A Promising First Step for Combination Oral Therapy Against HCV
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
In a short-term study, use of a protease inhibitor and a polymerase inhibitor together rapidly lowered HCV RNA levels.
By Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD
November 17, 2010
Covering:
Gane EJ et al., Lancet 2010 Oct 30; 376:1467
Thomas DL., Lancet 2010 Oct 30; 376:1441
Hepatitis A in the U.S.
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
International travel was the predominant risk factor for infection.
By Larry M. Baddour, MD
November 10, 2010
Covering:
Klevens RM et al., Arch Intern Med 2010 Nov 8; 170:1811
Andersson KL et al., Arch Intern Med 2010 Nov 8; 170:1818
Genetic Testing for Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 2 or 3 Infection
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Free
<$EMPH_O>IL28B<$EMPH_C> genotype was an independent predictor of sustained virologic response to HCV therapy.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
November 5, 2010
Covering:
Mangia A et al., Gastroenterology 2010 Sep; 139:821
Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation After Rituximab Therapy
Reactivation occurred in 12% of lymphoma patients who were seropositive for prior HBV infection.
Maintenance Interferon in HIV/HCV-Coinfected Patients: The SLAM-C Trial
Slower-than-expected progression of hepatic fibrosis resulted in the trial being stopped early.
By Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD
November 1, 2010
Covering:
Sherman K et al., J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2010 Oct 1
Peginterferon plus Ribavirin for HBeAg-Negative Chronic Hepatitis B Infection
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Combination therapy did not provide any benefits over peginterferon alone.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
October 22, 2010
Covering:
Rijckborst V et al., Am J Gastroenterol 2010 Aug; 105:1762
Predicting Treatment Success for Hepatitis C Among HIV-Infected Patients
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
The rs12979860 CC genotype was associated with an increased likelihood of sustained viral response after pegylated interferon alfa-2/ribavirin treatment.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
October 20, 2010
Covering:
Pineda JA et al., Clin Infect Dis 2010 Oct 1; 51:788
Antiviral-Induced Hepatitis B e Antigen Seroconversion: It's Usually Temporary
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Among treated patients with chronic hepatitis B infection who seroconverted, fewer than one third experienced durable remission; fewer than one quarter who stopped treatment remained in remission.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
October 15, 2010
Covering:
Reijnders JGP et al., Gastroenterology 2010 Aug; 139:491
HCV Transmission by Intravenous Therapy in Central Africa
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Among older individuals in Cameroon, IV therapy for malaria during the colonial era was associated with hepatitis C virus seropositivity.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
October 13, 2010
Covering:
Pépin J et al., Clin Infect Dis 2010 Oct 1; 51:768
Ursodeoxycholic Acid for Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
High-dose UDCA was ineffective, as was a low-dose regimen in a prior study.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
October 1, 2010
Covering:
Leuschner UFH et al., Hepatology 2010 Aug; 52:472
Hepatitis E Epidemiology in Bangladesh
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a rural area, the incidence of hepatitis E infection was 64 per 1000 person-years.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
September 22, 2010
Covering:
Labrique AB et al., Am J Epidemiol 2010 Aug 26
Quality of Care for Patients with Hepatitis C Infection
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Medicare quality indicators point to suboptimal care.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
September 17, 2010
Covering:
Kanwal F et al., Ann Intern Med 2010 Aug 17; 153:231
Pegylated Interferon Alfa for Acute Hepatitis C
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Pegylated interferon alfa-2a at 135 µg weekly for 24 weeks cleared hepatitis C viremia in 89% of hemodialysis patients with acute infection.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
September 15, 2010
Covering:
Liu C-H et al., Clin Infect Dis 2010 Sep 1; 51:541
Hepatitis C Virus Survival in Syringes
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Under certain conditions, HCV can survive longer than 2 months.
By Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD
September 8, 2010
Covering:
Paintsil E et al., J Infect Dis 2010 Oct 1; 202:984
Rich JD and Taylor LE., J Infect Dis 2010 Oct 1; 202:981
Hepatitis E Vaccine Efficacious and Safe
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
In a large phase III trial conducted among adults in China, three doses of the vaccine had 100% efficacy at 1 year.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
September 1, 2010
Covering:
Zhu F-C et al., Lancet 2010 Aug 23
Holmberg SD., Lancet 2010 Aug 23
Rituximab for Mixed Cryoglobulinemia
The combination of rituximab with pegylated interferon and ribavirin boosted responses in MC patients with hepatitis C virus infection.
By David Green, MD, PhD
August 24, 2010
Covering:
Saadoun D et al., Blood 2010 Jul 22; 116:326
Dammacco F et al., Blood 2010 Jul 22; 116:343
Petrarca A et al., Blood 2010 Jul 22; 116:335
Triple Therapy for Genotype 1 Hepatitis C Infection
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Free
A new regimen that included boceprevir yielded high rates of sustained virologic response.
How Durable Is Peginterferon Therapy in Hepatitis B e Antigen–Positive Patients?
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Virologic response was relatively durable, and spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion was common even after treatment had ended.
Peginterferon and Cognitive Impairment in Patients with Hepatitis C Virus Infection?
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
A link between peginterferon maintenance therapy and cognitive impairment is unlikely.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
August 20, 2010
Covering:
Fontana RJ et al., Am J Gastroenterol 2010 Jul; 105:1551
Let Paris Be Your Guide
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
The Paris criteria detected primary biliary cirrhosis and autoimmune hepatitis overlap syndrome with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
August 20, 2010
Covering:
Kuiper EMM et al., Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2010 Jun; 8:530
Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Risk for NHL was associated with hepatitis B surface antigen positivity.
Duration of Therapy for Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 2 or 3 Infection
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Sixteen weeks might be enough but only for a small fraction of patients.
Hepatitis C Virus Transmission at an Endoscopy Clinic
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Eight cases were identified; contamination and reuse of open propofol vials was the likely source.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
July 21, 2010
Covering:
Fischer GE et al., Clin Infect Dis 2010 Aug 1; 51:267
Vaccination's Effect on Hepatitis B
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
A vaccination program initiated in the U.S. nearly 2 decades ago has reduced the prevalence of this infection in people aged 6 to 49.
Long-Term Outcomes in Carriers of Inactive Hepatitis B Virus
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Such carriers are at elevated risk for hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis — and likely require long-term follow-up.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
June 18, 2010
Covering:
Chen J-D et al., Gastroenterology 2010 May; 138:1747
