Value of a screening algorithm for celiac disease using tissue transglutaminase antibodies as first level in a population-based study.

Objective: Serological screening for celiac disease (CD) can detect a large number of otherwise undiagnosed patients based on the sequential evaluation of serological tests and intestinal biopsy. The aim of this study was to compare the screening value for CD of two different protocols for the same community-based population.

Methods: We screened 1,000 consecutive subjects (497 women, age range 16-71 yr) attending a centralized laboratory for obligatory prenuptial blood tests.

Prevalence of celiac disease in Argentina: screening of an adult population in the La Plata area.

Objectives: Up to now, the epidemiological characteristic of celiac disease among adults in South America remains unknown. The present prospective screening was designed to determine the prevalence of celiac disease in adults from the general population in an urban area of Argentina.

Methods: Between January.

Smoking and drinking cessation and risk of esophageal cancer (Spain).

Objectives: To explore the effectiveness of alcohol drinking and tobacco smoking cessation in reducing esophageal cancer risk, taking into account the key characteristics of each habit and the simultaneous exposure to both habits.

Methods: Data from a series of five hospital-based case-control studies of incident squamous-cell carcinoma of the esophagus conducted by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC, Lyon, France) in high-risk areas in South America were combined and analyzed by multivariate logistic regression procedures. A total of 2063 men (655 case patients and 1408 control subjects) were included in the pooled analysis.

Influence of mate drinking, hot beverages and diet on esophageal cancer risk in South America.

To estimate the effects of consuming hot beverages, including mate (an infusion of the herb Ilex paraguayensis), tea, coffee and coffee with milk, and other food items on esophageal cancer risk, we analyzed data from 830 cases and 1,779 controls participating in a series of 5 hospital-based case-control studies of squamous-cell carcinoma of the esophagus conducted in high-risk areas of South America. After adjusting for the strong effects of tobacco and alcohol consumption, both heavy mate drinking (>1 l/day) and self-reported very hot mate drinking were significantly associated with esophageal cancer risk in men and women. The magnitude and strength of the association for mate amount and, to a lesser extent, mate temperature were higher for women than men.

[Intrahepatic cholestasis induced by amoxicillin alone].

We present a young, female patient with clinical and biochemical manifestations of acute cholestasis who had undergone a 10-day course of 1,500 mg/day amoxicillin 3 weeks before the consultation. Diagnosis was based on the absence of alcohol consumption, negative viral markers and antibodies, normal biliary tract, clinical and biochemical improvement when amoxicillin was withdrawn and liver biopsy with histological changes compatible with amoxicillin-induced acute cholestasis. Because hepatotoxicity induced by amoxicillin alone is rare, we believe it important to communicate this new case and to warn of this possible complication.

Graft versus host disease in autologous stem cell transplantation.

Relapse remains the major cause of mortality in haematological malignancies treated with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Graft versus tumour reaction (GVT) associated to autologous graft versus host disease (GVDH) may contribute to eliminate minimal residual disease (MRD) after ASCT. Eighty patients with several diagnostics were submitted to ASCT.

Independent and joint effects of tobacco smoking and alcohol drinking on the risk of esophageal cancer in men and women.

To estimate the independent and joint effects of tobacco smoking and alcohol drinking, we analyzed data from a series of 5 hospital-based case-control studies of squamous-cell carcinoma of the esophagus conducted in high-risk areas in South America. A total of 830 case subjects and 1779 control subjects were included in the pooled analysis. All exposure characteristics of amount, duration, cessation and type of alcohol and tobacco consumed were strongly related to esophageal-cancer risk in both sexes.

Hepatic sinusoidal dilatation associated to giant lymph node hyperplasia (Castleman's): a new case in a patient with periorbital xanthelasmas and history of celiac disease.

We present a new case of hepatic sinusoidal dilatation associated to giant lymph node hyperplasia or Castleman's disease in a 23-year-old patient with xanthelasmas and history of celiac disease. He presented with weight loss, hepatomegaly, periorbital xanthomas, anemia, accelerated erythrosedimentation rate, hypoalbuminemia, hypergammaglobulinemia at the expense of immunoglobulin G (IgG), high titers of autoantibodies, and increase of serum alkaline phosphatase and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase activity. A liver biopsy showed sinusoidal dilatation.

[Systematic study of gastrectomy specimens for cancer, in search of synchronous carcinomas].

Multiple carcinomas were searched in 50 successive gastrectomies, 17 females (34%) 33 males (66%) from 40 to 83 years old. Macroscopic handling of the specimens included pinning on a board, fresh, half-fixed and completely fixed examination, not only by naked eye but also through a magnifying glass. The stomach were totally studied, according to Japanese method.

[Liver histopathological characteristics in patients with HCV-positive sera].

In order to have knowledge on the histopathologic characteristics of the HCV infections in our geographical area and its relation with some epidemiologic variables, a series of 54 biopsies of Anti HCV (R) patients was analyzed. The histologic lesions found in this study correspond mostly to patients with relatively early infections, on the contrary to other studies of the some kind. The most frequent histopathologic diagnosis were chronic hepatitis 38/54 (70.

