ABSTRACT Children have an increased likelihood of becoming carriers of the chronic hepatitis B virus. A total of 1,381 children and adolescents were assessed in five municipalities of Maranhao State, Brazil, for detection of anti-HBc, HBsAg and anti-HBs serologic markers and sociodemographic and behavioral features. Among those who were HBsAg negative and anti-HBc negative, the proportion of anti-HBs positives was calculated after the individuals had completed the vaccination schedule. The robust variance of the Poisson’s regression model was used in order to have adjusted tables and calculate the prevalence ratio. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with the prevalence of anti-HBc with or without HBsAg and the vaccine response. It was observed that 163 children were anti-HBc positive and nine individuals were HBsAg positive. The factors associated with the infection were: municipality of residence (residing in Morros municipality or Humberto de Campos municipality), residence in a rural area, aged between 13 and 15 years old, and illicit drug use. The percentage of individuals who were anti-HBc negative and received all three doses of the vaccine was 48.5%. Among these, only 276 (38.9%) had antibodies at protective concentrations. In an adjusted analysis, Morros municipality presented an increased positivity of vaccine response (p < 0.001), and the age ranging between 6 and 10 years old presented a reduced frequency of response. This study reveals a high prevalence of current and past HBV infection within the targeted age group which, in addition to the low vaccination coverage and serological responses, raises concerns about the management of prevention measures, especially the quality of vaccination in these locations.

Resumo Introdução: A vacinação é a medida mais efetiva na prevenção da transmissão do vírus da hepatite B (HBV). O portador de doença renal crônica (DRC) em diálise apresenta maior risco de se contaminar com este vírus e não tem a mesma resposta vacinal quando comparada com indivíduos sem uremia. Objetivos: Avaliar os resultados da vacina para o HBV e identificar fatores associados à resposta, em portadores de DRC em hemodiálise. Metodologia: Foram avaliados indivíduos com HBsAg e anti-HBc negativos, que estavam sob hemodiálise em duas unidades de São Luís, Maranhão e que haviam sido submetidos ao esquema completo de vacinação para o HBV. Foram distribuídos em dois grupos: anti-HBs < 10mUI/mL e anti-HBs ≥ 10mUI/mL e comparados quanto à idade, gênero, presença de diabetes mellitus (DM), tempo em diálise e status do anti-HCV. Análise de regressão logística foi realizada para identificar fatores independentemente associados à resposta vacinal. Anti-HBs ≥ 10mUI/mL(OR = 5.239 IC:1.279-21.459, p = 0.021) Conclusões: A taxa de resposta vacinal ao HBV em portadores de DRC em diálise foi de 70% e a ausência do anti-HCV foi associada à soroconversão do anti-HBs, sugerindo que a infecção pelo vírus da hepatite C pode ser um fator que diminui a resposta da vacina para o HBV em indivíduos portadores de DRC em diálise.

Abstract Introduction: Vaccination is the most effective tool in preventing transmission of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). The patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on dialysis appear to be at greater risk of becoming infected with this virus and does not show the same vaccine response when compared to patients without uremia. Objectives: To evaluate the results related to the HBV vaccine and identify factors associated with the response in patients with CKD on hemodialysis. Methods: Individuals with HBsAG and negative anti-HBC, under hemodialysis were assessed in two units of São Luis, Maranhão and were undergone full vaccination schedule for HBV. They were divided in groups: anti-HBs10 mUI/mL and compared as to age, gender, presence of diabetes mellitus (DM), time on dialysis and anti-HCV status. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors independently associated with the vaccine response. p10mUI/Ml (or = 5.239 IC: 1.279-21.459, p = 0.021). Conclusion: The rate of vaccine response to HBV in patients with CKD on dialysis was 70% and the lack of anti-HCV infection was associated with seroconversion of anti-HBs suggesting that infection by the hepatitis C virus may be a factor that decreases the response of the HBV vaccine in dialysis CKD patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of first-generation protease inhibitors for the treatment of genotype 1 hepatitis C virus-infected patients at Brazilian reference centers. METHODS: This multicenter cross-sectional study included hepatitis C virus genotype 1 monoinfected patients treated with Peg-interferon, ribavirin, and either boceprevir (n=158) or telaprevir (n=557) between July 2013 and April 2014 at 15 reference centers in Brazil. Demographic, clinical, virological, and adverse events data were collected during treatment and follow-up. RESULTS: Of the 715 patients, 59% had cirrhosis and 67.1% were treatment-experienced. Based on intention-to-treat analysis, the overall sustained viral response was 56.6%, with similar effectiveness in both groups (51.9% for boceprevir and 58% for telaprevir, p=0.190). Serious adverse events occurred in 44.2% of patients, and six deaths (0.8%) were recorded. Cirrhotic patients had lower sustained viral response rates than non-cirrhotic patients (46.9% vs. 70.6%, p<0.001) and a higher incidence of serious adverse events (50.7% vs. 34.8%, p<0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that sustained viral response was associated with the absence of cirrhosis, viral recurrence after previous treatment, pretreatment platelet count greater than 100,000/mm3, and achievement of a rapid viral response. Female gender, age>65 years, diagnosis of cirrhosis, and abnormal hemoglobin levels/platelet counts prior to treatment were associated with serious adverse events. CONCLUSION: Although serious adverse events rates were higher in this infected population, sustained viral response rates were similar to those reported for other patient cohorts.

