Browsing by Author "Brmbolić, Branko (6701712863)"

Introduction: Chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection leads to progressive fibrosis making fibrosis staging necessary in the evaluation of such patients. Different fibrosis scores are emerging as possible non-invasive alternatives for liver biopsy. The Fibrosis-4 Index (FIB-4) and AST to Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) scores are the most widely used and the most extensively tested. This study aims to determine if it was possible to accurately use these to identify patients that are unlikely to have severe fibrosis. Methodology: One hundred and forty-two patients with chronic hepatitis C infection who underwent liver biopsy since January 1st 2014 until May 31st 2017 at the Hospital for Infectious and Tropical Diseases in Belgrade were analyzed. The FIB-4 and APRI scores were calculated for each patient and compared to histologically determined fibrosis stage. Results: A comprehensive statistical analysis was conducted in order to compare patients with and without severe fibrosis and to evaluate the accuracy of the fibrosis scores. Patients with non-severe fibrosis were younger, had higher platelet counts and lower transaminase levels. FIB-4 had an AUC of 0.875 and the APRI score had an AUC of 0.861. No patients with severe fibrosis or cirrhosis had a FIB-4 lower than 1.08. FIB-4 was superior to APRI in identifying patients with severe fibrosis in the study cohort. Conclusion: FIB-4 was superior to APRI in the recognition of severe fibrosis. FIB-4 may prove very useful in identifying patients without advanced liver disease, especially if other non-invasive methods are inaccessible. © 2018 Karić et al.

Introduction: Chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection leads to progressive fibrosis making fibrosis staging necessary in the evaluation of such patients. Different fibrosis scores are emerging as possible non-invasive alternatives for liver biopsy. The Fibrosis-4 Index (FIB-4) and AST to Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) scores are the most widely used and the most extensively tested. This study aims to determine if it was possible to accurately use these to identify patients that are unlikely to have severe fibrosis. Methodology: One hundred and forty-two patients with chronic hepatitis C infection who underwent liver biopsy since January 1st 2014 until May 31st 2017 at the Hospital for Infectious and Tropical Diseases in Belgrade were analyzed. The FIB-4 and APRI scores were calculated for each patient and compared to histologically determined fibrosis stage. Results: A comprehensive statistical analysis was conducted in order to compare patients with and without severe fibrosis and to evaluate the accuracy of the fibrosis scores. Patients with non-severe fibrosis were younger, had higher platelet counts and lower transaminase levels. FIB-4 had an AUC of 0.875 and the APRI score had an AUC of 0.861. No patients with severe fibrosis or cirrhosis had a FIB-4 lower than 1.08. FIB-4 was superior to APRI in identifying patients with severe fibrosis in the study cohort. Conclusion: FIB-4 was superior to APRI in the recognition of severe fibrosis. FIB-4 may prove very useful in identifying patients without advanced liver disease, especially if other non-invasive methods are inaccessible. © 2018 Karić et al.

We present the first case of successful direct acting antiviral therapy of chronic hepatitis C in a hemodialysis patient in Serbia. The patient infected with genotype 1a has been successfully treated with Paritaprevir/Ritonavir/Ombitasvir/Dasabuvir and Ribavirin. There are only a few real world reports regarding this therapeutic option in hemodialysis patients. © 2018 Milošević et al.

We present the first case of successful direct acting antiviral therapy of chronic hepatitis C in a hemodialysis patient in Serbia. The patient infected with genotype 1a has been successfully treated with Paritaprevir/Ritonavir/Ombitasvir/Dasabuvir and Ribavirin. There are only a few real world reports regarding this therapeutic option in hemodialysis patients. © 2018 Milošević et al.

To determine the outcome of HIV infection in children in a resource-limited setting, a retrospective analysis of a series of 51 pediatric cases from the Serbian cohort of HIV infected patients was performed. Twenty seven patients died in the pre-HAART era, but mono/ dual antiretroviral treatment had significantly (p=0.046) prolonged survival. Of the total of 24 HAART-treated patients, 10 had clinical AIDS before HAART initiation. The mean baseline CD4 cell count was 193.9 ± 170.0/mm3. After a mean follow-up of 72.6 ± 44 months, a favorable response was recorded in 62.5%, treatment failure (defined as non-achievement of undetectable viremia) in 20.8%, and a discrepant virological and immunological response (achievement of undetectable viremia but without a rise in CD4 cell counts adequate for age) in 16.7% patients. No patients died, and there were only three hospital admissions after commencing HAART. Five immune restoration inflammatory syndrome episodes were recorded, of which four were due to BCG-osis. Lipodystrophy and hyperlipidemia occurred in 18.2% and 26.3% patients, respectively. We conclude that even in suboptimal facilities, the prognosis of HIV disease among children on HAART may be rather good. The metabolic syndrome seems to emerge as an important issue among long-term surviving children on HAART. © 2009 Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.

To determine the outcome of HIV infection in children in a resource-limited setting, a retrospective analysis of a series of 51 pediatric cases from the Serbian cohort of HIV infected patients was performed. Twenty seven patients died in the pre-HAART era, but mono/ dual antiretroviral treatment had significantly (p=0.046) prolonged survival. Of the total of 24 HAART-treated patients, 10 had clinical AIDS before HAART initiation. The mean baseline CD4 cell count was 193.9 ± 170.0/mm3. After a mean follow-up of 72.6 ± 44 months, a favorable response was recorded in 62.5%, treatment failure (defined as non-achievement of undetectable viremia) in 20.8%, and a discrepant virological and immunological response (achievement of undetectable viremia but without a rise in CD4 cell counts adequate for age) in 16.7% patients. No patients died, and there were only three hospital admissions after commencing HAART. Five immune restoration inflammatory syndrome episodes were recorded, of which four were due to BCG-osis. Lipodystrophy and hyperlipidemia occurred in 18.2% and 26.3% patients, respectively. We conclude that even in suboptimal facilities, the prognosis of HIV disease among children on HAART may be rather good. The metabolic syndrome seems to emerge as an important issue among long-term surviving children on HAART. © 2009 Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.