Características y evolución de la infección crónica por virus de la hepatitis B antígeno e negativo

Objective

To describe the epidemiological, analytical and histological characteristics and clinical course of hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers with negative HBe antigen.

Diagnostic accuracy of red blood cell distribution width to platelet ratio for predicting liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B: A meta-analysis

ObjectiveThis study aims to systematically review the performance of red blood cell distribution width to platelet ratio (RPR) in the diagnosis of significant or advanced fibrosis, and cirrhosis associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV).MethodsThe relevant studies were comprehensively searched in English databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, as well as Chinese databases such as China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data from the inception to March 2021. Accuracy of RPR in diagnosing significant or advanced fibrosis and liver cirrhosis was assessed by area under the curve (AUC), pooled sensitivity and specificity, as well as positive and negative likelihood ratios. Stata 15.0 software was applied to analyze the data.ResultsIn total, 13 literature met the requirements, including patients with significant fibrosis (n = 1890), advanced fibrosis (n = 645), and cirrhosis (n = 499). The prevalence rates of significant fibrosis, advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis were 49.31% (range: 17.25–84.21%), 37.07% (range: 9.60–58.20%) and 2.18% (range: 2.78–44.19%), respectively. The AUCs for predicting significant fibrosis, advanced fibrosis, and cirrhosis by RPR were 0.73 (95%CI: 0.69–0.76), 0.80 (95%CI: 0.77–0.84) and 0.80 (95%CI: 0.76–0.83), respectively.ConclusionRPR is of some diagnostic value to the prediction of HBV-related significant fibrosis, advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis. This conclusion is urgently needed to be verified by further multi-center studies of large sample size and rigorous design.     

Antiviral therapy in hepatitis B virus-infected with immune-tolerant: A meta-analysis

To access the efficacy of antiviral therapy in patients of HBV-infected with immune-tolerant. We conducted a meta-analysis search of the Cochrane Library, PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, Web of science, and EMBASE on through August 2021. We combined the data by means of a random-effect DrSimonian-Laird model and calculated risk ratios (RRs) for the outcomes of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss, hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion, HBV deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) negative conversion rate, and the risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cirrhosis. An extensive literature search identified 328 relevant publications, and five were included in the study. Antiviral therapy was in favor of HBsAg loss (RR = 2.34, 95%CI 0.68–4.00, p = 0.91, I² = 0.00%), HBV DNA negative conversion (RR = 2.08, 95%CI 0.10–4.05, p = 0.07, I² = 58.24%) and reduce the risk for HCC (HR = 0.189, 95%CI 0.052–0.692, p = 0.004) and cirrhosis (HR = 0.347, 95%CI 0.095–1.270, p = 0.036), but not beneficial to HBeAg seroconversion (RR = 0.83, 95%CI −0.03 to 1.70, p = 0.11, I² = 46.99%). Subgroup-analyzed by the research type was similar results of HBsAg loss, HBV DNA negative conversion, and HBeAg seroconversion.Patients in HBV-infected with immune-tolerant responded well to antiviral therapy. The evidence from this meta-analysis supports antiviral therapy for patients with HBV in the immune tolerance stage. Well-designed, multi-center, larger sample sizes, and excellent quality prospective studies are needed to confirm our conclusion.     

