From viral hepatitis to hepatocellular carcinoma: The role of exosomal microRNAs / 临床肝胆病杂志

Exosomes are nano-sized phospholipid bilayer vesicles containing abundant and complex biomolecules, such as DNA, mRNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs), lipids, and proteins. Exosomes can be secreted and ingested by most types of cells to transfer information through intercellular transport. After uptake by recipient cells, exosomes release bioactive substances to regulate the biological processes of recipient cells, such as promoting tumor growth and metastasis. Changes of exosomes and their contents are associated with a variety of diseases. In recent years, the role of exosomal miRNAs in the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) caused by viral hepatitis has attracted wide attention, and exosomal miRNAs from different sources play different roles in this process. This article briefly reviews the research on the role of exosomal miRNAs in the development and progression of viral hepatitis-related HCC and proposes that exosomal miRNAs may be the targets for immunotherapy for HCC microenvironment.

Research advances in the role of gut microbiota in chronic hepatitis B, chronic hepatitis C, and related liver diseases / 临床肝胆病杂志

Hepatitis B virus infection and hepatitis C virus infection often progress to end-stage liver diseases such as liver cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma, which endanger the life of patients. Recent studies have shown that gut microbiota are closely associated with chronic viral liver diseases. This article reviews the association of gut microbiota with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), chronic hepatitis C (CHC), and their related liver diseases and the research advances in therapies targeting gut microbiota against CHB and its related liver diseases, in order to provide more ideas for the clinical treatment of CHB, CHC, and their related liver diseases.

Comorbidity of hepatic cystic echinococcosis with HBV/HCV infection, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma / 临床肝胆病杂志

Objective To investigate the comorbidity of hepatic cystic echinococcosis with HBV/HCV infection, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, and to lay a foundation for further research on the influence of hepatic cystic echinococcosis on HBV/HCV infection, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the data of 401 patients with hepatic cystic echinococcosis who were admitted to The First Affiliated Hospital of Shihezi University from 2003 to 2019, and the state of comorbidity of hepatic cystic echinococcosis with HBV/HCV infection, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma was clarified. The patients with hepatic cystic echinococcosis and chronic HBV/HCV infection were selected as comorbidity group, and the patients with HBV/HCV infection alone were matched as control group. The chi-square test and the Fisher's exact test were used to analyze the state of viral infection and the disease composition of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Results Of all 401 patients, 38(9.5%) were included in the comorbidity group and 2(0.5%) had liver cirrhosis after HBV/HCV infection, while no patient had hepatocellular carcinoma after HBV/HCV infection. Among the patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection in the comorbidity group, non-active HBsAg carriers accounted for 81%, HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients accounted for 9.5%, and HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients accounted for 9.5%; among the patients with hepatitis B virus infection in the control group, non-active HBsAg carriers accounted for 43%, HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients accounted for 33%, and HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients accounted for 19%, with a significant difference between the two groups ( P =0.033). There was a significant difference in the HBV RNA clearance rate of the patients with HCV infection between the comorbidity group and the control group ( χ 2 =4.447, P =0.035). In the comorbidity group, the patients with liver cirrhosis accounted for 5.2% and there were no patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, while in the control group, the patients with liver cirrhosis accounted for 18.4% and those with hepatocellular carcinoma accounted for 5.2%; the comorbidity group had significantly lower proportions than the control group ( P =0.048). Conclusion The proportion of liver cirrhosis patients with hepatic cystic echinococcosis and HBV/HCV infection is lower than that of liver cirrhosis patients with viral hepatitis alone, and there are no cases of hepatocellular carcinoma after HBV/HCV infection. Further multicenter studies are needed to investigate the influence of hepatic cystic echinococcosis on chronic HBV/HCV infection, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatitis C in Hemodialysis Units: diagnosis and therapeutic approach / Hepatite C nas Unidades de Hemodiálise: diagnóstico e abordagem terapêutica

Abstract According to data from the last census of the Brazilian Society of Nephrology (SBN), the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Brazilian hemodialysis units (HU) is 3.3%, about three times higher than what is reported for the Brazilian general population. Often, professionals working in HU are faced with clinical situations that require rapid HCV diagnosis in order to avoid horizontal transmission within the units. On the other hand, thanks to the development of new antiviral drugs, the cure of patients with HCV, both in the general population and in patients with chronic kidney disease and the disease eradication, appear to be very feasible objectives to be achieved in the near future . In this scenario, SBN and the Brazilian Society of Hepatology present in this review article a proposal to approach HCV within HUs.

