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Biomedical subjects

B Löfgren

Publications and source records attributed to B Löfgren.

33 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

IgM antibody to the hepatitis B core antigen in acute hepatitis determined by SPRIA--diagnostic value.

A solid phase radio-immunoassay (SPRIA) was developed for the detection of anti-HBc IgM. The assay proved sensitive and easy to perform and rheumatoid factor did not affect the test results. Anti-HBc IgM titres were followed in consecutive samples from 15 patients after uncomplicated acute hepatitis B. In the acute phase anti-HBc IgM titres ranged from 10(-5) to 10(-7) (mean 10(-6.4)). One year after onset of disease ten of the 15 had titres below 10(-4) and between two and three years after onset most patients had titres 10(-3). Anti-HBc IgM titres were determined in six episodes of acute hepatitis B, all HBsAg negative but anti-HBc positive in the first samples obtained (within 8 days) and developing anti-HBs during convalescence. Acute phase anti-HBc IgM titres in these patients ranged between 10(-5.5) and 10(-7) (mean 10(-6.5)) and were thus identical with HBsAg positive cases. When acute phase sera from 168 episodes of acute hepatitis primarily classified as non-A, non-B, were tested for anti-HBc IgM titres above 10(-5), sera from 13 episodes were positive and in seven of these hepatitis B diagnosis could be confirmed by rising anti-HBs titres in convalescence. Sera from four of the 13 patients contained HBeAg, which was thus demonstrated in the absence of HBsAg. The results show that testing for anti-HBc IgM is important for a true non-A, non-B diagnosis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1982

No in vivo effect of trisodium phosphonoformate on woodchuck hepatitis virus production.

The efficient in vitro inhibition of hepatitis B virus DNA polymerase by trisodium phosphonoformate (PFA, INN: foscarnet sodium) and its low toxicity suggested that PFA could be used as a therapeutic agent for hepatitis B infection. PFA was also found to inhibit woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) DNA polymerase in vitro. As a model to test PFA's eventual effect, chronically WHV infected woodchucks were treated with PFA. The animals were treated twice daily in a dosage which gave a minimum serum level of PFA corresponding to an in vitro inhibiting effect on WHV DNA polymerase of about 40%. The concentration in liver tissue was found to be 15% below serum level. The amount of WHV particles in serum was followed by DNA polymerase assay. No effect on WHV production could be seen during 2 weeks' treatment. No change of the in vitro sensitivity to PFA of the WHV DNA polymerase was seen. These results indicate that the WHV associated DNA polymerase has no role in the production of viral particles.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

A ten-year follow-up of a hepatitis B epidemic in a dialysis unit.

A hepatitis B epidemic at the hemodialysis unit of the University Hospital of Lund, Sweden, occurred in 1968-71. Since then all patients on regular hemodialysis have been tested with regard to hepatitis B. 196 patients were followed for more than 6 months (5 for more than 10 yr). 50 patients (26 males/24 females) became HBsAg-positive. The majority, 40 (25/15), never lost their HBsAg during the observation period. 35 of these chronic HBsAg; carriers were also chronic HBeAg carriers. 10/50 HBsAg-positive patients lost their HbsAg; females in much higher frequency than men. Six HBsAg-negative patients developed anti-HBs and anti-HBc. The highly infectious carriers constituted a continuous source of infection. Nevertheless, it was possible to keep the spread of infection under control in the unit. The most effective precaution from spread to the staff is probably protective gloves during all handling of patients. As regards the patients the most important measure was the introduction of separate units for HBsAG-positive and HBsAg-negative patients.

Antibody Formation↗
PubMed1982

Local excision for ampullary carcinoma. An alternative treatment for patients unfit for pancreatectomy.

Thirteen cases of ampullary carcinoma treated with local excision are presented. Seven of the patients had been deemed not fit to stand a Whipple's operation. One patient died within 1 month postoperatively. Median postoperative survival was 22 months, and mean survival was 33 months. One patient is alive 11 years after the operation. Where the tumor is localized, the procedure may be considered a suitable treatment for the patient whose general condition does not allow a more extensive operation.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Evaluation of a new radioimmunoassay for detecting hepatitis B e antigen and its antibody.

