Biliary Atresia and Cytomegalovirus Infection: A DNA Study

The cause of extrahepatic biliary atresia (EHBA) is undetermined in most instances, but an infectious agent is widely suspected. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection has been associated with intrahepatic bile duct destruction and paucity, raising the question of its role in EHBA. We identified 12 children in the past 5 years with biliary atresia and examined the bile duct biopsy. These showed acute/chronic inflammation and epithelial degeneration. CMV inclusions were not identified. We used in situ hybridization and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for CMV-DNA on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue. All samples showed the presence of amplifiable DNA using β-globin primers. No biopsy tissue showed CMV DNA using specific probes and primers. The absence of demonstrable CMV DNA by in situ hybridization and PCR in EHBA biopsies implies that it is unlikely that this virus has any major role in the pathogenesis of this condition. Received October 29, 1997; accepted March 27, 1998.     

Ganciclovir treatment in infants with cytomegalovirus infection and cholestasis

BACKGROUND: The authors have previously described an association between cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and intrahepatic and extrahepatic forms of neonatal cholestasis. Pediatric use of the antiviral drug ganciclovir to treat patients with CMV infection has increased. In this study, infants with CMV infection and cholestasis were treated with ganciclovir. METHODS: Six infants with cholestasis (age, 3-16 weeks) and with signs of ongoing CMV infection were treated with intravenous ganciclovir for 3 to 7 weeks and observed for 4 to 31 months after treatment. Two patients had biliary atresia, one had suspected septo-optic dysplasia and three had no obvious cause for intrahepatic cholestasis other than ongoing CMV infection. RESULTS: Four patients, including one with biliary atresia, responded to the treatment, whereas two patients, including the one with septo-optic dysplasia did not. The latter patient had episodes of symptomatic hypoglycemia during the treatment, which was subsequently stopped. Liver function at the end of follow-up was good in four patients, intermediate in one, and poor in one. CONCLUSION: Ganciclovir treatment may be beneficial in infants with CMV-associated intrahepatic cholestasis, but controlled studies are needed. Because of the possible side effect of hypoglycemia, infants with cholestasis who have increased risk for such episodes should not be treated.     

Biliary Atresia and Cytomegalovirus and Response to Valganciclovir

Biliary atresia has been commonly reported with cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. CMV positive patients may present with a later onset however long term outcome is similar to non-CMV patients. There are very few case reports of role of antivirals in CMV and biliary atresia. We treated a 2 month old girl with biliary atresia who underwent portoduodenostomy at 2? months of age but continued to have jaundice (bilirubin = 23.6 mg/dl) even after 1 month of Kasai’s surgery and subsequently was treated with valganciclovir for 6 weeks following which her jaundice resolved.     

Expression of osteopontin correlates with portal biliary proliferation and fibrosis in biliary atresia

The acquired or perinatal form of biliary atresia is a Th1 fibro-inflammatory disease affecting both the extrahepatic and intrahepatic bile ducts. Osteopontin (OPN) is a Th1 cytokine implicated in several fibro-inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. We examined the expression of OPN in acquired biliary atresia in comparison to normal liver and several pediatric cholestatic liver diseases. We also assessed OPN expression by cultured human bile duct epithelial cells. We found that liver OPN mRNA and protein expression were significantly increased in biliary atresia versus normal and other cholestatic diseases. OPN expression in biliary atresia was localized to epithelium of proliferating biliary structures (ductules and/or ducts) and bile plugs contained therein. No portal biliary OPN expression could be demonstrated in normal liver, syndromic biliary atresia, biliary obstruction not due to biliary atresia, and idiopathic neonatal hepatitis. OPN expression by human bile duct epithelial cells in culture was responsive to IL-2 and TNF-alpha. Our results demonstrate an up-regulation of OPN expression by interlobular biliary epithelium in biliary atresia, which correlates with biliary proliferation and portal fibrosis. These findings suggest a role for OPN in the pathogenesis of biliary atresia.     

