51
|
Broussard KA, Rockey DC. Bleeding ectopic varices: clinical presentation, natural history, and outcomes. J Investig Med 2022; 70:1280-1284. [PMID: 35246467 DOI: 10.1136/jim-2021-002021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Bleeding complications from ectopic varices are often difficult to manage. We aimed to study the natural history and outcomes of bleeding ectopic varices to better understand appropriate clinical management. This retrospective cohort study included patients admitted to the hospital with bleeding ectopic or esophageal varices from 2010 through 2019. Study subjects were identified through searching the Medical University of South Carolina's electronic medical record, and complete demographic, clinical, and procedural data were abstracted. 25 patients with gastrointestinal bleeding from ectopic varices and a matched group of 50 patients with bleeding esophageal varices were identified. Bleeding ectopic varices were identified in the following locations: duodenum (n=5), jejunum/ileum (n=5), colon (n=2), rectum (n=6), and anastomotic sites (n=7). Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scores (patients with cirrhosis), need for intensive care unit admission, and administration of octreotide and antibiotics were significantly higher in patients with esophageal variceal bleeding than those with ectopic varices. All-cause 1-year mortality of patients with ectopic varices was significantly lower than those with bleeding esophageal varices (8% vs 35%, p<0.05). Patients with ectopic varices and cirrhosis bled at lower hepatic venous pressure gradients than patients with bleeding esophageal varices (17 mm Hg vs 24 mm Hg, p<0.01). Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) were performed in two-thirds of patients with ectopic varices and one patient rebled due to TIPS dysfunction. The clinical features of patients with ectopic varices and those with esophageal varices were similar, but patients with ectopic varices had significantly lower 1-year mortality after bleeding events.
Collapse
|
52
|
Sullivan MK, Daher HB, Rockey DC. Normal or near normal aminotransferase levels in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis. Am J Med Sci 2022; 363:484-489. [PMID: 34619146 PMCID: PMC10860165 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjms.2021.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcoholic liver disease is caused by excessive alcohol consumption that results in an inflammatory response and fibrosis. We have recognized that patients with alcoholic cirrhosis often have unremarkable liver enzyme values. METHODS In this retrospective cohort analysis, we identified consecutive patients with documented alcoholic cirrhosis at an academic medical center who were admitted between January 1 2016 and December 1 2018. We examined clinical outcomes of patients as a function of whether the aspartate transaminase (AST) or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was normal or abnormal. Likelihood chi-square analyses were utilized for group comparisons and t-tests were used for numerical data. RESULTS In the cohort of 78 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis (age 55, 26-75; 58% male) 70 had a normal ALT and 12 had a normal AST. The average AST for all patients was 59 ± 34 U/L (ULN = 35 U/L), and the average ALT was 27 ± 13 U/L (ULN = 45 U/L). The average INR was 1.5 ± 0.5 and total bilirubin was 3.7 ± 4.9 mg/dL, and 20 patients had a normal bilirubin level, including only one with an abnormal ALT level. The average model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score was 19 ± 8 and 32% of patients died during the follow-up time period of 5 months. Decompensating events were identified in 78 (100%) patients. There was no correlation between complications or death and aminotransferase levels. CONCLUSIONS Aminotransferase levels are often unremarkable in patients with alcohol related cirrhosis and bear no relationship to clinical events or outcomes. Clinicians should be cautious when interpreting aminotransferases in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis.
Collapse
|
53
|
Vuppalanchi R, Bonkovsky HL, Ahmad J, Barnhart H, Durazo F, Fontana RJ, Gu J, Khan I, Kleiner DE, Koh C, Rockey DC, Phillips EJ, Li YJ, Serrano J, Stolz A, Tillmann HL, Seeff LB, Hoofnagle JH, Navarro VJ. Garcinia cambogia, Either Alone or in Combination With Green Tea, Causes Moderate to Severe Liver Injury. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 20:e1416-e1425. [PMID: 34400337 PMCID: PMC9004424 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2021.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Garcinia cambogia, either alone or with green tea, is commonly promoted for weight loss. Sporadic cases of liver failure from G cambogia have been reported, but its role in liver injury is controversial. METHODS Among 1418 patients enrolled in the Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network (DILIN) from 2004 to 2018, we identified 22 cases (adjudicated with high confidence) of liver injury from G cambogia either alone (n = 5) or in combination with green tea (n = 16) or Ashwagandha (n = 1). Control groups consisted of 57 patients with liver injury from herbal and dietary supplements (HDS) containing green tea without G cambogia and 103 patients from other HDS. RESULTS Patients who took G cambogia were between 17 and 54 years, with liver injury arising 13-223 days (median = 51) after the start. One patient died, one required liver transplantation, and 91% were hospitalized. The liver injury was hepatocellular with jaundice. Although the peak values of aminotransferases were significantly higher (2001 ± 1386 U/L) in G cambogia group (P < .018), the median time for improvement in total bilirubin was significantly lower compared with the control groups (10 vs 17 and 13 days; P = .03). The presence of HLA-B∗35:01 allele was significantly higher in the G cambogia containing HDS (55%) compared with patients because of other HDS (19%) (P = .002) and those with acute liver injury from conventional drugs (12%) (P = 2.55 × 10-6). CONCLUSIONS The liver injury caused by G cambogia and green tea is clinically indistinguishable. The possible association with HLA-B∗35:01 allele suggests an immune-mediated mechanism of injury. CLINICAL TRIALS gov number: NCT00345930.
