Pilot Study Of The Effect Of Rifaximin On B-Cell Dysregulation In Cirrhosis

Summary

Hepatitis C is the leading cause of chronic liver disease and cirrhosis in United States veterans. Cirrhosis is associated with impaired antibody responses and increased risk of bacterial infections. We have recently identified that cirrhosis is associated with abnormalities of memory B-cells, cells that make antibodies and help protect against bacterial infections. We have identified that chemicals associated with gut bacteria might play a role in causing these B-cell abnormalities. It is well known that gut bacteria have increased access to the blood in individuals with cirrhosis, a process called bacterial translocation. We hypothesize that reducing bacteria counts in the gut by using poorly-absorbed antibiotics (also known as selective gut decontamination) will partially reverse losses of memory B-cells in cirrhosis by reducing bacterial translocation.

Timeline

Start

2016-11-17

Primary completion

2016-11-17

Completion

2017-06-12

Publications

• Background Doi H, Iyer TK, Carpenter E, Li H, Chang KM, Vonderheide RH, Kaplan DE. Dysfunctional B-cell activation in cirrhosis resulting from hepatitis C infection associated with disappearance of CD27-positive B-cell population. Hepatology. 2012 Mar;55(3):709-19. doi: 10.1002/hep.24689. Epub 2012 Jan 19.

Drugs

Indications