Abstract Introduction: Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) has a spectrum of symptoms ranging from asymptomatic disease to acute severe hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, and decompensated cirrhosis. The acute presentation is not rare and could represent genuine acute AIH (GAAIH) or acute exacerbation of chronic autoimmune hepatitis. We aimed to identify the prevalence, clinical features, and prognostic factors associated with GAAIH and compare these cases with acute exacerbation of chronic AIH. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study evaluated patients with acute AIH presentation, defined as total bilirubin >5 times the upper limit of normality (xULN) and/or alanine aminotransferase >10 xULN, and no prior history of liver disease. Histology findings of acute disease defined GAAIH. Bivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with the GAAIH, when compared with acute exacerbation of chronic AIH. Results: Seventy-two patients with acute presentation of AIH were included and six (8.3%) of them presented GAAIH. Comparative analysis between patients with GAAIH and patients with acute exacerbation of chronic AIH revealed that prothrombin activity (96% [74-100] vs. 61% [10-100]; p = 0.003) and albumin levels (3.9 ± 0.2 g/dL vs. 3.4 ± 0.5 g/dL; p < 0.001) were higher in patients with GAAIH. The International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group score was higher in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic AIH (18.5 [8-23] vs. 16.5 [15-17]; p = 0.010). Compared to 15.2% of acute exacerbation of chronic AIH, complete therapeutic response to treatment was achieved in 67.7% of cases with GAAIH (p = 0.018). Conclusions: GAAIH was rare (8.3%), and patients with this presentation exhibited more preserved liver function tests, suggesting that most cases presenting with loss of function are acute exacerbation of chronic AIH. Additionally, patients with GAAIH had a better complete therapeutic response, suggesting a more preserved liver function at presentation, and early diagnosis has a positive therapeutic implication.

Resumo Introdução: A hepatite autoimune (HAI) apresenta um espectro de sintomas que varia de doença assintomática a hepatite aguda grave, hepatite crónica e cirrose descompensada. A apresentação aguda não é rara e pode representar hepatite autoimune aguda genuína (HAIAG) ou exacerbação aguda de hepatite autoimune crónica (EAHAIC). O nosso objetivo foi identificar a prevalência, caraterísticas clínicas e fatores prognósticos associados à HAIAG, e comparar esses casos com EAHAIC. Métodos: Estudo observacional, transversal, incluindo doentes com apresentação aguda de HAI, definida como bilirrubina total > 5 vezes o limite superior da normalidade (xLSN) e/ou ALT > 10 xLSN, e sem história prévia de doença hepática. HAIAG foi definida pela presença de achados histológicos de doença aguda. Análises bivariadas foram realizadas para identificar fatores associados à HAIAG, quando comparado com o EAHAIC. Resultados: Foram incluídos setenta e dois doentes com apresentação agu-da de HAI, dos quais seis (8.3%) com HAIAG. A análise comparativa entre doentes com HAIAG e doentes com EAHAIC mostrou que a atividade de protrombina (96%(74-100) versus 61% (10-100; p=0.003) e os níveis de albumina (3,9 ± 0,2 g/dL vs. 3,4 ± 0,5 g/dL; p < 0,001) foram significativamente mais elevados em pacientes com HAIAG. O score do Grupo Internacional de Hepatite Autoimune foi mais elevado em doentes com EAHAIC (18.5 (8-23) versus 16.5 (15-17); p=0.010). A resposta terapêutica completa ao tratamento foi alcançada em 66.7% dos casos de HAIAG (vs. 15,2% na EAHAIC, p=0,018). Conclusões: A HAIAG é rara (8.3%), e os doentes com esta apresentação mostraram testes de função hepática mais preservados, sugerindo que a maioria dos casos com perda de função são EAHAIC. Além disso, os doentes com HAIAG tiveram maior taxa de resposta terapêutica completa, sugerindo que uma função hepática mais preservada na apresentação e o diagnóstico precoce tem uma implicação terapêutica positiva.

