF/IL\6 were slightly different from those of murine and human IL\6.