Delta infection without increase in severity of hepatitis.

The findings of increased morbidity of HbsAG positive hepatitis with delta infection in a study by Dr. Smedile et al were contrary to those of studies performed by the authors. A group of 27 and a group of 41 drug abusers were examined serologically and had liver biopsies performed. There was no significant difference in histological findings between delta positive and delta negative patients in the 27 member group. None of the 41 member group showed any increase in severity of illness. Ethnic origin may be an important factor in the pathogenicity of the delta agent

The course of chronic active hepatitis.

The researchers followed 31 patients with histologically diagnosed chronic active hepatitis, clinically, biochemically and histologically, for an average of 32.5 months. Nineteen of these patients were intravenous drug users. The study found that 18 patients showed histological improvement, and 14 of these had hepatitis B virus (HBV) associated disease. Thirteen patients were unchanged or worse, and five of these had HBV-associated disease. The authors claimed that the results suggested that HBV-associated chronic active hepatitis was a less severe disease than non-HBV-associated disease, with a better prognosis

The effects of drug abuse on the natural history and progression of chronic active and chronic persistent hepatitis.

The objective of this research was to investigate the frequency and nature of chronic liver disease among intravenous drug abusers attending the Drug Advisory and Treatment Centre in Dublin. Between 1 May and 31 December 1979, 139 drug abusers attended the Centre; 127 were intravenous drug abusers, and of these, 46 agreed to have liver biopsies. On the basis of the biopsies and interviews and physical examinations, the authors suggested that six-tenths of the ntravenous drug abusers attending the Drug Advisory and Detoxification Centre had some form of chronic liver disease, with just under one in five suffering from chronic aggressive hepatitis. The authors stated that these results demonstrated the magnitude of the healthcare needs in relation to liver disease among intravenous drug abusers in Ireland, and highlighted an area where active immunisation against hepatitis B and non-A and non-B-hepatitis was urgently needed

Sulphasalazine treatment in hepatitis B virus (HBV) associated chronic active hepatitis (CAH)- a pilot study.

This paper reports on a pilot study into the use of sulphasalazine in the treatment of Hepatitis B Virus associated Chronic Active Hepatitis. Recent evidence suggests that sulphasalazine has an immunosuppressive effect in addition to its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effects. Clinical examination and laboratory tests were performed on five patients to establish parameters. The patients were treated with sulphasalazine one gram four times daily for one week, followed by one gram three times daily for six months. No other form of therapy was given. After six months therapy clinical examination and laboratory tests were repeated. In those patients who were jaundiced this cleared during treatment and did not recur. No patient developed any other symptom referable to their liver disease. Four of the patients returned to normal or near normal levels by the end of six months. The fifth patient, who did not comply with treatment, suffered increased fibrosis. Initial biochemical response suggests he may have improved had he persisted with therapy

Epidemic hepatitis B with delta-antigenaemia among Dublin drug-abusers.

This paper examines the unusual finding of delta antigen in the serum of a significant number of drug users in Dublin during 1981. The study followed a significant increase in hepatitis B among drug-users in that year. One hundred and fifty-eight cases of hepatitis B were detected among drug users in Dublin between January and August 1981 during an epidemic which began in 1980. The mean age was 21 years and males and females were equally susceptible to hepatitis B. An unusually high proportion (29%) of a sample of 50 tested had the hepatitis B associated delta antigen in their serum and confirms that the delta agent is probably common in those taking drugs intravenously

Chronic active hepatitis in intravenous drug abusers may be delta agent infection assoicated.

Twenty-seven parenteral drug users had serum tested for delta aintigen and antidelta antibody and had liver biopsies performed. All patients has been referred from the Drug Advisory and Treatment Centre by its Medical Director. Of the thirteen delta positive patients four had chronic active hepatitis. All four patients with chronic active hepatitis were delta positive. This study suggests that delta agent infection increases the risk of progression of intravenous drug abuse associated liver disease to chronic active hepatitis

Heroin abuse with hepatitis B virus associated chronic active hepatitis in a twelve year old child.

This very short paper presented a case report of a young drug abuser who commenced parenteral abuse before his 11th birthday, and developed hepatitis B virus-associated chronic active hepatitis as a consequence. The authors pointed to a number of problems highlighted by this case, uniquely associated with drug misuse in childhood

Chronic liver disease in intravenous drug abusers attending the Drug Advisory and Treatment Centre.

The objective of this research was to investigate the frequency and nature of chronic liver disease among intravenous drug users attending the Drug Advisory and Treatment Centre in Dublin. Between 1 May and 31 December 1979, 139 drug users attended the Centre; 127 were intravenous drug users, and of these, 46 agreed to have liver biopsies. On the basis of the biopsies and interviews and physical examinations, the authors suggested that six-tenths of the intravenous drug users attending the Drug Advisory and Detoxification Centre had some form of chronic liver disease, with just under one in five suffering from chronic aggressive hepatitis. The authors stated that these results demonstrated the magnitude of the healthcare needs in relation to liver disease among intravenous drug users in Ireland, and highlighted an area where active immunisation against hepatitis B and non-A and non-B-hepatitis was urgently needed