Collapse
|
54
|
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This article discusses the most recent studies regarding the emerging field of endohepatology - the use of diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic tools for the management of patients with liver disease and portal hypertension. RECENT FINDINGS New research has shown that liver biopsy specimens obtained by each Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guidance, the percutaneous approach, and the transjugular approach contained sufficient portal triads to adequately analyzed by experienced pathologists - suggesting that any of these routes of liver biopsy is clinically acceptable; further, all had similar rates of adverse events. An initial prospective study showed that EUS guided portal pressure measurement was safe, effective, and accurate. A recent metanalysis showed that EUS-guided cyanoacrylate injection and coil embolization was statistically more efficacious and with less complications than EUS guided cyanoacrylate injection and EUS guided coil injection alone, suggesting that combination therapy appears to be the preferred approach for gastric varices (GV) bleeding. A prospective study evaluating focal liver lesions showed that the use of artificial intelligence had up to 100% sensitivity and 81% specificity for identifying malignant focal liver lesions. SUMMARY EUS guided liver biopsy is safe and enables accurate diagnosis of underlying liver disease. EUS guided portal pressure measurement is also safe and is accurate. Combination therapy of EUS guided cyanoacrylate injection and coil embolization is more efficacious and has less complications than injection or coil therapy alone when used for GV bleeding. Artificial intelligence is highly sensitive and specific when used in conjunction with EUS in the diagnosis of malignant focal liver lesions. Endohepatology is a rapidly expanding field with great potential.
Collapse
|
55
|
Ahmad J, Barnhart HX, Bonacini M, Ghabril M, Hayashi PH, Odin JA, Rockey DC, Rossi S, Serrano J, Tillmann HL, Kleiner DE. Value of liver biopsy in the diagnosis of drug-induced liver injury. J Hepatol 2022; 76:1070-1078. [PMID: 35074471 PMCID: PMC9018618 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.12.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The utility of liver biopsy in diagnosing or staging idiosyncratic drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine whether liver histology impacted causality assessment in suspected DILI using a novel simulation model. METHODS Fifty patients enrolled in the DILI Network (DILIN) who had liver biopsies performed within 60 days of DILI onset were randomly selected. All had standard DILIN consensus causality scoring using a 5-point scale (1=definite, 2=highly likely, 3=probable, 4=possible, 5=unlikely) based on 6-month post-injury data. Three experienced hepatologists independently performed a causality assessment using redacted case records, with the biopsy and selected post-biopsy laboratory data removed. The 3 hepatologists also reviewed the liver histology with a hepatopathologist and then repeated causality assessment for each case. RESULTS Of the 50 cases, there were 42 high causality DILI cases (1, 2 or 3) and 8 low causality cases (4 and 5). The hepatologists judged that liver biopsy was indicated in 62% of patients; after histology review, biopsy was judged to have been helpful in 70% of patients. Histology review changed the causality score in 68% of patients, with an increase in DILI likelihood in 48% and a decrease in 20%. Biopsy results changed diagnostic certainty from less certain (3 or 4) to highly certain (1, 2 or 5) in 38% of patients. CONCLUSIONS Liver histologic findings may help clarify the diagnosis of DILI. Histology appears to be particularly helpful in cholestatic or equivocal cases of DILI (possible or probable), shifting assessment toward a greater or lower certainty of a DILI diagnosis. LAY SUMMARY The utility of liver biopsy in diagnosing or staging idiosyncratic drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is unclear. Herein, we show that, in patients with suspected DILI, a liver biopsy can help physicians diagnose DILI or other causes of liver injury with more certainty.
