Exploration on ALT threshold for initiating antiviral therapy in chronic HBV-infected patients based on results of 707 liver puncture cases / 中国热带医学

@#Abstract: Objective To explore the threshold of ALT for initiating antiviral therapy in HBV infected patients, and to provide a basis for initiating antiviral therapy in chronic HBV-infected patients. Methods This retrospective cohort study recruited 707 consecutive treatment-naïve chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients undergoing diagnostic liver biopsy in the department of infectious diseases of the Affiliated Hospital of Yan′an University from October 2013 to August 2018. Liver biopsy specimens were obtained under ultrasound guidance using Menghini 16G disposable needles. The METAVIR scoring system, which is commonly used internationally, was used to divide the patients into the group with mild liver tissue injury and the group with significant liver tissue injury, and the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were measured separately. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and Mann-Whitney U test were used to evaluate the diagnostic value of ALT for significant liver tissue injury under different demographic characteristics. Results Of 707 patients, 292 (41.30%) had significant liver tissue injury confirmed by liver biopsy (METAVIR ≥A2 and/or F2). When the ULN of ALT was set to NICE criteria (30 U/L for males, 19 U/L for females), AASLD criteria (35 U/L for males, 25 U/L for females) and EASL or APASL criteria (40 U/L for males and females), CHB patients with <ULN accounted for 32.38%, 35.03% and 36.07% of significant liver tissue injury, respectively. And significant liver tissue injury in CHB patients with 1-2×ULN accounted for 41.99%, 41.85% and 50.30%, respectively. The optimal ALT critical values were 33 U/L for overall patients, 25 U/L for females, 45 U/L for males, 45 U/L for ≤30 years olds, 33 U/L for>30 years olds, 22 U/L for HBeAg negative and 31 U/L for HBeAg positive patients. Conclusions The threshold of ALT for initiating antiviral therapy in chronic HBV patients should be individualized, especially should be down-regulated for the females, olders and HBeAg-negative patients.

Recommendations for multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment of some problems of novel coronavirus infection / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

@#The number of patients with novel coronavirus infection increased sharply since December 2022. The tenth version of the Diagnosis and Treatment Guideline of Novel Coronavirus Infection formulated by the National Health Commission played an important role in standardizing the diagnosis and treatment of patients with novel coronavirus infection. However, some problems still exist in clinical practice, such as the selection of antiviral drugs, timing of immunotherapy, dosage of anticoagulants, treatment of myocardial injury, treatment of interstitial lung disease, and rebound of novel coronavirus infection. In this article, 18 recommendations are proposed based on the refinement and classification of some issues by multidisciplinary experts of The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University. They can provide reference in clinical practice.

Drug selection for simultaneous treatment of tuberculosis combined with hepatitis C virus infection / 中华肝脏病杂志

Clinically, patients with tuberculosis (TB) combined with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection often require simultaneous treatment. Consequently, when anti-HCV and TB drugs are used in combination drug-drug interactions (DDIs), anti-TB drug-induced hepatotoxicity, and liver disease states need to be considered. This paper focuses on discussing the metabolic mechanisms of commonly used anti-TB and HCV drugs and the selection options of combined drugs, so as to provide rational drug use for TB patients combined with HCV infection.

Occurrence and recurrence of hepatitis C-related hepatocellular carcinoma after direct antiviral treatment / 中华肝脏病杂志

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA can be cleared from the blood circulation by direct antiviral treatment to achieve sustained virologic response (SVR). Studies have shown that SVR after direct antiviral therapy can reduce the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma; however, monitoring for hepatocellular carcinoma is still needed. This review briefly summarizes and discusses the existing studies on the possible causes of hepatitis C secondary to HCC after antiviral therapy, which is mainly divided into epigenetic alterations and abnormal DNA methylation, HCV-related cirrhosis and abnormal DNA amplification, HBV reactivation, several aspects of occult HCV infection, and the effect of direct antiviral treatment on hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence. In few cases, direct antiviral treatment cannot completely prevent the occurrence and recurrence of hepatitis C-related hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, its mechanism needs to be studied and explored, and clinicians should also approach it with caution.

