[3-years' study of family contacts of HBsAg+ individuals]. / Tríleté zkusenosti s vysetrováním rodinných kontaktu HBsAg+ osob.

BACKGROUND: About 50,000 HbsAg carriers exist in Czech Republic. The most endangered group is the family members and sex partners. On the basis of positive HbsAg laboratory findings we decided to offer laboratory examination of post-infectious hepatic markers and to sero-negative also the vaccination against viral hepatitis B. METHODS AND RESULTS: The group of HbsAg carriers included 453 persons (253 males and 200 females), average age 42.3 years, within the range of 0 to 89 years. When samples were taken, 55.4% of examined persons were classified as "Healthy carrier". To offer of free examination and vaccination 410 family contacts responded. Postinfectious markers (HbsAg, antiHbsAg) were identified in 19.0% of examined persons, 78.3% of sensitive ones were vaccinated. When financial costs were evaluated, it is possible to conclude that examination and vaccination of contacts of HbsAg positive persons in the whole Czech Republic using the same method and similar collaboration may require 58.5 millions Kc. When laboratory tests were omitted, the costs may be reduced to 59.4%. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of presented data authors deduce that the legislation of Czech Republic should be quickly changed to include the precept of free vaccination of family contacts of HbsAg positive persons. In accordance with it, rational method of depistage of those persons and information transfer should be developed. Considering long-term consequences of the viral B hepatitis, unreplaceable role in the prevention and diagnostics of the infection have general practitioners.

[Incidence of tick-borne encephalitis in the West Bohemia Region 1960-1999--evaluation of vaccination]. / Výskyt klíst'ové encefalitidy v Západoceském kraji v letech 1960-1999--zhodnocení vakcinace.

In 1960-1999 in the West Bohemian region 1216 cases of tick-borne encephalitis were recorded, four were fatal. Since 1992 there was a marked increase in the number of these infections--in 1992-1999 the relative morbidity was 6.7 per 100,000 population per year, the highest specific morbidity shifted to the age group of 55-64 years. In the whole region changes occurred as to the probable transmission of infection. By the end of 1999 in western Bohemia the hygiene service immunized, by at least three doses against tick-borne encephalitis 23,225 subjects, i.e. 2.7% of the population. The negligible vaccination rate did not have so far an impact on the epidemiological characteristics of the infection. In view of the more frequent and clinically more severe affection in elderly subjects it is important to raise the vaccination rate in particular in more advanced age groups.

[Incidence of Lyme borreliosis in the West Bohemian Region (1988-1992)]. / Výskyt lymské boreliózy v Západoceském kraji (1988-1992).

During 1988-1992 the hygiene service of the West Bohemian region received 1,954 notifications of Lyme borreliosis (LB), incl. 48.5% confirmed by serological examination. Among the affected systems the skin, joints and the nervous system predominated. The most frequently reported vector were ticks which alone accounted for 57.8%. Contrastly to tick-borne encephalitis, the disease was detected in all districts of the region and in all age groups. The highest morbidity was recorded in women in the age bracket of 45-64 years.

T and B lymphocytes in malignant melanoma patients.

The method of formation of spontaneous (E) and immune (EAC) rosettes and the test of lymphocyte survival in short-term cultures with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) have been used as parameters of cellular immunocompetence in 64 patients with malignant melanoma and 33 control donors. Significant changes have been found in the number of T lymphocytes whose values corresponded to the clinical stage as well as to the clinical postoperational course in the patients. A decreased number of T lymphocytes was a sign of progression of the disease, while a normal value indicated remission. Lowered ratios of T lymphocytes were followed by an increased proportion of both the B lymphocytes and the null, nonrosetting cell elements. The results in patients with malignant melanoma permit the relevant parameters to be considered as an effective in vitro correlate of cellular immunity of these patients.

Change in the proportion of T and B lymphocytes in human malignant neoplasia in relation to the clinical stage.

Formation of spontaneous (E--erythrocyte) and immune (EAC--erythrocyte, antibody, complement) rosettes of sheep red blood cells (SRBC) with peripheral blood T and B lymphocytes, respectively, was used for quantitative assessment of these lymphocytes populations in tumor patients and control subjects. Relative counts of T and B lymphocytes have been correlated with lymphocyte survival in short-term cultures using standard subtoxic doses of phytohemagglutinin (PHA). The mean values and SE in normal control subjects for E rosettes (T lymphocytes) were 72.8 +/- 1.2%, for EAC rosettes (B lymphocytes) 23.8 +/- 2.5% of lymphocyte population. The survival of lymphocytes in short-term cultures with PHA in control subjects was 55.3 +/- 1.1%. In tumor patients the counts of E, EAC rosettes and percentage of lymphocyte survival in short-term PHA cultures were dependent upon the clinical stage. In patients with localized tumors the values were similar to controls. In patients where dissemination of the tumorous process could be ascertained a decrease of T lymphocyte counts, an increase of B lymphocyte counts and a higher survival of peripheral blood lymphocytes in short-term cultures with PHA was found.

Occurrence of paraproteins in melanoblastoma.

Besides paraproteins in melanoblastoma, the study also follows the quantitative values of immunoglobulins during the course of the disease. According to the immunoglobulin values, the patients may be divided into two groups: those with a striking decline of IgG and a simultaneous generalization of the process; those without any significant alteration in the immunoglobulin values, but with paraproteins. The presence of the latter, particularly of gM became reflected in a stagnation of the entire process. Immunological results of sera from patients surviving 5 years, bear out this finding.