Thymosin alpha-1 with peginterferon alfa-2a/ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C not responsive to IFN/ribavirin: an adjuvant role?

This study was conducted to determine whether the adding thymosin alpha-1 to standard of care for re-treatment of nonresponding hepatitis C infections can improve sustained viral response (SVR) rates. Patients (n = 552) with hepatitis C infections not responding to the combination of Peginterferon alfa-2a or 2b with ribavirin (RBV)were randomized to receive peginterferon alfa-2a 180 mg/week with RBV 800-1200 mg/daily plus either thymosin alpha-1 1.6 mg SC twice weekly (n = 275) or placebo (n = 277) for 48 weeks. Eighty-eight per cent of patients had HCV genotype 1, 6.6% type 4, 2.2% type 2 and 3.6% type 3. SVR rates in the intention to treat population were similar between thymosin alpha-1 and placebo (12.7%vs 10.5%; P = 0.407). Among patients who completed all 48 weeks of therapy, the SVR rate was significantly higher in the thymosin alpha-1 group at 41.0% (34/83) compared with 26.3% (26/99) in the placebo group (P = 0.048). No significant difference was observed between treatment groups in the incidence of adverse events. The addition of thymosin alpha-1 to the standard of care did not increase the on-treatment HCV viral response. Thymosin alpha-1 seems to play no role in the primary therapy of the disease. This study raises the hypothesis that thymosin alpha-1 may have a secondary therapeutic role as an adjuvant in the prevention of relapses in patients achieving a virologic response during therapy.

Fenofibrate in primary biliary cirrhosis: a pilot study

Background:

Most patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) are treated with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA); however, some do not respond fully. PBC is also associated with dyslipidemia, but a link with vascular risk has not been confirmed.

Methods and Results:

In this study we compared UDCA monotherapy with fenofibrate plus UDCA in PBC patients with incomplete biochemical response to UDCA monotherapy for ≥ 8 months. Ten patients (57.2±13.3 years old) with PBC and persistent elevations of liver enzymes after treatment with UDCA (600 mg/day) were randomized to continue UDCA (4 patients) or to receive micronized fenofibrate (200 mg/day) plus UDCA (6 patients) for 8 weeks. Significant reductions in total cholesterol, triglycerides and non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol were observed in the combination treatment group. The serum activities of alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and alanine aminotranferase also decreased in this group compared with baseline (-32.6%; p=0.012, -44%; p=0.031 and -16.9%; p=0.029, respectively). In contrast, no significant alterations in liver enzymes or lipid profile were observed in patients who continued UDCA monotherapy. The changes in the lipid and enzyme variables differed significantly (p<0.03) between the 2 groups. Fenofibrate was well tolerated.

Conclusions:

The administration of fenofibrate plus UDCA seems to be safe and may improve lipid and liver indices in patients with PBC who do not respond fully to UDCA monotherapy. Whether the improved lipid profile translates into a decreased risk of vascular events remains to be established.

Clinical and economic outcomes in a population-based European cohort of 948 ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease patients by Markov analysis

BACKGROUND

Forecasting clinical and economic outcomes in ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) patients is complex, but necessary.

AIMS

To determine: the frequency of treatment-classified clinical states; the probability of transition between states; and the economic outcomes.

METHODS

Newly diagnosed UC and CD patients, allocated into seven clinical states by medical and surgical treatments recorded in serial 3-month cycles, underwent Markov analysis.

RESULTS

Over 10 years, 630 UC and 318 CD patients had 22,823 and 11,871 cycles. The most frequent clinical outcomes were medical/surgical remission (medication-free) and mild disease (on 5-aminosalicylates, antibiotics, topical corticosteroids), comprising 28% and 62% of UC cycles and 24% and 51% of CD cycles respectively. The probability of drug-response in patients receiving systemic corticosteroids/immunomodulators was 0.74 in UC, 0.66 in CD. Both diseases had similar likelihood of persistent drug-dependency or drug-refractoriness. Surgery was more probable in CD, 0.20, than UC, 0.08. In terms of economic outcomes, surgery was costlier in UC per cycle, but the outlay over 10 years was greater in CD. Drug-refractory UC and CD cases engendered high costs in the cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

Most patients on 5-aminosalicylates, corticosteroids and immunomodulators had favourable clinical and economic outcomes over 10 years. Drug-refractory and surgical patients exhibited greater long-term expenses.

