Biochemical Changes in Patients with Combined Chronic Schistosomiasis and Viral Hepatitis C Infections

Abstract

This study was undertaken to assess the biochemical changes induced in chronic schistosomiasis and/or chronic HCV, as well as to pinpoint the most significant parameters which could be used as dependable indices for the differentiation of single and coupled infections with or without liver cirrhosis. The selected patients were allocated into 2 broad groups: GrII (Schistosomiasis) which was subdivided into 3 subgroups: GrII(a) schistosomal patients with hepatosplenomegaly; GrII(b) hepatosplenic schistosomal patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis; GrII(c) schistosomal patients with no organomegaly. GrIII (Combined) comprised 2 subgroups: GrIII(a) schistosomal-HCV infection with decompensated liver cirrhosis; GrIII(b) schistosomal-HCV infection without liver cirrhosis. For statistical comparison normal healthy subjects were taken as a reference group (Gr I). Results showed that schistosomal patients without organomegaly manifested non significant changes in all studied parameters compared to normal controls. Highly significant elevations in serum ALT, AST, ALP and GGT activities were recorded in all other subgroups but the highest levels are reported in GrIIb. AST/ALT and direct/indirect bilirubin ratios were highest in GrIIIa (1.17 ± 0.26, 1.54 ± 0.37, respectively). Serum total protein and albumin levels showed the highest reduction (33 and 59%) concomitantly with the highest increase in γ-globulin level (75%) in GrIII(a). Blood total iron was significantly reduced in GrII(a,b) (15.6 and 12%) (8.8%) bilirubin, GGT and AST in this order are good discriminators between the different subgroups in GrII. On the other hand, ALT, AST, albumin, ALP, GGT, protein and direct bilirubin are the most significant indices to differentiate chronic schistosomiasis and the combined group with/or without liver cirrhosis.

The effects of dietary flaxseed on the Fischer 344 rat. III. Protection against CCl4-induced liver injury

“…An examination of the literature surrounding the use of this enzyme as a plasma marker of liver injury, however, reveals that GT is a marker for chronic persistent and progressive liver injury rather than acute liver injury. [25][26][27] Our findings support this contention.…”

ELISA and some biochemical tests of heterophyidae infection in laboratory animals

“…This result was coordinated with Ahmed (1996) and Shalaby et al (2003a, b) and similar to Fahim et al (2000) in the case of Schistosoma patient (Manga-Gonz Lez et al 2004;Gonz Lanz et al 2006) in Dicroceolium dendiriticum but Matanovi et al (2007) recorded a decrease in AST (GOT) in sheep fascioliasis. Degenerative changes and necrosis in hepatic parenchyma were observed during histopathological examination which might be the contributory factors in their elevation.…”

“…While (Fahim et al 2000) in patients infected with Schistosoma, the albumin, total protein, and A/G ratio decreased and globulin increased.…”

Non‐invasive predictive score of fibrosis stages in chronic hepatitis C patients based on epithelial membrane antigen in the blood in combination with routine laboratory markers

“…This discrepancy of accuracy of APRI for predicting significant fibrosis could be explained by different study populations among studies. The level of albumin, the third marker in our score, falls in CHC patients as the synthetic function of the liver declines with worsening liver fibrosis since albumin is exclusively synthesized in the liver 27 . On the other hand, other studies reported slightly lower diagnostic value of albumin than our results in CHC patients with advanced liver fibrosis 28 or in CHC patients with liver cirrhosis 29 .…”