Livia Masi

Laboratory signs of acute or recent cytomegalovirus infection are common in cirrhosis of the liver

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is an ubiquitous pathogen that can cause severe and often fatal infections in immunocompromised patients. Patients with cirrhosis often show various degrees of impaired cellular immunity that could lead to acute CMV reactivation. The aim of the present study was to determine whether laboratory findings of active CMV infections are common in patients with cirrhosis. Fifty‐five patients with cirrhosis were studied for acute CMV infection by virological (antigenemia and quantitative polymerase chain reaction in polymorphonuclear leukocytes) and serological (detection of anti‐CMV IgM by immunoblot) methods. The same tests were carried out on 50 blood donors and on 20 chronic hepatitis patients, considered as control populations. Acute or recent CMV infection had occurred in 31 (56%) of 55 patients with cirrhosis, whereas only 1 out of 20 (5%) patients with chronic non‐cirrhotic liver disease and none of the 50 blood donors had laboratory signs of active CMV infection. The difference between patients with cirrhosis and the control groups was significant (P < 0.001, χ2 test). CMV in patients with cirrhosis was not related to age, gender, hepatitis C virus infection or hepatocellular carcinoma. There was no significant correlation between impairment of liver function and the presence of active CMV infection. Patients with cirrhosis should be considered at risk for CMV infection, that seems to be mild and asymptomatic. J. Med. Virol. 62:25–28, 2000.

DOPPLER EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTS OF PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENT OF PORTAL HYPERTENSION

The splanchnic pharmacodynamic effects of the drugs used for the treatment of hemorrhagic complications of portal hypertension were poorly clarified until some years ago. The introduction of Doppler ultrasound provided a powerful tool to investigate such hemodynamic effects and brought new insights in this field. The present article reviews the pharmacodynamics of the substances used in the treatment of portal hypertension, with particular regard to the effects assessable by duplex Doppler ultrasonography.

Intrahepatic artery pseudoaneurysm: A possible complication of blind thoracentesis

We present a case of intrahepatic artery pseudoaneurysm that developed after blind thoracentesis in a 67‐year‐old man. This unusual complication demonstrates the value of sonographic guidance in reducing the risk of complications of thoracentesis.

Allelic Imbalance on 16q in Small, Unifocal Hepatocellular Carcinoma

In advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), allelic loss on chromosome 16q may occur. To better define the frequency of this alteration in small HCC and to more closely identify the affected region for further positional cloning of the putative tumor suppressor gene contained in this region, microsatellite polymorphism analysis was conducted on small, unifocal HCC, without signs of intrahepatic or systemic spread. We also tried to assess its possible correlation with hepatitis virus infections (HBV and HCV) and cellular proliferation rate. DNA from 35 small (<4 cm), unifocal HCC and from the corresponding nontumorous surrounding tissue was analyzed by 10 sets of microsatellite polymorphic markers. Serologic markers for hepatitis virus B and C infections were investigated in all cases. AgNOR protein quantity was assessed by image analysis on cryostatic sections stained with silver. The percentage of tumours with allelic imbalance ranged from 11.1 to 37%. The minimal involved region was assessed at 16q24.3, corresponding to the D16S413 marker, which was also the most commonly affected locus (10 of 27 informative cases, 37%). Allelic imbalance on chromosome 16q was significantly associated with HBV infection: 8 of 10 cases showed an actual or previous HBV infection in the group showing allelic imbalance, versus 6 with a previous HBV infection out of 25 in the control group (P < 0.01). No difference was found as far as HCV infection is concerned. The mean (±se) AgNOR protein value in six cases showing allelic imbalance was 8.36 ± 1.2 μm2, compared to 6.45 ± 0.68 μm2 in 13 cases retaining both the alleles at 16q but the difference proved not statistically significant. In conclusion, in this series of small, unifocal HCC the minimal region of allelic imbalance on 16q was restricted to 16q24.3. It was found to be associated with HBV infection but not with increased cellular proliferation rate.

A case of extracranial vertebral artery dissection with spontaneous recovery: Diagnosis and follow-up by duplex and color Doppler

A 47-year-old women developed an acute vestibular syndrome with a peripheral facial palsy not associated with any trauma. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an ischemic lesion in the territory of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery. Color Doppler ultrasonography detected an occlusion of the right vertebral artery and dissection of the artery was confirmed by a subsequent angiography. During follow-up Duplex-Doppler allowed a non-invasive monitoring of recanalization of the occluded artery. Copyright 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.