Non-invasive Biomarkers of Fibrosis in Pediatric Liver Diseases
Viral HepatitisLiver Fibrosis3 moreThis study is being conducted to develop new techniques for early diagnosis of liver disease. These techniques are: Shearwave Elastography (SWE) ultrasound and blood biomarkers. SWE ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to view soft tissues such as muscles and internal organs and measure stiffness. An ultrasound creates computer images that show internal body organs, such as the liver or kidneys, more clearly than regular x-ray images. Biomarkers are biological molecules found in the blood that provide important information about liver disease.
Determination of HCV Prevalence in a HIV Patient Cohort in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Hepatitis CHIVHepatitis C (HCV) is an important global public health problem, disproportionately affecting HIV positive populations. Asia and Africa account for most of the co-infection burden, but access to HCV screening and treatment is still very limited. It is expected though, with the recent therapeutic advances and increasing global advocacy efforts, that HCV treatment should become a feasible option in the near future. Sihanouk Hospital Center of HOPE (Phnom Penh, Cambodia) is catering for one of the largest HIV cohorts of the country, followed in an ambulatory settings. In this cohort, the prevalence of HCV co-infection will be determined, as well as HCV genotype diversity and the severity of liver disease. The researcher will also explore the performance of simple blood tests/panels as predictors of significant fibrosis and/or cirrhosis. Patients will attend two study-visits. All adult patients of the HIV patient cohort of SHCH will be proposed HCV testing during their next HIV follow-up consultation, following the latest algorithm of the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) (May 2013). Anamnesis and clinical examination will focus, additionally to routine practice, on presence of general and HCV liver-disease related features. Laboratory analyses will include basic HIV tests (CD4), and tests for liver function such as Hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) . During the following routine HIV follow-up consultation, the results of HCV testing will be explained to the patient. If the patient is HCV negative, his/her study participation ends here. If currently infected with HCV, the clinician will repeat the HCV liver-disease (extra-hepatic & hepatic) related anamnesis and clinical examination, and prescribe additional blood tests for the non-invasive liver fibrosis/cirrhosis blood panel tests, liver and kidney function. Patients will moreover be asked to undergo a liver ultrasound and liver stiffness measurements.
A Study of Predictors of the Effectiveness of Pegylated Interferon in a Cohort of Participants With...
Hepatitis CChronicThis prospective observational study will investigate predictive values of virological response in pegylated interferon alfa-2a (Pegasys)/ribavirin (Copegus) treatment-naive participants with chronic hepatitis C. Participants will be treated with pegylated interferon alfa-2a and ribavirin as prescribed by the physician. Data will be collected for a maximum of 96 weeks.
Predictive Factors of the Treatment Failure in Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infected Patients Treated...
Chronic Hepatitis CThe purpose of the study is to 1- detect and quantify HCV-PI resistant mutants with ultra-deep pyrosequencing (UDPS) technology, 2 - detect SNPs in P-glyocoprotein and CYP3A genes, in HCV mono-infected patients under/after Telaprevir treatment.
Natural History of Hepatitis C in Patients With Normal Liver Tests
Chronic Hepatitis CThe Major goals of this project was to assess the natural history of disease in chronic hepatitis C patients with normal ALT and to determine the virologic and host factors associated with disease severity.
Reasons for Non-treatment of Hepatitis C in HCV Mono-infected Patients Versus HCV-HIV Co-infected...
HIV InfectionsThe specific aims of this study are to determine the treatment prescription rates for Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in a cohort of HCV mono-infected, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-HCV co-infected patients and to identify the reasons for non-treatment of HCV in these two groups.
Cerebral Effects of Pegylated Interferon in Hepatitis C Positive Subjects
Hepatitis CThe hypothesis of this study is that pegylated interferon would cause cognitive deficits and mood changes in hepatitis C (HCV) positive subjects.
Generation of Anti-HCV Antibodies From Bone Marrow: Defining the Repertoire of Immune Response to...
Hepatitis CTo generate a library of genes that reflect the entirety of antibody responses to hepatitis C virus (HCV) made during the 20-year course of HCV infection in a single patient (WH) whose viral quasispecies has been extensively characterized. In addition to characterizing the sequential events in antibody formation and their relationship to the changing pattern of viral quasispecies, we hope to identify neutralizing antibodies and the epitopes to which they are directed. Ultimately we seek to gain insight into the host mechanisms that suppress viral replication and to translate this to therapeutic and preventive modalities.
Viral Load Changes in Lymphoma Patients With HCV Infection After Chemotherapy
LymphomaHepatitis C Antibodies1 moreIn last few years, most researches about hepatic complication after chemotherapy focused on hepatitis B virus (HBV). With adequate prophylaxis and monitor, HBV-related hepatitis flares can be prevented. In contrast, cancer patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are traditionally considered as relative safe to receive chemotherapy. However, two large retrospective studies recently showed that severe hepatitis could develop in 14-27% lymphoma patients with chronic HCV infection, including 3-4% hepatic failure. The risk factors to predict severe hepatitis are pre-treatment elevated ALT level and liver cirrhosis. Due to the lack of prospective studies, the dynamic changes of serum HCV RNA levels and the association of hepatitis are still unclear. Some epidemiologic studies demonstrated an association between HCV infection and B-cell lymphoma. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common lymphoma and several reports showed higher prevalence of HCV infection among DLBCL patients than the controls. HCV infected DLBCL patients are reported to have distinct clinical characteristics, such as older, more with elevated LDH levels, and more with extra-nodal involvement. Regarding the impact of HCV infection on prognosis, the results are conflicting. Taiwan is an endemic area of HCV but there are limited reports addressing the clinical characteristics and prognosis in this unique population. Therefore, the investigators initiate a prospective, multi-center observational study to clarify the dynamic association between serum HCV RNA levels and hepatitis in HCV-infected lymphoma patients treated with chemotherapy.
Pattern of Skin Manifestations in Chronic Hepatitis c Virus Patients Before and After Direct Acting...
Hepatitis CChronicHepatitis C is an infectious disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) that primarily affects the liver. It is one of the main causes of chronic liver diseases worldwide . According to World Health Organization (WHO), 2011 , Egypt has particularly high rates of Hepatitis C (22%). Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is known to induce both hepatic and extra-hepatic manifestations. About 17% of HCV patients present with at least one skin manifestation, which can be directly or indirectly induced by chronic HCV infection .