Hepatitis B virus surface protein mutations clustered mainly in CTL immune epitopes in chronic carriers: results of an Iranian nationwide study

Mutations within the coding region of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) have been found naturally in chronic carriers. To characterize the mutations of HBsAg from Iranian chronic carriers who were vaccine and/or medication naive. The surface genes from 360 patients were amplified and directly sequenced. The distribution of amino acid substitutions was classified according to different immune epitopes of the surface protein. All isolates belonged to genotype D. 222 (61.6%) of 360 patients contained at least one amino acid substitution. 404 (74.5%) of 542 amino acid changes occurred in different immune epitopes of HBsAg, of which 112 (27.7%) in 32 residues of B-cell epitopes (62 in the 'a' determinant); 111 (27.4%) in 32 residues of T helper; and 197 (48.7%) in 32 residues inside cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes. One Th (186-197) and two CTL (28-51 and 206-215) epitopes were found to be hotspot motifs for the occurrence of 213 (52.7%) substitutions. 20 stop codons were identified in different epitopes. There was a significant association between amino acid substitutions and anti-HBe seropositivity; however, the correlation between such changes with viral load and ALT levels was not significant. In chronic hepatitis B virus(HBV) carriers, positive selection in particular outside the 'a' determinant appeared to exert influence on the surface proteins. These changes could be immune escape mutations naturally occurring due to the host immune surveillance especially at the T-cell level.

Histopathological Study of Chronic Hepatitis B: A Comparative Study of Ishak and METAVIR Scoring Systems

BACKGROUND

Ishak and METAVIR scoring systems are among the most commonly used histopathological systems to evaluate chronic hepatitis.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the level of agreement between these two scoring systems in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

METHODS

Liver biopsy samples taken from 92 patients with chronic hepatitis B were considered as the training set; 57 more biopsy specimens were used as the validation set. In the training set, grade of necroinflammation and stage of fibrosis for each liver biopsy specimen were determined by two expert liver pathologists using both Ishak and METAVIR systems. Inter-observer variability between the two pathologists was evaluated. Biopsy specimens of the validation set were seen and scored by a third expert pathologist. In the training set, criteria were developed to categorize Ishak grading and staging systems separately to best fit with the METAVIR scoring system. The criteria found in the training set, was then tested in the validation set. The level of agreement between the two scoring systems was assessed by weighted kappa statistics.

RESULTS

For the training set, agreement between the two pathologists was excellent. Using our proposed criteria in the training set, there was excellent level of agreement in grading (κ = 0.89) and staging (κ = 0.99) between Ishak and METAVIR systems. In the validation set, the criteria led to substantial correlation (κ = 0.61) in grading, and excellent correlation (κ = 0.94) in staging between the two systems.

CONCLUSION

Using our proposed criteria, excellent or at least substantial concordance between Ishak and METAVIR scoring systems can be achieved for the degree of both necro-inflammatory changes and fibrosis.

Clinical significance of precore and core promoter mutations in genotype D hepatitis B-related chronic liver disease

The impact of mutations in the precore and basal core promoter (BCP) regions of the hepatitis B virus on the course of chronic liver disease is not well established. We sought to examine the relationship of these characteristics to the clinical expression of liver disease in patients infected with genotype D chronic hepatitis B (CHB). BCP and precore mutations in 110 patients with genotype D1 CHB were determined and correlated with clinical phenotype. Of 110 patients, 95 (86.5%) were HBeAg-negative. Compared with HBeAg-positive subjects, HBeAg-negative patients were over a decade older and had lower viral loads (3.70 +/- 0.98 vs 5.77 +/- 0.69 log copies/ml, P < 0.001). The double mutation A1762T-G1764A was more prevalent in patients with advanced liver disease (AdLD) and was associated with higher alanine aminotransferase and viral load. After adjusting for age, there was a more than fourfold increase in the risk of AdLD with this mutation (OR = 4.4; 95% CI: 1.13-16.92, P < 0.03). Conversely, the G1757A substitution was associated with protection, being 90% less frequent among patients with AdLD (P = 0.001). The results indicate that in genotype D CHB, the presence of the A1762T-G1764A mutation was associated with more aggressive liver disease while the G1757A substitution was associated with protection from advanced disease.

