Lamivudine treatment for chronic replicative hepatitis B virus infection after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

The risk of severe hepatic damage in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is well known; more effective treatments for this infection are needed. Lamivudine is being studied in immunocompetent and immunosuppressed HBV infected patients. We report a patient suffering from chronic replicative HBV infection after allogeneic BMT, who responded to lamivudine therapy. A 24-year-old woman with CML received an allogeneic BMT from her HLA-identical sister in June 1992. Before transplant, her HBV status demonstrated viral contact without active infection (HBsAb+, HBcAb+ IgG, HBeAb+). Four months after BMT mild chronic liver GVHD appeared, requiring immunosuppressive treatment. Antibodies to HBV completely disappeared post-transplant. Acute icteric hepatitis occurred 2 years later, with HBsAg+, high level of HBV-DNA, HBeAg+ and HBcAb IgM+. Lamivudine 100 mg/day rapidly reduced transaminase levels and effected HBV-DNA disappearance within 2 months. The treatment was well tolerated; no hematological side-effects occurred. This preliminary observation warrants further investigation of lamivudine treatment in bone marrow transplanted patients with active HBV infection.     

Response of patients with dual hepatitis B virus and C virus infection to interferon therapy

Patients with dual infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and delta virus (HDV) responded poorly to interferon (IFN) therapy. Little is known about the effect of IFN therapy in patients with HBV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) dual infection. The patients in two randomized controlled trials with chronic HBV infection were retrospectively assayed for HCV markers. The HBV responses to IFN therapy in patients with and without HCV markers were compared. An open trial was conducted in 4 patients who had lost their serum HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) but had continuing HCV viremia and hepatitis. Of the 15 patients seropositive for HCV marker(s), only 1 (6.7%) responded with seroclearance of HBV DNA and HBV e antigen, as compared with 46 (28%) of 164 HCV-negative patients (p = 0.058). Icteric hepatitis developed in 1 patient on emergence of serum HCV RNA in association with seroclearance of HBV DNA. In contrast, good response was demonstrated in 3 of the 4 patients who had lost serum HBsAg before therapy. The results suggest that IFN therapy is not only of limited value in patients with dual infection with HBV and HCV but also has a potential risk of severe hepatitis if the clearance of one virus removes its suppressive effect on and facilitates the emergence of the other. However, patients with continuing HCV hepatitis after termination of the chronic HBsAg carrier state responded well to IFN therapy.     

Lamivudine treatment for acute hepatitis B after liver transplantation

Although epidemiological and experimental studies indicate a strong relationship between different dietary fats and risk of colon cancer, the modulating effects of these nutritional factors at the molecular level are not fully elucidated. Activated ras genes have been implicated in the etiology of many human malignancies, including colon cancer. It is well established that the transforming ability of ras-p21 depends on its correct localization in plasma membrane. We have previously demonstrated that ingestion of a relatively higher amount of dietary fish oil leads to reduced plasma membrane levels of ras-p21 with concomitant increase in its cytoplasmic contents during the promotion and progression phases of chemically-induced colon tumorigenesis. In this follow-up experiment, we have found that intake of a high amount of corn oil, one of the most widely used fats in the American diet, enhances the expression of farnesyl protein transferase (FPTase). This enzyme catalyses farnesylation of ras precursors in a critical step during post-translational modification of ras oncoproteins, thereby enabling their anchorage to plasma membrane. In contrast, consumption of high amounts of fish oil, which is rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, reduces the levels of FPTase expression, thus inhibiting post-translational processing of ras precursors resulting in decreased ras function both in colonic mucosa as well as in colon tumors. These results correlate with increased incidence and multiplicity of grossly visibly colon tumors in carcinogen-treated animals fed a high corn oil diet versus decreased incidence and multiplicity of colon tumors in their counterparts fed the high fish oil diet. This dietary inhibition of FPTase may have a practical chemopreventive potential.     

