Biomedical subjects

T Loch

Publications and source records attributed to T Loch.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1993

[Interferon alfa in treatment of chronic hepatitis B in children with leukemias and lymphomas].

The course of the hepatitis B virus infection (HBV) in the majority of children with cancer who have undergone intensive chemotherapy is characterized by scanty symptoms and often leads to chronic hepatitis and prolonged carrier state. Twenty three children with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) were treated with interferon alfa after the completion of chemotherapy of leukemias and lymphomas. In the majority of cases a disproportion between symptomless clinical course of the hepatitis B virus and the rate of its active replication was observed. Presence of HBsAg and high activity of polymerase DNA HBV (pDNA) were found in all children. In the course of a 6-month treatment with interferon in a dose of 3 mil IU/m2 of the body surface a gradual decrease of pDNA activity was observed. A statistically significant difference of mean values of pDNA before and right after the treatment was determined (p < 0.05). Tests performed 3 months after the completion of the therapy showed a repeated increase of pDNA activity. Boundary values of pDNA were observed in 5 children. Complete elimination of HBs and HBe antigens has not been achieved in any of the children. While analyzing the obtained results it has to be taken into consideration that there were numerous unfavourable prognostic factors determined in the studied group of children such as: coexisting malignant disease, undergone intensive chemotherapy, long period which has passed from the moment of HBV infection until the administration of the treatment with interferon, high activity of pDNA, scanty symptoms of inflammation process. Coexisting HCV infection in 12 children, could also have a undesirable effect upon the treatment results.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

[Therapy of prostate abscess by employing pigtail drainage with transrectal ultrasound control].

Prostatic abscess is a rare but often severe disease. In most cases diagnosis is difficult. The best diagnostic tool is transrectal ultrasound, which depicts prostatic abscess very clearly. The therapy of choice to date is surgery, usually transurethral resection. At the Department of Urology of the University of Kiel we have employed another form of treatment, namely perineal drainage of the abscess with a pigtail tube under transrectal ultrasound guidance. This method is expected to be particularly advantageous in younger patients, for whom transurethral resection may cause problems. Five patients aged 24-71 years have been treated in this manner so far.

Abscess↗

PubMed1992

[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↗

PubMed1992

[Hepatitis B virus DNA polymerase activity in various clinical forms of HBV infection].

The aim of the study was to test the clinical value of HBV DNA polymerase (DNAp) determination in patients with various forms of HBV infection, namely: acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and healthy HBV carriers. The determination of DNAp was found to be particularly useful in patients with chronic HBV infection with active virus replication (HBeAg+) independent of histopathological changes.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1992

[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↗

PubMed1991

[Treatment of chronic hepatitis B with interferon alfa-2b (Intron A)].

Eighteen patients with biopsy proven chronic hepatitis B and markers of ongoing viral replication were treated with interferon alpha-2b (Intron A) while 24 similar patients served as control group. Permanent termination of HBV replication and normalization of ALT and AST activity was seen in 7 (39%) treated patients and in only two (8%) controls (p less than 0.05). Adverse reactions were few and subsided with the termination of therapy. These results of interferon therapy in chronic hepatitis B seem encouraging.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

[Beta-2 microglobulin as a non-specific marker of immunodeficiency in individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)].

Beta-2-microglobulin (beta 2m) is a polypeptide composing HLA antigens on the surface of nucleated cells. Its serum concentration is increased mainly in patients with lymphoproliferative disorders and during viral infections, and reflects probably accelerated activation and turnover of T cells. In this paper we report on abnormalities of beta 2m serum levels in HIV-infected patients. 17 asymptomatic HIV-carriers and 16 persons with clinically overt disease were examined and compared with 20 healthy controls. Patients with confirmed AIDS or ARC were found to have significantly raised beta 2m levels. We found elevated values of beta 2m in asymptomatic HIV-carriers even with normal T4/T8 lymphocytes ratio. There were statistically significant differences in mean beta 2m values between these groups and healthy individuals. beta 2m can be considered as an early, non-specific marker of HIV infection, even in the absence of clinical manifestations of AIDS.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Short-term corticosteroid therapy for chronic active hepatitis B.

Seventeen patients with chronic active type B hepatitis were treated with prednisone for 4 weeks. All were initially hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive and 14 were DNA-polymerase-positive as well. In the follow-up period of 1 year, 10 patients became persistently negative for DNA polymerase and 11 cleared HBeAg from serum, while among 17 matched untreated controls only one lost DNA polymerase and HBeAg. However, 1 patient who was initially DNA-polymerase-negative and who lost HBeAg after treatment reactivated to HBeAg after 4 months and DNA polymerase appeared in his serum. He suffered prolonged exacerbation of liver disease after treatment and died of liver failure. Short-term corticosteroid therapy may be of value in patients with chronic active type B hepatitis, however, in some cases such treatment may be disastrous.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Isoprinosine in the treatment of chronic active hepatitis type B.

21 patients with chronic active hepatitis B (CAH-B) were treated for 1-2 years with isoprinosine, while another 18 patients served as control group. All patients were initially DNA polymerase (DNAp) and HBeAg positive. Nine (43%) treated patients became persistently negative for DNAp, seroconverted to anti-HBe and showed histological remission on follow-up biopsy. Among simultaneously followed controls 5 (28%) lost DNAp and 4 (22%) also lost their HBeAg. However, only 2 (11%) seroconverted to anti-HBe. Histological improvement was seen in 5 (28%) controls. Thus, it seems that isoprinosine may exert a beneficial effect on the course and outcome of CAH-B.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Exacerbation of chronic active hepatitis type B after short-term corticosteroid therapy resulting in fatal liver failure.

The case of a 36-yr-old male with chronic active type B hepatitis in whom 4-wk prednisone therapy resulted in prolonged and fatal exacerbation of liver disease is described. Thus, short-term corticosteroid therapy may in some patients have disastrous effects on the course of chronic active hepatitis B.

Adult↗

PubMed1988