Pathophysiology of ascites: The importance of the intestine. A surgical contribution to the understanding of a medical problem.

The understanding of the mechanisms for the development of ascites has evolved over the years, involving the liver, peritoneum, heart, and kidneys as key responsible for its formation. In this article, we review the pathophysiology of ascites formation, introducing the role of the intestine as a major responsible for ascites production through "a game changer" case.

Implementation of a re-linkage to care strategy in patients with chronic hepatitis C who were lost to follow-up in Latin America.

To achieve WHO's goal of eliminating hepatitis C virus (HCV), innovative strategies must be designed to diagnose and treat more patients. Therefore, we aimed to describe an implementation strategy to identify patients with HCV who were lost to follow-up (LTFU) and offer them re-linkage to HCV care. We conducted an implementation study utilizing a strategy to contact patients with HCV who were not under regular follow-up in 13 countries from Latin America. Patients with HCV were identified by the international classification of diseases (ICD-9/10) or equivalent. Medical records were then reviewed to confirm the diagnosis of chronic HCV infection defined by anti-HCV+ and detectable HCV-RNA. Identified patients who were not under follow-up by a liver specialist were contacted by telephone or email, and offered a medical reevaluation. A total of 10,364 patients were classified to have HCV. After reviewing their medical charts, 1349 (13%) had undetectable HCV-RNA or were wrongly coded. Overall, 9015 (86.9%) individuals were identified with chronic HCV infection. A total of 5096 (56.5%) patients were under routine HCV care and 3919 (43.5%) had been LTFU. We were able to contact 1617 (41.3%) of the 3919 patients who were LTFU at the primary medical institution, of which 427 (26.4%) were cured at a different institutions or were dead. Of the remaining patients, 906 (76.1%) were candidates for retrieval. In our cohort, about one out of four patients with chronic HCV who were LTFU were candidates to receive treatment. This strategy has the potential to be effective, accessible and significantly impacts on the HCV care cascade.

A Decreased Response to Resistin in Mononuclear Leukocytes Contributes to Oxidative Stress in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

BACKGROUND: Deregulation of immune response and oxidative stress contribute to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) pathogenesis. Resistin is a physiological modulator of inflammation and redox homeostasis of different cell types. Increased resistin serum concentration and the direct association between resistin hepatic expression and NAFLD severity suggest that resistin participates in NAFLD pathogenesis. AIMS: To evaluate resistin-induced regulation of redox homeostasis in mononuclear leukocytes from NAFLD patients and controls. METHODS: We evaluated basal and resistin-mediated modulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione content by flow cytometry, and antioxidant enzyme activities by spectrophotometry. RESULTS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from NAFLD patients showed higher ROS content and glutathione peroxidase activity and lower glutathione content, superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase activities than control PBMC. Resistin decreased ROS levels and superoxide dismutase activity and increased glutathione reductase and catalase activities in PBMC from controls but not from patients. Resistin decreased glutathione content in PBMC from control and NAFLD patients, with greater effect on patient cells. Basal and resistin-modulated ROS levels were directly associated with obesity-related risk factors for NAFLD. Hepatic myeloid cells and T-lymphocytes from NAFLD patients showed higher basal ROS content than cells from controls. Resistin decreased ROS levels in hepatic T-lymphocytes from controls but not from patients. CONCLUSIONS: Resistin regulates redox homeostasis in mononuclear leukocytes. A decreased response to resistin in leukocytes from NAFLD patients is associated with an impaired redox homeostasis.

A Novel Surgical Technique to Assure Donor and Recipient Safety: Pyloric to Segment 4 Arterial Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Strategies to extend the pool of organs include and promote the use of segmental liver grafts. While performing a living donor left lateral segment (LLS) liver transplant and in split procedures, the hepatic artery´s division becomes critical when a dominant segment 4 artery (S4A) emerges from the left hepatic artery (LHA). We aim to describe a novel technique that consists of performing microsurgical reconstruction from the pyloric artery (PA) to S4A. CASE REPORTS: A 45-y-old living donor was evaluated to use his LLS as a graft for a pediatric recipient. During the procedure, a dominant S4A born from the LHA was dissected. To obtain an appropriate LHA length and diameter for the recipient, it was necessary to transect it. An extended right lobe split graft was used in a 61-y-old patient. The S4A born from LHA had to be sectioned during the split procedure. In both cases, segment 4 remained incompletely perfused. The PA was dissected with enough length to be rotated, to perform a microsurgical anastomosis to the S4A, recovering parenchyma's color and Doppler signal while vascular permeability was demonstrated using CT scan. There was no biliary or cut surface complication. CONCLUSIONS: PA to S4A reconstruction is a simple and novel technique that can be used for LLS and extended right lobe split graft and might contribute to increase donor selection and reduce living donor and recipient S4A-related complications.

