Patterns of viral load in chronic hepatitis B

ABSTRACT Serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA level is a predictor of the development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis B patients. Nevertheless, the distribution of viral load levels in chronic HBV patients in Brazil has yet to be described. This cross-sectional study included 564 participants selected in nine Brazilian cities located in four of the five regions of the country using the database of a medical diagnostics company. Admission criteria included hepatitis B surface antigen seropositivity, availability of HBV viral load samples and age ≥ 18 years. Males comprised 64.5% of the study population. Mean age was 43.7 years. Most individuals (62.1%) were seronegative for the hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg). Median serum ALT level was 34 U/L. In 58.5% of the patients HBV-DNA levels ranged from 300 to 99,999 copies/mL; however, in 21.6% levels were undetectable. Median HBV-DNA level was 2,351 copies/mL. Over 60% of the patients who tested negative for HBeAg and in whom ALT level was less than 1.5 times the upper limit of the normal range had HBV-DNA levels > 2,000 IU/mL, which has been considered a cut-off point for indicating a liver biopsy and/or treatment. In conclusion, HBV-DNA level identified a significant proportion of Brazilian individuals with chronic hepatitis B at risk of disease progression. Furthermore, this tool enables those individuals with high HBV-DNA levels who are susceptible to disease progression to be identified among patients with normal or slightly elevated ALT

Effect of HFE gene polymorphism on sustained virological response in patients with chronic hepatitis C and elevated serum ferritin

CONTEXT: Abnormal serum ferritin levels are found in approximately 20%-30% of the patients with chronic hepatitis C and are associated with a lower response rate to interferon therapy. OBJECTIVE: To determine if the presence of HFE gene mutations had any effect on the sustained virological response rate to interferon based therapy in chronic hepatitis C patients with elevated serum ferritin. METHODS: A total of 44 treatment naÏve patients with histologically demonstrated chronic hepatitis C, all infected with hepatitis C virus genotype non-1 (38 genotype 3; 6 genotype 2) and serum ferritin above 500 ng/mL were treated with interferon (3 MU, 3 times a week) and ribavirin (1.000 mg, daily) for 24 weeks. RESULTS: Sustained virological response was defined as negative qualitative HCV-RNA more than 24 weeks after the end of treatment. Serum HCV-RNA was measured by qualitative in house polymerase chain reaction with a limit of detection of 200 IU/mL. HFE gene mutation was detected using restriction-enzyme digestion with RsaI (C282Y mutation analysis) and BclI (H63D mutation analysis) in 16 (37%) patients, all heterozygous (11 H63D, 2 C282Y and 3 both). Sustained virological response was achieved in 0 of 16 patients with HFE gene mutations and 11 (41%) of 27 patients without HFE gene mutations (P = 0.002; exact Fisher test). CONCLUSION: Heterozigozity for H63D and/or C282Y HFE gene mutation predicts absence of sustained virological response to combination treatment with interferon and ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C, non-1 genotype and serum ferritin levels above 500 ng/mL

Efeito da resposta ao tratamento antiviral na ocorrência de carcinoma hepatocelular em pacientes com cirrose pelo vírus c

