Brain-derived neurotrophic factor as a potential diagnostic marker in minimal hepatic encephalopathy.

INTRODUCTION: Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) is a common complication of liver cirrhosis not only leading to a decrease in the quality of life, but also predicting development of overt encephalopathy. The diagnosis of MHE usually relies on a combination of neuropsychological tests, while robust serum biomarkers are lacking. We aimed to assess serum concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in MHE patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Serum BDNF was assessed in 78 patients with liver cirrhosis (53 male, median age 55 years) and 40 healthy individuals. 43 subjects underwent extensive evaluation for MHE by psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES) and inhibitory control test (ICT) or critical flicker frequency (CFF). RESULTS: Serum BDNF was twofold lower in liver cirrhosis compared to healthy subjects [13.6 (7.8-22.6) vs. 33.0 (24.1-40.7) ng/ml, p < 0.001] and its decrease reflected a degree of liver insufficiency assessed by model for end-stage liver disease (MELD). BDNF showed a negative correlation with bilirubin (R = -0.35, p = 0.005) and international normalized ratio (INR) (R = -0.37, p = 0.003), and positive with platelets (PLT) (R = 0.36, p = 0.004), while no associations with age, sex, body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio (WHR), creatinine and ammonia were noted. Importantly, subjects with a diagnosis of MHE by at least two modalities showed the lowest levels of BDNF [10.9 (2.5-14.4) vs. 19.9 (9.3-29.4) ng/ml, p < 0.01]. Patients with self-reported sleep disturbances had significantly lower serum BDNF [13.0 (2.5-23.4) vs. 20.0 (8.4-31.3) ng/ml, p = 0.04]. CONCLUSIONS: The lowest serum BDNF concentration was noted in patients with MHE and sleep disturbances, which suggests a role in pathophysiology of hepatic encephalopathy but also as a potential biomarker.

Clinical Usefulness of the Inhibitory Control Test (ICT) in the Diagnosis of Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy.

Background: Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) refers to a number of neuropsychiatric and neurophysiological disorders in patients with cirrhosis who do not show abnormalities on physical examination or in clinical tests. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, risk factors, and predictive value of minimal hepatic encephalopathy and the usefulness of the inhibitory control test (ICT) in the diagnosis. Methods: Seventy patients (mean age 53 years, range 24-77) with liver cirrhosis were enrolled in the study. MHE was diagnosed based on PHES (psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score) and ICT. PHES and ICT were validated in a group of 56 control subjects. Results: Minimal hepatic encephalopathy was diagnosed using PHES in 21 patients (30%). ICT diagnosed MHE in 30 patients (42%), and the test had a sensitivity of 65% and a specificity of 57% compared to PHES. The ICT score (lures/target accuracy rate) correlated with the age of subjects (R = 0.35, p = 0.002) and only slightly with education (education in years R = -0.22, p = 0.06). MHE diagnosed with PHES or ICT was associated with a significantly higher model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) score in the follow-up. MHE diagnosed with ICT was correlated with a significantly higher incidence of symptoms of decompensated cirrhosis (p = 0.02) in the follow-up. Conclusions: ICT had moderate sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing MHE compared to PHES. Importantly, MHE detected with PHES or ICT was associated with poorer survival and a more severe progression of the disease.

Pure Red Cell Aplasia and Antibody-Mediated Rejection: Double Trouble in 1 Kidney Transplant Recipient Solved by Intravenous Immunoglobulin Infusion: A Case Report.

Acquired pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) is characterized by severe normocytic (rarely macrocytic) and normochromic anemia, a low reticulocytes count in peripheral blood, and near absence of erythroid precursors in the bone marrow, with a normal level of erythropoietin. We describe a case of the kidney transplant recipient, diagnosed with PRCA induced with parvovirus B19 infection. Our case demonstrates that although this complication is rare, it should be considered in a differential diagnosis of anemia diagnostics in immunocompromised patients. In our case reduced immune response resulted from post-transplant immunosuppressive therapy. In our patient, apart from infection by parvovirus B19, graft dysfunction due to polyomavirus BK virus infection was also detected together with histologic and serologic features of antibody-mediated renal graft rejection. Considering the entire clinical picture, intravenous immunoglobulin therapy (IVIg) was successfully introduced.

[Clinical importance and diagnostic methods of minimal hepatic encephalopathy]. / Znaczenie kliniczne oraz metody diagnostyczne utajonej encefalopatii watrobowej.

Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) encompasses a number of neuropsychological and neurophysiological disorders in patients suffering from liver cirrhosis, who do not display abnormalities during a medical interview or physical examination. A negative influence of MHE on the quality of life of patients suffering from liver cirrhosis was confirmed, which include retardation of ability of operating motor vehicles and disruption of multiple health-related areas, as well as functioning in the society. The data on frequency of traffic offences and accidents amongst patients diagnosed with MHE in comparison to patients diagnosed with liver cirrhosis without MHE, as well as healthy persons is alarming. Those patients are unaware of their disorder and retardation of their ability to operate vehicles, therefore it is of utmost importance to define this group. The term minimal hepatic encephalopathy (formerly "subclinical" encephalopathy) erroneously suggested the unnecessity of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in patients with liver cirrhosis. Diagnosing MHE is an important predictive factor for occurrence of overt encephalopathy - more than 50% of patients with this diagnosis develop overt encephalopathy during a period of 30 months after. Early diagnosing MHE gives a chance to implement proper treatment which can be a prevention of overt encephalopathy. Due to continuing lack of clinical research there exist no commonly agreed-upon standards for definition, diagnostics, classification and treatment of hepatic encephalopathy. This article introduces the newest findings regarding the importance of MHE, scientific recommendations and provides detailed descriptions of the most valuable diagnostic methods.