Multidrug-resistant bacterial infections after liver transplantation: Prevalence, impact, and risk factors.

Background & Aims: Infections by multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDRB) are an increasing healthcare problem worldwide. This study analyzes the incidence, burden, and risk factors associated with MDRB infections after liver transplant(ation) (LT).

Methods: This retrospective, multicenter cohort study included adult patients who underwent LT between January 2017 and January 2020.

Predictive models for hepatocellular carcinoma development after sustained virological response in advanced hepatitis C.

Background & Aims: Life-long hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance is recommended after sustained virological response (SVR) in patients with advanced hepatitis C. Since the identification of patients who could be safely discontinued for surveillance is essential, we aimed to identify subsets of patients with low-risk HCC.

Methods: 491 patients with advanced and compensated fibrosis (≥F3) were prospectively followed after achieving SVR with interferon-free therapies.

Impact of Alcohol Abstinence on the Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients With Alcohol-Related Liver Cirrhosis.

Introduction: Although alcohol cessation is the only effective treatment for alcohol-related liver disease, few data exist concerning its influence on the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to evaluate the effect of alcohol abstinence on the incidence of HCC in patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis.

Methods: We studied 727 patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis (247 with compensated disease and 480 with previous decompensation) who were included in a surveillance program for the early detection of HCC and prospectively followed.

Evaluation of cardiovascular events in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with sorafenib in the clinical practice. The CARDIO-SOR study.

Background And Aims: The effectiveness of systemic treatment in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) depends on the selection of patients, management of cirrhosis complications and expertise to treat adverse events. The aims of the study are to assess the frequency and management of cardiovascular events in HCC patients treated with sorafenib (SOR) and to create a scale to predict the onset of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).

Method: Observational retrospective study with consecutive HCC patients treated with SOR between 2007 and 2019 in a western centre.

Diabetes is not associated with an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with alcoholic or hepatitis C virus cirrhosis.

Background And Aims: diabetes has been reported as a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in population-based studies but there are controversial data in patients with cirrhosis. Metformin could have a protective role in HCC development. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of diabetes on the risk of developing HCC in patients with alcohol- and hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis.

Changes in the characteristics of hospital admissions due to decompensated cirrhosis in the era of direct-acting antivirals against hepatitis C virus.

Background: the development of interferon-free regimens, based on direct acting antivirals (DAAs) has revolutionized the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Aims: to determine if there have been changes in the characteristics of hospital admissions due to decompensated cirrhosis in a general hospital since the introduction of DAAs.

Patients And Methods: this was a prospective study of all hospital admissions due to decompensated cirrhosis during two periods: October 2012-October 2014 (P-I) and July 2016-July 2018 (P-II).

The development of early ascites is associated with shorter overall survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with drug-eluting embolic chemoembolization.

Background: A single-centre cohort study was performed to identify the independent factors associated with the overall survival (OS) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treated with transarterial chemoembolization with drug-eluting beads (DEB-TACE).

Methods: A total of 216 HCC patients who underwent DEB-TACE from October 2008 to October 2015 at a tertiary hospital were consecutively recruited. The analysis of prognostic factors associated with overall survival after DEB-TACE, stressing the role of post-TACE events, was performed.

Incidence and risk factors associated with hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance failure.

Background And Aim: Surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) intends to detect tumors at an early stage to improve survival. The study aims were to assess the frequency and risk factors associated with HCC surveillance failure.

Methods: The study analyzed data from 188 consecutive patients diagnosed with HCC within a surveillance program conducted among 1,242 cirrhotic patients and based on ultrasonography and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) testing every 3 or 6 months.

Prevalence and epidemiology of hepatitis D among patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection: a report from Northern Spain.

Background: The incidence of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection has decreased during the last decades. However, an increasing trend has been reported recently.

Patients And Methods: We carried out a case-control study to analyze changes in its prevalence in 1215 chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) patients, diagnosed consecutively in a tertiary center, between 1983 and 2012.

