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Bergaoui J, Latiri I, Chaouch H, Ben Abdallah J, Mrad S, Maatamri W, Letaief A, Ben Saad H. Evaluation of muscle strength and quality in North African patients with chronic hepatitis B: A pilot case control study. Libyan J Med 2023; 18:2204564. [PMID: 37096573 PMCID: PMC10132249 DOI: 10.1080/19932820.2023.2204564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Early detection of alteration of muscle strength, quantity, and quality, and sarcopenia is useful in non-cirrhotic chronic hepatitis B (NC-CHB) patients. Studies, which explored the handgrip strength (HGS) are scarce with questionable results, and no previous case-control study explored the presence of sarcopenia.The aim of this study was to assess the muscle strength [i.e.; HGS absolute (HGSA), HGSA/body mass index (BMI)], muscle quantity [i.e.; appendicular skeletal muscle (ASM), ASM/height2, ASM/total body weight (TBW), ASM/BMI], and muscle quality [i.e.; HGSA/total muscle mass (TMM), HGSA/ASM] of NC-CHB patients.This was a case-control study. Cases (n = 26) were untreated NC-CHB patients, and controls (n = 28) were 'apparently' healthy participants. Muscle mass was estimated via the TMM (kg) and ASM (kg). Muscle strength was evaluated via the HGS data [i.e.; HGSA (kg), HGSA/BMI (m2)]. Six variants of HGSA were determined: highest values for the dominant and non-dominant hands, highest value between the two hands, averages of the three measurements for the two hands, and the average of the highest values of the two hands. Muscle quantity was expressed in three relative variants (ASM/height2, ASM/TBW, and ASM/BMI). Muscle quality was evaluated via relative HGS data adjusted by muscle mass (i.e.; HGSA/TMM, HGSA/ASM). Probable and confirmed sarcopenia were retained in front of low muscle strength, and low muscle strength and muscle quantity or quality, respectively.There were no significant differences between controls and NC-CHB patients in values of muscle i) Strength whatever the HGS' mode of expression (e.g.; HGSA/BMI: 1.59 ± 0.54 vs. 1.53 ± 0.54 m2, p = 0.622, respectively), ii) Quantity (e.g.; ASM/BMI: 0.79 ± 0.24 vs. 0.77 ± 0.23 m2, p = 0.883), and iii) Quality (e.g.; HGSA/ASM: 2.00 ± 0.25 vs. 2.01 ± 0.41, p = 0.952, respectively). One NC-CHB participant had a confirmed sarcopenia.To conclude, both controls and NC-CHB patients had similar HGS values. Only one NC-CHB patient had a confirmed sarcopenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihene Bergaoui
- Research laboratory "Heart Failure, LR12SP09", Hospital Farhat HACHED, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Imed Latiri
- Research laboratory "Heart Failure, LR12SP09", Hospital Farhat HACHED, Sousse, Tunisia
- Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, Department of Physiology, Sousse University, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Houda Chaouch
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Viral Hepatitis Research Unit (UR12SP35), Hospital Farhat HACHED, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Jihene Ben Abdallah
- Biochemistry Research Laboratory (LR18ES47), Hospital Farhat HACHED, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Sawssen Mrad
- Biochemistry Research Laboratory (LR18ES47), Hospital Farhat HACHED, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Wided Maatamri
- Haematological laboratory, Hospital Farhat HACHED, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Amel Letaief
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Viral Hepatitis Research Unit (UR12SP35), Hospital Farhat HACHED, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Helmi Ben Saad
- Research laboratory "Heart Failure, LR12SP09", Hospital Farhat HACHED, Sousse, Tunisia
- Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, Department of Physiology, Sousse University, Sousse, Tunisia
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2
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Wilde M. The EBM+ movement. Int J Biostat 2023; 19:283-293. [PMID: 36800549 DOI: 10.1515/ijb-2022-0126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, I provide an introduction for biostatisticians and others to some recent work in the philosophy of medicine. Firstly, I give an overview of some philosophical arguments that are thought to create problems for a prominent approach towards establishing causal claims in medicine, namely, the Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) approach. Secondly, I provide an overview of further recent work in the philosophy of medicine, which argues that mechanistic studies can help to address these problems. Lastly, I describe a novel approach for establishing causal claims in medicine that has been informed by this recent work in the philosophy of medicine, namely, the EBM+ approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Wilde
- Philosophy, University of Kent, CT2 7NZ, Canterbury, UK
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3
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Recommendations for reducing the risk of viral transmission during fertility treatment with the use of autologous gametes: a committee opinion. Fertil Steril 2023; 120:794-801. [PMID: 37656091 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2023.06.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Sexually transmitted infections are of major concern to reproductive specialists. Heading the list are human immunodeficiency virus types 1 and 2 and hepatitis B and C viruses. These pathogens, which may cause incurable chronic infections, can be transmitted through assisted reproductive technologies and from infected mothers to the fetus or newborn. This document replaces the document of the same name, last published in 2020.
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Izhari MA. Molecular Mechanisms of Resistance to Direct-Acting Antiviral (DAA) Drugs for the Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus Infections. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:3102. [PMID: 37835845 PMCID: PMC10572573 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13193102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a hepatotropic virus that affects millions of human lives worldwide. Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) regimens are the most effective HCV treatment option. However, amino acid substitution-dependent resistance to DAAs has been a major challenge. This study aimed to determine the increasing risk of DAA resistance due to substitutions in DAA target non-structural proteins (NS3/4A, NS5A, and NS5B). Using a Sequence Retrieval System (SRS) at the virus pathogen resource (ViPR/BV-BRC), n = 32763 target protein sequences were retrieved and analyzed for resistance-associated amino acid substitutions (RAASs) by the Sequence Feature Variant Type (SFVT) antiviral-resistance assessment modeling tool. Reference target protein sequences with 100% identity were retried from UniProt following NCBI BLAST. The types and locations of RAASs were identified and visualized by AlphaFold and PyMol. Linux-r-base/R-studio was used for the data presentation. Multi-drug-resistant variants of NS3/4A in genotype 1 (n = 9) and genotype 5 (n = 5) along with DAA-specific NS3/4A, NS5A, and NS5B variants were identified pan-genotypically. A total of 27 variants (RAASs) of all the targets were identified. Fourteen genotype 1-specific substitutions: V1196A, V1158I, D1194A/T/G, R1181K, T1080S, Q1106R, V1062A, S1148G, A1182V, Y2065N, M2000T, and L2003V were identified. The most frequent substitutions were V1062L and L2003M, followed by Q2002H. L2003V, Q2002H, M2000T, Y2065N, and NL2003M of NS5A and L2003M of NS5B conferred resistance to daclatasvir. S2702T NS5B was the sofosbuvir-resistant variant. D1194A NS3/4A was triple DAA (simeprevir, faldaprevir, and asunaprevir) resistant. The double-drug resistant variants R1181K (faldaprevir and asunaprevir), A1182V and Q1106K/R (faldaprevir and simeprevir), T1080S (faldaprevir and telaprevir), and single drug-resistant variants V1062L (telaprevir), D1194E/T (simeprevir), D1194G (asunaprevir), S1148A/G (simeprevir), and Q1106L (Boceprevir) of NS3/4A were determined. The molecular phenomenon of DAA resistance is paramount in the development of HCV drug candidates. RAASs in NS3, NS5A, and NS5B reduce the susceptibility to DAAs; therefore, continuous RAAS-dependent resistance profiling in HCV is recommended to minimize the probability of DAA therapeutic failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Asrar Izhari
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Al-Baha University, Al-Baha 65522, Saudi Arabia
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Rahman MA, Islam MM, Ali ME, Islam MA, Afroze F, Hossain MS, Rus'd AA. Molecular Epidemiology of HCV RNA Genotype-3 in Dhaka City, Bangladesh. Glob Med Genet 2023; 10:199-204. [PMID: 37565062 PMCID: PMC10411236 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1771182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a causative agent that causes chronic liver diseases worldwide. It is a little, enclosed, single-stranded ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus. The recognition of the pathogenic HCV genotype is critical for the remedy of its sufferers. The aim of this study was to identify the HCV RNA genotype to decide the correct treatment of hepatitis C positive sufferers in Bangladesh. Blood samples were collected from 390 individuals and isolated RNA (60 µg) from blood plasma. Extracted RNA was used for quantitative HCV RNA, and complementary DNA (cDNA) was prepared by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) conducted by reverse transcriptase enzyme. This cDNA amplified in multiplex by RT-PCR, which was performed with specific set of primers. The HCV RNA genotype was detected 297 of 390 patients. Of the 390 test samples, 200 (51.28%) samples were from males and 190 (48.71%) were from females, with age ranging from 5 to 78 years. In all, 166 of 200 male samples and 131/190 female samples were found positive for HCV. Of these 390 participants included in the study, 213 (54.61%) were identified as genotype 3 positive, 78 (20%) as genotype 1 positive, 6 (1.53%) as genotype 6 positive, and the remaining 93 (23.85%) samples were unclassified due to low/undetected viral load. In this study, we detected the highest percentage (30.89%) of genotype 3 HCV in patients aged 51 to 60 years. The results suggested that genotype 3 HCV is frequently present in Bangladesh and it is usually responses better to interferon therapy. However, genotype 1 and 6 HCV have also been found circulating in this country, which demands longer treatments and effective control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Arifur Rahman
- Department of Microbiology, Jagannath University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- PCRLaboratory, Ibn Sina Diagnostics and Imaging Center, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Division of Molecular Diagnosis and Clinical Genetics, BioIcon Academy, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md Monirul Islam
- PCR & Molecular Diagnosis Section, Labaid Limited (Diagnostics), Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Division of Molecular Diagnosis and Clinical Genetics, BioIcon Academy, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md Eunus Ali
- PCRLaboratory, Ibn Sina Diagnostics and Imaging Center, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, BSMMU, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | - Farhana Afroze
- Department of Microbiology, Jagannath University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad Shamim Hossain
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Division of Molecular Diagnosis and Clinical Genetics, BioIcon Academy, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Ahmed Abu Rus'd
- Department of Microbiology, Jagannath University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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Baliashvili D, Blumberg HM, Gandhi NR, Averhoff F, Benkeser D, Shadaker S, Gvinjilia L, Turdziladze A, Tukvadze N, Chincharauli M, Butsashvili M, Sharvadze L, Tsertsvadze T, Zarkua J, Kempker RR. Hepatitis C care cascade among patients with and without tuberculosis: Nationwide observational cohort study in the country of Georgia, 2015-2020. PLoS Med 2023; 20:e1004121. [PMID: 37141386 PMCID: PMC10194957 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Eastern European country of Georgia initiated a nationwide hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination program in 2015 to address a high burden of infection. Screening for HCV infection through antibody testing was integrated into multiple existing programs, including the National Tuberculosis Program (NTP). We sought to compare the hepatitis C care cascade among patients with and without tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis in Georgia between 2015 and 2019 and to identify factors associated with loss to follow-up (LTFU) in hepatitis C care among patients with TB. METHODS AND FINDINGS Using national ID numbers, we merged databases of the HCV elimination program, NTP, and national death registry from January 1, 2015 to September 30, 2020. The study population included 11,985 adults (aged ≥18 years) diagnosed with active TB from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2019, and 1,849,820 adults tested for HCV antibodies between January 1, 2015 and September 30, 2020, who were not diagnosed with TB during that time. We estimated the proportion of patients with and without TB who were LTFU at each step of the HCV care cascade and explored temporal changes. Among 11,985 patients with active TB, 9,065 (76%) patients without prior hepatitis C treatment were tested for HCV antibodies, of which 1,665 (18%) had a positive result; LTFU from hepatitis C care was common, with 316 of 1,557 (20%) patients with a positive antibody test not undergoing viremia testing and 443 of 1,025 (43%) patients with viremia not starting treatment for hepatitis C. Overall, among persons with confirmed viremic HCV infection, due to LTFU at various stages of the care cascade only 28% of patients with TB had a documented cure from HCV infection, compared to 55% among patients without TB. LTFU after positive antibody testing substantially decreased in the last 3 years, from 32% among patients diagnosed with TB in 2017 to 12% among those diagnosed in 2019. After a positive HCV antibody test, patients without TB had viremia testing sooner than patients with TB (hazards ratio [HR] = 1.46, 95% confidence intervals [CI] [1.39, 1.54], p < 0.001). After a positive viremia test, patients without TB started hepatitis C treatment sooner than patients with TB (HR = 2.05, 95% CI [1.87, 2.25], p < 0.001). In the risk factor analysis adjusted for age, sex, and case definition (new versus previously treated), multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB was associated with an increased risk of LTFU after a positive HCV antibody test (adjusted risk ratio [aRR] = 1.41, 95% CI [1.12, 1.76], p = 0.003). The main limitation of this study was that due to the reliance on existing electronic databases, we were unable to account for the impact of all confounding factors in some of the analyses. CONCLUSIONS LTFU from hepatitis C care after a positive antibody or viremia test was high and more common among patients with TB than in those without TB. Better integration of TB and hepatitis C care systems can potentially reduce LTFU and improve patient outcomes both in Georgia and other countries that are initiating or scaling up their nationwide hepatitis C control efforts and striving to provide personalized TB treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davit Baliashvili
