scholarly journals Continuous elevation of procalcitonin in cirrhosis combined with hepatic carcinoma: a case report

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Lu ◽  
Chun-lei Chen ◽  
Jian-di Jin ◽  
Jun Chen ◽  
Cheng-bo Yu
Keyword(s):  
Liver Disease ◽  
Bacterial Infection ◽  
Severe Infection ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Decompensated Cirrhosis ◽  
Hepatic Carcinoma ◽  
Multiple Loci ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Severe Cirrhosis ◽  
End Stage

Abstract Background Serum levels of procalcitonin (PCT) are considered a useful biomarker for the diagnosis of bacterial infection or inflammation. There are few reports of high PCT levels in end-stage liver disease regardless of bacterial infection. Here, we present a case of extremely high PCT levels (> 100 ng/mL) in a patient with severe cirrhosis combined with hepatic carcinoma. Case presentation A 65-year-old man developed end-stage cirrhosis with hepatic carcinoma. Radiographic imaging showed a massive hepatocellular carcinoma with multiple loci lack of indications of resection. Hence, transcatheter hepatic arterial chemoembolization was performed three times over a period of 4 months. Before and after interventional therapies, the biochemistry laboratory results were only slightly abnormal except for persistently high PCT concentrations (> 100 ng/mL), irrespective of the evidence for bacterial infection or sepsis. Conclusions This case suggests that continuously high levels of PCT (> 100 ng/mL) may be present in advanced liver disease, particularly in complex situations such as decompensated cirrhosis and liver cancer, in the absence of severe infection or sepsis. This knowledge could expand the significance of PCT in liver disease.

scholarly journals Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal function in men with liver cirrhosis before and after liver transplantation

2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 421-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno T. Zacharias ◽  
Julio C. U. Coelho ◽  
Mônica B. Parolin ◽  
Jorge E. F. Matias ◽  
Alexandre C. T. de Freitas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Transplantation ◽  
Liver Cirrhosis ◽  
Liver Disease ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Meld Score ◽  
Male Hypogonadism ◽  
End Stage Liver Disease ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Male Patients ◽  
End Stage

Objective: To evaluate the influence of end-stage liver disease and orthotopic liver transplantation in the pituitary function and hormone metabolism before and after liver transplantation.Methods: In a prospective study, serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2) and prolactin (PRL) of 30 male patients with cirrhosis were determined two to four hours before and six months after liver transplantation. The results were compared according to the Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD).Results: male patients with liver cirrhosis have hypogonadism. FSH was normal, but inappropriately low due to androgen failure; E2 and PRL, on their turn, were high. After liver transplantation, FSH and LH levels increased (p < 0.05), whereas E2 and PRL normalized (p < 0.05). The MELD score did not influence changes in FSH, PRL and LH, however, the more severe the cirrhosis was, the more significant was the normalization of E2 (p = 0.01).Conclusion: Patients with cirrhosis and male hypogonadism have inappropriately normal levels of FSH and LH, associated with an increase in E2 and LRP. After liver transplantation, FSH and LH increased, while E2 and PRL returned to normal. Changes in E2 levels were most pronounced in patients with MELD > 18. The severity of cirrhosis had no influence on FSH, PRL and LH.

scholarly journals COVID-19 in liver transplant candidates: pretransplant and post-transplant outcomes - an ELITA/ELTR multicentre cohort study

Gut ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. gutjnl-2021-324879
Author(s):  
Luca Saverio Belli ◽  
Christophe Duvoux ◽  
Paolo Angelo Cortesi ◽  
Rita Facchetti ◽  
Speranta Iacob ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Disease ◽  
Respiratory Failure ◽  
Meld Score ◽  
Decompensated Cirrhosis ◽  
Cox Regression Analysis ◽  
Post Transplant ◽  
End Stage Liver Disease ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
End Stage ◽  
The Impact

