[Relationship between the preterm low birth weight infant and the periodontal pathogen bacteria in maternal saliva].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible relationship between the preterm and/or low birth weight (PLBW) and three anaerobic microorganisms in saliva of their mothers, including Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Tannerella forsythia (Tf), Treponema Denticola (Td). METHODS: 110 retrospective cases were collected from 4 hospitals in Beijing urban and suburban areas. PLBW group included 72 subjects and NBW group included 38 subjects. They were made up of 2:1 matched data. Nonstimulated saliva samples were collected from all the individuals. The periodontal examinations included plaque index (PLI), probing depth (PD), bleeding index (BI), and clinical attachment loss (CAL) were performed in 1-1.5 years after preterm. According to the PCR results in their saliva, they were divided into positive group and negative group of Pg, Tf, Td. RESULTS: CAL in PLBW and NBW groups were 0.18 (0.00, 4.97) mm and 0.08 (0.00, 1.81) mm respectively which was significantly different (P<0.05). The detection rates of Pg in PLBW and NBW groups were 94.4% and 78.9% respectively (P<0.05). The detection rates of Tf were 84.7% and 94.7% respectively (P>0.05). The detection rates of Td were 86.1% and 89.5% respectively (P>0.05). The clinical parameters of CAL [2.25(0.54, 4.00) mm, 1.44(0.63, 3.80) mm], PD[(2.47 ± 0.43) mm, (1.94 ± 0.39) mm], PLI (1.80 ± 0.44, 1.36 ± 0.34) in Pg positive group was significantly higher than those in Pg negative group. The birth weight of Pg positive group [(2 482.95 ± 813.17) g] was significantly lower than Pg negative group [(3 425.00 ± 1 024.36) g]. CAL [0.14(0.00,4.9) mm, 0.03(0.00,0.44) mm], PD[(2.44 ± 0.46) mm, (2.17 ± 0.38) mm] were significantly different between Tf positive and negative group. PD [(2.44 ± 0.46) mm, (2.14 ± 0.43) mm] and BI (2.31 ± 0.86, 1.83 ± 0.68) were significantly different between Td positive and negative group. CONCLUSION: There is higher level of Pg, Tf and Td in the saliva of both PLBW and NBW groups. The detection of Pg may be related to PLBW.

[Clinical outcomes of 283 patients of transfusion-related hepatitis C in the northern areas of China].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the natural history and clinical outcomes in a cohort of transfusion-related hepatitis C in northern areas of China. Methods The authors studied 283 patients (137 males, 146 females, mean age 45.79+/-9.92 age) who became infected with HCV while donating plasma 12.25 years ago. These cases were subjected to ultrasonography and liver biochemical tests and serologic anti-HCV assays. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS software. RESULTS: Ultrasonographic findings suggestive of liver cirrhosis were 8.3% of cases. No decompensated cirrhosis or HCC was detected. The value of ALT was higher in severe chronic hepatitis (mean 62.07+/-50.87 IU/L) and cirrhosis (mean 115.50+/-108.41 IU/L) patients than in the other groups (mean 32.30+/-29.10 IU/L). The abnormal rate of ALT was 53.3% in severe group, 100% in cirrhosis group. CONCLUSION: The natural history of transfusion-related hepatitis C in the areas seemed to be relatively mild when compared with previous data. Our cases showed relatively low rate of positive findings in ultrasonography. None of this cohort had the decompensated cirrhosis or HCC. The factor of sex but not the age at time of infection was found being related to the outcomes. In the absence of liver biopsy, ultrasonography was a suitable and sensitive method for the diagnosis of the progressive hepatitis and cirrhosis.

Prospective study in 142 cases of hepatitis C virus infection.

