Hepatitis C virus(HCV) infection represents one of themajor causes of chronic liver disease, hepatocellularcarcinoma and morbidity/mortality worldwide. It is alsoa major burden to the healthcare systems. A complete el...Hepatitis C virus(HCV) infection represents one of themajor causes of chronic liver disease, hepatocellularcarcinoma and morbidity/mortality worldwide. It is alsoa major burden to the healthcare systems. A complete elimination of the HCV from the body through treatment is now possible. However, HCV not only alters the hepatic function. Several extra-hepatic manifestations are present in HCV-infected patients, which increase the mortality rate. Liver and gut are closely associated in what is called the "gut-liver axis". A disrupted gut barrier leads to an increase in bacterial translocation and an activation of the mucosal immune system and secretion of inflammatory mediators that plays a key role in the progression of liver disease towards decompensated cirrhosis in HCV-infected patients. In addition, both qualitative and quantitative changes in the composition of the gut microbiota(GM) and states of chronic inflammation have been observed in patients with cirrhosis. Thus, a successful treatment of HCV infection should be also accompanied by a complete restoration of GM composition in order to avoid activation of the mucosal immune system, persistent inflammation and the development of long-term complications. Evaluation of GM composition after treatment could be of interest as a reliable indicator of the total or partial cure of these patients. However, studies focused on microbiota composition after HCV eradication from the body are lacking, which opens unique opportunities to deeply explore and investigate this exciting field.展开更多
Tick-borne diseases(TBDs) are a major public health concern that has increased in the past three decades. Nevertheless, emerging or reemerging TBDs may be still misdiagnosed. Molecular biology techniques for the scree...Tick-borne diseases(TBDs) are a major public health concern that has increased in the past three decades. Nevertheless, emerging or reemerging TBDs may be still misdiagnosed. Molecular biology techniques for the screening of ticks, use of "Omics" approaches and the incorporation of analytical methods such as mass spectrometry or nuclear magnetic resonance, to the study of ticks and their associated pathogens or potential pathogens are promising tools for a more accurate differential diagnosis of TBDs. However, this huge amount of data needs to be carefully interpreted before being incorporated to the routine of clinical practice. In the meantime, a clinical approach and high level of suspicion keep being essential for the diagnosis and proper handling of TBDs.展开更多
文摘Hepatitis C virus(HCV) infection represents one of themajor causes of chronic liver disease, hepatocellularcarcinoma and morbidity/mortality worldwide. It is alsoa major burden to the healthcare systems. A complete elimination of the HCV from the body through treatment is now possible. However, HCV not only alters the hepatic function. Several extra-hepatic manifestations are present in HCV-infected patients, which increase the mortality rate. Liver and gut are closely associated in what is called the "gut-liver axis". A disrupted gut barrier leads to an increase in bacterial translocation and an activation of the mucosal immune system and secretion of inflammatory mediators that plays a key role in the progression of liver disease towards decompensated cirrhosis in HCV-infected patients. In addition, both qualitative and quantitative changes in the composition of the gut microbiota(GM) and states of chronic inflammation have been observed in patients with cirrhosis. Thus, a successful treatment of HCV infection should be also accompanied by a complete restoration of GM composition in order to avoid activation of the mucosal immune system, persistent inflammation and the development of long-term complications. Evaluation of GM composition after treatment could be of interest as a reliable indicator of the total or partial cure of these patients. However, studies focused on microbiota composition after HCV eradication from the body are lacking, which opens unique opportunities to deeply explore and investigate this exciting field.
文摘Tick-borne diseases(TBDs) are a major public health concern that has increased in the past three decades. Nevertheless, emerging or reemerging TBDs may be still misdiagnosed. Molecular biology techniques for the screening of ticks, use of "Omics" approaches and the incorporation of analytical methods such as mass spectrometry or nuclear magnetic resonance, to the study of ticks and their associated pathogens or potential pathogens are promising tools for a more accurate differential diagnosis of TBDs. However, this huge amount of data needs to be carefully interpreted before being incorporated to the routine of clinical practice. In the meantime, a clinical approach and high level of suspicion keep being essential for the diagnosis and proper handling of TBDs.