Hepatitis B virus infection, hepatitis B vaccine, and hepatitis B immune globulin

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major health problem in the United States; in 1995, approximately 128,000 cases occurred. Transmission of HBV occurs primarily by blood exchange (eg, by shared needles during injection drug use) and by sexual contact. Persons infected early in life are much more likely to become chronically infected than those infected during adulthood: as many as 90% of infants infected perinatally develop chronic infection and up to 25% will die of HBV-related chronic liver disease as adults. Clinical signs of acute hepatitis occur in about 50% of infected adults but in only 5% of infected preschool-aged children. In the United States, hepatitis B vaccine is currently made by recombinant DNA technology using baker's yeast. Preexposure vaccination results in protective antibody levels in almost all infants and children (> 95%) and healthy adults younger than 40 years of age (> 90%). The most common adverse event following administration of hepatitis B vaccine is pain at the injection site, which occurs in 13% to 29% of adult and 3% to 9% of children. A comprehensive hepatitis B vaccination policy is now recommended that includes (1) routine infant vaccination; (2) catch-up vaccination of 11- to 12-year-olds who were not previously vaccinated; (3) catch-up vaccination of young children at high risk for infection; (4) vaccination of adolescents and adults based on lifestyle or environmental, medical, and occupational situations that place them at risk; and (5) prevention of perinatal HBV infection.     

The natural course of hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infection

Chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infections maintain a significant risk for the development of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma and cause a considerable morbidity in the population. Among patients with chronic HBV infection and histologically confirmed hepatitis the annual incidence of liver cirrhosis is 2%. The risk for hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic HBsAg carriers is elevated about 40-230 fold. 20-30% of patients with chronic HCV infection will develop cirrhosis over 20-30 years. Hepatocellular carcinoma evolves yearly in about 3% of patients with chronic HCV infection and cirrhosis, whereas HCV-carriers without cirrhosis usually do not develop hepatocellular carcinoma. The high incidence of serious sequelae warrants a regular surveillance of chronic virus carriers.     

Chronic hepatitis B virus infection in south Auckland

AIM: Previous studies have identified high prevalence rates of hepatitis B infection in New Zealand Maori, Pacific Island and Asian populations within New Zealand. However, the true impact of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection on health resources has not been evaluated. This study was designed to determine the incidence of serious sequelae of chronic HBV infection in a high prevalence community. METHODS: All patients treated for HBV-related conditions at Middlemore Hospital from January 1995 to January 1997 were identified through discharge coding and laboratory records. Demographic characteristics and laboratory results, including liver function tests, hepatitis serology and liver histology were recorded. Number of admissions, average length of stay and survival were calculated from Casemix data. RESULTS: During the study period, 215 patients were referred for management of hepatitis B infection, of whom 179 had persistently elevated aminotransferases. Forty six percent of patients were hepatitis B 'e' antigen (HBeAg) negative, and 21% of these had delta co-infection (all Samoan). Liver biopsy was performed in 87 patients with raised aminotransferases. No features of chronic hepatitis were found in 5%, mild chronic hepatitis in 30%, moderate to severe chronic hepatitis in 44% and cirrhosis in 22%. Fifty five patients were admitted to hospital during the two year period with an HBV-related diagnosis, with an average length of stay of 12.2 days compared to 4.9 days for all other medical and surgical admissions during this period (p < 0.001). Twenty eight of the 55 subsequently died, 20 from hepatocellular carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic hepatitis B infection is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in Maori, Pacific Islanders and Asians living in South Auckland. Screening of these high risk populations with vaccination of noninfected individuals should reduce the incidence of these serious sequelae and eventually lead to eradication of HBV.     

