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A fetal fatty-acid oxidation disorder as a cause of liver disease in pregnant women

Article Abstract:

Pregnant women with fatty liver of pregnancy or the HELLP syndrome should be tested for a gene mutation in an enzyme called long-chain hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase. This enzyme is involved in fatty acid metabolism. Of 24 children tested for this gene mutation, eight had the mutation and 79% of the mothers of these children had had fatty liver of pregnancy or HELLP syndrome while pregnant. None of the mothers of children with no mutation had these conditions while pregnant. Fetuses with the mutation would produce inadequately metabolized fatty acids, which would accumulate in the mother's blood and might cause the two conditions.

Fatty liver, Lipid metabolism disorders, Lipidosis

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Occult hepatitis B virus infection in patients with chronic hepatitis C liver disease

Article Abstract:

Patients with hepatitis C liver disease who do not respond to interferon therapy may have a hidden hepatitis B infection. Hepatitis B is considered occult, or hidden, when a patient tests negative for the hepatitis B surface antigen, yet has other markers for the disease. Researchers tested 200 patients with hepatitis C-associated cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, or other liver disease. Half of the patients had antibodies to the core antigen of the hepatitis B virus. Nearly half of the patients who did not respond to interferon alfa therapy had hepatitis B markers, while only 7 of 28 responsive patients had such markers.

Italy, Complications and side effects, Demographic aspects, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B

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Keratin 8 mutations in patients with cryptogenic liver disease

Article Abstract:

Mutations in the genes for keratin 8 might cause some types of liver disease, according to a study of 55 patients with cryptogenic liver disease. Five had keratin 8 gene mutations that were not detected in patients with other types of liver disease. Keratins are proteins found in epithelial cells of the liver, pancreas, and intestines.

Keratin

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