[Hepatitis C viruses antibodies. Prevalence and their influence on morbidity-mortality in renal transplant recipients, in the last two years of the kidney transplantation program in La Plata city]. / Anticuerpos contra el Virus de la Hepatitis C--anti HCV. Prevalencia e influencia sobre la morbimortalidad en los pacientes sometidos a trasplante renal, en los dos ultimos años del programa de trasplante renal de la ciudad de La Plata.

UNLABELLED: A small series of 34 renal transplanted patients (RTx) were studied, 18 males and 16 females in order to know the prevalence of Anti HCV in this type of patients and their influence on early morbi-mortality. The follow-up mean was 8.44 months SD 6.7, and Age 38.32 SD 13.97. All patients were under the same immunosuppressive scheme, and rejection episodes were treated with methilprednisolone pulses. The results were: 7 (20.6%) Anti HCV seroreactives (R) (EIA II Abbott and Immunoblotting of synthetic Peptides LIA TEK Organon Teknika); and 27 (79.4%) non-serorectives (NR), 14 patients received grafts from cadaveric donor; 4 (57.1%) Anti HCV (R), and 10 (37.0%) Anti HCV (NR). 20 patients have received grafts from lived-related donors: 3 (42.9%) Anti HCV (R), and 17 (63.0%) Anti HCV (NR). 6 (85.7%) of the 7 patients Anti HCV (R) had hepatitis history: 2 chronic hepatitis, 4 acute hepatitis (2HBV) and 2 no A no B (NANBV) and 6 (22.2%) of the 27 Anti HCV (NR). The mean time of hemodialysis treatment before transplantation in the Anti HCV (R) group was of 63.0 months SD27.0, and it was significantly superior (P < 0.05) to the Anti HCV (NR) group with 27.3 months SD 20.7. There were no significant differences between the Anti HCV (R) and (NR) patients with regard to rejection episodes, post-transplant hepatopathies, and survival of graft and patient. CONCLUSIONS: 1) Anti HCV prevalence is of 20.6%. 2) Time of hemodialysis prior to transplantation and an hepatitis history during hemodialysis came out to be significantly higher in Anti HCV (R) RTx. 3) Morbi-mortality is no modified by the presence of Anti HCV during a mean follow-up period of 8.44 months.

[Hepatocellular carcinoma: clinical and epidemiological characteristics]. / Carcinoma hepatocelular: características clinicoepidemiológicas.

We present 12 patients with CHC, 11 men and one woman, median age, 59.9 +/- 10.1 cared for in two hospitals from La Plata city. The median age, the predominance of men and presence of cirrhosis in the 75% are similar findings to European 41% of the patients, consulted of the CHC has increased in our environment. The fact that all the patients have been symptomatic at the moment of the consultation, that one of them had normal liver function tests and that only two of them had nodule of less than 5 cm of diameter, suggest advanced stage of the disease. At the same time, the median of survival of 8.3 +/- 9 (DS) months post-diagnosis and of 3.6 +/- 8 (DS) months post surgery. 90.9% had a risk factor to undergo CHC (alcohol, HBC, HCV). Because of one patient, the risk of hemodyalizer patients to have CHC is emphasized. Therefore, it is important to prevent and treat viral infections. In this study, the diagnosis of the echography was of 100% and the histologic corroboration was done by percutaneous biopsy with ultrasound or TC assessment. We observed that the levels of alpha-fetoprotein had a weak, negative correlation, not significative, with the diameters of the nodules. Although it is true that the size of the sample and the retrospective character of the investigation inhibits us to draw definitive conclusions, the behaviour of alfafetoprotein creates doubts about its value in the diagnosis and screening of the CHC.

[Viral hepatitis infection and response to the hepatitis B vaccine in hemodialyzed patients]. / Infección por virus de hepatitis y respuesta a vacuna anti-hepatitis B en hemodializados.

Data from 219 hemodyalized patients receiving attention in our Hospital and other private centers in our city are shown. Mean age was 46.9 (range: 14-85), and 132 were male; mean time under dialysis was 20 months, and subjects received an average of 5 transfusions per patient year. Serological reactivity to HBs Ag, Anti HBs and IgG anti HBc by ELISA were investigated in all of them, and anti HCV by second generation enzimo-immunoassay (EIA II) in 73 HBe Ag/anti HBe system were determined in HBs Ag positive patients and those reactive to anti HCV (EIA II) were confirmed by LIA (immunoblotting of synthetic peptides LIA-TEK Organos Teknica). Recombinant anti HBV vaccine 40 mcg at 0-1 and six month were received by 81 cases without HBV markers in their sera and a protective response was considered when anti HBs titration of 10 mU/ml or more were obtained two months later. Prevalence for anti HBc and anti HBs were 38.8% respectively and that for HBs Ag was 21% with 78% of them reactive for HBs Ag. True reactivity for anti HCV (confirmed by LIA) was present in 35.6%, but it was 9.7% in our Hospital and 54.8% in private units (p < 0.0002). Anti HBs titration was done in 69/81 patients who received anti HBV vaccine, and a protective response in 49% were obtained; the other 12 patients underwent acute hepatitis B during the vaccination period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Prevalence of hepatic involvement, alcoholism, hepatis B, C and HIV in patients with background history of drug use]. / Prevalencia de afectación hepática, alcoholismo, hepatitis B, C y HIV en pacientes con antecedente de consumo de drogas.

