Hepatic lipase activity is increased in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease beyond insulin resistance.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Hepatic lipase is a lipolytic enzyme mostly synthesized and localized at the surface of liver sinusoidal capillaries, which hydrolyses triglycerides and phospholipids of intermediate density, large low density (LDL) and high density lipoproteins. Hepatic lipase activity is increased in insulin resistant states. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by insulin resistance. However, at present, no data are available regarding the behaviour of hepatic lipase with regard to the degree of hepatic steatosis. Our aim was to evaluate hepatic lipase activity in NAFLD patients and its relationship to the severity of hepatic steatosis. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: We studied 48 patients with NAFLD (diagnosed by ultrasonography and confirmed by liver biopsy) and 30 controls. Steatosis was semi-quantitatively assessed and considered as mild or grade 1, moderate or grade 2 and severe or grade 3. MEASUREMENTS: hepatic lipase activity, lipid and lipoprotein profile (including intermediate density lipoproteins and dense LDL), adiponectin, insulin, glucose and high sensitivity C-reactive protein were measured. Homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA) index was calculated. RESULTS: Patients with hepatic steatosis presented with higher hepatic lipase activity, HOMA and dense LDL and lower levels of adiponectin, high density lipoproteins, cholesterol and apoA-I. Hepatic lipase activity positively correlated significantly with the severity of hepatic steatosis. Hepatic lipase correlated with a more atherogenic profile and persisted higher in patients even after corrected for age, gender, body mass index, HOMA and adiponectin. CONCLUSION: The higher hepatic lipase activity in NAFLD patients contributes to a more atherogenic profile linked to increased cardiovascular risk, beyond the insulin resistance and the reduction in adiponectin.

Ketoconazole-induced liver damage.

Five cases (four females, one male) of ketoconazole-related liver damage are presented, two of whom died. All patients received ketoconazole (400 mg/day) for various mycoses. In the four women the first signs of hepatotoxicity appeared after four weeks of therapy. One fatal case developed massive necrosis with fulminant liver failure and the other, submassive necrosis. In four cases cholestasis was a prominent finding. Biochemical evidence of biliary stasis may persist for several months, as occurred in the three surviving patients of our series. The two fatal cases continued receiving the drug in spite of its adverse effects. Consequently, repeated evaluation is recommended to detect early signs of liver environment.

[Distribution of the genotypes of hepatitis C virus in intravenous drug addicts in Argentina]. / Distribución de los genotipos del virus de la hepatitis C en una población Argentina de drogadictos endovenosos.

Intravenous drug addiction (IVD) is an unfrequent risk factor in Argentina, representing less than 10% of patients (pts) with chronic HCV infection seen in our Unit. In order to study the genotypes (Gt) in IVD and compare them with a non drug addicted control population, 68 pts with a history of IVD were enrolled in this study and compared with 68 non drug addict (NDA) pts with chronic HCV, with similar age and gender distribution. In all pts a liver biopsy was performed. Genotyping was done by INNO LiPA (Innogenetics, Belgium). Mean age in both groups was 35 +/- 7.8 years and 50 were males. No difference was observed between both groups in the prevalence of Gt1a, Gt2a/c and in those with mixed infections. The prevalence of Gt1b in IVD was 19.1% and in NDA 38.2% (p = 0.0228). A highly significant difference was also observed in the prevalence of Gt3a, of 42.6% in IVD and only 11.8% in NDA (p = 0.0001). Gt1a was the second most frequent genotype in IVD pts (26.5%). Simultaneous HIV infection was present in 8 IVD pts (11.8%) and in none of NDA group. Liver biopsies showed a higher prevalence of mild chronic hepatitis in NDA (57.3%) than in IVD (32.4%) (p = 0.0058). Severe chronic hepatitis with advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis was more frequent in the Gt3 of the group with IVD when compared with Gt3 of the NDA group. It can be concluded that in accordance with other geographical areas, Gt3a is far more prevalent in intravenous drugs addicts than in the general population in Argentina where Gt1b is more frequent. Mild forms of chronic hepatitis are less frequent in IVD. In spite of the relatively small group with HCV co-infection with HIV, it seems important to note that 2/8 (25%) showed severe hepatitis C or cirrhosis.

