Hydroa vacciniforme lymphoproliferative disorder: a retrospective study of 42 paediatric cases.

Hydroa vacciniforme lymphoproliferative disorder (HVLPD) is a rare disease related to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), mainly in children, and is an EBV-associated cutaneous T and natural killer (NK) cell lymphoproliferative disorder. The disorder in some patients may progress to EBV-associated systemic T or NK-cell lymphoma. To summarize the characteristics of HVLPD in Chinese paediatric patients and to examine the risk factors indicating poor prognosis. We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with HVLPD from the Department of Dermatology, Beijing Children's Hospital. Based on diagnosis, medical history, examination results, and immunophenotype, we analysed HVLPD in 42 paediatric cases in order to examine the clinical features, prognoses, and risk factors. Forty-two paediatric patients were enrolled, with a median onset age of five years. All patients presented with papulovesicular lesions, and 32 systemic HVLPD (sHVLPD) patients had systemic symptoms, including fever, lymphadenopathy, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and liver dysfunction. Of the sHVLPD cases, 13 also had severe mosquito bite allergy (SMBA). Twenty-five cases were T-type, and nine were CD56+-dominant type. Follow-up data showed that 12 patients had complete remission, and three patients died. SMBA is a risk factor for disease progression in patients with HVLPD, and the pathological CD56+-dominant phenotype is associated with poor prognosis.

Achados ultrassonográficos abdominais relacionados à dengue em um hospital do noroeste paulista / Abdominal ultrasound findings related to dengue in a hospital in northwest são paulo

Introdução: De evolução aguda, a dengue é uma doença infecciosa febril, arbovirose provocada pela picada do mosquito aedes aegypt, atualmente representada por quatro sorotipos virais. A infecção pelo vírus da dengue pode ser assintomática ou sintomática. Quando sintomática causa doença de amplo espectro clínico, incluindo desde formas oligossintomáticas até quadros graves, podendo levar ao óbito. Trata-se, portanto, de um problema de saúde pública nacional, responsável por inúmeras hospitalizações e óbitos, anualmente. Objetivos: A proposta do atual estudo baseia se em descrever os principais achados ultrassonográficos abdominais encontrados em pacientes com quadro sugestivo de dengue e demonstrar o valor da ultrassonografia como ferramenta preditiva na avaliação de casos de agravo. Material e Método: Estudo retrospectivo, descritivo por meio do qual se realizou a análise dos laudos de imagem abdominal de pacientes com casos sugestivos de dengue, atendidos em um hospital-escola, em Catanduva-SP, no primeiro semestre de 2022, submetidos a ultrassom abdominal na data de atendimento e cujos valores obtidos foram compilados em tabelas. Resultados: Os achados de 102 ultrassonografias analisadas apontam espessamento da parede da vesícula biliar (15,8%), líquido livre na cavidade abdominal e/ou pélvica (10,9%), esplenomegalia (10,0%), hepatomegalia (2,0%) e dilatação das vias biliares intra e extra-hepáticas (1,0%). Conclusão: Os achados ultrassonográficos abdominais são uma ferramenta adjuvante útil na avaliação de sinais de alarme, como ascite e visceromegalias, em pacientes com quadro sugestivo de dengue, especialmente a hemorrágica, bem como na detecção precoce da gravidade e da progressão da doença, portanto, um preditor de severidade.

