Lower FIB-4 threshold in patients with diabetes improves diagnostic accuracy of the test in a Hispanic population.

Background: Non-invasive tests (NITs) can be used to estimate the severity of fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) but their diagnostic accuracy is variable. Hispanic patients are at increased risk of NAFLD and diabetes. We evaluate the diagnostic performance of the fibrosis index based on 4 factors (FIB-4) in a population of Hispanic patients who underwent vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE).

Tolvaptan-induced isolated elevation of bilirubin in a patient with Gilbert syndrome.

Tolvaptan is the current standard of treatment for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. It operates by acting on V2 receptors and blocks vasopressin interactions, causing a reduction in the rate of renal cyst growth and preserving kidney function. The current known risks of tolvaptan involve a serious liver injury characterized by an elevation in total bilirubin and alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase levels.

Post-COVID-19 Cholangiopathy: A Systematic Review.

Objectives: Post-COVID-19 cholangiopathy (PCC) is a rare but poorly understood and serious complication of COVID-19 infection. We sought to better understand the epidemiology, mechanism of action, histology, imaging findings, and outcomes of PCC.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science from December 2019 to December 2021.

Approaches to Assessing Burden in Caregivers of Patients with Cirrhosis.

Being a caregiver for a patient with chronic liver disease (CLD) can be burdensome mentally, emotionally financially, and physically. The aim of this study was to systemically review the available tools and propose tools that can comprehensively evaluate caregiver burden for individuals caring for patients with CLD. We searched the PubMed database for all studies on the impact of patients with CLD on caregiver burden without timeframe restriction.

Liver transplantation for alcoholic hepatitis: update.

Purpose Of Review: Alcoholic liver disease continues to be a major public health concern in the United States and around the world. Alcoholic liver disease remains the third most common indication for liver transplantation in the United States. Mortality has been reported in up to 30-50% of patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis.

Drug-Induced Autoimmune Hepatitis From Hydralazine Leading to Acute Liver Failure and Liver Transplantation.

We describe a woman with no previous liver disease who developed drug-induced autoimmune hepatitis from hydralazine prescribed to her for hypertension. Despite the discontinuation of the medication, she developed acute liver failure and subsequently underwent successful liver transplantation. She survived and had a good clinical outcome.

Hepatic Encephalopathy Challenges, Burden, and Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approach.

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with cirrhosis. The impact of HE on the health care system is similarly profound. The number of hospital admissions for HE has increased in the last 10-year period.

Successful use of eculizumab to treat atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome is a rare group of disorders that have in common underlying complement amplifying conditions. These conditions can accelerate complement activation that results in a positive feedback cycle. The known triggers for complement activation can be diverse and include, infection, autoimmune disease, and malignancy.

Everolimus worsening chronic proteinuria in patient with diabetic nephropathy post liver transplantation.

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors are used in renal sparing protocols and transplant immunosuppression in patients with solid organ and stem cell transplants. They cause various side effects, including proteinuria, which is mediated by blockade of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor pathway. There have been various reports of mTOR inhibitors causing proteinuria or worsening proteinuria form preexisting renal glomerulo-pathies.

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome in a patient with protein-losing enteropathy.

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is an ultra-rare disease induced by many triggers, all of which produce a common end phenotype of microangiopathic hemolysis and thrombotic microangiopathy. We herein describe a 63-year-old woman with ongoing protein-losing enteropathy and frequent transudates caused by hypoalbuminemia. The patient was treated with eculizumab with a full hematologic and partial renal response.

HBV/HCV Coinfection in the Era of HCV-DAAs.

Epidemiologic studies suggest that 10% to 15% of patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) are coinfected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the United States as a result of the shared modality of transmission, but the true prevalence is not known. The progression of liver disease to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma is generally faster in patients who are coinfected, and HCV is usually more predominant. Immunosuppression of the host or eradication of hepatitis C can change this paradigm, causing hepatitis B reactivation.

Management Approaches to Hepatitis B Virus Vaccination Nonresponse.

Despite the availability of hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination, HBV remains a cause of significant morbidity and mortality around the world. Immunologic response and the development of immunity to the HBV vaccine vary significantly among patients. Multiple studies have looked at patients who are at risk of nonresponse and have offered their own approaches to patients who do not respond.

Economic Comparison of Serologic and Molecular Screening Strategies for Hepatitis C Virus.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening is traditionally performed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and HCV infection is confirmed by measuring the viral load using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). An alternative screening approach is to use only PCR, without the ELISA pretest. We compared the cost ratio of screening for HCV using 2 approaches: (1) ELISA followed by PCR testing, and (2) PCR testing alone.

Eight-Week Hepatitis C Treatment with New Direct Acting Antivirals Has a Better Safety Profile While Being Effective in the Treatment-Naïve Geriatric Population Without Liver Cirrhosis and Hepatitis C Virus-RNA < 6 Million IU/mL.

Aim: Results of recent studies have confirmed the efficacy of an 8-week course of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (LDV/SOF) in patients who are non-cirrhotics, native to treatment, are infected with hepatitis C (HCV) genotype 1, and have HCV viral load < 6 million IU/mL. However, there are limited data on a shortened treatment course in patients who are over the age of 65.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed to examine the safety, tolerability, and sustained viral response rates (SVR) of the 8-week LDV/SOF therapy compared to the 12-week LDV/SOF therapy among non-cirrhotic, treatment-naïve, genotype 1 HCV patients with viral load < 6 million IU/mL who are 65 years of age or older.

Risk of Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation Among Patients Treated With Ledipasvir-Sofosbuvir for Hepatitis C Virus Infection.

Background: Direct acting antiviral (DAA) agents are the standard of care for treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected individuals. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation during HCV treatment has been reported, the incidence and clinical outcome remains unclear. The aim of our study is to examine the risk of HBV reactivation in actively infected or previously exposed patients during or after HCV treatment with DAAs.

Eight-week ledipasvir/sofosbuvir in non-cirrhotic, treatment-naïve hepatitis C genotype-1 patients with hepatitis C virus-RNA < 6 million: Single center, real world effectiveness and safety.

Aim: To evaluate sustained viral response (SVR) of 8-wk ledipasvir/sofosbuvir therapy among non-cirrhotic, genotype-1 hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients with RNA < 6 million IU/mL.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study to examine SVR rates, predictors of treatment failure and safety analysis of 8-wk ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (LDV/SOF) therapy among non-cirrhotic, genotype 1 HCV patients with viral load < 6 million IU/mL. Primary outcome was an achievement of SVR at 12 wk after treatment.

Real-World Experiences With a Direct-Acting Antiviral Agent for Patients With Hepatitis C Virus Infection.

Context: Traditional hepatitis C virus treatment was limited by low cure rates, side effects, and stringent monitoring requirements. Sofosbuvir, a direct-acting antiviral agent with a cure rate of 96%, was introduced in 2013. However, trials frequently excluded patients with advanced liver disease and prior treatment experience.