Background Chronic delta hepatitis (HDV) infection rapidly progresses to cirrhosis. Treatment with peginterferon for up to 2 years is often without durable response. Aim We examined the efficacy and safety of long-term peginterferon in achieving a durable response. Methods Treatment was initiated with 180 μg/wk of peginterferon alfa-2a with titration to a maximal tolerable dose, for up to 5 years. Liver biopsies and hepatic venous pressure gradients (HVPG) were evaluated at baseline, 1, 3, and 5 years. The primary endpoint was histological improvement or loss of serum HDV and HBsAg at 3 years. Results 13 patients were treated for a median of 140 weeks (6–260) with an average peginterferon dose of 180 μg/wk (90–270). At baseline, most had advanced disease (median Ishak fibrosis = 3) with portal hypertension (HVPG = 10.2 +/− 6 mm Hg). 5 of 13 patients (39%) achieved the primary endpoint, with 3 seroconverting for HBsAg after 24, 37 and 202 weeks of treatment. Histologic inflammation improved after one year, (median HAI: 10 vs. 7, p=0.01) with persistence in 4/5 patients at 3 years (median HAI: 7.5). Greatest improvements occurred in the first year. Baseline bilirubin and HBsAg levels were significantly lower in virologic responders than non-responders. After 12 weeks, virologic responders had a significant decline in HBsAg (1.5 log10 IU/mL, p=0.05). Conclusion Despite increased doses and duration of therapy, treatment of chronic HDV with peginterferon remains unsatisfactory. Quantitative measures of HBsAg may be an important biomarker of early response to peginterferon therapy in chronic HDV infection.

Summary Background Acute hepatitis C has variable modes of presentation and frequently results in chronic infection. Its optimal management has yet to be defined. Aims To establish natural history and complications of treatment of acute hepatitis C. Methods Data from all patients presenting with acute hepatitis C to the National Institutes of Health between 1994 and 2007 were reviewed. Results Twenty-five patients were identified. Symptoms were reported by 80% and jaundice by 40%. Aminotransferase levels and HCV RNA levels fluctuated greatly; 18% of patients were intermittently negative for HCV RNA. Five patients recovered spontaneously whereas 20 developed chronicity or received interferon-based therapy during the acute phase. Among 15 patients treated during the acute phase with peginterferon with or without ribavirin for 24 weeks, all became HCV RNA negative within 4 to 8 weeks, and all except two (HIV-positive) achieved a sustained virological response. Side effects (particularly psychiatric) were common and limited treatment in 30%. Conclusion Thus, among 25 patients with acute HCV infection, fluctuating illness was common and spontaneous recovery occurred in only 20%. Antiviral treatment with a 24-week course of peginterferon and ribavirin was highly effective but marked by frequent and severe side effects.

Four patients with intraluminal diverticulum of the duodenum are presented and compared with those reported previously. This lesion is a rare congenital disorder that usually becomes symptomatic in adult life. It is located in the second portion of the duodenum within the lumen, extending distally. It has the appearance of a "thumb of a glove" and it is lined by mucosa on both surfaces. It develops betweeen the fourth and eighth week of the embryo's life, but it increases in size during adult life. It usually presents with typical or atypical symptoms of peptic ulcer disease, but sometimes manifestations such as gastrointestinal bleeding, duodenal obstructions or pancreatitis may predominate and may be severe and life-threatening. The diagnosis is best made with hypotonic duodenography, which demonstrates the lesion as a barium coated pouch within the air filled duodenal lumen. The treatment of choice is duodenotomy and excision of the lesion. Proper identification of the papilla of the ampulla of Vater is important since this structure is often adjacent to the diverticulum. No recurrences have been noted in the three patients operated upon.

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