1/5. Intrafamilial hepatitis A outbreak: projection on the community in an area of Tuscany.In 1988, 3 intrafamilial cases of hepatitis A occurred in a little town in the nearby of Siena: shellfishes were probably responsible for the index case, close contacts for the two secondary cases, characterized by a very long incubation period (above 60 days). An inapparent infection was detected in one household contact. No other cases of hepatitis A have been observed in that area since the intrafamilial outbreak until now. A seroepidemiological survey was carried out in a group of persons living in the same area, and attending the same school or class-room of one of the secondary intrafamilial cases. 210 sera belonging to 105 teenagers were available; an IgG anti A test was performed on a double serum sample (before and after the outbreak): no seroconversion was observed. Our report underlines the hypoendemicity of hepatitis A infection in our country.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = sample (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/5. Recovery of hepatitis a virus from a water supply responsible for a common source outbreak of hepatitis A.An outbreak of hepatitis A occurred in a north georgia trailer park served by a private well. Of 18 residents who were serosusceptible to hepatitis a virus (HAV), 16 (89%) developed hepatitis A. Well water samples were collected 3 months after illness onset in the index case and 28 days after illness onset in the last trailer park resident. hepatitis a virus antigen (HAVAg) was detected in the samples by enzyme immunoassay from three of the five cell lines following two 30-day passages and from a fourth cell line following a third passage of 21 days.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = sample (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/5. Immune response in fulminant viral hepatitis, type B.Serial serum samples from the time of exposure until fatal outcome in 3 patients with fulminant viral hepatitis, type B, were examined for the presence of the antigens associated with hepatitis, type B, and their corresponding antibodies. The titers of hepatitis b surface antigen (HBsAg) were found to decrease by greater than 50% before death. Antibody to surface antigen (anti-HBs) was not detectable in any sample. Patterns of antibody to core antigen (anti-HBc)), HBsAg subtype "e" antigen, and anti- "e" were unremarkable, and could not be distinguished from those that might occur in many self-limited cases of hepatitis, type B. A rise in alpha-fetoprotein before demise suggests that late but inadequate liver regeneration occurred in these patients.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = sample (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/5. Posttransfusion hepatitis type A.hepatitis a virus (HAV) transmission through blood is a rare but potential cause of posttransfusion hepatitis. We can now document such a case supported by laboratory evidence of HAV in the donor blood. A 10-year-old girl manifested icteric hepatitis A 31 days after receiving a single unit of packed RBCs from a donor who subsequently experienced hepatitis A and died in hepatic failure. hepatitis a virus antigen was detected in the donor's hepatocytes and in plasma obtained from the original donor unit. The density in cesium chloride of the HAV antigenic activity from the liver and plasma ranged from 1.33 to 1.37 g/cu cm, which is similar to that reported for infectious HAV particles. The implicated donor plasma had normal aminotransferase levels and was negative for antibody to HAV. Inoculation of this plasma into a chimpanzee resulted in the development of hepatitis A 23 days later based on the appearance of fecal HAV antigen, hepatitis, and IgM anti-HAV seroconversion. These data clearly document the presence of HAV in the donor sample that produced posttransfusion hepatitis A.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = sample (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/5. pregnancy in hepatitis b antigen positive cirrhosis.Two pregnant women with chronic active viral hepatitis (HBs Ag ) and cirrhosis are described. In the first patient, maternal death occurred postpartum due to bleeding esophageal varices and liver and renal failure. Postmortem examination revealed advanced nodular cirrhosis and thrombosis of the splenic and portal veins. The infant was premature but did well and did not become infected despite the detection of HBsAg in the cord blood. Nine members of the patient's immediate family were tested; the blood of one sibling of the patient was found to be HBsAg and samples from 5 other members were found to be anti-HBs . In the second patient, death due to liver failure occurred in the seventh month of pregnancy and postmortem examination revealed advanced nodular cirrhosis. Examination of multiple fluids from the mother and fetus were negative for HBsAg. In contrast to the apparent lack of effect of pregnancy on cirrhosis of the liver in general, the possibility of an adverse effect in this particular type(HBs Ag ) should be considered.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = sample (Clic here for more details about this article) |