Noninvasive indicators of indications for antiviral therapy in HBeAg-negative chronic HBV infection patients with alanine aminotransferase ≤40 U/L / 临床肝胆病杂志

Objective To investigate the noninvasive indicators of indications for antiviral therapy in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection patients with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≤40 U/L under the guidance of liver pathology. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 377 HBeAg-negative chronic HBV infection patients with ALT ≤40 U/L who were hospitalized in Affiliated Hospital of Yan’an University, from October 2013 to August 2018 and underwent liver biopsy, among whom the patients with inflammatory activity ＜A2 and fibrosis stage ＜F2 were enrolled as non-antiviral therapy group(n=266), and the patients with inflammatory activity ≥A2 or fibrosis stage ≥F2 were enrolled as antiviral therapy group(n=111). The chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups; the t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups; univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analyses were used to screen out the influencing factors for the initiation of antiviral therapy; the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of each indicator in determining the need for antiviral therapy in HBeAg-negative chronic HBV infection patients with ALT ≤40 U/L. ResultsOf all 377 patients, 266 (70.6%) did not need antiviral therapy for the time being, and 111 (29.4%) had marked liver damage and thus needed active antiviral therapy. The multivariate analysis showed that liver stiffness measurement (LSM) (odds ratio ［HR］=2.003, 95% confidence interval ［CI］: 1.647-2.437, P＜005), HBsAg (HR=1.563, 95% CI: 1.110-2.200, P＜0.05), HBV DNA (HR=1.519, 95% CI: 1173-1.966, P＜0.05), and albumin (HR=0.939, 95% CI: 0.884-0.998, P＜0.05) were independent influencing factors for the initiation of antiviral therapy. The ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.749 (95% CI: 0.699-0799) for LSM, 0642 (95% CI: 0.586-0.699) for HBV DNA, and 0.565 (95% CI: 0.507-0.623) for HBsAg, and the combination of LSM, HBV DNA, and HBsAg had a larger AUC of 0.779 (95% CI: 0.732-0.827). ConclusionThe levels of LSM, HBV DNA, and HBsAg have a reference value in determining the initiation of antiviral therapy in HBeAg-negative chronic HBV infection patients with ALT≤40 U/L.

Identification of a novel multidrug-resistance mutation in reverse transcription region of hepatitis B virus / 解放军医学杂志

Objective To analyze the clinical occurrence and phenotypic characteristics of rtA181S-related novel multidrug-resistance mutation in reverse transcription region of hepatitis B virus (HBV). Methods The clinical data and sequence information of 16 443 patients with chronic HBV infection who received nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs)-resistance testing at the original PLA 302 Hospital from 2012 to 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. rtA181S-related mutation patterns were analyzed and cloning-sequencing (≥20 clones/sample) was performed on the mutation samples of rtA181S+T184I+M204I with the highest detection rate. Phenotypic analysis was performed to evaluate the viral replication capacity and drug susceptibility. Results The rtA181S mutation was detected in 0.75% (124/16 443) of the patients. Among them, 21 patients were detected with coexistence of lamivudine (LAM)-resistance mutation and 74 patients were detected with coexistence of entecavir-resistance (ETVr) mutation. The rtA181S+T184I+M204I novel mutation accounted for 77.0% (57/74) of the rtA181S+ETVr mutation. Dynamic clinical data analysis showed that the rtA181S+T184I+M204I mutation emerged after adefovir dipivoxil (ADV), ETV, and LAM/telbivudine (LdT) treatment, accompanied by virological breakthrough or inadequate virological response. Compared to wild-type strain, rtA181S+T184I+M204I mutant had 53.7% decreased replication capacity, over 1000-, 3.9-, and 383.3-fold increased LAM, ADV, and ETV resistance, respectively, and remained sensitive to tenofovir (TDF). Conclusions rtA181S+T184I+M204I mutation is a novel multidrug-resistance mutation, which is related to the ADV, ETV or LAM/LdT sequential or combined treatment. TDF-based rescue therapy should be considered for patients harboring this mutation in clinical practice.

Reacciones adversas evitables graves por antivirales. Sistema Cubano de Farmacovigilancia, 2008-2017 / Serious adverse reactions avoidable by antivirals. Cuban Pharmacovigilance System, 2008-2017 / Reações adversas severas prevenidas por antivirais. Sistema cubano de farmacovigilancia, 2008-2017 / Réactions indésirables graves évitable par les antiviraux. Systeme cubain de pharmacovigilance, 2008-2017

Resumen Objetivo: Caracterizar las reacciones adversas graves evitables por antivirales presentes en el Sistema Cubano de Farmacovigilancia durante los años 2008 al 2017. Material y métodos: Investigación cuantitativa, observacional y descriptiva; enmarcada dentro de los estudios de farmacovigilancia, con un diseño de serie de casos. El universo conformado por las notificaciones de reacciones adversas graves evitables provocadas estos fármacos. Se utilizaron variables como: reacción adversa identificada, grupo de edad, sexo, fármaco antiviral, frecuencia y causas de evitabilidad. Resultados: Las reacciones adversas evitables graves a los antivirales se comportaron a ritmo irregular que muestra tendencia al incremento. Predominaron en hombres (77.8%) y en adultos (94.4%). Zidovudina (44.4%) y nevirapina (38.9%) muestraron la mayor cantidad de reportes, relacionados con la aparición de anemia y síndrome de Stevens Johnson. Los médicos reportaron el 72.2% de los casos. Las reacciones encontradas se describen como frecuentes. Las interacciones medicamentosas (61.1%) fue la principal causa de evitabilidad. Conclusiones: La caracterización de las reacciones adversas graves evitables a los antivirales permitió identificar que las mismas fueron frecuentes, producidas por antirretrovirales y presentadas hombres adultos; siendo la anemia y síndrome de Stevens Johnson las más frecuentes. Las causas de evitabilidad identificadas con mayor frecuencia responden a errores de la prescripción.

