Hepatitis E virus re-infection accelerates hepatocellular carcinoma development and relapse in a patient with liver cirrhosis: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUNDHepatitis E virus (HEV) superinfection is a suspected promoting factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis. However, to date, very few cases of HEV-related HCC have been reported. Nevertheless, the role of HEV re-infection in cirrhotic liver without other chronic hepatitis infections has rarely been explored.CASE SUMMARYA 53-year-old male farmer was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis and splenomegaly in August 2016, accompanied with negative HEV-IgM and positive HEV-IgG. No evidence of hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus infection was found. Since then the patient was evaluated for liver function and viral parameters every 3 mo. In June 2017, the patient presented severe fatigue with whole body itching and was diagnosed with HCC. Afterwards this patient experienced quick HCC development, progression, relapse, and metastasis in the following 8 mo, and presented persistent dual positivity of HEV-IgM and HEV-IgG. This patient had a long history of smoking and alcohol consumption.CONCLUSIONThis unique case invokes the importance of HEV surveillance and treatment among cirrhotic patients, HCC cases, and blood donors.     

性病门诊再感染病例分析

目的 了解性病门诊病人再感染性传播疾病(STD)情况及预防存在的问题，探讨加强性病门诊预防服务的必要性。方法 收集2002年3～8月江苏省2个市皮肤病性病防治所性病门诊初诊病例进行分析。结果 266例初诊STD病人中，有80例(30．1％)曾患淋病，再感染以淋病居多，平均83．8％。此80例中，有76．3％的人近3个月有≥2个临时性伴侣；有92．5％的男性最近一次性行为是与临时性伴侣性交。在266例中，有96．7％的人与临时性伴侣未使用安全套。结论 STD病人多有无保护的危险性行为，门诊医务人员在提供性病诊疗服务时应重视加强预防服务，尤其是对再感染者应强化有关使用安全套及自我防护的宣传指导，促进STD病人提高自我保护能力，减少再感染的机会。     

Novel SARS-CoV-2 variants: the pandemics within the pandemic

BackgroundMany new variants of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have been termed variants of concern/interest (VOC/I) because of the greater risk they pose due to possible enhanced transmissibility and/or severity, immune escape, diagnostic and/or treatment failure, and reduced vaccine efficacy.AimsWe sought to review the current knowledge of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants, particularly those deemed VOC/Is: B.1.351, B.1.1.7, and P.1.SourcesMEDLINE and BioRxiv databases, as well as the grey literature, were searched for reports of SARS-CoV-2 variants since November 2020. Relevant articles and their references were screened.ContentMutations on the spike protein in particular may affect both affinity for the SARS-CoV-2 cell receptor ACEII and antibody binding. These VOC/Is often share similar mutation sets. The N501Y mutation is shared by the three main VOCs: B.1.1.7, first identified in the United Kingdom, P.1, originating from Brazil, and B.1.351, first described in South Africa. This mutation likely increases transmissibility by increasing affinity for ACEII. The B.1.351 and P.1 variants also display the E484K mutation which decreases binding of neutralizing antibodies, leading to partial immune escape; this favours reinfections, and decreases the in vitro efficacy of some antibody therapies or vaccines. Those mutations may also have phenotypical repercussions of greater severity. Furthermore, the accumulation of mutations poses a diagnostic risk (lowered when using multiplex assays), as seen for some assays targeting the S gene. With ongoing surveillance, many new VOC/Is have been identified. The emergence of the E484K mutation independently in different parts of the globe may reflect the adaptation of SARS-CoV-2 to humans against a background of increasing immunity.ImplicationsThese VOC/Is are increasing in frequency globally and pose challenges to any herd immunity approach to managing the pandemic. While vaccination is ongoing, vaccine updates may be prudent. The virus continues to adapt to transmission in humans, and further divergence from the initial Wuhan sequences is expected.     

Asymptomatic COVID-19 re-infection in a Japanese male by elevated half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of neutralizing antibodies

Introduction“Re-infection” with COVID-19 is a growing concern; re-infection cases have reported worldwide. However, the clinical characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 re-infection, including the levels and role of anti-SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein IgG antibodies and the half-maximal concentration (IC₅₀) of neutralizing antibodies remain unknown.MethodsBoth the epidemiological and clinical information has been collected during two episodes of COVID-19 in a patient. Laboratory results, including RT-PCR, Ct values, anti-SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein IgG antibodies, and the IC₅₀ of neutralizing antibodies levels were analyzed on the patient.ResultsThe patient was a 58-year-old man who developed moderate COVID-19 pneumonia with oxygen demand (cannula 2 L/min) in the first episode. By day 30, he recuperated and was discharged after testing negative for SARS-CoV-2. After two and a half months, his three family members showed COVID-19 symptoms and tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. He tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 once again and was asymptomatic (the second episode). The IC₅₀ of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 greatly increased from 50.0 μg/mL (after the first episode) to 14.8 μg/mL (after the second episode), and remained strongly reactive (20.1 μl/mL) after 47 days of the second episode.ConclusionsEpidemiological, clinical, and serological analyses confirmed that the patient had re-infection instead of persistent viral shedding from first infection. Our results suggest that SARS-CoV-2 re-infection may manifest as asymptomatic with increased neutralizing antibody levels. Further studies such as the virus characteristics, immunology, and epidemiology on SARS-CoV-2 re-infection are needed.     

