[Prevalence and significance of the HBe antigen and anti-HBe antibodies in HBsAg-positive children]. / Prévalence et signification de l'antigène HBe et de l'anticorps anti-HBe chez des enfants à HBs Ag positif.

The study covered 138 HBsAg-positive children having experienced viral hepatitis type B (VHB); 105 of the subjects could be followed up from the clinical, paraclinical and immunological points of view over an interval of about 30 months, the results being considered in terms of the presence or absence of HBeAg and/or anti-HBe. The percentage of chronicity was higher in HBeAg-positive children (16.2% versus 6.3% in HBe Ag negative subjects); like wise, contamination by familial contact was more frequent in the HBeAg-positive cases (28.6% versus 16% in HBeAg-negative children). The values of cytolysis tests (single determinations or kinetic study) were higher in the HBsAg positive children.

[Liquid medium for culturing Neisseria gonorrhoeae]. / Mediul lichid pentru cultivarea Neisseriei gonorrhoeae.

An original fluid medium, containing lactalbumin hydrolysate, developed for the cultivation of gonococci is described. The medium is cheap, readily prepared, efficient insuring appraisable multiplication of the microorganism, and can be stored for a long time. In the authors' experience subculture in fluid medium is preferable to other methods used for testing sensitivity to antibiotics.

Epidemiological investigations on viral hepatitis in preschool and school communities. Note III. Sources of infection for HBsAg carriers and former viral hepatitis patients.

HBsAg carriers and viral hepatitis B patients detected in preschool and school communities as well as members of their families were subjected to thorough epidemiological investigations. The source of infection was represented by the community in 33.3% of the preschool children and in 26.5% of the schoolchildren and by the family in 10% of the former and 29.4% of the latter.

Epidemiological investigations on viral hepatitis in preschool and school communities. Note II. Evaluation of the prophylactic efficiency of standard gammaglobulin administration.

At the beginning of the 1977--1978 schoolyear 10% standard gammaglobulin (0.03 ml/kg body weight) was administered to 974 preschool children and 530 schoolchildren. Representative groups of children were tested serologically and virologically before gammaglobulin administration and 3 months afterwards. No statistically significant reductions of viral hepatitis morbidity were recorded in the protected groups as against controls.

Epidemiological investigations on viral hepatitis in preschool and school communities. Note I. Prevalence and incidence of viral hepatitis and the role of the community in transmission.

A transversal and longitudinal epidemiological follow up was undertaken of the viral hepatitis cases occurring in two types of children communities (kindergartens and schools). The role of organized communities in the spread of hepatitis viruses and the contribution of external factors to the maintenance of hepatitis endemicity are discussed.