Persistence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C viral genomes in primary liver cancers from HBsAg-negative patients: a study of a low-endemic area.

The role of HBV and HCV in the course of primary liver cancer in patients who are negative for HBsAg has been debated. Using a combination of serological and polymerase chain reaction assays, we investigated the association between HCV and HBV infections and primary liver cancer in 24 HBsAg-negative patients living in France. The presence of HCV RNA and HBV DNA sequences was tested for in serum and in tumorous and nontumorous liver samples.

Absence of hepatitis delta virus infection in chronic hemodialysis and kidney transplant patients in france.

Hemodialyzed patients and kidney recipients are frequently multiply-transfused and infected by hepatitis B virus (HBV). Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) has a symbiotic association with HBV. The prevalence of HDV infection has, surprisingly, not been assessed in patients in hemodialysis or renal transplantation setting.

Differing actions of beta-(2-thienyl)-gamma-aminobutyric acid in central and peripheral preparations.

In the guinea-pig isolated ileum, beta-(2-thienyl)-gamma-aminobutyric acid (BTG; 100-500 microM) reversibly and competitively (pA2 = 4.3 +/- 0.1) antagonised the baclofen-induced (5-100 microM) depression of cholinergic twitch contractions, but not that to adenosine or morphine.

Serum hepatitis C virus RNA and hepatitis B virus DNA in non-A, non-B post-transfusional and sporadic chronic hepatitis.

The sera of 36 French patients with post-transfusional and sporadic non-A, non-B chronic hepatitis were investigated, for HBV and HCV infections using a combination of serological and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Anti-HCV was detected in 75% (27/36) of the patients by ELISA1 and/or RIBA2 tests. HCV-RNA sequences were found in 75% (27/36) of the sera by a single step PCR, using a set of primers located in the 5' non-coding region.

Actions of thienyl analogs of baclofen in the guinea-pig isolated ileum.

In guinea-pig isolated ileal preparations, the 5-methylthien-2-yl (5d), 5-bromothien-2-yl (5f) and 5-chlorothien-2-yl (5h) analogs of baclofen depressed twitch responses to field stimulation in a dose-dependent manner. These actions were reversibly and competitively antagonised by 2-hydroxysaclofen but not by naloxone, phentolamine, propranolol or theophylline. The relative potencies (EC50 values) were baclofen (10 microM) greater than 5h (40 microM) greater than 5d (80 microM) greater than 5f (120 microM).

Enterocytozoon bieneusi infection in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related sclerosing cholangitis.

Acalculous cholecystitis and sclerosing cholangitis due to Cryptosporidium sp, and cytomegalovirus have been described in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). However, in about 40% of cases of AIDS-related biliary disease, no opportunistic pathogen is identified. The current case report describes the first case, to the best of the authors' knowledge, of AIDS-related sclerosing cholangitis associated with microsporidiosis.

Chronic alcohol intoxication decreases the serum level of hepatitis B surface antigen in transgenic mice.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections with an unusual serological profile, viz. positivity of HBV-DNA in the absence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), have been described in alcoholics. This atypical pattern could be due to a low circulating level of viral particles rendering HBsAg undetectable with commercial kits, whereas HBV-DNA remains positive using the highly sensitive hybridization technique.

Hepatitis C virus in kidney recipients. Epidemiology and impact on renal transplantation.

In an attempt to evaluate the prevalence, kinetics and impact of HCV infection in renal transplantation, we analyzed 140 kidney recipients according to the histopathological status of the liver. Thirty-three HBsAg-negative patients had chronic active hepatitis, 73 HBsAg-negative patients had a normal liver, 21 HBsAg-negative kidney recipients had minimal pathological changes and 13 patients had HBsAg-positive cirrhosis. Serum antibodies to HCV were detected using the ELISA from Ortho Diagnostic and confirmatory tests using the Ortho recombinant-based immunoblot assays.

Interactions between human immunodeficiency virus-1, hepatitis delta virus and hepatitis B virus infections in 260 chronic carriers of hepatitis B virus.

To evaluate the factors determining the severity of chronic hepatitis B virus infection and the interactions of human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis delta virus infections, we retrospectively analyzed 260 patients, 146 of whom were followed for a mean of 31.4 +/- 1.8 mo.

Failure of acyclovir to enhance the antiviral effect of alpha lymphoblastoid interferon on HBe-seroconversion in chronic hepatitis B. A multi-centre randomized controlled trial.

Serum HBeAg levels and HBe-seroconversion were investigated in patients with chronic HBeAg-positive hepatitis who were randomized to receive either alpha lymphoblastoid interferon (5 megaunits subcutaneously daily for 16 weeks) plus acyclovir (2 g intravenously daily during weeks 1 and 2 and weeks 9 and 10) (n = 49) or no treatment (n = 48). HBeAg levels in serial dilutions of patient serum were assessed quantitatively by radioimmunoassay and compared with the values found for negative control serum. One year after the start of therapy 44 treated patients and 43 control patients were available for follow-up.

Hepatitis C viremia and anti-HCV antibodies in alcoholics.

