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Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a growing problem in children. Children with NAFLD are at potentially high risk for developing T2D; however, the incidence of T2D in this population is unknown. This study aimed to determine the incidence of T2D in children with NAFLD and identify associated risk factors.Children with NAFLD enrolled in the Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Clinical Research Network were followed longitudinally. Incidence of T2D was determined by using clinical history and fasting laboratory values. Cumulative incidence curves were developed for time to T2D. A Cox regression multivariable model was constructed using best subsets Akaike's Information Criteria selection.This study included 892 children with NAFLD and with a mean age of 12.8 years (2.7) followed for 3.8 years (2.3) with a total 3234 person-years at risk. The incidence rate of T2D was 3000 new cases per 100,000 person-years at risk. At baseline, 63 children had T2D, and during follow-up, an additional 97 children developed incident T2D, resulting in a period prevalence of 16.8%. Incident T2D was significantly higher in females versus males (hazard ratio [HR], 1.8 [1.0-2.8]), associated with BMI z-score (HR, 1.8 [1.0-3.0]), and more severe liver histology including steatosis grade (HR, 1.3 [1.0-1.7]), and fibrosis stage (HR, 1.3 [1.0-1.5]).Children with NAFLD are at high risk for existing and incident T2D. In addition to known risk factors for T2D (female and BMI z-score), severity of liver histology at the time of NAFLD diagnosis was independently associated with T2D development. Targeted strategies to prevent T2D in children with NAFLD are needed.

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) can mimic almost all other liver disorders. A phenotype increasingly ascribed to drugs is autoimmune-like hepatitis (ALH). This article summarizes the major topics discussed at a joint International Conference held between Drug-Induced Liver Injury consortium and the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group. DI-ALH is a liver injury with laboratory and/or histological features that may be indistinguishable from those of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). Previous studies have revealed that patients with DI-ALH and those with idiopathic AIH have very similar clinical, biochemical, immunological and histological features. Differentiating DI-ALH from AIH is important as patients with DI-ALH rarely require long-term immunosuppression and often resolve spontaneously after stopping the culprit drug whereas patients with AIH mostly need long-term immunosuppression. Therefore, revision of the diagnosis on long-term follow up may be necessary in some cases. More than 40 different drugs including nitrofurantoin, methyldopa, hydralazine, minocycline, infliximab, herbal and dietary supplements such as Khat and Tinospora cordifolia have been implicated in DI-ALH. Understanding of DI-ALH is limited by the lack of specific markers of the disease that could allow a precise diagnosis and similarly, there is no single feature which is diagnostic of AIH. A management algorithm is proposed. There is an urgent need to prospectively evaluate patients with DI-ALH systematically to enable definitive characterization of this condition.

Background and aims Tolerance is transplantation's holy grail, as it denotes allograft health without immunosuppression and its toxicities. Our aim was to determine, among stable long-term pediatric liver transplant recipients, the efficacy and safety of immunosuppression withdrawal to identify operational tolerance. Approach and results We conducted a multicenter, single-arm trial of immunosuppression withdrawal over 36-48 weeks. Liver tests were monitored biweekly (year 1), monthly (year 2), and bimonthly (years 3-4). For-cause biopsies were done at investigators' discretion but mandated when alanine aminotransferase or gamma glutamyltransferase exceeded 100 U/L. All subjects underwent final liver biopsy at trial end. The primary efficacy endpoint was operational tolerance, defined by strict biochemical and histological criteria 1 year after stopping immunosuppression. Among 88 subjects (median age 11 years; 39 boys; 57 deceased donor grafts), 33 (37.5%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 27.4%, 48.5%) were operationally tolerant, 16 were nontolerant by histology (met biochemical but failed histological criteria), and 39 were nontolerant by rejection. Rejection, predicted by subtle liver inflammation in trial entry biopsies, typically (n = 32) occurred at ≤32% of the trial-entry immunosuppression dose and was treated with corticosteroids (n = 32) and/or tacrolimus (n = 38) with resolution (liver tests within 1.5 times the baseline) for all but 1 subject. No death, graft loss, or chronic, severe, or refractory rejection occurred. Neither fibrosis stage nor the expression level of a rejection gene set increased over 4 years for either tolerant or nontolerant subjects. Conclusions Immunosuppression withdrawal showed that 37.5% of selected pediatric liver-transplant recipients were operationally tolerant. Allograft histology did not deteriorate for either tolerant or nontolerant subjects. The timing and reversibility of failed withdrawal justifies future trials exploring the efficacy, safety, and potential benefits of immunosuppression minimization.

Biliary atresia is a progressive fibroinflammatory cholangiopathy of infancy that is associated with activation of innate and adaptive immune responses targeting bile ducts. A recently completed multicenter phase I/IIA trial of intravenous immunoglobulin in biliary atresia did not improve serum total bilirubin levels at 90 days after hepatoportoenterostomy or survival with the native liver at 1 year. A mechanistic aim of this trial was to determine if the peripheral blood immunophenotype was associated with clinical outcomes. Flow cytometry of peripheral blood cell markers (natural killer [NK], macrophage subsets, T‐ and B‐cell subsets, regulatory T cells), neutrophils, and activation markers (clusters of differentiation [CD]38, CD69, CD86, human leukocyte antigen‐DR isotype [HLA‐DR]) was performed on 29 patients with biliary atresia at baseline and at 60, 90, 180, and 360 days after hepatoportoenterostomy. Plasma cytokines and neutrophil products were also measured. Spearman correlations of change of an immune marker from baseline to day 90 with change in serum bilirubin revealed that an increase in total bilirubin correlated with 1) increased percentage of HLA‐DR+CD38+ NK cells and expression of NK cell activation markers CD69 and HLA‐DR, 2) decreased percentage of regulatory T cells, and 3) increased interleukin (IL)‐8 and associated neutrophil products (elastase and neutrophil extracellular traps). Cox modeling revealed that the change from baseline to day 60 of the percentage of HLA‐DR+CD38+ NK cells and plasma IL‐8 levels was associated with an increased risk of transplant or death by day 360. Conclusion: Poor outcomes in biliary atresia correlated with higher peripheral blood NK cells and IL‐8 and lower regulatory T cells. Future studies should include immunotherapies targeting these pathways in order to protect the biliary tree from ongoing damage.