Resumo De acordo com os dados do último censo da Sociedade Brasileira de Nefrologia (SBN), a prevalência de portadores do vírus da hepatite C (HCV) nas unidades de hemodiálise (UH) no Brasil é de 3,3%, cerca de três vezes maior do que é observado na população geral brasileira. Muitas vezes, os profissionais que trabalham nas UH deparam-se com situações clínicas que demandam rápido diagnóstico do HCV, a fim de evitar uma transmissão horizontal dentro das unidades. Por outro lado, a cura dos pacientes portadores do HCV, tanto na população geral como na portadora de doença renal crônica e a erradicação da doença, em virtude do desenvolvimento de novas drogas antivirais, parecem ser objetivos bastante factíveis, a ser alcançados em futuro próximo. Nesse cenário, a SBN e a Sociedade Brasileira de Hepatologia apresentam neste artigo de revisão uma proposta de abordagem do HCV dentro das UH.

Hepatobiliary Manifestation of Inflammatory Bowel Disease / 대한소화기학회지

The hepatobiliary system is one of the most common sites of extraintestinal manifestation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The progression of IBD can lead to a primary hepatobiliary manifestation and can occur secondary to multiple drugs or accompanying viral infections. Primary sclerosing cholangitis is the representative hepatobiliary manifestation of IBD, particularly in ulcerative colitis. Although most agents used in the treatment of IBD are potentially hepatotoxic, the risk of serious hepatitis or liver failure is low. The prevalence of HBV and HCV in IBD is similar to the general population, but the clinical concern is HBV reactivation associated with immunosuppressive therapy. Patients undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy or immunosuppressive therapy with a moderate to high risk of HBV reactivation require prophylactic antiviral therapy. On the other hand, HCV has little risk of reactivation. Patients with IBD are more likely to have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease than the general population and tend to occur at younger ages. IBD and cholelithiasis are closely related, especially in Crohn's disease.

Hepatobiliary Manifestation of Inflammatory Bowel Disease / 대한소화기병학회잡지

The hepatobiliary system is one of the most common sites of extraintestinal manifestation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The progression of IBD can lead to a primary hepatobiliary manifestation and can occur secondary to multiple drugs or accompanying viral infections. Primary sclerosing cholangitis is the representative hepatobiliary manifestation of IBD, particularly in ulcerative colitis. Although most agents used in the treatment of IBD are potentially hepatotoxic, the risk of serious hepatitis or liver failure is low. The prevalence of HBV and HCV in IBD is similar to the general population, but the clinical concern is HBV reactivation associated with immunosuppressive therapy. Patients undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy or immunosuppressive therapy with a moderate to high risk of HBV reactivation require prophylactic antiviral therapy. On the other hand, HCV has little risk of reactivation. Patients with IBD are more likely to have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease than the general population and tend to occur at younger ages. IBD and cholelithiasis are closely related, especially in Crohn's disease.

Antiviral therapy for hepatitis virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma: current status and challenges / 临床肝胆病杂志

The incidence rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing around the world and tends to decrease in East Asia and several regions in China;however, China still has higher incidence rate and mortality rate of HCC than most countries.Studies have shown that long-term antiviral therapy can inhibit HBV replication to a very low level or help patients with HCV infection achieve sustained virologic response, which can further reduce the incidence rate of virus-related HCC.New evidence suggests that compared with nucleos(t)ide analogues, PEG-IFNα has a better effect of secondary prevention.Studies also indicate that interferons play an important role in tertiary prevention of virus-related HCC.This article reviews the epidemiological studies on virus-related HCC in recent years and the role of antiviral therapy in second and tertiary prevention and points out that adequate and effective antiviral therapy is the basis for preventing the development and recurrence of HCC.

