Ricardo Katz

Post-Transfusion Hepatitis — Effect of Modified Gamma Globulin Added to Blood in Vitro

Abstract A significant reduction in the incidence of post-transfusion hepatitis with jaundice was observed in patients receiving modified gamma globulin added to blood before transfusion as compared with controls receiving blood alone. Standard gamma globulin was modified by the Swiss method (hydrolysis); 10 ml of a 6 per cent solution were added to each unit of blood before transfusion. Five of 1970 patients receiving gamma globulin and 18 of 2019 controls receiving blood without added gamma globulin acquired icteric hepatitis (p equal to 0.014). No severe cases were observed in those receiving gamma globulin. Six severe cases with two deaths occurred in the controls. The incidence of anicteric hepatitis in the two groups was not significantly different. No untoward reactions were related to the intravenous use of modified gamma globulin.

Influence of cortisone and prednisolone on hyperbilirubinemia.

ence of ACTH on the icteric index in cases of hepatitis and of post-hepatic jaundice. In the former, it dropped very rapidly but in the latter it was not significantly influenced. They believed that the different response of both types of jaundice could be used in the differential diagnosis.

RED CELL SURVIVAL ESTIMATED BY RADIOACTIVE CHROMIUM IN HEPATOBILIARY DISEASE.

Summary Red cell survival was studied by radioactive chromium technique in 15 cases of hepatitis, 13 of cirrhosis of the liver, and 6 of extrahepatic obstructive jaundice. All patients but 2 with hepatitis and 1 with cirrhosis had a reduced t 1/2 . No correlation was observed between the t 1/2 values and serum bilirubin, hemoglobin, or other parameters of liver function. Administration of corticosteroids did not influence hemolysis. In cross transfusion studies the mechanism of hemolysis was extracorpuscular in the majority of our cases.

SERIAL HEPATIC STUDY IN PATIENTS TREATED WITH IPRONIAZID

As stated by Davis,’ along with ;he encouraging therapeutic results of the use of iproniazid (Mamilid*) came reports of undesirable effects. Some of these are due to overdosage; others consist of potentiation or prolongation of the action of other drugs. The third type of undesirable reaction probably due to Marsilid is a hepatocellular type of liver damage that is impossible to distinguish from viral hepatitis. The purpose of the present investigation was to evaluate the possible toxic effects of Marsilid on the human liver. We studied this problem by a series of clinical, biochemical, and biopsy examinations of patients receiving Marsilid.

Serum aldolase in hepatobiliary disease

ConclusionsThe determination of serum aldolase is useful in the diagnosis of acute hepatic damage due to hepatitis and its differentiation from chronic liver injury and from posthepatic jaundice.Of utmost importance is the possibility of distinguishing acute and chronic liver damage, as the commonly used “hepatic tests” only permit the differentiation between hepatic and posthepatic jaundice. The correct diagnosis of the type of liver damage has therapeutic and prognostic implications.The use of the determination of aldolase in the differential diagnosis of jaundice is not satisfactory, as posthepatic icterus and hepatic jaundice due to chronic liver disease give similar low values.

Clinical Experience with Dipaxin and with the Combined Use of Prothrombopenic Agents

The experience with a new prothrombopenic agent, Dipaxin, is presented. With a 30 mg. dose a prothrombin complex concentration under 30 per cent is reached in 41 hours or less. When associated with 1500 mg. of Tromexan the latent period is reduced to 24 hours. The prothrombopenic action of Dipaxin is readily counteracted with vitamin K1 administered either orally or intravenously.

AUSTRALIA ANTIGEN IN THE CHILEAN POPULATION

This chapter reviews presents the findings in Chile for the presence of Australia antigen in the Chilean population and to compare these findings with the results from other countries. The prevalence of Australia antigen in the normal Chilean population is comparable with that obtained by other authors in normal North American and European populations. In Chile, the Australia antigen is detected less often in acute hepatitis classified as unknown type than in other countries. In active chronic hepatitis the numerous determinations are performed. The geographical difference would explain the low incidence of antibody against the Australia antigen found in the patients. In England, Australia, and Chile the incidence is 1% and this is to be compared with the higher incidence of the antibody in the U.S.A., the figures in various series ranging from 17 to 28%.