[Treatment and prevention of viral hepatitis].

Only HBV chronically infected patients with ongoing viral replication, high levels of ALT and histological aggressiveness are considered candidates for interferon therapy. The superiority of pegylated interferon over recombinant interferon is remarkable especially in "hard to treat" patients (cirrhosis). Lamivudine therapy is safe and effective in terms of HBV suppression, ALT normalization and improvemet in histology.

[Hepatitis virus infection among hemodialysis patients].

Aim, Patients And Methods: The high prevalence of anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies (anti-HCV) in hemodialyzed (HD) patients has been recognized since the early 1990s. Over the last decade, a significant decrease of anti-HCV prevalence among HD patients has been observed in many west European countries. In order to evaluate whether this trend is also present in Dialysis Center of Dubrava University Hospital, Zagreb, we tested HD patients for anti-HCV and HCV RNA in serum.

[Acute hepatitis C--an unresolved issue].

Introduction: The problem encountered on collecting a large number of cases of acute hepatitis C (AH-C) cases are the reduction in the incidence of new infections, clinically mild or completely asymptomatic disease, and absence of specific diagnostic tests to identify acute HCV infection and to distinguish it from acute exacerbation of chronic hepatitis C (CH-C).

Aim, Patients And Methods: The aim of this paper is to give an overview of 108 patients with AH-C hospitalized at Viral Hepatitis Unit, University Hospital of Infectious Diseases, during a 13-years period. Anti-HCV testing was started in 1990 and detection of HCV-RNA by PCR method in 1995.

[Hepatitis E in tourists to India].

Hepatitis E (HE) is a serious problem in developing countries worldwide, affecting in epidemics or as sporadic cases millions of people. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the main cause of enterically transmitted acute viral hepatitis, especially in tropic and subtropic areas. We presented two patients, our citizens who traveled to India, and contracted HE.

HCV genotypes in patients with chronic hepatitis C in Croatia.

The determination of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype is an important epidemiological parameter in patients with chronic hepatitis C, while its clinical significance is still a matter of debate. The HCV genotypes in a group of 203 Croatian patients with chronic hepatitis C were examined. Genotypes were correlated to different risk factors, age, duration of the disease, liver histology activity and level of viremia.

[-Immunization of hospital personnel at the Sestre Milosrdnice Hospital against viral hepatitis B].

The results of vaccination against hepatitis B among health-care workers in "Sestre Milosrdnice" University Hospital are presented. Out of 1884 health-care workers 920 (48.8%) were tested for serum HbsAg, as well as anti-HBs and anti-HBc antibodies.

Vaccination against hepatitis B: results of the analysis of 2000 population members in Croatia.

The results of the analysis of vaccination against hepatitis B performed in 2,000 persons of high-risk groups in Croatia are described. All susceptible non-immunocompromised persons (HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HBc negative) received either plasma-derived vaccine (HB-Vax MSD, 20 micrograms per dose) or recombinant HB vaccine (ENGERIX-B, SKB, 20 micrograms per dose) according to a 0.1 and 6-month schedule.

[Prevention of hepatitis B virus infection in individuals at high risk in the Cakovec Medical Center].

The results of hepatitis B vaccination (H-B-VAX, 1 ml = 20 micrograms HBsAg, scheme 0, 1, 6) in nine susceptible health care workers of hemodialysis unit are described. Seroconversion was achieved in 100% of recipients. The mean titer of anti-HBs was 11,691 mIU/ml at three years, 5,879 mIU/ml at four years and 2,770 mIU/ml at five years after the beginning of vaccination.

Prevention of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in health-care workers after accidental exposure: a comparison of two prophylactic schedules.

The efficacy of hepatitis B (HB) vaccine alone or combined with hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIg) in preventing hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection was studied in a controlled trial. Recombinant HB vaccine (Engerix-B, 20 micrograms) was given to 40 susceptible health-care workers within three days of exposure (Group B). In another group of 37 medical professionals a single dose of HBIg (0.

[Results of vaccination with the hepatitis B vaccine in patients and personnel at the Hemodialysis Center in Karlovac].

Hepatitis B remains a significant risk to patients and staff members of hemodialysis unit. Prior to immunization, 38 hemodialysis patients and 24 staff members were screened for HBs antigen, HBc antibodies and HBs antibodies using ELISA method (Abbott). Of 18 (47%) patients, five were chronic carriers of HBsAg and 13 had anti-HBs and anti-HBc while anti-HBs and anti-HBc were found in four (17%) members of medical staff.

[Hepatitis A--results of the analysis of 3,111 hospitalized patients].

The results of the analysis of 3.111 patients admitted to the hospital with hepatitis A (HA) were reported. The serodiagnosis of acute type A hepatitis was confirmed by presence of IgM antibody to hepatitis A virus (IgM anti-HAV) detected by solid-phase radioimmunoassay (RIA HAVAB-M, Abbott).

Prevention of hepatitis B infection in health care workers after accidental exposure.

The efficacy of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIg) alone or combined with hepatitis B (HB) vaccine in preventing hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection after accidental exposure to blood of HBV carriers was studied in a controlled trial. HBIg (0.06 ml/kg) was administered intramuscularly within 3 days after exposure to 56 recipients.