State of the iron metabolism in patients with chronic hepatitis C type C does not influence antiviral treatment with interferon and ribavirin.

Background/aims: Comparison of the iron status in patients who responded and did not respond to combination treatment with interferon alpha and ribavirin in chronic hepatitis C.

Methodology: The study group comprised of 61 patients with chronic hepatitis C (genotype 1) treated with alpha 2b interferon and ribavirin. The iron metabolism was evaluated based on serum iron level, total iron binding capacity, transferrin saturation, serum ferritin concentration and hepatic iron concentration.

Genospecies of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in patients with erythema migrans.

Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) complex, the etiological factor of Lyme disease, includes over a dozen species of bacteria and 3 pathogenic within it.

[Efficacy of combination therapy with interferon-alpha and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C in relation to liver fibrosis and serum aminotransferase activity].

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of interferon alpha (IFNalpha)-2b in combination with oral ribavirin for treatment of chronic hepatitis C in relation to age, sex, liver enzymes activity as well as to grading and staging of liver disease in histologic examination. There were 154 adult patients assigned for the retrospective analysis including 69 females and 85 males of 16 to 70 years of age (mean age 43.3 +/- 12 years) treated with IFNalpha and ribavirin for 24 or 48 weeks.

[Relationship of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) to body weight, age and sex in blood donors population].

The activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is the most popular parameter in hepatology. Increase of ALT usually suggests the damage of hepatocytes. The aim of the study was to assess the range of value of serum alanine aminotransferase in healthy population and to assess the relationship between ALT level and body mass index (BMI), age and gender.

[Hepatitis B virus vaccination among Polish surgeons from the county of Western Pomerania].

Unlabelled: Orthopaedic surgeons are at risk of acquiring hepatitis B virus, so preventive measures, including the vaccination, are important.

Objective: To determine surgeons" prevention through vaccination against hepatitis B and to access the frequency of "sharps" injuries during surgery.

Methods: An anonymous questionnaire prepared by A.

Parasitic cysts of the liver - practical approach to diagnosis and differentiation.

Background: The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of parasitic liver cysts.

Material And Methods: In 1996-2000 at the Department of Infectious Diseases parasitic liver cysts were diagnosed in 31 patients. The diagnosis was based on imaging examinations (ultrasound, computerised tomography), serological reactions (ELISA, IHA) and histopathological investigation of the specimens obtained through fine-needle aspiration biopsy.