单项抗-HEV-IgG阳性对急性戊型肝炎的临床诊断价值及其血清学特征

目的探讨单项抗-HEV-IgG阳性对急性戊型肝炎的临床诊断价值。方法收集连续收治的非甲～非丁型急性肝炎患者168例,其中仅抗-HEV-IgG阳性而抗-HEV-IgM阴性者53例,而抗-HEV-IgM/抗-HEV-IgG阳性115例,分析比较了他们的年龄、肝功能、肝脾B型超声波检查情况。结果在168例非甲～非丁型急性肝炎患者中,有31.55%(53/168)患者从第1病周至第6病周以上仅检测到抗-HEV-IgG阳性,而抗-HEV-IgM阴性;68.45%(115/168)患者抗-HEV-IgM/抗-HEV-IgG阳性。53例单项抗-HEV-IgG阳性者与115例抗-HEV-IgM/抗-HEV-IgG阳性者的年龄、肝功能和肝脾B型超声波检查指标的比较,两组之间均无显著性差异(P=0.311～0.976)。结论使用人工合成的戊型肝炎病毒开放阅读区1和2编码的重组多肽抗原检测抗-HEV-IgM和IgG,如果单项抗-HEV-IgG阳性、有急性病毒性肝炎的肝功能改变,并能排除其他病因者,可以临床诊断急性戊型肝炎。     

散发性戊型肝炎的临床和流行病学特征分析

目的总结散发性戊型肝炎的临床表现和流行病学特征。方法回顾分析155例散发性戊型肝炎患者的流行病学资料、临床表现、实验室检测、治疗和转归。结果戊型肝炎全年散发，3、4、5月份为高发，尤以4月份发病为最高，占12．9％；男性多于女性，男女比例为5：1；中青年患者占83．7％；农民发病多于城镇人口；抗-HEV-IgM阳性者26例（16．7％），抗-HEV-IgG阳性49例（39．6％），两者同时阳性80例（51．7％）；甲戊型肝炎病毒重叠感染3例，乙戊型肝炎病毒重叠感染20例。老年患者及重叠HBV感染者病情重，病程长；单纯戊型肝炎无一例转为慢性肝炎。结论散发性戊型肝炎预后较好，乙、戊型肝炎病毒重叠感染及老年患者肝功能损害严重。     

急性戊型肝炎抗-HEV-IgG及抗-HEV-IgM检测的临床意义

由于戊型肝炎病毒RNA(HEV RNA)检测手段较复杂,同时它在血清中存在的时间短,其结果受抽血时间影响较大,故戊型肝炎主要靠检测血清中抗-HEV-IgG及抗-HEV-IgM来进行诊断。其结果可分3种不同类型:即抗-HEV-IgG及抗-HEV-IgM双阳性,单纯抗-HEV-IgG阳性及单纯抗-HEV-IgM阳性。以往对抗-HEV-IgG及抗-HEV-IgM检测尽管有报道,但未见不同类型的观察,现就3种不同类型的检出率,检出时间及其与总胆红素(TBil),丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)及血清总胆汁酸(TBA)等肝功能指标的关系报道如下。     

检测戊型肝炎患者血清抗-HEV-IgM和抗-HEV-IgG的临床意义

随着戊型肝炎病毒(HEV)分子克隆成功,戊型肝炎特异性实验诊断方法有了很大发展。我们检测了52例散发性戊型肝炎患者的不同病日血清抗-HEV-IgM和抗-HEV-IgG,探讨其变化及临床意义。 资料和方法 一、病例选择 52例散发性戊型肝炎均符合以下诊断标准:(1)具有急性病毒性肝炎的临床症状和体     

