Clinicopathologic characteristics of liver inflammation and fibrosis in 310 patients with chronic hepatitis B / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVES@#Long-term hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection can cause recurrent inflammation in the liver, and then develop into liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. The hepatic pathological change is one of the important criteria for guiding antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Due to the limitations of liver biopsy, it is necessary to find valuable non-invasive indicators to evaluate the hepatic pathological changes in CHB patients and guide the antiviral therapy. This study aims to analyze the clinical characteristics of different pathological changes in CHB patients, and to explore the factors influnencing the degree of liver inflammation and fibrosis in CHB patients with normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT).@*METHODS@#This retrospective study was conducted on 310 CHB patients. Liver biopsy was performed in all these patients. The clinical data of the patients were collected. The liver biopsy pathological results were used as the gold standard to analyze the relationship between clinical indicators and liver pathological changes. Then CHB patients with normal ALT were screened, and the independent factors influencing the degree of liver inflammation and fibrosis were explored.@*RESULTS@#Among the 310 patients with CHB, there were 249 (80.3%) patients with significant liver inflammation [liver inflammation grade (G) ≥2] and 119 (38.4%) patients with significant liver fibrosis [liver fibrosis stage (S) ≥2]. The results of univariate analysis of total samples showed that the ALT, γ-glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase, and HBV DNA were related to the significant liver pathological changes. Among the 132 CHB patients with normal ALT, the patients with liver pathology G/S≥2, G≥2, and S≥2 were 80.3% (106/132), 68.2% (90/132), and 43.2% (57/132), respectively. The results showed that the independent influencing factor of significant liver inflammation was HBV DNA>2 000 U/mL (OR=3.592, 95% CI 1.534 to 8.409), and the independent influencing factors of significant liver fibrosis were elevated alkaline phosphatase level (OR=1.022, 95% CI 1.002 to 1.043), decreased platelet count (OR=0.990, 95% CI 0.982 to 0.998), and positive in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) (OR=14.845, 95% CI 4.898 to 44.995). According to the multivariate analysis, a diagnostic model for significant liver fibrosis in CHB patients with normal ALT was established, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.844 (95% CI 0.779 to 0.910).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The liver pathological changes should be evaluated in combination with different clinical indicators. A considerable number of CHB patients with normal ALT still have significant liver pathological changes, which need to be identified and treated with antiviral therapy in time. Among them, HBV DNA>2 000 U/mL suggests the significant liver inflammation, and the diagnostic model for significant liver fibrosis based on alkaline phosphatase, platelet count, and HBeAg can help to evaluate the degree of liver fibrosis.

Comparison of tenofovir alafenamide and entecavir for hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVES@#Hepatitis B virus related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) is the most common type of liver failure in China, with a high mortality. Early rapid reduction of HBV-DNA load can improve the survival rate of HBV-ACLF patients. At present, the commonly used drugs are nucleoside (acid) analogues, such as entecavir (ETV), tenofovir, and so on. The newly listed tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF) has attracted great attention of clinicians because of its stronger antiviral effect, higher transaminase normalization rate, better bone and kidney safety, and zero drug resistance. However, there are few clinical research data on the efficacy and safety of TAF in the treatment of Chinese HBV-ACLF patients, and there is a lack of pharmacoeconomic evaluation. This study aims to compare the efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness between TAF and ETV in patients with HBV-ACLF.@*METHODS@#The data were collected from 196 HBV-ACLF patients (80 patients in the TAF group and 116 patients in the ETV group) who were hospitalized in Xiangya Hospital, Central South University from May 2020 to March 2021. Biochemistry and virology were detected before and after treatment (at baseline, Week 2, 4, and 12). Clinical features, disease prognosis, and cost-effectiveness were compared between the 2 groups. According to the baseline, HBV-ACLF patients were divided into 4 stages including pre-liver failure stage, early stage, medium stage, and end stage. And the liver transplantation rate and mortality was also compared. Pharmacoeconomic evaluation was taken using cost-effectiveness analysis and cost minimization analysis．.@*RESULTS@#After 4 weeks of treatment, there were no significant differences in the efficacy (liver function, viral load) between the 2 groups (all P>0.05). The TAF group showed lower creatinine [(80.35±18.77) μmol/L vs (105.59±82.32) μmol/L, P<0.05] and higher estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) levels [(95.65±23.21) mL/(min·1.73 m2) vs (82.68±26.32) mL/(min·1.73 m2), P<0.05] than the ETV group. After 12 weeks of treatment, the analysis of overall the liver transplantation rate and mortality between the 2 groups showed similar conclusion. However, the TAF group had a lower the liver transplantation rate and mortality than the ETV group in patients with pre-liver failure (0vs13.89%, P<0.05). No evident distinction was found in the liver transplantation rate and mortality during the early, medium, or end stages of liver failure (13.04% vs 17.65%, 37.50% vs 37.04%, and 54.55% vs 68.42%, respectively). Ratio of cost to effectiveness in the ETV group was higher than that in the TAF group.@*CONCLUSIONS@#TAF is not more efficient than ETV group in improving liver function and reducing viral load for HBV-ACLF patients and they also show similar safety. However, TAF has a greater advantage over ETV not only in preserving renal function, but also in reducing the liver transplantation rate and mortality in patients with pre-liver failure. TAF can provide economic benefit to patients with HBV-ACLF.