Collapse
|
56
|
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The objective of this review is to examine the epidemiology and pathogenesis of liver injury in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the impact of COVID-19 on patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) and liver transplant recipients. RECENT FINDINGS Abnormal liver chemistries occur in up to 60% of COVID-19 patients and are typically mild. COVID-19- associated liver injury may be because of direct viral cytopathic effect, immune-mediated damage, hypoxia, drug-induced liver injury (DILI), or exacerbation of CLD. COVID-19 patients with CLD and who are liver transplant recipients are at risk for severe disease and mortality. COVID-19 precipitated hepatic decompensation in 20-46% of cirrhotic patients. Alcohol consumption and cases of acute alcohol- associated hepatitis increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors are well tolerated to use during COVID-19 but immunomodulators have been associated with mortality. Less than 50% of transplant recipients produce adequate antibody titers after COVID-19 vaccination. SUMMARY COVID-19 patients with CLD should be monitored for liver injury and hepatic decompensation. Patients with CLD and liver transplant recipients should be considered for targeted COVID-19 pharmacotherapeutics and advised vaccination against COVID-19, including a third booster dose. CLD treatments and immunosuppression in liver transplant recipients could generally continue without interruption during COVID-19 infection, with the possible exception of immunomodulators.
Collapse
|
57
|
Ochoa-Rios S, O'Connor IP, Kent LN, Clouse JM, Hadjiyannis Y, Koivisto C, Pecot T, Angel PM, Drake RR, Leone G, Mehta AS, Rockey DC. Imaging Mass Spectrometry Reveals Alterations in N-Linked Glycosylation That Are Associated With Histopathological Changes in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in Mouse and Human. Mol Cell Proteomics 2022; 21:100225. [PMID: 35331917 PMCID: PMC9092512 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2022.100225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the progressive form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and is characterized by inflammation, hepatocyte injury, and fibrosis. Further, NASH is a risk factor for cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Previous research demonstrated that serum N-glycan profiles can be altered in NASH patients. Here, we hypothesized that these N-glycan modifications may be associated with specific liver damage in NAFLD and NASH. To investigate the N-glycome profile in tissue, imaging mass spectrometry was used for a qualitative and quantitative in situ N-linked glycan analysis of mouse and human NAFLD/NASH tissue. A murine model was used to induce NAFLD and NASH through ad libitum feeding with either a high-fat diet or a Western diet, respectively. Mice fed a high-fat diet or Western diet developed inflammation, steatosis, and fibrosis, consistent with NAFLD/NASH phenotypes. Induction of NAFLD/NASH for 18 months using high caloric diets resulted in increased expression of mannose, complex/fucosylated, and hybrid N-glycan structures compared to control mouse livers. To validate the animal results, liver biopsy specimens from 51 human NAFLD/NASH patients representing the full range of NASH Clinical Research Network fibrosis stages were analyzed. Importantly, the same glycan alterations observed in mouse models were observed in human NASH biopsies and correlated with the degree of fibrosis. In addition, spatial glycan alterations were localized specifically to histopathological changes in tissue like fibrotic and fatty areas. We demonstrate that the use of standard staining's combined with imaging mass spectrometry provide a full profile of the origin of N-glycan modifications within the tissue. These results indicate that the spatial distribution of abundances of released N-glycans correlate with regions of tissue steatosis associated with NAFLD/NASH.
Collapse
|
58
|
Hermann RP, Rockey DC, Suzuki A, Merz M, Tillmann HL. A novel phenotype-based drug-induced liver injury causality assessment tool (DILI-CAT) allows for signal confirmation in early drug development. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2022; 55:1028-1037. [PMID: 35266155 PMCID: PMC9164935 DOI: 10.1111/apt.16836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) requires accurate case adjudication, with expert opinion being the current best practice. AIM We utilised a novel DILI causality assessment tool (DILI-CAT), which uses drug-specific liver injury phenotypes, to examine potential DILI in early phase ximelagatran clinical development. METHODS We conducted a retrospective analysis of liver injury events from four Stroke Prevention using an ORal Thrombin Inhibitor in Atrial Fibrillation (SPORTIF) trials, in which patients were randomised to receive oral ximelagatran or adjusted-dose warfarin. A stepwise process was used with iterative adjustments. The DILI phenotype was characterised by latency, R-value, and AST/ALT ratio. A scoring algorithm was applied to liver events to assess how closely the liver events matched the Interquatile-Range for the working phenotype for each of the three parameters. FINDINGS Data from 3115 patients included in the SPORTIF trials as above were available. The initial ximelagatran phenotype was developed based on five liver injury cases from the ximelagatran arm and was then validated against an additional eight cases (5 ximelagatran, 3 warfarin); in these eight cases, there was a statistically significant difference in the total DILI-CAT scores of the two drugs (p = 0.016) between ximelagatran and warfarin. Together, these ten ximelagatran cases generated a second, refined ximelagatran phenotype, which was validated against an additional 75 cases (53 ximelagatran/22 warfarin)-again with statistically significant different DILI-CAT ximelagatran vs. warfarin scores (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION DILI-CAT, a clinically intuitive, data-driven, computer-assisted scoring algorithm, is a useful tool for early detection of drug's hepatotoxicity in clinical drug development.
