Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in elderly patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to compare the survival in elderly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treated with curative modalities (radiofrequency ablation (RFA), percutaneous ethanol injection (PEIT) and surgery) to those treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and supportive care. METHODOLOGY: Medical records of patients with HCC older than 75 years who had visited a single tertiary medical center from January 2000 to December 2011 were reviewed (n = 58). Multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HR) for mortality with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients were treated by TACE, 19 patients by supportive care, and 10 patients by curative treatment (four by PEIT, three by surgery and three by RFA).Variables associated with increased survival were better Child-Pugh class and lower TNM stage. Treatment with curative intent showed significant survival benefit compared to TACE (HR for mortality, 0.10; 95% CI, 0.01-0.95). In a subgroup analysis among patients with resectable HCC, supportive care showed significantly worse survival over TACE (HR for mortality, 6.47; 95% CI, 2.14-19.56) and curative intent (HR for mortality, 16.23; 95% CI, 1.92-136.83). CONCLUSIONS: Curative treatment seems to have a better survival benefit in comparison with other treatment modalities in elderly HCC patients.

Involvement of GLTSCR2 in the DNA Damage Response.

The cellular DNA damage response (DDR) ensures genomic stability and protects against genotoxic stresses. Conversely, defects in the DDR contribute to genome instability, with the resulting accumulated genetic changes capable of inducing neoplastic transformation. Thus, DDR is central to both the mechanism of oncogenesis and cancer therapy. Specifically, DDR is accomplished via a complicated meshwork of evolutionary conserved proteins, including ATM, ATR, and phospho-H2AX (γH2AX). GLTSCR2 is a nucleolar protein believed to function as a tumor suppressor, although its exact molecular mechanisms have yet to be fully elucidated. As a result of our research pertaining to the role of GLTSCR2 in tumor suppression, we have determined that GLTSCR2 is involved in DDR. Under genotoxic conditions, such as cellular exposure to UV radiation or radiomimetic drugs, GLTSCR2 expression increased and later mobilized to the nucleoplasm. Moreover, GLTSCR2 knockdown attenuated both the presence of phospho-H2AX at the nuclear foci and the phosphorylation of multiple DDR proteins, including ATM, ATR, Chk2, Chk1, and H2AX. In addition, the decreased expression of GLTSCR2 sensitized cells to DNA damage, delayed DNA repair, and abolished G2/M checkpoint activation. Our observations indicate that GLTSCR2 is a key component of DDR and GLTSCR2 seems to act as a tumor suppressor by participating in optimal DDR because DNA damage is a frequent and crucial event in oncogenesis.

[A case of psoriasis induced by infliximab treatment for Crohn's disease].

Infliximab, the monoclonal antibody to tumor necrosis factor, is indicated for refractory luminal and fistulizing Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Infliximab treatment has adverse events including infusion reactions, opportunistic infections, and the potential for the event such as reactivation of latent tuberculosis. Cutaneous adverse reactions of TNF-α agents include skin rash, urticaria, pruritus, lupus-like eruption, and injection site reactions. Most of all, psoriasis or psoriasiform dermatitis induced by infliximab treatment for Crohn's disease is rarely reported in Korea. We report a case of psoriasis induced by infliximab treatment for Crohn's disease with a review of world literature.

Colonic mucosal necrosis following administration of calcium polystryrene sulfonate (Kalimate) in a uremic patient.

Colonic necrosis is known as a rare complication following the administration of Kayexalate (sodium polystryrene sulfonate) in sorbitol. We report a rare case of colonic mucosal necrosis following Kalimate (calcium polystryrene sulfonate), an analogue of Kayexalate without sorbitol in a 34-yr-old man. He had a history of hypertension and uremia. During the management of intracranial hemorrhage, hyperkalemia developed. Kalimate was administered orally and as an enema suspended in 20% dextrose water to treat hyperkalemia. Two days after administration of Kalimate enema, he had profuse hematochezia, and a sigmoidoscopy showed diffuse colonic mucosal necrosis in the rectum and sigmoid colon. Microscopic examination of random colonic biopsies by two consecutive sigmoidoscopies revealed angulated crystals with a characteristic crystalline mosaic pattern on the ulcerated mucosa, which were consistent with Kayexalate crystals. Hematochezia subsided with conservative treatment after a discontinuance of Kalimate administration.

