ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI) is defined as the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in the liver of individuals with undetectable hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) in the serum. The actual prevalence of OBI and its clinical relevance are not yet fully understood. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of HBV DNA in liver biopsies of HBsAg-negative patients with chronic liver disease of different etiologies in a referral center in Brazil and compare two different HBV DNA amplification protocols to detect HBV. DESIGN AND SETTING: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the Liver Outpatient Clinic, Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil, between January 2016 and December 2019. METHODS: HBV DNA was investigated in 104 liver biopsy samples from individuals with chronic liver disease of different etiologies, in whom HBsAg was undetectable in serum by nested-polymerase chain reaction (nested-PCR), using two different protocols. RESULTS: OBI, diagnosed by detecting HBV DNA using both protocols, was detected in 6.7% of the 104 individuals investigated. Both protocols showed a good reliability. CONCLUSION: In addition to the differences in the prevalence of HBV infection in different regions, variations in the polymerase chain reaction technique used for HBV DNA amplification may be responsible for the large variations in the prevalence of OBI identified in different studies. There is a need for better standardization of the diagnostic methods used to diagnose this entity.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are frequent complaints from individuals with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Dyspepsia is a universal clinical symptom and is among the most common GI complaints observed in the general population, but its prevalence in the population with NAFLD has not been previously investigated. OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence of functional dyspepsia (FD) between patients with NAFLD and controls without liver disease. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study at the Outpatient Liver Clinic, University Hospital, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. METHODS: We included 96 NAFLD patients and 105 controls without liver disease. All participants were assessed for GI symptoms in accordance with the Rome III criteria. Evaluation methods included a questionnaire for FD (validated in Brazil), laboratory tests and upper GI endoscopy. RESULTS: Mean age and sex were similar between the groups. The NAFLD group presented higher frequency of proton-pump inhibitor usage (31.3% vs 4.8%; P < 0.001) and prevalence of FD (25.0% versus 12.4%; P = 0.021). The symptom frequencies were as follows: postprandial distress, 22.9% versus 11.4% (P = 0.030); postprandial fullness, 18.8% versus 10.5% (P = 0.095); early satiation, 8.3% versus 5.7% (P = 0.466); and epigastric pain or burning, 18.8% versus 5.7% (P = 0.004), in NAFLD patients and controls, respectively. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that female sex (odds ratio, OR 6.97; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.51-32.12; P = 0.013) and NAFLD diagnosis (OR 2.45; 95% CI: 1.14-5.27; P = 0.021) were independently associated with FD occurrence. CONCLUSION: FD occurs more frequently in individuals with NAFLD than in controls without hepatic disease.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI) is defined as the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in the liver of individuals with undetectable hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) in the serum. The actual prevalence of OBI and its clinical relevance are not yet fully understood. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of HBV DNA in liver biopsies of HBsAg-negative patients with chronic liver disease of different etiologies in a referral center in Brazil and compare two different HBV DNA amplification protocols to detect HBV. DESIGN AND SETTING: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the Liver Outpatient Clinic, Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil, between January 2016 and December 2019. METHODS: HBV DNA was investigated in 104 liver biopsy samples from individuals with chronic liver disease of different etiologies, in whom HBsAg was undetectable in serum by nested-polymerase chain reaction (nested-PCR), using two different protocols. RESULTS: OBI, diagnosed by detecting HBV DNA using both protocols, was detected in 6.7% of the 104 individuals investigated. Both protocols showed a good reliability. CONCLUSION: In addition to the differences in the prevalence of HBV infection in different regions, variations in the polymerase chain reaction technique used for HBV DNA amplification may be responsible for the large variations in the prevalence of OBI identified in different studies. There is a need for better standardization of the diagnostic methods used to diagnose this entity.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to analyze clinical and laboratory parameters and their association with long-term outcomes in patients who underwent liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment, according to the etiology of the underlying chronic liver disease, in order to identify predictors of response to this therapeutic modality. METHODS: Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data from a cohort of 134 patients who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment at a referral center in Brazil were retrospectively selected and compared according to the etiologic group of the underlying chronic liver disease. Events, defined as tumor recurrence or death from any cause, and event-free survival were also analyzed, and multivariate analysis was performed. RESULTS: The etiologies comprised hepatitis C and B virus infection, alcohol abuse, and cryptogenic disorder. Although liver transplantation was performed outside the Milan criteria in 33.3% of the subjects, according to pathologic examination of the explanted liver, the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score was low (<22) in most patients (70.6%) and recurrence was identified in only 10 (7.9%) patients. Events occurred in 37 patients (28.5%), and the median event-free survival was 75 months (range, 24-116 months). No difference among etiologic groups was found in the parameters analyzed, which were not independently associated with outcome. CONCLUSION: Clinical and laboratory characteristics according to etiologic groups were not different, which might have led to comparable long-term outcomes among these patient groups and failure to identify predictors that could aid in better selection of subjects for liver transplantation in the management of this cancer.

