International collaborative survey on epidemiology of hepatitis E virus in 11 countries.

We conducted seroepidemiological studies on antibody prevalence to hepatitis E virus (HEV) in 5,233 sera from 11 countries to ascertain the present state of HEV infection on a global basis. The prevalence of anti-HEV IgG increased with age in these tested countries, but the rate of antibody positivity was over 20% in the 16-30 year-old group in most of the participating countries, except for Japan, the USA, and Spain. Of patients with acute hepatitis of unknown etiology from Nepal, 56% (14/25) were positive for the IgM class of anti-HEV antibody. In addition, HEV RNAs in the serum from 3 Nepali patients who had the IgM antibody were detected by nested PCR and all of the HEV genes isolated belonged to genotype 1. Our results indicate that HEV is spreading worldwide, not only in developing countries, but also in more industrialized countries than previously thought.

Causes and clinical courses of chronic diarrhoea in Siriraj Hospital.

Background : Chronic diarrhoea remains a major gastroenterological problem in Thailand Data regarding investigation, diagnosis and treatment of chronic diarrhoea varies from one country to another. Socio-economic status including sanitation and hygiene may also affect etiology and the clinical course of disease. There data may be misleading for practitioners facing the problem in Thailand. To date, few studies on chronic diarrhoea in Thailand are available. Objectives : To find the causes and clinical courses of chronic diarrhoea. To determine the frequency of various causes. Finally, to see if simple guidelines can be developed to help investigators in Thailand reach a final diagnosis. Methods : Thirty-four in-patients with chronic diarrhoea at Siriraj Hospital were worked up using a systematic scheme for evaluation of chronic diarrhoea by prospective study. Close follow-ups were monitored for an average period of six months. Results : Among the 34 cases, a definite diagnosis was reached in 21 cases (62%) : parasitic infestation seven cases (33%), carcinoma of colon four cases (19%), lymphoma there cases (14%), radiation proctitis two cases (9%), malabsorption and/or maldigestion two cases (9%), tuberculous peritonitis one cases (5%) hyperthyroidism one case (5%) and villous adenoma one case (5%). Conclusion : Our study suggests that a simple investigation using complete blood count, stool examination, and especially concentration methods and sigmoidoscopy in all patients can usually find in up to 38 per cent, while further investigations can detect causes in up to 62 per cent. Of the 13 patients for whom no definite diagnosis was reached, spontaneous remission of chronic diarrhoea was found in four cases (31%).

Eradicating helicobacter pylori and symptoms of non-ulcer dyspepsia: The effect of treatment with a combination of ranitidine and amoxicillin.

Although dyspepsia frequently occurs in general population, its causes are poorly understood. This study is aimed at determining the role of Helicobacter pylori in non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) and evaluating the efficacy of dual therapies for H.pylori. Two groups totaling of 39 patients with endoscopically-proven NUD participated in the study. One group, comprising of 23 patients, received 300 mg of ranitidine daily for 4 weeks together with 500 mg of amoxicillin four time a day for two weeks. The second group, comprising of 16 patients, received GacidaTM 1 tablet for 4 weeks together with 500 mg of amoxicillin four time a day for 2 weeks respectively. H.pylori status was determined by histology and CLO testTM before and in the fourth and eighth week after treatment. Thirty-six patients completed the study, 21 in the ranitidine treatment group and 15 in the GacidaTM group H.pylori was successfully eradication in 47.3 percent (9/21) of ranitidine treatment group. Symptom relief at the second and sixth weeks was significantly higher under ranitidine regimen at 90.47 percent (19/21) and 100 percent (21/21) respectively, compared with the gacida regimen at 46.66 percent (7/15) and 53.33 percent (8/15) respectively. The number of patients who were symptom-free at the sixth week of treatment was significantly higher in the ranitidine group at 71.4 percent (15/21), compared with the gacida group at 20 percent (3/15). We concluded that the ranitidine regimen can relief the symptoms of NUD patients with H.pylori infection. However, the role of H.pylori needs further studies.