Biomedical subjects

K E Grønbaek

Publications and source records attributed to K E Grønbaek.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2000

[Transfusion-related hepatitis C. The Danish "look back" survey].

This study accumulated results of the HCV lookback in Denmark and described the morbidity of the infected recipients. Donor records were identified for at least ten years back, and recipients still alive were tested for hepatitis C. Those with positive results were referred for clinical evaluation. A total of 150 Danish anti-HCV positive donors had donated blood to 1018 recipients of whom 288 (29%) were still alive. Because of age, malignancy or other severe diseases 118 (41%) of these were not contacted. Of 157 recipients screened for HCV, 128 (82%) were anti-HCV positive and 88 (56%) were HCV-RNA positive. Among the HCV-RNA positive recipients symptoms were present in 38% (25/66 reported), elevated ALT was found in 53% (41/77 tested) and cirrhosis was found in 11% (6/54 biopsied). Treatment with interferon-alpha was initiated in 23 patients, corresponding to 26% of HCV-RNA positive recipients.

Blood Donors↗

PubMed1996

Biochemical, virological and histopathological changes in Danish blood donors with antibodies to hepatitis C virus.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have indicated that the presence of antibodies to Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is indicative of current HCV infection irrespective of S-alanine aminotransferase (S-ALT) values. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Over three years, all confirmed anti-HCV-positive blood donors form the Blood Banks of Copenhagen County were consecutively evaluated. Seven women and 14 men with a median age of 34 years were included. Serum HCV-RNA was measured with an in-house developed single PCR. Liver biopsies were classified according to standard criteria. RESULTS: All were asymptomatic at presentation with no history of liver disease. Previous intravenous drug abuse and/or tattooing were identified in 16. Seventeen blood donors were evaluated biochemically and histologically. Serum HCV-RNA was detectable in 14, all of whom had histopathological changes in their liver biopsy including chronic active hepatitis and active cirrhosis. Twelve of the 14 HCV-RNA-positive donors had elevated S-ALT. In the three HCV-RNA-negative donors, S-ALT was normal. Two of these had normal liver biopsies, whereas the third had minimal changes. CONCLUSION: To diagnose and evaluate the activity of chronic HCV infection, liver biopsy and HCV-RNA assessment are essential in confirmed anti-HCV-positive individuals irrespective of symptoms and S-ALT levels.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

[Preclinical hereditary hemochromatosis--is there an indication for preventive screening?].

A 54 year-old previously healthy woman was admitted with staphylococcus aureus septicaemia. The patient had been treated with oral iron supplementation for two years due to fatigue. In the evaluation of postinfectious anaemia, serum transferrin saturation and serum ferritin were found persistently elevated with values of 74% and 950 micrograms/1, respectively. Hereditary haemochromatosis was suspected even though there was no history of liver disease or diabetes mellitus in the family. A bone marrow biopsy showed a normal content of haemosiderin iron. The liver biopsy revealed haemosiderosis, mainly located to the periportal hepatocytes, and fibrosis in the portal tracts. The HLA-type was A3, B7, B37. Over a period of ten months, a total of 3.9 g of iron was removed by venesection while S-ferritin declined to 31 micrograms/l. A sister to the proband had an identical HLA type, but normal iron status markers, either indicating heterozygosity or homozygosity with lack of penetrance. In preclinical hereditary haemochromatosis, early diagnosis and treatment is essential in order to prevent organ damage and to improve prognosis. Prophylactic screening is recommended. The identification of one homozygous subject in a Danish year-cohort of 60.000 persons costs approximately 40.000 Danish kroner (7.000 US+).

Denmark↗

PubMed1994

[Chronic rheumatoid pleuritis].

A case of progressive pleural effusion in a 50 year-old woman is presented. She had a history of recurrent bilateral symmetric joint affection involving small and large joints in the extremities and morning stiffness. Extraarticular manifestations developed after two years' disease; mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis, Sjogren's disease and progressive pleural effusions. The diagnosis rheumatoid pleural effusion was based on the history of articular disease, blood samples, examination of the pleural fluid, and the thoracoscopic results. The most remarkable findings were the non-odorous, cloudy, greenish sterile exudate with extremely low glucose concentration and a high LDH concentration, and the parietal pleura which appeared granulated on thoracoscopy.

Chronic Disease↗