ObjectiveExplore the impact of COVID-19 on patients on the waiting list for liver transplantation (LT) and on their post-LT course.DesignData from consecutive adult LT candidates with COVID-19 were collected across Europe in a dedicated registry and were analysed.ResultsFrom 21 February to 20 November 2020, 136 adult cases with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection from 33 centres in 11 European countries were collected, with 113 having COVID-19. Thirty-seven (37/113, 32.7%) patients died after a median of 18 (10–30) days, with respiratory failure being the major cause (33/37, 89.2%). The 60-day mortality risk did not significantly change between first (35.3%, 95% CI 23.9% to 50.0%) and second (26.0%, 95% CI 16.2% to 40.2%) waves. Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed Laboratory Model for End-stage Liver Disease (Lab-MELD) score of ≥15 (Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score 15–19, HR 5.46, 95% CI 1.81 to 16.50; MELD score≥20, HR 5.24, 95% CI 1.77 to 15.55) and dyspnoea on presentation (HR 3.89, 95% CI 2.02 to 7.51) being the two negative independent factors for mortality. Twenty-six patients underwent an LT after a median time of 78.5 (IQR 44–102) days, and 25 (96%) were alive after a median follow-up of 118 days (IQR 31–170).ConclusionsIncreased mortality in LT candidates with COVID-19 (32.7%), reaching 45% in those with decompensated cirrhosis (DC) and Lab-MELD score of ≥15, was observed, with no significant difference between first and second waves of the pandemic. Respiratory failure was the major cause of death. The dismal prognosis of patients with DC supports the adoption of strict preventative measures and the urgent testing of vaccination efficacy in this population. Prior SARS-CoV-2 symptomatic infection did not affect early post-transplant survival (96%).

The influence of hemodialysis membrane permeability on serum procalcitonin values in patients on maintenance hemodialysis

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 124-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taoufiq Aatif ◽  
Yassir Zajjari ◽  
Anas Jeaidi
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Permeability ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Maintenance Hemodialysis ◽  
Specific Reference ◽  
Reference Ranges ◽  
High Flux ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Stage Renal Disease ◽  
End Stage

Background: Procalcitonin (PCT) has emerged as a marker of infection and it could be useful for detection of systemic bacterial infections in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing hemodialysis (HD). The aim of this study was to assess the influence of HD membrane permeability to PCT serum levels in noninfected HD patients on maintenance HD. Methods: In a prospective comparative study, we measured PCT serum levels and C reactive protein (CRP) before and after HD in 36 sessions (18 sessions of HD with low-flux = Group L; and 18 sessions with high flux membranes = Group H), in 18 chronic HD patients without history of infection. Results: Sessions of HD by high-flux membranes (Group H) displayed median PCT values that were significantly decreased after dialysis (0.21 ng/mL [0.13-0.41] vs. 0.18 ng/mL [0.10-0.24], p <0.001) but median PCT significantly increased after HD sessions by low-flux membranes (Group L) (0.21 ng/mL [0.14-0.33] vs. 0.25 ng/mL [0.14-0.36]; p = 0.008). CRP values were significantly increased after HD in both groups. CRP correlated with PCT values only in group H before HD (r = 0.49; p = 0.36). Conclusions: PCT represents a useful diagnostic marker for systemic bacterial infection. However, there is a need for specific reference ranges to be developed in patients with renal failure undergoing HD; also, PCT serum levels must be interpreted according to the HD membrane permeability.

scholarly journals Biomarkers of Angiogenesis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Novel Sunshine Road

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krizia Pocino ◽  
Cecilia Napodano ◽  
Gabriele Ciasca ◽  
Mariapaola Marino ◽  
Nicoletta De Matthaeis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Liver Cirrhosis ◽  
Liver Disease ◽  
Chronic Liver Disease ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Chronic Liver ◽  
Number Of Factors ◽  
Measurement Results ◽  
Before And After

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a global health problem associated with chronic liver disease. The pathogenesis of chronic liver disease varies according to the underlying etiological factor, although in most cases it develops from a liver cirrhosis. The worsening progression of liver disease is accompanied by pathological angiogenesis, which is a prerequisite that favors the development of HCC. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical utility of circulating angiogenic markers VEGF, Ang-1, Ang-2, the Angiopoietin receptor (Tie1/2), HGF and PECAM-1 to screen early onset patients and to follow the evolution of HCC. Materials and Methods: We enrolled 62 patients; 33 out of 62 subjects were diagnosed for HCC and 29/62 for liver cirrhosis of different etiology without signs of neoplasia. Patients underwent venous blood sampling before and after treatments for VEGF, Ang-1, Ang-2, Tie1, Tie2, HGF and PECAM-1 measurement. Results: Ang-1 and Ang-2 are detectable not only in patients already suffering from HCC but also in cirrhotic patients without signs of cancer. Patients with HCC show higher HGF concentrations than patients with cirrhosis. A significant reduction in serum levels of Ang-2, Ang-2/Ang-1 and Ca 19-9 after DAAs therapy was observed. Moreover, VEGF levels were increased after treatment of HCC. Conclusion: The preliminary study here presented confirms that the mechanism of tumor angiogenesis is very complex and involves a very large number of factors. The integration of different methodologies and multi-marker algorithms is likely to emerge for the early diagnosis of HCC and the monitoring of the risk of relapse.

