Significance of hepatitis B virus antibodies in Saudi patients with chronic hepatitis C infection

To study the clinical significance of antibodies to hepatitis B virus among 100 Saudi patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection. The records of 100 patients with hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection who were admitted between November 1990 and January 1994 were retrospectively studied. These patients were classified into 3 groups according to their serological hepatitis B virus [HBV] status. Group one comprised of 43 patients lacking in HBV antibody and serving as controls. Twenty-nine patients in Group two were positive for HBcAb only, while Group three included 28 patients positive for both HBcAb and HBsAb. Patients with hepatitis C infection who had hepatitis B core antibodies [HBcAb] or both HBcAb and hepatitis B surface antibodies [ABsAb] were more likely to be cirrhotic as compared to sex and age, matched controls lacking antibodies to HBV [75.8%] and 80% respectively vs 48.5%]. When present, cirrhosis was more likely to be decompensated in patients with HBV antibodies as compared to controls [36% and 37.5%] vs 0% Child-Pugh's grade C. Number of hepatocellular carcinomas [HCC] appeared to be related to that of cirrhosis [28% and 34% vs 31% in controls]. It is concluded that patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection have more severe liver disease when they have been previously infected by hepatitis B virus

Oxidative stress and [FAS/APO-1] mediated apoptosis in hcv related chronic liver disease

This study included 20 patients with chronic hepatitis, 19 with Child A liver cirrhosis and 30 with Child B and C liver cirrhosis. Ten healthy individuals were included as controls. Soluble Fas [sFas], as a marker for apoptosis, was estimated in plasma by ELISA. The degree of oxidant stress was determined by measuring plasma levels of lipid peroxide [LPER], nitric oxide [NO] and the antioxidants, superoxide dismutase [SOD] and total thiols. The study indicated that apoptosis in CLD due to HCV is more or less a stage dependent and is related to the level of soluble Fas, oxygen and nitrogen radical production and antioxidant system. From the practical point of view, it may be suggested that pharmacotherapy based on intervention with control of apoptosis deserves further consideration in this particular type of disease