[Appearance of anti-DNA antibodies after treatment with interferon in a patient with chronic type C viral hepatitis]

The development of autoantibodies and autoimmune reactions has been reported during and after interferon (IFN) therapy. We report the case of a 55-years-old woman who developed anti-DNA and anti-nuclear antibodies after a 9 months treatment with alpha-IFN for chronic hepatitis C. Autoantibodies appearance has not modified the response to therapy; no clinical sign of autoimmune disease is appeared in a 5 months follow-up. HLA typing didn't show a genetic predisposition for the development of autoimmune reactions.

[Sudden cardiac death in primary systemic amyloidosis. Description of a case]

Primary amyloidosis is usually a progressive disease involving many organs. The heart is frequently affected and almost 30 per cent of the patients have congestive heart failure. Cardiac arrhythmias are also common. We report a case of sudden cardiac death in a patient with primary amyloidosis.

Analysis of folate and vitamin B12 in beta thalassemia minor

To evaluate whether anemia of heterozygote beta thalassemic subjects depends on folate or vitamin B12 deficiency, the serum values of these two vitamins were assessed in 176 adult subjects: 81 healthy heterozygote beta thalassemic subjects, 76 healthy normal controls and 15 subjects with microcytic iron deficient anaemia and no thalassemic trait. Mean serum folate and vitamin B12 levels in heterozygote beta thalassemic subjects were not statistically different when compared to control groups. No statistically significant correlation was found between mean serum levels of the two vitamins and hematocrit in beta thalassemic carriers and in normal subjects.

Average life expectancy of heterozygous beta thalassemic subjects

In order to define the lifespan of heterozygous beta thalassemic subjects as compared to non thalassemic subjects, the authors prospectively studied all patients deceased during a period of 76 months at St. Camillo Hospital of Comacchio (Ferrara), located in the Po delta, a region with high prevalence of thalassemia minor. No statistically significant differences were found in the average life expectancy between the thalassemic and non thalassemic groups.