The effect of local radiotherapy on kallikrein activity in saliva secreted by parotid gland in patients with head and neck cancers.

The samples of parotid gland saliva, collected from control human subjects and those taken from patients with head and neck cancers were submitted to the assay of protein concentration and kininogenase and amidolytic kallikrein activities. No patients with parotid gland tumours were included. The effect of pilocarpine stimulation on these parameters was studied. It was found that the saliva secreted by parotid gland of the investigated patients contains less protein and lower kininogenase activity in comparison to control subjects. Pilocarpine administration resulted in an increase of protein concentration and a decrease of kallikrein activity both in control and investigated subjects. Radiotherapy did not evoke any significant changes in spontaneously secreted saliva. The radiotherapy resulted in a progressive decrease of protein concentration and kallikrein activity in saliva secreted by pilocarpine stimulated glands. The kallikrein activity per mg of protein contained in spontaneously secreted saliva increased significantly during radiotherapy but it distinctly decreased in the saliva of pilocarpine-treated patients. It allows to conclude that the parotid glands do not lose their ability to synthesize and secrete kallikrein during radiotherapy of head and neck cancers.

[Hepatitis C (personal observations]. / Wirusowe zapalenie watroby typu C (obserwacje wlasne).

In 222 patients treated in the Department of Infectious Diseases Medical School of Bydgoszcz, one carried out immunoenzymatic examinations to find out presence of HCV antibodies. Among them, there were 33NANBH patients as well as 32 diagnosed as CAH NANB origin, 55 chronic hemodialysis patients and finally 102 IVDU. It was pointed out that the patients suffering from acute and chronic hepatitis type NANB were often HCV infected. Drug addicts (IVDU) and chronic hemodialysis patients constitute high risk groups of these infections. It should be stressed that these infections are asymptomatic in just these groups of patients. One discussed some epidemiological and clinical aspects of 19 hepatitis C cases.

[Serological markers of selected viral infections transmitted by parenteral route in drug addicts]. / Serologiczne markery wybranych zakazen wirusowych przenoszacych sie droga parenteralna u narkomanów.

Investigations included a group 80 asymptomatic drug addicts. They were examined immunoenzyme method aiming at detection infection by HIV, HBV, HCV and HDV. Cases of seropositive HIV results were confirmed by means WB. In 68 examined patients serological evidence of virus HBV was discovered. In 60 of them one also found out coexisting HIV serological markers, in 51 of HCV markers. HDV antibodies were disclosed in 7 cases. Infection with hepatotropic viruses were more frequent in group of HIV(+) drug addicts.

[Organization of health care for persons from the groups of high risk of HIV infection in Bydgoszcz]. / Organizacja opieki nad osobami z grup wysokiego ryzyka zakazenia HIV w Bydgoszczy.

The existing in Bydgoszcz infectivity infrastructure was made available to AIDS infection risk groups. The AIDS infected patients make use of ambulatory and in-patient health service together with other sick people. Among 72 detected infections only 2 cases remain without any connection with drug addiction. In this paper one presented advantages of the accepted organisational model as well as the effects of its functioning.