ABSTRACT
Many patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection have also been infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). To understand better the epidemiology of HCV infection in the health care setting, HCV antibody testing was done for 125 health care workers who had experienced parenteral exposures to blood of HIV-infected patients and for 33 control health care workers without such exposures. Of the 158 health care workers studied, two (1.3%) had positive tests for HCV, both on the baseline serum sample obtained at parenteral exposure. For the 98 exposed, seronegative health care workers who were prospectively followed, no HCV seroconversions were observed over a time of 17.6 +/- 16.9 months. At least 64 of these 98 health care workers were exposed to blood of HIV-infected intravenous drug users, a group with an HCV seroprevalence rate in excess of 50% at our center in suburban New York City. We conclude that parenteral exposure to blood of HIV-infected patients in the health care setting is rarely associated with the development of hepatitis C infection.
Subject(s)
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/blood , Cross Infection/transmission , Hepacivirus/immunology , Hepatitis Antibodies/analysis , Hepatitis C/transmission , Occupational Diseases/etiology , Occupational Exposure/statistics & numerical data , Personnel, Hospital/statistics & numerical data , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/transmission , Female , Humans , Male , Prospective Studies , Risk FactorsSubject(s)
HIV Infections , Hepatitis C , Substance Abuse, Intravenous , Homosexuality , Humans , Male , New York City , Suburban PopulationSubject(s)
Pharynx , Suction/adverse effects , Uvula/injuries , Adolescent , Adult , Female , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
The effect on visual function of an optical filter which absorbs essentially all visible wavelengths below 550 nm has been studied in a group of patients with moderate stage cataracts. Using a Snellen-type visual acuity chart with a blue background and orange letters, under both glare and non-glare conditions, the visual acuity of these patients was determined. Improvement in acuity was more striking under glare conditions than under standard (non-glare) conditions; in the former case it reached levels as high as 300% in a few patients. The level of the improvement seemed to be related both to cataract type and stage of cataract progression.
Subject(s)
Cataract/complications , Eyeglasses , Vision Disorders/therapy , Humans , Vision Disorders/etiology , Vision Tests , Visual AcuityABSTRACT
Twenty-four hour ambulatory electrocardiography was performed on 28 patients with aortic stenosis without significant coronary artery disease or aortic regurgitation. Compared to a control group of subjects with normal hearts proven by noninvasive and invasive testing, patients with aortic stenosis had higher (p = 0.0001) frequency of premature ventricular contractions (PVC) (3144 +/- 1425 versus 17 +/- 46) per 24 hours and higher (p = 0.001) prevalence of PVC presence (27 of 28 patients versus 39 of 101 normal), and complexity (19 of 28 patients versus 4 of 101 normal). Weak correlations of complexity with left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (r = 0.30) and ejection fraction (r = -0.25) were noted. No correlation of ventricular ectopic activity with peak systolic gradient, aortic valve area, or peak left ventricular systolic pressure was noted. Repeat 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiography performed on 13 patients three months after successful aortic valve replacement did not show significant effect of aortic valve replacement on PVC frequency or complexity.
