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Virus Antibodies (virus + antibody)
Kinds of Virus Antibodies Selected AbstractsSex differences in child nutritional and immunological status 5,9 years post contact in fringe highland Papua New GuineaAMERICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN BIOLOGY, Issue 5 2010Jason A. Decaro Objectives: This study examines sex differences in vulnerability among children experiencing rapid culture change that may reflect distinct microecologies driven by differential parental investment and/or sex-specific life history strategies. Apparent female growth canalization may be a life history strategy favoring growth over maintenance but also may reflect sex-differentiated selection for resilience based on unequal treatment during early life. Methods: Stature, weight, and serum measures of C-reactive protein (CRP, an inflammation marker) and Epstein-Barr Virus antibodies (EBV, a humoral immune response marker) were collected longitudinally among children/adolescents ages 5,20 years (N = 65), 5,9 years after sustained contact in a fringe highland hunter-horticulturalist group from the Schrader Range in Papua New Guinea exhibiting male preference and sex-biased survival. It was hypothesized that girls would exhibit canalization, with better nutritional status than boys; lower maintenance investment would yield lower female immune activation; and because of differential survivorship, females would appear increasingly canalized as early conditions for girls worsened relative to boys. Results: Girls had greater arm circumference z -scores than boys, less frequent stunting, and lower CRP despite high pathogen load. Average nutritional status for girls improved over time as the sex ratio became increasingly male biased and the condition of female infants reportedly worsened. Conclusions: Both canalization and survivorship effects were found. Although a life history perspective on female canalization can help explain developmental outcomes in populations undergoing rapid culture change amid adversity, possible sex differences in the strength of survivorship effects that select for resiliency should not be ignored. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 22:657,666, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Incidence, risk factors, and survival of hepatocellular carcinoma in primary biliary cirrhosis: Comparative analysis from two centers,HEPATOLOGY, Issue 4 2009Anna Cavazza The limited information and divergent results on the prevalence, incidence, and risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) may be due to the low prevalence of the disease and geographical and environmental differences. Therefore, we analyzed the incidence, prevalence, survival, and risk factors for HCC in patients with PBC from two European centers (389 from Barcelona, Spain, and 327 from Padova, Italy) followed up for 9.3 ± 6.5 years. Gender, age, smoking habit, alcohol consumption, presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) or hepatitis C virus antibodies (anti-HCV), and advanced histological stage (III-IV) were evaluated as risk factors for tumor development. Twenty-four patients (13 from Barcelona and 11 from Padova) developed HCC. The prevalence of HCC was similar in Barcelona (3.34%) and Padova (3.36%). The incidence was 0.35 and 0.37 per 100 patient-years, respectively. Male gender, age >52 years, smoking habit, alcohol >40 g/day, HBsAg, and anti-HCV were not associated with HCC. Advanced histological stage was the only factor associated with the development of HCC (odds ratio [OR]: 5.80, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.34-14.38, P < 0.001). When analyzing the two series separately, male gender was associated with higher likelihood of HCC in Padova (OR: 8.09, 95% CI: 1.93-33.8, P < 0.01). The median survival after the diagnosis of HCC was 36 months. Conclusion: The prevalence and incidence of HCC is similar in Spain and Italy and the advanced histological stage is the only risk factor associated with the development of HCC in PBC. The slight disparities observed between the two series might be explained by patient features on diagnosis of liver disease. (HEPATOLOGY 2009.) [source] Hepatitis C virus risk: a hepatitis C virus related syndromeJOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 5 2000C. Mazzaro Abstract. Mazzaro C, Panarello G, Tesio F, Santini G, Crovatto M, Mazzi G, Zorat F, Tulissi P, Pussini E, Baracetti S, Campanacci L, Pozzato G (Pordenone General Hospital, Pordenone; University of Trieste, School of Medicine, Trieste, Italy). Hepatitis C virus risk: a hepatitis C virus-related syndrome. J Intern Med 2000 247: 535,545. Background. The association between mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been recently described in many reports. Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term prognosis of hepatitis C virus-positive patients affected by mixed cryoglobulinemia with or without kidney involvement. Patients. At total of 119 hepatitis C virus-positive patients affected by mixed cryoglobulinemia were divided in two groups. Group A: mixed cryoglobulinemia without kidney involvement (103 cases); group B: mixed cryoglobulinemia with glomerulonephritis (GN) (16 cases). A further 37 patients affected by mesangio-proliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) were evaluated as controls (group C). Methods. Anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies were determined by commercial kits and hepatitis C virus-RNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the 5, untranslated region (5,UTR) of the virus. The hepatitis C virus genotype was determined according to Okamoto. Liver biopsy was performed in 62 patients, bone marrow biopsy in 65 patients, and kidney biopsy in all patients with proteinuria. Results. In group A, 46 patients (45%) were affected by chronic liver disease (CLD), 21 (20%) by low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and 16 (15%) by both diseases. All patients of group B were affected by type I membrano-proliferative glomerulonephritis, 3 (19%) by chronic liver disease, 6 (37%) by low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and 7 (44%) by both diseases. Several genotypes of hepatitis C virus were found, but Type 1b was prevalent. In group C, no patient showed chronic liver disease or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Younger age, higher mean blood pressure, lower C4 serum level, and poorer survival significantly distinguished group B from group A. Survival rates at 5 years were: 87.4% for group A, 89.5% for group C, and 50.0% for group B. None of the patients of group B developed kidney failure requiring dialysis, whilst infections were the leading cause of death. Conclusions. In hepatitis C virus-positive patients, the presence of mixed cryoglobulinemia associated with kidney involvement seems to indicate a new syndrome characterized by immune system impairment, lack of progression to kidney failure, and poor survival (hepatitis C virus-Risk syndrome). [source] High prevalence of anti-hepatitis E virus antibodies in blood donors from South West FranceJOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 2 2008Jean Michel Mansuy Abstract Cases of autochthonous acute hepatitis E occur in most industrialized countries and are frequent in the South West of France. The prevalence of anti-hepatitis E virus (HEV) IgG antibodies in blood donors in this area was determined. A total of 529 samples from rural and urban blood donors were tested. The overall prevalence was 16.6%, 19.1% of rural donors and 14.2% of urban donors had anti-HEV antibodies (P,=,0.13). The antibodies were widely distributed among all age groups and the sex ratio of the anti-HEV positive blood donors was 1.12 (P,=,0.57). Hunting was the only pastime or profession associated with a high prevalence of anti-HEV antibodies (P,=,0.038). The frequency of anti-HEV antibodies in blood donors could reflect active autochthonous transmission in this area of France. As the risk factors for HEV infection in industrialized countries are still unknown, further studies are needed to clarify the epidemiology of HEV infection in the Midi-Pyrénées region. J. Med. Virol. 80:289,293, 2008. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Population-based study on the seroprevalence of hepatitis A, B, and C virus infection in Amsterdam, 2004,JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 12 2007G.G.G. Baaten Abstract In order to enhance screening and preventive strategies, this study investigated the seroprevalence of hepatitis A, B, and C in the general adult urban population and in subgroups. In 2004, sera from 1,364 adult residents of Amsterdam were tested for viral markers. Sociodemographic characteristics were collected using a standardized questionnaire. For hepatitis A, 57.0% was immune. Of first-generation immigrants from Turkey and Morocco, 100% was immune. Of all Western persons and second-generation non-Western immigrants, approximately half was still susceptible. For hepatitis B, 9.9% had antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) and 0.4% had hepatitis B surface antigen. Anti-HBc seroprevalences were highest among first-generation immigrants from Surinam, Morocco, and Turkey, and correlated with age at the time of immigration, and among men with a sexual preference for men. Seroprevalence among second-generation immigrants was comparable to Western persons. The seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies was 0.6%. In conclusion, a country with overall low endemicity for viral hepatitis can show higher endemicity in urban regions, indicating the need for differentiated regional studies and prevention strategies. More prevention efforts in cities like Amsterdam are warranted, particularly for hepatitis A and B among second-generation immigrants, for hepatitis B among men with a sexual preference for men, and for hepatitis C. Active case finding strategies are needed for both hepatitis B and C. J. Med. Virol. 