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Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection continues to be a worldwide public health problem. In Mexico, at least three million adults are estimated to have acquired hepatitis B (total hepatitis B core antibody [anti-HBc]-positive), and of those, 300,000 active carriers (hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg]-positive) could require treatment. Because HBV is preventable through vaccination, its universal application should be emphasized. HBV infection is a major risk factor for developing hepatocellular carcinoma. Semi-annual liver ultrasound and serum alpha-fetoprotein testing favor early detection of that cancer and should be carried out in all patients with chronic HBV infection, regardless of the presence of advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis. Currently, nucleoside/nucleotide analogues that have a high barrier to resistance are the first-line therapies. Resumen: La infección por el virus de hepatitis B (VHB) continúa siendo un problema de salud pública mundial, en México se estima que podría haber por lo menos tres millones de personas adultas que han adquirido hepatitis B (anticuerpo anti-antígeno central del VHB [anti-HBc] positivo), de ellos cerca de 300,000 portadores activos (antígeno de superficie del VHB [HBsAg] positivo) podrían requerir tratamiento. Al ser prevenible por vacunación, debe enfatizarse la vacunación universal. Esta infección es un factor de riesgo mayor para el desarrollo de carcinoma hepatocelular, el estudio semestral con ultrasonido hepático y alfafetoproteína sérica favorece la detección temprana de esta neoplasia y debe realizarse en todo paciente con infección crónica por VHB, independientemente de la presencia de fibrosis avanzada o cirrosis. En la actualidad, la terapia de primera línea, son análogos nucleós(t)idos con alta barrera a la resistencia.

Resumen La prevalencia de las enfermedades hepáticas en el embarazo no es despreciable, ya que estas se presentan en 3%-5% de todas las gestaciones. Entre las múltiples causas se encuentran cambios fisiológicos del embarazo; enfermedad hepática preexistente, siendo las más comunes las enfermedades colestásicas (colangitis biliar primaria y colangitis esclerosante primaria), hepatitis autoinmune, enfermedad de Wilson, hepatitis virales crónicas, cirrosis establecida de cualquier etiología y paciente con historia de trasplante hepático; enfermedad hepática adquirida durante el embarazo, siendo las principales las hepatitis virales, la toxicidad inducida por medicamentos y la hepatolitiasis; hepatopatía relacionada con el embarazo, en la cual se encuentran 5 entidades principales: hiperémesis gravídica, colestasis intrahepática del embarazo, preeclampsia, síndrome HELLP e hígado graso del embarazo. La severidad de estas entidades tiene una amplia gama de presentaciones, desde la paciente que es completamente asintomática, hasta la falla hepática aguda e incluso la muerte. La gravedad del cuadro se asocia con una morbilidad y mortalidad significativas tanto para la madre como para el feto, lo cual hace que una evaluación rápida, diagnóstico certero y manejo apropiado por un equipo multidisciplinario (incluida obstetricia de alto riesgo, hepatología, gastroenterología y radiología intervencionista), en un servicio que tenga la posibilidad de ofrecer trasplante hepático, sean fundamentales para obtener buenos desenlaces. Abstract Liver diseases develop in 3% to 5% of all gestations. Among the causes are: 1. Physiological changes of pregnancy. 2. Pre-existing liver diseases and conditions. The most common are cholestatic diseases such as primary biliary cholangitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis. Others include autoimmune hepatitis, Wilson’s disease, chronic viral hepatitis, cirrhosis of any etiology and histories of liver transplantation. 3. Liver disease acquired during pregnancy, especially viral hepatitis, drug-induced toxicity and hepatolithiasis. 4. Pregnancy-related liver diseases including hyperemesis gravidarum, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome and fatty liver of pregnancy. Severity ranges from absence of symptoms to acute liver failure and even death. Severe cases have significant morbidity and mortality for both mother and fetus. These cases require rapid evaluation, accurate diagnosis and appropriate management by a multidisciplinary team including high-risk obstetrics, hepatology, gastroenterology and interventional radiology. Availability of liver transplantation is also important for obtaining good outcomes.

