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C Viruses (c + viruse)
Kinds of C Viruses Selected AbstractsEmerging clinical concerns in the ageing haemophilia patientHAEMOPHILIA, Issue 6 2009B. A. KONKLE Summary., The availability of safe replacement clotting factor concentrates together with effective antiviral drugs to treat human immunodeficiency and hepatitis C viruses and the provision of care at designated haemophilia treatment centres have resulted in a new phenomenon in haemophilia management , the ageing patient. Today, increasing numbers of persons with haemophilia (PWH) are middle-aged and older, and they face the same age-related health issues as the general population. The impact of these risks on PWH is unclear, however, and there is a paucity of information about how to manage comorbidities in this patient population. This review focuses on five comorbidities that uniquely affect older PWH: cardiovascular disease, liver disease, cancer, renal disease and joint disease. Available research is summarized and potential management approaches are suggested. [source] Strain-dependent viral dynamics and virus-cell interactions in a novel in vitro system supporting the life cycle of blood-borne hepatitis C virus,HEPATOLOGY, Issue 3 2009Hussein Hassan Aly We developed an in vitro system that can be used for the study of the life cycle of a wide variety of blood-borne hepatitis C viruses (HCV) from various patients using a three-dimensional hollow fiber culture system and an immortalized primary human hepatocyte (HuS-E/2) cell line. Unlike the conventional two-dimensional culture, this system not only enhanced the infectivity of blood-borne HCV but also supported its long-term proliferation and the production of infectious virus particles. Both sucrose gradient fractionation and electron microscopy examination showed that the produced virus-like particles are within a similar fraction and size range to those previously reported. Infection with different HCV strains showed strain-dependent different patterns of HCV proliferation and particle production. Fluctuation of virus proliferation and particle production was found during prolonged culture and was found to be associated with change in the major replicating virus strain. Induction of cellular apoptosis was only found when strains of HCV-2a genotype were used for infection. Interferon-alpha stimulation also varied among different strains of HCV-1b genotypes tested in this study. Conclusion: These results suggest that this in vitro infection system can reproduce strain-dependent events reflecting viral dynamics and virus-cell interactions at the early phase of blood-borne HCV infection, and that this system can allow the development of new anti-HCV strategies specific to various HCV strains. (HEPATOLOGY 2009.) [source] Causes of death among HIV-infected patients in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy, Bordeaux, France, 1998,1999HIV MEDICINE, Issue 3 2002F Bonnet Objectives To describe the causes of death in HIV-infected patients in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Method A retrospective survey conducted in Bordeaux, France. Medical records of all deaths that had occurred in 1998 and 1999 amongst patients followed within the Aquitaine cohort were reviewed by the same physician. Immediate and underlying causes of death were described, taking into account the morbidity at the time of death. Results Sixty-six deaths occurred in 1998, and 41 in 1999. Sixty-seven per cent of deceased patients were male. Median age at time of death was 43 years (range 25,71), median CD4 was 162 cells/µL (0,957); 28% of patients had a CD4 count > 200 cells/µL and 7% plasma viral load < 500 HIV-RNA copies/mL. Amongst morbidity present at the time of death, there were 23 bacterial infections, 16 non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, 16 cirrhoses, 15 non HIV-related malignancies, 13 central nervous system diseases and 10 myocardiopathies. The main immediate causes of death were: multiple organ failure (21%), coma (18%), septic shock (15%) and acute respiratory failure (14%). Underlying causes of death were AIDS-defining events (48%), non AIDS HIV-related infection (3%), hepatitis B- or C-associated cirrhosis (14%), non HIV-related malignancies (11%), cardiovascular events (10%), suicide and overdose (6%), treatment-related fatalities (4%), injury (2%) and unknown (2%). Patients dying from AIDS-related events were more often female, had a lower CD4 count, a higher level of HIV-RNA, a shorter history of HIV infection and were less often coinfected with hepatitis B and C viruses than those dying from other underlying causes. Conclusions AIDS-related events are no longer the major causes of death of HIV-infected patients