Variations of hepatitis B virus core gene sequence in Western patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection

Heterogeneity of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) core gene has been reported to be associated with the presence of active liver disease in Japanese patients with chronic HBV infection. This study evaluated the significance of HBV core gene heterogeneity in Western patients with chronic HBV infection. The hepatitis B virus precore/core gene from 45 patients (inactive:active liver disease ratio 16:29) was amplified from serum by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Gel electrophoresis was employed to detect large deletions. The PCR amplicons from 13 patients (all HBV serotype adw but with a different spectrum of liver disease) were cloned and sequenced. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) serotypes were tested by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and hepatic expression of HBV antigens was assessed by immunohistochemistry. The HBV core gene was amplified from the serum of all 45 patients. Three patients had mixed infection with both precore mutant and wild-type HBV and all three had active liver disease. No patient had a large deletion of the HBV core gene. Hepatitis B virus core gene sequence variations were more common in the midcore region and there was no difference in the number of silent and missense substitutions between those with inactive and active liver disease. There was no correlation between the nucleotide or encoded amino acid substitutions and the clinical and biochemical parameters, including the subsequent response to interferon-alpha therapy (n = 37) or hepatic HBV antigen expression. Variation of the HBV core gene was not found to be preferentially associated with active liver disease in Western patients with chronic HBV infection. The pattern of hepatitis B core gene variation is in accord with the genomic organization of HBV.     

Alpha interferon therapy in children with chronic active hepatitis B and delta virus infection

Two children with chronic hepatitis B virus and delta virus infection were treated with alpha interferon. Both tolerated the therapy without complications, and one demonstrated clearance of the infection and development of immunity.     

Human hepatitis B virus and hepatocellular carcinoma. I. Experimental infection of tree shrews with hepatitis B virus

A cross-sectional study involving 771 children under the age of one year, was carried out in a traditional area of urban Ilorin, Nigeria, to determine how socio-economic conditions and feeding practices relate to diarrhoeal disease among infants. After adjustment has been made (through logistic regression) for covariates, five factors had significant association with diarrhoeal disease. These are the age of the child, parity, mother's education, availability of household kitchen and the feeding of semi-solid food to the infants. The lowest diarrhoeal rate occurred in infants aged 0-3 months while the highest rate occurred among infants seven to nine months old (Odds Ratio = 4.2). Children who were of the fifth or higher birth order had significantly higher risk of diarrhoea when compared with those who were of the first or second birth order (OR = 1.62; P < 0.05). Children of mothers with secondary education had significantly higher risk of diarrhoea compared with children of illiterates (OR = 1.9; P < 0.05). Households that had no kitchen had significantly higher risk of infantile diarrhoea than households with kitchen facilities (P < 0.01). Finally, infants receiving semi-solid food had higher risk of diarrhoea compared to those children not receiving semi-solid food (P < 0.05). Diarrhoeal disease awareness campaign to educate mothers on the dangers of childhood diarrhoea and how to prevent it, through proper hygiene, especially, food hygiene, is advocated.     

Fatal hepatitis B virus infection with fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis following renal transplantation

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery spasm in the immediate postoperative period after a coronary operation is recognized infrequently. Its severity is variable and manifestations unpredictable. The diagnosis is usually made by an awareness of the possibility and thereafter by exclusion of other causes of myocardial ischemia. An opportunity for a positive diagnosis is rarely available. METHODS: The case reports of 3 patients with similar presentations of ischemic heart disease and with severe manifestations of coronary artery spasm in the postoperative period are presented. RESULTS: All 3 patients were women aged 55 to 60 years. All had single-vessel coronary artery disease involving the left anterior descending artery and underwent a left internal mammary artery bypass graft. Severe manifestations of myocardial ischemia of abrupt onset developed approximately 7 hours postoperatively in each patient. One patient died of severe hemodynamic deterioration from which resuscitation was unsuccessful. Another sustained a large anterior myocardial infarction despite graft patency. The third patient was supported by an intraaortic balloon pump and made a full recovery. CONCLUSIONS: The early diagnosis of coronary artery spasm is achieved by an awareness of the condition. The institution of early appropriate management may prevent its consequences.     