Collapse
|
59
|
Gallagher EJ, Rockey DC, Kontos CD, Vyas JM, Brass LF, Hu PJ, Isales CM, Ajijola OA, Rathmell WK, Conlin PR, Baiocchi RA, Kazmierczak BI, Akabas MH, Williams CS. Pearls of wisdom for aspiring physician-scientist residency applicants and program directors. JCI Insight 2022; 7:158467. [PMID: 35315364 PMCID: PMC8986063 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.158467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Postgraduate physician-scientist training programs (PSTPs) enhance the experiences of physician-scientist trainees following medical school graduation. PSTPs usually span residency and fellowship training, but this varies widely by institution. Applicant competitiveness for these programs would be enhanced, and unnecessary trainee anxiety relieved, by a clear understanding of what factors define a successful PSTP matriculant. Such information would also be invaluable to PSTP directors and would allow benchmarking of their admissions processes with peer programs. We conducted a survey of PSTP directors across the US to understand the importance they placed on components of PSTP applications. Of 41 survey respondents, most were from internal medicine and pediatrics residency programs. Of all components in the application, two elements were considered very important by a majority of PSTP directors: (a) having one or more first-author publications and (b) the thesis advisor’s letter. Less weight was consistently placed on factors often considered more relevant for non-physician-scientist postgraduate applicants — such as US Medical Licensing Examination scores, awards, and leadership activities. The data presented here highlight important metrics for PSTP applicants and directors and suggest that indicators of scientific productivity and commitment to research outweigh traditional quantitative measures of medical school performance.
Collapse
|
60
|
Marrache MK, Bou Daher H, Rockey DC. The relationship between portal hypertension and portal hypertensive gastropathy. Scand J Gastroenterol 2022; 57:340-344. [PMID: 34904513 PMCID: PMC9717700 DOI: 10.1080/00365521.2021.2012591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG) most commonly occurs in the setting of increased portal pressure in patients with cirrhosis. Here, we aimed to understand the correlation between hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) and the presence and severity of PHG in patients with cirrhosis. METHODS We examined patients with cirrhosis who underwent HVPG measurement at the Medical University of South Carolina between 2014 and 2020. Extensive demographic, clinical, laboratory, procedural (including precise grading of PHG severity using standard definitions), and outcome data were abstracted at the time of HVPG measurement. RESULTS Three hundred and ten patients with HVPG measurements and cirrhosis were identified. Seventy-three patients having endoscopy within 6 months of HVPG measurement were included (mean age 54 ± 11, 44% female). The most common causes of cirrhosis were alcohol (41%) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (32%). The average HVPG was 15 mmHg (±6) and 62 patients had clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) (HVPG ≥ 10 mmHg). Of the 73 patients with HVPG measured, 45 (62%) had PHG, including 40 (89%) of whom had CSPH. Out of the 45 patients with PHG, 41 and four had mild or severe PHG, respectively. MELD scores were similar in patients with and without PHG [15 ± 9 (SD) and 17 ± 9, respectively; p = .37]. HVPG was higher in patients with PHG (17 ± 7 mmHg) than those without PHG (13 ± 4 mmHg) (p = .01) but did not differ between mild and severe PHG. CONCLUSION A weak correlation exists between HVPG level and the presence of PHG.
