AIM: In the USA, Hawaii has the highest incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and a diverse population.It is an ideal place to characterize HCC in the context of ethnicity/risk factors.METHODS: A total of 262 ca...AIM: In the USA, Hawaii has the highest incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and a diverse population.It is an ideal place to characterize HCC in the context of ethnicity/risk factors.METHODS: A total of 262 cases of HCC (1992-2003) were retrospectively reviewed for demographics, ethnicity, birthplace, viral hepatitis, alcohol use, diabetes, smoking and risk factors for viral hepatitis such as intravenous drug abuse (IVDA), transfusions, tattoos and vertical transmission. Tumor stage, Child's class, Cancer of the Liver Italian Program (CLIP) score, α-fetoprotein level, treatment and survival were recorded.RESULTS: Gender, age, viral hepatitis, alcohol, IVDA, and diabetes differed significantly in Asians, non-Asians and Pacific Islanders. There were also specific differences within Asian subgroups. Alpha-fetoprotein, smoking, transfusions, stage and resectability did not differ between groups. Asians were more likely to have hepatitis B, while non-Asians were more likely to have hepatitis C. Factors that decreased survival included hepatitis B, alcohol, elevated alpha-fetoprotein, CLIP >2 and increased Child's class. When Asians were combined with Pacific Islanders, median survival (1.52 years vs 3.54 years), 1- and 3-year survival was significantly worse than those for non-Asians. After Cox regression analysis for hepatitis B and alcohol, there was no difference in survival by ethnicity.CONCLUSION: Various ethnicities have different risk factors for HCC. Hepatitis B, alcohol, and α-fetoprotein are more important factors for survival than ethnicity.展开更多
AIM: To determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes in Iranian hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers, chronic hepatitis B and cirrhotic patients. METHODS: A total of 109 HBsAg-positive p...AIM: To determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes in Iranian hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers, chronic hepatitis B and cirrhotic patients. METHODS: A total of 109 HBsAg-positive patients were included in this study. HBV genotypes were determined by using INNO-LiPA methodology which is based on the reverse hybridization principle. RESULTS: The distribution of patients with different stages of liver disease was as follows: 95 (86.4%) chronic hepatitis, 11 (10%) liver cirrhosis, and 3 (2.7%) inactive carrier. Of the chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis patients, 26.4% were HBeAg-positive while 70% were HBeAg-negative. Genotype D was the only detected type found in all patients. CONCLUSION: Classifying HBV into genotypes has to be cost-effective and clinically relevant. Our study indicates that HBV genotype D prevails in the Mediterranean area, Near and Middle East, and South Asia. Continued efforts for understanding HBV genotype through international co-operation will reveal further virological differences of the genotypes and their clinical relevance.展开更多
AIM: To look for a rapid low-cost technique for the detection of HBV variants.METHODS: Two patients who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) for HBV infection were treated with lamivudine (100 mg daily) an...AIM: To look for a rapid low-cost technique for the detection of HBV variants.METHODS: Two patients who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) for HBV infection were treated with lamivudine (100 mg daily) and HBV infection recurred in the grafted livers. The patients were monitored intensively for liver enzymes, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HBV DNA in serum. Liver biopsy was performed regularly. HBV DNA in a conserved polymerase domain (the YMDD locus) was amplified from serum of each patient by PCR and sequenced. HBV genotypes were analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of the PCR products generated from a fragment of the polymerase gene.RESULTS: YMDD wild-type HBV was detected in one patient by PCR-RFLP and DNA sequencing 19 mo after OLT, and YIDD mutant-type HBV in the other patient, 16 mo after OLT.CONCLUSION: PCR-RFLP assay is an accurate and simple method for genotyping lamivudine-resistant HBV variants.展开更多
AIM:To assess sustained virological response(SVR) rates in a predominantly hepatitis C virus(HCV) genotype 4 infected population. METHODS:Between 2003-2007,240 patients who were treated for chronic hepatitis C infecti...AIM:To assess sustained virological response(SVR) rates in a predominantly hepatitis C virus(HCV) genotype 4 infected population. METHODS:Between 2003-2007,240 patients who were treated for chronic hepatitis C infection at our center were included.Epidemiological data,viral genotypes,and treatment outcomes were evaluated in all treated patients.Patients with chronic renal failure, previous non-responders,and those who relapsed after previous treatment were excluded from the study.Among all patients,57%were treated with PEG-interferon(IFN)α-2a and 43%patients were treated with PEG-IFNα-2b;both groups received a standard dose of ribavirin. RESULTS:89.6%of patients completed the treatment with an overall SVR rate of 58%.The SVR rate was 54%in genotype 1,44%in genotype 2,73%in genotype 3,and 59%in genotype 4 patients.There was no statistical difference in the SVR rate between patients treated with PEG-IFNα-2a and PEG-IFNα-2b (61.5%vs 53%).Patients younger than 40 years had higher SVR rates than older patients(75%vs 51%,P =0.001).SVR was also statistically significantly higher when the HCV RNA load(pretreatment)was below 800.000(64%vs 50%,P=0.023),in patients with a body mass index(BMI)less than 28(65%vs 49%,P =0.01),and in patients who completed the treatment duration(64%vs 8%,P≤0.00001).CONCLUSION:The SVR rate in our study is higher than in previous studies.Compliance with the standard duration of treatment,higher ribavirin dose,younger age,lower BMI,and low pretreatment RNA levels were associated with a higher virological response.展开更多
