studies

HEPATOLOGY, VOLUME 62, NUMBER 1 (SUPPL) AASLD ABSTRACTS 1131A
mortality. Therefore it is crucial to early make the differential
diagnosis between the two forms in order to plan the antiviral
treatment.
Disclosures:
Xavier Forns - Consulting: Jansen, Abbvie; Grant/Research Support: Jansen,
Gilead
The following authors have nothing to disclose: Salvatore Stefano Sciarrone,
Alberto Zanetto, Martina Gambato, Maria Alba Diaz, Alberto Ferrarese, Massimo
Rugge, Marco Senzolo, Giacomo Germani, Francesco P. Russo, Patricia
Llovet, Patrizia Burra
1890
Evaluation of the role of hepatic progenitor cells and
cells resistant to apoptosis in prediction of disease
progression and treatment response in patients with
chronic hepatitis C
Maha El Sabaawy 2 , Eman Abdelsameea 2 , Ayat Abdallah 3 , Ahmed
El Refaie 1 , Mervat M. Soltan 1 , Nermine Ehsan 1 ; 1 Pathology, Natioanl
Liver Institute, Menoufia, Egypt; 2 Hepatology, Natioanl Liver
Institute, Menoufia, Egypt; 3 Community Medicine, Natioanl Liver
Institute, Menoufia, Egypt
Background: Recent studies have shown increase expression
of hepatic progenitor cells and cells resistant to apoptosis in
chronic HCV infection. However their role in predicting disease
progression or treatment response was not clearly elucidated.
Aim of this study: was to investigate the role of hepatic progenitor
cells and cells resistant to apoptosis in disease severity and
progression along with HCV treatment response by immunohistochemistry
(IHC). Methods: This retrospective case control
study was conducted on 10 healthy control subjects (donors
for liver transplantation) and 91 chronic HCV patients who
had completed combination treatment (interferon plus ribavirin).
Demographic and clinical characteristics were collected
from the data registry. Patients were categorized according
to their SVR (sustained virological response) into two groups;
responders and non-responders. Paraffin blocks from liver
biopsies of control and patients included in this study were
retrieved. Semi-thin sections were prepared on positive charge
slides for immunostaining with CK7, Ki67 and bcl2 antibodies.
Results: No specific age or sex prediction was reported
in patients’ study group concerning any of the investigated
markers. Control healthy subjects showed negative immunoreaction
to hepatic progenitor cells either isolated or ductular,
Ki67 and bcl2 lymphocyte associated portal tracts (LPT). One
case of control group that revealed 15% steatosis had positive
immunoreaction to bcl2 lymphocyte associated hepatic parenchyma
(LAH). Laboratory data including transaminases (AST
and ALT), platelets and prothrombin time exhibited significant
relation with Ki67, CK7 both isolated and ductular and bcl2
both LPT and LAH. CK7 ductular showed significant association
with fibrosis and necroinflammatory activity according to Ishak
score (P< 0.05) while non-significant relation was noticed in
the CK7 isolated form and Ki67 (P> 0.05). Moreover bcl2
both (LPT) and (LAH) demonstrated significant association with
fibrosis and necroinflammatory activity (P< 0.05). Pertaining
to SVR significant relation was confirmed with Ki67, CK7 both
isolated and ductular and bcl2 (PT) and (LAH) (P< 0.05). Multivariate
analysis revealed their role as predictors of HCV treatment
response. Conclusion: Hepatic progenitor cells and cells
resistant to apoptosis are significantly related to disease progression
and could predict response of combination treatment
in chronic HCV.
Disclosures:
The following authors have nothing to disclose: Maha El Sabaawy, Eman Abdelsameea,
Ayat Abdallah, Ahmed El Refaie, Mervat M. Soltan, Nermine Ehsan
1891
Cascade of Care of HCV & HIV Infected Patients Identified
Through Community Pop-Up Clinics (CPCs)
Syune Hakobyan; Vancouver ID Research and Care Centre Society,
Vancouver, BC, Canada
AUTHORS: S. Hakobyan, S. Sharma, A. King, F. Zahedieh,
H. Tossonian, B. Conway. BACKGROUND: The prevalence
of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and Human Immunodeficiency
Virus (HIV) infections is very high among the 18,000 men and
women of Vancouver’s Downtown East Side (DTES). Despite
the widespread availability of medical and non-medical services,
there is little information regarding the cascade of care
for those diagnosed with HIV and/or HCV in this neighborhood.
The aim of this study was to document the cascade of
HIV and HCV care in the DTES and identify obstacles to its
improvement. METHODS: Participants were recruited at CPCs
held at different community-based centers in the DTES frequented
by people who inject drugs (PWID). During the CPCs,
OraQuick HIV and HCV Rapid Antibody point of care testing
was offered and participants were then asked to complete a
targeted questionnaire while they waited for test results. Care
for HIV immediately offered to those who were infected, while
the questionnaire answers were used to identify parameters of
engagement around HCV infection. RESULTS: From 03/13 to
05/15, 1410 individuals were tested for HIV and HCV. Of
these, 448 (31.8%) were found to be infected with HCV and
29 (2.1%) co-infected with HIV. Within a linked multidisciplinary
clinic, 18 HIV-infected individuals (62.1%) were linked
to care with 9 (50%) achieving an undetectable viral load on
treatment. In evaluating the feasibility of expanding the program
to address HCV infection, 910 participants completed a
questionnaire (22.9% female, 56.5% Caucasian, 28.5% First
Nations; mean age: 46.3). Amongst all survey participants, 24
were co-infected with HIV and HCV. In this population, 41.7%
were Aboriginal, 75.0% had injected drugs, 29.2% shared
needles and other injection equipment, 62.5% were previously
incarcerated, and 75.0% were aware of a HCV cure, and
87.5% stated they would consider treatment if they had HCV,
although 54.2% did not believe they needed it. CONCLU-
SIONS: Despite extensive prior testing for HIV on the DTES, we
identified 29 individuals who were unaware or unengaged in
care, and could arguably be considered as “core transmitters”
of HIV and HCV. Their engagement in treatment for HIV has
been successful in our model of care. There is significant interest
in considering HCV treatment were it offered. CPCs are an
important tool in initially engaging these individuals in medical
care and moving towards increased HCV treatment uptake in
this population.
Disclosures:
The following authors have nothing to disclose: Syune Hakobyan
1892
Correlates of Successful HCV Treatment in HIV Co-Infected
Vulnerable Populations
Brian Conway; Vancouver ID Research and Care Centre Society,
Vancouver, BC, Canada
AUTHORS: B. Conway, S. Hakobyan, A. King, F. Zahedieh,
H. Tossonian, S. Sharma INTRODUCTION: Vulnerable populations,
including people who inject drugs (PWID), are over-represented
among HIV/HCV co-infected populations. Although
clinical trial results suggest that many treatment regimens for
HCV infection are equally effective in the setting of HIV co-infection,
this has not been clearly established in populations
consisting mainly of PWID and members of related vulnerable