High prevalence of hepatitis C virus-ribonucleic acid positivity in anti-hepatitis C virus negative renal transplant patients

Background

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is common in renal transplant (RT) patients. Some of these patients remain anti-HCV negative despite presence of infection and these are identified by a positive HCV-ribonucleic acid (RNA) test.

Methods

We studied 404 RT patients for prevalence of HCV-RNA positivity in anti-HCV negative patients. Serum was tested for presence of anti-HCV antibodies using a third generation HCV micro-ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) test, which utilises a combination of HCV structural and nonstructural antigens. The RNA was extracted from patient serum for HCV viral quantification using Quiagen Ql Amp Viral RNA mini extraction kit. The HCV-RNA viral load was performed on Corbet Rotor Gene 3000 thermocycler using Taqman principle.

Results

About 308 patients were anti-HCV negative and 96 were anti-HCV positive, resulting in prevalence of overt HCV infection of 23.7%. A total of 130 anti-HCV negative patients tested positive for HCV-RNA making a prevalence of occult HCV infection of 42.2%. There was no significant difference in the rate of overt or occult HCV infection between males and females. Patients with HCV infection (whether overt or occult) had received more number of dialysis sessions (62.5 vs 32.2) and blood transfusions (2.78 vs 1.99) when compared to those without HCV infection (P=0.001). The mean duration on dialysis was also longer (8.15 months vs 4.53 months) in patients with HCV infection (P= 0.0001).

Conclusion

A direct test for HCV viraemia is important to accurately determine the epidemiology of HCV infection in RT patients who remain anti-HCV negative despite harbouring active HCV infection.Key Words: hepatitis C, real time PCR, renal replacement therapy     

Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Haemodialysis Patients: “Wolf in Sheep's Clothing”

Background

170 million people are infected with the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) around the world. Approximately 50%-70% patients infected with HCV develop chronic liver disease. Haemodialysis patients constitute an especially important group with high HCV prevalence. Outbreaks of HCV infection in dialysis units have been documented. Detection of anti-HCV antibodies is a convenient and conventional mode of documentation. However, in this group, it has it''s own caveats.

Methods

48 patients who had undergone or were on haemodialysis (HD) and had undergone a minimum of 15 dialysis sittings were studied. HCV infection was documented both by anti-HCV antibody detection and HCV RNA testing. A comparative evaluation of results by both tests was done.

Results

Out of a total of 48 patients, HCV RNA was detected in 38 (79.16%) and anti-HCV antibodies in 13(27.07%). Out of 48 patients 10(20.83%) were negative for both parameters. 22.91% (11/48) of patients were positive for both HCV RNA and anti-HCV antibody. 56.25% (27/48) were HCV RNA positive but anti-HCV antibodies were not detectable in their sera. 2 patients (04.16%) had a positive anti-HCV antibody status despite HCV RNA being negative. In 20.83% (10/48) both parameters were undetectable.

Conclusion

Chronic liver disease (CLD), particularly due to HCV infection, is a major complication amongst haemodialysis (HD) patients. Without reliable assays for antigenemia and the inability of antibody tests to define viremia in all cases, the detection of viral nucleic acid is necessary for diagnosis of active HCV infection.Key Words: Hepatitis C virus, Haemodialysis     

Acute hepatitis C in persons infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): The "Real-life Setting" proves the concept

Objectives

Outbreaks of sexually transmitted acute HCV infection have been described recently in several cities in the western world. The epidemic affects mainly MSM who are coinfected with HIV and is supposably linked to certain sexual risk practices. Here, we compared our findings with current knowledge and recommendations.

Methods

HIV-positive patients with the diagnosis of acute HCV infection were included in the retrospective analysis. The patients came from outpatient infectious disease centers in northern German cities. We looked at markers of HIV and HCV infection and compared patients who received treatment and those who did not. Treated patients were followed up to 72 weeks.