- Department of Epidemiology, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Henry M. Blumberg
- Department of Epidemiology, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- Department of Global Health, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Neel R. Gandhi
- Department of Epidemiology, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- Department of Global Health, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Francisco Averhoff
- Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - David Benkeser
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Shaun Shadaker
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Lia Gvinjilia
- Eastern Europe and Central Asia Regional Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | | | - Nestani Tukvadze
- National Center for Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | | | | | - Lali Sharvadze
- Clinic “Hepa”, Tbilisi, Georgia
- The University of Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Tengiz Tsertsvadze
- Infectious Diseases, AIDS and Clinical Immunology Research Center, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | | | - Russell R. Kempker
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
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Ozdogan E, Arikan C. Liver fibrosis in children: a comprehensive review of mechanisms, diagnosis, and therapy. Clin Exp Pediatr 2023; 66:110-124. [PMID: 36550776 PMCID: PMC9989719 DOI: 10.3345/cep.2022.00367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic liver disease incidence is increasing among children worldwide due to a multitude of epidemiological changes. Most of these chronic insults to the pediatric liver progress to fibrosis and cirrhosis to different degrees. Liver and immune physiology differs significantly in children from adults. Because most of pediatric liver diseases have no definitive therapy, a better understanding of population and disease-specific fibrogenesis is mandatory. Furthermore, fibrosis development has prognostic significance and often guide treatment. Evaluation of liver fibrosis continues to rely on the gold-standard liver biopsy. However, many high-quality studies put forward the high diagnostic accuracy of numerous diagnostic modalities in this setting. Herein, we summarize and discuss the recent literature on fibrogenesis with an emphasis on pediatric physiology along with a detailed outline of disease-specific signatures, noninvasive diagnostic modalities, and the potential for antifibrotic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elif Ozdogan
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Cigdem Arikan
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Koc University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
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Sharma S, Thomas E, Caputi M, Asghar W. RT-LAMP-Based Molecular Diagnostic Set-Up for Rapid Hepatitis C Virus Testing. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:298. [PMID: 35624599 PMCID: PMC9138684 DOI: 10.3390/bios12050298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections occur in approximately 3% of the world population. The development of an enhanced and extensive-scale screening is required to accomplish the World Health Organization's (WHO) goal of eliminating HCV as a public health problem by 2030. However, standard testing methods are time-consuming, expensive, and challenging to deploy in remote and underdeveloped areas. Therefore, a cost-effective, rapid, and accurate point-of-care (POC) diagnostic test is needed to properly manage the disease and reduce the economic burden caused by high case numbers. Herein, we present a fully automated reverse-transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP)-based molecular diagnostic set-up for rapid HCV detection. The set-up consists of an automated disposable microfluidic chip, a small surface heater, and a reusable magnetic actuation platform. The microfluidic chip contains multiple chambers in which the plasma sample is processed. The system utilizes SYBR green dye to detect the amplification product with the naked eye. The efficiency of the microfluidic chip was tested with human plasma samples spiked with HCV virions, and the limit of detection observed was 500 virions/mL within 45 min. The entire virus detection process was executed inside a uniquely designed, inexpensive, disposable, and self-driven microfluidic chip with high sensitivity and specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandhya Sharma
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA;
- Asghar-Lab: Micro and Nanotechnology in Medicine, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA
| | - Emmanuel Thomas
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA;
| | - Massimo Caputi
- Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA;
| | - Waseem Asghar
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA;
- Asghar-Lab: Micro and Nanotechnology in Medicine, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences (Courtesy Appointment), Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA
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Salari N, Kazeminia M, Hemati N, Ammari-Allahyari M, Mohammadi M, Shohaimi S. Global prevalence of hepatitis C in general population: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Travel Med Infect Dis 2022; 46:102255. [PMID: 35007756 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2022.102255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND According to published reports from the World Health Organization, it is estimated that more than 3% of the world's population is infected with HCV. Given the impact of various factors on the prevalence of HCV in the world's population and the lack of general statistics around the world, this study aims to review the studies conducted in this field and statistical analysis of the results of general statistical studies on the prevalence of HCV in the world population. METHODS In this study, systematic review and meta-analysis of information of the studies related to the prevalence of HCV in the world using keywords including: Prevalence, HCV, Hepatitis C, Healthy Population, Healthy subjects, and General Population in SID, MagIran, IranMedex, IranDoc, ScienceDirect, Embase, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science (WoS) databases and Google Scholar search engine were extracted without time limit until April 2020. In order to perform the analysis of qualified studies, the model of random effects was used, and the inconsistency of studies with I2 index was investigated. Data analysis was performed with Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (Version 2). RESULTS In a study of 98 studies with a total sample size of 236,964 people in the world, the overall prevalence of HCV was 1.8% (95% CI: 1.4%-2.3%). Also, according to the subgroup analysis in different continents; the highest prevalence of HCV in the African continent was 7.1% (95% CI: 4.4-11.5%). CONCLUSION The results of this study show that the prevalence of hepatitis C in the world's population, especially in Africa, is almost high. Therefore, the officials of the World Health Organization should design measures to prevent the spread of this infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nader Salari
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Health, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
| | - Mohsen Kazeminia
- Student Research Committee, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
| | - Niloufar Hemati
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
| | | | - Masoud Mohammadi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Gerash University of Medical Sciences, Gerash, Iran.
| | - Shamarina Shohaimi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
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Sharma A, Mishra RK, Goud KY, Mohamed MA, Kummari S, Tiwari S, Li Z, Narayan R, Stanciu LA, Marty JL. Optical Biosensors for Diagnostics of Infectious Viral Disease: A Recent Update. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:2083. [PMID: 34829430 PMCID: PMC8625106 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11112083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The design and development of biosensors, analytical devices used to detect various analytes in different matrices, has emerged. Biosensors indicate a biorecognition element with a physicochemical analyzer or detector, i.e., a transducer. In the present scenario, various types of biosensors have been deployed in healthcare and clinical research, for instance, biosensors for blood glucose monitoring. Pathogenic microbes are contributing mediators of numerous infectious diseases that are becoming extremely serious worldwide. The recent outbreak of COVID-19 is one of the most recent examples of such communal and deadly diseases. In efforts to work towards the efficacious treatment of pathogenic viral contagions, a fast and precise detection method is of the utmost importance in biomedical and healthcare sectors for early diagnostics and timely countermeasures. Among various available sensor systems, optical biosensors offer easy-to-use, fast, portable, handy, multiplexed, direct, real-time, and inexpensive diagnosis with the added advantages of specificity and sensitivity. Many progressive concepts and extremely multidisciplinary approaches, including microelectronics, microelectromechanical systems (MEMSs), nanotechnologies, molecular biology, and biotechnology with chemistry, are used to operate optical biosensors. A portable and handheld optical biosensing device would provide fast and reliable results for the identification and quantitation of pathogenic virus particles in each sample. In the modern day, the integration of intelligent nanomaterials in the developed devices provides much more sensitive and highly advanced sensors that may produce the results in no time and eventually help clinicians and doctors enormously. This review accentuates the existing challenges engaged in converting laboratory research to real-world device applications and optical diagnostics methods for virus infections. The review's background and progress are expected to be insightful to the researchers in the sensor field and facilitate the design and fabrication of optical sensors for life-threatening viruses with broader applicability to any desired pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atul Sharma
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, SGT College of Pharmacy, SGT University, Budhera, Gurugram 122505, Haryana, India;
| | - Rupesh Kumar Mishra
- Bindley Bio-Science Center, Lab 222, 1203 W. State St., Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- School of Materials Engineering, Purdue University, 701 West Stadium Avenue, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - K. Yugender Goud
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Mona A. Mohamed
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, National Organization for Drug Control and Research (NODCAR), Egyptian Drug Authority, Giza 99999, Egypt;
| | - Shekher Kummari
- Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology, Warangal 506004, Telangana, India;
| | - Swapnil Tiwari
- School of Studies in Chemistry, Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur 492010, Chattisgarh, India;
| | - Zhanhong Li
- School of Medical Instrument and Food Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, 516 Jungong Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai 200093, China;
| | - Roger Narayan
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA;
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Lia A. Stanciu
- School of Materials Engineering, Purdue University, 701 West Stadium Avenue, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Jean Louis Marty
- BAE-LBBM Laboratory, University of Perpignan via Domitia, 52 Avenue Paul Alduy, CEDEX 9, 66860 Perpignan, France
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Qamar Z, Anwar F, Ahmad R, Haq I, haq M, Kashif Khan AM, Hussain R, ullah A, Shahzad Z, Ahmad I, Munir Malik MS, Kamran khan M, Khan J. Prevalence of Hepatitis C virus and determination of its genotypes in subjects of Tehsil Daggar District Buner, KP, Pakistan. CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY AND GLOBAL HEALTH 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cegh.2021.100809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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12
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Hepatitis-Induced Porphyria: Are Direct-Acting Antiviral Agents the Way of the Future? ACG Case Rep J 2021; 8:e00581. [PMID: 34007857 PMCID: PMC8126551 DOI: 10.14309/crj.0000000000000581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is the most common porphyria and has a strong association with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and iron overload. Previous HCV treatment regimens, including interferon with or without ribavirin, may precipitate PCT relapse. Few case reports have shown that newer oral therapies, such as direct-acting antiviral agents, can successfully treat PCT parallel with HCV treatment. We present a case of a patient with non-iron-associated mixed porphyria that dramatically improved with direct-acting antiviral agent therapy for his HCV supporting the association of porphyria with chronic HCV.
