RESUMEN
A study was performed to evaluate nested PCR (nPCR) versus viral cultures as method and tear film versus corneal scrapings as specimen in the diagnosis of viral keratoconjunctivitis. Tear film specimens were taken from both eyes and corneal scrapings from the affected eye only in 17 patients with suspected viral keratoconjunctivitis. In 15 of the 17 patients the viral agent of the infection could be detected: 11 patients had herpes simplex virus type 1, two varicella-zoster virus, one both herpes simplex virus type 1 and varicella-zoster virus, and one adenovirus. Overall there was no significant difference between the detection rate for corneal scrapings (85%) and tear film (75%). In both types of specimens nPCR showed a higher detection rate than viral cultures (corneal scrapings: 87.5% vs 31.25%; tear film: 75% vs 12.5%; P 0.05). For the diagnosis of keratoconjunctivitis nPCR is superior to viral culture and tear film is an adequate sample that is easier to collect, causing the patient less discomfort.
Asunto(s)
Herpes Zóster Oftálmico/diagnóstico , Queratitis Dendrítica/diagnóstico , Queratoconjuntivitis/diagnóstico , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa/métodos , Lágrimas/virología , Infecciones por Adenovirus Humanos/diagnóstico , Córnea/virología , Infecciones Virales del Ojo/diagnóstico , Herpesvirus Humano 1/genética , Herpesvirus Humano 1/crecimiento & desarrollo , Herpesvirus Humano 1/aislamiento & purificación , Herpesvirus Humano 3/genética , Herpesvirus Humano 3/crecimiento & desarrollo , Herpesvirus Humano 3/aislamiento & purificación , Humanos , Queratoconjuntivitis/virologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to achieve the early diagnosis of the neurologic alteration caused by the Herpes Simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) with the nested PCR technique in CSF. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January, 1994 to October, 1995, 140 CSF from 140 patients were studied in our laboratory. Ninety-five were diagnosed with viral meningoencephalitis (Group A) and 45 with other neurologic diseases (Group B). Nested PCR of HSV-1 and conventional viral cultures were carried out in all the cases. RESULTS: Laboratory diagnosis was achieved in 13 (13.68%) of Group A patients: in 12 (12.63%) HSV-1 genome was detected by nested PCR and in one patient adenovirus was isolated. In Group B, the HSV-1 was detected by nested PCR in 2 patients (4.44%). CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained demonstrate the usefulness of nested PCR in HSV-1 infection for the diagnosis of herpetic meningoencephalitis in initial stages of the disease, from a single CSF sample.
Asunto(s)
Herpes Simple/diagnóstico , Herpesvirus Humano 1/aislamiento & purificación , Meningoencefalitis/diagnóstico , Herpes Simple/virología , Herpesvirus Humano 1/genética , Humanos , Meningoencefalitis/virología , Reacción en Cadena de la PolimerasaAsunto(s)
Infecciones por Citomegalovirus/diagnóstico , Trasplante de Riñón/inmunología , Infecciones Oportunistas/diagnóstico , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Antígenos Virales/sangre , Niño , Citomegalovirus/inmunología , Infecciones por Citomegalovirus/inmunología , Sondas de ADN , Femenino , Humanos , Tolerancia Inmunológica/efectos de los fármacos , Tolerancia Inmunológica/inmunología , Inmunosupresores/administración & dosificación , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Infecciones Oportunistas/inmunología , Estudios Prospectivos , Viremia/diagnóstico , Viremia/inmunologíaRESUMEN
The prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) was studied using a second-generation ELISA test in 121 patients with self-limiting acute hepatitis B, including 63 intravenous drug addicts (IVDA). Within the first month after the onset of illness, 47.1% of the patients were anti-HCV positive, this figure reaching 52.1% six months later. The prevalence in the sixth month was significantly higher in the IVDA (93.6%) than in the non-IVDA (6.9%) (p < 0.00001). Among the IVDA, anti-HCV was more frequent in those with (100%) than in those without hepatitis delta virus (HDV) coinfection (84.6%) (p = 0.004). Of the 63 anti-HCV positive patients, 36 (57.1%) continued to exhibit abnormal transaminase levels for more than six months, while this was not observed in anti-HCV negative patients. These results show a high prevalence of infection by hepatitis C virus (HCV) in IVDA with acute B hepatitis. As a rule, infection by HCV occurred prior to the hepatitis B infection, although occasionally simultaneous infections were observed. HCV appears to be the agent responsible for chronic liver disease in patients with acute B hepatitis who become HBsAg negative.
Asunto(s)
Hepatitis B/complicaciones , Hepatitis C/complicaciones , Enfermedad Aguda , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Alanina Transaminasa/sangre , Femenino , Hepacivirus/inmunología , Anticuerpos Antihepatitis/análisis , Anticuerpos contra la Hepatitis C , Humanos , Immunoblotting , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Prevalencia , Abuso de Sustancias por Vía Intravenosa/complicacionesRESUMEN
Sera from 104 patients with self-limited, acute type B hepatitis were tested for the presence of anti-HCV antibodies. The results show that especially drug users with acute type B (and occasionally coinfected with type D) hepatitis commonly are infected with HCV. Furthermore, HCV infection may have preceded infection with the other agents and may be responsible for high ALT levels.