Capacity building of healthcare workers: Key step towards elimination of viral hepatitis in developing countries.

BACKGROUND: Lack of awareness about viral hepatitis (VH) potentially predisposes the healthcare workers (HCWs) to a higher risk of infection and may in turn increase the risk of transmission of the infection to their families and in the community. Thus, combating VH, requires adequate and updated training to the HCWs. With this objective, Project PRAKASH designed a meticulously planned training program, aimed to assess the effect of a one-day training on VH among in-service nurses. METHODS AND MATERIAL: The content and schedule of scientific sessions of the training program were decided by subject experts to improve knowledge, attitude and practice(KAP) related to VH among in-service nurses. A 54-item questionnaire divided into four domains: Transmission and Risk Factors; Prevention; Treatment; Pathophysiology and Disease Progression were used to assess the KAP related to VH. The questionnaire consisted of four sections: demographic details, knowledge(30-items), attitude(12-items) and practice(12-itmes) with a total score of 30, 60 and 24 respectively in each section. The pre-post knowledge assessment was done and impact assessment survey was undertaken among the participants who completed six months post-training period. Paired-t-test was used to assess the effect of training on knowledge using SPSSv-22. RESULTS: A total of 5253 HCWs were trained through 32 one-day trainings, however data for 4474 HCWs was included in final pre-post knowledge analysis after removing the missing/incomplete data. Mean age of participants was 33.7±8.4 with median experience of 8(IQR: 3-13). Mean improvement in knowledge score was found to be significant (p<0.001) with mean knowledge score of 19.3±4.4 in pre-test and 25.7±3.9 in the post-test out of 30. Impact assessment survey suggested change in attitude and practice of HCWs. CONCLUSION: The one-day training programs helped the in-service nurses to enhance their knowledge related to viral hepatitis. The study provided a roadmap to combating viral hepatitis through health education among HCWs about viral hepatitis.

New aspects of the development of liver diseases ­ with special regard to the role of autophagy and microRNA / A májbetegségek kialakulásának új szempontjai - különös tekintettel az autophagiára és a mikro-RNS szerepére.

Autophagy plays an important role in the homeostasis of the cells and it may be upregulated in response to several types of stresses. Deregulation of autophagy is a key mechanism in the pathogenesis and progression of several liver diseases. Deficient autophagy can contribute to liver steatosis, to endoplasmic reticulum stress and to the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Chronic alcohol consumption inhibits autophagy. The accumulated mutant protein in the endoplasmic reticulum can be degraded by autophagy in alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency. Hepatitis C and B viruses may exploit the autophagy pathway to promote the own replication. Hepatitis C virus non-structural protein 5A and 5B have roles in the induction of autophagosomes. MicroRNAs regulate multiple physiological, pathological functions and autophagy through the modulation of gene expression. MicroRNA-122 is involved in HCV replication. In HBV-infected livers, the microRNA pathways related to cell death, DNA damage, recombination and signal transduction were activated. MicroRNA-122 effects multiple important factors which regulate the lipid and carbohydrate metabolisms in human non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Oxidative stress and free oxygen radicals generation involved in alcoholic liver diseases development are regulated by microRNAs through different pathways. MicroRNAs control autophagy process and autophagy regulates the expression of microRNA-s. The exploration of their interactions contributes to understanding the development of liver diseases. Orv Hetil. 2020; 161(35): 1499-1455.

Electrocardiographic Changes in Liver Cirrhosis-Clues for Cirrhotic Cardiomyopathy.

Background and Objectives: Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is a chronic cardiac dysfunction associated with liver cirrhosis, in patients without previous heart disease, irrespective of the etiology of cirrhosis. Electrocardiography (ECG) is an important way to evaluate patients with cirrhosis and may reveal significant changes associated with liver disease. Our study aimed to evaluate ECG changes in patients with diagnosed liver cirrhosis and compare them to patients with chronic hepatitis. Materials and Methods: We evaluated laboratory findings and ECG tracings in 63 patients with cirrhosis and 54 patients with chronic hepatitis of viral etiology. The end points of the study were prolonged QT interval, QRS hypovoltage and T-peak-to-T-end decrease. We confirmed the diagnosis of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy using echocardiography data. Results: Advanced liver disease was associated with prolonged QT intervals. Also, QRS amplitude was lower in patients with decompensated cirrhosis than in patients with compensated liver disease. We found an accentuated deceleration of the T wave in patients with cirrhosis. These findings correlated to serum levels of albumin, cholesterol and ammonia. Conclusions: ECG changes in liver cirrhosis are frequently encountered and are important noninvasive markers for the presence of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy.

