Hepatitis D virus infection in children with acute or chronic hepatitis B virus infection in Taiwan

To investigate the prevalence and clinical features of hepatitis D virus infection (HDV) in childhood, total antibody to hepatitis D antigen (anti-HD) in serum samples from 247 children (29 with acute hepatitis B, 68 with chronic hepatitis B, and 150 with asymptomatic hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers with normal liver function profiles) were studied using solid-phase competitive radioimmunoassay. Anti-HD was detected in three of the 29 children with acute hepatitis B and in only one of the 68 with chronic hepatitis B; none of the serum specimens from 150 asymptomatic carriers with normal liver function profile showed detectable anti-HD. All three children with HDV coinfection cleared HBsAg and seroconverted to anti-HBs, whereas one with superinfection finally had normal liver function without clearance of HBsAg. To identify possible sources of HDV infection, HBV markers and anti-HD in family members were also examined. One 4-month-old infant boy became infected through a blood transfusion from his hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive carrier father, who had anti-HD. A 4-month-old infant girl was infected through close contact with her HBeAg-negative carrier father, who had HDV superinfection. The infection sources remained undefined in another two patients. The mothers of these four children were seronegative for anti-HD, indicating that perinatal transmission is not the usual mode of HDV infection in Taiwan. The natural course of either acute or chronic HBV infections in childhood in Taiwan may be more closely related to HBV itself, or to some other yet unrecognized factor, rather than to HDV infection.     

Fulminant hepatitis in children: report of 12 cases.

Twelve cases of childhood fulminant hepatitis seen over a 4-year period are described. Six had hepatitis A, five hepatitis B and one non-A non-B hepatitis. Encephalopathy, the cardinal feature of fulminant hepatitis, was usually evident within 2 weeks of onset of illness, and the median duration of illness in fatal cases was 19 days. Deep jaundice, prolongation of the prothrombin time and raised serum ammonia were invariable. Eight children died and the four survivors were critically ill before recovering. Acute viral hepatitis is generally a benign illness in childhood. Although infrequently recorded, fulminant hepatitis may, however, ensue and is associated with a high mortality.     

Epidemiology of hepatitis B and hepatitis B virus infection in United States children

Before the era of routine hepatitis B vaccination, an estimated 24,000 children acquired hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection each year in the United States. Childhood hepatitis B immunization has led to significant declines in the incidence and prevalence of HBV infection in U.S. children. Because the greatest burden of hepatitis B is caused by complications of hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis in adults who were infected with HBV as children, most of the benefits of vaccination have yet to be realized. Reaching the goal of eliminating HBV transmission to children likely will require increasing vaccination coverage, ensuring timely administration of postexposure immunoprophylaxis to prevent more perinatal infections, and continued evaluation of the impact of immunization recommendations.     

HLA typing associated with hepatitis B E antigen seroconversion in children with chronic hepatitis B virus infection: a long-term prospective sibling cohort study in Taiwan

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a prospective cohort study to clarify the relationship between human leukocyte antigen (HLA) polymorphisms and the seroconversion of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg). STUDY DESIGN: In the prospective cohort study, 81 HBeAg-positive children with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection from 40 unrelated families were recruited and followed-up regularly for a mean period of 17.70 +/- 3.23 years. The association between HLA antigen and the age at HBeAg seroconversion was analyzed using Cox regression model with shared frailties under left truncation and right censorship. RESULTS: HLA-B61 and HLA-DQB1*0503 antigens predicted a higher HBeAg seroconversion rate (relative incidence = 6.17 and 3.22, P = .024 and .017, respectively). Within-family frailty in our sibling cohort study demonstrated a negligible or a low degree of within-family correlation with spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion in each HLA antigen. CONCLUSIONS: HLA class I antigen B61 and class II antigen DQB1*0503 are associated with earlier HBeAg seroconversion in Taiwanese children with chronic HBV infection.     