血清HBsAg、HBcrAg和HBV DNA预测慢性乙型肝炎肝组织病理状态的性能评价

目的评价血清HBsAg、HBcrAg、HBV DNA预测慢性乙型肝炎肝组织病理状态的性能。方法将324例HBeAg阳性和255例HBeAg阴性慢性乙型肝炎患者随机分为3组匹配的训练集和验证集。血清HBsAg和HBcrAg分别采用Abbott Architect I2000和Fujirebio Lumipulse G1200全自动化学发光免疫系统检测,血清HBV DNA采用Bio-Rad Icycler荧光定量PCR仪检测。肝组织病理学诊断采用Scheuer评分系统,其中病理学分级包括G0~G4五级,分期包括S0~S4五期。结果无论HBeAg阳性或阴性患者,3个训练集与3个匹配的验证集性别比例和平均年龄、病理学分级和分期构成比之间的差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。HBeAg阳性患者,血清HBsAg、HBcrAg、HBV DNA预测全集病理学分级≥G3和分期≥S4的ROC曲线下面积最大;参照预测3个训练集病理学分级≥G3和分期≥S4的最佳截断值,血清HBsAg、HBcrAg、HBV DNA预测3个匹配的验证集病理学分级≥G3和分期≥S4的灵敏度极差分别为37%和9%、30%和16%、17%和14%,特异度极差分别为12%和5%、13%和3%、15%和6%。HBeAg阴性患者,血清HBcrAg、HBV DNA预测全集病理学分级≥G2和分期≥S2的ROC曲线下面积最大;参照预测3个训练集病理学分级≥G2和分期≥S2的最佳截断值,血清HBcrAg、HBV DNA预测3个匹配的验证集病理学分级≥G2和分期≥S2的灵敏度极差分别为11%和20%、46%和19%,特异度极差分别为15%和2%、38%和16%。结论 HBeAg阳性患者,血清HBsAg、HBcrAg、HBV DNA可预测的最佳病理状态为病理学分级≥G3和分期≥S4,其预测理学分期≥S4的稳定性高于预测病理学分级≥G3;HBeAg阴性患者,血清HBcrAg和HBV DNA可预测的最佳病理状态为病理学分级≥G2和分期≥S2,血清HBcrAg预测病理学分级≥G2和分期≥S2的稳定性高于HBV DNA。     

48 weeks outcome after cessation of nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy in chronic hepatitis B patients

Introduction and objectiveThe aim of the present study was to investigate the significance of serum HBsAg levels in treatment cessation of nucleoside analogues (NAs) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection.MethodsIn 158 CHB patients with long-term NAs treatment, 74 patients were in HBeAg negative and had a HBsAg level <1500 IU/mL, 36 of whom were informed and consented to cease NAs. HBsAg, HBV DNA and liver function were examined in the 1st, 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th month after treatment cessation.ResultsThe sustained response rate was 88.89% (32/36) within one year after NAs cessation. Sub-group analysis was based on HBsAg levels of patients with NAs cessation, there was no relapse case in 11 patients whose HBsAg <50 IU/mL, and the negative predictive value (NPV) was 100%. Seroconversion of HBsAg occurred in 3 patients. 2 patients from 21 cases whose HBsAg was between 50 IU/mL and 1000 IU/mL relapsed. 2 of 4 patients whose in HBsAg >1000 IU/mL relapsed. HBsAg of patients with a sustained response decreased slowly. In contrast, HBsAg levels increased gradually in relapsed patients, and the increase of HBsAg was precedent to relapses of HBV DNA and ALT. Multivariate analysis suggested that only HBsAg level showed a close correlation with HBV DNA relapses. ROC curve analysis suggested that the increase of HBsAg level in the 3rd and 6th month after NAs cessation had a great predictive value for relapses.ConclusionMonitoring of base line HBsAg level can predict outcomes of NAs cessation in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B. HBsAg <50 IU/mL has higher predictive values of better sustained responses in HBeAg-negative CHB patients.     

Infección crónica por virus de la hepatitis B antígeno e negativo. Manejo en función de puntos de corte de glutámico-pirúvica transaminasa y ácido desoxirribonucleico del virus de la hepatitis B

Objectives

To identify glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and hepatitis B virus DNA (HBV-DNA) cut-off values at diagnosis in patients with hepatitis B virus e antigen-negative chronic infection (HBeAg(–)), which may be predictors of clinical course, prognosis and/or the need for antiviral therapy.

Modification of liver fibrosis,glucose and lipid profile after hepatitis C virus clearance with direct-acting antiviral agents