散发性戊型肝炎66例临床分析

目的分析戊型肝炎的临床特点和影响预后的因素。方法回顾性分析66例戊型肝炎患者的临床和流行病学资料,分别比较非老年组与老年组、戊型肝炎与重叠感染组在生化学等指标上的差异。结果66例戊型肝炎年龄分布为17～100岁,40～59岁占51．52％;12～5月份发病占63．64％;黄疸型占95．45％,胆红素平均水平达1953±175．8阻mol／L;重叠乙型肝炎34例（51．52％）,重叠自身免疫性肝炎11例（16．67％）;非老年组与老年组比较,在TBIL峰值,ALB低值、前ALB低值、CHE低值和凝血酶原活动度等方面无统计学差异。重型肝炎6例（9．09％）,其中5例重叠乙型肝炎,死亡2例,肝移植1例,自动出院3例;60例（90．91％）治愈或好转出院。结论戊型肝炎以40～59岁壮年男性高发,冬春季发病多见,临床以黄疸型为主,大多数患者预后良好,重叠感染者病死率高。     

急性散发性戊型肝炎的年龄因素及重叠感染等临床特征分析

目的 了解长春地区急性散发性戊型肝炎感染的年龄因素及重叠感染等临床特征.方法 采用回顾性研究对吉林大学中日联谊医院和长春市传染病院2004年1月至2006年5月期间186例戊型肝炎患者进行流行病学及临床特征分析.结果 3 925例病毒性肝炎患者仔,急性戊型肝炎患者186例(4.73%).35～65岁之间患者最多,占60.22%.四季均有罚病.农村患者感染率高,占62.37%,且以饲养牲畜者居多.临床分型以急性黄疸型多见,且更常见于老年人.重叠感染者中,以乙型肝炎最为常见,且合并乙型肝炎者肝功能损伤更为严重.结论 戊型肝炎是人畜共患疾病;重叠乙型肝炎病毒感染者病情更为严重.     

慢性HBV感染重叠HEV感染的临床研究

目的进一步了解慢性乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)感染重叠戊型肝炎病毒(HEV)感染的临床特点及转归。方法对慢性HBV感染重叠HEV感染与单纯戊型肝炎进行临床对照研究。结果167例戊型肝炎均为散发型,发病无明显季节性,以40岁以上成人发病为主,平均年龄为42.12±14.06岁,男女比例为2.71∶1。其中,慢性HBV感染重叠HEV感染(简称乙戊肝)79例(47.31%),单纯戊型肝炎88例(52.69%)。乙戊肝组重度黄疸(TB>280μmol/L)、严重凝血功能异常(PTA<40%)和低蛋白血症的发生率明显高于单纯戊型肝炎组(P<0.01)。结论重叠戊型肝炎病毒感染是导致慢性HBV感染者病情急性加重和重症化,甚至发展成致死性重型肝炎的重要原因之一。     

慢性乙型肝炎重叠HAV与HEV感染的临床分析

目的研究慢性乙型肝炎患者重叠甲型肝炎与重叠戊型肝炎病毒的临床特点及其对病情转归的影响。方法采用ELISA法检测甲、乙、丙、戊型肝炎病毒血清标记物,选择慢性乙型肝炎重叠甲型肝炎52例与慢性乙型肝炎重叠戊型肝炎267例进行对比分析。结果慢性乙型肝炎重叠戊型肝炎患者较慢性乙型肝炎重叠甲型肝炎患者总胆红素水平高、重型肝炎发生率高、病死率高,两组白蛋白水平和平均住院日无明显差异。结论慢性乙型肝炎患者重叠戊型肝炎病毒感染较重叠甲型肝炎病毒感染病情更重、预后差。     

重叠感染的戊型肝炎103例临床分析

１９９５年１月至１９９６年１２月住院的重叠感染戊型肝炎（戊肝）１０３例,我们以单纯戊肝４６例作对照,进行比较,现报告如下。临床资料一、一般资料１９９５年１月～１９９６年１２月我院共收治戊肝患者１８０例,男１４２例,女３８例;平均年龄３９．７岁（１４～８１岁）。５９例有肝炎或肝病史,占３２．８％,既往肝炎（病）史距本次发病平均１５．４年。本组病例中重叠感染戊肝１０３例,占５７．２％。按１９９５年（北京）全国传染病与寄生虫病学术会议修订的病毒性肝炎诊断标准,重叠感染戊肝病例可分为乙＋戊组７０例,丙＋…     

