Is iron overload associated with worse outcomes in patients with chronic liver disease undergoing liver transplantation?

Background: Iron overload is frequent in patients with chronic liver disease, associated with shorter survival after liver transplantation in patients with hereditary hemochromatosis. Its effect on patients without hereditary hemochromatosis is unclear. The aim of the study was to study the clinical impact of iron overload in patients who underwent liver transplantation at an academic tertiary referral center. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study including all patients without hereditary hemochromatosis who underwent liver transplantation from 2015 to 2017 at an academic tertiary referral center in Mexico City. Explant liver biopsies were reprocessed to obtain the histochemical hepatic iron index, considering a score ≥ 0.15 as iron overload. Baseline characteristics were compared between patients with and without iron overload. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, compared with the log-rank test and the Cox proportional hazards model. Results: Of 105 patients included, 45% had iron overload. Viral and metabolic etiologies, alcohol consumption, and obesity were more frequent in patients with iron overload than in those without iron overload (43% vs. 21%, 32% vs. 22%, p = 0.011; 34% vs. 9%, p = 0.001; and 32% vs. 12%, p = 0.013, respectively). Eight patients died within 90 days after liver transplantation (one with iron overload). Complication rate was higher in patients with iron overload versus those without iron overload (223 vs. 93 events/100 personmonths; median time to any complication of 2 vs. 3 days, p = 0.043), without differences in complication type. Fatality rate was lower in patients with iron overload versus those without iron overload (0.7 vs. 4.5 deaths/100 person-months, p = 0.055). Conclusion: Detecting iron overload might identify patients at risk of early complications after liver transplantation. Further studies are required to understand the role of iron overload in survival.

PATHOLOGIC FINDINGS IN 36 SLOTHS FROM BRAZIL.

Sloths are xenarthrans from Central and South America with a highly adapted morphophysiology. Five of the six known species of sloths are found in Brazil, among which Bradypus torquatus (maned three-toed sloth) is considered a vulnerable species by International Union for Conservation of Nature. Nevertheless, knowledge on health and disease of sloths is very scarce, thus this study aimed to describe macroscopic and microscopic findings in 36 Brazilian sloths. The most common findings included iron storage disorder, probable bacterial pneumonia, gastric and intestinal nematode parasitism, and a presumptive diagnosis of systemic mastocytosis.

Disseminated cryptococcosis and hemochromatosis: clues to diagnosis

Hepatic cirrhosis, diabetes mellitus and iron overload can each independently predispose to cryptococcosis. Hereditary hemochromatosis leads to all three of these predispositions. This report is the case of a patient with chronic hepatitis B virus infection and cirrhosis, who had markedly elevated serum ferritin and 99% transferrin saturation, and developed a leukemoid reaction. Autopsy revealed disseminated cryptococcosis for which the leukemoid reaction was a clue and possible hereditary hemochromatosis of which elevated ferritin and transferrin saturation can be clues. Hereditary hemochromatosis is an important diagnosis clinicians should never miss because early treatment with phlebotomy can be life-saving. Disseminated cryptococcosis can be rapidly diagnosed with serum cryptococcal antigen test and is treatable.

Juvenile hemochromatosis with multi-organ involvement diagnosed at autopsy.

Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) includes various disorders in iron metabolism producing iron deposits in several organs. HH is classified according to the HFE gene mutation. HH type I is characterized by HFE gene mutation, while types II, III and IV are due to other conditions. Juvenile hemochromatosis (JH) is related to hemojuvelin mutation, which is a regulatory peptide of the hepcidin protein, which regulates iron absorption. We report a case of JH and offer a concise review of the literature. A 14-year-old girl, with no secondary sexual characteristics, presented with abdominal pain, cough and dyspnoea. Clinical examination revealed right lower lobe consolidation, pleural effusion, cardiomegaly and an ejection fraction of 20%, with no response to treatment. On autopsy she was seen to have pleural and pericardial effusion, dilated cardiomyopathy, liver cirrhosis and pancreatic fibrosis. Prussian blue stain showed iron overload in these organs. JH with hypogonadism, cardiomyopathy and cirrhosis was diagnosed.

Molecular diagnostic and pathogenesis of hereditary hemochromatosis.

Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by enhanced intestinal absorption of dietary iron. Without therapeutic intervention, iron overload leads to multiple organ damage such as liver cirrhosis, cardiomyopathy, diabetes, arthritis, hypogonadism and skin pigmentation. Most HH patients carry HFE mutant genotypes: homozygosity for p.Cys282Tyr or p.Cys282Tyr/p.His63Asp compound heterozygosity. In addition to HFE gene, mutations in the genes that encode hemojuvelin (HJV), hepcidin (HAMP), transferrin receptor 2 (TFR2) and ferroportin (SLC40A1) have been associated with regulation of iron homeostasis and development of HH. The aim of this review was to identify the main gene mutations involved in the pathogenesis of type 1, 2, 3 and 4 HH and their genetic testing indication. HFE testing for the two main mutations (p.Cys282Tyr and p.His63Asp) should be performed in all patients with primary iron overload and unexplained increased transferrin saturation and/or serum ferritin values. The evaluation of the HJV p.Gly320Val mutation must be the molecular test of choice in suspected patients with juvenile hemochromatosis with less than 30 years and cardiac or endocrine manifestations. In conclusion, HH is an example that genetic testing can, in addition to performing the differential diagnostic with secondary iron overload, lead to more adequate and faster treatment.

Room-temperature susceptometry predicts biopsy-determined hepatic iron in patients with elevated serum ferritin.

BACKGROUND: There is an ongoing clinical need for novel methods to measure hepatic iron content (HIC) noninvasively. Both magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) methods have previously shown promise for estimation of HIC, but these methods can be expensive and are not widely available. Room-temperature susceptometry (RTS) represents an inexpensive alternative and was previously found to be strongly correlated with HIC estimated by SQUID measurements among patients with transfusional iron overload related to thalassemia. AIM: The goal of the current study was to examine the relationship between RTS and biochemical HIC measured in liver biopsy specimens in a more varied patient cohort. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Susceptometry was performed in a diverse group of patients with hyperferritinemia due to hereditary hemochromatosis (HHC) (n = 2), secondary iron overload (n = 3), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (n = 2), and chronic viral hepatitis (n = 3) within one month of liver biopsy in the absence of iron depletion therapy. RESULTS: The correlation coefficient between HIC estimated by susceptometry and by biochemical iron measurement in liver tissue was 0.71 (p = 0.022). Variance between liver iron measurement and susceptometry measurement was primarily related to reliance on the patient's body-mass index (BMI) to estimate the magnetic susceptibility of tissue overlying the liver. CONCLUSIONS: We believe RTS holds promise for noninvasive measurement of HIC. Improved measurement techniques, including more accurate overlayer correction, may further improve the accuracy of liver susceptometry in patients with liver disease.

Diagnóstico incidental de hemocromatose hereditária pré-cirrótica / Incidental diagnosis of pre-cirrhotic hereditary hemochromatosis

O diagnóstico da hemocromatose hereditária (HH) em fase pré-cirrótica é um desafio, uma vez que os pacientes não apresentam sintomas ou sinais da doença. Relata-se caso de mulher de 62 anos que, submetida à colecistectomia videolaparoscópica para tratamento de coletilíase, apresentou fígado de aspecto alterado, sendo realizada biópsia hepática com agulha. O exame histológico do fígado pelo método de Perls mostrou grande quantidade de pigmento férrico, suspeitando-se de HH. Realizado estudo do metabolismo do ferro e teste genético para HH, confirmou-se a doença. A biópsia hepática, portanto, é de fundamental importância no diagnóstico da HH, devendo ser realizada toda vez que o cirurgião, por ocasião de cirurgia abdominal, observar fígado de aspecto não habitual.

The diagnosis of pre-cirrhotic hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is difficult because there are no signs and symptoms in HH patients. We described a case of a 62-years old woman with cholelithiasis that was carried out a videolaparoscopic cholecystectomy. At surgery, the liver had been a altered aspect and liver needle biopsy was carried out. The histopathologic study by Persl method showed a great accumulation of iron pigment in hepatic tissue. The study of iron metabolism and genetic test for HH was released and the diagnosis of HH was confirmed. The liver biopsy is a gold standard procedure for diagnosis of HH and must be released when, at abdominal surgery, the surgeon to observe a liver with altered aspect.

