Serum Thrombopoietin Levels and Its Relationship With Thrombocytopenia in Patients With Cirrhosis
Conclusions: Our results suggest that liver cirrhosis does not cause impaired thrombopoietin production even in the late stage of disease. Thrombopoietin has no contribution for the occurrence of thrombocytopenia in cirrhosis; splenic sequestration seems to be the main factor.,Results: Platelet counts were lower in patients with cirrhosis (97000 ± 8000/mm3) than in healthy subjects (240000 ± 51000/mm3, P < 0.001). Significant difference was determined for platelet counts among child A, B and C stages (Child A vs. Child B P < 0.05 Child A vs. Child C P < 0.001–Child B vs. Child C P < 0.05). Serum TPO concent...
Source: Hepatitis Monthly - May 4, 2014 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Acetyl-L-Carnitine Supplementation During HCV Therapy With Pegylated Interferon-α 2b Plus Ribavirin: Effect on Work Performance; A Randomized Clinical Trial
Conclusions: Office workers with chronic hepatitis C, treated with Pegylated-Interferon-α2b plus Ribavirin, had work performance loss. In subjects treated with Acetyl-L-Carnitine supplementation we observed increased daily activity and reduced presenteeism and fatigue. Acetyl-L-Carnitinegroup had a smaller reduction of productivity comparing to placebo group.,Results: Significant difference were observed in physical fatigue, mental fatigue and severity of fatigue, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and viremia after 12 months treatment. In Group B we observed a significant decrease of presenteeism and d...
Source: Hepatitis Monthly - May 4, 2014 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Hepatitis B Seroprevalence and Risk Factors in Adult Population of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province in 2013
Conclusions: Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province could be categorized as a low endemic region for hepatitis B infection, with a seroprevalence similar to that in other provinces of western Iran. Vaccination seems to influence its decrease, especially in adolescents and youth. More surveillance and attention to risk factors are suggested to identify high-risk groups and to implement vaccination.,Results: The mean age of participants was 38.4 ± 16.3. The seroprevalence rate of hepatitis B was found to be 1.3% (95% CI, 0.95%-1.81%). Prevalence of HBeAg among HBsAg positive participants was 2.5% (only 1 of 40). Seroprevalence ...
Source: Hepatitis Monthly - May 2, 2014 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Potential Mutations Associated With Occult Hepatitis B Virus Status
Conclusions: Studies mostly lacked a control group and the whole-length HBV sequencing was scant with conflicting results, suggesting that OHBS is often a result of multiple mechanisms. Additional studies on full-length HBV genomes from occult and non-occult HBV cases may shed more light on the interplay between different mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of OHBS.,Context: Occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) status (OHBS) is simply defined as the presence of HBV DNA in the liver (with or without detectable HBV DNA in the serum), in the absence of serum HBV surface antigen (HBsAg). Importance of OHBS is mostly clinical, re...
Source: Hepatitis Monthly - May 2, 2014 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Distribution of HCV Genotypes in the Populations of Inmates in Polish Prison Potulice and Patients Hospitalised in Bydgoszcz
Conclusions: The current study shows that the predominant HCV genotype among inmates from prison in Potulice is genotype 3.,Results: The most frequent HCV genotype among inmates was genotype 3, which was detected in169 of 281 patients (60.1%). Most frequent genotype among hospitalized was genotype 1, which was found in 1127 cases (79.6%). Comparing the results of prisoners with a group of patients with HIV/HCV co-infection gave similar results. In both groups most frequent was genotype 3 (respectively 60.1 and 45.5%). However, most prisoners in this study (96%) were HIV-negative.,Objectives: The aim of the study was to det...
Source: Hepatitis Monthly - May 2, 2014 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis in Childhood: Endocrine-Metabolic “Mal-Programming”
Conclusions: Pediatric NAFLD/NASH is emerging problem. Longitudinal follow-up studies, unfortunately still insufficient, are needed to better understand the natural history and outcome of NAFLD in children. This review focuses on the current knowledge regarding the epidemiology, pathogenesis, environmental, genetic and metabolic factors of disease. The review also highlights the importance of studying the underlying mechanisms of pediatric NAFLD and the need for complete and personalized approach in the management of NAFLD/NASH.,Results: NAFLD/NASH is probably promoted by “multiple parallel hits”: environmental and gen...
Source: Hepatitis Monthly - April 30, 2014 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Prognostic Values of Fluctuations in Serum Levels of Alanine Transaminase in Inactive Carrier State of HBV Infection
Conclusions: Fluctuations in serum ALT levels may change the prognosis of a HBV inactive carrier state.,Objectives: This study aimed to determine the incidence rate and patterns of ALT fluctuations and prognostic values for the development of chronic HBV e antigen (HBeAg)-negative hepatitis B (CHB), HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance, and liver-related complications.,Patients and Methods: Treatment-naïve patients with a chronic HBV infection, HBeAg(-)/HBeAb(+), normal ALT levels, and HBV DNA < 2000 IU/mL, were followed-up every 6-12 months by assessing serum ALT levels. Serum HBV DNA was measured in cases of ele...