79:1802,1810, 2007. © Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus antibodies in Turkish and Moroccan children in Rotterdam,JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 2 2004J.H. Richardus Abstract Seasonal fluctuations in hepatitis A have been observed in the Netherlands related to Turkish and Moroccan children after visiting their home countries. This study determined the prevalence and associated factors of hepatitis A virus (HAV) antibodies in Turkish and Moroccan children in Rotterdam. A random sample was taken of children in Rotterdam, aged 5,16 years, of Turkish and Moroccan origin, together with a random sample of native Dutch children aged 5,7 and 14,16 years. Blood was collected by finger prick on filter paper. IgG and IgM anti-HAV was detected by an enzyme-linked immunoassay (EIA). The 319 Turkish, 329 Moroccan, and 248 native Dutch children participated in the study. In Turkish children, IgG anti-HAV increased from 2.2% to 22.2% over the age groups. In Moroccan children, IgG anti-HAV increased from 10.2% to 57.7%. In native Dutch children, 0.8% had IgG anti-HAV in the youngest and 3.1% in the oldest age group. The percentage IgG-positive also having IgM anti-HAV was 21% in Turkish, and 41% in Moroccan children. No IgG-positive native Dutch children had IgM anti-HAV. The prevalence of IgG anti-HAV was associated with increased age, being Moroccan, longer stay in the country of origin before migrating to the Netherlands, and known contact to HAV. The majority of Turkish and Moroccan children aged 4,16 years in Rotterdam are not protected against HAV, but do have a high risk of becoming infected while visiting their native country. Active vaccination against HAV of these children is indicated, with as primary aim their own protection. Prevention of HAV-transmission in the general community should be seen as a secondary benefit. In addition, possible Dutch contacts of nonvaccinated Turkish and Moroccan children, such as day care workers and teachers, should also be vaccinated against HAV. J. Med. Virol. 72:197,202, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Lifestyle incongruity, stress and immune function in indigenous Siberians: The health impacts of rapid social and economic changeAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 1 2009Mark V. Sorensen Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of economic and cultural change on immune function and psychosocial stress in an indigenous Siberian population. We examined Epstein-Barr virus antibodies (EBV), an indirect biomarker of cell-mediated immune function, in venous whole blood samples collected from 143 Yakut (Sakha) herders (45 men and 98 women) in six communities using a cross-sectional study design. We modeled economic change through the analysis of lifestyle incongruity (LI), calculated as the disparity between socioeconomic status and material lifestyle, computed with two orthogonal scales: market and subsistence lifestyle. EBV antibody level was significantly negatively associated with both a market and a subsistence lifestyle, indicating higher cell-mediated immune function associated with higher material lifestyle scores. In contrast, LI was significantly positively associated with EBV antibodies indicating lower immune function, and suggesting higher psychosocial stress, among individuals with economic status in excess of material lifestyle. Individuals with lower incongruity scores (i.e., economic status at parity with material resources, or with material resources in excess of economic status) had significantly lower EBV antibodies. The findings suggest significant health impacts of changes in material well-being and shifting status and prestige markers on health during the transition to a market economy in Siberia. The findings also suggest that relative, as opposed to absolute, level of economic status or material wealth is more strongly related to stress in the Siberian context. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Anti-JC virus antibodies: Implications for PML Risk StratificationANNALS OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 3 2010Leonid Gorelik PhD Objective A study was undertaken to establish an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect JC virus (JCV)-specific antibodies in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, and to evaluate its potential utility for identifying patients at higher or lower risk (ie, risk stratification) of developing progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Methods A 2-step assay for detecting and confirming the presence of anti-JCV antibodies in human serum and plasma was developed and demonstrated to be both sensitive and specific. ELISA cutpoints were statistically established using sera from >800 MS patients from natalizumab clinical studies. Subsequently, this assay was used to determine the presence of anti-JCV antibodies in natalizumab-treated PML patients where serum samples were collected 16-180 months prior to the diagnosis of PML. Results In our evaluation of natalizumab-treated MS patients, 53.6% tested positive for anti-JCV antibodies, with a 95% confidence interval of 49.9 to 57.3%. The false-negative rate of the ELISA was calculated to be approximately 2.5%, with an upper 1-sided confidence limit of 4.4%. Notably, we observed anti-JCV antibodies in all 17 available pre-PML sera samples, which was significantly different from the 53.6% seropositivity observed in the overall MS study population (p < 0.0001). Interpretation This 2-step assay provides a means to classify MS patients as having detectable or not detectable levels of anti-JCV antibodies. The finding that all 17 of the pre-PML samples that were available tested seropositive, and none tested seronegative, warrants further research on the clinical utility of the anti-JCV antibody assay as a potential tool for stratifying MS patients for higher or lower risk of developing PML. Ann Neurol 2010 [source] Serum ,-glutamyltransferase within its normal concentration range is related to the presence of diabetes and cardiovascular risk factorsDIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 9 2005D.