NGF (-198C > T, Ala35Val) and p75NTR (Ser205Leu) gene mutations are associated with liver function in different histopathological profiles of the patients with chronic viral hepatitis in the Brazilian Amazon.

BACKGROUNDS: Neural growth factor (NGF) is a neurotrophin that can interact with the p75NTR receptor and initiate a cascade of reactions that determines cell survival or death, and both are associated with the physiology of liver tissue. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the NGF and p75NTR genes have been investigated in different pathologies; however, there are no studies that have analyzed their biological roles in the hepatic microenvironment. In the present study, we evaluated the impact of SNPs in these genes on the maintenance of liver function at different stages of inflammation and fibrosis in patients with chronic viral liver disease in the Brazilian Amazon. METHODS: The SNPs -198C > T, Arg80Gln, Val72Met, Ala35Val, Ala18Ala and Ser205Leu were genotyped by real-time PCR in samples from patients with chronic viral hepatitis stratified by stage of inflammation and liver fibrosis. Histopathological, viral load (VL), liver enzyme and comorbidities data were obtained from updated medical records. Other aspects were highlighted by applied epidemiological questionnaires. RESULTS: The -198C/T and Ala35Val polymorphisms in NGF were associated with changes in histopathological profiles, VL and liver enzymes. Ser205Leu polymorphism in p75NTR was associated only with changes in VL and liver enzymes. Polymorphic frequencies were variable among different ethnic populations, mainly for biologically relevant polymorphisms. A multifactorial network of interactions has been established based on genetic, virological, behavioral and biochemical aspects. CONCLUSION: Mutations in the NGF (-198C > T, Ala35Val) and p75NTR (Ser205Leu) genes, within the list of multifactorial aspects, are associated with liver function in different histopathological profiles of patients with chronic viral liver disease in the Brazilian Amazon.

Mechanisms of kidney dysfunction in the cirrhotic patient: Non-hepatorenal acute-on-chronic kidney damage considerations.

Renal dysfunction is a common finding in cirrhotic patients and has a great physiologic, and therefore, prognostic relevance. The combination of liver disease and renal dysfunction can occur as a result of systemic conditions that affect both the liver and the kidney, although primary disorders of the liver complicated by renal dysfunction are much more common. As most of the renal dysfunction scenarios in cirrhotic patients correspond to either prerenal azotemia or hepatorenal syndrome (HRS), physicians tend to conceive renal dysfunction in cirrhotic patients as mainly HRS. However, there are many systemic conditions that may cause both a "baseline" chronic kidney damage and a superimposed kidney dysfunction when this systemic condition worsens. The main aim of this article is to review some of the most important non prerenal non-HRS considerations regarding acute on chronic kidney dysfunction in cirrhotic patients, including renal manifestation of related to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) viral hepatitis, the effect of cardiorenal syndrome in cirrhotics and corticosteroid-deficiency associated renal dysfunction.

Quality of Life and Work Ability among Healthcare Personnel with Chronic Viral Hepatitis. Evaluation of the Inpatient Rehabilitation Program of the Wartenberg Clinic.

The aim of this study was to research the impact of inpatient rehabilitation on work ability and health-related quality of life factors for healthcare personnel (HP) with chronic hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV) infection. A prospective evaluation study with three data collection times without an external control group was conducted. HP (n = 163) with an occupational acquired chronic hepatitis B/C infection who participated in an inpatient rehabilitation program were surveyed. Information was collected on work ability (WAI-Work Ability Index), quality of life (SF-36-Short Form-36 Health Survey), and anxiety and depression-related symptoms (HADS-D-Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). The majority of participants had HCV infection. Work ability was poor, improved significantly until the end of treatment, and remained at a moderate level six months later. The SF-36 showed no change in physical health over the study period, the results regarding mental health were in the average range with a significant improvement directly after intervention. The HADS-D results indicate noteworthy anxiety and depression symptoms during the study period. The inpatient rehabilitation program proved to be effective in the short term regarding mental health (SF-36) and WAI. To ensure long lasting positive results, services aimed at enhancing physical and mental health should be provided as early as possible and on a recurring basis.

