title: Alcoholic hepatitis and concomitant hepatitis C virus infection.
abstract: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and alcohol abuse are two most important causes of chronic liver disease in the United States. Alcoholic hepatitis is a unique clinical syndrome among patients with chronic and active alcohol abuse with a potential for high short-term mortality. About 20% of patients presenting with alcoholic hepatitis have concomitant HCV infection. Mortality from alcoholic hepatitis is increased in the presence of concomitant hepatitis C due to synergistic interaction between HCV and alcohol in causing hepatocellular damage. Large prospective randomized studies are needed to develop guidelines on the use of corticosteroids among patients with alcoholic hepatitis and concomitant HCV infection. The impact of antiviral therapy on mortality and outcome in the setting of alcoholic hepatitis remains a novel area for future research.
authors.affiliation: Mohamed Shoreibah, Ashwani K Singal, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294-0012, United States.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shoreibah
authors.affiliation: Mohamed Shoreibah, Ashwani K Singal, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294-0012, United States.
authors.forename: Bhupinderjit S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Anand
authors.affiliation: Mohamed Shoreibah, Ashwani K Singal, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294-0012, United States.
authors.forename: Ashwani K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Singal
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015897:Comorbidity; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality; D006519:Hepatitis, Alcoholic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000998:Antiviral Agents
keywords: Alcoholic hepatitis; Alcoholic liver disease; Corticosteroids; Hepatitis C virus infection; Transplantation