Microcirculation disorders in bulbar conjunctiva of patients with chronic viral hepatitis

Aim. To study the features of microcirculation in bulbar conjunctiva of patients with chronic hepatitis C depending on the duration of the infection. Methods. 40 patients (80 eyes) with chronic hepatitis C were observed: the first group consisted of 11 patients, chronic hepatitis C duration up to 3 years, second group - 10 patients, chronic hepatitis C duration 5 to 3 years, third group - 19 patients, chronic hepatitis C duration over 5 years. The control group consisted of 20 healthy subjects (40 eyes). The microcirculation in bulbar conjunctiva was assessed using biomicroscopy. Arterioles, veins and capillaries were distinguished by the direction and speed of the blood flow, the vessel diameter, configuration and branching, observed changes were scored. Liver enzymes levels were assessed, as well as levels of immunoglobulins M and G to hepatitis C virus, polymerase chain reaction was performed to define the presence of viral RNA. Results. Microcirculation disorders (perivascular, vascular and intravascular changes) in bulbar conjunctiva were found in all of the patients with chronic hepatitis C compared to the control group. There was a link between total conjunctiva index and the duration of the infection as well as liver enzymes levels. In the first group total conjunctiva index was scored as 11,52±0,7, 14,0±1,18 - in the second group, 19,3±0,84 - in the third group. Conclusion. Microcirculation disorders are present in all patients with chronic hepatitis C, that should be considered while monitoring and choosing the optimal treatment.

Download Full-text

THE PATHOGENETIC SIGNIFICANCE OF GENE IL28B POLYMORPHISMS AT SITES RS12979860 AND RS8099917 IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHRONIC VIRAL HEPATITIS C IN PATIENTS OF THE SOUTH-EASTERN REGION OF BELARUS

Health and Ecology Issues ◽

10.51523/2708-6011.2016-13-4-7 ◽

2016 ◽

pp. 32-36

Author(s):

Z. V. Shuliak ◽

E. I. Mikhailova

Keyword(s):

Chronic Hepatitis ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Chronic Hepatitis C ◽

Chronic Viral Hepatitis ◽

Eastern Region ◽

Acute Viral Infection ◽

Viral Hepatitis C ◽

Allele Specific ◽

Polymerase Chain

To study the role of IL28B gene polymorphisms in the development of chronic hepatitis C, we have determined polymorphic types of the gene at sites rs12979860 and rs8099917 using allele-specific polymerase chain reaction with real-time product detection in 21 patients with this disease. We have found the association of chronic hepatitis C with the presence of unfavorable TT genotype of gene IL28B polymorphism rs12979860, which can be regarded as a predictor of the development of this pathology. Favorable genotypes of CC rs12979860 and TT polymorphism of rs8099917 of gene IL28B are more common in healthy individuals and they are associated with higher activity of the inflammatory process in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Therefore, gene IL28B polymorphisms can affect not only the outcome of an acute viral infection but also the further course of chronic hepatitis C.

Download Full-text

Different PEGylated Interferon Ribavirin Therapy in Non-Responders with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Saudi Journal of Internal Medicine ◽

10.32790/sjim.2012.2.2.3 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 9-13

Author(s):

Hisham O. Akbar

Keyword(s):

Chronic Hepatitis ◽

Hepatitis C Virus ◽

Viral Load ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Chronic Hepatitis C ◽

Pegylated Interferon ◽

Genotype 1 ◽

Chain Reaction ◽

Chronic Hepatitis C Virus ◽

Polymerase Chain

Background: PEGylated interferon and ribavirin therapy is the current standard of care for patients with chronic Hepatitis C virus. It is unknown whether retreatment may be beneficial in non-responders. Methods: Patients who failed to respond to either PEG-Intron or Pegasys with ribavirin were switched to a different PEGylated interferon with ribavirin. Patients were assessed for virologic response by a decrease in viral load levels using a polymerase chain reaction assay. Only patients who had a negative viral load at week 24 were allowed to continue treatment for 48 weeks. Patients with a negative polymerase chain reaction assay after 6 months off treatment were considered as responders to the retreatment regimen. Results: A total of 16 patients were retreated. The combination of Pegasys and ribavirin was administered to 3 patients, and 13 patients received PEG-Intron with ribavirin. Patients had either genotype 1 or 4. Only 4 patients responded to retreatment with PEG-Intron (25%). The responders were female, had a low viral load and had an early significant viral load reduction. Three patients had genotype 4, and one had genotype 1. Conclusion: Retreatment with different PEGylated interferon in patients who failed previous treatment may have a role in the selected patients infected with chronic Hepatitis C virus.

Download Full-text

Antiviral Effect of Interferon Therapy for Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C

Antiviral Chemistry and Chemotherapy ◽

10.1177/095632029200300509 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 3 (5) ◽

pp. 305-309 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

J. Hayashi ◽

K. Nakashima ◽

A. Noguchi ◽

M. Hirata ◽

K. Akazawa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Hepatitis ◽

Hepatitis C Virus ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Chronic Hepatitis C ◽

Antiviral Effect ◽

Hcv Rna ◽

Chain Reaction ◽

Polymerase Chain ◽

Lymphoblastoid Interferon

Thirty-two patients with chronic hepatitis who were positive for hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA by polymerase chain reaction and had antibody to HCV (anti-HCV), were enrolled in this study. Twenty of them were also positive for antibody to the GOR epitope (anti-GOR). Sixteen of the enrolled patients were treated with human lymphoblastoid interferon for six months. Treatment was initiated with 3 million units of interferon daily for 2 weeks, followed by 3 million units three times a week for 6 weeks and 1.5 million units three times a week for 16 weeks. The efficacy of therapy was assessed by comparison with the results in 16 untreated patients. Aminotransferase values, titre of anti-HCV and anti-GOR antibodies showed significant decreases throughout the therapy compared with baseline levels and the untreated patients. After a 3 month follow-up, nine treated patients (56.3%) had normal aminotransferase activities and six of them eliminated HCV RNA from their sera (37.5%). Three of these six patients became negative for both anti-HCV and anti-GOR antibodies (18.8%). None of the untreated control patients had normal aminotransferase activities or became negative for HCV markers. The present study suggests that human lymphoblastoid interferon can control the disease activity and eliminate hepatitis C virus from patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Download Full-text