A regular screening for hepatitis delta virus among chronic hepatitis B carriers improves the diagnostic of this infection and of subsequent cirrhosis development.

Background And Objective: The prevalence of Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV) is underestimated and the assessment of fibrosis is recommended for this infection. We tested the diagnostic impact of an annual screening for HDV serology in Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBs Ag) chronic carriers and followed the progression of fibrosis in these patients.

Methods: Between January 2014 and October 2021, we annually tested all chronic HBs Ag-positive patients for HDV antibody (HDV Ab).

and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Co-Infection: Potential Implications for Future Gastric Cancer Risk.

Objective: and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are both pandemic infections with variable geographic prevalence rates. -HIV co-infection at the regional and sub-regional levels with a perspective on gastric cancer incidence is discussed.

Design: Based on PRISMA guidelines, national data for , HIV, and -HIV co-infection were collected for the general population through December 2019.

Primary Helicobacter pylori resistance to antimicrobials in the Brussels area in 2021.

This manuscript summarizes current primary resistance of Helicobacter pylori to antibiotics in Brussels in 2021. Resistance rates were estimated at 18% for clarithromycin, 24% for levofloxacin, 52% for metronidazole, and 0% for amoxicillin and tetracycline. When compared to 2016, resistance rates remain stable, except an increase of 30% for metronidazole.

Issues Related to the Treatment of Infection in People Living with HIV and Receiving Antiretrovirals.

Treatment of infection in people living with HIV is associated with several challenges, including those related to drug metabolism which plays a major role in treatment efficacy. In this review, we will discuss the enzymes involved in the metabolism of anti- and anti-HIV drugs to provide a basis for understanding the potential for interactions between these drug classes. We will also provide a clinical perspective on other issues related to the treatment of and HIV infections such as comorbidities, adherence, and peer communication.

Primary antibiotic resistance of Helicobacter pylori isolates is twofold more frequent in HIV-positive than HIV-negative individuals: A descriptive observational study.

The antimicrobial susceptibility of Helicobacter pylori strains isolated from HIV-positive individuals is not well characterized. This study aimed to measure the prevalence and long-term trends associated with primary H. pylori antibiotic resistance, evaluate correlations with antibiotic consumption, and compare predictors for H.

Failure to eradicate Helicobacter pylori infection is more frequent among HIV-positive patients.

Objectives: Helicobacter pylori is a worldwide infection, but little is known about the efficacy of treatment for H. pylori infection in HIV-positive patients. The goal of this work was to evaluate outcomes after first-line H.

Nodular Regenerative Hyperplasia in HIV-positive patients : a case series and review of the literature.

Nodular regenerative hyperplasia (NRH) is a well-described condition that leads to non-cirrhotic portal hypertension and is histologically characterised by a nodular transformation of the liver without fibrosis. It seems to be a consequence of obliterative portal venopathy of small hepatic veins. Its precise aetiology remains to be clearly determined.

Combination ledipasvir-sofosbuvir for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection: a review and clinical perspective.

Chronic hepatitis C treatment has continued to evolve, and interferon-free, oral treatment with direct-acting antiviral agents is the current standard of care. Recently, a new treatment, which is a combination of two direct-acting antiviral agents, ledipasvir 90 mg (anti-NS5A) and sofosbuvir 400 mg (anti-NS5B), has been approved in the US and the European Union for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C viral infection. In Phase III trials among chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 1 monoinfected (treatment-naïve, treatment-experienced, and with advanced liver disease or posttransplant) patients and HIV-hepatitis C virus coinfected patients, the ledipasvir-sofosbuvir fixed-dose combination is associated with a higher rate of sustained virologic response at 12 weeks after therapy has ceased.

Treatment of anal dysplasia in HIV-positive men who have sex with men in a large AIDS reference centre.

Objectives: Over the last few decades, incidence of anal cancer among HIV-positive men has been on the rise. In this context, programmes of screening and treatment of anal dysplasia which is a precursor of anal cancer have been developed. The aim of our study was to describe the efficiency, side effects and outcome of anal dysplasia treatment in a population of HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM).

Prolonged antiretroviral therapy is associated with fewer anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions in HIV-positive MSM in a cross-sectional study.

