1,721,011 research outputs found
Is the natural history of hepatitis C virus carriers with normal aminotransferase really benign?
No full textClinical significance of hepatitis C virus genotypes
No full textThe advent of genotyping assays has stimulated investigators around the world to study the molecular epidemiology of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in specific patient categories, as well as possible correlations with the clinical and histological features of chronic liver disease and response to antiviral treatment. While a general consensus has been reached on the Worldwide epidemiology and distribution of HCV types in certain risk categories (i.e. intravenous drug users), the association between genotype 1b and severe liver disease is still controversial. Although generalized use of genotyping is not presently recommended for clinical or epidemiological monitoring, several studies emphasize to the importance of HCV genotyping as part of a therapeutic algorithm. This recommendation is based on overwhelming evidence in support of a correlation between genotype 1 and a poor response to interferon-a alone or in combination with ribavirin
Acute severe hepatitis of unknown aetiology in children: a new nonAeE hepatitis virus on horizon?
No full textHepatitis C virus in children treated for acute lymphoblastic lukemia
No full textWe studied 102 consecutive subjects after their completion of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)-directed chemotherapy, for evidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection by enzyme immunoassay 2 and 3, second generation recombinant immunoblot assay and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of circulating HCV-RNA. Forty-four patients (43%) had evidence of exposure to HCV; 30 of these were anti-HCV+. Of the 23 patients who were positive for both anti-HCV and HCV-RNA, 16 (69%) had a moderate increase in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity without clinical signs of liver disease. Fourteen patients were seronegative despite the presence of HCV-RNA in the serum. The proportion of different HCV genotypes was not significantly different from other anti-HCV+ patient groups. Although half of the patients with genotype III had normal ALT value, patients with normal ALT levels were represented in all genotype groups. Our study documents the prevalence of HCV infection in childhood ALL survivors, which is responsible for the majority of cases of non-B chronic liver disease in these patients. Whereas serologic screening identifies over 70% of patients with ongoing HCV infection, real HCV infection may be present even in the absence of a detectable humoral immune response to the virus. Based on this observation, determination of HCV-RNA by PCR should be recommended in patients in prolonged remission even if they test negative on serological assay. Normal ALT levels do not exclude the presence of HCV infection because the values were repeatedly normal in over half of our viremic patients
In vitro effect of lymphoblastoid alpha-interferon on subpopulations of effector cells mediating cytotoxicity for autologous hepatocytes in hepatitis B and non-A, non-B.
No full textHepatitis C virus genotype 1b as a major risk factor associate with hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients: a seventeen-year prospective study
No full textHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent cause of death in patients with hepatitisC virus (HCV)–induced cirrhosis. Despite a number of studies in different populations worldwide suggesting an association between HCV genotype 1 and the risk of HCC, no consensus has emerged yet on this matter, which is still controversial. In an attempt to clarify this issue, a prospective study of 163 consecutive HCV-positive patients with cirrhosis, who were enrolled between January 1989 and December 1990, was carried out. HCC occurrence was detected by ultrasound surveillance every 6 months. Independent predictors of HCC were assessed with a Cox regression analysis. After a median follow-up of 10.7 years, 44 [4.26/100/year, confidence interval (CI) _ 3.11-5.68/100/year] of 104 patients infected with genotype 1b developed HCC versus 10 (1.69/100/year, CI_0.82-3.09/100/year) of 52 patients infected with genotype 2a/c (P _ 0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed that HCV genotype 1b was independently associated with HCC development [hazard ratio (HR) _ 3.02, 95% CI _ 1.40-6.53]. Other predictors of HCC were esophageal varices (HR _ 2.15, 95% CI_1.03-4.47), male gender (HR_2.12, 95% CI_1.10-4.11), and age over 60 years (HR _ 5.96, 95% CI _ 1.23-28.8). Conclusion: HCV genotype 1b is associated with a statistically significant higher risk of developing HCC. Patients with cirrhosis that are infected with this genotype require more intensive surveillance for the early detection and aggressive management of neoplasia
Mutations at position 385 within the hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) are rare and not restricted to patients with cryoglobulinemia
No full textMUTATIONS AT POSITION 385 WITHIN THE HYPERVARIABLE REGION 1 (HVR1) OF THE HEPATITIS C VIRUS (HCV) ARE RARE AND NOT RESTRICTED TO PATIENTS WITH CRYOGLOBULINEMI
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