Viral hepatitis.

Hepatitis viruses A to E can cause abnormal liver function tests in children. Although, overall, they are relatively uncommon in children in Australia, epidemiology diagnosis and treatment modalities for these viruses have evolved over the last decade. This review provides an update on the diagnosis and treatment of viral hepatitis in children.

Liver disease in pregnancy: Medical aspects and their implications for mother and child.

Liver disease during pregnancy is more common than expected and may require specialized intervention. It is important to determine if changes in liver physiology may develop into liver disease, to assure early diagnosis. For adequate surveillance of mother-fetus health outcome, liver disease during pregnancy might require intervention from a hepatologist. Liver diseases have a prevalence of at least 3% of all pregnancies in developed countries, and they are classified into two main categories: related to pregnancy; and those non- related that are present de novo or are preexisting chronic liver diseases. In this review we describe and discuss the main characteristics of those liver diseases associated with pregnancy and only some frequent pre-existing and co-incidental in pregnancy are considered. In addition to the literature review, we compiled the data of liver disease occurring during pregnancies attended at the National Institute of Perinatology in Mexico City in a three-year period. In our tertiary referral women hospital, liver disease was present in 11.24 % of all pregnancies. Associated liver disease was found in 10.8% of all pregnancies, mainly those related to pre-eclampsia (9.9% of pregnancies). Only 0.56% was due to liver disease that was co-incidental or preexisting; the acute or chronic hepatitis C virus was the most frequent in this group (0.12%). When managing pregnancy in referral hospitals in Latin America, it is important to discard liver alterations early for adequate follow up of the disease and to prevent adverse consequences for the mother and child.

Evolutionary biology of human hepatitis viruses.

Hepatitis viruses are major threats to human health. During the last decade, highly diverse viruses related to human hepatitis viruses were found in animals other than primates. Herein, we describe both surprising conservation and striking differences of the unique biological properties and infection patterns of human hepatitis viruses and their animal homologues, including transmission routes, liver tropism, oncogenesis, chronicity, pathogenesis and envelopment. We discuss the potential for translation of newly discovered hepatitis viruses into preclinical animal models for drug testing, studies on pathogenesis and vaccine development. Finally, we re-evaluate the evolutionary origins of human hepatitis viruses and discuss the past and present zoonotic potential of their animal homologues.

Diseases of the Liver.

IMPAIRED LIVER function affects every aspect of the body's physiology. Diseases of the liver have more widespread and life-threatening impacts than malfunctioning of any of the body's other conditions. accessory organs. Non-alcoholic fatty Liver disease rates are soaring, concurrent with the obesity epidemic and increasing rates of type 2 diabetes. Alcoholic liver disease and viral hepatitis also contribute to high rates of liver damage in the population, making liver disease one of the commonest causes premature death. Liver transplants, hepatocellular carcinomas, and deaths from Liver disease are increasingly due to preventable or treatable liver conditions. Understanding normal liver function allows nurses to predict the impact of Liver disease on their patients' health and well-being. Knowledge of underlying causes of impaired liver function enhances our ability to support and counsel those who are at risk of, or have been diagnosed with liver disease.

Autophagy and microRNA dysregulation in liver diseases.

Autophagy is a catabolic process through which organelles and cellular components are sequestered into autophagosomes and degraded via fusion with lysosomes. Autophagy plays a role in many physiological processes, including stress responses, energy homeostasis, elimination of cellular organelles, and tissue remodeling. In addition, autophagy capacity changes in various disease states. A series of studies have shown that autophagy is strictly controlled to maintain homeostatic balance of energy metabolism and cellular organelle and protein turnover. These studies have also shown that this process is post-transcriptionally controlled by small noncoding microRNAs that regulate gene expression through complementary base pairing with mRNAs. Conversely, autophagy regulates the expression of microRNAs. Therefore, dysregulation of the link between autophagy and microRNA expression exacerbates the pathogenesis of various diseases. In this review, we summarize the roles of autophagy and microRNA dysregulation in the course of liver diseases, with the aim of understanding how microRNAs modify key autophagic effector molecules, and we discuss how this dysregulation affects both physiological and pathological conditions. This article may advance our understanding of the cellular and molecular bases of liver disease progression and promote the development of strategies for pharmacological intervention.