IntroductionThere is little information on whether direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment can improve liver fibrosis or change glucose and lipid profile in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). We aimed to evaluate the impact of sustained virologic response (SVR) on liver stiffness, glucose and lipid levels.Methods445 monoinfected CHC patients started treatment with interferon-free DAA therapy from January 2015 to February 2017. Transient elastography (TE), fibrosis scores, glucose and lipid levels were analyzed at baseline and 48 weeks post-treatment (SVR48).ResultsThe SVR rate was 97.7%. Finally, we evaluated 369 patients who achieved SVR and had reliable TE measurements. Median liver stiffness significantly decreased from 9.3 (IQR 7.3–14.3) kPa at baseline to 6.4 (IQR 4.9–8.9) at SVR48 (p < 0.0001). 54.7% of the cohort presented fibrosis regression. Median FIB4 score regressed from 2.0 (IQR 1.1–3.3) to 1.3 (IQR 0.9–2.0) (p < 0.0001). Median APRI and Forns values significantly decreased from 0.9 (IQR 0.5–1.7) to 0.3 (IQR 0.2–0.4) and from 6.2 (5.0–7.5) to 4.9 (IQR 3.8–5.9) (p < 0.001), respectively. Mean levels of total cholesterol and LDL-C increased from 172 mg/dL and 101.5 mg/dL to 191 mg/dL and 117.5 mg/dL (p < 0.0001), respectively. In the sub-group of patients with pre-diabetes or diabetes, mean glucose levels decreased from 142.7 mg/dL at baseline to 127.2 mg/dL at SVR48 (p < 0.001).DiscussionSVR reduces liver stiffness based on TE and fibrosis scores, in patients treated with DAA. Our results show elevated total cholesterol and LDL-C and decreased glucose levels at SVR48.     

Hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B core-related antigen kinetics after adding pegylated-interferon to nucleos(t)ids analogues in hepatitis B e antigen-negative patients

BACKGROUNDHepatitis B e antigen-negative chronic hepatitis B patients under nucleos(t)ids analogues (NAs) rarely achieve hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss.AIMTo evaluate if the addition of pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN) could decrease HBsAg and hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) levels and increase HBsAg loss rate in patients under NAs therapy.METHODSProspective, non-randomized, open-label trial evaluating the combination of Peg-IFN 180 µg/week plus NAs during forty-eight weeks vs NAs in monotherapy. Hepatitis B e antigen-negative non-cirrhotic chronic hepatitis B patients of a tertiary hospital, under NAs therapy for at least 2 years and with undetectable viral load, were eligible. Patients with hepatitis C virus, hepatitis D virus or human immunodeficiency virus co-infection and liver transplanted patients were excluded. HBsAg and HBcrAg levels (log10 U/mL) were measured at baseline and during ninety-six weeks. HBsAg loss rate was evaluated in both groups. Adverse events were recorded in both groups. The kinetic of HBsAg for each treatment group was evaluated from baseline to weeks 24 and 48 by the slope of the HBsAg decline (log10 IU/mL/week) using a linear regression model.RESULTSSixty-five patients were enrolled, 61% receiving tenofovir and 33% entecavir. Thirty-six (55%) were included in Peg-IFN-NA group and 29 (44%) in NA group. After matching by age and treatment duration, baseline HBsAg levels were comparable between groups (3.1 vs 3.2) (P = 0.25). HBsAg levels at weeks 24, 48 and 96 declined in Peg-IFN-NA group (-0.26, -0.40 and -0.44) and remained stable in NA group (-0.10, -0.10 and -0.10) (P < 0.05). The slope of HBsAg decline in Peg-IFN-NA group (-0.02) was higher than in NA group (-0.00) (P = 0.015). HBcrAg levels did not change. Eight (22%) patients discontinued Peg-IFN due to adverse events. The HBsAg loss was achieved in 3 (8.3%) patients of the Peg-IFN-NA group and 0 (0%) of the NA group. CONCLUSIONThe addition of Peg-IFN to NAs caused a greater and faster decrease of HBsAg levels compared to NA therapy. Side effects of Peg-IFN can limit its use in clinical practice.     

