Migration patterns of lymphocytes in untreated and immunologically manipulated recipients of organ allografts.

We have investigated the migration patterns of normal LEW rat splenic lymphocytes (SLs) radiolabeled in vitro with [2-3H]adenosine and adoptively transferred i.v. into LEW hosts bearing LBNF1 heterotopic cardiac allografts. Twenty-four hours after cell transfer, the animals were killed and the radioactivity of all lymphoid and nonlymphoid tissues measured in a beta counter. The following experimental groups were studied: group 1, untreated recipients acutely rejecting their grafts at 7 days after transplantation; group 2, actively and passively enhanced recipients bearing long-term surviving grafts, at 7, 14 to 18, and 25 days; group 3, cyclosporin A-treated recipients; and group 4, B rats, each bearing indefinitely surviving grafts, at 7 and 20 to 30 days. In group 1, 28% of recoverable activity was found in spleen and 22% in mesenteric and peripheral lymph nodes. In animals with well functioning grafts of groups 2 and 3, SLs accumulated in both organs equally (25 to 27%). In animals in group 4, SLs migrated primarily to lymph nodes (30%) and away from spleen (20%). Sequestration in nonlymphoid tissues of animals experiencing graft rejection was higher than those with prolonged or indefinitely surviving hearts. By using mouse anti-rat monoclonal antibodies, the quantitative relationship between T cell subpopulations in transferred cell suspensions and in lymphoid organs of grafted hosts was also assessed. Lymphocyte migration patterns are influenced dramatically by the immunological status of recipients of vascularized organ allografts.

[Chronic end-stage kidney failure in Mexico]. / Algunas reflexiones sobre la insuficiencia renal crónica terminal en México.

Chronic renal failure is an expanding and complex problem in Mexico. This work analyzes its current situation and finds a clear imbalance between supply and demand for specialized services, that favors the latter. To explain said imbalance, it invokes four factors: the recent innovation in nephrology and parallel disciplines; educational deficit of medical schools; high costs of rehabilitation of the uremic patient, and the absence of specifically designed mechanisms for financing the treatment of this disease.

[The prevalence of hepatitis B and C in blood donors in a 3rd-level hospital of Mexico City]. / Prevalencia de hepatitis B y C en donadores de sangre en un hospital de tercer nivel de la ciudad de México.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and B virus (HBV) in blood donors attending Médica Sur Hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 9,099 blood donors were tested for hepatitis B and C viruses from 1994 to 1998. A questionnaire was used to collect data and HCV and HBV were detected in serum. We obtained percentages and assessed statistical significance using the chi 2 test. RESULTS: The prevalence of HCV and HBV carriers was 0.47 and 0.11 per cent. The main risk factors were dental procedures (11.6% for HCV and 20%, for HBV), and unsafe sexual practices (20%) for HBV. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate a low prevalence of HCV and HBV infection in this population.