Inflammatory Biomarkers and Liver Histopathology in Non-Uremic and Uremic Chronic Hepatitis C Patients

Background: The aim of this study is to investigate the association between hepatic activity index (HAI) and fibrosis score (FS) with inflammation biomarkers in non-uremic and uremic hepatitis C positive patients. Methods: Fifty chronic hepatitis C (cHepC) positive patients, having a liver biopsy were included in this study. Liver biopsies were scored according to modified ISHAC scoring system. 25 healthy controls of similar age and gender were also enrolled as control group. Serum YKL-40, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), thrombocyte/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), CRP and Immunoglobulin (IgG, A and M) levels were used to determine inflammation. AST to Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) score was also evaluated. According to biopsy findings patients were divided into 2 groups: low (0–2) and severe (3–6) FS. Results: Patients with cHepC had increased inflammation compared to the healthy controls. End-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients had higher levels of inflammation markers (NLR, IgG, CRP and YKL-40) and lower HCV RNA levels, HAI and FS compared to non-uremic patients. When patients were grouped into 2 according to FS as mild and severe, IgG (p < 0.001), YKL-40 (p = 0.02) levels and APRI score (p = 0.002) were significantly higher compared to mild FS (p = 0.002). YKL-40 levels (t value: 3.48; p = 0.001) and APRI score (t value: 4.57, p < 0.001) were found as independent associated with FS in non-uremic patients. However, in adjusted models, only APRI score (t value: 3.98, p = 0.002) was an independent associated with FS in ESRD patients. Conclusion: In non-uremic cHepC patients, YKL-40 levels and APRI score may be valuable markers of FS. In ESRD patients, there is not sufficient data for prediction of HAI and FS. In these patients, APRI score may provide better information

Occult Hepatitis B in Hemodialysis Patients

Objectives: We aimed to detect occult hepatitis B (OHB) in hemodialysis patients at a higher-risk for OHB

Latex-related allergy in hemodialysis patients

Background: Incidence of allergic reactions is increased in hemodialysis (HD) patients. However, the prevalence of latex allergy is not exactly known in HD patients. The aim of this present study is to determine the prevalence of latex allergy in HD patients. Methods: A total of 205 adult HD patients were included in the study. Questionnaires were completed during patient interviews, and their consents were provided. Latex prick test and latex specific IgE test (HY-TEC, K82) were performed. Mean age of the patients was 52 +/- 14 (25-79) years, and 61% was male. Mean dialysis duration was 38 months, and 21% of them were diabetics. Only five patients had allergic complaints in their histories, and none of them had severe anaphylaxis history. Latex prick test was positive in two patients. Latex specific IgE test was positive in five patients. Overall latex sensitivity was defined as 3.4%. Conclusion: No increased prevalence in latex allergy was determined in HD patients. Latex allergy incidence may be increased in atopic HD patients. Therefore, the use of latex products should be avoided as much as possible especially in atopic HD patients

Long-Term Effects of Tenofovir on Liver Histopathology in Patients with Chronic Viral Hepatitis B Infection

Objective: The aim of this study to evaluate histopathological improvement and virological, serological and biochemical response rates in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) who were treated with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)

The effect of long-term entecavir therapy on liver histopathology in patients with chronic viral hepatitis B

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate histopathological improvement and virological, biological and serological response rates in patients receiving long-term entecavir therapy who were followed with the diagnosis of chronic hepatitis B (CHB).Materials and Methods: Ninety-eight nucleoside(t)e-naive CHB patients who were receiving 0.5mg/day entecavir (ETV) were included in the study. Virological, serological and biochemical test results were assessed baseline and every 12-week intervals. Liver biopsy specimens were assessed according to the modified Ishak scoring.Results: Forty-six CHB patients receiving ETV treatment underwent liver biopsy. The mean age of the patients was 4412.9, 26.1% of them were female. The mean duration of follow-up was 44.9 +/- 10.8months. All patients had hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype D infection. Of 21 patients who were HBeAg positive at baseline, HBeAg loss occurred in 9 and seroconversion occurred in 5. HBsAg loss occurred in none of the patients. Serum HBV DNA levels became undetectable in 93.5% patients. Of the patients, 50% achieved2 point improvement in HAI scores and 30.4% achieved1 point improvement in fibrosis scores with treatment. The mean improvement in HAI and fibrosis score were 1.94 +/- 1.93 and 0.11 +/- 0.9 points, respectively.Conclusion: ETV is an effective treatment in histological improvement and virological response in CHB patients. Large-scale, long-term studies are still warranted to evaluate the long-term outcomes of entecavir therapy

Role of quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen levels in predicting liver biopsy time in treatment-naive chronic hepatitis B patients

Aim of the study: The quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen (qHBsAg) level indicates the amount of transcriptional activity of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) and integrated DNA in hepatocytes which plays a role in development of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and may help decide whether the treatment is necessary or not. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between serum qHBsAg levels and viral replication and stage of liver fibrosis in treatment-naive CHB patients and to determine the role of qHBsAg levels in predicting when liver biopsy is necessary

The effect of long-term entecavir therapy on liver histopathology in patients with chronic viral hepatitis B

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate histopathological improvement and virological, biological and serological response rates in patients receiving long-term entecavir therapy who were followed with the diagnosis of chronic hepatitis B (CHB).Materials and Methods: Ninety-eight nucleoside(t)e-naive CHB patients who were receiving 0.5mg/day entecavir (ETV) were included in the study. Virological, serological and biochemical test results were assessed baseline and every 12-week intervals. Liver biopsy specimens were assessed according to the modified Ishak scoring.Results: Forty-six CHB patients receiving ETV treatment underwent liver biopsy. The mean age of the patients was 4412.9, 26.1% of them were female. The mean duration of follow-up was 44.9 +/- 10.8months. All patients had hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype D infection. Of 21 patients who were HBeAg positive at baseline, HBeAg loss occurred in 9 and seroconversion occurred in 5. HBsAg loss occurred in none of the patients. Serum HBV DNA levels became undetectable in 93.5% patients. Of the patients, 50% achieved2 point improvement in HAI scores and 30.4% achieved1 point improvement in fibrosis scores with treatment. The mean improvement in HAI and fibrosis score were 1.94 +/- 1.93 and 0.11 +/- 0.9 points, respectively.Conclusion: ETV is an effective treatment in histological improvement and virological response in CHB patients. Large-scale, long-term studies are still warranted to evaluate the long-term outcomes of entecavir therapy

Rapid virologic response in chronic hepatitis C genotype 1: Evaluation of pretreatment factors in patients

Background and study aims: Rapid virologic response (RVR) is defined as undetectable hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in serum after 4 weeks of treatment for chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Paritaprevir/ritonavir/ombi tasvir (PRO) and/or dasabuvir (D), with or without ribavirin [PRO (D) ribavirin], which are direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), is the currently approved treatment regimen for CHC genotype 1; this regimen can also be used in patients with end-stage renal failure (ESRF). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of pretreatment factors on RVR in patients treated with PRO (D) +/- ribavirin