Abstract Object: To characterize the serious adverse reactions avoidable by antivirals present in the Cuban Pharmacovigilance System during the years 2008 to 2017. Materials and methods: Quantitative, observational and descriptive research; framed within the pharmacovigilance studies, with a case series design. The sample conformed by the reports of avoidable serious adverse reactions caused by these drugs. Variables were: identified adverse reaction, age group, sex, antiviral drug, frequency and causes of preventability. Results: Severe avoidable adverse reactions to antivirals were presented at an irregular level that shows a tendency to increase. They predominated in men (77.8%) and in adults (94.4%). Zidovudine (44.4%) and nevirapine (38.9%) showed the highest number of reports, related to the appearance of anemia and Stevens-Johnson syndrome. The doctors reported 72.2% of the cases. The reactions found are described as frequent. Drug interactions (61.1%) was the main cause of preventability. Conclusions: The characterization of the serious adverse reactions avoidable to the antivirals allowed to identify that they were in their majority produced by antiretroviral and occurred mainly in adult men; anemia and Stevens-Johnson syndrome were the most frequent. The causes of preventability identified with greater frequency correspond to errors of the prescription.

Resumo Objetivo: Saracterizar as reações adversas graves evitáveis por antivirais presentes no Sistema Cubano de Farmacovigiláncia durante os anos de 2008 a 2017. Materiais e métodos: Pesquisa quantitativa, observacional e descritiva; enquadrada no ámbito de estudos de farmacovigiláncia, com um desenho de estudos de casos. O universo foi constituido pelos relatórios das notificações de reações adversas graves causadas por esses medicamentos. Foram utilizadas variáveis, tais como: reacjao adversa identificada, grupo etário, sexo, fármaco antiviral, frequência e causas de prevenjao. Resultados: Reações adversas severas preveníveis por antivirais surgem a um ritmo irregular mostrando um aumento crescente. Predominaram em homens (77,8%) e em adultos (94,4%). Zidovudina (44,4%) e nevirapina (38,9%) apresentaram o maior número de relatos, relacionados ao aparecimento de anemia e síndrome de Stevens Johnson. Os médicos relataram 72,2% dos casos. As reações encontradas são descritas como frequentes. As interajoes medicamentosas (61,1%) foram a principal causa da prevenção. Conclusões: A caracterização de reações adversas graves, preveniveis por antivirais permitiram identificar que eram frequentes, produzidos por anti-retrovirais e apresentados em homens adultos; sendo a anemia e a síndrome de Stevens Johnson as mais frequentes. As causas mais frequentemente identificadas de prevenção demonstram erros de prescrição.

Résumé Objectif: Caractériser les effets indésirables graves évitables par les antiviraux présents dans le systéme cubain de pharmacovigilance pendant les années 2008 á 2017. Matériaux et méthodes: Recherche quantitative, observationnelle et descriptive; encadré dans les études de pharmacovigilance, avec une conception de série de cas. L'échantillon était conforme aux rapports d'effets indésirables graves évitables provoqués par ces médicaments. Les variables utilisées étaient réaction indésirable identifiée, groupe d'áge, sexe, médicament antiviral, fréquence et causes de prévention. Résultats: Les réactions indésirables évitables tombes aux antiviraux se sont comportées á un rythme irrégulier qui a tendance á augmenter. Ils prédominaient chez les hommes (77,8%) et chez les adultes (94,4%). La zidovudine (44,4%) et la névirapine (38,9%) présentaient le plus grand nombre de signalements, liés á l'apparition de l'anémie et au syndrome de Stevens-Johnson. Les médecins rapportent 72.2% des cas. Les réactions trouvées sont souvent déclinées. Les interactions médicamenteuses (61,1%) étaient la principale cause évitable. Conclusion: La caractérisation des effets indésirables graves évitables antiviraux a permis d'identifier qu'ils étaient produits principalement par les antirétroviraux et se produisaient principalement chez les hommes adultes; l'anémie et le syndrome de Stevens-Johnson étaient les plus fréquents. Les causes évitables identifiées généralement correspondent á des erreurs de prescription.