UNLABELLED: Drug addicts frequently have liver diseases for different reasons: alcohol abuse, the drugs themselves, but more often hepatitis B and C infections. AIDS is common in this population as well and could also affect the liver directly or in the form of hepatocellular or biliary damage. We conducted this study to determine the prevalence of liver diseases, alcoholism, hepatitis B and C infections, and HIV positivity in this population. We studied a cohort of 137 persons, all with a history of drug abuse, and investigated the quantity of alcohol intake, the kind of drug used, and he routes of drug administration. RESULTS: We found liver disease in 33.6%. The prevalence of alcoholism was 65.4%, of HCV 67.3%, and of HBV 17.3%. HDV was undetectable, whereas we found HIV at a frequency of 17.3%. HCV RNA was detected in 85.4% of HCV. The drug most often used was cocaine at 90.4%, followed by marihuana at 88.3%; LSD use occurred in 17.5%. We found parenteral drug use in 43.1%. We performed 22 liver biopsies, 21 associated with HCV, and detected histological changes consistent with chronic hepatitis in 17, with cirrhosis in 4, and with hepatocellularcarcinoma in 1.

[Anti HCV in hemodialyzed patients: reduction of the prevalence and association with epidemiological variables]. / Anti HCV en pacientes hemodializados: descenso de la prevalencia y asociación con variables epidemiológicas.

In order to establish the present prevalence of HCV in hemodialyzed patients (HD) from the city of La Plata, and to know the association between the prevalence and different variables, we have studied 217 hemodialyzed patients belonged to the Hemodialysis Unit of a Public Hospital and other 7 private Units. Serological reactivity to Anti HCV and Anti HBc IgG were investigated in all of them, as well as age, sex, number of transfusions, the time under dialysis treatment, the use of erythropoietin and hepatitis episodes were taken into account. We have found a prevalence of Anti HCV of 18.4% which was significantly superior to the blood donors' prevalence (P < 0.01) and significantly inferior to the one found in 1993 in HD patients of the same city (p = 0.002). We have found an association between the presence of Anti HCV and transfusions exposure, as well as more hemodialysis time. Our results may agree with the ones that suggest the aminotransferases are not good markers for hepatocellular injuries in Anti HCV (R) HD patients.

Carcinoma hepatocelular: caracteristicas clinicoepidemiologicas / Hepatocellular carcinoma: clinical and epidemiological characteristics

Presentamos una serie de 12 pacientes con diagnóstico histológico de Carcinoma Hepatocelular (CHC), once varones y una mujer con una edad media de 59.9 años + 10.1, asistidos en 2 centros de la ciudad de La Plata. La media de edad, el predominio de varones y la presencia de cirrosis en el 75 por ciento son hallazgos similares a los de series europeas. El 41 por ciento de los pacientes consultó en el último año del periodo de observación, sugiriendo que la ocurrencia del CHC ha aumentado en nuestro medio. El hecho que todos los pacientes hayan sido sintomáticos en el momento de la conculta, que 1 sólo tenía pruebas bioquímicas hepáticas normales y que únicamente 2 tenían nódulo < de 5 cm. de diámetro, sugieren el estadio avanzado de la enfermedad. Coincidentemente las medias de sobrevida fueron de 8.3 + 9 (DS) meses post-diagnóstico y de 3.6 + 8(DS) meses post-cirurgía. El 90.9 por ciento tenía algún factor de riesgo para proceder CHC (alcohol, HBV, HCV). A raíz de un paciente hace notar el riesgo que tienen los hemodialízados de podecer CHC y se destaca la importancia de la prevención y tratamiento de las infecciones virales en ese grupo. En esta experiencia el rédio diagnóstico de la ecografía fue el 100 por ciento y la corroboración histológica se concretó mediante punción percutanea guiada por ultrasonidos o por TAC, también exitosamente y sin conplicaciones, en el 100 por ciento de los casos. Observamos que los niveles de alpha fetoproteina tuvieron una correlación negativa débil, no significativa, con los diámetros de los nódulos. Si bien es cierto que el tamaño de la muestra y el carácter retrospectivo del estudio nos inhiben para sacar conclusiones definitivos, este comportamiento de la alpha fetoproteina genera dudas sobre su valor para el diagnóstico y el catastro del CHC. En conclusión. Nuestros pacientes con CHC son similares a los de los paises europeos. Supuestamente ha aumentado la ocurrencia de CHC en nuestro medio. Los CHC de esta serie se han diagnosticado en estadio muy avanzado. Es imprescindible hacer catastros sobre los pacientes de riesgo para contraer CHC. Los hemodializados son pacientes de alto riesgo para contraer CHC. El comportamiento de la alpha fetoproteina ha generado dudas respecto de su utilidad. La ecografía ha resultado de un extraordinario valor el diagnóstico.