scholarly journals Assessing the Prognostic Performance of the Child-Pugh, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease, and Albumin-Bilirubin Scores in Patients with Decompensated Cirrhosis: A Large Asian Cohort from Gastroenterology Department

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Si-Zhe Wan ◽  
Yuan Nie ◽  
Yue Zhang ◽  
Cong Liu ◽  
Xuan Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Liver Disease ◽  
Roc Curve ◽  
Meld Score ◽  
The Other ◽  
Decompensated Cirrhosis ◽  
Short Term ◽  
End Stage Liver Disease ◽  
End Stage

Background and Aim. Various methods, including the Child-Pugh score, the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, the MELD combined with serum sodium concentration (MELD-Na) score, the integrated MELD (iMELD) score, and the albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score, have been widely used for predicting the survival of decompensated cirrhosis (DeCi) patients. In this study, we defined and compared the prognostic value of these scores to predict mortality in DeCi patients. Methods. We performed a single-center, observational retrospective study and analyzed 456 DeCi patients who were hospitalized in the gastroenterology department. The biochemical examination results and demographic characteristics of the patients were obtained, and five scores were calculated upon admission after 24 hours. All patients were observed until death, loss to follow-up, or specific follow-up times (28 days, 90 days, and 6 months). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the ability of these methods to predict mortality in DeCi patients. Results. At 28 days, 90 days, and 6 months, the cumulative number of deaths was 50 (11.0%), 76 (16.6%), and 91 (19.9%), respectively. The scores were significantly higher in nonsurviving patients than in surviving patients. All scores yielded viable values in predicting 28-day, 90-day, and 6-month prognoses for DeCi patients. The areas under the ROC curve (AUROCs) of the ALBI score were higher than those of the other scores, which were only over 0.700 at 28 days. The AUROC of the MELD score was higher than that of the other scores, including the MELD-Na and iMELD scores, at 90 days and 6 months. Conclusion. All five methods (Child-Pugh score, MELD score, MELD-Na score, iMELD score, and ALBI score) provided a reliable prediction of mortality for both the short-term and long-term prognosis of patients with DeCi. The ALBI score may be particularly useful for assessing short-term outcomes, whereas the MELD score may be particularly useful for assessing long-term outcomes.

scholarly journals TESTOSTERONE CHANGES IN PATIENTS WITH LIVER CIRRHOSIS BEFORE AND AFTER ORTHOTOPIC LIVER TRANSPLANTATION AND ITS CORRELATION WITH MELD

2014 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo NITSCHE ◽  
Júlio Cezar Uili COELHO ◽  
Alexandre Coutinho Teixeira de FREITAS ◽  
Clementino ZENI NETO ◽  
Eduardo MARTINS
Keyword(s):  
Liver Transplantation ◽  
Liver Disease ◽  
Orthotopic Liver Transplantation ◽  
Free Testosterone ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Sex Hormone ◽  
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin ◽  
Hormone Binding ◽  
End Stage Liver Disease ◽  
End Stage

Context Hypogonadism is a common clinical situation in male patients with liver cirrhosis. Objectives The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of orthotopic liver transplantation on testosterone, free testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin in male with advanced liver disease and also to determine the relationship of these changes with Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score. Methods In a prospective study, serum levels of testosterone, free testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin of 30 male adult patients with end-stage liver disease were measured 2 to 4 hours before and 6 months after orthotopic liver transplantation. Results Total testosterone levels increased after orthotopic liver transplantation and the number of patients with normal testosterone levels increased from 18 to 24. Free testosterone mean level in the pre-transplant group was 7.8 pg/mL and increased to 11.5 pg/mL (P = 0.10) and sex hormone-binding globulin level decreased after orthotopic liver transplantation returning to normal levels in MELD ≤18 - group (A) (P<0.05). Conclusions Serum level changes of testosterone, free testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin are more pronounced in cirrhotic males with MELD ≤18. Serum levels of testosterone and free testosterone increase and serum levels of sex hormone-binding globulin decrease after orthotopic liver transplantation.

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