RESUMO OBJETIVOS: A doença hepática gordurosa não alcoólica éa principal causa de patologia hepática. Essencial para seu manejo éa perda de peso. Nosso objetivo foi avaliar as respostas a aconselhamento nutricional em pacientes crônicos com esta condição. METODOS: Estudo prospectivo de coorte com inclusão consecutiva de 105 indivíduos com doenca hepática gordurosa não alcoólica que receberam dieta individualizada de baixa caloria (1400-1600kcal/dia, de acordo com o sexo) e aconselhamento a cada 3 meses, durante 24 meses. A perda de peso de 5% ou mais foi considerada como resposta terapêutica adequada. RESULTADOS: Dos 105 pacientes, 45 (42,9%) não voltaram para uma segunda avaliação. A média de idade foi de 55 ± 9 anos, 81,6% eram mulheres e o índice de massa corporal foi de 31,9 (23,8-44,9) kg/m2. O tempo de seguimento foi de 6,5 (3,2-26,9) meses e número médio de entrevistas foi de 3 (2-11). A síndrome metabólica e a hipercolesterolemia foram mais comuns em mulheres. O número de indivíduos que perderam mais de 5% em peso foi: 5/20 (25%) em 6 meses; 3/15 (33%) aos 12 meses; 3/18 (17%) e aos 18 meses 4/13 (31%) no final do seguimento. A perda de peso corporal média aos 6, 12, 18 e 24 meses diminuiu significativamente. CONCLUSÕES: A adesão ao aconselhamento nutricional épobre em pacientes com doenca hepática gordurosa não alcoólica. Apenas uma pequena proporcão de pacientes que atingiu a perda de peso corporal programada a longo prazo.

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is the leading cause of liver pathology. The mainstay of management is weight loss. Our aim was to evaluate responses to nutritional counseling in long-term patients with this condition. METHODS: A prospective cohort study with consecutive inclusion of 105 subjects with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease who received individualized low-calories diet counseling (1400 to 1600 kcal/day according to gender) every three months for 24 months. Weight loss of 5% or more was considered as a therapeutic response. RESULTS: Out of 105 patients, 45 (42.9%) did not return for a second evaluation. Mean age was 55 ± 9 years, 81.6% were women and mean body mass index was 31.9 (23.8-44.9) kg/m2. Follow-up time was 6.5 (3.2-26.9) months and median appointment number was 3 (2-11). Metabolic syndrome and hypercholesterolemia were more common in women. The number of subjects who lost more than 5% weight was: 5/20 (25%) at 6-months; 3/15 (33%) at 12 months; 3/18 (17%) at 18 months and 4/13 (31%) at the end of follow up. The median body weight loss at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months decreased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to nutritional counseling is poor in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Only a very small proportion of patients reached the targeted body loss of weight on long term.

Contexto Estudos sobre epidemiologia do carcinoma hepatocelular e terapias utilizadas em seu tratamento são escassos no Brasil. O objetivo foi caracterizar o carcinoma hepatocelular quanto à etiologia da hepatopatia crônica subjacente e modalidades terapêuticas empregadas, em um centro de referência no Brasil. Método Todos os casos de carcinoma hepatocelular registrados no Departamento de Patologia em período de 12 anos (1998-2010) foram incluídos. Dados demográficos, etiologia da hepatopatia crônica e tipo de tratamento realizado foram coletados dos prontuários. Resultado Esta série de casos incluiu 215 pacientes, com média de idade 57,3 (± 14,1) anos, 164 (76,2%) do sexo masculino. Infecções virais C e B foram detectadas em 88 (43%) e 47 (23%), respectivamente. Abuso de etanol isoladamente ou associado a outras causas foi identificado em 64 (32%) indivíduos. Esquistossomose foi encontrada em 18 (9%) indivíduos. Transplante hepático foi o tratamento de escolha em 112 (51%) pacientes. Esse procedimento foi mais frequentemente realizado em carcinoma hepatocelular relacionado com hepatite C (70%) do que hepatite B (17%). Ressecção cirúrgica foi realizada em 40 (18%) indivíduos, alcoolização ou termo-ablação em 18 (14%) e quimioembolização em 14 (7%). Em 40 (19,4%) pacientes nenhum tratamento foi empregado e esta porcentagem permaneceu constante ao longo dos anos do estudo. Conclusões Hepatite viral C seguida de abuso de etanol e hepatite viral B foram as causas de hepatopatia crônica mais frequentemente associadas ao carcinoma hepatocelular. Os resultados mostram tendência a aumento da incidência do carcinoma hepatocelular; no entanto, a proporção de pacientes não-tratados permaneceu constante ao longo dos anos analisados.