Immunohistochemical expression of cell-cycle proteins in gastric precancerous lesions

BACKGROUND

The early indicator for the subject predisposed to gastric cancer is abnormal proliferation of gastric epithelial cells, such as atrophic gastritis (AG), intestinal metaplasia (IM), and dysplasia, which have been considered as precancerous lesions of gastric cancer. To determine whether p53 protein, cyclins D1, and D3, and p27(kip1) play a role in the carcinogenesis pathway of gastric cancer, we performed an immunohistochemical study of their expression in gastric precancerous lesions.

METHODS

A total of 1 45 endoscopic gastric biopsy specimens of AG, IM, and gastric dysplasia were studied. These molecular markers were localized by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

P53 was expressed in 15% of cases with gastric dysplasia and not in the pre-dysplastic stages of the gastric mucosa. All cases were concerning high-grade dysplasia. Cyclin D1 protein was almost undetectable in the precancerous lesions of gastric cancer. Cyclin D3 protein overexpression was seen in 10% of biopsies with IM, and 50% of biopsies with gastric dysplasia. High expression of p27(kip1) protein was demonstrated in all cases of chronic gastritis. As atrophy, IM, and dysplasia develop, expression of p27(kip1) protein is suppressed. In total, 15% of dysplastic cases showed no expression of p27(kip1) protein.

CONCLUSIONS

(i) P53 mutation must be a late event during the development of gastric cancer. (ii) Cyclin D1 protein overexpression may not play a role in the progression from normal to neoplastic gastric mucosa, while overexpression of cyclin D3 is an earlier event during gastric carcinogenesis, and its role must be further evaluated. (iii) Reduced expression of p27(kip1) is a rather early event in gastric tumorigenesis, before dysplastic changes occur.

Expression of Bax protein in gastric carcinomas. A clinicopathological and immunohistochemical study

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Reduced Bax protein expression has been shown to be a negative prognostic factor in patients with breast, ovarian, colorectal, esophageal and pancreatic cancer. Our aim was to immunohistochemically study Bax protein expression in gastric carcinomas and correlate its expression with clinicopathological parameters and prognosis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Immunohistochemistry was performed, using a monoclonal antibody against bax, in paraffin-embedded tumor specimens from 47 cases of gastric cancer.

RESULTS

Positive staining for the Bax protein was found in 20/47 (42.4%) adenocarcinomas examined. Negative Bax protein expression in tumour cells was correlated with lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05), and degree of differentiation (p < 0.05). Univariate analysis showed that the variables with a significant negative impact on survival were: high TNM tumour stage, depth of penetration in the gastric wall, lymph node involvement, and Bax protein expression. Multivariate analysis showed that the only variable with an impact on survival was Bax protein expression (p < 0.05, Relative Risk: 3.34). Kaplan-Meier curves showed that the 5-year survival was 36.8% in cases with positive compared with 16% in cases with negative Bax protein expression (p = 0.0427).

CONCLUSION

Negative Bax expression in gastric cancer is associated with de-differentiation, lymph node metastases, and poor clinical prognosis. Bax protein expression might play an important role in the development and phenotypic differentiation of gastric carcinomas and tumor progression.

High prevalence of elevated liver enzymes in blood donors: associations with male gender and central adiposity

OBJECTIVE

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is an increasingly recognized condition, but its exact prevalence is unknown. In this prospective, multicenter study, we evaluated the prevalence of elevated alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase levels as indirect markers of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in volunteer blood donors as well as their associations with epidemiological and anthropometrical characteristics.

METHODS

Alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase levels were determined in blood donors from four transfusion centers during the morning sessions of a 3-month period. Cases with positive hepatitis B surface antigen, anti-hepatitis C virus, anti-HIV or elevated liver enzymes and alcohol abuse were excluded.

