Safety and Efficacy of Tenofovir Alafenamide Fumarate in Early-Middle Pregnancy for Mothers With Chronic Hepatitis B

BackgroundTenofovir alafenamide fumarate has been used in late pregnancy; however, no data exist regarding its safety and effectiveness in early and middle pregnancy for mothers with hepatitis B virus infection.AimsTo design a prospective study to investigate the efficacy and safety of TAF in pregnant women with chronic HBV infection during early-middle pregnancy.MethodsPregnant women with active chronic hepatitis B who received tenofovir alafenamide fumarate during early and middle pregnancy were enrolled and followed up until 6 months postpartum. Infants received immunoprophylaxis. The primary endpoint was the safety of mothers and infants. The secondary endpoints were maternal hepatitis B virus DNA reduction at delivery and mother-to-child transmission rate.ResultsAmong 98 mothers enrolled, 31 initiated tenofovir alafenamide fumarate in early pregnancy, and 57 in middle pregnancy. The mean (± standard deviation) age was 29.00 (±3.81) years. At delivery, 100% (98/98) of the mothers achieved hepatitis B virus DNA levels <200,000 IU/L. Ninety-eight infants were born, and none had congenital defects or malformations. All infants received hepatitis B virus immunoprophylaxis. The mother-to-child transmission rate was 0%. Growth parameters including body weight, height, and head circumference were comparable to the national standards for physical development. No severe adverse effects were reported in either mothers or infants. No severe liver function damage occurred in any of the mothers.ConclusionsInitiating tenofovir alafenamide fumarate in early and middle pregnancy appears safe for both mothers and infants, and it is effective for controlling maternal disease as well as interrupting mother-to-child transmission.

Light-tissue interactions of low level laser to support the chronic hepatitis patients

In this paper, we present some results obtained from the simulation of low power 633, 780, 850, and 940 nm laser in the liver by Monte Carlo method, with the model of the liver, consisting of 5mm derm, 7mm subcutaneous fat, 5 mm muscle layer. Based on these results, we fabricated devices called “Laser Semiconductor Optoacupuncture and phototherapy Device” using 780 and 940nm semiconductor lasers to treat chronic hepatitis. We combined with the doctor in An Giang province to clinical practice for 50 voluntary patients with chronic hepatitis. We used a 650 nm wavelength intravascular semiconductor laser treatment clinically to provide high-quality blood to the patients’ liver. Treating the phototherapy of the skin with two semiconductor laser beams with 780 nm and 940 nm wavelengths directly affects the liver from the surface of the abdomen. At the moment, we use the treatment on acupoint with 940nm- wavelength laser. A treatment course consists of 20 times for the patients is treated continuously. The patients tested with the ALT and AST before and after treatment with 3 courses. We use the SPSS 23 statistical method to evaluate the outcomes of treatment. The clinical symptoms of the patients such as fatigue, nausea, indigestion, fever, jaundice, yellow eyes almost completely have gone out after treatment. Low-level laser therapy offers a good response in patients with moderate to severe hepatic impairment such as the AST of 56.380 ± 10.162 and 39.260 ± 4.869; The ALT of 56.540 ± 13.580 and 41,360 ± 7,488 for before- and after treatments, respectively. Low-level laser therapy for patients initially has good results, high therapeutic effectiveness, no catastrophic or side Effects, and the statistical significance is p < 0.001.This research applied the ethical principles of the Helsinki Declaration in human researches. The research was carried out using non-invasive methods on humans with the regulations of the University of Technology, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, and the relevant regulations.

Measles-Associated Severe Pneumonia in a Patient with HBeAg-Negative Chronic Hepatitis B: A Case Report

Background: Every year, approximately 800,000 people die from liver diseases associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Complications outside the liver are common, such as fungal lung infections and viral infections. These complications may be associated with poor immune function, thus making clinical treatment difficult and increasing the risk of death. Therefore, HBV-infection-related liver diseases are worthy of clinical attention and further research. Case summary: We report a case of HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B in which the patient received entecavir as an anti-HBV treatment after liver dysfunction. During the treatment, the patient was diagnosed with measles and severe viral pneumonia. After comprehensive treatment, including active antiviral medications and mechanical ventilation, the patient recovered and was discharged. Conclusion: HBV infection causes liver damage, affects immune function, and is likely to be associated with viral infections such as measles. Consequently, infections may lead to complications, such as severe viral pneumonia, that endanger patients’ lives. To decrease complications and mortality, better understanding of the disease is necessary to enable early diagnosis.