Clinical characteristics of hepatic flare and efficacy of antiviral therapy in pregnant women with chronic hepatitis B virus infection / 中华肝脏病杂志

Objective@#To analyze the clinical characteristics of hepatic flare and evaluate efficacy of antiviral treatment in pregnant women with chronic HBV infection.@*Methods@#A single-center, open-label, prospective study was conducted, and pregnant women with chronic HBV infection were enrolled. Liver function, HBV serum markers and HBV DNA of pregnant women with chronic HBV infection were reviewed during every 4 to 12 weeks of gestation period. The proportion and clinical characteristics of hepatitis flare during pregnancy were observed. Logistic regression analysis was used to predict hepatic flare in pregnant women with chronic HBV infection. Antiviral therapy with telbivudine (LdT) or tenofovir dipivoxil (TDF) was used to treat hepatic flare during pregnancy. Sequential entecavir (ETV) or TDF was applied after the delivery. Treatment course and drug withdrawal in pregnant women with hepatic flare was the same as those of the general patients with chronic hepatitis B. Liver function, HBV serum markers and HBV DNA were measured in pregnant women with hepatic flare at different time points (4, 12, 24 and 52 weeks). A t-test was used to compare the hepatic flare in pregnant women with and without hepatitis group. HBsAg and HBeAg were used to quantify the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of pregnant women with hepatic flare during pregnancy. Area under the ROC curve was used to calculate the optimal cut-off value corresponding to the maximum sensitivity and specificity of the ROC curve.@*Results@#Of the 220 pregnant women with chronic HBV infection, 55 (25%) had hepatitis flare during pregnancy and received antiviral treatment. Among the 55 women with hepatic flare during gestation, 47 (85.46%) had hepatic flare in the mid-second trimester (12-24 weeks); average peak value of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was 220.62 U/L, and the average peak value of ALT in 32 cases (58.18%) of pregnant women with hepatic flare was between 2–5 × ULN. HBsAg and HBeAg quantification were significantly lower in pregnant women with hepatic flare during pregnancy than with non-hepatitis (t = -3.745, P < 0.001; t = -2.186, P = 0.030). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that pregnant women with HBeAg < 3.065 log10 s/co were 7.576 times more likely to have hepatic flare during pregnancy (95% confidence interval: 3.779-15.190). ALT normalization, undetectable HBV DNA levels, HBeAg loss and HBeAg seroconversion in 55 pregnant women with hepatic flare at 52-week treatment was 100% (55/55), 74.55% (41/55), 47.27% (26/55) and 41.82% (23/55), respectively. HBsAg quantification at 52 weeks was significantly lower than baseline HBsAg quantification (3.32 + 0.37) log10 IU/ml and (3.95 + 0.40) log10 IU/ml; t = 8.465, P < 0.001).@*Conclusion@#Hepatic flare often occurs in the second trimester of pregnancy in pregnant women with chronic HBV infection and baseline HBeAg quantification is an independent predictor of hepatic flare. HBeAg seroconversion rate increased at 52 weeks after antiviral therapy.

Optimal cessation period of anti-HBV therapy to block mother-to-child transmission / 中华肝脏病杂志

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) carrier woman of childbearing age with high viral load is an important source of vertical transmission of hepatitis b virus from mother-to-child in China. Routine blockade with immunoglobulin combined with hepatitis B vaccine is used for neonates born to pregnant women with high viral load of hepatitis B virus, but in some cases, immunoprophylaxis fails. The main application of antiviral drugs in pregnancy is to reduce the serum viral load, thereby significantly improve the blocking rate of vertical transmission between mother and infant. Current evidence suggested that if the maternal age is less than 30 years old, with no obvious liver fibrosis or cirrhosis and there is no increase in ALT level >2ULN( upper limit of normal) during the treatment, the treatment with antiviral drugs can be stopped after delivery immediately. Additionally, ALT level should be examined at 4, 12 and 24 weeks after stopping the drug. Antiviral therapy for the occurrence of hepatitis attack should be given if criteria for HBV treatment are met.

