Study of ascitic fluid in relation to systemic and portal venous blood in hepatic cirrhosis.

Twenty uncomplicated cases of cirrhosis of liver, proved by liver biopsy, and free from other systemic diseases were studied. Glucose (pre- and postprandial) and electrolytes (Na+, K+, Cl-) values were compared to those of systemic and portal venous blood. Chloride level in ascitic fluid was found to be significantly high in cirrhosis, as compared to portal and systemic venous blood. Sodium and glucose levels were similar in ascitic fluid and portal venous blood except in two cases complicated with tuberculous peritonitis, where pre- and postprandial glucose levels were considerably low. In 55% cases, there was impaired glucose tolerance, as measured by pre- and postprandial glucose levels in systemic venous blood.

Studies on outbreak of viral hepatitis at Calcutta with special reference to serological investigations.

Sixty cases of acute viral hepatitis were studied from clinical, biochemical and in particular serological point of view. Majority of the patients had significant pre-icteric and icteric phase with moderate elevations of bilirubin, SGOT and SGPT and marginal elevations of serum alkaline phosphatase. Cholestatic features were observed only in 6.7% of cases. All subjects improved and there was no death in this series. Serological marker studies revealed hepatitis A in 8 (13.3%) cases and hepatitis B in 3 (5.0%) cases. Rest 49 cases were possibly due to non-A, non-B hepatitis. As there was no evidence of parenteral transmission, it was concluded that this epidemic was water borne from contaminated municipal water supply.