• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.243-246
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• 2005

Pleural effusion represents a rare complication of acute hepatitis A infection. Twelve year-old girl was admitted with complaints of general weakness, nausea and icteric sclerae. She also complained of right chest pain. Right decubitus view of chest radiograph showed pleural fluid accumulation. Laboratory findings were as follows: AST/ALT 1692/1970 IU/L, total/direct bilirubin 4.48/3.66 mg/dL and HA IgM Ab (+). On the seventh day of hospitalization, her general condition was much improved and chest radiography showed resolved pleural effusion.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.213-221
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• 2005

Purpose: Hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) is characterized by persistent high fever, hepatosplenomegaly, cytopenias, hypertriglyceridemia, and/or hypofibrinogenemia. Hepatic manifestations including overt hepatic failure and fulminant hepatitis are common in HPS. Liver transplantation (LT) should be considered in a case of fulminant hepatitis by other than HPS, but LT is contraindicated and complete cure is possible by chemotherapy in HPS. Therefore, we conducted this study to define the characteristics of HPS presenting as severe acute hepatitis. Methods: Among the total of 23 patients diagnosed as HPS by bone marrow examination between 1994 and 2005 in Asan Medical Center, 11 cases presented as severe acute hepatitis were enrolled in this study. We analyzed the clinical features, laboratory findings and outcome retrospectively. Results: Seven (64%) of the 11 children with HPS and hepatitis were referred to pediatric gastroenterologist at first. The mean age of onset was 50 months. There was no case with family history of primary HPS. Epstein-Barr virus was positive in 4, and herpes Simplex virus was positive simultaneously in 1 case. As the presenting symptoms and signs, fever was present in 10, hepatosplenomagaly was noted in all and jaundice in 10. Anemia was observed in 10, thrombocytopenia in 10, leukopenia in 8, hypertriglyceridemia in 9, hypofibrinogenemia in 8 and hyperferritinemia in 7 cases, respectively. Nine children received chemotherapy including etopside. The overall mortality rate was 72% (8/11). Conclusion: HPS, which needs chemotherapy, should be considered as a cause of severe acute hepatitis especially when accompanied with prolonged high fever and cytopenias.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.28-30
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• 2016

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.108-113
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• 1994

Toxicity study of recombinant hepatitis B vaccine (LBD-008), a newly developed drug for acute and chronic hepatitis, was investigated in mice and guinea pigs. 1. Mice showed no production of antibodies against LBD-008 inoculated with aluminum hydroxide gel (Alum) as an adjuvant, judged by the heterologous anaphylaxis (PCA) test using rats. On the other hand, antibodies against ovalbumin (OVA) inoculated with alum were definitely detected. 2. In the studies with guinea pigs, both the inoculation of LBD-008 only and of LBD-008 with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) as an adjuvant did not produce positive reactions in any of homologous active systemic anaphylaxis (ASA). On the other hand, the inoculation of ovalbumin with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) produced positive reaction in both of PCA and ASA. 3. These findings suggested that LBD-008 has no antigenic potential in mice or guinea pigs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.5917-5935
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• 2012

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes acute and chronic human hepatitis infection and as such is an important global health problem. The virus was discovered in the USA in 1989 and it is now known that three to four million people are infected every year, WHO estimating that 3 percent of the 7 billion people worldwide being chronically infected. Humans are the natural hosts of HCV and this virus can eventually lead to permanent liver damage and carcinoma. HCV is a member of the Flaviviridae family and Hepacivirus genus. The diameter of the virus is about 50-60 nm and the virion contains a single-stranded positive RNA approximately 10,000 nucleotides in length and consisting of one ORF which is encapsulated by an external lipid envelope and icosahedral capsid. HCV is a heterogeneous virus, classified into 6 genotypes and more than 50 subtypes. Because of the genome variability, nucleotide sequences of genotypes differ by approximately 31-34%, and by 20-23% among subtypes. Quasi-species of mixed virus populations provide a survival advantage for the virus to create multiple variant genomes and a high rate of generation of variants to allow rapid selection of mutants for new environmental conditions. Direct contact with infected blood and blood products, sexual relationships and availability of injectable drugs have had remarkable effects on HCV epidemiology. Hundreds of thousands of people die each year from hepatitis and liver cancer caused by HCV virus infection. Approximately 80% of patients with acute hepatitis C progress into a chronic disease state leading to serious hepatic disorders, 10-20% of which develop chronic liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The incubation period of HCV is 6-8 weeks and the infection is often asymptomatic so it is very hard to detect at early stages, making early treatment very difficult. Therefore, hepatitis C is called a "silent disease". Neutralizing antibodies are produced against several HCV proteins during infection but the virus mutates to escape from antibodies. Some patients with chronic hepatitis C may have some symptoms such as fatigue, muscle aches, nausea and pain. Autoimmune and immunecomplex-mediated diseases have also been reported with chronic HCV infection.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.9
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• pp.841-847
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• 2007

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a very rare but devastating illness in children. Specific treatment to recovery is often not available, and the underlying cause of the liver failure is often unknown and diverse especially in children. Liver transplantation has increased the chance of survival; however it needs an optimal timing to reach the best result which is not familiar to pediatrician. This article discusses the current knowledge of the epidemiology, backgrounds and factors to be considered before establishing the treatment of ALF in children.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.49-52
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• 1989