Resumen Introducción: La medición de carga viral (CV) de virus hepatitis B (VHB) y C (VHC) es fundamental en el seguimiento de pacientes con terapia antiviral. La metodología más utilizada para su determinación es COBAS ®-TaqMan ®. Recientemente, se desarrolló la tecnología Xpert ®, que se debe evaluar. Objetivo: Comparar la medición de la CV de VHB y VHC por metodología Xpert® con COBAS®-TaqMan® como método de referencia. Material y Métodos: 39 muestras de suero de pacientes con VHB y 39 con VHC, previamente cuantificadas por COBAS ®-TaqMan ®, fueron analizadas mediante Xpert® y los resultados se compararon utilizando la regresión de Deming y gráfico Bland-Altman. Resultados: Hubo una alta correlación entre Xpert® y COBAS®-TaqMan®. Para VHB, la ecuación de Deming fue XpertHBV = 0,44 + 0,99xCOBASTaqManHBV, con coeficiente de correlación de 0,94 y diferencia entre medias de −0,401 log10 (IC95%: −1,985 a 1,183). Para VHC, la ecuación de Deming fue XpertHCV = 0,36 + 0,87x COBASTaqManHCV, con coeficiente de correlación de 0,98 y diferencia entre medias de 0,328 log (IC95%: −0,449 a 1,105). Conclusión: El nuevo sistema Xpert® muestra una buena correlación con COBAS ®-TaqMan ® para la medición de la CV de VHB y VHC, siendo una buena alternativa para el seguimiento de pacientes en tratamiento.

The pathogen safety of blood/plasma-derived products has historically been a subject of significant concern to the medical community, Measures such as donor selection and blood screening have contributed to increase the safety of these products, but pathogen transmission does still occur. Reasons for this include lack of sensitivity/specificity of current screening methods, lack of reliable screening tests for some pathogens (e.g. prions) and the fact that many potentially harmful infectious agents are not routinely screened for. Methods for the purification/inactivation of blood/plasma-derived products have been developed in order to further reduce the residual risk, but low concentrations of pathogens do not necessarily imply a low level of risk for the patient and so the overall challenge of minimising risk remains. This review aims to discuss the variable level of pathogenic risk and describes the current screening methods used to prevent/detect the presence of pathogens in blood/plasma-derived products., We wish to thank Professor Hermann Eichler for his appraisal of this manuscript and helpful suggestions. Medical writing assistance was provided by Hanna Mourad-Agha of inScience Communications, Springer Healthcare. This assistance was funded by Pfizer.

Resumen Introducción. Se estima que 240 millones de personas en el mundo tienen infección crónica con el virus de la hepatitis B (HBV). En Colombia, la endemia es variable y circulan diferentes genotipos virales. Las mutaciones a lo largo del genoma se han asociado con resistencia antiviral, el escape ante la reacción de anticuerpos neutralizadores tras la vacunación o a la infección natural, la infección oculta y la progresión a carcinoma hepatocelular. Objetivo. Identificar los genotipos y las mutaciones presentes en la región codificante del antígeno de superficie (S) y del dominio de la transcriptasa inversa (reverse transcriptase, RT) de la polimerasa del HBV en muestras de suero remitidas al Instituto Nacional de Salud de Colombia para el diagnóstico de hepatitis B, entre el 2002 y el 2014. Materiales y métodos. En 495 muestras de suero positivas para el antígeno de superficie de la hepatitis B (HBsAg) se buscó el ADN viral, se amplificó y secuenció un fragmento de 1.591 nucleótidos y, posteriormente, se hizo el análisis filogenético correspondiente. Resultados. En 66 de las muestras se logró detectar el genoma viral y 28 de ellas se secuenciaron exitosamente. El análisis filogenético permitió identificar los genotipos y subgenotipos F3 y A2. Una muestra presentó simultáneamente las sustituciones de resistencia L180M y M204V, otra presentó la sustitución I169L y en una se identificó la mutación P120Q, previamente asociada con variantes de escape. Dos muestras presentaron una deleción de 105 nucleótidos en la región preS1-preS2. Conclusiones. Se corroboró la circulación en Colombia de los genotipos y subgenotipos F3 y A2, así como la presencia de mutaciones de resistencia y escape. El presente estudio constituye un aporte a la epidemiologia molecular del HBV en Colombia. Abstract Introduction: Despite the availability of an effective vaccine and treatment to reduce the viral load and progressive hepatocellular injury, approximately 240 million people worldwide are chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). In Colombia, the circulation of different viral genotypes has been confirmed. Mutations in the genome have been associated to antiviral therapy resistance, viral escape to neutralizing antibodies, occult infection and progression to hepatocellular carcinoma. Objective: To identify the genotypes and the presence of mutations in the coding region of the surface (S) antigen and the reverse transcriptase (RT) domain of the polymerase of HBV obtained from serum samples for hepatitis B diagnosis received by the Instituto Nacional de Salud during the period 2002-2014. Materials and methods: A total of 495 serum samples with previous HBsAg reactive result were used for molecular detection. A fragment of 1,591 nucleotides was sequenced, and the corresponding phylogenetic analysis was performed. Results: We detected the viral genome of HBV in 66 samples and 28 were successfully sequenced. The phylogenetic analysis allowed the identification of subgenotypes F3 and A2. The L180M and M204V resistance mutations were simultaneously identified in one sample, while the I169L resistance mutation was identified in another one. A single escape mutation, P120Q, was identified in one more. Two samples showed a deletion of 105 nucleotides in the preS1-preS2 region. Conclusions: The circulation of genotypes/subgenotypes F3 and A2 of HBV in Colombia was corroborated, as well as the presence of some resistance and escape mutations. The present study constitutes a contribution to the molecular epidemiology of HBV in Colombia.