Correlation Analysis of HLA-DP Gene Polymorphisms with Immune Response to Antiviral Treatment for HCV Patients / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE： To study the correlation of HLA-DP gene polymorphisms with the immune response to antiviral treatment for hepatitis C virus （HCV） patients. METHODS： A total of 106 HCV Han-nationality patients were collected from our hospital during May 2013 to Aug 2017. All patients received PEG IFNα+ribavirin （RBV） for 48 weeks， and then 24 week follow-up after drug withdrawal. Age， body weight and baseline level of HCV-RNA were recorded. The typing of rs3077 and rs2395309 site of HLA-DP gene were detected by RT-qPCR with Taqman-MGB fluorescent probe. According to treatment outcome， the patients were divided into two groups such as sustained viral response （SVR） group and no-sustained viral response （N-SVR） group. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed for influential factors （gender， age， body weight index， HCV-RNA baseline level， gene polymorphisms） of immune response to antiviral treatment for HCV patients with Logistic regression model. RESULTS： Among 106 patients， the frequencies of CC， CT and TT genotype at rs3077 site were 40.6％， 35.8％ and 23.6％； those of GG， GA and AA genotype at rs2395309 site were 50.0％， 39.6％， 10.4％， respectively， which were in line with Hardy-Weinberg genetic balance （P＞0.05）. Totally 80 HCV patients were obtained in SVR group， and 26 HCV patients in N-SVR group. The patient’s age， the proportion of CT and TT genotype of rs3077 site and GA and AA genotype of rs2395309 site in SVR group were significantly lower than N-SVR group. The proportion of CC genotype at rs3077 site and GG genotype at rs2395309 site were significantly higher than N-SVR group （P＜0.05）. There was no statistical significance in gender， body weight index or HCV-RNA baseline level between 2 groups （P＞0.05）. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that gender， body mass index， HCV-RNA baseline level， CC genotype at rs3077 site and GG genotype at rs2395309 site were not related to the immune response to antiviral treatment （P＞0.05）. Age， CT and TT genotype at rs3077 site， GA and AA genotype at rs2395309 site were associated with the immune response to antiviral therapy [OR were 1.135， 1.766， 1.283， 1.218， 1.103， 95％CI were （1.017，1.267）， （1.007，3.100）， （1.038，1.585）， （1.011，1.467）， （1.038，1.172）， respectively， P＜0.05]. CONCLUSIONS： Age and the polymorphisms of HLA-DP gene at rs3077 and rs2395309 site are related to immune response to PEG IFNα+RBV antiviral treatment for HCV Han-nationality patients. Young patients may have higher antiviral immune response rate， while carriers with T and A mutation alleles may have lower antiviral immune response rate.

Mortality analysis among HIV/AIDS cases in Guizhou Province from 1995 to 2017 / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective To investigate the distribution of death among human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immuno deficiency syndrome(HIV/AIDS) cases in Guizhou Province from 1995 to 2017. Methods The HIV/AIDS death cases from 1995 to 2017 were downloaded from “Chinese National Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Prevention and care Information system” in Guizhou Province and were analyzed. Results From 1995 to 2017, Guizhou Province reported a total of 43 794 HIV/AIDS cases and 11 527 deaths according to current address. After excluding missing persons, the HIV/AIDS mortality rate of the province was 29.8%. The proportion of reported HIV/AIDS cases died in the same year ( 21995-2012=139.5, P<0.001; 22012-2015=28.2, P<0.001) and the proportion of HIV/AIDS cases ( 21995-2012=109.1, P<0.001; 22012-2014=57.2, P<0.001) who survived at the beginning but died later in the year all showed a trend being low-high-low. In the analysis of the detection history of death cases, the detection proportion of cluster of differentiation 4(CD4) T-cell and the proportion of antiviral treatment had been increasing year by year. The analysis of the cause of death found that the proportion of death caused by AIDS increased firstly and then declined, and the proportion of death due to excessive drug abuse showed a trend of declining year by year. Conclusions The mortality rate of HIV/AIDS in Guizhou Province was still high, and decreased rather slow. Expanding the coverage of HIV monitoring and screening is one of the key tasks of AIDS prevention and control. CD4+T-cell testing and free antiviral treatment should be strengthened to reduce the mortality rate of HIV/AIDS in Guizhou Province in the future.

Clearance of HBsAg in patients with chronic hepatitis B treated by entecavir plus Peg IFNα-2b following initial entecavir monotherapy / 中华临床感染病杂志

