Post-transfusion chronic hepatitis C in children

Two hundred and twenty-six patients who received blood products for open-heart surgery in childhood were screened by a second-generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and with surrogate markers for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Twenty-two (14%) of the 161 recipients who received blood products before 1989 and none of the subjects who had received blood products after 1990 (the year that the blood bank began to screen for HCV antibody) were HCV seropositive. Virologic and histologic studies showed that 10 (45%) of 24 seropositive patients had persistent hepatitis C virus infection, many with ongoing hepatitis. The remaining 12 seropositive patients with absent HCV RNA had normal ALT levels, indicating resolved hepatitis C infection. Enrolment in screening is important to detect chronic hepatitis C in children who received blood products prior to screening of blood donors for HCV antibody.     

Chronic viral hepatitis B in childhood

The results of clinical, biochemical and histological studies in 26 children with chronic hepatitis B are reported.Most cases were detected when diagnostic procedures were arranged because of non specific abdominal complaints, by routine tests after acute hepatitis or multiple transfusions, and by examination of family members.Hepatomegaly was found in half of the cases, splenomegaly in a quarter. Other clinical signs were rarely seen.Among the biochemical findings, elevated serum transaminase activities were the most reliable indicators of chronic hepatitis. There was a significant difference of the mean transaminase activities between patients with CPH and CAH.In 15 children CPH was diagnosed histologically. 9 children had CAH, 2 children showed signs of MinH.Abbreviations used HBV hepatitis B virus - HBsAg hepatitis B surface antigen - anti-HBs antibody to HBsAg - CH chronic hepatitis - CPH chronic persistent hepatitis - CAH chronic aggressive hepatitis - MinH minimal hepatitis - GOT glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase - GPT glutamate pyruvate transaminase - GT gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase - ChE cholinesterase - GIDH glutamate dehydrogenase     

HBsAg阳性母亲的婴儿接种乙肝疫苗后慢性HBV感染相关因素探讨

为探讨HBsAg阳性母亲的婴儿接种乙肝疫苗后慢性HBV感染相关因素及机制,对624名儿童随访了(6.34±1.71)年。结果发现慢性HBV感染89例,其中82.0％始于6月龄前。HBeAg同时阳性母亲的婴儿慢性HBV感染率高于单阳性母亲的婴儿(单用疫苗,P<0.005;HBIG+疫苗,P<0.05),且在6月龄内出现HBsAg阳性时,慢性化率也高(单用疫苗,P<0.025)。联合使用HBIG和疫苗可进一步减少慢性HBV感染率(单阳性组,P<0.025,双阳性组,P<0.005)及在1月～6月HBsAg阳性婴儿慢性化率(双阳性组,P<0.025)。提示HBsAg阳性母亲的婴儿接种乙肝疫苗后慢性HBV感染主要发生于宫内或产程中。双阳性母亲的婴儿更易形成慢性HBV感染,HBIG联合疫苗的预防效果优于单用疫苗。     

Changing patterns of hepatitis A and E sero-prevalences in children after the 1999 earthquakes in Duzce, Turkey

Aim:   Hepatitis A and E are enteric viral diseases that are characteristically found in developing countries. Sero-epidemiological data about both infections showed higher prevalence rates soon after the 1999 earthquakes in Duzce, Turkey. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the data 4 years after the earthquakes.
Methods:   The study group included 589 children (72.3% boys) who were between the ages of 6 months and 17 years (mean age 11.5 years). The children were separated into three groups: Group 1 (ages 6 months to 5.9 years), Group 2 (ages 6.0–12.9 years) and Group 3 (ages 13.0–17.0 years). Serum anti-hepatitis A virus IgG and anti-hepatitis E virus IgG were determined using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. The data were tested for statistical significance with the χ²-test.
Results:   The sero-prevalence rates of hepatitis A and E were 63.8% and 0.3%, respectively. The sero-prevalence rates of both hepatitis A and E increased with age, and there was no significant difference between the genders. Hepatitis A infection was associated with socio-economic condition, crowded living environment, and education level of the family ( P  < 0.01).
Conclusions:   Hepatitis A infection is still common, whereas hepatitis E infection appears to be relatively rare in paediatric age groups in Duzce, Turkey.     