Methotrexate therapy in primary biliary cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effect of low-dose oral MTX in a group of patients with PBC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixteen female with a mean age of 51.16 yrs were included in the present study. Criteria for entry into the trial were elevated serum alkaline phosphatase activity, liver biopsy findings diagnostic of or compatible with PBC, and a positive result for serum mitochondrial antibodies with a title > 1/80. Pts. In cirrhotic stage or jaundice were excluded. Ten pts were symptomatic. Pruritus and fatigue were present in 10 pts. At. Inclusion, 7 (43.75%) presented with histological stage 1.6 (37.5%) stage II and 3 (18.75%) stage III (Scheuer). Control liver biopsy was performed on admission and were repeated at 2 years. All pts were treated with MTX 15 mg/wk given orally in three divided doses over 24 hours during 2 years. For statistical the Kruskal Wallis test was used. RESULTS: Fourteen pts completed 2 years of therapy. Two withdraw from treatment, 1 did so at month 2 due to the worsening of hepatocellular function and development of intense fatigue associated with an elevation of ALT to 30 times over the normal levels and another at month 4 because of interstitial pneumonitis. Pruritus resolved in 5 of the 10 symptomatic patients. All asymptomatic patients remained so during the trial. At the end of the study period, a decline in the following laboratory parameters were observed: Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), from 123 +/- 66 IU/L to 63 +/- 42 IU/L (p = 0.0064); gammaglutamyltransferase (GGT), from 197.3 +/- 121.5 IU/L to 137.2 +/- 56.9 IU/L (p = 0.3352); AST from 47.4 +/- 33 IU/L to 19 +/- 12.4 IU/L (p = 0.0899) and ALT from 54.6 +/- 35 IU/L to 21.12 +/- 5.5 IU/L (p = 0.0771). Liver histology status at the end of MTX therapy improved from baseline in only 3 (18.7%) patients and progression was observed in 8 (50%), to cirrhosis in 4, 3 of them with stage I and another with stage II at the begin of the trial. CONCLUSION: Our results do not support the introduction of MTX as monotherapy in the treatment of PBC. The rapid advance off the disease in some patients during the treatment observed in this cohort of pts merits a word of caution.

[Jaundice caused by methimazole]. / Ictericia por metimazol.

Three female patients with cholestatic jaundice related to methimazole therapy are presented. The jaundice appeared after more or less 30 days of therapy. Markers for hepatitis A and B were negative in all. None of them had previous history of alcoholism or ingestion of potentially hepatotoxic drugs. Characteristically there was a marked elevation of alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase with only moderate increase of the aminotransferases. Liver biopsy performed in all showed intensive cholestasis with low degree of inflammatory reaction confined to the portal tracts. The three patients presented a prolonged duration of the liver injury in spite of the interruption of the drug lasting in one of them up to one year, but all ultimately resolved.

Latent distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA) in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and chronic autoimmune hepatitis (CAH).

In an attempt to evaluate the latent distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA7) in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), and chronic autoimmune hepatitis (CAH), and differences between them in relation to the sodium urinary excretion ([Na]u), thirty four patients divided in two groups were studied. Group A: 17 patients who fulfilled criteria for PBC diagnosis (clinical and humoral evidence antimitochondrial antibody titles of 1/80 or above by indirect immunofluorescence technique, and liver biopsy). Group B: 17 patients who fulfilled criteria for CAH diagnosis (clinical and humoral evidence, antinuclear and smooth muscle antibody titles of 1/80 or above and liver biopsy). Patients with ascitis and/or edema were excluded from the study. Ability to acidify urine was evaluated by gradient between pC02 in urine and blood (U-BpC02) after alkali infusion. Five patients in Group A (29.4%7) and six in Group B(35.2%) had dRTA, (p = 0.49). When analyzing patients with dRTA in both groups, the mean [Na]u in Group A was 152.2 +/- 33.8, versus 50.8 +/- 8.1 mEq/l, in Group B. (p = 0.00016). We concluded that the prevalence of dRTA was similar in patients with PBC and CAH but the urinary acidifications impairment of the former did not correlate with [Na]u, as it did with the latter.

[Prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis C virus (anti HCV) in different populations with chronic liver disease using the first generation test]. / Prevalencia de anticuerpos anti virus de la hepatitis C (anti HCV) en diferentes poblaciones de hepatopatiás crónicas con una prueba de primera generación.

UNLABELLED: In order to evaluate the prevalence of antibodies IgG against the virus of hepatitis C (anti HCV) in different forms of chronic liver disease negative for virus B markers of alcoholism, we studied 148 patients (pts) divided into several groups. Group I: Composed of 35 pts. with chronic active hepatitis (CAH) with definite evidence of parenteral exposure to blood. Group II: included 39 pts. with CAH without immune markers or evidence of possible parenteral transmission. Group III: Included 37 pts. with the diagnosis of CAH of autoimmune type with positivity of antinuclear, anti smooth muscle or both antibodies with range of positivity of 1:80 or higher. Group IV: was composed of 31 pts. with the diagnosis of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). Finally group V included 6 pts. with an overlap syndrome between CAH and PBC. The prevalence of anti HCV in the different groups was as follows: [table: see text] Two of the pts. positive for anti HCV in group III and 1 in group IV revealed parenteral exposure to blood or blood product. CONCLUSIONS: The determinations of anti HCV in order to characterize the posttransfusional NANB chronic hepatitis is of value. Positivity of anti HCV is high in cryptogenic chronic hepatitis and rare in PBC. In CAH of autoimmune type and in the overlap syndrome the prevalence was higher than expected. The question if we are dealing with false positivity or an uncertain diagnosis of autoimmunity is raised.

A controlled trial of high dose interferon, alone and after prednisone withdrawal, in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B: long term follow up.

This study was designed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of high dose interferon, with or without prednisone pretreatment, in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Patients were randomised to two treatment groups: group I (n = 26) received six weeks of prednisone followed by a two week, drug free period, and then 10 million units (MU) of interferon alfa-2b three times weekly subcutaneously for 16 weeks; group II (n = 24) were used as controls for 24 weeks and then treated with interferon. Loss of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and hepatitis B virus (HBV)-DNA, with a return to normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity, was seen in 16 of 26 group I patients (61.5%), in one group II patient (4.2%) during the control phase, and in 13 of 23 group II patients (56.5%) after interferon. Three of 26 (11.5%) in group I and one of 23 (4.3%) in group II eliminated the surface antigen (HBsAg). There were no statistically significant differences in response between groups I and II. Liver biopsies carried out in 20 patients showed that responders had a noticeable reduction in inflammation and disappearance of core antigen in liver tissue, changes not seen in non-responders. On long term follow up (four years), nine out of 28 responders (32.1%) eliminated HBsAg, and four initial non-responders had a late seroconversion.

Risk factors for the development of vertebral and total skeleton osteoporosis in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis.

The objectives of this work was to (1) study the bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine, total skeleton, and body composition in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and (2) evaluate the risk factors (premature menopause, stages of the disease, hyperbilirubinemia) and bone and liver biochemical parameters for the development of osteoporosis. We studied 23 women with a compatible diagnosis of PBC. The BMD and body composition were evaluated by X-ray absorptiometry (Lunar DPX-L). The average age of the population was 56.7 +/- 10.2 years. The BMD of the lumbar spine and of the total skeleton was 1.3 SDs below the normal population matched for sex and age. In the total skeleton, the legs were the most severely affected area (Z score -1.5). The body composition showed no significant difference compared with the normal population. The BMD of 56% of the patients was less than -2.5 SDs from the average normal young values. Patients with a history of vertebral fractures had diminished mineral density of the lumbar spine, as did those who had had no fractures. Of the risk factors studied, patients with premature menopause had a lower bone mass compared with patients with normal menopausal age (Z score of the total skeleton was -2.1 +/- 1.8 versus -1.1 +/- 1.0) but the difference did not reach statistical significance. The bone mass was not affected in patients with regular menstrual cycles. There were no statistically significant differences in high levels of bilirubin, advanced stages of the disease, or the biochemical variables studied. It is concluded that patients with primary biliary cirrhosis present diminished cortical and trabecular bone mass, whereas body composition was unaffected. Premature hormone deficit, possibly triggered by the chronic hepatic pathology, is a contributing factor to the osteoporosis in this population.

[Hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HBC) virus infections in Down's syndrome and in neuropsychiatric patients without Down's syndrome]. / La infección por el virus de la hepatitis B (VHB) y C (VHC) en el síndrome de Down y pacientes neuropsiquiátricos sin síndrome de Down.

UNLABELLED: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers are found with high frequency in immunocompromised individuals. In order to find out if this is also true for the hepatitis C virus (HCV), we have analyzed a group (G.1) of 46 patients (pts.) with Down syndrome, situation known to be associated with immunodepression G. 1. We compared them with a G. of 310 mentally retarded pts. without Down syndrome G. 2 and without evidence of immunological disfunction. All of them were studied for infection with HBV. All pts. in G. 1 and G. 2 were also tested for HCV. The pts. have been hospitalized in a specialized medical institution for mentally retarded on a long term basis and were followed during 1 year. Finally G 3 was composed of 5454 voluntary blood donors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In all pts. search for HBV infection markers (anti-HBc, HBsAg, HBeAg by EIA test and HBV-DNA by nucleic acids hybridization) were performed. Search for HCV markers was done by a second generation EIA kit (Abbott Hepatitis C (rDNA) (Antigen). RESULTS: HBsAg was found to be positive in 12/46 (26%) of G. I and 25/310 (8%) of G. II (p < 0.001). HBeAg was positive in 8/12 (67%) of G. I and in 2/25 (8%) of G. II (p < 0.001). All HBeAg positive pts. had elevated values of DNA-HBV. In G. I, 4/12 (33%) pts. lost HBeAg during the observation period, one of them remained HBV-DNA positive and none become HBsAg negative.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Methotrexate therapy in primary biliary cirrhosis

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effect of low-dose oral MTX in a group of patients with PBC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixteen female with a mean age of 51.16 yrs were included in the present study. Criteria for entry into the trial were elevated serum alkaline phosphatase activity, liver biopsy findings diagnostic of or compatible with PBC, and a positive result for serum mitochondrial antibodies with a title > 1/80. Pts. In cirrhotic stage or jaundice were excluded. Ten pts were symptomatic. Pruritus and fatigue were present in 10 pts. At. Inclusion, 7 (43.75 per cent) presented with histological stage 1.6 (37.5 per cent) stage II and 3 (18.75 per cent) stage III (Scheuer). Control liver biopsy was performed on admission and were repeated at 2 years. All pts were treated with MTX 15 mg/wk given orally in three divided doses over 24 hours during 2 years. For statistical the Kruskal Wallis test was used. RESULTS: Fourteen pts completed 2 years of therapy. Two withdraw from treatment, 1 did so at month 2 due to the worsening of hepatocellular function and development of intense fatigue associated with an elevation of ALT to 30 times over the normal levels and another at month 4 because of interstitial pneumonitis. Pruritus resolved in 5 of the 10 symptomatic patients. All asymptomatic patients remained so during the trial. At the end of the study period, a decline in the following laboratory parameters were observed: Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), from 123 +/- 66 IU/L to 63 +/- 42 IU/L (p = 0.0064); gammaglutamyltransferase (GGT), from 197.3 +/- 121.5 IU/L to 137.2 +/- 56.9 IU/L (p = 0.3352); AST from 47.4 +/- 33 IU/L to 19 +/- 12.4 IU/L (p = 0.0899) and ALT from 54.6 +/- 35 IU/L to 21.12 +/- 5.5 IU/L (p = 0.0771). Liver histology status at the end of MTX therapy improved from baseline in only 3 (18.7 per cent) patients and progression was observed in 8 (50 per cent), to cirrhosis in 4, 3 of them with stage I and another with stage II at the begin of the trial. CONCLUSION: Our results do not support the introduction of MTX as monotherapy in the treatment of PBC. The rapid advance off the disease in some patients during the treatment observed in this cohort of pts merits a word of caution

