Search

Background/Aims Undetectable HCV RNA 12 weeks after the end of treatment (SVR12) has been the valid efficacy endpoint in the era of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). Its concordance with SVR4 and SVR24 and long-term durability is unknown in Taiwanese chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients. Methods A total of 1080 CHC patients who received all-oral DAAs and an achieved end-of-treatment virological response (EOTVR), defined as undetectable HCV RNA at the end of therapy, were consecutively enrolled. HCV RNA was monitored 4, 12, and 24 weeks after EOT. Patients who achieved SVR24, defined as undetectable HCV RNA 24 weeks after EOT, were followed annually for assessing SVR durability. Results Eleven (1.02%) patients experienced HCV RNA reappearance after EOT. The most frequent timing of RNA reappearance was observed at SVR4 (n = 7), followed by SVR12 (n = 3) and SVR 24 (n = 1). The positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of SVR4 in predicting SVR12 were 99.7% and 100%, respectively, whereas the PPV and NPV of SVR12 in predicting SVR24 were 99.9% and 100%, respectively. Pyrosequencing confirmed delayed relapse rather than reinfection for the patient who had detectable HCV RNA at SVR24. Among 978 patients who achieved SVR24, after a median follow-up period of 17.3±8.2 months, the SVR durability is 100% up to a 4-year follow-up. Conclusion Achievement of SVR12 provides excellent durability of HCV seroclearance after DAA therapy. On-demand HCV RNA beyond SVR12 should be recommended for patients with unexplainable abnormal liver function or high-risk behaviors.

BACKGROUND AND AIM Thrombocytopenia due to hypersplenism is usually a serious condition in cirrhotic patients who have undergone invasive procedures. We designed a new treatment method using a high-frequency alternating electromagnetic force to treat the disease condition in a rat model. METHODS Sprague-Dawley rats were given thioacetamide in drinking water and injected with methylcellulose intraperitoneally to create a cirrhotic hypersplenism model. Spleen volume was determined using the Carlson method. The Control Group consisted of 14 rats, 15 weeks old, that were used to determine the normal platelet count and normal spleen size. Experimental Group I, consisting of 15 rats, received electromagnetic thermoablation of their spleens, after which the spleen was returned to the abdomen. Group II consisted of 13 rats, receiving the same electromagnetic thermoablation as Group I, but the ablated portion was removed. Group III consisted of 14 rats receiving total splenectomies. RESULTS Cirrhotic hypersplenism was confirmed during laparotomy and pathological examination. Spleen volume enlarged from 1513 +/- 375 mm(3) (Control Group) to 7943 +/- 2822 mm(3) (experimental groups). Platelet counts increased from 0.35 +/- 0.21 x 10(6)/mm(3) to 0.87 +/- 0.24 x 10(6)/mm(3) for Group I, from 0.52 +/- 0.23 x 10(6)/mm(3) to 1.10 +/- 0.20 x 10(6)/mm(3) for Group II, and from 0.47 +/- 0.23 x 10(6)/mm(3) to 1.18 +/- 0.26 x 10(6)/mm(3) for Group III. No rats died due to the treatment in any of the experimental groups. CONCLUSIONS Our animal model performed successfully and our proposed electromagnetic thermotherapy effectively treated thrombocytopenia due to cirrhotic hypersplenism.

Thrombocytopenia due to hypersplenism is usually a serious condition in cirrhotic patients who have undergone invasive procedures. We designed a new treatment method using a high-frequency alternating electromagnetic force to treat the disease condition in a rat model.Sprague-Dawley rats were given thioacetamide in drinking water and injected with methylcellulose intraperitoneally to create a cirrhotic hypersplenism model. Spleen volume was determined using the Carlson method. The Control Group consisted of 14 rats, 15 weeks old, that were used to determine the normal platelet count and normal spleen size. Experimental Group I, consisting of 15 rats, received electromagnetic thermoablation of their spleens, after which the spleen was returned to the abdomen. Group II consisted of 13 rats, receiving the same electromagnetic thermoablation as Group I, but the ablated portion was removed. Group III consisted of 14 rats receiving total splenectomies.Cirrhotic hypersplenism was confirmed during laparotomy and pathological examination. Spleen volume enlarged from 1513 +/- 375 mm(3) (Control Group) to 7943 +/- 2822 mm(3) (experimental groups). Platelet counts increased from 0.35 +/- 0.21 x 10(6)/mm(3) to 0.87 +/- 0.24 x 10(6)/mm(3) for Group I, from 0.52 +/- 0.23 x 10(6)/mm(3) to 1.10 +/- 0.20 x 10(6)/mm(3) for Group II, and from 0.47 +/- 0.23 x 10(6)/mm(3) to 1.18 +/- 0.26 x 10(6)/mm(3) for Group III. No rats died due to the treatment in any of the experimental groups.Our animal model performed successfully and our proposed electromagnetic thermotherapy effectively treated thrombocytopenia due to cirrhotic hypersplenism.