HEPATITIS-B AND HEPATITIS-C VIRUS-INFECTION IN POLISH CHILDREN WITH MALIGNANCIES

Infections by hepatotropic viruses belong to the most common complicat ions of chemotherapy in children suffering from neoplastic diseases. T he rate of hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infectio n and the effectiveness of passive immunization against HBV were studi ed in 285 children; 148/285 with lymphoproliferative diseases and 137/ 285 with solid tumours. HBV infection was observed in 10.2% children r eceiving hepatitis B immune globulin as compared to 36.8% without pass ive immunization against HBV. Anti-HCV antibodies were similar in both groups amounting 38.7% and 32.6% respectively. Conclusion The results show that hepatitis B immune globulin administration is effective and that HCV might become the main cause of hepatitis among immunosuppres sed patients in the future.