Antiviral Therapy Followed by Peginterferon for HBeAg-Positive Patients
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Seroconversion rates were higher after sequential therapy than after PEG-IFN monotherapy.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
April 27, 2007
Covering:
Sarin SK et al., Am J Gastroenterol 2007 Jan; 102:96-104
Long-Term Efficacy of Adefovir for HBeAg-Negative Chronic HBV Infection
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Free
Adefovir is effective for long-term treatment of patients with HBeAg-negative infections, although resistance occurs in 20% by 5 years.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
April 6, 2007
Covering:
Hadziyannis SJ et al., Gastroenterology 2006 Dec; 131:1743-51
New Data on HIV and Viral Hepatitis Coinfection
Several findings presented at the 14th Retrovirus Conference could influence how we treat patients coinfected with viral hepatitis.
By Helmut Albrecht, MD
April 2, 2007
Acute Idiosyncratic Drug-Induced Injury Can Lead to Chronic Liver Disease
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Certain classes of drugs, such as cardiovascular and anti-infectious agents, as well as herbal remedies, can lead to chronic liver damage, including cirrhosis, in rare cases.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
March 30, 2007
Covering:
Andrade RJ et al., Hepatology 2006 Dec; 44:1581-8
Dual Infection with HBV and HCV in HIV-Positive Patients
In HIV-infected patients who are also infected with HBV and HCV, treatment for one type of viral hepatitis does not appear to cause rebound of the other.
By Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD
March 26, 2007
Covering:
Soriano V et al., J Infect Dis 2007 Apr 15; 195:1181-3
Azathioprine Metabolite Measurements in Autoimmune Hepatitis Patients
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Cirrhosis was more important than metabolite levels for predicting drug-related toxicity.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
March 23, 2007
Covering:
Heneghan MA et al., J Hepatol 2006 Oct; 45:584-91
Cost-Effectiveness of Pegylated Interferon-Alfa and Ribavirin in HCV/HIV-Coinfected Patients
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
A computer-based model showed increased life expectancy at an acceptable cost; benefits were greatest for patients with non–genotype-1 HCV infections.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
March 14, 2007
Covering:
Campos NG et al., Am J Med 2007 Mar; 120:272-9
Impaired Quality of Life in HCV Patients
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Even those with normal liver-enzyme levels report lower quality of life than do healthy controls.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
March 9, 2007
Covering:
von Wagner M et al., J Viral Hepat 2006 Dec; 13:828-34
Low Incidence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in HIV/HCV-Coinfected Patients
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care Summary and Comment
Free
The disease was quite rare in a population of coinfected individuals with late-stage HIV infection, but researchers expect that the prevalence will rise.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
March 5, 2007
Covering:
García-García JA et al., AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2006 Dec; 22:1236-41
Entecavir in HIV/HBV Coinfection: Possible Resistance When Used Alone
Entecavir, a drug previously thought to have exclusive HBV activity, has now been shown to have anti-HIV activity and hence potentially to select for HIV resistance if not given with concomitant antiretroviral therapy.
