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A total of 42 strains of Fusarium graminearum isolated from cereals, maize, grasses and air were screened for their ability to produce 8-ketotrichothecenes [deoxynivalenol (DON), 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (ADON), 15-ADON, nivalenol (NIV)]. The isolates were grown on the solid substrate of rice grains in the dark at 25 and 10°C for 28 days. Toxin analyses were made by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique. The GC-MS was more suitable for qualitative and quantitative determination of acetyl-DONs, than high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) technique. Of the 42 F. graminearum isolates, 39 produced DON, 34 produced both 3- and 15-ADON and one produced DON-NIV. The quantity of DON varied with isolates (46–6840 mg/kg). Our results suggest that strains of F. graminearum prevailing in Hungarian cereal- and maize-growing regions belong to DON chemotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is endemic throughout the world, affecting most of the population, but the seroprevalence of CMV is known to vary among countries. CMV causes a mild infection in persons with intact immunity; however, CMV infection in organ transplantation is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The present retrospective study was designed to evaluate the age-, gender-, and blood group-adjusted CMV seroprevalence among solid organ donors, representing fairly the overall Hungarian population (according to Hungarian Central Statistic Institute). This information is important for calculating risk-factors for CMV-seronegative recipients. No nationwide estimates of CMV seroprevalence in Hungary (as a representative of Eastern Middle Europe) have been published yet. Methods: We investigated 2070 organ donors for CMV seroprevalence by measuring the CMV-specific immunoglobulin G. The donors were divided into 3 age groups (2–20, 21–50, and 51–70 years old). A study was also conducted on a fourth group consisting of 200 residents from an old age home. CMV seroprevalence differences were searched according to age-, gender- and blood-group distribution. Results: The CMV seroprevalence of organ donors is 85% and of all investigated persons is 86%. The age-specific prevalence increases, starting from 72% in the first group to 99% in the fourth group. Seroprevalence of females was found to be significantly higher than of males (P = .0001). Conclusion: We have shown that the overall CMV seroprevalence in the Hungarian population is moderately high at 86%. The opportunity for CMV-seronegative recipients to get a graft from a seronegative donor is statistically only 2%. The seroprevalence of the youngest age group is 72% and so it can be concluded that the Hungarian population acquires the infection mainly in childhood or in the early adulthood. Female gender is a risk factor for CMV infection. This fact must be taken into consideration during the planning of patients'' follow-up, prophylaxis, and therapy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Smoking is a known risk factor for kidney damage and also influences graft function following renal transplantation. Because smoking habits following kidney transplantation are not systematically evaluated, we analyzed them in a single center in Hungary. The survey was conducted among 402 randomly selected kidney graft recipients. We assessed smoking-related questions as well as clinical kidney disease and transplantation data. Posttransplantation renal function was analyzed based on serum creatinine values at 1 month and at 3 years after transplantation. In our study 25% (n = 102) of patients continued to smoke after transplantation. Smokers who received grafts displayed a significantly younger age compared with nonsmokers (40.1 ± 13.4 vs 47.1 ± 12.7 years; P < .001) independent of underlying kidney disease. Posttransplantation kidney function in smokers did not differ at 1 month after engraftment, but was significantly impaired at 3 years as assessed based on serum creatinine levels: 138.9 ± 42.4 versus 128.4 ± 48.5 μmol/L (P < .05). Decrease of renal function correlated with smoking intensity defined in pack-years (r 2 = 0.102; P < .05). Smoking is common following kidney transplantation in Hungary and might represent a risk factor for kidney damage following renal transplantation. Therefore, effective tobacco-dependence treatment is necessary in this patient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the Pb, Sr, and U isotopic composition and the concentration of toxic metal elements in sediment core samples collected in Lake Balaton at a sediment trap that was deep dredged in 1979, to analyze their changes in the last 40 years. Pb isotopic composition profiles of cores taken from the sediment trap showed different 206 Pb/ 207 Pb ratios ranging from 1.206 ± 0.002 at the bottom of the core (phase 1) compared to 1.185 ± 0.002 at the top of the core (phase 2). Phase 2 is the fraction reflecting isotopic signatures of the latest 40 years. At 80-100-cm depth, a transition zone was observed. Pb concentration together with Zn, Sb, Cu, Cd, and Fe showed elevated, 2-4 times higher values in the top phase of the sediment. The calculated Pb isotopic composition of pollutant Pb fraction was 1.177 ± 0.005 in the case of the 206 Pb/ 207 Pb and 2.456 ± 0.004 for 208 Pb/ 207 Pb, which shows good agreement with literature data for lead ores in Poland and Germany, but it is distinct from literature data for leaded fuel concerning Middle and Eastern Europe. The marked difference in the Pb signatures of phases enabled the construction of a sediment deposition rate map. U and Mo showed a characteristic concentration peak positioned exactly at the depth of the Pb signature transition. The isotopic signature of U based on 234 U and 235 U also showed a similar pattern. We suggest that the deposition of U and Mo can be related to cyanobacterial blooms in Lake Balaton in the late 1970s and early1980s., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Equine grass sickness (also known as dysautonomia) is a life-threatening polyneuropathic disease affecting horses with approx. 80% mortality. Since its first description over a century ago, several factors, such as the phenotype, intestinal microbiome, environment, management and climate, have been supposed to be associated with the increased risk of dysautonomia. In this retrospective study, we examined the possible involvement of genetic factors. Medical and pedigree datasets regarding 1,233 horses with 49 affected animals born during a 23-year period were used in the analysis. Among the descendants of some stallions, the proportion of animals diagnosed with dysautonomia was unexpectedly high. Among males, the odds of dysautonomia were found to be higher, albeit not significantly, than among females. Significant familial clustering (genealogical index of familiality, P = 0.001) was observed among the affected animals. Further subgroups were identified with significant (P < 0.001) aggregation among close relatives using kinship-based methods. Our analysis, along with the slightly higher disease frequency in males, suggests that dysautonomia may have a genetic causal factor with an X-linked recessive inheritance pattern. This is the first study providing ancestry data and suggesting a heritable component in the likely multifactorial aetiology of the disease.

