[First results of the population census in Albania]. / Erste Ergebnisse der Bevolkerungszahlung in Albanien.

PIP: Preliminary results of the 1989 population census of Albania are presented, and trends since 1945 are reviewed. Information is included on population size and growth, sex structure, and urbanization. Special attention is given to ethnic minority groups.^ieng

[The emigration of Turks from Bulgaria: past and present. Part 1: emigration from 1878 to 1951]. / Die Emigration von Turken aus Bulgarien: Historisches und Gegenwartiges. Teil 1: die Emigration 1878 bis 1951.

PIP: Emigration trends among the Turkish minority population in Bulgaria are reviewed for the period 1878-1951. Seven phases of emigration are identified, and their causes are discussed.^ieng

Cytomegalovirus infection in HIV-1-infected individuals.

Urinary excretion of Cytomegalovirus and the presence of serum antibodies against CMV were examined in 79 HIV-1-infected patients at different stages of the disease, as well as in 27 heterosexual and 52 male homosexual controls and correlated to clinical and laboratory results. HIV-1-infected and healthy individuals differed significantly with regard to cutaneous delayed type reactions, absolute numbers of CD4+ cells and CD4+/CD8+ ratios. IgG antibodies against CMV were found in 87% of homosexual and in 52% of heterosexual controls, and in all HIV-1-infected homosexuals. CMV excretion in the urine was exclusively found in HIV-1-infected individuals where the incidence correlated with the CDC-defined disease stage (stage II: 6%, stage III/IV A: 22%, stage IV B/C: 55%). HIV-1-infected patients excreting CMV in the urine also exhibited distinctly decreased numbers of CD4+ cells and significantly decreased CD4+/CD8+ ratios compared to those without CMV viruria.

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for determination of IgG and IgM antibodies after infection with mumps virus.

Under routine laboratory conditions ELISA was tested for suitability for serological demonstration of specific antibodies of the immunoglobulin classes G and M against mumps virus. Sera from patients with known clinical and virological data were used. The results of ELISA were compared with those of CFT. 45 paired sera were tested in ELISA IgG, 87 first sera in ELISA IgM. Both tests were highly sensitive, antibodies were detected earlier and with higher titers than with the CFT. The ELISA IgM is particularly suitable for early diagnosis of mumps infection with the first serum. In addition 23 paired sera from patients with acute parainfluenza virus infection were examined for cross-reacting antibodies. Low anti-mumps IgG antibody titers were found in some sera. These findings reduced the mumps specificity of the IgG test. In five serum samples from one patient--obtained before, during, and after an infection with mumps--the course of IgG and IgM antibodies could be demonstrated. Advantages and limitations of ELISA IgG and IgM are summarized.

[Epidemiology and prognosis of non-A, non-B hepatitis (author's transl)]. / Epidemiologie und Prognose der Hepatitis Non A, Non B.

The frequency of non-A, non-B hepatitis (n = 325) was determined among all cases (n = 1368) of acute viral hepatitis observed in the Hannover are abetwen 1975 and 1978. Hepatitis A was excluded by demonstration of anti-HAV-IgM, hepatitis B by demonstration of HBs antigen or an isolated occurrence of anti-HBc at the beginning of the disease. Non-A, non-B hepatitis occurred predominantly in adults and showed no seasonal variability. As a consequence of results of followup investigations in 174 hepatitis patients 2 years after the onset of the disease it can be assumed that non-A, non-B hepatitis tends to lead to chronic courses more frequently than hepatitis B.

Epidemiology of influenza in Lower Saxony during the period 1968-1978 with particular emphasis on subtypes A(H3N2) and A(H1N1) in winter 1977-78.

The influenza surveillance in Lower Saxony is based mainly on laboratory investigations, and especially those which involve the isolation of influenza viruses throughout the year. These investigations have provided information on the circulation of influenza viruses and of the antigenic drift during the Hong Kong period which resulted in many different variants. Since the advent of the Hong Kong virus subtype, a high excess mortality was observed only in the winter of 1969-70. In most of the other years there was a low excess mortality which coincided with the circulation of the influenza A viruses in the population. During the last winter 1978, influenza A viruses were not isolated before February. In February and March, the two distinct subtypes H3N2 and H1N1 circulated simultaneously. The influenza A(H1N1) virus attacked only children and young adults whereas the patients infected with influenza A(H3N2) virus ranged over all age groups.

