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Biomedical subjects

T Laskus

Publications and source records attributed to T Laskus.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Prevalence of markers of hepatitis viruses in out-patient alcoholics.

The prevalence of HCV, HBV and HAV markers was investigated in unselected patients attending an outpatient alcoholic clinic. Anti-HCV were detected in 35 (24%) of 144 patients studied, and at least one marker of HBV infection was present in 72 (50%). These results are significantly higher than in a matched control population. The presence of anti-HCV was related to previous blood transfusions and familial history of alcoholism. We conclude that alcoholics should be considered a high risk group for both HCV and HBV infection.

Adult↗

Affinity of anti-HBs antibody after hepatitis B vaccination.

A novel method based on mathematical analysis of the dose-response curve obtained by radioimmunoassay was used to determine anti-HBs affinity and concentration in 29 healthy subjects vaccinated with plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine. Anti-HBs affinity as well as its serum concentration increased with time in most vaccine recipients; however, the pattern of affinity maturation varied widely between individual subjects. In 20 subjects the highest increase in antibody affinity was observed after the third dose of vaccine, whereas in nine cases values of affinity remained low and relatively constant throughout the time of the study.

Antibody Affinity↗

Severe exacerbation of chronic active hepatitis B during interferon alpha therapy.

The case of a 52-year-old male with chronic active type B hepatitis in whom severe exacerbation of liver disease was associated with interferon alpha treatment is described. It seems that patients with very active forms of chronic hepatitis B may experience severe and symptomatic exacerbation of liver disease during interferon treatment.

Hepatitis B↗

[Appearance of antibodies against hepatitis type A virus (HAV) in alcoholics].

In 144 alcoholics--patients of alcoholic outpatient clinic anti-HAV antibodies were studied using the commercially available ELISA test. Anti-HCV antibodies were found in 86% of the alcoholics, and this prevalence was not higher than in the control group. No differences were found in the titre of antibodies against cytomegaly and herpes virus between the subjects with and without anti-HAV antibodies which suggests the specificity f the determined anti-HAV antibodies.

Adult↗

[Chronic active hepatitis in alcohol abusers].

12 cases of chronic active hepatitis in chronic alcohol abusers are described. All patients were HBsAg negative and 7 were anti-HCV positive. Four out of 5 anti-HCV patients quickly progressed to liver decompensation. It seems that chronic hepatitis seen in chronic alcohol abusers can be divided into two groups: one due to HCV infection and the other due to sensitivity to alcohol, respectively.

Alcoholism↗

[Treatment of chronic hepatitis B with interferon alpha (Wellferon) with and without previous corticosteroid therapy -- results of a multicenter, double blind study].

The present study was aimed to test the efficacy and safety of interferon alpha (Wellferon-Wellcome Foundation Ltd.) either alone, or in combination with short-term corticosteroid pretreatment in the therapy of chronic hepatitis B. 44 patients with documented chronic hepatitis type B (12 women and 32 men; mean age 37.5 years, range 23-59 years) and satisfying the entry criteria were subjects of the study. 30 patients had chronic active hepatitis on liver biopsy, while 14 had chronic persistent hepatitis. Consecutive patients were given either placebo or prednisone in a double-blinded manner for 4 weeks (0.6 mg/kg/day in the first two weeks, 0.45 mg/kg/day in the third week and 0.25 mg/kg/day in the last week), and then, after a 2 week pause, therapy with interferon was instituted for a total of 12 weeks. Interferon was given by intramuscular injection in a single daily dose of 10 x 10(6) IU for 5 days and three times weekly thereafter. However, because of side effects, the dose of interferon was occasionally reduced to 5 x 10(6) IU in most patients. Interferon induced a sustained cessation of HBV replication as judged by loss of DNA-polymerase activity in 26 (59%) patients, 20 (45%) patients seroconverted to anti-HBe. Additionally, 6 (14%) cases lost HBsAg and seroconverted to anti-HBs. Prednisone pretreatment did not seem to improve the efficacy of interferon therapy. The outcome of the treatment was unrelated to gender and pretreatment activity of transaminases, however, patients with low activity of HBV replication were more likely to respond to therapy than patients with high HBV replication.

Adult↗

[Occurrence of antibodies against hepatitis C virus (HCV) among alcoholics].