AIM To demonstrate the non-inferiority (15% non-inferiority limit) of monotherapy with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) vs the combination of lamivudine (LAM) plus adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) in the maintenance of virologic response in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and prior failure with LAM. METHODS This study was a Phase IV prospective, randomized, open, controlled study with 2 parallel groups (TDF and LAM+ADV) of adult patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative CHB, prior failure with LAM, on treatment with LAM+ADV for at least 6 mo, without prior resistance to ADV and with an undetectable viral load at the start of the study, in 14 Spanish hospitals. The follow-up time for each patient was 48 wk after randomization, with quarterly visits in which the viral load, biochemical and serological parameters, adverse effects, adherence to treatment and consumption of hospital resources were analysed. RESULTS Forty-six patients were evaluated [median age: 55.4 years (30.2-75.2); 84.8% male], including 22 patients with TDF and 24 with LAM+ADV. During study development, hepatitis B virus DNA (HBV-DNA) remained undetectable, all patients remained HBeAg negative, and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values at the end of the study were similar in the 2 groups (25.1 +/- 7.65, TDF vs 24.22 +/- 8.38, LAM+ADV, P = 0.646). No significant changes were observed in creatinine or serum phosphorus values in either group. No significant differences between the 2 groups were noted in the identification of adverse effects (AEs) (53.8%, TDF vs 37.5%, LAM+ADV, P = 0.170), and none of the AEs which occurred were serious. Treatment adherence was 95.5% and 83.3% in the TDF and the LAM+ADV groups, respectively (P = 0.488). The costs associated with hospital resource consumption were significantly lower with the TDF treatment than the LAM+ADV treatment ((sic)4943 +/- 1059 vs (sic)5811 +/- 1538, respectively, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION TDF monotherapy proved to be safe and not inferior to the LAM+ADV combination therapy in maintaining virologic response in patients with CHB and previous LAM failure. In addition, the use of TDF generated a significant savings in hospital costs.

Worldwide, chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major health problem and no cure exists. Importantly, hepatocyte intrusion by HBV particles results in a complex deregulation of both viral and host cellular genetic and epigenetic processes. Among the attempts to develop novel therapeutic approaches against HBV infection, several options targeting the epigenomic regulation of HBV replication are gaining attention. These include the experimental treatment with ‘epidrugs’. Moreover, as a targeted approach, the principle of ‘epigenetic editing’ recently is being exploited to control viral replication. Silencing of HBV by specific rewriting of epigenetic marks might diminish viral replication, viremia, and infectivity, even- tually controlling the disease and its complications. Additionally, epigenetic editing can be used as an experimental tool to increase our limited understanding regarding the role of epigenetic modifications in viral infections. Aiming for permanent epigenetic reprogramming of the viral genome without unspecific side effects, this breakthrough may pave the roads for an ambitious technological pursuit: to start designing a curative approach utilizing manipulative molecular therapies for viral infections in vivo. COL0024159

The aim of the study was to identify the prevalence of hepatitis B and C seropositivity in pregnant women attended in a public maternity hospital located in Catalao-GO from 2005 to 2009. Descriptive, exploratory study conducted through patients` hospital records. For data analysis, we used SPSS version 18.0. The confidence interval (CI) was calculated using the Person χ² test, considering a significance level of 5% (p

