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Hepatitis Viruses (hepatitis + viruse)

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Medical Sciences	68%

Selected Abstracts

Incidence of Sjögren's syndrome in Japanese patients with hepatitis C virus infection

JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 3 2003
YUMIKO NAGAO
Abstract Background and Aim: Hepatitis viruses induce not only chronic liver diseases but also the impairment of other organs and tissues as extrahepatic manifestations. In particular, hepatitis C virus (HCV) is involved in various extrahepatic manifestations. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and lichen planus (LP) involvement, which are various extrahepatic manifestations in patients with liver diseases related to hepatitis B virus (HBV) or HCV. Methods: We examined a total of 110 Japanese patients with chronic liver disease: 29 with HBV infections and 81 HCV infections. Results: The prevalence of SS according to European and Japanese criteria in patients with chronic HCV infection was significantly higher than in patients with chronic HBV infection (European criteria: 25.9 vs 3.4%; P < 0.05, Japanese criteria: 21.0 vs 3.4%; P = 0.05). Lichen planus was observed in one (3.4%) of 29 patients with chronic HBV infection, and in 11 (13.6%) of 81 patients with chronic HCV infection. Simultaneously combined LP and SS occurred in 8.6% (seven of 81) of patients with HCV infection, but in none with HBV infection. Conclusions: Clinicians should routinely follow the HCV-infected patients, paying sufficient attention to the presence of SS and LP, and they should also carefully monitor their prognosis. [source]

Hepatitis viruses: live and let die

LIVER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2007
K. Herzer
Abstract Viral hepatitis is a diffuse inflammatory reaction of the liver caused by hepatotropic viruses. Among the hepatitis viruses, only hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus are able to persist in the host and cause chronic hepatitis. In the course of persistent infection, inflammation forms the pathogenetic basis of chronic hepatitis that can lead to nodular fibrosis, which can progress to cirrhosis and, eventually, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Of the different antiviral defense systems employed by the host, apoptosis significantly contributes to the prevention of viral replication, dissemination, and persistence. Pathomorphologic studies have shown acidophilic bodies and hepatocyte dropout, features that are compatible with apoptosis. The number of hepatocytes showing features of apoptosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C was found to be higher than in healthy subjects, indicating that apoptosis is involved in the pathogenesis of these diseases. There are various data suggesting that hepatitis B and C viral proteins may modulate apoptosis. Vice versa, mechanisms of apoptosis inhibition might represent central survival strategies employed by the virus which, in the end, may contribute to HCC development. While the expression and retention of viral proteins in hepatocytes may influence the severity and progression of liver disease, the mechanisms of liver injury in viral hepatitis are defined to be due not only to the direct cytopathic effects of viruses, but also to the host immune response to viral proteins expressed by infected hepatocytes. However, the exact role of these observations in relation to pathogenesis remains to be established. The mechanism and systems are complex. This report aims to provide an overview and intends to cite only a small number of pertinent references. [source]

The outcome of a rapid hepatitis B vaccination programme in a methadone treatment clinic

ADDICTION, Issue 2 2010
Parameswaran Ramasamy
ABSTRACT Aim Injecting drug users are a high-risk population for hepatitis B (HBV), but are difficult to engage in vaccination programmes. This study examines the completion rates of a HBV vaccination schedule and seroconversion in a group of patients in methadone maintenance treatment. Methods Patients at a public methadone maintenance programme in Sydney, Australia, were screened for viral hepatitis (hepatitis A, B and C) and offered a rapid HBV vaccination schedule (0, 1 and 2 months). Hepatitis B surface antibody (antiHBs) was retested on completion of the vaccination schedule. Results A total of 143 patients [71.3% male, mean age 33.1 (standard deviation ± 8.3)] enrolled in the project. Forty-nine per cent of patients were HAV antibody (Ab) positive, 81.1% hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody (Ab) positive and 38.9% antiHBs positive. Exposure to multiple hepatitis viruses was common, with 24.5% testing positive for all three viruses. Seventy-three (83%) of the 88 antiHBs negative patients completed the vaccination schedule. Post-vaccination serology indicated a seroconversion rate of 75.4% (55 of 73) of completors, or 62.5% of eligible participants (55 of 88). Conclusion While there was a high rate of completion of the rapid vaccination schedule in this population, a moderate seroconversion rate was achieved. Further work is required to identify an optimal vaccination schedule in opioid substitution patients. [source]

Breast cancer and microbial cancer incidence in female populations around the world: A surprising hyperbolic association