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Recommendations for reducing the risk of viral transmission during fertility treatment with the use of autologous gametes: a committee opinion. Fertil Steril 2021; 114:1158-1164. [PMID: 33280723 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.09.133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Sexually transmitted infections are of major concern to reproductive specialists. Heading the list are human immunodeficiency virus types 1 and 2 and hepatitis B and C viruses. These pathogens, which may cause incurable chronic infections, can be transmitted through assisted reproductive technologies and from infected mothers to the fetus or newborn. This document replaces the document of the same name last published in 2013 (Fertil Steril 2013;99:340-6).
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Affiliation(s)
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- American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama
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14
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Dong Y, Liu S, Shen Y, He H, Ma H. Probing variations of fibrous structures during the development of breast ductal carcinoma tissues via Mueller matrix imaging. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2020; 11:4960-4975. [PMID: 33014593 PMCID: PMC7510861 DOI: 10.1364/boe.397441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Recently, we developed a label-free method to probe the microstructural information and optical properties of unstained thin tissue slices based on microscopic Mueller matrix imaging technique. In this paper, we take the microscopic Mueller matrix images of human breast ductal carcinoma tissue samples at different pathological stages, and then calculate and analyze their retardance-related Mueller matrix-derived parameters. To reveal the microstructural features more quantitatively and precisely, we propose a new method based on first-order statistical properties of image to transform the 2D images of Mueller matrix parameters into several statistical feature vectors. We evaluate each statistical feature vector by corresponding classification characteristic value extracted from the statistical features of Mueller matrix parameters images of healthy breast duct tissue samples. The experimental results indicate that these statistical feature vectors of Mueller matrix derived parameters may become powerful tools to quantitatively characterize breast ductal carcinoma tissue samples at different pathological stages. It has the potential to facilitate automating the staging process of breast ductal carcinoma tissue, resulting in the improvement of diagnostic efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Dong
- Center for Precision Medicine and Healthcare, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518071, China
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Shaoxiong Liu
- Shenzhen Sixth People’s Hospital (Nanshan Hospital) Huazhong University of Science and Technology Union Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518052, China
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Yuanxing Shen
- Guangdong Research Center of Polarization Imaging and Measurement Engineering Technology, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Minimal Invasive Medical Technologies, Institute of Optical Imaging and Sensing, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Honghui He
- Guangdong Research Center of Polarization Imaging and Measurement Engineering Technology, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Minimal Invasive Medical Technologies, Institute of Optical Imaging and Sensing, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Hui Ma
- Center for Precision Medicine and Healthcare, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518071, China
- Guangdong Research Center of Polarization Imaging and Measurement Engineering Technology, Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Minimal Invasive Medical Technologies, Institute of Optical Imaging and Sensing, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Department of Physics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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Malik SJ, Melwani R, Bano F, Suria B, Sial I, Tasneem B, Ariff M. The Frequency and Risk Factors Identified for HBsAg and Anti-HCV in a Preoperative Screening of Patients Admitted in the Surgical Department at Al-Tibri Medical College Hospital. Cureus 2020; 12:e8938. [PMID: 32765984 PMCID: PMC7398686 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.8938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The aim of this study is to determine the frequency and risk factors for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-hepatitis C virus (Anti-HCV) in a preoperative screening of patients admitted at the surgical unit of Al-Tibri Medical College and Hospital and Lyari General Hospital, Karachi. Materials and methods This study was conducted at the surgical units of Al-Tibri Medical College Hospital and Lyari General Hospital, Karachi. This study was conducted for six months from 30th June 2017 to 31st December 2017. This observational study was performed using a non-probability convenient sampling technique. All patients who were undergoing elective and emergency surgical procedure were selected for the study and screened for HBsAg and anti-HCV by immunochromatographic test (ICT) method at the hospital laboratory. The risk factors identified as parenteral injections, past surgical procedure, blood transfusion, etc. along with demographic data as age, gender, and district residential status were recorded on a specially designed proforma. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. Descriptive statistics were applied, and the qualitative data were expressed as the mean and standard deviation. Results Among a total of 360 patients included in the study, 63 (21.38%) were found with anti-HCV positive, and 14 (3.88%) were HBsAg positive with none of the patients found to have co-infection. The male-to-female ratio was 2.3:1. The mean age of patients was 32.34±4.3 years. The age range affected commonly in the study population was 21-30 years, 24(31%). The commonest risk factor for transmission of viral infection was parenteral injection abuser 31(40.2%), followed by surgical procedure 13(18.1%), blood transfusion 10(12.9%), and barber shave 7(9.1%). Conclusion It was predicted in our study that hepatitis C was more common in patients screened preoperatively for surgery. However, the most frequent risk factor in these patients was parenteral abuse history. The preoperative screening is an important investigative tool for the identification of silent cases in the community for preventive measures adoption and treatment for silent carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rekha Melwani
- Surgery, Al-Tibri Medical College, Isra University, Karachi, PAK
| | - Farhat Bano
- Surgery, Shaheed Muhtarama Benazir Bhutto Medical College, Karachi, PAK
| | - Bilal Suria
- Urology, Al-Tibri Medical College and Hospital, Isra University, Karachi, PAK
| | - Ihsanullah Sial
- Surgery, Al-Tibri Medical College and Hospital, Isra University, Karachi, PAK
| | | | - Madiha Ariff
- Internal Medicine, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, PAK
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16
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Pietrosi G, Russelli G, Barbera F, Curcio G, Tuzzolino F, Gallo A, Volpes R, Vizzini G, Conaldi PG. Direct-acting antivirals ability to clear intestinal HCV-RNA in liver transplant patients. Transpl Infect Dis 2020; 22:e13345. [PMID: 32495971 PMCID: PMC7685120 DOI: 10.1111/tid.13345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The hepatitis C virus mainly infects the liver but is also able to infect and replicate in other body compartments by creating an extra-hepatic reservoir that may influence the persistence of the infection after transplantation. It is unknown whether antiviral drugs affect the viral extra-hepatic sites. We evaluated the ability of pegylated/interferon + ribavirin and sofosbuvir + ribavirin to clear the virus from the gastrointestinal mucosa of liver-transplanted patients with HCV recurrence after transplantation. A total of 51 liver-transplanted patients, 30 treated with pegylated/interferon + ribavirin (ERA1) and 21 treated with sofosbuvir + ribavirin (ERA2), were enrolled, and blood serum and gastrointestinal tissues analyzed for the presence of HCV-RNA. In the ERA1 group, the 46.6% of patients had a sustained viral response to antiviral treatment, and gastrointestinal biopsies were positive for HCV in 73.3% of cases, 54.5% of responders, and 45.5% of non-responders. In the ERA2 group, the 66.6% had a sustained viral response, and gastrointestinal HCV-RNA was present in the 14.3% of patients, all relapsers. Sofosbuvir + ribavirin cleared the intestinal HCV in 85.7% of patients with recurrent HCV infection, while pegylated/interferon + ribavirin cleared it in 26.6% of treated patients, demonstrating the better effectiveness of new direct antiviral agents in clearing HCV intestinal reservoir.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giada Pietrosi
- Hepatology Unit, Department for the Treatment and Study of Abdominal Diseases and Abdominal Transplantation, IRCCS ISMETT, Palermo, Italy
| | | | | | - Gabriele Curcio
- Endoscopy Service, Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services, IRCCS ISMETT, Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Alessia Gallo
- Department of Research, IRCCS ISMETT, Palermo, Italy
| | - Riccardo Volpes
- Hepatology Unit, Department for the Treatment and Study of Abdominal Diseases and Abdominal Transplantation, IRCCS ISMETT, Palermo, Italy
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17
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Luk A, Jiang Q, Glavini K, Triyatni M, Zhao N, Racek T, Zhu Y, Grippo JF. A Single and Multiple Ascending Dose Study of Toll-Like Receptor 7 Agonist (RO7020531) in Chinese Healthy Volunteers. Clin Transl Sci 2020; 13:985-993. [PMID: 32268000 PMCID: PMC7485962 DOI: 10.1111/cts.12791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Toll‐like receptor 7 (TLR7) agonists modulate broad spectrum immune activity and are evaluated in the treatment of human diseases, including cancer and chronic viral infection. RO7020531, an oral prodrug of a TLR7 agonist, is in clinical development as part of a curative regimen against chronic hepatitis B. We report the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PKs), and pharmacodynamics (PDs) of RO7020531 in healthy Chinese volunteers following single and multiple ascending doses (SAD and MAD). PK and PD samples were evaluated from four SAD cohorts and 3 MAD cohorts with 10 subjects each (8 active and 2 placebo). Safety and tolerability were monitored throughout the study. A total of 155 adverse events (AEs) were reported in 49 subjects. Fifty‐one AEs in 18 subjects were assessed as treatment‐related. Most of the AEs were mild; nine subjects experienced moderate AEs; there were no severe AEs. In two 150 mg MAD cohorts given every other day (q.o.d.), 7 of 20 subjects experienced pyrexia and were discontinued due to transient asymptomatic lymphopenia, which resolved 24–48 hours postdose. The PK of the active metabolite, RO7011785, increased linearly with dose from 40 mg to 170 mg. There was no PK accumulation following q.o.d. dosing. The PK profile is consistent with observations in white subjects in the global first‐in‐human study. SADs and MADs of RO7020531 resulted in dose‐dependent increases in TLR7 response markers at 100 mg or above. Flu‐like symptoms were associated with higher interferon‐α levels. RO7020531 was safe and acceptably tolerated in healthy Chinese volunteers with a multiple 150 mg q.o.d. dose regimen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Luk
- Phase 1 Clinical Trial Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Qiudi Jiang
- Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Shanghai, China
| | | | | | - Na Zhao
- Roche Pharma Development Shanghai, Shanghai, China
| | - Tomas Racek
- Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Yonghong Zhu
- Roche Innovation Center Shanghai, Shanghai, China
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18