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the effects of mesenchymal stem cells on liver regeneration in rats following a 70% hepatectomy. Methods: Forty rats were subjected to 70% hepatectomy and then ~106 mesenchymal stem cells (test group), or saline solution (control group), were infused into their livers via the portal vein. Each treatment group was divided into early and late subgroups (euthanized 3 d and 5 d following the operation, respectively). Group comparisons of Albumin, aminotransaminases (AST, ALT), and Alcaline Phosphatase (AP) levels, proliferative index (ki-67+ straining), and mitotic cell counts were conducted. Results: No significant differences in liver regeneration rate, number of mitoses, proliferative index, or serum levels of albumin, AST, or AP were observed. ALT levels were higher in the test group than in the control group (p<.05). Conclusions: Mesenchymal stem-cell therapy did not improve liver regeneration rate 3 d or 5 d after 70% hepatectomy in rats. Likewise, the therapy appeared not to affect liver function, proliferative index, or number of mitoses significantly.

ABSTRACT Background. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common malignancy that develops in cirrhotic livers. Its clinical and epidemiological characteristics and mortality rates vary according to geographical region. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical profile, epidemiological characteristics, laboratory parameters, treatment and survival of patients with HCC. Material and methods. Patients with HCC seen between 2000 and 2012 were studied. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis according to variables in question. Results. The study included 247 patients with a mean age of 60 ± 10 years. There was a predominance of males (74%). The main etiologies of HCC were HCV infection (55%), excessive alcohol consumption (12%), and HBV infection (8%). Liver cirrhosis was present in 92% of cases. The mean tumor number and diameter were 2 and 5 cm, respectively. Patients meeting the Milan criteria corresponded to 43% of the sample. Liver transplantation was performed in 22.4% of patients of the Milan subset and in 10% of the whole sample. The overall mean survival was 60 months, with a 1-, 3- and 5-year survival probability of 74%, 40% and 29%, respectively. Lower survival was observed among patients with alcoholic etiology. Survival was higher among patients submitted to liver transplantation (P < 0.001), TACE (P < 0.001), or any kind of treatment (P < 0.001). However, no difference was found for surgical resection (P = 0.1) or sorafenib (P = 0.1). Conclusion. Patients with HCC were mainly older men diagnosed at an advanced stage. Treatment was associated with better overall survival, but few patients survived to be treated.

ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To describe an animal model for acute liver failure by intraperitoneal d-galactosamine injections in rats and to define when is the best time to intervene through King's College and Clichy´s criteria evaluation. METHODS: Sixty-one Wistar female rats were distributed into three groups: group 1 (11 rats received 1.4 g/kg of d-galactosamine intraperitoneally and were observed until they died); group 2 (44 rats received a dose of 1.4 g/kg of d-galactosamine and blood and histological samples were collected for analysis at 12 , 24, 48 , 72 and 120 hours after the injection); and the control group as well (6 rats) . RESULTS: Twelve hours after applying d-galactosamine, AST/ALT, bilirubin, factor V, PT and INR were already altered. The peak was reached at 48 hours. INR > 6.5 was found 12 hours after the injection and factor V < 30% after 24 hours. All the laboratory variables presented statistical differences, except urea (p = 0.758). There were statistical differences among all the histological variables analyzed. CONCLUSION: King's College and Clichy´s criteria were fulfilled 12 hours after the d-galactosamine injection and this time may represent the best time to intervene in this acute liver failure animal model.

A paracoccidioidomicose e a histoplasmose são infecções fúngicas sistêmicas endêmicas no Brasil. As formas clínicas disseminadas são incomuns em pacientes imunocompetentes. Nós descrevemos dois pacientes HIV-negativos com infecções fúngicas disseminadas, paracoccidioidomicose e histoplasmose, que foram diagnosticadas por biópsias de lesões de supra-renal. Ambos foram tratados por períodos prolongados com antifúngicos orais, evoluindo com boa resposta terapêutica.

Paracoccidioidomycosis and histoplasmosis are systemic fungal infections endemic in Brazil. Disseminated clinical forms are uncommon in immunocompetent individuals. We describe two HIV-negative patients with disseminated fungal infections, paracoccidioidomycosis and histoplasmosis, who were diagnosed by biopsies of suprarenal lesions. Both were treated for a prolonged period with oral antifungal agents, and both showed favorable outcomes.

