Matrix Metalloproteinase-3 Genotypes Influence Recovery from Hepatitis B Virus Infection

The reasons for the viral persistence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are unknown, but are probably related to host immune factors. Several matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) can regulate an inflammatory response. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of MMP-3 and -9 genes on the susceptibility to persistent HBV infection. We studied 489 Korean patients with HBV infection (144 inactive carriers, 182 chronic hepatitis, and 163 liver cirrhosis) and 174 healthy individuals who had recovered from HBV infection. MMP-3 gene SNPs were identified at two polymorphic sites (codon 45 [E45K] and codon 96 [D96D]) and MMP-9 gene SNPs at three polymorphic sites (codon 279 [R279Q], codon 607 [G607G], and codon 668 [Q668R]) in study subjects. The frequency of T allele at third position of codon 96 in the MMP-3 gene was higher in HBV persistence patients when analyzed by co-dominant model (age- and sex-adjusted OR=1.242, 95% CI= 1.001-1.540, p=0.049). In conclusion the T allele at the third position of codon 96 in the MMP-3 gene might be associated with persistent HBV infection.

Aminotransferasas séricas en pacientes con Dengue tipo 3 / Aminotransferases serum levels in patients with Dengue type 3

Background: Dengue infections may affect the liver, causing inflammation and compromising its function. Aim: To determine serum aminotransferases in patients with Dengue. Material and methods: One hundred eighty four patients with Dengue confirmed with anti-Dengue IgG and IgM antibodies measured by ELISA, aged 1 month to 79 years, were studied. As controls, 40 patients with acute hepatitis B virus infection aged 11 to 59 years and 40 healthy individuals, aged 14 to 55 years, were also studied. Alanine and aspartate aminotransferases (ALT and AST) were determined using a colorimetric method. Results: Sixty one percent of patients with Dengue had elevated aminotransferase levels. In patients with Dengue and hepatitis B, mean ALT levels were 21.3±8.4 and 29.7±18.8 U/I, respectively. Mean AST values were 37.3±19, 19.6± 16.4 and 4.3±1.7 U/I in patients with Dengue, hepatitis B and controls, respectively. During the year 2001, there was an increase in the number of cases with hemorrhagic fever caused by Dengue and 65 percent had elevation of aminotransferases. Conclusions: An increase in aminotransf erase levels is common in patients with Dengue.

Prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus infection among women in Jeju Island, Republic of Korea.

Hepatitis B and C virus infection prevalence was investigated in the Island of Jeju (formerly Cheju), the Republic of Korea, by means of a small-scale sero-epidemiological survey in 2000. Adult women in the city of Jeju (the provincial capital) and two fishing-farming villages A and B were invited to offer venous blood samples for immunological examination for infection markers of two virus and serum biochemistry for liver function. In practice, 66 married women (33, 16 and 17 women from the city, Village A and Village B, respectively) volunteered. Sera were separated on site and were assayed for HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc, and anti-HCV positivities and liver function markers including AST, ALT and gamma-GTP. The serum assay showed that the prevalence of HbsAg+ or anti-HCV+ cases was low (5 and 2%, respectively), whereas that of anti-HBs+ and anti-HBc+ cases were high (71 and 62%) so that the over-all HBV positivity was 82%. There were essentially no urban-rural difference or age-dependent changes in the positivity. Comparison with the prevalence reported in literature shows that prevalence of HBsAg+ and anti-HCV+ is in general agreement with the values reported for the populations in general, but HBV+ prevalence might be somewhat higher than the levels reported for the general populations.

Serum alanine transaminase levels in hospital personnel and effect before and after hepatitis B vaccination.

Alanine transaminase (ALT) levels in healthy hospital personnel were studied. ALT levels in pre and post vaccinated sera were compared. In this study, all sera showed normal values of ALT, lower than 36 IU/L. Hepatitis B vaccination did not cause any change.

Hepatitis B markers in non-icteric medical patients in Malaysia.

Sera were obtained from 494 non-icteric patients admitted with illnesses other than overt hepatitis into the medical wards of the rural and urban hospitals in Malaysia. They were tested for HBsAg, HBeAg, and anti-HBs by enzyme immunoassay. The overall HBsAg carrier rate was 18.0% ranging from 9.6% in children, (10 years and under), to a maximum of 23.5% in the adolescents (11 to 20 years), the rates decreasing subsequently to 16.5% and 20.8% in the adult and middle-age groups, respectively. The Chinese (18.6%) and Malays (19.9%) had similar HBsAg carrier rates but the rate in the Indians (9.0%) was distinctly lower. Similar rates were observed in the males (16.5%) and the females (19.8%). The carrier rate was 17.1% in rural patients compared with 21.4% in the urban ones. The 'e' antigen was found in 14 of the 89 HBsAg carriers (15.7%). The overall prevalence was 14/494 (2.8%) rising sharply from childhood (2.9%) to adolescence (5.3%), subsequently declining with advancing age. The Chinese had the highest rate (6.2%) followed by the Indians (1.5%) and the Malays (1.1%). Males had a rate of 3.3% compared to the females with 2.3%. Anti-HBs was found in 33.8% of the patients, increasing steadily from childhood (18.3%) to middle-age (46.4%). The Chinese had a higher prevalence rate (41.6%) than the Indians (32.8%) and the Malays (29.3%). The rates were similar for the males (35.6%) and the females (31.5%). Rural patients (46.1%) had a higher rate than urban patients (35.7%). Both areas showed rising prevalence with increasing age.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)