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)

Since 1970, the types of glomerulopathy encountered in patients with cirrhosis of the liver have been accurately determined. In alcoholic cirrhosis IgA glomerulonephritis is frequent, usually non-proliferative and latent, sometimes membranoproliferative. Defective elimination of circulating immune complexes made up of bacterial or food antigens and IgA antibodies is thought to play a part in the pathogenesis of this type of glomerulonephritis. Extramembranous or membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, occasionally containing the viral antigen, may complicate post-hepatitis cirrhosis, in which case an antiviral treatment might be effective against the renal disease.
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PMID:[The glomerulopathies of cirrhosis of the liver]. 252 8

The presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in association with immunoglobulins and complement components within the glomerular basement membranes of adults having chronic active hepatitis has been well documented. In addition, investigators in Poland have demonstrated HBsAg immune complexes in glomeruli of children who did not have clinical evidence of hepatitis. More recently, a single case of childhood membranous glomerulonephritis in an asymptomatic carrier of hepatitis B virus was cited by observers in Canada. Reported here is the deposition of HBsAg immune complexes in the glomerular basement membranes of a 13-year-old black boy who had membranous glomerulopathy but not clinical evidence of hepatitis. This may be the first reported case in the United States of HbsAg-associated membranous glomerulonephritis in a child asymptomatic for hepatitis B virus, and only the second such case in North America. However, unlike previous studies of childhood glomerulopathy in association with hepatitis B virus, this patient is seropositive for both HBsAg and anti-HBs (antibody for hepatitis B surface antigen). Similar "rare" serologic findings were found for the patient's eldest male sib.
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PMID:Membranous glomerulonephritis in a child asymptomatic for hepatitis B virus. Concomitant seropositivity for HBsAG and anti-HBs. 701 71

We report a 26-year-old homosexual man who developed membranous glomerulopathy with nephrotic syndrome secondary to hepatitis B virus infection and HBe antigenemia. Aminotransferase levels were minimally abnormal, and a liver biopsy showed mild chronic 'persistent' hepatitis. He was initially treated for 4 weeks with human lymphoblastoid alpha-interferon by subcutaneous injection without effect. A second 4-week course of interferon in combination with acyclovir also failed to eradicate HBeAg from the circulation or to reduce the proteinuria. Four years later, he developed new symptomatic hepatitis, with plasma aminotransferases elevated to 200-300 IU/l for more than 4 months. Treatment with interferon was again initiated, and by the 4th month of therapy, he had seroconverted to anti-e status, and cleared the HBeAg from circulation. At the same time, proteinuria significantly dropped from an average of 7 g/day to less than 0.5 g/day. Four years after completion of interferon treatment, he became HBsAg negative and anti-HBsAg reactive while remaining persistently HBeAg negative and anti-HBe positive. He has been free of edema, with normal renal and hepatic function, and his 24-hour protein excretion was less than 0.12 g/day.
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PMID:Remission of nephrotic syndrome of HBV-associated membranous glomerulopathy following treatment with interferon. 757 95

An acute type rejection episode occurred in one of two patients treated with Interferon alpha (IFN alpha) for type C hepatitis (CHC). Histopathological examination of the graft kidney revealed focal cellular infiltration and chronic transplant glomerulopathy which showed acute or chronic type rejection. In spite of bolus administration of methyl-prednisolone, the elevation of serum creatinine level continued. After administration of anti-human lymphocyte globulin (AHLG), renal function improved, but urinary protein was still positive. Another patient had no episode of rejection during or after IFN alpha therapy.
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PMID:Interferon alpha therapy for chronic active hepatitis type C after renal transplantation and allograft rejection. 858 24

Several observations suggest that the evolution of schistosomal glomerulopathy into clinically overt and progressive disease may involve pathogenetic mechanisms other than simple glomerular deposition of parasitic antigens. In a previous study, IgA was suggested to be a mediator of late glomerular lesions in this disease. This issue is further addressed in this work. The study includes 32 patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis, of whom 16 had overt glomerular involvement, along with four control groups: (a) 15 healthy volunteers; (b) 15 patients with simple intestinal mansoniasis; (c) 17 patients with non-schistosomal chronic liver disease; and (d) 21 subjects with primary nephrotic syndrome not associated with schistosomiasis. Routine assessment was done for all subjects including confirmatory tests for schistosomal infection, liver and renal function tests, hepatitis viral markers and abdominal ultrasonography. The total serum concentrations of IgG, IgM, IgA were measured, as well as their respective circulating immune complexes, rheumatoid factors, anti-gliadin- and anti-DNA-antibodies. Liver and renal biopsies were obtained from the relevant groups and studied by light microscopy. Renal biopsies were also examined by immunofluorescence. Patients with simple intestinal schistosomiasis had a significant increase in IgM antigliadin antibodies. Those complicated with hepatosplenic involvement also had a significant increase in the mean IgG anti-gliadin antibodies, IgG rheumatoid factor and IgM anti-DNA activity. Cases further complicated by overt glomerular disease showed a distinct IgA predominance, mainly expressed in the serum anti-gliadin antibody pool and anti-DNA activity. This profile was essentially similar to that observed in control cirrhotics. There was a significant increase in the frequency of IgA glomerular deposits in renal biopsies obtained from patients with overt schistosomal glomerulopathy, in contrast to control nephrotics. The deposits were mainly mesangial, but were also encountered in subendothelial, subepithelial and peritubular locations. Their frequency was significantly higher with more advanced lesions as seen by light microscopy. The relevance of these data is discussed, leading to the following conclusions: (a) serum IgA-anti-gliadin and -anti-DNA antibodies, and glomerular IgA deposits are markers of significant renal involvement in patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis. (b) IgA may be involved in the pathogenesis of advanced glomerular pathology when superimposed on parasite-induced lesions. (c) There is a significant increase in serum auto-reactivity in hepatosplenic schistosomiasis, which may also have pathogentic implications. (d) Increased production by the inflammatory bowel lesions, impaired clearance by the fibrotic livers and probable switching of immunoglobulin synthesis are suggested to explain the observed IgA predominance in those who develop renal complications.
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PMID:Immunoglobulin-A and the pathogenesis of schistosomal glomerulopathy. 887 67

