Risk factors for post-hepatectomy liver failure in 80 patients

BACKGROUNDPost-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) is a serious complication and a leading cause of death after hepatectomy, an accurate prediction of PHLF is important for improvement of prognosis after hepatectomy.AIMTo retrospectively analyze the risk factors for postoperative liver failure in patients undergoing hepatectomy for liver tumors.METHODSThe clinical data of 80 patients undergoing hepatectomy in our hospital from June 2018 to January 2020 were collected. With laboratory examination as well as pre- and post-operative abdominal three-dimensional reconstructive computed tomography, the demographic data, surgical data, biochemical indicators, coagulation index, routine blood tests, spleen and liver volumes, relative remnant liver volume, and other related indicators were obtained and compared between patients with PHLF and those without PHLF.RESULTSPHLF occurred in 19 (23.75%) patients. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that gender, history of hepatitis/cirrhosis, and preoperative bilirubin, albumin, coagulation function, albumin-bilirubin ratio, aspartate amino-transferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score, spleen volume (SV), spleen volume/liver volume ratio (SV/LV), and relative remnant liver volume were statistically associated with the occurrence of PHLF (all P < 0.05). Multivariate regression analysis showed that preoperative total bilirubin, platelets (PLT), APRI, and SV/LV were independent risk factors for PHLF (all P < 0.05). The area under the curve and cut-off values were 0.787 and 18.6 mmol/L for total bilirubin, 0.893 and 146 × 10¹²/L for PLT, 0.907 and 0.416 for APRI, and 0.752 and 20.84% for SV/LV, respectively.CONCLUSIONFor patients undergoing liver resection, preoperative total bilirubin, PLT, APRI, and SV/LV are independent risk factors for PHLF. These findings may provide guidance to safely perform liver surgery in such patients.     

Protein clearances and selectivity determinations in childhood nephrosis: a reappraisal

To critically evaluate the clinical utility of determining specific proteins in patients with extensive proteinuria, we used immunonephelometric methods to measure albumin, transferrin, IgG, and alpha 2-macroglobulin in serum and in 24-h urine specimens from 37 children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. Renal biopsy demonstrated minimal change disease (I) in 15, focal glomerulosclerosis (II) in 15, and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (III) in seven patients. A three-group nonparametric rank test and three-group discriminant function analysis of the protein excretion and clearances of the four proteins we measured revealed significant differences in the excretion of IgG and the clearance of alpha 2-macroglobulin among the three groups of patients (p less than 0.05). Only patients with III had low serum complement C3 concentrations. Patients with I or II were best discriminated by differences in the excretion of transferrin and IgG, the clearance of alpha 2-macroglobulin, and the selectivity index (the clearance ratio of IgG/transferrin). These data indicate that measurement of specific urinary proteins and selectivity determinations may be helpful in predicting the type of histopathology and the prognosis of nephrotic children who have normal complement concentrations.     

Influence of two preparations of bovine albumin on the total bilirubin as determined by Thomson's method in its reference solution.

The influence of bovine albumin on the determined total bilirubin was examined by estimation of bilirubin in standard solutions prepared with albumin solutions of five different concentrations. The determinations were made by six different methods. The results show that when bilirubin was determined by Thompson's method the estimated bilirubin decreases by increasing the concentration of albumin. This discrepancy appears in preparations from two different industrial sources of albumin.     

Laboratory parameters in the natural history of liver cirrhosis

Summary The aim of the present study was to evaluate the changes of common laboratory parameters in the natural evolution of liver cirrhosis, as well as their relationships with the occurrence of ascites onset and death. Routine laboratory findings of 458 patients suffering from liver cirrhosis admitted to a 9-year follow-up period were retrospectively investigated, but only data of the 138 subjects (95 males and 43 females) who died within the follow-up period were considered. Data were grouped into different classes according to the months elapsed before ascites onset or death. The statistical differences among the various groups were evaluated employing analysis of variance and Tukey’s test. No laboratory parameter showed statistically significant changes before or at the time of ascites onset, while significant modifications occurred in four liver indexes (albumin, total bilirubin, platelet count and gammaglobulin percentage) during the course of the illness, thus confirming the reliable prognostic value of these laboratory parameters in liver cirrhosis.     