[Efficacy of 48-week clevudine therapy for chronic hepatitis B].

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Clevudine is a nucleoside analogue that exhibits potent and sustained antiviral effects as a 24-week therapy for chronic hepatitis B (CHB). This study evaluated the efficacy and viral resistance of a 48-week course of clevudine treatment for CHB. METHODS: Data on patients with CHB and detectable serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA who were treated with clevudine for 48 weeks or longer were collected retrospectively for this study. Patients who had taken lamivudine within the 3 years prior to this study were excluded. Serum HBV DNA was measured by polymerase chain reaction hybridization (lower detection limit=316 copies/mL). Serum HBV DNA and biochemical data were analyzed at weeks 24 and 48. Developments of viral breakthrough and resistance to the antiviral drug were also monitored. RESULTS: Data from 74 patients (mean age 44 years; M:F=54:20; HBeAg-positive, 47; HBeAg-negative, 27) were included in this study. Ten patients had experienced previous lamivudine treatment. Median HBV DNA at baseline was 6.49 log(10) copies/mL. Median serum HBV DNA reductions from baseline at week 48 were -4.34 log(10) copies/mL (HBeAg-positive, -4.84 log(10) copies/mL; HBeAg-negative, -3.74 log(10) copies/mL). At week 48, serum HBV DNA was not detected in 83.8% of the patients (HBeAg-positive, 76.6%; HBeAg-negative, 96.3%). Normalization of serum alanine aminotransferase levels was achieved in 84.7% of the patients. Viral breakthrough and antiviral resistance developed in two patients at week 48. The development of antiviral resistance was associated with the presence of previous lamivudine treatment and cirrhosis. CONCLUSION: A 48-week course of clevudine therapy was highly effective in patients with CHB. The risk of development of resistance to clevudine was increased in patients with previous exposure to lamivudine and cirrhosis.

Brain corticotropin-releasing factor signaling: Involvement in acute stress-induced visceral analgesia in male rats.

BACKGROUND: Water avoidance stress (WAS) induces a naloxone-independent visceral analgesia in male rats under non-invasive conditions of monitoring. The objective of the study was to examine the role of brain CRF signaling in acute stress-induced visceral analgesia (SIVA). METHODS: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were chronically implanted with an intracerebroventricular (ICV) cannula. The visceromotor response (VMR) to graded phasic colorectal distension (CRD: 10, 20, 40, 60 mm Hg, 20 seconds, 4 minutes intervals) was monitored using manometry. The VMR to a first CRD (baseline) was recorded 5 minutes after an ICV saline injection, followed 1 hour later by ICV injection of either CRF (30, 100, or 300 ng and 1, 3, or 5 µg/rat) or saline and a second CRD, 5 minutes later. Receptor antagonists against CRF1 /CRF2 (astressin-B, 30 µg/rat), CRF2 (astressin2 -B, 10 µg/rat), oxytocin (tocinoic acid, 20 µg/rat), or vehicle were injected ICV 5 minutes before CRF (300 ng/rat, ICV) or 15 minutes before WAS (1 hour). KEY RESULTS: ICV CRF (100 and 300 ng) reduced the VMR to CRD at 60 mm Hg by -36.6% ± 6.8% and -48.7% ± 11.7%, respectively, vs baseline (P < 0.001), while other doses had no effect and IP CRF (10 µg/kg) induced visceral hyperalgesia. Astressin-B and tocinoic acid injected ICV induced hyperalgesia and prevented the analgesic effect of ICV CRF (300 ng/rat) and WAS, while astressin2 -B only blocked WAS-induced SIVA. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: These data support a role for brain CRF signaling via CRF2 in SIVA in a model of WAS and CRD likely mediated by the activation of brain oxytocin pathway.

[Microbiologic study of the bile culture and antimicrobial susceptibility in patients with biliary tract infection].