Source: Hepatitis Monthly - April 30, 2014 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Seromarkers in Young Adults Vaccinated at Birth; Impact on the Epidemiology of Hepatitis B Infection in Iran
Conclusions: The study results indicated that the neonatal HBV immunization induced a long-term protection against HBV and was very efficacious in reducing chronic HBV infection rate in vaccinated young adults in Iran.,Results: Anti-HBs seropositivity rate was detected in 224 of 510 [95% CI: 39-47] young adults. Breakthrough infection (positive sera for Anti-HBc without chronic infection) was observed in 18 [95% CI: 2.5-3.5] subjects. There were neither HBs Ag positive results nor symptomatic hepatitis cases.,Patients and Methods: We recruited 510 young adults with a history of complete HB vaccination at birth. HBV seromar...
Source: Hepatitis Monthly - April 30, 2014 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Classical and Modern Approaches Used for Viral Hepatitis Diagnosis
Conclusions: Detection procedures in the clinical laboratories possess a large diversity; each has their individual advantages and facilities' differences.,Evidence Acquisition: In order to achieve a comprehensive aspect in viral hepatitis detection methods, an extensive search using related keywords was done in major medical library and data were collected, categorized and summarized in different sections.,Context: Viral hepatitis diagnosis is an important issue in the treatment procedure of this infection. Late diagnosis and delayed treatment of viral hepatitis infections can lead to irreversible liver damages and o...
Source: Hepatitis Monthly - April 15, 2014 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Hepatitis B Splice-Generated Protein Antibodies in Syrian Chronic Hepatitis B Patients: Incidence and Significance
Conclusions: We introduced an anti-HBSP antibodies ELISA, designed for locally circulating HBV strains. Correlation observed of Anti-HBSP with liver fibrosis staging regardless of viral replication and liver inflammation suggests anti-HBSP antibodies as possible indicator for HBV-associated liver fibrosis.,Results: Seven out of eighty (9%) CHB patients were positive for anti-HBSP antibodies. Mean OD values were not significantly different between HBeAg-positive and -negative patients (P > 0.05). OD values showed weak positive correlation with ALT and AST values (P < 0.05), and weak to moderate positive correlation wi...
Source: Hepatitis Monthly - April 15, 2014 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Detection of Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase mRNA in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Patients With Liver Failure
Conclusions: The expression of PBMCs hTERT mRNA is closely associated with patient outcome, which indicates that hTERT mRNA in PBMCs might be useful as a prognostic biomarker of liver failure.,Objectives: We investigated the variation and significance of hTERT mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of the patients with liver failure.,Patients and Methods: In this clinical experimental study, 76 Chinese patients were enrolled in the study between 2010 and 2012. The level of PBMCs hTERT mRNA was detected by relative quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in the samples taken before t...
Source: Hepatitis Monthly - April 13, 2014 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Protective Effect of Cornus mas Fruits Extract on Serum Biomarkers in CCl4-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Male Rats
Conclusions: Cornus mas fruit extract effect may be due to including some antioxidant components, which caused membrane stabilizing and normalization of fluctuated biochemical profiles induced by CCl4 exposure. Our results validated the traditional use of Cornus mas in the treatment of liver disorders.,Results: Oral administration of Cornus mas fruits extract to rats for 14 days provided a significant (P < 0.05) hepatoprotection by decreasing elevated serum level of enzymes, total serum protein, albumin and liver lipid peroxidation content.,Materials and Methods: Hepatotoxicity was induced by administration of carbon te...
Source: Hepatitis Monthly - April 13, 2014 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Distinct Toll-like Receptor 3 and 7 Expression in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells From Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Infection
Conclusions: This study suggests that decrease in levels of TLR3 and TLR7 expression is a mechanism that may enable HCV to evade the host innate immune response.,Results: In both groups, we had 13 males and 12 females with a mean age of 48.7 ± 16. TLR3 (6.23 ± 0.91 vs. 3.89 ± 0.85, P < 0.001) and TLR7 (1.48 ± 0.82 vs-1.33 ± 1.18, P < 0.001) expressions were significantly lower in patients with chronic HCV infection when compared with healthy controls.,Patients and Methods: In this case-control study, blood samples were collected from patients admitted to Blood Transfusion Research Center, Tehran, Iran. PBMC was ...
Source: Hepatitis Monthly - April 6, 2014 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Association of Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy with Hepatic Encephalopathy in Hepatitis B Virus-related Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure
Conclusions: The occurrence of HE is associated with hyponatremia and PPI use in patients with ACLF.,Results: In univariate analysis, patients with HE in ACLF had a significantly higher rate of PPI use (89.1%) compared with non-HE (63.6%, P = 0.001). In addition, clinical and standard laboratory variables were significantly different between the two groups regarding the infection rate, hyponatremia, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), Arginine Hydrochloride use and Lactulose use. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the combined effects of the variables with HE as the outcome. HE in ACLF was associated with hyponatremia (...
Source: Hepatitis Monthly - April 6, 2014 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
Pulse Oximeter Oxygen Saturation in Prediction of Arterial Oxygen Saturation in Liver Transplant Candidates
Conclusions: Provided that SpO2 is equal to or greater than 94%, attained from pulse oximetry can be used as a reliable and accurate substitute for the ABG measurements to evaluate hypoxemia in patients with end stage liver disease. (Source: Hepatitis Monthly)
Source: Hepatitis Monthly - April 6, 2014 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research
