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PubMed1984

DNA: DNA hybridization method for the diagnosis of hepatitis B infection.

Hepatitis B viral (HBV) DNA was detected in a hepatoma cell line which produces hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and in patients with acute hepatitis B. The serum of one patient with acute hepatitis B was found to be infectious when injected i.v. into a chimpanzee up to a dilution of 10(-8). Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) were detectable in the same serum sample by radioimmunoassay up to a dilution of 10(-5) and of 10(-3), respectively. Using DNA: DNA hybridization on nitrocellulose membranes, HBV DNA sequences were detectable up to 10(-8) dilution corresponding to the infectivity level. Based on this finding, it appears that DNA: DNA hybridization is the most sensitive method for detecting hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. In situations with low virus levels it may be the only indicator of the presence of infectious hepatitis B virus. The use of a tritium-labelled probe makes the method economical and adaptable to hospital laboratories.

DNA, Viral↗
PubMed1995

The risk of human T cell leukemia virus and viral hepatitis infection among US Marines stationed in Okinawa, Japan.

The prevalence and incidence of human T cell leukemia virus type I/II (HTLV-I/II) and hepatitis A, B, and C virus infection were determined among US Marines stationed in Okinawa, Japan. Of 2875 personnel, 2 (0.07%) had antibody to HTLV-I/II. After 1-3 years, no HTLV seroconversions were observed, although 23% reported sexual contact with Okinawans. Of 1010 hepatitis-tested marines, 121 (12%) had antibody to hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV), 26 (2.6%) had antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc), and 2 (0.2%) had antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV). On follow-up, 1 subject seroconverted to anti-HAV, 8 to anti-HBc, and none to anti-HCV. Most marines with recent hepatitis B infection were young, single, and enlisted and had been on short deployments to other countries in Southeast Asia. Marines stationed in Okinawa are not at high risk for HTLV infection but are at increased risk for hepatitis B infection and should be considered for vaccination.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

High prevalence of hepatitis C infection in a Brazilian prison: identification of risk factors for infection.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes infectious hepatitis worldwide. It is transmitted mainly by blood products and sharing of intravenous paraphernalia during illicit drug use. High prevalence rates have been described among specific groups considered to be at higher risk for HCV infection, including prison inmates. The objectives of this study were: to determine the HCV seroprevalence among inmates of Casa de Detenção de São Paulo; to identify risk factors for HCV infection; and to compare the seroprevalence of HCV to other blood borne or sexually transmitted diseases. From December, 1993, to January, 1994, a total of 779 inmates were interviewed to collect information on sociodemographic status, sexual behavior, and past experience with illicit drugs. Blood samples were obtained from 756 inmates for serological tests. 310 (41%) blood samples were positive for anti-HCV, 425 (56.2%) were negative, and 21 (2.8%) showed indeterminate results. In this population, we found a seroprevalence of 13.7% for HIV, 3.3% for syphilis (VDRL), and 68.1% for hepatitis B virus previous infection. Four variables were each identified as associated with a positive anti-HCV serologic test: a positive VDRL (OR = 2.63 IC 95% 1.08 to 6.36); a time of current imprisonment longer than 130 months (OR = 2.44 IC 95% 1.04 to 5.71); previous incarceration at Casa de Detenção de São Paulo (OR = 1.73 IC 95% 1.19 to 2.52) and; illicit drug use before admission to the Casa de Detenção de São Paulo (OR = 1.64 IC 95% 1.15 to 2.33). The seroprevalence of HCV antibodies among the study population was high (41%), indeed, one of the highest clusters of HCV infection recorded until now. Four variables were each shown to be associated with HCV infection. The simultaneous presence of these 4 variables is associated with an 82% probability of being anti-HCV positive. Although risk factor analysis indicates most HCV infections occur prior to inprisonment, initiation of control measures to prevent continued transmission after incarceration should be done.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Current and emerging therapeutic approaches to hepatitis C infection.

Hepatitis C virus is a frequent disease infecting an estimated 3% of the worlds population. It represents a major health problem and must be combated by all means. The aim of this review is to discuss the current treatment methods, including interferon-alpha, either standard or pegylated, and ribavirin. Emerging treatments will also be discussed for this potentially curable disease.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Anticardiolipin antibodies in chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis D infection, and hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma. Relationship with portal vein thrombosis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the presence of anticardiolipin antibodies (ACAs) in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, chronic hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection and HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to associate this with the incidence of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in HCC patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-five cirrhotic patients with HBV-related HCC, 28 naive patients with chronic HBV infection and 14 naive patients with chronic HDV infection were enrolled prospectively in the study. Thirty-two healthy blood donors were used as controls. The ACAs (immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M) were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay system. Statistical analysis used non-parametric methodology (chi-squared test, Student t-test and Fisher exact test, P value<0.05). RESULTS: Eleven of the 65 patients with HCC (16.9%) showed a positive ACA titre and 22 of the patients (34%) had PVT. Of these patients, eight (36%) had a positive ACA titre. In contrast, from the 43 patients without PVT, only three (11%) showed a positive titre. From the 28 HBV patients, six (21.5%) had a positive ACA titre, and six out of 14 (42.8%) HDV patients also showed a positive ACA titre. Three of the six ACA positive HBV patients presented an extrahepatic manifestation of the disease. One out of 32 control patients (3%) had positive ACAs. CONCLUSION: Both chronic HBV and chronic HDV infections are potent stimulants for the production of ACAs. The presence of ACAs in a great proportion of HBV-cirrhosis-related HCC patients with PVT suggests their possible participation in thrombotic mechanisms and in the hypercoagulable state that occurs in advanced liver disease and HCC.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

