Antibodies Against Hepatitis C Virus–Like Particles and Viral Clearance in Acute and Chronic Hepatitis C

Thomas F. Baumert, Sabine Wellnitz, Shigeaki Aono, Jujin Satoi, David Herion, J. Tilman Gerlach, Gerd R. Pape, Johnson Y.N. Lau, Jay H. Hoofnagle, Hubert E. Blum, T. Jake Liang – 30 December 2003 – We recently described the efficient assembly of hepatitis C virus (HCV) structural proteins into HCV‐like particles (HCV‐LPs) in insect cells. These noninfectious HCV‐LPs have similar morphologic and biophysical properties as putative virions isolated from HCV‐infected humans and can induce a broadly directed immune response in animal models.

Hepatitis C–induced hepatic allograft injury is associated with a pretransplantation elevated viral replication rate

Shawn J. Pelletier, Daniel P. Raymond, Traves D. Crabtree, Carl L. Berg, Julia C. Iezzoni, Young S. Hahn, Robert G. Sawyer, Timothy L. Pruett – 30 December 2003 – Hepatitis C virus (HCV) allograft infection after liver transplantation follows a variable but accelerated course compared with the nontransplantation population. Predictors of outcome and mechanisms of reinfection remain elusive.

Combination therapy with lamivudine and famciclovir for chronic hepatitis B–infected Chinese patients: A viral dynamics study

George Ka Lau, Manuel Tsiang, Jinlin Hou, Siu‐tsan Yuen, William F. Carman, Liang Zhang, Craig S. Gibbs, Shiu‐kum Lam – 30 December 2003 – In vitro studies have shown that lamivudine and penciclovir (the active metabolite of famciclovir) act synergistically to inhibit hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication. We compared the effectiveness of HBV viral suppression by lamivudine monotherapy versus lamivudine plus famciclovir combination therapy in Chinese patients with chronic HBV infection.

Inhibition of transforming growth factor β prevents progression of liver fibrosis and enhances hepatocyte regeneration in dimethylnitrosamine‐treated rats

Toru Nakamura, Ryuichiro Sakata, Takato Ueno, Michio Sata, Hikaru Ueno – 30 December 2003 – We investigated whether anti–transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β) molecular intervention can halt the progression of liver fibrosis in rats. To block TGF‐β action in a specific manner, we prepared an adenovirus expressing a truncated type II TGF‐β receptor (AdTβ‐TR), which specifically inhibits TGF‐β signaling as a dominant‐negative receptor. We also used an adenovirus expressing bacterial β‐galactosidase (AdLacZ) as a control adenovirus.

Specific detection of minus‐strand hepatitis C virus RNA by reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction on polyA+‐purified RNA

Seyed Taghi Takyar, Dong‐sheng Li, Yong‐hong Wang, Rachel Trowbridge, Eric J. Gowans – 30 December 2003 – A full‐length complementary DNA (cDNA) clone of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome was used to prepare full‐length plus‐ and minus‐strand RNA. The minus‐strand RNA, which contains a polyA+ tract complementary to the polyU tract found in the plus strand (genomic) RNA, but not the plus strand RNA, was captured with a commercial polyA+‐tract isolation system. After elution, the minus strand was amplified by reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR).

Liver transplantation for autoimmune hepatitis: A long‐term pathologic study

Gamze Ayata, Fredric D. Gordon, W. David Lewis, Elizabeth Pomfret, James J. Pomposelli, Roger L. Jenkins, Urmila Khettry – 30 December 2003 – Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) after liver transplantation (LT) may recur and is difficult to diagnose. Our aims were to define the histopathology of and factors related to AIH recurrence. Fourteen of 475 patients received LT for AIH; 2 died perioperatively. Liver specimens (native and post‐LT biopsies) from 12 other patients were reviewed and correlated with pre‐ and post‐LT clinical course and outcome.

Short‐ and long‐term outcome of severe alcohol‐induced hepatitis treated with steroids or enteral nutrition: A multicenter randomized trial

Eduard Cabré, Pilar Rodríguez‐Iglesias, Joan Caballería, Joan C. Quer, José L. Sánchez‐Lombraña, Albert Parés, Michel Papo, Ramon Planas, Miquel A. Gassull – 30 December 2003 – Steroids are recommended in severe alcohol‐induced hepatitis, but some data suggest that artificial nutrition could also be effective. We conducted a randomized trial comparing the short‐ and long‐term effects of total enteral nutrition or steroids in these patients.

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