Evidencia de circulación del virus de la hepatitis A, subgenotipo IA, en muestras ambientales en Antioquia, Colombia / Evidence of the circulation of hepatitis A virus, subgenotype IA, in environmental samples from Antioquia, Colombia

Introducción. El virus de la hepatitis A (HAV) es un importante patógeno que se transmite por vía fecal-oral. La epidemiología de la infección está directamente relacionada con el acceso de la población al agua potable y con la infraestructura de alcantarillado. Objetivo. Determinar la presencia del HAV e identificar el genotipo en muestras de agua de abastecimiento y agua residual en ocho municipios, un corregimiento y una vereda del departamento de Antioquia, noroccidente de Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Se hicieron tres muestreos seriados de diciembre de 2012 a abril de 2014 en la fuente principal de abastecimiento de los acueductos y en el principal vertimiento de aguas residuales de cada municipio. Las muestras se concentraron por filtración y ultrafiltración tangencial, y por las técnicas de polietilenglicol y floculación con leche descremada, respectivamente. A partir del ARN total de cada muestra, se amplificaron la región VP3-VP1 para la detección del genoma viral y la región VP1-2B para la genotipificación. Resultados. El genoma del HAV se detectó en las fuentes de agua de abastecimiento de Puerto Berrío, Frontino y Nutibara, y en las muestras de aguas residuales provenientes de los municipios de Arboletes, Zaragoza y Venecia. Mediante el análisis de las secuencias se identificó el subgenotipo IA del virus. Conclusión. Este estudio permitió detectar la presencia del HAV en 6,6 % de las muestras de agua de abastecimiento y en 13,3 % de las muestras de agua residual de los municipios en estudio. Se reporta por primera vez la circulación del subgenotipo IA en muestras ambientales en Antioquia.

Introduction: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is an important pathogen, typically transmitted via the faecal-oral route. The epidemiology of the infection is directly related to drinking water access and adequate disposal of sewage water. Objective: To determine the presence and identify the genotype of HAV in environmental samples from eight municipalities and two villages in Antioquia, northwestern Colombia. Materials and methods: Three serial samplings were done between December, 2012, and April, 2014. Water samples were obtained from drinking water plants prior to treatment, as well as from the main reserve of wastewater in each municipality included in the study. Viral concentrations for the two types of sample sources were determined by filtration/tangential ultrafiltration and polyethyleneglycol plus flocculation with skimmed milk, respectively. Total ARN was subsequently obtained from each sample and the VP3-VP1 region amplified for detection of the viral genome. The genotype was determined by amplification of the VP1-2B region. Results: The HAV genome was detected in samples from drinking water plants at Puerto Berrío, Frontino and Nutibara, and in wastewater samples from the municipalities of Arboletes, Zaragoza and Venecia. HAV subgenotype IA was identified using phylogenetic analysis. Conclusion: In this study, HAV was identified in 6.6% of the samples from drinking water plants and 13.3% of wastewater samples. This is the first report of HAV subgenotype IA circulating in environmental samples from Antioquia.

Fiebre amarilla, dos formas clínicas diferentes de una misma enfermedad: A propósito de 2 casos

La fiebre amarilla es una enfermedad infecciosa viral hemorrágica transmitida por la picadura de mosquitos y con un espectro clínico variado. En el Perú se presentan en brotes, en diferentes partes de la selva alta y baja. A pesar de tener elevada mortalidad, es una enfermedad inmunoprevenible con la vacunación que no siempre es seguida por los viajeros. Reportamos dos casos clínicos, con dos espectros clínicos distintos de una misma enfermedad en una pareja de jóvenes previamente sanos, que viajaron por turismo a la selva central del Perú, en la provincia de Chanchamayo, Junín. Se debe recordar a todo viajero a la selva peruana a vacunarse previamente contra la fiebre amarilla.

Yellow fever is a hemorrhagic viral infectious disease transmitted by mosquito vectors and with a variable clinical presentation. Yellow fever occurs in Peru as outbreaks, in different parts of the high rainforest and the Amazon basin. In spite of having a high mortality rate, it is a preventable disease with vaccination, but travelers to endemic areas do not always get immunized. We report two cases, with two different forms of the disease in a couple of previously healthy young persons that traveled to the Peruvian central high rainforest in Chanchamayo, Junin. Every traveler to the Peruvian Amazon region must be reminded to get immunized against yellow fever.