Introduction and aim: As the efficacy of the first-line traditional treatment used to eradicate Helicobacter pylori (H. p.) decreased below 75% in Hungary, a new protocol had to be created. Method: Supposing the success rate of the traditional therapy (14-day double dose of proton pump inhibitor [PPI], 1000 mg amoxicillin b.i.d., 500 mg clarithromycin b.i.d. [PAC]) to be 75% and the efficacy of the new protocol (10-day 120 mg bismuth dicitrate q.i.d., double dose PPI b.i.d., 500 mg tetracycline q.i.d. and 500 mg tinidazole b.i.d. [BQT]) to be 90%, we calculated 109 patients on each arm. Patients were recruited after upper gastrointestinal endoscopy from 5 endoscopic units in Vas county. The heterogeneity of groups, success rate and side effects of both therapies were evaluated by Fisher exact test; p<0.05 was considered significant. Results: 110 patients were included in the BQT and 109 patients in the PAC group. There was no heterogeneity between the two groups in age, gender and indication of eradication. H. p. eradication was successful in 103/110 (93.6%) in the BQT and 81/109 (74.3%) in the PAC group (p<0.001). The odds ratio in the BQT group for successful eradication was 5.05 (95% confidence interval: 2.02-14.42) as compared to the PAC group (p<0.001). The side effects of the two groups were similar, in the BQT group the frequency was 34.5%. Conclusion: 10 day-long BQT containing double dose PPI with 120 mg bismuth dicitrate q.i.d., 500 mg tetracycline q.i.d. and 500 mg tinidazole b.i.d. is recommended as the first-line treatment for the eradication of H. p. because of its high efficacy and tolerable side effects. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(34): 1340-1345.

