Multiple factors affect the regeneration of liver

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE To study factors affecting the liver regeneration after hepatectomy METHODS With 3D reconstitution technology, liver regeneration ability of 117 patients was analysed, and relative factors were studied. RESULTS There was no statistically difference between the volume of simulated liver resection and the actual liver resection. All livers had different degrees of regeneration after surgery. Age, gender and blood indicators had no impact on liver regeneration, while surgery time, intraoperative blood loss, blood flow blocking time and different ways of liver resection had a significant impact on liver regeneration; In addition, the patients' own pathological status, including, hepatitis and liver fibrosis all had a significant impact on liver regeneration. CONCLUSION 3D reconstitution model is a good model to calculate liver volume. Age, gender, blood indicators and biochemistry indicators have no impact on liver regeneration, but surgery indicators and patients' own pathological status have influence on liver regeneration.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Estudar os fatores que afetam a regeneração hepática após hepatectomia. MÉTODOS A capacidade de regeneração hepática de 117 pacientes foi analisada com a tecnologia de reconstituição 3D e foram estudados os fatores relacionados. RESULTADOS Não houve diferença estatística significante entre o volume de ressecção hepática simulada e a ressecção atual. Todos os fígados apresentaram diferentes graus de regeneração após cirurgia. Idade, gênero e indicadores sanguíneos não tiveram impacto na regeneração hepática, enquanto que tempo de cirurgia, perda sanguínea intraoperatória, tempo de bloqueio do fluxo sanguíneo e diferentes formas de ressecção mostraram impacto significante na regeneração do órgão. Além disso, condições patológicas dos pacientes, incluindo hepatite e fibrose hepática, tiveram impacto significante na regeneração hepática. CONCLUSÃO O modelo de reconstituição 3D é um bom modelo para calcular o volume do fígado. Idade, gênero, indicadores sanguíneos e bioquímicos não tiveram impacto na regeneração hepática, mas indicadores operatórios e condição patológica dos pacientes mostraram influência na regeneração do órgão.

Hospitalizations for cardiovascular diseases and the coverage by the family health strategy / Internações por doenças cardiovasculares e a cobertura da estratégia saúde da família / Internaciones por enfermedades cardiovasculares y la cobertura de la estrategia salud de la familia

AbstractObjective: to verify the correlation between the rates of hospitalization for primary care-sensitive cardiovascular diseases and the coverage by the Family Health Strategy of residents of the State of Paraná, by regional health divisions, from 2000 to 2011.Method: ecological study developed from data of the Hospital Information System of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) and the Department of Primary Care of the Ministry of Health. The rates of hospitalization for cardiovascular diseases were correlated with the annual coverage by the Family Health Strategy using Pearson's and Spearman's correlation coefficients.Result: there was a strong and negative correlation in the State of Paraná (r=-0.91; p <0.001) and in most regional health divisions, with the highest correlations observed in the Metropolitan and Toledo (r =-0.93; p<0.001) and Paranaguá (r=-0.92, p<0.001) regional health divisions.Conclusion: the results suggest that the increase in the coverage by the Family Health Strategy was an important factor for decrease in the hospitalizations for cardiovascular conditions among residents of the State of Paraná and in most regional health divisions. Other studies should be performed to analyze the factors and causes in regional health divisions where there was no correlation with increase in the Family Health Strategy.

ResumoObjetivo:verificar a correlação entre taxas de internação por doenças cardiovasculares sensíveis à atenção primária e a cobertura da Estratégia Saúde da Família de residentes no estado do Paraná, por regionais de saúde, no período de 2000 a 2011.Método:estudo ecológico, desenvolvido a partir de dados do Sistema de Informações Hospitalares do Sistema Único de Saúde e do Departamento de Atenção Básica do Ministério da Saúde. Correlacionaram-se as taxas de internação por doenças cardiovasculares com as coberturas anuais da Estratégia Saúde da Família, utilizando-se os coeficientes de correlação de Pearson e Spearman.Resultado:houve correlação negativa e forte no estado do Paraná (r=-0,91; p<0,001) e na maioria das regionais de saúde, sendo maior na Metropolitana e Toledo (r=-0,93; p<0,001) e Paranaguá (r=-0,92; p<0,001).Conclusão:os resultados sugerem que o aumento da cobertura da Estratégia Saúde da Família foi fator importante para a diminuição das internações por condições cardiovasculares em residentes no estado do Paraná e na maioria das regionais de saúde. Outros estudos devem ser realizados para analisar fatores e causas nas regiões do estado onde não houve correlação com incremento da Estratégia Saúde da Família.