Prevalencia de marcadores de infecciones transmisibles y su relación con variables demográficas en un banco de sangre de Antioquia-Colombia, 2010-2013 / Prevalence of markers of transmissible infections in a blood bank of Antioquia, Colombia, 2010-2013

Introducción: las infecciones transmisibles por vía transfusional presentan divergencias en su magnitud y factores asociados, en correspondencia con el perfil epidemiológico de la población de referencia de cada banco de sangre. Objetivo: establecer la prevalencia de marcadores de infecciones transmisibles por vía transfusional y sus factores demográficos relacionados en un banco de sangre de Antioquia, en el periodo 2010-2013. Métodos: estudio transversal en donantes de un banco de sangre de Antioquia en quienes se aplicaron los criterios de inclusión de la resolución 901 de 1996. La fuente de información fue secundaria y los análisis de los marcadores de infecciones y sus factores relacionados se basaron en el cálculo de medidas de resumen, prueba chi cuadrado, razones de prevalencia y evaluación de la confusión por regresión logística binaria. Resultados: se incluyeron 15 461 donantes con edad promedio de 36 años.La prevalencia de positividad para cualquier marcador fue 1,18 %, de infecciones virales 0,15 %, de Treponema pallidum 1,00 % y de T. cruzi del 0,02 %. La prevalencia global de infecciones y de T. pallidum fue estadísticamente mayor en hombres, personas de mayor edad, donantes de reposición y ocupación de "servicios, deportes y recreación" y amas de casa; en el análisis multivariado se demostró que estas asociaciones no presentaron confusión. Conclusión: la prevalencia de infecciones fue muy baja y menor en comparación con investigaciones previas, los subgrupos con una prevalencia estadísticamente mayor fueron los hombres, donantes de reposición y personas de mayor edad; esto permite la orientación de investigaciones y acciones sanitarias posteriores.

Introduction: Transfusion transmissible infections present differences in magnitude and associated factors according to the epidemiological profile of the reference population of each blood bank. Objective: To determine the prevalence of markers of transfusion transmissible infections and associated factors in a Blood Bank Antioquia, 2010-2013. Methods: Cross-Sectional study of prevalence in donors from a blood bank Antioquia in whom inclusion criteria of resolution 901 of 1996 were applied. The source information was secondary and the analyzes were based on the calculation of summary measures, proportions, chi square test, prevalence ratios and evaluation of confusing by binary logistic regression. Results: We included 15 461 donors with a mean age of 36 years. The prevalence of positivity for any marker was 1.18 %, viral infections 0.15 %, Treponema pallidum 1.00 % and T. cruzi 0.02 %. The overall prevalence and of T. pallidum infection was statistically higher in men, elderly, replacement donors and persons with occupation of "services, sports and recreation" and housewives, in the multivariate analysis it showed that these associations did not present confusion. Conclusion: The prevalence of infection was lower compared to previous researches; the subgroups with statistically higher prevalence were men, replacement donors and elderly, this constitute a finding of interest for targeting investigations and health actions.

Atividade física e hepatite C crônica / Physical activity and chronic hepatitis C

A hepatite crônica causada pelo vírus C (VHC) constitui problema relevante de saúde pública no mundo. A infecção associada a esse vírus é considerada causa significativa de cirrose e respectivas complicações: hipertensão portal, descompensação da função hepática e carcinoma hepatocelular. A atividade física é amplamente incentivada no tratamento de diversas doenças crônicas. Entretanto, pouco tem sido pesquisado sobre o efeito da atividade física no curso evolutivo da hepatopatia associada ao VHC. Ainda, sabe-se que indivíduos com hepatite C crônica podem desenvolver outras afecções devido à inatividade física que podem interferir no curso da doença viral. Portanto, o objetivo do presente estudo foi realizar revisão bibliográfica sobre a relação entre atividade física e hepatite C crônica.

Chronic hepatitis caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV) is relevant for the public health problem in the world. The infection associated with this virus is considered a significant cause of cirrhosis and its complications: portal hypertension, decompensation of the liver function and hepatocellular carcinoma. Physical activity is widely encouraged in the treatment of various chronic diseases. However, little has been done on the effect of physical activity on the evolutionary course of the HCV-related liver disease. It is known that individuals with chronic hepatitis C may develop other disorders due to physical inactivity that may interfere in the course of the viral disease. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to conduct a literature review on the relationship between physical activity and chronic hepatitis C.