Home parenteral nutrition administered in selected care centres has been financed in Hungary since January, 2013. The authors discuss diagnostic issues, treatment and nutrition therapy of short bowel syndrome patients in line with the principles of personalised medicine. The most severe form of short bowel syndrome occurs in patients having jejunostomy, whose treatment is discussed separately. The authors give a detailed overview of home parenteral feeding, its possible complications, outcomes and adaptation of the remaining bowel. They describe how their own care centre operates where they administer home parenteral nutrition to 12 patients with short bowel syndrome (5 females and 7 males aged 51.25±14.4 years). The body mass index was 19.07±5.08 kg/m2 and 20.87±3.3 kg/m2, skeletal muscle mass was 25.7±6.3 kg and 26.45±5.38 kg, and body fat mass was 14.25±8.55 kg and 11.77±2.71 kg at the start of home parenteral nutrition and presently, respectively. The underlying conditions of short bowel syndrome were tumours in 4 patients, bowel ischaemia in four patients, surgical complications in three patients, Crohn's disease in one patient, and Crohn's disease plus tumour in one patient.

Introduction: Nearly 6000 autoptic studies were carried out during the last 50 years at the Laboratory of Neuropathology, Markusovszky University Teaching Hospital, Hungary., Aim: The aim of the authors was to present those previously frequent and often fatal conditions that can be prevented or treated today., Method: Retrospective analyses of the neuropathological documentations., Results: Measles-related subacute sclerosing panencephalitis caused death in 13 cases, the last occurred in 1991. The mandatory vaccination against the causative virus has eliminated this severe neurological complication. Fourteen lives were lost due to herpes simplex encephalitis, including the last case seen in 1999. Feasibility of early diagnosis and the availability of acyclovir therapy resulted in better outcome without fatality. Tuberculous meningitis still occurred in most recent years, although only sporadically. Recognition of this condition is not straightforward due to its rarity, and considerations for this disease are often omitted from the routine differential diagnosis. The generally low mortality rates in tick borne encephalitis further dropped after the introduction of vaccination. Altogether only 8 such cases were documented. The last fatal cases of neurolues were seen in the 1990s. However, syphilis itself has not disappeared, and the number of cases with newly acquired infection continues to rise. The introduction of intrathecal methotrexate and radiotherapy made possible the prevention or effective treatment of meningeal leukosis. A careful coordination of these treatment modalities, however, is important as nervous system complications may develop in the form of disseminated necrotizing leukoencephalopathy that is also reflected in the records., Conclusions: The 50-year neuropathology documentation reflects changes in the occurrence of diseases, and it calls attention to those disorders which can be prevented or treated today, but may represent diagnostic challenges.

Background: For a better differential diagnosis of eating disorders, it is necessary to investigate their subtypes and develop specific assessment tools to measure their specific symptoms. Orthorexia nervosa is an alleged eating disorder in which the person is excessively preoccupied with healthy food. The ORTO-15, designed by Donini and colleagues, is the first and only at least partially validated instrument to measure this construct. The aims of the present study were to examine the psychometric properties of its Hungarian adaptation (ORTO-11-Hu), and to investigate its relationship to food consumption and lifestyle habits in order to contribute to a better description of the phenomenon., Methods: The ORTO-11-Hu, a lifestyle habits questionnaire, a food choice list indicating foods the participants choose to consume, and ten additional orthorexia-related questions were administered to a group of 810 Hungarian participants (89.4% female) aged between 20 and 70 (M = 32.39 ± 10.37 years)., Results: Confirmatory factor analysis suggested a single factor structure for the 11-item shortened version of the instrument. Internal consistency of the measure was adequate (Cronbach's alpha = 0.82). No significant differences were found between males and females on the ORTO-11-Hu. Age and body mass index were significantly associated with a tendency towards orthorexia nervosa. Additional orthorexia-related features were significantly correlated with ORTO-11-Hu scores: orthorexia nervosa tendency was associated not only with healthier food choices (eating more whole wheat cereals, less white wheat cereals, more fruit and vegetables) but with shopping in health food stores, as well as with some healthy lifestyle habits (more sports activity, specific dietary behaviors, and less alcohol intake). Individuals with higher orthorexia nervosa tendency also reported a greater tendency to advocate their healthy diet to their friends and family members., Conclusions: These results provide evidence for the reliability of ORTO-11-Hu and some support for the construct validity of the instrument. The present study also contributes to the establishment of (diagnostic) criteria for this new subtype of eating disorders.