Objective To analyze the efficacy of entecavir (ETV) combined with Peg IFNα-2b in chronic hepatitis B ( CHB) patients with low levels HBsAg following initial ETV treatment.Methods Sixty-nine CHB outpatients achieving serum HBsAg ＜2 000 IU/mL and HBV DNA＜100 IU/mL following initial ETV treatment in Pujiang People's Hospital and the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2014 to January 2016 were enrolled.Patients were randomly assigned in two groups: 39 patients in combination group received ETV (0.5 mg/d ) and Peg IFNα-2b (1.5 μg· kg－1· week －1, hypodermic injection), and 30 patients in ETV group received ETV (0.5 mg/d) alone.Serum HBsAg quantification, negative conversion rate of HBsAg and HBeAg , and levels of aminotransferase (ALT) were measured at baseline , 12th, 24th, 48th, 72th and 96th week after treatment.Results The levels of HBsAg in the combination group decreased gradually with the prolongation of therapy , which were lower than those in ETV group 24 week after treatment (Z＝－2.566,P＜0.05),and at 48th, 72th and 96th week (Z＝－3.499,－3.825 and －3.864,P＜0.01).Clearance of HBsAg appeared in the combination group at 24th week,the clearance rates were 7.70%(3/39) and 28.20%(11/39) at 24th and 96th week, respectively;while the clearance of HBsAg occurred in ETV group at 96th week, the clearance rate was only 3.30%(1/30).The negative conversion rates of HBsAg in combination group were higher than those in ETV group at 48th,72th and 96th week (P＜0.05 or＜0.01).In the combination group, there were 11 cases of clinical cure , 11 cases of clinical efficacy and 17 cases of clinical effectiveness , while there were 1, 1 and 28 cases in ETV group,respectively.The treatment effect of the combination group was better than that of ETV group(χ2＝18.496,P＜0.01).Serological conversion rates of HBeAg were 30.00%(6/20) and 65.00%(13/20) in combination group at 12th and 96th week, while those were 11.11%(2/18) and 22.22%(4/18) in ETV group at 48th and 96th week.There were significant differences in the HBeAg serological conversion rates at 12th, 24th, 72th and 96th week between two groups (P＜0.05 or ＜0.01). The levels of ALT in combination group increased at 12th and 24th week, which had significant difference compared with ETV group (Z＝－1.236 and －2.658,P＜0.05), and the ALT levels gradually declined 48 week after treatment in combination group and there were no statistical differences between two groups at other time points.The ETV combined with Peg IFNα-2b and low baseline HBeAg levels were associated with the clearance rate of HBsAg (both P＜0.01).Conclusions CHB patients with low HBsAg levels following initial ETV monotherapy can achieve high negative conversion rate of HBeAg and HBsAg with the combination treatment of ETV and Peg IFN α-2b.

Research progress of anti-hepatitis B virus treatment strategy during pregnancy / 中华临床感染病杂志

The use of antiviral drugs during pregnancy to reduce serum HBV DNA levels can block the mother-to-child transmission.However, clinical studies have shown that neonatal immunization failure may occur in some cases among pregnant women with high HBV DNA load receiving hepatitis B vaccine combined with hepatitis B immunoglobulin(HBIG).This article reviews the recent progress on the antiviral therapy strategies for the use of nucleoside(acid)analogues in pregnant women with high levels of HBV DNA,focusing on the success rate of blocking mother-infant transmission, the safety for both mothers and infants,and the duration of drug use and the time of drug withdrawal.

Progress in study on immune-tolerant children with chronic hepatitis B / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

The natural history of chronic hepatitis B is complex including immune-tolerant phase,immune clearance phase,inactive carrier phase and reactivation phase,among these phases,it has not yet reached a consensus on the definition of the immune-tolerant phase,because its key immune features are not entirely sure.However,the current diagnostic criteria of this phase require normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels,positive hepatitis B s antigen and e antigen,high serum hepatitis B virus DNA (HBV-DNA),and slight or normal inflammation of liver histology.Antiviral therapy in this phase is currently not recommended in all guidelines,but in recent years,antiviral treatment of immune-tolerant children achieved efficacy in several study.Nonetheless before new findings are published,it would be important to closely and regular monitor serum ALT and HBV-DNA in the immune-tolerant children.

Clinical, demographic, and epidemiologic characteristics of hepatitis B virus-infected patients at a tertiary public hospital in Presidente Prudente, State of São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Few studies have addressed the primary characteristics of patients infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the general population, especially those living in small- and medium-sized cities in Brazil. We aimed to determine the clinical, demographic, and epidemiologic characteristics of patients diagnosed with HBV who were followed up at an infectious diseases clinic of a public hospital in State of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: Medical records of patients aged >18 years and diagnosed with HBV infection between January 2000 and December 2013 were reviewed. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients were enrolled with male-female main infection-associated risk factors; 9 (12%) were co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), 5 (6.7%) with hepatitis C virus (HCV), and 3 (4%) were co-infected with both HIV and HCV. Antiviral HBV therapy was applied in 21 (28%) patients and tenofovir monotherapy was the most prescribed medication. After approximately 2 years of antiviral treatment, the HBV-DNA viral load was undetectable in 12 (92.3%) patients and lower levels of alanine aminotransferase were found in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: Over a 13-year interval, very few individuals infected with HBV were identified, highlighting the barriers for caring for patients with HBV in developing countries. New measures need to be implemented to complement curative practices.