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Dash S, Aydin Y, Widmer KE, Nayak L. Hepatocellular Carcinoma Mechanisms Associated with Chronic HCV Infection and the Impact of Direct-Acting Antiviral Treatment. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2020; 7:45-76. [PMID: 32346535 PMCID: PMC7167284 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s221187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the major risk factor for liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The mechanisms of HCC initiation, growth, and metastasis appear to be highly complex due to the decade-long interactions between the virus, immune system, and overlapping bystander effects of host metabolic liver disease. The lack of a readily accessible animal model system for HCV is a significant obstacle to understand the mechanisms of viral carcinogenesis. Traditionally, the primary prevention strategy of HCC has been to eliminate infection by antiviral therapy. The success of virus elimination by antiviral treatment is determined by the SVR when the HCV is no longer detectable in serum. Interferon-alpha (IFN-α) and its analogs, pegylated IFN-α (PEG-IFN-α) alone with ribavirin (RBV), have been the primary antiviral treatment of HCV for many years with a low cure rate. The cloning and sequencing of HCV have allowed the development of cell culture models, which accelerated antiviral drug discovery. It resulted in the selection of highly effective direct-acting antiviral (DAA)-based combination therapy that now offers incredible success in curing HCV infection in more than 95% of all patients, including those with cirrhosis. However, several emerging recent publications claim that patients who have liver cirrhosis at the time of DAAs treatment face the risk of HCC occurrence and recurrence after viral cure. This remains a substantial challenge while addressing the long-term benefit of antiviral medicine. The host-related mechanisms that drive the risk of HCC in the absence of the virus are unknown. This review describes the multifaceted mechanisms that create a tumorigenic environment during chronic HCV infection. In addition to the potential oncogenic programming that drives HCC after viral clearance by DAAs, the current status of a biomarker development for early prediction of cirrhosis regression and HCC detection post viral treatment is discussed. Since DAAs treatment does not provide full protection against reinfection or viral transmission to other individuals, the recent studies for a vaccine development are also reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srikanta Dash
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA70112, USA
- Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, New Orleans, LA70119, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA70112, USA
| | - Yucel Aydin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA70112, USA
| | - Kyle E Widmer
- Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, New Orleans, LA70119, USA
| | - Leela Nayak
- Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, New Orleans, LA70119, USA
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19
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The Role of Autophagy in Interferon/Ribavirin Responders and Non-Responders with Hepatitis C Virus Infection. Jundishapur J Microbiol 2020. [DOI: 10.5812/jjm.92560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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20
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Auker‐Howlett D, Wilde M. Reinforced reasoning in medicine. J Eval Clin Pract 2020; 26:458-464. [PMID: 31435979 PMCID: PMC7154706 DOI: 10.1111/jep.13269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Some philosophers have argued that evidence of underlying mechanisms does not provide evidence for the effectiveness of a medical intervention. One such argument appeals to the unreliability of mechanistic reasoning. However, mechanistic reasoning is not the only way that evidence of mechanisms might provide evidence of effectiveness. A more reliable type of reasoning may be distinguished by appealing to recent work on evidential pluralism in the epistemology of medicine. A case study from virology provides an example of this so-called reinforced reasoning in medicine. It is argued that in this case study, the available evidence of underlying mechanisms did in fact play a role in providing evidence in favour of a medical intervention. This paper therefore adds a novel and recent case study to the literature in support of evidential pluralism in medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Auker‐Howlett
- Department of Philosophy, School of European Culture and LanguagesUniversity of KentCanterburyUK
| | - Michael Wilde
- Department of Philosophy, School of European Culture and LanguagesUniversity of KentCanterburyUK
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21
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Perello MP, Mur JP, Vives MS, Riutort JMM, Artigues AP, Garcia CN, Vidal MLB, Gelabert AE, Garau MV. Long-term follow-up of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) with stent-graft. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 25:346-352. [PMID: 31322502 DOI: 10.5152/dir.2019.18416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We aimed to retrospectively evaluate the long-term clinical and patency results after the placement of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) using stent-graft. Many studies show the clinical results and the patency follow-up of TIPS with stent-graft in the short and medium term. However, few studies show long-term results. METHODS Between 2002 and 2016, TIPS with stent-grafts were placed in 132 patients. The median age was 59.5 years. The median Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score was 13, and 71% were Child-Pugh B. Indications for TIPS were bleeding (83%) and ascites or hydrothorax (17%). The technical and clinical success rates were calculated, as were the rates of patency, survival and complications. The median follow-up period was 43 months. RESULTS The technical success rate was 98%, and the clinical success rates were 85% in patients with indication for bleeding and 95% in patients with indication for ascites or hydrothorax. Primary patency did not decrease from 66% after 6 years (95% confidence interval [CI], 56.2%-75.8%) primary assisted patency remained stable at 87% after 6 years (95% CI, 77.2%-96.8%) and secondary patency did not decrease from 98% after 4 years (95% CI, 95.1%-100%). The median overall survival was 42.8 months (95% CI, 33.8-51.8 months). A total of 54 patients suffered some type of complication, minor (28 patients) or major (26 patients), during the follow-up. CONCLUSION The clinical success rate was high. The choice of the maximum initial limit of portosystemic gradient and the diameter of the post-TIPS shunt, together with the number of shunt reductions, are important to be able to compare results between publications. In our study, the patency rates did not decrease after 6 years; hence, long-term follow-up of these patients may not be necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Javier Pueyo Mur
- Department of Radiology, Hospital Universitari Son Espases, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Carolina Nieto Garcia
- Department of Radiology, Hospital Universitari Son Espases, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | | | - Ana Escarda Gelabert
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital Universitari Son Espases, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
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Effects of laparoscopic splenectomy and azygoportal disconnection on liver synthesis function and cirrhosis: a 2-year prospective study. Surg Endosc 2019; 34:5074-5082. [PMID: 31820157 DOI: 10.1007/s00464-019-07307-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Laparoscopic splenectomy and azygoportal disconnection (LSD) is widely used for the treatment of esophagogastric variceal haemorrhage and hypersplenism owing to cirrhotic portal hypertension. However, whether LSD improves liver synthesis function and cirrhosis remains unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of LSD on liver synthesis function and cirrhosis based on a prospective 2-year follow-up study. METHODS A total of 118 patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension who underwent LSD were included in this study. We analysed clinical data including routine blood parameters, liver function, liver-synthesised proteins (antithrombin III, protein S, and protein C), liver fibrotic markers (type IV collagen (IV-C), procollagen type III (PC-III), laminin, and hyaluronidase), portal vein diameter, and portal blood flow velocity. RESULTS Postoperative portal vein diameter and portal blood flow velocity all showed gradual declines during the 2-year follow-up; compared with preoperative values, these were all significantly decreased from postoperative week (POW) 1 (all P < 0.001). Postoperative Child-Pugh scores and total bilirubin, albumin, international normalised ratio, antithrombin III, protein S, protein C, IV-C, PC-III, laminin, and hyaluronidase levels also all showed gradual improvements during the 2-year follow-up; compared with preoperative levels, these were all significantly improved from postoperative month (POM) 6, POW 1, POM 3, POM 3, POM 3, POM 6, POM 18, POW 1, POM 3, POM 24, and POM 18, respectively (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION LSD not only decreases portal hypertension and improves liver function, it also enhances liver synthesis function and reduces liver fibrosis.
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Garthwaite E, Reddy V, Douthwaite S, Lines S, Tyerman K, Eccles J. Clinical practice guideline management of blood borne viruses within the haemodialysis unit. BMC Nephrol 2019; 20:388. [PMID: 31656166 PMCID: PMC6816193 DOI: 10.1186/s12882-019-1529-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Some people who are receiving dialysis treatment have virus infection such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and/or HIV that is present in their blood. These infections can be transmitted to other patients if blood is contaminated by the blood of another with a viral infection. Haemodialysis is performed by passing blood from a patient through a dialysis machine, and multiple patients receive dialysis within a dialysis unit. Therefore, there is a risk that these viruses may be transmitted around the dialysis session. This documents sets out recommendations for minimising this risk.There are sections describing how machines and equipment should be cleaned between patients. There are also recommendations for dialysing patients with hepatitis B away from patients who do not have hepatitis B. Patients should be immunised against hepatitis B, ideally before starting dialysis if this is possible. There are guidelines on how and when to do this, for checking whether immunisation is effective, and for administering booster doses of vaccine. Finally there is a section on the measures that should be taken if a patient receiving dialysis is identified as having a new infection of hepatitis B, hepatitis C or HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Veena Reddy
- Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | | | - Simon Lines
- Norwich and Norfolk University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Norwich, UK
| | - Kay Tyerman
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
| | - James Eccles
- Patient Representative, c/o The Renal Association, Bristol, UK
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Serdari D, Kostaki EG, Paraskevis D, Stamatakis A, Kapli P. Automated, phylogeny-based genotype delimitation of the Hepatitis Viruses HBV and HCV. PeerJ 2019; 7:e7754. [PMID: 31667012 PMCID: PMC6816385 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.7754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The classification of hepatitis viruses still predominantly relies on ad hoc criteria, i.e., phenotypic traits and arbitrary genetic distance thresholds. Given the subjectivity of such practices coupled with the constant sequencing of samples and discovery of new strains, this manual approach to virus classification becomes cumbersome and impossible to generalize. Methods Using two well-studied hepatitis virus datasets, HBV and HCV, we assess if computational methods for molecular species delimitation that are typically applied to barcoding biodiversity studies can also be successfully deployed for hepatitis virus classification. For comparison, we also used ABGD, a tool that in contrast to other distance methods attempts to automatically identify the barcoding gap using pairwise genetic distances for a set of aligned input sequences. Results—Discussion We found that the mPTP species delimitation tool identified even without adapting its default parameters taxonomic clusters that either correspond to the currently acknowledged genotypes or to known subdivision of genotypes (subtypes or subgenotypes). In the cases where the delimited cluster corresponded to subtype or subgenotype, there were previous concerns that their status may be underestimated. The clusters obtained from the ABGD analysis differed depending on the parameters used. However, under certain values the results were very similar to the taxonomy and mPTP which indicates the usefulness of distance based methods in virus taxonomy under appropriate parameter settings. The overlap of predicted clusters with taxonomically acknowledged genotypes implies that virus classification can be successfully automated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dora Serdari
- The Exelixis Lab, Scientific Computing Group, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Evangelia-Georgia Kostaki
- Department of Hygiene Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Paraskevis
- Department of Hygiene Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Alexandros Stamatakis
- The Exelixis Lab, Scientific Computing Group, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies, Heidelberg, Germany.,Institute for Theoretical Informatics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Paschalia Kapli
- Centre for Life's Origins and Evolution, Department of Genetics Evolution and Environment, University College London, University of London, London, United Kingdom
