HDV genotypes in the Western Brazilian Amazon region: A preliminary report.

In Brazil, hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is only reported in Western Amazonia, where severe cases of acute and chronic HDV hepatitis have been described. The study area was chosen in the States of Acre and Rondonia where most cases of hepatitis B virus (HBV)/HDV are reported. From December 2003 to October 2004, 40 HBsAg carriers with anti-HDV IgM were selected. An epidemiologic questionnaire, including demographic and clinical/epidemiologic variables was filled out. HDV amplification and genotyping were performed. Genotype I was detected in 22 patients (55.0%), whereas genotype III was identified in 18 (45.0%). Patients who were infected with genotype I were older (45.1 +/- 17.8 years) than patients infected with genotype III (32.8 +/- 10.9 years; P = 0.01). No symptoms were reported by 21 (52.5%) patients. Otherwise, 19 (47.5%) had symptoms (fatigue, abdominal pain, weight loss, and decompensated liver disease) that motivated them to seek medical care. Genotype III carriers were more symptomatic, but no statistical significance was achieved. Our preliminary results show that HDV genotypes I and III are present in Brazilian Amazonia and that HDV genotype III is not limited to the Amerindian population.

Hepatite aguda criptogênica: uma entidade heterogênea com possibilidades de complicações / Acute cryptogenic hepatitis: a heterogeneous entity, with possible complications

Hepatites agudas ou crônicas de causas não definidas constituem um problema na prática de médicos clínicos e gastroenterologistas. Apesar do desenvolvimento de sofisticados testes laboratoriais, uma proporção significativa das hepatites ainda permanece com causa não-determinada. São as chamadas hepatites criptogênicas ou hepatites não A-E. Possíveis etiologias são sugeridas: vírus desconhecido, doenças metabólicas ou hepatite auto-imune de apresentação atípica. Recentemente, nosso grupo demonstrou que, num centro de referência no Brasil, 17 por cento dos casos de hepatites agudas são criptogênicos, com alguns aspectos sugerindo etiologia viral. Nós relatamos quatro casos de hepatite aguda criptogênica, demonstrando a heterogeneidade dessa condição clínica associada à possibilidade de complicações, o que justifica uma criteriosa investigação epidemiológica, clínica e laboratorial, assim como o acompanhamento desses pacientes.

Acute or chronic hepatitis with no defined causes constitute a problem for clinical and gastroenterologists. In spite of sophisticated tests, a substantial proportion of hepatitis remains with no certain cause. They are cryptogenic hepatitis or hepatitis no A-E. Possible aetiologies are suggested: unknown virus, metabolic diseases or auto-immune hepatitis with atypical presentation. Recently, our group demonstrated that, in a reference center for hepatic diseases in Brazil, 17 percent of cases of acute hepatitis are cryptogenic, with some aspects suggesting viral aetiology. We described four clinical cases of acute cryptogenic hepatitis, demonstrating the heterogeneity of this condition that may be associated with possible complications. This justifies a careful epidemiological and laboratorial investigation, as well as a follow-up of those patients.