Methotrexate therapy in primary biliary cirrhosis

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effect of low-dose oral MTX in a group of patients with PBC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixteen female with a mean age of 51.16 yrs were included in the present study. Criteria for entry into the trial were elevated serum alkaline phosphatase activity, liver biopsy findings diagnostic of or compatible with PBC, and a positive result for serum mitochondrial antibodies with a title > 1/80. Pts. In cirrhotic stage or jaundice were excluded. Ten pts were symptomatic. Pruritus and fatigue were present in 10 pts. At. Inclusion, 7 (43.75 per cent) presented with histological stage 1.6 (37.5 per cent) stage II and 3 (18.75 per cent) stage III (Scheuer). Control liver biopsy was performed on admission and were repeated at 2 years. All pts were treated with MTX 15 mg/wk given orally in three divided doses over 24 hours during 2 years. For statistical the Kruskal Wallis test was used. RESULTS: Fourteen pts completed 2 years of therapy. Two withdraw from treatment, 1 did so at month 2 due to the worsening of hepatocellular function and development of intense fatigue associated with an elevation of ALT to 30 times over the normal levels and another at month 4 because of interstitial pneumonitis. Pruritus resolved in 5 of the 10 symptomatic patients. All asymptomatic patients remained so during the trial. At the end of the study period, a decline in the following laboratory parameters were observed: Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), from 123 +/- 66 IU/L to 63 +/- 42 IU/L (p = 0.0064); gammaglutamyltransferase (GGT), from 197.3 +/- 121.5 IU/L to 137.2 +/- 56.9 IU/L (p = 0.3352); AST from 47.4 +/- 33 IU/L to 19 +/- 12.4 IU/L (p = 0.0899) and ALT from 54.6 +/- 35 IU/L to 21.12 +/- 5.5 IU/L (p = 0.0771). Liver histology status at the end of MTX therapy improved from baseline in only 3 (18.7 per cent) patients and progression was observed in 8 (50 per cent), to cirrhosis in 4, 3 of them with stage I and another with stage II at the begin of the trial. CONCLUSION: Our results do not support the introduction of MTX as monotherapy in the treatment of PBC. The rapid advance off the disease in some patients during the treatment observed in this cohort of pts merits a word of caution (Au)

Methotrexate therapy in primary biliary cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effect of low-dose oral MTX in a group of patients with PBC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixteen female with a mean age of 51.16 yrs were included in the present study. Criteria for entry into the trial were elevated serum alkaline phosphatase activity, liver biopsy findings diagnostic of or compatible with PBC, and a positive result for serum mitochondrial antibodies with a title > 1/80. Pts. In cirrhotic stage or jaundice were excluded. Ten pts were symptomatic. Pruritus and fatigue were present in 10 pts. At. Inclusion, 7 (43.75

) presented with histological stage 1.6 (37.5

) stage II and 3 (18.75

) stage III (Scheuer). Control liver biopsy was performed on admission and were repeated at 2 years. All pts were treated with MTX 15 mg/wk given orally in three divided doses over 24 hours during 2 years. For statistical the Kruskal Wallis test was used. RESULTS: Fourteen pts completed 2 years of therapy. Two withdraw from treatment, 1 did so at month 2 due to the worsening of hepatocellular function and development of intense fatigue associated with an elevation of ALT to 30 times over the normal levels and another at month 4 because of interstitial pneumonitis. Pruritus resolved in 5 of the 10 symptomatic patients. All asymptomatic patients remained so during the trial. At the end of the study period, a decline in the following laboratory parameters were observed: Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), from 123 +/- 66 IU/L to 63 +/- 42 IU/L (p = 0.0064); gammaglutamyltransferase (GGT), from 197.3 +/- 121.5 IU/L to 137.2 +/- 56.9 IU/L (p = 0.3352); AST from 47.4 +/- 33 IU/L to 19 +/- 12.4 IU/L (p = 0.0899) and ALT from 54.6 +/- 35 IU/L to 21.12 +/- 5.5 IU/L (p = 0.0771). Liver histology status at the end of MTX therapy improved from baseline in only 3 (18.7

) patients and progression was observed in 8 (50

), to cirrhosis in 4, 3 of them with stage I and another with stage II at the begin of the trial. CONCLUSION: Our results do not support the introduction of MTX as monotherapy in the treatment of PBC. The rapid advance off the disease in some patients during the treatment observed in this cohort of pts merits a word of caution.

