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We present two patients - one with porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) and one with porphyria variegata (PV) - whose clinical manifestations of porphyria first appeared during attacks of hepatitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 20 chronically hospitalised male schizophrenics and from 12 patients admitted with acute schizophrenia were examined for antibodies against cytomegalovirus. A sensitive and specific enzyme-immunoassay was used to detect IgG or IgM classes of antibodies in the CSF of the schizophrenic patients and of ten orthopaedic patients, who served as controls. No significant amounts of IgM antibody were found in the CSF of either group. A significant titre of IgG was found in only one of the 32 schizophrenics, an acute patient, but in four of the orthopaedic patients. The results do not support an association of cytomegalovirus infection with schizophrenia; if such an association occurs, it must be unusual. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 20 chronically hospitalised male schizophrenics and from 12 patients admitted with acute schizophrenia were examined for antibodies against cytomegalovirus. A sensitive and specific enzyme-immunoassay was used to detect IgG or IgM classes of antibodies in the CSF of the schizophrenic patients and of ten orthopaedic patients, who served as controls. No significant amounts of IgM antibody were found in the CSF of either group. A significant titre of IgG was found in only one of the 32 schizophrenics, an acute patient, but in four of the orthopaedic patients. The results do not support an association of cytomegalovirus infection with schizophrenia; if such an association occurs, it must be unusual. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses developments in the treatment of hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is asserted that the development of the first-generation vaccines against HBV may afford a unique opportunity to intervene in the natural history of a human tumor by immunoprophylaxis. The circumstances that led to the development of the vaccine in 1965 are presented. Moreover, the sources of current vaccines in use are cited, including highly purified hepatitis B surface antigen material from donated blood.

SUMMARY An outbreak of infectious hepatitis in a hæmodialysis unit is described. From November 1968 to December 1970, at least 108 patients and staff were at risk. Of the 68 patients at risk, 28 developed hepatitis. Only 1 member of the staff developed hepatitis. No deaths attributable to hepatitis occurred. E.H.A.A. (epidemic hepatitis associated antigen) was detected in 2 patients with hepatitis. H.A.A. (Australia antigen) was not detected in any patient with hepatitis. In one dialysis patient who had no clinical or biochemical evidence of hepatitis, H.A.A. (Australia antigen) was detected on one occasion only in October 1970. Nine patients developed a significant rise in hæmoglobin level during hepatitis. The explanation for this is unknown. This outbreak of hepatitis has not prevented the expansion of the home dialysis and transplantation programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]