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Copyright of Boletín Latinoamericano y del Caribe de Plantas Medicinales y Aromáticas is the property of Universidad de Santiago de Chile and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Habanera de Ciencias Médicas is the property of Universidad de Ciencias Medicas de La Habana and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: The research aims to determine the biochemical and serological profile of hepatitis B and C in inmates of a recovery center, Ananindeua, Pará, Brazil. Methods: Cross-sectional, descriptive and quantitative study, developed between 2015 and 2018. Data were collected using an Inquiry Form and an interview. Participants underwent blood collection to perform serological tests for viral hepatitis B and C and biochemicals. Results: 125 inmates participated, with a frequency of 97.6% for males, with the age group of 31 to 40 years old prevailing (38.4%). The biochemical markers that suffered the most changes: uric acid, Alanine aminotransferase and High density lipoprotein. HBsAg was not detected, but total anti-HBc reagent isolated was detected in 1.6% of individuals. In 20.8%, a vaccine response against the hepatitis B virus can be observed. The survey found a 3.2% prevalence of anti-HCV reagent. Conclusion: The prevalence of infection by the hepatitis B and C viruses is low, although this population is considered to be at high risk for the transmission of these viruses, the majority of those examined reported using only inhalable drugs. The low vaccination coverage found among those examined demonstrated the vulnerability to acquire hepatitis B and the importance of studies among drug users in Pará. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and aims: Viral hepatitis, which appears most frequently at birth or during childhood, is a disease whose transmission routes include tears, bile, sexual fluids, sweat, milk, urine, feces, and saliva. The aim of the present study was to analyze the specificity of the immunochromatographic and ELISA diagnostic tests for hepatitis B surface antigen and compare them with PCR testing. Materials and methods: The study sample was made up of 140 men and 60 women referred to the Urmia Medical University hospital to undergo PCR testing for HBV diagnosis. The ELISA test was performed using the Pioneer Medicine Company kit (Tehran, Iran). Results: The results of the HBs-Ag rapid test and the ELISA test were compared with the PCR test. The HBs-Ag rapid test had 97% sensitivity and 91% specificity, whereas the ELISA test had 78% sensitivity and 76% specificity. Discussion and conclusion: According to our results, the immunochromatographic test was accurate for diagnosing HBs-Ag in blood and the ELISA test had acceptable sensitivity and specificity, compared with PCR testing. Resumen: Introducción y objetivos: La hepatitis viral aparece más frecuentemente al nacer o durante la infancia y es una enfermedad cuyas vías de transmisión incluyen lágrimas, bilis, fluidos sexuales, sudor, leche, orina, heces y saliva. El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar la especificidad de la inmunocromatografía y la prueba ELISA para el antígeno de superficie de hepatitis B y compararlas con la prueba PCR. Materiales y métodos: La muestra estuvo compuesta por 140 hombres y 60 mujeres referidos al hospital de la Escuela de Medicina de la Universidad de Urmia para diagnóstico de VHB por medio de prueba PCR. La prueba ELISA fue realizada con el kit de la Pioneer Medicine Company (Teherán, Irán). Resultados: Los resultados de la prueba rápida HBsAg y de la prueba ELISA fueron comparados con la prueba de PCR. La prueba rápida de HBsAg tuvo una sensibilidad del 97% y especificidad del 91%, mientras que la prueba ELISA tuvo una sensibilidad del 78% y especificidad del 76%. Discusión y conclusión: De acuerdo con nuestros resultados, la prueba de inmunocromatografía fue precisa para diagnosticar HBsAg en sangre y la prueba ELISA tuvo sensibilidad y especificidad aceptables en comparación con la prueba de PCR.

Copyright of Medicina (Buenos Aires) is the property of Medicina (Buenos Aires) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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.

Introduction: Nowadays, infectious diseases constitute one of the most frequent causes of death, with the result that current hepatitis epidemic is a health problem worldwide. The hepatitis B and C are spread by means of the blood contact, semen or another body fluid of an infected person. Objective: To update some elements on the chronic viral hepatitis as a health problem. Development: Some aspects of the chronic viral hepatitis related to the global, regional and local statistics are analysed; the impact indicators, epidemiology, characteristics of the virus and the ways of transmission are also approached. Conclusions: This question has become a serious health problem worldwide and Cuba is not exempt of this situation. The main link to prevent and reduce the number of patients and the transmission of these diseases is the primary health care, where the educational and preventive work that is developed in the community is fundamental.

Copyright of Revista de Gastroenterología del Perú is the property of Sociedad de Gastroenterologia del Peru and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introducción: La vacuna cubana Heberbiovac HB contribuyó a la prevención y el control de la hepatitis B en Cuba. Actualmente, es un reto la eliminación de la enfermedad. Objetivos: evaluar la prevalencia de marcadores de infección (HBsAg, ADN VHB) y de protección contra el virus de la hepatitis B (anticuerpos anti-HBsAg), en donantes de sangre y un grupo vulnerable; e identificar sí la inmunogenética de la población cubana influye en la respuesta inmune humoral a la vacuna Heberbiovac HB. Métodos: Se emplearon ensayos inmunoenzimáticos y moleculares para identificar los marcadores del virus, en donantes de sangre y pacientes de hemodiálisis. Además, se identificaron los polimorfismos de simple nucleótido (SNP) de la interleucina 12 (IL-12), IL-12A G>A e IL-12B A > C, por secuenciación nucleotídica; en individuos reactivados con una dosis de Heberbiovac HB. Resultados: La prevalencia del HBsAg fue baja en donantes de sangre, y nula en donantes nacidos después de incluida la vacunación en el PNI. En pacientes de hemodíalisis la prevalencia del HBsAg fue 5,95 %, y el 89,47 % tenían títulos protectores de anticuerpos anti-HBsAg. En individuos con combinaciones de los SNP de IL-12A/IL-12B; GG/AC y GG/AA se identificaron niveles hiperprotectores de anti-HBsAg posterior a la vacunación, contrariamente a el que portaban la combinación AA/AA. Conclusiones. Los resultados demuestran la inmunogenicidad de la vacuna Heberbiovac HB, y confirman la efectividad de los esquemas de vacunación cubanos. Por primera vez se demuestra que los SNP del gen de IL-12, IL-12A e IL-12B, pudieran influir en los niveles de anticuerpos anti-HBsAg post-vacunal, en la población cubana.

