No association between lymphoma and hepatitis C virus.

Several epidemiological studies have associated the presence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) with the development of B-cell malignant lymphoma. However, in areas where the prevalence of HCV is low, this association has not been demonstrated. The aim of this study was to established the prevalence of HCV in patients with B-cell malignant lymphoma. The study was performed in 416 patients with new, previously untreated B-cell malignant lymphoma (236 diffuse large cell [DLC], 97 follicular lymphoma, and 83 marginal B-cell zone malignant lymphoma) and 1902 cases (682 first-degree relatives, 832 healthy blood donors, and 408 patients with solid tumors); furthermore, 353 patients with chronic liver disease associated to HCV were the control groups. We found a prevalence of 0.48 positive HCV among malignant lymphoma, 0.12 for healthy blood donors, 0 in first-degree relatives, and 0.56 in patients with solid tumors, that were statistically significant. The odds ratio was 1.86 and its confidence interval included the equality. None of the patients with chronic liver disease and HCV developed malignant lymphoma in a median follow-up of 7.9 yr. We felt that the presence of HCV is not significant in the development of malignant lymphoma, and that reports of high prevalence were associated also to a high prevalence of HCV in the general population and this association will be considered hazardous.

Acute bilateral emphysematous pyelonephritis successfully managed by medical therapy alone: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Bilateral emphysematous pyelonephritis is a life threatening condition usually occurring in diabetics. Management of this condition has traditionally been aggressive and surgery is considered mandatory. However, this is itself a hazardous intervention in a septic, unstable patient with circulatory or liver failure. When bilateral disease is present, the need for long-term dialysis is obviously unavoidable. CASE PRESENTATION: We herein report one of the few cases of bilateral emphysematous pyelonephritis successfully managed by non-surgical treatment.

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis in mexican mestizo patients: a clinical, biochemical and HLA-Serological study

Background. Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) is characterized by episodes of neuromuscular weakness occurring in the context of hypokalemia and hyperthyroidism and has been predominantly described in Oriental populations. Whereas it is uncommon in Caucasians and Blacks, TPP does occur in individuals of Native American descent. The objective was to analyze the clinical, biochemical, and HLA characteristics of group of Mexican mestizo patients with TPP. Methods. The sample was comprised of 14 men with TPP diagnosed since january 1990, based on one or more episodes of flaccid paralysis, accompanied by hypokalemia and occurring in the context of clinical and biochemical hyperthyroidism. Eight were available HLA testing. Results. Hyperthyroidsm was diagnosed before the development of periodic paralysis in five of the patients, whereas in six it occurred afterward. The severity of paralysis did not correlate with the degree of either hypokalemia or hyperthyroidism. An increased frequency of HLA-DR3 was found in Graves' patients without paralysis but not in those with paralysis, as compared to the general population. Conclusions. TPP is more common than previously thoought in Mexicans, in whom it behaves as in other Native American groups. The lack of HLA-DR3 association in Graves' patients with TPP is interesting, but at the moment has no pathophysiological implications