Results

Three hundred nineteen HIV-positive patients with the diagnosis of acute hepatitis C between 2001 and 2008 and were included in the analysis. All patients were male, 315 (99%) patients were of caucasian origin, 296 (93%) declared homosexual contacts as a risk factor for HCV infection, intravenous drug use was declared in 3 (1%) cases. Median age at HCV diagnosis was 40 years (range 20-69 years). Median HCV viral load was 1.2 × 10⁶ IU/mL, 222 patients (70%) had HCV genotype 1, 59 (18%) genotype 4. The median time of HIV infection was 5.5 years (range 0 to 22.4 years). Median HIV viral load was 110 copies/mL (range 25 to 10 × 10⁶ copies/mL). The median CD 4 count was 461 cells/mm³ (range 55- 1331 cells/mm³). Two hundred and fourty-six patients (77%) received anti-HCV treatment, and 175 (55%) had completed therapy by the time of the analysis. Median treatment duration was 33 weeks (IQR 24.1-49.9). 93 of the 175 treated patients (53%) reached a sustained virological response (SVR). In the multivariate analysis, ART at diagnosis, HCV RNA drop at week 12, hemoglobin levels and higher platelets were associated with SVR. Treatment duration was significantly higher in the SVR group (40.6 weeks vs 26.6 weeks, p < 0.0001). Seventy-three patients (23%) did not receive anti-HCV treatment. In 19 of the untreated patients (26%) the hepatitis C virus was cleared spontaneously.

Conclusions

Our findings confirm that acute hepatitis C in HIV infected patients affects mainly MSM who acquire HCV sexually. Patients had a short duration of HIV infection and a stable immunological situation. In this real-life setting from urban regions in northern Germany, treatment rates appear to be high and effective.     

The influence of HAART on the efficacy and safety of pegylated interferon and ribavirin therapy for the treatment of chronic HCV infection in HIV-positive individuals

Objective

This study was performed to investigate the impact of HAART versus no HAART and nucleoside free versus nucleoside containing HAART on the efficacy and safety of pegylated interferon and ribavirin therapy for the treatment of chronic HCV infection in HIV/HCV co-infected patients. In addition a control group of HCV mono-infected patients undergoing anti-HCV therapy was evaluated.

Methods

Multicenter, partially randomized, controlled clinical trial. HIV-negative and -positive patients with chronic HCV infection were treated with pegylated interferon alfa-2a and ribavirin (800 - 1200 mg/day) for 24 - 48 weeks in one of four treatment arms: HIV-negative (A), HIV-positive without HAART (B) and HIV-positive on HAART (C). Patients within arm C were randomized to receive open label either a nucleoside containing (C1) or a nucleoside free HAART (C2).

Results

168 patients were available for analysis. By intent-to-treat analysis similar sustained virological response rates (SVR, negative HCV-RNA 24 weeks after the end of therapy) were observed comparing HIV-negative and -positive patients (54% vs. 54%, p = 1.000). Among HIV-positive patients SVR rates were similar between patients off and on HAART (57% vs. 52%, p = 0.708). Higher SVR rates were observed in patients on a nucleoside free HAART compared to patients on a nucleoside containing HAART, though confounding could not be ruled out and in the intent-to-treat analysis the difference was not statistically significant (64% vs. 46%, p = 0.209).

Conclusions

Similar response rates for HCV therapy can be achieved in HIV-positive and -negative patients. Patients on nucleoside free HAART reached at least equal rates of sustained virological response compared to patients on standard HAART.     

HCV特异性T淋巴细胞输注疗法治疗慢性丙型肝炎的临床研究

目的探讨HCV特异性T淋巴细胞疗法的抗病毒疗效。方法应用此疗法治疗慢性丙型肝炎30例,观察治疗后肝功能、HCV RNA、抗-HCV等的变化,并追踪随访半年。结果经该疗法治疗后患者肝功能明显改善,HCVRNA阴转率达56.67%,且进一步研究发现治疗前患者体内HCV RNA≤105copies/mL时病毒阴转率显著高于HCVRNA〉105copies/mL时（72.22%vs 33.33%）。结论 HCV特异性T淋巴细胞输注治疗慢性丙型肝炎是安全有效的。     

Serum alpha-fetoprotein level is higher in hepatitis C than hepatitis B infected chronic liver disease patients

Background:

The frequency of raised serum alpha-fetoprotein may vary in relation to hepatitis B or C infection in chronic liver disease (CLD). The study evaluated the frequency of hepatitis B and C in patients with chronic liver disease and correlated the levels of serum alpha-fetoprotein with hepatitis B and C infection in the patients.