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25
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Mostafa WSEM, Al-Dahr MHS, Omran DAH, Abdullah ZF, Elmasry SH, Ibrahim MN. Influence of some methylated hepatocarcinogenesis-related genes on the response to antiviral therapy and development of fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C patients. Clin Mol Hepatol 2019; 26:60-69. [PMID: 31630500 PMCID: PMC6940485 DOI: 10.3350/cmh.2019.0051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim Epigenetics involved in multiple normal cellular processes. Previous research have revealed the role of hepatitis C virus infection in accelerating methylation process and affecting response to treatment in chronic hepatitis patients. This work aimed to elucidate the role of promoter methylation (PM) in response to antiviral therapy, and its contribution to the development of fibrosis through hepatocarcinogenesis-related genes. Methods A total of 159 chronic hepatitis Egyptian patients versus 100 healthy control group were included. The methylation profile of a panel 9 genes (SFRP1, p14, p73, APC, DAPK, RASSF1A, LINE1, O6MGMT, and p16) was detected in patients’ plasma using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP). Results Clinical and laboratory findings were gathered for patients with combined pegylated interferon and ribavirin antiviral therapy. Regarding the patients’ response to antiviral therapy, the percentage of non-responders for APC, O6MGMT, RASSF1A, SFRP1, and p16 methylated genes were significantly higher versus responders (P<0.05). Of the 159 included patients, the most frequent methylated genes were SFRP1 (102/159), followed by p16 (100/159), RASSF1A (98/159), then LINE1 (81/159), P73 (81/159), APC (78/159), DAPK (66/159), O6MGMT (66/159), and p14 (54/159). A total of 67/98 (68.4%) cases of RASSF1A methylated gene (P=0.0.024), and 62/100 (62%) cases of P16 methylated gene (P=0.03) were associated with mild-degree fibrosis. Conclusions To recapitulate, the PM of SFRP1, APC, RASSF1A, O6MGMT, and p16 genes increases in chronic hepatitis C patients, and can affect patients’ response to antiviral therapy. The RASSF1A and P16 genes might have a role in the distinction between mild and marked fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waleed Seif Eldin Mohamed Mostafa
- Virology and Immunology Unit, Department of Cancer Biology, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.,Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jouf University, Al-Qurayyate, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Hassan Saiem Al-Dahr
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jouf University, Al-Qurayyate, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Dalia Abdel Hamid Omran
- Department of Endemic Medicine and Hepatogastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Zeinab Fathy Abdullah
- Virology and Immunology Unit, Department of Cancer Biology, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Suzan Hamdy Elmasry
- Department of Biochemistry, Ibn Sina National College for Medical Studies, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed Nabil Ibrahim
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jouf University, Al-Qurayyate, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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Alezzi ZMM, Abd El Rehim AY, Fathallah WF, Alamrani MA, Othman FH. Factors Affecting the Virological Response Among Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Patients in Yemen. J Interferon Cytokine Res 2019; 38:38-44. [PMID: 29328881 DOI: 10.1089/jir.2017.0098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is increasingly seen as a major public health problem, threat, and concern worldwide. In Yemen about 1.7% of the population is infected with chronic hepatitis C. This study aimed to detect the predictors for response to pegylated interferon and ribavirin (Peg-IFN/RBV) in chronic HCV Yemeni patients. The study was conducted on 100 patients with chronic HCV who received Peg-IFN/RBV in the 48th Military Hospital in Sana'a Yemen, from 2011 to 2013. All patients were subjected to complete history taking, thorough clinical examinations, routine laboratory investigation, and abdominal ultrasonography. The HCV RNA was assessed at week 72 of treatment to detect whether the patient achieved sustained virological response (SVR). The SVR was achieved in 64% of the samples. Age above 40, Khat chewing, and obesity were the sociodemographic factors that predict good response for Peg-IFN/RBV combined therapy. Platelet count, alpha feto-protein (AFP), aspartate transaminase (AST), and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels were the basic laboratory investigations that gave favorable response. Significant predictors of sustained response included: older than 40 years (OR = 0.136, P = 0.042), Khat chewer (OR = 0.016, P = 0.008), body mass index (BMI) (OR = 0.055, P = 0.029) and increase in fasting blood glucose (OR = 0.925, P = 0.004), alkaline phosphatase (OR = 0.969, P = 0.001), total and bilirubin (OR = 0.058, P = 0.017), AST (OR = 1.033, P = 0.002), and albumin (OR = 6.490, P = 0.021). Studying the independent variables of response, we revealed that male gender, BMI, ALT >40, AFP >10, viremia >600, and hemoglobin and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels are variables associated with failure of end of treatment response (ETR) and SVR.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ayman Yosry Abd El Rehim
- 2 Endemic Medicine Department and Hepatology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University , Cairo, Egypt
| | - Waleed Fouad Fathallah
- 2 Endemic Medicine Department and Hepatology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University , Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Fouad Hezam Othman
- 3 Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Taiz University , Taiz, Yemen
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Xu XY, Wang WS, Zhang QM, Li JL, Sun JB, Qin TT, Liu HB. Performance of common imaging techniques vs serum biomarkers in assessing fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B: A systematic review and meta-analysis. World J Clin Cases 2019; 7:2022-2037. [PMID: 31423434 PMCID: PMC6695542 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v7.i15.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Noninvasive biomarkers have been developed to predict hepatitis B virus (HBV) related fibrosis owing to the significant limitations of liver biopsy. Both serum biomarkers and imaging techniques have shown promising results and may improve the evaluation of liver fibrosis. However, most of the previous studies focused on the diagnostic effects of various imaging techniques on fibrosis in all chronic liver diseases.
AIM To compare the performance of common imaging methods and serum biomarkers for prediction of significant fibrosis caused only by HBV infection.
METHODS A systematic review was conducted on the records available in PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library electronic databases until December 2018. We systematically assessed the effectiveness of two serum biomarkers and three imagine techniques in predicting significant fibrosis solely caused by HBV infection. The serum biomarkers included aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) and fibrosis index based on the 4 factors (FIB-4). The three imaging techniques included acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI), FibroScan, and magnetic resonance elastography (MRE). Three parameters, the area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve (AUSROC), the summary diagnostic odds ratio, and the summary sensitivity and specificity, were used to examine the accuracy of all tests for liver fibrosis.
RESULTS Out of 2831 articles evaluated for eligibility, 204 satisfied the predetermined inclusion criteria for this current meta-analysis. Eventually, our final data contained 81 studies. The AUSROCs of serum biomarkers of APRI and FIB-4 were both 0.75. For imaging techniques (ARFI, FibroScan, and MRE), the areas were 0.89, 0.83, and 0.97, respectively. The heterogeneities of ARFI and FibroScan were statistically significant (I2 > 50%). The publication bias was not observed in any of the serum biomarkers or imaging methods.
CONCLUSION These five methods have attained an acceptable level of diagnostic accuracy. Imaging techniques, MRE in particular, demonstrate significant advantages in accurately predicting HBV-related significant fibrosis, while serum biomarkers are admissible methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Ying Xu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Wu-Sheng Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Qi-Meng Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Jun-Ling Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Jin-Bin Sun
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Tian-Tian Qin
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Hong-Bo Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, Liaoning Province, China
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Kanzaki N, Iwane S, Oeda S, Okada M, Kimura H, Eguchi Y, Fujimoto K. Categorization and Characterization of Activities Designed to Help Health-care Professionals Involved in Hepatitis Care Increase Their Awareness of the Disease: The Classification of Hepatitis Medical Care Coordinators. Intern Med 2019; 58:1825-1834. [PMID: 30799338 PMCID: PMC6663536 DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.1755-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective This study aimed to investigate the current state of the activities performed by hepatitis medical care coordinators, categorize coordinators according to the activities they perform, and determine the backgrounds of these coordinators. Methods A self-administered questionnaire survey was completed by 414 coordinators. The surveyed items included gender, occupation, activity items performed, and barriers that inhibited the performance of these activities. A hierarchical cluster analysis was applied, and cases were classified based on the contents of the activities in question. Results The coordinators were classified into four groups (A-D). Group A, consisting primarily of public health nurses, was classified as "the type that conducted activities aimed at providing information and recommendations." Group B, which included registered dieticians and clerks, was classified as "the type that uses multidisciplinary collaboration to perform their tasks." Group C, which included clinical nurses, was classified as "the type that was more likely to perform activities as leaders in an organization." Group D, consisting primarily of pharmacists, was classified as "the type that promoted activities centered on providing instructions regarding medication dosage and administration." Conclusion Our study showed that coordinators' professional skills and abilities are reflected in the contents of the activities they conduct, and that, to adequately perform their roles, they must acquire skills in addition to those required in their original occupations. To implement high-quality hepatitis countermeasures, there is a need to foster an environment that facilitates cooperation between coordinators, as well as relationship-building.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naruyo Kanzaki
- Department of Medicine Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Saga University, Japan
| | | | | | | | - Hiromi Kimura
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Fukuoka University, Japan
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SNP rs2596542G>A in MICA is associated with risk of hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis. Biosci Rep 2019; 39:BSR20181400. [PMID: 30967497 PMCID: PMC6504665 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20181400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Revised: 04/06/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The association of major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related gene A (MICA) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs2596542G>A and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been broadly studied, with inconsistent results. Therefore, we conducted the current meta-analysis to better elucidate the roles of SNP rs2596542G>A in HCC. Eligible articles were searched in PubMed, CNKI, Wanfang, Embase, VIP, Web of Science, and CBM databases up to November 2018. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs were applied. A total of 11 articles, including 4528 HCC patients and 16,625 control subjects, were analyzed. Results revealed that rs2596542G>A was significantly associated with HCC in the heterozygote (G/A versus A/A, P=0.006, OR = 0.854; 95% CI: 0.763–0.956); and dominant (G/G + G/A versus A/A; P=0.021; OR = 0.796; 95% CI: 0.655–0.967) genetic models. Nevertheless, we also detected significant associations between rs2596542G>A and HCV-induced HCC. Additionally, according to our analyses, SNP rs2596542G>A was not correlated with HBV-induced HCC. In conclusion, our findings suggest that MICA SNP rs2596542G>A is associated with HCC susceptibility amongst the Asian, Caucasian, and African ethnicity in certain genetic models. Specifically, MICA SNP rs2396542G>A is associated with risk of HCV-induced HCC, not HBV-induced HCC.