Collapse
|
61
|
Scott DA, Wang M, Grauzam S, Pippin S, Black A, Angel PM, Drake RR, Castellino S, Kono Y, Rockey DC, Mehta AS. GlycoFibroTyper: A Novel Method for the Glycan Analysis of IgG and the Development of a Biomarker Signature of Liver Fibrosis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:797460. [PMID: 35197973 PMCID: PMC8858972 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.797460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Our group has recently developed the GlycoTyper assay which is a streamlined antibody capture slide array approach to directly profile N-glycans of captured serum glycoproteins including immunoglobulin G (IgG). This method needs only a few microliters of serum and utilizes a simplified processing protocol that requires no purification or sugar modifications prior to analysis. In this method, antibody captured glycoproteins are treated with peptide N-glycosidase F (PNGase F) to release N-glycans for detection by MALDI imaging mass spectrometry (IMS). As alterations in N-linked glycans have been reported for IgG from large patient cohorts with fibrosis and cirrhosis, we utilized this novel method to examine the glycosylation of total IgG, as well as IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4, which have never been examined before, in a cohort of 106 patients with biopsy confirmed liver fibrosis. Patients were classified as either having no evidence of fibrosis (41 patients with no liver disease or stage 0 fibrosis), early stage fibrosis (10 METAVIR stage 1 and 18 METAVIR stage 2) or late stage fibrosis (6 patients with METAVIR stage 3 fibrosis and 37 patients with METAVIR stage 4 fibrosis (cirrhosis)). Several major alterations in glycosylation were observed that classify patients as having no fibrosis (sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 90%), early fibrosis (sensitivity of 84% with 90% specificity) or significant fibrosis (sensitivity of 94% with 90% specificity).
Collapse
|
62
|
Choudry N, Sasso R, Rockey DC. Infection in Hospitalized Cirrhosis Patients: Changing Epidemiology and Clinical Features. Am J Med Sci 2022; 363:114-121. [PMID: 34995572 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjms.2021.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with cirrhosis are uniquely predisposed to infections, which can lead to acute decompensation and an increase in mortality rates. We hypothesized that not only are cirrhotic patients more likely to develop certain infections, but that specific infections are associated with poorer outcomes. Therefore, we aimed to examine the epidemiology, bacteriology, and outcomes of infections in cirrhotic patients admitted to the hospital. METHODS In this single center observational retrospective cohort study, we identified admissions in which patients had an infection from a group of all admissions of cirrhotics from 2011-2016. Infections were categorized by the primary source of infection, and rigorous clinical and bacteriologic definitions were used. RESULTS We identified 1,208 admissions in 877 unique patients during the study period. The most common infections identified were as follows: urinary tract infections (33%), pneumonia (23%), spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (14%), and bacteremia (11%). Gram-positive organisms were most commonly isolated in patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and bacteremia, whereas gram-negative bacteria were most prevalent in urinary tract infections and pneumonia. Candida infections were common and identified in the following proportions: spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (16%), pneumonia (14%), bacteremia (13%), and urinary tract infections (9%). Pneumonia, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, and meningitis were associated with increased mortality rates (29%, 32%, and 67%, respectively), compared to the overall mortality rate of 20% (p-value < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS In summary, infections were common in patients with cirrhosis and were associated with poor outcomes, particularly in the presence of evidence of sepsis. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and bacteremia are now most commonly due to gram-positive organisms and fungal infections appear to be rising in prevalence.
Collapse
|
63
|
Liu X, Taylor SA, Gromer KD, Zhang D, Hubchak SC, LeCuyer BE, Iwawaki T, Shi Z, Rockey DC, Green RM. Mechanisms of liver injury in high fat sugar diet fed mice that lack hepatocyte X-box binding protein 1. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0261789. [PMID: 35030194 PMCID: PMC8759640 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common causes of liver diseases in the United States and can progress to cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease and need for liver transplantation. There are limited therapies for NAFLD, in part, due to incomplete understanding of the disease pathogenesis, which involves different cell populations in the liver. Endoplasmic reticulum stress and its adaptative unfolded protein response (UPR) signaling pathway have been implicated in the progression from simple hepatic steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). We have previously shown that mice lacking the UPR protein X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) in the liver demonstrated enhanced liver injury and fibrosis in a high fat sugar (HFS) dietary model of NAFLD. In this study, to better understand the role of liver XBP1 in the pathobiology of NAFLD, we fed hepatocyte XBP1 deficient mice a HFS diet or chow and investigated UPR and other cell signaling pathways in hepatocytes, hepatic stellate cells and immune cells. We demonstrate that loss of XBP1 in hepatocytes increased inflammatory pathway expression and altered expression of the UPR signaling in hepatocytes and was associated with enhanced hepatic stellate cell activation after HFS feeding. We believe that a better understanding of liver cell-specific signaling in the pathogenesis of NASH may allow us to identify new therapeutic targets.