婴儿巨细胞病毒感染与胆道闭锁的关系

目的　探讨巨细胞病毒 (CMV)感染与胆道闭锁的关系 ,了解婴儿CMV肝炎并胆道闭锁的临床特点。方法　对确诊为CMV感染并胆道闭锁 1 6例患儿的临床资料进行回顾性分析 ,并与同期诊断为单纯CMV肝炎 2 9例患儿进行比较。结果　CMV感染并胆道闭锁患儿血清CMV IgM抗体和外周血多形核白细胞中CMV pp65抗原均阳性 9例 ,IgM阳性 1例 ,仅pp65阳性3例 ,IgM和pp65均阴性 3例 (但其肝组织CMV pp65阳性 )。 1 5例肝组织标本中CMV pp65阳性 1 4例。CMV感染并胆道闭锁患儿各项指标明显重于有黄疸的单纯CMV肝炎 (P均 <0 .0 5) ,肝组织病理检查 1 5例显示胆小管增生伴肝纤维化 ,继发性胆汁性肝硬化 2例。结论　CMV感染可同时累及肝细胞和胆管上皮细胞 ,导致胆管闭锁。对以胆汁淤积为主要表现且已明确为CMV感染患儿应警惕是否并胆道闭锁 ,避免丧失手术治疗机会。     

Differentiation between extrahepatic and intrahepatic cholestasis by discriminant analysis

Discriminant analysis was used to differentiate between extrahepatic biliary atresia and intrahepatic cholestasis. Among the ten laboratory variables tested, three (gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, alkaline phosphatase and total serum bilirubin) were useful in the differential diagnosis. gamma-Glutamyl transpeptidase contributed most to the discrimination (85%). From a population study of 28 babies with extrahepatic biliary atresia and 24 infants with intrahepatic cholestasis, the procedure achieved a diagnostic accuracy and specificity of 92.9% and an efficiency of 92.3%. The jackknife procedure has also confirmed that the mathematical model was robust for discriminant analysis and therefore it may be valid for screening infants with cholestasis for early surgical intervention. Discriminant analysis is a useful adjunct for differentiation between intrahepatic cholestasis and extrahepatic biliary atresia.     

Clinical aspects on neonatal cholestasis based on observations at a Swedish tertiary referral centre

The aim of the study was to investigate the clinical aspects of neonatal cholestasis. The medical records of 85 cholestatic infants were retrospectively reviewed. A majority of the patients were referred from other parts of the country. The most common diagnoses were extrahepatic biliary atresia (n = 30 patients), alpha₁-antitrypsin deficiency (n = 11) and progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (n = 11). On presentation, the biliary atresia group had higher mean serum values of bilirubin, G-GT and cholesterol than the patients with intrahepatic cholestasis, with no significant differences noticed for any other biochemical parameter. A lack of excretion on hepatobiliary scintigraphy was noticed in all investigated patients with biliary atresia, but also in 9 of 34 patients with intrahepatic neonatal cholestasis. There was no statistical correlation between the age at portoenterostomy and the outcome in patients with biliary atresia. However, both the detection of a partial flow on perioperative cholangiogram and the establishment of a non-icteric phase within 6 mo after the portoenterostomy correlated to a good outcome. Eight of 11 patients with progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis were treated with a biliary diversion procedure, five of eight experienced a sustained cholestatic remission. Conclusions: Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis may be a more common cause of neonatal cholestasis in Sweden than reported elsewhere and that the experience with biliary diversion is positive. While early referral in patients with extrahepatic biliary atresia remains important, a portoenterostomy should be attempted also in patients referred after 3 mo of age.     

胆道闭锁术后肝内胆管囊性扩张的诊治

目的总结胆道闭锁术后肝内胆管扩张的诊治经验，探讨葛西手术后肝内胆管扩张对患儿远期预后的影响，以及如何早期诊断和治疗。方法2003年4月至2008年3月，对3例因胆道闭锁行葛西手术的患儿进行追踪随访，3例术后均有不同程度胆管炎症状，其中1例合并门脉高压。3例行超声、CT或经皮肝穿刺置管引流（PTCD），结果显示肝内胆管囊性扩张。2例行胆管扩张与空肠胆支再吻合术，1例仅行PTCD置管引流。结果2例经手术治疗的患儿，术后黄疸消退或减轻。1例仅行PTCD的患儿肝内胆管扩张长期存在。结论肝内胆管扩张使胆管炎反复发作，特别是扩张的囊状胆管压迫门静脉，可使门静脉变窄，血流减少，致受累肝叶萎缩。胆道闭锁患儿葛西手术后应定期行超声检查，及时发现肝内胆管囊性扩张。葛西手术后肝内胆管扩张应早期诊断，早期手术治疗，术前应常规行PTCD，暂时解除胆汁淤积，并为术中定位做好准备。     

