Prevalence of occult HBV infection in haemodialysis patients with chronic HCV

AIM: To study the prevalence and clinical effects of occult HBV infection in haemodialysis patients with chronic HCV. METHODS: Fifty chronic hemodialysis patients with negative HbsAg, and positive anti-HCV were included in the study. These patients were divided into two groups: HCV-RNA positive and HCV-RNA negative, based on the results of HCV-RNA PCR. HBV-DNA was studied using the PCR method in both groups. RESULTS: None of the 22 HCV-RNA positive patients and 28 HCV-RNA negative patients revealed HBV-DNA in serum by PCR method. The average age was 47.2±17.0 in the HCV-RNA positive group and 39.6±15.6 in the HCV-RNA negative group. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of occult HBV infection is not high in haemodialysis patients with chronic HCV in our region. This result of our study has to be evaluated in consideration of the interaction between HBsAg positivity (8%-10%) and frequency of HBV mutants in our region.     

Maintenance hemodialysis decreases serum hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA levels in hemodialysis patients with chronic HCV infection

OBJECTIVE: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major complication among hemodialysis patients the world over. To determine the natural course of HCV viremic levels in patients on maintenance hemodialysis, we prospectively quantified the HCV RNA levels in serial blood samples from hemodialysis patients and compared them with those in nonuremic subjects. METHODS: The population studied included 98 hemodialysis patients and 228 nonuremic subjects with chronic HCV infection. HCV RNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the levels were determined by branched DNA probe assay. HCV RNA genotypes were determined by PCR using type-specific primers. RESULTS: HCV RNA levels were significantly lower in hemodialysis patients (median, 0.4x10(6) genome equivalent [Meq]/ml) than in nonuremic subjects (median, 3.0 Meq/ml) (p<0.05). HCV of genotype 1b was prevalent in the hemodialysis patients (81.6%) and nonuremic subjects (88.6%). HCV RNA levels in 20 hemodialysis patients with genotype 1b were significantly reduced after each hemodialysis procedure (p<0.05). The 3-yr prospective observation from 1995 to 1998 showed a significant decrease of HCV RNA levels in 47 hemodialysis patients with genotype 1b (median, 1.9-0.9 Meq/ml, p<0.05), whereas levels in 155 nonuremic subjects with genotype 1b did not decrease (median, 2.6-3.0 Meq/ml). There were no patients or nonuremic subjects with undetectable HCV RNA by a PCR assay during the observation period. CONCLUSIONS: These observations suggest that maintenance hemodialysis decreases the HCV RNA levels in hemodialysis patients with chronic HCV infection, but does not produce clearance of the viremia.     

慢性乙型肝炎YMDD变异后的治疗

目的:评价阿德福韦酯(ADV)和恩替卡韦(ETV)治疗慢性乙型肝炎YMDD变异患者2年的疗效和安全性.方法:2005-06/2007-06我院门诊和住院经拉米夫定治疗后出现YMDD变异的乙型肝炎患者120例, 随机分为4组. A组单用ADV 10 mg/d, 治疗96 wk; B组采用ADV 10 mg/d、拉米夫定100mg/d, 联合治疗12 wk, 后单用ADV 10 mg/d, 治疗84 wk; C组采用ADV 10 mg/d、拉米夫定100mg/d, 联合治疗96 wk; D组接受ETV 1 mg/d, 治疗96 wk. 患者在治疗前和12、24、48、72、96 wk检测肝功能、HBV DNA、HBV标志物、电解质(血磷)、肾功能, 对HBV DNA阳性患者检测YMDD变异株, 病毒学无应答或反弹的患者进行HBV P区测序.结果:治疗96 wk时4组患者间ALT水平、HBeAg阳性患者血清转换率比较, 差异均无统计学意义( P>0.05). C组患者ALT复常率、HBV DNA达到检测水平以下的百分率与A组患者比较, 差异有统计学意义(χ2 = 7.500,6.648, P<0.05); 4组患者96 wk的基因型耐药率分别为16.7%(5/30)、13.3%(4/30)、0及13.3%(4/30). A组1例患者出现重型肝炎.结论:YMDD变异后采用ADV与拉米夫定联合治疗更安全有效.     

Pulmonary alterations in patients with chronic HCV infection

BACKGROUND: Chronic hepatitis C virus infection has been reported in association with several extrahepatic manifestations. Included in this list is interstitial lung involvement. AIMS: The aim of the present study was to evaluate pulmonary alterations in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection. PATIENTS: Twenty-one patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection were enrolled into a prospective study. One patient has been excluded because of underlying tuberculosis. METHODS: All patients underwent pulmonary function tests, diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide and high-resolution computed tomography of the chest. RESULTS: Forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in first second/forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in first second values were reduced to less than 80% of predicted values in 3, 11 and 5 patients, respectively. Diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide was low in 12 patients (60%), 8 of whom had simultaneous decrease in diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide/VA values. Thorax high-resolution computed tomography revealed abnormal findings in eight patients (40%). Fifteen patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection (75%) had at least one pulmonary alteration as evidenced by abnormal pulmonary function tests, diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide and/or high-resolution computed tomography results. CONCLUSION: In spite of a limited study population, these findings may implicate that pulmonary manifestations of chronic hepatitis C virus infection are frequently underdiagnosed.     

