National Brazilian survey on the outcomes of hepatitis c retreatment in patients non-responders to direct antiviral agents.

Background And Aims: Treatment of hepatitis C with direct antiviral agents (DAA) is associated with almost 95% of sustained virological response. However, some patients need retreatment. In Brazil, it should be done according to the Ministry of Health guidelines, frequently updated to include newly available drugs.

Association of IL-9, IL-10, and IL-17 Cytokines With Hepatic Fibrosis in Human Infection.

This is a case series study to evaluate immunological markers associated with schistosomiasis advanced fibrosis, including 69 patients from an endemic area from the State of Sergipe and from the Hepatology Service of the University Hospital in Sergipe, Brazil. Hepatic fibrosis was classified based on Niamey protocol for ultrasonography (US). Immune response to antigens was evaluated by stimulating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from these patients with either adult worm (SWAP-10 μg/ml) or egg (SEA-10 μg/ml) antigens or purified protein derivative of turberculin (PPD-10 μg/ml) or phytohemagglutinin (PHA-1 μg/ml) for 72 h.

Spatial analysis of viral hepatitis and schistosomiasis coinfection in an endemic area in Northeastern Brazil.

Introduction:: This cross-sectional study analyzed the spatial distribution of hepatitis B or C virus (HBV/HBC) and schistosomiasis coinfection.

Methods:: Serum samples were collected from patients with Schistosoma mansoni infection. These were tested for serological markers of HBV/HCV infection.

Association of the Nonalcoholic Hepatic Steatosis and Its Degrees With the Values of Liver Enzymes and Homeostasis Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance Index.

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is among the most common chronic diseases of the modern world with a wide variety of factors including genetic, environmental and metabolic. The aim of this study was to verify the association between the degrees of hepatic steatosis at the abdominal ultrasound and the values of aminotransferases (aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine transferase (ALT)), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index.

Methods: A prospective, descriptive survey study, using a quantitative analytical examination, was conducted from July 2013 to July 2014.

Diagnosis and treatment of benign liver nodules: Brazilian Society of Hepatology (SBH) recommendations.

Space-occupying lesions of the liver may be cystic or solid. Ultrasonography is an extremely useful method for initial screening, and suffices for diagnosis of simple hepatic cysts. Complex cysts and solid masses require computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging for confirmation.

Side effects of the therapy with peginterferon and ribavirin in chronic hepatitis C: a small audit.

This study sought to decribe, quantify, and classify any adverse reactions occurring in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with peginterferon and ribavirin, as well as verify the occurrence of potential medication interactions. The most prevalent reactions were fatigue (84.8%), fever (83%), weight loss (80%), irritability (74%), and body pain (72%).

[Liver transplantation: teaching strategies used with patients waiting for surgery].

This study aims to describe the learning results of the implementation of teaching strategies involving patients who will be submitted to liver transplantation. One of these strategies is to give the patients a manual with orientations and the subsequent application of a questionnaire related to the content of the manual. Authors analyzed 13 patients who were waiting for liver transplantation.

[Hepatopulmonary syndrome: pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment].

Background: The hepatopulmonary syndrome is characterized by a clinical triad consisting of: 1) hepatic disease and/or portal hypertension, 2) intrapulmonary vascular dilatations, and 3) abnormal arterial oxygenations (partial oxygen pressure <70 mm Hg or an alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient >20 mm Hg). Its frequency varies according to the diagnostic methods used.

Objectives: To review the literature about the pathogeny, diagnosis and treatment of the hepatopulmonary syndrome.

Cryptococcosis in cirrhotic patients.

The objective of the present study was to report on three distinct forms of presentation of Cryptococcus neoformans infection in three cirrhotic patients. One patient had disseminated cryptococcosis with detection of the fungus in ascitic fluid, cerebrospinal fluid and blood; the second patient had pleural involvement and the third had cutaneous infection caused by C. neoformans.

Brain metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma detected after liver transplantation.

Aim: We report the case of a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma submitted to liver transplantation, who subsequently manifested tumor recurrence initially as brain metastasis.

Case Description: A 48-year-old male cirrhotic patient with hepatitis C infection, and two focal hepatic lesions, had a cytologic and histologic diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Before transplant, he was submitted to adjuvant treatment with a combination of arterial embolization and intratumoral ethanol injection.

Fine needle aspiration biopsy for improving the diagnostic accuracy of cut needle biopsy of focal liver lesions.

Objective: To determine the value of fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) in comparison to cut needle biopsy (CNB) for the diagnosis of malignancy of focal liver lesions.

Study Design: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 68 FNAB and 49 CNB procedures performed on 62 patients with focal liver lesions.

Results: Cytology permitted a diagnosis of the lesion in 78% of cases.

Five days of ceftriaxone to treat spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotic patients.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine whether a short course of ceftriaxone was sufficient to cure spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in cirrhotic patients.

Methods: We studied 33 cirrhotic patients with SBP. All of them were treated with ceftriaxone, 1.