先天性胆道闭锁肝内毛细胆管超微结构与临床预后关系探讨

目的 探讨先天性胆道闭锁（ＣＢＡ）肝脏毛细胆管超微结构与临床预后的关系。方法 用ＰｈｉｌｉｐｓＣＭ１０透射电镜观察肝内毛细胆管超微结构,比较肝组织电镜切片中发育良好与发育不良的毛细胆管数目并与临床预后作比较。结果 ２７例ＣＢＡ患儿中,肝内毛细胆管发育良好为主１３例,其中１２例术后生存,生存率为９２．３１％;毛细胆管发育不良为主的１４例中,仅有４例生存,生存率为２８．５７％,两组生存率有显著性差异（     

Diagnostic utility of hepatobiliary scintigraphy with 99mTc-DISIDA in neonatal cholestasis

We retrospectively evaluated the utility of hepatobiliary scintigraphy and various clinical factors in differentiating intrahepatic cholestasis from biliary atresia in 28 consecutive infants with neonatal cholestasis. One millicurie of technetium-labeled diisopropyliminodiacetic acid (DISIDA) was administered intravenously, and images were obtained for up to 24 hours or until gastrointestinal excretion was noted. Nine separate studies in seven infants with biliary atresia were correctly interpreted as showing no gastrointestinal excretion of radionuclide. Of the 21 patients with intrahepatic cholestasis, only nine had gastrointestinal excretion on the first study; in eight without excretion, a second study was done, and five of these showed gut excretion. All infants with either neonatal hepatitis (six) or inspissated bile syndrome (three) had demonstrable gastrointestinal excretion either on the first or second DISIDA study. However, five of six infants with paucity of intrahepatic bile ducts, two of six infants with cholestasis secondary to total parenteral nutrition, and one infant with cholangiolitis did not show evidence of gastrointestinal excretion. The mean birth weight, mean gestational age, and mean weight at study were significantly greater (P less than 0.005) for infants with biliary atresia without excretion than for infants with intrahepatic cholestasis without excretion. The mean direct bilirubin concentration was 6.0 mg/dL for both infants with biliary atresia and infants with intrahepatic cholestasis without excretion; however, infants with excretion had a significantly lower (P less than 0.02) mean direct bilirubin value of 3.4 mg/dL. Excretion was noted in four infants with total bilirubin values greater than 10.0 mg/dL. The absence of gut excretion on the first DISIDA study was 100% sensitive but only 43% specific for biliary atresia. In infants without gut excretion of DISIDA, birth weight greater than 2200 g was 100% sensitive and 92% specific for biliary atresia. We conclude that DISIDA scanning, together with clinical data, is useful in differentiating extrahepatic from intrahepatic cholestasis. The absence of gut excretion on the first DISIDA study does not necessarily indicate extrahepatic obstruction; the study should be repeated if the diagnosis is not clear.     

Computerized three-dimensional study of a rotavirus model of biliary atresia: comparison with human biliary atresia