戊型肝炎及重叠乙型肝炎感染患者丙氨酸转氨酶变化

目的　观察戊型肝炎及重叠乙型肝炎感染患者丙氨酸转氨酶 (ALT)变化。方法　将戊型肝炎抗体阳性及重叠乙型肝炎感染患者 2 73例分为 5组。A组 12 7例 ,为戊型肝炎病毒 (HEV) IgG阳性 ;B组 9例 ,为HEV IgM阳性 ;C组 64例 ,为HEV IgM和HEV IgG均阳性 ;D组 3 2例 ,为HEV IgM和HEV IgG均阳性并重叠乙型肝炎感染 ;E组 41例 ,为HEV IgG阳性并重叠乙型肝炎感染。另选戊型肝炎抗体阴性的非乙型肝炎患者 5 0 0例作为对照组。用速率法测定各组ALT值。结果　各组ALT异常增高百分率及异常增高者ALT值分别为 :A组 2 1例 ( 16.5 %) ,ALT( 183± 89)U /L ;B组 3例 ,ALT( 2 0 3± 112 )U /L ;C组 16例 ( 2 5 .8%) ,ALT( 2 17± 119)U/L ;D组 11例 ( 3 4.4%) ,ALT( 2 3 4± 12 8)U/L ;E组 13例 ( 3 1.7%) ,ALT( 2 10± 98)U/L ;对照组 5 1例 ( 10 .2 %) ,ALT( 112± 68)U/L。戊型肝炎抗体阳性各组ALT异常增高率与对照组间差异有显著性 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,戊型肝炎抗体阳性各组ALT异常增高者ALT值与对照组间差异有显著性 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论　戊型肝炎抗体阳性组ALT异常增高率和增高者ALT值均较对照组有明显增高 ,HEV IgM阳性或重叠乙型肝炎感染较单纯HEV IgG阳性者 ,ALT增高明显     

High prevalence of viral infection in adults with homozygous and heterozygous alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency and chronic liver disease.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of chronic liver disease in adults with homozygous (Pi ZZ) and heterozygous (Pi Z) alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency and to assess the presence of other possible risk factors for the development of chronic active hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver in these patients. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: A referral-based university hospital. PATIENTS: Consecutive patients (164) with the Pi ZZ and Pi Z phenotype with and without chronic liver disease. MEASUREMENTS: The presence of antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) was determined using an assay incorporating synthetic peptide antigen from capsid protein (United Biomedical [UBI] assay) and a second-generation enzyme immunoassay (Abbott test); the presence of antibody to hepatitis B virus (anti-HBV) was determined using radioimmunoassays incorporating hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg); assays for antinuclear antibody and antimitochondrial antibody (M2 subtype) were also done, and alcohol abuse was assessed by history. RESULTS: Among patients with cirrhosis (32%), 62% were anti-HCV positive by the Abbott test (P = 0.006), and 41% were anti-HCV positive by the UBI assay (P = 0.007). Thirty-three percent of patients with cirrhosis had hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (P = 0.01); 41% had a history of alcoholism; and 12% had features of autoimmune liver disease. Only five patients (9%) with cirrhosis had no other risk factor for chronic liver disease. Among patients with chronic active hepatitis (7%), 80% were anti-HCV positive by the Abbott test (P = 0.002), and 75% were anti-HCV positive by the UBI assay (P less than 0.001). Thirty percent of patients with chronic active hepatitis had HBV infection (P = 0.023); 18% had autoimmune hepatitis; and 8% abused alcohol. Only two patients (17%) had no additional risk factor for the development of chronic active hepatitis. Among patients with steatosis of the liver (48%), 5% were anti-HCV positive by the Abbott test, and none were anti-HCV positive by the UBI assay; 18% had serologic evidence of past HBV infection, and 28% abused alcohol. Among patients without chronic liver disease (13%), no viral infection could be found; 9% were alcoholics. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic liver disease in patients with alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency is associated with a high prevalence of viral infection; this infection, rather than alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency alone, may be the cause of the liver disease in such patients.     

