The diversity and management of chronic hepatitis B virus infections in the United Kingdom: a wake-up call.

BACKGROUND: Through migration, diversity of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has changed, affecting disease burden and control. We describe clinical and viral characteristics of chronic HBV in the United Kingdom. METHODS: A total of 698 individuals with chronic HBV infection were recruited from referral liver centers. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected. RESULTS: Sixty-one percent of patients were male, 80% were not born in the United Kingdom, and the largest ethnicity was East/Southeast Asian (36%). Twenty-two percent were hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seropositive; 20.4% (59/289) had cirrhosis and 10 (1.7%) had hepatocellular carcinoma. Genotype D was most common (31%) followed by A, C, B, and E (20%, 20%, 19%, and 9%, respectively). Genotype was significantly associated with country of birth, length of time in the United Kingdom, HBeAg status, and precore and basal core promoter mutations. One-third were on treatment, with men independently more likely to be treated. Only 18% of those on treatment were on recommended first-line therapies, and 30% were on lamivudine monotherapy. Among treated individuals, 27% had antiviral drug resistance. Testing rates for human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C virus, and delta coinfections were low. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated diversity of chronic HBV infections in UK patients, suggesting that optimal management requires awareness of the variable patterns of chronic HBV in countries of origin. We also found less-than-optimal clinical management practices, possible gender-based treatment bias, and the need to improve testing for coinfections.

Endoscopic management of postcholecystectomy biliary leaks.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the nature of bile duct injuries following cholecystectomy and the success of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in their identification and management. DESIGN: All patients referred for ERCP with a diagnosis of a postcholecystectomy bile leak were identified prospectively from October 1994 to August 2008. SETTING: The study was carried out in a district general hospital with the endoscopies performed by a single operator. PATIENTS: All patients had undergone imaging with at least two of abdominal ultrasound scanning, CT scanning or MR cholangiopancreatography. INTERVENTIONS: ERCP with treatment of a biliary leak by sphincterotomy and insertion of a temporary 7 Fr plastic biliary stent. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Clinical healing of the injury was assessed as resolution of symptoms with normalisation of liver function tests, cessation of external drain output and a repeat ERCP with removal of the indwelling stent within 2-8 weeks and no further complications. RESULTS: 46 patients were identified, of whom 42 responded well to endoscopic treatment. Four patients ultimately needed surgery, of whom three had recurrent strictures. One patient had complete transection of the biliary duct and endoscopic treatment was not attempted. CONCLUSION: ERCP, with sphincterotomy and temporary plastic stent placement, is successful in the early management of patients with postcholecystectomy biliary leaks, which most commonly involve the cystic duct stump. ERCP carried out in a district general hospital identifies those patients requiring further specialised hepatobiliary care in a tertiary centre.