Biliary atresia is a panbiliary disease causing obstructive jaundice in neonates and infants. The clinical spectrum can be broadly categorized into the fetal and perinatal types. A consistent animal model that accurately mimics the whole clinical spectrum of biliary atresia is not yet available. However, rotavirus infection of neonatal mice has been shown to produce atresia in the biliary system. This study investigates the three-dimensional computerized morphology of the murine neonatal model comparing with age-matched control mice. Newborn Balb/c mice were injected intraperitoneally with rhesus rotavirus within 24–48 h after birth. Control mice received 0.9% NaCl. Pups with symptoms of cholestasis were sacrificed from the 5th to the 15th postinjection day, as were age-matched controls. Their hepatobiliary tissues were prepared for three-dimensional computerized image reconstruction. Rotavirus infection caused obliteration of the intrahepatic bile ducts and single to multiple atresias in the extrahepatic bile duct. At 15 days postinjection, intrahepatic ductal proliferation appeared, and the three-dimensional appearances of the intrahepatic biliary structures were similar to the human disease. Cystic duct and gallbladder dilatation was frequently seen in this model, and this feature distinguishes it from the human disease in which the gallbladder is almost always atretic. This rotavirus murine model demonstrates many of the features of human perinatal biliary atresia, and can be used as an investigative tool to further study the pathogenesis of biliary atresia.     

胆道闭锁Kasai术后糖皮质激素治疗的研究进展

胆道闭锁是累及肝内外胆管的一种进行性疾病,目前广泛采用的治疗策略是行肝门-空肠吻合术(Kasai手术),术后辅以包括糖皮质激素、抗生素等多种药物治疗,然而糖皮质激素在胆道闭锁的治疗中争议较多,其应用方案也多种多样,现将糖皮质激素在胆道闭锁Kasai术后的应用进展进行综述。     

Extrahepatische Gallengangsatresie und Cytomegalie,kausaler Zusammenhang oder Koincidenz?

A patient with extra- and intrahepatic biliary atresia had microcephaly and interstitial pneumonia. Cytomegalovirus was isolated from a throatswab and in urine. Complement binding antibodies against Cytomegalovirus were found in mother and child. A causal connection between extrahepatic biliary atresia and a most likely congenital cytomegalic inclusion disease is discussed.     

Extrahepatische Gallenwegserkrankungen im S?uglingsalter

Biliary atresia and choledochal cysts are diseases of the extrahepatic biliary system in infants. Both conditions can also affect the intrahepatic bile ducts. The pathophysiology is characterized by chronic inflammation and surgical therapy is a central component in management in both diseases and impacts the prognosis. Replacement of an abnormal biliary tract by a small bowel loop can provide definitive treatment of either choledochal cysts or biliary atresia. In biliary atresia with hepatic portoenterostomy (Kasai operation) biliary cirrhosis is a more frequent outcome of surgery than for choledochal cysts. Therefore, liver transplantation is a cornerstone of therapy for these patients. Timely diagnosis and management in specialized centers are important for outcome. This article reviews new aspects of the pathophysiology, therapy, and prognosis of biliary atresia and choledochal cysts.     

The prognostic value of ductal plate malformation and other histologic parameters in biliary atresia: an immunohistochemical study

Ductal plate malformation, a term given to intrahepatic bile ducts that retain the fetal configuration, is observed in some cases of biliary atresia. We examined 21 livers from patients with biliary atresia; ductal plate malformation occurred in 38% of cases, and its presence was predictive of poor clinical outcome (P =.04).     

Coincidence of congenital toxoplasmosis and biliary atresia in an infant.

A 4-week-old infant presenting with neonatal cholestasis was found to have congenital toxoplasmosis and biliary atresia. This is the first patient in which their coincidence is reported. Because biliary atresia can coexist with either congenital infection or inborn errors of metabolism, evaluation for an obstructive etiology of jaundice in infants with a recognized cause of intrahepatic cholestasis is necessary.     

Serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D in hepatobiliary disease in infancy.

Serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25-OHD) concentrations were measured in 49 patients with hepatobiliary disease in infancy. Low mean values were found in groups of patients with biliary atresia, neonatal hepatitis, choledochal cyst, and chronic intrahepatic cholestatic syndrome. In the group of patients with surgically repaired biliary atresia, the mean value did not differ from normal. Parenteral vitamin D increased 25-OHD in serum in patients with biliary atresia, but did not do so in one patient with neonatal hepatitis. In contrast, oral vitamin D did not increase serum 25-OHD concentrations in patients with biliary atresia. It is concluded that the reduction of serum 25-OHD seen in biliary atresia was largely due to the malabsorption of vitamin D, while in neonatal hepatitis it was due to impairment of 25-hydroxylation of the vitamin.     

