Detection of IL28B SNP DNA from buccal epithelial cells, small amounts of serum, and dried blood spots.

Background & Aims: Point mutations in the coding region of the interleukin 28 gene (rs12979860) have recently been identified for predicting the outcome of treatment of hepatitis C virus infection. This polymorphism detection was based on whole blood DNA extraction. Alternatively, DNA for genetic diagnosis has been derived from buccal epithelial cells (BEC), dried blood spots (DBS), and genomic DNA from serum.

The natural history of hepatitis B virus cirrhosis after the first hepatic decompensation in Tunisia.

Aim: To define the natural long term course of viral B cirrhosis after the onset of hepatic decompensation and to determine the predictive factors of death.

Methods: Retrospective longitudinal study including 77 cases of viral B cirrhosis among 192 consecutive patients with cirrhosis, hospitalized between 1997 and 2005 for the first hepatic decompensation. All those patients were followed- up until death or until December 2006.