Corticoterapia con intención de rescate en pacientes con hepatitis autoinmune severa: ¿el trasplante hepático es evitable?

Resumen: Introducción: La hepatitis autoinmune es una enfermedad cuya presentación clínica inicial puede manifestarse de diversas formas, siendo su presentación aguda con aumento de los niveles de bilirrubina, caída de la función biosintética y necrosis masiva/submasiva o cirrosis en la histología, marcadores de severidad de la misma. La decisión de iniciar tratamiento con corticoides en este escenario resulta un desafío en la práctica clínica. Los objetivos del presente trabajo fueron evaluar el grado de respuesta al tratamiento, los predictores de respuesta, y la supervivencia global y libre de trasplante en pacientes cuyo debut clínico fue de forma aguda y severa. Resultados: Fueron incluidos 33 pacientes con bilirrubina total mayor a 2.5 mg/dl, sin tratamiento previo (naive), que cumplían criterios diagnósticos según el grupo internacional de hepatitis autoinmune. El 97% eran mujeres con una mediana de edad de 52 años, el 58% se encontraba en etapa de cirrosis con un MELD promedio de 24, y el 15% presentaba una necrosis masiva/submasiva en la muestra de biopsia hepática. En 27 casos se inició corticoterapia. El 66.7 % evolucionó con remisión completa, 14.8 % con remisión parcial, y en 18.5% hubo falla al tratamiento corticoideo. La colesterolemia basal y la presencia de encefalopatía hepática fueron predictores de no respuesta al tratamiento corticoideo, mientras que el MELD pre-tratamiento y la colesterolemia basal fueron las variables estadísticamente significativas asociadas a falla en el rescate del trasplante hepático. En los pacientes tratados con corticoides, la supervivencia global y libre de trasplante a 5 años en función del MELD (<25 vs ≥ 25) fue del 90% vs 60% respectivamente. Conclusión: Las altas tasas supervivencia logradas bajo tratamiento médico que fueron evidenciadas en esta serie reafirman la necesidad de priorizar el uso de corticoides en pacientes con hepatitis autoinmune aguda y severa.

Abstract: Introduction: Autoimmune hepatitis can initially manifest itself in various clinical ways. Its acute presentation with increased levels of bilirubin, fall of biosynthetic function and massive/submassive necrosis or cirrhosis in histology, is a marker of severity of it. The decision to start corticosteroid treatment in this scenario is a challenge in clinical practice. The objectives of this work were to assess the degree of response to treatment, response predictors, and overall and transplant-free survival in patients whose clinical debut was acute and severe. Results: 33 patients with total bilirubin greater than 2.5 mg/dL, without prior (naive) treatment, who met diagnostic criteria according to the international autoimmune hepatitis group, were included. 97% were women with a median age of 52, 58% were in the cirrhosis stage with an average MELD of 24, and 15% had massive/submassive necrosis in the liver biopsy sample. In 27 cases treatment with cortiocosteroids was initiated, 66.7% evolved with complete remission, 14.8% with partial remission, and in 18.5% there was failure of corticosteroid treatment. Basal cholesterol and the presence of hepatic encephalopathy were predictors of non-response to corticosteroid treatment, while pre-treatment MELD and basal cholesterol were the statistically significant variables associated with liver transplant rescue failure. In patients treated with corticosteroids, overall and transplant-free survival at 5 years based on MELD (<25 vs ≥ 25) was 90% vs 60% respectively. Conclusion: The high survival rates achieved under medical treatment that were demonstrated in this series reaffirm the need to prioritize the use of corticosteroids in patients with acute and severe autoimmune hepatitis.