Context Studies on epidemiology of hepatocellular carcinoma and modalities of therapy used to treat this condition are scarce in Brazil. Our aim was to characterize hepatocellular carcinoma according to etiology of the underlying chronic liver disease, and treatment modalities, in a referral center in Brazil. Methods All cases of hepatocellular carcinoma registered in the Department of Pathology during a 12-year period (1998-2010) were included. Demographic data, etiology of the underlying liver disease and treatment performed were collected. Results This case series included 215 patients, mean age 57.3 (± 14.1) years, 164 (76.2 %) male. Virus C and virus B infection were detected in 88 (43%) and 47 (23%) patients, respectively. Ethanol abuse alone or combined with other etiologies was identified in 64 (32%) individuals. Schistosomiasis was found in 18 (9%) patients. Liver transplantation was the treatment of choice in 112 (51%) patients. This procedure was more frequently performed in hepatitis C virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma (70%) than B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma (17%). Tumor resection was performed in 40 (18%) individuals, ethanol injection or thermo ablation in 18 (14%), and chemoembolization in 14 (7%). In 40 (19.4%) patients no treatment was performed and this percentage remained constant over the years. Conclusions Chronic hepatitis C, followed by ethanol abuse and chronic hepatitis B were the leading causes of underlying chronic liver disease associated with hepatocellular carcinoma. The results show a trend of increasing incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma; however, the proportion of untreated patients remained constant over the analyzed period.

OBJECTIVE: Recent evidence suggests that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with diet. Our aim was to investigate the dietary patterns of a Brazilian population with this condition and compare them with the recommended diet. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 96 non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients before any dietetic counseling. All patients underwent abdominal ultrasound, biochemical tests, dietary evaluations, and anthropometric evaluations. Their food intake was assessed by a semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire and 24-hour food recall. RESULTS: The median patient age was 53 years, and 77% of the individuals were women. Most (67.7%) participants were obese, and a large waist circumference was observed in 80.2% subjects. Almost 70% of the participants had metabolic syndrome, and 62.3% presented evidence of either insulin resistance or overt diabetes. Most patients (51.5, 58.5, and 61.7%, respectively) exceeded the recommendations for energy intake, as well as total and saturated fat. All patients consumed less than the amount of recommended monounsaturated fatty acids, and 52.1 and 76.6% of them consumed less polyunsaturated fatty acids and fiber, respectively, than recommended. In most patients, the calcium, sodium, potassium, pyridoxine, and vitamin C intake did not meet the recommendations, and in 10.5-15.5% of individuals, the tolerable upper limit intake for sodium was exceeded. The patients presented a significantly high intake of meats, fats, sugars, legumes (beans), and vegetables and a low consumption of cereals, fruits, and dairy products compared with the recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: Although patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease exhibited high energy and lipid consumption, most of them had inadequate intake of some micronutrients. The possible role of nutrient-deficient intake in the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease warrants investigation.

Paciente do sexo masculino, 41 anos, portador de cardiopatia congênita apresentando-se com endocardite infecciosa (EI) e vegetações nas valvas pulmonar, aórtica e mitral. Três trocas valvares foram realizadas, mas o paciente evoluiu com recidiva da infecção, desenvolvendo abscesso na região da fibrosa intervalvar mitro-aórtica progredindo para sépsis e óbito. Nesse relato, discutimos brevemente as indicações para a cirurgia na EI, destacando sua indicação no tratamento da infecção não controlada.