Ictericia por metimazol / Jaundice due to methimazole

Se presentan 3 pacientes de sexo femenino que bajo tratamiento con metimazol instituido a raíz de hipertiroidismo presentaron un cuadro caracterizado por ictericia, intenso prurito e hipocolia. Ninguna de las pacientes presentó antecedentes de alcoholismo o ingesta de drogas potencialmente hepatotóxicas. El laboratorio se caracterizó en todos los casos por una elevación de la bilirrubina con un máximo de 14.5 mg% a predominio de la fracción conjugada, aumento de la fosfatasa alcalina y de la gamma glutamil transpeptidasa con una sola moderada movilización de las aminotransferasas no superando el nivel sérico de 10 veces su valor normal. Los marcadores virales fueron reiteradamente negativos para los virus A y B de hepatitis en las tres pacientes. La biopsia hepática reveló en todos los casos una intensa colestasis con reacción inflamatória de grado moderado en los campos portales. La ictericia apareció aproximadamente al mes de instituído el tratamiento y desapareció al cabo de la suspensión del mismo en forma lenta, demorando en un caso hasta un año

Ictericia por metimazol. / [Jaundice caused by methimazole]

Three female patients with cholestatic jaundice related to methimazole therapy are presented. The jaundice appeared after more or less 30 days of therapy. Markers for hepatitis A and B were negative in all. None of them had previous history of alcoholism or ingestion of potentially hepatotoxic drugs. Characteristically there was a marked elevation of alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase with only moderate increase of the aminotransferases. Liver biopsy performed in all showed intensive cholestasis with low degree of inflammatory reaction confined to the portal tracts. The three patients presented a prolonged duration of the liver injury in spite of the interruption of the drug lasting in one of them up to one year, but all ultimately resolved.

Ictericia por metimazol / Jaundice due to methimazole

Se presentan 3 pacientes de sexo femenino que bajo tratamiento con metimazol instituido a raíz de hipertiroidismo presentaron un cuadro caracterizado por ictericia, intenso prurito e hipocolia. Ninguna de las pacientes presentó antecedentes de alcoholismo o ingesta de drogas potencialmente hepatotóxicas. El laboratorio se caracterizó en todos los casos por una elevación de la bilirrubina con un máximo de 14.5 mg% a predominio de la fracción conjugada, aumento de la fosfatasa alcalina y de la gamma glutamil transpeptidasa con una sola moderada movilización de las aminotransferasas no superando el nivel sérico de 10 veces su valor normal. Los marcadores virales fueron reiteradamente negativos para los virus A y B de hepatitis en las tres pacientes. La biopsia hepática reveló en todos los casos una intensa colestasis con reacción inflamatória de grado moderado en los campos portales. La ictericia apareció aproximadamente al mes de instituído el tratamiento y desapareció al cabo de la suspensión del mismo en forma lenta, demorando en un caso hasta un año (AU)

Latent distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA) in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and chronic autoinmune hepatitis (CAH)

In an attempt to evaluate the latent distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA7) in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), and chronic autoinmmune hepatitis (CAH), and differences between them in relation to the sodium urinary excretion ([a]u), thirty four patients divided in two groups were studied. Group A: 17 patients who fullfilled criteria for PBC diagnosis (clinical and humoral and liver biopsy). Group B: 17 patients who fullfilled criteria for CAH diagnosis (clinical and humoral evidence, antinuclear and smooth muscle antibody tiles of 1/80 or above and liver biopsy). Patients with ascitis and/or edema were excluded form the study. Ability to acidify urine was evaluated by gradient between pCO2 in urine and blood (U-BpC02) after alkali infusion. Five patients with dRTA in both groups, the mean [Na]u in Group A was 152.2 ñ 33.8, versus 50.8 ñ 8.1 mEq/l, in Group B. (p=0.00016). We concluded that the prevalence of dRTA was similar en patiens with PBC and CAH but the urinary acidifications impairment of the former did not correlate with [Na]u, as it did whit the latter

