[Elastic band ligation in secondary prevention of esophageal varices hemorrhage].

Background: Sclerotization of esophageal varices may result in serious esophageal destruction. Elastic band ligation of esophageal varices is recently used in similar indications.

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate in a pilot study the efficacy and safety of elastic band ligation for secondary prevention of bleeding from esophageal varices in patients who experienced life-threatening and were not yet treated with elastic band ligation.

[Antibiotic therapy of infections in patients on dialysis].

The results obtained in treating infections in 53 patients involved in a chronic dialysis-transplantation program are reported. Higher susceptibility to infections and reduced immune functions were observed in dialyzed patients. The problem of the occurrence rate of individual infections was analyzed and infections of the respiratory system, particularly bronchopneumonia, were found to be predominant.

[Ultrasonography of echinococcosis, toxocariasis and cysticercosis of the liver].

The diagnosis of tissue parasitoses has remained complicated until the present time for variability of clinical picture. Their incidence been increasing due to aimed and accidental findings of foci in parenchymal organs employing new methods of visualization such as computer tomography and especially ultrasonography whose advantage is a good detection rate, availability and a possibility to follow the dynamics of parasitosis development. The authors present a survey of ultra-sonographic findings of the liver in cases of tissue parasitoses occurring in Czechoslovakia, while using their own image documentation.

[Acute renal insufficiency after the administration of tetracycline and gentamycin].

The clinical course of eight case reports of patients with acute renal failure after administration of nephrotoxic antibiotics--specially of tetracycline and gentamycin--is demonstrated. All patients were suffering on preexisting nephropathy, many of them in stage of chronic renal failure according to various etiopathogenesis. As concomitant factor inducing acute renal failure together with antibiotics are: elderly, hepatopathy, surgical interventions, administration of other nephrotoxic drugs.

[Elevated indicators of liver metabolism in patients with giardiasis].

The authors present an account on 60 patients where, based on the clinical picture, parasitological examination and laboratory parameters, the diagnosis of giardiasis was established. Among these patients a rise of one or several indicators of liver metabolism was found in 31%. The authors discuss whether the above conditions can be considered hepatitis within the framework of the basic parasitic disease.