Retrospective Analysis on Serological Detection of Hepatitis Viruses in Physical Examination Population in Xi’an During 2009~2014 / 现代检验医学杂志

Objective To investigate retrospective analysis on serological detection of hepatitis viruses in physical examination population.Methods Hepatitis A virus (HAV)IgM,HBsAg,HCV IgG,HDV IgM,HEV IgM and HEV IgG were detected by ELISA assay in physical examination population during 2009~2014.Results The positive rate of HAV IgM was 0.15%(2/1 315)in 1 315 physical examinees and that of HBsAg was 2.83% (3 360/109 965)in 109 965 ones during 2009~2014. The positive rates of HBsAg decreased trend in the last 6 years in general (χ2 =63.070,P =0.001).There was no signifi-cant difference for HBsAg positive rate among male physical examinees in last six years (χ2 =4.804,P =0.441),but the positive rate of HBsAg in female population decreased trend in the last 6 years in general (χ2 =18.046,P =0.003),moreo-ver the positive rate of HBsAg in male popolation was significantly higher than that in female ones (χ2 =126.9,P =0.000). The positive rate of HCV IgG was 0.79% (333/41 898)in 41 898 physical examinees during 2009~2014 and that decreased trend in last 6 years (χ2 = 18.380,P =0.003).There was no HDV IgM detected in 1 079 physical examinees serum.The positive rate of HEV IgM and IgG were 0.25% (3/1 195)and 3.93% (47/1 195)respectively in 1 195 physical examinees. Conculsion The physical examination population during 2009~2014 were mainly infected by HBV and HCV and the infec-tion rate decreased trendly in last 6 years,which provided important data for epidemiology of serological hepatitis viruses in Shaanxi provice.

A case-control study on risk factors for abnormal liver function in middle-aged and elderly adults in Shanghai / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To investigate certain risk factors for and their impact on abnormal liver function in middle-aged and elderly adults.Methods A case-control study was constructed based on the SAGE cohort of 8642 registered residents aged 50 years or over in Shanghai.Of them,137 individuals with abnormal liver function,defined as aspartate transaminase (AST)＞ 40 U/L or alanine aminotransferase (ALT)＞ 40 U/L,were randomly selected as the observation group,while 411 healthy controls were 3 ∶ 1 matched with the cases in the observation group by gender and age (1 year).Face-to-face administered questionnaires and physical examinations were conducted and serum samples were tested for ALT,AST,glucose (GLU),total cholesterol (TC),triglycreide (TG),hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) and anti-hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV Ab).Chi square test and rank sum test were used for single factor analysis,and logistic regression analysis was used for multiple factors.Results The prevalence of HBsAg positive patients was 12.4 ％ (68/548) Univariate analysis showed that hepatitis virus infection and body mass index (BMI) were associated with abnormal liver function (both P＜0.000).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that hepatitis virus infection (OR=1.85,95％ CI:1.04 3.29,P-0.036) and obesity (OR=3.60,95％CI:1.92-6.73,P＜0.001) increased the risk of abnormal liver function,whereas chronic medication (OR=0.51,95％ CI:0.32-0.80,P =0.004) decreased the risk of abnormal liver function.Conclusions Among the study population,hepatitis virus infection and obesity are risk factors for abnormal liver function in middle-aged and elderly people.After adjustment for potential confounders,chronic medication is negatively correlated with abnormal liver function and may be a protective factor for liver function.

Infección por el virus de la hepatitis E en pacientes con diagnóstico clínico de hepatitis viral en Colombia / Hepatitis E virus infection in patients with clinical diagnosis of viral hepatitis in Colombia

Introducción. El virus de la hepatitis E (HEV), agente etiológico de casos esporádicos y epidemias de hepatitis, es un virus emergente de importancia global. En Colombia se desconoce la epidemiología de la infección causada por este virus. Objetivo. Determinar la seropositividad para el virus de la hepatitis E en muestras de suero de pacientes con diagnóstico clínico de hepatitis viral en Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Se estudiaron muestras de pacientes remitidas al Instituto Nacional de Salud en el periodo 2005-2010 provenientes de 15 departamentos de Colombia (grupo 1) y muestras remitidas al Laboratorio Departamental de Salud Pública de Antioquia en el periodo 2008-2009 (grupo 2). Las muestras de suero se analizaron por inmunoensayo con estuches comerciales. Resultados. La frecuencia de seropositividad para el virus de la hepatitis E en las 344 muestras analizadas fue de 8,7 % (30/344); de estas, 1,74 % (6/344) presentó IgM anti-HEV y 7,5 % (26/344), IgG anti-HEV. Se observó una diferencia en el resultado positivo entre el grupo 1 (6,3 %) y el grupo 2 (15,3 %). Los casos provenían de nueve departamentos del país. Conclusiones. Este es el primer estudio de infección por el virus de la hepatitis E en muestras de pacientes con diagnóstico de hepatitis en Colombia. La seropositividad descrita en esta población de pacientes es similar a la descrita en otros países de América Latina, como Brasil, Perú y Uruguay. Teniendo en cuenta estos resultados, se debe considerar la inclusión de los marcadores de la infección por el virus de la hepatitis E en el diagnóstico diferencial de la hepatitis viral en Colombia.

