HIV through the looking glass: insights derived from Hepatitis B.

Background: Although higher levels of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication in HIV-HBV co-infection may relate to liver disease progression, this has not been completely elucidated. We used expression of hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) in liver biopsies from HIV-HBV co-infected and HBV mono-infected patients as a marker for HBV replication, and related these findings to clinical and histological parameters.

Methods: Data from 244 HBV patients were compared with 34 HIV-HBV patients.

Specific elevation of DcR3 in sera of sepsis patients and its potential role as a clinically important biomarker of sepsis.

Because of its potentially important role in the pathogenesis of sepsis, the expression of soluble decoy receptor 3 (DcR3) was investigated in sera of sepsis patients. The serum levels of DcR3 and its tumor necrosis factor-like ligand TL1A and homologous decoy receptor OPG were quantified by ELISA. The values of DcR3 to diagnose sepsis were analyzed by receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for prevention of vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus infection by highly viremic pregnant women: a case series.

Background: Despite appropriate immunoprophylaxis, up to 10 % of infants born to highly viremic hepatitis B virus (HBV-DNA ≥ 7 log IU/mL) mothers are infected with HBV. Use of TDF to prevent vertical transmission (VT) by such mothers has not been evaluated.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of TDF in preventing VT from highly viremic HBV-infected mothers.