Serological and virological profile of chronic HBV infected women at reproductive age in Greece. A two-year single center study.

Objective: Seroprevalence of HBsAg in 26,746 women at reproductive age in Greece and evaluation of HBeAg/anti-HBe serological status as well as serum HBV-DNA levels in a subgroup of HBsAg(+) women at labor.

Study Design: Serological markers were detected using enzyme immunoassays. Serum HBV-DNA was calculated using a sensitive quantitative PCR assay, with a lower limit of quantification of 200 copies/ml.

HBeAg negative serological status and low viral replication levels characterize chronic hepatitis B virus-infected women at reproductive age in Greece: a one-year prospective single center study.

Aim: To evaluate the seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in 13 581 women at reproductive age and the hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)/anti-HBe status as well as serum hepatitis B virus (HBV)-DNA levels in a subgroup of HBsAg(+) pregnant women at labor in Greece.

Methods: Serological markers were detected using enzyme immunoassays. Serum HBV-DNA was determined by a sensitive quantitative PCR assay.

Relationship between serum b2-microglobulin levels and virological breakthrough in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients, under long-term treatment schedules including lamivudine.

Aim: Predictive value of serum b2-microglobulin (b2m) levels for virological breakthrough (VB) in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients under long-term treatment schedules including lamivudine (LAM).

Methods: Serum b2m levels were calculated during treatment in 25 CHB patients under long-term LAM monotherapy (group A) and 12 patients under initial interferon plus LAM treatment followed by LAM monotherapy (group B), using the MEIA technology. We used Cox proportional hazard models in order to investigate the association between serum b2m levels and VB.

Tamoxifen induced hepatotoxicity in breast cancer patients with pre-existing liver steatosis: the role of glucose intolerance.

Objective: Tamoxifen induced hepatotoxicity has not been investigated in breast cancer patients with pre-existing liver steatosis. The aim of our study was to investigate the most common predisposing factors for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in breast cancer patients with liver steatosis, treated with adjuvant tamoxifen therapy, in order to evaluate their role in the appearance of tamoxifen induced hepatotoxicity.

Methods: Clinical and laboratory evaluation, including an oral glucose tolerance test, was done in 60 women with breast cancer and liver steatosis before the beginning of adjuvant tamoxifen treatment and every 6 months during treatment.

Serum beta2-microglobulin levels in hepatitis B e antigen-negative chronic hepatitis B patients under long term lamivudine monotherapy: relationship with virological breakthrough.

Objectives: To evaluate the predictive value of serum beta2-microglobulin (beta2m) levels for virological breakthrough in hepatitis B e antigen-negative chronic hepatitis B patients under long term lamivudine monotherapy.

Methods: Serum beta2m levels were calculated at baseline and every three months during lamivudine monotherapy in 25 patients with chronic hepatitis B, using microparticle enzyme immunoassay technology to investigate their association with biochemical, virological and histological outcome data. Cox proportional hazard models were used to investigate the association between serum beta2m levels and virological breakthrough.