Collapse
|
64
|
Khalifa A, Sasso R, Rockey DC. Role of Liver Biopsy in Assessment of Radiologically Identified Liver Masses. Dig Dis Sci 2022; 67:337-343. [PMID: 33604792 PMCID: PMC8999003 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-021-06822-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite improvements in imaging techniques that have enhanced the ability to diagnose hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), histopathological evaluation of many other types of liver masses is critical. AIMS To evaluate the utility of liver biopsy in patients with radiologically undiagnosed liver masses. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 293 consecutive patients who had a liver biopsy for evaluation of an undiagnosed liver mass between January 2014 and January 2018. RESULTS Out of 293 biopsies, 246 patients were found to have malignancy (84%), including 210 (72%) patients with metastatic malignancy and 36 with primary hepatic malignancies (20 HCC and 16 others). In the 47 patients without malignancy, 17 patients had necrotic abscess/granuloma, 16 patients had normal histology, eight patients had hepatic fibrosis/cirrhosis without malignant foci, and six patients had benign tumors. The most common primary lesion in patients with liver metastasis was breast carcinoma (32/293, 11%), followed by colon and pancreas (31 (each)/293, 11%), and lung (9%) adenocarcinomas. Histopathological analysis confirmed the presence of metastasis in 165/200 (83%) patients with a history of oncological malignancy and in 45/93 (48%) patients who had no malignancy history. CONCLUSIONS In patients with a radiologically identified liver mass of unclear etiology, liver biopsy/histology made a diagnosis in 95% (277/293) of patients, including 84% (246/293) found to have an oncological malignancy. Liver biopsy/histology also identified malignancy in a high proportion of patients without known underlying cancer. We conclude that liver biopsy is valuable for evaluation of radiologically identified liver masses of unclear etiology.
Collapse
|
65
|
Suda J, Rockey DC, Karvar S. Retraction Note to: Akt2-Dependent Phosphorylation of Radixin in Regulation of Mrp-2 Trafficking in WIF-B Cells. Dig Dis Sci 2022; 67:354. [PMID: 34882295 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-021-07350-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
|
66
|
Shafiei MS, Rockey DC. Correction: The function of integrin-linked kinase in normal and activated stellate cells. J Transl Med 2022; 102:112-114. [PMID: 36775567 DOI: 10.1038/s41374-021-00659-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
|
67
|
Bosch J, Chung C, Carrasco-Zevallos OM, Harrison SA, Abdelmalek MF, Shiffman ML, Rockey DC, Shanis Z, Juyal D, Pokkalla H, Le QH, Resnick M, Montalto M, Beck AH, Wapinski I, Han L, Jia C, Goodman Z, Afdhal N, Myers RP, Sanyal AJ. A Machine Learning Approach to Liver Histological Evaluation Predicts Clinically Significant Portal Hypertension in NASH Cirrhosis. Hepatology 2021; 74:3146-3160. [PMID: 34333790 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) is the standard for estimating portal pressure but requires expertise for interpretation. We hypothesized that HVPG could be extrapolated from liver histology using a machine learning (ML) algorithm. APPROACH AND RESULTS Patients with NASH with compensated cirrhosis from a phase 2b trial were included. HVPG and biopsies from baseline and weeks 48 and 96 were reviewed centrally, and biopsies evaluated with a convolutional neural network (PathAI, Boston, MA). Using trichrome-stained biopsies in the training set (n = 130), an ML model was developed to recognize fibrosis patterns associated with HVPG, and the resultant ML HVPG score was validated in a held-out test set (n = 88). Associations between the ML HVPG score with measured HVPG and liver-related events, and performance of the ML HVPG score for clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) (HVPG ≥ 10 mm Hg), were determined. The ML-HVPG score was more strongly correlated with HVPG than hepatic collagen by morphometry (ρ = 0.47 vs. ρ = 0.28; P < 0.001). The ML HVPG score differentiated patients with normal (0-5 mm Hg) and elevated (5.5-9.5 mm Hg) HVPG and CSPH (median: 1.51 vs. 1.93 vs. 2.60; all P < 0.05). The areas under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROCs) (95% CI) of the ML-HVPG score for CSPH were 0.85 (0.80, 0.90) and 0.76 (0.68, 0.85) in the training and test sets, respectively. Discrimination of the ML-HVPG score for CSPH improved with the addition of a ML parameter for nodularity, Enhanced Liver Fibrosis, platelets, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and bilirubin (AUROC in test set: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.78, 0.92). Although baseline ML-HVPG score was not prognostic, changes were predictive of clinical events (HR: 2.13; 95% CI: 1.26, 3.59) and associated with hemodynamic response and fibrosis improvement. CONCLUSIONS An ML model based on trichrome-stained liver biopsy slides can predict CSPH in patients with NASH with cirrhosis.