Introduction: Of acute evolution, dengue is a febrile infectious disease, arbovirose caused by the bite of the mosquito Aedes aegypt, currently represented by four viral serotypes. Dengue virus infection may be asymptomatic or symptomatic. When symptomatic causes disease of broad clinical spectrum, including from oligosymptomatic forms to severe conditions, which can lead to death. It is therefore a national public health problem, responsible for numerous hospitalizations and deaths, annually. Objectives: The proposal of the current study is based on describing the main abdominal ultrasound findings found in patients with suggestive of dengue and demonstrate the value of ultrasound as a predictive tool in the evaluation of cases of illness. Material and Method: Retrospective, descriptive study through which the analysis of abdominal imaging reports of patients with cases suggestive of dengue, attended at the Padre Albino Hospital, Catanduva-SP, in the first half of 2022, was performed submitted to abdominal ultrasound at the date of care and whose values were compiled in tables. Results: The findings of 102 ultrasonographies analyzed indicate thickening of the gallbladder wall (15.8%), free fluid in the abdominal and/or pelvic cavity (10.9%), splenomegaly (10.0%), hepatomegaly (2.0%) and dilation of the extra biliary ways (1.0%). Conclusion: Abdominal ultrasonographic findings are a useful adjuvant tool in the evaluation of warning signs, such as ascites and visceromegaly, in patients with suggestive of dengue, especially hemorrhagic, as well as in the early detection of disease severity and progression, therefore a predictor of severity

Introducción: Con una evolución aguda, el dengue es una enfermedad infecciosa febril, un arbovirus causado por la picadura del mosquito Aedes aegypt, actualmente representado por cuatro serotipos virales. La infección por el virus del dengue puede ser asintomática o sintomática. Cuando es sintomático, provoca una enfermedad con un amplio espectro clínico, que incluye desde formas oligosintomáticas hasta casos graves, que pueden conducir a la muerte. Es, por tanto, un problema de salud pública nacional, responsable de numerosas hospitalizaciones y muertes anualmente. Objetivos: El propósito del presente estudio se basa en describir los principales hallazgos ecográficos abdominales encontrados en pacientes con síntomas sugestivos de dengue y demostrar el valor de la ecografía como herramienta predictiva en la evaluación de casos de enfermedad. Material y Método: Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo mediante el cual se analizó los informes de imágenes abdominales de pacientes con casos sugestivos de dengue, atendidos en el Hospital Padre Albino, Catanduva-SP, en el primer semestre de 2022, a quienes se les realizó ecografía abdominal en la fecha del servicio, y cuyos valores obtenidos fueron recopilados en tablas. Resultados: Los hallazgos de 102 ecografías analizadas indican engrosamiento de la pared vesicular (15,8%), líquido libre en cavidad abdominal y/o pélvica (10,9%), esplenomegalia (10,0%), hepatomegalia (2,0%) y dilatación de las vías biliares intra y extrahepáticas (1,0%). Conclusión: Los hallazgos de la ecografía abdominal son una herramienta coadyuvante útil en la evaluación de signos de alarma, como ascitis y visceromegalia, en pacientes con cuadro sugestivo de dengue, especialmente dengue hemorrágico, así como en la detección precoz de la gravedad y progresión de la enfermedad, por lo tanto, un predictor de gravedad.

Clinical Profile and Lab Findings of Dengue Fever in Children Admitted in a Tertiary Care Hospital.

Dengue is an arboviral infection dengue virus (DENV 1-4) transmitted by Aedes mosquito. It shows a wide range of clinical presentation from asymptomatic cases to undifferentiated fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) or dengue shock syndrome (DSS) or non-severe and severe dengue. Most cases of dengue are self-limiting; however, severe dengue has high mortality if not diagnosed and managed early during the disease. Dengue virus (DENV) infection is a serious global public health challenge resulting approximately 200 million cases of morbidity and 50,000 cases of mortality annually. Management is based on clinical and lab parameters with certain lab tests aiding in the early forecast of severe dengue. While serological tests (detection of nonstructural protein 1 [NS1] antigen, immunoglobulin IgM and IgG antibodies aid in diagnosis of dengue, simple, cost-effective, easy tests such as hematocrit and platelet counts have great utility in resource-poor healthcare systems for predicting onset of severe dengue. To determine the clinical profile and lab findings of different varieties of Dengue fever in children admitted in a tertiary care hospital. This retrospective observational study was designed to collect data from the medical records of children of both sexes, aged up to 12 years old. The study was conducted from April 2019 to September 2019 in pediatrics department of BSMMU, Dhaka. A total of 50 children who were admitted with the complaints of fever and were found positive for either NS1 antigen or dengue IgM or IgG antibodies were included in the study. Patients with chronic diseases or any concurrent infections were excluded. Samples were collected from hospital record and kept in a separate management system only for dengue patients. The demographics, clinical and laboratory findings were recorded via structured data collection sheet. Among 50 cases, 22 were dengue fever, 17 were dengue hemorrhagic fever and 11 were dengue shock syndrome. The mean age of study participant was 6.95. Out of 50 patients, Male 62.0% were predominant over the female 38.0% and majority 74.0% came from urban area. Fever (95.5%) was mostly the presenting feature in dengue fever. Bleeding (29.4%) and tourniquet test positive (47.0%) were most in DHF. Hypotension (90.0%), tachycardia (90.9%), edema (18.2%), shock (90.9%) and hepatomegaly (72.7%) were mostly present in DSS. Neutropenia (72.7%) was significant in DSS. Platelet count (32,588.24±22,335.67) was significantly low in DHF. Albumin count (27.82±5.25) and TCO2 (18.27±1.8) were significantly low in DSS. Statistical analysis was done by Kuskalwallis test for categorical data analysis and one way ANOVA test for comparison of continuous data. P value <0.05 is considered as significant. This time it was seen that bleeding, tourniquet test positivity with low platelet count is seen in DHF. But DSS was marked by hepatomegaly and hypoalbuminaemia.