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目的了解儿童乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)基因型与临床分度的关系。方法选择甘肃省人民医院儿科和兰州大学第一医院感染科2008年4月至2010年4月门诊和住院患儿中HBV-DNA阳性的124例乙型肝炎患儿,其中男84例,女40例。HBV携带者65例,慢性乙型肝炎59例(轻度31例、中度18例、重度10例),对以上患儿进行基因分型、同时检测肝功、术前出凝血、HBV-DNA载量。结果 124例肝病患儿中,C基因型62例(50.0%),B基因型48例(38.7%),B/C混合型9例(7.3%),非B/C型5例(4.0%);HBV携带者和轻度组中,以B基因型为主,分别为47.7%和45.2%;中度和重度组中,以C基因型为主,分别为72.2%和80%;在C、B基因型分布方面,HBV携带者和轻度组与中度和重度组比较差异有统计学意义;C基因型患者的HBV-DNA载量、丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸转移酶(AST)、总胆红素(TBIL)均高于B基因型;C基因型患者与B基因型比较,凝血酶原时间(PT)延长、凝血酶原活动度(PTA)下降、纤维蛋白原(FIB)减少。B、C型通过母婴传播的比例差异无统计学意义。结论甘肃省儿童乙型肝炎病毒基因...     

Interferon therapy for Japanese hemophiliacs with chronic hepatitis C

Eight Japanese hemophiliacs with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) received interferon (IFN) therapy and four of them (50%) responded completely. Non-responders included 3 double-infected patients: I with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and 2 with human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1). In one of the patients with HIV-1 double infection, the absolute number of CD4* lymphocytes decreased during IFN therapy. These findings suggest that hemophiliac patients with CHC can respond well to IFN therapy, but in patients who are double-infected with HBV and HIV-1, the indication of IFN therapy should be considered seriously.     

苏州市1500名5岁～10岁儿童乙肝病毒感染的调查研究

为了解乙肝疫苗接种预防儿童乙肝病毒（HBV）感染的效果，根据随机分层抽样原则，于1997年5月－10月对市区1500名5－10岁儿童进行乙肝病毒血清学检测和乙肝疫苗接种情况调查。结果表明，儿童HBV总感染率为3．60％（54／1500名），随年龄增大有上升趋势，接种组HBV感染率为1．65％，未接种组为19．63％（P＜0．001）；加强免疫的儿童抗HBs阳性率85．78％，HBV感染率0．73％；未进行加强免疫的儿童抗HBs阳性率为43．21％，HBV感染率为2．60％（P＜0．01）。提示儿童乙肝疫苗接种显著降低了儿童HBV感染率，但随年龄增长，50％以上儿童抗HBs滴度低于保护阈值，HBV感染率上升，加强免疫接种打破了这种趋势，值得提倡。     

Shift in the buoyant density of hepatitis C virus particles in infants infected by mother-to-infant transmission

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) particles in sera can be divided into two classes: low-density free particles and high-density immune complex particles. Previous studies have revealed that the clinical progression of HCV infection is closely associated with the occurrence of the former class, rather than the latter, in an experimental chimpanzee model and in HCV-infected adult cases. METHODS: To verify this concept in infantile cases, we prospectively analysed HCV particle populations, fractionated according to buoyant density, in serum samples from five infants infected by mother-to-infant transmission. RESULTS: In all five cases, HCV particles were predominantly high density at the age of one month. In four of five cases, low-density HCV particles became predominant in association with a decrease in maternally transmitted antibody levels. In one case, in which high serum levels of alanine aminotransferase persisted, low-density particles were predominant between the ages of 3 and 9 months, in three consecutive samples. In other cases, in which infants were asymptomatic or had transient hepatitis, low-density HCV particles were predominant at only one sampling point or not at all throughout the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal antibody transmitted via the placenta reacts with the HCV particles in infants infected through vertical transmission. A decrease in maternal antibody levels results in an increase in low-density free virions. It is suggested that low-density particles play an important role in liver inflammation.     

High rate of maternal-infant transmission of hepatitis G virus in HIV-1 and hepatitis C virus-infected women

The prevalence of hepatitis G virus (HGV) infection was investigated in 56 mothers with both human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Thirty-three (58.8%) women had markers of HGV infection, including 7/15 (46.6%) with no history of parenteral exposure to blood. Sixteen (48%) had HGV RNA in serum by a polymerase chain reaction assay, and 17 (52%) had antibody to E2 viral protein. No woman was positive for both markers. Of 20 infants born to the 16 mothers with HGV viremia, 9 (45%, 95% CI 34-56%) acquired the infection. No infected child seroconverted to HGV during the first year of life. At the latest visit (mean: 37.1 mo, range: 9-89 mo) 7 children were still seronegative HGV RNA carriers, 1 was both RNA- and antibody-negative, while 1 RNA-negative child had developed the E2 antibody. Of the 20 HGV-exposed infants, 2 contracted HCV and 1 HIV-1 (all 3 with HGV coinfection). No abnormalities in clinical findings and ALT levels were observed throughout the follow-up period in the six children with HGV infection alone. Our findings show that HGV infection is widespread among HIV-1- and HCV-infected women. Maternal-infant transmission of HGV is common and occurs independently from that of HIV-1 and HCV in women with triple infection. Most perinatally HGV-infected children develop persistent infection with no clinical or biological signs of liver damage, at least in the first years of life.     