PURPOSE:To evaluate the protective effects of chilling the bile ducts with cold (5°C) 5% glucose solution (GS) during radiofrequency (RF) administration.METHODS:Twenty male pigs (3 mos. old; 25-30 kg) were subjected to RF delivery with chilling (experimental group, N=10) or without chilling (control group, N=10). Half of the animals in each group were euthanized immediately after the operation, and half were euthanized one week later. The following histological variables in relation to the bile ducts were evaluated by a pathologist (blind examiner): degenerative changes to the epithelium; epithelial necrosis; ulceration, regenerative changes of the epithelium; polymorphonuclear neutrophil infiltration; and thermal effects.RESULTS: The experimental group (88 bile ducts examined) showed reduced thermal damage relative to the control group (86 bile ducts examined) as demonstrated by significant differences in the following histopathological parameters: epithelial detachment of biliary epithelium (84.1% vs. 59.3%; p<0.006); elongation/palisade arrangement of nuclei (65.1% vs. 87.5%; p<0.001); pseudo-goblet cells (32.9% vs. 56.8%; p<0.001).CONCLUSION: Infusion of 5% glucose solution (5°C) has a protective effect on bile ducts subjected to heat (95-110°C, 12 min) from radiofrequency thermal ablation device.

A complexa interação entre infecção pelo vírus da hepatite C, homeostase do ferro e resposta ao tratamento antiviral permanece controversa. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a influência da concentração hepática de ferro (CHF) na resposta virológica sustentada (RVS) à terapia antiviral na hepatite C crônica. Foram incluídos 50 pacientes que foram submetidos à biopsia hepática pré-tratamento com determinação da CHF por espectrofotometria de absorção atômica com forno de grafite e tratados posteriormente com interferon/peginterferon e ribavirina. Pacientes com alcoolismo, história de múltiplas transfusões sanguíneas, doença renal crônica, anemia hemolítica e terapia com ferro parenteral foram excluídos. O perfil de ferro sérico e a CHF foram comparados entre aqueles que atingiram RVS e os não-respondedores (NR). A média de idade dos pacientes foi 45,7 anos e não houve diferença na proporção de homens e mulheres entre os grupos RVS e NR. A mediana do ferro sérico foi 138 and 134 µg/dL (p = 0.9), a mediana da ferritina sérica foi 152,5 e 179,5 ng/mL (p = 0,87) e a CHF mediana foi 9,9 e 8,2 µmol/g de tecido seco (p = 0,51), para pacientes com RVS e NR, respectivamente. Concluindo, a concentração hepática de ferro, determinada por um método quantitativo confiável, não foi um fator preditivo negativo de RVS em pacientes com hepatite C crônica e acúmulo de ferro hepático leve a moderado.

The complex interaction between hepatitis C virus infection, iron homeostasis and the response to antiviral treatment remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of hepatic iron concentration (HIC) on the sustained virological response (SVR) to antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C. A total of 50 patients who underwent pretreatment liver biopsy with assessment of HIC by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy and were subsequently submitted to antiviral treatment with interferon/peginterferon and ribavirin were included in the study. Patients with alcoholism, history of multiple blood transfusion, chronic kidney disease, hemolytic anemia and parenteral iron therapy were excluded. The iron related markers and HIC were compared between those who achieved an SVR and non-responders (NR) patients. The mean age was 45.7 years and the proportion of patients' gender was not different between SVR and NR patients. The median serum iron was 138 and 134 µg/dL (p = 0.9), the median serum ferritin was 152.5 and 179.5 ng/mL (p = 0.87) and the median HIC was 9.9 and 8.2 µmol/g dry tissue (p = 0.51), for SVR and NR patients, respectively. Thus, hepatic iron concentration, determined by a reliable quantitative method, was not a negative predictive factor of SVR in patients with chronic hepatitis C presenting mild to moderate hepatic iron accumulation.

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o efeito da infecção pelo vírus GB-C em marcadores laboratoriais e parâmetros histológicos em pacientes HIV soropositivos coinfectados com VHC. Menor grau de lesão hepática foi observado nos pacientes com tripla infecção em comparação aos pacientes coinfectados com VIH-VHC negativos para GBV-C RNA.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of GB virus C on laboratory markers and histological parameters among HIV-seropositive patients coinfected with HCV. Lower degrees of hepatic lesions were observed in the triple-infected patients, in comparison with HIV-HCV coinfected patients who were negative for GBV-C RNA.