RESULTS

Abnormal liver enzymes were found in 17.6% of 3063 participants (alanine aminotransferase: 14.5%, aspartate aminotransferase: 4.6%, gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase: 4.7%). Individuals with abnormal compared with those with normal liver enzymes or alanine aminotransferase values were more frequently men and had higher weight, body mass index, waist, hip and neck circumference (P<0.001 for all comparisons). The prevalence of abnormal liver enzymes was also associated with the transfusion center ranging between 8.8 and 22.1% (P<0.001) and alcohol consumption (P=0.001). In multivariate analysis, presence of elevated enzymes was independently associated with male sex, higher weight or body mass index, higher waist circumference and transfusion center.

CONCLUSIONS

More than 15% of Greek blood donors exhibit elevated liver enzymes, most likely as a result of unrecognized nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is mainly associated with male sex, obesity and waist circumference, but it may range significantly among different population groups.

Low colectomy rates in ulcerative colitis in an unselected European cohort followed for 10 years

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The colectomy rate in ulcerative colitis (UC) is related to morbidity and to treatment decisions made during disease course. The aims of this study were to determine the colectomy risk in UC in the first decade after diagnosis and to identify factors that may influence the choice of surgical treatment.

METHODS

In 1991-1993, 781 UC patients from 9 centers located in 7 countries in northern and southern Europe and in Israel were included in a prospective inception cohort study. After 10 years of follow-up, 617 patients had complete medical records, 73 had died, and 91 had been lost to follow-up.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in age, sex, or disease extent at diagnosis between patients followed for 10 years and those lost to follow-up. The 10-year cumulative risk of colectomy was 8.7%: 10.4% in the northern and 3.9% in the southern European centers (P < .001). Colectomy was more likely in extensive colitis than in proctitis, with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 4.1 (95% CI: 2.0-8.4). Compared with the southern centers, the adjusted HR was 2.7 (95% CI: 1.3-5.6) for The Netherlands and Norway together and 8.2 (95% CI: 3.6-18.6) for Denmark. Age at diagnosis, sex, and smoking status at diagnosis had no statistically significant influence on colectomy rates.

CONCLUSIONS

The colectomy rate was found to be lower than that in previous publications, but there was a difference between northern and southern Europe. Colectomy was associated with extensive colitis, but the geographic variations could not be explained.

Phenotype at diagnosis predicts recurrence rates in Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND

In Crohn's disease (CD), studies associating phenotype at diagnosis and subsequent disease activity are important for patient counselling and health care planning.

AIMS

To calculate disease recurrence rates and to correlate these with phenotypic traits at diagnosis.

METHODS

A prospectively assembled uniformly diagnosed European population based inception cohort of CD patients was classified according to the Vienna classification for disease phenotype at diagnosis. Surgical and non-surgical recurrence rates throughout a 10 year follow up period were calculated. Multivariate analysis was performed to classify risk factors present at diagnosis for recurrent disease.

RESULTS

A total of 358 were classified for phenotype at diagnosis, of whom 262 (73.2%) had a first recurrence and 113 patients (31.6%) a first surgical recurrence during the first 10 years after diagnosis. Patients with upper gastrointestinal disease at diagnosis had an excess risk of recurrence (hazard ratio 1.54 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13-2.10)) whereas age >/=40 years at diagnosis was protective (hazard ratio 0.82 (95% CI 0.70-0.97)). Colonic disease was a protective characteristic for resective surgery (hazard ratio 0.38 (95% CI 0.21-0.69)). More frequent resective surgical recurrences were reported from Copenhagen (hazard ratio 3.23 (95% CI 1.32-7.89)).

CONCLUSIONS

A mild course of disease in terms of disease recurrence was observed in this European cohort. Phenotype at diagnosis had predictive value for disease recurrence with upper gastrointestinal disease being the most important positive predictor. A phenotypic North-South gradient in CD may be present, illustrated by higher surgery risks in some of the Northern European centres.

