The association between colorectal cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is still unproven. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) DNA in colorectal tissues from Cuban patients. A total of 63 colorectal formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues were studied (24 adenocarcinoma, 18 adenoma, and 21 colorectal tissues classified as benign colitis). DNA from colorectal samples was analysed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction to detect the most clinically relevant high HR-HPV types (HPV-16, -18, -31, -33, -45, -52, and -58). Associations between histologic findings and other risk factors were also analysed. Overall, HPV DNA was detected in 23.8% (15/63) of the samples studied. Viral infections were detected in 41.7% of adenocarcinoma (10/24) and 27.7% of adenoma cases (5/18). HPV DNA was not found in any of the negative cases. An association between histological diagnosis of adenocarcinoma and HPV infection was observed (odd ratio = 4.85, 95% confidence interval = 1.40-16.80, p = 0.009). The only genotypes identified were HPV 16 and 33. Viral loads were higher in adenocarcinoma, and these cases were associated with HPV 16. This study provides molecular evidence of HR-HPV infection in colorectal adenocarcinoma tissues from Cuban patients.

Combination antiviral therapies have previously been used with success in patients suffering from hepatic cirrhosis caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). We present here the results of a multi-center clinical trial sponsored by the Institute of Gastroenterology, which included a total of 36 patients diagnosed with hepatic cirrhosis due to HCV, at class A stage in the Child scoring scheme. The patients were treated with interferon alfa 2b plus ribavirin during 48 weeks, estimating the efficacy of this combination through qualitative determinations of serum HCV RNA and the biochemical behavior of the hepatic enzyme alanine aminotransferase (ALAT). A sustained virological response was obtained in 25% of the patients, and 50% of the patients controlled their ALAT levels in a sustained manner. The results show that this treatment has a positive effect on cirrhotic patients. There are only a few studies in Cuba describing the results of this therapeutic combination in cirrhotic patients.

La terapia combinada antiviral se ha usado con éxito en pacientes con cirrosis hepática causada por el virus de la hepatitis C (VHC). Este artículo presenta los resultados de ensayos clínicos multicéntricos dirigidos por el Instituto de Gastroenterología de Cuba, para los cuales se seleccionó un grupo de 36 pacientes con cirrosis hepática por el VHC en estadio de Child A, tratados con interferón alfa 2b más ribavirina durante 48 semanas. Se evaluó la eficacia de la combinación terapéutica, mediante la determinación cualitativa del ARN del VHC y el comportamiento bioquímico de la enzima hepática alaninoaminotransferasa (ALAT). En el 25% de los pacientes hubo una respuesta viral sostenida, y en más del 50% de ellos, hubo una estabilidad de los parámetros normales de la ALAT. Los resultados mostraron el efecto positivo de este tratamiento en los pacientes cirróticos. Pocos estudios en Cuba describen los resultados de esta combinación terapéutica en pacientes cirróticos.