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Hepatitis

Hepatitis is a gastroenterological disease, featuring inflammation of the liver. The clinical signs and prognosis, as well as the therapy, depend on the cause. more...

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Signs and symptoms

Hepatitis is characterised by fatigue, malaise, joint aches, abdominal pain, vomiting 2-3 times per day for the first 5 days, loss of appetite, dark urine, fever, hepatomegaly (enlarged liver) and jaundice (icterus). Some chronic forms of hepatitis show very few of these signs and only present when the longstanding inflammation has led to the replacement of liver cells by connective tissue; the result is cirrhosis. Certain liver function tests can also indicate hepatitis.

Types of hepatitis

Viral

Most cases of acute hepatitis are due to viral infections:

  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis C
  • D-agent (requires presence of the hepatitis B virus)
  • Hepatitis E
  • Hepatitis F (discredited)
  • Hepatitis G
Please see the respective articles for more detailed information

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is an enterovirus transmitted by the orofecal route, such as contaminated food. It causes an acute form of hepatitis and does not have a chronic stage. The patient's immune system makes antibodies against Hepatitis A that confer immunity against future infection. People with Hepatitis A are usually advised to rest, stay hydrated and avoid alcohol. A vaccine is available that will prevent infection from hepatitis A for life.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B causes both acute and chronic hepatitis in some patients who are unable to eliminate the virus. Identified methods of transmission include blood (blood transfusion, now rare), tattoos (both amateur and professionally done), sexually or vertically (from mother to her unborn child). However, in about half of cases the source of infection cannot be determined. Blood contact can occur by sharing syringes in intravenous drug use, shaving accessories such as razor blades, or touching wounds on infected persons. Needle-exchange programmes have been created in many countries as a form of prevention. In the United States, 95% of patients clear their infection and develop antibodies against Hepatitis B virus. 5% of patients do not clear the infection and develop chronic infection; only these people are at risk of long term complications of Hepatitis B. Patients with chronic hepatitis B have antibodies against Hepatitis B, but these antibodies are not enough to clear the infection that establishes itself in the DNA of the affected liver cells. The continued production of virus combined with antibodies is a likely cause of immune complex disease seen in these patients. A vaccine is available that will prevent infection from hepatitis B for life. Hepatitis B infections result in 500,000 to 1,200,000 deaths per year worldwide due to the complications of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatitis B is endemic in a number of (mainly South-East Asian) countries, making cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma big killers. There are three, FDA-approved treatment options available for persons with a chronic hepatitis B infection: alpha-interferon, adefovir and lamivudine. In about 45% of persons on treatment achieve a sustained response.

Read more at Wikipedia.org


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Aethlon Medical Launches Hepatitis-C Clinical Trial
From Worldwide Biotech, 11/1/05

Aethlon Medical, Inc. (OTCBB:AEMD), San Diego, has announced that human clinical trials to treat patients infected with the Hepatitis-C virus (HCV) are now underway at the Apollo Hospital in New Delhi, India. The primary objective of the trial is to demonstrate the safety of Aethlon's Hemopurifier(TM) treatment technology. The secondary objective of the trial will be to obtain preliminary efficacy data related to serologic and virologic markers, including viral load measurements before and after treatment with the Hemopurifier(TM).

Aethlon Chairman and CEO, James A. Joyce, stated, "Five years ago, our vision that a device could capture circulating viruses and toxins was purely conceptual. Today, I thank the researchers, advisors, and shareholders who were instrumental in executing the development phase of our vision." Joyce continued, "As a result, we now have the opportunity to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of our device in a clinical setting. If successful, we will provide new hope to those afflicted with Hepatitis-C and other infectious diseases."

According to the World Health Organization, Hepatitis-C (HCV) is a global disease with approximately 190 million persons infected. The infected population in India exceeds 12.5 million. In the United States, HCV is the most common blood-born infection with approximately 3.9 million citizens infected. HCV is a leading cause for liver disease and the most common reason for liver transplantation. Unfortunately, only 50% of HCV infected respond to the current standard of Interferon and Ribavirin treatment. Interferon and Ribavirin regimens are expensive and are known to have serious side effects.

Individuals enrolled in the initial trial are HCV-infected patients that require kidney dialysis as a result of End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Approximately 30-35% of all ESRD patients are infected with HCV, and as a result of their condition, are unable to endure the toxicity of HCV drug treatment. Follow-on studies are planned to evaluate the ability of the Hemopurifier to improve patient response rates to Interferon and Ribavirin as a conjunctive therapy, and as a stand-alone treatment for patients who are either unable to endure or do not respond to the current standard of care. The trial will also serve as a means to obtain human safety data, which will be submitted in conjunction with planned regulatory initiatives to treat the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and drug and vaccine resistant Biological Weapons. Initial safety data and preliminary efficacy observations from the trial are expected to be available within the next sixty days.

About Aethlon Medical

Aethlon Medical is pioneering the development of immunotherapeutic devices able to mimic the immune response of clearing viruses and viral toxins from circulation. The company's lead product, the Hemopurifier(TM), converges the established principals of hemodialysis and affinity chromatography with the discovery of compounds that effectively adhere to the surface of a multiple envelope viruses. The Hemopurifier(TM) is targeted to treat acute and chronic infectious diseases, including, drug and vaccine resistant Biological Weapons, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and the Hepatitis-C Virus (HCV). The company has an experienced management team, which receives support and guidance from globally recognized science and regulatory advisors representing the infectious disease, biowarfare, and dialysis industries.

For more information about Hemopurifier technology, visit http://www.aethlonmedical.com or call 858/459-7800, ext. 300.

COPYRIGHT 2005 Worldwide Videotex
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group

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