Crohn's disease: increased mortality 10 years after diagnosis in a Europe-wide population based cohort

BACKGROUND

No previous correlation between phenotype at diagnosis of Crohn's disease (CD) and mortality has been performed. We assessed the predictive value of phenotype at diagnosis on overall and disease related mortality in a European cohort of CD patients.

METHODS

Overall and disease related mortality were recorded 10 years after diagnosis in a prospectively assembled, uniformly diagnosed European population based inception cohort of 380 CD patients diagnosed between 1991 and 1993. Standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated for geographic and phenotypic subgroups at diagnosis.

RESULTS

Thirty seven deaths were observed in the entire cohort whereas 21.5 deaths were expected (SMR 1.85 (95% CI 1.30-2.55)). Mortality risk was significantly increased in both females (SMR 1.93 (95% CI 1.10-3.14)) and males (SMR 1.79 (95% CI 1.11-2.73)). Patients from northern European centres had a significant overall increased mortality risk (SMR 2.04 (95% CI 1.32-3.01)) whereas a tendency towards increased overall mortality risk was also observed in the south (SMR 1.55 (95% CI 0.80-2.70)). Mortality risk was increased in patients with colonic disease location and with inflammatory disease behaviour at diagnosis. Mortality risk was also increased in the age group above 40 years at diagnosis for both total and CD related causes. Excess mortality was mainly due to gastrointestinal causes that were related to CD.

CONCLUSIONS

This European multinational population based study revealed an increased overall mortality risk in CD patients 10 years after diagnosis, and age above 40 years at diagnosis was found to be the sole factor associated with increased mortality risk.

Treatment of brucella spondylitis: lessons from an impossible meta-analysis and initial report of efficacy of a fluoroquinolone-containing regimen

Although spondylitis is the most common of the complications of brucellosis, and is often debilitating and difficult to treat, there is no consensus on the preferred combination of antibiotics used. We attempted to perform a meta-analysis based on series on brucellar spondylitis published in the last 22 years. Meta-analysis was aborted largely due to insufficient data recorded in most series. However, useful conclusions could be drawn, such as the importance of prolonged treatment, usually more than 12 weeks. No antibiotic combination was proven to be superior, but 14 different regimens were used in the series studied. The authors propose the use of a combination of doxycycline and ciprofloxacin for a period of 3 months, and report the successful use of such a combination in five patients with brucellosis and spondylitis.

Coxiella burnetii: an unusual ENT pathogen

Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever, is a prevalent zoonotic disease manifestating usually as atypical pneumonia or hepatitis. We describe 2 cases of serologically proven infection by Coxiella burnetii whose primary manifestations arose from the upper respiratory tract and were initially referred to the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) department. This is the first related report in medical literature. A 20-year-old woman with fever, bilateral tonsillitis, lymphadenopathy, and mild aminotransferase elevation, and a 30-year old man with spiking fever and laryngitis are presented. Diagnosis in both cases was achieved through evolving serological response to Coxiella burnetii. The importance of including the pathogen in the differential diagnosis of ENT patients, in assorted epidemiological settings, and the significance of the proper antibiotic selection are further discussed.

Unusual causes of reactive arthritis: Leptospira and Coxiella burnetii

Reactive arthritis is a well-defined clinical syndrome occurring after various infections, although most cases are usually associated with Chlamydiae and gastrointestinal pathogens. Its immunologic background has been extensively studied, as has its relationship with HLA-B27. We describe two cases of reactive arthritis arising after infections with two pathogens not so far related to the occurrence of reactive arthritis: one patient exhibited migratory oligoarthritis shortly after the course of acute Q fever, and another patient developed monoarthritis during recovery from leptospirosis. Arthritis was transient and did not exhibit a chronic course in either patient. We further discuss the context of pathophysiology of the arthritis in these patients, with an emphasis on the immunomodulatory properties of these two pathogens.