Anticuerpos contra el virus de la hepatitis C - anti HCV. Prevalencia e influencia sobre la morbimortalidad en los pacientes sometidos a trasplante renal, en los dos ultimos anos del programa de trasplante renal de la ciudad de la Plata / Hepatitis C viruses antibodies - anti HCV. Prevalence and their influence on the morbi-mortality in transplantation patients, in the last two years of the kidney transplantation program of the La Plata city

Se estudiaron 34 pacientes con trasplante renal (TxR), 18 varones y 16 mujeres, con el objetivo de conocer la prevalencia de Anti HCV, en este tipo de pacientes y su influencia sobre la morbimortalidad temprana. La media de segmiento fue 8.44 DS 6.7 meses y la de edad 38.32 años DS 13.97. Todos recibieron el mismo esquema inmuno-supresor y los episodios de rechazo se trataron con pulsos de metilprednisolona. Resultaron Anti HCV r (por EIA II) de Abbott e Inmunoblotting de Péptidos Sintéticos LIA TEK Organon Teknika); 7 (20.6 por ciento) pacientes y (NR) 27 (79.4 por ciento). Recibieron injerto de donante cadavérico 4 (57.1 por ciento), Anti HCV R y 10 (37.0 por ciento) Anti HCV NR; de donante vivo relacionado 3 (42.9 por ciento) Anti HCV R y 17 (63.0 por ciento) Anti HCV NR. Tenían antecedentes de haber pedacido hepatitis 6 (85.7 por ciento) de lso 7 Anti HCV R: 2 hepatitis crónicas y 4 agudas (2 HBV y 2 no B (NABV) y 6 (22.2 por ciento) de los 27 Anti HCV NR. El tiempo medio de tratamiento hemodialítico antes del trasplante en el grupo Anti HCV r fue 63.0 DS 27.0 meses y resultó significativamente superior (P<0.05) al del grupo Anti HCV (NR) (27.3 DS 20.7). Episodios de rechazos, hepatopatías post-trasplante y sobrevida del injerto y del paciente no fueron significativamente diferentes entre los pacientes Anti HCV R y los NR.

Infección por virus de hepatitis y respuesta a vacuna anti-hepatitis B en hemodializados / [Viral hepatitis infection and response to the hepatitis B vaccine in hemodialyzed patients]

Data from 219 hemodyalized patients receiving attention in our Hospital and other private centers in our city are shown. Mean age was 46.9 (range: 14-85), and 132 were male; mean time under dialysis was 20 months, and subjects received an average of 5 transfusions per patient year. Serological reactivity to HBs Ag, Anti HBs and IgG anti HBc by ELISA were investigated in all of them, and anti HCV by second generation enzimo-immunoassay (EIA II) in 73 HBe Ag/anti HBe system were determined in HBs Ag positive patients and those reactive to anti HCV (EIA II) were confirmed by LIA (immunoblotting of synthetic peptides LIA-TEK Organos Teknica). Recombinant anti HBV vaccine 40 mcg at 0-1 and six month were received by 81 cases without HBV markers in their sera and a protective response was considered when anti HBs titration of 10 mU/ml or more were obtained two months later. Prevalence for anti HBc and anti HBs were 38.8

respectively and that for HBs Ag was 21

of them reactive for HBs Ag. True reactivity for anti HCV (confirmed by LIA) was present in 35.6

in our Hospital and 54.8

in private units (p < 0.0002). Anti HBs titration was done in 69/81 patients who received anti HBV vaccine, and a protective response in 49

were obtained; the other 12 patients underwent acute hepatitis B during the vaccination period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Prevalencia de afección hepática, alcoholismo, hepatitis B, C y HIV en pacientes con antecedentes de consum / Prevalence of hepatic involvement, alcoholism, hepatis B, C and HIV in patients with background history of drug use

