Hepatitis C virus serotypes in haemodialysis patients in South-East Italy.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is highly prevalent in haemodialysis patients. To date, only a few studies involving a small number of subjects have characterized HCV-infected dialysis patients by serotyping. The spread of HCV serotypes in 114 HCV-positive dialysis patients from the same geographical area was evaluated by Murex HCV serotyping assay.

Hepatitis C virus-RNA, immunoglobulin M anti-HCV and risk factors in haemodialysis patients.

In order to evaluate hepatitis C virus-RNA (HCV-RNA), immunoglobulin M (IgM) anti-HCV and risk factors in haemodialysis patients, 180 subjects (45 HCV negative and 135 HCV positive) were studied. Sex, age, duration of dialysis, number of transfusions and ALT were also considered. HCV-RNA was determined by the Amplicor HCV test, and IgM anti-HCV by the Abbott HCV IgM EIA.

HCV third generation test in hemodialysis patients.

In order to evaluate the sensitivity of HCV test, Ortho Second and Third Generation HCV Elisa Tests were used in 315 sera collected from dialysis patients. The agreement between the two tests was 96.5%.

Plasma exchange in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Plasma exchange (PE) was performed in 8 of 14 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) PE was instituted as an additional therapy during active disease in patients who did not respond to conventional therapy. The best results were obtained in plasmapherized patients; in fact, immune complex serum levels disappeared rapidly, whereas anti-DNA antibodies decreased slowly. The changes observed indicate that PE may be beneficial, especially when it is associated with drugs that can block antibody rebound.