Primary resistance of Helicobacter pylori is still low in Southern Austria.

Objectives: We determined primary and secondary resistance rates of H. pylori in different regions of Austria and potential bacterial and host factors associated with resistance.

Methods: In a prospective multicentre study H.

Familial Mediterranean fever without fever as a cause of monoarthritis.

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive hereditary disease. FMF-related arthritis affects large joints, especially in the lower extremities. It starts with acute pain and swelling and affects one joint at a time.

Occurrence of relapsing polychondritis with a rising cANCA titre in a cANCA-positive systemic and cerebral vasculitis patient.

Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a relatively rare disorder, with a high death rate that affects cartilaginous structures. RP can be either primary or secondary as part of autoimmune syndromes. We present a case of RP in a 49-year-old man suffering from cytoplasmic antineurophil cytoplasmic antibodies (cANCA) positive vasculitis, admitted to our hospital with red swollen left ear and painful sternoclavicular joint and larynx.

[Increased occurrence of autoimmune thyroiditis in patients with chronic rheumatoid arthritis].

The frequent occurrence of both rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune thyroiditis was already investigated with in part many conflicting results. We investigated a number of 792 patients (383 of them suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and 409 with osteoarthritis). In all patients antithyroid peroxidase and antithyroglobulin antibodies were determined.

[Effect of aceclofenac on thyroid hormone binding and thyroid function].

Influences of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) on concentrations of thyroid hormones are known for a long time. These effects could be explained with interference between NSAIDs and thyroid hormone binding. We investigated the effects of a single dose of aceclofenac on thyroid function and thyroid hormone binding in 18 healthy volunteers.

[Measurement of free triiodothyronine (FT3) using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay in patients with autoantibodies to triiodothyronine].

Thyroid hormone autoantibodies may lead to abnormal values of free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4) by interference with the radio immunoassay (RIA). We examined thyroid function in six patients with known triiodothyronine-binding autoantibodies using a RIA and an electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA). FT3 values measured by RIA were spuriously high, ECLIA measurement of FT3 led to correct values according to the patients' thyroid status.

[Seasonal variations in the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism].

Seasonal variations in the frequency of thyrotoxicosis are known for a long time. Both, variations in the temperature and in the iodine supplementation are believed to affect the incidence of the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism. Seasonal variation of the incidence of hyperthyroidism was investigated before and after increase of salt iodination in 1990/1991.

[Point mutation of thyrotropin receptors as the main cause of autonomously functioning thyroid nodules: experiences in the framework of our Styrian patients].

Autonomously functioning thyroid nodules are frequently associated with mutations of the thyrotropin receptor. We analyzed a part of exon 10 of the thyrotropin receptor gene (base pairs 1762-1976) by direct sequencing and found missense mutations in 5 of 14 cases (codons 629, 631, 632, 633). Histologically, 3 of the 14 nodules were adenomas whereas 11 were hyperplasias.

Thyrotropin and thyroglobulin as an index of optimal iodine intake: correlation with iodine excretion of 39,913 euthyroid patients.

The recommendations for the dietary allowance of iodine are 150 micrograms per day for adolescents and adults. Thyrotropin (TSH) and thyroglobulin (Tg) can be used as surveillance indicators for assessing iodine deficiency disorders. We compared the relation between TSH and Tg, free triiodothyronine, and thyroxine serum levels with urinary iodine excretion in 2311 untreated euthyroid patients using our modified cericarsenite method.

[Point mutations of the thyrotropin receptor gene in autonomously functioning thyroid gland nodules: correlation with clinical findings and morphology].

Seventeen autonomously functioning thyroid nodules (AFTN) were analyzed for the most frequent mutations of the thyrotropin (TSH) receptor gene at codons 619, 631, 632 and 633. DNA was extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples from both nodules and surrounding tissue after micro- or macrodissection. A fragment of the TSH receptor gene (bp 1762-1976) encoding the third cytoplasmic loop and the sixth transmembranous domain was amplified by PCR.

[Iodine and thyroid hormone metabolism in pregnancy].

The influence of pregnancy on thyroid function as well as important interactions of pregnancy and thyroid disorders are of high clinical importance. During the last decade knowledge of these issues greatly influenced clinical aspects and basic science. Because of the increasing frequency of thyroid disorders during pregnancy, knowledge of these issues is important in order to diagnose, treat and manage all patients exposed to these problems.

[TSH receptor double mutation in functional autonomic thyroid nodule].

TSH receptor stimulating antibodies (TSAb) are well known in the pathogenesis of Graves' disease. Recently mutations in the DNA coding for the TSH-receptor (TSHR) have been revealed in autonomously functioning thyroid nodules (AFTN). In this study we looked for mutations in 9 patients with AFTN.

Postpartum thyroiditis and familial dysalbuminemic hyperthyroxinemia.

Familial dysalbuminemic hyperthyroxinemia (FDH) is a syndrome associated with euthyroidism and increased binding of T4 to serum albumin. The combined occurrence of FDH and postpartum hyperthyroidism due to Graves' disease has only been reported in one patient. We now describe the first case of FDH and thyrotoxicosis due to postpartum silent thyroiditis.