New Settings for Healthcare-Associated Hepatitis B and C Outbreaks
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
During the past decade, the CDC has received reports of 33 outbreaks in nonhospital healthcare facilities; all were caused by lapses in infection control.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
January 30, 2009
Covering:
Thompson ND et al., Ann Intern Med 2009 Jan 6; 150:33
Tenofovir for the Treatment of Chronic HBV Infection
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Phase III study results demonstrate that tenofovir is superior to adefovir in treating HBV infection.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
January 23, 2009
Covering:
Marcellin P et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Dec 4; 359:2442
Should We Routinely Prescribe Folic Acid Supplementation for Methotrexate Recipients?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
An inexpensive supplement holds promise for preventing methotrexate-related hepatic toxicity.
Hepatitis Outbreaks in Nonhospital Healthcare Facilities
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Lapses in infection-control practices at outpatient care settings resulted in hundreds of hepatitis B and C cases and put thousands of people at risk.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
January 14, 2009
Covering:
Thompson ND et al., Ann Intern Med 2009 Jan 6; 150:33
HCV in Latinos
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Latino whites have a lower response rate to treatment with peginterferon and ribavirin than do non-Latino whites.
HCV Sequence Variation Predicts Response to Therapy
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Using HCV markers to forecast treatment outcome could lead to a personalized approach to management.
By Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD
January 14, 2009
Covering:
Aurora R et al., J Clin Invest 2009 Jan 5; 119:225
Oh TS and Rice CM., J Clin Invest 2009 Jan 5; 119:5
Interferon Response Rates in Latinos with Hepatitis C
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Latinos with chronic HCV genotype 1 infection had poorer response to peginterferon alfa-2a therapy than did non-Latinos.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
January 14, 2009
Covering:
Rodriguez-Torres M et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Jan 15; 360:257
Delayed HCV Antibody Responses in HIV-Infected Patients
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Because of the prolonged lag time in seroconversion, the diagnosis of acute HCV infection may be missed unless RNA testing is done.
Peginterferon and Ribavirin for Difficult-to-Treat HCV: Is More Better?
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Data from a pilot study suggest that higher doses of peginterferon and ribavirin for chronic HCV infection leads to lower relapse rates in difficult-to-treat cases.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
December 12, 2008
Covering:
Fried MW et al., Hepatology 2008 Oct; 48:1033
Maintenance Peginterferon Therapy Not Helpful in Advanced Chronic Hepatitis C
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Patients without initial responses to peginterferon and ribavirin did not benefit from long-term low-dose peginterferon therapy in the HALT-C trial.
By Larry M. Baddour, MD
December 10, 2008
Covering:
Di Bisceglie AM et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Dec 4; 359:2429
Treating Chronic Hepatitis B — Tenofovir DF vs. Adefovir Dipivoxil
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In studies of both HBeAg-negative and HBeAg-positive patients, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate was superior to adefovir dipivoxil.
By Larry M. Baddour, MD
December 10, 2008
Covering:
Marcellin P et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Dec 4; 359:2442
HALT-C: Results of Maintenance Peginterferon for Advanced Chronic HCV
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Long-term therapy with peginterferon did not improve outcomes in HCV patients with advanced fibrosis and no response to previous therapy.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
December 5, 2008
Covering:
Di Bisceglie AM et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Dec 4; 359:2429
Regression of Cirrhosis in HCV
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Study findings suggest that HCV treatment can lead to regression of cirrhosis.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
November 21, 2008
Covering:
Mallet V et al., Ann Intern Med 2008 Sep 16; 149:399
Spontaneous HCV Clearance in HIV-Infected Patients
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
The likelihood of such clearance was associated with geographic origin, HBV status, and risk behavior.
By Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD
November 19, 2008
Covering:
Soriano V et al., J Infect Dis 2008 Nov 1; 198:1337
Bruno R and Sacchi P., J Infect Dis 2008 Nov 1; 198:1262
Occult HBV Infection in HIV Patients
Occult HBV infection was rare in a cohort of HIV-infected patients and was not associated with elevated transaminase levels or with symptomatic liver disease.
By Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD
November 17, 2008
Covering:
Palacios R et al., HIV Clin Trials 2008 Sep/Oct; 9:337
SVR Durability in HCV Treated with Interferon-Based Therapy
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
In a cohort study with long-term follow-up, none of the 344 patients suffered a relapse after achieving sustained virologic response.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
November 14, 2008
Covering:
Maylin S et al., Gastroenterology 2008 Sep; 135:821
A Simple Way to Diagnose Autoimmune Hepatitis
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
A new AIH scoring system that is easy to use in clinical practice demonstrated very good sensitivity and excellent specificity.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
October 30, 2008
Covering:
Hennes EM et al., Hepatology 2008 Jul; 48:169
Expanded Screening Recommendations for Chronic HBV
Gastroenterology Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
Free
The CDC has updated its HBV screening guidelines to reflect the changing epidemiology of HBV infection and the proven benefits of screening.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
October 10, 2008
Covering:
Weinbaum CM et al., MMWR Recomm Rep 2008 Sep 19; 57:1
Hepatitis B: Identification and Management
Infectious Diseases Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
An update and synthesis of previous hepatitis B guidelines, expanding at-risk groups and medical treatment options
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
October 8, 2008
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Recomm Rep 2008 Sep 19; 57:1
Treating HCV in Prisons
In the Connecticut correctional system, success rates for HCV treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin were high, but fewer than 1 in 1000 presumably HCV-infected inmates were actually tested and treated.
By Helmut Albrecht, MD
September 29, 2008
Covering:
Maru DS-R et al., Clin Infect Dis 2008 Oct 1; 47:952
PEG-IFN Therapy for Genotype 1 HCV: 24 or 48?
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Patients treated for 24 weeks had higher relapse rates — and therefore lower SVR rates — than did those treated for 48 weeks.
Acute HCV Infection in HIV-Positive Men
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
More than 80% of HIV-infected men with newly acquired HCV had moderately advanced fibrosis.
Salvage Vaccination for Hep B Vaccine Nonresponders
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Double doses of the combined hepatitis A/B vaccine work well.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
August 12, 2008
Covering:
Cardell K et al., J Infect Dis 2008 Aug 1; 198:299
HCV Infection and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
In a pooled case-control study, HCV infection was associated with increased risk for certain subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
July 25, 2008
Covering:
de Sanjose S et al., Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2008 Apr; 6:451
Achieving Immunity in Hepatitis B Vaccine Nonresponders
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Three double doses of the combined hepatitis A/B vaccine provided protective HBV immunity in 95% of hepatitis B vaccine nonresponders.
By Daniel J. Diekema, MD, MS
July 2, 2008
Covering:
Cardell K et al., J Infect Dis 2008 Jun 10
Diepolder HM., J Infect Dis 2008 Jun 10