Materials and Methods:

Eighty-six patients with CLD were recruited for the study. Fifty subjects, with no CLD were used as control. Hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis C antibody were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique (Human diagnostics, Germany and HCV Murex 40 Anhet laboratories, USA) while liver function tests were evaluated using express plus chemistry auto analyzer. Alpha-fetoprotein was assayed using ELECSYS 1010 auto analyser.

Results:

There were 60 males and 26 females, with a mean age of 46 + 6.5 years, while the controls were 25 males and 25 females with a mean age of 41 ± 2.5 years. Thirty-six subjects (41.7%) were seropositive for HBsAg while 24 (27.9%) were seropositive for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) antibody. The mean alpha fetoprotein level was 359 ± 9.9 ng/mL while mean control value was 1.93 ± 0.24 ng/mL. Liver function test parameters were elevated compared with control subjects (P < 0.001). The increase in serum alpha-fetoprotein was higher (P < 0.001) in HCV than HBsAg positive patients.

Conclusion:

Serum alpha-fetoprotein level was highest in HCV compared to HBsAg positive and hepatitis negative patients with CLD.     

Therapeutic challenges of ESBLS and AmpC beta-lactamase producers in a tertiary care center

Background

Resistance to broad-spectrum beta lactams mediated by extended spectrum beta lactamases (ESBLs) and AmpC beta lactamases (AmpC βLs) enzymes is an increasing problem worldwide. Determination of their prevalence is essential to formulate an effective antibiotic policy and hospital infection control measures. Present study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of ESBL and AmpC βL producers in ICU of a tertiary care center.

Methods

A total of 262 clinical isolates comprising of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis that were recovered from various clinical specimens over a one year period, were studied. Antibiogram profile was determined to conventionally used antibiotics, along with recommended tests for detection of ESBL and AmpC βL production.

Results

40.07% (105/262) were found to be ESBL producers, 14.8% (39/262) were AmpC bL producers. The coexistence of ESBL and AmpC βL producers was detected in 9.9% (26/262) of the isolates.

Conclusion

Screening of multidrug resistant bacteria especially belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae poses considerable therapeutic challenges in critical care patients because of the production of ESBL and AmpC βL. Strategies to keep a check on the emergence of such drug resistant microbes by hospital environmental surveillance and laboratory monitoring should form an important aspect of Hospital Infection control policy guidelines.     

烧伤病人输血后丙肝发生情况报告

采用酶联免疫反应（ＥＬＩＳＡ）及聚合酶反应（ＰＣＲ）方法，对２０例烧伤病人血清丙型肝炎病毒抗体（抗－ＨＣＶ）及丙型肝炎病毒（ＨＣＶ）ＲＮＡ进行了检测。结果：入院时，输血组及非输血组抗－ＨＣＶ及ＨＣＶＲＮＡ检测均为阴性。一个月后。输血组１０例病人中发现抗－ＨＣＶ阳性５例、ＨＣＶＲＮＡ阳性４例；而非输血组抗－ＨＣＶ及ＨＣＶＲＮＡ检测均为阴性。说明输血是烧伤病人感染ＨＣＶ的重要途径。本还对烧伤病人输血     

Clinical application and analysis of hepatitis C virus NS3 antigen detection by ELISA in human serum