Prediction of portal pressure from intraoperative ultrasonography.

BACKGROUND: Portal hypertension is a major risk factor for hepatic failure or bleeding in patients who have undergone hepatectomy, but it cannot be measured indirectly. We attempted to evaluate the intraoperative ultrasonography parameters that correlate with portal pressure (PP) in patients undergoing hepatectomy. METHODS: We examined 30 patients in whom PP was directly measured during surgery. The background liver conditions included chronic viral liver disease in seven patients, chemotherapy-associated steatohepatitis in four patients, fatty liver in one patient, hepatolithiasis in one patient, obstructive jaundice in one patient, and a normal liver in 16 patients. A multivariate logistic analysis and linear regression analysis were conducted to develop a predictive formula for PP. RESULTS: The mean PP was 10.4 ± 4.1 mm Hg. The PP tended to be increased in patients with chronic viral hepatitis. A univariate analysis identified the association of the six following parameters with PP: the platelet count and the maximum (max), minimum (min), endo-diastolic, peak-systolic, and mean velocity in the portal vein (PV) flow. Using multiple linear regression analysis, the predictive formula using the PV max and min was as follows: Y (estimated PP) = 18.235-0.120 × (PV max.[m/s])-0.364 × (PV min). The calculated PP (10.44 ± 2.61 mm Hg) was nearly the same as the actual PP (10.43 ± 4.07 mm Hg). However, there was no significant relationship between the calculated PP and the intraoperative blood loss and post hepatectomy morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: This formula, which uses ultrasonographic Doppler flow parameters, appears to be useful for predicting PP.

Insulin resistance as early sign of hepatic dysfunction in liver cirrhosis.

Glucose intolerance characterized by postprandial hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia is commonly seen in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC). The aim of this study is to clarify the relation between glucose intolerance and disorder of liver function in patients with LC. The 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (75 g OGTT) and the hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp combined with 0.2 g/kg oral glucose load (HECGL) were conducted in 61 patients with LC. Based on the results of 75 g OGTT, the 61 patients with LC were divided into groups, 21 (34.4%) patients with normal glucose tolerance (LC-NGT), 12 (19.7%) patients with impaired glucose tolerance (LC-IGT) and 28 (45.9%) patients with diabetes mellitus (LC-DM). Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level was normal in 50 (82.0%) patients with LC. All patients with LC showed insulin resistance in both peripheral (skeletal and adipose) and hepatic tissues evaluated by HECGL, although significant correlation between the degree of glucose intolerance and the severity of hepatic dysfunction was not observed. Insulin resistance in both liver and peripheral tissues is the early sign in the patients with LC. This fact indicates that nutritional care from early stages of LC would be necessary in the patients.

A better regulation is required in viral hepatitis smartphone applications / Necesidad de una mayor regulación en aplicaciones para smartphone sobre hepatitis virales

Aim: To describe the characteristics and content of the available viral hepatitis mobile applications, as well as assess the level of participation of medical professionals in their development. Methods: A descriptive observational study was carried out in September 2013. We searched smartphone apps specifically relating to the viral hepatitis for using a keyword search with the following terms; "hepatitis", "hepatology", "hbv" and "hcv" in the Google Play Store (Android) and the Apple App Store (iOS). Data recorded included: name, platform, category, cost, user star rating, number of downloads, date the app was updated by the developer and target audience. We analysed the content of the applications, and these were then categorised based on the viral hepatitis type into three groups. We conducted an analysis in which we specifically examined the authorship in order to assess the prevalence of health professional participation in their development. Results: A total of 33 apps were included (from 232 that were identified), among which there were 10 duplicates. Most of these apps were uploaded under the medical category. Three had ratings less than 3.9 stars (out of 5). Only 6 apps had exceeded 1000 downloads. A total of 12 apps were aimed at health professionals, while 4 focused on patients (7 for both of them). The participation of health professionals in the development of apps was 56.6%. Conclusions: Viral hepatitis apps are available for both professionals and patients; however, much of the information contained within them is often not validated. They should be certificated