A new commercially available radioimmunoassay (RIA) (Abbott-HBeTM) was used for determination of hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) and its antibody (anti-HBe). Serial serum samples from 20 transiently HBsAg-positive patients with acute hepatitis were tested. In nearly all patients HBeAg could be shown for a short period with subsequent development of anti-HBe. From 24 chronic HBsAg carriers serial serum samples collected during several years were tested. In 18 of 19 initially HBeAg-positive patients the HBeAg was lost after 6 months to 6 years; in 14 anti-HBe developed. A correlation was seen between the seroconversion and normalization of elevated alanine transferase levels. From another 22 chronic HBsAg carriers single serum samples were assayed. These samples were selected because neither HBeAg nor anti-HBe could be detected by the immunodiffusion (ID) technique. They had previously been examined for HBV-associated DNA-polymerase activity. In 20 patients HBeAg or anti-HBe could be detected by RIA. Those who were DNA-polymerase negative had anti-HBe, and 3 of 4 who were DNA-polymerase positive had HBeAg. When compared to earlier results by ID in these materials a higher frequency of HBeAg and, in particular, anti-HBe was detected by the RIA. By this test, HBeAg or anti-HBe was found in nearly all patients. The usefulness of HBeAg/anti-HBe in the evaluation of infectivity and prognosis in hepatitis B has been limited by the low sensitivity of the earlier test systems. Thus, this new RIA is a valuable addition to the diagnostic tests for patients with hepatitis B.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1980

New bacterial absorption method for determination of hepatitis A IgM and IgA antibodies.

Antibodies against hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV) can be determined by a commercially available radioimmunoassay (RIA) (HavabTM, Abbott). To discriminate between recent and past hepatitis A infection this RIA was used in combination with absorption with protein A-containing staphylococci. However, nonabsorbable anti-HAV was repeatedly detected in late-convalescent sera using this methods. The nature of these antibodies was studied in serum samples from 12 such patients. In all patients, the late-convalescent sera contained no IgM class anti-HAV as judged by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. The restricted specificity of staphylococcal protein A explains the lack of absorption. Some recently described streptococcal strains capable of binding all IgG subclasses (including IgG3) as well as both IgA subclasses were, therefore, added to the staphylococci. Absorption studies using these strains indicated that the previously nonabsorbable anti-HAV in these 12 patients was mainly of the IgA class. A bacterial mixture including IgA-binding streptococci seems preferable to routine determination of IgM anti-HAV in acute hepatitis A diagnosis. The results also indicate that IgA anti-HAV in serum can persist for more than two years after a hepatitis A infection.

Absorption↗
PubMed1976

e-Antigen in patients with transient and chronic carriership of hepatitis B antigen.

Serum samples from 39 patients with hepatitis B antigen (HBSAg) were studied for presence of e-antigen. 21 patients had HBSAg transiently and 18 were carriers of HBSAg for 14 months or more. All serum samples from the 18 carriers reacted in the e-antigen system; 16 individuals had e-antigen and 2 had anti-e. In contrast, only 3 of the 21 patients with transient HBS-antigenemia were found to have e-antigen. The clinical course of 31 of the 39 patients was followed from the acute stage. All of the 18 patients who did not develop e-antigen became free from symptoms within 13 weeks. In the remaining 13 patients e-antigen was found and 10 became chronic HBSAg-carriers; 4 with biopsy-verified chronic hepatitis and 6 with biochemical findings consistent with this diagnosis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Three years after in-patient stroke rehabilitation: A follow-up study.

A 3-year follow-up study was performed aimed at describing the outcome for severely affected stroke survivors who had undergone geriatric in-patient rehabilitation. Living conditions, psychological well-being, and changes in functions were assessed in 55 survivors. Twenty-five people were living in the community, 15 in apartment hotels or homes for the aged and 15 in nursing homes. From discharge to follow-up 11 people had had to move to an accommodation offering more support. Living alone, recurrent strokes and functional decline were associated with moving. Many of those living in the community were supported by relatives or home help services. Home adjustments and assistive devices were common and in most cases were aimed at facilitating transfers and bathroom activities. Motor function had deteriorated from discharge to follow-up, otherwise no statistically significant changes were seen in the survivors' abilities and functions. Most survivors had in fact been able to maintain their functions or to make further improvements. Also, their psychological well-being seemed quite good. These results should encourage rehabilitation efforts for elderly people severely affected by stroke.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cross-validation of a model predicting discharge home after stroke rehabilitation. Validating stroke discharge predictors.

A new sample of 116 stroke patients was collected in order to validate a logistic regression model, predicting the chances of severely affected stroke patients being discharged home to independent living. The model was found to be accurate in the new sample, especially for those patients who had a high estimated probability of being discharged home. When the dividing line for the predicted probability for discharge home was set at a value of >/=0.5, the positive and negative predictive values were 74 and 73%, respectively. Further modelling resulted in a new extended model including the variables postural stability on admission, cohabiting, age and perceptual impairment on admission that formed the basis for an index predicting discharge home. This index was then validated in the sample of 93 patients that the first developed model was derived from and showed positive and negative predictive values of 85 and 77%, respectively.

Activities of Daily Living↗