We describe the case of a 41-year-old man with congenital heart disease and infective endocarditis (IE), who presented multiple vegetations attached to the pulmonary, mitral, and aortic valves. Three valve replacements were performed, but the patient developed an abscess at the mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa and died due to sepsis. We briefly discuss the indications for surgery in IE, emphasizing its role in the treatment of uncontrolled infection.

The hypothesis that Helicobactermight be a risk factor for human liver diseases has arisen after the detection of Helicobacter DNA in hepatic tissue of patients with hepatobiliary diseases. Nevertheless, no explanation that justifies the presence of the bacterium in the human liver has been proposed. We evaluated the presence of Helicobacterin the liver of patients with hepatic diseases of different aetiologies. We prospectively evaluated 147 patients (106 with primary hepatic diseases and 41 with hepatic metastatic tumours) and 20 liver donors as controls. Helicobacter species were investigated in the liver by culture and specific 16S rDNA nested-polymerase chain reaction followed by sequencing. Serum and hepatic levels of representative cytokines of T regulatory cell, T helper (Th)1 and Th17 cell lineages were determined using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The data were evaluated using logistic models. Detection of Helicobacter pylori DNA in the liver was independently associated with hepatitis B virus/hepatitis C virus, pancreatic carcinoma and a cytokine pattern characterised by high interleukin (IL)-10, low/absent interferon-γ and decreased IL-17A concentrations (p < 10-3). The bacterial DNA was never detected in the liver of patients with alcoholic cirrhosis and autoimmune hepatitis that are associated with Th1/Th17 polarisation. H. pylori may be observed in the liver of patients with certain hepatic and pancreatic diseases, but this might depend on the patient cytokine profile.

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A cirurgia de transplante hepático (TH) continua associada a sangramento importante em 20% dos casos, e diversos autores têm demonstrado os riscos relacionados ao uso de hemocomponentes. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o impacto do uso de hemocomponentes durante toda a hospitalização na sobrevida em cinco anos de pacientes submetidos a TH. MÉTODOS: Um total de 113 pacientes submetidos ao TH foi avaliado retrospectivamente. Diversas variáveis, incluindo uso de hemocomponentes no intraoperatório e durante toda a hospitalização, foram categorizadas e avaliadas por meio de análise univariada, pelo teste de Fisher. O nível de significância adotado foi de 5%. Os resultados com p < 0,2 foram submetidos a uma análise multivariada pelo modelo de regressão logística multinominal. RESULTADOS: Doenças parenquimatosas, disfunção renal pré-operatória e maior tempo de internação no CTI e hospitalar se associaram a maior mortalidade em cinco anos após o TH (p < 0,05). Ao contrário do uso de hemocomponentes no intraoperatório, a transfusão acumulada de concentrado de hemácias, plasma fresco congelado e concentrado de plaquetas durante toda a internação hospitalar foi associada à maior mortalidade em cinco anos após o transplante de fígado (p < 0,01). CONCLUSÕES: O estudo alerta para a relação existente entre o uso de hemocomponentes durante a hospitalização e o aumento da mortalidade em cinco anos após o TH.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Liver transplant (LT) surgery is associated with significant bleeding in 20% of cases, and several authors have demonstrated the risks related to blood components. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the impact of using blood components during hospitalization in five-year survival of patients undergoing LT. METHODS: One hundred and thirteen patients were evaluated retrospectively. Several variables, including the use of blood components intraoperatively and throughout hospitalization, were categorized and evaluated by univariate analysis using Fisher's test. A level of significance of 5% was adopted. Results with p < 0.2 underwent multivariate analysis using multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS: Parenchymal diseases, preoperative renal dysfunction, and longer stay in hospital and ICU are associated with greater five-year mortality after LT (p < 0.05). Unlike the intraoperative use of blood components, the accumulated transfusion of packed red blood cell, frozen fresh plasma, and platelets during the entire hospitalization was associated with greater five-year mortality after liver transplantation (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This study emphasizes the relationship between the use of blood components during hospitalization and increased mortality in five years after LT.

JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: La cirugía de transplante hepático (TH), continúa asociada al sangramiento importante en un 20% de los casos, y diversos autores ya han demostrado los riesgos relacionados con el uso de hemoderivados. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el impacto del uso de hemoderivados durante toda la hospitalización en la sobrevida en cinco años de pacientes sometidos a TH. MÉTODOS: Un total de 113 pacientes sometidos a TH fueron evaluados retrospectivamente. Diversas variables, incluyendo el uso de hemoderivados en el intraoperatorio y durante toda la hospitalización, fueron categorizadas y evaluadas por medio de análisis univariado, por el test de Fisher. El nivel de significancia adoptado fue de un 5%. Los resultados con p < 0,2 fueron sometidos a un análisis multivariado por el modelo de regresión logística multinominal. RESULTADOS: Enfermedades parenquimatosas, disfunción renal preoperatoria y un mayor tiempo de internación en UCI y hospitalario, se asociaron a una mayor mortalidad en cinco años después del TH (p < 0,05). Al contrario del uso de hemoderivados en el intraoperatorio, la transfusión acumulada de concentrado de hematíes, plasma fresco congelado y concentrado de plaquetas durante todo el ingreso se asoció a una mayor mortalidad en cinco años posteriores al transplante de hígado (p < 0,01). CONCLUSIONES: El estudio es un alerta sobre la relación existente entre el uso de hemoderivados durante el ingreso y el aumento de la mortalidad en cinco años posteriores al TH.

O presente artigo relata o caso de um paciente do sexo masculino, 44 anos, com endocardite em prótese aórtica complicada por abscesso para-protético. Evoluiu com melhora do processo infeccioso apenas com o tratamento clínico. História prévia de doença reumática, submetido a três cirurgias cardíacas para troca valvar por disfunção de prótese e endocardite prévia. Neste relato de caso, discutiremos as características principais do abscesso para-protético como complicação de endocardite

We present a case of a 44-year-old man with prosthetic aortic endocarditis complicated by a perivalvular abscess. He evolved with improvement of the infectious process only under clinical treatment. The patient presented a prior history of rheumatic fever and had previously been undergone three valve replacements due to prosthesis dysfunction and previous endocarditis. In this case report we discuss the main features of perivalvular abscess complicating infective endocarditis

Localized hepatic tuberculosis is a rare clinical form of tuberculosis infection; it has signs and symptoms related only to hepatic injury, with minimal or no extrahepatic involvement. It frequently presents as a non-specific syndrome, with systemic manifestations, which can sometimes result in a diagnostic dilemma. A high index of suspicion is required and a definitive diagnosis can be very difficult. We report a case of localized hepatic tuberculosis that presented as fever of unknown origin.

The involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) by schistosomes may or may not determine clinical manifestations. When symptomatic, neuroschistosomiasis (NS) is one of the most severe presentations of schistosomal infection. Considering the symptomatic form, cerebral involvement is almost always due to Schistosoma japonicum and the spinal cord disease, caused by S. mansoni or S. haematobium. Available evidence suggests that NS depends basically on the presence of parasite eggs in the nervous tissue and on the host immune response. The patients with cerebral NS usually have the clinical manifestations of increased intracranial pressure associated with focal neurological signs; and those with schistosomal myeloradiculopathy (SMR) present rapidly progressing symptoms of myelitis involving the lower cord, usually in association with the involvement of the cauda esquina roots. The diagnosis of cerebral NS is established by biopsy of the nervous tissue and SMR is usually diagnosed according to a clinical criterion. Antischistosomal drugs, corticosteroids and surgery are the resourses available for treating NS. The outcome is variable and is better in cerebral disease.

Os autores descrevem um caso raro de leishmaniose com lesões cutâneas disseminadas, manifestações sistêmicas e comprometimento ocular, sendo este caracterizado por iridociclite bilateral não granulomatosa. A gravidade do quadro oftalmológico e a ausência de resposta ao tratamento, a despeito da melhora das manifestações cutâneas e sistêmicas, levaram à realização de punção propedêutica da câmara anterior ocular. A partir do humor aquoso isolou-se Leishmania sp. Os autores desconhecem na literatura qualquer outro caso onde tal achado tenha sido demonstrado.

The Authors report an uncommon case of leishmaniasis with disseminated cutaneous lesions, systemic manifestations and ocular involvement, the latter being characterized by bilateral nongranulomatous iridocyclitis. The severity of the oph-thalmologic lesions and its unresponsiveness to therapy (in spite of satisfactory regression of both systemic and cutaneous manifestations) lead to a needle aspiration of the anterior eye chamber, content. From this material Leishmania sp was isolated. To our knowledge this is the first time that Leishmania has been shown into the ocular globe.