Introduction: Nowadays, infectious diseases constitute one of the most frequent causes of death, with the result that current hepatitis epidemic is a health problem worldwide. The hepatitis B and C are spread by means of the blood contact, semen or another body fluid of an infected person. Objective: To update some elements on the chronic viral hepatitis as a health problem. Development: Some aspects of the chronic viral hepatitis related to the global, regional and local statistics are analysed; the impact indicators, epidemiology, characteristics of the virus and the ways of transmission are also approached. Conclusions: This question has become a serious health problem worldwide and Cuba is not exempt of this situation. The main link to prevent and reduce the number of patients and the transmission of these diseases is the primary health care, where the educational and preventive work that is developed in the community is fundamental. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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.

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.

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. Pregnancyrelated 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of CES Medicina is the property of Universidad CES and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: In Colombia, Hepatitis C virus infections have high rates of morbidity and high costs. The advent of new more effective treatments has produced a need for better knowledge of this population's characteristics to allow their proper use. Objectives: The objective of this study is to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with hepatitis C at a referral center for liver diseases. Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study of a population of adults with serological diagnoses of hepatitis C between 2011 and 2016. Results: We evaluated 214 clinical records of patients with confirmed serological diagnoses of hepatitis C. Their median age was 59 years, and 62% were women. The HCV genotypes of 114 patients were reported: 75% had genotype 1B. Transfusions of one or another type of blood product had been administered to 36.9% of the patients, and 5% had tattoos. The prevalence of cirrhosis was 29.4% while that of hepatocellular carcinoma was 3.3%. Hepatitis B virus coinfections were found in 1.8% of these patients, and 5.1% of the patients had human immunodeficiency virus coinfections. Conclusion: The determinants of hepatitis C virus infection in Cali are similar to those reported in scientific literature worldwide and requires emphasis on prevention in the at-risk population. Genotype 1b continues to be the most frequent in our environment which makes this population susceptible to new treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Biomédica: Revista del Instituto Nacional de Salud is the property of Instituto Nacional de Salud of Colombia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Española de Quimioterapia is the property of Sociedad Espanola de Quimioterapia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introducción: En la etiología del carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC) se ha relacionado a la Hepatitis B, C, diabetes mellitus tipo 2, obesidad y el sexo masculino. Aunque en la mitad de los casos se presente en un hígado no cirrótico. El objetivo de este trabajo fue es demostrar las características epidemiológicas asociadas al CHC en un centro único de estudio. Métodos: El presente estudio observacional retrospectivo fue realizado en pacientes masculinos diagnosticados histológicamente de CHC entre 2009-2013 en el Hospital de Solca-Guayaquil. Se midieron variables, edad, procedencia, ocupación, etiología, presencia de cirrosis y tipo de tratamiento realizado. Se analizaron los casos comparando los pacientes con y sin cirrosis. Resultados: Ingresaron al estudio 67 casos de pacientes con CHC con una media de 64.6 años. El 43.3 % de los pacientes pertenecientes a la provincia del Guayas, 32.8 % obreros de profesión. En el grupo cirrosis (n=38) el Virus de la Hepatitis B con 13 casos (19.4 %) en el grupo sin cirrosis (n=29) fueron 6 casos (9 %) P =0.22. DM + Obesidad en el grupo de cirrosis 1 caso (2.6 %) en el grupo sin cirrosis 14 casos (20.9 %) Odds Ratio 0.029 (IC 95% 0.0035 a 0.24) P 30 kg/m2. El hábito alcohólico es un factor de riesgo estadísticamente significativo en el grupo de pacientes que presentó cirrosis hepática y CHC.

Introducción: la infección oculta por el virus de la hepatitis B (VHB) se caracteriza por la presencia del genoma viral en suero y/o tejido hepático de individuos negativos para el antígeno de superficie HBsAg. La infección oculta se ha asociado con el desarrollo de cirrosis y carcinoma hepatocelular. Objetivo: identificar casos de infección oculta por el VHB en pacientes con diagnóstico de cirrosis y carcinoma hepatocelular, sometidos a trasplante hepático. Materiales y métodos: entre febrero de 2013 y marzo de 2014 fueron obtenidas muestras de explante hepático provenientes de pacientes con diagnóstico de cirrosis y/o carcino- ma hepatocelular. Se detectó el genoma del VHB mediante amplificación de tres regiones del genoma viral (S, Core y X). Las muestras positivas se confirmaron por reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) en tiempo real para la región S. Resultados: se analizaron 15 muestras de tejido hepático, y en dos (13,3%) se detectó el genoma del VHB mediante PCR anidada para la región S y por PCR semianidada para la región X, resultado confirmado por PCR en tiempo real. Estas muestras provenían de pacientes negativos para los marcadores serológicos de infección por el VHB, anti-HBc y anti-HBs. Conclusión: la frecuencia de infección oculta reportada en este estudio es similar a lo reportado en Brasil en muestras de biopsias obtenidas de pacientes con hepatitis crónica. Estudios adicionales son necesarios para estimar la frecuencia de infección oculta por VHB (OBI) en pacientes con hepatopatías terminales en Colombia.