Drug addicts frequently have liver diseases for different reasons: alcohol abuse, the drugs themselves, but more often hepatitis B and C infections. AIDS is common in this population as well and could also affect the liver directly or in the form of hepatocellular or biliary damage. We conducted this study to determine the prevalence of liver diseases, alcoholism, hepatitis B and C infections, and HIV positivity in this population. We studied a cohort of 137 persons, all with a history of drug abuse, and investigated the quantity of alcohol intake, the kind of drug used, and he routes of drug administration. RESULTS: We found liver disease in 33.6%. The prevalence of alcoholism was 65.4%, of HCV 67.3%, and of HBV 17.3%. HDV was undetectable, whereas we found HIV at a frequency of 17.3%. HCV RNA was detected in 85.4% of HCV. The drug most often used was cocaine at 90.4%, followed by marihuana at 88.3%; LSD use occurred in 17.5%. We found parenteral drug use in 43.1%. We performed 22 liver biopsies, 21 associated with HCV, and detected histological changes consistent with chronic hepatitis in 17, with cirrhosis in 4, and with hepatocellularcarcinoma in 1.

Infeccion por virus de hepatitis y respuesta a vacuna anti-hepatitis B en hemodializados / Viral hepatitis infection and response to the anti B-hepatitis vaccine in hemodialyzed patients

La infección por virus de hepatitis B (HBC) y C (HCV) en hemodializados es elevada, y genera problemas epidemiológicos, aumento de la morbilidad y menores expectativas de éxito para el transplante renal; de hecho, la vacunación anti HBV es una indicación racional para este grupo de pacientes, aunque su respuesta es variable. En esta comunciación se analiza el impacto de esta problemática en nuestro medio. Se presentan 219 pacientes (132 del sexo masculino) hemodializados en nuestro hospital y unidades privadas de nuestra ciudad, con edad media de 46,9 años (R=14-85); la media de permanencia en diálisis fue de 20 meses, y la de transfusiones de 5 por ciento/años. En todos los casos se investigó por enzimo-inmunoanálisis (EIA) la presencia en suero de HBs Ag, anti HBs y anti HBc, y en 73 pacientes anti HCV por EIA II; en los casos HBs Ag positivos confirmados se determinó HBe Ag y HBe, y los anti HCV reactivos fueron confirmados por immunobloting de Péptidos Sintéticos LIA-TEK Organon Teknika. Recibieron 40 mcg de vacuna anti HBC recombinante intra deltoidea a 0,1 y 6 meses, 81 pacientes sin marcadores HBC en suero; la respuesta anti HBstitulada dos meses depués de la última dosis fue considerada protectora con títulos superiores a 10µ/ml. La prevalencia de anti HBc y anti HBs fue de 38 por ciento y la de HBs Ag de 21 por ciento; 78 por ciento de los evaluados resultaron reactivos a HBe Ag. La reactividad anti HCV se presentó en 35.6 por ciento, confirmada por LIA (9,7 por ciento en nuestro hospital y 54,8 por unidades privadas con p=0.007). Se halló niveles superiores a 10 mu/ml de anti HBs en 49 por ciento vacunados en los que se tituló el mismo. Los 12 casos restantes (14,8 por ciento) experimentaron hepatitis aguda B durante el período de vacunación...

Anti HCV en pacientes hemodializados: descenso de la prevalencia y asociación con variables epidemiológicas / Anti HCV in hemodialyzed patients: reduction of the prevalence and association with epidemiological variables

Para estabelecer la prevalencia actual de infección por HCV en pacientes hemodializados (HD) de la ciudad de La Plata y determinar su asociación con diferentes variables se estudiaron 217 pacientes con Insuficiencia Renal Crónica de una Unidad de Hemodiálisis de un Htal público y de 7 Unidades del medio asistencial privado. En la totalidad de los pacientes se investigó la presencia sérica de anti-HCV y de anti-HBc y se valoró la edad, sexo, número de transfusiones, antigüedad del tratamiento hemodialítico, uso de eritropoyetina y episodios de hepatitis. Se halló una prevalencia de anti-HCV del 18,4 por ciento significativamente superior a la de los donantes de sangre (P<0,01) y significativamente enor a la hallada en pacientes HD de la misma ciudad en 1993 (P=0,002). También se encontró que la presencia de anti-HCV se asocia con el antecedente de haber recibido transfusiones y con mayor tiempo de ento hemodialítico. Nuestro resultados parecen coincidir con los que sugieren que las aminotransferasas en pacientes HD anti HCV © son un mal marcador de lesión hepatocelular.