Ground glass hepatocytes in chronic hepatitis B: Quantitation and clinical significance . Liver Diseases Section, NIDDK and Laboratory of Pathology, NCI, Bethesda, Md

Objective: Our study aims to detect the sensitivity of the new biomarker miR-212 existing in serum exosomes along with other hepatocellular carcinoma biomarkers such as AFP (alpha-fetoprotein), CA125 (carbohydrate antigen-ca125), and Hbx protein in the diagnosis of HBV-related liver diseases. We also aim to study the roles of these biomarkers in the progression of chronic hepatitis B and provide scientific data to show the clinical value of these biomarkers. Methods: We selected 200 patients with HBV-infection (58 cases of chronic hepatitis B, 47 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma, 30 cases of compensatory phase cirrhosis, and 65 cases of decompensatory phase cirrhosis), 31 patients with primary liver cancer without HBV infection, and 70 healthy individuals as the control group. The expression level of serum AFP and CA125 was detected with electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. The expression level of the Hbx protein was detected with ELISA. Meanwhile, the expression level of miR-212 in serum was analyzed with RT-qPCR. We collected patients’ clinical information following the Child-Pugh classification and MELD score criterion, and statistical analysis was made between the expression level of miR-212 and the collected clinical indexes. Lastly, we predicted the target genes of the miR-212 and its functions using bioinformatics methods such as cluster analysis and survival prediction. Results: Compared to the control group, the expression level of miR-212 in HBV infected patients was remarkably increased (P<0.05), especially between the HBV-infection Hepatocellular carcinoma group and the non-HBVinfection liver cancer group (P<0.05). The expression of miR-212 was increased in patients’ Child-Pugh classification, MELD score, and TNM staging. Moreover, the sensitivity and specificity of miR-212 were superior to AFP, CA125, and HBx protein. Conclusion: There is a linear relationship between disease progression and expression level of miR-212 in the serum of HBV infected patients. This demonstrates that miR-212 plays a significant role in liver diseases. miR-212 is expected to be a new biomarker used for the diagnosis and assessment of patients with HBV-infection-related liver diseases.

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Depressive symptoms and cognitive dysfunctions in patients with chronic hepatitis B

Srpski arhiv za celokupno lekarstvo ◽

10.2298/sarh1502006p ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 143 (1-2) ◽

pp. 6-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sladjana Pavic ◽

Neda Svirtlih ◽

Dragan Delic ◽

Aleksandra Radovanovic-Spurnic

Keyword(s):

Chronic Hepatitis ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Chronic Hepatitis B ◽

Cognitive Dysfunction ◽

Cognitive Functions ◽

Liver Diseases ◽

Cognitive Disorders ◽

Chronic Liver ◽

Chronic Liver Diseases ◽

Healthy Persons

Introduction. Pronounced symptoms of depression and disorders of cognitive functions can be observed in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Objective. The objective of the study was evaluation of the severity of symptoms and predictive factors for depression and the existence of cognitive disorders in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Methods. A total of 150 respondents were included in this prospective study (50 patients with chronic hepatitis B, 50 patients with other chronic liver diseases and 50 healthy persons). The patients with chronic hepatitis B were homogeneous by age compared to healthy subjects (p=0.566) and patients with other chronic liver diseases (p=0.528). Assessment of intensity of depression was determined by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD). A Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) test was used to investigate the presence of cognitive disorders. Results. Significantly expressed depression was observed in patients with chronic hepatitis B compared with healthy persons as well as the occurrence of cognitive dysfunction (p=0.00), while in comparison with the patients with chronic nonviral liver diseases, depression was statistically significantly less markedly expressed (p=0.003). Depression and cognitive dysfunction were more noticeable in patients with chronic hepatitis B in the stage of liver cirrhosis in relation to the early stage of the disease. Multivariate analysis of variables related to the sociodemographic characteristics showed that the most significant positive predictor of depression was more expressed in older age (over 50 years) (B=0.276; SE=0.092; p=0.004). Conclusion. Patients with chronic hepatitis B have a higher intensity of depression compared to healthy people, which is intensified with the progression of the disease. The highest expression of depression is expected in the elderly. Patients with chronic hepatitis B have a lower intensity of depression and fewer disorders of cognitive functions than patients with other chronic liver diseases.

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Clinical Significance of Quantitative HBs Antigen in the Prediction of Liver Fibrosis in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B

PRILOZI ◽

10.2478/prilozi-2018-0023 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 39 (1) ◽

pp. 51-58

Author(s):

Marija Dimzova ◽

Irena Kondova-Topuzovska ◽

Zvonko Milenkovic ◽

Magdalena Gaseva ◽

Viktorija Chaloska-Ivanova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Hepatitis ◽

Liver Fibrosis ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Chronic Hepatitis B ◽

Clinical Significance ◽

Transient Elastography ◽

Hepatitis B Surface Antigen ◽

Fisher Exact Test ◽

Hbs Antigen ◽

Negative Chronic Hepatitis

Abstract The assessment of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is of great importance in evaluating the phases of chronic hepatitis B viral infection, prompt administration of antiviral therapy, prevention of disease progression and late complications of CHB infection. Aim: to investigate the clinical significance of quantitative HBs antigen as a predictor for liver fibrosis in patients with HBe antigen negative chronic hepatitis B and inactive carriers. Material and Methods: the study included 44 treatment naïve patients with chronic hepatitis B, divided into two groups, HBeAg negative chronic HBV infection or inactive carriers (IC) and HBeAg negative chronic hepatitis B patients. All patients underwent laboratory, serologic testing, ultrasound and transient elastography (TE). In both patient groups, quantitative HBs antigen (HBsQ), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), hepatitis B virus deoxyribonucleic acid (HBV DNA) and liver fibrosis were analyzed. Results: The value of HBsQ is significantly higher in patients with HBeAg negative CHB 2477.02±4535.44 IU/ml than in the IC group 8791±11891 IU/ml; Z=3.32, p<0.001 (p=0.0009). In IC patients, 1 (4.76%) had fibrosis and 20 (95.24%)) did not have fibrosis. Out of 23 patients with HBeAg negative chronic hepatitis B, 8 (34.78%) had fibrosis and 15 (65.22%) did not have fibrosis. Patients with HBeAg negative hepatitis B had significantly higher liver fibrosis than IC; Fisher Exact Test p<0.05 (p=0.02). The increase of HBsQ for one single unit (IU/ml) does not have predictive value for fibrosis (Ext (B) =1.00), 95% C.I. for EXP (B): 1.00-1.00 / p>0.05. Conclusion: Quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen has intermediate weak statistically insignificant prediction for liver fibrosis R=0.25 (p<0.10).

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