ResumenObjetivo:verificar la correlación entre tasas de internación por enfermedades cardiovasculares sensibles a la atención primaria y la cobertura de la Estrategia Salud de la Familia de residentes en el estado de Paraná, por regionales de salud, en el período de 2000 a 2011.Método:estudio ecológico, desarrollado a partir de datos del Sistema de Informaciones Hospitalarias del Sistema Único de Salud y del Departamento de Atención Básica del Ministerio de la Salud. Se correlacionaron las tasas de internación por enfermedades cardiovasculares con las coberturas anuales de la Estrategia Salud de la Familia, utilizando los coeficientes de correlación de Pearson y Spearman.Resultado:hubo correlación negativa y fuerte en el estado de Paraná (r=-0,91; p<0,001) y en la mayoría de las regionales de salud, siendo mayor en la Metropolitana y Toledo (r=-0,93; p<0,001) y Paranaguá (r=-0,92; p<0,001).Conclusión:los resultados sugieren que el aumento de la cobertura de la Estrategia Salud de la Familia fue un factor importante para la disminución de las internaciones por condiciones cardiovasculares en residentes en el estado de Paraná y en la mayoría de las regionales de salud. Otros estudios deben ser realizados para analizar factores y causas en las regiones del estado en donde no hubo correlación con incremento de la Estrategia Salud de la Familia.

Hepatite granulomatosa em bovino causada por Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis / Granulomatous hepatitis in cattle caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis

Samples from intestines, liver, and lymph nodes were collected from a dairy steer with clinical suspicion of paratuberculosis. The samples were processed for histologic examination with hematoxylin-eosin and Zihel-Neelsen (ZN) staining for the detection of acid-fast bacilli (AFB), and submitted to immunohistochemistry (IHC). Macroscopic changes were observed in the small intestines, with thickening and corrugation of the mucosa. The main microscopic changes were found in small intestines, lymph vessels in the mesentery, and mesenteric lymph nodes characterized by enteritis, lymphangiectasia, and lymphadenitis. Liver presented with granulomatous hepatitis, an uncommon histopathological feature for paratuberculosis. The clinical features associated with positive culture of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis and detection of AFB by ZN and IHC in the cytoplasm of macrophages (epithelioid) in the intestinal mucosa and submucosa, lymph nodes, and liver were important to confirm the diagnosis of paratuberculosis.

Enfermedad de Kawasaki incompleta en un adolescente: informe de un caso / Incomplete Kawasaki disease in an adolescent: a case report

Se presenta el caso de un joven de doce años, con diagnóstico de enfermedad de Kawasaki (EK) incompleta, quien presentó, en el trascurso de la misma, un cuadro clínico compatible con hepatitis aguda. El diagnóstico definitivo se retrasó por la necesidad de descartar otros diagnósticos diferenciales relacionados con la hepatitis aguda. Aunque en la EK puede ocurrir una disfunción hepática, caracterizada por aumento de las transaminasas y bilirrubinas, el cuadro clínico de una hepatitis aguda es muy raro en el curso de esta enfermedad.

We report the case of a 12 year old boy with incomplete Kawasaki disease (KD). During the course of his illness he presented with symptoms of acute hepatitis, which delayed the final diagnosis. Although patients with KD may present with elevation of hepatic enzymes and bilirubin, associated acute hepatitis is of rare occurrence in this entity.

