DocTop Publicaties december 2011
Comparison of the Clinical Features of Hepatitis A between HBsAg-Positive and HBsAg-Negative Patients.
Kim KM, Eo SJ, Gwak GY, Choi MS, Lee JH, Koh KC, Yoo BC, Paik SW.
Gut Liver. 2011 Dec5:500-5.
Rating & Commentary
** Single–center study in 449 patients with acute hepatitis A confirming a clinical significant increase in acute liver failure in chronic hepatitis B co-infection. This study provides solid support for HAV vaccination in chronic hepatitis B.
Risk assessment for hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis B: scores and surveillance.
Gonzalez SA, Keeffe EB.
Int J Clin Pract. 2012 Jan;66:7-10.
Rating & Commentary
** This important review explores risk factors associated with HCC in patients with chronic HBV infection, and discusses recent data on developing scoring systems to assess risk, and how these may impact surveillance strategies.
Also read the article: Risk assessment for hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis B: scores and surveillance
Impact of lamivudine on HIV and hepatitis B virus-related outcomes in HIV/hepatitis B virus individuals in a randomized clinical trial of antiretroviral therapy in southern Africa.
Matthews GV, Manzini P, Hu Z, Khabo P, Maja P, Matchaba G, Sangweni P...
AIDS. 2011 Sep 10;25:1727-35.
Rating & Commentary
* Subanalysis of RCT comparing HBV-active (lamivudine) vs. non-HBV-active antiretroviral therapy (no lamivudine) in 106 HIV-HBV coinfected patients. The use of lamivudine-containing ART in HIV/HBV participants resulted in little additional benefit over that of ART itself and failed to impact on the mortality. This study suggests that tenofovir should be included in the antiviral treatment regimen in HIV-HBV coinfected patients
Impact of Fibroscan on management of chronic viral hepatitis in clinical practice.
van de Putte DF, Blom R, van Soest H, Mundt M, Verveer C, Arends J...
Ann Hepatol. 2011 Oct-Dec;10:469-76.
Rating & Commentary
* Dutch two center study in 139 patients with chronic viral hepatitis confirming many other studies about the value of Fibroscan for the non-invasive assessment of fibrosis. Importantly it shows that the Fibroscan measurement changed the clinical management in 39% of patients.
Incidence and Determinants of Spontaneous Seroclearance of HB e Antigen and DNA in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B.
Yang HI, Hung HL, Lee MH, Liu J, Jen CL, Su J, Wang LY, Lu SN...
Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2011 Dec 15. [Epub ahead of print]
Rating & Commentary
* Large prospective study of 1,289 HBV carriers with serum HBV DNA level >10,000 copies/mL and without cirrhosis confirming a yearly rate of HBeAg seroconversion of 6% among HBeAg positive persons and a 2% yearly rate of HBVDNA clearance overall. Serum level of HBV DNA is the most important predictor of seroclearance of HBeAg and HBV DNA.
Significant changes in liver stiffness measurements in patients with chronic hepatitis B: 3-year follow-up study.
Fung J, Lai CL, Wong DK, Seto WK, Hung I, Yuen MF.
J Viral Hepat. 2011 Jul;18:e200-5.
Rating & Commentary
* prospective study in 426 patients, which demonstrates that antiviral therapy and ALT normalization are the most important predictors of decline in liver stiffness measurement over time in HBV carriers
Innate and adaptive immune responses in chronic hepatitis B virus infections: towards restoration of immune control of viral infection.
Bertoletti A, Ferrari C.
Gut. 2011 Dec 9. [Epub ahead of print]
Rating & Commentary
* Interesting review which describes the innate and adaptive immune responses in chronic hepatitis B virus infections
The role of liver fibrosis assessment in the management of patients with chronic hepatitis B infection: lessons learned from a single centre experience.
Malik R, Kennedy P, Suri D, Brown A, Goldin R, Main J, Thomas H, Thursz M.
Hepat Res Treat. 2011:524027.
Rating & Commentary
* Analysis of a comprehensive academic workup assessing 140 chronic hepatitis B patients. In patients with normal ALT (either HBeAg-positive = immunotolerant or HBeAg-negative= inactive carrier) liver biopsy detected significant fibrosis in 10%. Fibrosis assessment should be part of the work-up of chronic hepatitis B.
[Reactivation of hepatitis B infection due to glucocorticoids].
Ramsoekh D, Metselaar HJ, de Man RA.
Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2011;155:A3710.
Rating & Commentary
* Dutch study creating awareness that hepatitis B reactivation is not restricted to chemotherapy or antiTNF, but can also occur with old-fashioned glucocorticoids
Meta-analysis: the efficacy of anti-viral therapy in prevention of recurrence after curative treatment of chronic hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma.
Wong JS, Wong GL, Tsoi KK, Wong VW, Cheung SY, Chong CN, Wong J...
Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2011 May;33:1104-12.
Rating & Commentary
* After many systematic analysis of interferon therapy after surgery for HCC, a robust meta-analysis of 9 studies including 551 patients, of whom 204 received nucleoside analog therapy after curative resection for HBV-associated HCC, investigates the effect of antiviral therapy on tumour recurrence and mortality after curative treatment of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC. Small but significant differences were found in favor of antiviral therapy.