Tubular dysfunction in the deeply jaundiced patient with hepatorenal syndrome

We examined beta 2-microglobulin (B2MG) excretion, an index of tubular function, in patients with hepatorenal syndrome, in whom tubular function is generally regarded as normal. Urine B2MG was significantly higher in these patients than in control patients with normal serum creatinine concentration. Patients with high urine B2MG concentration had markedly higher serum bilirubin than did patients with normal values (31 +/- 3 vs. 10 +/- 8 mg%, p less than 0.001), whereas prothrombin activity, serum albumin and serum B2MG concentration were similar. A "threshold" serum bilirubin concentration of about 23 mg% differentiated patients with normal and high urine B2MG values. Renal morphology at autopsy was unremarkable in both groups. Tubular dysfunction, manifested by increased urinary excretion of B2MG, occurs in patients with hepatorenal syndrome and deep jaundice. This measurement cannot, therefore, be used to make a diagnosis of acute tubular injury, as due to aminoglycosides, in such patients.     

Case of domestically infected hepatitis E with marked thrombocytopenia]

A 52-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for fever, jaundice, and general malaise. Laboratory data revealed elevated serum liver enzyme levels (AST 2377IU/L, ALT 2756IU/L) and bilirubin (T-Bil 3.7 mg/dl). Blood count showed a marked decrease of platelets (2.0 x 10(4)/microl). Serological and virological analysis showed positive results for HEV IgM and HEV RNA, indicating a diagnosis of acute hepatitis E. The serum ferritin level was also markedly elevated (23200 ng/ml). A diagnosis of virus associated hemophagocytic syndrome (VAHS) was strongly suggested. This is the first report of hepatitis E most likely accompanied by VAHS.     

Hepatitis A and non-A, non-B viral hepatitis in S?o Paulo, Brazil: epidemiological, clinical and laboratory comparisons in hospitalized patients

During a 33-month period, 295 patients with acute viral hepatitis were admitted to a state hospital for civil servants and their dependents in S?o Paulo, Brazil. Seventy-nine per cent (232) were HBsAg negative. To define the contribution of non-A, non-B viral hepatitis to hepatitis morbidity in this population, further serological studies were performed in 147 confirmed HBsAg-negative patients. One hundred and twelve (76%) were serologically classified as hepatitis A based on identification of IgM antibody to hepatitis A virus. Thirty patients (20%) without IgM antibody to hepatitis A virus, HBsAg, or anti-HBc were categorized as the non-A, non-B hepatitis group. The remaining five patients had probable hepatitis B (IgM antibody to hepatitis A virus negative, HBsAg negative, anti-HBs negative but anti-HBc positive). These data suggest that all three etiological forms of viral hepatitis are endemic in S?o Paulo. Epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory features were compared to the hepatitis A and non-A, non-B hepatitis groups. Patients with non-A, non-B hepatitis were significantly older than patients with hepatitis A (mean age +/- S.D.: 30 +/- 22 years vs. 9 +/- 9 years, p less than 0.001). Contact with hepatitis or jaundice was recognized in 26 (23%) of 112 hepatitis A patients and 3 (10%) of 30 non-A, non-B patients, a difference which was not statistically significant. Parenteral exposures were identified in 13 (43%) of 30 patients with non-A, non-B hepatitis and 23 (21%) of the 112 hepatitis A patients. Blood transfusion in the 2 months preceding onset of illness was reported in 5 (17%) of the 30 non-A, non-B patients and in none of the hepatitis A group (p less than 0.001). Although prodromal symptoms and fever were more common in patients with hepatitis A, neither these nor other clinical features appeared to be distinguishing characteristics. Similarly, mean peak SGPT levels, peak SGPT levels of greater than or equal to 1,000 IU/per liter, and the mean duration of SGPT elevations for each group were not significantly different. Mean peak serum bilirubin levels were slightly higher in the non-A, non-B group than in the hepatitis A group (7.6 +/- 8.0 mg per dl vs. 5.1 +/- 2.7, p less than 0.01) and peak bilirubin levels greater than or equal to 10 mg per dl were found in 27% of the non-A, non-B group and 5% of the hepatitis A group (p less than 0.001). Whether the higher bilirubin levels reflect an agent-related phenomenon or an older population of affected patients is uncertain.     