文摘AIM: In the USA, Hawaii has the highest incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and a diverse population.It is an ideal place to characterize HCC in the context of ethnicity/risk factors.METHODS: A total of 262 cases of HCC (1992-2003) were retrospectively reviewed for demographics, ethnicity, birthplace, viral hepatitis, alcohol use, diabetes, smoking and risk factors for viral hepatitis such as intravenous drug abuse (IVDA), transfusions, tattoos and vertical transmission. Tumor stage, Child's class, Cancer of the Liver Italian Program (CLIP) score, α-fetoprotein level, treatment and survival were recorded.RESULTS: Gender, age, viral hepatitis, alcohol, IVDA, and diabetes differed significantly in Asians, non-Asians and Pacific Islanders. There were also specific differences within Asian subgroups. Alpha-fetoprotein, smoking, transfusions, stage and resectability did not differ between groups. Asians were more likely to have hepatitis B, while non-Asians were more likely to have hepatitis C. Factors that decreased survival included hepatitis B, alcohol, elevated alpha-fetoprotein, CLIP >2 and increased Child's class. When Asians were combined with Pacific Islanders, median survival (1.52 years vs 3.54 years), 1- and 3-year survival was significantly worse than those for non-Asians. After Cox regression analysis for hepatitis B and alcohol, there was no difference in survival by ethnicity.CONCLUSION: Various ethnicities have different risk factors for HCC. Hepatitis B, alcohol, and α-fetoprotein are more important factors for survival than ethnicity.
基金Supported by Tehran Hepatitis Center, Keivan Virology Lab
文摘AIM: To determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes in Iranian hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers, chronic hepatitis B and cirrhotic patients. METHODS: A total of 109 HBsAg-positive patients were included in this study. HBV genotypes were determined by using INNO-LiPA methodology which is based on the reverse hybridization principle. RESULTS: The distribution of patients with different stages of liver disease was as follows: 95 (86.4%) chronic hepatitis, 11 (10%) liver cirrhosis, and 3 (2.7%) inactive carrier. Of the chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis patients, 26.4% were HBeAg-positive while 70% were HBeAg-negative. Genotype D was the only detected type found in all patients. CONCLUSION: Classifying HBV into genotypes has to be cost-effective and clinically relevant. Our study indicates that HBV genotype D prevails in the Mediterranean area, Near and Middle East, and South Asia. Continued efforts for understanding HBV genotype through international co-operation will reveal further virological differences of the genotypes and their clinical relevance.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 30170363 the Major Science and Technology Program of Ministry of Education, No. 01003 the Major State Basic Research Development Program of China, No. 2002CB513100 the National Key Technology Research and Development Program of China during the 10~(th) Five-Year Plan Period, No. 2001BA703B05
文摘AIM: To look for a rapid low-cost technique for the detection of HBV variants.METHODS: Two patients who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) for HBV infection were treated with lamivudine (100 mg daily) and HBV infection recurred in the grafted livers. The patients were monitored intensively for liver enzymes, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HBV DNA in serum. Liver biopsy was performed regularly. HBV DNA in a conserved polymerase domain (the YMDD locus) was amplified from serum of each patient by PCR and sequenced. HBV genotypes were analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of the PCR products generated from a fragment of the polymerase gene.RESULTS: YMDD wild-type HBV was detected in one patient by PCR-RFLP and DNA sequencing 19 mo after OLT, and YIDD mutant-type HBV in the other patient, 16 mo after OLT.CONCLUSION: PCR-RFLP assay is an accurate and simple method for genotyping lamivudine-resistant HBV variants.
文摘AIM:To assess sustained virological response(SVR) rates in a predominantly hepatitis C virus(HCV) genotype 4 infected population. METHODS:Between 2003-2007,240 patients who were treated for chronic hepatitis C infection at our center were included.Epidemiological data,viral genotypes,and treatment outcomes were evaluated in all treated patients.Patients with chronic renal failure, previous non-responders,and those who relapsed after previous treatment were excluded from the study.Among all patients,57%were treated with PEG-interferon(IFN)α-2a and 43%patients were treated with PEG-IFNα-2b;both groups received a standard dose of ribavirin. RESULTS:89.6%of patients completed the treatment with an overall SVR rate of 58%.The SVR rate was 54%in genotype 1,44%in genotype 2,73%in genotype 3,and 59%in genotype 4 patients.There was no statistical difference in the SVR rate between patients treated with PEG-IFNα-2a and PEG-IFNα-2b (61.5%vs 53%).Patients younger than 40 years had higher SVR rates than older patients(75%vs 51%,P =0.001).SVR was also statistically significantly higher when the HCV RNA load(pretreatment)was below 800.000(64%vs 50%,P=0.023),in patients with a body mass index(BMI)less than 28(65%vs 49%,P =0.01),and in patients who completed the treatment duration(64%vs 8%,P≤0.00001).CONCLUSION:The SVR rate in our study is higher than in previous studies.Compliance with the standard duration of treatment,higher ribavirin dose,younger age,lower BMI,and low pretreatment RNA levels were associated with a higher virological response.