Social stigmatization in Turkish patients with chronic hepatitis B and C

Background and aimViral hepatitis is the most important cause of chronic hepatitis worldwide. Stigmatization is defined as a feeling of rejection and isolation of patients by society due to illness. There are no studies on chronic viral hepatitis in the literature in English, which has its own religious and socio-cultural structure. In our study, we aimed to investigate the presence of social stigmatism and psychosocial effects on patients with different stages of chronic viral hepatitis B and C.MethodsForty-five patients with chronic hepatitis C and 114 patients with chronic hepatitis B were enrolled in the study. Berger's scale was used for stigmatization, composed of 40 four-point Likert items that have four subscales: personalized stigma, disclosure, negative self-image, and public attitude. Stigma score ranges between one and four. Stigma is accepted as present if the overall score is above two.ResultsOverall the mean stigma scores were 1.97 ± 0.58 and 2.14 ± 0.57 for chronic hepatitis B and C, respectively. There was stigma in 47.4% of the patients with chronic hepatitis B, and 60% of the patients with chronic hepatitis C. Being male was the risk factor on overall stigma, disclosure and public attitude in chronic hepatitis C. Living in an urban setting was the risk factor on negative self-image in chronic hepatitis C and on personalized stigma and disclosure in chronic hepatitis B.ConclusionsTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that provides qualitative information about chronic hepatitis-related stigma. Stigmatization is a major problem in Turkey and worldwide. We believe that increasing the knowledge of the patients and society by teaching about the transmission routes of the disease and focusing on vaccination studies will prevent stigmatization.     

Fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio is related to the severity of coronary artery disease in chronic kidney disease patients undergoing coronary angiography

ObjectivesThis study was to explore the potential relationship between the fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR) and the presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in stage 3–5 predialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients.DesignThis study included 978 patients undergoing coronary angiography (CAG). CAD was defined as the presence of obstructive stenosis > 50% of the lumen diameter in any of the four main coronary arteries. Gensini scores (GSs), left main coronary artery (LMCA) and three-vessel coronary artery disease (TVD) were used to elevate the severity of CAD.ResultsThe adjusted odds ratios of CAD were 3.059 (95% CI: 1.859–5.032) and 2.670 (95% CI: 1.605–4.441) in the third and fourth quartiles of FAR compared with the first quartile, respectively. Among 759 patients diagnosed with CAD, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that FAR (at the 0.01 level) was significantly positively associated with the presence of LMCA (adjusted OR = 1.177, 95% CI 1.067–1.299, P = 0.001) or TVD (adjusted OR = 1.154, 95% CI 1.076–1.238, P < 0.001), and a higher GS (adjusted OR = 1.152, 95% CI 1.073–1.238, P < 0.001).ConclusionsFAR levels were independently associated with the presence and severity of CAD in stage 3–5 predialysis CKD patients.     

Serum HBV RNA is associated with liver fibrosis regression in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients treated with nucleos(t)ide analogues

Noninvasive methods for assessing hepatic fibrosis are clinically necessary. This study aims to explore HBV markers correlated with liver fibrosis and capable of diagnosing significant fibrosis and predicting fibrosis regression. Seventy-four HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients were enrolled and started on entecavir or adefovir therapy. Serum HBV RNA, HBV DNA, HBsAg and hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) levels were measured at baseline and during treatment. Liver fibrosis was assessed at baseline and month 60 by liver biopsy. Fibrosis regression was defined as Ishak fibrosis score decreased ≥1-point. At baseline, HBsAg, HBcrAg and HBV RNA levels had a stronger correlation with Ishak fibrosis score (r = −.441, p = .002; r = −.469, p = .001; r = −.398, p = .001) than APRI and FIB-4 (r = .321 p = .006; r = .371, p = .001). HBsAg >4 log₁₀ IU/ml plus HBcrAg >7 log₁₀ IU/ml or HBsAg >4 log₁₀ IU/ml plus HBV RNA >5 log₁₀ copies/ml exhibited the same excellent diagnostic ability for significant fibrosis with the AUROC of 0.857. After 60 months of antiviral treatment, 66.7% of patients who suffered significant fibrosis at baseline achieved fibrosis regression, and an HBV RNA decline from baseline to month 6 greater than 0.63 log₁₀ copies/ml could predict the fibrosis regression at month 60. In conclusion, serum HBsAg, HBcrAg and HBV RNA are potential markers for predicting significant liver fibrosis. HBV RNA measurement would be particularly useful for monitoring hepatic fibrosis changes in HBeAg-positive CHB patients.     