Two cases of acute renal failure associated with nonfulminant acute hepatitis A]

We report two cases of acute renal failure in patients with nonfulminant acute hepatitis A. First case is a healthy 25 year-old man complained of myalgia and jaundice. Initial laboratory results showed BUN 40 mg/dL, creatinine 5.23 mg/dL, AST 2,220 IU/L, ALT 3,530 IU/L, total bilirubin 6.26 mg/dL, and positive anti-HAV IgM antibody. Supportive treatments including fluid therapy were started. Serum creatinine and total bilirubin levels were 7.98 mg/dL and 7.66 mg/dL respectively on the 5th hospital day, and decreased gradually. He was discharged on the 12th hospital day, and was being followed up in outpatient department. Second case is a 33 year-old woman who admitted for bilateral flank pain, high fever, nausea, and vomiting. She was diagnosed as acute pyelonephritis and acute hepatitis A. On admission, BUN 13 mg/dL, creatinine 0.74 mg/dL, AST 3,720 IU/L, ALT 2,280 IU/L, total bilirubin 0.9 mg/dL were noted, and acute renal failure developed next day. Fluid therapy with antibiotics administration were started, and maximal BUN and creatinine was 41.7 and 8.09 mg/dL respectively on the 8th day. She recovered without dialysis and was discharged on the 19th hospital day. Proper and prompt comprehensive supportive measures would decrease the need for dialysis in patient of acute renal failue associated with acute hepatitis A.     

肝病患者血清肉碱水平的临床研究

目的观察肝病患者血清肉碱水平,探讨其临床意义,为肉碱治疗肝病提供依据。方法用酶循环法检测25例急性病毒性肝炎,34例慢性病毒性肝炎,22例肾功能正常及9例肾功能异常的肝炎后肝硬化患者血清游离肉碱水平,并分别与40名正常人的检测值比较。结果血清游离肉碱:正常人为(48．3±10．2)μmol／L;急性病毒性肝炎患者为(35．2±13．2)μmol／L,明显低于正常对照组,P=0．000。慢性病毒性肝炎患者为(36．5±9．9) μmol／L,明显低于正常对照组,P=0．000。肾功能正常的肝炎后肝硬化患者为(45．0±11．0)μmol／L,比正常对照组略有下降,但差异无统计学意义,P=0．232。肾功能异常的肝炎后肝硬化患者为(83．6±50.4)μmol／L,比正常对照组升高,但差异无统计学意义,P=0．069。结论肝病患者可发生肉碱代谢异常,肝脏疾病是导致继发性肉碱缺乏的原因之一。     

Serum bilirubin subfractionation by high-performance liquid chromatography in patients with fulminant hepatic failure

Serum bilirubin subfractionation, using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), was carried out and clinically evaluated in 9 patients with fulminant hepatic failure (FHF). Serum unconjugated bilirubin (UCB), C-8 bilirubin mono-conjugate (MBC), C-12BMC and bilirubin di-conjugate (BDC) were quantified by the alkaline methanolysis-HPLC method described by Blanckaert. Similar studies were performed in 10 patients with acute hepatitis (AH) and 6 patients with obstructive jaundice and the results were compared. In patients with rising serum bilirubin, the serum C-12BMC/C-8BMC ratio was calculated to be as follows: 2.10 +/- 0.21 for FHF, 1.05 +/- 0.34 for AH and 0.81 +/- 0.08 for obstructive jaundice, respectively. A significant differences were observed between FHF and AH (P less than 0.01). As there was almost no overlapping, it was considered that this determination is useful for the differential diagnosis of jaundiced patients, especially, in those patients with AH whose sera show a prolonged prothrombin time lower than 40%, and there is a concern that they may develop FHF. The calculation of C-12BMC/C-8BMC allows us to make a differential diagnosis between AH and FHF at an early period in the development of the disease, and it was proved that serum C-12BMC/C-8BMC ratio can reflect the magnitude of hepatocyte damage as well as bilirubin metabolism disturbance.     