Background Hepatitis C virus （HCV） core antigen assays have been produced to exclude infectious donations collected during the preseroconversion window phase （PWP）. For the same purpose, we evaluated the specificity and sensitivity of a novel hepatitis C virus NS3 antigen detection immunoassay and the application of this assay in clinical diagnosis. Methods Samples from 77 healthy subjects, 173 anti-HCV positive patients and 3708 hepatitis patients other than HCV positive were tested with the HCV NS3 antigen assay. Some HCV NS3 antigen positive samples were further validated with HCV-RNA, neutralization and immunodot assays. Twenty-five sequential samples from 11 HCV NS3 antigen positive patients were subjected to kinetic study. Results Only 48 （1.3%） of 3708 anti-HCV negative samples were positive for HCV NS3 antigen. Among them, 44 of 3030 samples from patients only infected with HBV were HCV NS3 antigen positive, 4 of the 445 samples from patients infected with other type hepatitis were HCV NS3 antigen positive. In addition, 42 （24.3%） of 173 anti-HCV positive samples were HCV NS3 antigen positive and all 77 samples from healthy subjects were negative to HCV NS3 antigen assay. Of the 15 HCV NS3 antigen positive samples, 9 （60%） were HCV-RNA positive. The neutralization and positive percentage of immunodot assay for 23 HCV NS3 antigen positive sera were 87.0% （20/23） and 69.6% （16/23） respectively. Of the 25 sequential samples from 11 HCV NS3 antigen positive patients, there was a negative correlation between the OD values and the duration of test （r=-0.989, P〈0.05）, and there were correlations among their HCV NS3 antigen, HCV-RNA and anti-HCV Utres. The anti-HCV antibodies of two sera were detected while their OD values of HCV NS3 antigen decreased gradually. Conclusions The HCV NS3 antigen detection assay showed perfect specificity and high sensitivity. Thus, it would be useful and economical as a routine test in laboratories for early diagnosis of HCV infection and prevention.     

Hepatitis C viral infection in a Chinese hemodialysis unit

Background The prevalence of hepatitis C virus （HCV） infection among maintenance hemodialysis （MHD） patients varies among countries and among dialysis units within a single country. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of HCV infection in MHD patients in a Chinese hemodialysis unit.Methods One hundred and ninety-two patients on MHD for an average of （86.1±30.0） months （range 6-181 months） were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. HCV antibody and HCV-RNA were measured in these MHD patients before hemodialysis by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） and polymerase chain reaction （PCR） methods.According to the result, all the patients were then divided into two groups： GroupⅠwas positive for HCV antibody and/or HCV-RNA （n=32）, and Group Ⅱ was negative for HCV antibody and HCV-RNA （n=160）. The following information was obtained for all the patients： socio-demographic data, history of blood transfusions and kidney transplantation, and some laboratory values. The MHD patients who were positive for HCV antibody and/or HCV-RNA were followed for more than three years. The disease activities were graded into ＂asymptomatic＂ if alanine aminotransferase （ALT） was less than 40 U/L,＂low activities＂ if ALT was 40-79 U/L, and ＂high activities＂ if ALT was equal to or above 80 U/L.Results The prevalence of HCV infection in MHD patients in our dialysis unit in May 2009 was 16.7, which was significantly higher than in general population （3.2%）. Among the 32 MHD patients with HCV positive, 20 patients were positive for HCV antibody but negative for HCV-RNA, eight patients were positive both for HCV antibody and HCV-RNA,four patients were negative for HCV antibody but positive for HCV-RNA. Eleven patients had a history of kidney transplantation and 12 had a history of blood transfusion, which were significantly more than among the MHD patients without HCV. Thirty of the 32 MHD patients were asymptomatic. There were no significant differences in age, aspartate aminotransferase （AST）, ALT, or between HCV-RNA positive group and HCV-RNA negative group. But the dialysis duration in the HCV-RNA positive group was significantly longer than that in the HCV-RNA negative group. All the 20HCV-RNA negative patients were asymptomatic. Two of the 12 HCV-RNA positive patients had low activity. None of the 32 cases with HCV positive markers had cirrhosis.Conclusions A high prevalence of HCV infection in MHD patients is related to blood transfusion and kidney transplantation. Occult HCV infection is present in MHD patients. Chronic hepatitis C among MHD patients is mild in disease activity, and is not progressive, perhaps due to immunological abnormalities in these patients.     