Frequency and predictive factors of granulomatous hepatitis in patients with peritoneal tuberculosis

The aims of our study were to determine the frequency of granulomatous hepatitis in patients with peritoneal tuberculosis, to identify factors for high risk and whether it is associated with higher frequency of antituberculous treatment side effects. We carried out a prospective study on patients with histologically proven peritoneal tuberculosis between January 1996 and December 2005. We performed a liver biopsy in all the patients before starting the antituberculous treatment. Granulomatous hepatitis was systematically searched in all patients. The study was conducted in 52 patients, 9 men and 43 women of median age of 35,5 years. A granulomatous hepatitis was seen in 24 patients [46%]. In univariate analysis the factors associated with a high risk of liver involvement were a higher level of gamma-G1utamyl transpeptidase [44.5 + 36.8 lU/l vs 23.3 + 9.28 lU/I p=0.005], a higher level of phosphatases alkalines [233.9 + 96.6 lU/l vs 189.4 + 49.9 lU/l p=0.03] and a lower level of cholesterol [1.22 + 0.2 g/l vs 1.56 + 0.3 g/l p<0.0001]. In multivariate analysis, only a cholesterol level lower than 1,31 g/l was significantly associated with a granulomatous hepatitis [p=0.006 OR [IC95%]: 0.10 [0.02-0.52]]. We have found a frequent liver involvement in the case of peritoneal tuberculosis [46%]. Cholesterol level lower than 1,31 gr/l was an independent predictor of granulomatous hepatitis in patients with peritoneal tuberculosis. We suggest, in this case, that percutaneous liver biopsy can be considered as an alternative to laparoscopy

Study of Cytochrome P450 2E1 and its allele Variants in Liver Injury of Nondiabetic, Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Obese Women

CYP2E1 enzyme is related to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) due to its ability for reactive oxygen species production, which can be influenced by polymorphisms in the gene. The aim of this study was to investigate hepatic levels, activity, and polymorphisms of the CYP2E1 gene to correlate it with clinical and histological features in 48 female obese NASH patients. Subjects were divided into three groups: (i) normal; (ii) steatosis; and (iii) steatohepatitis. CYP2E1 protein level was assayed in microsomes from liver biopsies, and in vivo chlorzoxazone hydroxylation was determined by HPLC. Genomic DNA was isolated for genotype analysis through PCR. The results showed that liver CYP2E1 content was significantly higher in the steatohepatitis (45 percent; p=0.024) and steatosis (22 percent; p=0.032) group compared with normal group. Chlorzoxazone hydroxylase activity showed significant enhancement in the steatohepatitis group (15 percent, p=0.027) compared with the normal group. c2 rare allele of RsallPstl polymorphisms but no C allele of Dral polymorphism was positively associated with CHZ hydroxylation, which in turn is correlated with liver CYP2E1 content (r=0.59; p=0.026). In conclusion, c2 allele is positively associated with liver injury in NASH. This allele may determine a higher transcriptional activity of the gene, with consequent enhancement in pro-oxidant activity of CYP2E1 thus affording liver toxicity.

[Non alcohol steatohepatitis: pathologic study of 9 cases]

Non alcohol steatohepatitis is an acquired chronic hepatopathy frequently of metabolic origin. Histopathologically, it is characterised by a steatosis associated with necrotic inflammatory lesions mimicking alcohol hepatitis. This disease is complicated by cirrhosis in 15 at 30% of cases and by hepatocellular carcinoma in 13% of cases. The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinico-epidemiological features of this disease and the histopathological degree of hepatic failure. 9 cases of non alcohol steatohepatitis are diagnosed in our hospital in 3 years between 2001 to 2004. The clinical features of patients were determined. The aspect and extent of steatosis was noted and the degree of the necrotical activity was evaluated by the Lee score. We observed strong women prevalence with a sex-ratio of 0,125 and a high frequency between 40 and 60 years. Obesity and diabetes are the most common metabolic disorders encountered in our series. In opposition to published cases, a hepatomegaly and signs of portal hypertension are the most frequent clinical lesions noted in our study. Histopathological evaluation of Lee score finds a mild to moderate activity and fibrosis in nearly all our cases. One case of cirrhosis is noted

Typhoid myopathy or typhoid hepatitis: a matter of debate.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the major source of increased serum enzyme level in typhoid fever and to determine the most relevant clinical entity, hepatitis or myopathy, during typhoid fever. METHODS: A total of 118 subjects proved to have typhoid fever were evaluated for serum enzymes such as transaminases, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatinine kinase (CK); and their relation with each other, clinical symptoms and serum bilirubin were evaluated by regression methods. RESULTS: Hepatomegaly was revealed in 14% of the cases and was correlated with elevated serum biliribin (5.05 +/- 13.03 mg/dL in hepatomegalic subjects). Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and CK were elevated in 22 and 60% of the cases, respectively. Correlation coefficient of CK with aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and LDH was R2 = 0.68 and 0.75, respectively, which were higher than that of ALT with that two enzymes. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, elevation of serum enzymes in typhoid is mostly of muscular origin.

