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Introduction: Various factors, including viruses, are involved in developing liver cirrhosis. Although the association of human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) with liver cirrhosis remains poorly understood, a significant increase in the titer of antibodies against this virus has been observed in cirrhotic patients. The present study aimed to evaluate the frequency of HHV-8-immunoglobulin G (HHV-8 IgG) in Iranian patients with liver cirrhosis. Material & Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 30 healthy blood donors and 30 patients with liver cirrhosis related to hepatitis B (n=20) and hepatitis C (n=10) viruses from those waiting for liver transplantation were included. The serum seropositivity of HHV-8 IgG antibody was evaluated using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Results: The seropositivity of HHV-8 IgG antibodies in patients and healthy groups was 6.7% (2 patients) and 3.3% (1 case), respectively, which did not show a significant difference between the two groups (P=0.554). In addition, the infection was not significantly related to the age and gender of the patients (P>0.05). Discussion & Conclusion: Considering the low prevalence of HHV-8 infection in Iranian patients with liver cirrhosis, it can be concluded that HHV-8 may not be associated with the incidence and progression of liver cirrhosis. Therefore, HHV-8 monitoring will not raise the concern about the development or worsening of liver disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatitis C is a major cause of chronic hepatitis in developed countries. According to the World Health Organization, about 170 to 200 million people are infected worldwide with hepatitis C virus with 3-4 million newly infected patients annually. The approval of sofosbuvir drug by the FDA has led to new horizons ahead of non-atherosclerotic treatments in people with hepatitis C. Sofosbuvir is a NS5B (Non structural Protein 5B) polymerase nucleoside analogue inhibitor in a hepatitis C virus, which is consumed as a food. But sofosbuvir alone is not effective and should be given together with another drug such as a NS5A inhibitor. Although generic versions of sofosbuvir and other DAA (Direct Acting Anti-hepatitis C Virus) drugs are available now at cheap prices, finding patients is a major problem and treating is not enough for eradication, and a vaccine is required. Unfortunately, despite the considerable efforts so far, no vaccine has been developed for prevention and treatment of this disease. In this review, we tried to discuss the studies conducted over the past decade to develop vaccines for hepatitis C, with an emphasis on DNA vaccine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Shiraz Liver Transplant Audit collects information on all liver transplantations that are carried out in Iran. In this paper, we describe these transplantations and their outcomes in adult patients according to the primary liver disease diagnosis, type and period of transplantation. Methods: A prospective cohort study carried on 364 orthotropic liver transplantations in Shiraz Namazi hospital from June 2002 to July 2008. Actual survival rates, calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, were compared using the log-rank test. To determine independent prognostic factors for survival, the Cox regression model was used. Findings: Among the 364 patients included in this study (age range: 13-39 years; 327 [68.1%] men), the most common causes of liver disease were hepatitis B and C virus infection (25.8). Overall patient survival rates at 1, 2, 5 and 6 years after Orthotopic Liver Transplantation (OLT) were 83.7%, 82%, 82% and 82%, respectively. Mean and SE of Survival time of patients were 64.6 ± 1.7 (CI95%: 61.2-67.9). Short time and long time survival of these patients in both sexes and between age groups were similar. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that these improvements only be explained by donors age between 20-40 years old. Conclusion: In summary, Orthotopic Liver Transplantation has developed into a safe and successful treatment for end-stage liver disease with satisfactory long-terms results. Our experience with liver transplantation indicates comparable success rate to similar reports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of viral hepatitis in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and imposes a major social and economic burden. Major risk factors for HCV transmission include organ transplantation، longer duration of Hemodialysis (HD) and the mode of dialysis. Previous studies blood transfusion was suggested as an important risk factor، but recent reports do not recognize blood transfusion as an independent risk factor in HCV spread among HD subjects. HCV screening for anti-HCV antibodies on admission and semiannually in HD patients is recommended for all HD patients. During the natural history of this disease، there is no association between the severity of histological changes and HCV-RNA levels and liver biopsy is the only accurate mean for assessing the severity. In HD patients، ribavirin is not recommended for patients with a glomerular filtration <50ml/min/1.73m2. Pegylated interferon is also not recommended in patients with renal insufficiency. IFN-α monotherapy remains the treatment of choice in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hepatitis B and C infections have remained major global health burdens during the most recent century. The viral agents responsible for these diseases share common modes of transmission with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) such as needle-sharing in IV drug abusers. Coinfection of hepatitis B or C with HIV increases the rate of progression of chronic liver disease. Given the lack of data in Iran, in particular Khorasan Razavi Province, with regards to this coinfection, the present study evaluates the frequency distribution of hepatitis B and C coinfection with HIV infection and their modes of transmission. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study based on available data at the Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Center, Emam Reza Hospital, Mashhad, Iran. We used questionnaires to collect demographic data from 749 patients infected with hepatitis B or C who refered to this clinic between 2005 and 2008. The available sera of these patients were tested for the coexistence of HIV infection with hepatitis B or C infections. The results were analyzed with SPSS version 16 software. Results: From 749 patients infected with hepatitis B or C viruses, 650 were infected with hepatitis B (64.9% male and 35.1% female). There was no HIV antibody detected in any of the patients' sera who had hepatitis B infection. Among the 106 patients with hepatitis C infection (84% male and 16% female), only one (0.9%) who was an IV drug abuser tested positive for HIV infection. Hepatitis B/hepatitis C coinfection was found in 7 (0.9%) patients. With regards to the risk factors of viral transmission among those with hepatitis B infection, the most common was a positive family history of hepatitis B (37.2%). Other risk factors in order of decreasing frequency included a history of venesection and tattooing (13.8%), transfusions (7.1%), IV drug abuse (2.6%), needle stick accidents (2.3%), and high-risk sexual activity (0.6%). In those with hepatitis C infection, a history of IV drug abuse was the most common risk factor (40.6%), followed by a history of transfusions (28.3%), venesection or tattooing (16%), surgery (13.2%), needle stick accidents (4.7%), hepatitis C infection in a family member (2.8%), and unsafe sexual contact (0.9%). There was a significant difference in the transmission risk factor ratio between hepatitis B and C patients (p=0.001, χ²=261/590) Conclusion: The most common risk factor for transmission of hepatitis B and C infections in patients who presented to Emam Reza Hospital, a referral center in Mashhad, was a positive family history o f hepatitis B infection and IV drug abuse, respectively. The prevalence of HIV coinfection amongst patients with hepatitis B or C infections was low. However, further studies with larger populations are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hepatitis C, as a major public health problem, is associated with increased prevalence of psychiatric disorders, particularly depression. This study was performed to determine the prevalence of depression and anxiety in patients with hepatitis C and to detect related risk factors among these patients. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, patients with chronic hepatitis C who referred to Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center of Isfahan, Iran were studied. Subjects were selected by simple random sampling during a 4-month period. They all completed a validated questionnaire including demographics and information related to depression and anxiety. Zung Self rating Anxiety Scale and Beck Depression Inventory were used. The data was finally analyzed. Findings: Among 264 patients with chronic hepatitis C (262 males and 2 females; mean age: 34.4 ± 6.7 years), 85.7% had no depression, 8.9% had mild depression and 5.4% had moderate depression. Anxiety was observed in 17.9% of the subjects from which 17% had mild to moderate and 0.9% had sever anxiety. There were significant relationships between depression and marital status and job. Anxiety also had significant relationships with history of addiction, job, time of drug usage and place of living. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated the high prevalence of depression and anxiety in patients with hepatitis C. Such patients, especially those with related risk factors such as unemployment, being single, etc.) require psychiatry consultation and constant monitoring of psychiatric disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]