Detection and quantification of HBV and HCV in plasma samples by means of different molecular assays: Comparative study.

Introduction: Viral load is a very useful marker for monitoring patients infected with HBV and HCV. This work compares assays based on transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) and on real-time PCR (RT-PCR) to verify whether they can be interchangeable.

Material And Methods: A bicentric study, in which 147 plasma samples from patients infected with HBV and 229 with HCV were analyzed, was carried out.

Intracranial atherosclerotic plaque enhancement and long-term risk of future strokes: A prospective, longitudinal study.

Background And Purpose: The prognostic significance of postcontrast enhancement of intracranial atheromatous plaque is uncertain. Prospective, long-term follow-up studies in Caucasians, using a multicenter design, are lacking. We aimed to evaluate whether this radiological sign predicts long-term new stroke in symptomatic and asymptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) patients.

[Mycoplasma genitalium in Primary Care: Prevalence and azithromycin resistance in Santiago de Compostela Health Care Area].

Objective: Mycoplasma genitalium is associated with persistent/recurrent sexually transmitted infections. The aim of this work was to estimate the prevalence and azithromycin resistance of M. genitalium in general population that was attended at Primary Care of Santiago de Compostela Health Care Area.