Hepatic encephalopathy occurs when the liver can not remove certain toxins and chemicals, such as ammonia, from the blood.1 These toxins and chemicals then build up and enter the brain.1 Hepatic encephalopathy is one of the major complications of cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), and a leading cause of hospital re-admission due to its recurrence, despite treatment.1 It can occur suddenly in people with acute liver failure, but is seen more often in those with chronic liver disease.1 Symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy
include mild confusion, forgetfulness, poor concentration and personality or mood changes, but can progress to extreme anxiety, seizures, severe confusion, jumbled and slurred speech and slow movement.1 The first step in treatment is to identify and treat any factors that cause hepatic encephalopathy.2 Once the episode has resolved, further treatment aims to reduce the production and absorption of toxins, such as ammonia.1 Generally, there are two types of medication used to reduce the likelihood of another hepatic encephalopathy episode — lactulose and rifaximin.2 However, it remains a leading cause of hospitalisations and re-hospitalisations in
cirrhotic patients, despite the use of the above - mentioned standard of care treatment.
Taking advantage of infected
patients, proprietary animal models of infection and new technological advances in the field of static and dynamic imaging, Immunopathology Unit tackles unresolved issues that
include the means by which innate and adaptive immune cells traffic and function within the normal,
cirrhotic or cancerous livers.