Objetivo: Describir las características y el contenido de aplicaciones móviles disponibles sobre hepatitis vírica, así como el nivel de participación de los profesionales médicos en su desarrollo. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo en septiembre de 2013. Buscamos en la tienda Google Play (Android) y en la tienda Apple App (iOS) aplicaciones para teléfonos inteligentes que se relacionasen específicamente con la hepatitis vírica empleando una búsqueda por palabras claves que incluía los siguientes términos: 'hepatitis', 'hepatología', "HBV" y 'HCV'. Los datos recogidos incluían: nombre, plataforma, categoría, coste, puntuación del usuario por estrellas, número de descargas, fecha en la que el creador actualizó la aplicación y público objetivo. Analizamos el contenido de las aplicaciones y se distribuyeron en 3 categorías en función del tipo de hepatitis vírica. Realizamos un análisis en el que se examinó específicamente la autoría con el fin de evaluar la prevalencia de la participación de los profesionales sanitarios en su desarrollo. Resultados: Se incluyó un total de 33 aplicaciones (de 232 identificadas), de las cuales 10 estaban duplicadas. La mayoría de las aplicaciones se subían en la categoría médica. Tres tuvieron puntuaciones menores de 3,9 estrellas (de 5 posibles). Sólo 6 aplicaciones superaban las 1000 descargas. Un total de 12 aplicaciones estaban dirigidas a profesionales sanitarios mientras que 4 se centraban en los pacientes (7 para ambos colectivos). La participación de los profesionales sanitarios en el desarrollo de las aplicaciones fue del 56,6%. Conclusiones: Existen aplicaciones disponibles sobre hepatitis vírica tanto para profesionales sanitarios como para pacientes; sin embargo, la mayor parte de la información contenida en ellas a menudo no está validada. Deberían estar certificadas

A better regulation is required in viral hepatitis smartphone applications.

AIM: To describe the characteristics and content of the available viral hepatitis mobile applications, as well as assess the level of participation of medical professionals in their development. METHODS: A descriptive observational study was carried out in September 2013. We searched smartphone apps specifically relating to the viral hepatitis for using a keyword search with the following terms; «hepatitis¼, «hepatology¼, «hbv¼ and «hcv¼ in the Google Play Store (Android) and the Apple App Store (iOS). Data recorded included: name, platform, category, cost, user star rating, number of downloads, date the app was updated by the developer and target audience. We analysed the content of the applications, and these were then categorised based on the viral hepatitis type into three groups. We conducted an analysis in which we specifically examined the authorship in order to assess the prevalence of health professional participation in their development. RESULTS: A total of 33 apps were included (from 232 that were identified), among which there were 10 duplicates. Most of these apps were uploaded under the medical category. Three had ratings less than 3.9 stars (out of 5). Only 6 apps had exceeded 1000 downloads. A total of 12 apps were aimed at health professionals, while 4 focused on patients (7 for both of them). The participation of health professionals in the development of apps was 56.6%. CONCLUSIONS: Viral hepatitis apps are available for both professionals and patients; however, much of the information contained within them is often not validated. They should be certificated.

Objetivo: describir las características y el contenido de aplicaciones móviles disponibles sobre hepatitis vírica, así como el nivel de participación de los profesionales médicos en su desarrollo. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo en septiembre de 2013. Buscamos en la tienda Google Play (Android) y en la tienda Apple App (iOS) aplicaciones para teléfonos inteligentes que se relacionasen específicamente con la hepatitis vírica empleando una búsqueda por palabras claves que incluía los siguientes términos: 'hepatitis', 'hepatología', "HBV" y 'HCV'. Los datos recogidos incluían: nombre, plataforma, categoría, coste, puntuación del usuario por estrellas, número de descargas, fecha en la que el creador actualizó la aplicación y público objetivo. Analizamos el contenido de las aplicaciones y se distribuyeron en 3 categorías en función del tipo de hepatitis vírica. Realizamos un análisis en el que se examinó específicamente la autoría con el fin de evaluar la prevalencia de la participación de los profesionales sanitarios en su desarrollo. Resultados: Se incluyó un total de 33 aplicaciones (de 232 identificadas), de las cuales 10 estaban duplicadas. La mayoría de las aplicaciones se subían en la categoría médica. Tres tuvieron puntuaciones menores de 3,9 estrellas (de 5 posibles). Sólo 6 aplicaciones superaban las 1000 descargas. Un total de 12 aplicaciones estaban dirigidas a profesionales sanitarios mientras que 4 se centraban en los pacientes (7 para ambos colectivos). La participación de los profesionales sanitarios en el desarrollo de las aplicaciones fue del 56,6%. Conclusiones: Existen aplicaciones disponibles sobre hepatitis vírica tanto para profesionales sanitarios como para pacientes; sin embargo, la mayor parte de la información contenida en ellas a menudo no está validada. Deberían estar certificadas.

