In February 1996, four serologically confirmed cases of hepatitis A virus (HAV) occurred in one household. Investigation showed that the source was a family member with sub-clinical HAV who attended a Unit for Learning Disabilities. Reports of two further cases in the institution followed and control measures were instigated. Contacts were unwilling to accept human normal immunoglobulin (HNIG). Following salivary antibody and serological testing, hepatitis A vaccine was offered to the non-immune. An investigation found that sub-clinical infection was significantly associated with being less than 5 years old (RR = 6.07, p < 0.005) and being in one particular classroom (RR = 6.21, p < 0.0005). None of the staff in the institution became infected. In all, 31 cases of hepatitis A (18 clinical and 13 subclinical cases) occurred. This paper (a) describes an outbreak of hepatitis A (b) refers to the use of a salivary antibody test (assay performance to be published elsewhere) (c) identifies factors associated with the acquisition of HAV and (d) endeavours to assess the effectiveness of the vaccine to contain the outbreak.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|
Arq Gastroenterol
December 2024
Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, Egypt.
Objective: To investigate the ability of the estimated plasma gene-expression levels of microRNA (miR)-21 and 126 to define patients suspected to have hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among patients with complicated hepatitis-C virus (HCV) infection.
Methods: Patients with uncomplicated (U-HCV) or complicated HCV underwent clinical and ultrasonographic (US) evaluations and assessment for the computerized hepatorenal index, hepatic steatosis index and fibrosis indices. Blood samples were obtained for estimation of serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and plasma expression levels of miR-21 and miR-126 using the quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).
Jpn J Clin Oncol
January 2025
Department of Pathology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Purpose: To achieve a historical perspective, the chronological changes in primary liver cancer over a 20-year period were investigated at a single institution, focusing on shifts in etiology and the impact on imaging and pathological findings using The Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System.
Materials And Methods: A retrospective study of surgically resected primary liver cancer in 680 patients from 2001 to 2020 resulted in 434 patients with 482 nodules being analyzed. Dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography imaging and the Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System 2018 classification were employed.
Viruses
December 2024
Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases "Lazzaro Spallanzani" (IRCCS), 00149 Rome, Italy.
Persistence is a strategy used by many viruses to evade eradication by the immune system, ensuring their permanence and transmission within the host and optimizing viral fitness. During persistence, viruses can trigger various phenomena, including target organ damage, mainly due to an inflammatory state induced by infection, as well as cell proliferation and/or immortalization. In addition to immune evasion and chronic inflammation, factors contributing to viral persistence include low-level viral replication, the accumulation of viral mutants, and, most importantly, maintenance of the viral genome and reliance on viral oncoprotein production.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFViruses
November 2024
Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology Section, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy.
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a global health problem, causing an estimated 20 million infections annually. Thus, the management of HEV requires special consideration. In developed countries, hepatitis E is mainly recognized as a foodborne disease (mainly transmitted via undercooked meat consumption) that is generally caused by genotype 3 and 4 circulating in various animals, including pigs and wild boars.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMicroorganisms
November 2024
Center for Animal Disease Control, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan.
Spotty liver disease (SLD) affects free-range laying hens, leading to mortality and reduced egg production. species, including , have been associated with SLD cases worldwide. However, the cause of SLD-like lesions found in broilers in Japan still remains unclear.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!