The HLA-B*51 Allele is strongly associated with Behçet Disease in an Argentinean population

ObjectiveTo assess the association between the HLA-B*51 allele and Behçet Disease (BD) in Argentinean patients.MethodsWe enrolled 34 consecutive Argentinean patients with definitive diagnosis of BD between October 2016 and March 2017. None of the patients had the HLA-B*51 allele determined at study entry. Unrelated controls (n = 240) were randomly obtained from the national cadaveric donor database. Demographic and clinical features of the patients were recorded by attending physicians through a questionnaire.ResultsMean age of cases was 42 years old. Nineteen (55.8%) were male, and the mean age at diagnosis was 35 years old; twenty (58.8%) were Mestizos, 8 (23.5%) were Caucasian, and 6 (17.6%) were Amerindians. Thirteen (38.2%) of 34 cases were HLA-B*51 allele positive; 11 were heterozygous and 2 homozygous for the allele. Thirty-four (14.2%) of 240 controls were positive for the HLA-B*51 allele. The association between BD and HLA-B*51 allele was greater than that of control group (OR = 3.75; p = 0.0012).ConclusionsThe HLA-B*51 allele is strongly associated with BD in Argentinean patients. Our finding is consistent with previous studies indicating that the HLA-B*51 allele is an important susceptibility gene in BD regardless the geographical region and ethnicity.     

Hepatitis B core‐related antigen levels after HBeAg seroconversion is associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatitis B core‐related antigen (HBcrAg) is a novel serological marker for hepatitis B virus infection. Its clinical significance after HBeAg seroconversion has not been defined. We aimed to determine the relationship between HBcrAg levels after spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A total of 207 chronic hepatitis B patients with documented time of HBeAg seroconversion were enrolled. HBcrAg and HBsAg were checked within 3 years (as baseline), at 5 and 10 years after HBeAg seroconversion. HBV DNA was measured at the baseline. Multivariate Cox regression model was used to investigate the predictors for HCC development. The median follow‐up time was 13.1 (11.8‐15.5) years. Fourteen patients developed HCC (15‐year cumulative incidence: 7%). The median level of HBcrAg at baseline was significantly higher in patients who developed HCC when compared with patients without HCC (5.68 vs 4.78 log U/ml, respectively; P = .003). Cox proportional hazards model indicated that age of HBeAg seroconversion older than 40 years (hazard ratio (HR): 4.60; P = .049), presence of baseline cirrhosis (HR: 6.23; P = .003) and a higher baseline HBcrAg (HR: 1.75; P = .032) were independently associated with HCC development. A cut‐off value of baseline HBcrAg level ≥5.21 log U/mL yielded an AUROC of 0.74 with a negative predictive value of 97.7%. High HBcrAg levels within 3 years after HBeAg seroconversion were independently associated with the development of HCC in chronic hepatitis B patients.     

The Relationship Between Collagen Proportionate Area and Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Levels in E Antigen Positive Hepatitis B Cirrhosis

BackgroundQuantitative serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) has been widely used as a biomarker for treatment response and prognosis in chronic hepatitis B infection, and has recently been found associated with liver histology in e-antigen positive patients. A histological measurement as a continuous variable—collagen proportionate area (CPA)—is appropriate to assess liver fibrosis degree and substages cirrhosis. We, therefore, aimed to explore the association between serum quantitative HBsAg and CPA in e antigen-positive hepatitis B cirrhosis.MethodsLiver fibrosis staging was evaluated by METAVIR semiquantitative scoring system, only patients with METAVIR fibrosis stage 4 were included. All liver sections were stained with picroSirius red for determination of collagen quantification by digital image analysis.ResultsMean CPA value was 23.46%. The percentage of patients with different classification of CPA (<20%, 20-30%, >30%) were 25.8%, 57.8%, and 16.4%, respectively. A modest correlation was found between CPA and serum HBsAg level (r = _–0.306, P =.001). Hepatitis B surface antigen level is independently associated with CPA in multivariable linear regression analyses.ConclusionSerum HBsAg levels can predict liver fibrosis determined by CPA in HBeAg-positive hepatitis B cirrhosis.     

