[The level of triglycerides, total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol in various stages of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection]. / Stezenia triglicerydów, cholesterolu calkowitego i cholesterolu HDL w róznych stadiach zakazenia ludzkim wirusem uposledzenia odpornosci (HIV).

In 63 HIV-infected individuals the levels of concentration plasma triglicerides, total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol were determined by the level of immunological deficiency defined according to the CD4 lymphocytes count. The analyzed markers of lipid disorder allow to draw the following conclusions: 1. Along with the increase of immunological deficiency and clinical development of the HIV infection the disorders, which are indicated by the increase in trigliceride levels and decreased plasma concentrations for HDL cholesterol, intensify as well. 2. HIV-infected persons, particularly those treated with protease inhibitors, should have carefully monitored lipid metabolism.

[Diversity in the clinical course of toxoplasma encephalitis in two patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)]. / Róznorodnosc przebiegu klinicznego zapalenia mózgu wywolanego Toxoplasma gondii u dwóch chorych zakazonych ludzkim wirusem uposledzenia odpornosci(HIV).

The central nervous system (CNS) is the most common site of Toxoplasma gondii infection in HIV-positive patients, mainly due to reactivation of Toxoplasma cysts. The diagnosis is difficult since no sensitive and specific non-invasive diagnostic tests exist. The patient may present with rather unspecific signs and symptoms. We present atypical course of CNS-toxoplasmosis in two HIV-positive persons.

[Candida humicola infection of the central nervous system in an HIV-infected patient: a case report]. / Infekcja Candida humicola osrodkowego ukladu nerwowego u pacjenta zakazonego ludzkim wirusem uposledzenia odpornosci (HIV)--opis przypadku.

HIV infection and parenteral drug abuse are at increased risk of developing Candida infection. Central nervous system (CNS) infection is an exceptional finding. We present fatal CNS infection by Candida humicola in drug abuser at late stage of HIV disease. In MEDLINE we have found only 3 reports about pathogenicity Candida humicola in humans (ophthalmopathy, conjunctivitis, melanonychia). Our case report suggests, that spectrum of pathogens dangerous to persons with AIDS increases.

[Prophylaxis after occupational exposure to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)]. / Profilaktyka po zawodowej ekspozycji na ludzki wirus uposledzenia odpornosci (HIV).

Reasons for seeking consultation among health care workers due to potential or supposed risk of HIV infection were analyzed. From August 1990 till July 1996 41 health care providers were consulted including: 22 nurses, 1 student of nursing college, 3 midwives, 4 laboratory workers and 7 physicians (surgeons and gynaecologist). Type of exposure to HIV and applying of safety precautions were evaluated in each case. In 10 cases the offer of postexposure prophylaxis with zidovudine was accepted (6 nurses, 1 student of nursing college, 3 surgeons). Exposure to HIV was described as: needlestick immediately after it was used in a HIV/AIDS patient, injury with a surgical needle while operating on an HIV infected blood. In the remaining cases the fear of HIV infection was due to work without protective gloves (nurses, laboratory workers), performing surgery on HIV (+) patient, (surgeons, nurses) or short-time contact of HIV infected blood with undamaged skin (nurses). Following conclusions can be drawn from our study: 1. Health care workers undertake safety precautions only when they are informed about HIV seropositivity of the patient. 2. Patients whose HIV serologic status is not known are considered not to create health risk for medical staff. 3. The level of knowledge of health care workers about risk of acquiring HIV infection, lack of risk and ways of diminishing the risk is poor. 4. None of followed health care workers was HIV-seropositive after occupational exposure to HIV.

[Multiorgan changes in AIDS in a reported case]. / Wielonarzadowe zmiany w AIDS na podstawie obserwowanego przypadku.

The clinical course of HIV infection and results of autopsy examination in 49 years old patient was shown. The attention was paid to difficulties of diagnosis of opportunistic infections in a patients with advanced HIV disease. Variety of infectious factors, that could affect a patient with significant immunodeficiency was outlined.

["Prognostic markers" in serum of active and passive intravenous drug users infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)]. / "Markery prognostyczne" w surowicy czynnychibiernychnarkomanów zakazonych ludzkim wirusem uposledzenia odpornosci (HIV).