HIV-1感染者中HCV感染对于隐匿性HBV感染的影响

目的探讨在人免疫缺陷病毒-1(human immunodeficiency virus-1,HIV-1)感染者中丙型肝炎病毒(hepatitis C virus,HCV)感染对于隐匿性乙型肝炎病毒(hepatitis B virus,HBV)感染的影响。方法研究对象为河南某艾滋病治疗示范区中178例乙型肝炎表面抗原(hepatitis B surface antigen,HBsAg)阴性的经有偿献血感染HIV-1未经抗病毒治疗的患者,检测项目包括肝功能,HBV及HCV血清标志物,HBV DNA和HCV RNA。分析HIV-1阳性,抗HCV阳性、抗HCV阴性组及HIV-1/HCV感染组中不同HCV RNA载量组HBV病原学检测结果方面的差异。结果 178例HBsAg阴性的HIV-1感染者中,HBV-M全阴性35例;单独抗HBs阳性25例;单独抗HBc阳性51例;HBsAb及HBcAb均阳性34例。抗HCV阳性HIV-1感染者与抗HCV阴性HIV-1感染者的年龄、性别比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);丙氨酸转移酶(alanine transaminase,ALT)、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶(aspartate aminotransferase,AST)浓度比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);总胆红素(total bilirubin,TBIL)浓度比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);乙肝标志物(HBV marker,HBV-M)阴性、单独乙肝表面抗体(hepatitis B surface antibody,HBsAb)阳性、单独乙肝核心抗体(hepatitis B core antibody,HBcAb)阳性、HBsAb及HBcAb均阳性及HBV DNA阳性例数比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。不同HCV RNA载量患者HBV DNA检测结果比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论经有偿献血感染HIV-1人群中,HCV感染及HCV RNA载量高低与隐匿性HBV感染的发生无关;但合并HCV感染可加重HIV-1感染者的肝功能损害。     

A study of prevalence of intestinal worm infestation and efficacy of anthelminthic drugs

Background

Intestinal worm infestation is a global health problem. Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections form the most important group of intestinal worms affecting two billion people worldwide, causing considerable morbidity and suffering, though entirely preventable. The present study was undertaken to measure the parasite load in the target population and evaluate the efficacy of anthelminthic drugs.

Methods

Current study was undertaken from 01 July 2012 to 30 June 2013. All outdoor as well as indoor patients advised stool examination formed the study population and it included 2656 males and 76 females (including 6 children). Investigations included stool examination and blood counts. A single-oral dose of anthelminthic drug was given to all positive cases. Stool tests were repeated after 14–21 days to evaluate cure rate.

Results

Overall prevalence of intestinal worm infection was found to be 49.38%. Ascaris was the most common parasite (46.88%), followed by Taenia (2.1%) and Hymenolepis nana (0.21%). Cure rate was found to be 66% for Ascaris and 100% in other cases.

Conclusion

The study reveals high prevalence of intestinal helminths in our subject population and calls for immediate control measures, including preventive chemotherapy and treatment of entire ‘at risk’ population and improvement of their living conditions including provision of potable water.     

Seroprevalence of human parvovirus B19 in healthy blood donors

Background

Human parvovirus B19 is an emerging transfusion transmitted infection. Although parvovirus B19 infection is connected with severe complications in some recipients, donor screening is not yet mandatory. To reduce the risk of contamination, plasma-pool screening and exclusion of highly viraemic donations are recommended. In this study the prevalence of parvovirus B19 in healthy blood donors was detected by ELISA.

Methods

A total of 1633 samples were screened for IgM and IgG antibodies against parvovirus B19 by ELISA. The initial 540 samples were screened for both IgM and IgG class antibodies and remaining 1093 samples were screened for only IgM class antibodies by ELISA.

