New hepatitis B virus study results reported from Amedeo Avogadro University
2009 JUL 13 - (NewsRx.com) -- "Occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection can be defined as the long-lasting persistence of viral genomes in the liver tissue, and sometimes also in the serum at low levels of viremia in individuals with undetectable HBV surface antigen (nBsAg). Viral replication can be reactivated by immunosuppressive therapies or immunologic diseases, leading to the development of typical hepatitis B. All patients on the waiting list for renal transplantation at the only 2 transplant centers in our region (Piemonte, Italy) were checked for the presence of occult HBV infection by an highly sensitive quantitative HBV-DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay (nested PCR); the only exclusion criterion was HBsAg-positivity," investigators in Novara, Italy report. "The enrollment lasted from October 1, 2006, to May 31, 2007. The prospective follow-up will continue for 5 years. HBV-DNA sequences were detected in blood samples from 1.0 of 300 cases examined (3.3%), being more frequent among Asian (1/3; 33.3%) and African (1/16; 6.25%) subjects as compared with the Caucasians (8/281; 2.8%; P = .011), among anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) positive versus HCV negative patients (3/32 [9.3%] vs 7/268 [2.6%]; P = .004) and mainly among patients with a previous history of overt liver diseases (3/22 [14%] vs 7/278 [2.5%]; P = .019). HBV-DNA sequences became undetectable at 1 month after renal transplantation in 3 patients; the follow-up is in progress for these and the other patients. Occult HBV infection occurs in patients undergoing renal transplantation," wrote P. Stratta and colleagues, Amedeo Avogadro University. The researchers concluded: "Longer observation and prospective studies will clarify the clinical impact of this occult infection on transplant outcomes and the possibility of viral reactivation related to immunosuppressive therapy.." Stratta and colleagues published their study in Transplantation Proceedings (Prevalence and Clinical Relevance of Occult Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Patients on the Waiting List for Kidney Transplantation. Transplantation Proceedings, 2009;41(4):1132-1137). For additional information, contact P. Stratta, Amedeo Avogadro University, Nephrology & Transplantation Dept. of Clinic & Experimental Medical, Osped Maggiore Carita Corso Mazzini 18, I-28100 Novara, Italy. The publisher of the journal Transplantation Proceedings can be contacted at: Elsevier Science Inc., 360 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010-1710, USA. Keywords: Italy, Novara, Antigens, DNA Research, DNA Sequence Proteomics, Deoxyribonucleic Acid, Diagnosis, Diagnostics, Enzyme Research, Gastroenterology, Genetics, Genomics, HBV, Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatology, Immune System Disease, Infectious Disease, Kidney Transplant, Nephrology, Organ Transplant, Polymerase, Renal Allograft, Renal Transplant, Therapy, Transplantation, Treatment, Virology, Amedeo Avogadro University. This article was prepared by Hepatitis Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Hepatitis Weekly via NewsRx.com.
|