Biliary atresia (BA) is the most common cause of end-stage liver disease in children and the primary indication for pediatric liver transplantation, yet underlying etiologies remain unknown. Approximately 10% of infants affected by BA exhibit various laterality defects (heterotaxy) including splenic abnormalities and complex cardiac malformations-a distinctive subgroup commonly referred to as the biliary atresia splenic malformation (BASM) syndrome. We hypothesized that genetic factors linking laterality features with the etiopathogenesis of BA in BASM patients could be identified through whole-exome sequencing (WES) of an affected cohort. DNA specimens from 67 BASM subjects, including 58 patient-parent trios, from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases-supported Childhood Liver Disease Research Network (ChiLDReN) underwent WES. Candidate gene variants derived from a prespecified set of 2,016 genes associated with ciliary dysgenesis and/or dysfunction or cholestasis were prioritized according to pathogenicity, population frequency, and mode of inheritance. Five BASM subjects harbored rare and potentially deleterious biallelic variants in polycystic kidney disease 1 like 1 (PKD1L1), a gene associated with ciliary calcium signaling and embryonic laterality determination in fish, mice, and humans. Heterozygous PKD1L1 variants were found in 3 additional subjects. Immunohistochemical analysis of liver from the one BASM subject available revealed decreased PKD1L1 expression in bile duct epithelium when compared to normal livers and livers affected by other noncholestatic diseases. Conclusion: WES identified biallelic and heterozygous PKD1L1 variants of interest in 8 BASM subjects from the ChiLDReN data set; the dual roles for PKD1L1 in laterality determination and ciliary function suggest that PKD1L1 is a biologically plausible, cholangiocyte-expressed candidate gene for the BASM syndrome.

Osteopenia and bone fractures are significant causes of morbidity in children with cholestatic liver disease. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) analysis was performed in children with intrahepatic cholestatic diseases who were enrolled in the Longitudinal Study of Genetic Causes of Intrahepatic Cholestasis in the Childhood Liver Disease Research Network. DXA was performed on participants aged >5 years (with native liver) diagnosed with bile acid synthetic disorder (BASD), alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (A1AT), chronic intrahepatic cholestasis (CIC), and Alagille syndrome (ALGS). Weight, height, and body mass index Z scores were lowest in CIC and ALGS. Total bilirubin (TB) and serum bile acids (SBA) were highest in ALGS. Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) Z scores were significantly lower in CIC and ALGS than in BASD and A1AT (P < 0.001). After anthropometric adjustment, bone deficits persisted in CIC but were no longer noted in ALGS. In ALGS, height-adjusted and weight-adjusted subtotal BMD and BMC Z scores were negatively correlated with TB (P < 0.001) and SBA (P = 0.02). Mean height-adjusted and weight-adjusted subtotal BMC Z scores were lower in ALGS participants with a history of bone fractures. DXA measures did not correlate significantly with biliary diversion status. Conclusion: CIC patients had significant bone deficits that persisted after adjustment for height and weight and generally did not correlate with degree of cholestasis. In ALGS, low BMD and BMC reference Z scores were explained by poor growth. Anthropometrically adjusted DXA measures in ALGS correlate with markers of cholestasis and bone fracture history. Reduced bone density in this population is multifactorial and related to growth, degree of cholestasis, fracture vulnerability, and contribution of underlying genetic etiology.

Medically refractory, severe, cholestasis‐induced pruritus in Alagille syndrome may be improved by surgical interruption of the enterohepatic circulation. This multicenter trial (NCT02057692) tested the hypothesis that the intestinal bile acid transport inhibitor maralixibat would similarly reduce pruritus in Alagille syndrome. Thirty‐seven children with Alagille syndrome were randomly assigned to double‐blinded administration of placebo, 70, 140, or 280 µg/kg/day of maralixibat for 13 weeks. Pruritus was assessed by caregiver (itch‐reported outcome instrument [ItchRO]) and clinician report (range, 0‐4 [severe]). Liver chemistries and serum bile acids were measured. The primary outcome was the change from baseline to week 13 in ItchRO relative to placebo. In the a priori first analysis of the primary efficacy endpoint, the mean adjusted difference between participants receiving 140 or 280 µg/kg/day and placebo was –0.47 (95% confidence interval [CI], –1.14, 0.20; P = 0.16). Statistically significant decreases were observed with doses of 70 and 140 µg/kg/day (mean adjusted difference, –0.89; 95% CI, –1.70, –0.08; P = 0.032; and mean adjusted difference, –0.91; 95% CI, –1.62, –0.19; P = 0.014) but not 280 µg/kg/day (mean adjusted difference, –0.04; 95% CI, –0.94, 0.86; P = 0.44) or all doses combined (mean adjusted difference, –0.61; 95% CI, –1.24, 0.20; P = 0.055). A 1‐point reduction in pruritus was more common in maralixibat‐treated versus placebo‐treated participants (caregiver ItchRO, 65% versus 25%; P = 0.06; clinician score, 76% versus 25%; P = 0.01). There were no significant changes in liver chemistries or bile acids relative to placebo. Adverse and serious adverse events were similar between maralixibat and placebo. Conclusion: Although the prespecified primary analyses of ItchRO were not all statistically significant, the data suggest that maralixibat is safe and may reduce pruritus in Alagille syndrome.

