[Serum zinc concentration and antibody response to hepatitis B vaccine in hemodialysis patients]. / Concentrazione sierica dello zinco e risposta anticorpale al vaccino anti-epatite B negli emodializzati.

The serum zinc concentration seems unlikely to be an important factor influencing immune response to hepatitis B vaccination in hemodialysis patients, on the basis of the following results: the absence of statistically significant differences in serum zinc concentrations between patients with absence of post-vaccine seroconversion or non protective seroconversion and patients with excellent seroconversion (anti-HBs concentrations over 124.6 mUI/ml); the association of protective antibody responses in 50% of non responders after an additional dose of HBV vaccine, without preliminary corrections of zinc balance.

[Maternal-fetal transmission of infection with hepatitis B virus: evaluation of viral markers in maternal and fetal biological materials and relation with the vaccine response]. / Trasmissione materno-fetale dell'infezione da virus dell'epatite B (HBV): valutazione dei marcatori virali in materiali biologici materni e fetali e relazione con la risposta vaccinale.

From July 1984 to September 1987, 981 women at third trimester of pregnancy were screened for HBsAg. 26 women were identified as being HBsAg carrier. The study of HBV markers and anti-HBV antibodies was conducted on these women and their offspring to evaluate the presence of intrauterine infection, and the newborns response to passive active immunization in relationship to their markers status during pregnancy. HBsAg, HBeAg, anti-HBe and anti-HBc were assayed on the plasma drawn form the mother, on the amniotic fluid drawn by transabdominal amniocentesis and on funicolar blood samples drawn immediately after delivery. IgM anti-HBc were assayed on amniotic and funicolar samples. HBsAg, anti-Hbc and anti-Hbe were present in 42.8%, 100% and 50% of amniotic samples; whereas the percentage of the same markers in funicolar samples were 50% for HBsAg and 100% for anti-HBc and anti-HBe. In no amniotic or funicolar samples were IgM anti-HBc antibodies present. Anti-HBs, anti-HBc and anti-HBe were assayed on the newborns at 2, 16, 12, 18 months to evaluate the response to immunization. Response to passive-active immunization was protective in all newborns independently from their antigenic status during intrauterine life. Anti-HBc antibodies were cleared within 18 months from delivery, while anti-HBs got a protective title within 6 months from delivery, persisting in 88.8% of cases at 18 months.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Correlation between values of alpha-1-fetoprotein and clinical manifestations of cirrhosis in the evaluation of a carcinomatous course of the disease. Preliminary data on case material on elderly patients]. / Correlazione fra valori di alfa-1-fetoproteina e manifestazioni cliniche della cirrosi nella valutazione di una evoluzione carcinomatosa della malattia. Dati preliminari su una casistica di pazienti anziani.

Early diagnosis of PHC development in cirrhosis is sometimes difficult through common tests excluding invasive diagnostic procedures; liver biopsy as a routine periodical control during the course of the disease is not advisable and AFP monitoring as a diagnostic test is preferable. The present study shows the results of a screening for AFP levels in a series of 113 cirrhotic patients aged over 50. 11.5% of them presented increased levels of serum AFP, indicating development of PHC. AFP elevated values resulted in 76.5% of cases associated with a previous HBV infection, and the risk of PHC development resulted sixfold greater in anti-HBc positive male cirrhotic patients. In patients with elevated AFP levels the prevalence of complications of cirrhosis resulted up to tenfold greater than in AFP negative patients.

[Clofibrate hepatitis. A case report]. / Epatite da clofibrato. Descrizione di un caso.

The case of a patient who developed hepatitis during treatment with clofibrate is reported. The first attack of hepatitis, which resolved after the drug was suspended, was followed by another at rechallenge with a similar drug, fenofibrate.