Background/Objectives: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the most common chronic bacterial infection. Patients with H. pylori infection may be at an increased risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) because of chronic inflammation and insulin resistance. Several epidemiologic studies attempting to determine this risk have yielded inconsistent results. This meta-analysis was conducted with the aims to summarize all available evidence and estimate the risk of NAFLD in patients with H. pylori infection. Methods: A literature search was performed using MEDLINE and EMBASE database from inception to June 2016. Studies that reported relative risks, odd ratios, or hazard ratios comparing the risk of NAFLD among patients with H. pylori infection versus without H. pylori infection were included. Pooled odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using a random-effect, generic inverse variance method. Results: Six studies met our eligibility criteria and were included in this analysis. We found a statistically significant increased risk of NAFLD among patients with H. pylori infection with the pooled odds ratios of 1.21 (95% confidence interval, 1.07-1.37). The statistical heterogeneity was low with an I 2 of 49%. Conclusions: A significantly increased risk of NAFLD among patients with H. pylori infection was demonstrated in this meta-analysis. Further studies are required to clarify how this risk should be addressed in clinical practice.

Gallstones are a common complication after rapid weight loss from SG. Our data suggest that gallstone formation during the weight loss period is not associated with amount or rate of weight loss both during the early or late postoperative period.

For detection of EV, we prefer using LSPS and SS over LS when available, while LS, SS, and LSPS cannot be recommended for detection of HREV due to their moderate sensitivity and specificity.

Background Excessive alcohol use is a leading etiology of liver disease and indication for liver transplantation. Accurate measurement of alcohol use remains a challenge in the management of patients in the pre‐, peri‐, and post‐liver transplant settings. Blood 16:0‐18:1 phosphatidylethanol (PEth) concentration is a sensitive and specific biomarker of binge and moderate, chronic alcohol use. As PEth has the longest detection window of available blood‐based direct alcohol biomarkers for moderate to heavy drinking, it shows promise as an indicator of patterns and chronicity of drinking. However, the utility of PEth in clinical liver transplantation is understudied. This study examines the association of PEth results with liver transplantation waitlist‐focused patient outcomes. Methods Retrospective data for all patients tested for PEth for a one‐year period at a tertiary care medical center with an active liver transplantation program were abstracted. Indications for PEth testing, liver transplantation waitlist‐related outcomes (e.g., listing and delisting) following testing and associations of PEth results with other parameters were analyzed. Results Over a one‐year period, 153 PEth tests were performed on 109 individuals. The most frequent indications for PEth testing were as an objective indicator of alcohol use patterns (86.3%) and to assess alcohol as a putative etiology of liver injury (13.7%). Of the 109 patients, 56 were medically appropriate for liver transplantation. Medically acceptable candidates with unfavorable transplantation waitlist‐related outcomes (delisting, deferment of transplant evaluation, deferment of listing until completion of recommended alcohol rehabilitation, and being deemed not a transplant candidate) were at least 3.41 times more likely to have a positive PEth test than those with favorable transplantation waitlist‐related outcomes (odds ratio 3.41, confidence interval 3.41 to ∞, p = 0.001). Conclusion This single‐center study reporting a comprehensive account of PEth utilization at a liver transplant center demonstrates that liver transplantation waitlist‐related outcomes are associated with PEth test results. Patients with positive PEth tests were more likely to have unfavorable transplant waitlist‐related outcomes. PEth testing has not been validated as a predictor of relapse to drinking in post‐transplant patients and because its utility in the pre‐transplant setting is unclear its use could lead to disparities in the selection of patients for liver transplantation.

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 20 million people worldwide are infected annually with the hepatitis E virus (HEV). There are four main genotypes of HEV. Genotype 1 and genotype 2 are common in developing countries and are transmitted by contaminated water from a fecal–oral route. Genotype 3 and genotype 4 are common in developed countries and can lead to occasional transmission to humans via undercooked meat. Hepatitis E virus 1 and HEV3 can lead to fulminant hepatitis, and HEV3 can lead to chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis in immunocompromised patients. The majority of patients with HEV infection are asymptomatic and usually have spontaneous viral clearance without treatment. However, infection in immunocompromised individuals can lead to chronic HEV infection. Both acute and chronic HEV infections can have extrahepatic manifestations. No specific treatment is required for acute HEV infection, no treatment has been approved in chronic infection, and no HEV vaccine has been approved by the (United States) Food and Drug Administration. This review focuses on the molecular virology (HEV life cycle, genotypes, model systems, zoonosis), pathogenesis, clinical manifestation, and treatment of chronic HEV infection, especially in immunocompromised patients, to provide clinicians a better understanding of the global distribution of these infections and the significant effect they can have on immunocompromised patients.