Development of an HCV infection risk stratification algorithm for patients on chronic hemodialysis

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in patients on chronic hemodialysis (HD) is near 9%. Transaminases, which are lower in HD patients, are not effective in screening for HCV. Our aim was to design an HCV risk stratification strategy incorporating lowered aminotransferase levels and other clinical parameters. METHODS: Patient serum from 168 consecutive HD patients was analyzed for AST, ALT, ferritin, and hepatitis C antibody. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated for lower transaminase values. Multivariate classification and regression tree analysis was used to determine the best combination of variables to predict risk for HCV infection. RESULTS: Median AST and ALT levels were higher in anti-HCV Ab(+) patients (p < 0.05). Applying a lower cutoff value for ALT of 16 IU/L resulted in a sensitivity of 61.1%, a specificity of 66.7%, a positive predictive value of 33.9%, and a negative predictive value of 86.0% for detection of HCV infection. Multivariate classification and regression tree analysis derived an algorithm using patient age, months on HD, and AST, resulting in a 97.2% sensitivity and a 51.9% specificity for the detection of HCV(+) HD patients. CONCLUSIONS: A lower normal cutoff value of 18 IU/L for AST and 16 IU/L for ALT increased sensitivity and specificity for the detection of HCV infection in HD patients. An algorithm combining lower transaminases with clinical parameters improved both sensitivity and specificity in HCV detection. Prospective confirmation of this algorithm would allow more selective HCV enzyme immunoassay and polymerase chain reaction testing in dialysis units.     

慢性HBV携带者YMDD自然变异的追踪研究

目的 探讨慢性HBV携带者YMDD自然变异随时间的推移发生变化的情况.方法 随机选择未经抗病毒治疗的慢性HBV携带者103例,分别在开始、1年、2年时观察血清HBV DNA、HBV血清学标志物、肝功能、YMDD变异的变化情况.结果 在开始检测的103例慢性HBV携带者中,YMDD阳性27例,观察2年后4例转为非活动性H...     

Occult hepatitis B virus infection and cryptogenic chronic hepatitis in an area with intermediate prevalence of HBV infection

AIM: To assess the possible role of occult HBV infection in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis in Iranian patients. METHODS: After exclusion of autoimmune, metabolic and viral etiologies, 104 consecutive adult patients with histologic and biochemical features of chronic hepatitis and negative HBsAg were enrolled in the study. Qualitative PCR with a sensitivity of 150×103 copies/L, using two primers for Pre-S and core regions was applied to measure presence of HBV DNA in serum of the patients. RESULTS: All 104 patients completed the study. Qualitative HBV DNA was positive in two patients (1.9%). CONCLUSION: Occult HBV infection has negligible role in the pathogenesis of cryptogenic chronic hepatitis in Iranian patients.     

Occult HBV infection in cryptogenic liver cirrhosis in an area with high prevalence of HBV infection

OBJECTIVES: Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is often used as the serological marker to screen for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the investigation of liver cirrhosis. In Hong Kong, where HBV infection is endemic, some patients may have persistent viral infection after the loss of HBsAg. We aimed to investigate 1) the prevalence of occult HBV infection in cryptogenic liver cirrhosis in Hong Kong and 2) the role of HBV "a" determinant mutations among these patients. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with cryptogenic liver cirrhosis (group I), 49 subjects with no liver disease (group II), and 26 patients with HBV-related cirrhosis (group III) were studied. HBV DNA was determined by the cross-linking assay (sensitivity = 0.5 mEq/ml) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Occult HBV infection was defined as HBV DNA detectable by PCR among patients with negative HBsAg. RESULTS: Eighty-nine percent and 92% of patients in groups I and II, respectively, had positive anti-HBs and/or anti-hepatitis B core. Nine (32%), no (0%), and 14 (54%) patients in groups I, II, and III, respectively, had detectable HBV DNA by PCR (group I vs group II, p < 0.001; group I vs group III, p = 0.36). Four patients in group I had HBV DNA detectable by the cross-linking assay (median = 5.98 mEq/ml, range = 3.1-8.01). "a" determinant mutations were detected in two patients in group I (K122N and G145R, C125A) and one patient in group II (1126N). CONCLUSIONS: Occult HBV infection is common among patients with cryptogenic liver cirrhosis, and it cannot be explained by mutations in the HBV "a" determinant.     

Correlation between serum HCV RNA and aminotransferase levels in patients with chronic HCV infection

Cross-sectional studies on the correlation between serum hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in patients with chronic hepatitis C have yielded conflicting results. We conducted a longitudinal study to examine the correlation between HCV viremia and serum ALT levels in individual patients over time. Serial samples (mean 9) from 25 patients with chronic HCV infection, including interferon-treated and untreated immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients, collected over a period of 1–4.8 years (mean 2.6 years) were tested for HCV RNA and ALT levels using a highly reproducible quantitative (bDNA) assay. A significant correlation was found between serum HCV RNA and ALT levels in the patients who received IFN therapy, but no correlation was observed in the untreated patients. Among the untreated patients, the immunosuppressed patients had significantly higher HCV RNA levels (39±4 vs 3.6±8 Meq/ml,P<0.0001) but significantly lower ALT (56±11 vs 97±12 units/liter,P=0.03) levels when compared to the immunocompetent ones. In summary, we found no correlation between serum HCV RNA and ALT levels in chronic hepatitis C patients who are not receiving interferon therapy. Immunosuppression results in higher HCV RNA but lower ALT levels.