Background: Previous studies have shown that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in IL28B and IL10R are associated with sustained virological response (SVR) in chronic hepatitis C patients treated with pegilated interferon plus ribavirin (P/R). The present study extends our earlier investigations on a large East-Central European cohort. The allele frequencies of IL28B and IL10R in genotype 1 HCV infection were compared with that of healthy controls for the purpose of examining the relationship between the polymorphisms and the SVR to P/R treatment., Methods: A total of 748 chronic HCV1 infected patients (365 male, 383 female; 18-82 years) and 105 voluntary blood donors as controls were enrolled. Four hundred and twenty HCV patients were treated with P/R for 24-72 weeks, out of them 195 (46.4%) achieved SVR. The IL28 rs12979860 SNP was determined using Custom Taqman SNP Genotyping Assays. The IL10R -1087 (also known as IL10R -1082 (rs1800896) promoter region SNP was determined by RT-PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis., Results: The IL28B CC genotype occurred with lower frequency in HCV patients than in controls (26.1% vs 51.4%, p<0.001). P/R treated patients with the IL28B CC genotype achieved higher SVR rate, as compared to patients with CT (58.6% vs 40.8%, p=0.002). The prevalence of IL10R -1087 GG genotype was lower in patients than in controls (31.8 % vs 52.2%, p<0.001). Among patients achieving SVR, the IL10R -1087 GG genotype occurred with higher frequency than the AA (32.0% vs 17.4%, p=0.013). The IL28B T allele plus IL10R A allele combination was found with higher prevalence in patients than in controls (52% vs 20.7%, p<0.001). The IL28B CC plus IL10R A allele combination occurred with higher frequency among patients with SVR than in non-responders (21.3% vs 12.8%, p=0.026). Both the IL28B CC plus IL10R GG and the IL28B CC plus IL10R A allele combinations occurred with lower frequency in patients than in controls., Conclusions: In our HCV1 patients, both the IL28B CC and IL10R GG genotypes are associated with clearance of HCV. Moreover, distinct IL28B and IL10R allele combinations appear to be protective against chronic HCV1 infection and predictors of response to P/R therapy.

The history of organ transplantation in Hungary dates back to 50 years, and the first succesful liver transplantation was performed in the United States in that time as well. The number of patients with end stage liver disease increased worldwide, and over 7000 patients die in each year due to liver disease in Hungary. The most effective treatment of end-stage liver disease is liver transplantation. The indications of liver transplantation represent a wide spectrum including viral, alcoholic or other parenchymal liver cirrhosis, but cholestatic liver disease and acute fulminant cases are also present in the daily routine. In pediatric patients biliary atresia and different forms of metabolic liver disorders represent the main indication for liver transplantation. The results of liver transplantation in Hungary are optimal with over 80% long-term survival. For better survival individual drug therapy and monitoring are introduced in liver transplant candidates.

