Ultra-sensitive procalcitonin may help rule out bacterial infections in patients with cirrhosis

Background. Bacterial infections are frequent complications in patients with cirrhosis. Since they are associated with poor outcomes, antibiotics are frequently over-prescribed. Surrogate markers of bacterial infections,...

Effect of Vitamin D Serum Levels and GC Gene Polymorphisms in Liver Fibrosis Due to Chronic Hepatitis C

Introduction and aim. Vitamin D has been associated with chronic liver diseases and low vitamin levels may contribute to progression of chronic hepatitis C. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of vitamin...

Current and future treatment options for HCV

Aim of antiviral therapy of patients with chronic hepatitis C is the sustained elimination of the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The standard of care (SOC) is peginterferon alfa-2a/-2b with ribavirin for 48 weeks or 24 weeks i...

Alcohol effects on liver diseases: good or bad buddy?

Association between serum IgE level and adverse clinical endpoints in primary sclerosing cholangitis

Introduction. Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is an idiopathic hepatobiliary disorder associated with an increased risk for cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) and a median survival time of 12 years. Reliable predictors of CCA...