肝硬化并发食道胃底静脉曲张破裂出血住院患者预后危险因素分析

目的:回顾性分析肝硬化并发食道胃底静脉曲张破裂出血住院患者的预后危险因素,为临床工作提供参考依据。方法:收集2006-01-2009-12期间本院连续收治的520例肝硬化并发食道胃底静脉曲张破裂出血患者的临床资料,包括性别、年龄、病因及血压,有无腹水、肝性脑病及是否并发感染,统计血常规、肝肾功能、凝血功能、Child-pugh分级等各项指标,分析治疗方法,包括输血次数和输血量。按预后不同将患者分为死亡组和非死亡组,单因素分析分别采用卡方检验、CMH检验、成组t检验、Wilcoxon秩和检验;多因素分析采用逐步logis-tic回归分析来比较两组患者在各项观察项目方面的差异。结果:经逐步logistic回归分析后表明,与肝硬化并发食道胃底静脉曲张破裂出血住院患者死亡相关的因素有:感染(OR=3.166,95%CI1.214～8.256);年龄(OR=1.052,95%CI1.016～1.090);总胆红素(TBIL)浓度(OR=1.015,95%CI1.011～1.020);血浆白蛋白(ALB)浓度(OR=0.912,95%CI0.849～0.979);输血量(OR=1.513,95%CI1.326～1.726)。结论:本研究表明:感染、高龄、血浆中TBIL升高、低白蛋白血症以及大量输血是肝硬化并发食道胃底静脉曲张破裂出血住院患者死亡的独立危险因素。     

血清酸性钙结合蛋白S-100对胆红素脑病早期诊断的意义

目的通过检测新生儿高胆红素血症患儿血清酸性钙结合蛋白S-100的变化,探讨其在该病诊断和预后判断中的作用。方法选择于2009年1月-2011年2月在我科住院的足月新生儿黄疸患者46例为观察对象,其中26例诊断为生理性黄疸（胆红素〈256μmol/L,根据实用新生儿学诊断标准）为B组,20例重度高胆红素血症（胆红素≥342μmol/L）为C组。临床诊断为胆红素脑病患儿11例为D组;同期正常无黄疸足月新生儿20例为对照组A组.各组病例均除外新生儿缺氧缺血性脑病,颅内出血等疾病。清晨留取静脉血4 ml,取血清标本,测血清总胆红素和-间接胆红素值,并采用双抗体夹心ELISA方法检测S-100蛋白浓度。结果对照组（A组）与生理性黄疸组（B组）血清S-100蛋白浓度分别为0.285±0.116和0.315±0.121μg/L,两组间比较P〉0.05,无明显差异;重度高胆红素血症组（C组）血清S-100蛋白浓度为0.493±0.212μg/L,胆红素脑病组（D组）为0.865±0.392μg/L,两组之间比较结果具有显著差异,P〈0.05。而B组和C组比较血清S-100浓度也有显著差异,P〈0.05。结论血清S-100蛋白浓度作为神经系统损伤的特异生化指标,可提示新生儿胆红素脑病的发生,并能反映其严重程度,提示预后判断。     

Reference change values of M-protein,free light chain and immunoglobulins in monoclonal gammopathy

ObjectivesClinical decisions in patients with monoclonal gammopathies may be highly imprecise because of variations of parameters used in diagnosis. In this study, we aimed to calculate the variation in M-protein, free light chains (FLCs), and immunoglobulins in respective patients.Design & methodsWe analyzed the data of clinically stable patients with monoclonal gammopathy (MG), which were monitored for 7-years to determine the biological variations and reference change values (RCV) of serum M-protein, monoclonal serum FLCs and immunoglobulin (Ig) concentrations. Patients that were included in the study had no change in diagnosis and showed <5 g/L change in serum M-protein during the monitoring. From the patients included at least 3 consecutive samples were analyzed within 8 months and 7 years of initial diagnosis.ResultsThe total coefficient of variations (CV) was calculated for M-protein and involved/uninvolved fractions of FLCs and immunoglobulins. From 38 patients and 456 samples that were included in the study, the total CVs were calculated for serial M-proteins (8.9%), serum involved FLCs (iFLC, 21.4%), involved Ig (i-Ig, 8.7%) and uninvolved Ig (u-Ig, 9.1%). Combining these CVs and the interassay analytical CVs, we calculated the biological CV for the serum M-protein (8.4%), serum iFLC concentration (21.1%), i-Ig (8.6%) and u-Ig (9.0%). A significant correlation was found in multiple myeloma patients between the κ/λ light chain ratio (rFLC) with i-Ig, the difference between i-Ig level and u-Ig level (d-Ig) and ratio Ig (r-Ig) (r = 0.790, 0.703 and 0.711, respectively). These correlations were not found in patients suffering from MG of undetermined significance and smoldering multiple myeloma.Conclusionsi-Ig determinations may be an alternative to M-protein for MGs. The variations in serum FLC measurements during MG monitoring were greater than those observed in serum M-proteins and therefore need to be more rigorously revised for recommendations.     