-J. Kim Abstract Aims Although many studies have reported an association between serum ,-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and cardiovascular risk factors, the mechanism of this relationship has not been clarified. Methods The medical records of 29 959 subjects (age, median 48, range 14,90 years; 16 706 men, 13 253 women) who visited the Center for Health Promotion at Samsung Medical Center for a medical check-up between January 2001 and December 2003, were investigated. Subjects with hepatic enzyme/GGT concentrations higher than three times the upper limit of the reference range, a positive test for hepatitis C virus antibody, a positive test for hepatitis B virus surface antigen, currently taking anti-diabetic/anti-hypertensive/anti-lipid medication, or a white blood cell (WBC) count higher than 10 000 cells/ml, were excluded. The subjects of each gender were classified into five groups according to their serum GGT concentrations, into quartiles of the normal range of GGT (groups 1, 2, 3 and 4) and into a group with elevated GGT (group 5). Results As the group number increased (group 1 , 5), the frequencies of all of the following increased: (i) diabetes and impaired fasting glucose (IFG); (ii) hypertension, obesity (body mass index , 27 kg/m2), dyslipidaemia (LDL-cholesterol , 4.1 mmol/l and/or triglyceride , 2.46 mmol/l, or HDL-cholesterol < 1.16 mmol/l); (iii) metabolic syndrome. Moreover, these significant relationships between GGT concentrations within its normal range and the presence of diabetes/IFG, hypertension, obesity, dyslipidaemia, and metabolic syndrome persisted after adjusting for several clinical and biochemical variables and for the presence of fatty liver based on ultrasonographic findings. Odds ratios (95% CI) for group 4 (highest quartile of normal range of GGT) vs. group 1 (lowest quartile of normal range of GGT); the referent group, were 3.16 (2.15,4.65) for diabetes, 2.24 (1.73,2.90) for IFG, 1.93 (1.59,2.33) for obesity, 1.38 (1.23,1.55) for dyslipidaemia and 2.88 (2.28,3.65) for metabolic syndrome in men. In women, the odds ratios were 2.72 (1.34,5.52), 3.67 (2.26,5.97), 2.10 (1.61,2.74), 1.80 (1.58,2.04) and 3.57 (2.52,5.07), respectively. Conclusions Our data show that, even within its normal range, serum GGT concentrations are closely associated with the presence of diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors, and that these associations are independent of a fatty liver by ultrasonography. [source] Quantitative analysis of anti,hepatitis C virus antibody,secreting B cells in patients with chronic hepatitis C,HEPATOLOGY, Issue 1 2006Takeji Umemura To investigate the quantitative characteristics of humoral immunity in patients with hepatitis C, we established an enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot (ELISpot) assay for detection of anti,hepatitis C virus (HCV)-secreting B cells. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated 100% specificity and 58% to 92% sensitivity for detecting B-cell responses to NS5b, NS3, E2, and core antigens. The median sum of anti-HCV,secreting B cells to all HCV antigens tested was significantly higher in 39 patients with chronic hepatitis C (47.3 spot forming cells [SFCs]/106 peripheral blood mononuclear cells [PBMCs]) than in 9 recovered subjects (15.3 SFCs/106 PBMCs; P = .05) or 11 uninfected controls (5.3 SFCs/106 PBMCs; P < .001); the significant difference (P = .018) in chronic versus recovered patients was in reactivity to nonstructural antigens NS3 and NS5b. Anti-HCV immunoglubulin M (IgM),secreting B cells were also readily detected and persisted decades into HCV infection; there was no difference in IgM-positive cells between chronic and recovered patients. ELISpot reactivity to genotype 1,derived antigens was equivalent in patients of genotypes 1, 2, and 3. There was significant correlation between the numbers of anti-HCV IgG-secreting B cells and serum aminotransferase and to the level of circulating antibody. In conclusion, ELISpot assays can be adapted to study B-cell as well as T-cell responses to HCV. Measurement at the single-cell level suggests that humoral immunity plays a minor role in recovery from HCV infection and that B-cell immunity is strongest in those with persistent infection. (HEPATOLOGY 2005.) [source] Erythema multiforme-like lesions associated with lesional infiltration of tumor cells occurring with adult T-cell lymphoma/leukemiaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 4 2008Tomoyuki Ohtani MD A 66-year-old Japanese woman visited our hospital with a complaint of multiple papules on her trunk and extremities. She had a past medical history of appendicitis and blood transfusion 40 years earlier. For the last 10 years, she had noticed multiple, gradually enlarging papulonodular lesions with surrounding erythema on her trunk and extremities. ,Physical examination revealed multiple, violaceous papules or nodules, less than 10 mm in diameter, with surrounding erythema on her trunk and extremities (Fig. 1). The results of routine laboratory examinations, including blood count, liver function, renal function, serum calcium, and lactate dehydrogenase, were within the normal range. The peripheral blood picture showed a small population of atypical lymphocytes below 1% of the total white blood cells. Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) serology was positive. A microscopic examination of a biopsy specimen from a nodule on the abdomen demonstrated diffuse infiltration of large pleomorphic T cells in the upper and middle dermis, although highly atypical lymphocytes, so-called flower cells, could not be recognized. Infiltrating lymphocytes were positive for CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, and CD45, but negative for CD8 and CD20, immunohistologically. Bone marrow biopsy also demonstrated the infiltration of lymphocytes expressing CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, and CD7, but not CD25. Southern blot analysis of the infiltrating cells in the skin revealed an integration of HTLV-I proviral DNA in T cells. Clonal T-cell receptor , gene rearrangement was detected in skin and bone marrow biopsies. No abnormal mass or bone defect was detected by chest or abdominal computed tomographic scanning, systemic gallium-67 citrate scintigraphy, or chest radiography. On the basis of these data, the patient was diagnosed with smouldering-type adult T-cell lymphoma/leukemia. Figure 1. Clinical features of adult T-cell lymphoma/leukemia (ATL) skin lesions. Crusted, target-like, dark-red plaques on the lower legs ,The patient was started on topical steroid and electron beam radiation therapy (27 Gy/14 days). Five days after the start of irradiation, she noticed multiple patches of edematous erythema appearing on the trunk and extremities (Fig. 2). As it was initially suspected that these newly emerging erythema multiforme or toxic eruptions were caused by irradiation, therapy was interrupted. Anti-herpes simplex virus antibody was not checked because no typical herpes simplex lesions were noticed. The patient was not taking any systemic drugs. A skin biopsy was taken from a representative lesion on the chest. The pathologic specimen showed epidermotropism, liquefaction degeneration in the basal layer, marked edema, and dense infiltration of mononuclear cells in the upper dermis. Infiltrating cells possessed abundant cytoplasm and large pleomorphic nuclei with distinct nucleoli (Fig. 3). These findings were consistent with the histopathologic findings of erythema multiforme, except for the atypical lymphoid cell infiltration. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that the phenotype of the skin-infiltrating cells was identical to that of the atypical cells in the initial lesions. As the eruptions did not disappear in spite of the interruption of radiation, total skin irradiation was restarted. After completion of therapy, both the erythema multiforme-like lesions and the initial adult T-cell lymphoma/leukemia nodules on the trunk and extremities had resolved, leaving brown pigmentation. The patient has been free of any recurrence of skin lesions or systemic symptoms for 6 years after the completion of total skin irradiation. Figure 2. Appearance of erythema multiforme (EM)-like lesions. Edematous red plaques involving the breast Figure 3. Microscopic examination of a biopsy specimen from (EM)-like lesions on the chest (hematoxylin and eosin staining). (a) Epidermotropism, liquefaction degeneration in the basal layer, and dense infiltration of mononuclear cells and severe edema in the upper dermis (×100). (b) High-power magnification revealed that the dermal infiltration included atypical lymphoid cells with abundant cytoplasm, convoluted large nuclei, and distinct nucleoli (×400) [source] Lichenoid photodermatitis associated with nimesulideINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 12 2001Umit Tursen MD An 81-year-old-female patient presented with a 2 week history of erythematous to violaceous lichenoid papules and plaques exhibiting a reticulated pattern on the ,,V'' area of the chest and dorsal hands. Fine, whitish reticulated networks were present over the surface of many well developed papules. The lesions were sharply demarcated and moderately pruritic (Fig. 1). Figure 1. ,Violaceous lichenoid papules with reticular pattern located on the ,,V'' area of the chest The result of routine complete blood cell count, urinalysis, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, liver and kidney function tests were within normal limits. Antinuclear and anti-DNA antibodies were negative, and total C3 and C4 complement levels were normal. Hepatitis B surface antigen, anti-Hepatitis B surface antigen, anti-Hepatitis B core IgM antibody were negative, while anti-Hepatitis C virus antibody was positive. A skin biopsy specimen obtained from the neck of our patient revealed an interface lichenoid dermatitis accompanied by individual necrotic epidermal keratinocytes, parakeratosis and eosinophils in the infiltrate (Fig. 2). Figure 2. ,Interface lichenoid dermatitis accompanied by individual necrotic epidermal keratinocytes and parakeratosis (Hematoxylin and eosin; original magnification, × 200) Nimesulide therapy was stopped and the patient was treated with topical corticosteroids