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 5 2008
Anamaria Savu
Abstract Current literature on cancer epidemiology typically discusses etiology of cancer by cancer type. Risks of different cancer types are, however, correlated at population level and may provide etiological clues. We showed previously an unexpected very high positive correlation between breast cancer (BC) and young-adult Hodgkin disease incidence rates. In a population-based case,control study of BC, older ages at the first Epstein,Barr virus exposure, indicated by older ages at onset of infectious mononucleosis, were associated with elevated BC risk. Here we examine BC risk in association with microbial cancer (MC) risk in female populations across the world. MC cancers are cervical, liver and stomach cancers with established causal associations with human papillomaviruses, hepatitis viruses, and helicobacter pylori, respectively. We examined age-adjusted BC and MC incidence rates in 74 female populations around the world with cancer registries. Our analysis suggests that BC and MC rates are inversely associated in a special mathematical form such that the product of BC rate and MC rate is approximately constant across world female populations. A differential equation model with solutions consistent to the observed inverse association was derived. BC and MC rates were modeled as functions of an exposure level to unspecified common factors that influence the 2 rates. In conjunction with previously reported evidence, we submit a hypothesis that BC etiology may have an appreciable link with microbial exposures (and/or immunological responses to them), the lack of which, especially in early life, may elevate BC risk. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Two Japanese cases of lichen planus pigmentosus-inversus

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 7 2007
Aki Kashima MD
Case 1 was a 51-year-old Japanese woman. She presented with an asymptomatic brown macule located on the right axilla of 2 months' duration. The smooth macule was 2 cm in diameter with a sharp demarcation (Fig. 1A). Figure 1. Photographs of skin lesions in two patients. (A) Case 1. Well-circumscribed brown macule without an active red border in the central portion of the right axilla. (B) Case 2. Symmetric distribution of brown macules without an active red border in the popliteal fossae Case 2 was a 62-year-old Japanese man. He presented with asymptomatic, symmetric, gray,brown macules located on the groin, axillae, and popliteal region of 6 months' duration. The smooth macules were several millimeters to centimeters in diameter and sharply demarcated (Fig. 1B). Oral or nail lesions, previous inflammatory processes in affected areas, and internal malignancies were absent. A causal relationship with drugs, recent sun exposure, or trauma could not be identified. Findings for work-up, including blood cell count, fasting blood sugar levels, liver function, serum electrolyte levels, serum electrophoresis, urinalysis, antinuclear antibodies, and serological examinations for human hepatitis viruses and syphilis, were within normal limits or negative. The lesions gradually disappeared without medication within 6 months. Biopsy specimens showed a lymphocytic infiltrate with basal vacuolar changes and prominent melanin incontinence in the upper dermis (Fig. 2A). The band-like lymphocytic infiltrate was moderate in Case 1 and mild in Case 2. Immunohistochemistry showed infiltrative CD8+ T lymphocytes with keratinocytic damage, indicating cytotoxic injury of the keratinocytes (Fig. 2B). Both the epidermis and the upper dermis contained CD1a+ cells (Fig. 2C). The keratinocytes focally and weakly expressed HLA-DR (Fig. 2D). These findings were identical in samples from both patients. Figure 2. Light and immunohistochemical microphotographs. (A) Mild, band-like, lymphocytic infiltrate with basal vacuolar change and prominent melanin incontinence in the upper dermis with apoptosis or necrosis of keratinocytes. (B) Epidermal infiltrate of CD8+ T lymphocytes with keratinocytic damage. (C) CD1a+ cells in the upper dermis. (D) Keratinocytes focally and weakly express HLA-DR (original magnifications: A, ×200; B,D, ×400) [source]

Current problems with detection and transmission of hepatitis viruses

ISBT SCIENCE SERIES: THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INTRACELLULAR TRANSPORT, Issue 1 2008
J.-P. Allain
[source]

Clinicopathological features of gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma: A comparison with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma without a mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma component

JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 7 2001
Toru Hiyama
Abstract Background and Aims: The aim of this study was to clinicopathologically distinguish the pathogenesis of gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma without a MALT lymphoma component (DLL). Methods: We investigated clinicopathological features of these gastric lymphomas including age, sex ratio, tumor location and depth, macroscopic appearance, and infection with Helicobacter pylori of these gastric lymphomas and hepatitis viruses in 24 patients with gastric low-grade MALT lymphoma, 10 patients with high-grade MALT lymphoma, and 19 patients with DLL. The frequency of H. pylori infection in lymphoma patients was compared with that in age- and sex-matched control subjects. Results: There was a predominance of females with MALT lymphoma (male to female ratio, 8/16 for low-grade MALT lymphomas and 1/9 for high-grade MALT lymphomas), and there was a predominance of males with DLL (male to female ratio, 13/6); the ratios differed significantly (P < 0.05). Ninety-two percent of low-grade MALT lymphomas and 80% of high-grade MALT lymphomas were confined to the mucosal and submucosal layers, but lymphoma cells invaded the muscular layer or more deeply in 74% of DLL. Helicobacter pylori infection occurred significantly more often in patients with low-grade MALT lymphoma than in age- and sex-matched controls (96 vs 67%, P < 0.01). Conversely, the frequency of H. pylori infection in DLL patients did not differ from that in controls. Conclusions: These data suggest that H. pylori infection may be associated with the development of gastric MALT lymphoma, but not DLL, and that MALT lymphoma and DLL may have a different pathogenesis. [source]