Resumo: Introdução: A hepatite autoimune é uma doença cuja apresentação clínica inicial pode se manifestar de várias formas, sendo sua apresentação aguda com níveis elevados de bilirrubina, descida na função biossintética e necrose maciça/submassiva ou cirrose em histologia, marcadores de gravidade dela. A decisão de iniciar o tratamento corticosteroide nesse cenário é um desafio na prática clínica. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram avaliar o grau de resposta ao tratamento, preditores de resposta e sobrevida geral e livre de transplantes em pacientes cuja estréia clínica foi aguda e grave. Resultados: Foram incluídos 33 pacientes com bilirrubina total superior a 2,5 mg/dL, sem tratamento prévio (ingênuo), que atendiam aos critérios diagnósticos segundo o grupo internacional de hepatite autoimune. 97% eram mulheres com idade mediana de 52 anos, 58% estavam em estágio de cirrose com um MELD médio de 24, e 15% tinham necrose maciça/submassiva na amostra de biópsia hepática. Em 27 casos foi iniciado o tratamento médico e, em 6 casos, o transplante de fígado foi alcançado sem terapia prévia. 66,7% evoluíram com remissão completa, 14,8% com remissão parcial e, em 18,5%, houve falha no tratamento corticosteroide. O colesterol basal e a presença de encefalopatia hepática foram preditores de não resposta ao tratamento corticosteroide, enquanto o meld pré-tratamento e o colesterol basal foram as variáveis estatisticamente significativas associadas à falha de resgate do transplante de fígado. Em pacientes tratados com corticosteroides, a sobrevida geral e livre de transplante aos 5 anos com base no MELD (<25 vs ≥ 25) foi de 90% vs 60%, respectivamente. Conclusão: As altas taxas de sobrevivência alcançadas sob tratamento médico demonstrado nesta série reafirmam a necessidade de priorizar o uso de corticosteroides em pacientes com hepatite autoimune aguda e grave.

Impacto de la pandemia por COVID-19 sobre el trasplante hepático en la argentina. Otro daño colateral / Impact of COVID-19 pandemic in liver transplantation in Argentina. Other collateral damage

Resumen La pandemia COVID-19 declarada en marzo del 2020, ha generado preocupación mundial por su efecto en la salud de la población y el potencial colapso sanitario. La estrategia de "aplanar la curva" mediante el distanciamiento social permitió adaptar los recursos del sistema de salud a pacientes con COVID-19, pero no se pudo prever su repercusión en otras áreas de la salud. El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar las consecuencias de la pandemia sobre el trasplante hepático en general y por hepatocarcinoma (HCC). Fueron realizados los siguientes estudios: a) un análisis retrospectivo utilizando datos del CRESI/INCUCAI para comparar ingreso en lista de espera, mortalidad en lista, donación y trasplante hepático desde 20/03 a 15/08, 2019 e igual periodo de 2020, y b) una encuesta a los centros de trasplante de mayor actividad trasplantológica para valorar el efecto de las medidas tomadas en diferentes situaciones institucionales y regionales. El primer análisis evidenció una disminución del 55% de los trasplantes hepáticos, con una reducción similar en la donación y en el ingreso a lista de espera hepática; mientras que el trasplante por HCC ascendió de 10% en 2019 a 22% en 2020. El segundo análisis, mostró que la tasa de ocupación de camas por pacientes COVID-19/semana fue variable: de 0.4% al 42.0%. El número de cirugías, hepato-bilio-pancreática, resección de HCC y trasplante hepático, se redujeron en 47%, 49%, 31% y 36% respectivamente. La reducción de la actividad trasplantológica afectó mayormente los centros con alta ocupación por COVID-19. El impacto final a largo plazo deberá evaluarse.