Immunoglobulin- and hepatitis B surface antigen-specific circulating immune complexes in chronic hepatitis B virus infection

24 consecutive AIDS patients with wasting, and who had never received anabolic therapies, were evaluated to determine their profile of sex hormones and whether transformation of testosterone (T) to the nuclear androgen, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), was impaired. Eleven (46%) patients had normal testosterone and DHT (group I), 10 (42%) had normal testosterone but low DHT (group II), and 3 (12%) had low testosterone and low DHT (group III). Age, prior opportunistic complications, symptoms, serum albumin, hemoglobin levels, and CD4 lymphocyte counts were similar in the groups. DHT was significantly lower (22.2 +/- 6.8 microg/dl) in group II compared with group I (50.8 +/- 15.3 microg/dl). The ratio of T/DHT, a measure of the conversion of testosterone to DHT, in group I was 15.1 +/- 3.5, which was within the range for eugonadal young men. In group II, the ratio was 22.3 +/- 1.5, indicating a defect in generation of DHT. Patients in group II had lost 9.2 +/- 3.5 kg compared with 5.6 +/- 2.6 kg in group I (p = .015). Thus, a syndrome of low DHT with normal testosterone was associated with significantly greater weight loss than in patients with normal testosterone and DHT. Further studies are needed to clarify whether low DHT is a result of AIDS wasting or is causally related to weight loss and whether androgen therapy in the form of DHT could reverse some of the metabolic changes associated with AIDS wasting.     

Prevention and control of hepatitis B virus infection in Singapore

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) accounted for 24% to 54% of the reported acute viral hepatitis cases in Singapore from 1982 to 1996. The prevalence of HBV infection, as indicated by the presence of markers of HBV, increased from 9.3% in children below 5 years of age to 54.6% in adults above 55 years. The overall hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) prevalence was 5.7% for males and 3.4% for females, with the highest rate among the Chinese. About 39% of the HBsAg carriers were hepatitis B 'e' antigen positive. The main mode of transmission during the first year of life was perinatal, with 43% of the babies born to HBsAg-positive mothers developing the carrier state. Horizontal transmission within the infected household was significantly associated with sharing of personal and household articles. Based on the findings of seroprevalence surveys in various population groups and clinical trials on the safety, immunogenicity and efficacy of various doses and schedules with the plasma-based and yeast-derived hepatitis B vaccines in newborn babies, a national childhood hepatitis B vaccination programme was formulated and implemented in phases, starting with babies born to carrier mothers on 1 October 1985 and finally extending to all newborns on 1 September 1987. The hepatitis B prevention and control programme has been successful. During the period 1994 to 1996, more than 90% of children completed the full schedule of immunisation by below one year of age, and 85% had evidence of vaccination at school entry at age six. Follow-up of 2 cohorts of vaccinated children showed that perinatal transmission has been reduced by 80% to 100%. Horizontal transmission has also declined through other public health measures. The efficacy of the hepatitis B vaccine and the adequacy of reduced doses in the long-term protection of chronic carrier state have been shown in children and adults. The incidence of acute hepatitis B has declined from 10.4 per 100,000 in 1985 to 4.8 per 100,000 in 1996. There is a noticeable reduction in HBsAg prevalence in selected population (school children, national servicemen and antenatal women). The age-standardised incidence rate of primary liver cancer among males had also dropped from 27.8 per 100,000 per year during 1978 to 1982 to 19.0 per 100,000 per year during 1988 to 1992.     

A follow-up study on correlated factors for intrauterine infection of hepatitis B virus

Between 1972 and 1989 angulation osteotomy was performed on 61 patients with long humeral stumps at the Orthopaedic Hospital of Heidelberg University. Marquardt's surgical technique was used to improve function in patients who had undergone above-elbow amputation and in children with a risk of terminal osseous overgrowth. Thirty-one patients with 43 angulation osteotomies were followed up. Of the 10 adults followed up, the osteotomy had not straightened, whereas with the 33 angulation osteotomies in children, one had straightened out within 6 months, seven within 12 months and a further 12 up to 24 months after surgery. The only recognizable reason for this difference was the patient's age depending on whether humeral growth was not yet completed. Marquardt's angulation osteotomy, however, is still the only surgical technique that improves humeral stump function, providing a rotation-stable humeral prosthesis and a free-moving shoulder joint.