Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a DNA tumour virus that is the primary cause of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The direct connection between HPV and cervical cancer was discovered in 1980, however, many physicians and the general public are still oblivious to the association of HPV and anal cancer; most individuals find out about this relationship after a confirmed diagnosis, and therefore, it is important to raise awareness about HPV as an etiological agent in anal cancer. There is a quadrivalent vaccine available, which prevents an individual from being infected with HPV, thus anal cancer is mainly a preventable cancer when caused by HPV, and ultimately, preventing cancer is better than curing cancer, especially when there is no definite cure.This article aims to review the microbiology, pathophysiology, epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, prophylaxis and treatment options for HPV as an etiology agent in anal cancers in light of recent literature.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in the Western world. Ongoing research has furthered our understanding of NAFLD, the nature of progression of this disease, and its impact on morbidity and mortality. An active form of NAFLD is non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH); it is the most severe subtype, without any current recommended therapies, according to the European Medicines Agency. The development of new therapies presents challenges, notably due to the slow progression of NASH and the clinically relevant endpoints.Correlating new data with effective treatment regimens is an emerging challenge, which will increase our understanding of the factors affecting the NAFLD course. This can enable more appropriate non-invasive prognostic assessments, which can focus on specifically at-risk NAFLD populations for tailored individual treatment. This review article aims to highlight the current developments in the field of NAFLD: pathogenesis, epidemiology, diagnosis, clinical features, and available treatment, including novel targets and therapies.
The aim of the studyWas to assess current prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes in Poland, including their geographic distribution and changes in a given period of time.Material and methodsData were collected with questionnaires from 29 Polish centers and included data of patients diagnosed with HCV infection between 1 January 2013 and 31 March 2016.ResultsIn total, data of 9800 patients were reported. The highest prevalence was estimated for genotype 1b (81.7%), followed by 3 (11.3%), 4 (3.5%), 1a (3.2%) and 2 (0.2%). Genotype 5 or 6 was reported in 6 patients only (0.1%). The highest prevalence of genotype 1 was observed in central (łódzkie, mazowieckie, świętokrzyskie), eastern (lubelskie) and southern (małopolskie, śląskie) Poland. The highest rate for genotype 3 was observed in south-western (dolnośląskie, lubuskie) and eastern (podlaskie, warmińsko-mazurskie and podkarpackie) Poland. Compared to historical data, we observed an increasing tendency of G1 prevalence from 72.0% in 2003 to 87.5% in 2016, which was accompanied by a decrease of G3 (17.9% vs. 9.1%) and G4 (9.0% vs. 3.1%).ConclusionsAlmost 85% of patients with HCV in Poland are infected with genotype 1 (almost exclusively subgenotype 1b), and its prevalence shows an increasing tendency, accompanied by a decrease of genotypes 3 and 4.
The aim of the studyWas to analyze the efficacy achieved with regimens available for chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in Poland between 2013 and 2016.Material and methodsData were collected from 29 centers and included 6786 patients with available sustained virologic response (SVR) data between 1 January 2013 and 31 March 2016.ResultsThe sustained virologic response rate for genotypes (G) 1a, 1b, 2, 3 and 4 was 62%, 56%, 92%, 67% and 56% respectively; 71% patients (n = 4832) were treated with pegylated interferon α (Peg-IFNα) and ribavirin (RBV), with SVR rates of 58%, 49%, 92%, 67% and 55% respectively. The sustained virologic response among 5646 G1 infected patients was the lowest with natural interferon α (7%, n = 70) or PegIFN (50%, n = 3779) with RBV, and improved in those receiving triple regimens of Peg-IFN + RBV combined with boceprevir (47%, n = 485), telaprevir (64%, n = 805), simeprevir (73%, n = 132) or sofosbuvir (70%, n = 23). The sustained virologic response with interferon-free regimens of sofosbuvir and RBV (n = 7), sofosbuvir and simeprevir (n = 53), and ledipasvir and sofosbuvir (n = 64) achieved 86%, 89% and 94% respectively. The highest SVR of 98% was observed with ombitasvir/paritaprevir combined with dasabuvir (n = 227). Patients infected with G3 (n = 896) and G4 (n = 220) received mostly Peg-IFN + RBV with SVR of 67% and 56% respectively. Interferon-free regimens were administered in 18 G3/G4 patients and all achieved an SVR. Sofosbuvir combined with Peg-IFN and RBV was administered to 33 patients with an SVR rate of 94%, and a similar rate was achieved among 13 G2 patients treated with interferon and RBV.ConclusionsWe observed significant differences in efficacy of HCV regimens available in Poland at the turn of the interferon era. The data will be useful as a comparison for therapeutic options expected in the next few years.
Rabies continues to be one of the most important viral diseases and remains a significant threat to public health across the globe. The post-exposure prophylaxis in humans can effectively prevent death after exposure to a potentially infected animal. In Poland, recommendations for rabies PEP followed the national guidelines which recommend that people should receive PEP when bitten by an animal suspected to be infected by rabies. PEP in humans includes cleansing and disinfecting the wound or point of contact, and administering anti-rabies immunization. Rabies vaccine should be given for contacts of category II and category III exposures. RIG should be given for category III contact. The vaccination schedule includes 5 doses given within a 30 day period (the Essen regimen).The aim. The aim of our study was to determine the frequency of post-exposure prophylaxis among patients exposed to animals and also to assess the animal species suspected as a source of rabies exposure.Methods. We have retrospectively analyzed medical records from the years 2012-2015 of all adult patients who were exposed to animals and consulted at the Dispensary of Rabies Prophylaxis in the Department of Infectious Diseases at the Medical University in Lublin, Poland. All consulted patients were asked to give an informed consent in case of decision to use collected data for future research work.Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the Medical University of Lublin, Poland, and all patients included in this study gave an informed consent during consultation after the exposure to animals.Results. During the studied 4-year period, 511 persons exposed to animals were consulted and prophylactic procedure consisting of active immunization were applied in 54.2% of the total consulted. Dogs and cats were the most common animal species suspected as the source of the rabies exposure. Anti-rabies prophylaxis was applied in 45.8% of all vaccinated patients exposed to dogs, and in 24.2% exposed to cats. All patients with bite wounds were consulted at the Department of Surgery and wound care followed surgical recommendations. In the study group, 45 patients had category III contact. There were 38 patients exposed to dogs, and 7 exposed to cats. There were no people exposed to wildlife in this group. All animals were available for veterinary observation. During and after exposure, none of the animals that serve as a potential source of infection presented with symptoms of rabies. The local epidemiological data indicated that during exposures of our patients, there were no confirmed cases of rabies among animals in Lublin province. Based on the data mentioned above, RIG was not applied.During the studied period in Lublin province, rabies was confirmed mainly in wildlife, and only in 2 dogs.Conclusions. In Lublin province, people are still at risk of exposure to rabid animals. The majority of our patients were vaccinated after domestic animals exposure, but rabies was confirmed mainly in wildlife, and since 2013, there were no ca...
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.