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Introduction: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a worldwide problem and hepatitis, which is its natural unfavourable course, is still a challenge for hepatologist. At present, standards of treatment are changing from combined therapy with interferon alpha (IFN-α) and ribavirin to new antiviral drugs. The current classification divides interferon induced thyroid diseases (IITD) into two groups: autoimmune (Hashimoto disease, Graves disease, positive antithyroid autoantibodies in euthyroid patients) and non-autoimmune (destructive thyroiditis, non-autoimmune hypothyroidism). A common complication of cytokine therapy is the induction of antithyroid autoantibodies de novo without thyroid dysfunction. During therapeutic regimens combined with ribavirin, destructive thyroiditis with typical biphasic course is more common than in IFN-α monotherapy. Clinically, overt pathologies often have discrete symptoms, which cause diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas. Aims: The aim of this study was to estimate IITD occurrence, to find risk factors for IITD development. Material and methods: The study group consisted of 66 patients treated for HCV infection. Before and during antiviral therapy, hormonal (TSH, fT4, fT3), immunological (thyroid autoantibodies), ultrasonographic and genetic (HLA-A2) parameters were evaluated. Results: Hormonal disturbances were detected in 24.2% of patients; however, 43.9% of patients had positive thyroid autoantibodies (de novo) without hormonal imbalance. Multivariate analysis revealed the following: female sex, elevated TSH level, occurrence of anti-TPO autoantibodies (TPO-Ab), and increased blood velocity in thyroid arteries are risk factors for IITD development. In conclusion: Thyroid disorders are common during IFN-α therapy. Previous epidemiological data seem to be underestimated. Important risk factors for IITD development are: female sex, elevated serum TSH concentration (≥2.5 μU/mL), positive TPO-Ab and increased blood velocity in thyroid arteries.

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of peginterferon alfa-2a [40KD] (Peg-IFNalpha-2a) plus ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C in an open-label programme in a routine clinical setting in Poland. Patients received Peg-IFNalpha-2a 180mg/week plus ribavirin 800-1200 mg/d for 48 weeks. Sustained virological response (SVR) was defined as undetectable HCV RNA (50IU/mL) at the end of follow-up (week 72). 466 adults were enrolled. Most patients (87.3%) had genotype 1 infection. 440 subjects (94,4%) completed treatment. The overall SVR rate was 55.7%. A higher SVR rate was obtained in treatment-naïve patients (58.7%) than in relapsers (47.8%; p=0,048). SVR rates in genotype 1 and non-1 patients were 51.1% and 88.5%, respectively (p0.001). There were significant higher SVR rates in patients with lower baseline fibrosis (p=0,01). There were no differences in SVRs by gender or viral load. Hemoglobin, leukocyte and neutrophil levels decreased significantly during treatment, but returned to baseline after the end of treatment. ALT levels decreased significantly during treatment in patients with and without an SVR. 38.4% of patients experienced adverse events like neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and other. There was one death (severe thrombocytopenia).The overall SVR achieved in this predominantly genotype 1 population was 55.7%. SVR rates were significantly higher in treatment-naïve patients, those with non-1 genotypes, and in patients with lower baseline fibrosis scores.

Hereditary hemochromatosis is one of the most frequent genetic disorders in Europeans, but its prevalence in Poland is still unknown. The aim of the study was an initial assessment of the prevalence of C282Y and H62D HFE gene mutations and their influence on the course of chronic hepatitis C. Forty-one patients were admitted to the Department of Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Gdansk in 2000-2004 because of chronic liver diseases with accompanying disturbances in iron metabolism. Genetic tests for the C282Y and H63D mutations were performed by PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. The HFE gene mutations were confirmed in 24 of 41 (59%) cases with symptoms of chronic liver disease and iron overload, significantly more frequently in HCV-negative patients (12/14 vs. 12/27; chi2=8.28; p=0.05). The C282Y and H63D HFE gene mutations were detected in 16 of 41 (39%) and 9 of 41 (22%) cases, respectively. HCV-negative patients were C282Y carriers significantly more frequently than HCV-positive patients [9/14 vs. 2/27 C282Y homozygotes; 2/14 vs. 3/27 C282Y heterozygotes (p0.0001)]. The carrier state of the H63D HFE gene mutation was not significantly more frequent in HCV-positive than HCV-negative patients. HCV infection seems to be a negative predictive marker of HFE gene mutations in patients with iron overload. The relationship of H63D HFE gene mutations with chronic hepatitis C and the possible influence of HCV infection on iron metabolism needs further analysis.