Cerebral edema remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with acute liver failure (ALF) and has been linked to elevated blood ammonia levels. l-ornithine phenylacetate (OPA) may decrease ammonia by promoting its renal excretion as phenylacetylglutamine (PAGN), decreasing the risk of cerebral edema. We evaluated the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of OPA in patients with ALF and acute liver injury (ALI), including those with renal failure. Forty-seven patients with ALI/ALF and ammonia ≥60 μM were enrolled. Patients received OPA in a dose escalation scheme from 3.3 g every 24 hours to 10 g every 24 hours; 15 patients received 20 g every 24 hours throughout the infusion for up to 120 hours. Plasma phenylacetate (PA) concentrations were uniformly below target (75 μg/mL) in those receiving 3.3 g every 24 hours (median [interquartile range] 5.0 [5.0] μg/mL), and increased to target levels in all but one who received 20 g every 24 hours (150 [100] μg/mL). Plasma [PAGN] increased, and conversion of PA to PAGN became saturated, with increasing OPA dose. Urinary PAGN clearance and creatinine clearance were linearly related (r = 0.831, P0.0001). Mean ammonia concentrations based on the area under the curve decreased to a greater extent in patients who received 20 g of OPA every 24 hours compared with those who received the maximal dose of 3.3 or 6.7 g every 24 hours (P = 0.046 and 0.022, respectively). Of the reported serious adverse events (AEs), which included 11 deaths, none was attributable to study medication. The only nonserious AEs possibly related to study drug were headache and nausea/vomiting.OPA was well-tolerated in patients with ALI/ALF, and no safety signals were identified. Target [PA] was achieved at infusion rates of 20 g every 24 hours, leading to ammonia excretion in urine as PAGN in proportion to renal function. Randomized, controlled studies of high-dose OPA are needed to determine its use as an ammonia-scavenging agent in patients with ALF. (Hepatology 2018;67:1003-1013).

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is an important cause of death and indication for liver transplantation (fatality). The role of DILI in these fatalities ispoorly characterized particularly when fatalities occur > 26 weeks after DILI onset. We analyzed patients in the U.S. Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network prospective study having a fatal outcome within 2 years of onset. Each case was reviewed by 8 Network investigators and categorized as DILI having a primary, contributory or no role in the fatality. We subcategorized primary role cases as acute, chronic, acute-on-chronic or acute cholestatic liver failure. For contributory and no role cases, we assigned a primary cause of death. Among 1089 patients, 107 (9.8%) fatalities occurred within 2 years. DILI had a primary role in 68 (64%), a contributory role in 15 (14%) and no role in 22 (21%); 2 had insufficient data. Among primary role cases, 74% had acute, 13% chronic, 7% acute-on-chronic and 6% acute cholestatic failure. For the 15 contributory role cases, common causes of death included sepsis, malignancy and severe cutaneous reactions with multi-organ failure. For the 22 no role cases, malignancies accounted for most fatalities. Higher bilirubin, coagulopathy, leukocytosis and thrombocytopenia were independently associated with DILI fatalities. nR Hy’s Law had a higher positive predictive value for overall fatality (14% vs. 10%) and stronger independent association with DILI fatalities within 26 weeks compared to the original version of Hy’s Law (HR: 6.2, CI 3.4 – 11.1 vs. 2.2, CI 1.3–3.7). DILI leads directly or indirectly to fatality in 7.6% of cases; 40% of these have non-acute liver failure courses. nR Hy’s Law better identifies risk for death compared to the original Hy’s Law.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common pediatric chronic liver disease. Little is known about outcomes in recognized youth. METHODS: We compared paired liver biopsies from 122 of 139 children with NAFLD (74% male; 64% white; 71% Hispanic; mean age, 13 ± 3 years; age range, 8–17 years) who received placebo and standard of care lifestyle advice in 2 double-blind, randomized clinical trials within the nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) clinical research network from 2005 through 2015. We analyzed histologic changes with respect to baseline and longitudinal change in clinical variables using regression analysis. RESULTS: At enrollment, 31% of the children had definite NASH, 34% had borderline zone 1 NASH, 13% had borderline zone 3 NASH, and 21% had fatty liver but not NASH. Over a mean period of 1.6 ± 0.4 years, borderline or definite NASH resolved in 29% of the children, whereas 18% of the children with fatty liver or borderline NASH developed definite NASH. Fibrosis improved in 34% of the children but worsened in 23%. Any progression to definite NASH or in fibrosis occurred in 36% of the children, and both occurred in 11% of the children. Any improvement in NASH or fibrosis occurred in 52%, and both occurred in 20% of children. Type 2 diabetes developed in 5% of the cohort. Any progression to NASH and/or fibrosis was associated with adolescent age, higher waist circumference, levels of alanine or aspartate aminotransferase, total and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol at baseline, increasing level of alanine aminotransferase, and hemoglobin A1C (P < .05). Progression to NASH and/or fibrosis were also associated with increasing level of gamma-glutamyl transferase and development of type 2 diabetes (P < .01). Increasing level of gamma-glutamyl transferase also associated with reduced odds of any improvement (P = .003). CONCLUSIONS: One-third of children with NAFLD enrolled in placebo groups of clinical trials had histologic features of progression within 2 years, in association with increasing obesity and serum levels of aminotransferases and loss of glucose homeostasis.

