AIMS To investigate the alterations of RBC immunoadherence function in patients with various hepatitis B. METHODS RBCC3bRR,RBCICRR and serum CIC levels were measured in 42 patients with acute and chronic hepatitis B a...AIMS To investigate the alterations of RBC immunoadherence function in patients with various hepatitis B. METHODS RBCC3bRR,RBCICRR and serum CIC levels were measured in 42 patients with acute and chronic hepatitis B at ac- tive and convalescence stages. RESULTS RBCC3bRRs at the active/acute stage of various hepatitis were decreased.They were 13,54%±5,23% in AH, 7.61%±4.12% in AFH,and 16.18%±6.10% in CH, respectively,all of which were lower than those in normal persons (18.12%±3.91% ).At the quiescent/recovery stage of various hepatitis,the RBCC3bRRs were increased significantly.The changes of RBCICRR and serum CIC level were contrary to those of RBCC3bRR. CONCLUSIONS RBC immunoadherence function is decreased in acute and chronic hepatitis.The decrease is in direct proportion to the severity of the diseases.展开更多
AIM: To undertake analysis of hepatitis A viral load, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and viral genotypes with duration of viremia, and to correlate these parameters with CD4^+/ CD8^+ lymphocyte populations that ...AIM: To undertake analysis of hepatitis A viral load, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and viral genotypes with duration of viremia, and to correlate these parameters with CD4^+/ CD8^+ lymphocyte populations that control cell-mediated immunity. METHODS: Cell counts were carried out using fresh whole blood collected in EDTA vials using a fluorescence activated cell sorter. Hepatitis A virus (HAV) RNA was extracted from blood serum, reverse transcribed into cDNA and quantified by Real-Time polymerase chain reaction and was genotyped. RESULTS: Among 11 patients, 10 could be analyzed completely. Of these, 3 had severe acute hepatitis (s-AH) and the remainder had a self-limited acute hepatitis A (AHA), with one patient with fulminant disease (encephalopathy Grade IV) dying on the 4^th d. The ALT level was significantly higher both in AHA (1070.9±894.3; P = 0.0014) and s-AH (1713.9±886.3; P = 0.001) compared to normal controls (23.6±7.2). The prothrombin time in s-AH patients (21.0 ±2.0; P=0.02) was significantly higher than in AHA (14.3±1.1;P = 0.44). The CD4^+/CD8^+ ratio in AHA patients (1.17 + 0.11; P = 0.22) and s-AH (0.83 + 0.12; P = 0.0002) were lower than seen in normal healthy controls (1.52). Self-limited cases had peak viral load at the beginning of analysis while in s-AH patients this occurred at the 15TM or 30^th d. In acute and severe groups, one patient each belonged to genotype IA, with the remaining 8 cases belonging to genotype IIIA. The only fulminant hepatic failure case belonged to genotype IA. HAV viral load and AIT values collected during the entire course of the selflimited infection were directly correlated but this was not the case for s-AH patients.CONCLUSION: Based on a small-scale study, the persistently higher viral load of s-AH might be due to diminished cellular immunity and hemolysis. The duration of viremia was dependent on the host, as the viral genotype had no apparent role in clinical outcome of AVH and s-AH cases.展开更多
Albania has been a country with a high prevalence of hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis B vaccine has been introduced nationwide in Albanian Immunization Program in 1994. Hepatitis B is given at birth, as a separate antigen...Albania has been a country with a high prevalence of hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis B vaccine has been introduced nationwide in Albanian Immunization Program in 1994. Hepatitis B is given at birth, as a separate antigen, followed by three doses at 2, 4 and 6 months, where Hepatitis B, starting from 2009, is part of pentavalent vaccine of DTP-HepB-Hib. The aim of this study was to evaluate Immunization Program with Hepatitis B vaccination in order to prove program efficacy, increase public confidence in immunizations and advocate for sustainable immunization programs. Methodology was based on three components such as Immunization coverage surveys, serologic surveys and surveillance for acute cases of Hepatitis B. Results of this study showed that vaccination coverage is really high, more than 95% all over the country and with drop-out rates less than 10%. Anti-HBs levels in immunized children were very high in comparison with unimmunized ones. Incidence of HBV in children 0-14 years old is almost zero. Such results tell us that Hepatitis B vaccination is one of the most fruitful strategies for long term control of Hepatitis B disease.展开更多
X-linked agammaglobulinaemia (XLA) is a humoral immunodeficiency syndrome characterized from childhood by the absence of circulating B lymphocytes, absent or reduced levels of serum immunoglobulin and recurrent bacter...X-linked agammaglobulinaemia (XLA) is a humoral immunodeficiency syndrome characterized from childhood by the absence of circulating B lymphocytes, absent or reduced levels of serum immunoglobulin and recurrent bacterial infections. For many affected patients, regular treatment with immunoglobulin is life saving. Hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection acquired through contaminated blood products is widely described in this patient cohort. The natural history of HCV infection in patients with XLA tends to follow a more rapid and aggressive course compared to immunocompetent individuals. Furthermore, standard anti-viral therapy appears to be less efficacious in this patient cohort. Here we report the cases of two brothers with XLA who contracted HCV through contaminated blood products. They were treated with a six month course of Interferon alpha-2b and Ribavirin. We report a sustained virologic response five years after completing treatment.展开更多
文摘AIMS To investigate the alterations of RBC immunoadherence function in patients with various hepatitis B. METHODS RBCC3bRR,RBCICRR and serum CIC levels were measured in 42 patients with acute and chronic hepatitis B at ac- tive and convalescence stages. RESULTS RBCC3bRRs at the active/acute stage of various hepatitis were decreased.They were 13,54%±5,23% in AH, 7.61%±4.12% in AFH,and 16.18%±6.10% in CH, respectively,all of which were lower than those in normal persons (18.12%±3.91% ).At the quiescent/recovery stage of various hepatitis,the RBCC3bRRs were increased significantly.The changes of RBCICRR and serum CIC level were contrary to those of RBCC3bRR. CONCLUSIONS RBC immunoadherence function is decreased in acute and chronic hepatitis.The decrease is in direct proportion to the severity of the diseases.