Efficacy and safety of two closely spaced doses of praziquantel against Schistosoma haematobium and S. mansoni and re-infection patterns in school-aged children in Niger

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of two closely spaced doses of praziquantel (PZQ) against Schistosoma haematobium and S. mansoni infection in school-aged children, and to characterise re-infection patterns over a 12-month period. The study was carried out in five villages in western Niger: Falmado, Seberi and Libore (single S. haematobium infection foci), and Diambala and Namarigoungou (mixed S. haematobium–S. mansoni infection foci). Parasitological examinations consisted of triplicate urine filtrations and triplicate Kato–Katz thick smears at each visit. Two 40 mg/kg oral doses of PZQ were administered 3 weeks apart. Adverse events were monitored within 4 h after dosing by the survey team and 24 h after treatment using a questionnaire. Our final study cohort comprised 877 children who were infected with either S. haematobium, or S. mansoni, or both species concurrently and received both doses of PZQ. Follow-up visits were conducted 6 weeks, 6 months and 12 months after the first dose of PZQ. At baseline, the geometric mean (GM) infection intensity of S. haematobium ranged from 3.6 (Diambala) to 30.3 eggs/10 ml of urine (Falmado). The GM infection intensity of S. mansoni ranged from 86.7 (Diambala) to 151.4 eggs/g of stool (Namarigoungou). Adverse events were reported by 33.0% and 1.5% of the children after the first and second doses of PZQ, respectively. We found cure rates (CRs) in S. haematobium-infected children 3 weeks after the second dose of PZQ ranging between 49.2% (Falmado) and 98.4% (Namarigoungou) and moderate-to-high egg reduction rates (ERRs) (71.4–100%). Regarding S. mansoni, only moderate CRs and ERRs were found (51.7–58.8% in Diambala, 55.2–60.2% in Namarigoungou). Twelve months post-treatment, prevalence rates approached pre-treatment levels, but infection intensities remained low. In conclusion, PZQ, given in two closely spaced doses, is efficacious against S. haematobium, but the low ERR observed against S. mansoni raises concern about mounting PZQ tolerance.     

Low Re-infection Rate of Helicobacter pylori after Successful Eradication in Thailand: A 2 Years Study

Background: H. pylori is an important cause of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers and gastric cancer. Re-infection rates after successful eradication vary in different regions of the world but only limited studies have been performed in ASEAN Countries to clarify this important issue. The present study was designed to evaluate the H. pylori re-infection rate and predictors of re-infection in Thailand. Methods: We recruited patients with chronic gastritis after 1 and 2 years successful H. pylori eradication from Thammasat University Hospital, Pathumthani (Central urban area) and Maesod district, Tak (Northern rural area), Thailand. 13C-UBT was performed to evaluate re-infection status after cessation of PPI, H2 blocker and antibiotics for at least 4 weeks. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS for Windows Version 22.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Results: A total of 105 subjects were enrolled (40 M and 65F with a mean age of 53.1 years). The overall re-infection rate was 6/105 (5.7%). The 1-year and 2-year H. pylori re-infection rates after successful eradication were only 5.1% (2/39) and 6.1% (4/66). 1-year and 2-year reinfection rates in urban areas were 2/39 (5.1%) and 1/26 (3.8%), while the 2-year reinfection rate in rural areas was 3/40 (7.5%). Location (urban vs rural area) and sex did not show any association with either 1-year or 2-year H. pylori re-infection. With 2-year reinfection, the mean age of H. pylori re-infected patients was significantly higher than those who remained cured (63.0 years vs. 51.6 years, p-value = 0.01). The annual H. pylori infection rate was 2.9%. Conclusions: 1-year and 2-year H. pylori re-infection rates after successful eradication in Thailand appear low in both rural and urban areas. H. pylori eradication for prevention of significant upper GI disease should be recommended and confirmation of successful eradication should be the aim. Patients at higher risk such as the elderly should be monitored for possible risk of H. pylori re-infection.     

鄱阳湖区居民化疗后血吸虫再感染和新感染规律的研究

目的 探讨鄱阳湖区日本血吸虫病流行区人群血吸虫再感染和新感染的规律.方法 1995～2004年（1995～1999年/新华村、2000～2004年/渚溪村）采用血吸虫病病原学检查方法（Kato-Katz法）对疫区5～65岁的常住居民进行连续5年纵向观察.结果 疫区人群血吸虫感染率和感染度呈逐年下降趋势.新华村和渚溪村的人群血吸虫感染率分别从16.29%和12.0%,下降到4.86%和7.42% 新华村和渚溪村的人群感染度分别从0.92±3.72和0.41±1.83下降到0.17±1.08和0.28±1.46 居民再感染年间波动较大,新华村11.29%～23.21%,渚溪村7.14%～27.78%,新感染总体稳定,两村均在4%至9%左右徘徊.结论 化疗仍是控制病情的主要手段,再感染率高低与化疗前病人感染度无相关关系.     