Increasing trend of acute hepatitis A in north India: need for identification of high-risk population for vaccination

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Hepatitis A (HAV) is endemic in India and most of the population is infected asymptomatically in early childhood with lifelong immunity. Because of altered epidemiology and decreasing endemicity, the pattern of acute HAV infection is changing from asymptomatic childhood infection to an increased incidence of symptomatic disease in the 18-40 age group. The aims of the present study were to assess whether the proportion of adults with acute HAV infection has been increasing over the years and to analyze the seroprevalence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-HAV antibodies in young adults above the age of 15 years as well as in cases of chronic liver disease. METHODS: Sera collected from 3495 patients with acute (1932) and chronic (1563) liver disease attending the Medical Outpatient Department of Lok Nayak Hospital during the previous five years (1999-2003) were tested for various serological markers of acute (HBsAg, HBcIgM, anti-HCV, HEV-IgM, and HAV-IgM) and chronic (HBsAg, HBcIgG, HBeAg, and anti-HCV) hepatitis. In addition, 500 normal healthy attendants of the patients above the age of 15 years were tested for IgG anti-HAV as controls. RESULTS: Of 1932 patients with acute viral hepatitis, 221 (11.4%) were positive for immunoglobulin M (IgM) anti-HAV. The patients who were IgM anti-HAV negative included hepatitis B (321 patients), C (39 patients), E (507 patients) and unclassified (844 patients). Although the frequency of HAV infection among children had increased (10.6% to 22.0%) in the 5-year period, the frequency of HAV infection among adults had also increased (3.4% to 12.3%) during the same period. A total of 300 patients with chronic liver diseases that were etiologically related to hepatitis B (169), C (73) or dual infection (10) and alcoholic liver injury (48) were tested for the presence of IgG anti-HAV antibody; 98% (294/300) were positive for the antibody. CONCLUSIONS: Although universal vaccination against HAV is not currently indicated, selective vaccination of the high-risk population, based on their serological evidence of HAV antibody, would be a rational and cost-effective approach.     

Risk Factors for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Turkey

The contribution of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and excess alcohol intake to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in Turkey was assessed. The study was conducted through a questionnaire sent to seven major medical referral centers in different regions of Turkey and is based on 207 patients seen in the period 1994–1997. Of the seven centers, two were located in West Turkey (54 patients), two were in Central Turkey (85 patients), and two were in south and southeast Turkey (68 patients). In 196 of the 207 patients (94.7%), there was a history of chronic liver disease, and in 180 patients (87%) liver cirrhosis was documented. Of the 207 patients, 116 (56%) had hepatitis B, 48 (23.2%) had hepatitis C, and 33 (15.9%) had a history of excess alcohol intake. Anti-delta testing was available in 69 of 116 patients with hepatitis B, and anti-HDV was positive in 13 of these patients (13/69, 18.8%). Of the 33 patients with a history of heavy alcohol intake, 18 had concomitant chronic viral hepatitis infection, and alcohol alone was the etiology of hepatocellular carcinoma in only 15 cases (7.2%). The distribution of etiologic factors was not homogenous in different geographical regions in Turkey. In central, south, and southeastern Turkey, the predominant etiology of hepatocellular carcinoma was hepatitis B, whereas in western Turkey the impact of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and alcohol was similar. This study indicates that hepatitis B virus infection is the leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma in Turkey, followed by hepatitis C infection and alcoholic liver disease.     

