oes peripheral T-lymphocyte subpopulations correlate with hepatitis B virus load?July 29, 2009Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a dynamic process with variable biochemical, virological and histological profiles at different stages of the infection, depending on host and viral factors. Furthermore, this profile may change at a variable pace over time. The correlation between detection of T-cell response and HBV load in chronic HBV infection remains unknown. In each of the clinical stages of chronic HBV infection, whether the composition of T-cell subpopulations is different and relates to viral load. Thus characterization of T-cell profile is relevant to improved understanding of chronic HBV infection and the design of antiviral therapy. A research article to be published on July 21, 2009 in the World Journal of Gastroenterology addresses this question. The research team, led by Professor Jing You from the Department of Infectious Diseases of the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University of China and the Epidemiology Unit of the Faculty of Medicine of Prince of Songkla University of Thailand, investigated the peripheral T-cell subpopulation profiles and their correlation with viral replication in different clinical stages of chronic HBV infection. The article further indicated that the clinical stages of chronic HBV infection, separated on virological and biochemical parameters, have characteristic peripheral T-cell subpopulation profiles. HBV load, in patients at immune-tolerant and -active stages, contributes to the variations of peripheral T cell subpopulation profiles. The results revealed T-cell impairment was significantly associated with HBV replication level. The substantial linear dose-response relationship and strong independent predictive effect of serum HBV load level on T-lymphocyte subpopulations suggests the possibility of a causal relationship between them. And this relationship exists in immune-tolerant patients and immune-active patients. The multivariate multiple regression analysis demonstrated a partial independent effects of HBeAg and HBV precore mutant infection on T-cell profile. Multivariate multiple regression displayed that log copies of HBV DNA still maintained its highly significant predictive coefficient for T-cell subpopulations, and was the strongest predictor of variation of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ cells and CD4+/CD8+ ratio after adjustment for age at HBV-infection, maternal HBV-infection status, presence of HBeAg and HBV mutation, HBV viral load in patients at the immune-tolerant and immune-active stages contributes to the variations in peripheral T cell subpopulation profile, which is relevant to the design of individualized new anti-viral strategies. Further study is required to better understand the complex host-virus interaction that determines the persistence and outcome of HBV infection. World Journal of Gastroenterology |
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| Related Hepatitis Current Events and Hepatitis News Articles Toward explaining why hepatitis B hits men harder than women Scientists in China are reporting discovery of unusual liver proteins, found only in males, that may help explain the long-standing mystery of why the hepatitis B virus (HBV) sexually discriminates -- hitting men harder than women. Largest-ever database for liver proteins may lead to treatments for hepatitis Scientists at a group of 11 research centers in China are reporting for the first time assembly of the largest-ever collection of data about the proteins produced by genes in a single human organ. Mount Sinai finds those with more difficult to treat forms of HCV are half as likely to get treated A new study by Mount Sinai researchers has for the first time found that patients with more difficult to treat forms of hepatitis C are half as likely to initiate treatment for the disease, when compared to patients with hepatitis C that is easier to treat. Extending treatment after liver transplant may benefit patients with hepatitis C recurrence Extending hepatitis C treatment for liver transplant patients beyond current practice results in high rates of clearance of the hepatitis C virus from the blood, as well as a low rate of relapse, according to a Henry Ford Hospital study. Hepatitis B does not increase risk for pancreatic cancer A Henry Ford Hospital study found that hepatitis B does not increase the risk for pancreatic cancer - and that only age is a contributing factor. Governor recognizes stem cell research at Einstein Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University hosted a roundtable discussion on stem cell research with New York Governor David A. Paterson today. Liver cells grown from patients' skin cells Scientists at The Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee have successfully produced liver cells from patients' skin cells opening the possibility of treating a wide range of diseases that affect liver function. Injury and hazards in home health care nursing are a growing concern Patients continue to enter home healthcare ''sicker and quicker," often with complex health problems that may require extensive nursing care. Medication effective for acute liver failure in early stages of disease The antidote for acute liver failure caused by acetaminophen poisoning also can treat acute liver failure due to most other causes if given before severe injury occurs, UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers and their colleagues at 21 other institutions have found. New aging studies improving vaccine efficacy for the elderly A new study from the Trudeau Institute in Saranac Lake, New York, demonstrates that immune system cells important for both pathogen resistance and vaccine efficacy live longer in older animals but because of this longevity acquire functional defects. More Hepatitis Current Events and Hepatitis News Articles |
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