乙型肝炎病毒相关性肾炎患儿乙型肝炎病毒S基因突变分析

目的 探讨乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)S基因的突变在乙型肝炎病毒相关性肾炎(HBV-GN)发病中的意义.方法 从53例患儿(30例HBV-GN,5例肾病伴HBV携带者,18例HBV携带者)的血清中提取DNA,以聚合酶链反应技术对HBV-DNA的S基因进行扩增,然后对扩增产物进行测序.结果 (1)S3例患儿血清型中52例为adw,在HBV携带组中1例为adr.(2)HBV基因型分型:30例HBV-GN中29例为B型,1例为E型;5例肾病HBV携带患儿为B型;18例HBV携带患儿中17例为B型,1例为C型.(3)30例HBV-GN中21例(70%)有点突变,共计17种突变,11种为错义突变,6种同义突变.16例(16/21,76.2%)点突变导致S抗原中氨基酸取代,其中11例(11/16,68.8%)涉及丝氨酸、苏氨酸、酪氨酸等潜在促分裂素原活化蛋白激酶(MAPK)和蛋白酪氨酸激酶(PTK)的磷酸化位点.5例肾病伴HBV携带者中2例有同义突变,3例无任何突变;18例HBV携带者共有3例同义突变,无氨基酸改变.结论 HBV-GN患儿大多存在HBV S基因变异并导致S抗原中氨基酸取代,其中主要涉及丝氨酸、苏氨酸、酪氨酸等MAPK和PTK的磷酸化位点,这些重要位点氨基酸的取代可能在HBV-GN的发病中起作用.     

Fulminant hepatitis and glomerulonephritis--a rare presentation of hepatitis A virus infection

Aim: We report a case of fulminant hepatitis and glomerulonephritis by Hepatitis A virus infection. Methods: We observed the patient’s clinical course and analyzed his data retrospectively. Results: The three‐year‐old boy presented with features of acute renal failure and stage 2 hepatic encephalopathy. Renal biopsy showed diffuse mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis with immunoglobulin M and complement 3 deposition. After receiving supportive treatment for over 6 weeks, the hepatic and renal function became normal. Renal biopsy after 3 months was normal. Conclusion: Acute renal failure is a rare complication of Hepatitis A virus infection. Physicians should be aware of the potential renal involvement of Hepatitis A virus infection as the prognosis is not always favourable.     

Atopy in children with chronic hepatitis B virus infection

AIM: To investigate whether immune responses against chronic HBV infection in children have an effect on prevalence of allergic diseases and atopy. METHODS: Children with chronic HBV infection [HBV carriage (group 1) and chronic hepatitis (group 2)] were screened for allergic diseases. The results were compared with age-matched controls (group 3). RESULTS: The frequencies of doctor-diagnosed 'asthma', 'allergic rhinitis' and 'eczema' were 29.4%, 7.8% and 7.8% in group 1; 7.8%, 5.2% and 5.2% in group 2 and 12.4%, 9% and 2.8% in group 3, respectively. 'History of ever wheezing', doctor-diagnosed 'asthma' and 'eczema' were more common in group 1 than group 3 (p < 0.05 for all parameters), and 'history of ever wheezing' and 'doctor-diagnosed asthma' were more common in group 1 than group 2 (p < 0.05 for al parameters). Atopy was more common in group 1 (35.2%) than both groups 2 (15.7%) and 3 (18%) (p < 0.05 for all parameters). Vertical transmission was more common in patients with versus without atopy in HBV carrier group (33.3% vs. 9%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Immune responses in chronic HBV infection associated with carrier state may also lead to allergic diseases, which suggests the necessity of following these patients for the allergic diseases along with their viral reactivation.     

The prevalence of atopy in children with antibodies against hepatitis A virus and hepatitis B virus

To investigate the relationship between atopy and hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections, we studied 42 children who had had HAV infection (Group I), 28 children who had had HBV infection (Group II), and 31 children who were seronegative for both HAV and HBV infection (Control group). Serological tests for HAV and HBV infections (anti-HAV IgG, HBsAg, anti-HBc IgG) and allergic skin tests and specific IgE investigations for the detection of atopy were carried out. In this study, there was no significant divergence in the socio-demographic characteristics among the three groups. The rates of specific IgE positivity in children in the HAV seropositive group (11.9%) and in children in the HBV seropositive group (17.8%) were lower than in the control group (35.4%) (p = 0.03 and p = 0.22, respectively). Also, the number of children with respiratory allergic diseases (allergic rhinitis and/or asthma) both in the HAV seropositive group and in the HBV seropositive group were significantly lower than in the control group (p < 0.05). When atopy in all of the groups was evaluated, the prevalence of atopy was found to be more widespread in HAV seronegative children (Adjusted OR, 9.2; 95% CI, 1.7-48.2) and HBV seronegative children (Adjusted OR, 5.9; 95% CI, 1.1-31.8) than in HAV and HBV seropositive children, after adjustment for age, number of older siblings and education of the father. In conclusion, in this study, the prevalence of atopy in children who had had HAV or HBV infection was found to be low, and this situation was considered to be related to the relationship of HAV and HBV infections to poor hygiene and to the fact that these infections occur at early ages in Turkey.     