Chicken hepatomegaly and splenomegaly associated with novel subgroup J avian leukosis virus infection.

BACKGROUND: Subgroup J avian leukosis virus (ALV-J) is an oncovirus which can induce multiple types of tumors in chicken. In this report, we found novel ALV-J infection is closely associated with serious hepatomegaly and splenomegaly in chicken. CASE PRESENTATION: The layer chickens from six flocks in Jiangsu province, China, showed serious hemoperitoneum, hepatomegaly and splenomegaly. Histopathological results indicated focal lymphocytic infiltration, cell edema and congestion in the liver, atrophy and depletion of lymphocyte in the spleen. Tumor cells were not detected in all the organs. avian hepatitis E virus (aHEV), which is thought to be the cause of a very similar disease, big liver and spleen disease (BLS), was not detected. Other viruses causing tumors or liver damage including Marek's disease virus (MDV), reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV), fowl adenovirus (FAdV) and chicken infectious anemia virus (CIAV) were also proved negative by either PCR or RT-PCR. However, we did detect ALV-J in those chickens using PCR. Only novel ALV-J strains were efficiently isolated from these chicken livers. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report that chicken hepatomegaly and splenomegaly disease was closely associated with novel ALV-J, highlighting the importance of ALV-J eradication program in China.

Hydroa Vacciniforme-like Lymphoproliferative disorder in an adult invades the liver and bone marrow with clear pathological evidence: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Hydroa Vacciniforme-like Lymphoproliferative Disorder (HV-LPD) is the name given to a group of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated diseases. It resembles hydroa vacciniforme (HV), the rarest form of photosensitivity, and is a T-cell disorder associated with an Epstein-Barr virus infection. The majority of diagnosed cases occur in East Asia and South America. It is rare in the United States and Europe. Multiple studies have revealed the clinical manifestation of an enlarged liver, but no gold standard such as pathology has yet supported this as a clinical sign of HV-LPD. CASE PRESENTATION: Here, we report a case of a 34-year-old Asian female with definite liver invasion. The patient had complained of a recurring facial rash for many years. The patient was admitted to the hospital because of an enlarged liver. After hospitalization, she was given an EB virus nucleic acid test. The EB virus nucleic acid test was positive, and pathological examination suggested that HV-LPD had invaded the skin, bone marrow, and liver. After being given antiviral treatment, the patient's symptoms were mitigated. CONCLUSIONS: Our case confirms the liver damage was caused by HV-LPD and the effectiveness of antiviral treatment.

