Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0019158 (hepatitis)
 30,205 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most important cause of transfusion-related non-A, non-B hepatitis. It is also thought to be the prime cause of non-transfusion-related or sporadic chronic liver disease. To assess the extent of HCV infection and its significance in this last form, we evaluated the clinical, serological and histological features of 84 consecutive HCV-related patients without a history of blood or blood products transfusion, alcohol or intravenous drug abuse or other known risk factors. Our results indicate that 68 patients (81%) had signs of chronicity, and 33 (39.2%) had superimposed cirrhosis. Serum abnormal alanine aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyltransferase activities represented good predictive markers of liver histological signs of chronicity. The levels of serum gammaglobulins were found to parallel histological severity of liver disease. One or more hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated markers were present in 52 patients (61.9%). Only 6 (7.1%) were chronic HBV carriers, and 3 of them had signs of active virus replication. These data indicate that HCV plays a major role in the etiology of sporadic chronic liver disease. Its presence is associated with histological forms of chronic liver disease in most patients, who likely represent chronic HCV carriers.
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PMID:Hepatitis-C-virus-related chronic liver disease of sporadic type: clinical, serological and histological features. 137 48

The sequence of serologic events in a patient with acute type C hepatitis associated with intravenous drug abuse is described. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) ribonucleic acid was detectable in serum during the acute episode of hepatitis, whereas antibody to the hepatitis C virus appeared later, after the acute illness had subsided. The patient developed chronic hepatitis with persistently elevated serum aminotransferase activities. Both hepatitis C viral ribonucleic acid and antibody to hepatitis C virus persisted in serum, together with elevated serum aminotransferases. Thus, detection of HCV RNA may be useful in the diagnosis of acute type C hepatitis, particularly in the absence of detectable antibody to the hepatitis C virus.
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PMID:Detection of hepatitis C viral RNA in serum of a patient with acute non A, non B hepatitis. 165 87

Serum samples from 66 seropositive subjects (56 with a history of intravenous drug abuse), including asymptomatic carriers and patients with persistent generalised lymphadenopathy (PGL), AIDS related complex (ARC), and AIDS, were tested by indirect immunofluorescence on rat tissue sections and HEp-2 cells for the presence of antibodies to nuclei, smooth muscle, intermediate filaments (anti-IMF) and microfilaments (anti-MF). Counterimmunoelectrophoresis was also used to detect antibodies to extractable nuclear antigens. Smooth muscle antibodies with the V pattern or antinuclear antibodies, mainly of the speckled type, or anti-IMF, occurred in 35 cases, being widely distributed in all groups. Such an autoantibody response resembles the "viral" autoimmunity described in various infectious diseases and in particular that of non-A, non-B post-transfusion hepatitis. Autoantibodies may be of some prognostic relevance, as the prevalence of smooth muscle antibodies V increased as the disease progressed (asymptomatic carriers 20%, those with PGL 29%, those with ARC 47%, and those with AIDS 63%. In the PGL group autoantibody positivity correlated with the presence of skin anergy. The fact that autoantibodies were more frequently detected in patients with circulating immune complexes suggests that these can contain autoantibodies and the corresponding autoantigens.
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PMID:Serum non-organ specific autoantibodies in human immunodeficiency virus 1 infection. 167 87

We have conducted a multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing two doses of recombinant human alpha-interferon for efficacy in 60 patients with chronic non-A, non-B hepatitis. The source of infection appeared to be transfusion in 30 patients, intravenous drug abuse in 16 patients and was unknown in 14 patients. Patients were randomly assigned to no treatment or to treatment with either 1 or 3 MU of alpha-interferon given three times a week for 24 wk. Forty-five patients (75%) were positive for antibody to hepatitis C virus. During the 24-wk treatment period, mean serum ALT levels decreased in both treatment groups, but the decrease was statistically significant only in the 3 MU group. However, at 24 wk, the proportion of patients with normal ALT levels was similar in the 3 MU group (39%) and the 1 MU group (45%), and both were significantly higher than in controls (0%). Repeat liver biopsy specimens showed a significant decrease in the severity of histological changes in the 3 MU group but not in the 1 MU group or in controls. Responses to alpha-interferon did not correlate with patient's age, gender, source of infection, pretreatment serum ALT, presence of anti-hepatitis C virus or cirrhosis. After treatment, the mean ALT levels rose in both treated groups. The proportion of patients with normal ALT levels at wk 48 was 28% in the 3 MU group and 20% in the 1 MU group. In conclusion, a dose of 3 MU was superior to 1 MU of alpha-interferon given three times weekly for 24 wk in inducing improvements in serum ALT levels and liver histological examinations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:Recombinant human alpha-interferon in patients with chronic non-A, non-B hepatitis: a multicenter randomized controlled trial from France. 190 Feb 56