Gestational alloimmune liver disease in cases of fetal death.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether alloimmune liver disease can be identified as a cause of fetal death. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective examination of the autopsy tissue of 6 stillborn fetuses and 2 extreme preterm infants (gestational age, 20 to 34 weeks) drawn from families referred for suspected neonatal hemochromatosis. Thirteen appropriate nondisease controls and 8 cases of neonatal acute liver failure with known etiology were also examined. Liver sections were immunostained using anti-human C5b-9 complex. RESULTS: All of the study cases had died with no preceding evidence of fetal distress. Histopathology showed findings of acute liver injury, including global hepatocyte necrosis with minimal reticulum collapse and no fibrosis. Hepatocytes in cases stained strongly positively for C5b-9 complex, suggesting premortem lgG complement-mediated liver injury. Hepatocytes in acute liver failure case controls did not demonstrate a similar mechanism of liver injury. CONCLUSIONS: Alloimmune liver disease is sometimes associated with fetal death.

Nueva terapia con inmunoglobulinas en un caso de hemocromatosis neonatal / Immunoglobulin therapy for natal hemochromatosis

La hemocromatosis neonatal es una enfermedad hepática muy severa del recién nacido y se asocia a una alta mortalidad. Se cree que su etiología es de tipo aloinmune, debido a la presencia de un anticuerpo materno hasta ahora desconocido que interfiere con el metabolismo férrico del feto, llegando a producir gran morb i mortal ¡dad. Basándonos en esta teoría, el tratamiento materno con inmunoglobulinas intravenosas en gestaciones sucesivas podría prevenir el desarrollo de un nuevo cuadro de hemocromatosis neonatal. Se describe el caso de una gestante con un hijo anterior diagnosticado y fallecido neonatalmente por hemocromatosis, a la que en el embarazo actual se le trató con inmunoglobulinas intravenosas consiguiendo un hijo sano y vivo. Es el primer caso descrito en España y demuestra el éxito de esta terapia, tal como describe la literatura.

Neonatal hemochromatosis is a severe neonatal liver disease with a high mortality and recurrence rate. It is supposed to be a gestational alloimmune disease because of the existence of maternal antibodies against fetal hepatic metabolism. On the basis of this hypothesis, the administration of intravenous immunoglobulin has been reported as a successful treatment during the following pregnancy. We describe the first case of this treatment in Spain which confirms the data available in the literature.

Hemocromatose e diabetes melito: relato de caso e revisão da literatura / Hemochromatosis and diabetes mellitus: case report and literature review

Introdução: A hemocromatose é uma desordem caracterizada por armazenamento alterado de ferro. A forma adquirida da doença pode ser ocasionada por sobrecarga de ferro, alcoolismo, infecção pelo vírus da hepatite C, hepatite não-alcoólica e doença hepática crônica. A forma hereditária pode ser causada por diferentes mutações, sendo a C282Y e a H63D as mais freqüentes. A hemocromatose é uma patologia que pode acometer diferentes órgãos, entre eles: coração, articulações, fígado, hipotálamo, hipófise, gônadas e pâncreas. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi relatar um caso de hemocromatose e revisar a literatura, com especial atenção para a associação de hemocromatose e diabetes melito. Resultados: Paciente 53 anos, masculino apresentou-se ao clínico geral com artralgias metacarpofalangeanas, tornozelos, joelhos, coxofemoral direita, lombar e cervical e queixas de astenia e emagrecimento. Entre 3 irmãos, um deles tinha diagnóstico de Hemocromatose Hereditária, com PCR demonstrando homozigose para C282Y. Trazia exames: TGO 128 U/l, TGP 231 U/l, fosfatase alcalina 258 U/l; ecografia abdominal com hepatomegalia e baço no limite superior da normalidade. Biópsia hepática demonstrou alargamento fibroso portal com hemossiderose intensa. Foi feito também o diagnóstico de diabetes melito A pesquisa da mutação confirmou a mesma mutação familiar: homozigose para C282Y.

Background: Hemochromatosis is a disorder characterized by iron storage amended. The acquired form of the disease can be caused by iron overload, alcoholism, infection by C virus hepatitis, non-alcoholic hepatitis and chronic liver disease. The hereditary form can be caused by different mutations, being the C282Y and H63D the most frequent, 83% of cases are homozigotous for C282Y and 4% are compound heterozygous (C282Y/H63D). Hemochromatosis is a condition that can affect several organs, including: heart, joints, liver, hypothalamus, pituitary, pancreas and gonads. Objective: This study was to report a case of hemochromatosis and review the literature, with special attention to the association of hemochromatosis and diabetes mellitus. Results: Patient 53 years, male presented to the doctor with arthralgia metacarpophalangeal, ankles, knees, coxofemoral right, and cervical and lumbar, complaints of fatigue and weight loss. Between 3 brothers, one of them had a diagnosis of hereditary hemochromatosis, with PCR demonstrating homozygous for C282Y. Labs: GOT 128 U/l, ALT 231 U/l, alkaline phosphatase 258 U/l, abdominal ultrasound with hepatomegaly and spleen at the upper limit of normal. Liver biopsy demonstrated portal fibrosis extension with hemosiderosis intense. It also made the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. The research confirmed the same mutation of the changing family: homozygous for C282Y.