Changes of hepatitis B core antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes in chronic hepatitis B patients during antiviral treatment and relapse after withdrawal of treatment / 中华传染病杂志

Objective To explore the potential mechanism of severe liver injury shortly after withdrawal of antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.Methods Forty-nine patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection from the Department of Infectious Diseases of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University and 8 healthy volunteers from August 2014 to March 2015 were included in this study.All of them were human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2-positive.CHB patients were classified into three groups,including 15 cases in immune-tolerance group,20 cases in sustained antiviral treatment group,and 14 cases in recurrence of drug withdrawal group.The frequency of peripheral HLA-A0201-restricted hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg)18-27 pentamer complex specific CD8+ T cells in CHB patients was analyzed by flow cytometry.Enzyme linked immunospot assay(ELISPOT) was used to detect interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) secretions of HBcAg18-27-specific CD8+ T cells.The experimental data were analyzed using non-parametric U tests.Results In healthy control group,immune-tolerance group,sustained antiviral treatment group and recurrence of drug withdrawal group,the frequencies of HBcAg-specific CD8+T cells were (0.17 ± 0.16) ％,(1.46±0.72)％,(3.24± 1.60)％ and (4.67±2.43)％,respectively.Compared with healthy control group,the difference were all statistically significant in the three groups (Z=-3.583,-4.018 and-3.823,respectively;all P＜0.01).The frequencies of HBcAg-specific CD8+T cells in immune tolerance group or recurrence of drug withdrawal group were both significantly different from that in sustained antiviral therapy group (Z=-3.400 and-2.030,respectively;both P＜0.05).The difference between immune-tolerance group and recurrence of drug withdrawal group was also significant (Z =-3.230,P＜0.01).The secretion levels of IFN-γ of HBcAg-specific CD8+T cells in healthy control group,immune-tolerance group,sustained antiviral treatment group and recurrence of drug withdrawal group were2 (0-6),16 (2-53),106 (14-254) and 156 (28-395) spot forming cell (SFC)/106 peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC),respectively.The differences between healthy control group and immune-tolerance group,sustained antiviral treatment group or recurrence of drug withdrawal group were all statistically significant (Z=-3.585,-4.069 and-3.824,respectively;all P＜0.01).The IFN-γ level of HBcAg-specific CD8+ T cells in recurrence of drug withdrawal group was significantly higher than that in sustained antiviral therapy group (Z=-2.205,P=0.027),and that in sustained antiviral therapy group was significantly higher than that in immune-tolerance group (Z=-4.700,P＜ 0.01).The TNF-α levels secreted by HBcAg-specific CD8+ T cells in each group were 2 (0-5),16 (2-32),112 (15-283),and 195 (55-537) SFC/106PBMC,respectively.The differences between healthy control group and immune-tolerance group,sustained antiviral treament group or recurrence of drug withdrawal group were all statistically significant (Z=-3.619,-4.069 and-3.824,respectively;all P＜0.01).The TNF-α level secreted by HBcAg-specific CD8+T cells in recurrence of drug withdrawal group was significantly higher than that in sustained antiviral therapy group (Z=-2.449,P=0.014),and that in sustained antiviral therapy group was significantly higher than that in immune-tolerance group (Z=-4.350,P＜0.01).Conclusions The changes of frequency and immune function of HBcAg-specific CD8+T cells in CHB patients may be one of the reasons causing severe liver damage after irregular withdrawal of nucleoside analogues.

Advances in nucleotide reductase inhibitors for antiviral therapy / 中华临床感染病杂志

Ribonucleotide reductase ( RR ) is a rate-limiting enzyme, and it is responsible for reducing ribonucleotides to their corresponding deoxyribonucleotides , which are the building blocks required for DNA replication and repair .Recent studies have revealed that RR activity is associated with DNA replication in virus , and RR inhibitors have been used for clinical antiviral treatment .This paper reviews research progress on RR and its inhibitors , including the classification , structure and function of RR; the classification, mechanism and clinical application of RR inhibitors in antiviral therapy and the future prospects of RR inhibitors .

Dynamic changes of regulatory T cells and their inhibitory molecules during antiviral treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C / 中华传染病杂志