Background & Aims Many pediatric patients with acute liver failure (PALF) do not receive a specific diagnosis (such as herpes simplex virus or Wilson disease or fatty acid oxidation defects)—they are left with an indeterminate diagnosis and are more likely to undergo liver transplantation, which is contraindicated for some disorders. Strategies to facilitate complete diagnostic testing should increase identification of specific liver diseases and might reduce liver transplantation. We investigated whether performing recommended age-specific diagnostic tests (AS-DTs) at the time of hospital admission reduces the percentage PALFs with an indeterminate diagnosis. Methods We performed a multinational observational cohort study of 658 PALF participants in the United States and Canada, enrolled at 10 medical centers, during 3 study phases from December 1999 through December 2014. A learning collaborative approach was used to implement AS-DT using an electronic medical record admission order set at hospital admission in phase 3 of the study. Data from 10 study sites participating in all 3 phases were compared before (phases 1 and 2) and after (phase 3) diagnostic test recommendations were inserted into electronic medical record order sets. Results The percentage of subjects with an indeterminate diagnosis decreased significantly between phases 1–2 (48.0%) and phase 3 (to 30.8%) (P = .0003). The 21-day cumulative incidence rates for liver transplantation were significantly different among phase 1 (34.6%), phase 2 (31.9%), and phase 3 (20.2%) (P = .030). The 21-day cumulative incidence rates for death did not differ significantly among phase 1 (17.9%), phase 2 (11.9%), and phase 3 (11.3%) (P = .20). Conclusions In a multinational study of children with acute liver failure, we found that incorporating diagnostic test recommendations into electronic medical record order sets accessed at time of admission reduced the percentage with an indeterminate diagnosis that may have reduced liver transplants without increasing mortality. Widespread use of this approach could significantly enhance care of acute liver failure in children.

Little is known about living liver donors' perceptions of their physical well-being following the procedure. We collected data on donor fatigue, pain, and other relevant physical outcomes as part of the prospective, multicenter Adult-to-Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation Cohort Study consortium. A total of 271 (91%) of 297 eligible donors were interviewed at least once before donation and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after donation using validated measures when available. Repeated measures regression models were used to identify potential predictors of worse physical outcomes. We found that donors reported more fatigue immediately after surgery that improved by 2 years after donation, but not to predonation levels. A similar pattern was seen across a number of other physical outcomes. Abdominal or back pain and interference from their pain were rated relatively low on average at all study points. However, 21% of donors did report clinically significant pain at some point during postdonation study follow-up. Across multiple outcomes, female donors, donors whose recipients died, donors with longer hospital stays after surgery, and those whose families discouraged donation were at risk for worse physical well-being outcomes. In conclusion, although not readily modifiable, we have identified risk factors that may help identify donors at risk for worse physical outcomes for targeted intervention. Liver Transplantation 00 000-000 2018 AASLD.

Approximately half the US adult population consumes herbals and dietary supplements (HDS),(1,2) with recent reports showing their use to be increasing.(3,4) Supplement users are more commonly women, non-Hispanic whites, over age 40, and have higher levels of education than non-users.(4-7) NHANES III data indicate that multivitamins and minerals are the most common supplements used, followed by calcium and fish oils.(5) However, the range of HDS is far broader and includes numerous commercial products. Although dietary supplements are perceived as safe (8), the current regulatory framework established by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (9) requires less evidence of safety prior to marketing as assessed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) than is required for pharmaceuticals. The FDA and other regulatory bodies can take action against a manufacturer only if there is proven adulteration or injury from its supplement. Recent cases of life-threatening hepatotoxicity from the dietary supplement OxyElite Pro (10) underscore the potential adverse consequences of this oversight process. The Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network (DILIN), supported by the National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, was established in 2003 to identify, enroll, and characterize cases of drug-induced liver injury attributable to medications (excluding acetaminophen) and HDS (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:NCT00345930).(11) The original DILIN report identified HDS as the second most common cause for liver injury. (12) Since that report, many more cases have been accrued by the DILIN. Thus, we examined the burden and characteristics of liver injury attributable to HDS in the DILIN, and compared this injury with that due to conventional medications.

Iron deficiency is often observed in obese individuals. The iron regulatory hormone hepcidin is regulated by iron and cytokines interleukin (IL) 6 and IL1β. We examine the relationship between obesity, circulating levels of hepcidin, and IL6 and IL1β, and other risk factors in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with iron deficiency.We collected data on 675 adult subjects (18 years old) enrolled in the Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Clinical Research Network. Subjects with transferrin saturation20% were categorized as iron deficient, whereas those with transferrin saturation ≥20% were classified as iron normal. We assessed clinical, demographic, anthropometric, laboratory, dietary, and histologic data from patients, and serum levels of hepcidin and cytokines IL6 and IL1β. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to identify risk factors for iron deficiency.One-third of patients (231 of 675; 34%) were iron deficient. Obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome were more common in subjects with iron deficiency (P.01), compared with those that were iron normal. Serum levels of hepcidin were significantly lower in subjects with iron deficiency (61 ± 45 vs 81 ± 51 ng/mL; P.0001). Iron deficiency was significantly associated with female gender, obesity, increased body mass index and waist circumference, presence of diabetes, lower alcohol consumption, black or American Indian/Alaska Native race (P ≤ .018), and increased levels of IL6 and IL1β (6.6 vs 4.8 for iron normal, P ≤ .0001; and 0.45 vs 0.32 for iron normal, P ≤ .005).Iron deficiency is prevalent in patients with NAFLD and associated with female gender, increased body mass index, and nonwhite race. Serum levels of hepcidin were lower in iron-deficient subjects, reflecting an appropriate physiologic response to decreased circulating levels of iron, rather than a primary cause of iron deficiency in the setting of obesity and NAFLD.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Noninvasive methods are needed to determine disease stage in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We evaluated the diagnostic performance of several widely available fibrosis models for the assessment of hepatic fibrosis in patients with NAFLD. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of data from individuals enrolled in the NIDDK NASH Clinical Research Network, from 2004 through 2018. Using biopsy as the reference standard, we determined the diagnostic performance of the aspartate aminotransferase (AST):platelet ratio (APRI), FIB-4, ratio of AST:alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and the NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS) in a cross-sectional study of 1904 subjects. The ability of these models to detect changes in fibrosis stage was assessed in a longitudinal data set of 292 subjects with 2 biopsies and accompanying laboratory data. Outcomes were detection of fibrosis of any stage (stages 0 to 4), detection of moderate fibrosis (stages 0–1 vs 2–4), and detection of advanced fibrosis (stages 0–2 vs 3–4). Diagnostic performance was evaluated using the C-statistic, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) analyses. RESULTS: In the cross-sectional study, FIB-4 and NFS outperformed other non-invasive models for detecting advanced fibrosis; the C-statistics were 0.80 for FIB-4 and 0.78 for NFS. In the longitudinal study, 216 patients had non-advanced fibrosis at baseline and 35 patients progressed to advanced fibrosis after median follow up of 2.6 years. After we adjusted for fibrosis stage and model score at initial biopsy, change in APRI, FIB-4, and NFS were significantly associated with change in fibrosis. A unit change in APRI, FIB-4, or NFS was associated with changes in fibrosis stage of 0.33 (95% CI, 0.20-0.45; P

