[Instrument applications of three new Bio-Rad kits for HIV, HCV, HBSAG screening: Combo Genscreen Plus HIV 1/2 AG-AB, Monolisa anti HCV Plus V2, Monolisa HBSAG Plus, with the fully authomatic system Plato 3300].

One of the most common technical problems of the virological laboratories is the tests applications on the open microplates systems. Immunoenzymatic methods can present difficulties in terms of results when are apply on several instruments. We have evaluated three different new virological kits from Bio-Rad: Genscreen Plus HIV 1/2 AG-AB, Monolisa anti HCV Plus V.

Prevention of hepatitis B virus recurrence after liver transplantation in cirrhotic patients treated with lamivudine and passive immunoprophylaxis.

Background/aims: Treatment with hepatitis B virus immune globulins (HBIG) or lamivudine has reduced the rate of hepatitis B recurrence after liver transplantation to approximately 50%.

Methods: To further decrease hepatitis B recurrence, 33 hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related cirrhotic patients were treated with lamivudine before liver transplantation and with lamivudine together with low-dose HBIG (46 500 IU the first month followed by 5,000 lU/monthly) after surgery.

Results: While on lamivudine, serum HBV DNA level decreased significantly in all patients and in 11 (33%) the Child-Pugh score improved.

Recurrence of hepatitis B in liver transplants treated with antiviral therapy.

Background And Aims: In patients with terminal Hepatitis B Virus-related liver diseases, liver transplantation carries a consistent risk of Hepatitis B Virus recrudescence in the graft. In the attempt to reduce the reinfection rate with antiviral therapy, we studied a total of 16 viraemic patients.

Patients And Methods: Twelve patients received Ganciclovir, starting 4-67 days (mean 25 days) before transplantation and prolonged for 10 days after transplantation; four patients were treated with Lactosaminated Arabinoside-Monophosphate 6 hours before surgery and prolonged for 28 days after surgery.

Fluctuations in viremia, aminotransferases and IgM antibody to hepatitis B core antigen in chronic hepatitis B patients with disease exacerbations.

We studied the relationships between the serum levels of viremia, aminotransferases and IgM anti-HBc, measured by monthly quantitative assays, in 52 untreated chronic hepatitis B patients (41 anti-HBe+, 11 HBeAg+) followed up for 12-20 months. Forty hepatitis exacerbations were observed in 17/41 anti-HBe+ (41.5%) and in 6/11 HBeAg+ patients (54.