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES prevalence of viral hepatitis (B and C) changes geographically. Our aim was to determinate the prevalence of hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) serological markers in healthy working population and to describe the epidemiological characteristics associated to its presence. METHODS blood samples and epidemiological data of 5,017 healthy workers from Murcia and Madrid were recorded prospectively. RESULTS a total of 5,017 healthy volunteers participated. Mean age 39 ± 11 years, men predominance (73 %). Prevalence of serological markers of HCV and HBV was 0.6 % and 0.7 %. Age of patients with HCV antibody was significantly higher (43 + or - 9 years vs. 39 + or - 11 years; p = 0.03). We observed significant differences in liver test values (alanine aminotransferase [ALT] 64 ± 56 IU/L vs. 28 ± 20 IU/L; p < 0.001; aspartate aminotransferase [AST] (51 + or - 45 IU/L vs. 23 + or - 12 IU/L; p < 0.001) and in gamma-glutamyltransferase(GGT) value (104 + or - 122 IU/L vs. 37 + or - 46 IU/L; p < 0.001. The presence of HCV antibody was related significantly to previous transfusion (13 % vs. 5 %; p = 0.03), tattoos (29 % vs. 13 %; p < 0.01), intravenous drug addiction (13 % vs. 0.2 %; p < 0.001) and coexistence with people with positive HCV antibody (16 % vs. 4 %; p < 0.001). In HBV no differences in basal characteristics were observed with exception in AST values (29 + or - 15 IU/L vs. 23 + or - 12 IU/L; p < 0.01). Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was related significantly to previous transfusion (15 % vs. 5 %; p < 0.01), tattoos (26 % vs. 14 %; p = 0.04) and coexistence with people with positive HBsAg (17 % vs. 4 %; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Prevalence of serological markers in healthy working population is low. Risk factors for infection were previous transfusion and tattoos. Intravenous drug addiction was only a risk factor in HCV.