144 consecutive alcoholics attending an outpatient clinic were tested for the prevalence of anti-HCV with commercially available ELISA test (Abbott HCV EIA). Positive sera were further tested with neutralization assay (Abbott HCV Neutralization Assay). Anti-HCV were found in 35 (24%). There was no difference in the prevalence or mean titre of anti-CMV and anti-HSV between patients with and without anti-HCV what points to the specificity of tested antibodies.

Adult↗

[Occurrence of antibodies against hepatitis C virus (HCV) among drug addicts].

The prevalence of anti-HCV and serological markers of HBV infection was tested in 100 unselected intravenous drug addicts admitted to a detoxification ward. Anti-HCV were present in 78% addicts, and at least one markers of HBV infection was present in 69% addicts. No correlation was found between anti-HCV status and age, gender, duration of addiction or anti-HIV presence. Furthermore, there was no difference in mean titres of anti-CMV and anti-HSV between subjects with and without anti-HCV what suggests that the anti-HCV tested were specific.

Adolescent↗

[Hepatitis A in drug addicts].

In the years 1982-1988 among patients admitted with the diagnosis of acute virus hepatitis to the Department of Infectious Hepatology, Institute of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases in Warsaw were 25 drug addicts. In 15 of them virus hepatitis B and in 10 virus hepatitis A was recognized. Virus hepatitis A had in the group of addicts a milder course than in controls not taking narcotics.

Acute Disease↗

[Severe exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B following interferon therapy].

A patient with chronic active hepatitis B was treated with interferon alpha. Inhibition of HBV replication was associated with severe exacerbation of hepatitis. Treatment of chronic hepatitis B with interferon may lead to transient decompensation of liver function, especially in patients with high activity of morphological changes.

Hepatitis B↗

[N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase and diurnal excretion of hydroxyproline in chronic viral hepatitis].

In 37 patients with chronic active hepatitis, in 14 with chronic persistent hepatitis and in 11 with normal histological pattern of the liver the serum activity of N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase and the 24-hour excretion of hydroxyproline with urine were determined. The 24-hour excretion of hydroxyproline was similar in all groups of patients, while the activity hepatitis and higher than in those of chronic persistent hepatitis (36.9 +/- 12.9 i.u. per 100 ml versus 22.4 +/- 8.2 i.u. per 100 ml, p less than 0.05). In patients with high serum NAGL activity cirrhosis developed significantly more frequently.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗

[Markers of HBV infection in drug addicts].

Prevalence of markers of HBV infection was tested in two cohorts of drug addicts: in 140 addicts whose sera were drawn in the years 1985-1986 and in 100 addicts whose sera were drawn in the years 1988-1989. HBsAg was found in 10 (7%) patients in the earlier cohort and in 12 (12%) addicts in the latter, while at least one marker of HBV infection was present in 39% and 69%, respectively No correlation was found between the presence of markers of HBV infection and age, gender, or HIV status, however, duration of drug abuse increased the risk of HBV infection. There was no difference in mean titres of anti-CMV and anti-HSV-1 between subjects with and without HBV markers what suggests that the tested markers were specific.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Course and outcome of acute type B hepatitis in heavy alcohol abusers.

The course and outcome of acute type B hepatitis was analyzed in 30 heavy alcohol abusers. The course of the disease was very similar to that found among non-drinkers, the only difference being higher mean GGT activity and a higher frequency of hepatomegaly among alcoholics. All alcohol abusers cleared the infection in the space of 6 months. However, 2 months after admission, they were twice as likely to be HBsAg positive as controls. We conclude that alcohol abuse has little influence on the course and outcome of acute type B hepatitis.

Adult↗

Hepatitis C virus antibody in Poland.

To assess the epidemiology of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Poland, anti-HCV was studied in patients with acute and chronic non-A, non-B (NANB) hepatitis, in healthy adults, and in subjects at risk. Anti-HCV prevalence was 2% in 152 blood donors, 78% in 95 parenteral drug addicts, 21% in 112 alcoholics, and 86% in 42 patients with chronic NANB hepatitis. Among 34 prospectively followed patients with acute NANB hepatitis 17 (50%) developed anti-HCV. It seems that HCV infection is responsible for the majority of NANB hepatitis in Poland and is common in parenteral drug abusers and alcoholics.

Hepacivirus↗