Bile constituents in ascitic fluid

Bile acids and other bile constituents were determined in serum and ascites from eight patients with liver cirrhosis and in ascites secondary to malignancy in six patients. In cirrhotic ascites, total bile acid levels averaged 53% of the serum levels. A positive correlation was evident between ascites and serum levels for both cholic and chenodeoxycholic acid. For cholic acid, the ascites to serum ratio was higher in all patients compared with the corresponding ratio for chenodeoxycholic acid. The ascites to serum ratios for glycine, taurine and sulphate conjugates were similar, no tendency being shown by any of the conjugates to leak more easily into ascites. The high levels of bile acids in cirrhotic ascites suggests that the abdominal cavity harbours a fraction of the bile acid pool, which should be taken into account when studying bile acid turnover in liver cirrhosis. Bilirubin levels in cirrhotic ascites averaged 24% of the serum values. A positive correlation between ascites and serum levels for unconjugated bilirubin was recorded, whereas the occurrence of bilirubin conjugates in ascites was variable. Albumin levels in cirrhotic ascites were 25% of the serum levels. The ascites to serum ratios for other proteins such as IgG, IgA and IgM and also cholesterol and phospholipids were lower than that for albumin. In malignant ascites, a pattern different from that in liver cirrhosis was seen, low bile acid levels being found. No difference between bilirubin levels was observed, while albumin and cholesterol levels were higher in malignant ascites, with no overlap between the patient groups. These results indicate that the complex mechanisms of ascites formation result in variable levels of bile constituents in ascitic fluid, which are further dependent on the underlying disease.     

Gunn rats: a reproducible experimental model to compare the different methods of measurements of bilirubin serum concentration and to evaluate the risk of bilirubin encephalopathy

Three groups of Gunn rats were studied: group 1 was perfused with bilirubin solution alone, group 2 was perfused with bilirubin and albumin solutions simultaneously, group 3 was perfused with bilirubin solution for 30 min then bilirubin and albumin solutions for the following 10 min. Our results indicate that (1) Gunn rats are a reliable experimental model to study the risk of bilirubin encephalopathy, (2) unbound bilirubin can enter the brain when albumin binding capacity is reduced, (3) and bilirubin binding capacity of serum for unbound unconjugated serum bilirubin is a better criterion than total serum bilirubin and erythrocyte bilirubin to evaluate the risk of kernicterus. This model could also be used to study variations of permeability of the blood-brain-barrier and influences of drugs on bilirubin metabolism.     

乙型肝炎肝硬化腹水并发自发性细菌性腹膜炎的危险因素分析

目的 探讨乙型肝炎肝硬化腹水患者并发自发性细菌性腹膜炎（SBP）的危险因素.方法 将218例乙型肝炎肝硬化腹水患者按有无SBP分为SBP组（128例）和非SBP组（90例）.对2组年龄、性别、血清白蛋白（ALB）、总胆红素（TBIL）、谷丙转氨酶（ALT）、谷草转氨酶（AST）、凝血酶原活动度（PTA）、Child-Pugh分级、腹水总蛋白和是否合并糖尿病、上消化道出血等因素进行单因素及多因素Logistic回归分析.结果 单因素分析示：SBP组血清TBIL高于非SBP组,血清ALB、PTA及腹水总蛋白低于非SBP组（均P＜0.05）;SBP组Child-Pugh C级、合并糖尿病及上消化道出血的比例分别为77.34％、12.50％及9.38％,非SBP组Child-Pugh C级、合并糖尿病及上消化道出血的比例分别为48.89％、3.33％及2.22％,SBP组均明显高于非SBP组（均P＜0.05）.多因素Logistic回归分析示：血清TBIL、Child-Pugh分级及腹水总蛋白进入回归模型,这3项指标是乙型肝炎肝硬化腹水患者发生SBP的独立危险因素（P＜0.01）.结论 乙型肝炎肝硬化腹水患者并发SBP的危险因素众多,其中血清TBIL、Child-Push分级、腹水总蛋白是发生SBP的独立危险因素.     

