Post-transfusion acquired malaria complicating orthotopic liver transplantation.

Early infectious complications within the first 3 months of orthotopic liver transplantation are common and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Here we report the first case of transfusion-acquired malaria in an orthotopic liver transplantation recipient. The patient was found to have Plasmodium ovale malaria during evaluation of a severe febrile illness.

Biopsy evaluation of chronic active hepatitis. Peritoneoscopy with directed liver biopsy versus blind percutaneous liver biopsy.

In this prospective study of chronic active liver disease, we compared the assessment of hepatic histology in samples obtained by peritoneoscopy with directed liver biopsy and blind percutaneous liver biopsy in 23 cases (22 patients, one patient studied twice). In blinded fashion, a pathologist assessed all specimens for evidence of cirrhosis and degree of necroinflammatory change. Two clinicians independently reviewed clinical and laboratory findings in both sets of biopsies.

All yogurts are not created equal.

Because of autodigestion of lactose by its endogenous bacteria, the lactose in yogurt is better absorbed than other sources of lactose in lactase-deficient subjects. To investigate possible differences among brands of yogurt in this autodigesting capacity, we challenged eight lactose-malabsorbing subjects with 20 g oral lactose and three different brands of yogurt (Borden, Dannon, and Royal Maid). As a quantitative measure of carbohydrate absorption, end-alveolar breath samples were collected for 8 h and assayed for hydrogen gas.

Depth of colorectal biopsies with proctoscopic forceps.

It has been suggested that a barium enema may safely follow a colorectal biopsy superficial to the muscularis propria within 24 hours, but that the colon radiograph should be postponed 3 to 7 days following a biopsy including this layer. The authors prospectively studied 67 colorectal biopsies obtained with the Wolf 3-mm (grasping) and 5-mm (cutting) proctoscopic forceps from 49 patients to determine the depth of the biopsies. The 5-mm biopsies were not significantly deeper than the 3-mm biopsies (p greater than 0.