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Wang M, Liao Q, Xu R, Song D, Huang J, You Q, Shan Z, Huang K, Rong X, Fu Y. Hepatitis C virus 3b strains in injection drug users in Guangdong Province, China, may have originated in Yunnan Province. Arch Virol 2019; 164:1761-1770. [DOI: 10.1007/s00705-019-04260-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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Rosso C, Caviglia GP, Ciruolo M, Ciancio A, Younes R, Olivero A, Giordanino C, Troshina G, Abate ML, Rizzetto M, Pellicano R, Saracco GM, Bugianesi E, Smedile A. Clinical outcomes in chronic hepatitis C long-term responders to pre-direct antiviral agents: a single-center retrospective study. Minerva Med 2019; 110:401-409. [PMID: 31081312 DOI: 10.23736/s0026-4806.19.06108-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D), dyslipidemia, arterial hypertension as well as hepatic steatosis (HS) are common conditions that can affect clinical outcomes of patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) who achieved sustained virologic response (SVR). The aim of this study was to assess the impact of metabolic cofactors on the occurrence of clinical events during follow-up (FU) in a group of CHC long-term responders (LTRs) to interferon- (IFN) based therapy. METHODS A total of 5172 medical records of CHC patients enrolled from 1990 to 2011 were examined; 1034 of 5172 (20%) patients were treated with IFN-based therapy and 382 of 1034 (37%) of them achieved SVR. A total of 188 (49%) LTRs underwent liver biopsy before antiviral treatment. Data on liver and cardiometabolic events such as cirrhosis and its complications, hepatocellular carcinoma, coronary artery disease, arterial hypertension, impaired fasting glucose (IFG)/type 2 diabetes (T2D) and dyslipidemia, were collected over time. RESULTS The mean age of the whole cohort was 46±12 years and 114/188 (61%) patients were males. HS was found in 82 of 188 (43.6%) patients and most of them were infected by HCV genotype 3a. The prevalence of obesity, IFG/T2D, dyslipidemia and arterial hypertension was 4.3%, 6.9%, 37.2%, and 5.9%, and was similarly distributed among patients with and without HS. Cirrhosis was histologically diagnosed in 18 of 188 (9.6%) patients. After a median follow-up of 11 years (range 3-21 years), the cumulative incidence of cardiovascular events, IFG/T2D and dyslipidemia was higher in CHC-LTRs who had HS at baseline compared to those without HS (1.2%, 2.3%, and 3.0% vs. 0.4%, 0.8%, and 2.5%, respectively). At multivariable Cox regression analysis, HS was significantly associated to the development of cardiovascular events and IFG/T2D (HR=5.2, 95% CI: 1.3-20.7, P=0.019, and HR=2.6, 95% CI: 1.1-6.2, P=0.027, respectively). CONCLUSIONS In CHC-LTRs, HS at baseline may predispose to the development of cardiovascular events and T2D during follow-up emphasizing the importance of an accurate counseling in order to prevent extra-hepatic complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Rosso
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy -
| | - Gian Paolo Caviglia
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Michela Ciruolo
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Alessia Ciancio
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Ramy Younes
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Antonella Olivero
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Chiara Giordanino
- Department of Gastro-Hepatology, Città della Salute e della Scienza University Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Giulia Troshina
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Maria Lorena Abate
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Mario Rizzetto
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Rinaldo Pellicano
- Department of Gastro-Hepatology, Città della Salute e della Scienza University Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Giorgio M Saracco
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Bugianesi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Antonina Smedile
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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Masoodi I, Singh C, Wani IA, Wani MM, Ahmed TI, Sheikh RY. Sero Conversion of Viral Hepatitis among End Stage Renal Disease Patients on Hemodialysis in Kashmir: Results of a Prospective Study. Open Access Maced J Med Sci 2019; 7:587-593. [PMID: 30894917 PMCID: PMC6420930 DOI: 10.3889/oamjms.2019.160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2018] [Revised: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The seroconversion is a significant health concern in patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis particularly in high endemic zones of HBV and HCV. PATIENTS AND METHODS This prospective study was conducted from January 2009 to April 2018 at Sheri Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, Kashmir. A cohort of 459 end-stage renal disease patients on hemodialysis was enrolled from four dialysis centres and followed in a longitudinal manner. Their seroconversion rates, risk factors were studied. Positive patients were treated and followed up. RESULTS This study demonstrated HBV seroconversion rate of 7.4 % (n = 34) and HCV seroconversion rate of 10% (n = 46) in a cohort of 459 patients on hemodialysis attending four dialysis centres of Kashmir. Patients with diabetes mellitus outnumbered in seroconversion rates of (43.75%) followed by patients with glomerulonephritis (23.75%). Of 15 patients who had undergone renal transplantation 10 (66.67%), patients had seroconversion on hemodialysis which was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Patients who were dialysed at multiple HD centres had significant seroconversion than those who followed up at a single center. Seroconversion was associated with longer duration of dialysis (80.30 ± 30.92 vs 61 ± 9.41months, P < 0.000). HBV vaccination of the ESRD patient on hemodialysis was significantly protective against seroconversion (P = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS Hepatitis B vaccination, stringent precautions in all dialysis centres could help to reduce the high seroconversion rates which have a high financial burden on ESRD patients. Intense health education to both patients and medical staff will be beneficial to lower the seroconversion rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Masoodi
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taif University, KSA
| | - Charanjit Singh
- Consultant Medicine District Hospital, Baramulla Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir
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Tiwari A, Rajvanshi C, Dorwal P, Mehra S. Use of liver enzymes as a surrogate marker for monitoring treatment of hepatitis C virus disease. GLOBAL JOURNAL OF TRANSFUSION MEDICINE 2019. [DOI: 10.4103/gjtm.gjtm_36_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
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Ali Q, Jamal A, Imran M, Ullah S, Kalam I, Ullah S, Waqar AB. Correlation of IL28B rs12979860 genotype and gender with spontaneous clearance of HCV infection: a Pakistani cross-section study. Per Med 2018; 15:495-502. [PMID: 30398404 DOI: 10.2217/pme-2018-0016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
AIM There is a strong correlation of IL28B rs12979860 genetic variations and gender with spontaneous clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. MATERIALS & METHODS HCV-infected subjects were categorized into HCV spontaneous clearance (SC) group and chronic hepatitis C (CHC) group on the basis of anti-HCV antibodies and HCV RNA level and follow-up of 6 months. 35 subjects were classified in SC group and 165 subjects were classified in CHC group. IL28B rs12979860 genotypes were determined by allele-specific PCR. RESULTS & CONCLUSION Multinominal logistic regression analyses revealed that both genders favor IL28B rs12979860 CT genotype (OR: 4.80; CI: 2.22-10.35; p = 0.0005) and (OR: 3.47; CI: 1.63-7.43; p = 0.001) for male and female, respectively, are significant in spontaneous clearance of HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qaisar Ali
- Faculty of Allied and Health Sciences, Imperial College of Business & Studies, Lahore, Pakistan 53720
| | - Arshad Jamal
- Faculty of Allied and Health Sciences, Imperial College of Business & Studies, Lahore, Pakistan 53720
| | - Muhammad Imran
- Department of Microbiology, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan 54000
| | - Sajjad Ullah
- Faculty of Allied and Health Sciences, Imperial College of Business & Studies, Lahore, Pakistan 53720
| | - Irfan Kalam
- Faculty of Allied and Health Sciences, Imperial College of Business & Studies, Lahore, Pakistan 53720
| | - Shafi Ullah
- Faculty of Allied and Health Sciences, Imperial College of Business & Studies, Lahore, Pakistan 53720
| | - Ahmed B Waqar
- Faculty of Allied and Health Sciences, Imperial College of Business & Studies, Lahore, Pakistan 53720
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Akhil MS, Kirushnan B, Martin M, Arumugam K, Ganesh Prasad NK, Ravichandran R. Sofosbuvir-based treatment is safe and effective in Indian hepatitis C patients on maintenance haemodialysis: A retrospective study. Nephrology (Carlton) 2018; 23:446-452. [PMID: 28339162 DOI: 10.1111/nep.13050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Revised: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
AIM This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) including sofosbuvir, ledipasvir and daclatasvir in patients with hepatitis C viraemia who were on maintenance haemodialysis. METHODS Data on patients who received sofosbuvir and ribavirin were analysed. Patients who experienced treatment failure with the above regimen received sofosbuvir and ledipasvir for infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1. Those having HCV genotype 3 infection received sofosbuvir and daclatasvir. All treatment regimens were of 12 weeks duration. Side-effects were investigated. The HCV viral load was determined by RT-PCR at 4,16 and 24 weeks after the initiation of therapy; haemoglobin levels and liver function tests were monitored at regular intervals during therapy. RESULTS Of the 22 subjects initially treated with sofosbuvir and ribavirin, 72.72% attained sustained virologic response at 12 weeks (SVR12). Four patients experienced treatment failure and received genotype specific therapy. Patients with HCV genotype one received sofosbuvir with ledipasvir. One patient with HCV genotype 3 infection received sofosbuvir and daclatasvir. All of them attained SVR12. A statistically significant reduction in the median serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) and Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) were observed from the baseline until the end of treatment. Anaemia was observed in 45% of patients receiving ribavirin. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrates that sofosbuvir-based therapy is efficacious for HCV viraemia in patients on maintenance haemodialysis. The therapy was found to be reasonably safe with no major adverse effects noted with the use of sofosbuvir, ledipasvir or daclatasvir. However, larger studies are needed to validate our results.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Balaji Kirushnan
- Department of Nephrology, MIOT International, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Melvin Martin
- Department of Nephrology, MIOT International, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
| | | | - N K Ganesh Prasad
- Department of Nephrology, MIOT International, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
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Gigi E, Lagopoulos VI, Bekiari E. Hepatocellular carcinoma occurrence in DAA-treated hepatitis C virus patients: Correlated or incidental? A brief review. World J Hepatol 2018; 10:595-602. [PMID: 30310537 PMCID: PMC6177564 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v10.i9.595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Revised: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) chronic infection induces liver fibrosis and cirrhosis but is also responsible for a significant portion of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurrence. Since it was recognized as a causative factor of chronic hepatitis, there have been multiple efforts towards viral eradication, leading to the first-generation HCV treatment that was based on interferon (IFN)-αand its analogs, mainly PEGylated interferon-α (PEG IFNα). Sustained virological response (SVR), defined as the absence of detectable RNA of HCV in blood serum for at least 24 wk after discontinuing the treatment, was accepted as a marker of viral clearance and was achieved in approximately one-half of patients treated with PEG IFNα regimens. Further research on the molecular biology of HCV gave rise to a new generation of drugs, the so-called direct antiviral agents (DAAs). DAA regimens, as implied by their name, interfere with the HCV genome or its products and have high SVR rates, over 90%, after just 12 wk of per os treatment. Although there are no questions about their efficacy or their universality, as they lack the contraindication for advanced liver disease that marks PEG IFNα, some reports of undesired oncologic outcomes after DAA treatment raised suspicions about possible interference of this treatment in HCC development. The purpose of the present review is to investigate the validity of these concerns based on recent clinical studies, summarize the mechanisms of action of DAAs and survey the updated data on HCV-induced liver carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Gigi
- 2nd Internal Medicine Department, Aristotle University Medical School, Hippokrateio General Hospital, Thessaloniki 54642, Greece
| | - Vasileios I Lagopoulos
- 5th Surgical Department, Aristotle University Medical School, Hippokrateio General Hospital, Thessaloniki 54642, Greece
| | - Eleni Bekiari
- 2nd Internal Medicine Department, Aristotle University Medical School, Hippokrateio General Hospital, Thessaloniki 54642, Greece
