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
Mycobacterial Infections After Mesotherapy
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Rapidly growing mycobacteria were isolated in 12 of 16 patients who developed cutaneous abscesses after mesotherapy injections; antibiotics did not hasten improvement.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
October 21, 2009
Covering:
Regnier S et al., Clin Infect Dis 2009 Nov 1; 49:1358
Hepatitis B Guidelines, Updated
Infectious Diseases Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
This revised document provides useful information about the prevention, diagnosis, and management of HBV infection.
By Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD
September 30, 2009
Covering:
Lok ASF and McMahon BJ., Hepatology 2009 Sep; 50:661
Testing for and Prevalence of HCV Infection in HIV-Infected Patients
During a 12-year observational study among HIV-infected patients, the prevalence of HCV coinfection decreased from 37% to 20%.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Seroclearance
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
After achieving HBsAg seroclearance, HBV patients are at risk for HCC.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
September 25, 2009
Covering:
Tong MJ et al., Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2009 Aug; 7:889
Stopping Lamivudine Therapy in Hepatitis B–Infected Patients
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
A small study tempers enthusiasm for discontinuing oral therapy in patients who achieve seroconversion.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
September 18, 2009
Covering:
Fung J et al., Am J Gastroenterol 2009 Aug; 104:1940
Consensus Interferon After Nonresponse to Standard HCV Therapy
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Patients without cirrhosis who demonstrated some sensitivity to pegylated interferon achieved the best response to interferon alfacon-1 plus ribavirin.
Predicting Response to Hepatitis B Virus Therapy
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Free
Hepatitis B virus surface antigen levels during and after pegylated interferon alfa-2a therapy might be predictors of sustained virologic response.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
August 7, 2009
Covering:
Moucari R et al., Hepatology 2009 Apr; 49:1151
Brunetto MR et al., Hepatology 2009 Apr; 49:1141
Peginterferon Regimens for Treating HCV Infection: Alfa-2a vs. Alfa-2b
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Efficacy and tolerability were similar between regimens.
By Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD
August 5, 2009
Covering:
McHutchison JG et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Aug 6; 361:580
Looking Far Afield . . .
Researchers model an ingenious strategy for vector eradication in dengue fever.
Variability of Liver Biopsy Assessment in Hepatitis C
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Hepatopathologists agreed with community pathologists’ fibrosis staging in approximately 50% of liver biopsy samples.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
July 10, 2009
Covering:
Robert M et al., Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2009 Mar; 7:335
Hepatitis B and HIV — A Tale of Two Viruses
In HIV-infected women with isolated antibody to hepatitis B core antigen, use of ART was associated with acquisition of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen.
Clinical Effectiveness of HBV Vaccination in HIV-Positive Patients
In an observational cohort study that showed a high incidence of hepatitis B virus infection after HIV diagnosis, HBV vaccination was effective only in a subgroup with HBV surface antibody titers
Nitazoxanide for Genotype 4 Hepatitis C Virus Infection
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Triple therapy comprising nitazoxanide, peginterferon alfa-2a, and ribavirin increased the percentages of sustained virologic response in HCV patients compared with standard therapy.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
June 19, 2009
Covering:
Rossignol J-F et al., Gastroenterology 2009 Mar; 136:856
Monitoring Asymptomatic Hepatitis B Patients
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Some patients at risk for alanine aminotransferase flares might benefit from being monitored every 3 months.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
June 19, 2009
Covering:
Kumar M et al., Gastroenterology 2009 Apr; 136:1272
ART and HCV Activity
ART may decrease hepatic necroinflammatory activity in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients with CD4 counts >350 cells/mm3 .
Interferon for Older Patients with Hepatitis C?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
IFN therapy was associated with improved survival and reduced risk for hepatocellular carcinoma in those with initial platelet counts <150,000 mm3 .
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
May 27, 2009
Covering:
Ikeda K et al., Am J Med 2009 May; 122:479
Serologic Markers for Autoimmune Hepatitis
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Autoantibody status does not seem to influence the clinical or histologic severity of autoimmune hepatitis, nor does it predict responsiveness to immunosuppressant therapy.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
May 15, 2009
Covering:
Mehendiratta V et al., Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2009 Jan; 7:98
Peginterferon and Ribavirin for Dual HCV and HBV Infection
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Sustained virologic response rates were similar for patients dually infected with any genotype of HCV and HBV and for HCV-monoinfected patients.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
May 8, 2009
Covering:
Liu C-J et al., Gastroenterology 2009 Feb; 136:496
Telaprevir Shows Promise for HCV, but Concerns Remain
Gastroenterology Summary and Comment
Free
Telaprevir’s improved SVR rates will need to be weighed against the complexity of the regimen, development of resistance, and higher discontinuation rates.
By Atif Zaman, MD, MPH
April 29, 2009
Covering:
McHutchison JG et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Apr 30; 360:1827
Hézode C et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Apr 30; 360:1839
Hoofnagle JH., N Engl J Med 2009 Apr 30; 360:1899
HCV Coinfection and CD4-Cell Recovery
New observational data suggest that HCV coinfection does not negatively influence CD4-cell recovery in patients receiving suppressive antiretroviral therapy.
Racial Differences in HCV Kinetics During Interferon-Based Therapy
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
HCV RNA levels decline more slowly in blacks than in whites, perhaps because of a block in intracellular responses to interferon.
By Rajesh T. Gandhi, MD
April 8, 2009
Covering:
Hoofnagle JH et al., J Infect Dis 2009 Apr 15; 199:1112
Tai AW and Chung RT., J Infect Dis 2009 Apr 15; 199:1101
Nitazoxanide for Chronic Hepatitis C
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In patients with genotype 4 infection, virologic response rates improved when nitazoxanide was added to standard therapy.
By Larry M. Baddour, MD
April 1, 2009
Covering:
Rossignol J-F et al., Gastroenterology 2009 Mar; 136:856
Darling JM and Fried MW., Gastroenterology 2009 Mar; 136:760
Guidelines for Preventing and Treating HIV-Related OIs
The National Institutes of Health, the CDC, and the HIV Medicine Association of the Infectious Diseases Society of America have published an update of their . . .
