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At least 685 records · Page 38Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Hepatitis B e-antigen titres for evaluating infectivity during hepatitis B virus infection.

By means of an ELISA the level of hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) titre was determined in 51 patients with acute and 123 patients with persistent hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. We also investigated 120 sera of these patients for infectivity by detecting HBV-specific DNA polymerase (DNA-P). Additional determination of the HBeAg titre revealed that the detection of HBeAg at a dilution of at least 1:50 correlates with the detection of DNA-P in 95% of cases, while in sera with an HBeAg titre of 1:25 or less DNA-P is only detectable in up to 5% of cases. Since the detection of DNA-P indicates high infectivity, certain titres of HBeAg can be employed to differentiate three different degrees of infectivity: (1) Sera without HBeAg show no or only little infectivity; (2) sera containing HBeAg greater than or equal to 1:50 are highly infectious; (3) HBeAg titres up to 1:25 indicate a medium degree of infectivity. These three markers for different degrees of infectivity were applied to study the course of infectivity during acute and persistent forms of HBV infection. In acute hepatitis B the period for the elimination of HBeAg is independent of the HBeAg titre in the first serum sample. In all cases the elimination of HBeAg in acute hepatitis B did not exceed 4 months. Patients with persistent HBV infection and an initial HBeAg titre greater than or equal to 1:50 remained at this high degree of infectivity for at least 18-30 months in 70% of cases. Only 30% of this collective showed a decrease in infectivity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Detection of markers of hepatitis B infection in serum dried on to filter-paper: an application to field studies.

In an attempt to find a cheap, reliable, and convenient method for the transportation and storage of serum specimens during seroepidemiological surveys, a technique in which serum was dried on to pieces of filter paper was developed and evaluated. For the evaluation, a total of 382 sera were selected from the extensive serum collection held by the WHO Collaborating Centre for Virus Reference and Research at Fairfield Hospital, Australia. These sera were dried on to pieces of filter-paper, stored at different temperatures and then tested for the presence of the various markers of infection with hepatitis B virus by solid-phase radioimmunoassay. The results were in complete agreement with those obtained on whole serum specimens. In addition, storage at 4 degrees C, room temperature (22 degrees C), or 37 degrees C for up to 30 days did not alter the sensitivity of the test. This technique may be useful in field surveys, not only for the detection of hepatitis B infection, but also in the study of other diseases and metabolic disorders.

Australia↗
PubMed1990

The affinity of anti-HBc antibodies in acute and chronic hepatitis B infection.

Antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) are found in the sera of all individuals infected with hepatitis B virus. A role for these antibodies has been suggested in determining the outcome of infection. In this study, the affinity of anti-HBc antibodies in asymptomatic virus carriers was compared with that of antibodies present in the sera of patients with chronic liver disease. Persistently infected individuals with no evidence of clinical disease were found to have anti-HBc antibodies of greater affinity, compared with the chronic liver disease group. Sera from patients with chronic hepatitis contained high levels of low-affinity antibody whereas antibody levels in asymptomatic carriers were significantly lower. These findings are discussed in relation to the predicted role of anti-HBc antibodies in mediating hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular injury.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2005

[Occult hepatitis B infection].

Occult (silent, inapparent) hepatitis B infection is defined as the presence of HBV-DNA where hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg) is absent, outside of acute hepatitis window period. HBV-DNA positivity alone can be detected not only in cryptogenic hepatitis, hepatocellular carcinoma, recovered HBV infections and hepatitis C virus infections, but also in seronegative populations without symptomatic liver diseases. The mechanism, clinical outcome and risk of transmission of occult hepatitis B is not yet clearly defined. Occult hepatitis B can be diagnosed by using sensitive nucleic acid tests. In this review article, the importance of occult hepatitis B infection has been discussed with a focus on pathogenesis, clinical significance and diagnostic laboratory methods.

DNA, Viral↗
PubMed2002

Short report: hepatitis b infection and severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Vietnamese adults.

We investigated the prevalence of infection with hepatitis B virus among adult Vietnamese patients hospitalized for severe Plasmodiumfalciparum malaria. Sera from patients admitted with severe malaria in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, between May 1991 and January 1996 were assayed for hepatitis B surface antigen (HB(s)Ag) by a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. The overall prevalence of HB(s)Ag was 23.77% (77 of 324). This was higher than reported estimates of prevalence in the general catchment population for the study hospital (mean, 9.8%; range, 9-16%). No association was found between risk of death caused by severe malaria and HB(s)Ag. Patients admitted with cerebral malaria had a slightly greater risk of registering positive for HB(s)Ag (relative risk, 1.28; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.58) relative to other manifestations of severe malaria. Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus may be a risk factor for severe malaria.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Chronic hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection in hepatitis B virus carrier chimpanzees experimentally superinfected with HDV.