Impact of comorbidities on the severity of chronic hepatitis B at presentation

AIM: To evaluate the clinical relevance of each cofactor on clinical presentation of chronic hepatitis B.METHODS: Out of 1366 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive subjects consecutively observed in 79 Italian hospitals, 53 (4.3%) showed as the only cofactor hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection [hepatitis B virus (HBV)/HDV group], 130 (9.5%) hepatitis C virus (HCV) (group HBV/HCV), 6 (0.4%) human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (group HBV/HIV), 138 (10.2%) alcohol abuse (group HBV/alcohol); 109 (8.0%) subjects had at least two cofactors and 924 were in the cofactor-free (CF) group.RESULTS: Compared with patients in group CF those in group HBV/alcohol were older and more frequently had cirrhosis (P < 0.001), those in group HBV/HDV were younger (P < 0.001), more frequently resided in the south of the country and had cirrhosis (P <0.001), those in group HBV/HCV were older (P < 0.001) and more frequently had cirrhosis (P < 0.001). These cofactors were all independent predictors of liver cirrhosis in HBsAg positive patients. Multivariate analysis showed that an older age [odds ratio (OR) 1.06, 95% CI: 1.05-1.08], alcohol abuse with more than 8 drinks daily (OR 2.89, 95% CI: 1.81-4.62) and anti-HDV positivity (OR 3.48, 95% CI: 2.16-5.58) are all independently associated with liver cirrhosis. This association was found also for anti-HCV positivity in univariate analysis, but it was no longer associated (OR 1.23, 95% CI: 0.84-1.80) at multivariate analysis.CONCLUSION: Older age, HDV infection and alcohol abuse are the major determinants of severe liver disease in chronic HBV infection, while HCV replication plays a lesser role in the severity of hepatic damage.     

Prevalence and virological profiles of hepatitis B infection in human immunodeficiency virus patients

AIM: To determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in adult human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients with CD4+ T-cell count less than 500/mm 3 and without antiretroviral therapy; to describe different HBV-HIV coinfection virological profiles; and to search for factors associated with HBs antigen (HBsAg) presence in these HIV positive patients.METHODS: During four months (June through September 2006), 491 patients were received in four HIV positive monitoring clinical centers in Abidjan. Inclusion criteria: HIV-1 or HIV-1 and 2 positive patients, age ≥ 18 years, CD4+ T-cell count < 500/mL and formal and signed consent of the patient. Realized blood tests included HIV serology, CD4+ T-cell count, quantitative HIV RNA load and HBV serological markers, such as HBsAg and HBc antibody (anti-HBcAb). We performed HBeAg, anti-HBe antibody (anti-HBeAb), anti-HBc IgM and quantitative HBV DNA load in HBsAg positive patients. Anti-HBsAb had been tested in HIV patients with HBsAg negative and anti-HBcAb-positive. HBV DNA was also tested in 188 anti-HBcAb positive patients with HBsAg negative status and without anti-HBsAb. Univariate analysis (Pearsonχ 2 test or Fischer exact test) and multivariate analysis (backward step-wise selection logistic regression) were performed as statistical analysis. RESULTS: Mean age of 491 patients was 36 ± 8.68 years and 73.3% were female. Type-1 HIV was found in 97% and dual-type HIV (type 1 plus type 2) in 3%. World Health Organization (WHO) clinical stage was 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively in 61 (12.4%), 233 (47.5%), 172 (35%) and 25 patients (5.1%). Median CD4+ T-cell count was 341/mm 3 (interquartile range: 221-470). One hundred and twelve patients had less than 200 CD4+ T-cell/mm 3 . Plasma HIV-1 RNA load was elevated (≥ 5 log 10 copies/mL) in 221 patients (45%). HBsAg and anti-HBcAb prevalence was respectively 13.4% and 72.9%. Of the 66 HBsAg positive patients, 22 were inactive HBV carriers (33.3%), 21 had HBeAg positive hepatitis (31.8%) and 20 had HBeAg negative hepatitis (30.3%). HBeAg and anti-HBeAb were indeterminate in 3 of them. Occult B infection prevalence (HBsAg negative, anti-HBcAb positive, anti-HBsAb negative and detectable HBV DNA) was 21.3%. Three parameters were significantly associated with the presence of HBsAg: male [odds ratio (OR): 2.2;P = 0.005; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.3-3.8]; WHO stage 4 (OR: 3.2;P = 0.01;95% CI: 1.3-7.9); and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level higher than the standard (OR: 1.9;P = 0.04; 95% CI: 1.02-3.8). CONCLUSION: HBV infection prevalence is high in HIV-positive patients. HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis and occult HBV infection are more frequent in HIVpositive patients than in HIV negative ones. Parameters associated with HBsAg positivity were male gender, AIDS status and increased AST level.     

