Comparison of Hantaan and Seoul viral infections among patients with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Heilongjiang, China.

Background: Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is a serious public health problem in China, and is primarily caused by either the Hantaan virus (HTNV) or Seoul virus (SEOV) strains. However, the causative hantavirus has only been definitively identified in a few HFRS cases, and detailed comparisons of patient data for the 2 strains are limited.

Methods: We conducted a 1-y prospective study in Heilongjiang Province, China.

Liver fibrosis and hepatic stellate cells improvement of chronic hepatitis C patients by interferon-beta-1a with or without sustained viral response.

Background/aims: We aimed to assess liver fibrosis in biopsies from patients with chronic hepatitis C and relationship to different responses to interferon-beta-la.

Methodology: 21 patients with chronic hepatitis C were divided into two groups randomly and treated with recombinant human interferon-beta-la (IFN-B-1a) or IFN-beta-1a plus ribavirin (RBV) for 24 weeks, then followed up for another 24 weeks. 42 liver biopsies of 21 patients before and after treatment respectively were evaluated on conventional histological assessment.

[Effect of pegylated interferon beta-1a therapy on the liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C: a semi-quantitative analysis].

Objective: To access the effect of pegylated interferon (PEGIFN) beta-1a on the reduction of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C (HVC).

Methods: Twenty-one patients with chronic HVC were divided into two groups randomly and treated with recombinant human PEGIHN-beta-1a (n = 13) or PEGIHN-beta-1a plus ribavirin (RBV) (n = 8) for 24 weeks, and then followed up for another 24 weeks. The clinical manifestations were observed and the clinical effects were evaluated.

Effect of IL-18 on peripheral blood mononuclear cells of chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis B virus DNA released by HepG2.2.15 cell lines.

Background: Interleukin-18 (IL-18), a pro-inflammatory cytokine that induces interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production in T cells and natural killer cells, plays a critical role in the T-lymphocyte helper type 1 (Th1) response. This study was designed to explore the effect of IL-18 on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) derived from chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and on hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA released by HepG2.2.

The roles of serum IL-18, IL-10, TNF-alpha and sIL-2R in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Objective: To identify the roles of serum IL-18, IL-10, TNF-alpha and sIL-2R in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C and the effects of interferon on the mentioned serum cytokines.

Methods: The levels of IL-18, IL-10, TNF-alpha and sIL-2R were detected in 10 healthy controls, 24 asymptomatic HCV carriers, and 27 patients with chronic hepatitis C (before and after IFN treatment) by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results: The levels of IL-18, IL-10, TNF-alpha and sIL-2R in the patients of chronic hepatitis C were higher than those in the healthy controls (P<0.

[Effect of IL-18 on peripheral blood monocytes from chronic hepatitis B patients].

Objectives: To explore the effect of IL-18 on peripheral blood monocytes (PBMCs) from chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients and HBV DNA released by HepG2.2.15 cells, which were transfected with the gene of HBV.