Introduction: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emergent virus of global importance; it is the etiological agent of sporadic cases and outbreaks of hepatitis. The epidemiology of this infection in Colombia is unknown. Objective: To determine the seropositivity for hepatitis E virus in Colombia in cases with clinical diagnosis of viral hepatitis. Materials and methods: Serum samples from patients that were sent to the Instituto Nacional de Salud during the period 2005-2010 (group 1) and samples sent to the Laboratorio Departamental de Salud Pública de Antioquia during the 2008-2009 period were included in this study (group 2). Serum samples were analyzed by immunoassay with commercial kits. Results: From the 344 analyzed samples, 8.7% were positive for anti-HEV; the frequency of anti-HEV IgM was 1.74% (6/344) and the frequency of anti-HEV IgG was 7.5% (26/344). A difference in frequency of anti-HEV between group 1 (6.3%) and group 2 (1.3%) was observed. The cases were identified in nine departments of Colombia. Conclusions: This is the first study of hepatitis E virus infection in patients with diagnosis of hepatitis in Colombia. The frequency of anti-HEV described in this population of patients in Colombia is similar to that described in other Latin American countries like Brazil, Perú and Uruguay. Considering the results of this study, it could be necessary to include hepatitis E virus infection serological markers in the differential diagnosis of viral hepatitis in Colombia.

Survival analysis of acquired immune deficiency syndrome patients with and without hepatitis C virus infection at a reference center for sexually transmitted diseases/acquired immune deficiency syndrome in São Paulo, Brazil

INTRODUCTION: Survival of patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome has improved with combination antiretroviral therapy; mortality due to liver diseases, however, has also increased in these patients. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the accumulated probability of survival in human immunodeficiency virus-hepatitis C virus coinfected and non-coinfected patients and to investigate factors related to acquired immune deficiency syndrome patients' survival. METHODS: Non-concurrent cohort study using data from surveillance information systems of acquired immune deficiency syndrome patients over 13 years of age. Hepatitis C and B, human immunodeficiency virus exposure category, CD4+ T cell count, age group, schooling, race, sex, and four acquired immune deficiency syndrome diagnosis periods were studied. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox model with estimates of the hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval were used. RESULTS: Of the total 2864 individuals included, with median age was 35 years, 219 died (7.5%), and 358 (12.5%) were human immunodeficiency virus-hepatitis C virus coinfected. The accumulated probability of survival in human immunodeficiency virus-hepatitis C virus coinfected patients, after acquired immune deficiency syndrome diagnosis, at 120 months, was 0%, 38.9%, 83.8% in 1986-1993, 1994-1996, 1997-2002, respectively, and 92.8% at 96 months in 2003-2010; survival in non-coinfected patients at 120 months was 80%, 90.2%, 94% in 1986-1993, 1994-1996, 1997-2002, respectively, and 94.1% at 96 months in 2003-2010. In the multivariate model the following variables were predictive of death: hepatitis C virus coinfection (hazard ratio=2.7; confidence interval 2.0-3.6); Hepatitis B virus coinfection (hazard ratio=2.4; confidence interval 1.7-3.6); being >50 years old (hazard ratio=2.3; confidence interval 1.3-3.8); having 8-11 years of schooling (hazard ratio=1.6; confidence interval 1.1-2.3), having 4-7 years of schooling ...

