[Prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies in a hemodialysis unit]. / Prevalencia de anticuerpos contra el virus de la hepatitis C en una unidad de hemodiálisis.

The prevalence of hepatitis C antibody was studied using the EIA 2 Abbott assay in patients and staff of the San Juan de Dios Hospital Hemodialysis Unit. The antibody was detected in 29.8% of patients, no member of the staff had positive antibodies. Patients with a positive antibody had been on hemodialysis for a longer time than those with a negative test (53.3 +/- 18.8 vs 37.9 +/- 33.5 months respectively). No differences in the number of transfusions received were observed between patients with positive or negative antibodies. Hepatitis B surface antigen was detected in 2 patients, with negative hepatitis C virus antibody. No clinical evidence of liver disease was found among patients with positive antibodies.

[Enalapril in essential arterial hypertension]. / Enalapril en hipertension arterial esencial.

The hypotensive effect of enalapril, a converting enzyme inhibitor, given as a single agent once daily, was evaluated prospectively over a 16 week period in 20 subjects. One patient abandoned therapy and 2 were withdrawn (increased creatinine levels in one and the need for associated therapy in the other). Side effects developed in 3 patients: creatinine elevation, skin rush and a "salty taste", respectively. A significant decrease in blood pressure (p less than 0.01) attaining normal levels in 6 out of 17 patients was observed. Normal blood pressure levels were not reached in severe hypertension; the association of hydrochlorothyazide was effective in 5 of 11 such subjects. Thus, enalapril may be safely used as a first stage single therapy in mild or moderate hypertension.

[Chagas' disease in patients in chronic hemodialysis. Prevalence and risk of transmission by blood transfusion]. / Enfermedad de Chagas en pacientes en hemodiálisis crónica. Prevalencia y riesgo de transmisión por transfusión sanguínea.

A serologic study of Chagas disease was performed in 110 patients submitted to chronic hemodialisis and blood transfusions. Immunofluorescence antibody testing (IgG and IgM) was positive in 6 out of 62 patients receiving multiple blood transfusions (9.7%), but negative in all 48 subjects without transfusions. Thus, repeated blood transfusion is a significant risk for T cruzi infection in chronic hemodialized patients.