OBJETIVO: Conduzir uma análise de custo-efetividade das alternativas medicamentosas com terapia de resgate na recaída por resistência viral para tratamento de pacientes com hepatite crônica B (HCB). MÉTODOS: Coorte hipotética de pacientes com HCB, HBeAg negativo, sem evidência clínica ou histológica de cirrose, DNA do VHB detectável, diagnóstico histológico da doença, HBsAg positivo no soro por mais de seis meses, elevados níveis de alanina transferase (ALT) (duas vezes maior que o limite superior da normalidade [LSN]) e média de idade de 40 anos. Modelo de Markov foi desenvolvido para a hepatite crônica B (antígeno HBeAg negativo) com horizonte temporal de 40 anos. Custos e benefícios foram descontados em 5%. As taxas anuais de progressão, custos devido a complicações e a eficácia dos medicamentos foram obtidos da literatura. As incertezas foram avaliadas por análises de sensibilidade unidirecional e probabilística. RESULTADOS: Iniciar o tratamento com entecavir resultou em 0,35 ano de vida ganho em relação à lamivudina. A razão de custo-efetividade incremental foi de R$ 16.416,08 por anos de vida ganhos. Na análise de sensibilidade a razão de custo-efetividade incremental foi mais sensível à variação na probabilidade de transição de hepatite crônica B para cirrose compensada, taxa de desconto e preço dos medicamentos (± 10%). Na análise de sensibilidade probabilística, a curva de aceitabilidade mostrou que iniciar com entecavir foi a alternativa mais custo-efetiva na comparação ao uso de lamivudina. CONCLUSÕES: A disponibilidade do entecavir é economicamente atrativa como parte do tratamento precoce para pacientes com hepatite crônica B sem coinfecção com o HIV. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis of drug alternatives with rescue therapy in case of relapse due to viral resistance for the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). METHODS: Hypothetical cohort of patients with CHB, HBeAg-negative, without clinical or histological evidence of cirrhosis, detectable HBV DNA, histological diagnosis of the disease, positive serum HBsAg for longer than six months, high levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (twice as high as the upper limit of normality) and mean age of 40 years. A Markov model was developed for chronic hepatitis B (HBeAg- negative) with a 40-year time horizon. Costs and benefits were discounted at 5%. Annual rates of disease progression, costs due to complications and the efficacy of medicines were obtained from the literature. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analysis evaluated uncertainties. RESULTS: Initiation of treatments with entecavir resulted in an increase of 0.35 discounted life-years gained compared to lamivudine. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was R$16,416.08 per life-years gained. In the sensitivity analysis, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was more sensitive to variation in the probability of transition from chronic hepatitis B to compensated cirrhosis, discount rate and medicine prices (± 10%). In the probabilistic sensitivity analysis, the acceptability curve showed that beginning treatment with entecavir was the most cost-effective alternative in comparison with the use of lamivudine. CONCLUSIONS: The availability of entecavir is economically attractive as part of early treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis B without HIV co-infection. OBJETIVO: Analizar la tasa costo/efectividad de las alternativas medicamentosas con terapia de rescate en la recaída por resistencia viral en el tratamiento de pacientes con hepatitis crónica B (HCB). MÉTODOS: Cohorte hipotética de pacientes con HCB HBeAg negativo, sin evidencia clínica o histológica de cirrosis, DNA del VHB detectable, diagnóstico histológico de la enfermedad, HBsAg positivo en el suero por más de seis meses, elevados niveles de alanina transferasa (ALT) (dos veces mayor que el límite superior de la normalidad [LSN] y promedio de edad de 40 años. Se desarrolló el Modelo de Markov para la hepatitis crónica B (antígeno HBeAg negativo) con horizonte temporal de 40 años. Costos y beneficios se descontaron en 5%. Las tasas anuales de progresión, costos debido a complicaciones y la eficacia de los medicamentos se obtuvieron de la literatura. Las incertezas se evaluaron por análisis de sensibilidad unidireccional y probabilística. RESULTADOS: Iniciar el tratamiento con entecavir resultó en ganancia de 0,35 año/vida con relación a la lamivudina. El cociente de costo-efectividad incremental fue de R$ 16.416,08 por años de vida ganados. En el análisis de sensibilidad el cociente de costo-efectividad incremental fue más sensible a la variación en la probabilidad de transición de hepatitis crónica B para cirrosis compensada, tasa de descuento y precio de los medicamentos (±10%). En el análisis de sensibilidad probabilística, la curva de aceptación mostró que iniciar con entecavir fue la alternativa más costo-efectiva en comparación al uso de lamivudina. CONCLUSIONES: La disponibilidad del entecavir es económicamente atractiva como parte del tratamiento precoz para pacientes con hepatitis crónica B sin co-infección con el VIH.

Journal Article; Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections pose major public health problems because of their prevalence worldwide. Consequently, screening for these infections is an important part of routine laboratory activity. Serological and molecular markers are key elements in diagnosis, prognosis and treatment monitoring for HBV and HCV infections. Today, automated chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) analyzers are widely used for virological diagnosis, particularly in high-volume clinical laboratories. Molecular biology techniques are routinely used to detect and quantify viral genomes as well as to analyze their sequence; in order to determine their genotype and detect resistance to antiviral drugs. Real-time PCR, which provides high sensitivity and a broad dynamic range, has gradually replaced other signal and target amplification technologies for the quantification and detection of nucleic acid. The next-generation DNA sequencing techniques are still restricted to research laboratories.The serological and molecular marker methods available for HBV and HCV are discussed in this article, along with their utility and limitations for use in Chronic Hepatitis B (CHB) diagnosis and monitoring. Yes

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of HIV and other STIs, among MSM from Buenos Aires (2007-2009). METHODS Responding Driven Sampling was used for recruitment of MSM. Participants completed a structured web-based survey and provided biological samples. RESULTS A total of 496 MSM were studied for HIV, HBV, HCV, and T pallidum infections. Chlamydia and HPV diagnoses were only performed in 98 and 109 participants, respectively. Prevalence of HIV was 17.3%, HBV 22.9%, HCV 7.5%, T pallidum 20.5%, HPV 83.5%, and C trachomatis 1.7%. In the year prior to the evaluation, 71% of the participants had had sex with men and/or trans and women (MMW) while 29% had not had sex with women (MM). Comparing MM to MMW, prevalence of HIV (30.7% vs. 11.9%, p

