ABSTRACT
Viral hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) infections remain the most common risk factors for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and their heterogeneous distribution influences the global prevalence of this common type of liver cancer. Typical hepatitis infection elicits various immune responses within the liver microenvironment, and viral persistence induces chronic liver inflammation and carcinogenesis. HBV is directly mutagenic but can also cause low-grade liver inflammation characterized by episodes of intermittent high-grade liver inflammation, liver fibrosis, and cirrhosis, which can progress to decompensated liver disease and HCC. Equally, the absence of key innate and adaptive immune responses in chronic HCV infection dampens viral eradication and induces an exhausted and immunosuppressive liver niche that favors HCC development and progression. The objectives of this review are to (i) discuss the epidemiological pattern of HBV and HCV infections, (ii) understand the host immune response to acute and chronic viral hepatitis, and (iii) explore the link between this diseased immune environment and the development and progression of HCC in preclinical models and HCC patients.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIM: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in patients undergoing liver transplantation and is associated with reduced patient and graft survival. The aim is to assess the occurrence of AKI following living donor liver transplantation and to evaluate the associated risk factors and outcomes. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-nine Egyptian patients with hepatitis C virus who underwent living donor liver transplantation were divided into Group A (17 patients with AKI defined as increased creatinine > 50% of the initial pretransplant level) and Group B (non-AKI patients). Fluid balance, kidney function, preoperative and intraoperative risk factors, outcomes, and 1-year mortality were assessed. RESULTS: The mean age was 48 ± 7.51 and the majority of patients assessed were men (89.8%). The 17 patients with AKI had higher preoperative creatinine and higher Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scores (1.3 ± 0.16, 15.7 ± 5.07, respectively) than the non-AKI patients (1.1 ± .15, 13.7 ± 4.61, respectively), with P values of .04 and < .01, respectively. They also had significantly lower levels of albumin (2.98 ± .50). AKI patients had longer intensive care unit (ICU) stays (10 ± 3 d) compared to non-AKI patients (5 ± 2), with a P value of .03. A logistic multivariable regression test revealed that only a long ICU stay is a predictor of developing acute kidney injury among patients who have undergone living donor liver transplantation (odds ratio 1.23, 95% confidence interval 1.1-2.1, with a P value of .012). CONCLUSION: Many pre- and intra-operative factors are associated with AKI development; however, a long ICU stay is an independent potential factor for kidney infection.
