Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Hepatitis, Chronic ; drug therapy ; prevention & control ; Humans

Background For patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD), co-existence of peripheral artery disease (PAD) predicts increased mortality, and such patients are also more likely to benefit from aggressive therapy. Surveillance of PAD is often neglected at health clinics. Our aim is to highlight the importance and ease of surveillance of PAD in patients with CVD. Objective To determine the prevalence of symptomatic and asymptomatic PAD in a Malaysian patient population with documented CVD. Methods and Results A total of 393 subjects with established CVD were recruited from three centres (85 women and 308 men), as part of a larger international (AGATHA) survey. PAD, determined by presence of claudicant symptoms on interview and/or abnormal ankle-brachial index (ABI)score of less than 0.9, was present in 21.4% of patients - of whom 64% were asymptomatic. Abnormal ABI is associated with higher systolic blood pressure and number of arterial beds affected. Conclusions Concomitant PAD is prevalent among CVD patients in Malaysia. ABI screening is simple and yields a high proportion of patients with extensive atherosclerosis who may require more aggressive atherosclerotic risk management.

Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) is a commonly used antibiotic that has been associated with drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome. DRESS syndrome is characterised by fever, rash, lymphadenopathy, eosinophilia and one or more major organ involvement. Although rare, TMP-SMZ is a recognised cause of fulminant hepatic failure. We report a 17-year-old Chinese male adolescent who presented with fever, myalgia, generalised maculopapular rash and lymphadenopathy after taking TMP-SMZ for acne vulgaris. He subsequently developed hepatic encephalopathy and was worked up for urgent liver transplantation. He responded well to extracorporeal liver dialysis (originally intended as a bridging therapy) and subsequently recovered without the need for liver transplantation. This case report highlights the importance of early recognition of TMP-SMZ-induced DRESS syndrome and the need for early discontinuation of the drug in the affected patient. Extracorporeal liver dialysis and transplantation should be considered in the management of TMP-SMZ-induced fulminant hepatic failure.
Acne Vulgaris ; complications ; drug therapy ; Adolescent ; Anti-Infective Agents ; adverse effects ; Biopsy ; Drug Eruptions ; etiology ; Drug Hypersensitivity Syndrome ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Fever ; etiology ; Humans ; Liver Failure, Acute ; etiology ; therapy ; Lymphatic Diseases ; etiology ; Male ; Myalgia ; etiology ; Renal Dialysis ; methods ; Skin ; pathology ; Treatment Outcome ; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination ; adverse effects

INTRODUCTIONBecause invasive fungal infections cause significant morbidity and mortality in liver transplant recipients, the use of antifungal prophylaxis, and the early empirical use of antifungal agents, is widespread on liver transplant units. The new-generation azoles such as voriconazole and the echinocandins have been welcome additions to the antifungal armamentarium. These agents have become the leading options for prophylaxis in liver transplant units, despite the absence of strong data for their efficacy in this setting.

CLINICAL PICTUREWe report two recipients of living-donor liver transplants who became infected/colonised with fungi resistant to an echinocandin and the azoles after exposure to these agents. One patient developed trichosporonosis while on caspofungin and the other became infected/ colonised with Candida glabrata that was resistant to voriconazole and posaconazole.

CONCLUSIONWe report these to highlight some of the consequences of using the newer antifungal agents.

Adult ; Antifungal Agents ; therapeutic use ; Drug Resistance, Fungal ; Echinocandins ; therapeutic use ; Fatal Outcome ; Female ; Fluconazole ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Lipopeptides ; Liver Transplantation ; adverse effects ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mycoses ; drug therapy ; prevention & control ; Pyrimidines ; therapeutic use ; Triazoles ; therapeutic use ; Trichosporonosis ; drug therapy ; prevention & control ; Voriconazole ; Young Adult

INTRODUCTIONLiver cirrhosis is a common cause of morbidity and mortality and an important burden on the healthcare system. There is limited literature on liver cirrhosis in Singapore. We aimed to describe the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of cirrhotic patients seen in an ambulatory setting in a tertiary referral centre.

MATERIALS AND METHODSThis is a retrospective observational cohort study of cirrhotic patients attending the ambulatory clinic of Singapore's largest tertiary hospital over 5 years. Cirrhosis was diagnosed on characteristic radiological features and/or histology. Aetiology of cirrhosis was determined by history, serology, biochemistry and/or histology. Data on decompensation events and death were retrieved from computerised hospital records.

RESULTSThe study included 564 patients with median follow-up of 85 months. Mean age was 60.9 ± 12.5 years with 63.8% males. Main aetiologies of cirrhosis were chronic hepatitis B (CHB) (63.3%), alcohol (11.2%), cryptogenic (9%) and chronic hepatitis C (CHC) (6.9%). CHB was the predominant aetiology in Chinese and Malays whereas alcohol was the main aetiology in Indians. CHC cirrhosis was more common in Malays than other races. Majority had compensated cirrhosis with 76.8%/18.3%/5%; Child-Pugh A/B/C respectively. Decompensation events occurred in 155 patients (27.5%) and 106 of them (18.8%) died. Diagnosis of cirrhosis via surveillance ultrasound was associated with improved 10-year survival. Age at diagnosis, portal vein thrombosis, Child-Pugh class and decompensation within 1 year of diagnosis were independent predictors of mortality.

CONCLUSIONCHB is the primary cause of liver cirrhosis in Singapore. The major aetiologies of cirrhosis vary amongst the different ethnic groups. Cirrhotics with advanced age, portal vein thrombosis, poorer liver function and early decompensation have a higher mortality risk.