Results

Net prevalence of IgM antibodies to human parvovirus B19 in our study was 7.53% and prevalence of IgG antibodies was 27.96%. Dual positivity (IgG and IgM) was 2.40%.

Conclusion

The seroprevalence of human parvovirus B19 among blood donor population in our study is high, and poses an adverse transfusion risk especially in high-risk group of patients who have no detectable antibodies to B19. Studies with large sample size are needed to validate these results.     

Prevalence of inducible clindamycin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus isolated from clinical samples

Background

Therapy for Staphylococcal infections may be complicated by the possibility of inducible macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B resistance (MLSBi). We studied the prevalence of MLSBi in community associated (CA) and hospital associated (HA) Staphylococcus aureus isolates from clinical samples.

Methods

A total of 305 strains of S. aureus comprising 140 (45.9%) [95% CI 40.36–51.52] methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and 165 (54%) [95% CI 48.48–59.64] methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) were identified by conventional methods. The double disc test (D test) was applied by placing erythromycin and clindamycin discs to investigate inducible and constitutive MLSBi resistant phenotypes.

Results

16.6% of MRSA showed constitutive resistance and 37.5% inducible MLSBi resistance. Community associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) represented 10% of all isolates and had lower prevalence of MLSBi than hospital associated MRSA (HA-MRSA).

Conclusion

Routine screening for inducible MLSBi resistance by double disc test can screen for potential treatment failures such that clindamycin can be used effectively and judiciously when indicated for staphylococcal infections especially for treating skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) in CA-MRSA due to low prevalence of MLSBi among CA-MRSA.     

慢性丙型肝炎患者血清HCVRNA水平与AST/ALT比例的关系

目的分析抗-HCV阳性患者血清水平HCVRNA与AST/ALT活性的关系;评价AST/ALT比值,HCVRNA水平在判断丙肝患者预后方面的价值。方法采用ELISA法检测抗-HCV,阳性标本分别用荧光PCR试剂盒测定HCVRNA;全自动生化分析仪检测AST/ALT。结果 78份抗-HCV阳性标本经PCR检测后有31份标本含有HCVRNA,HCVRNA拷贝量与AST/ALT比例呈正相关。结论动态监测AST/ALT比例和HCVRNA的水平,可用于丙型肝炎的预后估计。     

Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus,hepatitis C virus,and hepatitis B virus infection among heroin injectors in the central region of Saudi Arabia

Objectives:

To calculate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections among inpatient heroin users, and to study the relationships between these infections and patient demographics.

Methods:

In this retrospective study, heroin users’ inpatient records from the Alamal Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia were reviewed for HIV, HBV, and HCV screening results, age, number of admissions, education, and marital and occupational status. The study took place between January 2006 and November 2012. The prevalences of HIV, HBV, and HCV and their associations to demographics were evaluated.

Results:

A sample of 357 inpatients Saudi male heroin users (all injectors) aged 40 (±8.6) years with lifetime admissions averaged 5.8 (±5) times were studied. Screening results revealed that 20.1% of subjects were infection-free, 56.6% had a single infection, 13.2% were infected by 2 viruses, and 1.1% were infected by 3 viruses. Prevalence of HBV surface antigen was 7.7%, antibodies for HCV 77.8%, and HIV 9.8%. A significant association was found between positive HCV and positive HIV tests. Furthermore, HCV was more common among patients aged 20-29 years, those who were unemployed, and who had primary, secondary, or postsecondary education. Finally, HBV was associated in patients aged 30-39 years and those with secondary educations.