Introdução/Objetivo: Existem evidências indicando que a resposta virológica sustentada (RVS) ao tratamento com interferon pode estar associada com menor incidência de carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC) em pacientes com cirrose causada pelo vírus da hepatite C (VHC). O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar a incidência de CHC em cirróticos com RVS versus sem RVS. Métodos: Foram selecionados 85 pacientes com cirrose compensada (Child A) secundária ao VHC, confirmada por biópsia, sem quaisquer outras causas de doença hepática. Todos foram submetidos a tratamento com interferon ± ribavirina por pelo menos 24 semanas. Antes do tratamento nenhum paciente apresentava evidência de CHC à ultrassonografia abdominal (US). RVS foi definida como RNA do VHC negativo (PCR qualitativo com limite de detecção de 50 UI/ml) 24 semanas após o final do tratamento. Foram incluídos apenas pacientes com seguimento semestral com US e alfa-fetoproteína e anual com PCR por mais de 12 meses após o final do tratamento. O CHC foi diagnosticado por biópsia ou achados coincidentes de lesão focal com diâmetro superior a 2cm na US e tomografia computadorizada helicoidal trifásica com sinais de hipervascularização arterial. Resultados: Dos 85 pacientes, 38 (45%) alcançaram RVS e 47 (55%) não. A média do seguimento em pacientes com RVS versus sem RVS foi de 32,1 ± 20 meses (variação: 12-84 meses) e 28,2 ± 18 meses (variação: 12-96 meses), respectivamente (P=0,51). O CHC foi diagnosticado em 1 (3%) dos 38 pacientes com RVS e 8 (17%) dos 47 pacientes sem RVS (P=0,02; Razão de chance: 0,13; Intervalo de confiança de 95%: 0,006-0,9). As características pré-tratamento foram semelhantes entre os pacientes com e sem RVS, tanto demográficas (idade e sexo) quanto clínicas (Child A, média da dose total de interferon e tempo de seguimento). Além da ocorrência de CHC, a única outra variável com diferença significativa encontrada entre os grupos com e sem RVS foi o percentual de pacientes com genótipo 1 (13% versus 35%, respectivamente; P = 0,04). Comparando-se os pacientes com e sem CHC, a única variável com diferença estatisticamente significativa encontrada foi o percentual de RVS (11% versus 49%, respectivamente; P = 0,03). Conclusões: Pacientes com cirrose pelo VHC que atingem RVS têm menor incidência de CHC quando comparados àqueles sem RVS. A única diferença entre os grupos com e sem CHC foi a ocorrência de RVS. Este achado indica que a ausência do VHC pode tanto representar fator protetor direto contra o CHC, quanto servir como marcador indireto para identificar cirróticos com menor probabilidade de desenvolver CHC.Background/Aim: There is strong evidence that sustained virologic response (SVR) to interferon treatment has an impact on the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with hepatitis C virus (HVC) related cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to compare the rate of HCC among HCV cirrhotics with vs without SVR. Methods: Eighty five biopsy proven cirrhotic patients with HCV infection (PCR positive), without any other form of liver disease were included. All were treated with interferon (IFN) ± ribavirin (RBV) for at least 24 weeks. Before treatment, all patients were compensated (Child A) and had no evidence of HCC on abdominal ultrasound (US). None had previous hepatic decompensation. SVR was defined as negative HCV-RNA (qualitative PCR with a limit of detection of 50 IU/ml) 24 weeks after end of treatment. Patients followed every 6 months with US and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) for > 12 months after end of therapy were included. HCC was diagnosed by liver biopsy and/or coincident findings of focal lesion > 2 cm on US and spiral CT with arterial hypervascularization. Results: Thirty eight (45%) were SVRs and 47 (55%) were not. Mean follow-up was 32,1 ± 20 months (range:12-84 months) in SVRs vs 28,2 ± 18 months (range:12-96 months) in no-SVRs (P=0.51). HCC was diagnosed in 1 (3%) of 38 SVRs vs 8 (17%) of 47 patients without SVR (P=0.02; OR:0.13, 95% CI:0.006-0.9). All had similar pre-treatment characteristics (age, sex, liver function, Child A, total interferon dose and follow-up time). Besides HCC incidence, the only significant difference between SVRs and no-SVRs was the rate of genotype 1 (13% vs 35%, respectively, P = 0.04). Comparing patients with and without HCC, the only significant difference was found in the rate of SVR (11% vs 49%, respectively; P = 0,03). Conclusion: HCV cirrhotics with SVR have a lower incidence of HCC compared to those without SVR. The only difference between the groups with and without HCC was the rate of SVR. This finding may indicate that either absence of HCV-RNA truly protects against HCC, or acts as surrogate marker to identify cirrhotics that have a low probability of HCC development on long-term follow-up

Efeito da resposta ao tratamento antiviral na ocorrência de carcinoma hepatocelular em pacientes com cirrose pelo vírus c

