Genotype 4 HCV infection is difficult to cure with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Results from a Greek Nationwide Cohort Study.

Background And Aim: Patients with genotype 4 (G4) chronic hepatitis C (CHC) are considered a difficult to treat population, although current data on G4 treatment responsiveness and duration are controversial. Greece represents a country with an intermediate prevalence of G4 infections, offering an opportunity to compare treatment outcomes by genotype and to identify potential prognostic factors for sustained virologic response (SVR).

Methods: All CHC patients from the HepNet.

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 resection for large hepatocellular carcinoma in the era of UCSF criteria.

Background: Treating patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a challenge, especially when the disease presents at an advanced stage. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the efficacy of liver resection in patients who fulfil or exceed University of California San Francisco (UCSF) criteria by assessing longterm outcome.

Methods: Between 2002 and 2008, 59 patients with large HCC (>5 cm) underwent hepatectomy.

WITHDRAWN: Liver resection vs radio-frequency ablation in the treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma.

This article has been withdrawn at the request of the Editor in Chief. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at http://www.

Model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, as a prognostic factor for post-operative morbidity and mortality in cirrhotic patients, undergoing hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background/aims: To evaluate the ability of the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) in predicting the post-hepatectomy outcome for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: Between 2001 and 2004, 69 cirrhotic patients with HCC underwent hepatectomy and the results were retrospectively analysed. MELD score was associated with post-operative mortality and morbidity, hospital stay and 3-year survival.

Clamp-crush technique vs. radiofrequency-assisted liver resection for primary and metastatic liver neoplasms.

Background: Several techniques for liver resection have been developed. We compared radiofrequency-assisted (RF) and clamp-crush (CC) liver resection (LR) in terms of blood loss, operating time and short-term outcomes in primary and metastatic tumour resection.

Methods: From 2002 to 2007, 196 consecutive patients with primary or metastatic hepatic tumours underwent RF-LR (n= 109; group 1) or CC-LR (n= 87; group 2) in our unit.

Perioperative risk assessment for hepatocellular carcinoma by using the MELD score.

Background/aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) in predicting post hepatectomy outcome for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: Between 2001 and 2005, 94 cirrhotic patients with HCC underwent hepatectomy and were analyzed retrospectively. MELD score associated with postoperative mortality and morbidity, hospital stay, and 3-year survival.

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.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in cirrhotic patients: the value of MELD score and Child-Pugh classification in predicting outcome.

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a challenging procedure in patients with cirrhosis. This study aims to evaluate the safety and outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with cirrhosis and examines the value of model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score and Child-Pugh classification in predicting morbidity.

Materials And Methods: From January 1995 to July 2008, 220 laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed in cirrhotic, Child-Pugh class A and B patients.

Hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma exceeding Milan criteria.

Background: Many hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) are discovered at an advanced stage. The efficacy of transplantation for such tumors is doubtable. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine liver resection efficacy in patients with large HCC regarding long term and disease- free survival.

Clinicopathological features and natural history of acute sporadic non-(A-E) hepatitis.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to describe the clinicopathological characteristics and the natural history of acute non-(A-E) hepatitis and to assess the possible role of hepatitis G virus (HGV), TT virus (TTV) and mainly SEN virus (SENV).

Methods: A cohort of 55 patients with sporadic acute non-(A-E) hepatitis with a mean follow up of 31 (6-55) months was studied.

Results: The clinical presentation was fulminant in one (1.

Transthoracic approach (TTA) for subdiaphragmatic liver metastasectomy.

Background: Hepatic and pulmonary recurrences are major determinants of survival for patients who have undergone curative resection of colorectal carcinoma. In a selected group of patients, resection of metachronous, liver and lung metastases prolongs survival despite the aggressive nature of these lesions. The experience from an exclusive transthoracic, transdiaphragmatic approach (TTA) is limited.

Sclerosing cholangitis in the era of target chemotherapy: a possible anti-VEGF effect.

Preoperative systemic chemotherapy is generally applied in patients who undergo hepatic resection for colorectal metastases. Although the tumour response rate has been improved recently with the development of new molecular targeted therapies the related hepatic injury is ill defined. Bevacizumab is a monoclonal antibody to vascular endothelial growth factor.

Intrahepatic biliary cystadenoma: a need for radical resection.

Background: Intrahepatic biliary cystadenoma (IBC) is a rare liver tumour, which has strong tendency to recur and malignant potential as it can progress to cystadenocarcinoma (IBCa).

Methods: From June 2003 to December 2006, four patients diagnosed with hepatic cystadenoma were operated on our Liver Surgical Unit. All patients were females with median age of 51 years (range 45-63 years).

Radiofrequency-assisted liver resection.

Background: Surgical resection remains the treatment of choice for primary, secondary liver cancer and a number of benign liver lesions. Complications are mainly related to blood loss. Radiofrequency-assisted liver resection (RF-LR) has been proposed in order to achieve minimal blood loss during parenchymal transection.