Predictive role of serum procollagen III peptide and Knodell’s index in survival prognosis of patients with hepatitis B virus liver cirrhosis

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to improve the accuracy of survival prognosis in patients with liver cirrhosis using procollagen III peptide (PIIIP), as a marker of inflammation and fibrogenesis, and Knodell's histologic activity index (KI) in addition to previously used prognostic factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Five-year survival was followed in a group of 75 patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) liver cirrhosis (patients testing anti-HBe positive and HBV-DNA negative). There were 31 patients with compensated cirrhosis and 44 with decompensated cirrhosis. The diagnostic procedure included clinical, laboratory, ultrasound and pathohistologic examination. We combined PIIIP and KI with other significant variables to achieve the highest possible sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for survival prognosis in HBV liver cirrhosis. The models were compared using ROC analysis. RESULTS: At the end of the five-year period of survival follow-up, there were 39 survivors and 36 patients had died (only three died from an extrahepatic cause). In the quantitative model, the discriminant canonical function (DCF) identified PIIIP, bilirubin, prothrombin time, ascites and KI as statistically significant parameters in the prognosis of five-year survival. Calculation of the score based on DCF yielded an accuracy of 89.3%. In the semiquantitative model, the analysis of variance identified PIIIP, bilirubin, albumin, pro-thrombin time, alkaline phosphatase, ascites and KI as significant variables. When PIIIP was added to the clinicohistologic diagnosis, Child-Pugh score and KI, the level of accuracy improved by 12% (from 78% to 90%), 11% (from 79% to 90%) and 10.6% (from 80% to 90.6%), respectively. When calculated with the three biochemical parameters (alkaline phosphatase, PIIIP and bilirubin) and KI identified by DCF, the accuracy was 90.6%. CONCLUSION: Combining PIIIP and KI with other prognostic parameters is useful in achieving a better precision of survival prognosis in patients with HBV liver cirrhosis.     

Serum proteins present in edema fluids

Six ascites fluids and 8 limb edema fluids were investigated by immunoelectrophoresis. A distinct difference of the total protein amounts was found but without correlation with the number of the visible protein arcs. Changes in electrophoretic mobility of albumin, α₁-antitrypsin and transferrin are more frequent in limb edema fluid than in ascites fluid ; it seems probable, that these changes are due to the formation of complexes of proteins with acid polysaccharides appearing in the edema fluid in connection with a very mild inflammatory state, caused by long lasting edema.     

The effect of environmental temperature (20 degrees and 30 degrees) after injury on the concentration of serum proteins in man

Selected serum proteins were measured sequentially in injured patients maintained at 2 environmental temperatures (20° and 30°) after the injury, which was mainly fracture of one or more long bones. At the normal environmental temperature of 20° the serum albumin concentration fell to a minimum on day 5, then returned gradually towards normal. In the patients at 30° these changes were minimised. The increases in α₁acid glycoprotein and C-reactive protein concentrations were much less at 30° than at 20°. The acute phase reaction response of caeruloplasmin, transferrin and the immunoglobulin IgM was not influenced by the environmental temperature. The immunoglobulins IgA and IgG remained essentially unchanged by injury.     

Development of immunoturbidimetric assays for fourteen human serum proteins on the Hitachi 912.