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic declared in March 2020, has generated worldwide concern due to its effect on the health of the population and the potential health collapse. The strategy of "flattening the curve" through social distancing made it possible to adapt the resources of the health system to patients with COVID-19, but results in other areas of health could not be predicted. The objective of this work was to analyze the consequences of the pandemic on liver transplantation in general and for hepatocarcinoma (HCC). The following studies were carried out: a) a retrospective analysis using data from the CRESI / INCUCAI to compare admission to the waiting list, mortality on the list, donation and liver transplantation from 03/20 to 08/15, 2019 and the same period in 2020, and b) a survey of the transplant centers with the highest transplant activity to assess the effect of the measures taken in different institutional and regional situations. The first analysis showed a 55% decrease in liver transplants, with a similar reduction in donation and admission to the liver waiting list; while HCC transplantation rose from 10% in 2019 to 22% in 2020. The second analysis showed that the occupancy rate of beds by COVID-19 patients / week was variable: from 0.4% to 42.0%. The number of surgeries, hepato-bilio-pancreatic, resection of HCC and liver transplantation, were reduced by 47%, 49%, 31% and 36% respectively. The reduction in transplant activity mainly affected centers with high occupancy due to COVID-19. The final long-term outcome will need to be assessed.

Decompensated cirrhosis and liver transplantation negatively impact in DAA treatment response: Real-world experience from HCV-LALREAN cohort.

INTRODUCTION: Although the effectiveness of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been reported in real-world settings, predictive factors of treatment failure are lacking. Therefore, we sought to explore the baseline predictors of treatment response to DAAs. METHODS: This was a prospective multicenter cohort study from the Latin American Liver Research Educational and Awareness Network (LALREAN) including patients who received DAA treatment from May 2016 to April 2019. A multivariate logistic regression model was conducted to identify variables associated with unachieved sustained virological response (SVR), defined as treatment failure (odds ratios [OR] and 95% confidence intervals [CIs]). RESULTS: From 2167 patients (55.2% with cirrhosis) who initiated DAA therapy, 89.4% completed a full-course treatment (n = 1938). Median treatment duration was 12 weeks, and 50% received ribavirin. Definitive suspension due to intolerance or other causes was observed in only 1.0% cases (n = 20). Overall non-SVR12 was 4.5% (95% CI, 3.5-5.7). There were no significant differences in treatment failure according to HCV genotypes and the degree of fibrosis. Independently associated variables with DAA failure were liver function impairment according to the Child-Pugh score B OR, 2.09 (P = .06), Child-Pugh C OR, 11.7 (P < .0001); and liver transplant (LT) recipient OR, 3.75 (P = .01). CONCLUSION: In this real-life setting, higher DAA treatment failure rates were observed in patients with decompensated cirrhosis and in LT recipients. These predictive baseline factors should be addressed to individualize the appropriate time-point of DAA treatment (NCT03775798; www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov).

Argentinian clinical practice guideline for surveillance, diagnosis, staging and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

The A.A.E.E.H has developed this guideline for the best care of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from Argentina. It was done from May 2018 to March 2020. Specific clinical research questions were systematically searched. The quality of evidence and level of recommendations were organized according to GRADE. HCC surveillance is strongly recommended with abdominal ultrasound (US) every six months in the population at risk for HCC (cirrhosis, hepatitis B or hepatitis C); it is suggested to add alpha-feto protein (AFP) levels in case of inexeperienced sonographers. Imaging diagnosis in patients at risk for HCC has high specificity and tumor biopsy is not mandatory. The Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer algorithm is strongly recommended for HCC staging and treatment-decision processes. Liver resection is strongly recommended for patients without portal hypertension and preserved liver function. Composite models are suggested for liver transplant selection criteria. Therapies for HCC with robust clinical evidence include transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and first to second line systemic treatment options (sorafenib, lenvatinib, regorafenib, cabozantinib and ramucirumab). Immunotherapy with nivolumab and pembrolizumab has failed to show statistical benefit but the novel combination of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab has recently shown survival benefit over sorafenib in frontline.