Collapse
|
68
|
Hosni M, Rahal M, Tamim H, Daniel F, Al Hashash J, Sharara AI, Soweid A, Shaib YH, Mourad FH, Wehbeh AN, Rockey DC, Barada K. Increased rebleeding and mortality in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding treated with anticoagulant drugs compared to antiplatelet drugs. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 33:e490-e498. [PMID: 33867445 DOI: 10.1097/meg.0000000000002148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM We determined the effect of antiplatelet and anticoagulant agents on rebleeding and mortality in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding. METHODS This was a prospective study of patients admitted with gastrointestinal bleeding between 2013 and 2018. Outcomes were compared among patients on antiplatelet agents only, anticoagulant drugs only, combination therapy, and none. The association between mortality, rebleeding, and type of antithrombotic medication on admission and discharge was determined using multivariate analysis. RESULTS A total of 509 patients were followed up for a median of 19 months. End of follow-up rebleeding and mortality rates were 19.4% and 23.0%, respectively. Independent predictors of mortality were age [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.025 per year increase, P = 0.002], higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (HR = 1.4, P < 0.0001), severe bleeding (HR = 2.1, P < 0.0001), and being on anticoagulants (HR = 2.3, P = 0.002). Being on antiplatelets was protective against rebleeding (HR = 0.6, P = 0.047). Those on anticoagulants were more likely to die (HR = 2.5, P < 0.0001) and to rebleed (HR = 2.1, P = 0.01) than those on antiplatelets. Antithrombotic drug discontinuation upon discharge was associated with increased mortality in patients with cardiovascular disease. CONCLUSION In gastrointestinal bleeding, rebleeding and mortality were associated with being on anticoagulant drugs, while being on antiplatelet agents was protective against rebleeding. Discontinuation of antithrombotics upon discharge increased the risk of death. The findings inform risk stratification and decisions regarding continuation or discontinuation of antithrombotics.
Collapse
|
69
|
Remillard TC, Rockey DC. From Coronaries to Cirrhosis: The Role of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention and Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in End-Stage Liver Disease. J Investig Med High Impact Case Rep 2021; 9:23247096211005097. [PMID: 34806443 PMCID: PMC8606929 DOI: 10.1177/23247096211005097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug-eluting stents (DES) have superior efficacy compared with bare metal stents (BMS) for treatment of coronary artery lesions. However, BMS continue to play an important role in percutaneous coronary intervention for patients who are at a high bleeding risk, because they require a shorter duration of dual antiplatelet therapy. However, new developments in DES and understanding of the optimal time required for dual antiplatelet therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention may further limit the use of BMS. Furthermore, the use of dual antiplatelet therapy is complicated in patients with cirrhosis, who may have coagulopathy. In this article, we present the case of a patient with cirrhosis and end-stage chronic liver disease with coronary artery disease and a proximal left anterior descending stenosis who received a DES and had multiple episodes of gastrointestinal bleeding. We review the literature addressing DES and BMS in patients at high risk of bleeding. We also review the optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy.
Collapse
|
70
|
Schreiner AD, Zhang J, Durkalski-Mauldin V, Livingston S, Marsden J, Bian J, Mauldin PD, Moran WP, Rockey DC. Advanced liver fibrosis and the metabolic syndrome in a primary care setting. Diabetes Metab Res Rev 2021; 37:e3452. [PMID: 33759300 PMCID: PMC8458479 DOI: 10.1002/dmrr.3452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4) and NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS) are noninvasive and accessible methods for assessing advanced liver fibrosis risk in primary care. We evaluated the distribution of FIB-4 and NFS scores in primary care patients with clinical signals for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective cohort study of electronic record data between 2007 and 2018 included adults with at least one abnormal aminotransferase and no known (non-NAFLD) liver disease. We calculated patient-level FIB-4 and NFS scores, the proportion of patients with mean values exceeding advanced fibrosis thresholds (indeterminate risk: FIB-4 > 1.3, NFS > -1.455; high-risk: FIB-4 > 2.67, NFS > 0.676), and the proportion of patients with a NAFLD International Classification of Diseases-9/10 code. Logistic regression models evaluated the associations of metabolic syndrome (MetS) components with elevated FIB-4 and NFS scores. RESULTS The cohort included 6506 patients with a median of 6 (interquartile range: 3-13) FIB-4 and NFS scores per patient. Of these patients, 81% had at least two components of MetS, 29% had mean FIB-4 and NFS scores for indeterminate fibrosis risk, and 11% had either mean FIB-4 or NFS scores exceeding the high advanced fibrosis risk thresholds. Regression models identified associations of low high-density lipoprotein, hyperglycemia, Black race and male gender with high-risk FIB-4 and NFS values. Only 5% of patients had existing diagnoses for NAFLD identified. CONCLUSIONS Many primary care patients have FIB-4 and NFS scores concerning for advanced fibrosis, but rarely a diagnosis of NAFLD. Elevated FIB-4 and NFS scores may provide signals for further clinical evaluation of liver disease in primary care settings.
