0000000000015444
AUTHOR
Caterina Spanò
Hepatitis B virus in diabetic patients
The presence of HBV markers was determined in 149 serum samples obtained from diabetic patients and was compared with a normal population. Diabetics have the same incidence of HBsAg but significantly higher anti-HBc antibodies. These differences were seen in the group of diabetics on oral hypoglycemic therapy. These results cannot yet be explained.
Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis: A Prospective Investigation in Predominantly Nonalcoholic Cirrhotic Patients
Two hundred and twenty-four consecutive inpatients with cirrhosis, mostly of nonalcoholic etiology, and ascites were prospectively investigated on admission for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) by culture, smear, and polymorphonuclear (PMN) counts of ascitic fluid. Positive cultures were found in 54 patients. A possible intraabdominal source of infection was apparent in five of them, all with clinically overt peritonitis (secondary peritonitis). No intraabdominal source of infection was identified in the remaining 49. These patients were classified into the following groups: (a) SBP, 27 patients (positive cultures plus PMN counts ± 250 per mm3). Nine of them had no clinical features …
Natural history of congestive gastropathy in cirrhosis
In a prospective study of the natural history of congestive gastropathy, 212 consecutive cirrhotic patients (75 treated with sclerotherapy) were included. Mean follow-up was 46 months. Mild gastropathy (mosaiclike pattern) was found in 110 patients and severe gastropathy (granular mucosa with cherry spots) was found in 20. Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori, formerly Campylobacter pylori, was 50% in patients without, 43% in those with mild, and 28% in those with severe gastropathy. Congestive gastropathy was significantly more frequent in patients treated with sclerotherapy (83% vs. 50%, P less than 10(-5)). Sixty-month actuarial proportions of patients free of anemia (in the absence of hema…