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

Chronic hepatitis B virus infections are a serious public health problem worldwide. Its consequences can be deadly, and current treatment offers only control of the disease rather than a cure. The main limiting factors for a cure are the difficulty of destroying the cDNA of the virus in the cell nucleus and the presence of viral genetic material integrated into the DNA of the host cell. Multiple fronts of research focus on finding a definitive cure by enhancing the immune response of the host or by acting directly against the virus and its replication cycle. This article presents the main advances that have been made in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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 ± 9 years vs. 39 ± 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 ± 45 IU/L vs. 23 ± 12 IU/L; p < 0.001) and in gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) value (104 ± 122 IU/L vs. 37 ± 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 ± 15 IU/L vs. 23 ± 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.

El preS1/2 es parte de las proteínas de envoltura del virus de la hepatitis B (VHB), con funciones importantes en la inmunopatogenia de la enfermedad. Para su estudio es necesario contar con la proteína pura y así dilucidar su participación en el daño generado en el tejido hepático. Para ello se procedió a la expresión del preS1/2 previamente clonado en el vector peT3d, en la cepa de E coli HMS174 (DE3), seguido por su purificación mediante columnas de afinidad hacia residuos de histidina (6xhistidina) y finalmente sometidas a liberación de contaminantes mediante el uso de columnas de afinidad hacia endotoxina y filtración por centrifugación, de esta manera utilizarla para evaluar su efecto sobre hepatocitos humanos. El procedimiento utilizado permitió obtener 1,5 mg de proteína pura funcionalmente estable por cada litro de medio de cultivo. En este trabajo se describe un método sencillo de expresión y purificación del preS1/2 recombinante y se evidencia la obtención de un producto intacto, con potencial uso en estudios funcionales y futuros ensayos terapéuticos Expression and purification of preS1/2 antigen and its usefulness in the hepatitis B virus pathogenesis study Abstract The preS1/2 belongs to the envelope proteins of the hepatitis B virus (HBV), and has an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease. A pure protein is important for their study, and thus elucidates their involvement in the liver tissue damage observed during the diseases. For this purpose preS1/2 previously cloned into the pET3d was expressed in E. coli strain HMS174 (DE3), subsequent was purified by affinity columns histidine residues (6xhistidine) and finally treated to release contaminants by using affinity columns endotoxin and filtration by centrifugation, thereby used it to assess their effect on human hepatocytes. The procedure yielded 1,5 mg pure protein per liter of culture medium, functionally stable. In this paper we describe a simple method of expression and purification of preS1/2, which is an intact product with potential use in functional studies and future therapeutic trials

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.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.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: Determinar la seroprevalencia de marcadores de infecciones transmisibles por vía transfusional. MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal con fuente de información secundaria, basada en los resultados de pruebas biológicas en los donantes de un banco de sangre de Medellín, Colombia, de 2007 a 2010. Se determinó la seroprevalencia de los marcadores de infección y se compararon según sexo y tipo de donante a través de análisis de frecuencias, chi cuadrado, Fisher y razones de prevalencia. RESULTADOS: La población de base estuvo conformada por 65.535 donantes de los cuales, 3,3% presentaran al menos una prueba biológica positiva. El marcador más prevalente en las pruebas del banco de sangre fue sífilis (1,2%), seguido de tripanosomiasis (1,0%), virus de la hepatitis C (VHC) (0,6%), virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) (0,5%) y virus de la hepatitis B (VHB) (0,2%). Con base en el laboratorio de referencia se halló una prevalencia de 0,6% para sífilis, 0,1% para VHB y 0% para VHC, VIH y Chagas. Se hallaron diferencias estadísticas en la prevalencia de VHB y sífilis según sexo y tipo de donante. CONCLUSIONES: Los resultados son coherentes con las prevalencias dadas por la Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS) y se pueden correlacionar con la prevalencia mundial de las infecciones transmisibles por via transfusional. Los resultados hallados en las pruebas del banco de sangre posibilitan la disminución del riesgo transfusional pero limitan la optimización de recursos al excluir donantes clasificados como falsos positivos.OBJETIVO: Determinar a soroprevalência de marcadores de infecções transmissíveis por transfusão. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com fonte de informação secundária, com base nos resultados dos testes biológicos em doadores de um banco de sangue em Medellín, Colômbia, de 2007 a 2010. Determinou-se a soroprevalência de marcadores de infecção, que foram comparados por sexo e tipo de doador por meio da análise de frequência, qui-quadrado, Fisher e taxas de prevalência. RESULTADOS: A população base foi formada por 65.535 doadores, dos quais 3,3% tinham pelo menos um teste biológico positivo. O marcador mais prevalente nos testes do banco de sangue foi a sífilis (1,2%), seguido pela tripanossomíase (1,0%), vírus da hepatite C (VHC) (0,6%), vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV) (0,5%) e vírus da hepatites B (VHB) (0,2%). Com base no laboratório de referência, detectou-se prevalência de 0,6% para sífilis, 0,1% para VHB e 0% para VHC, VIH e Chagas. Foram encontradas diferenças estatísticas na prevalência de VHB e sífilis por sexo e tipo de doador. CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados são consistentes com as prevalências informadas pela Organização Panamericana de Saúde e podem ser correlacionadas com a prevalência mundial das infecções transmitidas por transfusão. Os resultados dos testes do banco de sangue possibilitam a redução do risco de transfusão, mas limitam a otimização dos recursos ao excluir os doadores classificados como falsos positivos.OBJECTIVE: To determine the seroprevalence of markers of transfusion transmissible infections in donors of a blood bank in Medellin, Colombia, beteween 2007 and 2010. METHODS: A cross-sectional secondary data source, based on the results of biological testing of donors to a blood bank in Medellin. We determined the seroprevalence of markers of infection and were compared by sex and type of donor through frequency analysis, chi square, Fisher and prevalence ratios. RESULTS: The base population was 65,535 donors, and 3.3% had at least one positive biological test. The most prevalent marker in the blood bank testing was syphilis (1,2%), followed by trypanosomiasis (1,0%), hepatitis C virus (HCV) (0,6%), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) 0,5% and hepatitis B virus (HBV) (0,2%). Based on the reference laboratory found a prevalence of 0.6% for syphilis, 0,1% for (HBV) and 0% for (HCV), (HIV) and Chagas. We found statistical differences in the prevalence of (HBV) and syphilis by sex and type of donor. CONCLUSIONS: The results are consistent with the prevalences given by Pan American Health Organization and can be correlated with the global prevalence of transfusion-transmitted infections. The results founds by the blood bank lead to a transfusion risk reduction but limit the optimization of resources by excluding donors classified as false positives.