[Hereditary hemachromatosis: clinical case report and literature review]. / Hemocromatosis hereditaria: reporte de caso clínico y revisión de la literatura.

Hemachromatosis is a hereditary condition, producing progressive iron overload as a result of the mutation in proteins that regulate intestinal iron absorption. It is a systemic disease with several manifestations including cirrhosis, diabetes mellitus, cardiomyopathy, joint disease and a proportion of asymptomatic patients. When it is diagnosed and treatment with phlebotomies is initiated before any organ damage is developed, the prognosis is very good, with normal survival free of manifestations. This condition is common in European populations. We report the case of a Peruvian patient of European ancestry who is asymptomatic, but has high levels of aminotransferases and elevated iron markers. Genetic testing confirmed the patient's diagnosis of hereditary hemachromatosis.

[Neonatal hemochromatosis. Report of 3 autopsy cases]. / Hemocromatosis neonatal. Informe de tres casos de autopsia.

INTRODUCTION: Neonatal hemochromatosis is a disease that starts in utero, characterized by severe fibrosis or cirrhosis and siderosis of the liver and other organs without affecting the mononuclear fagocytic system. The most important clinical features are severe hepatic failure at birth and hypoglycemia. The diagnosis is made excluding other diseases more frequently seen in the neonatal period and with at least two of the clinicopathologic criteria delineated by Knisely. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the autopsies of newborn done at the Department of Pathology of the Hospital de Pediatría, C.M.N. SXXI, IMSS, a tertiary care facility in the period 1989 from 1997. Those cases with primarily hepatic disease as the main diagnosis were chosen. The degree of siderosis was determined cualitatively. The amount of Fe and copper in the liver and spleen in samples fixed in formalin was obtained using X ray fluorescence in the Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares, two control cases were also tested. RESULTS: Only four out of 210 autopsies of newborn babies were found to have hepatic disease as a main diagnosis but without an etiology determined. In three of such cases the diagnosis of neonatal hemochromatosis was made. All patients were male with ages six, 29 and 36 days, one with Down's syndrome. The ratio of iron deposits in liver/spleen in hemochromatosis' cases was higher to 1.5 in the liver in contrast to the two control cases. CONCLUSIONS: These cases showed the utility of the autopsy in establishing the adequate diagnosis in three cases of neonatal hemochromatosis. The importance of establishing an accurate diagnosis is to recognize it as an entity with a lethal course, that can be potentially managed with liver transplant as well as genetic counseling to the family. A remarkable finding in the study of these cases was the ratio of iron concentration in the liver and spleen that allowed to discard other causes of siderosis. To our knowledge this finding has never been recorded.

Hemocromatosis neonatal. Informe de tres casos de autopsia / Neonatal hemocrhomatosis. Report of three autopsy cases

Introducción. La hemocromatosis neonatal es una enfermedad que se inicia in utero, caracterizada por fibrosis acentuada o cirrosis y siderosis hepática y extrahepática intensas, pero sin afección del sistema fagocítico mononuclear. Los datos clínicos importantes son falla hepática grave al nacimiento e hipoglicemia. El diagnóstico se hace básicamente por exclusión cuando se reúne al menos dos de los criterios clinicopatológicos establecidos por Knisely. La biopsia de mucosa oral, la resonancia magnética de hígado y de bazo también son útiles en el diagnóstico. Material y método. En el Departamento de Patología del Hospital de Pediatría del Centro Médico Nacional, Siglo XXI del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, que es un hospital de tercer nivel de atención, en un análisis retrospectivo de los casos de autopsia de recién nacidos realizadas en 1989 a 1997 se seleccionaron aquellos cuya enfermedad principal fuera hepática. Se estableció cualitativamente el grado de siderosis en los cortes de hígado y bazo. En el Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares se determinó la cantidad de hierro y cobre por medio de fluorescencia de rayos X, principalmente de hígado y bazo, en tejidos fijados en formol, tanto en los casos problema como en dos controles. Resultados. De las 210 autopsias realizadas en recién nacidos, sólo se encontraron cuatro con hepatopatía como enfermedad principal, sin diagnóstico clínico etiopatogénico. En tres de éstos se hizo el diagnóstico anatomopatológico de hemocromatosis neonatal, todos fueron varones, con edades de 29, seis y 36 días, uno de ellos asociado a síndrome de Down. La razón de concentración de hierro en hígado/bazo en los casos de hemocromatosis fue superior a 1.5 en hígado, a diferencia de lo que ocurrió en dos casos control en los cuales fue menor de 1. Conclusiones. Los casos que se presentan muestran la utilidad de la autopsia para establecer un diagnóstico de certeza, ésta nos permitió identificar tres casos de hemocromatosis neonatal, entidad actualmente bien caracterizada. Esta enfermedad evoluciona rápidamente hacia la muerte y no hay más tratamiento que ofrecerles que medidas de apoyo y a veces el trasplante hepático. Se debe alertar a la familia sobre el riesgo de que ocurra esta enfermedad en hijos subsecuentes. La razón de la concentración de hierro en hígado y bazo, en un resultado no descrito previamente que apoya el diagnóstico, ya que descarta otras siderosis secundarias

