Hepatocyte injury, commonly encountered in the practice of medicine, can be caused by a number of diseases such as hepatitis, autoimmune disorders, and congenital or acquired disorders of metabolism, or by exposure to alcohol, chemicals, and drugs. The most common cause of liver injury worldwide is infection with viruses that primarily infect the liver, often termed hepatitis viruses. Viral infections are the most common cause of acute hepatitis. The range of responsible viruses is very broad, but those of greatest importance are the hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D, and E. The viral hepatitis "alphabet" is still growing. In 1996, novel RNA viruses were identified from the sera of patients with liver disease by two research groups. These possible agents have been named hepatitis GB virus type C (GBV-C) and hepatitis IG virus (HGV), respectively.1 These viruses are distinguished from each other by their morphology, modes of transmission, and propensity for development of chronic infections. The A and E viruses are transmitted via the fecal-oral route and cause acute hepatitis very rarely with any long-term complications, while the B, C, and D viruses are transmitted by exchange of body fluids; major methods of transmission include serum, sexual intercourse, illegal drug injections, and transmission from mother to infant (usually occurring during delivery), and are associated with development of chronic hepatitis infections, which might, ultimately, lead to cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, hepatocellular carcinoma, liver failure, and death. Viral hepatitis is a major public-health problem, affecting people of all ages, races, and ethnicities. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 2 billion people alive today have been infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) at some point in their lives, and about 350 million of these remain chronically infected. In addition to this, available data indicate that approximately 3% of the world's population is infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), giving an estimated total of 170 million people. With all of these viruses, the highest prevalence is among the people in Asia, Africa South America, and eastern, central, and southern Europe. The actual number is hard to obtain because many people are not aware that they are infected and are not clinically ill.

The number of teenagers being sent out of county to be treated for Hepatitis B and C has more than quadrupled over the last year.

The region’s Health Protection Unit was notified about nine North Cumbrian youngsters who tested positive for the liver diseases, a rise of seven on 2006.

They need to be monitored at specialist clinics in London, Birmingham and Leeds because of their age.

But the actual number of teenagers who have to get help away from home is likely to be higher.

The clinics do not directly report to the HPU and its data only reflects information passed on from GPs.

Hepatitis B and C are both transmitted through blood, sufferers can end up with liver failure and cancer in the most serious cases.

The most likely way to catch the viruses is through shared needles or medical and dental treatment in countries where procedures are not up to UK standards. Those who had blood transfusions before screening was introduced in 1991 are also vulnerable because it can take years for symptoms to appear.

Dubai (PTI): Dubai will now screen expatriates for Hepatitis C and Syphilis diseases, in addition to the existing medical tests, before they are granted a residency or employment visa.

The new screening norms which come into force on Tuesday, require people renewing/applying for a residence or employment visa to undergo a number of medical fitness tests for diseases including HIV, Hepatitis B & C, Tuberculosis and Syphilis, according to the new Government Federal Law.

Though X-ray and blood tests were already being conducted, two more screening methods have also been added that include the urine and stool tests. Besides, vaccination for Hepatitis B has also been made compulsory.

The person found unfit and suffering from any of these diseases, is likely to be deported.

Maitha Al Bustani, Head of Medical Fitness Centre at the Department of Health and Medical Services (Dohms), however said, the new rules are part of a trial and may be changed in future.

"According to the decision taken by the Minister of Health Humaid Al Quttami, the rules are being implemented on a trial basis for three months, and may be subject to change in the coming months," she explained.

The group of professionals who are especially under the scanner include food handlers, nannies, housemaids, educators/teachers, and people who work in restaurants and heath fields due to the sensitivity of their professions.

http://www.hindu.com/ 

July 1, 2008 — Higher coffee consumption was associated with lower liver cancer risk but higher levels of gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) may increase risk for this disease, according to the results of a study reported in the July issue of Hepatology.

"Only three Japanese prospective studies have suggested an inverse association between coffee drinking and liver cancer risk," write Gang Hu, from the Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki in Finland, and colleagues. "No prospective studies on the association between ... GGT and liver cancer risk have been reported. We aimed to determine the single and joint associations of coffee consumption and serum GGT with the risk of primary liver cancer."

The study cohort consisted of 60,323 Finns who were 25 to 74 years of age and free of any cancer at enrollment. Median follow-up was 19.3 years (interquartile range, 9.3 - 29.2 years). Incident liver cancer was diagnosed in 128 participants during follow-up. Hazard ratios for liver cancer risk as a function of coffee consumption were multivariable-adjusted for age, sex, alcohol consumption, education, smoking, diabetes and chronic liver disease at baseline and during follow-up, body mass index was assessed.

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Jun 30 - The synthetic peptide vaccine IC41 induces a T-cell response specific to hepatitis C virus (HCV) in patients with chronic HCV infection refractory to standard therapy, German researchers report.

"This clinical study with the HCV therapeutic vaccine IC41clearly shows that a T lymphocyte immune response can be induced in the difficult-to-treat non-responders to previous interferon-based HCV therapies," lead investigator Dr. Michael P. Manns told Reuters Health.

In the May issue of Gastroenterology, Dr. Manns of Hannover Medical School and colleagues note that in an earlier study with healthy volunteers the vaccine was shown to be safe and capable of eliciting HCV-specific immune response.