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.

Por la elevada incidencia y prevalencia de las hepatitis virales en los pacientes de hemodiálisis, se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, prospectivo para conocer incidencia, prevalencia de virus de la hepatitis C (VHC) y de la hepatitis B (VHB), además factores de carácter objetivos. También se evaluó el cumplimiento de las medidas de bioseguridad. Fueron estudiados pacientes con Enfermedad Renal Crónica Terminal (ERCt) en hemodiálisis del servicio Sandino. Se les aplicó una encuesta epidemiológica y realizó AgSVHB, AcVHC por técnica de ELISA de tercera generación. También se aplicó una encuesta a enfermería, además se recogieron datos durante la hemodiálisis durante 2006 y 2007. Los resultados arrojados fueron,prevalencia VHC 45 y 41,6%, años 2006 y 2007 y VHB 10 y 4,1%, respectivamente. Una incidencia VHC 5% y 12,5%, años 2006 y 2007 y VHB 0 y 4,1%, respectivamente. Predominó el sexo masculino con 15 pacientes, raza blanca con 17 y el 48,1% era mayor de 50 años. El tiempo en hemodiálisis con más pacientes fue el de menos de 5 años con 66,6%, al igual que los pacientes con vacunación completa VHB. El 40,7% de los pacientes se habían transfundido más de una vez. Se concluyó que es baja la frecuencia de casos VHB, no así VHC, que se mantiene con mayor número. Los factores como transfusiones de sangre se relacionaron con VHC y VHB. No encontramos relación entre el sexo, raza, edad, tiempo en hemodiálisis con el VHC, VHB. En general se cumplen las medidas de bioseguridad.An observational descriptive and prospective study was aimed at knowing the incidence and prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus as well as the objective factors. The fulfilment of biosecurity measures was evaluated. Patients suffering from Terminal Chronic Renal Disease (TCRD) were studied in the haemodialysis unit in Sandino hospital, these patients were also surveyed epidemiologically, and AgSVHB and AcVHC were used applying the third generation technique (ELISA). Nurses were also surveyed and data during haemodialysis in 2006-2007 were compiled. Results showed a prevalence rate of CVH 45 and 41.6% (2006 and 2007) and a prevalence of BVH of 0 and 4, 1 %, respectively. Masculine sex was predominating (15 patients), as well as the Caucasian race (17 patients) and 40.1% of patients was over 50 years old. Most of the patients stayed in dialysis less than 5 years (66.6%) and also those patients with a complete vaccination (HBV). 40, 7% had been transfunded more than once. It is concluded with a low frequency of HBV and a great frequency in the HCV. It was not observed any relationship among sex, race, age, time in haemodialysis with HCV and HBV. In general the biosecurity measurements are fulfilled.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the seroprevalence of HIV, hepatitis B and C and syphilis and to describe risk behaviors associated to their transmission among recyclable waste collectors. METHODS: A seroepidemiological survey was carried out in the city of Santos, Southeastern Brazil, in 2005. A total of 315 individuals were enrolled in the survey, of which 253 subjects underwent serological testing HIV, hepatitis B and C and syphilis. Statistical analysis consisted of univariate and bivariate analyses (cross-tabulation and odds ratio) and multivariate analysis (by logistic regression), relating HIV infection with established risk behaviors and seropositivity. RESULTS: Overall seroprevalences were: HIV, 8.9%; hepatitis B, 34.4%; hepatitis C, 12.4%; and syphilis, 18.4%. Subjects were characterized by a predominance of males with low educational and economic levels, subjected to parenteral and sexual exposures to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Multivariate analysis results indicated that risk factors for both sexually and parenterally related exposure were significantly associated with HIV in this community. CONCLUSIONS: Seroprevalences found in the study were approximately 10 to 12 times higher than the national average. These communities are socially marginalized and generally not recognized by national programs as potentially endangered populations.OBJETIVO: Estimar la seroprevalencia de HIV, Hepatitis B y C y sífilis y describir los comportamientos de riesgo asociados a la transmisión entre colectores autónomos de basura. MÉTODOS: Se realizó una investigación seroepidemiológica en la ciudad de Santos (Sudeste de Brasil), en 2005. Se realizaron análisis serológicas para HIV, Hepatitis B y C y sífilis a 253 individuos, de un total de 315 incluidos en el estudio. Los análisis estadísticos consistieron de pruebas uni y bivariadas (tabulación cruzada y odds ratio) y análisis multivariada (por regresión logística), relacionando la infección por HIV con los factores de riesgo establecidos y la seropositividad. RESULTADOS: Las seroprevalencias totales fueron: HIV, 8,9%; Hepatitis B, 34,4%; Hepatitis C, 12,4%; y sífilis, 18,4%. La muestra estuvo caracterizada por la predominancia de individuos del sexo masculino, con bajos niveles económicos y educacionales y sujetos a exposición parenteral y sexual al HIV y otras enfermedades transmisibles sexualmente. Los resultados del análisis multivariado indicaron que factores de riesgo unidos tanto a la exposición sexual como a la parenteral están significativamente asociados al HIV en esta comunidad. CONCLUSIONES: Las seroprevalencias encontradas en el estudio fueron aproximadamente 10 a 12 veces mayores que el promedio nacional. Estas comunidades son socialmente marginalizadas y generalmente no reconocidas por los programas nacionales como poblaciones de riesgo potencial.OBJETIVO: Estimar a soroprevalência de HIV, Hepatites B e C e sífilis e descrever os comportamentos de risco associados à sua transmissão entre coletores autônomos de lixo. MÉTODOS: Um inquérito soroepidemiológico foi conduzido na cidade de Santos (SP), em 2005. Um total de 315 indivíduos foi incluído no estudo, dos quais 253 submeteram-se a testes sorológicos para HIV, Hepatites B e C e sífilis. A análise estatística consistiu de análises uni e bivariadas (tabulação cruzada e odds ratio) e análise multivariada (por regressão logística), relacionando a infecção por HIV com os fatores de risco estabelecidos e soropositividade. RESULTADOS: As soroprevalências totais foram: HIV, 8,9%; Hepatite B, 34,4%; Hepatite C, 12,4%; e sífilis, 18,4%. A amostra foi caracterizada por predominância de indivíduos do sexo masculino, com baixos níveis econômicos e educacionais e sujeitos a exposição parenteral e sexual ao HIV e outras doenças sexualmente transmissíveis. Os resultados da análise multivariada indicaram que fatores de risco ligados tanto à exposição sexual quanto à parenteral estão significativamente associados ao HIV nesta comunidade. CONCLUSÕES: As soroprevalências encontradas no estudo foram aproximadamente 10 a 12 vezes maiores que a média nacional. Estas comunidades são socialmente marginalizadas e geralmente não reconhecidas pelos programas nacionais como populações de risco potencial.