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are the principal risk factor associated to end-stage liver diseases in the world. A study was carried out on end-stage liver disease cases admitted to an important hepatology unit in Medellin, the second largest city in Colombia. From 131 patients recruited in this prospective study, 71% of cases were diagnosed as cirrhosis, 12.2% as HCC, and 16.8% as cirrhosis and HCC. Regarding the risk factors of these patients, alcohol consumption was the most frequent (37.4%), followed by viral etiology (17.6%). Blood and/or hepatic tissue samples from patients with serological markers for HCV or HBV infection were characterized; on the basis of the phylogenetic analysis of HCV 5′ UTR and HBV S gene, isolates belonged to HCV/1 and HBV/F3, respectively. These results confirm the presence of strains associated with poor clinical outcome, in patients with liver disease in Colombia; additionally, HBV basal core promoter double mutant was identified in HCC cases. Here we show the first study of cirrhosis and/or HCC in Colombian and HBV and HCV molecular characterization of these patients. Viral aetiology was not the main risk factor in this cohort but alcohol consumption. COL0024159

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) may develop according to two major pathways, one involving HBV infection and TP53 mutation and the other characterized by HCV infection and CTNNB1 mutation. We have investigated HBV/HCV infections and TP53/CTNNB1 mutations in 26 HCC patients from Thailand. HBV DNA (genotype B or C) was detected in 19 (73%) of the cases, including 5 occult infections and 3 coinfections with HCV. TP53 and CTNNB1 mutations were not mutually exclusive, and most of TP53 mutations were R249S, suggesting a significant impact of aflatoxin-induced mutagenesis in HCC development.

RESUMO OBJECTIVO: Descrever o perfil epidemiológico e genotípico da infecção crônica pelo vírus da hepatite B na Região Norte de Portugal. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos 358 indivíduos oriundos das consultas de especialidade que apresentavam resultados positivos para o antígeno da hepatite B durante pelo menos seis meses em dois hospitais do Norte de Portugal em 2008 e 2009. Os dados foram obtidos a partir dos processos clínicos, determinações laboratoriais feitas quando da genotipagem do vírus, ecografia e/ou ultra-sonografia e biópsia hepática. As características demográficas, marcadores víricos, carga viral e genótipos, e severidade da doença hepática foram avaliadas e comparadas entre sexos. RESULTADOS: Os genótipos A e D predominaram. A transmissão intrafamiliar ocorreu predominantemente nas mulheres. Um terço das mulheres apresentava ingestão alcoólica superior a 20 g/dia, aumentando para 58,9% nos homens. A ausência do AgHBe foi semelhante nos dois sexos (p = 0,662). Os parâmetros bioquímicos em geral apresentaram-se com valores mais altos nos homens, assim como nos estágios necro-inflamatório e de esteatose hepática (p = 0,003). CONCLUSÕES: As diferenças relativas às vias de transmissão da infecção pelo vírus da hepatite B entre homens e mulheres podem ser conseqüência de comportamentos de risco associadas ao género. A ingestão excessiva de álcool é predominante nos indivíduos do sexo masculino, assim como maior severidade da doença hepática em relação às mulheres. Descritores: Hepatite B, epidemiologia. Vírus da Hepatite B, isolamento & purificação. Fatores de Risco. Epidemiologia Descritiva.

Las pruebas de función hepática incluyen tanto test bioquímicos (AST, ALT, GGT o fosfatasa alcalina), así como niveles de bilirrubina sérica, albúmina o pruebas de coagulación como la actividad de protrombina. La gran frecuencia con la que estas pruebas son incluidas en exámenes de rutina, tanto de pacientes sintomáticos como asintomáticos, hace que sea de vital importancia la correcta evaluación de los resultados. Elevación de enzimas de predominio citolítico: En elevaciones crónicas, leves-moderadas, se debería descartar toxicidad por fármacos, hepatopatías virales, alcohólicas, hemocromatosis o esteatosis no alcohólica. Elevación de predominio colestásico: La primera evaluación debería valorar el origen de la fosfatasa alcalina, siendo la medición conjunta de la GGT la mejor forma de confirmar el origen hepático de la fosfatasa alcalina. El siguiente paso consiste en determinar la presencia de colestasis extrahepática (por obstrucción biliar de cualquier causa) o intrahepática (CBP, CEP, fármacos, etc.). En estos casos la primera prueba a realizar será una ecografía abdominal, que va a permitir evaluar la vía biliar. Hiperbilirrubinemia: En caso de hiperbilirrubinemia no conjugada se debe valorar las distintas causas (hemolisis, eritropoyesis ineficaz, síndrome de Gilbert o Criggler-Najjar). La hiperbilirrubinemia conjugada aislada, es una situación más infrecuente, y debe hacer pensar en síndromes como el de Rotor o de Dubin-Johnson. La evaluación de los niveles de albúmina y de protrombina van a evaluar la función hepática per se, permitiendo distinguir entre procesos agudos y crónicos. No existen en la actualidad estudios prospectivos que evalúen la eficacia de estos test de función hepática. La realización de una historia clínica detallada, una exploración física adecuada y de pruebas diagnósticas no invasivas (serologías, perfil férrico, autoinmunidad o ecografía abdominal) va a permitir diagnosticar la mayoría de las patologías causantes de la alteración, quedando en segundo lugar pruebas más complejas incluyendo la realización de una biopsia hepática.

