Hepatitis C

Two recent studies presented at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections highlight novel approaches to combat rising STI rates.

Sample: The hygiene hypothesis states that early exposure to germs reduces the immune system’s ability to resist infections in later years. True or false?

Two new studies from the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections highlight the issue of HCV reinfection in HIV+ MSM in Europe and the US. 

Opioids and infectious diseases, PrEP and STI risk, new oral Rx for C diff, and a shortage of ID specialists. We summarize studies, commentaries,  and reports on these topics and more.

Sexually transmitted infection cases have reached an all-time high at an alarming speed. Test your knowledge of different treatment options with our new case challenge. 

How do we combat waning human immunity? Our slide show summarizes 5 new reports that suggest it’s essential to figure that out.

More than one-third of those in recovery from drug/alcohol use have chronic physical disease. A novel study looks at prevalence of health issues by type of substance used.

Sample: A 36-year-old former IV drug user tests positive for chronic HCV and wants to know the likelihood of cure if she completes treatment. How should you counsel her?

A new study found that direct-acting antiviral treatment is linked to decreased risk of liver cancer, liver-related death, and all-cause mortality. 

Results of the largest study of its kind may help quell longstanding controversy surrounding the impact of DAA therapy on recurrence of HCC.

CDC guidance on hepatitis C screening is mandatory primary care reading. Test your recall with these 5 questions on CDC recommendations.

A new study models the impact of 4 key public health interventions on global HCV burden to see if WHO elimination targets are realistic.

A first-of-its-kind study found that among cirrhosis patients with and without HIV-coinfection, liver function improved >50% in each cohort.

William M. Lee, MD, of the Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas discusses the way forward for primary care.

True or False: Hepatitis C belongs to the Fuselloviridae virus family. Answer and 4 more questions in the last Patient Care Hep C quiz for 2018.

The renowned liver expert parses results of 3 studies presented at The Liver Meeting 2018 that could expand the role for DAA therapy in unexpected ways.

Find out: why HCV-infected hearts can be viable for non-infected recipients; why screening pregnant women for HCV is worth it; and, how even injection drug users can achieve SVR.

An HCV-infected patient who still injects drugs wants to start direct-acting antiviral therapy. What do guidelines recommend?

Even though hepatitis C cure rates are high, here are 4 issues that should still concern all healthcare providers.

ICYMI: 3 important studies at IDWeek 2018 highlighted gaps in HCV infection prevention efforts among younger adults, ie, born after the baby boomers.

How much do you know about HCV treatment in children and teens? Take this short, 5-question quiz to find out.

Universal hepatitis C screening for younger adults may be the next essential step in eradicating the infection suggests pediatric ID specialist Claudia Espinosa, MD, MSc. 

Study summaries highlight increased infection rates in young adults; a spike in HCV in reproductive-aged women; and a potential new treatment for HCV in young children.

Scroll through our quick slideshow to see how 3 recently published studies highlight the need for a telementoring program in HCV care.

HCV testing in HIV-infected men who have sex with men should be conducted every 2 years. True or False?

Expanding HCV care through primary care networks is Dr Arora's passion. The prominent HCV specialist and founder of Project ECHO explains why.

ICYMI: HCV elimination success, SVR in blacks, transplant delisting, clearance after acute infection-catch up with a quiz.

Can DAA therapy remove patients from transplant waiting lists? Are HCV-infected livers--and hearts--safe for uninfected organ recipients? Three new studies explain.

Renowned transplant expert Gregory T. Everson, MD, talked with Patient Care about sensitive issues surrounding liver transplant in the era of direct-acting antiviral therapy.

Sample: Which type of practitioner most often makes the diagnosis of HCV: Gastro? GP? Hepatologist? Other?