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection typically results in chronic disease with HCV outpacing antiviral immune responses. Here we asked whether innate immune responses are induced in healthcare workers who are exposed to small amounts of HCV, but do not develop systemic infection and acute liver disease. Twelve healthcare workers with accidental percutaneous exposure to HCV-infected blood were prospectively studied up to 6 months for phenotype and function of NKT and NK cells, kinetics of serum chemokines, and vigor and specificity of HCV-specific T cell responses. Eleven healthcare workers tested negative for HCV RNA and HCV-antibodies. All but one of these aviremic cases displayed NKT cell activation, increased serum chemokines levels, and NK cell responses with increased CD122, NKp44, NKp46 and NKG2A expression, cytotoxicity (as determined by TRAIL and CD107a expression) and IFN-γ production. This multifunctional NK cell response appeared a month earlier than in the one health care worker who developed high-level viremia, and it differed from the impaired IFN-γ production, which is typical for NK cells in chronic HCV infection. The magnitude of NKT cell activation and NK cell cytotoxicity correlated with the magnitude of the subsequent HCV-specific T cell response. T cell responses targeted nonstructural HCV sequences that require translation of viral RNA, which suggests that transient or locally contained HCV replication occurred without detectable systemic viremia. Collectively, these results demonstrate that exposure to small amounts of HCV induces innate immune responses, which correlate with the subsequent HCV-specific T cell response and may contribute to antiviral immunity.

The increase in the use of herbal and dietary supplements (HDS) over the last decades has been accompanied with an increase in the reports of HDS associated hepatotoxicity. The spectrum of HDS induced liver injury is diverse and the outcome may vary from transient liver test elevations to fulminant hepatic failure resulting in death or requiring liver transplantation. There are no validated standardized tools to establish the diagnosis, but some HDS products do have a typical clinical signature that may help to identify HDS induced liver injury.

Acute liver failure (ALF) is classically defined by coagulopathy and hepatic encephalopathy (HE); however, acute liver injury (ALI), i.e., severe acute hepatocyte necrosis without HE, has not been carefully defined nor studied. Our aim is to describe the clinical course of specifically defined ALI, including the risk and clinical predictors of poor outcomes, namely progression to ALF, the need for liver transplantation (LT) and death.386 subjects prospectively enrolled in the Acute Liver Failure Study Group registry between 1 September 2008 through 25 October 2013, met criteria for ALI: International Normalized Ratio (INR)≥2.0 and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)≥10 × elevated (irrespective of bilirubin level) for acetaminophen (N-acetyl-p-aminophenol, APAP) ALI, or INR≥2.0, ALT≥10x elevated, and bilirubin≥3.0 mg/dl for non-APAP ALI, both groups without any discernible HE. Subjects who progressed to poor outcomes (ALF, death, LT) were compared, by univariate analysis, with those who recovered. A model to predict poor outcome was developed using the random forest (RF) procedure.Progression to a poor outcome occurred in 90/386 (23%), primarily in non-APAP (71/179, 40%) vs. only 14/194 (7.2%) in APAP patients comprising 52% of all cases (13 cases did not have an etiology assigned; 5 of whom had a poor outcome). Of 82 variables entered into the RF procedure: etiology, bilirubin, INR, APAP level and duration of jaundice were the most predictive of progression to ALF, LT, or death.A majority of ALI cases are due to APAP, 93% of whom will improve rapidly and fully recover, while non-APAP patients have a far greater risk of poor outcome and should be targeted for early referral to a liver transplant center.

