SERUM LACTOFERRIN DYNAMICS IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC OSTEOMYELITIS COMPLICATED BY HEPATITIS C VIRUS
The level of serum lactoferrin (LF) investigated in patients with chronic osteomyelitis in the pre- and postoperative period. Serum LF preoperative values in patients with chronic osteomyelitis were significantly higher than those of the physiological norm. Hepatitis C virus contributes to 2,5-3-fold increase of LF level comparing with the norm. The decrease of serum LF concentration up to the physiological norm level is the criterion of favorable postoperative period in patients without virus load; and the decrease of serum LF concentration up to the initial values below the physiological norm level is the criterion in patients with chronic osteomyelitis complicated by hepatitis C virus.