UPDATE OF THE BRAZILIAN SOCIETY OF HEPATOLOGY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES OF THE LIVER.

New data concerning the management of autoimmune liver diseases have emerged since the last single-topic meeting sponsored by the Brazilian Society of Hepatology to draw recommendations about the diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), overlap syndromes of AIH, PBC and PSC and specific complications and topics concerning AIH and cholestatic liver diseases. This manuscript updates those previous recommendations according to the best evidence available in the literature up to now. The same panel of experts that took part in the first consensus document reviewed all recommendations, which were subsequently scrutinized by all members of the Brazilian Society of Hepatology using a web-based approach.

Socioeconomic disparities in access to a hepatocellular carcinoma screening program in Brazil.

Objectives: Cirrhotic patients must receive an abdominal ultrasound every 6 months as part of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) screening. The aim of this study was to assess if HCC screening was performed as recommended by the literature and to observe the differences between the private and public services in Brazil.

Methods: We analyzed data from the HCC screenings of 253 cirrhotic patients from the University Hospital (n=177) and private sector (n=76) in Vitória, ES, Brazil.

Brazilian society of hepatology recommendations for the diagnosis and management of autoimmune diseases of the liver.

In order to draw evidence-based recommendations concerning the management of autoimmune diseases of the liver, the Brazilian Society of Hepatology has sponsored a single-topic meeting in October 18th, 2014 at São Paulo. An organizing committee comprised of seven investigators was previously elected by the Governing Board to organize the scientific agenda as well as to select twenty panelists to make a systematic review of the literature and to present topics related to the diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune hepatitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, primary biliary cirrhosis and their overlap syndromes. After the meeting, all panelists gathered together for the discussion of the topics and the elaboration of those recommendations.

Branch retinal vein thrombosis and visual loss probably associated with pegylated interferon therapy of chronic hepatitis C.

Ophthalmological complications with interferon therapy are usually mild and reversible, not requiring the withdrawal of the treatment. We report a case of a patient who had visual loss probably associated with interferon therapy. Chronic hepatitis C virus infection (genotype 1a) was diagnosed in a 33-year old asymptomatic man.

Applicability of the IAIHG scoring system to the diagnosis of antimitochondrial/anti-M2 seropositive variant form of autoimmune hepatitis.

Background And Aims: According to the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group (IAIHG) criteria, circulating antimitochondrial antibodies (AMA) do not support the diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). The aims of this study were to characterize a subset of patients with AIH who have AMA and antiM2 seropositivity, and to assess the applicability of the revised scoring system of the IAIHG in the diagnosis of this variant form of AIH.

Methods: Eighteen patients with AMA-AIH were enrolled and compared with 206 classical AIH and 85 primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) controls.

Prevalence of immune disturbances and chronic liver disease in family members of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis.

Background And Aims: Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) has been reported in up to 4-6% of first degree relatives of patients with the disease. In addition, immune abnormalities, including hypergammaglobulinemia, autoantibodies and increased frequency of autoimmune disorders, were reported in family members of PBC patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of PBC in relatives of patients with PBC, and to investigate the occurrence of chronic liver disease (CLD) and immune abnormalities in these subjects.