Leticia Cancella Nabuco

Publications (2)5.31 Total impact

• Article: Hepatitis B virus genotypes in Southeast Brazil and its relationship with histological features.

  Leticia Cancella Nabuco, Francisco Campello do Amaral Mello, Selma de Andrade Gomes, Renata Mello Perez, Jorge André Segadas Soares, Henrique Sérgio Moraes Coelho, Cristiane Alves Villela Nogueira
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  ABSTRACT: Data concerning the relationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes and liver histology are scarce. The aim of this study was to compare HBV non-B and non-C genotypes according to demographic features, clinical status, HBV-DNA levels and liver histology in Rio de Janeiro. One hundred twenty one consecutive chronic HBV-infected patients were enrolled during two-year period and data were prospectively collected. Sera were tested for HBV genotyping using restriction fragment length polymorphism. Liver biopsy was obtained from patients with either increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or HBV-DNA levels. Genotype A was the most common, found in 82 (68%) patients, followed by F in 19 (15%), D in 17 (14%), B in one (1%) and C in two (2%). There was no association between HBV genotypes A, D and F and gender (p = 0.37), age (p = 0.78), race (p = 0.22), mode of infection (p = 0.94), HB "e" antigen status (p = 0.37) and HBV-DNA levels (p = 0.47). The ALT levels were lower in genotype D (75%) compared with A (47%) and F (55%) (p = 0.05). Liver biopsy showed lower inflammation [histological activity index (HAI) = 4] and fibrosis (F) (= 0) scores in genotype D than in genotypes A (HAI = 5, p < 0.001; F = 2, p = 0.008) or F (HAI = 5, p = 0.009; F = 2, p = 0.01). Genotype A was the most prevalent in chronic HBV-infected patients and genotype D patients presented with less intense liver disease.
  Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz 09/2012; 107(6):758-89. · 2.15 Impact Factor
• Article: HBV-DNA levels in HBsAg-positive blood donors and its relationship with liver histology.

  Leticia Cancella Nabuco, Cristiane Alves Villela-Nogueira, Renata Mello Perez, Loredana Ceci, Vera Lucia Pannain, Carmem Martins Nogueira, Jorge André Segadas-Soares, Henrique Sergio Moraes Coelho
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  ABSTRACT: The clinical meaning of viremia, especially at low levels, in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients remains unknown. The objective of the present study was to determine serum HBV-DNA levels and its relationship with liver histology in HBsAg-positive blood donors. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 78 blood donors, with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and HBeAg evaluation and quantitative determination of HBV-DNA by polymerase chain reaction (Amplicor, HBV Monitor, Roche; lower limit of sensitivity 1,000 copies/mL). Liver biopsy was obtained from all patients with detectable viremia irrespective of ALT and HBV-DNA levels. Among 78 blood donors, serum HBV-DNA was detected in 47 (60%) patients; 39 (83%) were males; mean age 37.6+/-10.4 years; 31 (66%) were HBeAg-negative, and ALT was elevated in 26 (55%). The median of HBV-DNA levels was 24,000 copies/mL and 31 (40%) subjects had no detectable serum HBV-DNA. Although the histologic lesions were mild in the majority of patients, HBV-DNA levels were significantly higher in patients with chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis when compared with patients without histologic liver disease (25,260,000 vs. 9480 copies/mL; P<0.001). There was a significant correlation between HBV-DNA levels and necroinflammatory score (r=0.59) and fibrosis (r=0.50); however, in the subset of HBeAg-negative patients with HBV-DNA levels below 30,000 copies/mL, 25% presented histologic disease related to HBV. Most HBsAg-positive blood donors show low viral load. There is a significant association between viral replication and liver damage; however, low HBV-DNA levels do not exclude the presence of histologic disease.
  Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology 03/2007; 41(2):194-8. · 3.16 Impact Factor