Hallazgo de infecciones concomitantes leptospira-fiebre amarilla y leptospira-dengue en casos de pacientes fallecidos con síndrome febril icterohemorrágico en Venezuela años 2003-2004 / Discovery of concurrent infections leptospira-yellow-fever and leptospira-dengue in cases of deceased patients with febrile icterus syndrome in Venezuela during 2003-2004

Como parte del programa de vigilancia epidemiológica del Ministerio de Salud y Desarrollo Social, el Instituto Nacional de Higiene "Rafael Rangel" realiza el diagnóstico diferencial de los síndromes febriles hemorrágicos e ictero-hemorrágicos, los cuales incluyen la determinación de leptospirosis, dengue, fiebre amarilla, hepatitis entre otros. En Venezuela se han presentado numerosos casos de dengue que mantienen los índices a nivel epidémico, contínuos brotes de leptospirosis y algunos brotes de fiebre amarilla en los dos últimos años. La participación en este programa de vigilancia permitió detectar 5 casos de fallecidos durante los años 2003 y 2004 con resultados de laboratorio que indicaban posibles infecciones concomitantes de leptospirosis con dengue o leptospirosis (N) con fiebre amarilla, lo que podría explicar la severidad de los cuadros clínicos y la muerte de los pacientes. De un total de cinco (5) casos que resultaron positivos a leptospirosis por la técnica PCR, cuatro (4) de ellos resultaron con IgM positiva a fiebre amarilla, y uno (1) con IgM y PCR positivo a dengue. Los cuatro (4) casos, IgM positivos a fiebre amarilla, tenían resultados histopatológicos compatibles a infección viral tipo fiebre amarilla y el caso N° 4 se logró confirmar el diagnóstico de fiebre amarilla por inmunohistoquímica. Este hallazgo indicaría que estamos en presencia de cuatro casos de coinfección leptospira-fiebre amarilla. Por otra parte, el último caso resultó positivo con la prueba de ELISA IgM para dengue con PCR positivos tanto a leptospira como a dengue y con una prueba género específica empleada en el diagnóstico precoz de la leptospirosis (antígeno TR) igualmente positiva, lo que indicaría igualmente un caso de coinfección leptospira-dengue. En la literatura científica existen reportes de posibles coinfecciones leptospira-dengue que no han sido bien documentadas, sin embargo, infecciones concomitantes entre leptospira y fiebre amarilla no han sido reportadas.

Hepatites / Hepatitis

É um estudo aprofundado das hepatites virais, em sua epidemiologia, clínica e no diagnóstico e tratamento das formas agudas e crônicas. As hepatites virais B e C são abordadas também em situações especiais, como no paciente renal crônico, no pós-transplante, nas co-infecções HIV-VHC, HIV-VHB e nas hepatites agudas com evolução para formas fulminantes. Questões relevantes e atuais sobre a esteatoepatite não-alcoólica, hepatites medicamentosas, hepatites alcoólica e auto-imune, que podem ter evolução para formas graves, com desenvolvimento de cirrose hepática, são relevantes nesta obra. Em capítulo especial é analisado o carcinoma hepatocelular, visto sua elevada frequência e relação com as hepatites virais (VHB e VHC).

