Predictors of advanced liver fibrosis and the performance of fibrosis scores: lean compared to non-lean metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) patients.

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in lean patients differs from that of NAFLD in non-lean patients. However, current data regarding predictors of advanced fibrosis and the performance of fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4) and NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS) in lean compared to non-lean metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) patients is insufficient.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study.

Reduced Neutralization Efficacy against Omicron Variant after Third Boost of BNT162b2 Vaccine among Liver Transplant Recipients.

The immune responses of liver transplant (LT) recipients after the third boost of the BNT162b2mRNA vaccine improved. This study evaluates the durability of the immune response of LT recipients after the third boost, its predictors, and the impact of emerging variants. The receptor-binding domain IgG was determined at median times of 22 (first test) and 133 days (second test) after the administration of the third boost.

High Immune Response Rate to the Fourth Boost of the BNT162b2 Vaccine against the Omicron Variants of Concern among Liver Transplant Recipients.

The immune response of liver transplant (LT) recipients to a third dose of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine significantly waned after four months. We aimed to evaluate the immune response and breakthrough infection rates of a fourth dose against the Omicron variants among LT recipients. LT recipients who had no past or active SARS-CoV-2 infection and received three doses of the BNT162b2mRNA vaccine were included.

Research trends analysis of chronic hepatitis C versus nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A literature review text-mining analysis of publications.

Background: Hepatits C virus (HCV) rates have lowered due to direct-acting antiviral treatment. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)/nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is rising with no available therapy. We employed text-mining to analyze trends in HCV and NAFLD research from the past two decades.

A third dose of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine significantly improves immune responses among liver transplant recipients.

Background & Aims: Immune responses of solid organ transplant recipients to 2 doses of the BNT162b2 mRNA anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine are impaired. The immunogenicity and safety of a third dose among liver transplant (LT) recipients are unknown. This work aimed to evaluate the immune response of LT recipients to a third dose of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine.

HBV-RNA, Quantitative HBsAg, Levels of HBV in Peripheral Lymphocytes and HBV Mutation Profiles in Chronic Hepatitis B.

A comprehensive characterization of chronic HBV (CHB) patients is required to guide therapeutic decisions. The cumulative impact of classical and novel biomarkers on the clinical categorization of these patients has not been rigorously assessed. We determined plasma HBV-RNA and HBsAg levels, HBV in peripheral lymphocytes (PBMCs) and HBV mutation profiles in CHB patients.

Noninvasive Assessment of Fibrosis Regression after Direct-acting Antiviral Treatment in Hepatitis C Virus Patients.

Background: New direct acting antiviral agent (DAA) therapies are associated with a high sustained virological response rate (SVR) in hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients. The understanding of the impact of SVR on fibrosis stage is limited.

Objectives: To determine the effect of treatment with the DAAs on long-term liver fibrosis stages, as determined by shear-wave elastography (SWE) or FibroTest.

Immunogenicity and Adverse Effects of the 2-Dose BNT162b2 Messenger RNA Vaccine Among Liver Transplantation Recipients.

The BNT162b2 messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been shown to be safe and effective in immunocompetent patients. The safety and efficacy of this vaccine in liver transplantation (LT) recipients is still under evaluation. The objective of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of the BNT162b2 vaccine among transplant recipients.

XCR1 type 1 conventional dendritic cells drive liver pathology in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are prevalent liver conditions that underlie the development of life-threatening cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer. Chronic necro-inflammation is a critical factor in development of NASH, yet the cellular and molecular mechanisms of immune dysregulation in this disease are poorly understood. Here, using single-cell transcriptomic analysis, we comprehensively profiled the immune composition of the mouse liver during NASH.

Alterations in the Gut Microbiome in the Progression of Cirrhosis to Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. While cirrhosis is the main risk factor for HCC, the factors influencing progression from cirrhosis to HCC remain largely unknown. Gut microbiota plays a key role in liver diseases; however, its association with HCC remains elusive.

Ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir & dasabuvir ± ribavirin following protease inhibitors failure - a prospective multi-centre trial.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a leading cause of chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. Treatment with first generation protease inhibitors (PI) + peg-interferon (pegIFN) and ribavirin (RBV) achieved sustained virologic response (SVR) rates of 65-75% but was associated with multiple side effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate safety and efficacy of Ombitasvir/Paritaprevir/Ritonavir and Dasabuvir (3D) ± RBV in HCV genotype 1 patients that failed previous treatment with first generation PIs.

The Role of Liver Segment-to-Spleen Volume Ratio in the Staging of Hepatic Fibrosis in Patients with Hepatitis C Virus Infection.

Background: Accurate assessment of liver fibrosis is crucial for the management of patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Objectives: To evaluate the performance of liver segment-to-spleen volume ratio in predicting the severity of liver fibrosis.

Methods: Sixty-four consecutive HCV patients were enrolled in this retrospective study.

HCV genotype-1 subtypes and resistance-associated substitutions in drug-naive and in direct-acting antiviral treatment failure patients.

Background: Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment regimens and response rates of patients with HCV genotype-1 (GT1) are currently considered subtype-dependent. Identification of clinically relevant resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) in the NS3 and NS5A proteins at baseline and in DAA failures, may also impact clinical decisions.

Methods: In a multicentre cohort study (n=308), NS3 or NS5B sequencing (n=248) was used to discriminate between GT1 subtypes.

Positive antimitochondrial antibody but normal serum alkaline phosphatase levels: Could it be primary biliary cholangitis?

Aim: Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease, typically diagnosed by elevated cholestatic liver enzymes and a positive antimitochondrial antibody (AMA) test. The clinical significance of AMA positivity in patients with normal cholestatic liver enzymes is uncertain.

Methods: Charts of patients with normal cholestatic liver enzymes and AMA positivity who underwent liver biopsy between 2012 and 2015 were retrospectively analyzed.

Secondary sclerosing cholangitis following major burn.

Background And Aims: Secondary sclerosing cholangitis in critically ill patients (SSC-CIP) is a relatively new previously unrecognized entity which may lead to severe biliary disease with rapid progression to cirrhosis. We present for the first time a case series of patients with rapidly progressive SSC-CIP requiring aggressive intensive care treatment following major burn injury.

Results: SSC-CIP was diagnosed in 4 consecutive patients hospitalized due to major burn injuries at our Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

[Non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis].

Chronic liver diseases represent a major public health problem, accounting for significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Prognosis and management of chronic liver diseases depend on the amount of liver fibrosis. Liver biopsy has long remained the gold standard for assessment of liver fibrosis.

Prevalence of hepatitis E virus antibodies, Israel, 2009-2010.

We investigated prevalence of hepatitis E virus in a sample of the population of Israel. The overall seroprevalence of antibodies to the virus was 10.6% (95% CI 8.

Ciliated hepatic foregut cyst with high intra-cystic carbohydrate antigen 19-9 level.

A ciliated hepatic foregut cyst (CHFC) is a rare foregut developmental malformation usually diagnosed in adulthood. Five percent of reported cases of CHFC transform into squamous cell carcinoma. We report the presentation, evaluation, and surgical management of a symptomatic 45-year-old male found to have a 6.

[Nodular regenerative hyperplasia as a complication of thiopurine treatment in a patient with inflammatory bowel disease].

Immunomodulator therapy with thiopurine analogues azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine is commonly prescribed for the treatment of organ transplantation, inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune diseases and malignancies. Hepatotoxicity due to thiopurine analogues usually presents as an increase in serum transaminase levels. Toxicity is usually not severe, and a dose reduction is effective in most patients.