Conclusion:

Contracting serious contagious viral infections is very common among Saudi heroin injectors at rates similar to those seen among injectors in Western countries. Infection control, education, and harm reduction programs are of paramount importance.Substance users are more vulnerable to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and viral hepatitis than the general population.1-3 Specifically, those who inject drugs are at a higher risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections.1 Considering these viruses are blood borne infections, they are transmitted efficiently through sharing of contaminated needles and other injection paraphernalia.4-7 In the United States, approximately 9-12% of new HIV cases8,9 and 50% of new HCV cases10 are associated with illicit injection of drugs. The prevalence of HCV among injecting drug users in the industrialized world is greater than 60%.1-5 In Saudi Arabia, very few studies addressed HIV, HBV, and HCV infections in Saudi heroin users who inject drugs. Njoh and Zimm11 described more than 2000 drug users admitted to an addiction treatment center in Jeddah between January 1995 and May 1996 and found a 0.1% prevalence of HIV. In 1996,12 they found a prevalence of HCV seropositivity of 74.6%. In 1995, at the same treatment center, the HBV surface antigen was positive in 12.6% of 349 screened patients, 80% of whom injected drugs.13 Another screening of 344 Saudi injecting drug users in the eastern region, reported a 38% HCV RNA detection rate, and a 12% HBV DNA detection rates.14 No studies were performed to estimate the prevalence of these viral infections in the central region, and those performed in Jeddah (western Saudi Arabia) are old and may not correctly reflect the current status. In this study, we aim to estimate the prevalences of HBV, HCV, and HIV infections among heroin injectors in the Saudi central region and to explore any significant relationships related to patient demographics.     

Hepatitis C virus infection in different groups of children in Wuhan area

Summary To investigate the incidence of child’s HCV infection in our area, 637 children with different background, including 65 posttransfusion cases, 419 hepatitis patients (250 cases of acute hepatitis A, 156 cases of chronic hepatitis B and 13 cases of non-A, non-B hepatitis), 50 infantile hepatitis syndrome (1HS) infants and 103 healthy day-cared children were tested for serum anti-HCV antibody (EIA) and HCV RNA (nested PCR). It was found that posttransfusion children had significantly higher anti-HCV positive rate (30. 8%) and HCV infection incidence (43.1%) than hepatitis patients (4.3% and 5.3%), IHS infants (6.0% and 8.0%) and daycared children (2.9% and 2.9%). 25 of 33 cases with posttransfusion hepatitis (PTH) developed hepatitis C, which was the leading cause of PTH (75.8%) and NANB PTH (25/30, 83.3%). The incidence of HCV infection in NANBH patients was 23.1% (3/13) which was apparently higher than that in day-cared children (P <0. 02) and lower than that in PTH patients (P<0. 001), but not statistically different from that in AHA and CHB patients (P>0. 05). Mother-infant paired study in IHS group showed that 4 pairs of mother-infant had HCV infection, one boy aged 8 months and his mother were anti-HCV positive, and another 3 pairs possessed HCV RNA in sera. 3 of 103 healthy day-cared children were found to have inapparent HCV infection, who were anti-HCV and HCV RNA positive.     

Hypertension and catecholamine levels in sleep apnoea

Background

Sleep-disordered breathing has been strongly associated with systemic hypertension. Increased sympathetic activity in sleep-disordered breathing may be responsible for this association.

Method

In this sleep clinic-based study, 82 newly diagnosed patients of sleep-disordered breathing were evaluated for hypertension, and their plasma and urinary levels of catecholamines were measured. Catecholamine levels were then compared separately with the severity of sleep apnoea and blood pressure (BP).

Results

The prevalence of hypertension in the study population was 46.3%. The BP showed a strong and statistically significant correlation with apnoea-hypopnoea index (diastolic, r = 0.65, P < 0.001 and systolic, r = 0.60, P < 0.001) which was maintained even after the results were analysed separately for obese and non-obese subjects. Both plasma and urinary levels of catecholamines were greater in patients with severe sleep apnoea (compared to nonsevere cases) and in those with hypertension compared to normotensives. However, statistical significance was achieved only for urine catecholamines and not for plasma catechol-amines in both the cases.

Conclusion

Hypertension is highly prevalent among Indian subjects with obstructive sleep apnoea. Catecholamine levels are significantly higher in hypertensive than in normotensive apnoeics and are also directly related to the severity of obstructive sleep apnoea. Twenty-four hour urinary catecholamine levels are more valid measures of sympathetic activity than spot plasma samples.