Serological evidence of Rickettsia and Coxiella burnetii in humans of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

In Buenos Aires city (Argentina), the circulation of these agents has been detected mainly in vectors and animals, few human cases having been described. The aim of our study was to determine the seroprevalence of Rickettsia (spotted fever--SFG--and typhus--TG--groups) and Coxiella burnetii (Q fever agent) in residents of Buenos Aires city. The study involved 99 participants.

Total serum bile acids in renal transplanted patients receiving cyclosporine A.

Background: A direct relationship between serum bile acids (SBA) and hepatic and hepatobiliary dysfunction has been demonstrated. However, there is little evidence that SBA are related to renal insufficiency. In a previous study, we showed that hemodialysis patients with advanced chronic renal failure (ACRF) have an increase of SBA in predialysis and a decrease in postdialysis.

Serum bile acids and pruritus in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Chronic renal failure (CRF) patients usually suffer from pruritus. The pathophysiology of pruritus is still incompletely understood.

Subjects, Materials And Methods: In this paper we determined serum total bile acids (STBA) in hemodialysis patients with advanced CRF (ACRF) in order to obtain STBA concentration in predialysis, to assess their probable relation among patients with pruritus and in postdialysis using a polysulfone membrane for dialysis.

Fecal bile acid excretion profile in gallstone patients.

Epidemiological studies have shown a positive association between cholesterol gallstones and colonic cancer. These two diseases may be somehow related with bile acids metabolic alterations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the profiles of fecal bile acid in gallstone patients, in order to estimate the quality and amount of fecal bile acids.

[Acquired sideroblastic anemia and cholestasis in a hyperthyroid patient treated with methimazole and atenolol].

The authors describe a 62 year-old white male who was diagnosed as autoimmune hyperthyroidism and treated with methimazole and atenolol. Ten days later he showed itching, jaundice and choluria. All drugs were discontinued.

Morphologic changes in livers of hamsters treated with high doses of ursodeoxycholic acid: correlation with bile acids in bile.

The effects of high doses of ursodeoxycholic acid on bile acid composition and the liver morphology was examined in 60 male Syrian golden hamsters. The animals were allocated to five groups: I, control; II and IV received 0.5 g and 1 g of ursodeoxycholic acid per 100 g of standard diet respectively over 30 days and III and V received 0.

Effect of ursodeoxycholic acid administration on bile acid composition in hamster bile.

The modification in the composition of bile acids in hamster by the administration of high dose of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) was investigated. Male Golden Syrian hamsters were divided into five groups: a control group, two groups that received 0.5 g of UDCA per 100 g of standard diet during 30 and 60 days and another two groups that received 1 g of UDCA per 100 g of standard diet during 30 and 60 days.

Relative risk of colorectal cancer after cholecystectomy. A multicentre case-control study.

The relative risk of developing colorectal cancer after cholecystectomy was assessed retrospectively in 493 patients with colorectal cancer (239 women, 254 men). The results were compared with a control group of patients matched for sex and age. The overall relative risk was 0.