A cross-sectional study on the association between Helicobacter pylori infection and headache.

Background: The relationship between chronic Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection and headache has been discussed for long; nevertheless, the results of the studies are still contrasting.

Objective: This cross-sectional study is aimed to investigate a possible association between HP and headache, mainly migraine.

Methods: We screened, by a self-administered questionnaire, the subjects undergoing a breath test or an esophagogastroduodenoscopy.

Long-term follow-up of previous hepatitis C virus positive nonresponders to interferon monotherapy successfully retreated with combination therapy: are they really cured?

Objectives: To evaluate whether in chronic hepatitis C-positive patients who failed to respond to interferon (IFN) monotherapy a sustained response obtained with retreatment using the combination therapy of IFN + ribavirin can be safely considered to reflect eradication of the infection.

Methods: Prospective follow-up of a cohort of 97 patients who responded to retreatment with different regimens of IFN + ribavirin after failing to respond to a first IFN monotherapy course. The patients were followed throughout 7 yr of follow-up with determinations of HCV viremia every 6 months.

A very rare association of three mutations of the HFE gene for hemochromatosis.

In the present paper, we describe a patient who is a compound heterozygote for three mutations in the HFE gene: C282Y, H63D, and E168Q. The patient's mother carries two copies of H63D and one copy of E168Q; the patient's father is heterozygous for C282Y. The family study indicates that the patient, as well as his sister, a maternal uncle, and a first cousin, all have inherited a single HFE allele that contains two mutations H63D and E168Q.