Objective: HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) are at increased risk of anal cancer. We evaluate the risk factors for anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) (the precursor of anal cancer) in HIV-positive MSM.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study within a cohort, 320 HIV-positive MSM were screened by anal cytology followed by high-resolution anoscopy (HRA) in case of abnormal cytology.

Ethnic epidemiological profiles and antiviral therapy among patients infected with hepatitis C virus genotype 4: a multicenter study from Belgium.

Background: Hepatitis C virus genotype 4 (HCV-4) is the most prevalent genotype in Central Africa.

Aim: To compare epidemiology, clinical characteristics and any differences in access to HCV therapy in two populations of HCV-4 patients residing in Belgium.

Methods: This multicenter study selected 473 HCV-4 patients from seven hospital databases and compared them according to ethnic origin, i.

HIV-Helicobacter pylori Co-Infection: Antibiotic Resistance, Prevalence, and Risk Factors.

Background: Patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are living longer due to the availability of more potent treatments. However, prescription of antibiotics to treat or prevent infections in these patients may increase the likelihood of co-infection with antibiotic-resistant species.

Aim: To compare antimicrobial susceptibility of Helicobacter pylori (H.

The role of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in the era of modern antiretroviral therapy.

Objective: Gastrointestinal disorders are common in HIV-positive patients and, in some cases, may be related to antiretroviral therapy (ART), making it difficult to determine the need for upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy. The primary aim of this study was to determine whether lymphocyte T CD4 cell counts were correlated with indications for endoscopy in these patients and with endoscopic diagnosis.

Patients And Methods: We prospectively collected data from consecutive HIV-positive patients undergoing UGI endoscopy between 2007 and 2013, and included 265 patients who had been receiving ART for at least 6 months.

A rare case of hematemesis following gastro-duodenal strongyloides infection.

We report the case of a 30-year old Black African man with a two-year history of nausea, abdominal discomfort and pruritus due to infection with Strongyloides stercoralis, which was successfully treated, but then complicated by the development of a bleeding pseudo-tumor in the duodenum. A review of the literature was performed.

Response of Black African patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 4 to treatment with peg-interferon and ribavirin.

Aim: To compare responses to therapy of Black African (BA) and non-Black African (non- BA) patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 4 (HCV-4) residing in Belgium.

Methods: In this retrospective multicenter study, 473 patients with HCV-4 were selected from databases at 7 Belgian centers; 209 treatment-naive patients (154 BA) had received treatment with peg-interferon (peg-IFN) plus ribavirin (RBV) and were included in the study.

Results: There was a greater percentage of female patients in the BA group than in the non- BA group; BA patients were also older, had a greater body mass index, and more frequently had abnormal glucose metabolism.

Coinfection of hepatitis B and hepatitis delta virus in Belgium: a multicenter BASL study. Prospective epidemiology and comparison with HBV mono-infection.

Epidemiological data on hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection in Belgium are lacking. A multicenter questionnaire-based registry on HDV infection was collated between March 1, 2008 and February 28, 2009. It consisted of patients coinfected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HDV.

Comparison of demographic characteristics and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy findings in HIV-positive, antiretroviral-treated patients with and without Helicobacter pylori coinfection.

Objectives: We evaluated demographic characteristics in HIV-positive patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) who had upper gastrointestinal (UGI) symptoms requiring UGI endoscopy and compared the findings in patients with and without H. Pylori coinfection.

Methods: We prospectively observed all HIV-infected patients treated with antiretroviral therapy who underwent UGI endoscopy for the first time and were tested for H.

Metabolic disorders associated with chronic hepatitis C: impact of genotype and ethnicity.

Background & Aim: Patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, especially those with genotypes 1 and 4, have an increased risk of developing metabolic disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations among metabolic disorders, ethnicity and genotype in a large cohort of patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC).

Patients And Methods: All consecutive patients with CHC who were seen in our hepato-gastroenterology unit between January 2002 and September 2008 were included.

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopic findings in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Background: The current literature suggests that there has been a decrease in opportunistic diseases among HIV-infected patients since the widespread introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in 1995.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of HAART and CD4 lymphocyte count on diseases of the upper gastrointestinal (UGI) tract, digestive symptoms, and endoscopic and histological observations.

Methods: A review of 706 HIV-infected patients who underwent GI endoscopy was undertaken.