Hepatitis isquemica / Ischemic hepatitis

La hepatitis isquémica es una complicación sumamente infrecuente de cirugía cardiovascular. Las biopsias muestran necrosis centrolobulillar. El término de “hepatitis” fue propuesto debido al aumento de transaminasas similar a aquellas de origen infeccioso, e “isquémica” por falla en la perfusión hepática. Posteriormente se definió el término de hepatitis isquémica como cuadro de elevación aguda y reversible(dentro de las 72 horas) de transaminasas de hasta 20 veces el valor normal, asociado a trastornos en la perfusión hepática, luego de haber excluido otras causas de hepatitis aguda o daño hepatocelular. Se describe elcaso de un paciente de 53 años que consulta por dolor epigástrico de 12 h de evolución sin fiebre, náuseas nivómitos, resistente a la medicación. Tenía antecedentes inmediatos de reemplazo de válvula aórtica, y estabaanticoagulado. Evolucionó con shock y fallo multiorgánico. El examen evidenció marcada ictericia y signos detaponamiento pericárdico, asociado a un aumento considerable de enzimas hepáticas. Un ecocardiograma informósignos de taponamiento cardíaco y ausencia de disección aórtica. Se decidió pericardiocentesis, extrayéndose 970 cc. de líquido sanguinolento, y hemodiálisis, con notable mejoría de su estado hemodinámico. Los valores enzimáticos disminuyeron. Los marcadores virales fueron negativos

Ischemic hepatitis is an uncommon cardiovascular surgery complication. Hepatic biopsies show centrolobulillar necrosis. The term “hepatitis” was proposed because of a raise in hepaticenzymes similar with infectious disease, and “ischemic” because of failure in hepatic perfusion. Ischemic hepatitis was then defined as an acute and reversible elevation of hepatic enzymes (within 72 h), associated with disturbance in hepatic perfusion after excluding other causes of acute hepatitis. A 53 year-old male presentedcomplaining of a 12 h epigastric pain, without nausea or vomiting, resistant to medication. He underwent an aortic valve replacement and was under anticoagulation. He suddenly developed shock and multiorgan failure. Jaundice and cardiac tamponade signs were present, associated with elevated hepatic enzymes. A transthoracicechocardiography accounted for cardiac tamponade signs. A pericardiocentesis was performed, removing 970 cc of hemorrhagic fluid, and hemodialysis, with improvement of his hemodynamic status. Hepatic enzymes improved. Viral markers were negative

Relación entre el diagnóstico morfológico de EHNA (esteatohepatitis no alcohólica) y pruebas de función hepática en un grupo de pacientes con obesidad extrema / Relationship between morphological diagnosis of NASH (Non-Alcoholic SteatoHepatitis) and liver function test in a group of patients with morbid obesity. Cases study

The non-alcoholic steato-hepatitis (NASH) is a common disorder in obese, type 2 diabetics, female and patients with dislipidaemia. Hepatic biochemical test are abnormal. Despite the lack of its own morphological characteristics, NASH can be differentiated from other pathologies, the gold standard for diagnosis is liver biopsy. Material and methods: We designed a retrolective, comparative, observational and cross-sectional study. Thirty-five obese subjects (11 men and 24 women) who underwent to bariatric surgery and liver biopsy were included. Data were taken from clinical files, such as anthropometric and biochemical test. Those who had clinical history of related alcohol ingestión or liver damage related to drugs were excluded. A experimented pathologist classified the biopsies according to Brunt classification. Liver slides were classified according to 1) presence of NASH; 2) Inflammation and 3) Fibrosis. Differences between groups were analysed by ANOVA and Spearman correlation. Results: We found differences between women (w) and men (m) for height (m: 1.71 ± 0.9 vs. w:1.60 ± 0.09m); weight (m: 172.5 ± 39.1 vs. w: 126.9 ± 24.1kg) and BMI (m:58.2 ± 9.8 vs. w:49.8 ± 9) , but not for NASH frequency. Nevertheless subjects with NASH (n = 29, 82.8%) were older than those without NASH (38.3 ± 9.6 vs. 29.5 ± 5.2) and had higher aminotrasferases serum levels (AST: 33.1 ± 19.2 vs. 23.7 ± 6.3 UL/L; ALT: 36.5 ± 19.8 vs. 20.3 ± 7.6UL/L). NASH patíents and those with higher grade of histological inflammation had increment of transaminases and albumin levels. Fibrosis showed correlation only with AST (p = 0.020) and ALT (p = 0.002). Conclusion.The NASH frequency in patients who underwent to bariatric surgery for weight reduction is very high (82.8%) and exists correlation among liver test and histological findings but not with clinical because the clinical diagnosis is complicated.