Chimpanzees that were chronic hepatitis B virus carriers and that were superinfected with hepatitis D virus (HDV) apparently developed acute, self-limited type D hepatitis. Reevaluation with a sensitive hybridization-based assay using RNA probes specific for the HDV genome, however, demonstrated that greater than 50% of these animals still had detectable signs of ongoing HDV replication an average of 2.4 y (range, 1-6.4 y) after inoculation. The only positive marker for the presence of HDV was serum HDV RNA; HDV antigen was undetectable in both serum and the liver by an immunoblot assay and immunofluorescence, respectively. Because the detected amount of viral genome was very low, the previous failure to identify the chronic HDV carrier state in the chimpanzee can be attributed to the lower sensitivity of previously described assays.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Efficacy of alpha-interferon therapy of chronic hepatitis patients infected with wild type hepatitis B virus and HBEAG-minus mutant.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of alpha-interferon (alpha-IFN) treatment of 56 chronic hepatitis B (HB) patients positive for HB e antigen (HBeAg), which were previously not treated with alpha-IFN (group A). Seven of them, which did not respond to initial alpha-IFN treatment, were subjected to additional treatment with alpha-IFN (group B). Another 7 patients with chronic HB caused apparently by an HBeAg-minus HB virus (HBV) mutant represented group C. In the alpha-IFN treatment, 5 megaunits (MU) of alpha-IFN were administered subcutaneously three times a week for six months. A trend of improvement of important markers of the disease in the treated patients could be seen with increasing time after completion of the treatment even though it was not statistically significant. In group A, the absence of serum HBV DNA was found in 43% of the patients at the end of the treatment, in 41% 6 months later, and in 46% 12 months later. At the same time intervals group A showed negative HBeAg in 36%, 39% and 46%, positive anti-HBeAg in 36%, 38%, and 46%, negative HBsAg in 9%, 11%, and 14%, and normal level of alanine transaminase (ALT) in 23%, 39%, and 44%, respectively. A trend toward better results of alpha-interferon therapy for the group A patients displaying lower baseline viremia and higher ALT activity could be seen; however, this relationship was not statistically significant. Groups B and C were too small for statistical analysis. Nevertheless, 4 of 7 patients of group B were negative for HBV DNA 12 months after the treatment and HBV DNA was eliminated during the treatment in all patients of group C; however, 3 patients relapsed after the treatment.

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed1987

In-situ hybridisation with HBV-cDNA as a sensitive method for the diagnosis of hepatitis B infection in persistent acute hepatitis.

Liver biopsies of 97 patients with persistent acute hepatitis, a morphologically distinct form of hepatitis with only slightly elevated transaminase values, were screened immunohistochemically for HBs and HBc, and with in-situ hybridisation for HBV DNA. Besides the 37 in part inconstantly immunohistochemically-positive patients, 47 others showed exclusively cytoplasmatic HBV DNA, localizing at least the major part of the replication of viral DNA to the cytoplasm of liver cells. A diffuse distribution pattern of HBV DNA-positive liver cells was accompanied by stronger morphological changes than focally accentuated positivity. In HBc-positive cases, distribution of HBV DNA corresponded mainly to the cytoplasmic type of HBc.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2002

Hepatitis C in the setting of HIV co-infection.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection is common among HIV-infected individuals and can lead to increased morbidity and mortality in this population. HIV adversely impacts the natural history of HCV disease with higher rates of liver disease progression but the effect of HCV on the natural history of HIV is disputed. Additionally, presence of HCV may decrease tolerability of highly active antiretroviral regimens for HIV treatment due to a potential increase in hepatotoxicity. Currently there is limited information available regarding HCV therapy in the setting of HIV co-infection but the HCV virologic response to interferon regimens appears to be similar to those individuals with HCV infection alone. However, additional information is required to assess the efficacy and safety of HCV therapy including possible interaction of HCV and HIV anti-viral medications in these co-infected individuals.

Antiviral Agents↗
PubMed2000

Hepatitis C infection and associated oral health problems.