Molecular detection of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and torque teno viruses in drug users in Saudi Arabia

JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 8 2009
Alhusain J. Alzahrani
Abstract Injecting drug users are at increased risk of infection with hepatitis viruses and blood-borne pathogens. The aim of this study was to examine HBV, HCV, HDV, and TTV infections in Saudi drug users (N,=,344). Extraction of nucleic acid from serum, reverse-transcription, amplification of viral nucleic acids, and HBV and HCV genotyping were done using established techniques. Of the analyzed samples, 41 (12%) contained detectable HBV DNA, 131 (38%) contained detectable HCV RNA, and 174 (51%) had detectable TTV DNA. The predominant HBV genotype was found to be genotype D and the predominant HCV genotype was found to be genotype 1b. All the samples were negative for HDV. Twelve samples (3.5%) were found to contain mixed HBV and HCV genomes, 24 samples (7%) were found to contain mixed HBV and TTV genomes, 82 samples (24%) were found to contain mixed HCV and TTV genomes, and 9 samples (2.6%) were found to contain mixed HBV, HCV, and TTV genomes. Identification of various infections in drug users will help the control of these infections in this group as well as in the community. J. Med. Virol. 81:1343,1347, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Hepatitis B, C seroprevalence and delta viruses in HIV-1 Senegalese patients at HAART initiation (retrospective study)

JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 8 2008
H. Diop-Ndiaye
Abstract The aim of this study was to determine hepatitis co-infection in a cohort of HIV infected patients at their inclusion in the Senegalese Initiative of ART Access. B, C, and D Hepatitis viruses serological markers were checked retrospectively on 363 stored plasma. For HBV, the Abbott laboratories equipment IMx was used to detect HBs Ag and anti Core Ab on negative HBs Ag samples. For HDV, anti Delta Ab was performed using the Abbott Murex Kit on all HBs Ag positive samples. For HCV, anti HCV Ab was detected by IMx as double screening test and confirmed by INNO-LIATM HCV Core of Innogenetics laboratories. The statistical analysis was done with STATA V8. The study population was composed of 164 men and 199 women aged between 16 and 66 years. The immune and virological markers averages at their enrolment were 154 cell/mm3 for TLCD4+ (n,=,355 patients) and 4.9 log for viral load (n,=,277 patients). HBs Ag was found in 61 patients or 16.8% and the prevalence of anti-HBc Ab was 83.2% (252/295). 2 patients or 3% on HBs Ag positive sample presents HBV/HDV co-infection Ab anti HCV was detects in 6 patients or 1.6% after confirmation and 2 patients had triple infection with HBV. These results showed that the prevalence of HBV and HCV in the population of persons living with HIV/AIDS in Senegal is similar to that found in the general population. Our data indicated that hepatitis pathology in the PLwHIV was essentially due to HBV. Further studies are needed to diagnose occult hepatitis in order to set up therapeutic strategies taking into account co-infections by hepatitis viruses in the ART programmes. J. Med. Virol. 80:1332,1336, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Serological markers of hepatitis B, C, and E viruses and human immunodeficiency virus type-1 infections in pregnant women in Bali, Indonesia

JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 4 2005
I Gede Putu Surya
Abstract Except for hepatitis B virus (HBV), there have been few data on serological markers of hepatitis viruses such as hepatitis C virus (HCV) and E virus (HEV), and human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV) in Bali, Indonesia. During 5 months from April to August 2003, sera were collected from 2,450 pregnant women at eight jurisdictions in Bali, and they were tested for markers of these viruses. Only one (0.04%) was positive for antibody to HCV, but none for antibody to HIV. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was detected in 46 (1.9%) at a prevalence significantly lower than that in 271 of the 10,526 (2.6%) pregnant women in Bali surveyed 10 years previously (P,<,0.045). The prevalence of hepatitis B e antigen in pregnant women with HBsAg decreased, also, from 50% to 28% during the 10 years (P,<,0.011). Antibody to HEV (anti-HEV) was examined in 819 pregnant women who had been randomly selected from the 2,450. The overall prevalence of anti-HEV was 18%, and there were substantial regional differences spanning from 5% at Tabanan district to 32% at Gianyar district. Furthermore, the prevalence of anti-HEV differed substantially by their religions. In the Sanglah area of Denpasar City, for instance, anti-HEV was detected in 20 of the 102 (20%) Hindus, significantly more frequently than in only 2 of the 101 (2.0%) Muslims (P,<,0.001). Swine that are prohibited to Muslims, therefore, is likely to serve as a reservoir of HEV in Bali. In conclusion, HBV is decreasing, HCV and HIV have not prevailed, as yet, while HEV is endemic probably through zoonotic infection in Bali. J. Med. Virol. 75:499,503, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Kinetics of HBV DNA and HBsAg in acute hepatitis B patients with and without coinfection by other hepatitis viruses

JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 3 2003
Vladimir P. Chulanov
Abstract The kinetics of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and its surface antigen (HBsAg) during acute hepatitis has not yet been studied accurately in a representative number of patients. The influence of coinfecting hepatitis viruses during the acute phase of infection is not known. Three to four serum samples from 21 patients with acute HBV monoinfection and 27 with coinfection were taken at intervals of 6,10 days and analyzed for the number of HBV genome equivalents (ge) by real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and for HBsAg quantity using Laurell electrophoresis. Log HBV ge/ml decreased during the follow-up from 6.8,±,1.1 to 5.1,±,1.0 to 4.2,±,0.8 to 3.3,±,1.1 (mean,±,SD). The half-life times of HBV ge increased from 1.6 days at the beginning to 4 days at the end. HBsAg decreased much slower: from 38 to 23 to 12 to3.8 ,g/ml. Half-life time was around 8 days at the beginning and 5.7 days at the end, but 11 patients showed a rapid elimination of HBsAg and HBV DNA. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection did not change the kinetics of HBV ge and HBsAg significantly. A moderate but significant suppression of HBV ge levels was observed in hepatitis D virus (HDV) coinfected patients. HBsAg levels were, however, enhanced in this cohort. In conclusion, the data suggest that expression and elimination of HBV is in most patients with acute hepatitis B not altered by coinfecting hepatitis viruses. The initial decrease of HBV ge and HBsAg in serum appears to be caused by decay or non-specific removal in the absence of replacement. J. Med. Virol. 69:313,323, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Synergistic antiviral effect of a combination of mouse interferon-, and interferon-, on mouse hepatitis virus

JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 2 2003
Uichiro Fuchizaki
Abstract Although interferon (IFN)-, and IFN-, have been reported to exhibit a synergistic antiviral effect through the different signaling pathways in vitro, their therapeutic efficacy is not well defined in vivo. The current study was carried out to investigate the combined antiviral effect in a model of mouse hepatitis virus Type 2 (MHV-2) infection, in which fulminant hepatitis is developed. MHV-2 was injected intraperitoneally into 4-week-old ICR mice, IFN or the vehicle was administered intramuscularly for 5 days, and the antiviral effect was evaluated based on survival periods, liver histology, serum alanine transaminase (ALT) levels, and MHV-2 virus titers in the liver tissues. The animals in the group treated with a combination of IFN-, and IFN-, survived for longer periods than the groups treated with IFN-, alone and IFN-, alone (IFN-, 103 (IU/mouse)/-, 103 vs. IFN-, 103, P,<,0.005; IFN-, 103/-, 103 vs. IFN-, 103, P,<,0.001). This is consistent with the lower levels of hepatocellular necrosis and serum ALT and the decreased titers of MHV-2 virus in the liver tissues (48 hr, P,<,0.001; 72 hr, P,<,0.001). These findings indicate that a combination of IFN-, and IFN-, exhibits a synergistic antiviral effect on MHV-2 infection. The biology of MHV-2 is quite different from that of human hepatitis viruses; however, these results suggest the beneficial combined therapy of IFN-, and IFN-, for the treatment of human viral hepatitis. J. Med. Virol. 69:188,194, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Nuclear HBcAg and histology activity index as independent predictors of the expression of singly spliced HBV-RNA