The significance of HCV-RNA presence in the liver tissue in chronic hepatitis C activity or prognosis has not yet been clearly explained. Therefore, we have examined the relationship between the presence of HCV-RNA in the liver and selected parameters of disease activity and liver damage. A group of 48 chronically HCV infected patients (7-63 years old, mean 39 years) was evaluated. In the patients we assessed the activity of transaminases (ALT, AST), gammaglutamyltransferase (GGTP), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The patients underwent routine liver biopsies and the liver tissue was examined histopathologically and in order to detect the presence of HCV-RNA, by means of a combined procedure joining a new method of HCV-RNA extraction from the liver tissue and HCV-RNA detection with RT-PCR automatic Cobas Amplicor Hepatitis C ver. 2.0 assay (Roche Diagnostics). At the time of the liver biopsy, 44 of the patients were identified as having detectable serum HCV-RNA (as examined by means of Cobas Amplicor Hepatitis C ver. 2.0 assay), 3 patients were negative, and 1 was not tested. The presence of HCV-RNA in the liver tissues was detected in 39 cases (81.2%). In the parameters examined we have not found any significant differences between currently liver HCV-RNA positive and negative patients. Presence of the detectable HCV-RNA in the liver bioptats from chronic hepatitis C patients does not correlate with disease activity or level of liver damage.

Primary hepatocellular carcinoma very often develops in the cirrhotic liver. Surgical treatment of cirrhotic patients is associated with considerable risk. Even partial resection of the liver carries the risk of liver failure in such patients. Therefore, the thermoablation technique used in patients with liver tumors and cirrhosis, arouses considerable interest. The aim of the study was preliminary assessment of the value of radiofrequency (RFA) ablation in the treatment of HCC in patients with hepatic cirrhosis.From April 2001 to April 2002, 14 patients aged 30-79 with cirrhosis and focal lesions of primary liver tumor type (carcinoma hepatocellulare) were treated with transcutaneous thermoablation. Transcutaneous thermoablation with Cool Tip Equipment probe (Radionics) was performed under local anesthesia induced after intravenous sedation, or under general anesthesia with propofol (TIVA). In case of single lesions up to 3 cm in diameter, the exposure to thermal waves lasted 12 min, in case of larger lesions 2 to 4 sessions were used. The effects of RFA were assessed intraoperatively by means of USG, measuring the coagulation area, and then MRI was performed to confirm complete destruction of the lesions. The response to treatment was assessed by CT after 8 weeks.Among 8 patients with single focal lesions complete remission (CR) was obtained in 4, and partial remission (PR) in the remaining 4 cases. One subject with CR died 5 months later because of hemorrhage from esophageal varices. Among 6 patients with more than one HCC focus subjected to RFA, CR was obtained in 1, PR in 3, and one female patient who underwent the procedure in the period of non-compensated liver function, died 1.5 months later because of hepatic failure. Repeated thermoablation is considered in patients with PR.1. Radiofrequency ablation is a safe method of treatment of HCC in patients with cirrhosis. 2. One of the advantages of RFA is that it can be performed repeatedly. 3. RFA can be combined with other methods.

The aim of the study was the analysis of patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), with respect to diagnostics, clinical course and treatment, based on the material from the wards of infectious diseases.The study was carried out in the group of 106 AIH patients--95 females aged 11-81 (mean age 46 years) and 11 males aged 8-73 (mean age 35 years). The diagnosis of AIH was based on international criteria, including biochemical test results, autoantibodies, and liver tissue morphology. Serological test excluded hepatitis of viral etiology. Diagnostic procedures included also blood cell count, biochemical parameters of liver function with protein fractions, immunoassays (immunoglobulins, autoantibodies), according to commonly used methods. Liver biopsies were performed in 93 patients.The clinical presentation mimicked acute viral hepatitis in 75% of cases, in the remaining 25% corresponded to chronic viral hepatitis. 26% had other coincident disorders of autoimmune etiology. In 84% the initial stage of the disease was characterized with moderately severe course, in 11%--severe, 7% of the patients died--half of them at the initial stage of the disease. The following morphological patterns of hepatic abnormalities were observed: hepatitis chronica agresiva, fibrosis periportalis, hepatitis chronica agresiva in cirrhosim vertens, cirrhosis hepatis activa, hepatitis chronica persistence, hepatitis granulomatosa. Over 40% of patients demonstrated relapses of the disease due to discontinuation of treatment after obtaining clinical and biochemical remission. 51 patients were treated with glucocorticosteroid monotherapy, the same number with glucocorticosteroids combined with azathioprine, 1 female patient underwent liver transplantation. In nearly 30% of patients, the diagnosis of AIH was established after a period of persistence of pathologic symptoms of over a year.Late diagnoses of AIH indicate insufficient knowledge of the disease among physicians. The methods of treatment used in AIH are not sufficiently effective. Discontinuation of treatment should be preceded in each case by overall assessment of the pathologic process, including biochemical parameters, autoantibody level and liver histopathology.

