Distribution and features of infection with hepatitis viruses B and C during hemodialysis treatment

The prevalence of hepatitides B and C was evaluated in 140 patients treated by hemodialysis. Almost half of patients (48%) had acute hepatitis B which completely resolved. Acute hepatitis B was detected in 6% in the course of observation. In 6% chronic hepatitis B was diagnosed, and in 24% chronic hepatitis C. A combination of hepatitides B and C was diagnosed in 2% patients. Only 12% patients were not infected with hepatitis. Genotype 1b predominated in patients with HCV infection (73%); genotypes 1a, 21, and 3a were equally incident (9%). Replication of HBV and HCV in patients with uremia under conditions of hemodialysis was detected in 83 and 86% patients, respectively. Relationship between HBV and HCV infection and the duration of hemodialysis treatment was analyzed. The percentage of non-infected patients persistently decreased, and the time course of HBV and HCV infection was different. Infection with HBV after the beginning of hemodialysis occurred sooner (16.0 +/- 4.0 months) than with HCV (30.2 +/- 4.6 months, p < 0.04). The levels of SGPT and SGOT in patients with various manifestations of HBV and HCV infection treated by hemodialysis were followed up.     

Genetic polymorphism of clinical Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains circulating in the territory of Novosibirsk Region

Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains isolated from patients treated at TB dispensary branches in different districts of Novosibirsk were studied by genetic analysis. The below molecular methods were used: 1. PCR with random primers; 2. A method based on variable number of tandem repeats in loci; 3. IS6110 inverse PCR. Thirty-five samples of genome DNA of M. tuberculosis isolated were analyzed. Each of the 3 methods detected the main group of isolates, which comprised 61.8% of closely related strains revealed by method 1, 75.8%--by method 2, and 74.3%--by method 3. The remaining clusters were represented by 1 to 4 strains. The data obtained denote a relative homogeneity of M. tuberculosis strains circulating in Novosibirsk Region. No interplay was detected between the clustering of isolates and the presence or absence of mutation in genes conditioning the resistance to antibiotics.