October 2009

HAART – a common term for HIV combination therapy, an acronym for Highly Active AntiRetroviral Treatment.

HPV (human papillomavirus) – a family of viruses associated with cervical cancer and anal cancer and genital warts.

HAV – hepatitis A, a virus that causes liver disease. Hepatitis A.

HCV – hepatitis C, a virus that causes liver disease. Guide to HIV and hepatitis C coinfection.

HBV – hepatitis B, a virus that causes liver disease. Hepatitis B.

GGT (gamma glutamyl transferase) –  enzyme involved in metabolism that is produced in the bile ducts. Any type of liver disease, heavy drinking, and some medications can increase levels of GGT.

stage (staging) – the stage of hepatitis infection refers to the amount of scaring (fibrosis), from results from a biposy. It is usually measured on the Metavir scale of 0 to 4, where 0 represents no scarring and 4 cirrhosis, …

grade/grading – the grade of hepatitis infection refers to the amount of inflammation in liver tissue, found by a biopsy. It is usually measured on the Ishak scale from 1-18) where 0 is none and 18 is the maximum. See …

genotype (or genotypic) – This term has several common uses: 1. a general term for the molecular structure of a living organism or virus. 2. a test that looks at the structure of an organism of virus (ie genotype resistance …

fulminant liver disease – sudden, rapid disease progression related to liver failure.

free radical – a chemical produced after a molecular reaction, often containing oxygen, that has one ‘free’ unpaired electron on its outer surface. This makes it able to react and damage other cells, and perhaps increase progression of cardiovascular disease, …

Fibroscan – a non-invasive ultrasound scan that measures the ‘elasticity’ or stiffness of the liver. i-Base video of a FibroScan on YouTube.

fibrotest – a test which uses results from blood tests to predict liver damage and which may become an alternative option to liver biopsy in some patients.

SVR (sustained virological response) – having a negative HCV viral load test 6 months after stopping HCV treatment. The response, 6 months after treatment is stopped, determines whether treatment has been effective in terms of clearing HCV. SVR is the …

EVR (early virological response) – a 99% (2-log ) drop in HCV viral load after 12 weeks of HCV treatment.

ETR (end of treatment response) – having an undetectable HCV viral load at the end of HCV treatment. See SVR.

epoetin-alpha (EPO) – a treatment for anaemia, given by injection. Used to reduce side effect of hepatitis C treatment.

encephalopathy – degenerative brain function or disease

cryoglobulinemia – increased blood levels of abnormal proteins called cryoglobulins that can inflame blood vessels and thicken blood.

fibrosis – mild to moderate scarring of the liver (see cirrhosis)