Epidemiological and molecular analyses of a non-seasonal outbreak of acute icteric hepatitis E in Bangladesh.

Acute hepatitis due to hepatitis E virus (HEV) is endemic in Bangladesh, but its epidemiological characteristics and virological features remain obscure. An outbreak of acute icteric hepatitis E occurred in Rajshahi, Bangladesh during 2010 when 200 patients with visible jaundice visited physicians within a period of 1 month (January-February). Clinical and epidemiological data were collected from these patients using questionnaires.

Biochemical, virological, immunological and histopathological features of 702 incidentally detected chronic hepatitis B virus carriers in Bangladesh.

Background/aims: Simultaneous assessment of biochemical, virological, and histological parameters of incidentally detected chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected subjects in Bangladesh were done to develop strategies for containment of HBV and management of liver diseases of these patients.

Methods: A total of 702 chronic HBV carriers detected incidentally were enrolled in the study. Levels of HBV DNA and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in sera were measured.

Assessment of clinical utility of low and high normal alanine aminotransferase values in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection in Bangladesh.

Background/aims: There is a lack of consensus about the currently accepted range of normal values for serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels because some investigators have claimed that the true values are significantly lower than those listed by kit manufacturers.

Methods: A total of 255 chronic hepatitis-B-virus (HBV)-infected patients with traditional, normal levels of ALT (≤42 U/l) were divided into 2 groups: (1) low normal ALT (men: ≤30 U/l; women: ≤19 U/l) and (2) high normal ALT (men: 31-42 U/l; women: 20-42 U/l). The extent of hepatic inflammation and fibrosis was evaluated in these patients by examining liver biopsy specimens.

Clinical use of liver biopsy for the diagnosis and management of inactive and asymptomatic hepatitis B virus carriers in Bangladesh.

Patients with inactive chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are assumed to be free from liver disease. Accordingly, antiviral drug treatment is not recommended for these patients. However, the extent of liver damage in these patients has not been evaluated fully.