Atypical case of hantavirus infection in Sri Lanka mimicking leptospirosis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Hantavirus infection is an emerging zoonotic infection which has two characteristic patterns of presentation: hantavirus pulmonary syndrome and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. The clinical presentation of hantavirus infection closely mimics leptospirosis. CASE PRESENTATION: This case report describes a previously apparently well 36-year-old Sri Lankan Sinhalese man who presented with an acute febrile illness with myalgia, with liver involvement in the form of transaminitis, cardiac involvement in the form of myocarditis, acute kidney injury, and pulmonary involvement. He was initially managed as severe leptospirosis with multiorgan dysfunction with antibiotics, steroids, and N-acetyl cysteine. A diagnosis of acute hantavirus infection was made subsequently. He made an uneventful recovery. CONCLUSION: Hantavirus infections need to considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with acute febrile illness with multiorgan involvement. Larger studies are needed to evaluate the seroprevalence of hantavirus in Sri Lanka because it could be an emerging serious public health problem.

Clinical differentiation of infectious mononucleosis that is caused by Epstein-Barr virus or cytomegalovirus: A single-center case-control study in Japan.

INTRODUCTION: Infectious mononucleosis (IM) is a common viral infection that typically causes fever, pharyngitis, and lymphadenopathy in young patients. The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the most common cause of IM, followed by cytomegalovirus (CMV). Given that serological testing is associated with limitations regarding its accuracy, availability, and time to receive results, clinical differentiation based on symptoms, signs, and basic tests would be useful. We evaluated whether clinical findings could be used to differentiate EBV-IM from CMV-IM. METHODS: In this single-center retrospective case-control study, we evaluated >14-year-old patients with serologically confirmed EBV-IM or CMV-IM during 2006-2017. We compared the patients' symptoms, physical findings, blood counts, and serum biomarkers to create three regression models: model 1 (symptoms and signs), model 2 (model 1 plus sonographic hepatosplenomegaly and blood counts), and model 3 (model 2 plus hepatobiliary biomarkers). RESULTS: Among the 122 patients (72.6%) with EBV-IM and 46 patients (27.4%) with CMV-IM, the median age was 25 years and 82 patients (48.8%) were male. The median age was 10 years older in the CMV-IM group (p < 0.001) and the median interval from onset to visit was 5 days longer in the CMV-IM group (p < 0.001). Logistic regression revealed that EBV-IM was predicted by younger age, short onset-to-visit interval, lymphadenopathy, tonsillar white coat, hepatosplenomegaly, atypical lymphocytosis, and elevations of lactate dehydrogenase and gamma-glutamyl transferase. All regression models had areas under the curve of >0.9. CONCLUSION: History and physical findings, especially when used with atypical lymphocytosis and sonographic hepatosplenomegaly, can help physicians differentiate EBV-IM from CMV-IM.

Genotyping of Cytomegalovirus from Symptomatic Infected Neonates in Iraq.

Among all other viruses, human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the most frequent cause of congenital infection worldwide. Strain variation in HCMV may predict severity or outcome of congenital HCMV disease. Previous studies have associated a particular genotype with specific sequelae or more severe illness, but the results were contradictory. There are no previous studies addressing the genotype of HCMV in Iraq. Therefore, the present study is aimed at molecular detection and genotyping of HCMV isolated from symptomatic congenitally/perinatally infected neonates. This prospective study comprised 24 serum samples from symptomatic neonates with congenital/perinatal infection. Viral DNA was extracted from these serum samples; nested polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify the HCMV gB (UL55) gene. Polymerase chain reaction products of the second round of amplification were subjected to direct Sanger sequencing. Bioedit and MEGA5 software (EMBL-EBI, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK) were used for alignment and construction of a phylogenetic tree. Human cytomegalovirus DNA was detected in 23 of 24 samples (95.8%). According to the phylogenetic analysis, three genotypes of the virus were identified; gB1, gB2, and gB3 genotypes. However, the gB4 genotype was not detected. Human cytomegalovirus gB3 was the most frequent genotype: 14 of 24 (58.33%) among symptomatic infected infants, followed by gB1 (6/24; 25%) and gB2 (4/24; 16.67%). A mixed HCMV infection with gB3/gB1 was detected in only one case. Human cytomegalovirus gB3 was the most predominant genotype among symptomatic congenitally/perinatally HCMV-infected neonates. No association was found between B3 genotype and specific clinical presentation. Jaundice was the most common clinical feature among symptomatically infected neonates, followed by hepatosplenomegaly.