Immune thrombocytopenia attributed to brucellosis and other mechanisms of Brucella-induced thrombocytopenia

Thrombocytopenia often complicates the course of acute brucellosis, mainly due to bone marrow suppression or hypersplenism. Immune thrombocytopenia is also reported in brucellosis, resulting usually in massive thrombocytopenia, purpura, and spontaneous hemorrhage. We describe a case of acute brucellosis in an 85-year old woman, who presented with fever, purpuric skin lesions, anemia, and rhinorrhagia. The absolute platelet count was 1000/microL. Direct and indirect Coombs tests were positive, and a cold-agglutinin was detected. The patient was diagnosed as suffering from brucellosis on the basis of a strongly positive serologic reaction and was treated with doxycycline, streptomycin, and a short course of corticosteroids, with a rapid rise in platelet number.

Enterococcus casseliflavus bacteremia. Case report and literature review

Motile Enterococci are rare causes of enterococcal bacteremia, usually in immunocompromised patients. We describe a case of polymicrobial bacteremia, including Enterococcus casseliflavus, Escherichia coli, and Morganella morganii, in an 80-year old woman, shortly after a liver biopsy performed to exclude cholangiocarcinoma. We further discuss the unique genetic characteristics and the clinical significance of such isolates, such as their intrinsic resistance to vancomycin, and the low virulence exhibited clinically. Further workup on the mechanisms of motile Enterococci resistance to vancomycin could probably yield useful information in achieving new ways of facing resistance attributed to the more usual, and malignant Enterococci.

Brucellosis and the respiratory system

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease that remains endemic worldwide. Its clinical manifestations and focal complications are often troublesome in making a diagnosis. Involvement of the respiratory system in brucellosis is an acknowledged but rare event that is only occasionally described in literature. We describe 37 cases of respiratory involvement during the course of brucellosis that presented as pneumonia, bronchopneumonia, pleural effusion with a predominance of monocytic or lymphocytic infiltrates, and paroxysmal dry cough. We also discuss aspects of the respiratory pathology, radiological characteristics, coexisting complications, and aspects of treatment of respiratory brucellosis.

Infectious diseases in cinema: virus hunters and killer microbes

The world of infectious diseases has been rarely presented in the cinema with accuracy. Apart from random biographies of scientists and retellings of stories about great epidemics from the past, most films focus on the dangers presented by outbreaks of unknown agents that originate from acts of bioterrorism, from laboratory accidents, or even from space. We review these films and underline the possible effect that they have on the public's perception of infection--a perception that, when misguided, could prove to be problematic in times of epidemics.

Lipid-lowering drugs and serum liver enzymes: the effects of body weight and baseline enzyme levels

The most important side effects of fibrate and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor (statin) treatment are hepatic toxicity and myopathy. Obese individuals may have higher levels of serum transaminases than their lean counterparts. The main purpose of this study was to examine the effects of statins and fibrates on liver enzymes in obese patients and to compare them with their effects on patients with various body mass indexes (BMI). Two hundred and sixty-three hyperlipidemic patients of both sexes aged 31-74 years were studied for 24 weeks. One hundred and three patients received fluvastatin (40 mg/day), 62 atorvastatin (10-20 mg/day), 45 micronized fenofibrate (200 mg/day), 44 ciprofibrate (100 mg/day) and nine patients received gemfibrozil (900 mg/day). Laboratory determinations were performed at baseline, after 8 weeks of treatment and at the end of the follow-up period. At baseline, obese patients tended to exhibit elevated liver enzymes more frequently than their lean counterparts (12 of 105 vs. 5 of 67). At the end of the study period, 11 obese, seven overweight and six lean subjects exhibited elevated liver enzymes. Twelve patients who experienced a moderate elevation of serum liver enzymes at baseline had their liver enzyme profile normalized at the end of the study. Furthermore, in 12 patients who had normal serum liver enzyme levels at baseline, abnormal levels of at least one enzyme were observed after 24 weeks of treatment. Fibrates and statins are safe drugs for the treatment of hyperlipidemia in obese patients as well as in those with moderately increased liver enzymes.

