35 dialysis patients underwent anti-HBV vaccination. We classified patients in responders or non-responders using an anti-HBs titer of 50 UI/l as the discriminating serum level and tried to assess whether the antibody response bears any relationship with the nutritional status. 26 patients (74%) reached the target atb titer, which was maintained during follow-up (average 360 UI/l). The weak response in the other 9, with values never exceeding 20 UI/l, was short-lived. Anthropometric and impedenziometric parameters were higher in responders than in nonresponders, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. We conclude that the atb titer which discriminates uremics in responders or not must be > 50 UI/l and that the nutritional status may interfere with the seroconversion rate, but this conclusion needs to be validated in a wider population.

Using bDNA, the plasma viral load trend of HCV-infected patients undergoing IFN therapy was analyzed. Nine patients were enrolled, each assigned to one of three groups, based on IFN response as determined by ALT and AST level trend. HCV was genotyped using DEIA. Each patient's clinical stage was determined by liver biopsy analysis. In nonresponding patients elevated viral loads and biochemical parameters were observed. These values were not influenced by IFN treatment. In relapsed patients the cessation of IFN treatment increased viral load; this was associated with a rise in ALT and AST values. In responders ALT and AST levels remained normal; viral load was low. Patients with elevated HCV viral load showed a worsening in their liver histology during the follow-up period. These results confirm that plasma viral load is a good marker of biochemical change and disease progression.

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