Through molecular virological testing it is now clear that HCV reinfection of the allograft is virtually universal in liver transplant recipients. Although histopathological recurrence of hepatitis C occurs in the majority of patients, it is absent in a substantial minority. To date, no prognostic factors, other than genotype 1b, have been identified that accurately predict these dissimilar outcomes. The natural history of recurrent hepatitis C varies. Historically, it has been regarded as generally benign. However, with increasing numbers of patients transplanted for hepatitis C it is now clear that a subgroup of patients develops severe progressive cholestatic hepatitis associated with allograft failure and death without retransplantation. Within 5 years following OLT, approximately 15-20% of patients progress to chronic active hepatitis and another 15-20% become cirrhotic. A minority of patients develop glomerulopathy or vasculitis, which are often associated with cryoglobulinaemia. The impact of immunosuppressive medications and rejection episodes on histopathological recurrence of progressive hepatitis C remains controversial and requires further studies. Although actuarial survival rates of patients transplanted for hepatitis C differ among transplantation centres, it appears that histopathological recurrence of hepatitis C does have an adverse impact on actuarial survival compared to the survival of patients transplanted for autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis and metabolic liver diseases. When allograft failure develops in patients with recurrent hepatitis C, retransplantation is indicated, even though recent reports indicate that mortality may be increased, especially with concurrent renal insufficiency.
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PMID:Morbidity and mortality of recurrent hepatitis C infection after orthotopic liver transplantation. 909 90

We report on a 33-year-old male patient with generalized acquired lipodystrophy, insulin resistant diabetes mellitus and acanthosis nigricans (Lawrence Syndrome). First probable symptoms of lipodystrophy (weight loss, shrinkage of subcutaneous fatty tissue, and loss of muscular strength) became evident three years ago, with the onset of diabetes mellitus occurring about six months later. The patient suffered from the following clinical symptoms: IDDM with increasing insulin-requirement, extreme reduction of fatty tissue, fatty liver hepatitis with elevated liver enzymes, glomerulopathy, muscular and neuropathic pains, as well as hypertriglyceridaemia. A basal C-peptide concentration is rather high. Definitely, the endogenous insulin secretion is increased. In other words, insulin resistance is documented. In an effort to identify the pathogenetic mechanisms of lipoatrophic diabetes mellitus in this patient and to develop a therapeutic strategy, antibodies against different tissues and endocrinologic regulation were investigated. It was possible to demonstrate the presence of serum autoantibodies against lipocytes of the subcutis and other tissues, against hepatic stellate cells, together with autoantibodies against different endocrine organs. By studying the basis of diabetic abnormalities relating to the growth hormone (GH), the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) dynamics in this patient, i.e. reductions of GH, IGF-I, IGF-II, IGF-Binding protein (IGF-BP) 2 and IGF-BP 3, were detected. An immunosuppressive treatment strategy was not beneficial.
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PMID:Dysregulation of insulin-like growth factors in a case of generalized acquired lipoatrophic diabetes mellitus (Lawrence Syndrome) connected with autoantibodies against adipocyte membranes. 951 65

Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated glomerulonephritides have been increasingly reported, and the association between HBV and glomerulopathy is striking, especially in children. In this study, we investigated clinical and immunohistological features of HBV-associated glomerulonephritis in 14 children aged from 2.5 to 16 years (mean 10 years). The nephrotic syndrome was present in 9 (64%) and the nephritic syndrome in 8 children (57%). Five children had both nephrotic and nephritic syndrome together (35%). Renal insufficiency was determined in 4 of 14 patients (28%). Surface antigen (HBsAg) was present in all, with no history of clinically apparent hepatitis. Investigation of all renal tissue samples with light and immunofluorescence microscopy confirmed the diagnosis of membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN) in 6, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) in 7, and IgA nephropathy (IgAN) in 1 child. Renal tissue samples were studied by the immunoperoxidase method for HBsAg in all cases; only in 4 children was HBsAg detected in the glomeruli. Examination of liver tissue samples was available in 4 cases, revealing chronic hepatitis in all, with additional development of cirrhosis in 1 and the presence of HBsAg in hepatocytes in all. Of the patients, 8 received corticosteroid treatment; 1 of them achieved a complete remission, while 4 had a partial remission with persistent proteinuria and hematuria. Four patients who received no treatment had a spontaneous remission within 5 months to 10 years following the onset of the renal disease. Two patients died of renal failure, while 1 died of intercurrent sepsis. The patient with IgAN received interferon-alpha 2a and lamuvidine, which resulted in a remission and a marked decrease in HBV DNA titer. The remaining 2 were lost to follow-up. Although MGN has been reported as the nephropathy most commonly associated with HBsAg antigenemia in adults, our study revealed that MPGN could occur in children as well as MGN, without any clinical or historical evidence of hepatitis. The present study provides further evidence for a causal relationship between HBV hepatitis and HBs antigenemia-related glomerulonephritides in the pediatric age group. It also indicates the prognosis (71%) of the associated nephropathies with or without treatment is quite favorable in childhood.
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PMID:Hepatitis-B virus associated nephropathies: a clinicopathological study in 14 children. 1248 86

This work describes the basic elements of pathology used in clinical practice. Pathology plays an important role in clinical and scientific work, but only a few areas of pathology will be covered. Although the contribution of oncological and surgical pathology to therapy is the most well known, the cases chosen here will involve infectious pathology, diseases of the kidney and the liver, autoimmune diseases, as well as organ transplantation. Especially important is the description of methods that enable more accurate morphological diagnoses, such as histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and electronic microscopy. Previous experience and joint work with clinical doctors have enabled the definition of significant morphological elements as well as of essential methods of pathohistological diagnosis. Besides, as is often the case, although disease symptoms are difficult to discern and biochemical results do not show significant changes compared to normal values, the results of biopsy come as a surprise to clinical doctors. For example, in virus hepatitis B involving so-called asymptomatic HBsAg carriers, we discovered every morphological form of hepatitis, from minimal lesions to chronic, persistent, and active hepatitis. With hepatitis C, certain morphological lesions point to the etiopathogenesis of this disease and thus help to confirm the diagnosis and to instigate therapy on time. Another significant experience involves kidney biopsies in cases when clinical findings are asymptomatic. Often, in such cases, morphological findings point to glomerulonephritis and glomerulopathy at different stages. Timely and subtle morphological diagnostics offer a more precise explanation for the pathological injury of tissues than other diagnostic methods. In this way, by adopting new methods, the work of pathologists is included more and more in everyday clinical practice. The inclusion of pathologists in a transplantation team makes sure a proper selection of the organ for transplantation is carried out and ensures a reliable evaluation of the condition of the transplanted organ, enabling appropriate therapy. Autoimmune, hereditary diseases are almost impossible to recognise unless a biopsy is performed as in the examples given. In this work, the 30-year-long results of the cooperation between clinical doctors and pathologists are presented and compared with similar results from modern literature, together with numerous examples that represent significant experiences and achievements of our medicine.
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PMID:[Clinical pathology]. 1679 69

Patient survival is significantly lower in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive compared to HCV-negative dialysis patients. After renal transplantation, immunosuppressive therapy can result in an increased burden of HCV viremia. Both patient and graft survivals are lower in HCV-positive compared to matched HCV-negative renal-transplant patients. Therefore, it is important to treat HCV infection. At present, after renal transplantation, there is no current safe and efficient therapy. Alpha-interferon (alpha-IFN) does not give a sustained virological response, and is associated with a high rate of renal failure. Ribavirin and amantadine monotherapies are associated with a significant improvement in liver enzymes, but have no impact upon HCV viremia. Ribavirin, however, may be indicated in cases of HCV-related glomerulopathy because it can significantly decrease proteinuria. The combined use of alpha-IFN and ribavirin should only be given to those patients who have developed posttransplant fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis. Therefore, HCV infection needs to be treated pretransplant. In dialysis patients, the only recommended therapy, as yet, is alpha-IFN monotherapy. Pegylated alpha-IFN is under evaluation and ribavirin is contraindicated because it results in severe hemolytic anemia. Twelve months of alpha-IFN therapy results in sustained virological clearance in approximately 40% of patients, regardless of their genotype. HCV RNA, after three months of alpha-IFN therapy, is a predictive factor for a long-term sustained response. Finally, when HCV-positive dialysis patients with a sustained virological response undergo successful renal transplantation, very few suffer a virological relapse, thus emphasizing that these patients were cured.
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PMID:Treatment of hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) after renal transplantation: implications for HCV-positive dialysis patients awaiting a kidney transplant. 1703 97


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