Fulminant hepatitis due to spontaneous reactivation of virus B in an immunocompetent patient

We present the case of a 52-year-old woman with a history of HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, viral load (VL) Z+<20,000U.l/ml with no evidence of liver fibrosis and, therefore, untreated. She presented to the emergency department with jaundice, epigastric pain, nausea, and vomiting. On admission, blood analysis revealed ALT 3982U/l, AST 3221U/l, Gamma-GT 80U/l, alkaline phosphatase 252U/l, LDH 960U/l, bilirrubin12.5mg/dl; no elevation of acute phase reactants, 141,000 platelets and coagulopathy with a prothrombin activity of 29%. Abdominal ultrasound showed no relevant findings. The serological profile revealed AgHBs+, anti-HBe+ y anti-HBc IgM+ and VL VHB>100 mills. Ul/ml, the remaining serology was negative and other causes of liver disease were ruled out. With the diagnosis of severe acute hepatitis (SAH) due to HBV reactivation (HBVR) treatment with entecavir was initiated. Given the analytical evolution (Table 1) and the appearance of encephalopathy grade I-II/IV, an urgent liver transplant was performed. The histological result of the explant was conclusive with intense interphase and lobular hepatitis with extensive areas of massive necrosis in both lobes, without hepatic fibrosis compatible with fulminant hepatitis (FH). (AU)

Fulminant hepatitis due to spontaneous reactivation of virus B in an immunocompetent patient.

We present the case of a 52-year-old woman with a history of HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, viral load (VL) Z+<20,000U.l/ml with no evidence of liver fibrosis and, therefore, untreated. She presented to the emergency department with jaundice, epigastric pain, nausea, and vomiting. On admission, blood analysis revealed ALT 3982U/l, AST 3221U/l, Gamma-GT 80U/l, alkaline phosphatase 252U/l, LDH 960U/l, bilirrubin12.5mg/dl; no elevation of acute phase reactants, 141,000 platelets and coagulopathy with a prothrombin activity of 29%. Abdominal ultrasound showed no relevant findings. The serological profile revealed AgHBs+, anti-HBe+ y anti-HBc IgM+ and VL VHB>100 mills. Ul/ml, the remaining serology was negative and other causes of liver disease were ruled out. With the diagnosis of severe acute hepatitis (SAH) due to HBV reactivation (HBVR) treatment with entecavir was initiated. Given the analytical evolution (Table 1) and the appearance of encephalopathy grade I-II/IV, an urgent liver transplant was performed. The histological result of the explant was conclusive with intense interphase and lobular hepatitis with extensive areas of massive necrosis in both lobes, without hepatic fibrosis compatible with fulminant hepatitis (FH).

Training and competence in Digestive Endoscopy: Statement Position Paper from the Spanish Society of Digestive Diseases.

Gastrointestinal (GI) Endoscopy is a basic competence for the management of gastrointestinal diseases. However, it should not be regarded as an independent training technique. Rather it is a part of a continuous and accredited process that requires clinical knowledge from the gastroenterologist to keep skills up-to-date in a constantly evolving medical subspecialty. Thus, the only official accredited way for training in GI endoscopy is through the Specialized Health Training program in the Management of the Digestive Diseases administered by the Spanish Ministry of Health.

Oportunistic diagnosis based on age and hepatitis C virus clearance: an essential step to improve the overall health of the liver.

Back in January 2022, an EASL-Lancet Commission on the impact of liver disorders in the European region commissioned by the WHO demonstrated that this condition is, actually, the second leading cause of loss of labor years in Europe after ischemic heart disease (1). This is a very relevant piece of information since this is something that is going to impact the new generations of Europeans unless a significant change is made in public health policies. Despite the advances made over the last few years in hepatitis C virus clearance-understood as a significant reduction of morbidity and mortality associated with Hepatitis B and C viruses-there are still challenges ahead to improve liver health due to the high use of alcohol, and the inseparable triad obesity / diabetes mellitus / metabolic associated fatty liver disease. Also, access to healthcare for several population groups at risk of presenting higher rates of liver disease has become a problem.

Liver abscess as a atypical presentation of hepatocellular carcinoma.

