GB virus C (GBV-C) is a species of virus in the Flaviviridae family which has not yet been assigned to a genus, is known to infect humans, but is not known to cause human disease. There have been reports that HIV patients coinfected with GBV-C can survive longer than those without GBV-C, but the patients may be different in other ways. There is current active research into the virus' effects on the immune system in patients coinfected with GBV-C and HIV.
Contents
* 1 History
* 2 Taxonomy
* 3 Human infection
* 4 References
* 5 External links
History
Hepatitis G virus and GB virus C (GBV-C) are RNA viruses that were independently identified in 1995, and were subsequently found to be two isolates of the same virus. Although GBV-C was initially thought to be associated with chronic hepatitis, extensive investigation failed to identify any association between this virus and any clinical Taxonomy
GBV-C is a member of the Flaviviridae family and is phylogenetically related to hepatitis C virus but appears to replicate primarily in lymphocytes, and poorly if at all in hepatocytes. GBV-A and GBV-B are probably Tamarin viruses, while GBV-C infects
Human infection
The majority of immune-competent individuals appear to clear GBV-C viraemia within the first few years following infection and although the time interval between GBV-C infection and clearance of viraemia (detection of GBV-C RNA in plasma) is not known, infection may persist for decades in some individuals.
Approximately 2% of healthy US blood donors are viraemic with GBV-C, and up to 13% of blood donors have antibodies to E2 protein, indicating prior infection.
Parenteral, sexual and vertical transmission of GBV-C have all been documented, and because of shared modes of transmission, individuals infected with HIV are commonly co-infected with GBV-C. Among people with HIV infection, the prevalence of GBV-C viraemia ranges from 14 to 43%.
Some studies have suggested that co-infection with GBV-C will actually slow the progression of HIV disease.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
FATTY LIVER DISEASE- NAFLD
NAFLD refers to a group of conditions where there is accumulation of excess fat in the liver of people who drink little or no alcohol. The most common form of NAFLD is a non serious condition called fatty liver. In fatty liver, fat accumulates in the liver cells. Although having fat in the liver is not normal, by itself it probably does not damage the liver. A small group of people with NAFLD may have a more serious condition named non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In NASH, fat accumulation is associated with liver cell inflammation and different degrees of scarring. NASH is a potentially serious condition that may lead to severe liver scarring and cirrhosis. Cirrhosis occurs when the liver sustains substantial damage, and the liver cells are gradually replaced by scar tissue (see figure), which results in the inability of the liver to work properly. Some patients who develop cirrhosis may eventually require a liver transplant (surgery to remove the damaged liver and replace it with a “new” liver).
Liver Biopsy Liver biopsy is the undisputed best way to assess liver fibrosis or cirrhosis; however, it is an invasive proced
Liver Biopsy
Liver biopsy is the undisputed best way to assess liver fibrosis or cirrhosis; however, it is an invasive procedure that can cause rare, but potentially life-threatening complications. Researchers have been seeking less invasive ways to diagnose liver disease, developing and testing clinical tools, like the Original European Liver Fibrosis Panel and transient elastography.
Liver biopsy is the undisputed best way to assess liver fibrosis or cirrhosis; however, it is an invasive procedure that can cause rare, but potentially life-threatening complications. Researchers have been seeking less invasive ways to diagnose liver disease, developing and testing clinical tools, like the Original European Liver Fibrosis Panel and transient elastography.
Artificial Liver Support System
Is the only treatment for end-stage liver disease, but many patients die before receiving a transplant due to the severe shortage of donor organs. Researchers, therefore, have explored various liver assist technologies, or "artificial livers," to keep patients alive while waiting for a transplant.
San Diego, CA -- January 7, 2009 -- Vital Therapies, Inc. (VTI), a development stage company targeting liver disease, today announced patient enrollment has begun for a randomized, controlled, multi-center, Phase 2 clinical trial that will study the Extracorporeal Liver Assist Device (ELAD) as a treatment for patients with Acute Liver Failure (ALF) under three protocols. The study is open for enrollment at seven U.S. sites, which will be expanded to 15 sites in the U.S. and Europe during the first half of 2009. Six patients have already been enrolled in the first protocol and four patients have been treated under the emergency use Expanded Access regulations.
San Diego, CA -- January 7, 2009 -- Vital Therapies, Inc. (VTI), a development stage company targeting liver disease, today announced patient enrollment has begun for a randomized, controlled, multi-center, Phase 2 clinical trial that will study the Extracorporeal Liver Assist Device (ELAD) as a treatment for patients with Acute Liver Failure (ALF) under three protocols. The study is open for enrollment at seven U.S. sites, which will be expanded to 15 sites in the U.S. and Europe during the first half of 2009. Six patients have already been enrolled in the first protocol and four patients have been treated under the emergency use Expanded Access regulations.
What is AIDS??