Collapse
|
71
|
Ball LE, Agana B, Comte-Walters S, Rockey DC, Masur H, Kottilil S, Meissner EG. Hepatitis C virus treatment with direct-acting antivirals induces rapid changes in the hepatic proteome. J Viral Hepat 2021; 28:1614-1623. [PMID: 34379872 PMCID: PMC8530867 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus with direct-acting antivirals usually eradicates infection, but liver fibrosis does not resolve concurrently. In patients who develop cirrhosis prior to hepatitis C virus treatment, hepatic decompensation and hepatocellular carcinoma can still occur after viral elimination due to residual fibrosis. We hypothesized the liver proteome would exhibit meaningful changes in inflammatory and fibrinogenic pathways change upon hepatitis C virus eradication, which could impact subsequent fibrosis regression. We analysed the liver proteome and phosphoproteome of paired liver biopsies obtained from 8 hepatitis C virus-infected patients before or immediately after treatment with direct-acting antivirals. Proteins in interferon signalling and antiviral pathways decreased concurrent with hepatitis C virus treatment, consistent with prior transcriptomic analyses. Expression of extracellular matrix proteins associated with liver fibrosis did not change with treatment, but the phosphorylation pattern of proteins present within signalling pathways implicated in hepatic fibrinogenesis, including the ERK1/2 pathway, was altered concurrent with hepatitis C virus treatment. Hepatitis C virus treatment leads to reduced expression of hepatic proteins involved in interferon and antiviral signalling. Additionally, changes in fibrosis signalling pathways are detectable before alteration in extracellular matrix proteins, identifying a putative chronology for the dynamic processes involved in fibrosis reversal.
Collapse
|
72
|
Edelson JC, Rockey DC. Letter to the Editor: Complications Associated With Anesthesia Services in Endoscopic Procedures Among Patients With Cirrhosis. Hepatology 2021; 74:2313-2314. [PMID: 34125447 PMCID: PMC8627583 DOI: 10.1002/hep.31892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
|
73
|
Sandler RS, Davidson NO, Monga SP, Rockey DC. Silvio O. Conte Digestive Disease Research Core Centers-Connecting People, Creating Opportunities, Developing Careers. Gastroenterology 2021; 161:1085-1089. [PMID: 34175277 PMCID: PMC8463423 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2021.06.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
|
74
|
Khalifa A, Lewin DN, Sasso R, Rockey DC. The Utility of Liver Biopsy in the Evaluation of Liver Disease and Abnormal Liver Function Tests. Am J Clin Pathol 2021; 156:259-267. [PMID: 33693456 DOI: 10.1093/ajcp/aqaa225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We aimed to assess the value of liver biopsy in the evaluation of abnormal liver tests. METHODS We analyzed consecutive liver biopsy specimens performed for evaluation of unexplained abnormal liver tests from 2014 to 2018. Diagnoses were categorized histologically and clinically. We determined whether histologic examination led to a specific diagnosis and whether prebiopsy laboratory variables predicted the underlying etiology. RESULTS Among the 383 liver biopsy specimens included, chronic hepatitis was the most common histologic (25%) and clinical (17%) diagnosis. Liver biopsy led to a clinical diagnosis in 87% of patients. The most likely clinical diagnoses were autoimmune hepatitis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and drug-induced liver injury (38, 33, and 32 patients, respectively). Using sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values, we found that liver tests were not predictive of a specific diagnosis. In patients with no history of liver disease or clinical features of portal hypertension, biopsy specimens revealed histologic cirrhosis in 5% of patients. CONCLUSIONS Histopathologic diagnoses were made in 85% of patients undergoing liver biopsy for investigation of unexplained liver tests, leading to a clinical diagnosis in 87% of patients. However, neither liver tests themselves nor their patterns were useful in predicting histologic or clinical diagnoses.
Collapse
|
75
|
Ko CW, Siddique SM, Patel A, Rockey DC. Reply. Gastroenterology 2021; 161:365-366. [PMID: 33753102 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2021.03.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
|