Abstract:One hundred eighty-four patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis mansoni from the northeast of Brazil were studied. All were treated with a single dose of Oxamniquine or Praziquantel, and were observed over 6 to 12 months. Special attention was given to the evolution of severe hepatopathy. Favourable results were obtained, particularly with the compensated hepatosplenic form. Hepatic function showed great improvement. Hepatomegaly and splenomegaly were significantly reduced in size, to a greater or lesser e… Show more
“…Many studies have been conducted in an attempt to evaluate the aspects of immunity that might be impaired, but the mechanisms are not perfectly understood yet 10,11,15,21,22,28,29,34,36,50,54,55,59,60 .…”
SUMMARYPurpose: To evaluate the frequency and the consequences of the co-infection of hepatitis B and C viruses in patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis (HSS).Methods: B and C serologic markers, exposure to risk factors, biochemical assays, upper gastrointestinal endoscopies, and abdominal ultrasonograms were evaluated in 101 patients with HSS from 1994 to 1997. Whenever possible, PCR was tested and histopathological studies were reviewed.Results: At least one HBV virus marker was found in 15.8%, and anti-HCV was detected in 12.9% of the subjects. The seropositive subjects tended to be older than the seronegative ones. A history of blood transfusion was significantly related to the presence of anti-HCV. Three (18.75%) out of 16 subjects exposed to B virus were HBsAg positive. Eleven (84.6%) out of thirteen patients who were anti-HCV positive demonstrated viral activity. Patients with ongoing viral infection presented a higher average level of liver aminotransferases, a higher frequency of cell decompensation and a higher rate of chronic hepatitis. Portal hypertension parameters were not influenced by viral exposure.
Conclusions:The rate of hepatitis B and C viruses serologic markers observed in the patients with HSS was higher than the control group. The co-infection was responsible for a higher frequency of cell decompensation.
“…Many studies have been conducted in an attempt to evaluate the aspects of immunity that might be impaired, but the mechanisms are not perfectly understood yet 10,11,15,21,22,28,29,34,36,50,54,55,59,60 .…”
SUMMARYPurpose: To evaluate the frequency and the consequences of the co-infection of hepatitis B and C viruses in patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis (HSS).Methods: B and C serologic markers, exposure to risk factors, biochemical assays, upper gastrointestinal endoscopies, and abdominal ultrasonograms were evaluated in 101 patients with HSS from 1994 to 1997. Whenever possible, PCR was tested and histopathological studies were reviewed.Results: At least one HBV virus marker was found in 15.8%, and anti-HCV was detected in 12.9% of the subjects. The seropositive subjects tended to be older than the seronegative ones. A history of blood transfusion was significantly related to the presence of anti-HCV. Three (18.75%) out of 16 subjects exposed to B virus were HBsAg positive. Eleven (84.6%) out of thirteen patients who were anti-HCV positive demonstrated viral activity. Patients with ongoing viral infection presented a higher average level of liver aminotransferases, a higher frequency of cell decompensation and a higher rate of chronic hepatitis. Portal hypertension parameters were not influenced by viral exposure.
Conclusions:The rate of hepatitis B and C viruses serologic markers observed in the patients with HSS was higher than the control group. The co-infection was responsible for a higher frequency of cell decompensation.
“…To evaluate the putative effect of ASC on the control of inflammation and induction of tissue regeneration, we designed our study linking the known anti-parasite effect of PZQ with the ASC properties to determine whether combined PZQ and ASC therapy would induce a faster recovery than the treatment with PZQ alone. The modulation of granulomas and tissue repair in some S. mansoni infected individuals [62] can take a long time when PZQ is used as the only therapy [19,63]. Therefore, the possible effect of ASC on controlling inflammation and reducing liver fibrosis could be an important adjunct treatment.…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Due to the low cost, safety and high efficacy, PZQ has been used as the gold-standard treatment against schistosomiasis, and its mass administration has become the mainstay of national control programs [18]. Currently, there is no specific treatment to control the granulomatous reaction and hepatosplenic clinical form of the disease, which might continue for several months after successful treatment with PZQ [19].…”
Background In view of the potential immunosuppressive and regenerative properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), we investigated whether transplantation of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASC) could be used to control the granulomatous reaction in the liver of mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni after Praziquantel (PZQ) treatment. Methodology/Prinicpal findings C57BL/6 mice infected with S. mansoni were treated with PZQ and transplanted intravenously with ASC from uninfected mice. Liver morpho-physiological and immunological analyses were performed. The combined PZQ/ASC therapy significantly reduced the volume of hepatic granulomas, as well as liver damage as measured by ALT levels. We also observed that ASC accelerated the progression of the granulomatous inflammation to the advanced/ curative phase. The faster healing interfered with the expression of CD28 and CTLA-4 molecules in CD4 + T lymphocytes, and the levels of IL-10 and IL-17 cytokines, mainly in the livers of PZQ/ASC-treated mice. Conclusions Our results show that ASC therapy after PZQ treatment results in smaller granulomas with little tissue damage, suggesting the potential of ASC for the development of novel therapeutic approaches to minimize hepatic lesions as well as a granulomatous reaction following S. mansoni infection. Further studies using the chronic model of schistosomiasis are required to corroborate the therapeutic use of ASC for schistosomiasis.
“…It has been shown that specifi c treatment for S. mansoni can contribute to decreasing infection levels and improving clinical conditions such as hepatosplenomegaly and PPF [15][16][17] . As a result, the regression of PPF may prevent the emergence of portal hypertension, highlighting the importance of PPF diagnosis by obtaining accurate methods for monitoring this disease 18 .…”
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