The characteristics of bronchoalveolar lavage from a patient with antiphospholipid syndrome who developed acute respiratory distress syndrome

The purpose of this study was to investigate the biochemical characteristics as well as the occurrence and specificity of antiphospholipid antibodies in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from a patient with both antiphospholipid antibodies syndrome (APS) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Proteins, lipids, cells and autoantibodies were determined. Immunoglobulins were purified with affinity chromatography. Autoantibody identification was assessed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and with electrophoresis, followed by immunoblotting and revelation with antihuman IgG-peroxidase conjugate. Antiphospholipid antibodies were found to be present in the BAL fluid as well as in the serum from a patient with APS. Specifically, antiphosphatidylserine and antiphosphatidic acid IgG antibodies in the BAL fluid and antiphosphatidylcholine and anticardiolipin IgG antibodies in the serum were detected at high levels. BAL fluid protein and the percentage of neutrophils were found to be increased. A quantitative as well as qualitative deficiency of surfactant phospholipids was also observed. Antibodies directed against surfactant phospholipids could cause surfactant abnormalities and an inflammatory reaction. These disorders may be one of the causes of the ARDS or a factor in the perpetuation of the inflammation.

Rectal metastases from lobular carcinoma of the breast: report of a case and literature review

Metastatic involvement of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract secondary to breast cancer is rare. Reported herein is the case of a 74-year-old woman with metastatic lobular breast carcinoma to the rectum presenting with obstruction. The breast tumour was diagnosed nine years prior to the presentation of rectal metastases. Endoscopy was repeated twice until a diagnosis was established. Examination of endoscopy material revealed infiltration of the rectum by malignant signet ring cells identical to those of the primary breast tumour. The patient did not respond to chemotherapy and underwent laparotomy with a defunctioning colostomy. Literature review revealed only a few more cases of metastatic breast carcinoma to the rectum. Awareness of this condition may lead to accurate diagnosis and early initiation of systemic treatment, thus avoiding surgical intervention.

CT features of gastric lymphoma

The gastrointestinal tract is the most frequent site of extranodal involvement by lymphoma and stomach is the most frequently involved. The incidence of gastric lymphoma appears to be rising as that of adenocarcinoma is declining. It produces a spectrum of radiologic appearances and its distinction from adenocarcinoma is difficult since their findings frequently overlap. The aim of this article is to present pictorially a spectrum of CT findings of the gastric lymphoma.

Usefulness of the non-distension of the stomach in the evaluation of perigastric invasion in advanced gastric cancer by CT

The purpose of this study was to evaluate by CT the usefulness of the non-distension of the stomach in determining invasion of the gastric cancer into perigastric space and adjacent organs. Forty-eight patients with pathologically proved gastric cancer were studied by conventional CT. Patients were examined using two techniques: (a) non-distension of the stomach in the supine position and 34 patients additionally in prone position; and (b) distension of the stomach with water or air in the supine and/or prone position. CT findings by both techniques were separately analysed preoperatively and compared to surgical findings. Invasion of perigastric fat was better demonstrated by the non-distension technique in 15 of the 36 patients with pathologically proven fat infiltration. Non-distension technique was more accurate than distension in detecting: (a) involvement of gastric ligaments (80 versus 67% for gastrohepatic, 85 versus 73% for gastrocolic and 80% by both techniques for gastrosplenic ligament); (b) perigastric lymphadenopathy (86% by both techniques for lymph nodes sited at the gastrohepatic ligament, 85 versus 75% for gastrocolic and 85 versus 80% for gastrosplenic ligament lymph nodes, respectively); and (c) pancreatic invasion (86 versus 80%). The prone position with non-distended stomach was particularly helpful in excluding pancreatic invasion in five patients with carcinoma of the gastric body. The distension technique was more accurate in demonstrating perigastric extension in gastroesophageal junction tumors in two patients. In conclusion, additional CT of the non-distended stomach with the patient in prone position can provide further evidence about infiltration of the perigastric fat, ligaments, lymph nodes and pancreas, in patients with gastric carcinoma, with the exception of gastroesophageal junction tumors.