Association of serum interleukin-8 levels with the degree of fibrosis in infants with chronic liver disease

OBJECTIVE: Biliary atresia is a neonatal obstructive cholangiopathy characterized by a destructive, obliterative process affecting both the intrahepatic and extrahepatic ducts of the biliary tree that uniquely presents in the first months of life. The consequence of progressive inflammatory and sclerotic reaction is the development of obstructive jaundice. To determine the proinflammatory cytokine profile in children with biliary atresia, we measured circulating levels of interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and IL-8. METHODS: Twelve children, five males and seven females, with biliary atresia were studied. In addition, four patients with progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis and three with Alagille syndrome were also included. Five patients with neonatal hepatitis were studied as controls of a liver disease without portal fibrosis. Serum concentration of total and conjugated bilirubin, gamma-glutamyl transferase and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase were measured by routine methods in all patients at time of sampling for the study. The degree of fibrosis in liver biopsies was scored using the histologic activity index. RESULTS: In our study IL-8 was detectable in 11 of 12 patients with biliary atresia with a median level of 262 pg/ml and a highly statistically significant difference (P < 0.0001) from controls. In patients with progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis or with Alagille syndrome serum IL-8 levels were similarly elevated. In patients with neonatal hepatitis, IL-8 levels were marginally increased. Serum IL-8 levels were significantly correlated (Rs = 0.725, P < 0.0001) with the histologic activity index. CONCLUSIONS: Although further studies are needed to determine the role of IL-8 in portal inflammation, our results suggest that increased production of IL-8 may be a mechanism leading to the progressive portal inflammation and fibrosis in patients with chronic liver disease.     

Kasai术后肝内胆管囊性扩张的诊治与预后

目的 总结胆管闭锁术后肝内胆管囊性扩张的诊治经验,分析其对患儿预后的影响.方法 1998年6月至2008年3月,对胆管闭锁行葛西手术的患儿进行追踪随访.通过超声检查,发现8例患儿存在肝内胆管扩张.其中3例再行MRI检查,6例再行CT平扫加增强检杳以明确诊断.此8例患儿术后均有不同程度胆管炎症状.5例行PTCD显示肝内胆管囊性扩张.3例患儿行囊肿与空肠胆支再吻合术,2例患儿仪行PTCD置管引流,2例患儿暂未予任何处理.结果 3例经手术治疗的患儿,术后黄疸消退或减轻.仅行PTCD的患儿肝内胆管扩张长期存在.结论 对反复发作的胆管炎应定期行超声检查,尽早发现肝内囊肿;对肝内胆管囊性扩张,无论其影像学分型如何,应根据其具体临床表现进行相应的积极治疗;PTCD无法长期放置,仅是暂时性的治疗,但对手术时寻找囊肿有指示作用,使手术时囊肿的定位相对容易;囊肿的大小、位置与门静脉的关系,压迫的时间、治疗是否及时有效都可影响患儿的预后.     

Isolated unilateral cytomegalovirus retinitis: A rare long‐term complication after pediatric liver transplantation

Squires JE, Sisk RA, Balistreri WF, Kohli R. Isolated unilateral cytomegalovirus retinitis: A rare long‐term complication after pediatric liver transplantation. Abstract: To highlight the rare yet devastating complication of CMV retinitis in a minimally immunosuppressed patient eight yr after liver transplantation for biliary atresia. A 22‐yr‐old female status‐post deceased donor liver transplant at age 13 secondary to biliary atresia receiving single agent immunosuppression presented with acute, unilateral, profound decrease in visual acuity. The patient was diagnosed to have acute onset unilateral CMV retinitis. Retinal examination uncovered classical appearance of retinal whitening and retinal hemorrhages with extensive macular involvement. CMV retinitis can occur as a late complication following liver transplantation. Additionally, CMV retinal disease can occur in the absence of laboratory evidence of CMV infection and independent of additional clinical features suggesting CMV disease. Currently, there is no standard of care regarding screening for CMV retinitis, and thus, further research is needed to define the need for potential changes in current clinical practices and post‐transplant screening protocols.