原位肝移植术后乙型肝炎病毒再感染的相关因素分析

目的 分析原位肝移植（OLT）术后HBV再感染的相关因素,评价联合应用乙型肝炎免疫球蛋白（HBIG）和核苷（酸）类似物预防HBV再感染的疗效.方法 收集2003年10月-2007年8月在中山大学附属第三医院行OLT治疗的160例HBV相关性终末期肝病患者,117例患者术前服用核苷（酸）类似物.所有患者术后长期肌肉注射HBIG,并联合服用核苷（酸）类似物,采用回顾性调查方法分析患者术前资料,并前瞻性长期随访OLT术后HBV再感染情况.正态分布计量资料2组间的比较采用独立样本t检验;组间率的比较采用Fisher＇s精确概率检验,P〈0.05表示差异具有统计学意义.结果 160例患者中,19例患者出现HBV再感染,再感染率为11.88%（19/160）.患者术前HBV DNA载量、HBeAg状态及抗病毒治疗时间与OLT术后HBV再感染之间无显著相关性（r值分别为0.108、0.127和0.033,P值均〉0.05）.19例HBV再感染患者中有17例是长期使用拉米夫定治疗的患者,其中8例酪氨酸-蛋氨酸-天门冬氨酸-天门冬氨酸（YMDD）变异株阳性,其HBV DNA载量为（7.0±2.0）log拷贝/mL,而YMDD变异阴性组为（3.2±2.5）log拷贝/mL,2组比较差异有统计学意义（t=3.531,P=0.003）.17例长期服用拉米夫定治疗的患者中,12例加用阿德福韦酯,3例改用恩替卡韦,均获得满意疗效.结论 OLT术后长期小剂量肌肉注射HBIG,并联合核苷（酸）类似物可有效预防HBV再感染.OLT术后使用拉米夫定易出现YMDD变异,而YMDD变异是HBV再感染的重要因素,临床上要予以重视.     

Efficacy of praziquantel and reinfection patterns in single and mixed infection foci for intestinal and urogenital schistosomiasis in Cameroon

The regular administration of the anthelminthic drug praziquantel (PZQ) to school-aged children (and other high-risk groups) is the cornerstone of schistosomiasis control. Whilst the performance of PZQ against single schistosome species infections is well-known, performance against mixed species infections is less so, as are patterns of re-infection following treatment. To address this, a study using a double treatment with PZQ, administered at 40 mg/kg spaced by 3 weeks, took place in two mixed intestinal-urogenital schistosomiasis foci in northern Cameroon (Bessoum and Ouro-Doukoudje) and in one single intestinal schistosomiasis infection focus (Makenene). A total of just under 1000 children were examined and the Schistosoma-infected children were re-examined at several parasitological follow-ups over a 1-year period posttreatment. Overall cure rates against Schistosoma spp. in the three settings were good, 83.3% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 77.9–87.7%) in Bessoum, 89.0% (95% CI = 79.1–94.6%) in Ouro Doukoudje, and 95.3% (95% CI = 89.5–98.0%) in Makenene. Interestingly, no case of mixed schistosome infection was found after treatment. Cure rates for S. mansoni varied from 99.5% to 100%, while that for S. haematobium were considerably lower, varying from 82.7% to 88.0%. Across transmission settings, patterns of re-infection for each schistosome species were different such that generalizations across foci were difficult. For example, at the 6-month follow-up, re-infection rates were higher for S. haematobium than for S. mansoni with re-infection rates for S. haematobium varying from 9.5% to 66.7%, while for S. mansoni, lower rates were observed, ranging between nil and 24.5%. At the 12-month follow-up, re-infection rates varied from 9.1% to 66.7% for S. haematobium and from nil to 27.6% for S. mansoni. Alongside these parasitological studies, concurrent malacological surveys took place to monitor the presence of intermediate host snails of schistosomiasis. In the two northern settings, three species of Bulinus (intermediate host snail of S. haematobium) were collected; i.e. Bulinus truncatus, B. globosus and B. senegalensis, however, Biomphalaria pfeifferi (intermediate host snail of S. mansoni) was much rarer despite repeated and intensive searching and was suggestive of limited local transmission potential of S. mansoni during this time. While this study highlights that performance of PZQ was satisfactory in this region, with somewhat greater impact upon intestinal than urogenital schistosomiasis, the dynamics of local transmission are shown, however, to be complex.     

根管治疗后再感染的原因与预防

根管治疗是急、慢性牙髓炎,根尖周病最彻底有效的治疗方法,是用特有的器械将存在于髓腔内、根尖周的病源刺激物取出,以达到防治急、慢性牙髓炎及根尖周病的目的,但它也有局限性,在失败的诸多因素中,根管内及根尖周微生物的再感染是最主要的,只有在根管预备、根管充填及牙冠修复过程中尽可能严格的按照要求和步骤操作,才能将根管治疗后再感染的几率降到最低。本文对根管治疗后再感染的原因及预防作一综述。