Clinical trial: effects of adefovir dipivoxil therapy in Asian and Caucasian patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Background: Two-thirds of the 350 million people infected with chronic hepatitis B virus live in the Asia-Pacific region. AIM To compare the effects of adefovir dipivoxil therapy between Asian and Caucasian patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Methods: The safety and efficacy of 10 mg of adefovir dipivoxil was compared to placebo in 501 Asian (n = 259) or Caucasian (n = 242) HBeAg+ and HBeAg- chronic hepatitis B virus patients treated for 48 weeks in two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies.

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.

Analytical and clinical sensitivity of the Procleix Ultrio HIV-1/HCV/HBV assay in samples with a low viral load.

Background And Objectives: The Procleix Ultrio human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)/hepatitis C virus (HCV)/hepatitis B virus (HBV) (Ultrio) assay simultaneously detects HIV-1 RNA, HCV RNA and HBV DNA in individual blood donations. The main objective of the study was to assess the analytical and clinical sensitivity of the multiplex and discriminatory probe assays in samples with a low viral load.

Material And Methods: The VQC HIV RNA genotype B, HCV RNA genotype 1 and HBV DNA genotype A standard dilutions were tested in 26 repeats.

Clinical significance of organ- and non-organ-specific autoantibodies on the response to anti-viral treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Background: Development of organ- and non-organ-specific autoantibodies has been reported in hepatitis C virus patients treated with interferon-alpha plus/minus ribavirin.

Aims: To address whether prevalence and the titre of gastric parietal autoantibodies and non-organ-specific autoantibody in hepatitis C virus-treated patients were affected by therapy, and if the development of these antibodies carries any clinical significance on the response to treatment, as few studies in adults have been strictly designed to address the above hypothesis.

Methods: Samples at three time-points (baseline, end of treatment, end of follow-up) from 102 hepatitis C virus patients (39 sustained responders, 26 relapsers, 33 non-responders; four lost in follow-up) were studied for gastric parietal autoantibodies and/or non-organ-specific autoantibody by indirect immunofluorescence, commercial and in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

Long-term therapy with adefovir dipivoxil for HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B for up to 5 years.

Background & Aims: Treatment with adefovir dipivoxil for 48 weeks resulted in clinical improvement in patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B that was lost when treatment was discontinued. We investigated the efficacy, safety, and resistance profile of adefovir dipivoxil treatment for up to 240 weeks.

Methods: HBeAg-negative patients were treated double blind with placebo or adefovir dipivoxil 10 mg once daily for 48 weeks, followed by adefovir dipivoxil from week 49 to 96.

Molecular epidemiology of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Greece: temporal trends in HCV genotype-specific incidence and molecular characterization of genotype 4 isolates.

This study aimed to estimate the overall HCV genotype distribution and to reconstruct the HCV genotype-specific incidence in Greece during the recent decades. It also focused at the identification of genotype 4 subtype variability in Greek isolates. A total of 1686 chronically infected HCV patients with detectable serum HCV RNA by RT-PCR, belonging to different risk groups were studied.

Future trends of HCV-related cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma under the currently available treatments.

The epidemic of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major public health issue. We conducted a comprehensive analysis to estimate future HCV-related morbidity and mortality, using a model which is the first to take into account currently available treatments. We reconstructed the incident infections per year in the past that progressed to chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in Greece.

Long-term therapy with adefovir dipivoxil for HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B.

Background: Treatment with adefovir dipivoxil for 48 weeks resulted in histologic, virologic, and biochemical improvement in patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B. We evaluated the effect of continued therapy as compared with cessation of therapy.

Methods: One hundred eighty-five HBeAg-negative patients with chronic hepatitis B were assigned to receive 10 mg of adefovir dipivoxil or placebo once daily for 48 weeks (ratio, 2:1).

A viral kinetic study using pegylated interferon alfa-2b and/or lamivudine in patients with chronic hepatitis B/HBeAg negative.

We studied viral dynamic parameters in 44 chronic hepatitis B/hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)(-) patients treated with pegylated interferon alfa-2b (PEG-IFN) 100 or 200 microg weekly or lamivudine 100 mg daily or the combination of PEG-IFN 100 or 200 microg with lamivudine. Patients receiving PEG-IFN monotherapy exhibited viral load oscillations between weekly injections, which were resolved by the addition of lamivudine. The median pharmacological delay was estimated at 4.

Extended lamivudine treatment in patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B.

Background/aims: The histological and clinical outcome of lamivudine 100mg/day was assessed in 76 HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients previously randomised to a double-blind comparison study of lamivudine and placebo.

Methods: Paired liver biopsies were available before 1 year of randomised lamivudine treatment and after 2 years of further open-label treatment for 48 patients. Serum samples were analysed for hepatitis B markers and ALT levels (n=74).