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Hepatitis C Viruses (hepatitis + c_viruse)

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Medical Sciences100%

Selected Abstracts

Emerging clinical concerns in the ageing haemophilia patient

HAEMOPHILIA, Issue 6 2009
B. 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 2009
Hussein 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]

Screening for hepatitis B, C and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a survey of community-based physicians

ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 9 2009
J. 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]

RNA interference , small RNAs effectively fight viral hepatitis

LIVER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 6 2004
Amir 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]