儿童乙型肝炎病毒相关性肾炎临床病理分析

目的 探讨儿童乙型肝炎病毒相关性肾小球肾炎(HBV—GN)临床及病理特点。方法 分析35例HBV—GN的临床表现及肾活检光镜、免疫荧光和电镜特点。结果 35例HBV-GN临床表现以肾病综合征(NS)为主(32／35，91．4％)；肾小球肾炎3／35(8．6％)。病理类型以膜性肾病(MN)最多见(33／35，94．3％)；其次系膜增生性肾炎(MsPGN，2／35，5．7％)。免疫荧光检查呈多种免疫复合物沉积。电镜观察HBV—MN易见电子致密物系膜沉积，2例肾小球基底膜内观察到病毒样颗粒。结论 儿童HBV—GN临床常表现主要为NS，病理特征以Ⅲ为主，诊断不必强调HBsAg、HBcAg在肾组织上沉积，肾组织病理特点提示HBV可通过多种机制引起肾损害。     

Viral hepatitis in children: what do we know in 2021?

Viruses are a common cause of hepatitis in children. Hepatitis A and E cause acute infections while Hepatitis B, C and D can lead to chronic infection with increased morbidity and mortality due to chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma in later life. Acute infections may be fulminant causing acute liver failure necessitating a liver transplant. Our understanding of these viruses continues to evolve, and this review aims to summarize the current strategies in diagnosis, prevention and use of anti-viral drugs to treat these infections.     

Epstein-Barr virus associated aplastic anaemia and hepatitis

Abstract We report a Chinese girl with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) associated aplastic anaemia and hepatitis. Epstein-Barr virus genome was demonstrated in her bone marrow cells and EBV-specific serology suggested reactivation of EBV infection. She was initially treated with anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) and methylprednisolone but with no haematologic response, and liver function continued to deteriorate. She was then treated with acyclovir. Her aplastic anaemia improved and hepatitis resolved, and there was eradication of EBV genome from her bone marrow cells.     

Clinical significance of TT virus infection in children with chronic hepatitis B

BACKGROUND: The pathogenic role of TT virus (TTV) is not clear in patients with chronic hepatitis B. The aims of the present study were to determine the frequency of TTV positivity in serum and saliva samples and the possible role of TTV in children with chronic hepatitis B. METHODS: Sera and saliva from 29 healthy children and 25 children with chronic hepatitis B were tested for TTV-DNA by means of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Fifty-two percent (13/25) of the serum samples and 32% (8/25) of the saliva samples were positive for TTV-DNA in children with chronic hepatitis B. In healthy non-transfused children, TTV-DNA was detected in 58% (17/29) of the serum samples and 41% (12/29) of the saliva samples. Six (46%) of 13 children with chronic hepatitis and 10 (59%) of 17 healthy children had TTV-DNA positivity both in serum and saliva samples. Two serum samples were negative for TTV-DNA while the saliva samples were positive for TTV-DNA in chronic hepatitis B and control groups. Mean age, sex, serum alanine aminotransferase levels, hepatitis B virus (HBV)-DNA values were similar in TTV-positive and -negative children with chronic hepatitis B. However, total histologic activity index (HAI), periportal necrosis and portal inflammation scores were significantly higher in children with HBV-DNA and TTV-DNA viremia (P = 0.013, P = 0.008, P = 0.015, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Because total HAI, periportal necrosis and portal inflammation scores were higher in children with TTV coinfection, TTV infection may contribute to the progression of liver damage in children with chronic hepatitis B.     

促肝细胞生长素联合甘利欣治疗儿童急性乙型病毒性肝炎

目的观察促肝细胞生长素（HGF）联合甘利欣治疗小儿急性乙型病毒性肝炎（乙肝）的效果。方法180例患儿分成治疗组和对照组,各90例。两组均给予维生素C、肌苷、门冬氨酸钾镁、能量合剂。治疗组给予促肝细胞生长素20～60mg及甘利欣注射液50～100mg各加入10%GS250ml静滴,qd,15～30d为一疗程。对照组给予强力宁20～60ml及复方丹参注射液10～20ml各加入10%葡萄糖250ml静滴,qd,15～30d为一疗程,两组患儿均治疗2个疗程。结果治疗组显效63例,有效22例,无效5例,总有效率94.4%;对照组显效48例,有效27例,无效15例,总有效率83.3%;治疗组肝功能指标改善优于对照组,P均〈0.05。结论治疗组疗效明显优于对照组,促肝细胞生长素联合甘利欣治疗小儿急性乙肝疗效满意。