Virology & Mycology
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0517
+44 1223 790975
ISSN: 2161-0517
+44 1223 790975
Cheng-Chuan Su
Tzu Chi University, Taiwan
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Virol Mycol
A high seroprevalence of human herpesvirus type (HHV-8) in mild cirrhotics is significantly associated with hepatitis activity. Cirrhosis is almost derived from chronic hepatitis. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of HHV-8 infection in patients with chronic hepatitis. Blood samples collected from 129 patients with chronic hepatitis and 129 age- and sexmatched healthy controls were analyzed for monocyte and platelet counts, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV), HHV-8 antibody and DNA, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Mean monocyte and platelet counts were significantly higher and lower in patients than in healthy controls (P = 0.02 and < 0.0001, respectively). Seropositive rate for HHV-8 antibodies was significantly greater in patients (32.6%) than in controls (20.9%, P = 0.04), particularly in patients with HCV infection, or higher plasma ALT levels, or both (P = 0.004, 0.01, and 0.0009, respectively). Antibody titers for HHV-8 in patients also exceeded those in controls (P = 0.02). The mean age of HHV-8 seropositive patients (60.3 years) was significantly older than that of seronegative (52.3 years) (P = 0.0007). Patients aged 55 or older had higher seropositive rate and titers for HHV-8 antibodies than those younger (P = 0.005 and 0.007, respectively). A significantly high HHV-8 seroprevalence is already present in patients with chronic hepatitis before the development of cirrhosis, particularly in patients with HCV infection and/or higher plasma ALT levels. Advancing age seems to play an important role in HHV-8 seroprevalence in a patient with chronic hepatitis.
Cheng-Chuan Su has completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at the age of 31 years and in Clinical Pathology two years later and obtained the Master degree from the Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan when he was 32 years old. At present, he is the attending physician of Departments of Anatomic Pathology and Clinical Pathology, Buddhist Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, and the Professor of Departments of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Tzu Chi University, Taiwan. He has published more than 50 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an editorial board member of reputed journals.
E-mail: sucpo@yahoo.com.tw