Intravascular NK/T-cell lymphoma, Epstein-Barr virus positive with multiorgan involvement: a clinical dilemma.

BACKGROUND: Intravascular lymphoma is a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma mostly of B-cell lineage. A few cases of intravascular lymphoma have been found to be of NK/T-cell origin, mainly affecting the skin and central nervous system. CASE PRESENTATION: A 54-year-old Caucasian man sought care because of a 2 weeks history of jaundice and intermittent fever, not responsive to antibiotics and antipyretics. Laboratory tests showed low blood oxygen concentration and pancytopenia. Serum microbiological tests were negative. Computerized tomography (CT) scan revealed hepatosplenomegaly and diffuse ground-glass opacities in both lungs without interlobular septal thickening. Despite oxygen therapy, the clinical conditions rapidly deteriorated leading to death 3 days after admission. Autopsy revealed a multiorgan involvement by an Epstein-Barr virus positive NK/T-cell lymphoma, strikingly growing within the blood vessel lumina, in absence of skin lesions. CONCLUSIONS: The current case highlights the pathological features of this rare entity, the protean clinical presentation of which is often misleading, resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment.

Acute hepatitis A is the chief etiology of acute hepatitis in Egyptian children: a single-center study.

Acute hepatic illness is an important health issue in children. Our work aimed to determine the prevalence of viral hepatitis in symptomatic children. It is a prospective cohort study of 268 children presented with acute hepatitis. Complete blood count, liver panel, and anti-hepatitis A virus (HAV) IgM were done initially. Cases negative for HAV were tested for anti-hepatitis E (HEV) IgM, anti-Epstein-Barr virus viral capsid antigen (EBV VCA) IgM, anti-cytomegalovirus virus IgM, hepatitis B surface antigen, anti-hepatitis B core IgM antibody, and anti-HCV antibody. Anti-HCV was repeated after 12 weeks to exclude seroconversion. In cases with negative viral serology, ceruloplasmin, total immunoglobulin G, antinuclear antibody, and abdominal ultrasound were done. Follow-up visits were bimonthly till recovery, then after 6 months. The mean age ± SD was 7.1 ± 3.7 years (1.5-18), and 56% were males. Acute HAV infection was diagnosed in 260 (97%) of cases and acute EBV infection in one case (0.4%). HAV/HEV coinfection was excluded in 70 HAV-positive cases. Six (2.2%) children remain undiagnosed and one child lost follow-up. About 80% of HAV-cases had normal laboratory results within 45 days. Unusual presentation of HAV infection was noticed in six children: four (1.5%) were relapsing, one had a cholestatic course, and one case had severe hemolytic anemia. Acute HAV infection was the chief etiology of acute hepatitis in our Egyptian children. The majority of the presentations were mild and children recover within a few weeks. An unusual pattern of HAV in children can be observed in endemic areas.

[CLINICAL AND IMMUNOLOGICAL CRITERIA FOR THE ADVERSE COURSE OF INFECTIOUS MONONUCLEOSIS IN CHILDREN].