Adult ; Aged ; Ambulatory Care ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; etiology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Singapore ; epidemiology

Background/Aims: Non-alcoholic liver disease and alcoholic liver disease begin as simple steatosis that may progress to steatohepatitis and ensuing liver-related complications such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We explored differences in characteristics between non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and alcoholic steatohepatitisrelated (ASH) HCC. Methods: NASH and ASH patients were identified from our department’s prospective HCC database. A total of 54 and 45 patients met predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria for the NASH-HCC and ASH-HCC groups, respectively. Clinical, biochemical and tumor characteristics were studied. Results: NASH-HCC patients were older compared to ASH-HCC patients (72±9 vs. 66±9 years, P<0.001) and less male predominant (65% vs. 98%, P<0.001). Prevalence of diabetes mellitus (78% vs. 36%, P<0.001) and hypertension (80% vs. 58%, P<0.001) were significantly higher in the NASH-HCC group. Liver function tests and Child-Pugh scores were similar. There were no differences in alpha-fetoprotein level, lesions found at diagnosis (unifocal/multifocal) or prevalence of portal vein invasion. In both groups, almost half of the patients were in TNM stage 4 at the time of diagnosis and more than 50% of patients were not suitable for any therapy. Median survival in the NASH-HCC and ASH-HCC groups were 13 and 7 months respectively (P=0.113). Conclusions Despite significant differences in demography of the NASH-HCC and ASH-HCC groups, liver and tumor characteristics were comparable. Most patients were diagnosed late and were not amenable to curative or locoregional therapies. Better characterization of patients with NASH and ASH at risk of HCC is necessary to optimize screening, surveillance, and management strategies.

INTRODUCTIONAdvanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a dismal prognosis and is notoriously chemo-resistant. We conducted a Phase II prospective study to evaluate the activity and tolerability of gemcitabine and cisplatin in chemo-naïve advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. The trial considered a "no further interest" response rate of 10% and a target response rate of 30%. Utilising a Simon's minimax two-stage design with a type I error of 0.05 and power of 80%, 25 subjects would be required. Fifteen patients would be needed in stage 1 and if fewer than 2 responses were observed, the trial would be stopped and lack of efficacy claimed.

MATERIALS AND METHODSPatients with advanced HCC, diagnosed based on histology or by World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, were administered gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 and cisplatin 25 mg/m2 on day 1 and day 8 of a 21-day schedule. Assessment of response based on computer tomography was performed after every 2 cycles of chemotherapy.

RESULTSThe trial was stopped early due to a lack of efficacy. A total of 15 patients were accrued. Twelve patients were hepatitis B positive and the other 3 patients were negative for both hepatitis B and C. Only 1 patient had a history of prior heavy alcohol use. Two patients had Child C liver cirrhosis, 5 patients had Child B cirrhosis, and the remaining 8 patients had Child A cirrhosis. This regime was well tolerated and there was only 1 patient who experienced grade IV toxicities. Only 5 of 15 patients experienced grade III toxicities (nausea and emesis, 1 patient; anemia, 1 patient; thrombocytopenia, 1 patient; and neutropaenia, 2 patients). Only 1 patient experienced a partial response to the combination of gemcitabine and cisplatin. A further 3 patients experienced stable disease and 11 patients progressed on chemotherapy. The median time to progression was 6 weeks. The progression-free curve showed a sharp descent in the initial part of the study, suggesting that many patients had disease progression after enrollment. The median overall survival was 18 weeks.

CONCLUSIONThe progression-free survival and overall survival in our study were extremely short. Based on the results of our phase 2 study, we are unable to recommend further studies utilising gemcitabine and cisplatin combination in patients with advanced HCC.

Adult ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Deoxycytidine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

INTRODUCTIONReperfusion of acutely ischaemic tissue may, paradoxically, lead to systemic complications. This phenomenon is believed to be initiated by humoral factors that have accumulated in the ischaemic tissue. The ancient art of venesection may reduce the load of these mediators at the point of reperfusion. The aim of this study is to test if selective venesection, by removing the initial venous return from the ischaemic tissue, can attenuate the systemic effects of the ischaemic-reperfusion injury using a porcine model of acute limb ischaemia.

MATERIALS AND METHODSThe right femoral arteries of anaesthetised female pigs were clamped. Twelve pigs were divided into 2 groups (n = 6 per group). In the treatment group, 5% of blood volume was venesected from the ipsilateral femoral vein upon reperfusion; the other arm served as control. The animals were sacrifi ced after 4 days for histological examination. A pathologist, blinded to the experimental groups, graded the degree of microscopic injury.

RESULTSFor the control group, the kidneys showed glomeruli and tubular damage. The livers demonstrated architectural distortion with cellular oedema. There was pulmonary oedema as well as extensive capillary congestion and neutrophil infiltration. Such findings were absent or reduced in the venesected animals. Consequently, the injury scores for the kidney, lung, liver and heart were significantly less for the venesected animals.

CONCLUSIONSelective venesection reduces the remote organ injuries of the ischaemic-reperfusion phenomenon.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Hindlimb ; injuries ; Multiple Organ Failure ; etiology ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Phlebotomy ; Pulmonary Edema ; etiology ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Reperfusion Injury ; complications ; therapy ; Sus scrofa

Humans ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/epidemiology* ; Liver Neoplasms/epidemiology* ; Prothrombin ; Biomarkers

Cost of Illness ; Financial Stress ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; Humans ; Perception ; Self Report