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: O infarto hepático é definido como necrose isquêmica do parênquima hepático envolvendo pelo menos dois ácinos. Trata-se de evento considerado raro devido ao duplo suprimento sangüíneo, arterial e venoso. O objetivo deste estudo foi relatar um caso de paciente não sabidamente diabética que desenvolveu extensas áreas isquêmicas de infarto hepático, após quadro de descompensação aguda da diabete. RELATO DO CASO: Paciente do sexo feminino, 67 anos, hipertensa, procurou o Pronto Socorro com queixas de polidipsia, poliúria, turvação visual, náuseas e vômitos, dificuldade para deambular, havia aproximadamente 10 dias. Ao exame físico foi observado desidratação, palidez cutânea, cianose periférica, hipotermia, taquicardia, hipotensão, dor abdominal leve e difusa. Exames laboratoriais mostraram: leucócitos: 16800, creatinina (Cr): 3,7, uréia (Ur): 167, Na: 133, K: 6.9, glicose: 561; gasometria arterial (cateter de oxigênio: 2 L/min): pH: 6.93, pCO2: 12.1, pO2: 107, BE: -28,8, HCO3: 2,4, Sat 91,3%, lact: 79; urina I: pH: 6,0; leucócitos: 13; densidade: 1015; eritrócitos: 19; proteína: ++; glicose: +++; bilirrubina: negativa; corpos cetônicos: + denotando cetonemia. Eletrocardiograma com onda T apiculada, bloqueio de ramo direito. A paciente foi tratada com insulina, hidratação, bicarbonato de sódio e introduzido antibioticoterapia. Após o tratamento inicial, os exames laboratoriais mostraram: Cr: 2,2, Ur: 122, Na: 162, K: 4,3, Ca: 6,4, glicose: 504, pH: 7,01, HCO3: 7.1, BE: - 22. Um dia após, a paciente apresentou importante dor abdominal acompanhada de irritação peritoneal, além de sonolência e dificuldade para falar; exames laboratoriais mostraram: pH: 7,4, pCO2 : 31, pO2: 68, BE: -4,4, HCO3: 19, Sat.O2: 93,5%; Ur: 95; Cr: 1,4, albumina: 2,4, Ca: 0,95, Na: 166, K:4, bilirrubina: 0,5, bilirrubina D/I: 0,2/0,3, amilase: 1157, Gama-GT: 56, AST 7.210, ALT: 2.470, VHS: 15, lipase: 84. Ultrasonografia abdominal não apresentou alterações significativas. Evoluiu com importante piora clínica, parada cardiorrespiratória e óbito. A necrópsia evidenciou múltiplas áreas de infarto hepático, trombose vascular, infarto esplênico, congestão visceral e aterosclerose de aorta e seus ramos e pâncreas normal. CONCLUSÕES: Os mecanismos de infarto hepático e esplênico neste caso não foram bem elucidados. Alguns fatores devem ter contribuído, tais como: desidratação e hipotensão devido a episódios de vômitos e febre que contribuem para diminuição do fluxo sanguíneo da veia porta e artéria hepática; o nível elevado de catecolaminas que ocorre em estado de hiperglicemia e cetoacidose metabólica pode induzir à vasoconstrição; aterosclerose difusa que é comumente vista em pacientes diabéticos e hipertensos. Este caso enfatiza a necessidade de investigar infarto hepático em pacientes diabéticos com cetonemia e com aumento de enzimas hepáticas. Anticoagulantes devem ser prontamente instituídos se houver trombose vascular.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hepatic infarction is characterized by parenchyma ischemic necrosis involving at least two acinis. It is extremely uncommon due to the arterial and portal venous blood supply. We report a case of a patient not know to have diabetes who developed massive areas of ischemic infarcts of the liver after episode of acutely diabetes decompensated. CASE REPORT: A 67 year-old hypertensive female who has been presenting, for the last 10 days, polydipsia, high urinary volume, visual and gait impairment, nausea and vomiting was admitted to the emergency room (ER). During the physical examination it was observed dehydration, skin discoloration, peripheral cyanosis, hypothermia, tachycardia, hypotension and mild diffuse abdominal pain. Admissional laboratory exams demonstrated total leukocytes: 16.800, Cr: 3.7, Ur: 167, Na: 133, K: 6.9, glucose: 561; arterial gasometry (O2 catheter: 2 L/min): pH: 6.93, pCO2: 12.1, pO2: 107, B.E.: -28.8, HCO3: 2.4, Sat 91.3%, lactato: 79; urinalysis: pH: 6; leukocytes: 13; density: 1015; erythrocytes: 19; protein: ++; glucose: +++; bilirubin: negative; ketonic bodies: + denote ketonemia. EKG: sharp T wave, right branch block. Patient was treated with intravenous insulin, hydration, sodium bicarbonate and ceftriaxone. After initial treatment, the laboratory exams showed Cr: 2.2, Ur: 122, Na: 162, K: 4.3, Ca: 6.4, glucose: 504, pH: 7.01, HCO3: 7.1, B.E.: -22. One day after admission the patient presented with important abdominal pain and peritoneal irritation, followed by difficulty for talking and somnolence; routine laboratory exams showed arterial gasometry: pH: 7.4, pCO2: 31, pO2: 68, BE: -4.4, HCO3: 19, SatO2: 93.5%; Ur: 95,Cr: 1.4, albumin: 2.4, Ca: 0.95, Na: 166, K:4, bilirubin: 0.5, bilirubin D/I: 0.2/0.3, Amylase: 1157, Gamma-GT: 56, AST 7.210, ALT: 2.470, SR (sedimentation rate): 15, Lipase: 84. Abdominal ultrasound was unremarkable. Patient respiratory function and conscience level worsened, requiring intubation. Despite all resuscitation efforts, she died. Necropsy showed multiple ischemic infarcts of the liver with vascular thrombosis, splenic infarcts, generalized visceral congestion and atherosclerosis of aorta and its branches. Pancreas was normal. CONCLUSIONS: The mechanisms of hepatic and splenic infarctions in this case were unclear. The following factors may have contributed to necrosis: vomiting and fever should be considered to induce dehydration and hypotension, which further decreased portal and hepatic arterial inflows; elevated level of catecholamine in hyperglycemic states might induce vasoconstriction effects; widespread atherosclerosis is commonly seen in diabetic and hypertensive patients. This case underlies the importance of searching for hepatic necrosis or infarction in any diabetic patient with elevated liver enzymes. Anticoagulation therapy should be instituted promptly upon recognition of vascular thromboses.