Hepatitis C infection is widespread throughout the community. This study aimed to assess the status of oral health of persons infected with hepatitis C. DMFT and CPITN indices were recorded at a clinic providing priority dental care for people with hepatitis C infection. The data were compared with information from an existing survey of general dental patients. Social impact was assessed using a modified Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaire. The DMFT index differed significantly between hepatitis C and general patients. The number of decayed and missing teeth was greater in those infected with hepatitis C for all patients aged between 25 and 50 years. Although there was no significant difference in CPITN categories for subjects evaluated, a marked trend for poor periodontal health was noted for those individuals with hepatitis C. Salivary flow was reduced in 50 per cent of hepatitis C infected subjects. Social impact was significantly affected with 71 per cent of hepatitis C subjects reporting painful aching in the mouth and 56 per cent having difficulty in relaxing. In conclusion, the results from the project strongly indicate an urgent need for priority delivery of dental care for people with hepatitis C infection.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

[Effect on the pregnant woman and fetus by multiple hepatitis virus infection].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect on the pregnant woman and fetus by infection of multiple hepatitis virus during pregnancy. METHODS: Hepatitis virus A, hepatitis virus B, hepatitis virus C, hepatitis virus D and hepatitis virus E were determined in the pregnant women with abnormal liver function during 1994-1999. Patients diagnosed to be infected by single hepatitis virus or multiple hepatitis virus were divided into two groups and complications of the pregnant woman and fetus and their prognosis were evaluated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the levels of alamine transaminase (ALT), aspartama transaminase (AST) and total bilirubin (TBIL) between the multiple hepatitis virus infection group (multiple group) and the single hepatitis virus infection group (single group) (P > 0.05). The positive rate of HbeAg (35.7%) in multiple group was significantly lower than in single group (P < 0.05). However, the positive rate of HbeAb (57.1%) in multiple group was significantly higher than in single group (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences in incidences of pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH), postpartum hemorrhage, serious symptoms and mortality between the multiple hepatitis virus infection group and the single hepatitis virus infection group (P > 0.05). However, the incidences of premature rupture of membrane (PROM), premature delivery, 28.1%, 25.0% fetal distress and newborn infant asphyxia 31.3%, 25.0% in multiple hepatitis virus infection group were significantly higher than in single hepatitis virus infection group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Multiple hepatitis virus infection during pregnancy has no more serious effect on the pregnant woman, but has worse effect on fetus than single hepatitis virus infection. The obstetrician should pay more attention to the health care of the pregnant woman with the multiple hepatitis virus infection to prevent PROM and premature delivery, at the same time monitor fetus carefully and deal with labor actively to decrease the mortality of the fetus.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Hepatitis C infection in the health care setting. I. Low risk from parenteral exposure to blood of human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients.

Many patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection have also been infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). To understand better the epidemiology of HCV infection in the health care setting, HCV antibody testing was done for 125 health care workers who had experienced parenteral exposures to blood of HIV-infected patients and for 33 control health care workers without such exposures. Of the 158 health care workers studied, two (1.3%) had positive tests for HCV, both on the baseline serum sample obtained at parenteral exposure. For the 98 exposed, seronegative health care workers who were prospectively followed, no HCV seroconversions were observed over a time of 17.6 +/- 16.9 months. At least 64 of these 98 health care workers were exposed to blood of HIV-infected intravenous drug users, a group with an HCV seroprevalence rate in excess of 50% at our center in suburban New York City. We conclude that parenteral exposure to blood of HIV-infected patients in the health care setting is rarely associated with the development of hepatitis C infection.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1999

Decline of hepatitis B infection in Greece.

Hepatitis B has long been a serious public health problem in Greece. In recent years, a decline in hepatitis B infection is observed ascribable to many factors such as demographic and socioeconomic changes, medical precautions, use of disposable medical equipments, screening of blood donors and vaccination. We studied the prevalence of HBV infection in a sample of 1050 Greek male Navy recruits. 343 subjects (32.6%) had previously been vaccinated and were anti-HBs positive. We observed that during the last decade, the prevalence of immunes declined to 1.33% and the prevalence of any HBV marker declined to 2.28%. The HBsAg carrier rate declined from 3.9% in 1973 to 0.9% in 1986. Since then, it is stable at 0.95% because perinatal and vertical transmissions are still responsible for the majority of HBV chronic infections. Universal prenatal screening and infant immunization will contribute to a further decline of HBV infection.

Adolescent↗