Background & aimsA substantial proportion of pediatric liver transplant recipients develop subclinical chronic allograft injury. We studied whether there are distinct patterns of injury based on histopathologic features and identified associated immunologic profiles.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study of 157 stable, long-term pediatric recipients of transplanted livers (70 boys; > 6 years old at time of transplantation; mean, 8.9 ± 3.46 years after liver transplantation) who underwent liver biopsy analysis from August 13, 2012, through May 1, 2014. Participants had received livers from a living or deceased donor and had consistently normal results from liver tests. Liver biopsy specimens were scored by a central pathologist; anunsupervised hierarchical cluster analysis of histologic features was used to sort biopsy samples into 3 clusters. We conducted transcriptional and cytometric analyses of liver tissue samples and performed a systems biology analysis that incorporated clinical, serologic, histologic, and transcriptional data.ResultsThe mean level of alanine aminotransferase in participants was 27.6 ± 14.57 U/L, and the mean level of γ-glutamyl transferase was 17.4 ± 7.93 U/L. Cluster 1 was characterized by interface activity (n= 34), cluster 2 was characterized by periportal or perivenular fibrosis without interface activity (n= 45), and cluster 3 had neither feature (n=78). We identified a module of genes whose expression correlated with levels of alanine aminotransferase, class II donor-specific antibody, portal inflammation, interface activity, perivenular inflammation, portal and perivenular fibrosis, and cluster assignment. The module was enriched in genes that regulate T-cell-mediated rejection (TCMR) of liver and other transplanted organs. Functional pathway analysis showed overrepresentation of TCMR gene sets for cluster 1 but not clusters 2 or3.ConclusionIn an analysis of biopsies froman apparently homogeneous group of stable, long-termpediatric liver transplant recipients with consistently normalliver test results, we found evidence of chronic graft injury (inflammation and/or fibrosis). Biopsy samples with interface activity had a gene expression pattern associated withTCMR.

Nodular regenerative hyperplasia (NRH) of the liver is a lesion of uncertain pathogenesis that has been found to be associated with a variety of systemic and hematological disorders, particularly with rheumatoid arthritis, Felty’s syndrome, other connective tissue disorders, and lympho- and myeloproliferative disorders (1–3). It is characterized by nodules of regenerative hepatocytes distributed diffusely through the liver and atrophy of the intervening parenchyma without significant fibrous septae between the nodules (4). We describe a case that links NRH to sickle cell disease. Incidently, we also found that this patient had focal global glomerulosclerosis (FGGS) of the kidney. The coexistence of NRH and FGGS in our patient with sickle cell disease is suggestive of a common mechanism involved in the pathogenesis of these two conditions. Since vasoocclusive crises are characteristic of sickle cell disease, it is possible that this recurrent and persistent microvascular compromise may occur in both the kidney and the liver, leading to the development of FGGS and NRH, respectively. CASE REPORT

A 57-year-old black man presented with a 2-week history of abdominal pain, weight loss, anorexia, and constipation. His history was significant for remote Hodgkin's disease and systemic sarcoidosis. Physical examination showed abdominal distention and hyperactive bowel sounds, periorbital swelling, and mandibular lymphadenopathy. A barium enema examination showed two high-grade obstructive lesions in the rectum and splenic flexure. Colonoscopy confirmed the presence of the two areas of colonic obstruction. The mucosa showed diffuse fine ulcerations in the areas of obstruction as well as in the intervening region. Endoscopic biopsy specimens showed numerous mucosal noncaseating granulomas but no acid-fast bacilli or foreign bodies. The patient was treated with oral prednisone and improved symptomatically within 3 days. The ocular lesions and lymphadenopathy also responded promptly. Findings of follow-up barium enema and colonoscopy performed after 1 month of steroid treatment were essentially normal. Mucosal biopsy specimens showed only mild nonspecific chronic inflammation of the lamina propria and no granulomas. Colonic involvement is rarely reported with systemic sarcoidosis. We believe that this is the first report of colonic obstruction due to sarcoid diagnosed endoscopically and managed nonsurgically.