Injection of botulinum toxin before pneumatic dilatation in achalasia treatment: a randomized-controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Pneumatic dilatation is the first line therapy in achalasia, but half of patients relapse within 5 years of therapy and require further dilatations.

AIM

To assess whether botulinum toxin injection before pneumatic dilatation is superior to pneumatic dilatation alone in achalasia patients.

METHODS

Newly diagnosed achalasia patients were randomly assigned to receive botulinum toxin 1 month before pneumatic dilatation (botulinum toxin-pneumatic dilatation group: 27 patients with median age of 38) or to undergo pneumatic dilatation alone (pneumatic dilatation group: 27 patients with median age of 30). Response to therapy was assessed by clinical and objective methods at various intervals.

RESULTS

One-year remission rate of patients in botulinum toxin-pneumatic dilatation group was 77% compared with 62% in pneumatic dilatation group (P = 0.1). In pneumatic dilatation group, the oesophageal barium volume significantly (P < 0.001) decreased at 1 month, but this reduction did not persist over 1-year follow-up. Botulinum toxin-pneumatic dilatation group showed a significant (P < 0.001) reduction in barium volume at the various times intervals post-treatment. In the botulinum toxin-pneumatic dilatation group, 10/11 (91%) patients over 40 were in remission at 1 year, comparing with only five of nine (55%) cases in pneumatic dilatation group (P = 0.07).

CONCLUSION

Injection of botulinum toxin before pneumatic dilatation does not significantly enhance the efficacy of pneumatic dilatation.

Lower oesophageal sphincter pressure and timed barium oesophagogram: two objective parameters in the non-invasive assessment of primary achalasia

BACKGROUND

The non-invasive assessment of primary achalasia is not precise.

AIM

To compare investigations before and 1 month after balloon dilation in achalasia.

METHODS

Fifty-two patients with primary achalasia were enrolled. Subjective and objective variables of oesophageal functions were analysed before and 1 month after balloon dilation.

RESULTS

The mean predilation symptom score, lower oesophageal sphincter pressure, height and volume of barium at 5 min were 7.7 +/- 2.6, 62.0 +/- 25.1 mmHg, 9.2 +/- 6.1 cm and 53.2 +/- 49.8 mL respectively; the mean postdilation values were 3.0 +/- 3.0, 34.1 +/- 12.5 mmHg, 7.9 +/- 5.1 cm and 28.0 +/- 30.1 mL respectively. The before dilation volume of barium at 5 min correlates significantly with lower oesophageal sphincter pressure (P < 0.01). The mean symptom scores, lower oesophageal sphincter pressure and volume of barium at 5 min dropped significantly after intervention (P < 0.01), but the reduction in barium height at 5 min was not significant. The percentage changes in volume at 5 min significantly predicted the percentage changes in lower oesophageal sphincter pressure (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The volume of barium retention at 5 min can predict the lower oesophageal sphincter pressure before and after balloon dilation in primary achalasia. This could be used as a non-invasive objective tool for initial and post-dilation assessment.

Efficacy of botulinum toxin injection before pneumatic dilatation in patients with idiopathic achalasia

Graded pneumatic dilatation (PD) is an appropriate long-term therapy and botulinum toxin injection (BT) is a relatively short-term therapy in idiopathic achalasia. Their combination has not been previously scrutinized. This study aimed to evaluate the role of BT in enhancing the efficacy of PD with 30 mm balloons. Patients who underwent PD with 30 mm balloons after botulinum toxin injections and a group of age- and sex-matched controls who were treated only with PD were enrolled in the study. Symptom scores were taken before, 1 month after and then every 3 months after PD. There were no significant differences between the two groups in gender, duration or severity of symptoms. One of the 12 patients in the case group relapsed 30 months after PD but the others were in remission for an average of 25.6 months. In the control group, all the patients relapsed after a mean of 12.6 months and needed a 35-mm PD. The cumulative remission rate was significantly higher in the case group compared with the control group (P < 0.01). The mean symptom score decreased by 76% in the case group (P < 0.001) and 53% in the controls (P < 0.01) at the end of the first month. Neither age, sex, nor duration or severity of symptoms were predictive of patients' responses to treatment. It seems that BT may be a meaningful enhancing factor in long-term efficacy of PD. PD with a 30 mm balloon after a BT session may resolve the need for the future higher grade PD.