Twenty-one of 40 patients with chronic non-A, non-B hepatitis (37 anti-HCV positive) were randomised to receive interferon alpha 2b (3 million units subcutaneously thrice weekly for 24 weeks) and then to be observed for six months. Among the other 19 patients (controls) randomised to be observed without treatment for 12 months, eight have subsequently been treated with interferon for six months. One treated patient and three controls were lost to follow-up. A return to normal serum alanine aminotransferase levels which lasted until the end of the treatment period occurred in 18 (64%) of the 28 patients given interferon (and in 13 of 21 (62%) randomised to treatment), but only in one of the 16 untreated controls (p less than 0.001). Multivariant analysis indicated that, compared with the ten nonresponders, the 18 patients who responded to interferon were more likely to have acquired infection by intravenous drug abuse than by blood transfusion (p less than 0.05), and were more likely to have histologically less severe chronic liver disease (p less than 0.01). Thus, all 13 patients with less severe liver disease histologically responded to interferon, but only five of 15 patients with cirrhosis or bridging fibrosis responded. Among 17 responders followed for more than four months, five (28%) are still in remission a median of 13 months (range four months to 24 months) after stopping interferon. The characteristics which favoured a response during treatment also appeared to distinguish those who experienced sustained post-treatment remission.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:Can the response to interferon treatment be predicted in patients with chronic active hepatitis C? 195 24

In this pilot study, 12 patients with chronic delta hepatitis were studied. The diagnosis was based on the presence of antibodies to the hepatitis delta antigen in the serum and hepatitis delta virus RNA and hepatitis delta antigen in the serum and liver. All patients were also positive for hepatitis B surface antigen. The infection was presumed to have been transmitted by intravenous drug abuse in six of the patients, blood transfusion in one and by sexual contact in four (two had antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus in their serum, but did not show signs of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). In one further patient, the source of infection was unknown. Interferon alfa-2b (INTRON A, Schering-Plough Corporation) was initiated at 5 million units per day subcutaneously for at least 4 months, being reduced by half if side effects occurred. Serum alanine aminotransferase levels, hepatitis delta virus RNA and hepatitis delta antigen were measured at monthly intervals for up to 12 months in some patients. Interferon therapy resulted in decreased serum levels of these three markers. On cessation of therapy, most patients experienced a relapse over 6 months, but alanine amino transferase levels could be normalized once more by restarting interferon therapy. In conclusion, interferon decreased hepatic inflammation by the inhibition of hepatitis delta virus replication, although relapse occurred when interferon was stopped and long-term therapy is required to achieve permanent control of the disease. Care will be required when treating patients with advanced or decompensated liver disease.
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PMID:Therapy of chronic delta hepatitis with interferon alfa-2b. 207 75

Serum specimens from 111 human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infected and 183 HIV-1 seronegative patients were analysed for antibodies to hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis A virus (HAV) by enzyme linked immunoassay (ELISA) and radioimmunoassay. Anti-HCV and anti-HBV antibodies were found in the vast majority (89 and 83%, respectively) of intravenous drug addicts (IVDA), independent of the type of drug abuse or whether the patients were HIV-1 infected or not. Anti-HAV antibodies were found in 60% of the IVDA. Anti-HCV antibodies were found in anti-HIV-1 positive homosexual men (14%) and anti-HIV-1 negative heterosexual persons (8%), but not in HIV-1 seronegative homosexual men. Also anti-HAV antibodies were found to a small extent in these groups. In contrast, anti-HBV antibodies were common in the homosexual men. The absorbance values of the positive reactions in the anti-HCV ELISA were lower for HIV-1 seropositive patients than those for HIV-1 seronegative subjects, particularly in the late stages of HIV-1 infection. These data suggest that HCV infection is transmitted as readily as HBV infection by intravenous drug abuse and that all three types of hepatitis virus infection are common in IVDA. Although transmission of HCV is primarily mediated by blood, sexual transmission may also occur. HIV-1 infection seems to be associated with unusually low levels of anti-HCV antibodies, especially in the late stages of HIV-1 infection.
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PMID:Hepatitis C virus infection in individuals with or without human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection. 212 86

