Time to Broaden HCV Testing?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Improvements in treatment are changing the calculus of screening the general population for hepatitis C virus infection.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
May 8, 2012
Covering:
Coffin PO et al., Clin Infect Dis 2012 May 1; 54:1259
New Tests Predict Clinical Outcomes in Chronic Hepatitis C Virus
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Free
A battery of quantitative liver-function tests might provide a noninvasive method of risk assessment.
A Review of Drug Interactions of Telaprevir and Boceprevir
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
A compendium of information on how these protease inhibitors interact with other drugs often needed by patients with HCV infection
A Recombinant Vaccine for Tuberculosis
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a phase IIa trial, vaccination with MVA85A was well tolerated and induced T-cell responses in individuals with HIV infection, Mtb infection, or both.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
May 2, 2012
Covering:
Scriba TJ et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2012 Apr 1; 185:769
Exploring Immunity to Hepatitis C
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Researchers have identified an anti–hepatitis C monoclonal antibody that is broadly cross-reactive and is protective in a mouse model.
HCV Genotype Might Affect Response in Interferon-Free Regimens
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
In a small exploratory analysis, patients with <$EMPH_O>IL28B<$EMPH_C> genotype CC trended towards greater reductions in viral load than those with genotypes TT or CT.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
April 20, 2012
Covering:
Chu TW et al., Gastroenterology 2012 Apr; 142:790
TMP-SMX–Associated Renal Toxicity
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Acute kidney injury occurred in 11% of TMP-SMX recipients but nearly always resolved after drug discontinuation.
By Thomas Glück, MD
April 4, 2012
Covering:
Fraser TN et al., J Antimicrob Chemother 2012 Feb 20
Do HIV-Positive Women with Prior Hysterectomies Require Pap Testing?
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Although HIV-positive women frequently have abnormal Pap results, the absolute risk for vaginal dysplasia and malignancy is low.
By Anna Wald, MD, MPH
March 8, 2012
Covering:
Massad LS et al., Obstet Gynecol 2012 Mar; 119:582
Mortality Rate Now Higher for HCV Than HIV Infection in the U.S.
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
As many as 75% of people with HCV infection do not know that they are infected; a one-time screening holds promise for identifying and treating them.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
March 9, 2012
Covering:
Ly KN et al., Ann Intern Med 2012 Feb 21; 156:271
Rein DB et al., Ann Intern Med 2012 Feb 21; 156:263
Highly Azithromycin-Resistant Gonococcus Identified in the U.S.
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
This discovery bodes ill for treatment of gonorrhea.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
March 7, 2012
Covering:
Katz AR et al., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Mar 15; 54:841
Correlating Xpert MTB/RIF Results with Sputum Smear Status
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a study involving 130 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, an Xpert MTB/RIF cycle time >31.8 indicated an 80% likelihood of smear negativity.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
February 22, 2012
Covering:
Theron G et al., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Feb 1; 54:384
Fennelly KP., Clin Infect Dis 2012 Feb 1; 54:389
Testing Midstream Urine for Chlamydia trachomatis
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Midstream samples might be adequate for evaluating both chlamydial and urinary tract infections, but study results were not definitive.
By Anna Wald, MD, MPH
February 2, 2012
Covering:
Mangin D et al., Ann Fam Med 2012 Jan/Feb; 10:50
High-Dose Antivirals Do Not Fully Suppress Reactivation of Genital Herpes Simplex
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Suppressive therapy is not adequate for preventing transmission.
New Antivirals Show Promise for an Interferon-Free Hepatitis C Treatment
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
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.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
January 18, 2012
Covering:
Lok AS et al., N Engl J Med 2012 Jan 19; 366:216
Chung RT., N Engl J Med 2012 Jan 19; 366:273
Effective Short-Course Treatment for Latent Tuberculosis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Three months of isoniazid plus rifapentine worked as well as 9 months of isoniazid.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
December 20, 2011
Covering:
Sterling TR et al., N Engl J Med 2011 Dec 8; 365:2155
Recommendations for Use of Short-Course Isoniazid-Rifapentine for Latent TB
Infectious Diseases Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
Free
This two-drug regimen, administered weekly for just 12 weeks, is efficacious in preventing active disease in patients with latent <$EMPH_O>Mycobacterium tuberculosis<$EMPH_C> infection.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
December 21, 2011
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2011 Dec 9; 60:1650
Low Vitamin D Levels Linked to Active Tuberculosis
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Seasonal declines in mean vitamin D levels were followed by seasonal increases in TB notifications.
By Richard T. Ellison III, MD
November 30, 2011
Covering:
Martineau AR et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2011 Nov 22; 108:19013
Realegeno S and Modlin RL., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2011 Nov 22; 108:18861
Quantitative PCR for Differentiating Between Pneumocystis Colonization and Infection
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
A newly developed strategy allowed definitive characterization of 96% of the samples evaluated.
By Thomas Glück, MD
November 16, 2011
Covering:
Alanio A et al., Clin Microbiol Infect 2011 Oct; 17:1531
HPV Vaccine Beneficial in Men Who Have Sex with Men
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
A quadrivalent HPV vaccine significantly reduced the rate of anal intraepithelial neoplasia in this high-risk population.
By Larry M. Baddour, MD
October 26, 2011
Covering:
Palefsky JM et al., N Engl J Med 2011 Oct 27; 365:1576
Should We Continue Entecavir for HBV Infection Despite Partial Virologic Response?
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Results from a prospective cohort study found continued virologic response without viral resistance to entecavir despite PVR for up to 3 years.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
October 14, 2011
Covering:
Zoutendijk R et al., Hepatology 2011 Aug; 54:443
RTS,S/AS01 Vaccine Reduces Malaria Incidence by Half
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Initial results from a phase III trial show protection against clinical and severe malaria during the 12 months after vaccination in children aged 5 to 17 months.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
October 20, 2011
Covering:
The RTS,S Clinical Trials Partnership., N Engl J Med 2011 Oct 18
White NJ., N Engl J Med 2011 Oct 18
An Ultrashort Regimen for Latent TB Looks Promising — in Mice
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a mouse model of latent tuberculosis, 1 month of the diarylquinoline TMC207 alone was superior to isoniazid alone in reducing the lung burden of <$EMPH_O>Mycobacterium tuberculosis<$EMPH_C>.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
October 19, 2011
Covering:
Zhang T et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2011 Sep 15; 184:732
Adherence to HCV Therapy Is Associated with Virologic Response
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Patients with better adherence to peginterferon and ribavirin showed better early and sustained virologic responses to HCV infection.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
October 21, 2011
Covering:
Lo Re V III et al., Ann Intern Med 2011 Sep 20; 155:353
Adherence to Hepatitis C Virus Therapy Improves Virologic Outcomes
General Medicine Summary and Comment
At least for patients with genotype 1 or 4 infections, adhering to therapy improves response rates.
Sizeable Minority of U.K. Men Who Have Sex with Men Donate Blood
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Many see the lifetime exclusion from blood donation as unfair.
