Non-invasive markers of liver fibrosis in fatty liver disease are unreliable in people of South Asian descent.

Objective: Liver biopsy is the most accurate method for determining stage and grade of injury in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Given risks and limitations of biopsy, non-invasive tests such as NAFLD fibrosis score, aspartate transaminase (AST) to platelet ratio index, Fib-4, AST/alanine transaminase ratio and BARD are used. Prevalence and severity of NAFLD and metabolic syndrome vary by ethnicity, yet tests have been developed in largely white populations.

SB 9200, a novel agonist of innate immunity, shows potent antiviral activity against resistant HCV variants.

SB 9200 is a novel, first-in-class oral modulator of innate immunity that is believed to act via the activation of the RIG-I and NOD2 pathways. SB 9200 has broad-spectrum antiviral activity against RNA viruses including hepatitis C virus (HCV), norovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and influenza and has demonstrated activity against hepatitis B virus (HBV) in vitro and in vivo. In phase I clinical trials in chronically infected HCV patients, SB 9200 has been shown to reduce HCV RNA by up to 1.

Hepatitis C genotype 1.

Purpose Of Review: To assess advances in the treatment of genotype 1 (G1 hepatitis C virus), in particular, the development of new interferon (and ribavirin)-free treatment regimes.

Recent Findings: The treatment of hepatitis C has advanced rapidly over the last 24 months. Newer interferon-containing regimes have been developed with improved tolerability, and interferon-free regimes with outstanding efficacy and improved tolerability have been developed.

Hepatitis E infection is an under recognized cause of acute decompensation in patients with chronic liver disease.

Background/aims: We aimed to assess characteristics of patients with a positive hepatitis E virus serology with emphasis on acute on chronic liver disease.

Methods: This was a retrospective audit performed at a large teaching hospital.

Results: Of the 164 patients tested, 15(9.

The molecular mechanisms of vascular restenosis: Which genes are crucial?

Many patients with coronary heart disease undergo percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) to improve myocardial tissue perfusion. However, a major complication after revascularisation procedures is restenosis of the injured artery. The molecular mechanism involved is not fully elucidated and no successful treatment is currently available.