Hepatitis: Colle I

Colle I, Adler M, Brenard R, Henrion J, Langlet P, Michielsen P, Orlent H, Reynaert H, Sprengers D, Stärkel P, Van Damme P, Verslype C, Delwaide J, Anonymous00199. · Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Gent, Belgium. · Acta Gastroenterol Belg. · Pubmed #18330099 No free full text.

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Robaeys G, Buntinx F, Bottieau E, Bourgeois S, Brenard R, Colle I, De Bie J, Matheï C, Mulkay JP, Van Damme P, Van Ranst M, Verrando R, Michielsen P, Bourgeois N, Brenard R, de Galocsy Ch, Delwaide J, Henrion J, Horsmans Y, Michielsen P, Reynaert H, Robaeys G, Sprengers D, Anonymous00401. · Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ziekenhuis Oost Limburg, Genk, Schiepse Bos, 6, B-3600 Genk, Belgium. · Acta Gastroenterol Belg. · Pubmed #15832586 No free full text.

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Verslype C, Michielsen P, Adler M, Orlent H, Sprengers D, Delwaide J, D'heygere F, Langlet P, Brenard R, Colle I, Reynaert H, Stärkel P, Henrion J, Anonymous00136. · Department of Hepatology, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium. · Acta Gastroenterol Belg. · Pubmed #16268417 No free full text.

Abstract: Infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) represents an important public health problem and is a leading cause of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Chronic hepatitis C is a heterogeneous disease. Many patients have mild disease at presentation but not all of them will develop advanced liver disease. However, the identification of these patients with mild hepatitis C who will show progressive disease is difficult and is based on histological criteria and the assessment of co-factors (age, alcohol intake, steatosis). In addition, serum transaminases that are persistently normal on several occasions during 18 months may point to a more benign course. Patients with mild hepatitis C should not be excluded "a priori" from the possibility of being treated, as treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin is safe and effective in this group. Overall, the decision to initiate therapy should be individualized and based on the severity of the disease by liver biopsy, the potential of serious side effects, the probability of response and the motivation of the patient.

Delwaide J, Bourgeois N, Colle I, Robaeys G. · Dept. Gastroenterology, CHU Sart Tilman, B-4000 Liège. · Acta Gastroenterol Belg. · Pubmed #12148445 No free full text.

Abstract: Patients at risk for hepatitis C (HCV) are those exposed to a major risk factor (i.e. blood transfusion prior 1990, and intravenous drug abuse), and those exposed to a minor risk factor (sexual, mother-to-infant transmission, household contact, nosocomial contamination). The present paper aims to review the current and past modes of transmission of the virus C.

Van Vlierberghe H, Leroux-Roels G, Adler M, Bourgeois N, Nevens F, Horsmans Y, Brouwer J, Colle I, Delwaide J, Brenard R, Bastens B, Henrion J, de Vries RA, de Galocsy C, Michielsen P, Robaeys G, Bruckers L. · Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium. hans.vanvlierberghe@rug,ac.be · J Viral Hepat. · Pubmed #14633181 No free full text.

Abstract: The standard treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis C is a 6-12-month combination therapy with interferon alpha and ribavirin. Induction treatment could result in a faster early decline of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) load and a better response rate. Naive chronically infected HCV patients (n = 454) were randomized into two arms to receive either induction treatment with interferon alpha 2b 5 million units (MU) subcutaneously (s.c.) daily during a period of 8 weeks (arm A); or treatment with interferon alpha 2b 5 MU s.c. three times a week (TIW) for a period of 8 weeks (arm B). After week 8, interferon treatment in both arms was 3 MU s.c. TIW for a total period of 12 months. In both arms, ribavirin (1000-1200 mg orally per day) was added at week 4. Induction treatment resulted in a higher virological response at week 8 of treatment (66%vs 47%; P < 0.01). However, response at the end of treatment and at 6 months follow-up was not different (53%vs 50%, 41%vs 33%). The occurrence of adverse events and the drop-out rate were similar in both arms. Although an early virological response is observed more frequently in the induction treatment, end of treatment response and sustained responses did not differ.