AIM: There is limited information on the natural history of HCV infection in China. We investigated the outcome of HCV infection after nine-year follow-up and the risk factors in blood donors in China in order to provide the foundation for prevention and therapy. METHODS: A total of 172 cases of HCV infection with anti-HCV positive and ALT abnormality were enrolled in the archives when was screened blood in Hebei Province in 1993. In them 142 blood donors were followed up till July 2002. No antiviral treatment was applied to them during the period of infection. In the present study, anti-HCV, HCV-RNA and aminotransferase were detected and genotyping was conducted by the method of restriction fragment length polymorphism(RFLP). B-type ultrasound detection was performed in all the patients. Age, sex, alcohol consumption and clinical symptoms were questioned. RESULTS: After nine years' follow-up, 10.56% (15/142) of the cases were negative for anti-HCV and 16.42% (12/134) of them were negative for HCV-RNA. The genotypes 1b, 2a and 1b/2a were 91.07%, 6.25% and 2.68% respectively. Twelve cases (8.45%) were negative for both HCV RNA and anti-HCV. The rate of chronicity in this group was 83.58% (112/134), and the rate of viral spontaneous resolution was 16.42% (22/134). The mean level of ALT, AST, gamma-GT in HCV RNA positive cases was significantly higher than that in HCV RNA negative cases (P<0.001). The abnormal rate of ALT and/or AST in male donors was significantly higher than that in female donors (P = 0.005). The rate of progression to liver cirrhosis from chronic hepatitis C was significantly higher in the cases of super-infection with HBV than that in the cases of single HCV infection. Overdose alcohol consumption promoted the progression to chronicity. CONCLUSION: This area (Hebei Province) has a higher rate of chronicity in HCV infection, and measures should be taken to prevent its progression to serious liver diseases, especially for patients super-infected with HCV and HBV.

Association of interleukin-12 p40 gene 3'-untranslated region polymorphism and outcome of HCV infection.

AIM: To investigate the effect of interleukin-12 p40 gene (IL12B) 3'-untranslated region polymorphism on the outcome of HCV infection. METHODS: A total of 133 patients who had been infected with HCV for 12-25 (18.2+/-3.8) years, were enrolled in this study. Liver biochemical tests were performed with an automated analyzer and HCV RNA was detected by fluorogenic quantitative polymerase chain reaction. B-mode ultrasound was used for liver examination. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used for the detection of IL12B (1188A/C) polymorphism. RESULTS: Self-limited infection was associated with AC genotype (OR = 3.48; P = 0.001) and persistent infection was associated with AA genotype (OR = 0.34; P = 0.014) at site 1188 of IL12B. In patients with persistent HCV infection, no significant differences were found regarding the age, gender, duration of infection and biochemical characteristics (P>0.05). According to B-mode ultrasound imaging and clinical diagnosis, patients with persistent infection were divided into groups based on the severity of infection. No significant differences were found in the frequency of IL-12 genotype (1188A/C) between different groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The polymorphism of IL12B (1188A/C) appears to have some influence on the outcome of HCV infection.

[Comparison among four kits in detection of anti-SARS-CoV IgG in sera of SARS patients].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the sensitivity and specificity of four kits for detection of anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV IgG in sera of SARS patients. METHODS: Anti-SARS-CoV IgG was detected in 99 serial sera from 18 SARS patients and in 123 negative reference sera, using two enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (EIA No. A and No. B) and two indirect immunofluorescence assays (Australian IFA and Euroimmun IFA). RESULTS: Anti-SARS-CoV IgG was not detected in sera collected from SARS patients at the first week after onset by any of the four kits, however, it was detectable in sera obtained at the second week of illness by EIA No. B, and two IFA, but not by EIA No. A, with the positive rates of 57.1% (4/7), 57.1% (4/7) and 42.9% (3/7), respectively. The anti-SARS-CoV IgG was first determined in sera on the 9th day by Euroimmun IFA, 12th day by EIA No. B, 13th day by Australian IFA, and 16th day by EIA No. A. The positive rates of antibody on the 3rd week after onset were 84.2% (16/19), 94.7% (18/19), 78.9% (15/19) and 52.6% (10/19) respectively. They were identical since the 4th week after the disease onset. Through detection of 123 negative reference sera, the specificity of EIA No. A and two IFA was 100%, with exception of 94.9% for EIA No. B. CONCLUSION: The sensitivity and specificity of the two IFAs were relatively higher than that of the two EIAs. The quality of the two homemade EIAs should be improved.