Autoimmune chronic active hepatitis masquerading as acute hepatitis

An unusual clinical presentation of chronic active hepatitis is the abrupt onset of symptoms and jaundice, suggesting acute viral hepatitis. In this report, six patients had the acute onset of a severe liver disease. Five of the patients were female and ranged in age from 13 to 64 years. Marked elevations in the total bilirubin (17.1 +/- 11.4 mg/dl), AST (1,346 +/- 352 mIU/ml), and ALT (1,043 +/- 213 mIU/ml) were present (mean +/- SD). Negative serologies for hepatitis A and B were found. Liver histology showed severe hepatocellular injury. A diagnosis of autoimmune chronic active hepatitis with acute features was made on the basis of high titers of antinuclear antibody and smooth muscle antibody and the presence of hypergammaglobulinemia. As immunosuppressive therapy is a beneficial treatment of autoimmune chronic active hepatitis, an acute presentation of this liver disease should be considered as an alternative diagnosis to acute non-A, non-B hepatitis in patients with these clinical characteristics.     

Clindamycin-induced acute cholestatic hepatitis

We report a case of acute hepatotoxicity in a 42-yearold woman after administration of clindamycin for a dental infection. After 6 d of treatment, she had fatigue, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, pruritus and jaundice. Her laboratory analysis showed alanine aminotransferase （ALT）, 1795 IU/L （normal range 0-40）; aspartate aminotransferase （AST）, 1337 IU/L （normal range 5-34）; alkaline phosphatase （ALP）, 339 IU/L （normal range 40-150）; 7-glutamyl transpeptidase （GGT）, 148 IU/L （normal range 9-64 IU/L）; total bilirubin, 4.1 mg/dL; direct bilirubin, 2.9 mg/dL and prothrombin time （PT）, 13.5 s, with international normalized ratio （INR）, 1.04. She was hospitalized, with immediate drug discontinuation. Her liver biopsy specimen showed mixed-type （both hepatocellular and cholestatic） hepatic injury, compatible with a diagnosis of drug-induced hepatitis. An objective causality assessment using the Naranjo probability scale suggested that clindamycin was the probable cause of the acute hepatitis. In susceptible individuals, clindamycin use may lead to acute mixedtype liver toxicity. Complete recovery may be possible if the drug is discontinued before severe liver injury is established.     

两种膜型血浆分离器治疗重型肝炎的疗效比较

目的 观察两种不同材料制备的膜型血浆分离器Evacure-4A与PS-06进行血浆置换治疗重型肝炎的疗效。方法 63例患者在内科综合治疗基础上联合血浆置换治疗,其中应用Evacure-4A膜型血浆分离器28例(A组),应用PS-06膜型血浆分离器35例(B组),检测治疗前、后肝功能。结果 经单次血浆置换治疗后,两组患者的总胆红素及直接胆红素明显降低,A组患者分别下降(41.6±10.6)％和(42.1±11.9)％,B组患者分别下降(42.1±11.9)％和(43.4±8.3)％,两组比较t值分别为0.98和0.7 3,P值均>0.05;两组患者血清白蛋白水平均有轻度升高,A组血清白蛋白上升幅度大于B组,A组为(8.3±10.7)％,B组为(3.4±9.3)％,t=2.76,P<0.01。结论 膜型血浆分离器Evacurc-4A可以减少白蛋白丢失,优于膜型血浆分离器PS-06。     

Epstein-Barr virus induced hepatitis: An important cause of cholestasis.

