Comprehensive Evolutionary Analysis of Complete Epstein-Barr Virus Genomes from Argentina and Other Geographies.

The sequence variability of the Epstein-Barr virus has been extensively studied throughout previous years in isolates from various geographic regions and consequent variations at both genetic and genomic levels have been described. However, isolates from South America were underrepresented in these studies. Here, we sequenced 15 complete EBV genomes that we analyzed together with publicly available raw NGS data for 199 EBV isolates from other parts of the globe by means of a custom-built bioinformatic pipeline.

Hepatic lymphocytes involved in the pathogenesis of pediatric and adult non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

The immune response is critical in NAFLD pathogenesis, but the liver infiltrate's composition and the role of each T cell population is still up for debate. To characterize liver pathogenesis in pediatric and adult cases, frequency and localization of immune cell populations [Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes (CD8+), T helper Lymphocytes (CD4+), Regulatory T lymphocytes (Foxp3+) and Th17 (IL-17A+)] were evaluated. In portal/periportal (P/P) tracts, both age groups displayed a similar proportion of CD8+ and CD4+ lymphocytes.

Serum apoptosis markers related to liver damage in chronic hepatitis C: sFas as a marker of advanced fibrosis in children and adults while M30 of severe steatosis only in children.

Background: Liver biopsy represents the gold standard for evaluating damage and progression in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC); however, developing noninvasive tests that can predict liver injury represents a growing medical need. Considering that hepatocyte apoptosis plays a role in CHC pathogenesis; the aim of our study was to evaluate the presence of different apoptosis markers that correlate with liver injury in a cohort of pediatric and adult patients with CHC.

Methods: Liver biopsies and concomitant serum samples from 22 pediatric and 22 adult patients with CHC were analyzed.

The role of innate cells is coupled to a Th1-polarized immune response in pediatric nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

Background: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a chronic inflammatory liver disease influenced by risk factors for the metabolic syndrome. In adult patients, NASH is associated with an altered phenotype and functionality of peripheral immune cells, the recruitment of leukocytes and intrahepatic activation, and an exacerbated production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cytokines. It remains unclear if the previously described differences between pediatric and adult nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases also reflect differences in their pathogenesis.

Neonatal cholestasis in congenital pituitary hormone deficiency and isolated hypocortisolism: characterization of liver dysfunction and follow-up.

Introduction: Neonatal cholestasis due to endocrine diseases is infrequent and poorly recognized. Referral to the pediatric endocrinologist is delayed.

Objective: We characterized cholestasis in infants with congenital pituitary hormone deficiencies (CPHD), and its resolution after hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Naturally occurring hepatitis B virus (HBV) variants with primary resistance to antiviral therapy and S-mutants with potential primary resistance to adefovir in Argentina.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) variants may either emerge in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) as a result of positive selection pressure exerted by their own immune response, or during therapy with nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs). Naturally occurring HBV variants with primary antiviral resistance are rarely observed. The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze the (eventual) circulation of HBV variants with natural resistance to NAs currently used as therapy for CHB in Argentina.

The most severe forms of type I autoimmune hepatitis are associated with genetically determined levels of TGF-beta1.

We previously reported that paediatric (PAH) and adult (AAH) forms of type I autoimmune hepatitis (AH) have different HLA-associations and clinical outcome. In the present study we investigated the role of TGF-beta1 genetic polymorphisms in the different outcome of PAH and AAH. We found a significant increase of "high producer" 25GG genotype in PAH and 10CC in AAH.

Apoptosis markers in liver biopsy of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in pediatric patients.

The natural history of pediatric nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is still unknown; however, there are differences between adult and pediatric presentation. Apoptosis may play an important role in pathophysiologic pathways involved in liver damage and progression. Our aim was to detect early apoptosis markers, activated caspase-3 and cleaved cytokeratin-18, in hepatocytes and to correlate their presence with clinical, serologic, and histologic characteristics in pediatric nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.