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Bacterial infection of biliary tract may cause severe inflammatory response or sepsis. An immediate bile culture and appropriate antibiotic administration are important to control the biliary tract infection. The objective of the study was to identify organisms in bile and the features of antibiotic susceptibility in patients with biliary tract infection. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 212 patients whose bile had been cultured for variable biliary tract diseases at Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital from Jan. 2000 to Feb. 2007. Bile samples were obtained from percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD, n=89), percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD, n=14) or endoscopic naso-biliary drainage (ENBD, n=49). RESULTS: The overall positive rate of bile culture was 71.7% (152 cases). The organisms cultured were Escherichia coli (25.0%), Enterococcus spp. (13.4%), Klebsiella spp. (11.1%), Pseudomonas spp. (11.1%), and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (9.7%) in decreasing order. Effective antibiotics for Gram-negative organisms were amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, amikacin, imipenem, and piperacillin/tazobactam in order of effectiveness. Of the cultured blood samples from 160 patients, fifty (31.2%) showed positive bacterial growth. The organisms isolated from blood were similar to those found in the bile. CONCLUSIONS: A broad spectrum penicillin/beta-lactamase inhibitor is a recommendable antimicrobial for empirical treatment for biliary tract infection. However, Gram-positive bacteria such as Enterococcus spp. or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus are emerging as causative microorganisms. If these organisms are isolated, antimicrobial drugs should be replaced by narrower-spectrum antimicrobials.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration with liquid-based cytology preparation in the diagnosis of metastatic small-cell carcinoma in the pancreas.

Pancreatic metastasis is extremely rare, particularly from small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). Studies on the role of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) with liquid-based cytology (LBC) in the diagnosis of metastatic small-cell carcinoma in the pancreas have been rarely conducted. We report herein a case of pancreatic metastasis from SCLC diagnosed using EUS-FNA with LBC (ThinPrep). A 71-year-old man presented with chief complaints of hemoptysis and jaundice over the past 1 month. Lung & pancreas tumors with multiple liver nodules were detected on computed tomography. The aspirated material from the pancreas using EUS-FNA was prepared as a cytologic specimen with ThinPrep method, which revealed scattered and clustered "small blue cells" with scant cytoplasm and stippled chromatin with frequent apoptotic bodies. Immunocytochemical staining of the cellblock material revealed strong positivity for CD56 and thyroid transcription factor-1. Endobronchial biopsy for lung mass revealed nests of small, round, blue tumor cells with hyperchromatic nuclei showing salt and pepper chromatin, scant cytoplasm, and brisk mitotic activity. Therefore, a diagnosis of metastatic small-cell carcinoma to the pancreas with an extensive stage was finally made.

[A case of terminal ileal ulcer of Henoch-Schönlein purpura treated with high dose steroid].

Henoch-Schonlein purpura (H-S purpura) is a systemic small-vessel vasculitis involving skin, joint, gastrointestinal tract, and kidney. It is characterized by the classic tetrad of abdominal pain, arthralgia, typical rash, and renal involvement. All of these clinical findings can occur in any order and at any time over several days to weeks. Gastrointestinal manifestations such as abdominal pain, melena, or hematochezia occur in 45-85% and preceed skin lesions up to 40% in H-S purpura. However, endoscopically proven gastrointestinal lesion is rare because majority of involved sites are small intestine. We report a case of Henoch-Schonlein purpura with terminal ileal ulcer, healed after treatment with high dose steroid, proven by colonoscopy.

[Usefulness of DeltaMELD/month for prediction of the mortality in the first episode of variceal bleeding patients with liver cirrhosis: comparison with CTP, MELD score and DeltaCTP/month].

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: There are many models for predicting prognosis of liver cirrhosis including Child Turcotte Pugh (CTP), the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score and its changes over time (DeltaCTP and DeltaMELD/month). We investigated the ability of these models to predict the mortality of liver cirrhosis patients with the first episode of variceal bleeding and which model can be usefully applied in practice. METHODS: Seventy-one liver cirrhosis patients hospitalized for the first episode of esophageal variceal bleeding were retrospectively analyzed. The predictive power of initial CTP, MELD score, DeltaCTP and DeltaMELD/month was compared through c-statistics and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: All of the prognostic predictors measured higher in patients who survived than in those who died. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for DeltaMELD/month in 6 months was 1, a higher value than 0.81 for initial CTP, 0.75 for initial MELD, and 0.84 for DeltaCTP/month; the area of DeltaMELD/month in 12 months was 0.81, also showing a higher value than others. DeltaMELD/month >0.27 was a strong significant prognostic predictor in 6 (odds ratio: 40.1, p=0.001) and 12 months (odds ratio: 14.1, p<0.001). Only the DeltaMELD/month was an independent prognostic predictor with a risk ratio of 1.604 (95% CI: 1.119-2.302, p=0.01) in 6 months and 1.627 (95% CI: 1.294-2.047, p<0.001) in 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: The DeltaMELD/month is superior to initial CTP, MELD and DeltaCTP/month to predict 6 and 12 months mortality in liver cirrhosis patients with the first episode of variceal bleeding.