Acute inhalation intoxication of CS (O-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile) occurred among the 192 animals in confined animal cages of farm as the result of prolonged exposure. A total of 8 animals (3 silver foxes, 3 fitches and 2 minks) died in 15 hours after the exposure. Distinct evidences of pulmonary atelectasis were observed as with hepatorenal damages. The lethal toxicity of CS was considered to be due to early severelung damages leading to asphyxia, accompanying acute toxic hepatitis and nephritis.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.211-220
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• 1985

Serum HBsAg, AntiHBs, HBeAg, AntiHBe and AntiHBc were detected by radioimmunoassay in 39 patients with acute viral hepatitis, 79 patients with chronic hepatitis, 30 patients with liver cirrhosis, 16 patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma, 14 patients of HBsAg carriers and 129 cases of controls:78 cases of normal level of SGOT, SGPT, and 51 cases of elevated level of SGOT, SGPT. Following results were obtained: 1. HBsAg was detected in 66.7% of acute viral hepatitis, 63.3% of chronic hepatitis, 36.7% of liver cirrhosis, 81.3% of primary hepatocellular carcinoma and 27.1% of controls. 2. AntiHBs was positive in 0% of acute viral hepatitis, 21.5% of chronic hepatitis, 36.7% of liver cirrhosis, 31.3% of primary hepatocellular carcinoma, 0% of carrier and 44.2% of controls. 3. HBeAg was detected in 45.6% of chronic hepatitis, 23.3% of liver cirrhosis and 31.3% of primary hepatocellular carcinoma. 4. Among chronic liver diseases, antiHBe was positive in 56.3% of primary hepatocellular carcinoma, 23.3% of liver cirrhosis and 20.3% of chronic hepatitis. 5. AntiHBc was detected in most of all examines and the significance of presence of AntiHBc does not seem to represent liver disease itself but the evidence of infection of HBV. 6. Among 14 HBV carriers, 6 cases presented with abnormal SGOT, SGPT. 7. All HBV markers were negative in 5.1% of acute viral hepatitis, 5.1% of chronic hepatitis and 14.7% of controls: 17.6% of subjects with abnormal SGOT, SGPT and 12.8% of subjects with normal SGOT, SGPT. 8. Beside of HBV, other causes, such as non A, non B virus, Delta-agent, other viruses or related factors should be excluded among the patients with evidence of HBV infection associated with elevation of SGOT & SGPT.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.91-99
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• 2012

Purpose: The aims of this study was to compare and evaluate the clinical characteristics, laboratory data, and prognosis for infants under age 1 year with CMV hepatitis and those with viral hepatitis of unknown etiology. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted of infants under age 1 year who were admitted with acute hepatitis. The exclusion criteria consisted of: autoimmune, genetic, metabolic, toxic, HAV, HBV, HCV, toxoplasma, rubella, herpes simplex, and Epstein-Barr virus. The 30 patients included were divided into two groups based on markers for CMV (IgM anti-CMV, CMV PCR in urine, CMV culture in urine). Results: The median age of patients (n=15) was 2.8 months. No other organ involvement was detected in any patient. Peak serum total bilirubin levels (n=4) ranged from 2.6 to 6.7 mg/dL. Peak serum ALT levels ranged from 51 to 1,581 IU/L. The duration of ALT elevation ranged from 1.5 weeks to 26 weeks (median 9 weeks). All had recovered in full without ganciclovir; there were no cases of hearing loss. The median age of controls (n=15) was 2.5 months. Peak serum total bilirubin levels (n=4) ranged from 1.6 to 9.1 mg/dL. Peak serum ALT levels ranged from 26 to 1,794 IU/L. No significant differences were observed between both groups regarding the peak serum ALT levels, peak serum total bilirubin levels, duration of hyperbilirubinemia and ALT elevation. Conclusion: Although it was not possible to differentiate congenital infection with perinatal infection in this study, the prognosis of patients with CMV hepatitis without other organ involvement was good without ganciclovir treatment.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.45-53
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• 1993

Biphenyl Dimethyl dicarboxylate(DDB) has been regarded as a safe, effective drug for decreasing serum aminotransferase levels from elevated serum aminotransferase levels, which cause acute or chronic hepatitis and chronic liver diseases. This study was designed to low dose(22.5mg/day) & short-term therapy effectiveness for 4 weeks of DDB in 30 chronic hepatitis patients with elevated serum aminotransferases. The following results were observed. 1. Serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT) levels significantly decresed from 173. $97\pm130.62(U/L)$ of pretreatment level to $32.23\pm19.22(U/L)$ after treatment for 4 weeks(p<0.00l) and normalized patients by $73\%$ 2. Serum aspartate (AST) aminotransferase levels significantly decreased from $94.90\pm49.17(U/L)$ of pretreatment level to $45.30\pm23.25(U/L)4 after treatment(p0<0.01). 3. However, no significant effects in the serum AST & ALT changes by which cause hepatitis and hepatitis duration (p>0.05). 4. No significant adverse effects were observed except for mild epigastric discomfort in one patient during DDB treatment It is suggested that DDB small dosage administration can result effectively decreasing serum aminotransferase levels from chronic hepatitis patients with elevated serum aminotransferase levels.