A serious (often fatal) disease of the immune system transmitted through blood products especially by sexual contact or contaminated needles.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a lentivirus (a member of the retrovirus family) that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a condition in humans in which the immune system begins to fail, leading to life-threatening opportunistic infections. Previous names for the virus include human T-lymphotropic virus-III (HTLV-III), lymphadenopathy-associated virus (LAV), and AIDS-associated retrovirus (ARV).[1][2]
Infection with HIV occurs by the transfer of blood, semen, vaginal fluid, pre-ejaculate, or breas milk. Within these bodily fluids, HIV is present as both free virus particles and virus within infected immune cells. The four major routes of transmission are unprotected sexual intercourse, contaminated needles, breast milk, and transmission from an infected mother to her baby at birth (Vertical transmission). Screening of blood products for HIV has largely eliminated transmission through blood transfusions or infected blood products in the developed world.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a lentivirus (a member of the retrovirus family) that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a condition in humans in which the immune system begins to fail, leading to life-threatening opportunistic infections. Previous names for the virus include human T-lymphotropic virus-III (HTLV-III), lymphadenopathy-associated virus (LAV), and AIDS-associated retrovirus (ARV).[1][2]
Infection with HIV occurs by the transfer of blood, semen, vaginal fluid, pre-ejaculate, or breas milk. Within these bodily fluids, HIV is present as both free virus particles and virus within infected immune cells. The four major routes of transmission are unprotected sexual intercourse, contaminated needles, breast milk, and transmission from an infected mother to her baby at birth (Vertical transmission). Screening of blood products for HIV has largely eliminated transmission through blood transfusions or infected blood products in the developed world.
What is Cancer?
"Cancer" is an abnormal growth of cells anywhere in the body. It occurs when the genes in a cell allow it to split (make new cells) without control.
There are many kinds of cancer, because there are many kinds of cells in the body, and because there are many genes that control cell growth.
Some cancers form solid growths called tumors. Others, like cancers of the blood (leukemias) travel all over the body.
Cancers may harm the body in two ways. They may replace normal cells with cells that don't work properly, and they may kill normal cells.
Sometimes cancers stay put. Sometimes they spread to nearby organs. Sometimes they shed cells into the bloodstream or lymphatic system and travel to distant parts of the body.
The farther a cancer spreads, the harder it is to control. The distant spread of cancer, called "metastasis," is dangerous, because a number of vital organs may be harmed at once.
Many things may cause cancer by affecting the genes that control cell growth. The most common causes of cancer in Rhode Island are tobacco, unbalanced diets (diets with too much fat and red meat, and not enough fruits and vegetables), and too much sunlight. We can control many causes of cancer by making good choices in our everyday lives.
The National Cancer Institute has a book, Cancer Rates and Risks, which describes the major causes of cancer in the United States. The book refers to causes of cancer as "risk factors for cancer," because "risk" reminds us that getting cancer is "ify," not "certain," when we are exposed to things that may cause cancer.
There are many kinds of cancer, because there are many kinds of cells in the body, and because there are many genes that control cell growth.
Some cancers form solid growths called tumors. Others, like cancers of the blood (leukemias) travel all over the body.
Cancers may harm the body in two ways. They may replace normal cells with cells that don't work properly, and they may kill normal cells.
Sometimes cancers stay put. Sometimes they spread to nearby organs. Sometimes they shed cells into the bloodstream or lymphatic system and travel to distant parts of the body.
The farther a cancer spreads, the harder it is to control. The distant spread of cancer, called "metastasis," is dangerous, because a number of vital organs may be harmed at once.
Many things may cause cancer by affecting the genes that control cell growth. The most common causes of cancer in Rhode Island are tobacco, unbalanced diets (diets with too much fat and red meat, and not enough fruits and vegetables), and too much sunlight. We can control many causes of cancer by making good choices in our everyday lives.
The National Cancer Institute has a book, Cancer Rates and Risks, which describes the major causes of cancer in the United States. The book refers to causes of cancer as "risk factors for cancer," because "risk" reminds us that getting cancer is "ify," not "certain," when we are exposed to things that may cause cancer.
What is Anemia?
Anemia, one of the more common blood disorders, occurs when the level of healthy red blood cells (RBCs) in the body becomes too low. This can lead to health problems because RBCs contain hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to the body's tissues. anemia can cause a variety of complications, including fatigue and stress on bodily organs.
Anemia can be caused by many things, but the three main bodily mechanisms that produce it are:
* excessive destruction of RBCs
* blood loss
* inadequate production of RBCs
Among many other causes, anemiaanemia can result from inherited disorders, nutritional problems (such as an iron or vitamin deficiency), infections, some kinds of cancer, or exposure to a drug or toxin.
Anemia can be caused by many things, but the three main bodily mechanisms that produce it are:
* excessive destruction of RBCs
* blood loss
* inadequate production of RBCs
Among many other causes, anemiaanemia can result from inherited disorders, nutritional problems (such as an iron or vitamin deficiency), infections, some kinds of cancer, or exposure to a drug or toxin.
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