Background: Solid organ transplant recipients undergoing immunosuppressive therapy are considered to be at high risk of serious infectious complications. In 2009, a new influenza pandemic caused serious infections and deaths, especially among children and immunocompromised patients. Herein we have reported the safety and efficacy of a single-shot monovalent whole-virus vaccine against H1N1 infection in the pediatric renal transplant population., Methods: In November and December 2009, we vaccinated 37 renal transplant children and adolescents and measured their antibody responses. Seroprotection, seroconversion, and seroconversion factors were analyzed at 21 days after vaccination., Results: None of the vaccinated patients experienced vaccine-related side effects. None of the patients had an H1N1 influenza infection after vaccination. All of the patients showed elevations in antibody titer at 21 days after vaccination. In contrast, only 29.72% of the patients achieved a safe seroprotection level and only 18.75% a safe seroconversion rate. More intense immunosuppressive treatment displayed negative effect on seroprotection and seroconversion, and antibody production significantly increased with age. No other factor was observed to influence seroprotection., Conclusions: We recommend vaccination of children and adolescent renal transplant recipients against H1N1 virus. However, a single shot of vaccine may not be sufficient; to achieve seroprotection, a booster vaccination and measurement of the antibody response are needed to assure protection of our patients., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Unlabelled: The IBD5 locus (MIM#606348) on chromosome 5q31 has been demonstrated to confer increased risk for inflammatory bowel disease. Controversial reports have been published about the significance of individual loci located in this region. Here we investigated the possible genetic association of inflammatory bowel diseases with C1672T of SLC22A4 and G-207C SLC22A5 alleles, and with IGR2096a&#95;1 (rs12521868) and IGR2198a&#95;1 (rs11739135) susceptibility variants of the IBD5 region located on chromosome 5q31., Patients and Methods: Total of 440 patients, 206 with Crohn's disease, 234 with ulcerative colitis, and 279 controls were studied by PCR-RFLP methods., Results: Neither the C1672T, and G-207C alleles, nor the TC haplotype were found to confer risk for Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. By contrast, both of the minor allele frequencies of IGR2096a&#95;1 T (48.1%) and IGR2198a&#95;1 C (46.1%) were increased in Crohn's disease subjects as compared with the controls (38.5% and 38.4%, respectively; p<0.05). Using regression analysis adjusted to age and gender these alleles were found to confer risk for Crohn's disease (OR=1.694, 95% CI: 1.137-2.522; p=0.010 for T allele, OR=1.644, 95% CI=1.103-2.449; p=0.015 for C allele of IGRs). In UC no such associations were found., Conclusions: Our results revealed the susceptibility nature of the examined IGR minor alleles in Hungarians, which nation differs historically from the surrounding Caucasian populations in origin of the founders of the state.

Background and Aims: We investigated the possible association of IBD with C1672T of SLC22A4 and G-207C of SLC22A5 alleles, and with the novel IGR2096a&#95;1 (rs12521868) and IGR2198a&#95;1 (rs11739135) susceptibility loci, all located on IBD5 locus of chromosome 5q31., Materials and Methods: DNA of 217 Crohn's disease, 252 ulcerative colitis, and 290 control patients were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism methods., Results: Neither the C1672T and G-207C alleles, nor the TC haplotype were found to be risk factors. By contrast, the minor allele frequencies of IGR2096a&#95;1 T (47.2%) and IGR2198a&#95;1 C (45.9%) were increased in Crohn's disease compared with the controls (38.2% and 37.7%, respectively; p < 0.05); multivariate regression analysis revealed a risk nature for Crohn's disease (OR = 1.748, 95% CI 1.186-2.574; p = 0.007 for T allele, OR = 1.646, 95% CI 1.119-2.423, p = 0.011 for C allele of IGRs)., Conclusion: The data suggest a special haplotype arrangement of susceptibility genes at the IBD5 locus in Hungarians, which nation differs historically from the surrounding Caucasian ethnicities in its origin.

Objectives: Renal disease at any stage is often accompanied by significant gastrointestinal symptoms, and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is closely related to these disorders. A debate is still ongoing on the clinical significance of coexisting uraemia and H. pylori. HLA-class II genes have been repeatedly investigated for predisposition to H. pylori infection. The aim of our work was to evaluate the infection rate among uraemic patients, and study the relationship between HLA antigens and H. pylori serologic status in the same cohort., Materials and Methods: Data of 709 uraemic patients were collected and analyzed from 2001-2006. 58.7% of patients were male, 41.3% were female, mean age was 45.1 years (SD: +/-14.65). Microlymphocytotoxicity assay was used for typing of HLA class I, PCR-SSP for typing HLA class II alleles and enzyme immunofluorescency for specific H. pylori IgG., Results: Of 709 patients, 49.37% were seropositive for H. pylori. Age of H. pylori positive patients was 48.9 versus 41 years of negatives (P<0.0001). Prevalence of H. pylori decreased strongly with year of birth. Significant difference was observed in the occurrence of HLA-DR12 according to H. pylori serology. Of patients carrying DR12, 27 (73%) were H. pylori positive and 10 (27%) were negative [P=0.0037; risk ratios (RR): 2.76]., Conclusion: H. pylori infection rate and its decrease with year of birth was the same in the uraemic patients and in the normal population, according to specific prevalence figures. Frequency of HLA-DR12 was the same as in the general population; consequently, it might be a possible risk factor for H. pylori seropositivity, at least in a Central-European population.