Abstract Brazil is one of the 22 countries that concentrates 80% of global tuberculosis cases concomitantly to a large number of hepatitis C carriers and some epidemiological risk scenarios are coincident for both diseases. We analyzed tuberculosis cases that occurred during α-interferon-based therapy for hepatitis C in reference centers in Brazil between 2001 and 2012 and reviewed their medical records. Eighteen tuberculosis cases were observed in patients submitted to hepatitis C α-interferon-based therapy. All patients were human immunodeficiency virus-negative. Nine patients (50%) had extra-pulmonary tuberculosis; 15 (83%) showed significant liver fibrosis. Hepatitis C treatment was discontinued in 12 patients (67%) due to tuberculosis reactivation and six (33%) had sustained virological response. The majority of patients had a favorable outcome but one died. Considering the evidences of α-IFN interference over the containment of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the immune impairment of cirrhotic patients, the increase of tuberculosis case reports during hepatitis C treatment with atypical and severe presentations and the negative impact on sustained virological response, we think these are strong arguments for latent tuberculosis infection screening before starting α-interferon-based therapy for any indication and even to consider IFN-free regimens against hepatitis C when a patient tests positive for latent tuberculosis infection.

RESUMO As lesões que ocupam espaço no fígado podem ser císticas ou sólidas. A ultrassonografia é extremamente útil como rastreamento inicial, bastando como método diagnósticos em casos de cistos simples. Em cistos complexos e em nódulos sólidos é necessária a complementação diagnóstica com tomografia computadorizada ou ressonância magnética. Em casos de cistadenoma ou cistadenocarcinoma, a ampla retirada cirúrgica está indicada. Dados clínico-epidemiológicos são importantes, já que nódulos em fígados não-cirróticos têm maiores probabilidades de serem benignos. Para os hemangiomas, tumores benignos mais frequentes, após a confirmação diagnóstica não existe necessidade de acompanhamento sistemático quando os nódulos são pequenos e assintomáticos. Hemangiomas gigantes sintomáticos ou comprimindo órgãos vizinhos devem ser encaminhados a centros de referência para avaliação de intervenção cirúrgica. A heterogeneidade genética nos adenomas hepatocelulares bem como características epidemiológicas e prognósticas motivou sua classificação em quatro subtipos, com base em achados histológicos e de imunohistoquímica. As principais complicações que ocorrem com o adenomas hepatocelulares são ruptura com hemorragia e transformação carcinomatosa. A primeira ocorre em cerca de 30% dos casos e o principal fator de risco para esta complicação são tumores maiores do que 5 cm, do subtipo hiperplasia nodular focal 1A, esses medicamentos devem ser suspensos. A hiperplasia nodular focal é o segundo tumor benigno mais frequente, mais comum nas mulheres entre 20 e 60 anos, sendo assintomáticos em 70% a 90% dos casos. Na ausência de lesão cicatricial central e/ou outros sinais sugestivos de hiperplasi nodular focal, havendo dúvida diagnóstica com adenoma hepatocelular, o uso de contraste hepatespecíficos está indicado.