CONTEXTO: Adenocarcinomas vesicais primários são incomuns, o habitual é o comprometimento por contigüidade ou via hematogênica de outros adenocarcinomas como colorretal, próstata e trato ginecológico. O padrão histológico correspondente ao mucinoso e com células em anel de sinete é mais raro e, muitas vezes, há dificuldade em distingui-lo morfologicamente do adenocarcinoma colorretal metastático. RELATO DE CASO: Apresentamos e discutimos um caso de adenocarcinama mucinoso com células em anel de sinete primário da bexiga em um paciente masculino, de 57 anos. Foram excluídos outros sítios primários do tumor e, na ausência de tumor do trato digestivo e para confirmação de tumor vesical primário realizou-se estudo imunoistoquímico.

CONTEXT: Primary adenocarcinomas of the bladder are uncommon and usually occur by contiguity with or hematogenic dissemination of other adenocarcinomas such as colorectal, prostate and gynecological tract carcinomas. Mucinous and signet-ring cell histological patterns are even rarer and it is often difficult to morphologically distinguish them from metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma. CASE REPORT: We present and discuss a rare case of primary mucinous adenocarcinoma of the bladder with signet-ring cells in a 57-year-old male patient. Other primary sites for the tumor had been excluded and, in the absence of digestive tract tumor and for confirmation that it was a primary bladder tumor, an immunohistochemistry study was performed.

