PMID: 2507659Dec 1, 1989Paper

Hepatic schistosomiasis and chronic active hepatitis

Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology
M A MadwarY Abdel Ghaffar

Abstract

As part of an investigation of the possible role of autoimmune mechanisms in the development of chronic active hepatitis (CAH) in schistosomiasis, sera from 25 patients (Group I) with hepatic schistosomiasis without histological features of CAH and 5 patients (Group II) with CAH and intestinal mansoniasis, but without discernible hepatic infection, were examined for the presence of the liver membrane antibody (LMA) that is reportedly associated with the autoimmune variant of CAH. All patients were HBsAg-negative. Circulating LMA was found in 17 (68%) Group I and 3 (60%) Group II patients. Low titres of various organ-non-specific autoantibodies were found in about a third of all patients but these did not correlate with the presence of LMA. There was also no correlation between LMA and antibodies to the hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc), found in the sera of 67% of the patients, indicating that occult or recent past hepatitis B virus infection was not a factor in LMA production. Long-term follow-up of the Group I patients should reveal whether current LMA-positivity is related to eventual development of CAH in hepatic schistosomiasis.

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.