ABSTRACT Space-occupying lessions of the liver may be cystic or solid. Ultrasonography is an extremely useful method for initial screening, and suffices for diagnosis of simple hepatic cysts. Complex cysts and solid masses require computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging for confirmation. Wide surgical excision is indicated in cystadenoma or cystadenocarcinoma. Clinical and epidemiological data are important, as nodules in noncirrhotic livers are more likely to be benign. Hemangiomas, the most common benign tumors, require no follow-up after diagnostic confirmation if they are small and asymptomatic. Patients with giant, symptomatic hemangiomas or compression of adjacent structures should be referred to hepatobiliary centers for potential surgery. The genetic heterogeneity of hepatocellular adenoms and their epidemiology and prognosis prompted classification of these tumors into four subtypes based on histology and immunohistochemistry. The major complications of hepatocellular adenoms are rupture with bleeding and malignant transformation. Rupture occurs in approximately 30% of cases. The main risk factors are tumors size >5 cm and inflammatory subtype. Hepatocellular adenoms may enlarge during pregnancy due to marked hormonal stimulation. As oral contraceptive pills and anabolic steroids have associated with hepatocellular adenoms growth, particularly of the hepatocyte nuclear factor-1 alfa subtype, these drugs should be discontinued. Focal nodular hyperplasia is the second most common benign tumor of hte liver. It is most frequent in women aged 20 to 60, and 70% to 90% of cases are asymptomatic. In the adsence of a central scar and/or other hallmarks of Focal nodular hyperplasia, with uncertainty between this diagnosis and hepatocellular adenoma, liver-specific contrast agentes are indicated.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is an important worldwide public health problem. In Brazil, the Ministry of Health estimates that 15% of the population has had contact with HBV, and that the mean rate of chronic carriers in Northeastern Brazil is around 0.5%. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of HBV markers in pregnant women receiving prenatal care at the public maternity hospitals of São Luís. Methods: Demographical and epidemiological data were collected from 541 pregnant women according to the research protocol. Blood samples were collected, and the anti-HBc test was performed first. If positive, the sample was subsequently tested for HBsAg and anti-HBs. All HBsAg and/or anti-HBc positive samples were additionally tested for HBV-DNA. RESULTS: 40 (7.4%) pregnant women turned out positive for anti-HBc. Of those, five (0.9%) were HBsAg positive, four (0.7%) were anti-HBc positive with negative HBsAg and anti-HBs, and 31 (5.7%) were positive for anti-HBc and anti-HBs. Anti-HBc positivity was associated with family history of hepatitis and education level below 11 years of schooling. HBV-DNA was positive in only one HBsAg-positive sample. There was no HBV-DNA positivity among HBsAg negative samples. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of HBsAg in pregnant women in this study confirmed that São Luís is a low endemicity area. Occult hepatitis B was not detected in these samples.

FUNDAMENTO: Pacientes com doença renal crônica (DRC) em hemodiálise possuem altas taxas de morbidade e mortalidade cardiovascular. Apesar de alterações ecocardiográficas estruturais e funcionais em pacientes submetidos à hemodiálise terem sido objeto de diversos estudos de análise de sobrevida, o valor prognóstico destas alterações ainda não está bem estabelecido na literatura. OBJETIVO: Determinar o valor prognóstico de parâmetros ecocardiográficos em pacientes com DRC em hemodiálise. MÉTODOS: Sessenta pacientes consecutivos com DRC em tratamento hemodialítico foram avaliados clinicamente e submetidos ao ecodopplercardiograma, sendo acompanhados durante 19 ± 6 meses. Os desfechos avaliados foram eventos cardiovasculares fatais e não fatais e mortalidade geral. O valor preditivo das variáveis ecocardiográficas foi avaliado pelo modelo de regressão de Cox, as curvas de sobrevida foram construídas pelo método de Kaplan-Meier e o teste log rank foi utilizado para compará-las. RESULTADOS: As taxas de sobrevida livre de eventos cardiovasculares, de mortalidade cardiovascular e de mortalidade global em dois anos foram de 79,4%, 88,5% e 83%, respectivamente. Diabetes, diagnóstico prévio de doença cardiovascular (DCV), fração de ejeção, fração de encurtamento, diâmetro sistólico do ventrículo esquerdo e relação E/e' foram preditores de desfecho cardiovascular na análise univariada. Na análise multivariada, história prévia de DCV (HR = 6,17; IC 95% 1,7 - 22,2; p = 0,005) e disfunção diastólica moderada a grave (HR = 3,76; IC 95% 1,05 - 13,4; p = 0,042) foram fatores de risco independentes para eventos cardiovasculares. CONCLUSÃO: Disfunção diastólica de moderada a grave é um preditor independente de eventos cardiovasculares em pacientes em hemodiálise.

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on hemodialysis have high rates of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Although structural and functional echocardiographic alterations in patients undergoing hemodialysis have been the subject of several survival analysis studies, the prognostic value of these alterations is not well established in literature. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prognostic value of echocardiographic parameters in patients with CKD on hemodialysis. METHODS: Sixty consecutive patients with CKD on hemodialysis were clinically evaluated and underwent Doppler echocardiography, being followed for 19 ± 6 months. The outcome measures were fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events and overall mortality. The predictive value of echocardiographic variables was evaluated by Cox regression model and survival curves were constructed using the Kaplan-Meier method and log rank test to compare them. RESULTS: Rates of survival free of cardiovascular events, of cardiovascular and overall mortality in two years were 79.4%, 88.5% and 83% respectively. Diabetes, previous diagnosis of cardiovascular disease (CVD), ejection fraction, fractional shortening, left ventricular systolic diameter and E/e' ratio were predictors of cardiovascular outcome at univariate analysis. In the multivariate analysis, previous history of CVD (HR = 6.17, 95%CI: 1.7 - 22.2, p = 0.005) and moderate to severe diastolic dysfunction (HR = 3.76, 95%CI: 1.05 - 13.4, p = 0.042) were independent risk factors for cardiovascular events. CONCLUSION: Moderate to severe diastolic dysfunction is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events in hemodialysis patients.