9% in the general population,3 to 17% in HIV-infected

individuals.4 Most african countries in the study by Rein et al. are areas of high endemicity for HIV.5 Prevalence of HIV infection in a population is of importance when addressing prevalence, and relevance, of HBV infection. Patients infected with HIV are known to have higher rates of occult hepatitis B.6 This means that individuals will be negative for HBsAg, with positive anticore antibody and detectable HBV viral load. The consequences of occult hepatitis B are still under investigation. However, occult hepatitis B has been reported to reactivate in patients with HIV.7 Moreover, the effects and protection of vaccination against HBV in this population are unknown. Any study attempting to address prevalence of HBsAg in individuals from African Dinaciclib solubility dmso countries should take into account the presence of HIV infection, in order to better evaluate the significance of the findings. I applaud the initiative of Rein et al. to try to achieve a much-needed clarification on the prevalence of HBsAg in refugees entering the United States. However, well-conducted prospective or cross-sectional studies with larger samples for each country are needed. Y-27632 chemical structure Jose Daniel Debes M.D.*, * Internal Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN. “
“The liver constantly encounters food-derived antigens and bacterial components such as lipopolysaccharide translocated from the gut into the portal

vein. Bacterial components stimulate Toll-like Ribonucleotide reductase receptors (TLR), which are expressed on Kupffer cells, biliary

epithelial cells, hepatocytes, hepatic stellate cells, endothelial cells and dendritic cells and recognize specific pathogen-associated molecular patterns. The signaling of TLR to its main ligand triggers inflammation. Usually, in order to protect against hyperactivation of the immune system and to prevent organ failure by persistent inflammation, TLR tolerance to repeated stimuli is induced. In chronic liver diseases, a breakdown in TLR tolerance occurs. Furthermore, Kupffer cells, hepatic stellate cells and natural killer T cells are key components of innate immunity. Decreased numbers and impaired ability of these cells lead to failures in immune tolerance, resulting in persistent inflammation. Recently, the activation of inflammasome was revealed to control the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1β in response to bacterial pathogens. Innate immunity seems to be an important contributor to the pathogenesis of fatty liver disease and autoimmune liver disease. Recently, probiotics were reported to affect various liver diseases via shifts in gut microbiota and the stability of intestinal permeability. However, many unresolved questions remain. Further analysis will be needed to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the association of innate immunity with the pathogenesis of various liver diseases. THE LIVER, THE largest organ in the body, weight 1200–1500 g and has a double blood supply.