The relationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV) load and levels of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) and soluble Fas (sFas) in human immunodeficiency virus patients with occult HBV infection.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between hepatitis B virus (HBV) load and serum levels of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) and soluble Fas (sFas) cytokines in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients who have never been treated with antiretroviral therapy. HBV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) serological markers, sFas and TGF-β1 levels, and HBV load were evaluated in 116 patients. While there was no correlation between TGF-β1 levels and HBV load, a positive correlation between sFas levels and HBV load was observed in patients with occult HBV infection.

Seroprevalence of HSV-1/2 and correlation with aggravation of oral mucositis in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck region submitted to antineoplastic treatment.

Purpose: Oral mucositis (OM) is a frequent side effect resulting from antineoplastic treatment and is described as an acute alteration characterized by ulcerative lesions, with the presence of a persistent chronic inflammatory infiltrate, erythema, and pain.

Aims: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the presence of the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1/2) in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck region (SCC) and its influence on the aggravation of oral mucositis after radiotherapy or radio/chemotherapy treatment.

Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 91 patients were evaluated with regard to their serological status for IgG before treatment (initial time interval--TI) and for IgM before treatment (T1) and on the 30th day after the first day of radiotherapy application/radiation therapy (final time interval--TF), using immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA), and the results were correlated with the intensity of OM.

Hepatitis B virus in the State of Alagoas, Brazil: genotypes characterization and mutations of the precore and basal core promoter regions.

The aims of this study were to investigate the genotypes of hepatitis B virus and to identify the precore G1896A and basal core promoter A1762T/G1764A mutations in HBsAg and anti-HBc-positive patients. Eighty-three asymptomatic individuals, three with acute hepatitis B and 33 with chronic hepatitis B referred to viral hepatitis centers in the State of Alagoas, Brazil were analyzed according to their viral load, HBeAg/anti-HBe profile and alanine aminotransferase serum level. The genotypes identified were: A (92.

HBV and HCV serological markers in patients with the hepatosplenic form of mansonic schistosomiasis.

Context: Blood transfusion is one of the major risk factors for the transmission of the hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) viruses. However, there are no reports describing the endoscopic transmission of these viruses in patients with the hepatosplenic form of schistosomiasis.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of serological markers of HBV and HCV in patients with the hepatosplenic form of schistosomiasis and evaluate the possible risk factors associated with these infections.