Clinical characteristics of 528 patients with pyogenic liver abscess / 中华传染病杂志

Objective:To analyze and summarize the clinical features of pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) patients treated in 10 years, so as to provide evidence to improve current diagnosis and corresponding treatment strategies of PLA.Methods:The clinical symptoms, signs, laboratory and imaging findings, etiology and different treatments as well as corresponding efficacy and prognosis of PLA patients treated in Xiangya Hospital of Central South University during January 2010 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed.The chi-square was used to evaluate the differences of the categorical variables.Results:A total of 528 PLA cases were included in this study.Diabetes mellitus (46.8%, 247/528), biliary tract diseases (34.7%, 183/528) and previous hepatobiliary surgery history (19.7%, 104/528) were three most common risk factors leading to PLA. Fever (80.9%, 427/528), loss of appetite (53.6%, 283/528) and abdominal pain (51.9%, 274/528) were most common clinical manifestations. The accuracies of ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were 95.5%(472/494), 97.0%(384/396), and 96.8%(92/95), respectively. The positive rate of pus culture (70.9%, 168/237) was higher than that of blood culture (20.0%, 42/210), and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=115.746, P<0.01). The top three most common bacteria were Klebsiella pneumoniae (122 strains), Escherichia coli (29 strains) and Enterococcus faecium (10 strains). The drug resistance rate of Klebsiella pneumoniae to ampicillin was as high as 97.4%(112/115). The treatment programs included 200 cases of sole antibiotic treatments. Based on the antibiotic treatment, imaging guided percutaneous puncture therapy was the most commonly used treatment (45.6%, 241/528), included imaging guided percutaneous puncture and drainage (29.0%, 153/528) and imaging guided percutaneous catheterization (16.7%, 88/528). The surgical treatments included surgical catheter drainage (5.5%, 29/528) and surgical hepatectomy(11.0%, 58/528). The total number of cured cases was 495, and the cure rate was 93.8%. Conclusions:The common clinical manifestations of PLA are fever, loss of appetite, abdominal pain. Ultrasound is a routine and effective method to detect liver abscess. Klebsiella pneumoniae is the most common pathogen. Imaging guided percutaneous puncture is the most common treatment.

Percutaneous interventional techniques for the treatment of complications of AIDS / 中国介入影像与治疗学

Objective To observe clinical application value of percutaneous interventional techniques for the treatment of complications of AIDS.Methods Twenty-one AIDS patients with complications were enrolled.CT guided percutaneous needle biopsy and drainage were conducted,and the correct rate of diagnosis,clinical curative effect and complications post-interventional therapy were observed.Results The operations of all patients executed successfully.Fourteen patients underwent 16 times biopsy,11 were correctly diagnosed,the diagnostic accordance rate was 81.25%.Drainage was performed in 6 patients with abscess or cystis,then the lesions completely disappeared in 3,deflated in 2,while the rest one needed continously draining.Partial splenic embolization (50%) was performed in 1 patient,and after operation platelet content increased,while hepatic function decreased temporality.No complicated infection and other severe complications occurred.Conclusion Percutaneous interventional techniques for the treatment of complications of AIDS are safe and feasible.Medical staffs should be careful to exposition of HIV infection.

Chest X-ray imaging of patients with SARS / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the chest X-ray manifestations of SARS cases.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective study was conducted among 52 clinically confirmed SARS patients from February 9 to May 10, 2003. Chest X-ray scanning was performed at a interval of 1 - 3 days according to the requirements. The manifestations and special features of SARS in X-ray were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Small or large patchy shadows with intensive density in both lungs were observed in 31 cases, ground-glass like opacification in 16, small patchy shadows in one lung lobe or one lung segment in 18, nodular shadows in one lung segment in 1, and increased lung marking in lung interstitial tissues in 2. Rapidly changing consolidations revealed in chest X-ray images were found to be associated with SARS infections, and they were not affected by treatment with antibiotics.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Chest X-ray provides a sensitive and specific method for the diagnosis and treatment of SARS, and those present with symptoms and signs should undergo chest X-ray scanning every 1 - 3 days.</p>

STUDY ON THE ANTIOXIDATIVE AND ANTIAGING EFFECT OF THE BIOACTIVE EXTRACT FROM AGROCYBE AEGERITA / 营养学报

Objective To investigate the antioxidative and antiaging effects of the bioactive extract from Agrocybe aegerita. Method Fruit flies and D-galactose induced aging mice were fed with the bioactive extract from Agrocybe aegerita. The lifespan of fruit fly and spleen index, brain index,SOD activity in serum and lipofuscin level in 1iver of the mice were measured, and its acute toxic effect was studied. Results The bioactive extract from Agrocybe aegerita could significantly increase the mean lifespan and half death time of fruit flies. The percentage of life prolongation was 41.81% compared with the control. Compared to the models, SOD activity in serum,spleen index and brain index of male mice fed with 800mg/(kg.d) of the bioactive extract from Agrocybe aegerita were respectively increased by 42.36%, 33.33% and 17.85%,while lipofuscin content of liver decreased by 50.06%. 20g/(kg.d) of the bioactive extract from Agrocybe aegerita was safe for mouse. Conclusion The bioactive extract from Agrocybe aegerita have obviously antioxidative and antiaging effects with little side effect.