The Usefulness of Argon Plasma Coagulation Compared with Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection to Treat Gastric Adenoma.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To date, the best therapeutic modality for gastric adenoma, especially low-grade adenoma, has not been established. The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of argon plasma coagulation (APC) in treating gastric adenoma compared with endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). METHODS: We included 210 patients with gastric adenoma, who underwent treatment with either APC (97 patients) or ESD (113 patients). The clinical and pathologic characteristics, mean duration of hospital stay, complications, and recurrence rates between the two groups were compared. RESULTS: The mean adenoma size was 0.9 cm and 1.1 cm in the APC group and ESD group, respectively (p<0.001). The mean duration of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the APC group than in the ESD group (1.6 days vs. 5.8 days, p<0.001). Complications did not occur in the APC group. However, one case of perforation (0.9%) and 6 cases of bleeding (5.3%) occurred in the ESD group. The recurrence rates were 15.3% (15/97 patients) in the APC group and 3.5% (4/113 patients) in the ESD group (p=0.003). The proportion of hospitalization was less in the APC group (43.3%, 42/97) than in the ESD group (100.0%, 113/113) (p<0.001). Medical expense was less in the APC group (377,172 won) than in the ESD group (1,430,610 won) (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that APC is a safe treatment method for gastric adenoma without serious complications. However, regular endoscopic follow-up is necessary to detect any residual or recurrent lesions due to the relatively high rate of local recurrence after APC.

Extramedullary plasmacytoma mimicking pancreatic cancer: A case report and literature review.

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma may account for more than 80% of all pancreatic neoplasms. Occasionally, other rare tumors such as lymphoma, metastatic tumor, and solid pseudopapillary neoplasm can be considered in the differential diagnosis. We report the case of an 82-year-old man with a pancreatic solid mass. This case suggests that endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) with biopsy, that is, EUS-FNA is recommended in the differential diagnosis of the pancreatic solid mass apart from pancreatic adenocarcinoma. In particular, the histologic core obtained by EUS-guided biopsy is helpful for the immunostaining of molecular markers to confirm the final diagnosis.

Acute hemorrhagic rectal ulcer syndrome: Comparison with non-hemorrhagic rectal ulcer lower gastrointestinal bleeding.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics of acute hemorrhagic rectal ulcer (AHRU) and to elucidate its predictive factors. METHODS: The medical records of patients with AHRU were retrospectively reviewed. Their baseline clinical characteristics were compared with those of patients with non-AHRU lower gastrointestinal bleeding to identify predictive factors for AHRU. RESULTS: Among the 118 patients who underwent emergency endoscopy due to acute massive hematochezia from 2013 to 2015, 25 (21.2%) were diagnosed as having AHRU. Of them, 22 (88.0%) were successfully managed endoscopically and 3 (12.0%) underwent surgery. Six (24.0%) patients developed rebleeding within 1-9 days after the initial bleeding, which was controlled by a repeat endoscopy. Five (20.0%) died during follow-up. A multivariate-adjusted logistic regression analysis revealed that a lower serum albumin level, worse Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status and history of constipation were significant factors for predicting AHRU. Hypoalbuminemia (<30 g/L) had a sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values of 84.0%, 78.5%, 51.2% and 94.8% for predicting AHRU, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 20% of patients with massive hematochezia had AHRU. Most patients with AHRU can be managed endoscopically. Low serum albumin level, poor ECOG performance status and prior constipation could be used in distinguishing patients with and without AHRU, facilitating the selection of optimal bowel preparation method for massive hematochezia.