La infección por el virus de la hepátitis B (VHB) y C (VHC) en el Síndrome de Down y pacientes neuropsiquiátricos sin Síndrome de Down / Infection by the virus of the hepatitis B and C in the Down's syndrome and neuropsychiatric patients without Down's syndrome

La alta prevalencia de los marcadores del VHB en el síndrome de Down y la tendencia a la cronicidad de la infección se relacionaría en estos pacientes (pts) con la inmunodepresión. Con la intensión de comparar en ellos el comportamiento del VHB y VHC se realizó el presente estudio. Material y método; La serie incluye 46 pts con síndrome de Down (G.1) y 310 discapacitados mentales sin síndrome de Down (G.2) ambos internados en un instituto especializado, y 5454 dadores voluntarios de sangre (G.3). En los G.1 y G.2 se efectuaron determinaciones de HBsAg, HBeAg, antiHBE (EIE Abbott) y el ADN del VHB por hibridización del ácido nucléico. En G.3 sólo se efectuó la búsqueda de HBsAg. En todos se efectuó la determinación de anti VHB por un test EIA de 2a. generación (Abbott hepatitis C). Resultados: En el G.1 el HBsAg fue positivo en 12/42 (26%) y el HBeAg en 8/12 (67%) en G.2 25/310 enfermos fueron HBsAg positivos (8%) y el HBeAg en 2/25 (8%). Todos los pts HBeAg positivos tenían valores del ADN-VHB superiores a 25 pg/ml. Las diferencias entre G.1 y G.2 fueron significativas (p < 0.001). En G.1 4/12 pacientes (33.3%) perdieron el HBeAg durante el seguimiento de un año y 3 negativizaron el ADN-VHB. 23/25 (92%) del G.2 perdieron el HBeAg, 7/25 (28%) seroconvirtieron al antiHBs y 1 quedó sólo antiHBc positivo. La prevalencia del HBsAg en el G.3 fue de 39/5454 (0.7%). El anti VHC fue negativo en todos los pts del G.1, se detectó en 4/310 (1.29%) del G.2 y en 76/5454 del G.3 (1.39%). Conclusiones: Se confirma la alta prevalencia de marcadores de VHB en el síndrome de Down comparando con los otros dos grupos. La ausencia de marcadores para el VHC en el grupo Down debe interpretarse con cautela por el escaso número de enfermos. La prevalencia del mismo en el grupo de enfermos neuropsiquiátricos hospitalizados sin síndrome de Down es similar a la de los dadores voluntarios. El diferente comportamiento del VHB y del VHC tal vez obedezca a diferencias en los modos de transmisión del VHC o a la hipotética ausencia de mecanismos inmunodependientes en la génesis de daño hepático desencadenado por VHC

Latent distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA) in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and chronic autoimmune hepatitis (CAH).

In an attempt to evaluate the latent distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA7) in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), and chronic autoimmune hepatitis (CAH), and differences between them in relation to the sodium urinary excretion ([Na]u), thirty four patients divided in two groups were studied. Group A: 17 patients who fulfilled criteria for PBC diagnosis (clinical and humoral evidence antimitochondrial antibody titles of 1/80 or above by indirect immunofluorescence technique, and liver biopsy). Group B: 17 patients who fulfilled criteria for CAH diagnosis (clinical and humoral evidence, antinuclear and smooth muscle antibody titles of 1/80 or above and liver biopsy). Patients with ascitis and/or edema were excluded from the study. Ability to acidify urine was evaluated by gradient between pC02 in urine and blood (U-BpC02) after alkali infusion. Five patients in Group A (29.4

7) and six in Group B(35.2

) had dRTA, (p = 0.49). When analyzing patients with dRTA in both groups, the mean [Na]u in Group A was 152.2 +/- 33.8, versus 50.8 +/- 8.1 mEq/l, in Group B. (p = 0.00016). We concluded that the prevalence of dRTA was similar in patients with PBC and CAH but the urinary acidifications impairment of the former did not correlate with [Na]u, as it did with the latter.