Identification of a novel and recurrent mutation in the SERPING1 gene in patients with hereditary angioedema.

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) due to C1 inhibitor (C1-INH) deficiency is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutations in SERPING1 gene. More than 200 different mutations are known, with high genetic heterogeneity and high frequency of private familial mutations. We analyzed for genetic mutations the C1-INH locus in 11 Sardinian families, revealing in seven subjects from four unrelated families the novel nonsense mutation S318X.

Liver enzyme elevation in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-HIV-coinfected patients prior to and after initiating HAART: role of HCV genotypes.

Transaminase elevation is frequently seen in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-HIV-coinfected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART), representing an increase in the immune response against HCV and being one of the mechanisms proposed to be involved. There is a report claiming that HCV genotype 3 is an independent risk factor. Our objectives were to assess the incidence of liver toxicity in an HIV-HCV-coinfected population with relatively preserved cellular immunity, and the role of HCV genotypes in the elevation of liver enzymes, both at baseline and after initiating ART.

Hepatitis C viremia in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients: lower levels in presence of chronic hepatitis B.

Complex reciprocal interactions between hepatitis C (HCV) and hepatitis B (HBV) viruses (HBV) have been reported. We examined the influence of HBV on HCV RNA titers in 376 HCV/HIV-coinfected patients (30 were also HBsAg positive). Regression analyses identified negative HBsAg and male sex as factors associated with HCV RNA values >500,000 IU/mL.

Use of pegylated interferons is associated with an increased incidence of infections during combination treatment of chronic hepatitis C: a side effect of pegylation?

Standard interferon treatment is known to increase the risk of infections; this risk also needs to be evaluated in clinical practice for pegylated interferon. To this end, we studied 255 patients treated with standard (103) or pegylated (152) interferon, in combination with ribavirin, for hepatitis C. Overall, 31 anti-hepatitis C virus treatment-related infections were observed.

Helicobacter pylori active infection in patients with acute coronary heart disease.

Objectives: To evaluate the possible role of the active Helicobacter pylori infection as a trigger factor in acute coronary heart disease (CHD).

Methods: Forty patients with acute coronary syndromes, 40 patients with infections other than H. pylori (control group A) and 40 healthy subjects (control group B), pair matched for age, sex and CHD risk factors were studied.