We present the case of a 64-year-old male with a history of chronic liver disease due to hepatitis C virus, with a sustained viral response after oral antiviral treatment and without follow-up for 5 years. He was admitted after a one-month history of constitutional symptoms, low-grade fever, abdominal pain and a palpable epigastric tumor. Analysis showed marked elevation of acute phase reactants (48,000 leukocytes and C-reactive protein of 19mg/dl) and dissociated cholestasis. Two lesions were identified by abdominal CT.

Hepatic subcapsular hematoma post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography requiring embolization.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) placement of biliary stents is the procedure of choice for bile duct strictures. Complications of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography have a low incidence. Hepatic subcapsular hematoma is uncommon but potentially serious. It is caused by laceration of the bile duct with guidewire or biliary traction during the procedure. Initial management is conservative with supportive measures. In case of hemodynamic instability or superinfection, embolization of the affected branch or even surgery could be performed.

SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, a new autoimmune hepatitis trigger?

SARS-CoV2 infection and vaccination against this virus have been related to the development of autoimmune diseases. We report a case of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) after SARS-COV2 vaccine. Male, 76 years old, with a history of hepatic cirrhosis secondary to primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), compensated, treated with ursodeoxycholic acid and obeticholic acid. The patient received the third dose of the SARS-CoV2 vaccine (BioNTech/Pfizer) in December 2021. In subsequent analytical control, the patient presented altered liver test, with elevation of ALT and AST. Ultrasound was performed, without alterations, and viral causes were ruled out. IgG elevation and positive antinuclear antibodies were observed. A liver biopsy was performed, with findings of intense interface and lobular hepatitis and areas of centrilobular necrosis. The inflammation was predominantly lymphoplasmacytic. The patient was diagnosed with AIH and initiated therapy with steroids and azathioprine, currently with an adequate response. AIH is an immune-mediated disease of uncertain etiology. Cases of AIH with SARS-CoV2 vaccination as a possible trigger have recently been published, with characteristics similar to ours. Some of them had a history of autoimmune pathology, such as this case (PBC). Therefore, it is suggested that vaccination can induce the development of autoimmune pathology in patients at risk. Our reported case reinforces the hypothesis of an association between AIH and the SARS-CoV2 vaccine.

Ustekinumab for corticodependent immune-mediated colitis by pembrolizumab, an alternative for patients with concomitant liver injury.

Pembrolizumab, a programmed cell death receptor (PD-1) inhibitor, have improved the prognosis in several types of cancer. Despite the important clinical benefits, checkpoint inhibition have been associated with inflammatory and immune-related side effects (irAE).

Mild AST elevation as an early sign of COVID-19 severity in a multicenter Madrid cohort.

INTRODUCTION: liver enzyme elevation has been reported in SARS-CoV-2 disease (COVID-19) in heterogeneous cohorts, mainly from China. Comprehensive reports from other countries are needed. In this study, we dissect the pattern, evolution, and predictive value of such abnormalities in a cohort from Madrid, Spain. METHODS: a retrospective study with a prospective 14-day follow-up of 373 patients with confirmed COVID-19 in five Madrid hospitals, including 50 outpatients. A COVID-19 severe course was defined as the need for mechanical ventilation. RESULTS: a total of 33.1 % of hospitalized patients showed baseline AST elevation and 28.5 % showed ALT elevation, compared with 12 % and 8 % of outpatients (p ≤ 0.001). Baseline AST, ALT and GGT levels correlated with LDH and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (r ≤ 0.598, p < 0.005). AST elevation was associated with other severity markers such as male sex, lymphopenia, and pneumonia on X-Ray (p < 0.05 for all). ALP and bilirubin levels were rarely increased. Patients with elevated baseline AST showed a progressive normalization of this enzyme and an increase in ALT and GGT levels. Patients with normal baseline AST showed a flattened evolution pattern with levels within the range. Patients with a severe course of COVID-19 more frequently showed elevated baseline AST than those with a milder evolution (54.2 % vs. 25.4 %, p < 0.001). Age, AST and CRP were independent risk factors for a severe course of COVID-19. CONCLUSION: mild liver enzyme elevation is associated with COVID-19 severity. Baseline AST is an independent predictor of severe COVID-19 course, and tends to normalize over time. ALT and GGT show a late elevation.

