Histologic Findings and Outcomes in HBV-Positive Patients in the Immunotolerant Phase
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Liver biopsy might not be necessary in immunotolerant patients, but follow-up is.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
August 3, 2007
Covering:
Andreani T et al., Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2007 May; 5:636-41
Label Change for Entecavir
On July 24, 2007, the FDA approved revised labeling for entecavir. Consistent with a recent change in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services treatment . . .
Relapse After Treatment Withdrawal in Patients with Autoimmune Hepatitis
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Free
Serum AST,
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
July 27, 2007
Covering:
Montano-Loza AJ et al., Am J Gastroenterol 2007 May; 102:1005-12
Maintenance Interferon Therapy for Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Infections
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Two years of maintenance monotherapy in high-risk HCV-positive cirrhotic patients is ineffective for lengthening complication-free survival.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
July 27, 2007
Covering:
Fartoux L et al., Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2007 Apr; 5:502-7
The Predictive Value of Rapid Virologic Response to HCV Therapy in Coinfected Patients
Retrospective data indicate that, in coinfected patients, rapid virologic response to HCV therapy might predict sustained virologic response.
By Sonia Nagy Chimienti, MD
July 23, 2007
Covering:
Mira JA et al., Antivir Ther 2007 ; 12:523-9
HCV Treatment — How Short Can We Go?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
For genotypes 2 and 3, 24-week treatment is more effective than 16-week treatment.
By Richard T. Ellison III, MD
July 11, 2007
Covering:
Shiffman ML et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Jul 12; 357:124-34
Liang TJ., N Engl J Med 2007 Jul 12; 357:176-8
Peginterferon plus Ribavirin for 16 or 24 Weeks for Genotype 2 or 3 HCV Infections
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Free
Not all patients do well with a shorter treatment regimen.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
July 11, 2007
Covering:
Shiffman ML et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Jul 12; 357:124-34
Liang TJ., N Engl J Med 2007 Jul 12; 357:176-8
Risk Factors for HCV Relapse in HIV-Infected Patients
Independent predictors of relapse after HCV treatment in 256 patients included high pretreatment HCV RNA levels and detectable HCV RNA 4 weeks after therapy initiation.
By Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD
July 9, 2007
Covering:
Núñez M et al., J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2007 Apr 26
More Details About Entecavir’s Anti-HIV Effects
Evidence has now been published to support the recent guideline change regarding entecavir monotherapy in HBV/HIV-coinfected patients.
By Manish Sagar, MD
July 9, 2007
Covering:
McMahon MA et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Jun 21; 356:2614-21
Needlestick Injuries in Surgical Residents
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Nearly all surgical residents experience needlestick injuries during training; more than half of such injuries go unreported.
By Richard T. Ellison III, MD
July 3, 2007
Covering:
Makary MA et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Jun 28; 356:2693-9
Prevalence of Chronic HBV Infection Among Korean Americans
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Data from a large cohort support HBV screening among immigrants from endemic areas.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
June 29, 2007
Covering:
Hann H-WL et al., Am J Gastroenterol 2007 Apr; 102:767-72
Caution Regarding Use of Entecavir in HIV/HBV Coinfected Patients
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Entecavir may inhibit HIV replication and select for resistance; it should not be used alone in HIV/HBV-coinfected patients whose HIV is not suppressed.
By Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD
June 20, 2007
Covering:
McMahon MA et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Jun 21; 356:2614-21
Hirsch MS., N Engl J Med 2007 Jun 21; 356:2641-3
Are Liver Biopsies Necessary in Psoriasis Patients Treated with Methotrexate?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
Patients with certain risk factors had increased rates of fibrosis.
By Jeffrey P. Callen, MD
June 15, 2007
Covering:
Rosenberg P et al., J Hepatol 2007 Jun; 46:1111-8
Aithal GP., J Hepatol 2007 Jun; 46:995-8
Preventing Recurrent HBV Infection After Liver Transplant
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Free
Low-dose intramuscular HBIG plus lamivudine is an attractive and less-expensive alternative to the current prophylactic regimen.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
June 8, 2007
Covering:
Gane EJ at al., Gastroenterology 2007 Mar; 132:931-7
Sexual Transmission of Hepatitis C Virus
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
An outbreak of hepatitis C infection among HIV-infected men who have sex with men suggests sexual transmission of the virus.
By Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD
June 6, 2007
Covering:
Danta M et al., AIDS 2007 May 11; 21:983-91
Interferon Therapy Improves Outcomes in HCV Patients with Cirrhosis
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Clinical endpoints were evaluated in a group of cirrhotic patients with well-compensated disease.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
June 1, 2007
Covering:
Bruno S et al., Hepatology 2007 Mar; 45:579-87
End-Stage Liver Disease Due to HCV Infection in Hemophiliacs
Coexistent HIV infection, longer duration of HCV infection, older age at time of infection, genotype 1 HCV infection, and alcohol abuse all contribute to risk for ESLD.
By David Green, MD, PhD
May 25, 2007
Covering:
Posthouwer D et al., Blood 2007 May 1; 109:3667-71
Isolated Hepatitis B Core Antibody Is Commonly Associated with Viral Coinfection
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care Summary and Comment
Free
Active viral coinfection may alter the production of hepatitis B surface antibody.
By Holly Rawizza, MD
May 14, 2007
Covering:
French AL et al., J Infect Dis 2007 May 15; 195:1437-42
Outcomes of HCV Therapy in HIV-Coinfected Patients
Aggressively managing hematologic toxicities to optimize adherence with and dosing of HCV therapy results in better treatment outcomes.
By Sonia Nagy Chimienti, MD
May 14, 2007
Covering:
Behler CM et al., Clin Infect Dis 2007 May 15; 44:1375-83
A Single Case of Patient-to-Patient HBV Transmission in an Oral Surgery Center
The case occurred despite apparent adherence to standard infection control measures and vaccination of nearly all healthcare personnel.
By Rachel Baden, MD
May 14, 2007
Covering:
Redd JT et al., J Infect Dis 2007 May 1; 195:1311-4
Allos BM and Schaffner W., J Infect Dis 2007 May 1; 195:1245-7
Patient–Patient Transmission of Hepatitis B During Oral Surgery
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
No flaws in infection control protocols were found.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
May 10, 2007
Covering:
Redd JT et al., J Infect Dis 2007 May 1; 195:1311-4
Add-On Adefovir Therapy for Lamivudine-Resistant Chronic HBV Infection
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Adding adefovir to lamivudine is better than switching to adefovir monotherapy.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
May 4, 2007
Covering:
Rapti I et al., Hepatology 2007 Feb; 45:307-13
Hepatitis C Transmission: Sex or Drugs?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
A study among heterosexual couples provides additional evidence that sexual contact plays little role in HCV transmission.
By Daniel J. Diekema, MD, MS
May 2, 2007
Covering:
McMahon JM et al., J Infect Dis 2007 Jun 1; 195
Reducing Peginterferon and Ribavirin Doses in Patients with Genotype 1 HCV Infections
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Sustained response rates were not affected by dose reductions, as long as patients received at least 60% of optimal doses of PEG-IFN and RBV.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
April 27, 2007
Covering:
Reddy KR et al., Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2007 Jan; 5:124-9
Shiffman ML et al., Gastroenterology 2007 Jan; 132:103-12
Lamivudine Is Ineffective for Treating Acute HBV Infection
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Lamivudine reduced HBV DNA levels but did not improve clinical outcomes in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial in India.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
April 27, 2007
Covering:
Kumar M et al., Hepatology 2007 Jan; 45:97-101
