[Acute pericarditis as an organic manifestation of the acute infection Chlamydia pneumoniae].

The article presents the case of a 52-year-old patient who was treated in our clinic for very serious acute Chlamydia pericarditis (a Chlamydia pneumonia infection) with a large pericardial exudate. The clinical progression was that of an acute systematic illness. The article describes the differential diagnostic algorithm used during hospitalisation and the corresponding treatments provided.

[Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) more than alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels predict the progression of liver fibrosis in chronic HCV infection].

The development and severity of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic HCV infection can be evaluated best according to the staging of fibrosis in blind liver biopsy. So far there is however no biochemical indicator suggesting advanced fibrosis or progression of fibrosis in chronic HCV infection. In 1997 - 1999 60 adult out-patients (32 women) with chronic HCV infection were examined by blind liver biopsy.

[Hypothyroidism and heart failure].

Effects of thyroid gland hormones on cardiovascular system have been known for many years. Thyroid gland hormones deficiency is connected with a range of metabolic and hemodynamic changes which can contribute to a genesis of heart failure. Recent works refer to an importance of connection of thyroid gland hormones metabolism with heart insufficiency pathophysiology.

[Why is there a poor response to combined therapy with interferon alfa 2b and ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C?].

Background: Patients with chronic hepatitis C are now treated with a combination of interferon alpha (IFN) and ribavirin. Therapy was used in initial treatment, for those who were resistant to interferon and in relapsed patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate our results and to compare them with the already published data.