文摘AIM: To undertake analysis of hepatitis A viral load, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and viral genotypes with duration of viremia, and to correlate these parameters with CD4^+/ CD8^+ lymphocyte populations that control cell-mediated immunity. METHODS: Cell counts were carried out using fresh whole blood collected in EDTA vials using a fluorescence activated cell sorter. Hepatitis A virus (HAV) RNA was extracted from blood serum, reverse transcribed into cDNA and quantified by Real-Time polymerase chain reaction and was genotyped. RESULTS: Among 11 patients, 10 could be analyzed completely. Of these, 3 had severe acute hepatitis (s-AH) and the remainder had a self-limited acute hepatitis A (AHA), with one patient with fulminant disease (encephalopathy Grade IV) dying on the 4^th d. The ALT level was significantly higher both in AHA (1070.9±894.3; P = 0.0014) and s-AH (1713.9±886.3; P = 0.001) compared to normal controls (23.6±7.2). The prothrombin time in s-AH patients (21.0 ±2.0; P=0.02) was significantly higher than in AHA (14.3±1.1;P = 0.44). The CD4^+/CD8^+ ratio in AHA patients (1.17 + 0.11; P = 0.22) and s-AH (0.83 + 0.12; P = 0.0002) were lower than seen in normal healthy controls (1.52). Self-limited cases had peak viral load at the beginning of analysis while in s-AH patients this occurred at the 15TM or 30^th d. In acute and severe groups, one patient each belonged to genotype IA, with the remaining 8 cases belonging to genotype IIIA. The only fulminant hepatic failure case belonged to genotype IA. HAV viral load and AIT values collected during the entire course of the selflimited infection were directly correlated but this was not the case for s-AH patients.CONCLUSION: Based on a small-scale study, the persistently higher viral load of s-AH might be due to diminished cellular immunity and hemolysis. The duration of viremia was dependent on the host, as the viral genotype had no apparent role in clinical outcome of AVH and s-AH cases.
文摘Albania has been a country with a high prevalence of hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis B vaccine has been introduced nationwide in Albanian Immunization Program in 1994. Hepatitis B is given at birth, as a separate antigen, followed by three doses at 2, 4 and 6 months, where Hepatitis B, starting from 2009, is part of pentavalent vaccine of DTP-HepB-Hib. The aim of this study was to evaluate Immunization Program with Hepatitis B vaccination in order to prove program efficacy, increase public confidence in immunizations and advocate for sustainable immunization programs. Methodology was based on three components such as Immunization coverage surveys, serologic surveys and surveillance for acute cases of Hepatitis B. Results of this study showed that vaccination coverage is really high, more than 95% all over the country and with drop-out rates less than 10%. Anti-HBs levels in immunized children were very high in comparison with unimmunized ones. Incidence of HBV in children 0-14 years old is almost zero. Such results tell us that Hepatitis B vaccination is one of the most fruitful strategies for long term control of Hepatitis B disease.
文摘X-linked agammaglobulinaemia (XLA) is a humoral immunodeficiency syndrome characterized from childhood by the absence of circulating B lymphocytes, absent or reduced levels of serum immunoglobulin and recurrent bacterial infections. For many affected patients, regular treatment with immunoglobulin is life saving. Hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection acquired through contaminated blood products is widely described in this patient cohort. The natural history of HCV infection in patients with XLA tends to follow a more rapid and aggressive course compared to immunocompetent individuals. Furthermore, standard anti-viral therapy appears to be less efficacious in this patient cohort. Here we report the cases of two brothers with XLA who contracted HCV through contaminated blood products. They were treated with a six month course of Interferon alpha-2b and Ribavirin. We report a sustained virologic response five years after completing treatment.