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Candia R, Norero B, Agüero C, Díaz L, Ortega JP, Wolff R, Hernández-Rocha C, Duarte I, Soza A, Benítez C, Arrese M. Validation of the Simplified Criteria for the Diagnosis of Autoimmune Hepatitis in Chilean-Hispanic Patients. Ann Hepatol 2018; 16:772-779. [PMID: 28809732 DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0010.2787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND AIM In 2008 the International autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) Group proposed the simplified diagnostic criteria for this disease. The original cohort study was performed in 11 international centers, but validation studies are scarce in Latin-America. The aim of this study is validate these criteria in Hispanic patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective cohort of patients undergoing percutaneous liver biopsy and follow-up of at least 12 months was recruited from a Chilean University hospital. Patients with previous immunosuppressive therapy and liver transplant recipients were excluded. The diagnostic accuracy was analyzed using as gold standard the clinical course during long-term follow-up. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) and area under the ROC curve (AUROC) were calculated. RESULTS Four hundred eighty one patients were evaluated, 294 were included. 218 (74.15%) were female, mean age 48.5 (± 12.3) years, mean follow-up 34 (± 18) months. 66 patients had AIH or overlap syndrome (22.45%), 96 (32.65%) non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, 40 (13.61%) primary biliary cholangitis, 31 (10.54%) hepatitis C, 8 (2.72%) hepatitis B, 53 (18.02%) other etiologies. The AUROC for AIH simplified criteria was 0.976. Using a cutoff ≥ 6 and ≥ 7 points, the sensitivity was 86.4% and 54.6%; specificity, 98.7% and 99.6%; PPV, 95% and 97.3%; and NPV, 96.2% and 88.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION Simplified criteria for the diagnosis of AIH have a high accuracy in our Chilean-Hispanic cohort. The female gender is strongly associated to AIH and could help in difficult cases. Further studies with a prospective design are necessary to confirm these observations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Candia
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Santiago, Chile Departamento de Gastroenterología, Facultad de Medicina
| | - Blanca Norero
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Santiago, Chile Departamento de Gastroenterología, Facultad de Medicina
| | - Carlos Agüero
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Santiago, Chile Departamento de Gastroenterología, Facultad de Medicina
| | - Luis Díaz
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Santiago, Chile Departamento de Gastroenterología, Facultad de Medicina
| | - Juan Pablo Ortega
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Santiago, Chile Departamento de Gastroenterología, Facultad de Medicina
| | - Rodrigo Wolff
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Santiago, Chile Departamento de Anatomía Patológica, Facultad de Medicina
| | - Cristian Hernández-Rocha
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Santiago, Chile Departamento de Gastroenterología, Facultad de Medicina
| | - Ignacio Duarte
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Santiago, Chile Departamento de Anatomía Patológica, Facultad de Medicina
| | - Alejandro Soza
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Santiago, Chile Departamento de Gastroenterología, Facultad de Medicina
| | - Carlos Benítez
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Santiago, Chile Departamento de Gastroenterología, Facultad de Medicina
| | - Marco Arrese
- Department of Gastroenterology. Faculty of Medicine. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
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Brook G, Brockmeyer N, van de Laar T, Schellberg S, Winter AJ. 2017 European guideline for the screening, prevention and initial management of hepatitis B and C infections in sexual health settings. Int J STD AIDS 2018; 29:949-967. [PMID: 29716442 DOI: 10.1177/0956462418767576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
This guideline updates the 2010 European guideline for the management of hepatitis B and C virus infections. It is primarily intended to provide advice on testing, prevention and initial management of viral hepatitis B and C for clinicians working in sexual health clinical settings in European countries. The guideline is in a new question and answer format based on clinical situations, from which population/intervention/comparison/outcome questions were formulated. Updates cover areas such as epidemiology, point-of-care tests for hepatitis B, hepatitis C risk and 'chemsex', and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis and hepatitis B. We have also included a short paragraph on hepatitis E noting there is no evidence for sexual transmission. The guideline has been prepared in accordance with the Europe protocol for production available at http://www.iusti.org/regions/europe/pdf/2017/ProtocolForProduction2017.pdf.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary Brook
- 1 Genitourinary Medicine, London North West Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Norbert Brockmeyer
- 2 Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Thijs van de Laar
- 3 Department of Bloodborne Infections, Sanquin Blood Supply, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Hu CC, Weng CH, Chang LC, Lin CL, Chen YT, Hu CF, Hua MC, Chen LW, Chien RN. Simple score to predict risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis C patients with advanced fibrosis after pegylated interferon and ribavirin therapy. Ther Clin Risk Manag 2018; 14:783-791. [PMID: 29750037 PMCID: PMC5933468 DOI: 10.2147/tcrm.s158424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Eradication of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) after interferon-based therapy and its association with the reduction of risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in HCV-infected patients with advanced fibrosis is controversial. The study is aimed to develop a simple scoring model for HCC prediction among advanced fibrotic chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients after pegylated interferon (pegIFN) and ribavirin (RBV) therapy. Patients and methods We enrolled 271 biopsy-proven CHC patients with advanced fibrosis between 2003 and 2016, and divided them into non-HCC (n=211) and HCC (n=60) groups. The median observation duration was 6.0 years (range: 0.9–12.6 years). Results The HCC prevalence after pegIFN and RBV therapy in CHC patients with sustained virologic response (SVR) and without SVR was 14.7% and 32.2%, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression showed age ≥59.5 years old at initiation of therapy (HR: 2.542, 95% CI: 1.390–4.650, P=0.002), pretreatment total bilirubin ≥1.1 mg/dL (HR: 2.630, 95% CI: 1.420–4.871, P=0.002), pretreatment platelet counts <146.5 × 103/μL (HR: 2.751, 95% CI: 1.373–5.511, P=0.004), no achievement of SVR (HR: 2.331, 95% CI: 1.277–4.253, P=0.006), and no diabetes at treatment initiation (HR: 3.085, 95% CI: 1.283–7.418, P=0.012) were significant predictors of HCC development. The scoring model consisted of the five categorical predictors and had an optimal cutoff point of 2.5. The area under receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) of the scoring model was 0.774±0.035 (P<0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of the cutoff value to detect HCC were 81.3% and 57.5%. The 5-year and 10-year cumulative incidence of HCC was 4.9% and 10.0% in patients with simple score ≤2; and 25.9% and 44.6% in patients with simple score ≥3 (P<0.001). Conclusion The simple clinical-guided score has high discriminatory power for HCC prediction in advanced fibrotic CHC patients after pegIFN and RBV therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Chih Hu
- Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan.,College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Linkou, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Hao Weng
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Linkou, Taiwan.,Department of Nephrology and Poison Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan
| | - Liang-Che Chang
- Department of Pathology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Lang Lin
- Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan.,College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Linkou, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Ting Chen
- Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Fang Hu
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan
| | - Man-Chin Hua
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Linkou, Taiwan.,Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan
| | - Li-Wei Chen
- Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan
| | - Rong-Nan Chien
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Linkou, Taiwan.,Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan
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Ianni Filho D, Boin IDFSF, Yamanaka A. BIOIMPEDANCE: NEW APPROACH TO NON-INVASIVE DETECTION OF LIVER FIBROSIS - A PILOT STUDY. ARQUIVOS DE GASTROENTEROLOGIA 2018; 55:2-6. [PMID: 29561971 DOI: 10.1590/s0004-2803.201800000-02] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fibrosis are common structural hepatic change in patients with chronic hepatitis. Liver biopsy is the gold standard for determining the extent of liver fibrosis. Considering the technical difficulties and cost, improvements in non-invasive screening tools are greatly needed. Bioimpedance have been shown to be safe to evaluate tissue fibrosis. OBJECTIVE To assess the utility of using monofrequential bipolar bioimpedance for the detection of severity of liver fibrosis consistent with chronic viral hepatitis C infections. METHODS One hundred and ten patients were studied prospectively and formed two groups according to the lab tests results for the detection of HCV, ALT and AST: Group 1 Control (n=50 healthy patients with HCV negative and with ALT and AST values within the normal clinical range) and Group 2 Positive (n=60 patients positive for anti-HCV positive) which were biopsied. All patients underwent an examination with an Electro Sensor Complex, bioimpedance technology. To compare the groups 1 and 2, the ROC curves was used to determine the specificity and sensitivity of the bioimpedance to detect liver fibrosis. To identify liver fibrosis severity the Group 2 Positive was subdivided according to the liver biopsy results (Metavir fibrosis score) into: Sub Group 2A (F0-F1 n=25) - patients without or with minimal portal fibrosis and Sub Group 2B (F3-F4 n=20) patients with numerous septa/cirrhosis. A statistical analysis was conducted to analyze the bioimpedance data differences in delta of the conductance. RESULTS From the comparison between Groups 1 and 2: 1) The delta value for conductance in the pathway representing the right foot-left hand minus left hand-right foot demonstrated a sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 78% with a cutoff value ≤5 and P=0.0001. 2) For the comparison between Sub Group 2A (Metavir F0+F1) and Sub Group 2B (Metavir F3+F4), the neural network for the Electro Sensor Complex data demonstrated a sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 72% with a cutoff probability >50% and P=0.001. AUCROC=0.81. CONCLUSION Bioimpedance technology had good level sensitivity and acceptable specificity for detecting liver fibrosis using delta of the conductance. There is a potential for the use of bioimpedance technology as non-invasive approaches for screening of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Ianni Filho
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Gastrocentro, Campinas, SP, Brasil
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Abstract
Most hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection results in persistent infection. Significant portion of chronic HCV-infected patients develop hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Chronic hepatitis C is also associated with extrahepatic manifestations, including cryoglobulinemia, lymphoma, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and neurological disorders. The molecular mechanisms of how HCV infection causes liver cancer are largely unknown. HCV replication or viral proteins may perturb cellular hemostasis and induce the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS); viral components or viral replication products act as agonist to trigger innate immune response and cause chronic inflammation. Within the liver, non-hepatocytes such as hepatic stellate cell (HSC) are activated upon HCV infection to provide the major source of extracellular proteins and play important roles in fibrogenesis. With the great achievements of HCV treatment, especially the direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) against HCV, HCV eradication is possible. However, until now there are only very limited data on the effect of DAA-based anti-HCV treatment on HCC patients.
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Therapeutic effects of pegylated-interferon-α2a in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis. Cent Eur J Immunol 2018; 43:9-17. [PMID: 29731688 PMCID: PMC5927168 DOI: 10.5114/ceji.2018.74868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2016] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS). EAE is mainly mediated by adaptive and innate immune responses that lead to an inflammatory demyelination and axonal damage. The aim of the present research was to examine the therapeutic efficacy of Peg interferon alpha 2a (Peg-IFN α-2a) as a serine protease inhibitor on EAE model. Material and methods EAE induction was performed in female C57BL/6 mice by myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (35-55) (MOG35-55) in Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA) emulsion, and Peg-IFN α-2a was used for the treatment of EAE. During the course of the study, clinical evaluation was assessed, and on day 21 post-immunisation blood samples were taken from the heart of mice for evaluation of IL-6, and enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. The mice were sacrificed and the brains and cerebellums were removed for histological analysis. Results Our findings indicated that Peg-IFN α-2a had beneficial effects on EAE by attenuation of the severity and a delay in the onset of disease. Histological analysis showed that treatment with Peg-IFN α-2a can reduce inflammation criteria. Moreover, in Peg-IFN α-2a-treated mice the serum level of IL-6 was significantly less than in controls, and total antioxidant capacity was significantly more than in the control animals. Conclusions These data indicate that Peg-IFN α-2a as an anti-serine protease with immunomodulatory properties may be useful for the treatment of MS.