Entre 500.000 y 1’000.000 de personas mueren anualmente en todo el mundo a causa de complicaciones relacionadas con la infección por el virus de la hepatitis B. Este virus presenta la tasa de mutación más alta entre los virus ADN que infectan al hombre. Aunque algunos de los genotipos del virus de la hepatitis B se han asociado al desarrollo de complicaciones durante la infección persistente, los estudios recientes sugieren un papel más importante a la aparición de ciertas variantes de este virus durante la infección. Una de las regiones del genoma del virus de la hepatitis B más analizadas y que presentan mayor frecuencia de mutaciones, es la región precore/core y el promotor correspondiente; la doble mutación (A1762T/G1764A) del promotor es la de mayor impacto sobre la replicación del virus de la hepatitis B y la respuesta a la terapia antiviral. En esta revisión se muestra el papel del genotipo y las variantes de la región precore/core del virus de la hepatitis B en el contexto del curso clínico y el tratamiento antiviral.It is estimated that among 500,000 to 1 million deaths occurred annually worldwide due to complications associated to hepatitis B virus infection (HBV). The HBV has the higher mutation rate among DNA viruses that infect humans. Although some HBV genotypes have been associated with clinical complications during chronic infection, recently published data suggest a stronger role of HBV variants. Precore/core region and its promoter element are one of the HBV genomic segments with a higher mutation rate. The double mutation (A1762T/G1764A) in basal core promoter sequence results in dramatic viral replication changes and poor response to antiviral treatment. This review summarizes the present knowledge about the genotype and precore/core variants influence in clinical outcome, immune response evasion and antiviral therapy.

A fin de conocer la prevalencia de la infección por el virus de hepatitis B (VHB) en la comunidad indígena Japreira, Venezuela, y determinar las pautas de su adquisición en función de la edad y sexo, se seleccionaron 149 individuos de un total de 300. Se detectó por métodos serológicos la presencia de anticuerpos totales del VHB (anti-HBc total), y en las positivas se investigó la presencia del antígeno de superficie (HBsAg) y del antígeno "e" del VHB (HBeAg). La prevalencia de anti-HBc total fue de 72,9% en el sexo femenino y 81,1% en el masculino, la prevalencia de HBsAg fue elevada (61,1%) en el sexo masculino, sólo cuatro de los portadores de HBsAg fueron positivos para HBeAg. Los resultados obtenidos indican un grado elevado de endemia para esta infección y que su diseminación comienza a temprana edad. El factor involucrado en la adquisición y diseminación del virus seria la vía sexual. Hacinamiento, contacto intercorpóreo con fluidos biológicos, prácticas sociales, y características de la cepa viral circulante podrían estar involucradas en la alta cronicidad observada en la comunidad indígena Japreira.The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the Japreira indigenous community, Venezuela, and its relationship to age and gender. An intentional, non-probabilistic sample of 149 individuals was selected from a total of 300. All samples were studied for the presence of total HBV antibodies (total anti-HBc), and the positive samples were tested for HBV surface and "e" antigens (HBsAg, HBeAg). Overall prevalence rates of total anti-HBc were 72.9% in females and 81.1% in males. The highest prevalence of HBsAg was observed in males 26-35 years of age. Only four of the 44 HBsAg carriers were positive for HBeAg. The results showed a high endemic HBV infection rate and indicated that its spread begins at early ages. Sexual transmission may be the main route for spread of the virus. Crowding, close contact with bodily fluids, specific social practices, and features of the circulating viral strain among members of this community could be involved in the high chronicity observed in the Japreira indigenous community.

El cáncer primario de hígado es en el mundo la quinta neoplasia más común en hombres y la octava en mujeres, con gran impacto debido a su alta mortalidad, ya que representa la tercera causa de mortalidad relacionada con cáncer en población masculina. Se ha descrito una fuerte asociación con factores de riesgo como las hepatitis virales crónicas, las hepatopatías de origen genético, el consumo de alcohol, el tabaquismo y enfermedades metabólicas, entre otras. En este artículo se analizan publicaciones originales y de revisión en las que se evalúan dichos factores y su asociación con el carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC). Además, se recopila información actualizada sobre datos epidemiológicos por regiones del mundo. Primary liver cancer is the 5th neoplasia more common among men and 8th among women worldwide. It has a great impact because of its high mortality; Liver cancer ranks third amongst the causes of cancer-related deaths in men. It has been associated with some risk factors as chronic viral hepatitis, genetic liver disease, intake of alcohol, use of tobacco, metabolic disease and others. This document corresponds to a review of original papers of evaluation of those factors and its association with liver cancer and also reviewed articles. Additionally, updated epidemiological information of liver cancer worldwide is included.