in the era of HAART. This evolving mortality pattern justifies an adaptation of both the epidemiological surveillance and the clinical monitoring of HIV-infected patients. [source] Visual gene diagnosis of HBV and HCV based on nanoparticle probe amplification and silver staining enhancementJOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 2 2003Ye-Fu Wang Abstract A visual gene-detecting technique using nanoparticle-supported gene probes is described. With the aid of gold nanoparticle-supported 3,-end,mercapto-derivatized oligonucleotide serving as detection probe, and 5,-end ,amino-derivatized oligonucleotide immobilized on glass surface acting as capturing probe, target DNA was detected visually by sandwich hybridization based on highly sensitive "nano-amplification" and silver staining. Different genotypes of Hepatitis B and C viruses in the serum samples from infected patients were detected using home-made HBV, HCV, and HBV/HCV gene chips by the gold/silver nanoparticle staining amplification method. The present visual gene-detecting technique may avoid limitations with the reported methods, for its high sensitivity, good specificity, simplicity, speed, and cheapness. This technique has potential applications in many fields, especially in multi-gene detection gene chips coupled with the detection will find applications in clinic. Additionally, resonance Rayleigh light scattering (RLS) spectroscopy is used, for the first time, to judge and monitor the immobilization of gene probes on gold nanoparticle surfaces. J. Med. Virol. 70: 205,211, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Prevalence of hepatitis B and C: A Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre experienceJOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY RESEARCH (ELECTRONIC), Issue 3 2009Shehla Sami Abstract Aim:, To determine the prevalence of carriers of hepatitis B and C viruses among the obstetrical and gynecological population, the incidence of vertical transmission in obstetrical patients and to ascertain the risk factors associated with their transmission. Methods:, We conducted a prospective study over a 1-year period, from 1 January to 31 December 2005, comprising of an obstetrical population of 5902 deliveries and 548 major gynecology surgery patients. The study population was recruited by simple convenient sampling at Unit-I, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, Pakistan. Booked obstetrical and major gynecological surgical patients were routinely screened by Enzyme Immunoassay for hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) and anti-hepatitis C antibodies (anti-HCV) on venous blood samples. Liver function and carrier profile tests were performed on mothers who were positive for HBsAg. Babies of mothers with HbsAg were tested at birth for both HbsAg and HbeAg. Results:, Hepatitis B was detected in 275 pregnant women (4.6%) and in 70 (12%) gynecological patients. Hepatitis C was detected in 108 (1.8%) pregnant women and in 89 (16%) gynecological patients. Babies born to mothers with HBV or HCV infections tested negative. Four gynecological patients tested positive for both HBV and HCV infections. Unsafe surgery, injections and inadequately screened blood transfusions were the main underlying causes of infection. Conclusion:, Routine screening of the obstetrical population detected more cases of HBV infection than HCV, whereas HCV was more prevalent in the gynecological population, emphasizing the need for safe medical practices and patient education. [source] Screening for hepatitis B, C and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a survey of community-based physiciansALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 9 2009J. B. KALLMAN Summary Background, Screening guidelines for hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C viruses (HCV) as well as a position statement for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have been put forth by different sources, but awareness of these guidelines and their impact on the physician practices have not been assessed. Aim, To assess the attitudes of primary care physicians (PCPs), gastroenterologists (GEs) and hepatologists (HEPs) regarding screening for HBV, HCV and NAFLD. Design, A survey questionnaire was sent to community-based PCPs and GEs to assess issues related to HBV, HCV and NAFLD. The same questionnaire was sent to hepatologists (HEPs). The questionnaire contained 10 items related to demographic and practice patterns of these physicians, 35 items related to HBV, 35 items related to HCV and 29 items related to NAFLD. Results, A total of 214 physicians (103 PCPs, 59 GEs and 52 HEPs) completed the survey. A majority of PCPs, GEs and HEPs agreed on most screening issues for these causes of