Many laboratories rely on dedicated nephelometers or turbidimeters and commercial reagent kits for the evaluation of serum proteins. However, with growing emphasis on cost containment, laboratories are forced to seek additional operational efficiencies by capitalizing on the use of existing analyzers whenever possible. In the present paper we describe the development of immunoturbidimetric assays for routine analysis of 14 human serum proteins (alpha1-antitrypsin, alpha2-macroglobulin, albumin, apolipoproteins Al and B, complement components 3 and 4, haptoglobin, immunoglobulins A, G, and M, orosomucoid, prealbumin, and transferrin) on the Hitachi 912, a general chemistry analyzer. With this system, we obtained excellent precision at levels corresponding to low, normal, and high physiologic concentrations of each protein (within-run imprecision CVs < or = 3.4%, total imprecision CVs < or = 4.1%). Linearity for each method was within 5% of the expected value throughout the calibration range, and method comparisons with either the Roche turbidimetric or Dade Behring nephelometric assays were in good agreement (r >0.97). We observed no significant interference from bilirubin (up to 718 micromol/l), hemoglobin (up to 8 g/l), triglyceride (up to 14.7 mmol/l) or rheumatoid factor (up to 4,140 IU/ml). Calibration for the 14 protein assays was stable for at least 7 days and onboard refrigerated reagents were stable for at least 3 months. The instrument's automated sample re-run feature minimized sample handling and helped to conserve specimens. In conclusion, the newly developed assays on the Hitachi 912 offer high throughput (>250 tests per hour) without the associated cost of a dedicated instrument for protein assays.     

血清腹水白蛋白梯度在腹水临床诊断中的价值

目的比较血清腹水白蛋白梯度与渗出液／漏出液对腹水鉴别诊断的准确性。方法选择诊断明确腹水病例53例，将其分为门脉高压组（A组，n=30）及非门脉高压组（B组，n=23）。比较传统的渗漏出液的分类方法及以血清腹水白蛋白梯度方法对腹水病因诊断的准确率。结果血清腹水白蛋白梯度的诊断准确性为94．34％，敏感性96．67％，特异性为91．31％，高于传统的渗漏出液指标的准确率。结论将腹水依据血清腹水白蛋白梯度判定为门脉高压相关性及非门脉高压相关性，在临床上将具有更强的实用性及更广泛的应用价值。     

Identification of the serum binding proteins for iron, zinc, cadmium, nickel, and calcium

The binding of five biologically important metals to serum proteins has been studied. After suitable radioactive isotopes were added to serum proteins separated and precipitated by two-dimensional immunoelectrophoresis, the sample plates were exposed to roentgenogram film. 59Fe bound to transferrin alone; 65Zn bound mostly to albumin, but also to another 12 proteins; 109Cd was mostly associated with alpha 2-macroglobulin, but was also present on albumin, immunoglobulins G and A, and prealbumin; 63Ni, added in high concentration, was associated with an alpha 2-mobility protein and albumin; and, finally, 45Ca was mostly bound to albumin, but seven other binding proteins were also identified, with transferrin predominant. The results are not quantitative, but the technique is simple and specific, and the information gained can direct further studies on isolated proteins.     

全身炎症反应综合征对肝硬化患者预后的影响

目的:探讨全身炎症反应综合征(SIRS)对肝硬化患者预后的影响。方法:104例肝硬化患者根据是否合并SIRS分为SIRS组(n=25)和非SIRS组(n=79),比较两组患者入院时呼吸、脉搏、平均动脉血压、体温、肝功能Child-Pugh分级及评分、血白细胞计数(WBC)、血清丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)、总胆红素(TBil)、白蛋白(ALB)、肌酐(Cr)、国际标准化比值(INR)、严重并发症(肝性脑病、门脉高压性出血、肝肾综合征)发生率和死亡率。结果:SIRS组患者的体温、脉搏、呼吸频率、Child-Pugh评分、血WBC、TBil、ALB、Cr、INR及住院期间的死亡率、门静脉高压性出血、肝性脑病、肝肾综合征等并发症的发生率均明显高于非SIRS组(P0.05)。结论:合并SIRS的肝硬化患者肝功能较差、并发症多、死亡率高、预后差。     

