Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0023890 (cirrhosis)
 42,195 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

We studied the epidemiological, laboratory and histological characteristics of a group of patients with positive antibodies against hepatitis C virus (HCV) as determined by third-generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and with indeterminate HCV antibody positivity as established by third-generation recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA-3). The results obtained were compared with those recorded in a group of RIBA-3-positive patients. Both groups correspond to blood donors in whom the prevalence of hepatitis C is low. There were no statistically significant intergroup differences in mean age, or in the presence of infection risk factors. RNA positivity was much more frequent in the RIBA-positive group (71%vs 10%; P < 0.05), as was transaminase elevation during the 3 years of follow-up (54%vs 13%; P < 0.05). In 46% of the RIBA-indeterminate patients the liver biopsy proved normal, or only liver steatosis or minimal changes were detected, while 33% had persistent chronic hepatitis, and 21% showed active chronic hepatitis. A mean Knodell index score of 2.28 was recorded; 50% of the subjects showed no fibrosis, 46% grade 1 fibrosis (fibrous portal expansion), 4% grade 2 fibrosis (bridging fibrosis), and none grade 3 fibrosis (liver cirrhosis). In the RIBA-positive group, a greater percentage of patients had active chronic hepatitis, a greater Knodell index, and increased-grade fibrosis. It can be concluded that the RIBA-3-indeterminate group is epidemiologically similar to the RIBA-3-positive series, although with a lesser prevalence of laboratory test alterations, a lower viral replication index, and more likely to have benign disease - particularly in subjects without viral replication.
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PMID:Epidemiological, biological and histological characterization of patients with indeterminate third-generation recombinant immunoblot assay antibody results for hepatitis C virus. 1647 93

Interferon-alpha has been established for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection. However, the complete responding rate is not higher than 20-25%. Our study was carried out on sixty patients with chronic HCV infection with the following criteria: elevated serum ALT levels, positive antibodies to HCV (by second generation ELISA and RIBA tests) and positive HCV in serum by PCR. All patients had negative tests for hepatitis B virus and liver histopathological findings consistent with chronic hepatitis +/- cirrhosis. Patients were treated with 3 Mu interferon-alpha thrice weekly for 6 months. The results showed response in 14 out of the 60 patients (23.3%) with normalization of the ALT levels within 2-3 months of IFN therapy. Complete response (CR) was present in 6/14 (42.9%) of the responders with negative PCR in serum up to 6 months after stoppage of therapy. Response with relapse (unsustained response) was noticed in 8/14 (57.1%) of the responders with elevation of ALT level 2 months after stoppage of treatment. Forty six patients 46/60 (76.7%) were non-responders (NR) with significant elevation of ALT level and positive PCR in serum all through the course of treatment. The response in cirrhotic patients was significantly lower than in noncirrhotic cases. In conclusion, prolonged treatment courses should be further evaluated in controlled studies.
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PMID:Biochemical and virological response (by PCR) to interferon therapy in chronic hepatitis C. 1721 52

Hepatitis C viral infection (HCV) is presently a major problem in renal transplant recipients (RTR) with a high risk of chronicity resulting in liver cirrhosis. We screened 120 RTR (50 live related, 53 live unrelated, and 17 cadaveric); mean age of 45.2 years and mean post-transplant period of 6.8 years. Positive HCV antibodies using RIBA-2 test were detected in 43 patients (35.8%). Polymerase chain reaction was performed on 37 seropositive patients and confirmed viremia in 100% of hem. Forty-one seropositive patients (95.3%) had previous dialysis prior to transplantation; a mean of 4.5 years. Liver disease manifested in only five (11.6%) of the seropositive patients and hypertransaminasemia was detected in 14 (32.6%). Twelve seropositive patients with elevated transaminase levels and/or clinical evidence of liver disease, who all had positive PCR, underwent liver biopsy. Inflammation restricted to portal area was noticed in two, persistent hepatitis in three, chronic active hepatitis in four and cirrhosis in three. There was significantly higher incidence (P< 0.03) of acute graft rejection in the seropositive (23.3%) compared to the seronegative patients (9.1% ). While the difference did not amount to statistical significance for chronic rejection (9.3% and 6.5% respectively). Two patients had acute cellular rejection related to interferon therapy. The leading cause of death was related to liver failure in the seropositive patients and coronary artery disease in he seronegative RTR. In conclusion, there is high incidence of HCV in or renal transplant recipients associated with relatively high morbidity and mortality. At present we are lacking an efficient and well-tolerated antiviral drug.
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PMID:The Impact of Hepatitis C Infection and Antiviral Therapy on clinical Outcome in Renal Transplantation Recipients. 1821 11

Summary A cross-sectional study led in Bamako analyzed the seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and its genotypes among 91 patients carrying chronic liver diseases at the stage of cirrhosis (53) or hepato cellular carcinoma (38) and, on comparative basis in 92 blood donors as control population. False serologic reactions were found with ELISA (3/91 either 3,3% of the liver diseases and 1/92 or 1,1% of the control). Positive tests by ELISA confirmed by a RIBA test were finally considered. Concerning all the liver diseases, the seroprevalence of HCV was 15,4% including 15,1% in cirrhosis, 21% in hepatocellular carcinoma patients versus 2,2% in blood donors. The HBs antigen was associated in 5,6% of the cases In the hepatite C population, genotype 2a/2c was definitely prevalent, about 85,7%. Thus the role of the HCV in genesis of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in Mali, appears significant.
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PMID:[Not Available]. 1961 54


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