The analyse of neopterin (NPT), beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-M) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) in active and passive intravenous drug users was made to show the influence of intravenous drug taking on the level of so called "prognostic markers" in the serum of HIV infected persons. The intravenous drug users remained in the same, symptom-free stage of infection. The level of NPT in active drug users was higher than in passive drug users (statistically essential difference). In both analysed groups the level of NPT considerably exceeded the norm range (10 nmol/l). The differences in beta 2-M concentrations between analysed groups were not statistically essential, although higher values were observed in active drug users. The concentration of IgA in analysed persons were within the norm range. Current life conditions of the HIV-infected persons should be taken into consideration when estimating prognostic values of analysed indices.

[Levels of neopterin in serum of narcotics abusers infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)]. / Stezenie neopteryny w surowicy krwi narkomanów zakazonych ludzkim wirusem uposledzenia odpornosci (HIV).

Concentration of neopterin (NPT) was measured in 3-6 months intervals in the serum of HIV-infected drug users taking continuously intravenous drugs and those who stopped the habit (MONAR, ZOZ). After 6-12 months of observation the mean NPT concentration was higher in the active drug users what was statistically essential. The outcome of our study indicates that current state of the patient concerning taking of drugs must be taken under consideration when NPT concentration is assessed as marker of progression of HIV disease.

[Incidence of so-called hepatic failure syndrome in relation to infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) in epidemiological and environmental studies of the rural population in the Suwalki and Bialystok regions 1978-1990]. / Dynamika wystepowania t.z.w. zespolu niedomogi watroby (ZNW) w relacji z zakazeniem wirusem hepatitis B (HBV) w badaniach epidemiologiczno-srodowiskowych populacji rolniczej regionu Suwalszczyzny i Bialostocczyzny w latach 1978-1990.

In years 1979-1991 has been analysed the selected health epidemiological indices is related with liver pathology and viral hepatitis B infections in rural population of Bialystok region. In 11,086 analysed persons of an agricultural sector the frequency of antigenemia HBs (0.25-2.5%) was higher that in control groups of urban populations (0.3-0.6%). In 12 years time period observation of chronic hepatopathy syndrome, demonstrated the increased tendency with parallel pathologic increased values of serum A1AT activity and with increased tendency of HBs antigenemia.

[Risk of development of hepatitis B virus infection among alcoholics]. / Zagrozenia populacji osób naduzywajacych alkoholu zakazeniem wirusem hepatitis B (HBV).

The frequency of incidence of positive serological markers of hepatitis B virus infection among a population of alcoholics in the region of Bialystok has been analysed. It was demonstrated that the highest frequency of detection of hepatitis B virus infection appears in a group of patients with post-alcoholic liver cirrhosis (60 percent). Acute virus hepatitis of the B type in alcoholics is characterised by a tendency towards retarded seroconversion of HBe antigen to HBe antibody with a subsequent development of chronic infection and liver cirrhosis.

[Histopathologic and biochemical evaluation of the effect of cortisone on the liver in experimental post-alcoholic liver damage in the rabbit]. / Histopathologische und biochemische Bewertung des Effekts von Kortison auf die Leber bei der experimentellen postalkoholischen Leberschädigung des Kaninchens.

Possible protective effects of cortisone in experimental post-alcohol liver damage were evaluated in relation to dose and duration of treatment. Model examinations were undertaken in 100 rabbits divided into groups of 10. No protective effect of cortisone could be demonstrated. Treatment did not alter biochemical indices of liver function. Histologic examination revealed somewhat less extensive fatty changes following chronic alcohol exposure in animals receiving 1 mg cortisone per kilogram body weight.

[Effect of alcohol on the development of biochemical and morphologic findings of liver damage in the rabbit]. / Experimentelle Untersuchungen über den Einfluss des Alkohols auf die Entwicklung der biochemischen und morphologischen Befunde einer Leberschädigung beim Kaninchen.