Immunity to hepatitis A virus in liver transplant recipients: A population-based study in Iran

BackgroundAcute hepatitis A is usually a self-limited viral disease but can be severe and even fatal in special groups of patients including those with chronic liver disease and recipients of liver transplantation. To take appropriate preventive measures, it is important to determine the immune status against the hepatitis A virus in patients at risk of grave clinical outcomes following infection. To assess the need for immunization against hepatitis A, we aimed to determine the immune status against hepatitis A in a population of liver transplant recipients. We also investigated the association between hepatitis A immune status and demographic factors such as age and sex, underlying liver disease, source of drinking water, geographical area of residence and socioeconomic status.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was performed on 242 recipients of allogenic liver transplants at Abu Ali Sina Organ Transplant Hospital in Shiraz, Iran, between January 2017 and April 2017. The level of immunity was assessed using hepatitis A antibody detection kits.ResultsThe rate of immunity against hepatitis A was detected as 88.8% in our study population. In the multivariable logistic regression model, younger age (OR = 1.175, P < 0.001) and higher education level (OR = 2.142, P = 0.040) were the main determinants of non-immune status. However, hepatitis A immunity was independent of gender, monthly family income, water supply source, residential area and underlying liver disorder.ConclusionAlthough a significant proportion of liver transplant recipients in this study showed evidence of natural immunity to hepatitis A, a considerable proportion of younger patients and those with a higher level of education were non-immune. The results of this study signify the importance of screening for hepatitis A immunity in this at-risk population of patients and the need for vaccinating non-immune patients.     

Quantitation of HBsAg predicts response to entecavir therapy in HBV genotype C patients

AIM:To analysis the factors that predict the response to entecavir therapy in chronic hepatitis patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype C. METHODS:Fifty patients [hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative:HBeAg-positive = 26:24] with HBV genotype C, who received nave entecavir therapy for 2 years, were analyzed. Patients who showed HBV DNA levels ≥ 3.0 log viral copies/mL after 2 years of entecavir therapy were designated as slow-responders, while those that showed 3.0 log copies/mL were termed rapid- responders. Quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels (qHBsAg) were determined by the Architect HBsAg QT immunoassay. Hepatitis B core-related antigen was detected by enzyme immunoassay. Pre-C and Core promoter mutations were determined using by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Drug-resistance mutations were detected by the PCR-Invader method. RESULTS:At year 2, HBV DNA levels in all patients in the HBeAg-negative group were 3.0 log copies/mL. In contrast, in the HBeAg-positive group, 41.7% were slow-responders, while 58.3% were rapid-responders. No entecavir-resistant mutants were detected in the slow-responders. When the pretreatment factors were compared between the slow-and rapid-responders; the median qHBsAg in the slow-responders was 4.57 log IU/mL, compared with 3.63 log IU/mL in the rapid-responders (P 0.01). When the pretreatment factors predictive of HBV DNA-negative status at year 2 in all 50 patients were analyzed, HBeAg-negative status, low HBV DNA levels, and low qHBsAg levels were significant (P 0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed that the low qHBsAg level was the most significant predictive factor (P = 0.03). CONCLUSION:Quantitation of HBsAg could be a useful indicator to predict response to entecavir therapy.     

Acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease after liver transplant: A retrospective observational study

Background and rationaleChronic kidney disease remains an important risk factor for morbidity and mortality among LT recipients, but its exact incidence and risk factors are still unclear.Material and methodsWe carried out a retrospective cohort study of consecutive adults who underwent liver transplant (January 2009–December 2018) and were followed (at least 6 months) at our institution. CKD was defined following the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) 2012 Clinical Practice Guidelines. Long-term kidney function was classified into 4 groups: no CKD (eGFR, ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m²), mild CKD (eGFR, 30–59 mL/min/1.73 m²), severe CKD (eGFR, 15–29 mL/min/1.73 m²), and end-stage renal disease (ESRD).ResultsWe enrolled 410 patients followed for 53.2 ± 32.6 months. 39 had CKD at baseline, and 95 developed de novo CKD over the observation period. There were 184 (44.9%) anti-HCV positive, 47 (11.5%) HBsAg positive, and 33 (8.1%) HBV/HDV positive recipients. Recipient risk factors for baseline CKD were advanced age (P = 0.044), raised levels of serum uric acid (P < 0.0001), and insulin dependent DM (P = 0.0034). Early post-transplant AKI was common (n = 95); logistic regression analysis found that baseline serum creatinine was an independent predictor of early post-LT AKI (P = 0.0154). According to our Cox proportional hazards model, recipient risk factors for de novo CKD included aging (P < 0.0001), early post-transplant AKI (P = 0.007), and baseline serum creatinine (P = 0.0002). At the end of follow-up, there were 116 LT recipients with CKD – 109 (93.9%) and 7 (6.1%) had stage 3 and advanced CKD, respectively. Only two of them are undergoing long-term dialysis.ConclusionThe incidence of CKD was high in our cohort of LT recipients, but only a slight decline in kidney function over time was recorded. Prevention of post-transplant AKI will improve kidney function in the long run. We need more studies to analyze the function of kidneys among LT recipients over extended follow-ups and their impact on mortality.     