Disease Progression in Patients With Hepatitis C Virus Infection Treated With Direct-Acting Antiviral Agents.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Little is known about how a sustained virologic response (SVR) to treatment of hepatitis C virus infection with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) affects patient mortality and development of new liver-related events. We aimed to evaluate the incidence of disease progression in patients treated with DAAs. METHODS: We performed a prospective multicenter cohort study of 1760 patients who received DAA treatment at 23 hospitals in Latin America, from May 1, 2016, through November 21, 2019. We excluded patients with a history of liver decompensation, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), or solid-organ transplantation. Disease progression after initiation of DAA therapy included any of the following new events: liver decompensation, HCC, liver transplantation, or death. Evaluation of variables associated with the primary outcome was conducted using a time-dependent Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: During a median follow-up period of 26.2 months (interquartile range, 15.3-37.5 mo), the overall cumulative incidence of disease progression was 4.1% (95% CI, 3.2%-5.1%), and after SVR assessment was 3.6% (95% CI, 2.7%-4.7%). Baseline variables associated with disease progression were advanced liver fibrosis (hazard ratio [HR], 3.4; 95% CI, 1.2-9.6), clinically significant portal hypertension (HR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.2-3.8), and level of albumin less than 3.5 mg/dL (HR, 4.1; 95% CI, 2.3-7.6), adjusted for SVR achievement as a time covariable. Attaining an SVR reduced the risk of liver decompensation (HR, 0.3; 95% CI, 0.1-0.8; P = .016) and de novo HCC (HR, 0.2; 95% CI, 0.1%-0.8%; P = .02) in the overall cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of hepatitis C virus infection with DAAs significantly reduces the risk of new liver-related complications and should be offered to all patients, regardless of disease stage. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03775798.

Hepatitis E infection is an infrequent cause of acute hepatitis in the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires.

Background Argentina is considered a region of low seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV), however; no studies have evaluated its burden among acute hepatitis cases. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to estimate the proportion of acute HEV and outcome in a cohort of patients with acute hepatitis from 6 liver units in the Metropolitan area of Buenos Aires (MABA). STUDY DESIGN: We performed a prospective cohort study including patients ≥18 years with acute hepatitis (increase in transaminases x 5 ULN) fromJuly 2016 to May 2018. Severe hepatitis was defined as acute hepatitis + INR> 1.5 and acute liver failure as severe hepatitis + encephalopathy. In patients in whom other etiologies were excluded, HEV tests were performed: anti-HEV IgM/G and HEV-RNA in serum and feces. RESULTS: Overall, 268 patients with acute hepatitis were included in the study. The most frequent etiologies of acute hepatitis were hepatitis B (67patients, 25 %), hepatotoxicity (65, 24 %) and autoimmune hepatitis (26, 10 %). Acute HEV infection was confirmed in 8 (2.98 %; 95 %CI 1.25-5.63) patients who tested positive for anti-HEV IgM. A total of 63 (23.5 %) patients were hospitalized and 9 (3.3 %) patients died. Overall, 48 (18 %) patients developed severe hepatitis, 6 (2.2 %) have acute liver failure, 6 (1.9 %) underwent liver transplantation and 9 (3.4 %) patients died. CONCLUSIONS: the proportion of acute HEV in MABA was low during the period studied. We believe our findings will aid physicians prioritize other etiologies of acute hepatitis over HEV in order to optimize diagnostic resources and offer better care to their patients.

[Impact of COVID-19 pandemic in liver transplantation in Argentina. Other collateral damage]. / Impacto de la pandemia por COVID-19 sobre el trasplante hepático en la Argentina. Otro daño colateral.

The COVID-19 pandemic declared in March 2020, has generated worldwide concern due to its effect on the health of the population and the potential health collapse. The strategy of "flattening the curve" through social distancing made it possible to adapt the resources of the health system to patients with COVID-19, but results in other areas of health could not be predicted. The objective of this work was to analyze the consequences of the pandemic on liver transplantation in general and for hepatocarcinoma (HCC). The following studies were carried out: a) a retrospective analysis using data from the CRESI / INCUCAI to compare admission to the waiting list, mortality on the list, donation and liver transplantation from 03/20 to 08/15, 2019 and the same period in 2020, and b) a survey of the transplant centers with the highest transplant activity to assess the effect of the measures taken in different institutional and regional situations. The first analysis showed a 55% decrease in liver transplants, with a similar reduction in donation and admission to the liver waiting list; while HCC transplantation rose from 10% in 2019 to 22% in 2020. The second analysis showed that the occupancy rate of beds by COVID-19 patients / week was variable: from 0.4% to 42.0%. The number of surgeries, hepato-bilio-pancreatic, resection of HCC and liver transplantation, were reduced by 47%, 49%, 31% and 36% respectively. The reduction in transplant activity mainly affected centers with high occupancy due to COVID-19. The final long-term outcome will need to be assessed.

