[Results of detection of hepatitis C virus antibodies (anti-HCV) in blood donors and selected patients]. / Výsledky vysetrenia protilátok proti virusu hepatidy C (anti-HCV) u dárcov krvi a vybraných chorých.

The authors examined 509 donors for potential carriership of the virus of hepatitis C (HCV), using kits for the detection of anti-HCV. Concurrently they examined also 110 hameatological patients who had a major transfusion of blood, plasma and its derivatives. They found that in the so-called healthy population anti-HCV is present in 0.39%. In haematological patients, i.e. patients with frequent haemotherapy they detected 29 positive cases, i.e. 26.36%. The largest number of anti-HCV positive patients was in the group of haemocoagulopathies. The investigation confirmed the close association between haemotherapy and the transmission of HCV. The authors draw attention to the need to introduce anti-HCV examinations in the transfusion service as an important preventive provision.

Follow-up of certain immunologic indicators in the treatment of plasmacytoma with cyclophosphamide in combination with plasmapheresis.

Changes in the immunoglobulin and complement levels in untreated plasmacytoma were compared with those resulting from massive doses of Cyclophosphamide (15--25 mg per kg b. w. at intervals of 10--14 days) applied in combination with double plasmapheresis (involving removal of about 500 ml of plasma). A follow-up of the levels of normal immunoglobulins, paraprotein, total complement and the C3 component revealed a significant decline in the total complement following each single application of this treatment, but the decrease in C3 was nonsignificant. A decline of about 20% in immunoglobulins and of about 15% in paraprotein was observed in relation to the pretreatment values, but only that in the IgM class proved to be of statistical significance. The decrease in proteins was also established with the methods of total protein determination (refractometric or biuret methods) and was found to amount to 1000--3000 mg% after each dose of Cyclophosphamide with plasmapheresis. In the author's view, a combined Cyclophosphamide-plasmapheresis treatment is effective for achieving clinical remission. It should, however, be kept in mind that the effect of protein and paraprotein depression persists for only a few days, hence, to achieve long-term results, this treatment should be repeated in 2--3 week's cycles. The lowered values of humoral immunity indicators do not increase the danger of complications from a clinical aspect, when suitable preventive measures are taken.