24 consecutive patients (14 females; median age 36, range 18-77) with liver biopsy proven acute non-A, non-B hepatitis (NANBH) were assayed for antibodies to hepatitis C virus (HCV). 14 (58%) were positive initially or during follow-up. Three patients were positive within 4 weeks following onset of symptoms and 7 patients in a serum sample obtained 4-8 weeks after clinical onset. Seroconversion was documented in 7/8 patients in paired sera from the acute phase of the disease. Anti-HCV was detected in 6% and 13% of control patients with acute hepatitis A and toxic hepatitis. NANBH in 6/14 patients (43%) with anti-HCV progressed to chronic liver disease (CLD). In contrast none of the anti-HCV negative patients developed CLD (p = 0.02). In addition, 2 anti-HCV positive patients developed fulminant and fatal hepatitis. The predominant route of HCV transmission was intravenous drug abuse. It is concluded that hepatitis may be ascribed to HCV infection in more than half of patients with community aquired NANBH, that seroconversion occurs in the majority within 8 weeks following onset of symptoms and that seropositive individuals often progress to CLD.
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PMID:Early appearance of antibodies to hepatitis C virus in community acquired acute non-A, non-B hepatitis is associated with progression to chronic liver disease. The Copenhagen Hepatitis Acuta Programme. 217 Nov 37

The occurrence of hepatobiliary disease with or without jaundice during pregnancy provides both the hepatologist and obstetrician with an interesting and urgent diagnostic challenge. Advances in our understanding and management of liver disorders unique to pregnancy and hepatobiliary disease in general have resulted in a significant improvement in the outcome for both mother and fetus. Certain disorders such as acute fatty liver of pregnancy and hepatic haemorrhage associated with toxaemia should be considered medical emergencies and delay in diagnosis of these conditions will probably adversely affect maternal and fetal outcome. A careful clinical history, physical examination, appropriate laboratory tests and radiological investigations should allow a diagnosis within 24-48 hours of presentation. Liver biopsy is rarely required. A careful history may provide important information. Does the patient have pre-existent liver disease? Has there been contact with hepatitis, intravenous drug abuse or any other factor predisposing to acute viral hepatitis? Does the patient have a family history of pruritus and/or jaundice to suggest intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy? Is the patient's alcohol consumption excessive? Has the patient received any hepatotoxic medications? Has there been abdominal pain and/or fever to suggest gallstones, hepatic bleeding or acute fatty liver of pregnancy? Laboratory investigations may give valuable diagnostic clues. Marked aminotransferase elevation would suggest acute viral or 'ischaemic' hepatitis. Haematological features of microangiopathic haemolysis would point towards toxaemia or AFLP. Hepatitis A and B serological tests may be helpful in viral liver disease. Radiological investigations may be indicated depending on the clinical context. Abdominal ultrasonography may be useful in the diagnosis of gallstones, biliary obstruction, liver tumours or intrahepatic bleeding. Fatty infiltration of the liver may be diagnosed by ultrasonography but computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen is probably more reliable for a diagnosis of acute fatty liver of pregnancy as it allows measurement of liver density which is typically reduced by fatty infiltration. CT scanning is also probably more valuable than ultrasound in assessing the extent of capsular rupture and haemorrhage into the liver and peritoneal cavity.
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PMID:Jaundice in pregnancy. 265 65

The increasing incidence of illicit intravenous drug abuse has reached epidemic proportions in western society. Although the accompanying infectious complications such as hepatitis and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome receive the most notoriety, injection injuries are causing an increasing number of problems. A retrospective review of patients requiring admission for acute or chronic drug injection injuries of the upper extremities was made at the Detroit Receiving Hospital from 1980 through 1985. The demographical, historical, physical, microbiological, and follow-up data were analyzed. The majority of the injuries involved subcutaneous injections into the hand with accompanying inflammatory or infectious complications. The bacteriological data revealed unique characteristics and did not reflect patterns expected from inoculation of normal skin flora. A treatment regimen based on the data is proposed.
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PMID:Drug injection injuries of the upper extremity. 292 4


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