La pandemia COVID-19 declarada en marzo del 2020, ha generado preocupación mundial por su efecto en la salud de la población y el potencial colapso sanitario. La estrategia de "aplanar la curva" mediante el distanciamiento social permitió adaptar los recursos del sistema de salud a pacientes con COVID-19, pero no se pudo prever su repercusión en otras áreas de la salud. El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar las consecuencias de la pandemia sobre el trasplante hepático en general y por hepatocarcinoma (HCC). Fueron realizados los siguientes estudios: a) un análisis retrospectivo utilizando datos del CRESI/INCUCAI para comparar ingreso en lista de espera, mortalidad en lista, donación y trasplante hepático desde 20/03 a 15/08, 2019 e igual periodo de 2020, y b) una encuesta a los centros de trasplante de mayor actividad trasplantológica para valorar el efecto de las medidas tomadas en diferentes situaciones institucionales y regionales. El primer análisis evidenció una disminución del 55% de los trasplantes hepáticos, con una reducción similar en la donación y en el ingreso a lista de espera hepática; mientras que el trasplante por HCC ascendió de 10% en 2019 a 22% en 2020. El segundo análisis, mostró que la tasa de ocupación de camas por pacientes COVID-19/semana fue variable: de 0.4% al 42.0%. El número de cirugías, hepato-bilio-pancreática, resección de HCC y trasplante hepático, se redujeron en 47%, 49%, 31% y 36% respectivamente. La reducción de la actividad trasplantológica afectó mayormente los centros con alta ocupación por COVID-19. El impacto final a largo plazo deberá evaluarse.

Group 2 innate lymphoid cells exhibit progressively higher levels of activation during worsening of liver fibrosis.

INTRODUCTION: The interleukin-33/interleukin-13 pathway is involved in the immunopathology of liver fibrosis and recently characterized group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) were identified as profibrotic immune cells in the liver of mouse models. Our aim was to elucidate whether ILC2 might be present in human liver tissue and whether ILC2 contribute to liver fibrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To identify ILC2 in liver tissue and blood, we purified mononuclear immune cells from needle biopsies, cirrhotic explant specimen, and paired peripheral blood samples. Cell suspensions were incubated with specific markers for ILC2 and analyzed by flow cytometry. The CD69 marker was included to assess the activation level of ILC2. In addition, we determined the IL-33 plasma level. RESULTS: Results were correlated with the METAVIR fibrotic score of patients enrolled in this study. We detected ILC2 in a higher percentage of CD45+ cells in liver tissue than in paired peripheral blood. The number of ILC2 was significantly increased in fibrotic tissue, but only slightly increased in paired peripheral blood. A higher percentage of CD69+ ILC2 was observed in fibrotic tissue, and this increase correlates positively with aggravation of liver fibrosis measured by fibrotic METAVIR score. A higher level of plasma IL-33 was only detected in samples obtained from cirrhotic patients. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that ILC2 are present in the human liver and are activated in tissue contributing to the immunopathology of human liver fibrosis, independently of the etiology; which might be a potential new therapeutic target.

Treatment with direct-acting antivirals for HCV decreases but does not eliminate the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Data from Europe and North America have been published regarding the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after treatment with direct antiviral agents (DAA). We proposed to evaluate cumulative incidence and associated risk factors for de novo HCC. METHODS: This was a prospective multicentre cohort study from Latin America including 1400 F1-F4-treated patients with DAAs (F3-F4 n = 1017). Cox proportional regression models (hazard ratios, HR and 95% CI) were used to evaluate independent associated variables with HCC. Further adjustment with competing risk regression and propensity score matching was carried out. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 16 months (IQR 8.9-23.4 months) since DAAs initiation, overall cumulative incidence of HCC was 0.02 (CI 0.01; 0.03) at 12 months and 0.04 (CI 0.03; 0.06) at 24 months. Cumulative incidence of HCC in cirrhotic patients (n = 784) was 0.03 (CI 0.02-0.05) at 12 months and 0.06 (CI 0.04-0.08) at 24 months of follow-up. Failure to achieve SVR was independently associated with de novo HCC with a HR of 4.9 (CI 1.44; 17.32), after adjusting for diabetes mellitus, previous interferon non-responder, Child-Pugh and clinically significant portal hypertension. SVR presented an overall relative risk reduction for de novo HCC of 73% (CI 15%-91%), 17 patients were needed to be treated to prevent one case of de novo HCC in this cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Achieving SVR with DAA regimens was associated with a significant risk reduction in HCC. However, this risk remained high in patients with advanced fibrosis, thus demanding continuous surveillance strategies in this population.