[Features of structural and functional changes of the myocardium in patients with chronic viral hepatitis].

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to evaluate the characteristics of structural and functional changes of the heart in patients with chronic viral hepatitis. METHODS: The study included 123 patients - 17 patients with aviraemnia after antiviral therapy (group 1), 38 patients with laboratory inactive hepatitis (group 2), 68 patients with biochemical active hepatitis (group 3). All patients had standard echocardiography, Doppler sonography and tissue Doppler echocardiography. RESULTS: Patients with chronic viral hepatitis were revealed to develop changes in the geometry of the left ventricle (increase in the wall thickness). Patients with active hepatitis had increase in the left atrium, the right ventricle and indexed left ventricular mass of the heart. Significant morphological changes were not confirmed statistically in patients after "therapy". Pulmonary hypertension was revealed in 19% of cases, mitral valve prolapse was confirmed in 48%, with the detection rates being not dependent on hepatitis activity. Abnormal left ventricular remodeling was identified in 45% of patients, in patients with active hepatitis more frequently. Compliance dysfunction of both right and left ventricles was detected, it depends on the activity of the inflammatory process in the liver. This disorder partially persists after antiviral treatment. CONCLUSION: Specifics of the structural and functional changes of the heart in patients with chronic viral hepatitis is the development of left ventricular hypertrophy, and in the presence of laboratory activity hepatitis - relative dilatation of the right heart and ventricular diastolic dysfunction of the heart. Carrying out specific antiviral therapy has a beneficial effect on cardiac hemodynamics parameters. Method of tissue Doppler echocardiography was efficient in evaluation of early disorders of diastolic function in patients with chronic viral hepatitis.

Urinary potassium loss in children with acute liver failure and acute viral hepatitis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to determine urinary potassium (K⁺) loss (as measured by fractional excretion of K⁺ [FEK] and transtubular K⁺ gradient [TTKG]) in children with acute liver failure (ALF) and acute viral hepatitis (AVH) at the time of presentation to the hospital and day 45 of follow-up. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with ALF and 84 patients with AVH were worked up for clinical features, liver function tests, and hepatitis viral infections and monitored for outcome. All of the patients with ALF were hospitalized. FEK and TTKG were estimated on the day patients were first seen in the hospital or hospitalized and later on day 45 of follow-up. RESULTS: Sixty percent (15/25) of patients with ALF were hypokalemic (serum K⁺ <3.5 mEq/L) as compared with only 12% (10/84) in the AVH group (P = 0.000) at the time of presentation in the hospital. Inappropriate kaliuresis was present in 80% to 100% of hypokalemic children compared with 0% to 30% of normokalemic individuals at the time of first contact in either the ALF or AVH group. Inappropriate urinary K⁺ loss and serum K⁺ levels in the hypokalemic individuals improved as the hepatic functions recovered by day 45 of follow-up (P = 0.014-0.000). No significant change in kaliuresis was observed among normokalemic subjects between first contact and later on day 45 of follow-up (P = 0.991-0.228). Despite different physiologic mechanisms, appropriateness of kaliuresis measured by FEK and TTKG showed results in the same direction. CONCLUSIONS: Hypokalemia and inappropriate kaliuresis observed during the acute phase of ALF and AVH reversed with clinical and biochemical recovery. In the absence of major gastrointestinal losses and renal abnormalities, there is need to investigate the contributory role of factors like hyperaldosteronism and food intake, which may have therapeutic implications.