and systemic antihistamines. The eruption resolved within 5 days. The rash returned following nimesulide rechallenge. [source] Necrolytic acral erythema without hepatitis C infectionJOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY, Issue 3 2009Yu-Hung Wu Necrolytic acral erythema is a newly described entity characterized by sharply demarcated scaly plaques on the dorsum of the hands and feet. More than 30 patients have been reported since 1996, all of whom had anti-hepatitis C virus antibody. A 32-year-old Taiwanese woman had been diagnosed with and treated for systemic lupus erythematosus with lupus nephritis about 10 years earlier. Soon thereafter, she noted several well-demarcated keratotic plaques with erythematous borders on her feet, with sparing of the soles. Histopathology showed diffuse parakeratosis with a neutrophil infiltrate, hypogranulosis, pale upper keratinocytes, scattered and grouped dyskeratotic cells, psoriasiform hyperplasia and a mild lymphocytic infiltrate in the upper dermis. The diagnosis was made after three biopsies. The lesions regularly worsened just before and during menstruation, but patch and intradermal tests for progesterone and estrogen were negative. There was no evidence of either hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection. The lesions did not respond to treatment with zinc. The rash regressed spontaneously when corticosteroids were stopped and recurred when they were restarted, finally resolving completely after she was treated with high-dose pulse steroids for her lupus. [source] Evolution of prognostic factors in hepatocellular carcinoma in JapanALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 3 2010K. NOUSO Aliment Pharmacol Ther,31, 407,414 Summary Background, The surveillance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has become prevalent, and the modalities for its treatment have improved. Aim, To understand the changes that occur in the characteristics and prognostic factors of HCC with time. Methods, Newly diagnosed HCC patients were divided into two groups; patients treated before 31 December 2000 (n = 504), and after 1 January 2001 (n = 746), and their clinical backgrounds and prognostic factors were analysed. Results, The number of patients negative for both Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and Hepatitis C virus antibody (HCVAb) increased with time (NBNC-HCC). The size of HCC decreased in patients who were positive for HBsAg (B-HCC) or HCVAb (C-HCC), whereas no difference was observed in NBNC-HCC. The patient survival of C-HCC improved; however, no difference was detected for NBNC-HCC. In multivariate analysis, low albumin, high aspartate aminotransferase (AST), ascites, large tumour size, multiple tumour number and high alpha-fetoprotein were risk factors for survival before 2000, whereas the presence of HBsAg was additionally selected as a good prognostic factor and AST was excluded after 2001. Conclusions, The prognostic factors as well as clinical background of HCC changed with time, and the presence of HBsAg was found to be an additional good prognostic factor after 2001. [source] Review article: hepatitis C virus infection and type-2 diabetes mellitus in renal diseases and transplantationALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 6 2005F. Fabrizi Summary A link between hepatitis C virus infection and development of diabetes mellitus has been suggested by many investigators; however, this remains controversial. The mechanisms underlying the association between hepatitis C virus and diabetes mellitus are unclear but a great majority of clinical surveys have found a significant and independent relationship between hepatitis C virus and diabetes mellitus after renal transplantation and orthotopic liver transplantation. We have systematically reviewed the scientific literature to explore the association between hepatitis C virus and diabetes mellitus in end-stage renal disease; in addition, data on patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation were also analysed. The unadjusted odds ratio for developing post-transplant diabetes mellitus in hepatitis C virus-infected renal transplant recipients ranged between 1.58 and 16.5 across the published studies. The rate of anti-hepatitis C virus antibody in serum was higher among dialysis patients having diabetes mellitus (odds ratio 9.9; 95% confidence interval 2.663,32.924). Patients with type-2 diabetes-related glomerulonephritis had the highest anti-hepatitis C virus prevalence [19.5% (24/123) vs. 3.2% (73/2247); P < 0.001] in a large cohort of Japanese patients who underwent renal biopsy. The link between hepatitis C virus and diabetes mellitus may explain, in part, the detrimental role of hepatitis C virus on patient and graft survival after orthotopic liver transplantation and/or renal transplantation. Preliminary evidence suggests that anti-viral therapies prior to renal transplantation and novel immunosuppressive regimens may lower the occurrence of diabetes mellitus in hepatitis C virus-infected patients after renal transplantation. Clinical trials are under way to assess if the hepatitis C virus-linked predisposition to new onset diabetes mellitus after renal transplantation may be reduced by newer immunosuppressive medications. [source] | |||||||||||||