[A case of primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of liver presenting with liver abscess].

Primary hepatic neuroendocrine cell carcinoma is a very rare tumor. We experienced a 75-year-old woman with primary hepatic neuroendocrine carcinoma presenting with pyogenic liver abscess. Abdominal CT scan revealed a multiseptated liver abscess and an enlarged lymph node in portocaval portion. We performed percutaneous drainage of the liver abscess, but the amount of drained pus did not decrease after 20 days. The follow-up abdominal CT scan showed that the cystic portion of liver abscess had been replaced by the solid tumor. Microscopic examination of the tumor tissue showed nests of epithelial cells with uniform round hyperchromatic nuclei and high nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio. Immunohistochemical staining was strongly positive for synaptophysin and chromogranin A.

[Usefulness of serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) as a marker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in hepatitis C virus related cirrhosis: analysis of the factors influencing AFP elevation without HCC development].

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is frequently used for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Most available data concerning AFP came from studies of patients with chronic hepatitis B or mixed etiologies. Studies concerning the diagnostic value of AFP for HCV-related liver cirrhosis (LC) are limited. We evaluated the factors influencing AFP elevation in the absence of HCC and analyzed the diagnostic value of serum AFP in HCC surveillance of HCV-related LC patients. METHODS: We enrolled 55 patients of HCV-related LC with HCC and 62 patients without HCC as a case-control study were analyzed. The sensitivity and specificity were calculated and the clinical and biochemical factors influencing serum AFP levels. RESULTS: The sensitivities and specificities of serum AFP for the detection of HCC in HCV-related LC were 72.7% and 59.7% for AFP>or=20 ng/mL, and 47.3% and 92.5% for AFP>or=100 ng/mL, respectively. Elevated serum AST was independently associated with elevated serum AFP level in HCV-related LC. In cases of ASTor=100 ng/mL for the diagnosis of HCC was 100%. However, in case of AST>2 ULN, the specificity was 85.0% for AFP>or=100 ng/mL and 95.0% for AFP>or=200 ng/mL. CONCLUSIONS: Serum AST levels influence serum AFP level in HCV-related LC. In cases of AST2 ULN.

Acute pancreatitis associated with pegylated interferon-alpha-2a therapy in chronic hepatitis C.

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Combination therapy of pegylated interferon-alpha (PEG-IFN-α) and ribavirin (RBV) is a current standard treatment for chronic HCV infection in Korea, which has considerable adverse effects. Acute pancreatitis is a rare complication of PEG-IFN-α administration. We report a case of a 62-year-old female who experienced acute pancreatitis after 4 weeks of PEG-IFN-α-2a and RBV combination therapy for chronic HCV infection. The main cause of the acute pancreatitis in this case was probably PEG-IFN-α rather than RBV for several reasons. A few cases have been reported in which acute pancreatitis occurred during treatment with PEG-IFN-α-2b. This is the first report of acute pancreatitis associated with PEG-IFN-α-2a in Korea.

Obstructive ileus caused by phlebosclerotic colitis.

A 57-year-old man with chronic kidney disease and a history of using numerous herbal medications visited Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital for abdominal pain and vomiting. An abdominal radiograph showed diffuse small bowel distension containing multiple air-fluid levels and extensive calcifications along the colon. Computed tomography showed colon wall thickening with diffuse calcification along the colonic mesenteric vein and colonic wall. Colonoscopy, performed without bowel preparation, showed bluish edematous mucosa from the transverse to the distal sigmoid colon, with multiple scar changes. At the mid transverse colon, a stricture was noted and the scope could not pass through. A biopsy of the stricture site revealed nonspecific changes. The patient was diagnosed with phlebosclerotic colitis. After the colonoscopy, the obstructive ileus spontaneously resolved, and the patient was discharged without an operation. Currently, after 2 months of follow-up, the patient has remained asymptomatic. Herein, we report the rare case of an obstructive ileus caused by phlebosclerotic colitis with a colon stricture.

Comparison of vancomycin-resistant enterococci isolates from human, poultry and pigs in Korea.

