Elastography and serum markers of fibrosis versus liver biopsy in 1270 Egyptian patients with hepatitis C.

Background: Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is a leading cause of liver fibrosis.

Objective: To compare utility of liver transient elastography, AST-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), fibrosis-4 index (FIB4), Forns Index and Goteborg University cirrhosis index (GUCI) in predicting fibrosis stage assessed by liver biopsy in Egyptian CHC patients.

Methods: One thousand two-hundred and seventy CHC patients undergoing liver biopsy in preparation for therapy and 40 healthy potential living liver donors had transient elastography and calculation of APRI, FIB4, Forns and GUCI scores on the same day or day preceding the biopsy.

The Diagnostic Impact of C4d, CD68, and NF-κB Expression in the Differentiation Between Recurrent Hepatitis C and Acute Cellular Rejection After Liver Transplantation.

Liver transplantation is the selected treatment for patients with advanced liver disease and cirrhosis, mostly as a complication of hepatitis C virus (HCV). Recurrent HCV and acute cellular rejection (ACR) of the graft are the most common causes of graft failure. The distinction between the 2 conditions is essential because they are managed differently.

Assessment of intrahepatic regulatory T cells in children with autoimmune hepatitis.

Unlabelled:  Background. T-cell populations regulate the balance of immune responses. The CD (Cluster of differentiation) 4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are crucial for maintaining negative control of various immune responses.

The role of IL-28, IFN-γ, and TNF-α in predicting response to pegylated interferon/ribavirin in chronic HCV patients.

The primary goal of HCV therapy is to achieve a sustained virological response (SVR). Many host and viral factors influence the treatment response. Cytokines play an important role in the defense against viral infections, where successful treatment of hepatitis C depends on a complex balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory responses.

Mast cells and angiogenesis in wound healing.

Objective: To investigate the role of mast cells and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as a mediator of angiogenesis to promote wound healing in surgical and pathological scars.

Study Design: The study was carried out on 40 patients who presented with active scar lesions. They were subdivided into 4 groups.

Safety and efficacy of Hansenula-derived PEGylated-interferon alpha-2a and ribavirin combination in chronic hepatitis C Egyptian children.

Aim: To investigate the safety and efficacy of a Hansenula-derived PEGylated (polyethylene glycol) interferon (IFN)-alpha-2a (Reiferon Retard) plus ribavirin customized regimen in treatment-naïve and previously treated (non-responders and relapsers) Egyptian children with chronic hepatitis C infection.

Methods: Forty-six children with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were selected from three tertiary pediatric hepatology centers. Clinical and laboratory evaluations were undertaken.

Differential hepatic expression of CD56 can discriminate biliary atresia from other neonatal cholestatic disorders.

Objectives: The diagnosis of biliary atresia (BA) can be challenging as its histopathologic features overlap with those of other pediatric cholestatic liver diseases. We aimed to study the diagnostic value of hepatic CD56 immunostaining in the differentiation of BA from other causes of neonatal cholestasis.

Methods: Hepatic CD56 immunostaining was investigated in 30 infants with BA and compared with that in 30 infants with non-BA cholestatic disorders.