The authors overview the results of liver transplantations of HBV patients in Hungary. The special needs of pre- and postoperative period of HBV infected patients in the treatment are discussed. 4 patients were transplanted because of HBV cirrhosis. 1 patient died in the early postoperative period, 3 patients are well and active. The authors also overview the de novo HBV infections in transplanted patients, found in 6 cases.

Aim: The goal of the current work was to analyse the prevalence of the +49A/G variant of the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 gene (CTLA4) in Hungarian patients with Crohnos disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC)., Methods: A total of 130 unrelated subjects with CD and 150 with UC, and 170 matched controls were genotyped for the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). The genotypes were determined by using PCR/RFLP test., Results: The G allele frequency and the prevalence of the GG genotype were 38.1% and 12.3% in the CD group, 40.6% and 18.6% in the UC patients, and 37.4% and 15.9% in the control group, respectively., Conclusion: The results of the current study show that carriage of the +49G SNP in heterozygous or in homozygous form does not confer risk either for CD or for UC in the Hungarian population.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this study was to verify the prevalence rate of the haplotype called TC, determined by combination of two functional alleles of OCTN cation transporter genes (SLC22A4 1672T and SLC22A5 -207C combination variants) in ulcerative colitis patients and unrelated healthy controls. The "TC haplotype" has recently been suggested to confer risk for UC. A total of 121 unrelated Hungarian subjects with UC and 110 matched controls were genotyped for the two single nucleotide polymorphisms. The genotypes were determined by using PCR/RFLP assay and direct sequencing. The SLC22A4 1672T allele frequency was 46.7% in the patients with UC and 46.4% in the controls, whereas the SLC22A5 -207C allele occurred in 48.8% of the patients and 51.4% of the controls. The prevalence of the TC haplotype was 19% in the patient group and 22.7% in controls. Since there was no accumulation of the TC haplotype in the patient group, our observation suggests that carrying the TC haplotype is not associated with a higher risk for UC in the Hungarian population.

Introductions: The authors summarize the demographic, morbidity and mortality characteristics of the Hungarian Liver Transplant Program., Aims: They evaluate the changes and development, that has taken place with regard to indications, recipient population and characteristics, operation technique, and peroperative patient management., Method: In order to present the development, data are compared between two time periods (before and after 1999). The results are summarized on Tables and statistical Figures. Categorical variables are evaluated by chi2-test, continuous ones are with Levene Test (for homogeneity of means), Student T test and Mann-Whitney U-test. Cumulative survivals are computed with Kaplan-Meier log rank analysis., Results: 194 primary liver transplantation have been performed. The hepatitis C was the leading indication from the beginning. Ten (10) liver transplantation have been performed in 1995, while 44 in 2004. The mortality within the first 2 months decreased from 24% to 5%. The 1, 3 and 5 year cumulative patient survival increased from 55%, 45% es 39% (1995-1997), to 72%, 64% es 61% (1998-2000). Recently this is 78%, 77% es 77%., Conclusions: Between 1995-1997 conventional liver transplantation became standard, while piggy back turned to be popular from 1998. From 1999 the HCV-PCR monitoring, the combined antiviral treatment, the UW perfusion of the donors took place. From 2003 we introduced the tailored immunosuppression, the steroid-free protocol for viral diseases. Total infused volume was decreased together with the amount of transfusion. The retrograde graft reperfusion (from the caval side) was introduced in 2004 together with the split technique in the liver transplantation and the rebirth of the pediatric program. The overall outcome of the retrospective analysis is, that the program has been developed to European standards with respect to its volume, technical capabilities and results.