Profile of hepatitis B e antigen-negative chronic hepatitis B.

BACKGROUND: Although chronic hepatitis B occurs in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative patients, its prevalence and clinical significance are not known. AIM: To determine the prevalence and profile of HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 363 consecutive patients (mean age 36 y; 288 men) with chronic HBV infection was performed. All patients were HBsAg-positive. Tests for liver profile, HBeAg and anti-HBe antibody were performed in all patients. Serum HBV DNA was tested using branched DNA assay in 245 patients. The patients were classified into three groups: no cirrhosis with normal ALT levels, no cirrhosis with elevated ALT levels, and clinical or histological evidence of cirrhosis. RESULTS: Of 363 patients, 141 (39%) were HBeAg-positive and 222 (61%) HBeAg-negative. Of HBeAg-negative patients, 120 (54%) had normal ALT, 45 (20%) had elevated ALT and 57 (26%) had evidence of cirrhosis; corresponding figures in the HBeAg-positive patients were 40 (28%), 66 (47%) and 35 (25%). HBV DNA was positive in 53 of 131 (40%) HBeAg-negative patients tested; of these 53 patients, 9 (17%) had normal ALT, 20 (38%) had elevated ALT and 24 (45%) had cirrhosis. Thus, 72% of HBeAg-positive and 46% of HBeAg-negative patients had elevated ALT and/or cirrhosis. Among the latter group, 83% of HBV DNA-positive patients had elevated ALT and/or cirrhosis. Overall, 18% of HBsAg-positive patients had HBeAg-negative, HBV DNA-positive liver disease. CONCLUSION: HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B is not an uncommon and benign entity and chronic liver disease develops in a significant proportion of such patients.     

Does co‐infection with multiple viruses adversely influence the course and outcome of sporadic acute viral hepatitis in children?

BACKGROUND: This study looked at the frequency of co-infection with multiple hepatotropic viruses and the effect of such infection on the course and outcome of acute sporadic viral hepatitis (AVH) and fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) in children. METHODS: Consecutive children up to 15 years of age presenting with AVH or FHF between January 1998 and July 2002 were evaluated prospectively. The following viral markers were assessed in all children: immunoglobulin M (IgM) anti-hepatitis A virus (HAV), IgM anti-hepatitis E virus (HEV), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), IgM anti-hepatitis B core (HBc), and anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV). RESULTS: A total of 149 children were included in the study, 122 with AVH and 27 with FHF. Co-infection with multiple viruses was detected in 30 (24.6%) AVH patients (A+E in 24, A+B in three, and E+B, A+C and A+E+B in one each) and seven (26%) FHF patients (A+E in five, and A+B and E+B in one each). The majority of single infections were due to HAV (AVH 70/92, FHF 14/20) followed by HEV (AVH 9/92, and FHF 5/20). HEV infection was associated with infection with another agent in 88% of patients with AVH (odds ratio 53, 95% confidence interval 15-186, P<0.0001). Frequency of anicteric state, prolonged cholestasis, relapsing hepatitis, ascites, hemolysis and mortality rates were similar in the single and multiple infection groups for both AVH and FHF patients. CONCLUSIONS: Co-infection with multiple viruses is observed in one-quarter of patients with sporadic AVH in childhood. Such infection does not produce a more severe disease. HEV positivity is a strong marker for multiple infections.     