We determined serum hepatitis C status using a RIBA2 kit and a sensitive PCR procedure in 62 chronic alcoholics, 36 of whom had anti-HCV antibodies (Ab) detectable in an ELISA1 assay. Anti-HCV antibodies were detected in 22 patients using RIBA2. HCV RNA was detected by means of PCR in 18 patients who were RIBA2 positive and in none who were RIBA2 negative.

[Hepatitis C in kidney recipients. Epidemiology and impact on kidney transplantation].

In an attempt to evaluate the prevalence, the kinetics and the impact of HCV infection in renal transplantation, we analyzed 140 kidney recipients according to hepatic histology: 33 HBsAg negative patients had chronic active hepatitis, 73 HBsAg negative patients had a normal liver, 21 HBsAg negative kidney recipients had minimal pathological changes and 13 patients had HBsAg positive cirrhosis. Serum antibodies to HCV were detected using the ELISA test. The overall prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies was 24.

Hepatic activity and mRNA expression of aspartate aminotransferase isoenzymes in alcoholic and nonalcoholic liver disease.

In liver and serum, AST activity is dependent on two isoenzymes, which are mitochondrial and cytosolic in nature. In an attempt to explain the well-known increase of serum mitochondrial AST-to-total AST ratio in chronic alcoholism (which is due to a specific increase of the mitochondrial isoenzyme), we analyzed: (a) liver and serum AST, ALT and glutamate dehydrogenase activities in 23 active drinkers with minimal liver changes, 11 alcoholic patients with cirrhosis who had stopped drinking, 18 nonalcoholic patients with viral chronic hepatitis and 11 subjects with normal livers; and (b) the expression of messenger RNAs for AST isoenzymes in the corresponding liver samples. Enzymatic activities were decreased in the liver irrespective of the origin of the liver disease.

3-Thienyl- and 3-furylaminobutyric acids. Synthesis and binding GABAB receptor studies.

Baclofen (beta-(p-chlorophenyl)-GABA) is a selective agonist for the bicuculline-insensitive GABAB receptor. The search for new compounds that bind to the GABAB receptor is very important to clarify structural requirements. We report herein the synthesis and the binding studies of variously substituted 3-thienyl- and 3-furylaminobutyric acids.

A rational attitude toward serum alanine aminotransferase measurement by blood banks, based on a longitudinal study of a cohort of repeat blood donors.

A cohort of 879 blood donors was followed over a 3-year period. Of the 3858 units of blood collected, 112 (2.9%), obtained from 64 donors, had an alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity over 45 IU per L; of these, 39 had a single ALT elevation.

Synthesis and schistosomicidal activity of 4-methyl-5-(aryl vinyl)-1,2-dithiole-3-thiones.

The synthesis of vinylogous of 1,2-dithiole-3-thione is described. The activity in experimental schistosomiasis (schistosomicidal activity) was tested with mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni. The reference compound was 4-methyl-5-(pyrazinyl)-1,2-dithiole-3-thione (oltipraz).

Alpha lymphoblastoid interferon and acyclovir for chronic hepatitis delta.

Ten patients with chronic hepatitis type D were treated during 4 months with alpha lymphoblastoid interferon in combination with two 2-week courses of acyclovir. Median percentage of HDAg-positive hepatocytes decreased from 11 to 1, p = 0.0225.

Etoposide (VP 16-213) induced hepatitis. Report of three cases following standard-dose treatments.

Acute hepatitis is a potential, although rare, complication following administration of high doses of Etoposide (VP 16-213). We report three cases of severe hepatocellular necrosis following administration of standard doses of this antineoplastic agent.

Assay of hepatitis B virus DNA by polymerase chain reaction and its relationship to pre-S- and S-encoded viral surface antigens.

The polymerase chain reaction was evaluated as a diagnostic tool in 72 chronic hepatitis B virus carriers. Hepatitis B virus DNA was detectable in the serum of HBsAg-positive virus carriers using aliquots as small as 100 al. The detection limit for cloned hepatitis B virus DNA was 100 ag.

[Significance of isolated anti-HBs antibodies in subjects not vaccinated against hepatitis B viruses].

The significance of isolated anti-HBs antibodies in subjects not vaccinated against the hepatitis B virus (HBV) was investigated in 13 healthy blood donors. All were European and none had any risk factor for hepatitis B infection. Serological assays included HBV-DNA and anti-preS 2 antibody determinations which were all negative.

[Preparation of oxime, hydrazone and dichloroacetamide derivatives. Researches of antiparasitic activity].

Several oximes, hydrazones and dichloroacétamides were synthesized. The antiparasitic properties of these compounds were evaluated in vitro against two Protozoaires Entamoeba histolytica and Trichomonas vaginalis.

Association between HCV and HBV infection in hepatocellular carcinoma and alcoholic liver disease.

We conducted a retrospective study in 229 patients to determine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) according to the type of liver disease and also the serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) status. There were 55 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 78 cases of alcoholic cirrhosis (AC) and 96 cases of non-cirrhotic alcohol liver disease (NCA). Half the AC and NCA groups were constituted of patients with or without serum HBV markers.