[Hepatitis B and C virus in chronic alcoholic patients: prevalence and influence on liver injury].

The aim of this prospectively designed study is to analyse the prevalence of HBV and HCV infections in 115 chronic alcohol abusers, their relation to epidemiological variables, and their meaning in pathogenesis and severity of alcoholic liver injury. A prevalence of 13.9% anti-HBc and 20.

Alcohol, tobacco, diet, mate drinking, and esophageal cancer in Argentina.

To study the role of hot mate drinking, alcohol, tobacco, and diet in esophageal cancer, a case-control study including 131 cases and 262 hospital controls was carried out in La Plata, Argentina. In multivariate analyses, statistically significant increases in risk were detected for alcohol, tobacco, and some dietary factors but not for hot mate drinking. A strong dose-response relationship was observed with the amount of alcohol consumed daily but not with the number of cigarettes smoked.

[Macro-microscopic comparative study of gallbladder lesions in La Plata (Argentina)].

The histogenesis of the gallbladder carcinoma is under controversy Some authors emphasize the polyp-cancer sequence, whereas others relate the adenocarcinoma with metaplastic and dysplastic changes. It is important to examine immediately the characteristics of the mucosa, in order for guidance to the surgeon at the operating room. With the purpose of correlating the macro-microscopic findings of gallbladder lesions, we studied 306 gallbladder specimens extended and fixed in formaline.

Pre-cancerous lesions of the oesophagus in Argentina: prevalence and association with tobacco and alcohol.

The prevalence of pre-cancerous lesions of the oesophagus and their association with alcohol and tobacco were examined in an endoscopic survey carried out in La Plata, Argentina. The study included 406 subjects over 15 years of age attending several gastroenterology clinics because of various gastrointestinal symptoms. Among males, the prevalence rates of chronic oesophagitis, epithelial atrophy and dysplasia were 42%, 3.

Solid cell nests of the thyroid gland. Optic and immunohistochemical study at autopsies.

In order to establish the prevalence of solid cell nests (SCN) in adult thyroids, we studied 100 consecutive glands at necropsy. These were serially sectioned and stained with routine and immunoperoxidase techniques in order to detect calcitonin, carcinoembryonic antigen, thyroglobulin and keratin. SCN may be considered as normal thyroid gland components, and they share with C cells a common origin in the ultimobranchial body.

[Early flat colorectal cancer].

We report three cases of flat early colorectal carcinoma which were detected during the examination of 51 surgical specimens of colorectal resection. Two of them were endoscopically diagnosed, but the smallest one was not seen in the luminal instrumental examination. From the bibliographic analysis and our own experience we deduce the importance of flat lesions in the development of early colorectal carcinoma, either originated from pre-existent adenoma or de novo.

[Hepatic lesions in acute cardiovascular failure in necropsy specimens].

To evaluate quali-quantitatively ischemic liver injury due to acute cardiocirculatory failure (ischemic hepatitis), and its real clinical signification, 200 out of 1165 autopsy records with ACF clinical diagnosis were selected; 33/200 (16.5%) shown centrilobular necrosis without inflammatory component, accompanied or not by midzonal compromise. Grade IV centrilobular necrosis (50-100% involved lobules) was present in 96.

Occult papillary thyroid carcinoma at autopsy in La Plata, Argentina.

Although clinically evident thyroid carcinoma is not a frequent neoplasm (incidence 2.7 per 100,000 persons in La Plata, Argentina), occult carcinomas are present in a high proportion of the population, but there are marked differences along geographical lines. The purpose of the present study is to establish the prevalence of occult papillary thyroid carcinoma (OPC) in La Plata.

[Benign cutaneous fibrohistiocytoma. Morphological analysis of 176 cases].

We report a review of the morphologic and topographic characteristics of 176 cases of cutaneous fibrous histiocytoma. We confirm its prevalence in females with greater incidence of location in the limbs. Among the morphologic varieties the most frequent is the fibro-collagenous.

[Long-term course in asymptomatic carriers of HBsAg in an area of low prevalence of hepatocarcinoma].

Data provided by 51 voluntary blood donors identified as asymptomatic HBsAg carriers five to ten years (mean = 7.5 years) before their inclusion in the study are analysed towards their long-term evolution. HBsAg clearance was estimated 2.

Early colorectal cancer--follow-up after endoscopic polypectomy.

Approximately 90% of correctly indicated endoscopic polypectomies for early colorectal cancer, whether invasive or not, are curative, provided strict criteria are adopted in the pathological evaluation of the resected specimen. Unrestricted time surveillance is mandatory since benign (more frequent) or malignant relapses appear in 30-40% of the patients.

Tobacco smoking, occupational exposure and bladder cancer in Argentina.

The highest rate for bladder cancer in Latin America has been reported from La Plata, Argentina. A case-control study was carried out to investigate the reasons for this high rate. A total of 117 cases, 117 hospital controls and 117 neighbourhood sex- and age-matched controls were interviewed regarding their smoking and drinking habits and occupational exposures.