45) v 18.4 (3.32)). Microglobules were more frequent in patients with chronic hepatitis C than in patients with ALD. In patients with chronic hepatitis C, the fat globules had a zonal distribution in comparison with pan steatosis in ALD. Conclusion-Quantitative, stereological techniques are simple and reliable for evaluating hepatic fibrosis and steatosis in chronic hepatitis C. They are most useful for assessing the origin, location, and the stage of fibrosis. Stereology and morphometry are recommended for the quantitation of fibrosis and steatosis, particularly for the evaluation of new treatment strategies in patients with chronic hepatitis C. (J Clin Pathol 2001;54:461-465)

The absorption of lactulose and mannitol in 20 patients with Crohn’s disease limited to the ileum or colon was studied, and lactulose/mannitol excretion ratios were calculated. The results were compared to those from 16 normal controls and 6 patients with ulcerative colitis. The 13 patients with ileal Crohn’s disease had significantly higher lactulose/mannitol excretion ratios than the controls (p < 0.01) or ulcerative colitics (p < 0.01). Similarly, the 7 patients with Crohn’s disease limited to the colon had significantly higher excretion ratios than the controls (p < 0.01) or ulcerative colitics (p < 0.01). The results provide support for the concept that Crohn’s disease may be more extensive than is apparent macroscopically.

Mannitol (molecular weight 182), lactulose (342), and polyethylene glycol 400 (range 242-550) absorption was studied in 25 controls, 22 untreated celiacs, and 13 treated celiacs. Untreated celiacs absorbed less mannitol and more lactulose than controls. Absorption of higher as well as lower molecular-weight polyethylene glycols was reduced in untreated celiac disease. Absorption returned towards normal on treatment. Polyethylene glycol and lactulose absorption was enhanced by administering them in a hypertonic solution. Polyethylene glycol 400 but not lactulose or mannitol was lipid soluble in vitro. It was concluded that the mucosa in untreated celiac disease was more "leaky" than normal. Polyethylene glycol 400 absorption data suggested that its absorption may largely be determined by its lipid solubility and was decreased in celiac disease because of the reduced surface area of the small intestine. Polyethylene glycol 400 cannot be recommended as a suitable marker for permeability studies of the small intestine.

Absorption of lactulose and mannitol was measured in eleven patients with atopic eczema and lactulose/mannitol excretion ratios were calculated. Mean lactulose absorption was increased in the patients with exzema and their excretion ratios were higher than those of controls. There was no correlation between either eczema extent or severity and the excretion ratio. We conclude that small intestinal passive permeability is increased in some patients with atopic eczema.

he hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major human pathogen, with 257 million chronic carriers worldwideespecially in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa-who remain at risk for cirrhosis, liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. 1,2 There are 8 major HBV genotypes, with a specific geographic and ethnic distribution, which have been linked to disease outcomes and response to antiviral therapy. 3 Hepatitis B is reportable to the Canadian Notifiable Disease Surveillance System, 4 yet reliable epidemiologic data are limited owing to the lack of standardized reporting practices and with reporting of only acutely infected people. A Public Health Agency of Canada report on hepatitis B and C in Canada in 2013 lacks data from 2 provinces (Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island) and 2 territories (Northwest Territories, Nunavut). 5 Data from the Public Health Agency of Canada show lower estimates of chronic hepatitis B prevalence and incidence rate in British Columbia than those reported by the BC Centre for Disease Control owing to disparate reporting practices. 6 In a report from the Canadian Liver Foundation, it was estimated that 250 000