Introducción: Las hepatitis crónicas C y B son las principales causas de carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC) en el mundo. No se sabe si la infección crónica por los virus de la hepatitis C (VHC) o B (VHB) es un factor pronóstico para el CHC. El presente estudio busca conocer la epidemiología del CHC en un área de salud rural y valorar si la infección crónica por los VHC o VHB tiene algún impacto en la supervivencia tras el diagnóstico de CHC. Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de 51 pacientes consecutivos, diagnosticados de CHC entre enero de 1994 y diciembre de 2002 en un Hospital de Primer Nivel. Se analizaron las siguientes variables: edad, sexo, infección por VHC y VHB, abuso crónico de alcohol (toma diaria mayor de 80 g), presentación clínica, estadio de Child, número de nódulos hepáticos, tratamiento y supervivencia. Resultados: La edad media al diagnóstico de CHC fue de 68,5 años de edad (rango 45-90) y 45 pacientes (88,6%) eran varones. Los factores etiológicos más prevalentes fueron la ingestión excesiva de alcohol (66%) y la infección crónica por el VHC (42,8%). La infección crónica por el VHB se halló en el 11,9%. En el 48,9% de los casos se detectó infección crónica por el VHC o por el VHB. El 25% estaban asintomáticos y el 66% en estadio A de Child. La proporción lesión única / CHC multinodular fue 52/48. Únicamente el 6% de los pacientes pudo recibir tratamiento con intención curativa. La supervivencia media fue de 10,9 ± 9,1 meses, y no hubo diferencias respecto a la edad, sexo, estadio de Child y número de nódulos hepáticos. La supervivencia fue significativamente mayor en los pacientes con infección crónica por el VHC o por el VHB (16,7 ± 13,1 frente a 4,75 ± 5,3 meses en seronegativos; p=0.02). En el análisis multivariante, sólo la infección crónica por el VHC o por VHB se asoció con una supervivencia superior a 10 meses (OR 22,3; IC 95% 1,8-277,9). Conclusiones: En nuestro medio, los factores etiológicos más prevalentes del CHC son el etilismo y la infección por el VHC. En pacientes con CHC, la infección crónica por el VHC o por el VHB se asocia a una mayor supervivencia.

Introduction: It is estimated that chronic hepatitis B affects to than 350 million people around the world. Patients with eAgHB- minus account, in some areas, for between 50-80% of the total of the population with chronichepatitis B. Spontaneous clearance is rare within these patients, the response to interferon is low and the probability of developing cirrhosis and hepatocarcinoma is higher than in the wild type. Aim: To analyze the response to lamivudine treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis B which are eAgHB negative. Results: Seven of the 9 patients which were treated in our department for more than 3 months were eAgHB negative. Six of them responded to the treatment in an average time of 3.5 months (range 1-6 months). There were two patients that relapsed at 18 and 24 months and they were treated with adefovir. Four patients remained DNA negative and had normal aminotransferases values after an average treatment time of 25 months. Conclusion: In our series, the majority of the patients (77.7%) were eAgHB negative at the beginning of treatment. The efficacy of the treatment with lamivudine in these cases is high (85.7%) and with an early response (average 3,5 months). One third of patients treated relapsed after one and a half years of treatment.