Adherence to a Semiannual Surveillance Program for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis.

Background: Patient adherence to screening for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is not well known. Our aims were to analyze the adherence to a surveillance program in a prospective cohort of cirrhotic patients and to examine its association with HCC stage at diagnosis.

Materials And Methods: A total of 770 patients with cirrhosis were examined semiannually by ultrasound and alpha-fetoprotein at a tertiary center.

Annual incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma among patients with alcoholic cirrhosis and identification of risk groups.

Background & Aims: The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and associated risk factors in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis are not well defined. Surveillance for HCC among patients with cirrhosis who do not have hepatitis B is cost effective only if the expected risk of HCC exceeds 1.5% per year.

Exclusions and deaths on the liver transplant waiting list.

Objective: To analyze the characteristiscs, evolution and survival of patients included on the waiting list (WL) for liver transplantation (OLT).

Patients And Methods: Between February 2002 and April 2009, 254 patients were included on WL to receive a first graft. Two hundred twenty-two patients (87.

Celiac disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC), and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) in one patient: a family study.

We discuss the case of a 17-year-old male who at the age of 7 was diagnosed with celiac disease (CD) together with ulcerative colitis (UC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). The patient was treated with gluten-free diet and immunosuppressive drugs (azathioprine), and currently remains asymptomatic. The patient's younger, 12-year-old sister was diagnosed with CD when she was 1.

Retreatment and maintenance therapy with infliximab in fistulizing Crohn's disease.

Objectives: Infliximab has clearly demonstrated its efficacy in the short-term treatment of fistulizing Crohn's disease. We present here the results of retreatment and long-term maintenance therapy.

Patients And Methods: Eighty one consecutive patients with active fistulizing Crohn's disease, in whom previous treatments had failed, were treated with infliximab.

Infliximab improves quality of life in the short-term in patients with fistulizing Crohn's disease in clinical practice.

Objectives: To assess the effect of infliximab on quality of life in a series of patients with fistulizing Crohn's disease.

Patients And Methods: A prospective observational study was made. A total of 25 patients with single or multiple draining abdominal or perianal fistulas were selected for the study.

A population-based study on the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease in Oviedo (Northern Spain).

Objective: to assess the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease in Oviedo (Northern Spain), and to describe the clinical features of new patients.

Patients And Methods: a prospective population-based study was made at the Health Area IV, Principality of Asturias (Oviedo, 312,324 inhabitants). All new diagnosed patients with inflammatory bowel disease were registered over a 2-year period.

Quality of life in patients with functional dyspepsia: a prospective 1-year follow-up study in Spanish patients.

Background And Aims: The natural history of functional dyspepsia is not well known. We prospectively assess the quality of life and severity of symptoms in a group of Spanish patients with functional dyspepsia.

Patients And Methods: One hundred and twelve consecutive patients with functional dyspepsia, according to Rome II criteria, were prospectively followed up for 1 year.

TNF-alpha -308A promoter polymorphism is associated with enhanced TNF-alpha production and inflammatory activity in Crohn's patients with fistulizing disease.

Objective: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) plays a key role in the inflammatory response and pathogenesis of Crohn's disease (CD). TNF-alpha -308A polymorphism within the TNF-alpha gene promoter has been associated with enhanced TNF-alpha production in vitro. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of TNF-alpha promoter polymorphism at -308 on the susceptibility and phenotypic expression of fistulizing CD.

Nimesulide-induced severe hemolytic anemia and acute liver failure leading to liver transplantation.

We present the case of a 63-year-old woman who had undergone 7 months of treatment with Nimesulide (100 mg/b.i.d.

Neuropeptide degradation by large vessel and microvessel-derived endothelial cells in vitro: cell surface catabolism of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH).

Cell surface ectopeptidase activity of purified, cultured large vessel and microvessel-derived endothelial cells (EC) was studied. Degradation of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH), and production of cyclo-His-Pro was significantly increased (P less than 0.001) in large vessel EC compared with microcapillary EC.