RACIONAL: O teste respiratório da metacetina marcada com carbono 13 (13C-metacetina) é método não-invasivo que permite examinar a função hepática microssomal, permitindo avaliação quantitativa da massa hepática funcional. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a utilidade clinica do teste respiratório da 13C-metacetina na avaliação de pacientes com doença crônica do fígado pelo vírus da hepatite C. CASUÍSTICA E MÉTODOS: Setenta e oito pacientes com hepatite crônica C e 13 indivíduos saudáveis pareados por sexo e idade foram estudados. Pacientes infectados cronicamente pelo vírus C foram classificados como portadores de hepatite crônica (n = 51) ou cirrose hepática (n = 27, sendo 7 deles classificados como descompensados pela presença de ascite, icterícia e/ou encefalopatia). Pacientes co-infectados HbsAg/HIV, em uso crônico de álcool, com outras doenças crônicas ou em uso de medicamentos que pudessem interferir com a atividade do citocromo P450, foram excluídos. O estádio e a atividade da doença nos fragmentos de biopsia foram determinados de acordo com os critérios da Sociedade Brasileira de Hepatologia. O teste respiratório da 13C-metacetina foi realizado com 75 mg de 13C-metacetina e a concentração de 13CO2 no ar expirado foi medido através de espectrometria infravermelha não dispersiva. Foram calculados o "delta over baseline" e o percentual de recuperação cumulativo do 13CO2 aos 40 (teste respiratório da 13C-metacetina 40 min) e aos 120 minutos (teste respiratório da 13C-metacetina 120 min). RESULTADOS: Os parâmetros do teste respiratório da 13C-metacetina se correlacionaram com avaliação estrutural histológica, mas não com a atividade necroinflamatória no tecido hepático, sendo que a melhor correlação foi obtida entre o grau de estádio e o teste respiratório da 13C-metacetina 120 min. Os valores médios do teste respiratório da 13C-metacetina 120 min foram significantemente mais reduzidos nos grupos cirróticos (19,2 ± 7,1% para cirróticos compensados e 14,7 ± 4,0% para os cirróticos descompensados) que nos grupos controle (29,9 ± 4,5%) e com hepatite crônica (27,8 ± 6,1%). A melhor acurácia no diagnóstico de cirrose entre os portadores de hepatite crônica C foi encontrada para o teste respiratório da 13C-metacetina 120 min com 81% de sensibilidade e 77% de especificidade. CONCLUSÃO: O teste respiratório da 13C-metacetina se correlaciona com alterações estruturais encontradas na hepatite crônica pelo vírus C e o percentual de recuperação de 13CO2 aos 120 minutos é um sensível parâmetro para identificar a presença de cirrose nesses pacientes.

BACKGROUND: The 13C-methacetin breath test is a non-invasive method to evaluate hepatic microssomal function that allows a quantitative assessment of the functional hepatic mass. AIM: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of the 13C-methacetin breath test in patients with hepatitis C chronic liver disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy eight patients with chronic hepatitis C and 13 matched healthy controls were studied. HCV patients were classified as having chronic hepatitis (n = 51), cirrhosis (n = 27), being seven with decompensated disease (presence of ascite, jaundice and/or encephalopathy). HbsAg/HIV co-infected patients, chronic alcohol drinker, having other chronic diseases and those using drugs that could interfere with hepatic cytochrome P450, were excluded. The disease stage and activity in biopsy fragments were determined according the Brazilian Society of Hepatology criteria. Breath test was performed with 75 mg of 13C-methacetin, and the 13CO2 in the expired air was measured through a nondispersive infra red spectrometry. The delta over baseline, and the cumulative recovery of 13CO2 at 40 (13C-methacetin breath test 40 min) and 120 minutes (13C-methacetin breath test 120 min) were calculated. RESULTS: 13C-methacetin breath test parameters correlate only with hepatic staging but not with necroinflammatory (activity) parameters, being the best correlation found between hepatic staging and the 13C-methacetin breath test 120 minutes. The mean values for 13C-methacetin breath test 120 min was significantly reduced in the cirrhotic groups (19.2 ± 7.1% for compensated and 14.7 ± 4.0% for decompensated cirrhotics) than in control (29.9 ± 4.5%) and chronic hepatitis (27.8 ± 6.1%) groups. The best diagnostic accuracy for the diagnosis of cirrhosis among HCV patients was found for 13C-methacetin breath test 120 min with 81% of sensibility and 77% of specificity. CONCLUSION: 13C-methacetin breath test is correlated with structural changes in HCV-related chronic hepatic diseases and the cumulative recovery at 120 minutes is a sensitive parameter to identify the presence of hepatic cirrhosis in these patients.

