Correlates of adiponectin in hepatitis C-infected children: the importance of body mass index.

Objectives: Adiponectin is a regulator of cytokines that, in turn, play a vital role in inflammatory and immune responses. Adiponectin is therefore likely to have a contributory role in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We sought to characterize adiponectin levels and examine correlates in a pediatric HCV-infected cohort.

Expected and actual case ascertainment and treatment rates for children infected with hepatitis C in Florida and the United States: epidemiologic evidence from statewide and nationwide surveys.

Objective: To evaluate the rate of pediatric hepatitis C virus (HCV) case ascertainment relative to the estimated number of actual cases.

Study Design: Data from Florida and United States health departments were used to assess pediatric HCV case ascertainment rates in Florida and nationwide. The percentage of children infected with HCV from Miami-Dade County receiving medical care by a pediatric gastroenterologist was estimated based on data obtained from physician questionnaires.

Serum vitamin D levels are not predictive of the progression of chronic liver disease in hepatitis C patients with advanced fibrosis.

In animal models and human cross-sectional studies, vitamin D deficiency has been associated with liver disease progression. Vitamin D supplementation has been suggested as a treatment to prevent disease progression. We sought to evaluate the role of vitamin D levels in predicting chronic liver disease development.

Influence of body mass index on outcome of pediatric chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

Background And Aims: Evidence demonstrates that obesity is associated with progression of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and poor response to interferon therapy among HCV-infected adults. However, this evidence has been confounded by multiple comorbidities present in adult cohorts and the use of single adult doses.

Patients And Methods: We performed a retrospective investigation to evaluate the role of body mass index (BMI) in chronic HCV progression and response to therapy in the children.

Reduction of insulin resistance with effective clearance of hepatitis C infection: results from the HALT-C trial.

Background & Aims: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with an increased prevalence of diabetes and insulin resistance (IR); whether this is a causal relationship has not been established.

Methods: We performed a longitudinal study within the lead-in phase of the Hepatitis C Antiviral Long-Term Treatment against Cirrhosis (HALT-C) Trial to evaluate whether suppression of hepatitis C is associated with improvement in IR. Participants had advanced hepatic fibrosis and carried non-3 HCV genotypes (n = 96).

Extrahepatic hepatitis C virus after transplantation: diabetes and renal dysfunction.

1. Insulin resistance is associated with hepatitis C virus infection and plays a role in the progression of hepatitis C virus-related liver disease and fibrosis. 2.

Prospective study of liver transplant recipients with HCV infection: evidence for a causal relationship between HCV and insulin resistance.

An association between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and insulin resistance (IR) has been recently reported. However, causality has not been established. The cross-sectional nature of most reported studies and varying degrees of fibrosis have limited definitive conclusions about the independent role of HCV in development of IR.

Treatment Options for Hepatitis C Infection in Children.

Multiple factors support treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in children. These factors include the anticipated long duration of infection after early acquisition, relatively good tolerance of antiviral medications, and avoidance of social stigmatization. Nevertheless, careful selection of appropriate candidates for therapy is important.

Hepatitis C virus is independently associated with increased insulin resistance after liver transplantation.

Background And Aims: There is a strong epidemiologic association between diabetes mellitus (DM) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, the pathogenetic basis for this association has not been established. We sought to evaluate the association between insulin resistance (IR), beta-cell dysfunction, and HCV among orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) recipients.