Pneumatic balloon dilatation in achalasia: a prospective comparison of safety and efficacy with different balloon diameters

BACKGROUND

Pneumatic dilatation is considered to be the first line therapy for achalasia, but long-term outcome studies are scarce and limited by their retrospective design. There is also no consensus on the optimal method for performing pneumatic dilation as regard to balloon diameter, amount and the rate inflation pressure.

AIM

To address these questions in a large long-term prospective study.

METHODS

Over a period of 10 years 262 achalasia patients referred to our centre were enrolled. All patients underwent a pre-treatment clinical evaluation and were followed every 6 months. The first 62 patients (group A) underwent dilatation with initial use of a 35 mm balloon with inflation pressure of 10 psi in 10 seconds (s). In group B (200 patients) we initially used a 30 mm balloon with inflation pressure of 10 psi in 30 s. Dilatation was repeated with incrementally larger balloons (35 and 40 mm) in case of relapse. We used rigiflex balloon and maintained pressure for 60 s after inflation in both groups.

RESULTS

Three perforations occurred in group A whereas no perforation took place in Group B. The cumulative proportional remission rate with single dilatation in groups A and B decreased from 83 and 75% in 6 months to 60 and 57% after 30 months of therapy respectively, the differences did not reach statistical significance. In patients who had undergone further dilatations the probability of remaining in remission at 1 year after the first and the second dilatation was 38 and 88% in group A, 20 and 89% in group B respectively. The probability of remaining in remission for 2 years increased from 20% after the first dilatation to 70% after the second dilatation.

CONCLUSION

Graded pneumatic balloon dilatation with 30 mm diameter and slower rate of balloon inflation is an effective and safe initial method of therapy for achalasia. The duration of remission can be extended by repeated dilatation with larger size balloon.

Randomized controlled trial comparing botulinum toxin injection to pneumatic dilatation for the treatment of achalasia

BACKGROUND

Therapeutic options for achalasia include pharmacological therapy, surgical myotomy, pneumatic dilatation and intrasphincteric botulinum toxin injection.

AIM

To compare botulinum toxin injection with pneumatic dilatation in a randomized trial.

PATIENTS/METHODS

Forty adults with newly diagnosed achalasia were randomized to receive botulinum toxin (n=20) or pneumatic dilatation (n=20). Symptom scores were evaluated at 1, 6 and 12 months. Clinical relapse was defined as a symptom score greater than 50% of baseline. Relapsers received a second botulinum toxin injection or pneumatic dilatation.

RESULTS

The cumulative 12-month remission rate was significantly higher after a single pneumatic dilatation (53%) compared to a single botulinum toxin injection (15%)(P < 0.01). The 12-month estimated adjusted hazard for relapse and need for retreatment for the botulinum toxin group was 2.69 times that of the pneumatic dilatation group (95% confidence interval; 1.18-6.14). When a second treatment was administered to the relapsers in each group, the cumulative remission rate 1 year after initial treatment was significantly higher in the pneumatic dilatation group (100%) compared to the botulinum toxin group (60%) (P < 0.01). There were no major complications in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

Pneumatic dilatation is more efficacious than botulinum toxin in providing sustained symptomatic relief in patients with achalasia. The efficacy of a single pneumatic dilatation is similar to that of two botulinum toxin injections.

T cell helper defect in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Purified peripheral blood T lymphocytes from normal donors were shown to help allogeneic tonsillar B cells to differentiate and secrete specific anti-SRBC antibody in vitro in a plaque-forming assay. Utilizing this system, a comparison was made between the allogeneic helper activity generated by the T cells of normal individuals and patients with various disease states. Allogeneic helper activity was absent when T lymphocytes from patients with CLL were used. Conversely, relatively normal allogeneic helper function was provided by T cells of patients with a variety of other disorders studied. Thus, a functional deficiency was identified in CLL patients in the subpopulation of regulatory T cells responsible for providing helper activity in allogeneic interactions.