Introdução/Objetivo: Existem evidências indicando que a resposta virológica sustentada (RVS) ao tratamento com interferon pode estar associada com menor incidência de carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC) em pacientes com cirrose causada pelo vírus da hepatite C (VHC). O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar a incidência de CHC em cirróticos com RVS versus sem RVS. Métodos: Foram selecionados 85 pacientes com cirrose compensada (Child A) secundária ao VHC, confirmada por biópsia, sem quaisquer outras causas de doença hepática. Todos foram submetidos a tratamento com interferon ± ribavirina por pelo menos 24 semanas. Antes do tratamento nenhum paciente apresentava evidência de CHC à ultrassonografia abdominal (US). RVS foi definida como RNA do VHC negativo (PCR qualitativo com limite de detecção de 50 UI/ml) 24 semanas após o final do tratamento. Foram incluídos apenas pacientes com seguimento semestral com US e alfa-fetoproteína e anual com PCR por mais de 12 meses após o final do tratamento. O CHC foi diagnosticado por biópsia ou achados coincidentes de lesão focal com diâmetro superior a 2cm na US e tomografia computadorizada helicoidal trifásica com sinais de hipervascularização arterial. Resultados: Dos 85 pacientes, 38 (45%) alcançaram RVS e 47 (55%) não. A média do seguimento em pacientes com RVS versus sem RVS foi de 32,1 ± 20 meses (variação: 12-84 meses) e 28,2 ± 18 meses (variação: 12-96 meses), respectivamente (P=0,51). O CHC foi diagnosticado em 1 (3%) dos 38 pacientes com RVS e 8 (17%) dos 47 pacientes sem RVS (P=0,02; Razão de chance: 0,13; Intervalo de confiança de 95%: 0,006-0,9). As características pré-tratamento foram semelhantes entre os pacientes com e sem RVS, tanto demográficas (idade e sexo) quanto clínicas (Child A, média da dose total de interferon e tempo de seguimento). Além da ocorrência de CHC, a única outra variável com diferença significativa encontrada entre os grupos com e sem RVS foi o percentual de pacientes com genótipo 1 (13% versus 35%, respectivamente; P = 0,04). Comparando-se os pacientes com e sem CHC, a única variável com diferença estatisticamente significativa encontrada foi o percentual de RVS (11% versus 49%, respectivamente; P = 0,03). Conclusões: Pacientes com cirrose pelo VHC que atingem RVS têm menor incidência de CHC quando comparados àqueles sem RVS. A única diferença entre os grupos com e sem CHC foi a ocorrência de RVS. Este achado indica que a ausência do VHC pode tanto representar fator protetor direto contra o CHC, quanto servir como marcador indireto para identificar cirróticos com menor probabilidade de desenvolver CHC.Background/Aim: There is strong evidence that sustained virologic response (SVR) to interferon treatment has an impact on the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with hepatitis C virus (HVC) related cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to compare the rate of HCC among HCV cirrhotics with vs without SVR. Methods: Eighty five biopsy proven cirrhotic patients with HCV infection (PCR positive), without any other form of liver disease were included. All were treated with interferon (IFN) ± ribavirin (RBV) for at least 24 weeks. Before treatment, all patients were compensated (Child A) and had no evidence of HCC on abdominal ultrasound (US). None had previous hepatic decompensation. SVR was defined as negative HCV-RNA (qualitative PCR with a limit of detection of 50 IU/ml) 24 weeks after end of treatment. Patients followed every 6 months with US and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) for > 12 months after end of therapy were included. HCC was diagnosed by liver biopsy and/or coincident findings of focal lesion > 2 cm on US and spiral CT with arterial hypervascularization. Results: Thirty eight (45%) were SVRs and 47 (55%) were not. Mean follow-up was 32,1 ± 20 months (range:12-84 months) in SVRs vs 28,2 ± 18 months (range:12-96 months) in no-SVRs (P=0.51). HCC was diagnosed in 1 (3%) of 38 SVRs vs 8 (17%) of 47 patients without SVR (P=0.02; OR:0.13, 95% CI:0.006-0.9). All had similar pre-treatment characteristics (age, sex, liver function, Child A, total interferon dose and follow-up time). Besides HCC incidence, the only significant difference between SVRs and no-SVRs was the rate of genotype 1 (13% vs 35%, respectively, P = 0.04). Comparing patients with and without HCC, the only significant difference was found in the rate of SVR (11% vs 49%, respectively; P = 0,03). Conclusion: HCV cirrhotics with SVR have a lower incidence of HCC compared to those without SVR. The only difference between the groups with and without HCC was the rate of SVR. This finding may indicate that either absence of HCV-RNA truly protects against HCC, or acts as surrogate marker to identify cirrhotics that have a low probability of HCC development on long-term follow-up

Effect of sustained virologic response on the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with HCV cirrhosis

AbstractBackground and objectivesEvidence suggests that sustained virologic response to interferon treatment decreases incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with hepatitis C virus cirrhosis. This study was designed to compare the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma among cirrhotic patients exposed to interferon based treatment with or without achieving a sustained virological response, in order to evaluate the role of interferon itself in the prevention hepatocellular carcinoma.MethodsA cohort of 85 patients with compensated hepatitis C cirrhosis was followed after treatment with interferon and ribavirin. Sustained virological response was defined as negative polymerase chain reaction assay 24 weeks after the end of treatment. Patients were followed every 6 months with ultrasound and alpha-fetoprotein. Hepatocellular carcinoma was diagnosed by the finding of a focal liver lesion greater than 2 cm with arterial hypervascularization on two imaging techniques and/or by liver biopsy.ResultsThe mean follow-up time was 32.1 ± 20 months for patients who achieved a sustained virological response and 28.2 ± 18 months among 47 patients (55%) without SVR. Hepatocellular carcinoma was diagnosed in 1 (3%) vs. 8 (17%) responders and non responders respectively (p = 0.02).ConclusionPatients with cirrhosis due to hepatitis C virus who achieved sustained virological response had significantly lower incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma when compared to those without treatment response. Interferon treatment without achieving sustained virological response does not seem to protect against hepatocellular carcinoma

Effect of sustained virologic response on the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with HCV cirrhosis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Evidence suggests that sustained virologic response to interferon treatment decreases incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with hepatitis C virus cirrhosis. This study was designed to compare the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma among cirrhotic patients exposed to interferon based treatment with or without achieving a sustained virological response, in order to evaluate the role of interferon itself in the prevention hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: A cohort of 85 patients with compensated hepatitis C cirrhosis was followed after treatment with interferon and ribavirin. Sustained virological response was defined as negative polymerase chain reaction assay 24 weeks after the end of treatment. Patients were followed every 6 months with ultrasound and alpha-fetoprotein. Hepatocellular carcinoma was diagnosed by the finding of a focal liver lesion greater than 2 cm with arterial hypervascularization on two imaging techniques and/or by liver biopsy. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 32.1 ± 20 months for patients who achieved a sustained virological response and 28.2 ± 18 months among 47 patients (55%) without SVR. Hepatocellular carcinoma was diagnosed in 1 (3%) vs. 8 (17%) responders and non responders respectively (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Patients with cirrhosis due to hepatitis C virus who achieved sustained virological response had significantly lower incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma when compared to those without treatment response. Interferon treatment without achieving sustained virological response does not seem to protect against hepatocellular carcinom