liver disease. Nevertheless, within group comparison of physicians (guideline aware versus guideline unaware) showed significant differences in accurate response between those who were aware of guidelines and those who were not aware. Conclusions, A large percentage of PCPs and GEs were unaware of official guidelines for viral hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Those aware of guidelines were more likely to screen appropriately and avoid unnecessary testing. More needs to be done to assess awareness and the impact implementation of guidelines in hepatology. [source] Interaction between hepatitis B and C viruses in hepatocellular carcinogenesisJOURNAL OF VIRAL HEPATITIS, Issue 3 2006M. C. Kew Summary., Although hepatitis B (HBV) and C viruses (HCV) are, individually, major causes of hepatocellular carcinoma, the interaction, if any, between the carcinogenic effects of the two viruses is uncertain. Equal numbers of published studies have reported no risk interaction or a synergistic risk interaction. These conflicting results are explained by the rarity of concurrent infection with HBV and HCV in individuals without clinically evident liver disease, which severely limits the ability to accurately estimate the hepatocarcinogenic risk of dual infection compared with that of either infection alone. In an attempt to circumvent this difficulty, two meta-analyses have been performed, one based on studies published from a number of countries and the other on studies confined to Chinese patients. Both analyses concluded that a synergistic carcinogenic interaction existed between the two viruses and that the increased risk was super-additive but not multiplicative. If confirmed, this risk interaction will occur against a background of negative confounding effects on viral replication between HBV and HCV, which may be reciprocal. The mechanisms responsible for the carcinogenic interaction between the viruses are unknown. One possibility is that the increased incidence of cirrhosis with concurrent HBV and HCV infections acts as an even more potent tumour promoter than occurs with either virus alone. Synergism between the direct hepatocarcinogenic effects of the two viruses is another possible mechanism, but proof will have to await a fuller understanding of the pathogenetic mechanisms involved with the individual viruses. [source] Comparing the safety, tolerability and quality of life in patients with chronic hepatitis B vs chronic hepatitis C treated with peginterferon alpha-2aLIVER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2008Patrick Marcellin Abstract Background/Aims: Hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV) are two clinically distinct but related diseases. Pooled data from five studies of peginterferon alpha-2a in patients with chronic HCV infection (CHC) were compared with two studies of the drug in patients with chronic HBV infection (CHB). Method: The HBV studies included both hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive (n=271) and HBeAg-negative (n=177) patients; 791 patients took part in the HCV trials. In all studies, patients were treated with 180 ,g peginterferon alpha-2a monotherapy once weekly for 48 weeks. The number of adverse events (AEs), discontinuations and dose modifications were documented. Health-related quality of life (HRQL) was assessed using the Short-Form 36 questionnaire. Safety was assessed throughout the treatment period. A 24-week treatment-free follow-up period was also included. Results: Differences (HBV vs HCV) were observed in the incidence of AEs (88,89 vs 96,100%), serious AEs (4,5 vs 7,16%) and treatment withdrawals (6,8 vs 17,33%). The frequency of depression-related events was lower in CHB patients (4 vs 22%, P<0.001), as was the impact of treatment on HRQL. Conclusions: The safety and tolerability of peginterferon alpha-2a in patients with CHB compares favourably with that observed in CHC patients, with a lower incidence of common interferon-related AEs and a significantly lower incidence of depression. [source] RNA interference , small RNAs effectively fight viral hepatitisLIVER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 6 2004Amir Shlomai Abstract: RNA interference (RNAi) is the process of sequence-specific gene silencing, initiated by double-stranded RNA that is homologous in sequence to the target gene. This unique phenomenon has been extensively investigated during the last few years not only in the context of its mechanism and its possible role in the regulation of gene expression and cell function, but also as a potential powerful tool for gene therapy. Targeting essential viral genes or oncogenic alleles are only some of the possible applications of RNAi in the field of gene-directed therapy. This review