Robaeys G, Nevens F, Stärkel P, Colle I, Van Eyken P, Bruckers L, Van Ranst M, Buntinx F. · ZOL Campus St.-Jan, Genk, Belgium. · Transplant Proc. · Pubmed #19328933 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: End-stage liver disease due to hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection is the most common reason for liver transplantation. One of the major risk factors for infection with HCV is intravenous drug use (IVDU). The pretransplantation characteristics and outcome of liver transplantation in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infected after IVDU are poorly known. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study in patients with CHC who underwent liver transplantation between 1998 and 2002 in Belgium. Seven patients with and 60 patients without a history of IVDU were compared. RESULTS: Patients with CHC infected after IVDU were primarily men, significantly younger, and affected more by genotype 2 or 3. There was no relapse in substance use. No patients required a second transplantation or developed surgical complications. Progression to fibrosis in the posttransplantation period seemed to be slower. Graft and patient survival, and compliance were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with patients in the non-IVDU group, patients with CHC infected after IVDU in complete remission have the same compliance, and patient and graft survival after liver transplantation. Therefore, patients with IVDU should not be excluded for liver transplantation because of HCV-induced cirrhosis.

Cheung KJ, Tilleman K, Deforce D, Colle I, Van Vlierberghe H. · Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium. · J Viral Hepat. · Pubmed #19226329 No free full text.

Abstract: Liver fibrosis/cirrhosis is a serious health issue in hepatitis C virus (HCV-) infected patients and is currently diagnosed by the invasive liver biopsy. The aim of this study was to find useful fibrosis markers in HCV-patients' sera of different fibrosis degrees (METAVIR F0-F4) based on proteomics. Serum proteome profiles were created by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Profiles were analysed between different degrees of fibrosis (F0-F4) and between early (F0F1) and late (F2F3F4) fibrosis by univariate analyses (P <or= 0.05). Differentially expressed proteins were subsequently identified by mass spectrometry. Mac-2-binding protein, alpha-2-macroglobulin and hemopexin were increased in F4 opposite F0/F1. A-1-antitrypsin, leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein and fetuin-A were decreased in F4 opposite F0/F1. Late fibrosis was characterized by an increase in Mac-2-binding protein, alpha-2-macroglobulin and alpha-1B-glycoprotein expression and a decrease in haptoglobin expression. Mac-2-binding protein expression was confirmed by dot blot assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in a secondary population. In conclusion, serum proteome analysis enabled the detection/identification of existing and new candidate markers in line with fibrosis progression in HCV-patients.

Pelgrom JM, Vogelaers D, Colle I. · University Hospital Ghent, 1P2, HIV Reference Center, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Gent, Belgium. · Acta Clin Belg. · Pubmed #19186567 No free full text.

Abstract: Five Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) seropositive homosexually active men experienced hepatitis C-seroconversion in the period between September 2004 and January 2007 at a single HIV Reference Center (University Hospital Ghent, Belgium). There was no history of intravenous drug use. All had unprotected anal sex with multiple other HIV seropositive men in the recent past. All of them had clinical syphilis and/or lymphogranuloma venereum rectitis within three to six months before the hepatitis C-seroconversion was detected. This confirms the observations in other case reports and studies originating from the Netherlands, France, the United Kingdom and Germany, illustrating sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in this high-risk group. Physicians should be aware of the persistent high-risk behaviour in a subgroup of HIV seropositive homosexually active men and perform intensive sexual counselling and screening for other sexually transmitted diseases, including HCV, during medical follow-up.

Nagler E, Van Vlierberghe H, Colle I, Troisi R, de Hemptinne B. · Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium. · Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. · Pubmed #16003135 No free full text.

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) has been found to accurately predict pre-transplant mortality and is a valuable system for ranking patients in need of liver transplantation. Its association with post-transplant outcome, however, remains unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied 121 adult patients who were transplanted for non-fulminant liver failure between January 1991 and December 2001. MELD scores were calculated taking variables as close as possible prior to liver transplantation. Patients were stratified into two or three groups using different cut-off values of the MELD score. RESULTS: Indications for liver transplantation were mainly alcoholic liver disease (47.1%) or hepatitis C virus (19.0%). Gender distribution was male 62% vs female 38%. Mean age was 54 years+/-10 years. Mean MELD score was 16+/-6. Follow-up time was 5.4 years (range, 1.6-12.3 years). The use of different MELD cut-off levels yielded no difference in survival at different time points. CONCLUSION: Higher MELD scores did not have a negative impact on patient and graft survival following OLT. Since MELD is good at identifying those urgently in need of liver transplantation and high MELD scores do not appear to have an influence on long-term outcome, use of MELD in liver allocation seems warranted.