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Barriers in Hepatitis C Treatment in Somali Patients in the Direct Acting Antiviral Therapy Era. J Natl Med Assoc 2018; 110:556-559. [PMID: 30129499 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnma.2018.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Revised: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment has changed dramatically in the last few years. Our observations suggest that a minority of HCV infected Somalis are treated. In this study, we aimed to evaluate for treatment and health outcome disparities between Somali and non-Somali patients during the direct acting antiviral (DAA) era. METHODS Patients with HCV seen in the gastroenterology clinic in 2015 were included in the study. Patients were identified using ICD9 and 10 codes. Electronic medical records were analyzed to evaluate for treatment candidacy, acceptance and reasons for refusal of treatment. RESULTS Genotype 4 followed by 3 were the most common genotypes in the Somalis while genotype 1 was the most common in the non-Somalis. Majority of patients were offered treatment, active alcohol and substance abuse was a common reason for not offering treatment in non-Somalis while the presence of hepatocellular carcinoma was the most common reason in Somalis. Somalis had higher rates of declining treatment given the asymptomatic nature of their disease and the feeling that treatment is not needed. Sustained virologic response rates were comparable in both groups. CONCLUSIONS Disparities in acceptance of HCV treatment persist in the DAA era. The asymptomatic nature of the infection and potential cultural mistrust makes patients hesitant to undergo treatment. Healthcare providers must find interventions aimed at reducing barriers to treatment and increasing acceptance of HCV treatment.
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Chen S, Yu X, Guo D. CRISPR-Cas Targeting of Host Genes as an Antiviral Strategy. Viruses 2018; 10:E40. [PMID: 29337866 PMCID: PMC5795453 DOI: 10.3390/v10010040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2017] [Revised: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, a new gene editing tool-the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) associated (Cas) system-is becoming a promising approach for genetic manipulation at the genomic level. This simple method, originating from the adaptive immune defense system in prokaryotes, has been developed and applied to antiviral research in humans. Based on the characteristics of virus-host interactions and the basic rules of nucleic acid cleavage or gene activation of the CRISPR-Cas system, it can be used to target both the virus genome and host factors to clear viral reservoirs and prohibit virus infection or replication. Here, we summarize recent progress of the CRISPR-Cas technology in editing host genes as an antiviral strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuliang Chen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China.
| | - Xiao Yu
- Institute of Health Inspection and Testing, Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan 430079, China.
| | - Deyin Guo
- School of Medicine (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
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Gupta S, Sodhi SS, Brar G, Bansal R. Risk factors for hepatitis C: A clinical study. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCES 2018. [DOI: 10.4103/jmedsci.jmedsci_155_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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Abdallah F, Mohamed G, Ibrahim M, El Tarabily M. Effectiveness of Sofosbuvir, Ribavirin and PEG-IFNα-2a in the Treatment of Naïve Egyptian Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 4. Am J Med Sci 2017; 355:456-466. [PMID: 29753376 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjms.2017.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2017] [Revised: 12/23/2017] [Accepted: 12/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Egypt is one of the largest epidemic areas of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the world. Its prevalent genotype is 4 with a majority of subtype 4a. In 2013, the Food and Drug Administration approved a new direct-acting antiviral drug (sofosbuvir) to treat patients with chronic HCV infection. In Egypt, the patients are already being treated with sofosbuvir in conjunction with ribavirin and pegylated interferon alfa-2a (PEG-IFNα-2a) for 12 weeks since 2015. The present study was planned to explain the efficacy of this treatment regimen against the HCV genotype 4a in Egyptian patients and its pretreatment predictive factors of virological response. METHODS In this population-based study, serum samples were biochemically analyzed and the HCV RNA levels were quantified. The direct sequencing and bioinformatics analysis were utilized to investigate the mutation of the core protein. RESULTS The sustained virological response (SVR) and non-SVR were 72% and 16% respectively, but the nonvirological response was only 12% following the treatment regimen. The multivariable analysis recognized viral (level of viremia and substitution of aa70) and host-related factors (age, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels) affecting the virological response in patients infected with high viral load of HCV 4a. CONCLUSIONS Overall, these results concluded that sofosbuvir with ribavirin and PEG-IFNα-2a are highly efficient in HCV-4a Egyptian patients where a high SVR was achieved (72%). In addition to this, there is a significant association between core protein mutations and treatment outcome predominantly at amino acid position 70 (Arg or Gln).
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatma Abdallah
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
| | - Gehad Mohamed
- Department of Botany (Microbiology), Faculty of Science, Port Said University, Port Said, Egypt
| | - Mohsen Ibrahim
- Department of Botany (Microbiology), Faculty of Science, Port Said University, Port Said, Egypt
| | - Mokhtar El Tarabily
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
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Nguyen P, Vutien P, Hoang J, Trinh S, Le A, Yasukawa LA, Weber S, Henry L, Nguyen MH. Barriers to care for chronic hepatitis C in the direct-acting antiviral era: a single-centre experience. BMJ Open Gastroenterol 2017; 4:e000181. [PMID: 29333275 PMCID: PMC5759739 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgast-2017-000181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2017] [Revised: 11/18/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cure rates for chronic hepatitis C have improved dramatically with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), but treatment barriers remain. We aimed to compare treatment initiation rates and barriers across both interferon-based and DAA-based eras. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all patients with chronic hepatitis C seen at an academic hepatology clinic from 1999 to 2016. Patients were identified to have chronic hepatitis C by the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes, and the diagnosis was validated by chart review. Patients were excluded if they did not have at least one visit in hepatology clinic, were under 18 years old or had prior treatment with DAA therapy. Patients were placed in the DAA group if they were seen after 1 January 2014 and had not yet achieved virological cure with prior treatment. All others were considered in the interferon group. Results 3202 patients were included (interferon era: n=2688; DAA era: n=514). Despite higher rates of decompensated cirrhosis and medical comorbidities in the DAA era, treatment and sustained virological response rates increased significantly when compared with the interferon era (76.7% vs 22.3%, P<0.001; 88.8% vs 55%, P<0.001, respectively). Lack of follow-up remained a significant reason for non-treatment in both groups (DAA era=24% and interferon era=45%). An additional 8% of patients in the DAA era were not treated due to insurance or issues with cost. In the DAA era, African-Americans, compared with Caucasians, had significantly lower odds of being treated (OR=0.37, P=0.02). Conclusions Despite higher rates of medical comorbidities in the DAA era, considerable treatment challenges remain including cost, loss to follow-up and ethnic disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Nguyen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California, USA.,School of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Philip Vutien
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Joseph Hoang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Sam Trinh
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California, USA
| | - An Le
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Lee Ann Yasukawa
- Center for Clinical Informatics, Stanford School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Susan Weber
- Center for Clinical Informatics, Stanford School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Linda Henry
- Pharmaceutical Outcomes and of Policy, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Mindie H Nguyen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California, USA
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Jerzemowski M, Dąbrowiecki Z, Olszański R, Siermontowski P, Jerzemowski J. Selected Gastroenterologic Problems in the Tropics (Peacekeeping Missions, Work). POLISH HYPERBARIC RESEARCH 2017. [DOI: 10.1515/phr-2017-0023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Research shows a potential threat from external environmental factors which might be the cause of upper and lower gastrointestinal diseases in tourists, or soldiers engaged in tropical peacekeeping missions. The research includes infections which due to their spread are also present in their home countries such as Helicobacter pylori infections, viral hepatitis as well as infections which might cause symptoms of upper and lower gastrointestinal tract diseases as a result of poor sanitary and unhygienic conditions. Contact with diseases typical of the tropical climate, especially during longer stays, increases the chances of bringing some tropical diseases back to Poland, which can be problematic for the domestic health care service.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maciej Jerzemowski
- Maritime & Hyperbaric Medicine Department, Gdynia, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw , Poland
| | - Zbigniew Dąbrowiecki
- Maritime & Hyperbaric Medicine Department, Gdynia, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw , Poland
| | - Romuald Olszański
- Maritime & Hyperbaric Medicine Department, Gdynia, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw , Poland
| | - Piotr Siermontowski
- Maritime & Hyperbaric Medicine Department, Gdynia, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw , Poland
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Bass SB, Jessop A, Maurer L, Gashat M, Al Hajji M, Gutierrez M. Mapping the Barriers and Facilitators of HCV Treatment Initiation in Methadone Maintenance Therapy Patients: Implications for Intervention Development. JOURNAL OF HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2017; 23:117-127. [PMID: 29252118 DOI: 10.1080/10810730.2017.1414902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
An estimated 70-90% of current methadone users have Hepatitis C (HCV). Current treatments have few side effects and can cure infection in 8-12 weeks, but less than 10% of methadone patients initiate treatment. Engaging this group in treatment is an important strategy to lower both morbidity and mortality from liver disease and eliminate a significant reservoir of HCV in communities. To understand how to address this treatment gap we used commercial marketing techniques called perceptual mapping and vector message modeling to analyze survey data from 100 HCV+ methadone patients from four centers in Philadelphia. Results were used to understand barriers and facilitators to treatment initiation and to devise targeted message strategies to adapt to a mobile health communication intervention. Results indicate that focusing on how treatment can make one feel "in charge", positive interactions with healthcare providers, the positive attributes of the new vs. old HCV treatments, and providing strategies to address tangible barriers to getting treatment, would be important to address in a communication intervention. These marketing methods allow for focusing on specific variables to "move" the group toward a treatment decision, making them an innovative technique to use in developing highly targeted health communication messages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Bauerle Bass
- a Risk Communication Laboratory, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences , Temple University College of Public Health , Philadelphia , PA , USA
| | | | - Laurie Maurer
- a Risk Communication Laboratory, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences , Temple University College of Public Health , Philadelphia , PA , USA
| | | | - Mohammed Al Hajji
- a Risk Communication Laboratory, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences , Temple University College of Public Health , Philadelphia , PA , USA
| | - Mercedes Gutierrez
- a Risk Communication Laboratory, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences , Temple University College of Public Health , Philadelphia , PA , USA
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Impact of old Schistosomiasis infection on the use of transient elastography (Fibroscan) for staging of fibrosis in chronic HCV patients. Acta Trop 2017; 176:283-287. [PMID: 28851531 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2016] [Revised: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM In tropical regions, Hepatitis C virus (HCV) - Schistosomiasis coinfection remains one of the health problems. With the new era of HCV treatment and the variety of methods of assessment of liver fibrosis so we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of FibroScan for staging hepatic fibrosis in HCV-Schistosomiasis coinfected patients. METHODOLOGY Three groups of patients were enrolled. Group 1: chronic HCV with out antischistosomal antibody (122 patients), Group 2: chronic HCV with positive antischistosomal antibodies and without periportal tract thickening (122 patients), Group 3: chronic HCV with positive antischistosomal antibodies and ultrasonographic picture of periportal tract thickening (108 patients). Routine laboratory workup, serum Antischistosomal antibody, and Schistosomal antigen in serum were performed. Ultrasound guided liver biopsy with histopathological examination; abdominal ultrasound and fibroscan examination were done for all patients. RESULTS The agreement between results of liver biopsy and results of fibroscan in the staging of fibrosis was the best in group 1 (55.7%), Although the agreement was higher among those with no periportal tract thickening (70.7%) and the disagreement was higher among those with positive schistosomal serology (66.5%), yet this relation was not statistically significant. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that disagreement is significantly associated with older age, higher BMI (≥30), and increase in anti Schistosomal antibody titer. CONCLUSION Fibroscan is a reliable, non-invasive tool for staging hepatic fibrosis among HCV-schistosomiasis co-infected patients with no effect of the induced periportal tract thickening on the readings. Only higher antischistosomal antibody titres may cause disagreement between liver biopsy and fibroscan.
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