Establishment and application of HCV genotype liquichip detection method / 国际检验医学杂志

Objective To establish a liquichip method for detecting 6 sub-genotypes of hepatitis C virus(HCV),including 1a, 1b,2a,3a,3b and 6a.Methods The coupling method of PCR amplification and nucleic acid probe was established.The PCR product and the microspheres mixture of the coupled nucleic acid probe were hybridized for establishing the liquichip detection method.The sensitivity and specificity of the established liquichip detection method were evaluated.Nucleic acid in 93 serum samples was detec-ted by this method..Results The established HCV nuclei acid liquichip genotype detection method had the higher specificity and sensitivity,which could detect and classfy 6 HCV sub-genotypes.The sensitivity for HCV 1a,3a and 6a sub-genotypes was 1× 105 copies/PCR;the sensitivity for HCV 1b,2a and 3b sub-genotypes was 1×104 copies/PCR.The detection results in 93 serum samples showed that the this genotyping method had the characteristics of high throughput,rapidness,sentsitivity and specificity. Conclusion This method can be used for the simultaneous and quick detection of 6 HCV sub-genotypes and provides a new meth-od for the genotyping detection of HCV.

Persistent hepatitis virus infection and immune homeostasis / 临床肝胆病杂志

Homeostasis between the host and viruses is naturally maintained.On the one hand,the immune system activates the immune re-sponse to kill or eliminate viruses;on the other hand,the immune system controls the immune response to maintain immune homeostasis. The cause of persistent infections with hepatitis viruses such as HBV and HCV is that viral molecules damage the immune system of the host and their variants escape immune clearance.Long-term coexistence of the host and viruses is the process involving various immune cells and molecules and is the result of homeostasis maintenance in antiviral immune response.The immune homeostasis maintained during persis-tent infections with hepatitis viruses is analyzed by the cellular and molecular mechanisms.

Hepatitis viruses: Not always what it seems to be / Los virus de las hepatitis no siempre son habituales

The classic hepatotropic viruses, hepatitis A through E, are not the only viral agents able to infect the liver. Other systemic viruses may cause hepatic injury that can range from mild and transient elevation of aminotransferases to acute hepatitis and occasionally acute liver failure and fulminant hepatitis. The clinical presentation may be indistinguishable from that associated with classic hepatotropic viruses. These agents include cytomegalovirus; Epstein-Barr virus; herpes simplex virus; varicella-zoster virus; human herpesvirus 6, 7, and 8; human parvovirus B19; adenoviruses among others. Wide spectrums of clinical syndromes are associated with cytomegalovirus disease. Unique clinical syndromes may present in neonates, young adults and immunocompromised hosts infected with cytomegalovirus. Cases of fulminant hepatitis have been reported in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent hosts infected with Epstein Barr virus. Occasionally, these patients with acute hepatic failure may need liver transplantation. Herpes simplex viruses may involve the liver in neonatal infections, pregnancy, immunocompromised hosts and occasionally, immunocompetent adults. Varicella-Zoster virus has also been associated with severe acute hepatitis and fulminant hepatitis in adults. The drug of choice for these conditions is intravenous acyclovir. These may also need liver transplantation in the more severe forms of clinical presentation. Typical liver biopsy findings can be useful in determining the diagnosis of these viral infections. Human herpesviruses 6, 7, and 8, human parvovirus B19, and adenoviruses can also be present with features of acute liver injury and occasionally as fulminant hepatitis. The clinical syndromes are less well delineated than those associated with herpesviruses. It is important to consider these viruses as possible etiologic agents in patients who have acute liver injury and their serologic markers for the classic hepatotropic viruses are not indicative of an active infection.

Los agentes de la hepatitis viral A, B, C, D y E no son los únicos virus que pueden causar un síndrome de daño hepático agudo. Agentes virales como el citomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr, herpes simplex 1 y 2, Varicella-Zoster, virus herpes humano 6, 7, y 8, parvovirus B19 y adenovirus pueden causar daño hepático agudo e inclusive presentarse como hepatitis fulminante. Los cuadros clínicos de daño hepático agudo por citomegalovirus, Epstein Barr y herpes simplex 1 y 2 han sido caracterizado mejor. Se ha intentado el uso de drogas antivirales específicas como el uso intravenoso de aciclovir. Ocasionalmente, se ha requerido el trasplante hepático para rescatar pacientes con hepatitis fulminantes por estos agentes virales. La biopsia hepática puede ser de utilidad en estos casos puesto que los hallazgos son bastante característicos. La expresión clínica asociada a infecciones por virus herpes humano 6, 7 y 8, parvovirus B19 y adenovirus son menos características. Ha habido varios casos de hepatitis fulminante causada por estos agentes virales. Estos agentes virales deben ser considerados en el diagnóstico de casos de daño hepático agudo e inclusive hepatitis fulminante cuando los marcadores virales para los virus de hepatitis A-E son negativos.

