Anti-HCV Core Protein Monoclonal antibody, Clone 9B5

Background Occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) is considered a risk factor for progression of liver disease in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. This disease progression is reported to be more significant in those with concomitant HIV infection. We aimed to determine the prevalence rate of OBI in a sample of HIV-positive patients. Materials and Methods: Sixty-six HIV-infected patients with positive Hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAb) and negative Hepatitis B surface antigen HBsAg were included. HBV DNA was measured by real time polymerase chain reaction PCR method. Those with positive HBV viral load were considered as seropositive OBI. Then, the patients were studied regarding age, gender, intravenous drug use (IVDU), CD4 count, and concomitant infection by hepatitis C virus (HCV), available in their medical records. Results: Seventy-seven patients (38.5%) had positive HBc antibody (HBcAb). Of 66 patients who were positive for both HIV and HBc antibody, eight patients (12.12%)had OBI. About 3.7% in age group younger than 40 years and 5.3% in age group older than 40 years, OBI was detected. Forty-four patients (54.5%) were male. OBI rate was 22.2% in males and zero in females (P<0.05). In patients who received ART (anti-retroviral therapy) 11.3% and in those who did not receive ART, 12.4% had OBI. In patients with CD4 count of less than 350/mL, 20.1% and in those with CD4 count > 350/mL, 4.1% had OBI. In those who were IV drug user, 17.94% and in those who were not IV drug user, 3.57% gad OBI. Conclusion The prevalence of OBI in the studied sample of HIV-infected patients is considerable. As we did not find any significant association between OBI and studied factors except for gender, we think that screening for OBI would be useful for HIV-infected patients, especially male patients.

AIM: To investigate if there is an association between hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and the risk of pancreatic cancer. METHODS: All relevant studies published before 11 October, 2012 were identified by a systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, BIOSIS Previews and the Cochrane Library databases and with cross-referencing. The observational studies that reported RR or OR estimates with 95% CIs for the association between HBV or HCV and pancreatic cancer were included. A random-effects model was used to summarize meta-analytic estimates. The Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale was applied to assess the quality of the methodology in the included studies. RESULTS: A total of 8 eligible studies were selected for meta-analysis. Overall, chronic hepatitis B and inactive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carrier state (HBsAg positive) had a significantly increased risk of pancreatic cancer with OR of 1.20 (95% CI: 1.01-1.39), especially in the Chinese population (OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.05-1.56). Past exposure to HBV (possible occult HBV infection) had an increased OR of pancreatic cancer risk (OR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.05-1.42), especially among those patients without natural immunity [anti hepatitis B core (HBc) positive/hepatitis B surface antibody (anti HBs) negative], with OR of 1.67 (95% CI: 1.13-2.22). However, past exposure to HBV with natural immunity (anti-HBc positive/anti-HBs positive) had no association with pancreatic cancer development, with OR 0.98 (95% CI: 0.80-1.16), nor did the HBV active replication (hepatitis B e antigen positive status), with OR 0.98 (95% CI: 0.27-1.68). The risk of pancreatic cancer among anti-HBs positive patients was significantly lower than among anti-HBs negative patients (OR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.46-0.62). Past exposure to HCV also resulted in an increased risk of pancreatic cancer (OR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.03-1.50). Significant between-study heterogeneity was observed. Evidence of publication bias for HBV/HCV infection-pancreatic cancer association was not found. CONCLUSION: Chronic HBV and HCV infection increases pancreatic cancer risk. Our findings underscore the need for more studies to confirm this potential relationship. (C) 2013 Baishideng. All rights reserved.