Effectiveness and safety of original and generic sofosbuvir for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C: A real world study.

We report the first real-world prospective multicenter cohort study that evaluated the effectiveness and safety of original or generic sofosbuvir-based regimens in patients with chronic hepatitis C in Latin America. The main endpoints were assessment of sustained virological response and serious adverse events rates. A total of 321 patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with the following regimens were included: sofosbuvir plus daclatasvir for 12 (n = 34) or 24 (n = 135) weeks, sofosbuvir plus daclatasvir plus ribavirin for 12 (n = 84) or 24 (n = 56) weeks, or sofosbuvir plus ribavirin for 12 (n = 8) or 24 (n = 2) weeks. Patients received either original sofosbuvir (Sovaldi® , Gilead Sciences, n = 135) or generic sofosbuvir (Probirase® , Laboratorios RICHMOND, n = 184) which were randomly assigned by the National Ministry of Health. Overall, 292 (91%) patients had cirrhosis, 136 (42%) were treatment experienced, and 240 (75%) genotype 1. The overall sustained virological response was 90% (95% CI 86-93%); 91% (95% CI 84-95%) in patients who received Sovaldi® , and 89% (95% CI 84-93%) in patients who received Probirase® . Anemia was the most common adverse event and was reported in 52 (17%) patients. Bacterial infection, gastrointestinal bleeding, worsening of ascites or encephalopathy occurred in less than 5% of the patients. During the study, seven (2%) patients died, four of whom died of cirrhosis-related complications. In summary, we observed similar sustained virological response rates than prior studies, both in patients who received Sovaldi® or Probirase® . Serious adverse events were infrequent, in line with prior studies that included patients with cirrhosis treated with protease-inhibitor-free regimes.

Ribavirin treatment of a patient with chronic hepatitis E. First case reported in Latin America.

We describe a clinical case of a kidney transplant patient who presented a sudden elevation of his liver function tests. Once we ruled out the most frequent causes of acute hepatitis, serum tests for Hepatitis E were performed. Hepatitis E virus RNA was detected in blood and stools. After six months the virus was still detected. Ribavirin treatment was initiated with normalization of the serum aminotransferases and sustained virology response was achieved.

[Hepatocellular carcinoma within Milan criteria and beyond: outcomes of liver transplantation in a single Argentinian institution]. / Hepatocarcinoma dentro y fuera de los criterios de Milán: resultados de un centro de trasplante hepático en la Argentina.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence following liver transplantation is associated to bad prognosis. We retrospectively analyzed the data of 95 patients who underwent liver transplantation for HCC. Recurrence rate and variables associated with recurrence were reviewed. According to the findings on the explanted livers they were divided in two groups: Milan (M) 67% and non-Milan (NM) 33%. Global recurrence rate, and M-group and NM-group recurrence rates were 19%; 12% and 32%, respectively (P = 0.001). Although in the univariate analysis we found some factors associated to recurrence (hemocromathosis, year of transplant, bilobar distribution, vascular invasion and previous chemoembolization), they were not independent predictors of recurrence in the multivariate analysis. Actuarial survival in cirrhotic patients with and without HCC at 1, 3 and 5 years was 86% and 91% (NS), 77% and 88% (NS), and 67% and 86% (P = 0.002), respectively; whereas actuarial survival of the M and NM groups was 86% and 71%; 82% and 61%, and 78% and 58%, respectively (P = 0.02). We had a satisfactory five-year global survival in our series even though one third of our patients grafted for HCC were outside Milan criteria.

[Hepatitis E: an infrequent virus or an unfrecuently investigated agent?]. / Hepatitis E: un virus infrecuente o un agente infrecuentemente pensado?

Two cases of hepatitis E that were assisted in our Unit of Hepatology and Liver Transplantation are described in this article. The first patient had prior hepatic involvement and therefore a more severe course, whereas the second case, with normal liver function, only developed a self-limited acute hepatitis.