Introduction: The increased incidence of malignancies among transplanted patients is well known. Abnormal function of the p53 tumor suppressor gene has been reported in more than half of all tumors. The aim of our study was to detect point mutations of p53 gene in transplanted patients because the presence of mutations may be a predictive factor for tumor development. An earlier diagnosis can help to develop new strategies for immunosuppressive therapies., Methods: Three point mutations were chosen based on the literature: exon5-codon175, exon7-codon248, exon8-codon273. Genomic DNA from the plasma of 60 liver, 362 renal transplants, and 45 nontransplanted patients with different tumors and 20 suspected healthy patients were analyzed with a real-time PCR method using the Roche LightCycler. The mutations were evaluated by melting curve analysis., Results: We elaborated a special protocol for scanning the above mentioned p53 point mutations, which were proved by sequencing as well. Among 487 patients, 486 showed a wild-type genotype. The only patient carrying a mutation at codon 273 (heterozygous) was a liver transplant patient, who developed pancreas carcinoma and had already died., Conclusion: Our data suggest that mutations of the targeted codons in leukocyte DNA seem to be rare, but a mutation could be lethal. The evaluated three point mutations of p53 gene were not predictive for tumor development.

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is considered to be the major cause of upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in organ transplant recipients. In the diagnosis of GI CMV infection the detection of the virus in the mucosa is essential. The aim of the study was to evaluate the significance of CMV, detected in biopsy specimens from stomach and duodenum of solid organ transplant recipients., Methods: Data of 227 elective upper endoscopies on symptomatic organ transplant recipients were evaluated for clinical symptoms, endoscopic changes and conventional histologic alterations of mucosal biopsy samples. Qualitative PCR was performed for detection of the presence of CMV-DNA in each biopsy materials., Results: CMV-DNA was detected in biopsy samples of 91 patients (40.1%) while only in 20 cases (8.8%) the signs of CMV infections were found by conventional histology (p < 0.00001). No considerable differences could be observed in symptomatic, histologic alterations between CMV-PCR positive and negative groups. There were no endoscopic changes in 25.3% of CMV-PCR positive and 5.1% of negative patients., Conclusions: Qualitative PCR is an accurate method for the detection of CMV in the mucosa of the GI tract. Further investigations are needed for determination of the exact pathological role of detected CMV.

The authors investigated 998 organ-donors for Human cytomegalovirus seroprevalence. The donors were divided into three age-groups. In organ-donors the seroprevalence was found to be 84%. A study was also conducted on a fourth group consisting of 200 residents from an old-age home. The youngest donor was 2 years of age, the eldest old-age home resident was of 92 years. The examined persons represent the hungarian population. It was found that as the result of the investigation of all 1198 subjects, the Human cytomegalovirus overall seroprevalence in Hungary is 86%. The age specific prevalence increases starting from 73% in the first group (2 to 20 years old) to 99% in the fourth group (71 to 92 years old). This has indicated that most of the population acquired the primary infection in the childhood or during early adulthood. According to these results the authors resumed that in Hungary the Human cytomegalovirus seroprevalence is high. This would cause problems when a seronegative organ-recipient needs an organ transplantation. Between males and females a significant difference of Human cytomegalovirus seroprevalence was found: 89% of females were seropositive in contrast to 81% of males (p < 0.05). The organ-donors were also examined for the presence of HBsAg, anti-HCV and anti-HIV. 1.8% of donors were HbsAg positive, 0.9% were anti-HCV positive and 1 person was anti-HIV positive, but these results weren't verificated.

A study was conducted with medical students to observe their drinking habits and alcohol misuse. The students completed questionnaires composed of AUDIT and SMAST questions. A significant proportion (33%) of students drank more than the recommended safe limit and screened positive at the AUDIT cut-off score of 11. The high scores of DSM-III criterion questions indicate that problem drinking on college campuses continues to be a significant public health concern. Our opinion is that prevention of alcohol misuse should be started at medical universities. The medical school curriculum must integrate education about alcohol. First the attitude of medical professionals should be changed so that we can achieve results in alcohol misuse prevention in society as a whole.