The intrafamilial clustering of hepatitis A virus infections (HAV) in families with an index case of sporadic hepatitis A was studied. Four hundred and three family members (84.3%) of 113 children with acute hepatitis A admitted to the Paediatric Department of the West Attica Hospital were included in the study. Epidemiological data and serum samples were collected within 1 week after the patient's admittance to the hospital. Enzyme-immunoassays were used to detect recent or past HAV infections. The attack rate of HAV infections in susceptible family members was found to be similar in susceptible fathers (16.6%, 1/6), mothers (23.5%, 4/17) and siblings (18.1%, 37/204). The infected family members belonged to 22 families. The attack rate was found to be higher in families with a lower immunity level, while the social class was not found to play an important role. The administration of ISG prevented further spread of hepatitis A among those susceptible. Our data suggest that immunoglobulin for HAV prevention should be given not only to children but also to parents and other adult family members in areas with a low prevalence of anti-HAV among adults.

The effect of spironolactone on renal magnesium excretion under both basal conditions and conditions of frusemide-induced diuresis was studied in 11 control subjects with normal hepatic and renal function and in 12 patients with liver cirrhosis and ascites. In the control group, oral administration of spironolactone (200 mg daily for 5 days) resulted in a significant decrease in the mean renal excretion of both magnesium and potassium. In the cirrhotic patients, spironolactone did not significantly change the mean renal excretion of magnesium or potassium, but it produced a significant reduction in the frusemide-induced increase in the renal excretion of both potassium and magnesium. The study suggests that spironolactone decreases magnesium excretion in normal subjects and antagonizes the magnesiuric effect of frusemide in patients with liver cirrhosis and secondary aldosteronism.

In order to improve educational programmes directed at health care workers we investigated their knowledge, attitudes and practices in relation to HIV/AIDS. An anonymous self-administered questionnaires was distributed to 609 health care workers. Of these, 59.6% agreed to participate (42.4% of the medical doctors, 74.3% of the nurses and 79.6% of the laboratory technicians, health visitors and other health care workers). All studied groups believed that their knowledge of HIV modes of transmission (84.3%) was sufficient. In contrast, a relatively small percentage reported knowledge of the clinical spectrum of HIV infection (48.8%) and the diagnostic assays (57.6%). Nearly all the study participants believe (92.8%) that there is a risk of acquiring HIV infection during the hospitalization of HIV/AIDS patients. Obligatory screening of all patients was reported by nearly all participants (90.6%) as a chance to minimize their occupational risk. Although health care workers reported satisfactory knowledge of safety measures (87.0%), only 56.7% used gloves and 38.8% accept the hospitalization of HIV/AIDS patients. In spite of the educational programmes for AIDS in Greece, this study demonstrates that health professionals' knowledge and precautionary measures are not sufficient. As a result, a small percentage of them treat AIDS patients without discrimination. There is an urgent need to implement specific educational programmes for health professionals so that they will safely provide high quality care to people affected by HIV/AIDS.

Non-Hodgkin lymphomas are a recognised complication of AIDS and may involve the oral cavity. However, no case of Hodgkin's disease affecting the oral cavity in AIDS appears to have been recorded. We report a male homosexual with AIDS and Hodgkin's lymphoma, who presented with gingival involvement.

The effects of different postcuring methods on the wear resistance of three different composite materials was evaluated using a clinically correlated in vitro test. While postcuring did not significantly affect the wear resistance of the occlusal contact surfaces in two of the materials tested, wear decreased significantly in the third material after heat postcuring. The effects of postcuring on wear resistance seem to be of a complex nature. Thus it is recommended not to use postcuring techniques indiscriminately.