Investigational drugs for hepatitis C.

Importance Of The Field: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects 180 million people worldwide. Standard anti-HCV therapy combines effect of pegylated IFN-alpha on immune response and antiviral activity of ribavirin. Sustained virological response rate achieved with this standard of care medication is around 50% for HCV genotype 1, the most prevalent worldwide genotype.

Association among Fas expression in leucocytes, serum Fas and Fas-ligand concentrations and hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C.

Background: Replication of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) may impair immune functions and establish persistent infection. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of HCV on PBMC and their susceptibility to apoptosis in relation to liver inflammation and fibrosis.

Methods: Eighty-one patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) were enrolled in this study.

[Prevalence, clinical and therapeutical implications of active CMV infection in patients with chronic hepatitis C].

Infection with human cytomegaly virus (CMV) may lead to liver damage in immunocompromised individuals. Chronic hepatitis C is featured by impairment of innate and specific immunity as well apoptotic cell death. The aim of the study was to assess to frequency of CMV infection in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Prevalence of cryoglobulinaemia in hepatitis C virus- and hepatitis C virus/human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals: implications for renal function.

Background And Aims: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) demonstrate an affinity towards lymphocytes B, stimulating the production of cryoglobulins. Deposits of cryoprecipitates contribute to glomerulonephritis and renal failure. The presence of cryoglobulins was investigated in the sera of HCV-monoinfected and HCV/HIV-coinfected individuals.

Role of cannabinoids in chronic liver diseases.

Cannabinoids are a group of compounds acting primarily via CB1 and CB2 receptors. The expression of cannabinoid receptors in normal liver is low or absent. However, many reports have proven up-regulation of the expression of CB1 and CB2 receptors in hepatic myofibroblasts and vascular endothelial cells, as well as increased concentration of endocannabinoids in liver in the course of chronic progressive liver diseases.

[Prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis E virus among students from India living in Bialystok, Poland].

Unlabelled: Many evidences suggest hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections may be more prevalent than previously described and viral hepatitis E cases can be observed in patients who have never visited endemic areas. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of serological markers of HEV infection among students from India living in Poland.

Methodology: Presence of anti-HEV immunoglobulin M-class (anti-HEV-IgM) and total anti-HEV antibodies (anti-HEV-total) was tested using enzyme immunoassays in sera of 45 India citizens studying in Poland.

[Tuberculosis and HIV infection--main diagnostic and therapeutic problems].

Tuberculosis pertains to every third HIV-positive person in a world. Therefore HIV infection is considered the most evident risk factor for the primary tuberculosis or relapse of latent tubercular infection. Pulmonary tuberculosis is the most frequent clinical presentation in HIV-positive individuals, although the frequency of extrapulmonary tuberculosis is increasing with the CD4+ count reduction.

Specifically targeted antiviral therapy for hepatitis C virus.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects 180 million people worldwide with the predominant prevalence being infection with genotype 1, followed by genotypes 2 and 3. Standard anti-HCV therapy currently aims to enhance natural immune responses to the virus, whereas new therapeutic concepts directly target HCV RNA and viral enzymes or influence host-virus interactions. Novel treatment options now in development are focused on inhibitors of HCV-specific enzymes, NS3 protease and NS5B polymerase.

Pigment epithelium-derived factor in ulcerative colitis: possible relationship with disease activity.

Objectives: Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is an endogenous most potential angiogenic inhibitor and increased expression of PEDF in intestinal mucosa specimens was shown in the course of ulcerative colitis (UC). The aim of the present study was to evaluate serum concentration of pigment epithelium-derived growth factor, a potent anti-angiogenic factor and its possible association with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels and disease activity.

Methods: Concentrations of PEDF and VEGF were measured in sera of 33 patients (13 females and 20 males) with active UC.

Does HAART improve renal function? An association between serum cystatin C concentration, HIV viral load and HAART duration.

Aim: The prevalence of renal disease in human HIV-infected individuals varies between 2% and 10%. Many reports have demonstrated the beneficial effect of antiretroviral (ARV) therapy on slowing the progression of renal diseases. The aim of our cross-sectional study was to determine serum cystatin C concentration in different stages of HIV infection and the relationship between cystatin C concentration and ARV treatment.

[The understanding of the term "iatrogeny"].

Iatrogeny is popularly considered to be the result of treatment. This reasoning is neither false nor is it exhaustive. This article is an attempt to specify the term "iatrogeny", analyses its causes as well as its links with the medical error and medical experiment.