Van Vlierberghe H, Troisi R, Colle I, Ricciardi S, Praet M, de Hemptinne B. · Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium. · Transplantation. · Pubmed #14742983 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Preliminary data demonstrate that the recurrence of hepatitis C is more severe in patients undergoing adult-to-adult living liver (AAL) transplantation (Tx) in comparison with cadaveric liver (CL) Tx. The authors report on the 1-year follow-up of their cohort of hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients undergoing AALTx or CLTx. METHODS: Twenty-six patients with HCV end-stage liver cirrhosis underwent CLTx and 17 underwent AALTx. The diagnosis of recurrent HCV was made on the basis of increased transaminases, detectable HCV RNA levels, and histologic findings on liver biopsy. Liver biopsies were performed on the basis of clinical indications. Bilirubin concentration, partial thromboplastin time, and alanine aminotransferase activity were compared between the two groups at different time intervals. RESULTS: HCV recurrence was seen in 10 of 26 CLTx patients versus 6 of 17 AALTx patients (P=0.1). Time until recurrence was longer in AALTx patients (158+/-114 days vs. 227+/-154 days, P=0.4). Of the biochemical parameters, only bilirubin concentration at week 4 was significantly different between AALTx and CLTx patients (3.1+/-4.3 mg/dL vs. 1.26+/-0.83 mg/dL, P=0.04). Overall survival and the number of patients needing retransplantation were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: At a follow-up period of 1 year, there is no difference in outcome between end-stage HCV patients undergoing AALTx or CLTx.

Van Vlierberghe H, Verdievel H, Colle I, Delanghe J, Praet M, Bernard D, Leroux-Roels G, De Vos M. · Departments of Gastroenterology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium. · Aliment Pharmacol Ther. · Pubmed #12182756 links to  free full text

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In patients with chronic hepatitis C, elevations in serum iron levels, hepatic iron content and oxidative stress-related molecules have been reported. Treatment with ribavirin induces an increase in hepatic iron concentration. In situations of iron overload, non-transferrin-bound iron can appear. Therefore, we determined non-transferrin-bound iron levels in untreated chronic hepatitis C patients and in patients during interferon-ribavirin treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 10 untreated and 19 interferon-ribavirin-treated chronic hepatitis C patients, we examined non-transferrin-bound iron levels by a colorimetric method using nitrilotriacetic acid as a ligand and sodium triscarbonatecobalt (III) to block free iron binding sites on transferrin. RESULTS: Despite the presence of high serum iron saturation and ferritin levels, non-transferrin-bound iron was absent in the majority of hepatitis C virus patients (25/29, 86%). There was no difference in non-transferrin-bound iron levels between untreated and treated patients. Four patients with high non-transferrin-bound iron levels were distinguished by higher serum iron levels. In two of these patients, hepatocytic iron was present on liver biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: In the majority of chronic hepatitis C patients, non-transferrin-bound iron levels are normal. Treatment with ribavirin does not induce high non-transferrin-bound iron levels. Non-transferrin-bound iron levels are only higher than normal in hepatitis C patients with higher serum iron levels.

Colle I, Hautekeete M. · Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Free University of Brussels, Belgium. · Liver. · Pubmed #9928767 No free full text.

Abstract: Little is known about the evolution of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) during pregnancy. Some authors reported worsening of the liver disease during pregnancy, whereas others reported stable conditions. We present two untreated patients who had remission of the autoimmune hepatitis in the second half of their pregnancies. One of the patients exhibited this phenomenon twice during two consecutive pregnancies. We speculate that the immunosuppressive effect of pregnancy induced remission of the autoimmune hepatitis in our patients.

Colle I, Naegels S, Hoorens A, Hautekeete M. · Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Academic Hospital, Free University of Brussels, Belgium. · J Clin Gastroenterol. · Pubmed #9916665 No free full text.

This publication has no abstract.