Significance of liver histology in HBsAg-positive, IgM anti-HBc-negative acute hepatitis B virus-related hepatitis.

Aims: The natural course of HBsAg-positive, IgM anti-HBc-negative acute hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatitis is unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of histological features and hepatic expression of HBV antigens in such patients.

Methods And Results: Fifty patients with HBsAg-positive, IgM anti-HBc-negative acute hepatitis B who underwent liver biopsy during the acute hepatitis episode were studied [HBeAg seroconversion (n = 16), persistently positive for HBeAg (n = 9), and persistently negative for HBeAg (n = 25)].

Hepatic parenchyma resection using stapling devices: peri-operative and long-term outcome.

Background: Stapler-assisted hepatectomy has not been well established, as a routine procedure, although few reports exist in the literature. This analysis assesses the safety and outcome of the method based on peri-operative data.

Materials And Methods: From February 2005 to December 2006, endo GIA vascular staplers were used for parenchymal liver transection in 62 consecutive cases in our department.

Leiomyosarcoma of the infrarenal portion of the inferior vena cava in a cirrhotic patient with hepatitis C.

Leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava is a rare primary tumor. We present a case of a 65-year-old man with the history of cirrhosis and non-specific symptoms. The patient underwent computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging that revealed a leiomyosarcoma of the infrarenal portion of inferior vena cava.

Impact of parietal cell autoantibodies and non-organ-specific autoantibodies on the treatment outcome of patients with hepatitis C virus infection: a pilot study.

Aim: Various side effects have been reported in patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) who were treated with interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha), including the appearance or exacerbation of underlying autoimmune diseases and the development of a variety of organ and non-organ specific autoantibodies (NOSA). However, very few studies in adults have been strictly designed to address: whether the prevalence and the titre of organ and NOSA in serial samples of HCV-treated patients were affected by IFN-alpha, and the impact of these autoantibodies on the treatment outcome of HCV patients.

Methods: We investigated whether parietal cell autoantibodies (PCA) and/or NOSA were related with treatment-outcome in 57 HCV-treated patients (19 sustained-responders, 16 relapsers, 22 non-responders).