Patients with chronic liver damage often suffer from functional disturbances and pathologic changes in the stomach, including ulceration, erosions and chronic gastritis. It was attempted to establish whether there is a correlation between histopathologic abnormalities of the gastric mucosa and the extent of histopathologic changes in liver bioptates, i.e. inflammatory activity and fibrosis (Knodell's index) in patients with chronic hepatopathy.The study was carried out in 4 groups of patients: groups I--10 subjects with autoimmune hepatitis, group II--9 patients with chronic toxic liver damage, group III--11 patients with chronic hepatitis caused by HBV, and group IV--36 patients with chronic hepatitis caused by HCV. All the patients underwent gastroscopy with collection of gastric mucosa bioptates (from the antrum and the gastric body) as well as liver biopsy.The most frequent gastroscopy finding in all the studied groups were signs of gastritis: in group I--90%, in group II--78%, in group III--64% and in group IV--99%. Gastric mucosa histopathology assessed according to Whitehead's classification most frequently led to the diagnosis of gastritis chronica profunda (Group I--80%, Group II--78%, Group III--73% and Group IV--58%). No correlation was found between inflammatory activity in the liver assessed according to Knodell's scale and the extent of changes in histopathology of the gastric mucosa (p = 0.1). A negative correlation which, however, does not reach significance level (p = 0.054), is observed between the extent of fibrosis in liver bioptates and histopathologic abnormalities in the gastric mucous membrane.No statistically significant correlation between the extent of gastric mucosa damage and severity of inflammatory lesions and hepatic fibrosis was found.

The aim of the study was to assess the prognostic value of HCV RNA detection in hepatic tissue for the response to treatment with interferon alfa (IFN) and ribavirin (RIB) in patients with chronic hepatitis C.A group of 55 patients infected with HCV was examined before the commencement of treatment with IFN and RIB. In all of them HCV RNA was detected in the serum. The presence of HCV RNA in hepatic tissue was confirmed using a technique combining a new method of HCV RNA extraction from hepatic tissue and detection of HCV RNA with RT-PCR Cobas Amplicor Roche tests. The group of 55 patients received IFN (3-6 MU, 3 times a week) and RIB (800-1200 mg daily) for 6 to 12 months. The response to treatment was assessed 6 months after completion of the therapy. Sustained response (SR) was defined as absence of HCV RNA in the serum and normalization of ALT levels.The presence of HCV RNA in hepatic tissue was confirmed in 48 patients (group A), and in 7 (group B) HCV RNA was not detected in the liver. SR was observed in 17 patients from group A and 6 from group B. Significant correlation (p0.05) was found between detection of HCV RNA in hepatic tissue and response to IFN + RIB therapy.As it follows from our results, the detection of HCV RNA in the hepatic tissue of a patient with chronic hepatitis C may be a negative prognostic factor for the patient's response to IFN + RIB therapy.

Systematic biochemical and histopathological studies carried out in patients with diagnosed chronic liver diseases (cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma) confirm the important pathogenetic role of commonly occurring accumulation of iron deposits, and not only in the classic form of hemochromatosis. The reports concern the pathologic role of iron storage in the liver often accompanying metabolic disturbance syndrome including obesity, type II diabetes and hypertension. The aim of the study was preliminary assessment of the incidence of iron metabolism disturbances in the population of patients with chronic liver diseases.Among 351 patients of the Department of Infectious Diseases who had histopathologic investigations of liver bioptates performed in 2000-2001, 99 subjects (28%) with morphological confirmation of iron deposition in the liver were selected. Retrospective analysis based on data from the patients' medical records took into consideration demographic information, results of laboratory tests (blood levels of hemoglobin, ALAT, iron, ferritin) and the ultimate diagnosis. The correlations between iron metabolism disturbances and the observed liver pathology were analyzed.The study group consisted of 99 subjects including 77 males (mean age 42.8 yrs) and 22 females (mean age 47.5 yrs). Most of them had been diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C, (N = 39). Liver damage due to hyperlipidemia was diagnosed in 12, and toxic liver damage in 11 patients. Subjects with chronic renal failure and after antitumor therapy accounted for 14%. In 7 patients, hemochromatosis was diagnosed or suspected. In that group, mean serum ferritin level amounted to 959.3 ng/ml. In 79% of cases, ALT values fell within the 41-500 IU/l range, whereas iron and ferritin levels exceeded the normal limits in 49% and 71% of cases, respectively. The preliminary analysis of pathologic iron accumulation in liver bioptates in relation to biochemical parameters of iron metabolism measured in the blood did not allow unequivocal confirmation of linear correlation between these phenomena.1. Over 1/4 of patients diagnosed because of chronic liver diseases demonstrated excessive accumulation of iron in liver bioptates. 2. The analyzed group consisted predominantly of males with chronic hepatitis C. 3. Metabolic or toxic liver damage was diagnosed n 1/3 of cases. 4. No unequivocal confirmation of correlation between pathologic iron accumulation in the liver and values of iron metabolism parameters in blood was obtained.