By Paul E. Sax, MD
March 5, 2007
Covering:
Bristol-Myers Squibb.,
HCV-Positive Patients with HFE Mutations Respond Well to Interferon Retreatment
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
High iron stores were associated with a poor SVR rate, but surprisingly, <$EMPH_O>HFE<$EMPH_C> mutations were associated with a better rate.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
March 2, 2007
Covering:
Bonkovsky HL et al., Gastroenterology 2006 Nov; 131:1440-51
Recombinant Hepatitis E Vaccine Safe and Efficacious
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
A recombinant hepatitis E vaccine had 95.5% efficacy after three doses in susceptible Nepalese adults.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
February 28, 2007
Covering:
Shrestha MP et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Mar 1; 356:895-903
Krawczynski K., N Engl J Med 2007 Mar 1; 356:949-51
Recombinant Hepatitis E Vaccine Is Effective in Preventing Infection
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Free
This vaccine could have a substantial effect on HEV-associated morbidity and mortality worldwide.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
February 28, 2007
Covering:
Shrestha MP et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Mar 1; 356:895-903
Peginterferon Is Effective for Some Patients with Refractory HBV Infections
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Retreatment was successful in as many as 30% of chronically infected HBeAg-positive patients who had not responded to prior therapy with IFN or lamivudine.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
February 23, 2007
Covering:
Flink HJ et al., Am J Gastroenterol 2006 Nov; 101:2523-9
Noninvasive Prediction of Fibrosis in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The FibroIndex, developed by Japanese researchers, has reasonable predictive accuracy.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
February 20, 2007
Covering:
Koda M et al., Hepatology 2007 Feb; 45:297-306
Seronegative Chronic HCV Infection in HIV-Infected Patients
Patients with a history of injection drug use and either an elevated ALT level or a low CD4-cell count should have at least one HCV RNA test.
By Camilla S. Graham, MD, MPH
February 12, 2007
Covering:
Chamie G et al., Clin Infect Dis 2007 Feb 15; 44:577-83
Treating Acute HCV in HIV-Coinfected Patients
In a small trial, more than 60% of patients achieved a sustained virologic response when HCV infection was treated during the acute phase.
By Carlos del Rio, MD
February 12, 2007
Covering:
Vogel M et al., Antivir Ther 2006 ; 11:1097-101
Preventing Bacterial Infections in Cirrhotic Patients with Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Intravenous ceftriaxone is superior to oral norfloxacin in acute settings.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
February 9, 2007
Covering:
Fernández J et al., Gastroenterology 2006 Oct; 131:1049-56
Cirrhosis Depletes CD4 Cells, Even in the Absence of HIV
Absolute CD4-cell counts might not be a reliable means of assessing immunosuppression in HIV-infected patients with advanced liver disease.
By Rachel Baden, MD
February 5, 2007
Covering:
McGovern BH et al., Clin Infect Dis 2007 Feb 1; 44:431-7
Gandhi RT., Clin Infect Dis 2007 Feb 1; 44:438-40
Novel Protease Inhibitor (VX-950) for HCV Infection
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
In a phase 1b trial, rapid virologic response was sustained for as long as 14 days in patients who received 750 mg of VX-950 every 8 hours.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
February 2, 2007
Covering:
Reesink HW et al., Gastroenterology 2006 Oct; 131:997-1002
Undetectable HCV Viral Load Without Treatment — Monitoring Required
HCV controllers infected with HIV are at significant risk for recurrent HCV viremia, due to loss of HCV-specific immune responses.
By Holly Rawizza, MD
January 29, 2007
Covering:
Kim AY et al., PLoS Med 2006 Dec; 3:e492
Low Rate of Hepatic Toxicity with Lopinavir/Ritonavir
A large, real-world study shows that lopinavir/r is a reasonable therapeutic option for patients with HIV/HCV coinfection.
By Helmut Albrecht, MD
January 29, 2007
Covering:
Palacios R et al., HIV Clin Trials 2006 Nov/Dec; 7:319-23
Risk for Hepatitis C Reinfection
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
HCV clearance does not confer complete immunity to reinfection.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
January 26, 2007
Covering:
Grebely J et al., Hepatology 2006 Nov; 44:1139-45
Social Factors Shape Young People’s Sexual Behavior Worldwide
Social expectations have a powerful influence.
By M. Susan Jay, MD
January 24, 2007
Covering:
Marston C and King E., Lancet 2006 Nov 4; 368:1581-6
Adefovir for Chronic Hepatitis B: Long-Term Follow-up
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Adefovir therapy remained well tolerated and effective over nearly 5 years.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
January 16, 2007
Covering:
Hadziyannis SJ et al., Gastroenterology 2006 Dec; 131:1743-51