The article presents the results of our own studies to determine the criteria for the adverse variants of the course of infectious mononucleosis (IM) in children. The study was conducted in the regional children's infectious clinical hospital in Kharkov. 161 children aged three to fifteen years were under observation with diagnosis of infectious moninucleosis. Out of 161 ill children, 140 (86.9%) had moderate severity of disease, and 21 (13.1%) had severe forms. All children were prescribed standard clinical and laboratory-instrumental examinations. The diagnosis of IM was verified by PCR (detection of VEB DNA in the blood) and ELISA (anti-VEB Ig M and Ig G). In 140 children (86.9%) IM proceeded sharply, smoothly (the first group), in 21 (13.1%) - unfavorably (wave and / or prolonged course) - the second group. The groups were comparable according to age, the severity of the disease and other parameters. All children received therapy according to approved protocols (Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine No. 354 of 09.07.2004). Immune status of children was assessed by determining the relative contents of CD3 +, CD4 +, CD8 +, CD16 +, CD19 + blood cells with appropriate monoclonal antibodies, serum IgA, IgM, IgG concentration by Mancini and interleukin (IL) -1ß cytokine response and - 4, tumor necrosis factor (TNF α) is a solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Based on the results of observations, it was established that the prognostically unfavorable criteria of IМ at the stages of manifestation of disease include: generalized lymphadenopathy involving 5-6 groups of lymph nodes and a significant increasing of them, purulent tonsillitis, marked increasing of size of liver and spleen on the background of anemia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia and the absence of atypical mononuclears in the complete blood count. There is a depression of the cellular link and an increase in the humoral mechanisms of immune responses in case of development of adverse course of IM.

Ultrasound Findings Associated With Antepartum Viral Infection.

This article reviews the sonographic manifestations of fetal infection and the role of ultrasound in the evaluation of the fetus at risk for congenital infection. Several ultrasound findings have been associated with in utero fetal infections. For the patient with a known or suspected fetal infection, sonographic identification of characteristic abnormalities can provide useful information for counseling and perinatal management. Demonstration of such findings in the low-risk patient may serve to identify the fetus with a previously unsuspected infection. The clinician should understand the limitations of ultrasound in the prenatal diagnosis of congenital infection and discuss them with the patient.

An infant with congenital rubella syndrome in developing India.

Congenital rubella syndrome (CRS), caused by rubella virus infection during pregnancy, remains a public health concern in developing countries. Three to five per cent of all suspected CRS cases in India have been proven to be a rubella infection. Only about 45%-60% of pregnant women and infants in India receive the rubella vaccination. We present a case of a preterm female infant who tested positive for the rubella virus. The baby was born with low birth weight and, on examination, showed pallor and hepatosplenomegaly. She was detected to have an ostium secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) and a large patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) on echocardiography. On ophthalmic examination, she was diagnosed with bilateral cataract. She was treated with diuretics, and she underwent surgical correction for PDA. With this case we intend to present the literature, clinical manifestations and management of CRS. We will also focus on prevention, vaccination and disease burden in India..

Co-infection of Schistosoma mansoni/hepatitis C virus and their associated factors among adult individuals living in fishing villages, north-western Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: Schistosoma mansoni and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) are co-existence in sub-Saharan Africa and co-infection is common among humans population. The immunological responses characterized with Th2-immune responses for S. mansoni and Th1-immune responses for HCV are responsible for development hepatic morbidities in infected individuals. However, the co-occurrences of S. mansoni and HCV infection, their related ultrasound detectable morbidities and associated risk factors at community levels have not been examined in fishing communities, north-western Tanzania. In this context, the present study covers that gap. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1924 asymptomatic individuals aged 15-55 years in four fishing villages (Igombe, Igalagala, Sangabuye and Kayenze) of Northwestern Tanzania. A single stool sample was collected from each study participants and examined for S. mansoni eggs using Kato Katz technique. Hepatitis C surface antigen (HCVsAg) was determined from a finger prick blood sample using a rapid test. RESULTS: Overall, 51.8% (997/1924; 95%CI: 49.6-54.1) of the study participants were infected with S. mansoni and had a mean intensity of 223.7epg (95%; 202.4-247.1). Of the study participants, 90 (4.7%) were infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Overall, 2. 4% (47/1924) of the study participants were co-infected with S. mansoni and hepatitis C virus. Among the co-infected individuals, 42.6%, 70.2% and 19.1% had splenomegaly, hepatomegaly and periportal fibrosis (PPF). Factors associated with S. mansoni/HCV co-infection were being aged 26-35 years (aRR = 2.67, 95%CI: 1.03-6.93, P < 0.04), 46-55 years (aRR = 2.89, 95%CI: 1.10-7.57, P < 0.03) and having marked hepatomegaly (aRR = 2.32, 95%CI: 1.09-4.9, P < 0.03). CONCLUSION: In this setting, S. mansoni and Hepatitis C are co-endemic and a proportion of individuals were co-infected. Hepatosplenic morbidities characterized with hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, hepatosplenomegaly and PPF were observed in co-infected individuals. These results highlight the need for integrated interventions measures against parasitic and viral diseases.