A longitudinal study of hepatitis infection in an institution for the mentally retarded.

The natural history of hepatitis A and B infections in a large institution for the mentally retarded were studied over an eight year period. Serum samples were obtained from most subjects on three occasions and tested for anti-HAV, HBsAg, anti-HBs and occasionally anti-HBc, by solid-phase radioimmunoassay. Hepatitis A was found to have been a common infection was 74.8% of subjects having detectable levels of antibody. The virus does not appear to be endemic, as the prevalence of antibody in children admitted since the last outbreak was no higher than amongst non-institutionalised children. The infection rate amongst subjects with Down's syndrome (DS) was higher than amongst subjects with other forms of mental retardation (OMR), and more than 95% of infections in both groups were unrecognised. By contrast with hepatitis A, hepatitis B virus was endemic in the institution with 81.2% of residents showing serological evidence of current or past infection. Of these, 40.8% of subjects with DS and 9.2% of those with OMR were found to be chronic carriers. The carrier rate was higher in males than females and tended to be more prolonged in subjects with DS. During the study period, the predominant subtype of HBsAg detected in the institution changed from adw to ayw.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Scarring alopecia and sclerodermatous changes of the scalp in a patient with hepatitis C infection.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a common cause of chronic hepatitis and is frequently associated with extrahepatic disease. Recently, cutaneous disorders have been a presenting manifestation of HCV infection. Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is one of the cutaneous diseases associated with hepatitis C. PCT manifests in an acute form with tense bullae and erosions and in a chronic form with milia, scarring, and sclerodermatous changes. HCV has also been implicated as a cause of vasculitis through immune complex deposition. We report a patient in whom HCV was associated with sclerodermoid PCT and a medium vessel vasculitis. This case underscores the importance of HCV and its potential cutaneous manifestations, as well as the importance of recognizing cutaneous manifestations of internal disease that may be the first clue to diagnosis of HCV.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

[The territorial and age-related characteristics of the distribution of patients with non-A, non-B viral hepatitis infected via the fecal-oral mechanism in foci of elevated viral hepatitis morbidity in the Uzbek SSR].

The study of patients from 10 foci of acute viral hepatitides for the presence of HBsAg (in the passive reverse hemagglutination test) and anti-hepatitis A virus IgM (in the radioimmunoassay) has shown high frequency and variability in the spread of hepatitis non-A, non-B, the prevalence of adults aged 20-29 years and children aged 2-4 years among persons involved into the epidemic process and the tendency towards an increase in the proportion of hepatitis non-A, non-B in the total number of cases of viral hepatitides in the republic.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1996

Evaluation and treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection.

Hepatic C virus (HCV) has been recognized increasingly as a major public health crisis in the United States, causing infection in an estimated 3.5 million people and resulting in 8000 to 10,000 deaths annually from liver-related complications. This article focuses on the clinical aspects and diagnosis of hepatitis C, the importance of excluding other chronic liver diseases, and the current basis and strategy for treatment of HCV infection with interferon. Ideally, it will help primary care providers with the task of evaluating, diagnosing, teaching, and caring for patients with this chronic, potentially debilitating, and lethal disease.

Autoimmune Diseases↗
PubMed1999

Hepatitis infection among adolescents resident in Melbourne Juvenile Justice Centre: risk factors and challenges.

OBJECTIVE: To describe patterns of infection with, and risks for, hepatitis A, B and C viruses (HAV, HBV, and HCV) in male adolescents detained in the Melbourne Juvenile Justice Centre (MJJC). METHODS: A cross-sectional serosurvey for HAV, HBV, and HCV among 90 male adolescents aged 15-18 years who were resident in MJJC for more than 1 week in 1996. RESULTS: Nine percent had been exposed to HAV, 8% were positive or equivocal for exposure to HBV, and 21% were antibody positive for HCV. All those with hepatitis markers except one positive for HAV had been injection heroin users for more than 1 year. Of those who were not HBcAb positive, only 28% were immune to HBV. For most respondents, sexual and drug-using risks began in the early teens and were associated with leaving school prematurely. CONCLUSIONS: Respondents were vulnerable to exposure to blood-borne viruses from an early age, posing a challenge for health education programs. An opportunity exists for harm minimization and prevention of spread of blood-borne viruses within the first year of injection drug use in this population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Immunopathogenesis of hepatitis B e antigen negative chronic hepatitis B infection.

Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) negative chronic hepatitis B represents currently the predominant form of chronic hepatitis due to the hepatitis B virus (HBV) in several parts of the world. In this review, recent data regarding the process of HBeAg negative HBV strain selection during the course of chronic HBV infection are presented and the potential virus and/or host-mediated mechanisms that lead to chronic liver necroinflammation, i.e. chronic hepatitis are outlined.

Hepatitis B e Antigens↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The epidemiology and control of hepatitis C infection.

Hepatitis C is a global public health problem, and a major cause of chronic hepatitis. The virus can cause cirrhosis, liver failure and primary liver cancer. Combination therapy is effective in 50-60 per cent of patients with chronic infection. Prevention initiatives should target high-risk groups, such as injecting drug users.

Antiviral Agents↗
PubMed2004

Indications of immune protection from hepatitis C infection.

Hepatitis C affects many millions of people worldwide and is at very high prevalence among people who inject drugs. In our study of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the social networks of injecting drug users (IDUs), five IDUs with injecting careers of 9 years or more were HCV antibody and RNA negative. All injected frequently with HCV RNA-positive IDUs, and two had recently injected with the syringe of an RNA-positive IDU. Our data suggest the existence of immune protection from HCV infection.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Host-pathogen interactions in emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases: a genomic perspective of tuberculosis, malaria, human immunodeficiency virus infection, hepatitis B, and cholera.

On exposure to a pathogen, a host may resist infection, become subclinically infected, or progress through several stages from mild to severe infection. Chronic sequelae may or may not occur. Host factors, particularly host genes, influence many of these stages. We have used a model of the continuum of pathogenesis of infectious diseases to consider the effect of host genes on five pathogens of significant public health burden: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Plasmodium species, human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, and Vibrio cholerae. The relationships between these infections and polymorphisms in human leukocyte antigen, cytokines, other immune response, or pathogen receptor genes are reviewed. We discuss gene-gene interactions and their effects in complex settings, such as coinfections with several pathogens. Priorities for prevention and control of these pathogens include vaccines and antimicrobial drugs. Research on how host genes can influence vaccine responses and the efficacy of drugs or other interventions, as well as further research into the relationship of host genes to infectious disease outcomes, may lead to new strategies for prevention and control.

Cholera↗
PubMed1996

The natural history of chronic hepatitis C infection.

Hepatitis C is among the most common causes of chronic liver disease affecting approximately 1% of the world's population. End-stage hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related chronic liver disease is the leading indication for orthotopic liver transplantation worldwide. Despite these facts, many questions regarding the natural history of HCV infection remain unanswered. Is progression to end-stage liver disease inevitable? Over what time period does it occur? If progression is not inevitable, can we identify those persons destined to have end-stage liver disease and possibly prevent or slow progression?

Disease Progression↗
PubMed2000

Clinical course and consequences of hepatitis A infection.

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a small, non-enveloped RNA virus belonging to the Picornaviridae, for which only one serotype has been identified. Transmission is usually through the faecal-oral route by person-to-person contact. The most common risk factors are household or sexual contact with a sufferer, attendance or working at a day-care centre, international travel, and association with food or waterborne outbreaks; 55% of cases have no identifiable risk factors. HAV infection may be symptomatic or asymptomatic, and shows three phases. Virus is shed during the incubation phase, anti-HAV IgM appears during the symptomatic phase and can be used for diagnosis, and anti-HAV IgG appears at the same time but persists lifelong. Unusual clinical manifestations of hepatitis A include cholestatic, relapsing and fulminant hepatitis. Hepatitis A accounts for 93% of cases of acute hepatitis in Argentina, including 7% of atypical clinical cases. Hepatitis A is the major cause of fulminant hepatitis, and has been reported to account for 10% of liver transplants in children in France and 20% in Argentina. One-year survival after liver transplantation is 64%. Prevention must be considered as the main means of averting this severe illness.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Extrahepatic manifestations of hepatitis C infection.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) affects 1.8% of the American population, and approximately 38% of patients with HCV will manifest symptoms of at least 1 extrahepatic manifestation during the illness. Renal disease, neuropathy, lymphoma, and Sjögren syndrome with or without mixed cryoglobulinemia are all strongly associated with HCV infection. Porphyria cutanea tarda and diabetes have also been linked to HCV. Most extrahepatic manifestations of chronic HCV infection are immunological, and the chronic infection seems to be necessary for their development. The molecular study of the unique way in which the HCV virus interacts with the human immune system is beginning to provide plausible explanations of the pathogenic role of HCV in some of these syndromes, but many pathogenetic links remain completely obscure.

Antigens, CD↗