Association between fibromyalgia syndrome clinical severity and body composition. A principal component analysis

IntroductionThe type of body composition modulates the severity of some musculoskeletal conditions, in fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), this type of association remains relatively unexplored.ObjectiveTo analyze the association between the type of body composition and FMS using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The FMS clinical outcome measures were: Symptom Severity Scale (SSS), Widespread Pain Index (WPI; and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ).MethodsForty-three women with FMS (ACR 2010 criteria) were clinically and anthropometrically evaluated. The anthropometric data were integrated into two indicators using a PCA methodology (PCA-Fat and PCA-muscle). Additionally, the patients were classified into high and low categories for each clinical indicator, which were used as dependent variables in binomial logistic regression (BLR) models.ResultsWe found a positive correlation between PCA-Fat with WPI (r = 0.326, P = .043) and FIQ (r = 0.325, P = .044), and negative correlation (r = ?0.384, P = .013) between PCA-muscle and SSS. In the BLR analysis, PCA-Fat was a significant predictor for high WPI (OR = 2.477, P = .038); while for high SSS, PCA-muscle (OR = 0.303, P = .009) was an inversely significant predictor.ConclusionsThe results suggest that the volume of fat mass can negatively modulate the severity of FMS. We propose that the evaluation of body composition should be a basic element for the clinical approach of patients with FMS.     

Correlation of hepatitis B surface antigen expression with clinicopathological and biochemical parameters in liver biopsies: A comprehensive study

BACKGROUNDChronic viral B hepatitis (CHB) is a potentially life-threatening liver disease that may progress to liver failure and cirrhosis. Currently, although combinations of different laboratory methods are used in the follow-up and treatment of CHB, the failure of these procedures in some cases has led to the necessity of developing new approaches. In CHB, the intrahepatic expression pattern of viral antigens, including hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), is related to different phases of inflammation. However, many studies have focused on the intracytoplasmic properties of HBsAg staining, and HBsAg positivity in liver tissue has not been evaluated by objective quantitative methods.AIMTo investigate the relationship of image analysis-based quantitative HBsAg expression and its staining patterns with clinicopathological factors and treatment in CHB.METHODSA total of 140 liver biopsies from treatment-naïve cases with CHB infection were included in this study. Following diagnosis, all patients were treated with entecavir (0.5 mg) and followed up at three-month intervals. The percentage of immunohistochemical HBsAg (p-HBsAg) expression in the liver was determined in whole tissue sections of biopsies from each case by image analysis. The immunohistochemical staining pattern was also evaluated separately according to 3 different previously defined classifications.RESULTSA positive correlation between p-HBsAg and serum levels of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA and HBsAg was observed (P < 0.001). The p-HBsAg value was significantly higher in younger patients than in older patients. When the groups were categorized according to the hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) status in HBeAg-positive cases, p-HBsAg was correlated with HBV DNA, hepatitis activity index (HAI) and fibrosis scores (P < 0.001). In this group, p-HBsAg and HBsAg expression patterns were also correlated with the viral response (VR) and the serological response (SR) (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that p-HBsAg was an independent predictor of either VR or SR (P < 0.001). In HBeAg-negative patients, although HBsAg expression patterns were correlated with both HAI and fibrosis, no relationship was observed among p-HBsAg, clinicopathological factors and VR.CONCLUSIONIn pretreatment liver biopsies, the immunohistochemical determination of HBsAg expression by quantitative methods, beyond its distribution within the cell, may be a good predictor of the treatment response, especially in HBeAg-positive cases.