Massive impact of coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on gastroenterology and hepatology departments and doctors in Spain.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Significant human and material resources have been diverted to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Healthcare workers are at high risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. We assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on gastroenterology and hepatology departments and specialists in Spain. METHODS: This study involves a nationwide survey addressing the impact of COVID-19 on resources, procedures, and physicians of gastroenterology and hepatology departments in 81 hospitals representative of the Spanish National Health Service. RESULTS: Overall, 41.8% of hospital beds and 40.7% of gastroenterology and hepatology beds were allocated to COVID-19 patient care, as well as 24.8% of gastroenterologists and 58.3% of residents. Outpatient visits, abdominal ultrasounds, and endoscopies were reduced by 81.8-91.9%. Nine large university hospitals had 75% and 89% reductions in therapeutic endoscopies and hepatocellular carcinoma surgery, respectively, with cancelation of elective liver transplant and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt. Prevalence of infected physicians was 10.6% and was dependent on regional population incidence (r = 0.74, P = 0.001), with 11% hospitalized and one physician dying. Up to 63.4% of physicians may have been infected before or shortly after Spain entered lockdown, 57% of them having recently performed endoscopies. Adequate protection was acknowledged in > 80% hospitals, but only 2.9% performed regular SARS-CoV-2 testing. CONCLUSIONS: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare delivery has been massive. A wave of gastroenterology-related complications is expected because of resource diversion. Gastroenterologists have a high prevalence of infection, although they may have been infected during a first phase of lower awareness and protection. Regular SARS-CoV-2 screening, adequate protection, and quick reorganization of healthcare resources are still needed.

Aclaramiento espontáneo de la infección crónica por virus de la hepatitis C (VHC) en paciente inmunocompetente / No disponible

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Spontaneous clearance of chronic hepatitis C in an immunocompetent patient.

Spontaneous clearance of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is rare and the cases described have been mainly in immunosuppressed patients (HIV). For this reason, we report the case of an immunocompetent patient diagnosed with chronic HCV infection with spontaneous clearance of the virus.

Curación de la hepatitis autoinmune asociada a hepatitis C con antivirales de acción directa / Healing of autoimmune hepatitis associated with hepatitis C virus infection treated with direct-acting antivirals

La aparición de los nuevos antivirales de acción directa (AAD) para el tratamiento del virus de la hepatitis C (VHC) supone un gran avance para pacientes con hepatitis autoinmune e infectados, ya que hasta el momento no se disponía de opciones terapéuticas libres de interferón. Presentamos el caso de una paciente con infección por VHC que sufrió una HAI desencadenada por interferón, sin conseguir suspender el tratamiento inmunosupresor durante años. Gracias a los AAD, se alcanzó una respuesta viral sostenida y, posteriormente, una remisión clínica completa de su enfermedad autoinmune, sin tratamiento actualmente

The use of direct-acting antivirals (DAA) for the hepatitis C virus (HCV) has yielded a significant improvement in the treatment of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) associated with HCV infection. Interferon was the cornerstone of HCV therapy before the introduction of these agents into the clinical practice. Herein, we report the case of an HCV-infected patient who developed an interferon-induced AIH and since then, has received immunosuppressive therapy. Administration of DAA resulted in a sustained virologic response (SVR) and clinical AIH remission which allowed a discontinuation of immunosuppressive treatment

Healing of autoimmune hepatitis associated with hepatitis C virus infection treated with direct-acting antivirals.

The use of direct-acting antivirals (DAA) for the hepatitis C virus (HCV) has yielded a significant improvement in the treatment of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) associated with HCV infection. Interferon was the cornerstone of HCV therapy before the introduction of these agents into the clinical practice. Herein, we report the case of an HCV-infected patient who developed an interferon-induced AIH and since then, has received immunosuppressive therapy. Administration of DAA resulted in a sustained virologic response (SVR) and clinical AIH remission which allowed a discontinuation of immunosuppressive treatment.

Hipertensión portal secundaria a hemangiomatosis hepática múltiple / Portal hypertension secondary to multiple hepatic hemangiomatosis

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