[HCV infection and risk of transfusion in the area of Tivoli and its surroundings]. / Infezione da HCV e rischi trasfusionali nel territorio di Tivoli e dintorni.

The positivity of the anti-HCV antibody has been studied by means of an immuno-enzymatic solid phase method, on 1.605 blood samples. They were drawn from 5 groups of people, during the period from February 1 to October 31, 1992: a) all blood donors who made the donation at the Transfusion Service of Tivoli Hospital during that period; b) all intravenous drug users who came to Tivoli Hospital for control; c) all patients in the Contagious Disease Section with suspected liver disease, always during the same period; d) all patients with suspected liver disease from other Sections of our Hospital; e) all out-patients who came to our Service during the same period to have their hepatitis markers studied. The highest prevalence of HCV Ab positivity was in the drug users, with a prevalence of 80.9%; far from this value, the next two groups were the patients from the Contagious Disease Section (positivity: 23.4%), and from the other hospital Sections (positivity: 20.1%). In the out-patient group only 9.7% were positive and among blood donors only 0.35%. In all 5 groups the HCV-positive subjects were in many cases positive for B hepatitis too; and very often they presented high levels of ALT. These results confirm that in some the percentage of positive-subjects for C hepatitis or for B & hepatitis; very high; therefore the authors underline the great importance to exclude all members of these groups from the donation of blood, its components, and organs too, even if the tests are negative.

beta Thalassemia associated with increased HB F production. Evidence for the existence of a heterocellular hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH) determinant linked to beta thalassemia in a southern Italian population.

A family has been observed in which a beta thalassemia determinant is inherited over three generations together with high Hb F level (8-12%) and increased number of fetal-hemoglobin-containing-cells (F-cells). The values of red cell indices and globin chain synthesis ratios, yet typical of beta thalassemia, were significantly shifted to the normal values when compared with those of typical beta thalassemia heterozygotes belonging to the same family group. The occurrence in these individuals of a heterocellular hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH) determinant and its linkage relationship with the beta thalassemia is discussed. In the third generation two adult individuals were beta thalassemia homozygotes having inherited a beta thalassemia determinant from one parent and a beta thalassemia together with the HPFH determinant from the other. They showed an extremely mild clinical condition, and 11-12 g/dl of mainly Hb F without having ever required blood transfusions. Virtually all the red cells were F-cells in both subjects. The importance of the coexistence of HPFH determinants capable of increasing the size of the F-cell population in patients affected by homozygous thalassemia is discussed, considering the sensible benefit which derives from enhanced Hb F production in this syndrome.