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

Considerable evidence has been accumulating in favor of a possible involvement of viral agents in the pathogenesis of human lymphomas. The most recent proposal for a lymphoma classification, the Revised European-American Classification, emphasized for the first time the pathogenetic importance of two viruses, namely Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human T lymphotropic virus I (HTLV-I) in the development of certain lymphoid neoplasias. However, in the last ten years new viral agents possibly related to lymphoproliferative activity have been discovered: three herpesviruses [human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6), -7 (HHV-7) and -8 (HHV-8)] and a flavivirus, HCV. HHV-6 was isolated from the peripheral blood of patients with lymphomas and a possible role for this beta-herpesvirus in Hodgkin's disease and in angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy (AILD) has emerged from serological and molecular studies. HHV-7, a beta-herpesvirus genetically close to HHV-6, has not yet been found in a human disease but it utilizes CD4 as a receptor on the lymphocyte surface. Only partial HHV-8 genomic sequences have been identified so far, suggesting a genetic homology with members of the gamma-herpesvirus family, including EBV. HHV-8 sequences have been identified for the first time in all forms of Kaposi's sarcoma as well as in a variety of lymphoid disorders, including body-cavity-based non Hodgkin's lymphomas, Castleman's disease, AILD and a type of HIV-negative reactive lymphadenopathy with peculiar histologic features. Finally, after its identification as the major cause of post-transfusion and sporadic non-A, non-B hepatitis, HCV has revealed a lymphotropism both in vitro and in vivo. A strong association between HCV infection and a benign lymphoproliferative disease, essential mixed cryoglobulinemia type II, has clearly emerged both from serological and molecular studies. A possible role for this viral infection in B-cell non Hodgkin's lymphomas not associated with cryoglobulinemia has also been proposed recently. The present work offers an overview of the huge amount of experimental and clinical observations supporting the possible involvement of these new lymphotropic viruses in human lymphoproliferative diseases.
 ...
PMID:The new lymphotropic herpesviruses (HHV-6, HHV-7, HHV-8) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in human lymphoproliferative diseases: an overview. 876 34

Events in the pathogenesis of infection and the host response to VZV are very closely linked. Our experiments demonstrate that CD4- and CD8+ T-lymphocyte populations that are targets of cell-associated VZV viremia also mediate protection against severe infection. Diminished cell-mediated immunity predisposes the host to progressive primary or recurrent VZV disease because infected lymphocytes persist in the circulation and carry the virus to major organs, causing pneumonitis, hepatitis, or other life-threatening complications. The live attenuated varicella vaccine induces cell-mediated immunity and protects against or significantly reduces the morbidity associated with primary VZV infections. The universal administration of varicella vaccine is likely to generate new insights about host-virus interactions, particularly in relation to how VZV immunity is maintained, that will be relevant to the design of vaccines for other human herpesviruses.
 ...
PMID:Varicella-zoster virus: aspects of pathogenesis and host response to natural infection and varicella vaccine. 882 2

We report the case of a young HIV seropositive patient with severe hemophilia A who presented rapid liver failure related to his chronic C hepatitis. The patient had been receiving factor VIII:C clotting factor concentrates (mean 60,000 U/year) since 1975. In 1984 alanine aminotransferase presented abnormal levels. The CD4 lymphocyte count in 1991 was normal and ultrasonographic scan showed normal liver morphology. In 1991 the patient were found to be seropositive for HCV antibodies as detected by the ELISA method and confirmed by the RIBA method. One year later, a progressive increase in policlonal gamma-globulin and a decrease in the CD4+ lymphocyte count to below 500/muL were detected in concomitance with ultrasonographic evidence of a progressive increase in the longitudinal diameters of the liver and spleen and signs of liver inhomogeneity. A significant inverse correlation was observed between the increase in the longitudinal diameter of the liver and the decline in albumin levels, and between the increase in the longitudinal diameter of the liver and the drop in platelet count. Elevated levels of ammonemia, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, alkaline phosphatase and IgA were detected. Moreover, decreased levels of the C4 and C3 complement fractions were documented. At this time (1994), esophagogram and esophagogastroscopy evidenced varicosities in the lower esophageal section (stage F1). The patient died in 1995 March at the age of 29 years of sudden septic shock related to Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection.
 ...
PMID:Rapid liver failure related to chronic C hepatitis in an HIV seropositive hemophilic patient with severe immunodepression. 887 Mar 78

