Elevated calprotectin levels are associated with mortality in patients with acute decompensation of liver cirrhosis.

Background: Acute decompensation (AD) of cirrhosis is related to systemic inflammation and elevated circulating cytokines. In this context, biomarkers of inflammation, such as calprotectin, may be of prognostic value.

Aim: To evaluate serum calprotectin levels in patients hospitalized for complications of cirrhosis.

Low sodium to potassium ratio in spot urine sample is associated with progression to acute kidney injury and mortality in hospitalized patients with cirrhosis.

Background: sodium to potassium ratio in spot urine sample (Na/K) is a surrogate marker of sodium excretion that is recommended for the management of patients with ascites due to cirrhosis.

Aims: to investigate Na/K ratio and fractional excretion of sodium (FENa) in patients admitted with decompensated cirrhosis, evaluating its relationship with acute kidney injury (AKI) and prognosis.

Methods: prospective cohort study included 225 adult subjects.

Vaccination coverage and immunity against hepatitis B among HIV-infected patients in South Brazil.

Evidence-based strategies to improve the hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination coverage rates might help to reduce the burden caused by co-infection with HBV and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In this study, the aim was to evaluate the vaccination coverage and immunity against HBV among HIV-infected individuals in South Brazil, and identify factors that are associated with compliance patterns and antibody reactivity. Three hundred HIV-infected men and women were included in this survey.

The prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection markers and socio-demographic risk factors in HIV-infected patients in Southern Brazil.

Introduction: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections are two of the world's most important infectious diseases. Our objective was to determine the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) prevalences among adult HIV-infected patients and identify the associations between socio-demographic variables and these HBV infection markers.

Methods: This study was performed from October 2012 to March 2013.