Browsing by Author "Jancoriene, Ligita"

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    Burden of varicella in Central and Eastern Europe : findings from a systematic literature review
    (2019-03-04) Mészner, Zsófia; Wysocki, Jacek; Richter, Darko; Zavadska, Dace; Ivaskeviciene, Inga; Usonis, Vytautas; Pokorn, Marko; Mangarov, Atanas; Jancoriene, Ligita; Man, Sorin C.; Kristufkova, Zuzana; Jesenak, Milos; Tešović, Goran; Pluta, Justyna; Wolfson, Lara J.; Department of Paediatrics
    Introduction: Vaccination against varicella rapidly reduces disease incidence, resulting in reductions in both individual burden and societal costs. Despite these benefits, there is no standardization of varicella immunization policies in Europe, including countries in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Areas covered: This systematic literature review identified publications on the epidemiology of varicella, its associated health and economic burden, and vaccination strategies within the CEE region, defined as Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Twenty-six studies were identified from a search of PubMed, Embase®, and MEDLINE® biomedical literature databases, supplemented by gray literature and country-specific/global websites. Expert commentary: Limited information exists in published studies on the burden of varicella in CEE. The wide variability in incidence rates between countries is likely explained by a lack of consistency in reporting systems. Funded universal varicella vaccination (UVV) in CEE is currently available only in Latvia as a one-dose schedule, but Hungary together with Latvia are introducing a two-dose strategy in 2019. For countries that do not provide UVV, introduction of vaccination is predicted to provide substantial reductions in cases and rates of associated complications, with important economic benefits.
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    Direct-acting antivirals ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir + dasabuvir with or without ribavirin in hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1-infected treatment-naive or treatment-experienced patients with or without cirrhosis : Real-life experience in Lithuania and Latvia
    (2018-01-14) Jancoriene, Ligita; Polubenko, Katazyna; Kazenaite, Edita; Buivydiene, Arida; Jakutiene, Jolita; Tolmane, Ieva; Jeruma, Agita; Radzisauskiene, Daiva; Mockiene, Evelina; Ambrozaitis, Arvydas; Department of Infectology
    Background: The current international multicentre open-label, uncontrolled, real-world retrospective study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness and safety of ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir + dasabuvir ± ribavirin (3D therapy) in treatment-naive and treatment-experienced hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1-infected (GT1) patients. Methods: Adult patients with chronic HCV GT1 infection, scheduled for 3D therapy according to therapeutic guidelines, were eligible. Demographic and clinical data were collected retrospectively by reviewing individuals health records. The primary effectiveness endpoint was the sustained virological response at 12 weeks following the end of treatment (SVR12). Results: The participants in the current study consisted of 134 patients with HCV GT1 infection, including 10 liver transplant recipients. SVR12 was achieved in 120 (96.8%) non-transplant and all liver transplant patients (100%). Significant improvement in liver function tests were observed. Among 4 treatment failures, 2 patients were non-responders and 2 patients relapsed. OBV/PTV/r + DSV ± RBV regimen was well tolerated in most patients with treatment discontinuation due to adverse events in 3 patients. The most frequent adverse events were asthenia (25.8%), fatigue (16.1%), skin pruritus (12.9%), and dyspepsia (11.3%). Conclusions: The current real-life study demonstrated the effectiveness and safety of OBV/PTV/r + DSV ± RBV in patients with HCV GT1, including patients with cirrhosis, a liver transplant recipient and the one who failed previous antiviral therapies.
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    Frequency and significance of parvovirus B19 infection in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
    (2016-12) Naciute, Milda; Mieliauskaite, Diana; Rugiene, Rita; Nikitenkiene, Rita; Jancoriene, Ligita; Mauricas, Mykolas; Nora-Krukle, Zaiga; Murovska, Modra; Girkontaite, Irute; Institute of Microbiology and Virology
    The present study aims to clarify the possible involvement of parvovirus B19 (B19V) infection in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis by investigating the presence of B19V infection markers (genomic sequences and virus-specific antibodies) in association with the level of cytokines and RA clinical activity and aggressiveness. A total of 118 RA patients and 49 ageand sex-matched healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study. Nested PCR was used to detect B19V sequences in whole blood and cell-free plasma DNA, ELISA to detect virusspecific antibodies and cytokine levels in plasma and recomLine dot blot assay for antibodies to separate B19V antigens. The detection frequency of B19V DNA was higher in patients with RA (25.4%) in comparison with healthy persons (18.4%). B19V DNA in cell-free plasma (B19+p) was detected significantly often in RA patients in comparison with healthy controls (13.6 vs 2%; P=0.0002). RA B19+p patients had higher disease activity and aggressiveness, decreased haemoglobin and increased erythrocyte sedimentation rates. IL-6 plasma levels were significantly higher in RA patients than in controls. Within the RA patients’ group the IL-6 level was significantly increased in B19+p patients with disease activity scores of DAS28>5.2, high C-reactive protein and low haemoglobin. Contrary to the healthy controls, the majority of RA B19+p patients did not have antibodies to VP-1S (VP1u) and VP-N (N-terminal half of structural proteins VP1 and VP2), which correspond to the epitopes of neutralizing antibodies. These results indicate that B19V infection at least in some patients is involved in RA pathogenesis.