Ethanol 48% was applied to the experimental model in 3 examined groups of rabbits in different periods of administration and differentiated daily doses on order to investigate the influence of ethanol upon the formation of morphological and biochemical indices of the liver lesion. Biochemical investigations were carried out on 3 and 7 day of the experiment and repeated at week by intervalls. All the animals were dissected and morphological examinations of the liver were carried out. Total analysis of the results obtained of the biochemical and morphological examinations of the liver in 3 analysed groups of animals proved that the biochemical index of postalcoholic lesion of the liver was a rise in guanase activity, and not in activity aminotransferases. In the investigations of fat balance, however the increase of triglycerides and cholesterol was observed. Morphological examinations showed post-alcoholic lesions of the liver, especially intensified in animals under longlasting alcohol influence, but in reducted doses.

[Lipid values and immune parameters in the course of viral hepatitis in patients with alcohol abuse and without alcohol stress in anamnesis]. / Lipidwerte und Immunparameter im Verlauf der Virushepatitis bei Patienten mit Alkoholabusus und ohne Alkoholbelastung in der Anamnese.

The aim of the investigation was to estimate chosen parameters of fat balance and immunological reactivity in patients with virushepatitis and alcohol abuse (30 patients--I group), and without alcohol abuse in anamnesis (30 patients--II group). The investigations included the estimation of the presence of HBsAg in serum, the level of immunoglobulins IgG, IgA and IgM, the determination of T and B lymphocytes, the presence of organ-autoantibodies (SMA, ANA, AMA), the level of free fatty acids, triglycerides, full lipids, beta-lipoproteins and cholesterol in the blood serum. The rise in full lipids content in the blood serum, beta-lipoproteins, triglycerides, the increase of IgA level, the decrease of lymphocytes T percentage, more frequent confirmation of the presence of antimitochondrial autoantibodies were noted, especially in the group of patients with virushepatitis and alcohol abuse. Disturbances in fat balance remain in the convalescence period.

[Chronic alcoholism and infection with hepatitis B virus]. / Chronischer Alkoholismus und die Infektion mit dem Hepatitis-B-Virus.

The study Hepatitis-B-virus infection was performed in the population of chronic alcoholics (224 persons). Among this population the HBs-antigenemia was proved in 42%. The immunoglobulin dysproteinemia and coexistence of autoantibodies can indicate a symptomatic Hepatitis-B-virus infection.

Effect of cortisone on the behavior of serotonin, 5-hydroxy-indoloacetic acid and monoaminooxidase in the liver tissue, the blood and the urine in experimental rabbit liver injury with CCl4.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of cortisone on the behavior of serotonin metabolism indicators in experiments carried out in rabbits. The following parameters were determined: the level of serotonin (5-hydroxy-tryptamine), (5-HT) in liver tissue and blood, the activity of monoamino-oxidase (MAO) in liver tissue and serum, and the level of 5-hydroxy-indoloacetic acid (5-HIAA) in liver tissue and in 24-hour urine of 52 rabbits. The experimental model involved acute liver injury with carbon tetrachloride--CCl4 and the effect of exogenous cortisone on the behavior of the above-mentioned indicators. On the basis of the experimental findings the authors demonstrate a dependence of serotonin metabolism on the liver injury, and an absence of normalization of the estimated parameters after cortisone administration.

[Immunomodulating action of levamisol preparation in the treatment of trichinellosis (author's transl)]. / Immunmodulatorische Wirkung des Präparates Levamisol in der Behandlung der Trichinellose.

The effect of Levamisol administered to patients with trichinosis, the influence thereof on the behaviour of lymphocytes T and B in the peripheral blood as well as the clinical course of the disease were analysed. In the 4th week Levamisol was administered to the patients in doses of 150 mg/24 h for 3 days and the same dose was given for 7 days in the 2nd and 4th week of the disease. The control group included patients with trichinosis who had not been given any drugs to produce immunological processes. A slight decrease in the percentage of T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood was observed in patients who had received Levamisol, immediately after having begun treatment. An increase in the percentage of T lymphocytes was noted in the patients who were treated with the drug as early as in the 2nd week of the disease. In patients treated with Levamisol, subjective complaints were observed which, however, ceased soon afterwards. No side effects of the drug were found.