Evaluation of a supplemental assay for the diagnosis of hepatitis C virus infections.

Objectives: A supplemental test was evaluated for hepatitis C virus (HCV).

Methods: One hundred forty-six sera that were inconclusive or discrepant in two screening tests for HCV infection were evaluated using a supplemental test, MATRIX-HCV2 (Abbott Laboratories, Chicago, IL, USA). Results of the supplemental test were compared to the detection of HCV RNA by a nested polymerase chain reaction after a step of reverse transcription (RT-PCR).

Seminal cytokine concentrations (IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-6, sR IL-2, sR IL-6), semen parameters and blood hormonal status in male infertility.

Several lines of evidence indicate that cyokines are involved in male fertility. They are secreted by different parts of the male genital tract and may exert effects on steroidogenesis, spermatogenesis and sperm functions. We measured the concentrations of interleukins (IL-beta, IL-2, IL-6) and those of interleukin soluble receptors (sR IL-2, SR IL-6) in semen of fertile subjects (n = 21) and of patients with a range of andrological diseases (n = 119).

[Cytokines in human semen. A new approach to male fertility].

Multifactorial regulation of testicular endocrine and exocrine functions depends on gonadotropin control and cross-talk between different types of cells. Evidence is accumulating that cell-cell interactions between Leydig, Sertoli and peritubular myoid cells involved in male reproductive function may implicate several factors such as cytokines which play an important role in untercellular communication and exert broad pleiomorphic activities. In reproductive pathophysiology, the role of certain cytokines has been under intense scrutiny since their expression and production by the different parts of the male genital tract appear to be at least partially hormone-dependent Cytokines also modulate hormone activity.

Hepatitis C after renal transplantation: histopathological correlations.

This study evaluates the correlations between liver histology, cytolysis, cryoglobulinaemia, co-infection with hepatitis B virus, and immunosuppressive treatment in renal transplant patients with HCV infection. Forty-five of 378 kidney recipients (January 1973-September 1993) had anti-HCV antibodies (prevalence = 11.9%) detected by second generation ELISA (Abbott Pasteur).