Cirrhosis etiology trends in developing countries: Transition from infectious to metabolic conditions. Report from a multicentric cohort in central Mexico.

Background: Cirrhosis is a public health threat associated with high mortality. Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD) is the leading cause in Latin America and Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) in western countries. In Mexico, ALD and chronic Hepatitis C Virus infection (HCV) were the most frequent aetiologies during the past decades.

Pocket ultrasound device as a complement to physical examination for ascites evaluation and guided paracentesis.

The pocket ultrasound device (PUD) is a new tool that may be of use in the early detection of ascites. Abdominal ultrasound-guided paracentesis has been reported to decrease the rate of complications due to the procedure, but must be performed in a healthcare setting; this new tool may be a useful on an ambulatory basis. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic usefulness of the PUD in the diagnosis of ascites and the safety of guided paracentesis.

A genetic variant in the interleukin 28B gene as a major predictor for sustained virologic response in chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

Background And Aims: The IL28B single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs12979860 is a major predictor of treatment outcomes in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, but its distribution widely varies among populations and ethnicities. We undertook this study to investigate the distribution of IL28B SNP rs12979860 in Mexican patients with HCV infection and to assess its usefulness in predicting response to pegylated interferon-alpha and ribavirin (PegIFN-α/RVB) therapy.

Methods: Three hundred and fifty patients with chronic HCV infection were studied.

Diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: An update.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies leading to high mortality rates in the general population; in cirrhotic patients, it is the primary cause of death. The diagnosis is usually delayed in spite of at-risk population screening recommendations, i.e.

Mexican consensus on the diagnosis and management of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Introduction: There has been an increase in the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide and information on this disease is limited in Mexico.

Aims: To analyze the available evidence on the diagnosis and treatment of HCC in the Mexican population.

Material And Methods: The Mexican Association of Hepatology organized a meeting that 24 medical specialists interested in HCC attended.

Re-treatment with highly purified nIFNα in Mexican nonresponder patients with chronic genotype 1 hepatitis C.

Background And Aims: We undertook this study to evaluate the virological response to and presence of adverse events to natural interferon α (nIFNα; Multiferon®) treatment in previously nonresponsive Mexican patients chronically infected with genotype 1 hepatitis C.

Methods: Thirty-nine patients received a 4-week induction of 5 days/week of 6 MU nIFNα plus weight-based ribavirin followed by 3 MU of nIFNα three times a week for 44 weeks. The relationship between viral response and incidence of adverse events was analyzed.

Trends and projections of hepatitis C virus epidemiology in Latin America.

Background And Aim: The purpose of the present investigation is to provide an analysis of previous works on the epidemiology of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection from six countries throughout Latin America, to forecast the future HCV prevalence trends in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Puerto Rico, and to outline deficiencies in available data, highlighting the need for further research.

Methods: Data references were identified through indexed journals and non-indexed sources. Overall, 1080 articles were reviewed and 150 were selected based on their relevance to this work.

IFN-stimulated gene expression is a useful potential molecular marker of response to antiviral treatment with Peg-IFNα 2b and ribavirin in patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 1.

Background And Aims: We undertook this study to determine the baseline gene expression of IFI27, IFIT1, IFI6, ISG15, IRF-1, IRF-3, OAS-2 and CXCL10 and its usefulness as molecular markers of response to antiviral treatment with peg-IFNα 2b/RBV in patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 1 (HCV-1).

Methods: Gene expression was analyzed by RT-PCR in baseline liver biopsies from 42 HCV-1 patients who were treated with Peg-IFNα 2b/RBV for 48 weeks. In addition, we investigated gene expression of these genes in a second liver biopsy obtained 24 weeks post-treatment in sustained viral response (SVR) and relapser patients.

Geographical distribution of HCV genotypes in Mexico.

Unlabelled: Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is the second cause of endstage liver disease in our country and one of the main indications of liver transplantation. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype is the principal prognostic factor and the determinant of the therapeutic scheme. In our country few data exist regarding the prevalence of HCV infection and genotype distribution in the Mexican Republic has not been determined.

[Therapeuric aspects of NAFLD. A literature review].

The prevalence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis has increased in the last years, paralleling the increasing incidence of overweight and obesity in the general population and related comorbidities. It is expected that in near future, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis will be responsible for a large number of subjects with chronic liver disease due to fatty liver Because of this, treatment options for fatty liver are necessary. To date, the cornerstone of treatment is based in weight reduction, with diet and increased physical activity, although reports indicating that insulin sensitizers and medications that reduce oxidative stress may hold promise for the treatment of this condition.

[Manometry and defecography in constipated patients with dyschezia].

Background: Constipation is one of the most frequent disorders in Gastroenterology. Radiologic and physiologic studies are essential to the diagnosis and treatment of constipated patients.

Objective: We aimed to assess the usefulness of manometry and defecography in constipated patients with suspect of dyssynergic defecation.

[Hepatitis C and addictions].

Currently, it has been suggested that hepatitis C virus is the major cause of chronic liver disease. In Western countries, approximately 60% of the cases has been related with intravenous drugs. Also it has been suggested an interaction among alcohol and hepatitis C virus that in turn might induce an additive or synergic effects in causing liver injury.