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) have emerged as an important nosocomial pathogen. Since 1989, a rapid increase in the incidence of enterococcal bacteremia and endocarditis by VRE has been reported. The use of avoparcin in animal husbandry is reportedly associated with the appearance of VRE. In this study, a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was established to detect and differentiate resistant types of enterococci, which specifically amplify the four van genes that encode vancomycin resistance elements. Using this method, we investigated the incidence rates and types of VRE from two types of farms: those that had used avoparcin and those that had not used avoparcin. A total of 1091 animal fecal samples were collected from 70 pig farms and 32 poultry farms. A total of 425 enterococci were isolated from the fecal samples. Among the 425 isolates, six showed a pattern of high-level vancomycin resistance (Minimal Inhibitory Concentration, MIC: 64-256 microg/ml). Out of six high-level VRE, three were isolated from poultry farms that had used avoparcin and three were not. The six high-level VRE harbored the vanA gene. Sixty-seven of 425 isolates that showed a pattern of low-level vancomycin resistance (MIC: 4-8 microg/ml) were associated with the presence of vanC-1 or vanC-2/3 gene. We also performed a repetitive extragenic palindromic PCR (rep-PCR) method to compare the genetic relatedness between the high-level VRE of six animal isolates and 31 human isolates. None of the animal isolates had a similar rep-PCR pattern as the human isolates but similarities between human VRE isolates were observed.

Isolation and identification of Escherichia coli O157:H7 using different detection methods and molecular determination by multiplex PCR and RAPD.

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is recognized as a significant food-borne pathogen, so rapid identification is important for food hygiene management and prompt epidemiological investigations. The limited prevalence data on Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) and E. coli O157:H7 in foods and animals in Korea made an assessment of the risks difficult, and the options for management and control unclear. The prevalence of the organisms was examined by newly developed kit-E. coli O157:H7 Rapid kit. For the isolation of E. coli O157:H7, conventional culture, immunomagnetic separation, and E. coli O157:H7 Rapid kit were applied, and multiplex PCR and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) were performed for the molecular determination. There was high molecular relatedness among 11 Korean isolates and 17 U.S. strains at 63% level. Additionally, distinct differentiation between pig and cattle isolates was determined. It implied that RAPD had a capacity to distinguish strains with different sources, however it could not discriminate among isolates according to their differences in the degree of virulence. In antimicrobial susceptibility tests, 45.5% of isolates showed antibiotic resistance to two or more antibiotics. Unlike the isolates from other countries, domestic isolates of E. coli O157:H7 was mainly resistant to ampicillin and tetracyclines. In summary, the application of E. coli O157:H7 Rapid kit may be useful to detect E. coli O157:H7 due to its sensitivity and convenience. Moreover, combinational analysis of multiplex PCR together with RAPD can aid to survey the characteristics of isolates.

Long-term virological outcome in chronic hepatitis B patients with a partial virological response to entecavir.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The clinical outcome of patients with a partial virological response (PVR) to entecavir (ETV), in particular nucloes(t)ide analogue (NA)-experienced patients, has not been thoroughly investigated. The aim of the present study was to assess long-term outcomes in NA-naive and NA-experienced chronic hepatitis B patients with a PVR to ETV. METHODS: Chronic hepatitis B patients treated with ETV (0.5 mg/day) for at least 1 year were enrolled retrospectively. PVR was defined as a decrease in hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA titer of more than 2 log10 IU/mL, yet with residual serum HBV DNA, as determined by real time-polymerase chain reaction, at week 48 of ETV therapy. RESULTS: A total of 202 patients (127 NA-naive and 75 NA-experienced, male 70.8%, antigen positive 53.2%, baseline serum HBV DNA 6.2 ± 1.5 log10 IU/mL) were analyzed. Twenty-eight patients demonstrated a PVR. The PVR was associated with a high serum HBV DNA titer at baseline and at week 24. Virological response (< 60 IU/mL) was achieved in 46.2%, 61.5%, 77.6%, and 85% of patients with PVR at week 72, 96, 144, and 192, respectively. Resistance to antivirals developed in two NA-experienced patients. Failure of virological response (VR) in patients with PVR was associated with high levels of serum HBV DNA at week 48. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with PVR to ETV had favorable long-term virological outcomes. The low serum level of HBV DNA (< 200 IU/mL) at week 48 was associated with subsequent development of a VR in patients with PVR to ETV.