[CAA 19-9 and carcinoembryonic antigen in gallbladder cancer].

The aim of this work was to assess the diagnostic yield of serum tumoral markers, Ca 19-9 and carcinoembryonic antigen, in patients with gallbladder cancer. We studied 54 patients of whom 33 had gallbladder cancer and in 21 the tumor was removed previously and were presently free of disease. Twenty one patients with cholelithiasis were used as controls.

[Evaluation of prostatic specific antigen after a digital rectal examination: experience with 36 patients].

Levels of prostatic specific antigen may be modified with procedures over the prostatic gland. We measured this antigen in 36 hospitalized patients before and immediately after a digital rectal examination. Antigen levels were 8.

Quantitation of soluble HLA class I heterodimers and beta 2-microglobulin in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis.

Beta 2m serum levels have been shown to be increased in patients with tuberculosis and HIV infection. We determined the stability of beta 2m and of sHLA-I dimers in serum, and then determined the levels of both molecules in 60 non-HIV-infected patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis and in 55 adult controls. The levels of sHLA-I in samples kept at room temperature declined by 8% at 30 minutes, 16% at 60 minutes, and 36% at 120 minutes.

[Prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies in chronic hemodialysis and kidney transplantation patients].

Hepatitis C virus antibodies were measured in 26 chronic hemodialyzed patients and 43 kidney transplant recipients, using a second generation ELISA method. Fifty four percent of hemodialyzed had a longer duration of dialysis treatment compared with patients with negative antibodies (57.6 +/- 30.