INTRODUCTION:: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection frequently involves the liver, presenting as elevations in transaminases. EBV infection associated hepatitis, presenting with hyperbilirubinemia is rare. We describe a case of infectious mononucleosis that presented with cholestatasis, and summarize 23 cases from the literature to categorize this increasingly recognized clinical spectrum of EBV infection induced cholestatic hepatitis. METHODS:: We conducted an extensive literature review of all cases of EBV in pediatric and adult literature with cholestatasis using MEDLINE and EMBASE. We also included information on one case from our institution. RESULTS:: We identified 24 cases. Median age was 20 years (range 1-72 years), with 14 (58%) females. On presentation, fever (72%), jaundice (67%) and splenomegaly (62%) were the most common signs. Laboratory data revealed the median asparate aminotransferase (AST), or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level was 179IU/L (range 56-2518IU/L), median serum bilirubin level 12.6mg/dL (range 2.2-47.5mg/dL) and median alkaline phosphatase level 749IU/L (range 31-3105IU/L). Diagnosis was confirmed using EBV viral capsid antigen IgM in 20 (83%) patients. HIV testing was done in 7 (29%) of the cases, and was negative. One patient died from the illness, while full recovery was reported in all other cases, with median follow-up of 30 days (range 5-180 days). CONCLUSIONS:: Cholestatasis is associated with EBV infection, and should be part of the differential diagnosis in all age groups, presenting with hyperbilirubinemia.     

Clinical usefulness of edaravone for acute liver injury

BACKGROUND: Edaravone, a newly synthesized radical scavenger, has shown an excellent effect on treating stroke patients. The effect of edaravone on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute liver injury was examined. METHODS: Six rats were injected with CCl4 alone and six rats were intravenously injected with edaravone immediately after and 3 h after injection of CCl4. Another six rats were injected with olive oil alone. The animals were killed at 24 h after the CCl4 injection. RESULTS: Injection of CCl4 was followed by a marked increase in serum alanine aminotranferase (ALT) level (CCl4, 1630.6 +/- 606.8 IU/L; olive oil, 21.0 +/- 2.6 IU/L; P < 0.001), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level (CCl4, 5068.0 +/- 2956.4 IU/L; olive oil, 203.6 +/- 30.5 IU/L; P < 0.005), and total bilirubin (TB) level (CCl4, 0.88 +/- 0.48 mg/dL; olive oil, 0.37 +/- 0.05 mg/dL; P < 0.01), whereas in the edaravone-treated rats, the ALT (119.4 +/- 113.5 IU/L, P < 0.001), LDH (369.7 +/- 288.2 IU/L, P < 0.005), and TB values (0.29 +/- 0.16 mg/dL, P < 0.01) were significantly decreased. Histological examination of the liver by hematoxylin and eosin and oil red O staining showed a marked reduction of steatosis in the CCl4 and edaravone-treated rats compared with the CCl4-injected rats. Significant inhibition of hepatocytic apoptosis was demonstrated by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated UTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) method in the edaravone-treated rats. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that edaravone has a marked preventive effect on oxidative stress-induced acute liver injury.     

Role of needle knife assisted ampullary biopsy in the diagnosis of periampullary carcinoma

AIM:To study the role of needle knife assisted ampullary biopsy in the diagnosis of periampullary carcinoma.METHODS:In this study the authors retrospectively analyzed clinical records of patients with periampullary tumors diagnosed by ampullary biopsy taken after needle knife papillotomy in whom surface ampullary biopsies were non contributory.RESULTS:Between January 2008 and December 2010,38 patients with periampullary tumors were seen by us and initial side viewing endoscopy with surface biopsy from the papilla was positive for malignancy in 25 patients.Thirteen patients with a negative surface biopsy for malignancy underwent a repeat ampullary biopsy following needle knife papillotomy.There were 8(61.5%)males and 5(38.5%)females.The most common presenting symptom was jaundice(100%),followed by fever(46.2%),melena(38.5%),abdominal pain(30.8%)and weight loss(30.8%).All the patients had hyperbilirubinemia with a mean ± SD serum bilirubin of(11.2 ± 1.9)mg/dL(normal value <1 mg%)and the mean ± SD serum alkaline phosphatase was(288.0 ± 94.3)IU/L(normal value < 129 IU/L).Serum CA 19.9 level estimation was done in 11 patients;it was elevated(cut off value > 70.5 IU/L)in all of them with a median of 1200 IU/L(inter quartile range 274-3500).Side viewing endoscopy showed a bulky papilla in all of them.Adequate tissue was obtained in all of the 13 patients for histological evaluation;12 of the 13 patients were reported to have adenocarcinoma while one patient had adenoma.There were no complications from the needle knife papillotomy in any of the patients.CONCLUSION:Needle knife assisted ampullary biopsy appears to be a safe and effective diagnostic modality for periampullary carcinoma.     

