Hepatitis
The latest information on cirrhosis, interferon, ribavirin, vaccines, and more, drawn from across our primary care and specialty care areas. Sign up now for monthly e-mail alerts on new content.
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
α-Fetoprotein Screening in Patients with Hepatitis C
- February 7, 2012
- Allan S. Brett, MD
- General Medicine
Positive predictive value for hepatocellular cancer was low; AFP screening is not recommended.
- Reviewing:
- Sterling RK et al. Am J Gastroenterol 2012 Jan; 107:64
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Transmission of Blood-Borne Pathogens in Injection-Drug Users
- January 30, 2012
- Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD
- HIV/AIDS Clinical Care
Hepatitis B virus and HIV are coming under control because of harm-reduction programs, but hepatitis C virus continues to be a problem.
- Reviewing:
- Blomé MA et al. J Viral Hepat 2011 Dec; 18:831
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Support for a 6-Month Surveillance Interval for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
- January 27, 2012
- Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
- Gastroenterology
In patients with cirrhosis, a 6-month interval detected as many cancers as a 3-month interval.
- Reviewing:
- Trinchet JC et al. Hepatology 2011 Dec; 54:1987
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Acute Kidney Injury Predicts Mortality in Acute Alcoholic Hepatitis
- January 27, 2012
- Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
- Gastroenterology
New criteria for renal failure are superior to traditional criteria in predicting 90-day mortality and should be put to use in clinical settings.
- Reviewing:
- Altamirano J et al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2012 Jan; 10:65
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Serum Ferritin Level Predicts Histologic Severity of NAFLD
- January 27, 2012
- Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
- Gastroenterology
Elevated serum ferritin was associated with a twofold increased risk for advanced disease among patients with NAFLD.
- Reviewing:
- Kowdley KV et al. Hepatology 2012 Jan; 55:77
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Elevated IgG4 in PSC Might Indicate More-Severe Disease
- January 27, 2012
- Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
- Gastroenterology
Serum immunoglobulin G4 levels >104 mg/dL were found in 22% of patients and were associated with higher Mayo risk scores.
- Reviewing:
- Alswat K et al. Am J Gastroenterol 2012 Jan; 107:56
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Highlights from the Conference on Chronic Viral Hepatitis InfectionFree
- January 27, 2012
- Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
- Gastroenterology
Medical models that improve screening and effectiveness of treatment in the community setting are required to reduce the disease burden.
- Reviewing:
- Ward JW et al. Hepatology 2012 Jan; 55:307
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
New Antivirals Show Promise for an Interferon-Free Hepatitis C Treatment
- January 18, 2012
- Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
- Gastroenterology
Patients with HCV genotype 1 and previous null response achieved a 36% sustained virologic response at 24 weeks of therapy with daclatasvir and asunaprevir alone.
- Reviewing:
- Lok AS et al. N Engl J Med 2012 Jan 19; 366:216
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Transplant-Associated HCV Transmission
- January 11, 2012
- Stephen G. Baum, MD
- Infectious Diseases
Stricter guidelines or more-careful adherence to current ones might have prevented hepatitis C virus transmission to kidney and cardiopulmonary-patch recipients.
- Reviewing:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2011 Dec 23; 60:1697
New HCV Treatments Look Promising for HIV/HCV-Coinfected Patients
- December 30, 2011
- Paul E. Sax, MD
- HIV/AIDS Clinical Care
Initial efficacy data for boceprevir and telaprevir are favorable, but other options under investigation may prove to be even better.