There is increasing interest in the identification of factors associated with liver disease progression in patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). We assessed host-related factors associated with a histologically advanced stage of this disease and determined the rate of liver fibrosis progression in HCV-infected patients. We included patients submitted to liver biopsy, who were anti-HCV and HCV RNA positive, who showed a parenteral risk factor (blood transfusion or intravenous drug use), and who gave information about alcohol consumption.Patients were divided into two groups for analysis: group 1 - grades 0 to 2; group 2 - grades 3 to 4. The groups were compared in terms of sex, age at the time of infection, estimated duration of infection and alcoholism. The rate of fibrosis progression (index of fibrosis) was determined based on the relationship between disease stage and duration of infection (years). Logistic regression analysis revealed that age at the time of infection (P<0.01; 95% CI 1.06-1.22) and the duration of infection (P<0.01; 95% CI 1.06-1.32) were independently associated with a more advanced stage of hepatitis C. The median index of fibrosis was 0.14 for the group as a whole. A significant difference in the index of fibrosis was observed between patients aged < 40 years at infection (median = 0.11) and patients aged > or = 40 years (median = 0.47). The main factors associated with a more rapid fibrosis progression were age at the time of infection and the estimated duration of infection. Patients who acquired HCV after 40 years of age showed a higher rate of fibrosis progression.

Com objetivo de estudar experimentalmente as diversas fases evolutivas da apendicite aguda, foram utilizados 60 coelhos (Oryctogalus cuniculus), fêmeas, da linhagem Nova Zelândia, com peso variando de 2510 a 3040 gramas. Os animais foram divididos em dois grupos denominados controle e experimento, e estes subdivididos em três subgrupos com períodos de observação de 12, 24 e 48 horas. No grupo experimento foi realizada a oclusão do lume apendicular por meio de sutura seromuscular circular a 8 cm da extremidade distal do apêndice cecal, com fio de polipropileno 4-0. No controle foi feita somente a simulação da cirurgia. Os aspectos macroscópicos (aumento do tamanho, necrose, perfuração, aderência e secreção na cavidade abdominal) bem como os microscópicos do grupo experimento, evidenciaram uma progressão das alterações anatomopatológicas mostrando haver uma relação entre a intensidade dos achados histopatológicos e o tempo de observação. Conclui-se que o método utilizado causa apendicite aguda com alterações anatomopatológicas distintas, de acordo com a fase evolutiva da doença.

The evolving phases of acute appendicitis were studied experimentally. Sixty female rabbits (Oryctogalus cuniculus) of New Zealand lineage weighing about 2510 to 3040 g were divided in two groups: a control group and experimental group. The experimental group was divided into three subgroups for observation after 12, 24 and 48 hours of the operation, that consisted on a 4-0 polypropylene circular suture at 8 cm from the distal part of the cecal appendix. The control group was sham operated. The macroscopic exam (increase of the appendix volume, necrosis, perfuration, adherence and secretion in the abdominal cavity) and the microscopic finding showed a progression in the anatomopathological alterations. There was a close relationship between the histopathological findings and time after the appendiceal obstruction. We conclude that the method causes acute appendicitis and that the anathomo pathological alterations depends on the time elapsed between the operation and the postoperation findings.

CONTEXTO: O melanoma maligno é responsável por aproximadamente 1% de todas as mortes causadas por câncer nos EUA e apenas 3% de todas as doenças malignas cutâneas. Embora considerada uma patologia rara, representa 65% de todos os óbitos por câncer de pele. O fígado e o baço raramente são os primeiros sítios de metástases de melanoma. TIPO DE ESTUDO: Relato de caso. RELATO DE CASO: Este artigo relata o quadro de um paciente portador de melanoma maligno evoluindo para óbito com metástases hepática e esplênica. Por ser uma apresentação atípica da doença, o diagnóstico definitivo ocorreu somente após a análise histopatológica das lesões de pele e do fígado.

CONTEXT: The diagnosis of primary melanoma is easily confirmed after histological analysis of the lesion, whereas it is rarely diagnosed when the patient even has distant metastases. DESIGN: Case report CASE REPORT: Malignant melanoma is responsible for about 1% of all deaths caused by cancer in the USA and only 3% of all malig-nant skin diseases. Malignant melanoma is a rare disease, although it corresponds to 65% of all deaths caused by skin cancer. The liver and spleen are rarely the first sites of melanoma metastases. This paper reports on the clinical picture of a patient with fatal malignant melanoma and hepatic and spleen metastases. As this was an un-usual presentation, the melanoma diagnosis could only be made after pathological analysis of the skin and hepatic lesions.