Safety and efficacy of cell-free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy (CART) in refractory ascites: Post-marketing surveillance results.

We performed post-marketing surveillance to evaluate the safety and efficacy of cell-free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy (CART). In total, 356 CART sessions in 147 patients at 22 centers were performed. The most common primary disease was cancer (128 cases, 300 sessions). Mean amount of ascites collected was 3.7 L, and mean concentration ratio was 9.2. Mean amount of reinfused protein was 67.8 g (recovery rate, 72.0%). Performance status, dietary intake, urine volume, body weight and abdominal circumference were significantly improved after CART. Body temperature increased significantly, by 0.3°C on average. Concomitant steroids and/or NSAIDs use before reinfusion was significantly and negatively associated with increases in body temperature. Most adverse events were fever and chills. This study examined a large number of patients compared with previous studies, and showed that CART is an effective and relatively safe treatment for refractory ascites, such as malignant ascites.

Prevalence and outcomes of acute hepatitis B in Okayama, Japan, 2006-2010.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the major viruses causing acute hepatitis. Recently, the incidence of acute hepatitis with genotype A has been increasing in Japan. The aim of this study was to investigate acute hepatitis B (AHB) in Okayama prefecture, with special attention to HBV genotype A. AHB patients who visited one of 12 general hospitals in Okayama prefecture between 2006 and 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. Over the course of the study period, 128 patients were diagnosed with AHB. Sexual transmission was supposed in the majority of patients (78 patients, 61%), including 59 (76%) having sex with heterosexual partners. The genotypes of HBV were assessed in 90 patients (70%), of whom 27 patients were infected with genotype A, 5 with genotype B, and 58 with genotype C. The prevalence of genotype A was significantly higher among male patients (28.7%), aged 20-29 (35.6%, p＜0.01), among men who had sex with men (100%, p＜0.005), and among patients having sex with unspecified partners (44.8%, p＜0.005). Genotype A was not a significant factor associated with delayed HBsAg disappearance. Caution should be exercised with regard to sexually transmissible diseases in order to slow the pandemic spread of AHB due to genotype A.