JOURNAL OF VIRAL HEPATITIS, Issue 1 2007
I.-S. Sheen
Summary., Although hepatitis B virus (HBV) RNA splicing has been reported by many researchers, the clinical significance of this event remains illusive. The present study was designed to investigate the clinical roles of singly spliced HBV-RNA. Liver biopsy tissues obtained from 32 consecutive patients were subjected to reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction for the detection of singly spliced and unspliced HBV-RNA. Stepwise linear regression model was used to estimate the ratio of singly spliced to unspliced (S/US) HBV-RNA in the presence of the following variables: age, gender, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, alpha-foetoprotein, status of HBV e antigen (HBeAg), status of antibody to HBeAg, HBV-DNA, histology activity index (HAI), fibrotic score, grade of cytoplasmic HBV core antigen (HBcAg), grade of nuclear HBcAg, genotype, status of precore-stop-mutation, basal core promoter mutation, previous lamivudine therapy and superinfection by other hepatitis viruses. The results showed that HAI (, = ,0.2616; P = 0.011) and grade of nuclear HBcAg expression (, = 0.5599; P =0.0067) were two independent predictors for the expression of singly spliced HBV-RNA. Further categorical analysis showed that patients with HAI score ,6 and grading of nuclear HBcAg ,2 have significantly higher S/US ratios. In conclusion, nuclear HBcAg and HAI are two independent predictors for the expression of singly spliced HBV-RNA. [source]

Review article: vaccination and viral hepatitis , current status and future prospects

ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 10 2007
R. S. KOFF
Summary Background, Viral hepatitis is the most common cause of liver disease in the world. In the past 25 years, vaccines have become available for two of the five hepatitis viruses, and, where implemented, vaccination has become a key component of hepatitis prevention. Aims, To provide an update on recent advances in the use of current hepatitis vaccines and to examine progress in the development of vaccines for the remaining hepatitis viruses. Methods A Medline search was undertaken to identify the recent relevant literature. Search terms included hepatitis vaccines, hepatitis vaccination and hepatitis A,E vaccines. Results, Dramatic vaccine-induced declines in the incidence of both hepatitis A and B have occurred in the USA. Strategies to integrate hepatitis A vaccine into universal childhood immunization are being adopted. Similarly, strategies with the goal of eliminating transmission of hepatitis B have been promulgated. A vaccine for hepatitis E has been reported to be effective and safe, but progress in the development of vaccines for hepatitis C and D has been limited. Conclusion, During the next few decades, the goals of eliminating hepatitis A and B virus transmission may be reached in the USA and elsewhere. [source]

Hepatitis viruses: live and let die

Hepatitis C: Magnitude of the problem

LIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 10B 2002
Jorge Rakela MD
1End-stage liver disease associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has become the leading indication for liver transplantation in the United States. 2Patients with end-stage liver disease caused by HCV may have such associated comorbidities as chronic alcoholism, steatosis, or coinfection with human immunodeficiency virus 1 or other hepatitis viruses. These comorbidities may accelerate disease progression. 3As chronic hepatitis C progresses to cirrhosis, the risk for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma increases; this poses difficult management problems. 4As patients who underwent transplantation for end-stage liver disease caused by HCV infection are followed up long term, it has become clear that patient and graft survival are decreased compared with HCV-negative patients or those with cholestatic liver disorders. 5Risk factors associated with a worse outcome after transplantation include host, viral, donor, and posttransplantation factors. 6Major challenges to be addressed in the future include delineation of the optimal antiviral therapy and how to handle the need to perform retransplantation on patients who develop graft dysfunction as a result of HCV recurrence. [source]

Knowledge about hepatitis and previous exposure to hepatitis viruses in immigrants and refugees from the Mekong Region

AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 1 2005
Sonia R. Caruana
Objective: Infection with hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) viruses is relatively common throughout South-East Asia and chronic infection can lead to severe consequences. This study assesses knowledge about HBV and HCV and estimates the seroprevalence of markers for these viruses in immigrants from Laos and Cambodia. Methods: Ninety-five Laotian (aged 18,82 years) and 234 Cambodian (15,92 years) immigrants participated in separate community-based surveys conducted during 1998 and 2002, respectively. Participants completed a questionnaire on health status and level of knowledge about viral hepatitis. Blood samples were collected and tested for the presence of HBV and HCV markers. Results: Nine per cent of Laotian and 8% of Cambodian participants were infected with HBV. While 49% of Laotian and 64% of Cambodian participants showed evidence of previous exposure to HBV, 30% and 9%, respectively, were vulnerable to infection. The seroprevalence of antibodies to HCV was 3% in the Laotian and 8% in the Cambodian participants. Between one-fifth and one-third of the Laotians and Cambodians who had heard of HBV and HCV knew of possible transmission routes for the viruses. Most of those with HBV or HCV infection were unaware they were infected. Conclusions: These findings indicate a significant prevalence of undetected HBV and HCV infections and an urgent need for the provision of culturally relevant information about viral hepatitis in immigrants of South-East Asian origin. [source]