中性粒细胞/淋巴细胞比值与慢性心力衰竭患者的相关性研究

目的探讨慢性心力衰竭(chronic heart failure,CHF)患者中性粒细胞/淋巴细胞比值(neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio,NLR)改变的影响因素以及NLR与心脏收缩功能的关系。方法2016年9月至2018年5月在山西省汾阳医院心血管内科住院的CHF患者135例,采用前瞻性研究方法,依据NLR水平,将患者分为3组:低NLR组(NLR<2.3,46例)、中NLR组(NLR≥2.3~≤4.3,45例)、高NLR组(NLR>4.3,44例)。比较3组患者的基本临床资料、实验室检查资料及无创心脏血流动力指标。结果(1)通过对不同NLR组患者资料的比较,发现氨基末端脑钠肽前体(N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic pepfide,NT-proBNP)(F=4.485,P=0.013)、总胆红素(F=6.085,P=0.003)、白蛋白(F=3.695,P=0.027)在不同NLR组间比较差异均有统计学意义;(2)NLR与NT-proBNP、总胆红素、白蛋白均有相关性(r值分别为0.267、0.256、-0.243,P值分别为0.002、0.003、0.005);(3)经多元线性回归分析发现,CHF患者NLR与左室射血分数(left ventricular ejection fraction,LVEF)、NT-proBNP、总胆红素、白蛋白相关(标准回归系数分别为-0.239、0.223、0.247、-0.213,P均<0.05);(4)经过Pearson相关分析显示:CHF患者NLR与心输出量(r=-0.173,P=0.045)、心指数(r=-0.175,P=0.042)、LVEF(r=-0.278,P=0.001)、最大射血速率(maximum ejection velocity,AMPC)(r=-0.207,P=0.016)、收缩指数(r=-0.214,P=0.013)、收缩功能指数(hearther index,HI)(r=-0.179,P=0.038)、左心室每分作功(cardiac work,CW)(r=-0.235,P=0.006)、心功能指数(cardiac work index,CWI)(r=-0.244,P=0.004)呈负相关。结论NT-proBNP、总胆红素、白蛋白、LVEF是影响CHF患者NLR的因素,NLR对CHF的病情评估、治疗效果及预后预测等具有一定的价值。     

Computer-supported interpretation of protein profiles after capillary electrophoresis

BACKGROUND: Electrophoretic patterns of proteins in serum/plasma are useful in the diagnosis and evaluation of many diseases. Capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) allows rapid and automated protein separation and produces digital absorbance data, appropriate for mathematical analysis. We previously demonstrated success in detection of monoclonal immunoglobulins in such a system. This study tests new algorithms to produce rapid standardized computer-supported interpretation of the entire electropherogram. METHODS: Data from Beckman Paragon CZE 2000 electropherograms were compared with quantitative protein data from >800 routine clinical samples. Algorithms were designed to produce semiquantitative analyses of major proteins and to define different patterns of inflammation based on the electropherogram. RESULTS: The algorithms produced reliable semiquantitative evaluations of prealbumin, albumin, alpha1-antitrypsin, haptoglobin, and transferrin, but were less accurate for alpha1-acid glycoprotein. Some genetic variants of albumin and deficiency variants of alpha1-antitrypsin were easily recognized. Complex clinical traits such as degree and type of inflammation could be evaluated. When used together with previously developed algorithms addressing immunoglobulins, the new algorithms provide relevant clinical interpretation. Selected outputs indicate the need for reflex testing or evaluation by specialists. CONCLUSIONS: Automation of both electrophoresis and interpretation can provide a rapid, inexpensive, standardized analysis that can hopefully improve the diagnostic information and clinical outcome for large groups of patients. It also provides objective criteria for clinical interpretations, to be validated or adjusted in future clinical studies.     

Lack of transmission of TT virus through immunoglobulins

BACKGROUND: A high prevalence of TT virus (TTV) infection has been found in patients who received blood or blood components. Viral DNA was demonstrated in commercial preparations of FVIII and F IX, but very few data have been reported on immunoglobulins. The risk of TTV infection associated with intramuscular or IV immunoglobulin administration is unclear. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The prevalence of TTV infection in a group of patients undergoing lifelong therapy because of congenital immunodeficiency has been evaluated in a long term follow-up (median, 6 years). Seventeen patients with congenital immunodeficiency receiving monthly administration of IVIG were included in the study. TTV DNA was repeatedly evaluated by PCR in serum samples from each patient during the follow-up. Research of antibodies against TTV was not applicable, as the patients studied were unable to produce antibodies. The presence of TTV was also evaluated in 15 IVIG lots. RESULTS: The total amount of immunoglobulin administered was 18,773 g. TTV infection was not found in any patients included in the study. None of the 15 immunoglobulin preparations analyzed was found positive for TTV DNA. CONCLUSION: Despite the high prevalence of TTV in blood donors, commercial immunoglobulins are safe and unable to transmit TTV.