[Chronic hepatitis as sequela of acute viral hepatitis A and hepatitis non A - non B (author's transl)]. / Wie häufig ist eine chronische Hepatitis als Folge der akuten Virushepatitis A und der Hepatitis Non A-Non B?

329 patients with acute ouvert viral hepatitis which occurred in the Hannover area 1975 were classified according to virological data. The proportions of type A and type non A - non B hepatitis were each approximately 20 percent of the total cases (n = 60). Viral hepatitis B was the most frequent type of viral hepatitis (n = 209). 174 individuals of the 329 hepatitis patients were reexamined serologically two years after the onset of the acute disease. 7 out of 105 patients with hepatitis B (6,7%) and 5 out of 40 patients with hepatitis non A - non B (12,5%) revealed a serological pattern compatible with chronic hepatitis. In contrast none of 29 patients with hepatitis A indicated chronic liver disease. The frequency of anti-HAV was also determined in 41 patients with HBsAg positive and HBsAg negative histologically proven chronic hepatitis or liver cirrhosis. All patients were under 35 years of age. An equal proportion of anti-HAV was found in both groups. These results suggest that hepatitis A practically never results in chronic hepatitis, while hepatitis non A - non B can run a chronic course with a frequency similar to that of hepatitis B.

[Seroepidemiology of acute infectious hepatitis (author's transl)]. / Sero-Epidemiologie der akuten Virushepatitis.

Hbs-Ag, anti-Hbs, anti-Hbc and anti-HA were determined and the concentration of IgM measured in the sera of cases of acute infectious hepatitis which occurred in the Hannover area in 1975. Although there was a high degree of contamination with hepatitis A virus among the population, acute infectious hepatitis A was rare (n = 56). The hepatitis A virus is principally transmitted by contact with infection or while traveling in southern Europe. The greatest part of infectious hepatitis is due to hepatitis virus B (n = 211). Non-A, non-B hepatitis was less frequently observed (n = 62). A high percentage of patients with serum hepatitis and non-A, non-B hepatitis gave a history of parenteral exposure to possibly infectious material.

Decrease in incidence of hepatitis A infections in Germany.

The hypothesis of a decline in the incidence of hepatitis A infections in Germany in recent decades was confirmed by determining the prevalence of hepatitis A antibody (anti-HAV) in sera collected in 1965 and in 1975 under the same conditions in North Germany. The prevalence of anti-HAV correlated with the year of birth and was independent of the time of serum sampling. The force of infection fell from 0.04 in 1945 to 0.005 in 1965 as judged from a catalytic epidemic model with a sigmoidal decrease.

The seroepidemiological pattern of acute viral hepatitis. An epidemiological study on viral hepatitis in the Hannover region.

The natural incidence of the etiologically distinct types of viral hepatitis was determined by investigating acute phase sera of symptomatic hepatitis cases occuring in the Hannover area in 1975 for the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen, antibodies to hepatitis A, hepatitis B core and surface antigens, and by measuring the IgM serum levels. Fourteen different seroepidemiologic patterns were recognized. Although there was a high prevalence of hepatitis A antibody in the population, the frequency of hepatitis A was low (n = 56) suggesting that the hepatitis A virus does not play a major role in symptomatic hepatitis in the Hannover area at present. Spread of the hepatitis A virus was mostly associated with person-to-person contact or tourist travel in southern Europe. Hepatitis B was the predominant type of hepatitis (n = 211). Hepatitis non-A, non-B was observed infrequently (n = 62). A high percentage of patients with hepatitis B and hepatitis non-A, non-B reported parenteral exposure to potentially contaminated materials. No other findings, however, suggested an infectious etiology of hepatitis non-A, non-B.