Methodology of a nationwide cross-sectional survey of prevalence and epidemiological patterns of hepatitis A, B and C infection in Brazil / Metodologia de um estudo de inquérito nacional da prevalência e de padrõesa epidemiológicos das hepatites A, B e C no Brasil

Um inquérito de base populacional foi conduzido na população urbana de todas as capitais e do Distrito Federal no Brasil para fornecer informações sobre a prevalência de hepatites virais e fatores de risco, entre 2005 e 2009. Este artigo descreve o delineamento e a metodologia do estudo que envolveu a população com idade entre 5 e 19 anos para hepatite A e 10 a 69 anos para hepatite B e C. As entrevistas e amostras de sangue foram obtidas através de visitas domiciliares e a amostra selecionada a partir de uma amostragem estratificada em múltiplos estágios (por conglomerado) com igual probabilidade para cada domínio de estudo (região e faixa etária). Nacionalmente, 19.280 residências e ~31.000 indivíduos foram selecionados. O tamanho da amostra foi suficiente para detectar uma prevalência em torno de 0,1 por cento e para avaliar os fatores de risco por região. A metodologia apresentou-se viável para distinguir entre diferentes padrões epidemiológicos da hepatite A, B e C. Estes dados serão de valia para a avaliação das políticas de vacinação e para o desenho de estratégias de controle.

A population-based survey to provide information on the prevalence of hepatitis viral infection and the pattern of risk factors was carried out in the urban population of all Brazilian state capitals and the Federal District, between 2005 and 2009. This paper describes the design and methodology of the study which involved a population aged 5 to 19 for hepatitis A and 10 to 69 for hepatitis B and C. Interviews and blood samples were obtained through household visits. The sample was selected using stratified multi-stage cluster sampling and was drawn with equal probability from each domain of study (region and age-group). Nationwide, 19,280 households and ~31,000 residents were selected. The study is large enough to detect prevalence of viral infection around 0.1 percent and risk factor assessments within each region. The methodology seems to be a viable way of differentiating between distinct epidemiological patterns of hepatitis A, B and C. These data will be of value for the evaluation of vaccination policies and for the design of control program strategies.

Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of 323 chronic hepatitis C patients / 中华传染病杂志

Objective To analyze epidemiological and clinical characteristics of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients. Methods The clinical data of 323 CHC patients were collected. The transmission modes, clinical manifestations and virological features were recorded. The liver histological change was also analyzed in 39 cases whose liver biopsy samples were available. The comparison between two groups was performed by t test. Results Among the 323 CHC patients, 135 cases (41. 8%) had history of blood or blood products transfusion. Sixty-seven cases (20. 7%) had undergone surgery and trauma operation. Nineteen cases (5. 9%) had history of Chinese medicine acupuncture. Eighteen cases (5.6%) had undergone hemodialysis. Two patients (0.6%) were infected through vertical transmission. Twenty-one cases (6. 5%) had history of intravenous drug use and two cases (0. 6%) had history of unsafe sexual contact. The possible transmission routes for the other 78 cases (24.1%)were unknown. Fourteen patients (4. 3%) were co-infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). The major prevalent genotypes were hepatitis C virus ( HCV) genotype lb and 2a, which were 145 cases (65. 3%) and 21 cases (9. 5%) respectively. HCV viral loads were as high as 1 × 105 IU/mL in 74 cases (26. 1%) and 1× 106 IU/mL in 103 cases (36. 4%). Twenty-three patients (7.1%) developed obvious clinical manifestations. Among 39 patients undergoing liver biopsy, 14 cases (35. 9%) had hepatic inflammation activity index (HAI)≥4, six cases (15. 4%) had fibrosis stage (F) ≥3, four cases (10. 3%) had HAI≥4 and F≥3. Conclusions The most common HCV transmission modes are blood transfusion and use of blood products. However, surgery and trauma operation should be paid more attention. Besides blood transfusion, the transmission modes of intravenous drug injection, hemodialysis and traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture are increasing. The major HCV genotypes are lb and 2a. The viral loads of most patients are relatively high. Most patients infected with HCV don't show any obvious hepatitis symptoms and physical signs. However, the liver biopsy results from 39 patients suggest that most patients develop liver histological changes.