RESUMEN
This study aimed to examine anti hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody titres, their changes and differences in acute, chronic and past HCV infection and to examine them after IFN-alpha-therapy. Ninety five patients were studied in a cross-sectional investigation and 18 of them were followed long-term. Titres of IgM and IgG antibodies against core, NS3, NS4 (A + B), NS5A proteins were determined by the third generation enzyme immunoassays. Patients with acute hepatitis C developed IgG antibodies against core protein in titres 1/5-1/800 and against individual NS proteins at the same titres. During the first to second month of acute hepatitis C IgG antibody titres to HCV proteins were very low, but they had risen considerably by the fourth to sixth month. Anti-HCV IgM antibodies were found in half the acute hepatitis serum samples, titres were 1/5-1/40. Sixty individuals with chronic hepatitis C showed IgG antibodies against core in titres 1/800-1/40,000 and against individual NS proteins in titres 1/5-1/20,000. Eight patients with chronic hepatitis C had invariable anti-HCV IgG antibodies over 2-3 years. About 81.7% of chronically infected patients had anti-HCV IgM antibodies in titres 1/5-1/160. Patients with resolution of HCV infection showed only anti-core IgG antibodies (titres 1/5-1/200) or no virus-specific antibodies. Individuals with different response to IFN-alpha-therapy showed two distinct patterns of anti-HCV antibody titres. Acute and chronic HCV infection may be distinguished by anti-core titres.
Asunto(s)
Hepacivirus/inmunología , Anticuerpos contra la Hepatitis C/sangre , Hepatitis C/inmunología , Hepatitis C/fisiopatología , Enfermedad Aguda , Adolescente , Adulto , Antivirales/uso terapéutico , Niño , Femenino , Hepatitis C/virología , Antígenos de la Hepatitis C/inmunología , Hepatitis C Crónica/inmunología , Hepatitis C Crónica/virología , Humanos , Inmunoglobulina G/sangre , Inmunoglobulina M/sangre , Interferón-alfa/uso terapéutico , Masculino , Persona de Mediana EdadRESUMEN
A new method has been developed for the production of radioactive wires and "hairpins" showing from their middle up to their ends a linear increase of specific activity. The advantages offered by these wires and "hairpins" have been introduced with good results in a series of new implantation methods for the interstitial curietherapy of malignant tumors.