Chronic hepatitis B viral infection is common in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) carriers, but the effectiveness of interferon therapy is still unknown. We report the results of a long-term pilot study of five patients, who were infected with HIV and chronic hepatitis B, treated by interferon. Five males co-infected with HIV and hepatitis B virus (HBV) (mean age 27 years) were given a 6-month course of interferon (IFN)-alpha 2b 5 million units (MU) three times weekly. On initiating the treatment, their CD4 lymphocyte count was 340-553 mm-3, their CDC stage was IIa-III; all had histologically proven chronic hepatitis, with Knodell's score ranging from 6-10, and active HBV replication (HBV DNA and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) were detectable). There was no associated hepatitis delta virus (H delta V) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Follow-up was for 53 months on average (24-74 months). After the treatment, hepatitis B e antibody (HBeAb) and hepatitis B s antibody (HBsAb) seroconversion was observed in one patient, HBeAb seroconversion alone in two patients, HBV DNA was absent from serum in three patients, and HBV DNA significantly decreased in one patient. The serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity was normal in four patients. Histological improvement was obtained in four patients. The HIV stage remained unchanged in all patients during the whole follow-up. These preliminary results suggest that interferon can be successfully used in immunocompetent HIV carriers with chronic hepatitis B as well as in HIV-negative patients.
 ...
PMID:Long-term effects of interferon-alpha in five HIV-positive patients with chronic hepatitis B. 891 5

The aim of the present study was to analyze on chronic alcoholic patients the effect of ethanol (EtOH) withdrawal on the immune system through the investigation of the distribution of PB lymphoid subsets, using multiple-stainings with monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry. For this purpose a group of 20 patients with active alcoholism without liver disease, negative for hepatitis virus, and without malnutrition was analyzed and followed for 9 months after alcohol consumption had been discontinued. Twenty-five age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers were included in the study. The following panel of monoclonal antibodies combinations (FITC/PE/PerCP or PE-Cy5) was used: TCR alpha beta/CD3/HLA DR, CD25/CD56/CD3, TCR gamma delta/CD3/HLA DR, CD45RA/CD45R0/CD4, CD3/CD8, CD19/CD5, and CD3/CD11c. Analysis was performed on at least 1,500 events/tube at flow cytometry using the Lysys II software program. During the alcohol intake period, the most striking findings were a significant (P < 0.05) expansion of the CD8+ T-lymphocyte subset, which coexpresses the activation associated antigens HLA DR and CD11c, as well as a significant increase in both NK-cells (CD3-/CD56+) and the T-cell subset with NK activity coexpressing CD3 and CD56 (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). In addition, a decrease in the CD5+ B-cells (P < 0.05), associated with reduced serum gamma-globulin levels, was also observed. During alcohol withdrawal, a rapid decrease towards normal values of activated CD8+/HLA DR+ and CD11c+ T-lymphocytes was observed as well as a normalization of CD19+/CD5+ B-cells and gamma-globulin serum levels; these changes might be directly related to EtOH suppression. Surprisingly, however, new immunological imbalances emerged in spite of the absence of alcohol intake. Thus, a progressive and significant expansion (P < 0.05) of CD4+ T-cells associated with an increased expression of the CD25 activation-related antigen and a preferential use of the CD45R0 isoform by CD4+ T-cells were observed. In parallel, there was an even more evident increase (P < 0.01) in the number of PB NK-cells. Our results show that EtOH consumption induces changes in the immune system, its effects persisting or even becoming more evident after suppression of EtOH intake for a 9 month period.
 ...
PMID:Long lasting immunological effects of ethanol after withdrawal. 897 26

The pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C and the mechanisms underlying progressive liver disease in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection are poorly understood. To demonstrate which inflammatory cells might be responsible for the necroinflammatory damage in chronic hepatitis C infection, we have correlated the phenotype of the intrahepatic lymphocytes and macrophages with histological activity in liver biopsy and explant specimens from 19 patients with chronic hepatitis C infection. In all stages of disease, more CD8+ than CD4+ lymphocytes were found. However, histologically active versus histologically mild hepatitis was associated with a trend toward greater parenchymal concentrations of CD4+ lymphocytes (0.71 +/- 0.27 per 10(4) microns 2 versus 0.35 +/- 0.15; not significant), significantly less parenchymal CD8+ lymphocytes (0.90 +/- 0.1 versus 1.70 +/- 0.3; t = 2.32, P = 0.03) and a greater parenchymal CD4/CD8 ratio (4.1 +/- 2.8 versus 0.91 +/- 0.3; t = 1.65, P = 0.07). No difference was found in the number of cells containing cytotoxic granules between the two groups. Greater numbers of CD4+ lymphocytes were found in liver biopsy specimens with little or no staining for hepatitis C virus antigen (1.47 +/- 0.88 versus 0.27 +/- 0.27; t = 2.28, P < 0.05). No significant differences were found in the macrophage subsets between the three stages of disease. Our data suggest that active histological disease in chronic hepatitis C infection may be associated with an increase in CD4+ lymphocytes and suggest that CD4+ T cells may play an important role in the hepatic injury in these patients.
 ...
PMID:Lymphocyte and macrophage phenotypes in chronic hepatitis C infection. Correlation with disease activity. 906 Aug 34