[Nine-year follow-up of hepatitis C virus infection in a rural area of Hebei province, China].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate natural history of hepatitis C virus infection and related factors among plasma donors in China. METHODS: 172 plasma donors in a rural area of Hebei province had been diagnosed as HCV infection in 1993. No antiviral treatment was applied to them during the period of infection. In the present study, we investigated the outcome of HCV infection nine years later and related factors affecting the outcome. In fact, only 142 cases were followed up in the investigation. The mean age of 142 cases of blood donors was 46 +/- 9 and the mean age of infection was 37 +/- 9 years old. RESULTS: After nine-year follow-up, 1.2% died of end-stage liver disease. 130 (91.6%) of 142 cases under investigation were still positive for HCV RNA or anti-HCV in their blood and 12 cases (8.4%) were negative for both HCV RNA and anti-HCV. 3.1% developed liver cirrhosis among the patients with persistent infection. The mean level of ALT, AST, GGT among HCV RNA positive cases were significantly higher than that of HCV RNA negative cases (P < 0.001). The abnormal rates of ALT and/or AST in male patients were significantly higher than those of female patients (P = 0.005). The rate of progression to liver cirrhosis from chronic hepatitis C virus was significantly higher in patients co-infected with HCV/HBV than that of the cases of single HCV infection. CONCLUSION: Higher chronic rate was observed in this research. Superinfection of HBV/HCV may have worse clinical outcomes.

Pathogenicity of GB virus C on virus hepatitis and hemodialysis patients.

AIM: To determine the pathogenicity of GB virus C (GBV-C) on liver and the effects of its co-infection on the clinical features and prognosis of patients with hepatitis B and C. METHODS: Cross-sectional study was carried out in 413 patients with acute, chronic hepatitis B or liver cirrhosis, and in 67 hemodialysis patients. A 20-month prospective cohort study was carried out in 95 hepatitis B and 80 hepatitis C patients. A reverse transcriptase nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-nPCR) of the 5'-noncoding region was used to detect circulating GBV-C RNA. Liver function was determined by an automated analyzer for all patients. RESULTS: The prevalence of GBV-C in the high-risk populations with the virus transmitted via blood was high, ranging from 16.2 to 28.8 %. Co-infection with GBV-C in hepatitis B patients did not affect the clinical features of the disease or liver function. The dialysis patients infected with GBV-C alone did not develop functional changes to the liver. Prospective cohort study showed that GBV-C co-infection did not affect the clinical features, prognosis or negative serum conversion rate of chronic hepatitis B and C. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that GBV-C has no marked pathogenicity on liver, so it may not be a hepatitis virus.

A cross-sectional study on HGV infection in a rural population.

AIM:To determine the epidemiological characteristics and clinical significance of HGV infection, and to compare with HBV and HCV infections.METHODS: Anti-HGV, HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc and anti-HCV were detected by enzyme-linked immunoassys (EIA). Anti-HGV positive sera were further tested for HGV RNA by a nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-nPCR).RESULTS:The anti-HGV prevalence rate was 12.9% in the rural population. It was relatively low in children under 10 years of age, and then increased with age and peaked in the group of 50-59 years (29.2%). The Carrier rate of HBsAg was 12.6% in the population and quickly reached the highest (16.2%) in the 5-year age group. The prevalence rate of HBV infection was 64.9%, and rose to a high level in the group of 10 years, and maintained high till up to the top of 79.2% in the 50-59 age group. The HCV infection rate was 15.3%. No Anti-HCV positive cases were found in the group under 10 years of age. It was particularly high in the 20-40 age group, and reached the peak in the group of 30 years old. No significant differences were found in the infection rates of HBV, HCV and HGV between male and female. HGV infection was associated with the history of blood donation and the sexual transmission.The anti-HGV positive rate in wives of husbands with HGV infection was 53.3%, significantly higher than that in those with anti-HGV negative husbands (7.8%).HGV coinfection with HBV or HCV had no influence on serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT).No ALT elevation was found in the group with HGV infection alone.CONCLUSION:The epidemiological characteristics of HGV infection are different from that of HBV and HCV.HGV is transmitted by blood and sex, and does not seem to cause liver damage.