[Incidence of tick-borne encephalitis in the West Bohemia Region 1960-1999--evaluation of vaccination]. / Výskyt klíst'ové encefalitidy v Západoceském kraji v letech 1960-1999--zhodnocení vakcinace.

In 1960-1999 in the West Bohemian region 1216 cases of tick-borne encephalitis were recorded, four were fatal. Since 1992 there was a marked increase in the number of these infections--in 1992-1999 the relative morbidity was 6.7 per 100,000 population per year, the highest specific morbidity shifted to the age group of 55-64 years. In the whole region changes occurred as to the probable transmission of infection. By the end of 1999 in western Bohemia the hygiene service immunized, by at least three doses against tick-borne encephalitis 23,225 subjects, i.e. 2.7% of the population. The negligible vaccination rate did not have so far an impact on the epidemiological characteristics of the infection. In view of the more frequent and clinically more severe affection in elderly subjects it is important to raise the vaccination rate in particular in more advanced age groups.

[Hepatitis C virus antibodies in persons on dialysis]. / Protilátky proti viru Hepatitidy C u dialyzovaných osob.

Using the ELISA method (generation II), the authors made a single examination of 172 dialyzed patients for the presence of antibodies against the virus of hepatitis C (VHC). Antibodies were detected in 82 subjects, i. e. 47.7%. The prevalence of antibodies in the examined subjects increased with the number of dialyses, no relationship was found with the number of transfusions. Of 104 subjects where during inclusion into the dialyzation transplantation programme a rise of ALT occurred 69, i. e. 66.3%, had antibodies. Antibodies were detected in 17 of 44 subjects (38.6%) to whom so far blood was not administered. A decisive place in the prevention of VHC transmission in dialyzed subjects is held by non-specific preventive measures, transfusions are most probably not the decisive vehicle.