Antecedentes: Colombia presenta un patrón de prevalencia heterogéneo para la infección por virus de la hepatitis B (VHB) con regiones de alta, moderada y baja prevalencia. Objetivo: identificar los casos de infección por VHB y caracterizar los genotipos virales en población con factores de exposición en las ciudades de Quibdó y Apartadó, Colombia. Materiales y métodos: la población del estudio correspondió a 768 individuos asintomáticos con factores de exposición a la infección por VHB. El primer análisis fue la detección del antígeno de superficie del VHB (HBsAg) por prueba rápida. En las muestras de individuos positivos para esta prueba, se confirmó la presen- cia del HBsAg por ELISA y se detectó el genoma del VHB por reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR). El genotipo viral fue determinado por secuenciación y análisis filogenético. Resultados: se identificaron 17/768 individuos con infección por VHB (2,2%) según la detección del HBsAg por prueba rápida y por ELISA. Los análisis filogenéticos permitieron la identificación de los genotipos F, (subgenotipos F3 y F1a) y A en las muestras. Conclusiones: se reporta por primera vez la circulación del subgenotipo F1a en Colombia y se confirma la circulación del subgenotipo F3 y el genotipo A.

Introduction: Occult hepatitis B virus infection is characterized by the presence of the viral genome in serum and/or liver tissue from individuals who test negative for the HBsAg surface antigen. Occult infection has been associated with the development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Objective: The objective of this study was to identify cases of occult hepatitis B virus infection in patients with cirrhosis and/or hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing liver transplantation. Materials and methods: Between February 2013 and March 2014 hepatic explant samples were obtained from patients with cirrhosis and/or hepatocellular carcinoma. The hepatitis B virus genome was detected by amplification of three regions of the viral genome (S, Core and X). Positive samples were confirmed by real-time PCR for the S region. Results: Fifteen hepatic tissue samples were analyzed. The genome of the hepatitis B virus was detected in two (13.3%) samples by nested PCR for the S region and by semi-nested PCR for region X. The results were confirmed by real-time PCR. These samples came from patients who had tested negative for anti-HBc and anti-HBs serological markers for hepatitis B virus infection. Conclusion: The frequency of occult infection reported in this study is similar to that reported in Brazil in biopsy specimens obtained from patients with chronic hepatitis. Additional studies are needed to estimate the frequency of occult hepatitis B in patients with end-stage liver disease in Colombia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Española de Quimioterapia is the property of Sociedad Espanola de Quimioterapia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Biomédica: Revista del Instituto Nacional de Salud is the property of Instituto Nacional de Salud of Colombia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A descriptive and cross-sectional study of 27 patients with hepatitis B and C, admitted to the Hemodialysis Service of "Juan B. Viñas González" Teaching General Hospital in Palma Soriano, Santiago de Cuba, was carried out from April, 2011 to the same month in 2015, aimed at characterizing them according to selected variables. In the case material, those affected with hepatitis C, the 60 and more age group, the male sex, as well as the high blood pressure and diabetic renal disease as fundamental causes of chronic kidney failure, prevailed. The time in hemodialysis had a directly proportional relationship with the number of infected patients, who presented more than double the normal value of the enzymatic activity for glutamic pyruvic transaminase. It is concluded that the infection for the hepatitis C virus was more significant in those exposed under a longer time to the hemodialysis treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objetivos: Estudiar las prácticas de riesgo de inyección de drogas, en especial compartir indirectamente material de inyección (CIMI), y de las conductas sexuales de riesgo. Métodos: Estudio transversal. Entrevista cara a cara de 1.638 usuarios de programas de intercambio de jeringas (PIJ). Se investigaron varias formas de CIMI (coger droga diluida en una jeringa usada ajena, meter la aguja en el recipiente donde se introdujeron otras usadas y reutilizar el líquido de limpieza de otros). Resultados: El 16% en Galicia, el 4,7% en Madrid, el 17,6% en Sevilla y el 13,2% en Valencia se inyectó con jeringas usadas ajenas (p < 0,001). Con variaciones geográficas, la práctica de alguna forma de CIMI (Galicia, 32,4%; Madrid, 28,5%; Sevilla, 42,6%; Valencia, 27,4%; p < 0,001) superó en cada área a la de inyectarse con jeringas usadas ajenas. El 21,7; el 25,3; el 28,2, y el 18,1% (p < 0,01), respectivamente, no se inyectó con jeringas usadas ajenas, pero realizó alguna forma de CIMI. El porcentaje que mantuvo relaciones sexuales desprotegidas con una pareja ocasional fue en todos los lugares (36,6; 40,9; 37,9 y 23,9%; p = NS) muy inferior al que las mantuvo con la pareja estable (68,6; 72,0; 77,8 y 72,8%; p = NS). El 81,3% de los inyectores con pareja estable en Galicia, el 75,9% en Madrid, el 86,1% en Sevilla y el 79,7% en Valencia informaron que el estado serológico de su pareja era negativo o lo desconocía (p < 0,001). Conclusiones: La prevalencia de CIMI es mayor que la de inyección con jeringas usadas. Para un porcentaje relevante, las únicas conductas de riesgo de inyección son las prácticas de CIMI. Éstas y el escaso uso del preservativo, especialmente con la pareja estable, pueden estar contribuyendo a la extensión del virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana y al virus de las hepatitis C o B.Objectives: To study drug-injecting practices, particularly indirect sharing of injecting paraphernalia (ISIP), and sexual risk behavior. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of 1638 users of needle exchange programs (NEPs). Different types of ISIP were studied: taking diluted drugs in a syringe used by others, placing the needle in a recipient with other used needles, and reusing cleaning liquid previously used by others. Results: The prevalence of injecting with syringes already used by others was 16% in Galicia, 4.7% in Madrid, 17.6% in Seville and 13.2% in Valencia (p < 0.001). With geographical variations, other types of ISIP (Galicia: 32.4%; Madrid: 28.5%; Seville: 42.6%; Valencia: 27.4% -p < 0.001-) were more frequent than injecting with syringes already used by others (Galicia: 32.4%; Madrid: 28.5%; Seville: 42.6%; Valencia: 27.4% -p < 0.001-). The percentage not injecting with syringes used by others but performing ISIP was 21.7%, 25.3%, 28.2% and 18.1% (p < 0.01) respectively. In all geographical areas, sexual risk practices were more prevalent with steady sex partners (68.6%, 72.0%, 77.8%, 72.8% [NS]) than with casual partners (36.6%, 40.9%, 37.9%, 23.9% [NS]). Among injectors with a stable partner, 81.3% in Galicia, 75.9% in Madrid, 86.1% in Seville and 79.7% in Valencia reported that his/her serological status was negative for HIV or was unknown (p < 0.001). Conclusions: ISIP is more prevalent than injection with syringes already used by others. For a substantial percentage of injectors, ISIP is the only risk practice. ISIP and the low use of condoms, particularly with steady partners, could be a contributory factor to the spread of HIV, hepatitis C virus, and hepatitis B virus infection.

