[Liver biopsy: the mandatory test in liver diagnosis in adults]. / Biopsja watroby--niezbedny element w diagnostyce chorób watroby u doroslych.

The aim of the study was clinical and morphological analysis patients with liver biopsy. In this work technique of percutaneous liver biopsy, indications, contraindications and complications were presented. Among 547 liver biopsy 56% patients was HCV infected and a 14% patient was HBV infected. Microscopic examination was performed the similar percentage the stage of inflammation and fibrosis. Among patients without viral infection (HBV and HCV) the most finding was steatosis and liver cirrhosis. Agreement of clinical diagnosis with results of microscopic investigations with reference to of inflammable changes carried out 90%, the less agreement with steatosis, cholestasis and hemosiderosis. In 30% patients after biopsy were pains in place executed of intervention and right arm for 6 hours. 0.5% of patients was sub capsular bleeding after intervention. We no observed dangerous complications after liver percutaneous biopsy. Liver biopsy is very important investigation in liver diagnosis, comparatively safety if contraindications are complains.

[Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus multilocularis invasions in north-eastern Poland]. / Inwazje echinococcus granulosus i Echinococcus multilocularis w pólnocno-wschodniej Polsce.

During the last 10 years 70 cases of echinococcosis were diagnosed in the Department of Infectious Diseases, Medical University School of Bialystok, of whom 63 were Echinococcus (E.) granulosus infections. The Urban population (70%) and women (60%) dominated among infected persons. Seven cases were due to E. multilocularis infection. A family and endemie focus of E. multilocularis human invasion has been identified.

Western blot banding pattern in early Lyme borreliosis among patients from an endemic region of north-eastern Poland.

Aim of this study was evaluation of Western blot banding patterns in different clinical forms of early Lyme borreliosis diagnosed in patients from north-eastern Poland, recognized as endemic for tick-borne diseases. Study was performed on serum samples of 48 patients with Lyme borreliosis and 26 healthy volunteers, as controls. Samples tested routinely for total antibody with enzyme immunoassay were subsequently analysed for specific antibodies with Western blot based on antigen extract of European strain of Borrelia burgdorferi. In patients, IgM antibodies were the most frequently directed against 41 kDa and 58 kDa antigens, whereas in control group only antibodies against 45 kDa and 58 kDa were present. Similar response was observed in respect to IgG antibodies. Evaluation of banding pattern in respect to clinical form of the disease revealed the highest prevalence of IgM and IgG anti-41 kDa antibodies in patients with erythema migrans and Lyme arthritis, and anti-58 kDa in neuroborreliosis patients, who had no anti-21 kDa antibodies. Relatively high frequency of IgG antibodies against 21, 30 and 93 kDa antigens was typical for neuroborreliosis. Bands count was significantly higher in different clinical forms of the disease than in controls, and it was the highest in neuroborreliosis. Combined analysis of Western blot results (IgM/IgG) enabled to achieve higher sensitivity (84%) and specificity (100%) than available with the most recommended EIA kits.

[Snake bites]. / Ukaszenia przez zmije.

Vipera berus is the only viper i.e. venomous (poisonous) snake that is found in Poland. Snakebites occur rarely und usually follow attempts of catching the viper or accidental treading on it. Appropriate treatment consists of administering specific antivenom serum (antivenin). Four cases of snakebites hospitalized in 1989-1995 in the Department of Infectious Diseases of the University Medical School in Bialystok are reported.

Interaction of beta 3 integrin-derived peptides 214-218 and 217-231 with alpha IIb beta 3 complex and with fibrinogen A alpha-chain.

beta 3 integrin-derived peptides 214-218 and 217-231 have been shown previously to inhibit platelet aggregation and fibrinogen binding to platelets and to purified receptor. In this paper we study the activity of both peptides in inhibition of binding of biotinylated fibrinogen to activated platelets and to immobilized alpha IIb beta 3 receptor. We found that the mechanism of this inhibition by both peptides is different 125I-labeled 214-218 peptide binds to alpha IIb beta 3 but in contrast, 125I-labeled 217-231 peptide binds to the A alpha-chain of native and gamma' fibrinogen, as judged by the cross-linking study. In solid phase assay both purified alpha IIb beta 3 and 217-231 peptide bound extensively to native and recombinant fibrinogen, and to fibrinogen with either D574E or D97E mutations in the A alpha-chain. Binding of purified alpha IIb beta 3 to gamma' fibrinogen was markedly impaired whereas binding of 217-231 was only slightly impaired in comparison with native fibrinogen. Binding of 217-231 to fibrinogen fragment X was also reduced suggesting that sequences other than RGDS and RGDF may represent binding sites for this peptide. We hypothesize that the close vicinity of fibrinogen binding site (217-231) and of the site participating in conformational changes of the alpha IIb beta 3 receptor (214-218) may facilitate fibrinogen interaction with its receptor.

Epidemiological and clinical aspects of acute hepatitis C in north-eastern Poland.

The availability of more reliable assays made infections caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV) emerging as an extremely common and insidiously progressive disease. Since 1993, in 51 out of 798 patients admitted to Department of Infectious Diseases with acute hepatitis, HCV was diagnosed as a causative agent. Seventy one percent of acute hepatitis C cases were hospital associated and city residents represented the majority of all cases. The epidemiological data and clinical course of acute hepatitis C was analysed and compared with acute hepatitis B. The frequency of acute hepatitis C increased during last 3 years in Bialystok region. The clinical course of acute hepatitis C was generally milder than acute hepatitis B, with lower aminotransferases activities and bilirubin level.

[Epidemiology of intra-marital infections with hepatitis B virus (HBV) among the patients hospitalized in the infectious disease clinics in the Bialystok region 1988-1990]. / Epidemiologia zakazen wewnatrzmalzenskich wirusem hepatitis B (HBV) w populacji chorych hospitalizowanych w oddzialach obserwacyjno-zakaznych Bialostocczyzny w latach 1988-1990.

Viral hepatitis B infection is worldwide epidemiological and clinical problem with same prophylactic difficulties concerned first of all married patients. The infection routes could be parenteral or homo/heterosexual contact. During 1988-1990 from hospitalized viral hepatitis B all patients (394), married patients was found 9% (34) persons with epidemiological documented viral hepatitis B infection, from his/her sexual married partner.