La esteatohepatitis no alcohólica (EHNA) es una alteración hepática frecuente en obesos, diabéticos tipo 2, mujeres y personas con dislipidemia. Clínicamente se acompaña de alteraciones en las pruebas de función hepática (PFH), y aunque carece de características morfológicas distintivas, puede ser razonablemente diferenciada de otras entidades, el método diagnóstico por excelencia es la biopsia hepática. Material y métodos. Se diseñó un estudio retrolectivo, comparativo, observacional y transversal en el que se incluyeron 35 pacientes obesos (11 hombres y 24 mujeres) sometidos a tratamiento quirárgico para reducción de peso, con biopsia hepática en el periodo transoperatorio. Se obtuvieron, del expediente clínico, datos antropométricos y de laboratorio. Se excluyeron los pacientes con antecedentes de ingestión de alcohol y medicamentos asociados a la presencia de EHNA. Se recabaron muestras de las biopsias hepáticas que fueron analizadas por un patólogo experimentado, empleando la clasificación de Brunt para estratificación de EHNA. Los datos se clasificaron de acuerdo con: 1) Presencia de EHNA, 2) Grado de inflamación, 3) Presencia de fibrosis. Las diferencias entre los grupos fueron analizadas con Krusskal Wallis y correlación de Spearman. Resultados. Se encontró diferencias entre hombres (H) y mujeres (M) en estatura: (H:1.71 ± 0.9. vs. M:1.60 ±0.09 m); peso (H: 172.5 ± 39.1 vs. M:126.9 ± 24.1 kg) e índice de masa corporal (H:58.2 ± 9.8 vs. M: 49.8 ± 9); no hubo diferencias en la frecuencia de EHNA por género. Los sujetos con diagnóstico morfológico de EHNA (n = 29, 82.8%) mostraron una edad promedio mayor que el grupo sin EHNA (38.3 ± 9.6 vs. 29.5 ± 5.2, respectivamente) del mismo modo, la concentración de transaminasas fue mayor para el grupo con EHNA (AST: 33.1 ± 19.2 vs. 23.7 ± 6.3 UL/ L; ALT: 36.5 ± 19.8 vs. 20.3 ± 7.6 UL/L). Los pacientes con EHNA y con mayor grado de inflamación histológica mostraron mayor elevación de transaminasas y albámina. La presencia de fibrosis correlacionó con la elevación de aspartato aminotransferasa (AST p = 0.020) y alanino aminotransferasa (ALT p = 0.002). Conclusión. Este estudio demuestra que la frecuencia de EHNA en pacientes obesos sometidos a cirugía para reducción de peso en la clínica de obesidad del Instituto es alta (82.8%) y que existe una buena correlación entre las pruebas de función hepática y las alteraciones morfológicas; sin embargo, las anteriores no correlacionan con las manifestaciones clínicas por lo que el diagnóstico clínico temprano es difícil.

Non alcoholic steatohepatitis: a concise review for clinicians

Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis [NASH] is a common liver disease characterized by hepatomegaly, elevated serum aminotransferase levels, and a histological picture similar to alcoholic hepatitis in the absence of alcohol consumption sufficient to cause such changes. Most patients with NASH are obese women, and many have diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, or hypertriglyceridemia, but it also occurs in younger lean, otherwise healthy individuals. Most of the patients are asymptomatic, although some report fatigue, malaise or right upper quadrant discomfort. The most common sign of NASH is hepatomegaly. Laboratory abnormalities include a two to four fold elevation of serum aminotransferase levels; other liver function tests are usually normal. The pathogenesis of NASH is multifactorial. NASH should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with persistently elevated liver enzyme levels, particularly obese patients with diabetes and hyperlipidemia. The course of this disease is highly variable, but it may proceed to cirrhosis. Treatment of NASH is unproven, but weight reduction and altered life style are recommended

Prevalence of antitiuberculous drug-induced cytolytic hepatitis of tuberculous meningitises

