[Serum intercellular adhesion molecule ICAM-1 concentration in interferon alpha treated patients with chronic viral C hepatitis]. / Stezenie rozpuszczalnej formy czastki adhezyjnej ICAM-1 w surowicy chorych na przewlekle wirusowe zapalenie watroby typu C leczonych interferonem alpha.

Intercellular adhesion molecule is a protein regulating the inflammatory cells movement. An increase of ICAM-1 expression on hepatocytes and in serum has been observed in patients with chronic viral hepatitis. Interferon alpha treatment should lead to inflammatory response diminution and serum ICAM-1 concentration decrease. The aim of the study was the estimation of interferon alpha treatment influence on serum ICAM-1 concentration in patients with chronic viral C hepatitis. A group of 19 interferon alpha treated patients with chronic viral C hepatitis has been observed. ALT activity, the presence of HCV antibody and HCV-RNAas well as histological examination has been estimated in every patient. Patients have got 144 doses of interferon alpha in a schedule 5 MU three times a week. After three months of treatment control estimations have been conducted for initial evoluation of treatment efficacy. Differences in ALT activity have been observed between I and III trials. ICAM-1 serum concentration has decreased significantly from 1322 to 369 pg/ml, and differences in ICAM-1 serum concentration have been observed in all trials. Estimation of serum ICAM-1 concentration is an indirect parameter of attenuation of inflammatory reaction after interferon alpha treatment.

[Cases of ineffective anti-hepatitis B vaccination--own observations]. / Przypadki nieskutecznego szczepienia przeciw wirusowemu zapaleniu watroby typu B--obserwacje wlasne.

Between 1999-2001 there were 6 patients with acute hepatitis B, previously vaccinated according to the recommended schedule of anti-hepatitis B immunization for adults, hospitalized in the Department of Infectious Diseases (Bytom, Silesian University Medical School). The study presents epidemiological and clinical analysis of these cases. Special attention is paid to possibility of immune response failure in spite of anti-hepatitis B vaccination. It is emphasized, that efficiency of active hepatitis B prophylaxis should be verified by estimation of serum anti-HBs antibodies, especially in patients with planned surgery.