45例原发性胆汁性肝硬化的临床特征

目的　分析原发性胆汁性肝硬化患者的临床特征 ,以指导对该病的诊断。方法　对 4 5例原发性胆汁性肝硬化患者的一般资料、病程、临床表现、生物化学、免疫学及病理学等改变进行分析。结果　本组患者中女性 4 2例 ,确诊时的平均年龄为 (5 0 8± 8 1)岁 ,初诊至确诊的时间平均为 2年 (2个月～ 12年 )。临床症状以乏力最为多见 (6 6 7% ,30 / 4 5 ) ,其次为黄疸 (5 5 6 % ,2 5 / 4 5 )和皮肤瘙痒 (40 % ,18/ 4 5 ) ,9例患者 (2 0 % )无症状 ,9例患者 (2 0 % )合并其他自身免疫性疾病 [干燥综合征和(或 )类风湿关节炎 ]。所有患者血清碱性磷酸酶及γ 谷氨酰转肽酶水平明显升高 [分别为 (498 5±36 9 8)IU/L和 (5 95 2± 5 18 4 )IU/L],而血清ALT、AST水平仅轻中度升高 [分别为 (83 9± 5 8 8)IU/L和(10 0 8± 4 8 8)IU/L],5 5 6 % (2 5 / 4 5 )的患者血清总胆红素水平≥ 34 2 μmol/L ,88 9% (40 / 4 5 )患者血清IgM升高 ,95 6 %患者 (43/ 4 5 )线粒体抗体和 (或 )线粒体抗体M2亚型阳性。结论　在中国 ,原发性胆汁性肝硬化可能并非少见 ,主要累及中年女性 ,最常见的症状为乏力 ,部分早期患者可无症状 ,血清碱性磷酸酶及γ 谷氨酰转肽酶水平升高及抗线粒体抗体和 (或 )线粒体抗体M2亚型阳性有助于诊断     

The characteristics of alcoholic liver disease in Japan. Clinicopathologic comparison with alcoholic liver disease in the United States

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) in Japan was compared clinicopathologically with the occurrence in the U.S.A. ALD found in Japan was more frequently complicated by other hepatic diseases including non-A, non-B chronic hepatitis than ALD found in the U.S.A. (9.9% versus 21.9%). Patients with such complications were excluded from this study. The chief complaints of the total of 51 alcoholics studied in the U.S.A. were abdominal distension or jaundice and those of 98 alcoholics studied in Japan were non-specific: general fatigue, weakness or appetite loss. The U.S. patients exhibited more elevated levels of serum bilirubin (8.1 +/- 7.5 versus 1.9 +/- 2.4 mg/dl, mean +/- SD) and a higher incidence of leukocytosis (49.0% versus 5.1%). While the serum glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase (GOT) levels were not significantly different between the two groups (146.5 +/- 116.8 versus 140.8 +/- 147.7 IU/L), the serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT) levels among Japanese alcoholics were higher (38.6 +/- 31.4 versus 87.4 +/- 99.1 IU/L) and in about one quarter of these patients, serum GPT was higher than serum GOT, a feature not seen in the patients in the U.S.A. Comparative histopathologic study of 337 U.S. patients and 210 Japanese patients disclosed a higher frequency of cirrhosis (46.9% versus 33.8%), the presence of Mallory bodies (58.5% versus 13.8%) and marked neutrophilic exudation (45.1% versus 6.2%). Thus, the majority of Japanese alcoholics exhibited progression of liver disease, eventually leading to cirrhosis, due to hepatocellular drop-out and fibrosis caused by a mechanism different from alcoholic hepatitis. In addition, ALD in the U.S.A. revealed more striking extension of fibrosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of percutaneous biliary drainage on serum levels of tumor markers in patients with obstructive jaundice

