Acute pancreatitis complicating acute hepatitis A virus infection

Two rare pancreatic parenchymal hemorrhagic lesions associated with acute pancreatitis in acute liver failure: a case report and literature review

Acute pancreatitis is an uncommon occurrence in acute liver failure. Furthermore, such cases are rarely complicated by parenchymal hemorrhages. Herein, we report the case of a 69-year-old male patient with multiple pancreatic parenchymal hemorrhages concomitant with acute liver failure. The patient underwent conservative treatment for acute liver failure caused by hepatitis B virus infection. Plain computed tomography on the 30th day revealed two high-density mass lesions in the pancreatic body and tail, which were suspected to be multiple pancreatic parenchymal hemorrhages. Despite restarting gabexate mesylate, the patient died of multiple organ failure on the 49th day. The clinical information of the present case and our literature review of 61 similar cases in 43 case reports identified via a systematic keyword search of the PubMed database, which described acute pancreatitis concomitant with acute hepatitis and acute liver failure, will aid physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of this rare condition.

Pancreatitis Associated with Viral Hepatitis: Systematic Review

Background: We conducted a systematic review in order to summarize the available data on pancreatitis associated with viral hepatitis. Methods: A comprehensive literature search of Medline, Scopus and ISI Web of Science databases was conducted and papers eligible for the inclusion identified. Results: In total, 46 studies reporting data on 73 patients were included in the analysis. Most of the cases were diagnosed in Asia (57.53%), followed by North America (23.29%), and Europe (13.70%). Most of the patients were affected by hepatitis A virus (HAV) (42.47%), followed by hepatitis E virus (HEV) (28.77%), hepatitis B virus (HBV) (8.22%), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) (1.37%), while 17.81% at the time of diagnosis were classified as affected by “hepatitis virus”. Pancreatitis was severe in 32.88% of cases. The respiratory system was affected in 2.74% of patients, 6.85% experienced renal failure, while 5.48% experienced a multiorgan dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Four patients (5.48%) needed pancreatic surgery. Despite the treatment, 21.92% of patients died. We identified fulminant hepatitis (p < 0.0001), MODS (p < 0.0001) and severe pancreatitis (p < 0.0001) to be significantly more present in patients who died in comparison to cured ones. Conclusion: Increased awareness of pancreatic involvement in viral hepatitis is needed because it can have a substantial impact on therapeutic approaches and outcomes.

The potential roles of exosomes in pancreatic cancer initiation and metastasis

Pancreatic cancer (PaCa) is an insidious and highly metastatic malignancy, with a 5-year survival rate of less than 5%. So far, the pathogenesis and progression mechanisms of PaCa have been poorly characterized. Exosomes correspond to a class of extracellular nanovesicles, produced by a broad range of human somatic and cancerous cells. These particular nanovesicles are mainly composed by proteins, genetic substances and lipids, which mediate signal transduction and material transport. A large number of studies have indicated that exosomes may play decisive roles in the occurrence and metastatic progression of PaCa. This article summarizes the specific functions of exosomes and their underlying molecular mechanisms in mediating the initiation and metastatic capability of PaCa.