Asociacion de hemocromatosis y esferocitosis hereditaria / Association of hemochromatosis and hereditary spherocytosis

La esferocitosis hereditaria es una anemia hemolítica crónica que raramente presenta sobrecarga férrica. Sólo 15 casos de esferocitosis hereditaria y hemocromatosis fueron descriptos cpn anterioridad. Inicialmente, se había propuesto que la hemocromatosis era el resultado del depósito exagerado de hierro secundario a la hemólisis crónica y al aumento de la eritropoyesis. Se vió, con posterioridad, que la sobrecarga aparecía en sujetos esplenectomizados, sugiriendo este hecho la posibilidad de una herencia independiente de la esfrocitosis y de la hemacromatosis. Se presenta un paciente de 45 años, de sexo masculino, con el antecedente de esfocitosis hereditaria, esplenectomizado a los 5 años, que desarrolló sobrecarga de hierro con afección cardíaca, hepática y pancreática. (AU)

Asociacion de hemocromatosis y esferocitosis hereditaria / Association of hemochromatosis and hereditary spherocytosis

La esferocitosis hereditaria es una anemia hemolítica crónica que raramente presenta sobrecarga férrica. Sólo 15 casos de esferocitosis hereditaria y hemocromatosis fueron descriptos cpn anterioridad. Inicialmente, se había propuesto que la hemocromatosis era el resultado del depósito exagerado de hierro secundario a la hemólisis crónica y al aumento de la eritropoyesis. Se vió, con posterioridad, que la sobrecarga aparecía en sujetos esplenectomizados, sugiriendo este hecho la posibilidad de una herencia independiente de la esfrocitosis y de la hemacromatosis. Se presenta un paciente de 45 años, de sexo masculino, con el antecedente de esfocitosis hereditaria, esplenectomizado a los 5 años, que desarrolló sobrecarga de hierro con afección cardíaca, hepática y pancreática.

Hemocromatosis perinatal / Perinatal hemochromatosis

Se describe un recién nacido afectado por varias malformaciones cardiovasculares (estenosis valvular pulmonar severa, defecto septal interventricular, aorta bicúspide), riñón en herradura, polidactilia y sindactilia de los ortejos, quien presentó muy precozmente hiperbilirrubinemia de predominio directo, edema, hipoprotrombinemia refractaria a la vitamina K e hipoproteinemia. Después de suministrarle prostaglandina E en las primeras horas de vida y realizar un procedimiento cardiovascular paliativo (anastomosis de arteria sistémica a arteria pulmonar de Blalock-Taussig), con el que cedieron las crisis de apnea y bradicardia que le afectaban, el paciente evolucionó con insuficiencia renal y falleció a la edad de 28 días. En la necropsia se encontró fibrosis hepática, proliferación ductal y con tinción histoquímica de azul de Prusia, múltiples depósitos de fierro en hígado, páncreas, pulmón, tiroides, tracto intestinal y glándulas salivales. Estos hallazgos son característicos de la hemocromatosis perinatal, afección colestásica poco frecuente y de alta letalidad que debe tenerse presente en recién nacidos con insuficiencia hepática precoz y mantenida. La hemocromatosis neonatal no había sido descrita en asociación con malformaciones congénitas significativas, excepto por un caso con atresia esofágica