Expression of a hepatitis B virus pre-S2 deletion mutant in the liver results in hepatomegaly and hepatocellular carcinoma in mice.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of liver cancer and has a poor prognosis and a low survival rate; its incidence is on the rise. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the main causes of HCC. A high prevalence of pre-S deletions of HBV surface antigen, which encompass T-cell and/or B-cell epitopes, is found in HBV carriers; antiviral therapy and viral immune escape may cause and select for these HBV mutants. In particular, the presence of pre-S2 deletion mutants is an important risk factor associated with cirrhosis and HCC. We generated Alb-preΔS2 transgenic mice that express a naturally occurring pre-S2 mutant protein containing a 33-nucleotide deletion (preΔS2); the aim was to investigate its effect on hepatocarcinogenesis. After 30 months of follow-up, the liver pathology of the mice fell into four groups: G1, chronic inflammation solely; G2, chronic inflammation and fibrosis; G3, inflammation, fibrosis, and hepatomegaly accompanied by rectal prolapse (4-12%); and G4, hepatomegaly and spontaneous HCC (12-15%). Striking degeneration of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) was present in the mouse livers at an early stage (4 months old). At 8 months, overt ER stress and the Atf6 pathway of the unfolded protein response (UPR) were induced; at the same time, metabolic pathways associated with mevalonate and cholesterol biogenesis, involving the peroxisomes and the ER, were disturbed. At 20 months and older, the protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK) pathway of the UPR was induced and the Hippo transducer Yap was activated. Together, these ultrastructural aberrations and metabolic disturbance all seem to contribute to the molecular pathogenesis and hepatocarcinogenesis present in the Alb-preΔS2 mice. These findings may contribute to the development of therapies for the liver disorders and HCC associated with pre-S2 deletion mutations among HBV carriers. Copyright © 2016 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Importance of diagnostic work-up of Guillain-Barré syndrome in pregnancy.

We report a full-term neonate presenting with symptomatic congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection with hepatosplenomegaly, 'blueberry muffin' rash, intracranial calcifications, thrombocytopenia and respiratory distress. Maternal history was relevant for Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) during the first trimester of pregnancy. CMV infection is an important cause of GBS; thus, women presenting GBS during pregnancy should be screened for CMV infection. If positive, they may benefit from specialised monitoring and treatment in the antenatal period, which may decrease the risk of major neurodevelopmental sequelae of congenital CMV in the neonate.

Serological evidence of infection with rodent-borne hepatitis E virus HEV-C1 or antigenically related virus in humans.

Zoonotic potential of a rat-derived hepatitis E virus (HEV), designated as HEV-C1, remains unknown. To evaluate the risk for HEV-C1 infection in humans, paired sera of 208 hospitalized febrile patients collected from 2001 to 2003 in Hanoi, Vietnam, were examined for IgG antibodies to HEV-C1 and genotype 1 HEV (HEV-1), which is common in humans. IgG antibodies to virus-like particles (VLPs) of HEV-C1 and/or HEV-1 were detected from 99 of the 208 convalescent sera in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). IgG antibody titers to HEV-C1 antigen in 3 of the 99 sera were more than 8-fold higher than those to HEV-1 antigen. IgM antibodies to HEV-C1 antigen were detected in acute sera from 2 of the 3 patients in ELISA and Western blotting. However, no HEV genome was detected. Clinical information was available for 1 of the 2 patients. Hepatic enzymes, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, were mildly elevated (156 IU/l and 68 IU/l, respectively), and hepatomegaly was detected by ultrasonography. The patient recovered from the illness after 17 days. These results indicated that HEV-C1 or its variants infect humans in Vietnam and may cause acute febrile illness with mild liver dysfunction.