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Some tumor markers such as CA 19-9 are shown to be increased in obstructive jaundice due to either benign or malignant causes. In this study the clinical importance of raised serum levels of tumor markers have been evaluated, with particular reference to obstructive jaundice and percutaneous biliary drainage. METHODOLOGY: We conducted a prospective longitudinal before-after trial. Twenty-one patients with obstructive jaundice were investigated, 5 with benign obstruction and 16 with malignant disease. All patients were examined with abdominal CT prior to biliary drainage. All patients underwent percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography, and 20 of 21 patients underwent percutaneous biliary drainage within 3 days after the CT examination. RESULTS: The mean CA 19-9 at presentation was lower in the group with benign disease (95 +/- 60.9 IU/mL) than those with malignancy (461.9 +/- 331.4 IU/mL). The mean CA 19-9 level in the benign group 1 week after drainage was 12 +/- 11.8 IU/mL. The mean CA 19-9 level in the malignant group after drainage was 249.7 +/- 279.5 IU/mL. CONCLUSIONS: A prominently high serum CA 19-9 level at the presentation and a high serum CA 19-9 level after successful biliary drainage should prompt investigation for a malignant etiology of obstructive jaundice.     

Chronic graft-versus-host disease of the liver: presentation as an acute hepatitis

Chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) of the liver usually presents as an indolent cholestatic disease in patients with skin, mouth, and eye involvement. We observed 14 patients in whom chronic GVHD of the liver presented with marked elevations of serum aminotransferases, clinically resembling acute viral hepatitis. Onset of liver dysfunction was at 294 days (range, 74-747 days) after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation and coincided with a recent cessation or taper of immunosuppressive drugs. Median peak serum alanine transaminase (ALT) was 1,640 U/L (698-2,565 U/L), and median bilirubin was 12.3 mg/dL (0.9-55.9 mg/dL). All biopsies showed characteristic features of GVHD with damaged and degenerative small bile ducts. Other features included a marked lobular hepatitis, moderate to marked amounts of hepatocyte unrest, sinusoidal inflammation with perivenular necroinflammatory foci, and many acidophilic bodies scattered throughout the lobule. When high-dose immunosuppressive therapy was instituted soon after presentation, progressive improvement and eventual normalization of liver enzymes and bilirubin levels were observed. However, in cases in which the diagnosis was not made and therapy was delayed, a progressive cholestatic picture emerged with histologic evidence of loss of small bile ducts and portal fibrosis. We conclude that a distinct syndrome of chronic liver GVHD presenting as an acute hepatitis can be recognized in a patient at risk who is receiving no, or minimal, immunosuppressive medications. Liver biopsy is necessary to exclude viral causes of liver dysfunction and to confirm characteristic abnormalities of small bile ducts. Institution of high-dose immunosuppression can prevent progressive bile duct destruction and effect resolution of jaundice if given early.     

Serum biotinidase is a sensitive and specific biochemical marker of hepatic dysfunction: A preliminary report

Biotinidase is an enzyme synthesized predominantly by the liver. Serum activity of this enzyme has been shown to be low in chronic liver disease. In this study, we endeavored to assess the diagnostic value of serum biotinidase as a marker of hepatic biosynthetic function in acute and chronic liver dysfunction. Twenty-three patients with acute liver disease and 46 with chronic liver disease, as diagnosed by clinical examination, laboratory tests, histopathology and tests for viral markers, were inducted into the study. Forty-six healthy volunteers were selected as controls. Serum biotinidase activity was estimated in all the subjects. Biotinidase activity was found to be significantly lower in the serum of patients with acute (4.59 +/- 1.26 IU/L vs 7.56 +/- 0.82 IU/L in controls; P相似文献   

Failure of therapeutic vaccination using hepatitis B surface antigen vaccine in the immunotolerant phase of children with chronic hepatitis B infection