The prevalence of occult hepatitis B virus infection in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

AIM: The prevalence of occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is relatively frequent among patients with immune suppression. The impairment of the immune system is well demonstrated in diabetics. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of occult HBV infection among hepatitis B core antibody (HbcAb)+/- hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) positive type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved 100 HBcAb+/-anti-HBs type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and 100 age and sex matched, HBcAb+/-anti-HBs healthy blood donors. Exclusion criteria were positive serology for HBsAg, hepatitis C virus or HIV, diagnosis of malignancy or earlier organ transplantation history, use of immunosuppressive therapy. All patients were questioned about their past medical history and were tested for serum alanine aminotransferase and HBV DNA level. RESULTS: The diabetic patients did not differ significantly from healthy controls in terms of sex and age. HBV DNA was detected in 11% of the diabetic patients (1 x 10-5 x 10 copies/ml) and in 3% of the controls (4 x 10-1 x 10 copies/ml). The difference between groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). The history of blood transfusion, surgery, and vaccination for HBV and alcohol use were similar in both groups (P>0.05). The serum alanine aminotransferase levels in diabetic patients were close to those of controls (26.2+/-16.4 IU/l vs. 23.9+/-9.7 IU/l; P>0.05). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that the prevalence of occult HBV infection is higher in diabetics compared with healthy controls and this may contribute to the increased prevalence of primary hepatocellular carcinoma in diabetics.     

High Clinical Manifestation Rate in an Imported Outbreak of Hepatitis E Genotype 1 Infection in a German Group of Travellers Returning from India

BackgroundThere are only few reports about travel-associated, imported tropical hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 1 infections within Western travellers. We describe the clinical course of a single outbreak of hepatitis E in a German travellers group returning from India and compare the results of two commercial HEV-seroassays.Material and MethodsAfter identifying hepatitis E in an index patient returning from a journey to India all 24 members of this journey were tested for anti-HEV-IgG and IgM using two commercial seroassays (Wantai and Mikrogen), for HEV-RNA by PCR and HEV-Ag by an antigen-assay (Wantai).Results5/24 (21%) individuals were viraemic with viral loads between 580-4,800,000 IU/mL. Bilirubin and ALT levels in these patients ranged from 1.3-14.9 mg/dL (mean 7.3 mg/dL, SD 5.6 mg/dL) and 151-4,820 U/L (mean 1,832U/L, SD 1842U/L), respectively and showed significant correlations with viral loads (r = 0.863, p < 0.001; r = 0.890, p < 0.001). No risk factor for food-borne HEV-transmission was identified. All viraemic patients (5/5) tested positive for anti-HEV-IgG and IgM in the Wantai-assay but only 4/5 in the Mikrogen-as-say. Wantai-HEV-antigen-assay was negative in all patients. Six months later all previously viraemic patients tested positive for anti-HEV-IgG and negative for IgM in both assays. However, two non-viremic individuals who initially tested Wantai-IgM-positive stayed positive indicating false positive results.ConclusionsDespite the exact number of exposed individuals could not be determined HEV genotype 1 infections have a high manifestation rate of more than 20%.The Wantai-antigen-test failed, the Wantai-IgM-rapid-test and the Mikrogen-IgM-recomblot showed a better performance but still they cannot replace real-time PCR for diagnosing ongoing HEV-infections.     

Family history influences the early onset of hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To evaluate the relationship between a positive family history of primary liver cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in Korean HCC patients.METHODS: We studied a total of 2242 patients diagnosed with HCC between January 1990 and July 2008, whose family history of primary liver cancer was clearly described in the medical records.RESULTS: Of the 2242 patients, 165 (7.4%) had a positive family history of HCC and 2077 (92.6%) did not. The male to female ratio was 3.6:1, and the major causes of HCC were chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in 75.1%, chronic hepatitis C virus infection in 13.2% and alcohol in 3.1%. The median ages at diagnosis in the positive- and negative-history groups were 52 years (range: 29-79 years) and 57 years (range: 18-89 years), respectively (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, among 1713 HCC patients with HBV infection, the number of patients under 45 years of age out of 136 patients with positive family history was 26 (19.1%), whereas those out of 1577 patients with negative family history was 197 (12.5%), suggesting that a positive family history may be associated with earlier development of HCC in the Korean population (P = 0.0028).CONCLUSION: More intensive surveillance maybe recommended to those with a positive family history of HCC for earlier diagnosis and proper management especially when HBV infection is present.