A typical Hallermann-Streiff syndrome in a 3 year old child

Hallermann Streiff syndrome is a rare congenital disorder characterized by dyscephaly, dental anomalies, proportionate nanism, hypotrichosis, cutaneous atrophy limited to the head, bilateral congenital cataracts and bilateral microphthalmia. Despite the marked craniofacial characteristics and oral findings, a relative lack of reports in the dental literature has been noted. In this article, a review of the literature regarding the general clinical features and differential diagnosis is presented. A case of a 3-year-old female is reported with special consideration on the management of her dental problems under general anesthesia. The anesthetic risks of such a procedure as well as the prognosis of her dental development are being discussed.

Liver involvement in hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome is an acute febrile nephropathy caused by several viruses of the genus Hantavirus of the family Bunyaviridae. During the past 8 years, 32 cases of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome have been diagnosed. Nine out of the 32 patients (28%) had raised (twofold upper normal limits) transaminases during hospitalization. Four out of the nine patients (44%) died. In contrast, only three out of the 23 patients (13%) without raised transaminases died. Five patients had slightly increased serum alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase, whereas six patients had prolonged prothrombin time. Liver histology showed midzonal necrosis in hepatic lobules with extravasation of red cells and mild mononuclear infiltrate. Liver involvement seems to be an ominous prognostic factor in such patients and is correlated with severe renal failure and thrombocytopenia.

Antibodies against hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) in haemodialysis patients: association with hepatitis B serological markers

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) seems to be the main causative agent of the parenterally transmitted non-A, non-B hepatitis and the detection of anti-HCV may be a marker of ongoing infection with this virus. This study was undertaken to determine the frequency of anti-HCV in 51 haemodialysis patients of our renal unit. In addition association of these antibodies to sex, history of blood transfusions, and duration on haemodialysis, as well as to serological markers of hepatitis B virus infection, was applied. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), were used for the detection of all serological markers. Nine of the 51 (17.6%) haemodialysis patients had anti-HCV. The presence of anti-HCV was related to male sex. Although seropositive patients were transfused more often than seronegatives, this difference is not statistically significant. The presence of anti-HCV was associated with the duration of haemodialysis. The majority of anti-HCV patients had serological markers of previous HBV infection, in contrast to seronegative patients.

Outbreak of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in Greece

An outbreak of eight cases of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in North-West Greece is presented. The major clinical manifestation was fever and all patients subsequently developed decreased renal function and proteinuria. The disease was diagnosed by rising antibody titers to the Hantaan virus.

Sideroblastic anaemia associated with lincomycin therapy

Sideroblastic anaemia developed after lincomycin therapy in a 58-year-old woman. The anaemia proved completely reversible after termination of lincomycin therapy and the introduction of pyridoxine. The patient also had pseudomembranous enterocolitis, a well-known side effect of lincomycin.

Plasma fibronectin in normal subjects and in various disease states

Plasma fibronectin was determined in 121 normal adults and in 149 patients. Fibronectin levels in normals were strongly influenced by sex and age. The mean value of the protein in cancer patients did not differ from that in normal controls; however, patients with cryofibrinogenaemia or extensive liver metastases had lower values whereas those with obstructive jaundice due to pancreatic carcinoma had higher values than normal controls. Fibronectin levels were greatly increased in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis and moderately elevated in nephrotic syndrome. In patients with severe infection or sepsis, plasma fibronectin did not show a consistent pattern. Patients with overt disseminated intravascular coagulation, irrespective of its cause, had the lowest plasma fibronectin concentrations.

Characterization of cryofibrinogen isolated from patients plasma

The cryofibrinogen of 27 patients was studied by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunochemical methods. Electrophoretic analysis of the isolated cryofibrinogens, as well as the proteins left after heat or thrombin defibrination, showed that cryofibrinogen is composed of two proteins, fibrin(ogen) and cold-insoluble globulin (CIg). A proportion of the fibrin(ogen) component formed stabilized oligomers interlinked through gamma-gamma dimerization. The degree of fibrin(ogen) proteolysis, as judged by measuring the alpha:gamma ratio of the reduced samples, was very similar to that of the fibrinogen of the original plasma. The CIg:fibrin(ogen) molar ratio in the cryofibrinogens was 0.04 +/- 0.018. The CIg and the fibrin(ogen) content of the cryofibrinogens were strongly correlated with the plasma CIg levels.