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Interferon Lambda-3 Polymorphism And Response To Pegylated Interferon In Patients With Hepatitis D, Zaigham Abbas, Javed Yakoob, Muhammad A. Umer,, Minaam Abbas, Saeed Hamid

Section of Gastroenterology

Background: Specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) near the interferon lambda-3 (IFNλ3) gene (formerly interleukin 28B) influence the response to treatment with interferon in hepatitis C patients. We aimed to investigate such an influence in hepatitis D patients.
Methods: The study population consisted of hepatitis D patients who were previously treated with pegylated interferon for one year and who were spontaneous clearers of the virus post recent superinfection. The SNP of IFNλ3, rs12979860, was determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism protocol.
Results: The total number of patients was 64; median age was 30.5 years and 53 were male. The …

Hepatocellular Carcinoma In Hepatitis D: Does It Differ From Hepatitis B Monoinfection?, Z Abbas, Qureshi M, Saeed Hamid, Wasim Jafri

Section of Gastroenterology

Background/Aim: Hepatitis D virus (HDV) superinfection in patients with chronic hepatitis B leads to accelerated liver injury, early cirrhosis, and decompensation. It may be speculated that hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) may differ in these patients from hepatitis B virus (HBV) monoinfection. The aim of this study was to compare clinical aspects of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients of hepatitis D with HBV monoinfection.

Patients and Methods: A total of 92 consecutive HCC cases seropositive for antibody against HDV antigen (HDV group) were compared with 92 HBsAg-positive and anti-HDV-negative cases (HBV group).

Results: The features including sex, body mass index, presence of ascites, …

Prevalence Of Hepatitis D In Hbsag Positive Patients Visiting Liver Clinics, Naresh Kumar Seetlani, Zaigham Abbas, Sajjad Raza, Javed Yakoob, Wasim Jafri

Section of Gastroenterology

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of hepatitis D in HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen) positive patients visiting liver clinics.

Methodology: All HbsAg positive patients who had visited two liver clinics; in Karachi and in Jacobabad, from October 2007 to March 2008, were included in this study. These patients were tested for HBV DNA and HDV RNA by PCR technique, HBeAg and anti-HDV. Clinical status of the patients was evaluated by examination, routine biochemical tests and ultrasound.

Results: Total numbers of patients included in the study were 362 comprising of 151 patients from the clinic in Jacobabad and 211 from Karachi. …