Promising New Drug for Hepatitis C Infection
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A single dose of a novel compound led to sustained virologic suppression.
By Anthony L. Komaroff, MD
May 20, 2010
Covering:
Gao M et al., Nature 2010 May 6; 465:96
Murray CL et al., Nature 2010 May 6; 465:42
Interleukin-28B and Clearance of Hepatitis C Virus in HIV-Coinfected Patients
Sequences near the <$EMPH_O>IL-28B<$EMPH_C> gene predict response to HCV therapy in HCV/HIV-coinfected patients.
Telaprevir for Patients with Previously Treated Hepatitis C Virus Infection
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Free
Patients who received telaprevir-based regimens achieved higher rates of sustained virologic response than patients who received standard care.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
April 7, 2010
Covering:
McHutchison JG et al., N Engl J Med 2010 Apr 8; 362:1292
Does Alcohol Consumption Worsen Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In a rat study, moderate alcohol intake had deleterious effects on NASH.
Does Abacavir Use Influence HCV Treatment Response?
Abacavir use was not associated with reduced virologic response rates (either early or sustained) in this relatively small retrospective cohort study.
Isolated Positivity for Antibodies to Hepatitis B Core Antigen in HIV-Infected Patients
Many HIV-infected patients with isolated anti-HBc positivity do not have an anamnestic response to hepatitis B virus vaccine, which suggests that they might not have been previously exposed to the virus.
By Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD
April 5, 2010
Covering:
Chakvetadze C et al., Clin Infect Dis 2010 Apr 15; 50:1184
Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Hepatitis C Virus–Related Cirrhosis
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Among cirrhotic HCV patients, those who achieved sustained virologic response from interferon therapy had lower risk for developing HCC than nonresponders.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
April 2, 2010
Covering:
Singal AK et al., Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2010 Feb; 8:192
Rifaximin for Maintaining Remission in Hepatic Encephalopathy
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Free
During a 6-month study, rifaximin was more effective than placebo in reducing breakthrough episodes in cirrhotic patients.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
March 24, 2010
Covering:
Bass NM et al., N Engl J Med 2010 Mar 25; 362:1071
Diehl AM., N Engl J Med 2010 Mar 25; 362:1142
Predicting Fibrosis Progression in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Several independent risk factors predicted progression in obese NASH patients.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
March 19, 2010
Covering:
Sorrentino P et al., Am J Gastroenterol 2010 Feb; 105:336
Hepatitis C Virus and HIV Coinfection: Translating New Discoveries into Clinical Practice
The 2010 Retrovirus Conference enhanced our understanding of the biology, clearance, and treatment of hepatitis C virus infection.
Management of Healthcare Workers Who Are Infected with Bloodborne Pathogens
Infectious Diseases Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
This updated document provides guidance on restricting the patient-care activities of such workers.
Tenofovir for Treatment-Experienced Patients with Hepatitis B Virus Infection
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Monotherapy was effective in patients who failed previous therapy with lamivudine or adefovir.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
February 19, 2010
Covering:
van Bömmel F et al., Hepatology 2010 Jan; 51:73
Peginterferon Alfa-2a vs. Alfa-2b for Hepatitis C
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
In two head-to-head trials, peginterferon alfa-2a regimens provided higher rates of sustained virologic response.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
February 12, 2010
Covering:
Rumi MG et al., Gastroenterology 2010 Jan; 138:108
Ascione A et al., Gastroenterology 2010 Jan; 138:116
Prevalence and Incidence of HBV Infection in an HIV-Positive Cohort
Hepatitis B virus infection continues to be a major problem in a U.S. military cohort of HIV-infected individuals. More effective "prevention for positives" is needed.
By Helmut Albrecht, MD
January 25, 2010
Covering:
Chun HM et al., Clin Infect Dis 2010 Feb 1; 50:426
Briefly Noted
Neonatal cutis laxa, dyskeratosis congenita, and recurrent erythema multiforme
MicroRNA-Based Therapy Treats Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Primates
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A new class of therapeutics offers hope for effective HCV treatment.
Coffee and Hepatitis C Virus Infection
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Greater coffee consumption was associated with lower risk for liver disease progression.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
January 8, 2010
Covering:
Freedman ND et al., Hepatology 2009 Nov; 50:1360
WHO Updates HIV Treatment Recommendations
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
Free
New WHO recommendations endorse earlier ART initiation for HIV-infected adolescents and adults and an even more-aggressive approach for those coinfected with TB or HBV.
By Salim S. Abdool Karim, MD, PhD
December 7, 2009
Covering:
World Health Organization.,
World Health Organization.,
World Health Organization.,
Pain Control in Newborn Infants
Skin-to-skin contact plus 25% oral dextrose is the most effective procedural pain control in newborns.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
December 16, 2009
Covering:
Chermont AG et al., Pediatrics 2009 Dec; 124:e1101
Fibrosis Progression in Patients with Hepatitis C Infection
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
A gene-based cirrhosis risk score predicted liver fibrosis progression in male patients.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
November 20, 2009
Covering:
Marcolongo M et al., Hepatology 2009 Oct; 50:1038
Does Chronic Hepatitis B Therapy Improve Long-Term Outcomes?
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Treatment that resulted in biochemical or histologic response was associated with improved long-term outcomes.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
November 20, 2009
Covering:
Wong VW-S et al., Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2009 Oct; 7:1113
Histological Disease in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Among patients with normal ALT levels and high viral loads, those older than 35 or with fluctuating ALT levels were more likely to experience clinically significant disease.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
November 13, 2009
Covering:
Nguyen MH et al., Am J Gastroenterol 2009 Sep; 104:2206
Influence of HCV Infection on Mortality in HIV-Infected Patients
HCV infection is associated with increased overall mortality, but not with AIDS-defining events, in HIV-infected patients.
By Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD
November 9, 2009
Covering:
Chen T-Y et al., Clin Infect Dis 2009 Nov 15; 49:1605
Viramidine vs. Ribavirin for Hepatitis C Infection
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
The ribavirin prodrug viramidine failed to demonstrate noninferiority to ribavirin in achieving sustained virologic response rates.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
November 6, 2009
Covering:
Benhamou Y et al., Hepatology 2009 Sep; 50:717
Hepatitis E Outbreak Among Cruise Ship Passengers
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Overall, 4% of passengers returning from a 3-month world cruise tested positive for recent HEV infection; one third of these individuals had symptomatic hepatitis.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
November 4, 2009
Covering:
Said B et al., Emerg Infect Dis 2009 Nov; 15:1738