The clinical spectrum of acute hepatitis B virus infection is very broad, with clinical manifestations that range from anicteric and sub-clinical hepatitis to severe acute icteric hepatitis and even, in some cases, to fulminant hepatitis. Diagnosis depends to a large extent on the degree of clinical suspicion of hepatitis, establishing the aetiological origin of the B virus through the study of serological markers and/or DNA in the blood. Although in the majority of cases there is a favourable evolution of acute hepatitis B virus infection, with spontaneous resolution of the clinical manifestations in 4-8 weeks, progression to chronic hepatitis is not unusual in certain cases, above all in infancy. No specific treatment exists for acute hepatitis B virus infection that would reduce its severity or prevent its evolution into chronic hepatitis. However, relative rest and the administration of an hypercaloric diet are recommended. In cases of severe acute hepatitis hospital admission should be recommended; in cases of fulminant hepatitis, admission to the intensive care unit for intensive monitoring and evaluation of a liver transplantation is recommended if spontaneous improvement does not occur. This paper reviews briefly the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of acute hepatitis B virus infection.

A number of reports have indicated an increased risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected individuals carrying HBV e antigen (HBeAg)-negative variants. Although distinct core promoter and precore mutations distributed according to geographical locality and viral genotype have been reported, epidemiological data from South America are still scarce. The prevalences of HBV genotypes and core promoter and precore polymorphisms in 75 HBeAg-negative Argentinean blood donors were surveyed. The observed frequencies of HBV genotypes were 64.0% for genotype F, 17.3% each for genotypes A and D, and 1.3% for genotype C. Genotype F strains were widely distributed and significantly more prevalent in the northern region of the country (P < 0.001). An overall high proportion of a stop codon mutation (UAG) at precore codon 28 (66.7%) was observed. Wild-type codon 28 (UGG) was present in 29.3% of the samples, and the remaining 4.0% of samples had mixed variants. The combination of A at nucleotide (nt) 1762 and G at nt 1764 of the core promoter was found in 58.7% of the samples. The variant profiles—T at nt 1762 and A at nt 1764 or A at nt 1762 and A at nt 1764—were detected in 28.0 and 1.3% of the samples, respectively. The observed core promoter polymorphisms could not be related to the ratio of HBeAg to anti-HBeAg antibody, HBV genotype, or precore codon 28 status. Nevertheless, a clear association of genotype F and a precore stop codon mutation was found (P < 0.05). In conclusion, HBV genotype F and mutant codon 28 strains predominated and were strongly associated in a geographically broad Argentinean blood donor population. Fil: França, Paulo H. C. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Departamento de Virologia; Brazil. Fil: González, Jorge E. ANLIS Dr.C.G.Malbrán. Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas. Laboratorio Nacional de Referencia; Argentina. Fil: Munné, María Silvina. ANLIS Dr.C.G.Malbrán. Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas. Laboratorio Nacional de Referencia; Argentina. Fil: Brandão, Larissa H. Instituto de Diagnóstico Molecular Theranostica; Brazil. Fil: Gouvea, Vera S. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Departamento de Virologia; Brazil. Fil: Sablon, Erwin. Innogenetics NV; Bélgica. Fil: Vanderborght, Bart O. M. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho; Brazil.

La transmisión del virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH), el virus de la hepatitis B (VHB) o el virus de la hepatitis C (VHC), desde un paciente portador a un trabajador sanitario, puede ocurrir a través de pinchazos accidentales con agujas o heridas con instrumentos cortantes. Aunque poco frecuente, la trascendencia médica y legal que una exposición ocupacional puede tener para el personal sanitario es importante. Dado el riesgo de transmisión de enfermedades infecto-contagiosas de elevada morbimortalidad, y la necesidad de tener perfectamente establecida una secuencia de actuación, hacen que estas recomendaciones de profilaxis postexposición deban ser conocidas y estar al alcance de todos los profesionales sanitarios que realicen una labor asistencial. Con este fin realizamos esta revisión y puesta al día de la "actitud a seguir en caso de accidente biológico", primando la practicidad de aplicación dentro de la amplitud que un tema tan interesante conlleva. Transmission of the human immunodeficiency v i rus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV), from a seropositive patient to a health c a re worker, can occur by accidental pricking with a needle or by wounds caused by cutting instruments. Although these exposures are not frequent , their medical and legal implications for sanitary personnel are important. Recommendations of post-exposure prophylaxis should be available to all health care workers with an assistencial function, because of the risk of transmission of contagious diseases with high morbi-mortality and the necessity of having a structural secuence of action. With this objective we performed this review and update of the "steps to follow in case of a biological accident", focussing on practical issues.