Role of children with chronic hepatitis in the intrafamilial spread of hepatitis B virus infection

In order to evaluate the intrafamilial spread of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection we studied the serological markers of HBV in 101 relatives of 35 children with chronic hepatitis B. Sixty per cent of relatives had markers of infection and 25% showed persistent HBs antigenemia. The high prevalence of HBeAg versus anti-HBe in chronically infected relatives suggests a close temporal relationship of the infection between adults and children. These results support the hypothesis that the child is the main carrier of HBV infection in his family.     

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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...     

Hepatitis B precore mutant in children with chronic hepatitis B virus infection

BACKGROUND: In adults, hepatitis B virus (HBV) with a G to A point mutation at nucleotide 83 in the precore region (mutant HBV 83), is commonly found in HB e antibody positive HBV carriers. It has been reported that this mutant is not able to produce HB e antigen. The exact prevalence of mutant HBV 83 in patients with chronic HBV infection is not fully understood, especially in children. METHODS: To investigate the role of mutant HBV 83 in children with chronic HBV infection, sera were tested for the presence of mutant HBV 83 using a mutation site-specific assay. RESULTS: Mutant HBV 83 was detected in 15 of 22 children (68%). Seven children were followed longitudinally, of which three were asymptomatic carriers and the other four had chronic hepatitis B on entry. There was no clear relationship between the disease activity and the presence of mutant HBV 83. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that mutant HBV 83 is commonly present in children with chronic HBV infection and this mutant is not necessarily associated with activation of hepatitis.     

Clinical importance of hepatitis B virus DNA detection in serum of children with chronic hepatitis B]

206 sera from 172 children with chronic hepatitis B infection were tested for HBV DNA by dot blot hybridization. 111 were positive and 95 negative for HBV DNA. 103 (78.6%) of the positive patients had HBeAg and 5 (7.7%) anti-HBe. In 60 (92.3%) of the anti-HBe positive sera no HBV DNA could be detected. Children with elevated liver enzymes had HBV DNA in 80.1%, whereas in 71.6% of the chronic HBsAg carriers with normal liver enzymes no HBV DNA was found. In 87 of the 95 dot blot negative patients polymerase chain reaction was performed. 73 (83.9%) children of this group were HBV DNA positive. All HBeAg positive patients and those with elevated aminotransferases had HBV DNA in their serum. 56 anti-HBe-positive HBsAg carriers were also positive; 14 were negative for HBV DNA. Our results demonstrate that viral sequences can be found in all HBeAg positive and in most of the anti-HBe positive children. Patients with ongoing virus replication have to be considered infectious and recommendation for vaccination of close relatives of these patients must be stressed.     

乙型肝炎病毒相关性肾炎患儿的肝脏病变

目的：乙型肝炎病毒相关性肾炎(HBVGN)是我国常见的继发性肾小球疾病之一,以往人们只关心HBVGN时肾脏病变的问题,对无明显肝脏临床症状的“病毒携带者”或轻微的临床患者的肝脏的情况没有引起注意。该文探讨HBVGN时肝脏的病理变化。方法：选择13例HBVGN患儿同时进行肝肾病理活检。结果：13例患儿均有肝组织不同程度的受累,主要以轻度肝脏病理改变为主(9/13,占69.2%),HBV抗原在肝组织中主要以HBsAg检出率为高(10/13例,占76.9%);肾病理改变以膜性肾病为主(9/13,占69.2%),其次为系膜增生性肾炎(4/13例,占30.8%),HBV抗原在肾组织HBsAg和HBcAg的检出率均达100%,几乎所有的肾小管间质中有HBV抗原成分的分布。肝组织与肾组织中同时出现HBcAg的有4例。结论：HBVGN患儿均有不同程度的肝损害,而肾及肝组织病理改变不一定呈平行关系,肝组织与肾组织中同时出现HBcAg时肝肾同时损害均较重。提示对于HBVGN患者要重视肝肾同治。     

Fulminant hepatitis in Kala-azar

One hundred and fifty cases of Kala-azar were studied for evidence of hepatic involvement. The hepatic function was mildly affected in 25 cases and 3 cases had fulminate hepatitis. Most of the cases were cured after anti-Kala-azar therapy except 2 cases, who died of hepatic failure. This study suggests that fulminant hepatitis may be the outcome of Kala-azar, itself.