Portal hypertension is one of the most significant complications of both acute and chronic liver diseases. It generally develops as a result of an increase in vascular resistance at the prehepatic, intrahepatic, or postherpetic level. An increase in portal blood flow may also contribute. The dominant cause of portal hypertension relates to liver cirrhosis which increases resistance through the hepatic sinusoids. Gastroesophageal varices are the most important clinical manifestation of this syndrome and are associated with a high risk of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage and its attendant high mortality. This special issue includes nine evidence-based reviews. They discuss the pathophysiology of portal hypertension as well as its clinical manifestations and management. Selected topics and controversies related to esophageal varices are covered, including noninvasive diagnostic methods, bleeding prophylaxis in adults and children, rescue treatments, and the clinical dilemma of portal vein thrombosis. H. Maruyama and O. Yokosuka review the current concepts of the pathophysiology of portal hypertension and esophageal varices. Portal hypertension is initially caused by distortion of the hepatic vascular bed, which in turn leads to increased resistance to portal blood flow. This phenomenon is associated with intrahepatic endothelial dysfunction with a resultant imbalance between vasodilators such as nitric oxide and prostaglandins vasoconstrictors including endothelin. An important consequence of increased resistance to portal blood flow is splanchnic vasodilatation with consequent sodium and water retention. As a result of the plasma's expansion, and the reduction in peripheral resistance, a hyperdynamic circulation develops. Consequently, there is a significant increase in the blood flow through the portal vein which further contributes to portal hypertension. Esophageal varices appear and may bleed when the HVPG exceeds 12 mmHg. A comprehensive review of the clinical manifestations of portal hypertension is presented by S. A. Al-Busafi et al. Portal hypertension is a common clinical syndrome defined as the elevation of hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) above 5 mmHg. Its gastrointestinal manifestations include the development of esophageal varices, gastric varices, and intestinal vasculopathy. Approximately 5–15% of cirrhotics develop esophageal varices annually. The majority of patients with cirrhosis are expected to develop this condition over their lifetime. Beyond its gastrointestinal effects, portal hypertension may also affect other vital organs resulting in extrahepatic manifestations. Y.-I. Chen and P. Ghali present an overview of strategies to prevent and manage portal hypertension. The one-year rate of first variceal hemorrhage is 5% for small varices and 15% for large varices. Six-week mortality rate following an episode of bleeding varies between 15 and 20%. Clearly, a strategy of prophylaxis to prevent the first episode of bleeding may reduce morbidity and mortality. In this respect, nonselective beta blockers and new types of beta blockers play a major role. The overall approach and the current pharmacological therapy of acute hemorrhage and of recurrent bleeding (i.e., secondary prophylaxis) are based on understanding the pathophysiology of esophageal varices. Early diagnosis of esophageal varices prior to the first episode of bleeding is essential. Studies of primary prophylaxis clearly show that the risk of first variceal haemorrhage can be reduced significantly. Upper GI endoscopy remains the gold standard for screening, but this test is not without its own limitations. K. Rye et al. review the utility of noninvasive tests to predict esophageal varices. Unfortunately, current clinical, biochemical, and radiological parameters are not accurate enough to detect varices without a screening endoscopy, but assessment of systemic hemodynamics and other serum markers may hold promise for the future. Variceal rupture is governed by Laplace's law. Increased wall tension is the end result of increased intravariceal pressure, increased diameter of the varices, and reduced wall thickness. The variceal wall thickness can be evaluated visually by the presence of red wale markings. These markings reflect areas where the wall is especially thin. Variceal rupture often occurs at the level of the gastroesophageal junction where the varices are very superficial and thus have thinner walls. S. A. Al-Busafi et al. discuss the role of endoscopic management of esophageal varices. They emphasized the fact that gastroscopy allows direct visualization and is an excellent tool to assess the size and the presence of high risk stigmata of bleeding. A debate exists as to whether a pharmacologic or an endoscopic approach is the best method of primary prophylaxis. It was shown that both modalities are effective in minimizing the risk of a first episode of bleeding in patients with cirrhosis and large esophageal varices, independently of the presence of red signs. However, the endoscopic approach is the treatment of choice whenever the patient is unable to tolerate beta blockers. Acute variceal bleeding in patients with cirrhosis indicates decompensation and a high risk of death. Initial treatment for these patients includes volume resuscitation and administration of vasoactive drugs and antibiotics. Emergency endoscopic variceal ligation, one of the cornerstones of management, should be performed within the first 12 hours of hospital admission. G. Pomier-Layrargues et al. highlight the role of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in the treatment of acute esophageal varices bleeding. The clinical trials indicate that the TIPS procedure is not a first line therapy for variceal bleeding but can be used when medical and endoscopic treatments fail, either in the acute situation or to prevent variceal rebleeding. However, careful selection of patients is mandatory before the TIPS procedure. Clinical followup is essential to detect and treat complications that may result from TIPS stenosis, which can be minimized by using covered stents. Followup is also required to monitor for worsening portosystemic encephalopathy. In severe cases of encephalopathy, reduction or occlusion of the shunt may be warranted. The current first line pharmacologic and endoscopic therapies fail to control bleeding in approximately 10–15% of patients. Rescue therapies, which include balloon tamponade or TIPS, have many limitations and are contraindicated in some cases. A novel, emerging therapy is reviewed by F. Maufa and F. H. Al-Kawas. Placement of a fully covered self-expandable metallic stent can be used to control bleeding in cases of refractory esophageal hemorrhage. The removable stent can be left in place for as long as two weeks, allowing for improvement in liver function while a more definitive treatment can be planned semielectively. Portal hypertension in children represents a particular challenge in both diagnosis and management. A. Costaguta and F. Alvarez describe the progress that has been achieved recently in the treatment of children with portal hypertension. Two main factors influence therapeutic decisions: the age of the patient and the etiology of the liver disease. In this special issue, one can find a summary of the current knowledge and an expert opinion on the subject. Finally, nonneoplastic portal vein thrombosis (PVT) can be found in up to 25% of individuals with liver cirrhosis. The major risk factor of having PVT is severe liver disease and portal hypertension. Recently, it was found that procoagulant imbalance in individuals with advanced liver disease contributes to the development of PVT. The clinical impact of PVT on liver function is not clear. Nevertheless, it is a predictive factor for mortality among cirrhotics, independent of MELD score. PVT may be the cause of various life-threatening conditions. It increases portal hypertension and the risk of variceal bleeding. It may also extend into the superior mesenteric vein causing intestinal ischemia. The optimal management of PVT in individuals with cirrhosis is currently not addressed in any consensus publication or practice guidelines. G. Huard and M. Bilodeau explore the different aspects of PVT management including the potential risks and benefits of anticoagulation. This special issue provides an excellent overview of one of the more complicated topics in the field of liver disease. It covers current concepts of the clinical and pathophysiological aspects of portal hypertension, management of the condition, along with emerging diagnostic and therapeutic modalities, and clinical controversies. We would like to congratulate the authors for their superb scientific manuscripts. Nir Hilzenrat Averell H. Sherker

Imatinib (Gleevec, Novartis), an inhibitor of BCR-ABL, platelet-derived growth factor, and KIT receptor tyrosine kinases, is widely used in the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia and gastrointestinal stromal tumors. We describe a case of activation of chronic hepatitis B infection associated with imatinib therapy.