The clinical and pathogenetic importance of a number of features characterizing cell-mediated immunity and nonspecific protective factors in acute virus hepatitis B. 124 patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection were placed under observation. Of these, 115 patients had acute virus hepatitis B, 6 patients had acute virus hepatitis of mixed etiology (B + delta) and 3 patients had chronic virus hepatitis B. The study included, besides the detection of virus hepatitis markers and the biochemical analysis of blood, the determination of subpopulations of peripheral blood lymphocytes (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD57), the functional activity of natural killers, characteristics of the interferon status, serum neopterin and beta 2-microglobulin in blood serum. Considerable changes in cell-mediated immunity and the interferon system were found to occur and the optimum immune response in acute virus hepatitis B was characterized.
 ...
PMID:[The characteristics of the immune response in acute viral hepatitis B]. 908 33

Two groups of children were set up: children infected with HIV and hepatitis viruses and children infected with HIV, but not with hepatitis viruses, too. The immunological aspects investigated referred to the Ig serum value, the absolute number of T CD4 lymphocytes and the T CD4/T CD8 ratio. The subjects of the first group (in whom hepatitis markers were present) displayed increased IgA and IgM values at a higher rate than those of the second group (54.87% against 32%, 83.3% against 53%), as well as a lowering below 300/ml of the number of T CD4 lymphocytes (50% against 29.4%). On the other hand, increased IgG levels and values below 0.8 of the T CD4/T CD8 ratio were found at similar rates in the two groups of children (77.4% against 80% and 70.5% against 70% respectively). By means of the data obtained, the authors try to point out one of the ways by which hepatitis viruses, considered as a potential cofactor in the AIDS development, contribute to the course of this disease, namely by intensifying the immunological disorders.
 ...
PMID:Immunological disorders of increased severity in children with AIDS associated with hepatitis B and C infections. 910 96

Concanavalin A (Con A) can induce an immune-mediated hepatitis. Since direct evidence of immune mechanism for this hepatitis is lacking, we employed adoptive transfer to study the mechanism of Con A-induced hepatitis. Intravenous administration of Con A (20 mg/kg) to Balb/c mice was accompanied by elevations of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and midzonal necrosis with lymphocyte infiltration in the liver. None of the Balb/c nu/nu mice showed biochemical or pathologic hepatic abnormalities with the same dose of Con A. In the area of midzonal necrosis, CD4-positive T lymphocytes appeared at 24 hr after injection, and then both CD4-positive and CD8-positive T lymphocytes were found at the margin of zonal necrosis at 48 hr. Pretreatment with carrageenan, a potent inhibitor of macrophages, prevented these biochemical and pathologic changes. Mononuclear cells infiltrating in the liver of Balb/c mice 24 hr after priming with Con A were harvested and injected into Balb/c nu/nu mice injected with Con A 24 hr previously. Serum ALT levels elevated and the same pathologic changes observed in Con A-treated Balb/c mice were observed. These changes were not observed when the splenic cells from Con A-treated Balb/c mice were transferred to Con A-treated nude mice. These results suggest that Con A-induced hepatic injury is mediated by macrophages and T lymphocytes sensitized by Con A or its metabolites.
 ...
PMID:Midzonal necrosis of the liver after concanavalin A-injection. 911 63

In order to determine the factors responsible for the differentiation of cytomegalovirus (CMV) hepatitis and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) hepatitis, the clinical features and laboratory data of both types of hepatitis were retrospectively analyzed in 20 patients with CMV and 11 patients with EBV. While most signs and symptoms of CMV and EBV hepatitis showed no significant differences, we found that cervical lymph- adenopathy was more common in EBV hepatitis than in CMV hepatitis (p < 0.01). Frequency of epigastralgia was more common in CMV hepatitis than EBV hepatitis (p < 0.05). The percentage of peripheral blood monocytes in the white blood cell count in CMV hepatitis was greater than in EBV hepatitis (p < 0.01). Low CD4 levels and high CD8 levels made CD4/CD8 low in peripheral lymphocytes of both groups of hepatitis. Ten EBV hepatitis patients received antibiotics in the early stage of the disease in which two (25%) developed severe erythematous rashes. Four CMV hepatitis patients received antibiotics and did not develop rashes. Identification of early clinical parameters capable of differentiating CMV hepatitis from EBV hepatitis is important.
 ...
PMID:Comparison between sporadic cytomegalovirus hepatitis and Epstein-Barr virus hepatitis in previously healthy adults. 913 74


<< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next >>