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of specific hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination as active immunotherapy in treating chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection during the immune-tolerant phase in children with normal aminotransferase levels and high viral load. METHODS: Fifty-one immunotolerant patients were randomly and prospectively recruited into two groups. Group 1 included 23 patients that were vaccinated with three standard injections of the GenHevac B vaccine in the deltoid or quadricep muscle, initially, and at 30 days and 60 days, for specific immunization. Group 2 contained 28 patients who did not receive any medication or vaccination and were recruited as the control group. Post-vaccination evaluation was performed at 6 months from the first injection and at the end of the 12th month by serological and virological analyses. A response criterion to therapy was defined as loss of HBV-DNA in serum and hepatitis B early antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion (loss of HBeAg, development of antibody to HBeAg (anti-HBe)). RESULTS: The mean alanine aminotransferase (ALT) value in group 1 at the beginning of the vaccination was 33.6 +/- 8.1 IU/L; this changed to 31.7 +/- 9.0 IU/L at 6 months after first injection and 29.2 +/- 7.1 IU/L at the end of 12 months (P > 0.05). In this group, mean HBV-DNA load at the starting point of the vaccination was 3,709 +/- 1,126 pg/mL; this value changed to 3,569 +/- 726 pg/mL at the sixth month and 3,295 +/- 832 pg/mL at the 12th month (P > 0.05). In group 2, the mean ALT values at the beginning of therapy, and at the 6th and 12th month were 32 +/- 8 IU/L, 31.8 +/- 8 IU/L, and 29.7 +/- 7 IU/L, respectively (P > 0.05), and the mean viral load of HBV-DNA values were 3,827 +/- 1,375 pg/mL, 3,498 +/- 886 pg/mL, and 3,059 +/- 731 pg/mL, respectively (P > 0.05). The load of HBV DNA of all patients in both groups was greater than 2,000 pg/mL. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean ALT values and mean viral load of HBV DNA (P > 0.05) between group 1 and group 2 at the end of the 6th and 12th months. Except for one each patient in each group, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HBeAg clearance or antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs) and anti-HBe seroconversion were not observed during the follow-up period (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: In this study, comparison of vaccinated and unvaccinated groups of immunotolerant children with CHB infection showed no difference in the clearance of HBV DNA and seroconversion of HBeAg to anti-HBe. Different immunization protocols should be considered for future investigations in the immunotolerant phase of children with CHB infection.     

The Spectrum of Hepatic Injury in Enteric Fever

Thirty six patients with culture-proven enteric fever and 15 patients of fever with etiology other than enteric fever as a control group were studied, with special reference to hepatic dysfunction and its relation to clinical features of the disease. Hepatomegaly was observed in 55% of enteric fever patients, and was slightly more common than splenomegaly (50%). Its incidence in typhoid fever (67%) was three times higher than in paratyphoid fever (22%). Hepatic dysfunction occurred in 55% of cases. Jaundice was noted in only 8% of the cases, whereas hyperbilirubinemia (serum bilirubin greater than 1.8 mg %) was present in 17%. Although hepatic manifestations of enteric fever were mild, a small but important group had sufficient hepatic involvement to mimick the clinical picture seen in viral hepatitis, amebic liver disease, and malaria with jaundice. It may be considered of clinical significance, since enteric hepatitis responds very well to specific therapy.     

α-Fetoprotein and Its Concanavalin A Affinity in Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Hepatitis B

Serum samples from 20 patients with acute exacerbation of chronic hepatitis due to hepatitis B virus and 20 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma arising from B viral cirrhosis with elevated levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) were analyzed by affinity column chromatography for concanavalin A binding. Serum AFP was tested at regular intervals in all of these patients. Acute exacerbation was defined as elevation of serum transaminase greater than 300 IU/L in patients with chronic hepatitis B. In hepatocellular carcinoma, serum AFP levels fluctuated but remained higher than 92 ng/ml, whereas, in acute exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B, serum AFP levels returned to normal within 3-12 months of follow-up. The results of concanavalin A-binding assay revealed that AFP from both these groups had a high affinity for concanavalin A, and this assay could not be used to discriminate between the two conditions.