Objective To investigate the dynamic changes of regulatory T cells (Treg ) and the surface expression of programmed death (PD)‐1 and the level of transforming growth factor (TGF )‐βduring antiviral treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) .Methods Eighty‐six CHC patients referred to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from October 2012 to October 2013 were included ,and all of them were administered with pegylated interferon α‐2a and ribavirin .Thirty healthy controls were enrolled .The percentage of Treg cells ,PD‐1 expression and TGF‐β level were analyzed by flow cytometry at baseline and at time of achieving rapid virological response (RVR ) , early viral virological (EVR ) , end‐of‐treatment virological response (ETVR ) and sustained virological response (SVR) ,or not achieving SVR .Comparison between two groups was analyzed by t test .Results Among 86 CHC patients ,the proportions of RVR ,EVR ,ETVR ,and SVR at week 24 of follow‐up were 29 cases ,67 cases ,79 cases and 67 cases ,respectively .Percentage of Treg cells in CHC patients was much higher than that in healthy controls (10 .31 ± 5 .61 vs 2 .18 ± 0 .65 ,t = 2 .28 , P< 0 .05) .During antiviral therapy ,percentages of Treg cells declined ,not only in CHC patients with HCV genotype 1b (at baseline , RVR ,EVR ,and ETVR :14 .44 ± 3 .78 ,11 .01 ± 1 .79 ,8 .24 ± 2 .98 ,and 5 .36 ± 1 .47 ,respectively ) ,but also in those infected with HCV genotype 2a (at baseline ,RVR ,EVR ,and ETVR :12 .34 ± 2 .82 ,8 .99 ± 1 .68 ,7 .53 ± 2 .96 ,and 4 .79 ± 1 .23 ,respectively ) .Expressions of PD‐1 and TGF‐β also decreased .At baseline ,the expressions of PD‐1 in patients with SVR and without SVR were 29 .11 ± 14 .65 and 37 .73 ± 11 .65 ,respectively (t = 2 .15 , P = 0 .04) ,and the levels of TGF‐β were 41 .20 ± 18 .96 and 56 .75 ± 14 .42 ,respectively (t= 2 .66 ,P< 0 .01) .At week 24 ,the expressions of PD‐1 in patients with SVR and without SVR were 10 .36 ± 4 .81 and 36 .46 ± 10 .52 ,respectively (t= 13 .95 ,P< 0 .01) ,and the levels of TGF‐β were 10 .06 ± 4 .64 and 45 .23 ± 17 .85 , respectively ( t = 11 .85 , P < 0 .01 ) . Conclusions Percentages of Treg cells and expressions of PD‐1 and TGF‐β decrease during antiviral treatment in CHC patients .Thus ,it could be of assist to predict the treatment response by monitoring these parameters .

Preemptive antiviral therapy with entecavir can reduce acute deterioration of hepatic function following transarterial chemoembolization

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatic damage during transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a critical complication in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Apart from its role in preventing HBV reactivation, there is some evidence for the benefits of preemptive antiviral therapy in TACE. This study evaluated the effect of preemptive antiviral therapy on acute hepatic deterioration following TACE. METHODS: This retrospective observational study included a prospectively collected cohort of 108 patients with HBV-related HCC who underwent TACE between January 2007 and January 2013. Acute hepatic deterioration following TACE was evaluated. Treatment-related hepatic decompensation was defined as newly developed encephalopathy, ascites, variceal bleeding, elevation of the bilirubin level, prolongation of prothrombin time, or elevation of the Child-Pugh score by ≥2 within 2 weeks following TACE. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify factors influencing treatment-related decompensation. Preemptive antiviral therapy involves directing prophylaxis only toward high-risk chronic hepatitis B patients in an attempt to prevent the progression of liver disease. We regarded at least 6 months as a significant duration of preemptive antiviral treatment before diagnosis of HCC. RESULTS: Of the 108 patients, 30 (27.8%) patients received preemptive antiviral therapy. Treatment-related decompensation was observed in 25 (23.1%) patients during the follow-up period. Treatment-related decompensation following TACE was observed more frequently in the nonpreemptive group than in the preemptive group (29.5% vs. 6.7%, P=0.008). In the multivariate analysis, higher serum total bilirubin (Hazard ratio [HR] =3.425, P=0.013), hypoalbuminemia (HR=3.990, P=0.015), and absence of antiviral therapy (HR=7.597, P=0.006) were significantly associated with treatment-related hepatic decompensation. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that preemptive antiviral therapy significantly reduces the risk of acute hepatic deterioration. Preventing hepatic deterioration during TACE by applying such a preemptive approach may facilitate the continuation of anticancer therapy and thus improve long-term outcomes.

A Case of Transverse Myelitis Caused by Varicella Zoster Virus in an Immunocompetent Older Patient

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a human neurotropic alphaherpesvirus that causes chickenpox (varicella) in children. VZV reactivation may lead to neurological complications, including transverse myelitis. However, transverse myelitis caused by VZV reactivation is rare in immunocompetent patients. Herein, we report a case of transverse myelitis caused by VZV in an immunocompetent older patient, and confirmed this case by polymerase chain reaction. A 79-year-old woman visited our service with complaints of weakness in the right lower leg, generalized vesicular eruptions, and throbbing pain in the right flank for ten days. Spine MRI showed transverse myelitis in the thoracic spine at level T4–T11. The patient was treated with acyclovir and her neurological functions improved, except for sensory impairment below level T10. For older patients, early and aggressive antiviral treatment against VZV may be necessary even though these patients are immunocompetent.