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Biomedical subjects

G Raimondo

Publications and source records attributed to G Raimondo.

71 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

Multicentre study of prevalence of HBV-associated delta infection and liver disease in drug-addicts.

To assess the epidemiological and pathogenic effects of infection with the hepatitis-B-virus (HBV)-associated delta agent in addicts who take drugs parenterally, 225 symptomless addicts from Italy and 261 addicts with HBsAg-positive hepatitis from Italy, Denmark, Switzerland, and Ireland were tested for delta antigen (delta-Ag) and its antibody (anti-delta) by radioimmunoassay. 79 liver biopsy specimens from HBsAg-positive addicts were also tested for intrahepatic delta-Ag by immunofluorescence. Anti-delta was found in 9 (27%) of 33 of the symptomless HBsAg-positive addicts, in 13 (8%) of 156 of those without HBsAg but with anti-HBs, and in none of those negative for HBV markers. The prevalence of serum delta-Ag or anti-delta among addicts with HBsAg-positive hepatitis was 64% (104/161) in Italy, 44% (8/18) in Denmark, 33% (11/33) in Switzerland, and 31% (15/49) in Ireland. 32 of the 79 (40%)liver biopsy specimens from HBsAg-positive addicts showed positive delta-Ag immunofluorescence. Delta infection occurring simultaneously with HBV infection is common and possibly a major cause of liver disease in drug addicts who receive drug parenterally. The spread of delta infection in drug-using communities is not confined to one country, and the drug habit may represent the major means by which delta agent spreads in areas of the Western world where this infection is not endemic.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Radioimmunoassay detection of IgM antibodies to the HBV-associated delta (delta) antigen:" clinical significance in delta infection.

A sensitive radioimmunoassay was developed for specific detection of IgM antibodies to the hepatitis b virus-associated delta antigen. The test is based on the selective absorption of IgM by anti-IgM fixed on a solid phase. Transient primary IgM anti-delta responses with no conversion to a secondary IgG response were observed in acute self-limited delta infection. IgM anti-delta was invariably found in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers with active delta infection and liver disease, while it was absent in HBsAg-positive or negative individuals with anti-delta of IgG class but without liver damage or intrahepatic delta antigen. IgM anti-delta appears useful in defining the epidemiology of acute delta infection and in the serological diagnosis of active delta disease from nonpathogenic or past delta infection.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Dane particle-associated hepatitis B e antigen in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection and hepatitis B e antibody.

A commercial radioimmunoassay was adapted to detect serum Dane particle-associated HBeAg in patients whose sera contained homologous antibody. HBeAg was released from Dane particles with guanidine HCl. Dane particles were separated from anti-HBe by gel-filtration (Sepharose 4B) and ultracentrifugation of the eluate. Dane particle-HBeAg was tested in 45 HBsAg carriers with anti-HBe and was present in 8 (18%) carriers, all of whom had chronic liver disease. By contrast, HBeAg was not found in 10 carriers with normal liver histology. Serum or liver HBcAg was found in 6 of 8 patients with Dane particle-HBeAg. None of the carriers without Dane particle-HBeAg had other markers of hepatitis B virion synthesis. We conclude that Dane particle-HBeAg provides a sensitive index of active hepatitis B virus replication, a guide to the presence of chronic hepatitis in HBsAg carriers with anti-HBe, and a noninvasive method to follow infection in these patients.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Polyphasic type A hepatitis: histological features.

The histology of polyphasic type A hepatitis was analyzed in liver biopsy specimens of two patients. The microscopic examination showed, together with changes of acute viral hepatitis, portal plasma cell infiltration, limiting plate erosion and porto-portal bridging necrosis. These features, although sometimes described in classical HAV hepatitis, appear to be similar to those commonly observed in severe and evolving forms of acute hepatitis due to other hepatotropic viruses. Only careful serological analyses can lead to a correct diagnosis and prognosis in case of polyphasic type A hepatitis.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Occult HBV infection and suppression of HCV replication in the early phase of combination therapy for chronic hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND: Occult HBV infection in subjects with chronic hepatitis C is related to more severe disease outcome. It has been suggested that it might reduce sensitivity to antiviral treatment. AIMS: To assess in HBsAg negative subjects with chronic hepatitis C any effect of the presence of HBV genomes in the liver on the early kinetics of HCV-RNA under PEG-IFN plus ribavirin. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-two anti-HCV and HCV-RNA positive subjects, with biopsy-proven chronic hepatitis C (M/F 15/7; 50 +/- 8.6 years, 16 genotype 1b) were given PEG-IFN alpha 2b 1.0 microg qw plus ribavirin (800 to 1,200 mg daily according to body weight) for an intended 52 week period. Early virological response was assessed over the first 4 weeks of therapy by quantifying HCV-RNA. Occult HBV infection was assessed by testing for HBV-DNA in the liver before therapy. RESULTS: HBV genomes were found in the liver of 7 of 22 (31.4%) patients, unrelated to anti-HBc status. Kinetics of HCV-RNA during the first 4 weeks of antiviral treatment was unaffected by occult HBV infection, both in terms of absolute reduction of viral load and of number of cases with a reduction of > or = 2 log10 on treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Occult HBV infection does not affect the early phase of response to combination therapy. Further follow-up of patients into the maintenance phase of antiviral treatment and after stopping it will clarify if and when occult HBV has a role in reducing sustained virological response.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of hepatitis B and C virus infections in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and without liver disease.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are hepatotropic and lymphotropic viruses endemic to Sicily. To evaluate whether these viruses may chronically infect patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and without liver disease, we examined serum samples from 24 such patients. Five cases (20.8%) revealed HCV infection, as shown by the detection of viral RNA through the polymerase chain reaction technique, while HBV-DNA was not found in any of them by the same method. These results provide one more epidemiological element supporting the hypothesis that the association between HCV infection and lymphoproliferative diseases is not a casual event, and show that HCV may chronically infect patients with NHL without producing liver damage.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Tauroursodeoxycholic acid for the treatment of HCV-related chronic hepatitis: a multicenter placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Tauroursodeoxycholic acid is a promising drug for the treatment of chronic cholestatic liver diseases since it has more favourable physicochemical and metabolic properties than ursodeoxycholic acid. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid may be of benefit also for necroinflammatory liver disease, especially for HCV-related chronic hepatitis in which bile duct damage and some degree of cholestasis are frequently seen at histology. METHODOLOGY: One hundred and fifty patients with chronic hepatitis were randomly assigned to receive tauroursodeoxycholic acid at daily doses of 500 mg or 750 mg, or a placebo for 6 months. RESULTS: A consistent decrease in aminotransferase serum levels was observed in patients treated with tauroursodeoxycholic acid compared with placebo (p<0.001) and a progressive improvement with time was also found (p<0.05; linear time effect). CONCLUSIONS: Tauroursodeoxycholic acid improves the biochemical expression of chronic hepatitis. Long-term studies with clinically relevant end-points are warranted.

Alanine Transaminase↗