covers the potential use of RNAi against hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses, the main pathogens causing chronic liver disease. The major milestones along the discovery of RNAi will also be covered. [source] Bacterial risk and sperm cryopreservationANDROLOGIA, Issue 5 2004R. Levy Summary. Prior to sperm cryopreservation, French guidelines only recommend viral screening for serological status towards human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B and C viruses and Treponema palidum. The probability of semen infection by other bacterial pathogens is not taken into consideration by the current recommendations. The objective of the present study was to evaluate this risk and a strategy to reduce it prospectively. Ninety-six patients consulting for sperm cryopreservation underwent a semen culture simultaneously to cryopreservation. The patients were classified into three groups following semen culture results: negative culture (group 1, 77/96, 80.2%), positive culture with saprophytic agents (group 2, 9/96, 9.4%) and positive culture with pathogen agents (group 3, 10/96, 10.4%). For six patients of the latter group showing a genital infection with Ureaplasma urealyticum, a discontinuous gradient selection performed on the cryopreserved sample was efficient to discard bacteria. These data emphasize the usefulness to cultivate semen simultaneously to cryopreservation and demonstrate the ability to remove some microbial agents from semen before its use in assisted reproductive techniques. [source] Close linkage of genes encoding receptors for subgroups A and C of avian sarcoma/leucosis virus on chicken chromosome 28ANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 3 2004D. Elleder Summary Avian sarcoma and leucosis viruses (ASLV) are classified into six major subgroups (A to E and J) according to the properties of the viral envelope proteins and the usage of cellular receptors for virus entry. Subgroup A and B receptors are identified molecularly and their genomic positions TVA and TVB are mapped. The subgroup C receptor is unknown, its genomic locus TVC is reported to be genetically linked to TVA, which resides on chicken chromosome 28. In this study, we used two chicken inbred lines that carry different alleles coding for resistance (TVCR) and sensitivity (TVCS) to infection by subgroup C viruses. A backross population of these lines was tested for susceptibility to subgroup C infection and genotyped for markers from chicken chromosome 28. We confirmed the close linkage between TVA and TVC loci. Further, we have described the position of TVC on chromosome 28 relative to markers from the consensus map of the chicken genome. [source] Epidemiology of cholangiocarcinoma: An update focusing on risk factorsCANCER SCIENCE, Issue 3 2010Hai-Rim Shin (Cancer Sci 2010; 101: 579,585) Cholangiocarcinoma is relatively rare, but high incidence rates have been reported in Eastern Asia, especially in Thailand. The etiology of this cancer of the bile ducts appears to be mostly due to specific infectious agents. In 2009, infections with the liver flukes, Clonorchis sinensis or Opistorchis viverrini, were both classified as carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer for cholangiocarcinoma. In addition, a possible association between chronic infection with hepatitis B and C viruses and cholangiocarcinoma was also noted. The meta-analysis of published literature revealed the summary relative risks of infection with liver fluke (both Opistorchis viverrini and Clonorchis sinensis), hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus to be 4.8 (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 2.8,8.4), 2.6 (95% CI: 1.5,4.6), and 1.8 (95% CI: 1.4,2.4), respectively , liver fluke infection being the strongest risk factor for cholangiocarcinoma. Countries where human liver fluke infection is endemic include China, Korea, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. The number of infected persons with Clonorchis sinensis in China has been estimated at 12.5 million with considerable variations among different regions. A significant regional variation in Opistorchis viverrini prevalence was also noted in Thailand (average 9.6% or 6 million people). The implementation of a more intensive preventive and therapeutic program for liver fluke infection may reduce incidence rates of cholangiocarcinoma in endemic areas. Recently, advances have been made in the diagnosis and management of cholangiocarcinoma. Although progress on cholangiocarcinoma prevention and treatment has been steady, more studies related to classification and risk factors will be helpful to develop an advanced strategy to cure and prevent cholangiocarcinoma. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||