Background & Aims The Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network is conducting a prospective study of patients with DILI in the United States. We present characteristics and subgroup analyses from the first 1257 patients enrolled in the study. Methods In an observational longitudinal study, we began collecting data on eligible individuals with suspected DILI in 2004, following them for 6 months or longer. Subjects were evaluated systematically for other etiologies, causes, and severity of DILI. Results Among 1257 enrolled subjects with suspected DILI, the causality was assessed in 1091 patients, and 899 were considered to have definite, highly likely, or probable DILI. Ten percent of patients died or underwent liver transplantation, and 17% had chronic liver injury. In the 89 patients (10%) with pre-existing liver disease, DILI appeared to be more severe than in those without (difference not statistically significant; P = .09) and mortality was significantly higher (16% vs 5.2%; P 365 days were nitrofurantoin (25%) or minocycline (17%). There were no differences in outcomes of patients with short vs long latency of DILI. Compared with individuals younger than 65 years, individuals 65 years or older (n = 149) were more likely to have cholestatic injury, although mortality and rate of liver transplantation did not differ. Nine patients (1%) had concomitant severe skin reactions; implicated agents were lamotrigine, azithromycin, carbamazepine, moxifloxacin, cephalexin, diclofenac, and nitrofurantoin. Four of these patients died. Conclusions Mortality from DILI is significantly higher in individuals with pre-existing liver disease or concomitant severe skin reactions compared with patients without. Additional studies are needed to confirm the association between azithromycin and increased DILI in patients with chronic liver disease. Older age and short or long latencies are not associated with DILI mortality.

Cyproterone acetate is a normally well-tolerated drug that is used widely for the treatment of prostatic carcinoma. Liver toxicity due to its use is not well known. We describe two cases of fatal fulminant hepatitis related to the use of cyproterone acetate.

Spontaneous rupture of hepatcellular carcinoma (HCC) was believed to be a very rare complication of HCC in Western countries. Over the past years, publications from Asia have reported an incidence of about 15% to 26%. In North America, the incidence of this complication is not well known. In order to survey the demographic and clinical features of HCC, we reviewed hospital records of all cases between J990 and 1999. We found 66 cases of which 5 (7.6%) presented with HCC rupture. We compared the features of these 5 cases with the rest of the group. In the entire group, there were 52 men and 14 women. The average age was 69.9 years. 23% (15/66) were born in countries with high HCC prevalence, 29% (19/66) from middle HCC prevalence countries and 30% (20/66) were from Western countries. In 12 patients, country of origin could not be identified. Of the entire group, 10 (15.1%) were positive for HCV, 27 (40.9%) were HBV infected, 8 ( 12.1%) had alcholic liver disease and in 21 (31.R%) the serology was unknown. Of 61 patients without rupture, 24 (39.3%)with decompensated liver disease (ascites, jaundice or variceal bleed) and 15 (24.6%) with predominantly abdominal pain. The diagnosis of HCC was based on CT scan and ultrasound, most cases were confirmed by liver biopsy. Vascular obstruction was seen on CT scan in 10/61 (16.4%). In contrast, the 5 cases of HCC rupture were all male, the mean age was 59.2 and 3/5 (60%) were HBV serology positive. One patient was HCV antibody positive and one reported heavy alcohol intake. All 5 tumors were described as large and in 3/5 (60%) the CT scan showed portal vein oclusion. The outcome was uniformly dismal in both the ruptured and non-ruptured groups. No patient survived beyond 12 months. However, of the 5 ruptured cases, 3 died within one week of diagnosis ; the other 2 survived several months after successful hemostasis by vascular ligation in one case and partial hepatic resection in the other. Rupture of HCC is an unusual presentation in low incidence zones occurring much less commonly than in high incidence HCC zones. patients are more likely male, younger and usually wiht viral etiology (particularly HBV). A clinical feature which may be associated with the pathogenesis is a greater likelihood of portal vein thrombosis. Although HCC rupture is a dramatic event, survival may be occasionally prolonged beyond a few weeks by rapid surgical intervention .

Foscarnet (trisodium phosphonoformate) is a new antiviral compound with in vitro inhibitory effects against the DNA polymerases of hepadna viruses. To study the effects of the drug in chronic hepadna virus infection, we treated ducks chronically infected with duck hepatitis B virus for 10 days with either low-dose foscarnet (50 mg/kg i.p. b.i.d.), high-dose foscarnet (250 mg/kg i.p. b.i.d.), or sterile water injections. Serum duck hepatitis B virus DNA and intrahepatic replicative forms of the virus were measured using molecular biological techniques with both a double-stranded radiolabeled DNA probe and a plus-strand (noncoding) specific RNA probe. We found a dose-related decrease in serum and intrahepatic duck hepatitis B virus DNA during treatment, with a rapid return toward baseline values after the cessation of treatment. There was a disproportionate decrease in the plus strand of viral DNA with treatment. We conclude that foscarnet exerts its effect in hepadna virus infection through inhibition of viral DNA polymerase. Further study is necessary to determine whether foscarnet, by itself or in combination with other treatment modalities, has a role to play in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B infections in humans.

Adenine arabinoside is an antiviral agent which has been used in a number of clinical studies for the treatment of chronic infections with hepatitis B virus. In order to better understand its effects and mode of action, we treated ducks chronically infected with duck hepatitis B virus with a 2-week course and monitored the effects of the drug on viral replication by studying duck hepatitis B virus DNA in liver and serum using molecular biological techniques. We found the drug to be effective in ducks only at much higher doses than those used in humans. At high doses, adenine arabinoside had a dose-related inhibitory effect on viral replication during treatment, but there was a rapid return toward baseline values soon after the cessation of treatment. The supercoiled form of viral DNA was found to be most resistant to adenine arabinoside therapy, and the drug had a disproportionate inhibitory effect on viral plus (noncoding) strand synthesis. We conclude that adenine arabinoside likely exerts its effect in hepadna virus infections predominantly through inhibition of viral DNA polymerase. On the basis of our current study and previous trials in hepatitis B virus-infected patients, we predict that adenine arabinoside will not efficiently eliminate viral replication in chronic hepadna virus infection, when used as the sole therapeutic modality. Adenine arabinoside may have a role to play as an adjunct to immunomodulation or interferon therapy in chronic hepatitis B virus infection in man.