The aim of this work was to specify the prevalence and the description of scondary cytolytic hepatitis of the antituberculous drugs used in treatment of tuberculous meningitis in the intensive care units. Method: We have been included retro-spectively [January 1998 - December 2002] patients having a tuberculous meningitis treated with antituberculous drugs who developed a cytolytic hepatitis defined by an increase of the alanin-aminotransferase [ALAT] level more than two times of its normal upper limit. Six cases have been included among 74 patients [prevalence of 8,1%], three women and three men aged 17 to 45 years. The delay of apparition of cytolytic hepatitis varied from four days to five weeks. ALAT rates varied from two and half to 26 times the normal level. No other potentialy hepatotoxic medication has been prescribed. Three patients normalized their ALAT after reducing the rifam picin dose to half measure, in another case a definitive stoppage of isoniazid was required. Ytolytic hepatitis regressed spotaneously in one patient whereas another died as a result of a nosocomial infection. The prevalence of secondary cytolytic hepatitis of antituberculous drugs during treatment of tuberculous meningitis in the intensive care unit raised to 8,1%, the evolution is most often favourable after adaptation of doses

Actualización en hepatitis C / Update in hepatitis C

La Hepatitis en general, es una enfermedad que afecta al hígado y fundamentalmente al hepatocito. La Hepatitis C crónica, al igual que la A y la B, tienen un orígen viral conocido y cuya diferencia entre los distintos tipos está dado por la posibilidad de tener un adecuado tratamiento que le salve la vida al paciente o el de evolucionar a una patología de mayor gravedad. Las investigaciones actuales, que se analizan en esta revisión, ponen de manifiesto que clínicamente el 85 porciento de los casos de Hepatitis C en fase aguda se hacen crónicos porque la viremia persiste. El curso de la enfermedad es variable y casi siempre es asintomático, presentándose la primera evidencia diagnóstica en una hipertransaminasemia en exámenes de rutina, lo cual posteriormenete es confirmado por los análisis de laboratorio específicos. El Interferón es un compuesto natural producido por el organismo para combatir enfermedades. El PegInterferón alfa-2b agrega un tipo de Interferon humano al organismo, con lo cual se estimula el sistema inmunitario. Este medicamento ha demostrado ser seguro y eficaz en el tratamiento de las hepatitis crónicas B y C y en los pacientes portadores. Si se administra con Ribavirina, se consigue una respuesta virológica sostenida lo cual alteraría el curso natural de la enfermedad, evitando de este modo derivar en cirrosis y cáncer.

Hepatite criptogênica em Salvador-Ba: história natural e peculiaridades clínicas, bioquímicas e histológicas / Criptoganica hepatitis in Salvador, natural history and peculiarities of clinical, biochemical and histological

Hepatite Aguda Criptogênica ou Hepatite Não A-E são as denominações para uma doença clinicamente e histopatologicamente sugestiva de Hepatite Aguda sem definição etiológica. Num período de 8 anos valíamos, em Salvador-Ba, 32 pacientes que preencheram critérios para o diagnóstico de hepatite Aguda Não A-E. Nosso objetivo foi determinar os achados clínicos, bioquímicos e histopatológicos desta doença em nosso meio. Para admitir o diagnóstico de hepatite aguda criptogênica, todos os pacientes foram submetidos a testes sorológicos e biomoleculares para afastar viroses hepatotrópicas conhecidas, além de infecção por EBVjCMV e H5V. Hepatite por droga foi excluída por questionário e hepatite autoimune pela determinação dos autoanticorpos. Doença de Wilson foi excluída nos pacientes com menos de 25 anos. A história Natural da doença revelou cura espontânea em 25 pacientes, enquanto que 7 (sete) deles persistiram com agressão hepatocelular após 6 meses de doença. Destes, 3 (Três) tiveram hepatite crôn ica na biópsia e um apreentava fibrose progressiva. Durante a fase aguda, a media de ALT foi 1.267 UI, a bilirrubina alcançou média 4,Omg% e a ferritina 1393 UI. GBV-C RNA estava presente em 6 pacientes, enquanto que o TTV foi encontrado em 5 pacientes. Hepatite criptogênica na Bahia tem provável etiologia viral por vírus ainda desconhecidos. O curso de doença e o padrão histológico são similares àqueles encontrados na Hepatite Aguda por vírus hepatotópico conhecido. Continuar a busca pela etiologia da doença se faz necessário.