Las aflatoxinas pertenecen a la familia de las micotoxinas, que son sustancias químicas producidas por cepas toxigénicas de hongos, principalmente Aspergillus flavus y Aspergillus parasiticus. Estas sustancias pueden causar enfermedad y muerte, tanto en animales como en seres humanos. Las aflatoxinas son frecuentemente aisladas de alimentos como maíz, arroz, maní y otros, que han tenido un mal manejo postcosecha. La ingestión de aflatoxinas puede producir una enfermedad conocida como aflatoxicosis. La aflatoxina B1 es el factor que más obstaculiza el desarrollo fetal, con mayor capacidad de provocar o acelerar el cáncer, y es además el tipo de aflatoxina que provoca mayores cambios repentinos y permanentes en los genes, entre estos, puede inducir una mutación específica en el codón 249 del gen supresor P53, relacionado con la génesis de tumores.

Se evaluó la seguridad fase I de la gamma hiperinmune producida en Cuba contra la hepatitis B, en una muestra de personas con antecedentes alérgicos y sin estos. Se realizó un estudio con los 7 lotes de gammaglobulina hiperinmune obtenida en el Centro Nacional de Hemoderivados con todas las características para ser aplicada al humano. Se hizo en 2 fases para cada uno de los lotes, en la primera se le administró gammaglobulina hiperinmune 200 UI, junto con la primera y segunda dosis de la vacuna anti-hepatitis B, a 10 convivientes para cada lote (70 sujetos sin antecedentes patológicos familiares ni personales de hipersensibilidad tipo I). En la segunda fase a 20 convivientes para cada lote (140 sujetos) se les realizó el mismo procedimiento en la administración de la gamma, pero en personas con antecedentes de hipersensibilidad tipo I. Todos los estudios de forma colectiva e individual fueron precedidos de conferencias impartidas por profesores incluidos en este trabajo, que concluyó con la obtención del consentimiento informado individual para todos los participantes. No se detectaron efectos indeseables ni locales ni sistémicos en ninguno de los participantes en el estudio. La inocuidad observada permitirá continuar con fases posteriores de estudios clínicos.The phase 1 safety of the hyperimmune gamma produced in Cuba against hepatitis B was evaluated in a sample of persons with and without allergy history. A study was conducted with the 7 batches of hyperimmune gammaglobulin obtained in the National Hemoderivatives Center with all the characteristics to be applied to the human being. The study was divided into 2 phases for each batch. In the first phase, hyperimmune gammaglobulin 200 units was administered concurrently with the first and second dose of the antihepatitis B vaccine to 10 living together persons per batch (70 subjects with no family or personal pathological history of type 1 hypersensitivity). In the second phase, the same procedure was carried out among 20 living together persons per batch (140 individuals) that were administered gamma, but they were persons with type I hypersensitivity. All the collective or individual studies were preceded by lectures conducted by professors that took part in this work, which concluded with the obtention of the individual informed consent for all the participants. No undesirable local or systemic effects were observed in any of the subjects included in the study. The inocuity found will allow to continue developing further phases of clinical studies

Se utilizó el preparado vacunal de la vacuna AgsHB recombinante con la gammaglobulina hiperinmune anti-hepatitis B (inmunización pasiva de anticuerpos) y se evaluó la seguridad (fase I de ensayos clínicos) de la gammaglobulina al ser administrada unisitio junto con la vacuna anti-hepatitis B. Se inmunizaron 25 voluntarios sanos entre 20 y 50 años de edad, con el preparado vacunal de gammaglobulina hiperinmune (200 UI/mL) y vacuna anti-hepatitis B (20 mg AgsHB/dosis), las que se administraron unisitio y de forma conjunta en la región deltoidea, en el tiempo 0-1 meses dentro del esquema de inmunización de la vacuna (0-1-3 meses). No se detectaron efectos indeseables locales ni sistémicos en ninguno de los participantes. La inocuidad observada permite continuar con fases posteriores de estudios clínicosThe vaccine preparation of the recombinant HbsAg vaccine with the hyperimmune antihepatitis B gammaglobulin (passive immunization of antibodies) was used and the safety (phase I of clinical trials) of gammaglobulin was evaluated on being administered in one site together with the antihepatitis B vaccine. 25 sound volunteers aged 20-50 were immunized with the vaccine preparation of hyperimmune gammaglobulin (200 UI/mL) and with antihepatitis B vaccine (20 g HbsAg/dose), which were administered in only one site and as a whole in the deltoid region in the time 0-1 month within the immunization scheme of the vaccine (0-1-3 months). No undesirable local or systemic effects were detected in any of the participants. The inocuity observed makes possible to go on with further phases of clinical studies

