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
Clinical Effectiveness of HBV Vaccination in HIV-Positive Patients
- June 29, 2009
- Helmut Albrecht, MD
- HIV/AIDS
In an observational cohort study that showed a high incidence of hepatitis B virus infection after HIV diagnosis, HBV vaccination was effective only in a subgroup with HBV surface antibody titers 
10 IU/L.
- Reviewing:
- Landrum ML et al. AIDS 2009 May 29
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Nitazoxanide for Genotype 4 Hepatitis C Virus Infection
- June 19, 2009
- Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
- Gastroenterology
Triple therapy comprising nitazoxanide, peginterferon alfa-2a, and ribavirin increased the percentages of sustained virologic response in HCV patients compared with standard therapy.
- Reviewing:
- Rossignol J-F et al. Gastroenterology 2009 Mar; 136:856
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Monitoring Asymptomatic Hepatitis B Patients
- June 19, 2009
- Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
- Gastroenterology
Some patients at risk for alanine aminotransferase flares might benefit from being monitored every 3 months.
- Reviewing:
- Kumar M et al. Gastroenterology 2009 Apr; 136:1272
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
ART and HCV Activity
- June 1, 2009
- Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD
- HIV/AIDS
ART may decrease hepatic necroinflammatory activity in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients with CD4 counts >350 cells/mm3.
- Reviewing:
- Pascual-Pareja JF et al. AIDS 2009 May 15; 23:971
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Interferon for Older Patients with Hepatitis C?
- May 27, 2009
- Neil M. Ampel, MD
- Infectious Diseases
IFN therapy was associated with improved survival and reduced risk for hepatocellular carcinoma in those with initial platelet counts <150,000 mm3.
- Reviewing:
- Ikeda K et al. Am J Med 2009 May; 122:479
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Serologic Markers for Autoimmune Hepatitis
- May 15, 2009
- Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
- Gastroenterology
Autoantibody status does not seem to influence the clinical or histologic severity of autoimmune hepatitis, nor does it predict responsiveness to immunosuppressant therapy. CME
- Reviewing:
- Mehendiratta V et al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2009 Jan; 7:98
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Peginterferon and Ribavirin for Dual HCV and HBV Infection
- May 8, 2009
- Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
- Gastroenterology
Sustained virologic response rates were similar for patients dually infected with any genotype of HCV and HBV and for HCV-monoinfected patients. CME
- Reviewing:
- Liu C-J et al. Gastroenterology 2009 Feb; 136:496
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Telaprevir Shows Promise for HCV, but Concerns Remain
- April 29, 2009
- Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
- Gastroenterology
Telaprevir’s improved SVR rates will need to be weighed against the complexity of the regimen, development of resistance, and higher discontinuation rates.
- Reviewing:
- McHutchison JG et al. N Engl J Med 2009 Apr 30; 360:1827
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
HCV Coinfection and CD4-Cell Recovery
- April 17, 2009
- Sonia Nagy Chimienti, MD
- HIV/AIDS
New observational data suggest that HCV coinfection does not negatively influence CD4-cell recovery in patients receiving suppressive antiretroviral therapy.
- Reviewing:
- Peters L et al. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2009 Apr 15; 50:457
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Racial Differences in HCV Kinetics During Interferon-Based Therapy
- April 8, 2009
- Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD
- Infectious Diseases
HCV RNA levels decline more slowly in blacks than in whites, perhaps because of a block in intracellular responses to interferon.
- Reviewing:
- Hoofnagle JH et al. J Infect Dis 2009 Apr 15; 199:1112