OBJETIVO: En este estudio reportamos la prevalencia de anticuerpos contra el virus C de la hepatitis (Ac-VCH) en un grupo de pacientes con cirrosis hepática (CH). MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se hizo un estudio prospectivo, transversal y descriptivo, de marzo de 1998 a mayo de 1999. Se estudiaron a 153 pacientes (117 (76%) hombres y 36 (24%) mujeres) con diagnóstico de CH, que eran atendidos en el Hospital General Agustín O' Horan y en el Centro de Investigaciones Regionales Doctor Hideyo Noguchi, en la ciudad de Mérida, Yucatán, México. Se aplicó un cuestionario con datos clínico-epidemiológicos y se determinó la presencia de Ac-VCH (ELISA de 2ª generación y RIBA-2 para confirmar el diagnóstico) a cada paciente. Se determinó también el antígeno de superficie de la hepatitis B (AgsHB) y anticuerpos contra el antígeno central de la hepatitis B (Anti-HBc) mediante el método de ELISA. La presencia de Ac-VCH fue relacionada con las variables epidemiológicas de los sujetos. La prevalencia de anti-HCV y la frecuencia de características se compararon entre los pacientes positivos y negativos con las pruebas de c² y exacta de Fisher. RESULTADOS: El 32% de los pacientes con CH (35/117 (30%) hombres y 14/36 (39%) mujeres) fueron positivos para los Ac-VCH. El alcoholismo estuvo presente en todos los hombres serorreactivos y en ninguna de las mujeres positivas (p< 0.001). Ninguna de las variables epidemiológicas analizadas estuvo asociada con la seropositividad. Los anti-HBc se encontraron en 16% de los pacientes positivos para Ac-VCH y en 12% de los seronegativos (p=0.69). CONCLUSIONES: La prevalencia encontrada fue mayor a los reportes previos realizados en población general de la Península de Yucatán (1.3%). La alta prevalencia de Ac-VCH en este grupo de pacientes sugiere que la CH está más frecuentemente asociada con el VCH en Yucatán, México, que con el virus B de la hepatitis. El alcoholismo probablemente actúa como un cofactor en el desarrollo de CH en los hombres.OBJECTIVE: To report the prevalence of antibodies against the hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) in a group of patients with hepatic cirrhosis (HC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective transversal and descriptive study was carried out from March 1998 to May 1999. Study subjects were 153 patients; 117 (76%) male and 36 (24%) female, diagnosed with HC. They were attended at the General Hospital Agustín O' Horan and at Regional Research Center Doctor Hideyo Noguchi, in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. A clinical-epidemiologic questionnaire completed by interview was used for data collection. Anti-HCV were detected using a 2nd generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA-2). To confirm diagnosis, a second generation recombining immunoblot assay (RIBA-2) was used. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) and antibodies against the hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) were determined using ELISA. The presence of anti-HCV was related to the epidemiologic variables of study subjects. The prevalence of anti-HCV was obtained and the frequency of the characteristics obtained by interview were compared among the positive and negative patients through the c² test and the Fisher's exact test, as needed. RESULTS: Among patients with HC (35/117 (30%) male and 14/36 (39%) female), 32 % were positive to anti-HCV. Alcoholism was present in all seroreactive males and absent in all positive females (p< 0.001). Data obtained through an interview were not associated with seropositivity. Anti-HBc was found in 16% of patients positive to anti-HCV and in 12% of seronegatives (p=0.69). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence found was greater than previous reports in the general population in the Yucatan Peninsula (1.3%). The high prevalence of anti-HCV in these patients suggests that HC is more frequently associated with HCV in Yucatan, Mexico than hepatitis B. Alcoholism probably acts as a co-factor for the development of HC in males.

Se sabe que los pacientes con tumores malignos y tratamiento con citostáticos se encuentran expuestos a sufrir infecciones virales por el uso frecuente de la vía parenteral. En este estudio se analizó la frecuencia de la hepatitis B y C en pacientes sometidos a tratamiento. Se estudiaron 336 pacientes con diferentes localizaciones tumorales, en los que se analizaron las características serológicas y clínicas de los infestados. Se pesquisó la infección viral mediante marcadores serológicos Umelisa HbsAg y HVC. Se determinaron los valores sanguíneos de alaninoaminotransferasa, aspartatoaminotransfera y bilirrubina. Se realizó biopsia hepática percutánea. Se encontró que el 3,27 % de los pacientes contrajo la infección con predominio de infección por el virus B. Se conoció que todos los pacientes habían sido sometidos a tratamiento quirúrgico y que el tiempo de tratamiento con quimioterapia fue entre 4 y 15 meses. Se hallaron como principales factores de riesgo: las intervenciones quirúrgicas, el acceso parenteral frecuente y las transfusiones sanguíneas. El signo clínico más evidenciado fue la hepatomegalia. Los resultados muestran una baja incidencia de infección viral B y C. Se señaló la importancia de realizar el pesquisaje de virus B y C en pacientes sometidos a quimioterapia que presenten elevación de las enzimas hepáticasIt is known that patients with malignant tumors, treated with cytostatics, are more exposed to viral infections because of the frequent use of the parenteral route of administration. This study analyzes the frequency of hepatitis B and C in patients under treatment. Three hundred and thirty six patients with different tumor locations were studied to analyze the serologic and clinical characteristics of the infested. The viral infection was screened through serologic markers Umelissa HbsAg and HVC. Blood values of alaninoaminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and bilirubine. A transcutaneous hepatic biopsy was taken. It was found that 3.27 % of patients caught infection, with predominance of hepatitis B virus infection. It was known that all the patients had been surgically treated and that drug therapy lasted from 4 to 15 months. The main risk factors found were surgeries, frequent parenteral access and blood transfusions. The most evident clinical sign was hepatomegalia. The results reveal a low incidence of B and C viral infection. The importance of carrying out the screening of B and C virus in patients under drug therapy, who present with high levels of hepatic enzymes